Friday, May 8, 2020

Town Council denies Dean College liquor license; approved trash/recycling fee increase

Briefly:
  • The Council denied Dean College a liquor license to replace the daily/event based one they request up to 30 times a year. No issues ever over the years of this process, yet fears of future problems prevailed for Council vote. With one member absent, the vote was 4-4 hence failing
  • The water resource map was updated as a formality and necessary to correct technical errors, this was approved as the last legislative item for action
  • The coronavirus update by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen still seems inadequate for at least one Councilor. The plan was released for the phased re-opening of Town operations but it seems to have been not enough
  • The trash recycling fee increase was approved 8-0-1 (1 absent, 8 for)
  • Action on the Community Preservation Act was punted to a future (June?) meeting primarily for tworeasons, Pellegri's absence and concern over the 3% proposal, although the Council still seems to want to put it on the November ballot. And they have time to do so by voting to approve before October
My real-time notes for the Town Council meeting of May 6, a lengthy session on Wednesday night.

  • Real time reporting underway for Town Council meeting tonight, #tc0506
  • 8 of the 9 Council in attendance tonight (Pellegri absent) approx 26 total participating at start of meeting #tc0506
  • Motion to approve minutes of March 22; seconded passed 8-0-1 via roll call (1 absent) #tc0506
  • Jackie Maciel lives on Elm St regarding COVID-19 data as published, raising problem with the #s as reported; towns being held hostage by the cities. Makes reference to AG Barr. #tc0506
  • Next item water resource map update for hearing, had been discussed in time BCE (before coronavirus era) required per state DEP, really a house cleaning item. #tc0506 TA Jamie Hellen provides update, No cost to it. Up to 29 participating now
  • Need to update map due to zoning requirements for the water resource protection, a developer had a proposal stopped to an inaccurate map #tc0506
  • Dean college license application for liquor as discussed in last meeting back up for discussion, and revised since last time per discussion. Modifications to address items raised last time. New license would replace the daily ones they had been using #tc0506
  • Discussion continues, side issues of future, and safety, and would this license then lead to a brewery desire? No, not desired by Dean, trying to simplify the license process for the Town and Dean #tc0506
  • Annual license actually provides more oversight and protection (than the 30 x daily licenses) which is what some Councilors are asking for but appear to be getting confused by the side issues they raise #tc0506
  • TA Hellen provides summary and updates to various points raised during the discussion. #tc0506
  • Roll call vote on the amendment to add the restrictions to the motion, passed 8-0-1 (1 absent) vote on measure itself: Bissanti no, Chandler no, Dellorco no, Kelly no, motion does not carry as it finishes with a 4-4-1 (1 absent) #tc0506
  • Moving on to coronavirus update, up to 98 cases, approx 20/week. Plan on return dept by dept shared last week including Library contactless pickup/take out #tc0506 all Beaver St services open next week, only brush this week
  • Councilor Jones asking for the plan when the TA already said that is further away. There is NO public access under the first wave of the plan released. Not ready to make those decisions, discussion still underway #tc0506
  • Moving on to Community Preservation act, recap of what's been done to get here. Did include 3% surcharge along with the common exemptions, if to out on ballot for Nov, need to decide by October. #tc0506
  • Concern on the 3% item, maybe go lower initially. Get it passed, and perhaps after we have had success raise it later. Bissanti asking for delay to allow Pellegri to participate. #tc0506 most community went with 3 for the additional match/round of funding available
  • Can getting kicked down the road on this item, seeming for and mostly for 3% but deferring to Pellegri for her to weigh in at a meeting in June #tc0506
  • 1- Budget subcomm update on discussion 5/4 with follow up meeting on 5/11 at 5:30pm #tc0506 2- EDC meeting on inclusionary zoning held, another to be scheduled meeting notes and audio posted
  • Legislation up now, Bruins Grant of $75K for Fletcher field of basketball street hockey court under construction #tc0506
  • Acceptance of gift passed 8-0-1 (1 absent) #tc0506
  • Recycling/trash fee increase up for 2nd approval; chart of fees over the years shared previously, still below what we had been paying before we started single stream, vote 8-0-1 (1 absent)
  • Next 5 items all up for approval are for the resulting agreements with various negotiation groups. First passed 8-0-1 (1 absent) these were discussed in executive session last week. All should pass by same vote hearing that. Second does
  • Third passes, same vote; fourth passes, same vote and fifth passes by same vote - see agenda doc for details vote via roll call 8-0-1 (1 absent) #tc0506
  • Zoning bylaw amendment 20-854 passed by 8-0-1 (1 absent)
  • Wouldn't due justice to the council comments with this method of notes, listen to the replay for details. #tc0506 thanks to residents for patience and compliance during this. Thanks to the first responders for their work helping us all!
  • Motion to adjourn, seconded, passed via roll call 8-0-1(1 absent)

The agenda and associated documents can be found online
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-may-6.html

screengrab of virtual Town Council meeting 5/6/20
screengrab of virtual Town Council meeting 5/6/20

HockomockSports.com: Teams of the Decade #16: 2014 Franklin Girls Lacrosse

HockomockSports.com has compiled their "Teams of the Decade" listing and started revealing them this week working up from #20 to #1. In the 16th slot we find the FHS Girls Lacrosse team.

Team: Franklin Girls Lacrosse
Year: 2014
Record: 19-4-0
2014 Kelley-Rex Division Champions
2014 Division 1 East Champions & State Semifinalists

"In the life of any top program, there is a moment that takes a team from being one with potential to one that should be considered a threat to win a title every season.

For the Franklin girls’ lacrosse program that moment came in 2014. The team not only reached its first sectional final but also won the program’s first trophy, a springboard to the Panthers being considered among the state’s top teams every season.

“We had talented players and players who really wanted to take it to the next level,” said Franklin coach Kristin Igoe Guarino, who was in her second year as the head coach in 2014. “They kind of got a taste the year before and then just set high goals and worked hard.”

In Igoe Guarino’s first season in charge, the Panthers went unbeaten in the league and won the Kelley-Rex division title outright (after sharing with King Philip the year before). Franklin was emerging as the dominant force in the Hockomock, which would be borne out by eight straight league titles and more than 80 straight league wins (and counting), but there was a desire to see the team compete at the state’s highest level against the likes of Westwood, Needham, Wellesley, and Notre Dame Academy. "

Continue reading about the 2014 FHS Girls Lacrosse team
https://hockomocksports.com/teams-of-the-decade-16-2014-franklin-girls-lacrosse/

HockomockSports.com: Teams of the Decade #16: 2014 Franklin Girls Lacrosse
HockomockSports.com: Teams of the Decade #16: 2014 Franklin Girls Lacrosse

FHS "Keep Music Alive" 5/08/20 - #7

We hope that you are continuing to enjoy our teacher and student performances! 

Today, we will be featuring:

Chai Harsha
Chai is a sophomore viola player from FHS. He plays in the FHS String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Repertory Orchestra, RI Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and this year was accepted into the Central District Orchestra and the MA All State Orchestra! Phew....He studies privately with Mr. Krishnaswami. 

Bach Sarabande  
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xgBQabvlJKb8kkEeUicORZIfEjpY1ubK/view





Amanda Melmed
This is an original by Amanda Melmed - a junior in the choral program at FHS. Amanda sings in the Treble Chorus and was slated to play Roxie in the 2020 production of Chicago. Outside of her work as a vocalist, Amanda plays piano and guitar, and writes her own songs. 

Enjoy "Sunflowers' Rays"!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TDBfIYrieMulhWyu5AQzcDaN_UNWvXf3/view





Mr. Barrett, Mr. Gustafson, Mrs. Fuller and Mrs. MacMurray
Elementary Staff with a dedication to all of our students but especially to our graduating seniors! Thank you Mr. Barrett, Mr. Gustafson, Mrs. Fuller and Mrs. MacMurray!!! So much fun!

Lean On Me https://youtu.be/VvoUPlmMjjw


MA COVIDTeam says: "Answer the call"


AlertsMA: Help support contact tracing efforts and answer calls with 833 or 857 area codes from the MA COVIDTeam. Learn more: mass.gov/covid-trac

The Public Service Announcement (PSA) shown in the briefing: https://youtu.be/aV990fAGeOk




Gov Baker's full press conference update on May 7, 2020 = https://youtu.be/quCFtxHdwzI



"Just Say Mindfulness" - May 15

Join Michelle Palladini, Norfolk Police Detective and King Phillip Middle School Resource Officer for an online workshop "Just Say Mindfulness" next Friday, May 15 at 12 PM!

Learn ways to empower your children with mindfulness, as a drug prevention effort. Zoom link and short video intro are below:

SAFE Coalition Inc. is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Just Say Mindfulness
Time: May 15, 2020 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84076017966?pwd=M0ozcndsWWlMU1Y3UUIzd0NQUmhsZz09

Meeting ID: 840 7601 7966
Password: 694418
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,84076017966#,,1#,694418# US (Germantown)
+13126266799,,84076017966#,,1#,694418# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 840 7601 7966
Password: 694418
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdjMMyGmVa

Mindfulness with Officer Palladini from SAFE COALITION on Vimeo.


"social distancing in Massachusetts is working"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Gov. Charlie Baker had a simple message Thursday for residents looking for their “chance to fight back” against COVID-19: Answer the phone. Apparently, many people are not.

Baker, along with local and non-profit partners participating in the state’s first-in-the-nation contact tracing program, said the effort will become even more important for the state to identify hot spots and track the spread of the virus as businesses start reopen.

Officials, however, said fewer than 50 percent of people diagnosed with COVID-19 and their close contacts are answering their phones on the first try by contact tracers to reach these individuals and assist them with self-isolation.

“If you get a call or a text from your local board of health or the COVID team it’s vital you take that call,” Baker said. “As we see the curve flatten we can begin thinking about permitting some businesses to resume operations and we want to reinforce that by increasing the importance of testing and contact tracing.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200507/virus-tracing-efforts-hinge-on-people-answering-phones/1

The Public Service Announcement (PSA) shown in the briefing: https://youtu.be/aV990fAGeOk




Franklin Line: Double track photos via Keolis


"Phase Two of @MBTA_CR’s Franklin Double Track Project continues to make progress as crews prepare the track-bed for the installation of new track infrastructure. In 2019, Keolis completed Phase One ahead of schedule and under budget. (1/2)"



"An essential project, Keolis teams are taking appropriate measures with the @MBTA to supply proper PPE, maintain social distance and ensure good hygiene while following guidance from the @CDCgov and @OSHA_DOL. #BuildingABetterT (2/2)"





Franklin LIne: Double track photos via Keolis
Franklin Line: Double track photos via Keolis

Shared from Twitter
https://twitter.com/KeolisBoston/status/1258383425268076546?s=09