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motion to move to 2nd reading - second, withdrawn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. ADJOURNmotion to adjourn, seconded, passed 8-0
An updated version has been made available for tonight's meetinghttps://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/march-19-town-council-agenda
