Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - March 4, 2020

Agenda for Meeting Date March 4, 2020

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. February 5, 2020

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
a. Boston Post Cane Award

5. APPOINTMENTS
- None Scheduled

6. HEARINGS 
- None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
- None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
A. Municipal Aggregation
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/8a._municipal_aggregation.pdf

B. FY21 Budget Update
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/8b._fy21_budget_update.pdf

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Capital Budget Subcommittee

B. Budget Subcommittee

C. Economic Development Subcommittee

10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-14: The Town of Franklin Civil Discourse Pledge (Motion to approve Resolution 20-14 - Majority Vote)

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-15: Appropriation of Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per M.G.L Ch.44, §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-15 - Majority Vote)

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-853: Zoning Map Changes on or Near Pleasant, Chestnut, and Brook Streets - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-853 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-Law Amendment 20-849: Changes to Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System Use Regulations, And Use Regulations Schedule Updates- Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-849 - Two Thirds Majority Roll Call Vote)

10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-law Amendment 20-850: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Highland, Maple and Lincoln Streets- Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-850 - Two Thirds Majority Roll Call Vote)

10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-law Amendment 20-851: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Oak Street and Dailey Drive - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-851 - Two Thirds Majority Roll Call Vote)

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Collective Bargaining

I request a motion that the Board vote to convene in Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to collective bargaining, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Board.

15. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION: LEGISLATION FOR ACTION, CONTINUED

a. Resolution 20-16: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the AFSCME Local 1298, Council 93, Public Facilities Maintenance Employees and the Town of Franklin (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-16 - Majority Vote)

ADJOURN


The agenda and associated documents can be found at the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/march-4-town-council-meeting

The agenda can also be found in a single PDF file
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-03-04_town_council_meeting_packet_final_0.pdf

Note:

• Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
• Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Franklin Public Library entrance at night

FHS boys hockey team posts win vs #2 Natick to advance to semi-finals on Weds Mar 4

Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap for the FHS boys hockey win over Natick 3-1

"The Franklin boys hockey team might have had a little luck on its first goal, but the second two tallies were certainly earned. 

After #2 Natick tied the game early in the third period and stole momentum, the 10th-seeded Panthers battled back to strike twice in the last five minutes to earn a 3-1 upset over the Redhawks. 

With a little help from a deflection, Franklin picked up a 1-0 lead in the first period and it lasted until the third. Natick lit the lamp just over a minute into the final period to take control of the game but the Panthers weathered the wave on momentum. 

Instead of the Redhawks capitalizing, the Panthers went back ahead with just under five minutes to play and added an insurance goal with just over a minute to go to secure the win. 

“They kept their composure, we knew [Natick] was going to come out with everything they have,” said first-year Franklin head coach Anthony Sarno. “They are a physical team, a strong team, and they weren’t going to give up…they weren’t seeded No. 2 for nothing. We fought through the adversity, we kept our composure, and we believed in each other and we played for each other. I couldn’t be more proud of them, I couldn’t be more happy for them…this group has earned it from day one.”

Continue reading the game recap online
https://hockomocksports.com/late-goals-lift-franklin-boys-hockey-upset-win-over-natick/

For a photo gallery from this game:
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Winter-2019-2020/Franklin-Natick-Boys-Hockey-02-29-20/

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-29-20/

Franklin’s Colin Hedvig (left) celebrates with Conor O’Neil after the latter scored a late insurance goal against Natick. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

The MIAA D1 South boys hockey bracket can be found online
http://miaa.statebrackets.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=5494

The MIAA D1 South boys hockey bracket updated as of 2/29/20

Franklin Public Schools: Social Awareness Newsletter

Good Afternoon

Please see the attached Social Awareness Newsletter.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ffOjAxm7szxLVfmnpk8zAPz1B3Yf7zT5/view?usp=sharing


Thank you,
Franklin Public Schools


You can also find this and other Social Emotional Learning resources online at
https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/sel/home

Franklin Public Schools: Social Awareness Newsletter

Senator Rausch State House Briefing: Part 1, Chapter 10

"Greetings from Beacon Hill!

Earlier this month, a unanimous Senate passed a bipartisan bill to increase access to mental health services and reduce stigma about mental health and mental illnesses. It was a tough day, but a critically important one. It wasn’t tough because of the vote -- health care absolutely should be comprehensive health care that includes parity for behavioral health, and we all know it isn’t right now -- but rather it was tough because so many of us in the Senate raised real life experiences that are hard to talk about. But that’s the whole point. If we don’t talk about it, we don’t break the silence, and we don’t get any closer to breaking the stigma.

In a speech on the Senate floor, I broke the silence on postpartum depression, also known as PPD, including the fact that PPD can happen after a miscarriage. Miscarriage in particular is a very real thing that impacts so many people trying to become parents, and almost no one talks about it. PPD and miscarriage care are part and parcel of reproductive justice, a framework that seeks to advance real autonomy for people to determine for themselves whether, when, and how to parent. I’ve been fighting for reproductive justice since long before I was elected to the Senate, and I’ve brought that advocacy to Beacon Hill with fervor. I’m proud of the successes already achieved, including advancing legislation to license certified professional midwives, require accessible diaper changing stations for caregivers of all genders, and streamlining the co-parent adoption process that disproportionately impacts same-sex couples. And I’m giving voice to issues of reproductive justice that have gone unheard or never previously been raised."

Continue reading Senator Rausch's newsletter online
https://mailchi.mp/e8b25f04ea1e/senator-rausch-state-house-briefing-2019-year-in-review-12215934

Where's Becca?

“It’s the ‘Cheers’ of Franklin”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"After serving up beer, mixed drinks and dart competitions for 37 years, the Uptown Pub will close at the end of March. 

The decision comes not from the pub owner, but from the building’s landlord, said Hawk Beksha, who works at the pub owned by his father, Ed Beksha. Earlier this year, the pub received a 90-day notice indicating that its lease wouldn’t be renewed. 

“It’s kind of frustrating,” said Beksha, whose father has owned the pub since the early ’80s. A Franklin resident, Beksha has been working at his family’s restaurant for 27 years. 

“To go anywhere else would be tough because of all the (liquor) laws,” he said. “But we have a liquor license, so we have options.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200229/franklins-uptown-pub-to-close-lease-not-renewed

MassBudget: How Does the 2020 Census Impact Federal Funding for Massachusetts?

More than $3 billion each year come to Massachusetts from the federal government directly based on census counts.These funds support education, health care, transportation, housing, and more in our communities. However, Massachusetts communities are at risk of an under count in the 2020 Census.

If we do not get a complete and accurate count of every single person living in the state, we are at risk of losing out on these critical resources. In our latest brief, Why the Count Counts: Federal Funding and the 2020 Census, we provide an in-depth look at several key federal funds vulnerable to a census under count. https://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=Why-the-Count-Counts-2020.html

Key findings from the brief include:

• Young children are particularly vulnerable to being missed in the census. As many as 20,000 young children were missed in Massachusetts in the 2010 Census;
• Funding for Head Start, WIC, special education, Title I dollars for our local schools, are all directly affected by census population counts;
• If the Census 2020 counts are wrong, Massachusetts risks losing out on this funding for a full decade - essentially an entire childhood; and
• Low-income communities, immigrant communities, and communities of color have historically been under counted in the census.

To read the full Why the Count Counts brief, visit our website here. https://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=Why-the-Count-Counts-2020.html

The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

MassBudget: How Does the 2020 Census Impact Federal Funding for Massachusetts?

Fifth Annual Party For The Pantry to take Place April 4

Join the Event of the Season and 

Raise Money for the Franklin Food Pantry

On April 4, 2020 local musicians will band together to raise money for the Franklin Food Pantry at the 5th Annual Party for the Pantry. The event runs from 7:00 am -12:00 am at THE BLACK BOX in Franklin, MA. 

The Party for the Pantry is a fun night of live music from local bands, dancing, raffles, auctions and community giving. Co-organizer Bill Donovan explains why he and co-organizer Ray Auger decided to start this annual event five years ago. “The Franklin Food Pantry does not receive funds from the state or town. They rely ultimately on us, the community, to help keep the shelves full.”

“We are looking for raffle items donated by local businesses and individuals this year for our regular raffle, “Super Raffle” and silent auction. A bulk of the money raised comes directly from the raffles so we appreciate all who donate,” explains Raffle Coordinator Deirdre Donovan. If you are interested in donating please contact Deirdre at deirdredonovan@verizon.net,

The night’s musical lineup includes live performances by We’re Going Streaking, Karate Show and South Street Six, and more to be added. All musicians have ties to the Greater Franklin area and donate their time and talents for the cause. Tickets go on sale March 1 and can be purchased at: http://bit.ly/party4pantrytics20.

The Fifth Annual Party For The Pantry cannot be made possible without the generous sponsorships of our community. As of February 25, this year’s sponsors include: B Luxe Salon, Charon Tree Service, Dean Bank, Envoy Mortgage Company, Franklin Matters, Nerds To Go and Tranquil Souls Yoga. If you would like to sponsor this event please contact Kim Cooper at: kcooper@franklinfoodpantry.org or visit: http://bit.ly/partyforpantry20.

“We are so grateful to Bill and Ray for organizing this event every year to help raise funds for The Pantry,” said Lynn Calling Executive Director for The Franklin Food Pantry. “The Franklin Food Pantry serves over 1,100 of our Franklin area neighbors and we rely on financial and food donations to help provide them with the healthy fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy and canned goods they need to help them with their food insecurity. The money raised from this event will go a long way toward helping our neighbors. We look forward to a great night of music and community!”

About the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to over 1,100 individuals. Clients have access to a variety of fresh, frozen and nonperishable foods on monthly scheduled shopping trips as well as Walk-in Fridays. They can visit the Pantry daily for fruits, vegetables, bread and pastry. As a nonprofit organization, the Pantry depends entirely on donations, and receives no town or state funding. In 2019, 302,336 pounds of food was provided to clients. Other programs include the Weekend Backpack Program, Carts for Clients, Mobile Pantry, emergency food bags and holiday meal packages. Visit www.franklingfoodpantry.org for more information.

Fifth Annual Party For The Pantry to take Place April 4

Franklin: Early Voting Turnout

Early Voting Results:

• Monday, 2/24 253
• Tuesday, 2/25 264
• Wednesday, 2/26 356
• Thursday, 2/27 244
• Friday, 2/28 290

TOTAL; 1,407


Good Week!!!! Have a nice weekend.

Teresa


Teresa M. Burr, CMC
Franklin Town Clerk
355 East Central St.
Franklin, MA 02038
(508)520-4900
tburr@franklinma.gov

PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY - March 3, 2020
STATE PRIMARY - September 1, 2020
STATE ELECTION - November 3, 2020
VOTE and the choice is yours
DON'T VOTE and the choice is theirs
REGISTER or you have no choice
www.registertovotema.com

Franklin: Early Voting Turnout

FHS' Ali Brigham breaks school scoring record in win to advance in playoffs

Via HockomockSports.com and the Milford Daily News, we share the results of the FHS winter sports action on Friday


Girls Basketball = D1 Central
#1 Franklin, 85 vs. #8 Framingham, 37 – Final
– Franklin was ruthless in its opening round playoff game, opening its Central title defense with a 48-point victory. Ali Brigham scored a game-high 29 and passed Kelly Meredith (1,632 points) to become the program’s all-time leading scorer. Olivia Quinn added 18, Megan O’Connell had 12, and Stefany Padula scored 11. The Panthers will face Holy Name in the Central semifinal on Tuesday night at 7:45 at WPI. Franklin won both meetings with the Naps in the regular season.

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-02-28-20/

Jared Keene provides the game write up at the Milford Daily News

"It had been eight days since the Franklin girls basketball team played its regular season finale.

The Panthers won that game – barely – over Bishop Guertin to take an unbeaten record into the postseason. But any thoughts that top-seeded Franklin might look sluggish when it hosted No. 8 Framingham on Friday night were quickly abolished.

Franklin won every quarter and got a trademark game from senior captain Ali Brigham, who made school history in the process, on its way to a convincing 85-37 Division 1 Central quarterfinal victory over the Flyers.

With the win, Franklin (21-0) moves on to meet No. 4 Holy Name – a team it beat twice this season, albeit by just five and nine points – in the semifinals on Tuesday at WPI at 7:45 p.m. Framingham finished up its season 10-11."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/sports/20200229/franklins-ali-brigham-breaks-school-scoring-record-in-girls-basketball-tourney-romp-over-framingham

FHS' Ali Brigham breaks school scoring record in win to advance in playoffs

Franklin Newcomers and Friends: Steve Sherlock to speak - March 11

The Franklin Newcomers & Friends will meet at 7:30 PM March 11 at “3” Restaurant, 461 W. Central St., Franklin.

The group will welcome local resident Steve Sherlock, who created Franklin Matters in 2007, a daily source of information about everything that matters in Franklin. In addition to attending local government meetings, school events and supporting local community organizations, and sharing newspaper articles of interest to Franklin, Sherlock provides photos as he reports on his weekly walks around the community.

The group will meet upstairs at “3″ Restaurant. There is no need to RSVP. Anyone from Franklin or local towns that don’t have newcomers organizations is welcome. This is a multi-generational club offering a wide range of activities for all ages with an emphasis on fun and camaraderie.

Complimentary hot appetizers and beverages are provided and a cash bar is available. Additionally, the Newcomers hold many events to stay connected throughout the year.

For information, visit http://franklinnewcomers.com.

If you don't already subscribe to Franklin Matters, you can do so online
https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html

Franklin Newcomers and Friends: Steve Sherlock to speak - March 11

Franklin Public Schools: Information about Coronavirus

February 28, 2020

Good morning Franklin Families and Faculty/Staff,

We are aware that many families and staff members have concerns and questions related to the news of the recent outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and how it may impact our local schools and community.

As a district, we are remaining informed of the health advisories being issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH), the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and other agencies. 

For your reference, you may wish to view the following links, which are providing regular updates and recommendations:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

https://www.mass.gov/guides/information-on-the-outbreak-of-2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19

https://www.mass.gov/guides/information-on-the-outbreak-of-2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19#-printable-fact-sheets-

While this is a public health concern, the CDC and MA DPH continue to report that the immediate risk to the general public remains low at this time.

Please see the attached letter for additional school-based information related to prevention.

Kind regards,

Franklin Public Schools

 

Franklin Public Schools: Information about Coronavirus

Franklin Garden Club - "Good Bugs and Bad Bugs"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Franklin Garden Club will feature a presentation on “Good Bugs and Bad Bugs” during its next meeting on Tuesday.

The meeting will run from 7-9 p.m. at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St. Social time starts at 6:30 PM.

The event is free and open to all.

Common beneficial and pest insects that gardeners encounter in New England will be highlighted. Their habits and life cycles will be discussed in terms of how their presence affects the success of a garden year."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200228/franklin-garden-club-to-talk-bugs

Franklin Garden Club - "Good Bugs and Bad Bugs"

Franklin Rod & Gun Club - all-you-can-eat breakfast - March 8

The Franklin Rod & Gun Club slated its all-you-can-eat breakfast events through April.

Breakfasts will be held from 8 to 11 AM March 8, and April 5 at the Franklin Rod & Gun Club, 53 Florence St. 

The menu includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, home fries, baked beans, coffee, tea, orange juice and hot cocoa.

The cost is $6 per person and free for children ages 4 and younger.

For information, visit https://franklinrodandgun.org or call 508-528-2573.

Franklin Rod & Gun Club: all-you-can-eat breakfast - Jan 12

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Feb 28 to THU - Mar 5

Friday, February 28

 Library-Leap Frog Scavenger Hunt!-Whole Family

8:00am

 Early Voting for March 3 - Presidential Primary

8:00am

 FDP Networking Breakfast

10:00am

 Knitting Group

7:00pm

 Franklin High School All Class Reunion

7:30pm

 FHS Theatre present "Six Rounds of Vengence"

Saturday, February 29

 Library-Leap Frog Scavenger Hunt!-Whole Family

10:00am

 Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)

10:30am

 Library-Leap Day Family Fun!-Families

8:00pm

 Pesky J Nixon: Circle of Friends Coffeehouse

Sunday, March 1

 Library-Leap Frog Scavenger Hunt!-Whole Family

1:00pm

 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

Monday, March 2

10:30am

 Library-Move Along- Ages 0-5

3:30pm

 Library- D&D for Kids- Ages 7-13

6:00pm

 Community Forum to Address Preparedness For Climate Impacts And Hazard Mitigati

Tuesday, March 3

 Super Tuesday (regional holiday)

6:00am

 Presidential Primary

9:30am

 Library- Cool Cruisers- 8mo-18mo

10:30am

 Library-Get Ready for Kindergarten- 3-5yrs

2:30pm

 Library-You Decide Storytime!-Ages 0-5

4:00pm

 Library-Code I.T.- Ages 4th grade +

4:00pm

 Library-Toe-Tapping Tuesdays-Ages 2-4!

6:00pm

 Library - Adults - Drop-In ESL Conversation Class

6:30pm

 Franklin Garden Club: Good Bugs, Bad Bugs

7:00pm

 Friends of the Franklin Library Book Group

Wednesday, March 4

10:30am

 Library- Terrific Toddlers- Ages 18mo-3yrs

3:30pm

 Library- Creation Station!- Ages 4+

6:00pm

 6th Grade All Town Concert

6:00pm

 Library-Artist Amigos!-Teens (13+)

7:00pm

 Franklin Art Assoc - Monthly Meeting

7:00pm

 Friends of the Franklin Library

Thursday, March 5

9:30am

 Library- Tummy Time- Ages 0-12mo (pre-walkers)

10:30am

 Library-Story Xplorers- Ages 0-5

4:00pm

 Library- Bookworm Bounce Storytime!- Ages 0-5

5:45pm

 FAA Booster Mtg

6:00pm

 Library-Volunteens-Teens (13+)

7:00pm

 Community Information Night about Enrollment Forecast

For the interactive version, please visit

https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this link

https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/links/submit-event

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Feb 28 to THU - Mar 5 

Important links for information on the Coronavirus.

The CDC is updating information related to the Coronavirus on their website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html This site is updated every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You can sign up to receive e-mail alerts related to the Coronavirus on the same site.

You can also find the latest information about the virus from the Massachusetts Department of Health at https://www.mass.gov/guides/information-on-the-outbreak-of-2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19

Printable fact sheets are available here: https://www.mass.gov/guides/information-on-the-outbreak-of-2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19#-printable-fact-sheets-

Important links for information on the Coronavirus.