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

"The public will NOT be permitted to enter the building or participate in person. Only pre-approved participants on the meeting agenda will be allowed to enter the Building and participate in person. Residents can attend and participate via the “ZOOM” Platform."

"A NOTE TO RESIDENTS: Due to the continued concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus and Governor Baker’s declared State of Emergency, we will be conducting a remote/virtual Town Council Meeting for all public access and participation. In an effort to ensure citizen engagement and comply with open meeting law regulations, citizens will be able to dial into the meeting using the provided phone number (Cell phone or Landline Required) OR citizens can participate by clicking on the attached link (Phone, Computer, or Tablet required). The attached link and phone number will be active for the duration of the meeting for citizens to ask questions/voice concerns. If residents are just interested in watching the meeting it will also be live-streamed by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29."

1. ELECTION OF OFFICERS    

Town Council Chair, Vice Chair, Clerk

 

2. ANNOUNCEMENTS   

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. 

 

3. CITIZEN COMMENTS   

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.

 

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES   

None Scheduled

 

5. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS   

None Scheduled

 

6. APPOINTMENTS   

None Scheduled

 

7. HEARINGS - 7:10pm   

None Scheduled

 

8. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS   

None Scheduled

 

9. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS   

a. Temporary Town Clerk - Nancy Danello

b. Think Franklin First - Anne Marie Tracey

c. Town Council Goals midterm update

 

10. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS   

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Budget Subcommittee

c. Economic Development Subcommittee

 

11. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   

11a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   

Resolution 20-63: Acceptance Of Grant Of Utility (Drainage) Access and Maintenance Easement on Lot 78a, Mine Brook Estates Subdivision (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-63 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/web_2_easement_20-63.pdf

 

11b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   

Resolution 20-64: Town Council Authorization Pursuant To G.L. Chapter 44, Section 70 For Town to Execute Memorandum of Understanding and Otherwise to Participate in Federal Government Reimbursement Program for Foster Care Transportation (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-64 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/web_3_foster_care_20-64.pdf

 

11c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   

Bylaw Amendment 20-863: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees - Temporary reduction in Municipal Service Fees for Common Victualer All Alcohol and Wine & Malt Licenses for the 2021 License Renewal Season - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 20-863 to a second reading - Majority Roll Call Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/web_4_fees_20-863.pdf

 

12. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT   

a. COVID-19 Update

b. Board of Health Catering & Food Trucks Update

 

13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS   

 

14. COUNCIL COMMENTS   

 

15. EXECUTIVE SESSION   

None Scheduled

 

ADJOURN   

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

PDF version of the agenda can be found https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/november_4_tc_agenda.pdf

Meeting packet page on the Town of Franklin  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/november-4-town-council-agenda

 

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

The Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee - marks the tunnel opening

The journey to upgrade the abandoned railroad path in Franklin & Bellingham began in December of 2008 when a representative of the Franklin Odd Fellows sat in on a meeting of the Grand Trunk Trailblazers in Thompson, CT and offered to be Franklin’s representative as the most easterly of (6) towns making up the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) from Franklin to the Connecticut border. 

The towns from East to West are Franklin, Bellingham, Blackstone, Millville, Uxbridge, Douglas.  The grassroots committee that was formed in January of 2009 was called the Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee, but that was later changed to the Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) when Bellingham members joined the committee and we saw a need to expand.  

By December of 2009, the rail trail committee had secured an Opinion of Probable Cost from Pare Engineering in Lincoln, RI to improve the overgrown railroad right of way into a multipurpose walking and biking trail with a tunnel at the Prospect St. crossing.   For the next 11 years the committee advocated, fundraised and continually worked to obtain grants and petitioned our state government for funds to improve the SNETT.  

Both towns of Franklin & Bellingham have been active participants in the process adding parking lots and signage at road crossings.   The town of Bellingham made a significant contribution by burying a town waterline on the path and getting a significant portion of the Bellingham section completed to a finished grade.  The high point of the committee’s effort has been the funding and construction of the tunnel at Prospect St.  

State Rep. Jeff Roy and State Senators Karen Spilka and Richard Ross signed on to an initial Bond Bill that included the necessary funding for the trail and tunnel.  State Rep. Mike Soter of Bellingham, the Bellingham Planning Committee and Franklin Town Administrators Jeff Nutting and Jamie Hellen of Franklin have also been active participants.  

The committee is also grateful for the thousands of runners who have supported our 9 years of fundraiser road races and the numerous corporate donors who gave us much needed annual financial support and for the Town of Franklin for allowing us to use the Remington School for our Road Race site.  

The committee is also very grateful for all of the advice, support and “boots on the ground” manpower that we received over the years from the Department of Conservation (DCR) and we certainly understand that whatever success we’ve had as a grassroots committee would not have been possible without their full cooperation and support.

**  Written by Dave Labonte, original member of the FBRTC. 

For more about the FBRTC    https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/

In @TOFranklinMA The new SNETT tunnel was celebrated on Friday. @KarenSpilka @jeffroy @BeccaRauschMA   @Gannett       Look for upcoming  @laurenwhy_ @milforddaily story.  

 

Photo gallery here: https://t.co/f8i5BWGgOZ  

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/fZnxTQEVLE

Additional photos from Rep Jeff Roy on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/534850033/posts/10164157069840034/

photo from Rep Jeff Roy on Facebook

 

“The common thread is the energy and innovation we see in these public ‘palaces’ of knowledge"

From the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) 

"The Library Land Project announced on Oct. 22 that it has received its 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS and formed a board of directors.

These two developments will help further the project’s mission to explore, document and promote public libraries in order to educate people about the important role these institutions play in our communities.

Founders Adam Zand and Greg Peverill-Conti met at the Newton Free Library and launched the first Library Legislative Day in March 2019.

“We came to appreciate what incredible ‘opportunity engines’ libraries are in our communities,” said Peverill-Conti, the project’s executive director. “Sadly, many people have wildly outdated perceptions of these institutions. We want to update and expand the way people think of public libraries.”

Continue reading the article online
https://www.mma.org/library-land-project-begins-new-chapter-as-nonprofit-organization/

For more about the Library Land Project, visit their webpage  https://librarylandproject.org/

“The common thread is the energy and innovation we see in these public ‘palaces’ of knowledge"

November VIRTUAL Veterans Coffee Social - Nov 4

November VIRTUAL Veterans Coffee Social

Join us! Wednesday, November 4 at 10:00 AM

HELLO VETERANS!

It's hard to believe November (and Election Day!) is right around the corner! As most of you know, the Franklin Senior Center is still closed to the public. Dale and Debra continue to work from home and the office on alternating days.

We hope you and your families are remaining healthy and safe by wearing face coverings and observing social distancing guidelines when out in public. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after going to the store or appointments. Keeping hand sanitizer in your car is a good idea too!

Flu shots are available at local pharmacies. If you're over 65, you may want to call ahead to be sure your pharmacy has the high-dose influenza vaccine in stock.

The Veterans' Office will be hosting our monthly coffee social via Zoom on Wednesday, November 4 at 10:00 AM

We hope you can join us for veterans' updates and conversation with fellow veterans! Feel free to extend the invitation to other veterans who may not be on our contact list.

If you have not participated in a Zoom call yet, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your device before joining us.

Here is the log-in information for the November 2020 meeting only:

Join Zoom via URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89494755344

Call in number: 1-929-205-6099

Enter Meeting ID: 894 9475 5344 and press #

For more information, contact the Veterans Services Office at: (508) 613-1315.

We look forward to chatting with you at the November Coffee Social!

November VIRTUAL Veterans Coffee Social - Nov 4

Planning Board Public Hearing - 515 W Central St - Day Care Facility - Nov 16

In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a Remote public hearing on Monday, November 16, 2020 at 7:15 PM, for a Site Plan Modification application at 515 West Central Street in Franklin, MA prepared by Guerriere & Halnon, Franklin, MA, Inc. and submitted to the Department of Planning & Community Development on October 26, 2020, by Franklin Learning LLC, 206 Great Road, Littleton, MA.

The property is located in the Commercial II Zoning District (Assessors Map 270 Lot 029.2) on West Central Street. The applicant is proposing to construct a 2-story day care facility within 5,250 sq/ft and a 3,790 sq/ft playground, associated utilities,  parking accommodations, drainage and landscaping.

The hearing will provide an open forum for the discussion. This meeting will be done remotely via the “ZOOM” platform. Residents can visit the Town Website (Franklinma.gov) and click on the Town Calendar for up to date information on how to access the meeting.

For the complete legal notification of this meeting

https://www.franklinma.gov/legal-notices/agenda/public-hearing-notice-515-west-central-street

To access records and files for this project, please go to https://www.franklinma.gov/planning-board/pages/515-west-central-street

 

515 W Central St - Day Care Facility - Nov 16

Keep It Local - Support Franklin Businesses

As part of its Keep It Local - Support Franklin Businesses campaign, the Franklin Downtown Partnership is distributing these signs to local businesses. Please look for these signs on businesses doors or windows and support our local establishments!

Keep It Local - Support Franklin Businesses

Shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership page
https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2020/10/look-for-keep-it-local-signs.html

Note: Franklin Matters/Steve Sherlock is a individual member of the partnership and proud supporter

#ThinkFranklinFirst

50+ Program session: Fall Workshop Series - Session #5 You are a STAR! - Nov 10

Fall Workshop Series - Session #5
You are a STAR!
Your Quantifiable Achievements give You the Edge
 Tuesday, Nov 10th from 10:00 am – 12 pm

*Virtual Doors open at 9:45 am*
The session will start promptly at 10 am

PRESENTER: Debbi Hope, Hope Associates, LLC
CO-HOST: Melody L. Beach, Melody L. Beach Consulting Group
Host: Susan Drevitch Kelly-50+ Program Director/Founder

In this session, you will learn how to create your achievement statements using the STAR technique: Situation, Task, Action, Result. These quantifiable achievements are the "launch pad" to a great resume, creative success story, effective cover letter and successful interview!

Accomplishment statements are by far the most critical part of a resume. This is a way for you to highlight your strongest accomplishments that are most relevant to the career you are pursuing. They will highlight the "Will-Do" aspects of your experience and demonstrate your ability to make an impact on the company you work for. You will be able to create a results-oriented resume versus a basic accounting of what you did and timelines ("Can-Do").

Bring your most current resume and get ready to get creative and beat the competition.

If you are NEW to the 50+ program and have never attended any sessions, Registration is Required. .  Use this hyperlink to register; select Webinar Series and complete the rest of the form. Upon receipt, you will receive an email with a Zoom link to attend the event.

Download flyer as reminder:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11og15hRxi4nBS5HE2XBxo-PN8PsKOGuJ/view?usp=sharing

Session #5 You are a STAR! - Nov 10