Franklin, MA: Town Council - Meeting Agenda - May 19

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

May 19, 2021 - 7:00 PM

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

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.

b. Chair to identify Council Members participating remotely

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. EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. Considering the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Board.

4. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION

5. ADJOURN

Please find the agenda and connection info for the Meeting https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-05-19_town_council_agenda_1.pdf

Maple Hill Definitive Subdivision Plan (per submission to Planning Board)
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/definitive_subdivision_plan.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Meeting Agenda - May 19

FM #542 - Economic Development SubCommittee Mtg - 05/12/21 (audio)

FM #542 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 542 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Economic Development SubCommittee meeting held on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the SubCommittee members were in the Municipal Bldg, other members joined the public via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. My notes taken during the meeting are also linked to.

The recording runs about 1hour and 46 minutes, so let’s listen to the EDC meeting for May 12.

Audio file =  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/de4a9bc7-faac-4986-a095-8a6c81388229

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The agenda doc for this meeting can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/edc_agenda_for_may_12.pdf 

Housing Production memo

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/memo-_2021_public_draft_housing_production_plan.pdf 

 

Housing Production Plan

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/franklin_housing_production_plan_-_may_2021_public_draft.pdf 

My notes captured during the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/05/recap-economic-development-subcomm.html

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

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/ or www.franklin.news/

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!

------------------

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

 

Housing Production Plan

“Putting Humpty Dumpty back together again is a monumental task”

"About 8 million fewer people are working in the United States than before the pandemic hit and there are about 8 million job openings. That would seem to align perfectly for a booming and fast-healing labor market as the nation’s reopening accelerates.

It’s proving not nearly that simple.

“We have job fairs. We have ads going on everything from social media to Indeed, to the Globe and the Cape Cod Times. We’re not getting responses,” said DeWitt Davenport, chief executive of the Davenport Companies in South Yarmouth, which has had to scramble to hire housekeepers and other workers for its five Cape resorts. “This is something I’ve never seen in my entire life of 40 plus years of the hospitality industry on Cape Cod.”

COVID hit the economy last year like a category 5 hurricane, blasting away more than 22 million jobs, upending entire industries, and exposing deep inequities in pay and working conditions. The upheaval is dramatically reshaping the jobs market, leading many Americans, especially in the low-wage restaurant sector, to reconsider their careers, while causing government officials to reassess their policies and business owners to redouble their efforts to lure workers as pandemic restrictions disappear."

Continue reading the article online  (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/15/nation/why-reassembling-shattered-jobs-market-is-proving-so-difficult/

Senior Center - Town Officials, State Rep Jeff Roy office hours - May 20

State Representative Jeff Roy, Town Council Members, and Town Administrator Jamie Hellen will be available to chat, answer questions and provide updates. 

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.

When: May 20, 2021 08:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kdu2spjsiGtx0AUbmkjiKA_LqhIZK9G8L

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Senior Center - Town Officials, State Rep Jeff Roy office hours - May 20

Hold the dates! - Franklin ArtWALK Celebration - June 11-13, 2021

"Mark your calendar! The Franklin Cultural District is sponsoring a 3-day art & cultural event, Franklin ArtWALK Celebration from June 11-13! Events include live performances, art exhibits, family activities, a kick-off reception & more!

Visit https://www.franklinculture.org/home/pages/franklin-artwalk-celebration-escape-arts for details!"

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/franklinculture/status/1392934220910190597

 

 

Hold the dates! - Franklin ArtWALK Celebration - June 11-13, 2021

Join the HMEA May 16 and May 23 events virtually

May 16, 2021 is HMEA's 60^th Birthday! To mark this occasion and get in shape for incredABLE Day, we'll be taking a Stroll Down Memory Lane on Sunday, May 16 at 6pm. Join us for some virtual social time, lots of giveaways, and a brief slideshow of the last 20 years of incredABLE Day; you'll probably see yourself from over the years!

• It's FREE! Just click HERE to join, or click the invitation attached to add to your Outlook calendar
• Use Passcode: 20years
• Tons of GIVEAWAYS, including special-edition HMEA swag, Dream Raffle tickets, Papa Gino's party packs, and more!
• Get food for the show! Order from ANY Papa Gino's location or ANY participating D'Angelo location on May 16 between 12pm and 7pm, mention you're supporting HMEA's 20^th Anniversary incredABLE Day, and 20% of your order will be donated to the incredABLE Day team of your choice! 

 

Also for your calendar:

May 23 is HMEA's 20^th Anniversary incredABLE Day! Tune in to HMEA's Facebook page or YouTube page on Sunday, May 23 for special live coverage of incredABLE Day, starting at 10:00am!

• It's FREE to watch!
• See who wins the incredABLE 5K, photo and video contests, challenges, and auction!
• Hear from special guests and chime in with your live comments!
• Find out if you're a winner during LIVE Dream Raffle an 50/50 Raffle drawings!

 

                

National Weather Service readies for the 2021 hurricane season. Are we ready?

The weather is so nice and warm, after being confined indoor for winter (and due to COVID=19) it is about time we could enjoy it. Did you know that hurricane season officially starts soon? Alerts started on May 15. The season officially opens June 1.

Sign up for alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS)  https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Additional info on service enhancements for this season as well as info on the social media accounts to track   https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/NHC_new_products_services_2021.pdf

Oops, we already missed "Hurricane preparedness week" (May 9-15)

https://www.weather.gov/wrn/hurricane-preparedness

"Today, May 15th, marks the first day of routine issuance of the
Atlantic basin Tropical Weather Outlook in 2021. This product
describes significant areas of disturbed weather and their potential for tropical cyclone formation during the next five days. The Tropical Weather Outlook is issued from May 15 through November 30 each year. The issuance times of this product are 2 AM, 8 AM, 2 AM, and 8 PM EDT. After the change to standard time in November, the issuance times are 1 AM, 7 AM, 1 PM, and 7 PM EST. 

A Special Tropical Weather Outlook will be issued to provide
updates, as necessary, in between the regularly scheduled issuances of the Tropical Weather Outlook. Special Tropical Weather Outlooks will be issued under the same WMO and AWIPS headers as the regular Tropical Weather Outlooks. 

A graphical version of the Tropical Weather Outlook is available on the web at: https://www.hurricanes.gov."

There are no tropical cyclones in the Atlantic at this time.

MA Consumer Affairs: COVID-19 vaccine survey alert; Emergency broadband benefit announced

"FRAUD ALERT: COVID-19 Vaccine Survey Scam"

"Distribution of the approved COVID-19 vaccines is well underway, but fraudsters are gaining access to vaccine-related data almost as fast as the rollout. According to Google’s vaccination statistics, over 7 million people in Massachusetts have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine – that’s over 60% of the state’s population.

After getting the first dose of any approved iteration of the COVID-19 vaccine, some consumers may receive imposter emails or texts posing as Moderna, Pfizer, or Johnson and Johnson. These messages often claim to be “post-vaccination surveys,” however none of the current vaccine providers are conducting surveys at this time. Special Agent William McNamara from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says “consumers receive the surveys via email and text message, and are told that, as a gift for filling out the survey, they can choose from various free prizes, such as an iPad Pro.” This is a scam – do not respond!"

Continue reading the article online http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/fraud-alert-covid-19-vaccine-survey-scam/

"The Federal Communications Commission Offers New Emergency Broadband Benefit"

"Staying connected has taken on a whole new meaning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The orders to shelter in place over the past year have created a surge in our digital landscape. This transition happened quickly and caused some to be left behind as work, school, health, and social activities moved to online platforms. To make internet service more affordable, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is providing Emergency Broadband (EBB) discounts to struggling families through a temporary program which just launched this week.

The EBB will provide eligible households with a monthly discount of up to $50 towards broadband service and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.  See link for EBB details: GetEmergencyBroadband.org."

Continue reading the article online  https://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/the-federal-communications-commission-offers-new-emergency-broadband-benefit/

New business - CleanX Franklin opens for business

Proud to announce my new office cleaning business is up and running. CleanX Franklin is a local office cleaning business open Monday through Saturday. If you or anyone you know is in need of an office cleaning please contact us at cleanxfranklin@gmail.com

From their About page:  https://www.cleanxfranklin.com/

"Our mission at CleanX is simple: to provide high-quality services for our valued clients. Our team goes above and beyond to cater to each project’s specific needs. Through open communication and exceptional service, we hope you’ll find what you’re looking for with our Office Cleaning Service. For more information or general inquiries, get in touch today." 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/955635081150249/permalink/4108155262564866/

CleanX Franklin opens for business

Community Preservation Committee - Meeting Agenda - May 18, 2021

 Community Preservation Committee Meeting
Agenda & Meeting Packet
May 18, 2021 - 7:00 PM

 

Agenda:
1. Approval of Minutes for

a. March 30, 2021 Minutes
b. April 6, 2021 Minutes

2. Recreation Presentation & Discussion

Exhibit References:

1. Open Space & Recreation Plan  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/updated_osrp.pdf
2. April 6, 2021 Open Space presentation  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/open_space_presentation_update_4-6-2021.pdf

 

Agenda doc and connection info

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/cpc_agenda_for_may_18_2021.pdf

 

Community Preservation Committee - Meeting Agenda - May 18, 2021

Recap: Economic Development SubComm Meeting - 05/12/21 - downtown parking zoning, housing production plan

Quick Recap:

• The parking downtown seems to be a never ending topic and as such ran through a number of nuances during this session. Conversation could be better if folks stuck to the topic and didn't get sidetracked with other personal issues or mind reading assumptions. At the end, the proposal to reduce from 1.5 to .5 spaces per lot was moved to Town Council for discussion, referral to Planning Board, public hearing process, and then back to Council for their hearings and ultimate vote.
• The housing production plan was released for public comment. Public hearings will be scheduled for discussion and comment collection. A revision is anticipated based upon the feedback and likely sometime later this year, the Planning Board and Town Council will need to vote to approve before submitting to the State. This is a component of the Master Plan to be updated next year 

 

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session

 

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #edc0512

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23edc0512&src=typeahead_click
 
The agenda doc for this meeting can be found
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/edc_agenda_for_may_12.pdf

• Real time reporting underway for the Economic Development subcommittee meeting #edc0512
• Agenda doc and connection info https://franklinma.gov/economic-development-subcommittee/agenda/edc-agenda-27 #edc0512
• First of series of guidance on the American Rescue Plan for restaurants etc. Town will share the info via their normal channels #edc0512 link to SBA application in doc https://restaurants.sba.gov/requests/borrower/login/
• Social media audience is part of spreading the word. Word of mouth helps. Maybe some effort but look into it, money to be used within guidelines. #edc0512
• Moving on to parking bylaw discussion for C1 and downtown commercial. #edc0512 reduces the parking requirements in these two districts. Proposed to go to .5 vehicles parking per lot. Can't really go to zero per legal enforcements. Would have taken planning board out of mix ->
• ".5 is something we can live with" Q why not address non-residential also? Can be addressed. This is a proposal for discussion. Direct cost, opportunity cost, of parking passed on to renters business or residents; indirect costs, encourages impervious surfaces, etc. #edc0512
• Can there be more opportunity for shared spaces? Already possible to get an agreement from a nearby location to bring to planning board. Some spaces need to be required downtown. #edc0512
• Parking has been going back and forth, when Marino came downtown, we dropped parking to 1.5 and I wouldn't go lower for mixed used per Padula chair of Planning Board. Q Was an outside study done on parking downtown? No, Planning dept did so several years ago #edc0512
• Will be contracting with MAPC in near future to look at parking and zoning all together. #edc0512 meters removed to encourage parking, easy payment process was evaluated but not cost effective. Town sold only 4 parking passes this month for commuters, that will change
• Will be looking around 1 mile of the downtown station per new state guidelines looking to enhance the transportation and retail, residential opportunities. #edc0512 "nothing has ever been denied due to parking" building or parking lot is impervious
• Planning Board looks at the mix of business, we are forgetting (in this discussion) about handicap access (and can't do so). Example of possible brewery at the old oil place on Alpine; where would folks park if zero is allowed. #edc0512
• #edc0512 Q on why the 1.5 per units in the trans oriented development. If we could rebuild from scratch, we could do something, we are trying to live with a situation that started with horses/carriages. $20k/space for a parking garage. Where is the snow going to go?
• #edc0512 I live downtown and have 4 vehicles, two in the driveway and two on the street. Should wait for the survey/study before making the decision. No need to rush this, esp now in pandemic when things are different.
• With 1.5 per mixed use and up to 5 residents in a 2 bedroom unit, they could have 3 cars (or more) and have no place to park, with nothing left for retail. #edc0512 C1 is along the 140 corridor, downtown commercial is a separate zone. Need to make an equal balance
• C1 used to be in the center of town and was changed to be downtown commercial. #edc0512 need to get residential development downtown. As for the proposal, ok; as for other things we can/could consider doing; req parking in back of building?
• Takes away ability for a developer to address his site and opportunity. Let's talk about it during the Master Plan process. We have used this for years and amended over time. We could redo it all at once but it will be time consuming #edc0512
• Can count parking on street vs lot, count differently? It is like that now. If we create a town around cars, then we have to live and make do with cars. Let's try and plan around not a car. #edc0512 Town Council can't micromanage what goes where
• Conversation could be better if folks stuck to the topic and didn't get sidetracked with other 'stove pipe' issues. #edc0512 motion to forward to council, seconded, passes 4-0 via roll call Next up housing production plan draft https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/memo-_2021_public_draft_housing_production_plan.pdf
• https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/franklin_housing_production_plan_-_may_2021_public_draft.pdf #edc0512 memo and doc, the two go together
• Public comment extended and open to June 30 on the housing plan #edc0512 Housing Trust will hold public hearing as part of series of public sessions, comments, questions and inputs sought. Other boards and Committees will need to be involved
• Updates go to town council and planning board, both need to approve before it goes to state for their sign off and acceptance. #edc0512 send input to planning dept via email or letter to be part of the process.
• Community preservation Committee also could/should review as they touch housing. #edc0512 consider Jun 16 at 7 PM as next EDC meeting for housing with public hearing input Motion to adjourn, second, passes 4-0
  

Audio of meeting to be available in a couple of days 

 

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen making a point during EDC meeting

FM #541 - School Committee Mtg - 05/11/21 (audio)

FM #541 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 541 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, May 11, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee members were in the Municipal Bldg, other members joined the public via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. My notes taken during the meeting are also linked to.

The recording runs about 56 minutes, so let’s listen to the School Committee meeting for May 11. (yes, that is correct, first meeting under an hour in quite some time).

Audio file =  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/aaf8a7e2-cb23-4388-815d-d7fbb64dc95f

 

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School Committee agenda

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_5-11-21_1.pdf

Meeting packet folder

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/may-11-2021-school-committee-packet 

My notes captured during the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/05/recap-school-committee-meeting-fhs.html 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

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/ or www.franklin.news/

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!

------------------

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

 

FM #541 - School Committee Mtg - 05/11/21 (audio)

FHS girls lacrosse tops Milford on Friday

From HockomockSports.com and Twitter we share the FHS spring sports results:

Boys Lacrosse = Milford @ Franklin, 3:45

[Girls Sprg Varsity Lacrosse] Franklin HS defeats Milford HS, 20 to 3.
https://twitter.com/FHSSports/status/1393314105042292737

 

For all the results around the Hockomock League on Friday

https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-05-14-21/   

 

FHS Panthers

 

May Quarterly Cultural District Partners Meeting - May 17

Good Morning,

The Franklin Cultural District Committee has continued to plan  for the upcoming ArtWALK Celebration which will be held on the weekend of June 11th - 13th. 

 

On Monday, May 17th at 7:00 PM the committee is inviting all of our Cultural District Partners to join us for our May quarterly meeting. At this meeting the committee will update you on all of the ArtWALK happenings.

 

The meeting will be held via the zoom platform. Below you will find the  zoom link for this meeting.

The Cultural District Committee is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Cultural District Partners Meeting
May 17, 2021 07:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81148349871  Meeting ID: 811 4834 9871

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,81148349871# US (Washington DC)

Dial by your location

        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 811 4834 9871
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/ketQuICvYR

 

Escape to the Arts - Jun 11-13, 2021

 

Fiscal Year 2020 Tax Taking

Fiscal Year 2020 Tax Taking

The legal notice of the FY 2020 listing of properties
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/fy2020_legal_notice.pdf

 

Fiscal Year 2020 Tax Taking