Real time reporting: Town Council - March 19, 2020

Present: Chandler, Hamblen, Dellorco, Mercer, Kelly, Earls, Bissanti, Jones
Absent: Pellegri


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. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

a. Coronavirus Update and Discussion

4. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

• a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-854: Changes to §185-40. Water Resource District - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-854 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)

kept on agenda to keep process going, otherwise ad expenses would be required to spent again

motion to refer - second, approved 8-0

• b. Resolution 20-17: Acceptance of Conservation Restriction to Protect Well 3A (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-17 - Majority Vote)

motion to refer - second, approved 8-0

• c. Bylaw Amendment 20-855: Chapter 82, Water Fee Increase - First Reading (Motion to move Bylaw Amendment 20-855 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

discussion on holding off on the long expected rate increase, bad timing

fees last increased 2 years ago

preference to wait among councilors

con on the water is devastating policy situation; there is a hard ship provision to handle fees, added ambulance fees to that recently

this is to pay off a borrowing payment that this Council had already authorized, there is an $11M dollar contract in jeopardy of default

The con is extremely painful, contractor onsite

This is an enterprise fund, paid for the by the rate payers who use the service

Asking for more explanation on the increases for FY 21 and FY 22

wants to see the plans but forgets that the plans had been reviewed at each step along the way, this is the last step

we have historically done 2 step increase to ensure planning for all parties, employees, contracts, bond rating, auditors, etc.

motion to move to 2nd reading - second, withdrawn

motion to table to our next scheduled meeting (Apr 15), seconded, passed 8-0

• d. Bylaw Amendment 20-856: Chapter 82, Sewer Fee Increase - First Reading (Motion to move Bylaw Amendment 20-856 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

motion to table to our next scheduled meeting (Apr 15), seconded, passed 8-0

• e. Bylaw Amendment 20-857: Chapter 82, Trash and Recycling Fee Increase - First Reading (Motion to move Bylaw Amendment 20-857 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

motion to table to our next scheduled meeting (Apr 15), seconded, passed 8-0

Councilor Comments (added to agenda)
social distancing doesn't have to mean social isolation

wave hi to your neighbor, check on folks to see if they are okay

look out for everybody

thanks for participation in stormwater information forums
AgCom collecting chemical opt out, check on the Facebook page

we're resilient, we'll come out in the end

thank you for what you have done, stay safe

Thanks to Chris /Franklin TV for coming out tonight, not our normal night
Our first responders, can't thank you enough

be safe, be smart



5. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 8-0


An updated version has been made available for tonight's meeting
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/march-19-town-council-agenda

FM #226 Virtual Conversation with State Rep Jeff Roy 3/19/20

FM #226 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 226 in the series.

Thanks to Representative Jeff Roy for making some time in his schedule to join me for a virtual conversation about COVID-19 and what’s happening in the state government as he works virtually.

The audio segment runs about 20 minutes, so listen in to my conversation with Representative Jeff Roy  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HNCx93cX


Jeff Roy’s COVID-19 update page (as mentioned) 
https://jeffreyroy.com/covid-19-updates/





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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

COVID-19 updates

GATRA Service Update and Dial-a-Ride Information

Press read the attached press release from GATRA regarding service updates and a Dial-A-Ride option for emergency transportation. (Note: FAB = Franklin Area Bus)

"TO THE RESIDENTS OF FOXBOROUGH, FRANKLIN, NORFOLK AND WRENTHAM. 

The Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) Will Be Suspending All Fixed Route Bus Service In Your Towns. The FAB And Tri Town Connector Will No Longer Be In Service As Of Monday March 23,2020 For An Unknown Period Of Time.

However Due To The Serious Situation We Are Facing GATRA Will Be Offering Our Dial-A-Ride Service To All Residents Of Foxborough, Franklin, Norfolk And Wrentham For Critical Transportation Needs Within These Communities.

If Anyone Needs This Reservation Service The Hours And Telephone Numbers Are As Follows:

Monday -Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

800-698-7676. Ext 1


A 24 – 48 Hours Advance Notice Would Be Appreciated. All Vehicles Are Wheelchair Accessible.

GATRA Will Waive All Fares.

Please Be Safe And Follow All Guidelines Set By The CDC And Mass Dept. Of Public Health."

Download or read the full press release PDF
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/press_releasetri_town_and_fab.pdf

Franklin Area Bus

Representative Jeff Roy: COVID-19 update #3

"I share your concerns about the spread of the Corona virus (COVID-19) and, as you know, new information is coming out regularly. So, I am updating you on the latest news. You can also check the special state website for latest updates at https://www.mass.gov/covid19.

Current cases. In Massachusetts, there are a total of 256 cases of COVID-19, out of the 2,271 individuals that have been tested. For complete details, click here. The state's capacity to test has been expanded so we expect that number to rise as more people get tested.

Unemployment Insurance. Today, the House of Representatives and the Senate voted to pass, and the Governor signed, legislation that grants certain workers a waiver from the one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits. DUA may now pay unemployment benefits if a worker is quarantined due to an order by civil authority or medical professional; or leaves employment due to reasonable risk of exposure or infection, or to care for a family member and does not intend, or is not allowed, to return to work. The worker need not provide medical documentation and need only be available for work when and as able. 

Emergency regulations are being filed to allow workers to collect unemployment if a workplace is shut down and expects to reopen in four or fewer weeks; and also to waive the one (1) week waiting period for unemployment benefits. For more information and to file a claim, click here. 

Virtual Office hours. My in-person office hours scheduled for this Thursday and Friday this week were cancelled due to the closure of the Franklin Senior Center and the ban on restaurant service. However, we will be conducting virtual office hours on Friday morning (March 20) using zoom.com. To participate, go to https://zoom.us/j/7345161755 and type in this meeting ID: 734 516 1755. I'll be there to answer questions and provide information. If you do not have access to a computer, you can dial in at 1-646-558-8656 and punch in this access code: 7345161755#."

Continue reading Rep Roy's update
https://mailchi.mp/eefb12f4c1b0/ux2l17im8a-2479485

Representative Jeff Roy: COVID-19 update #3

“The fact is this pattern is obviously not sustainable”

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:

"A little less than half of what Franklin Public Schools has requested from the town to fund for its proposed fiscal year 2021 budget will be cut to balance the town’s budget. 

That is what Town Administrator Jamie Hellen told the Town Council on March 4 as he reviewed the town’s FY 21 budget, which shows a $3.484 million deficit. On Wednesday, he announced that public hearings for that budget - originally scheduled for May - have since been postponed to June because of COVID-19 concerns. 

Requesting a $3.9 million increase in town funding for FY21 - about 6% over FY20 - and anticipating a budget gap, the proposed FY21 budget of $68.8 million fills over half of the town’s proposed FY21 budget of $124 million, said Hellen at the meeting. That brings the school budget’s level of service to about 95% of the town’s projected revenue it’s expected to take in the next fiscal year, said Councilman Matt Kelly. 

“It’s a huge chunk of our budget,” he said. “There’s no fluff in this, to be truthful. We came in last year saying we were going to be $3 million and $4 million short, and here we are.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200318/franklin-to-cut-nearly-half-of-requested-town-funding-for-schools-proposed-fy21-budget


Recent podcast with Jamie Hellen

The first of our monthly series with Jamie
https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HcQcbQpX

At the Senior Center, where the budget did come up
https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HNlMs2bX

Additional info can be found on the Town of Franklin budget page
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

additional info can be found on the Town of Franklin budget page

FHS Cheerleaders - video from South Regional Championship

At least part of the video of the FHS Cheerleaders performance for the South Regional.

South Regional Grand Champs with a 93.9! #macheer2020 pic.twitter.com/qgNIdxZ59R

— FHS CHEER (@FHScheer_) March 18, 2020

Shared via Twitter  https://twitter.com/FHScheer_/status/1240083894571073542

FHS Cheerleaders - video from South Regional Championship (Twitter photo cropped)

Town of Franklin: updates on Library, Online services, recreational spaces

Via the Twitterverse:

"We are now increasing our curbside delivery to items available on our shelves! Check the Library's catalog at http://find.minlib.net/iii/encore/?lang=eng… . Give us a call at 508-520-4941 during our modified business hours (Monday-Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm). We will check out up to five items per card."

https://twitter.com/FrkPublicLib/status/1239943700513464320?s=20

"The Town of Franklin is open for business, with adjustments made for the safety of our staff and community. Please see the options that are available for bill pay, census forms, dog licensing, etc... below. Our online licensing portal is always open."

https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1240284548308533248?s=20

"In efforts to encourage social distancing recommendations, the Town of Franklin is closing ALL recreational facilities (parks, playgrounds, etc.) to the public. With growing concerns of COVID-19, it is of the utmost importance to follow guidelines to mitigate the spread."

https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1240328191123865601?s=20

Town of Franklin: updates on Library, Online services, recreational spaces