Friday, June 25, 2021

Recap: Town Council meeting - deserved recognitions made; 2 restaurant alcohol licenses approved; open meeting law complaint received and addressed

Quick Recap:
  • Two sets of recognitions: one for officer Mellor leaving to go to law school; second, for the multiple police and fire personnel from Franklin and Norfolk who responded to the Winter St fire
  • Two restaurant all alcohol licenses issued, one for Sierra Brick Over Pizza, the other for Proof to operate the second floor as a separate restaurant in the same building as Glen Pharma
  • Open meeting complaint received and acknowledged for not approving meeting minutes in the timely manner as required by law; changes being made to adjust process
  • Two transactions to help close out the FY 2021 finances, both about 200K in total and considering these are the adjustments on a over $100+ budget during a pandemic year, the Town did (and does) well managing their budget
  • Veterans Officer Dale Kurtz to retire, replacement to be hired
  • parking bylaw change referred to Planning Board for their review and decision before it comes back to the Council for 2 readings before final vote

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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

 

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album  https://photos.app.goo.gl/guZrk1xe1hnUSs5C6


The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #schcom0608

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23schcom0608&src=typeahead_click 

 

Agenda folder -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/june-23-town-council-agenda

 

Agenda doc (including connection info) ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/6-23-21_town_council_agenda.pdf

 

 

  • Getting ready for the Town Council meeting at 7 PM. The agenda doc can be found. #tc0623 https://franklinma.gov/town-council/a
  • Dial in info for the session can be found in the image #tc0623
  • Frongillo participating remotely, Dellorco not present in the ViceChair spot. Steve Gilmore talking of the Be The Match for Gigi, link and info shared earlier https://franklinmatters.org/2021/06/be-match-for-gigi-june-26-video.html?m=1. #tc0623
  • Match entries on Saturday will be entered into a drawing for tickets to a Patriots game when #12 visits this season #tc0623 Citizen commenting on the condition of the Brick School. Unipay payments fee will be waived beginning in July (hurrah!) For bank transfer
  • Paperless payments coming to more payments, fee waivers at 35 cents vs. postage at 55 cents #tc0623 per Kerri Bertone the Treasurer/Collector
Recognitions
  • Officer Mellor leaving Police Dept to go to law school. #tc0623
  • Plaque presented #tc0623
  • Chair Mercer lists the fire and police personnel from Franklin and elsewhere who were involved in the Winter St fire #tc0623 2 min recess to allow for in person recognitions
Annual Appointments
  • Clerk Jones reads the listing of annual appointments to boards and committees #tc0623
  • Motion to approve appointments, second, passes (Kelly also not present during break) (although both are expected some time for the meeting) #tc0623 vote via roll call 7-0-2
License approvals
Presentations/Discussion
  • Next up, open meeting complaint about Town Council meetings not approved timely. #tc0623 well handled with response by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/
  • "This is petty, of all the things we do, and this is the worse thing to happen?" #tc0623 "I hope Mr Higgins isn't reading my thought bubbles" "A rule is a rule, a law is a law, and we must comply." Attny Cereal recommends an authorized response (vote by council) vote ->
  • Motion and second, via roll call 7-0-2 (2 absent) EDC met last Weds, two discussions, HPP and home based business;
Legislation for action
Town Administrator's Report
  • TA report, will look at the red brick school house, was scheduled for historical tour for CPC #tc0623 job posting to replace Anne Marie Tracey was made, interviews hopefully in July. Looking to fill before Sep. Chrissy will be leaving and part of transition; Alysia ->
  • Will replace Chrissy, backfilling for Chrissy, job posted In council comments, cool story on the 2nd performance of Bright Stars during the storm Sat night. #tc0623 Chair Mercer recognizes that the police and fire personnel come out in good numbers in recognition of some ->
  • That the public may not always be aware of or see,
Executive Session
  • Motion to move to executive session (to return) via roll call 7-0-2 #tc0623
  • They're supposed to come back to open session but that's all for me tonight, catch you next time! #tc0623

Note: I did not wait for their return. Per conversation with Chair Mercer the morning after, one of the two items for the session were in fact brought to a vote, the other was held due to the 2 absent councilors (Dellorco, Kelly)


 

Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days

 

The Winter St heroes, Franklin police and fire along with some Norfolk personnel
The Winter St heroes, Franklin police and fire along with some Norfolk personnel


FHS Teams in 3 (yes, three!) D1 sectional finals today

FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) tweeted at 7:34 PM on Thu, Jun 24, 2021:

Busy weekend shaping up Panthers! 
Friday - Girls Lax hosts C-C at 4:30 PM in the East Sect Final. Boys Lax hosts Hingham at 7 PM & Baseball hosts BC High at 7 PM - both South Div 1 Semifinal games. 
Saturday - Track heads to Norwell for the D1 State Meet #LETSGO
FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Franklin Odd Fellows: Trivia Extravaganza - Aug 1

On August 1, 2021, the public is invited to join the Franklin Odd Fellows for an afternoon of Trivia, fun and good cheer from 2 to 4:30 PM at the Bellingham Sportsman Club at 360 Lake St., Bellingham, MA 02019.

The event will consist of teams of up to ten players with a registration cost of just $10 per person and $15 at the door.  Team pre-registration and pre-payment is strongly encouraged.

After a long and difficult year in 2020 where four Odd Fellows fundraising events were canceled due to Covid-19, William F. Ray Lodge #71 has remained active and continues with the renovation process of the building and with indoor meetings and cookout gatherings in their quaint pine grove back yard.  

This will be our first social event for this year that will help us to continue the longstanding tradition of giving back to our local community - and have a good time while doing it!  The Bellingham Sportsman Club has worked closely with the Bellingham Board of Health and is now following restaurant guidelines for holding public events.  

Get your team of trivia masters together and register today.  Entries at the door will be integrated into whatever teams have space remaining at their tables.  There will be a cash bar available during the event.

Register and prepay:    http://www.franklinmassoddfellows.org/trivia2021/

Download the flyer as a reminder ->    https://drive.google.com/file/d/133QIpuopY5ohYYMvs3X5TXV-jyrOQUcM/view?usp=sharing  

Franklin Odd Fellows: Trivia Extravaganza - Aug 1
Franklin Odd Fellows: Trivia Extravaganza - Aug 1


Senate Passes $261.6 Million FY 2021 Supplemental Budget

Today (06/24/21), the Massachusetts State Senate passed a $261.6 million supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) to primarily address time-sensitive deficiencies, cover costs related to implementation of the 2020 landmark police reform law and make investments to support the Commonwealth's continued recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the Senate continues to pave the way to an equitable recovery, the supplemental budget passed today includes $131 million to provide support and stability for our early educator workforce, $27.9 million for one-time economic relief payments to families on transitional assistance, and $12.5 million for costs associated with the implementation of last session's landmark police reform bill.

"As we carefully emerge into a post-pandemic world, we must continue to keep a close eye on areas which are critical to our Commonwealth's wellbeing," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "This supplemental budget provides us additional tools to ensure such areas as early education, public health, veteran and family services and transportation remain resilient as we get back to better. I want to thank Chair Rodrigues, Vice Chair Friedman, the team at Senate Ways and Means and my colleagues for their work and collaboration on this proposal."

"As we continue on the path toward our new normal, the supplemental budget passed today by the Senate allows us to pay our bills to address time sensitive needs, while meeting the immediate challenges facing our Commonwealth by investing in our early educator workforce, helping vulnerable families and fulfilling our funding obligations to ensure timely implementation of the police reform law. Additionally, in response to the tragic passing of Worcester Police Officer Familia, this budget includes an amendment we adopted unanimously to close an existing loophole in line of duty death benefits so the families of fallen police officers can get what they are owed," said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means (D-Westport). "Thank you to Senate President Spilka for her steady leadership and continued support and to all of my colleagues in the Senate for their advocacy on behalf of their communities as we continue to recover from the lasting impacts of this pandemic."

"This spending bill maintains funding for critical services throughout the Commonwealth," said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. "It was particularly important that we made investments in our early education and care system, and that we reformed the representation of the MBTA's governance and management board to better reflect the population it serves."

To maintain the Senate's strong support for early educators who have been on the front lines throughout the pandemic, the supplemental budget invests $131 million of federal Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funding into the Early Education and Care (EEC) COVID-19 Stabilization and Workforce reserve. This funding will provide early educator stabilization grants, workforce supports and system-wide technology upgrades. 

In addition to supporting early educators, the Senate's supplemental budget takes meaningful action to combat the lingering effects of the economic crises the Commonwealth has faced over the last 15 months and ensure families receive the economic supports they need to live, work and provide stability for their children. To that end, the budget passed today invests $27.9 million to provide for one-time payments to families that receive Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) benefits, totaling $525 to $580 per child.

Additionally, the supplemental budget provides $12.5 million to cover costs related to the implementation of last session's landmark police reform bill. These funds will be used to support bridge academies for reserve officers and special state police officers previously not subject to the same training requirements as the general law enforcement population, support the first diverse state police cadet class, and to meet municipal police training requirements on mandatory training on de-escalation, use of force, and school resource officers.

With the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority 's (MBTA) Fiscal Management and Control Board set to expire on June 30, 2021, the supplemental budget passed by the Senate today establishes a new seven-member MBTA Board of Directors effective July 1, 2021 and contains a number of changes on the overall governance and oversight of the MBTA. The changes include:

·       Establishing the composition of the MBTA Board of Directors. It will comprise seven members and consist of the Secretary of Transportation, serving ex officio; five members appointed by the Governor; and one member appointed by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Advisory Board. 

·       Requiring that one member of the MBTA Board of Directors appointed by the Governor be a rider that uses the services of the Authority and is a resident of an environmental justice population. 

·       Requiring that one member of the MBTA Board of Directors appointed by the Governor be selected from a list of three persons recommended by the president of the AFL-CIO. 

·       Requiring subcommittees on safety, health and environment, planning and workforce development, and audit and finance.

In addition, the Senate voted unanimously to allow the pension of a police officer who dies while performing their duties in certain emergencies to be paid to their surviving spouse. This change, which closes a loophole, was made to honor the service of Officer Manny Familia, a Worcester police officer who died in June while heroically attempting to save a 14-year-old boy from drowning. If the Senate's language is passed, this supplemental budget would ensure that Officer Familia's family receives the pension he earned.

Other notable highlights of the FY 2021 supplemental budget include:

  • $31.9 million for the Medical Assistance Trust Fund;
  • $13 million for National Guard activations, including pandemic-related work;
  • $11 million for the Department of State Police for pandemic related costs;
  • $9 million for increased COVID-19 costs at the Department of Public Health
  • $7.8 million for home health aide rate increases;
  • $5.4 million for the Chelsea and Holyoke Soldiers' Homes for pandemic-related costs.
  • $5 million for the Police Officer Standards & Training (POST) Commission;

$1 million for the Supplier Diversity Office.

Having been previously passed by the House, the Senate and House will now work to reconcile outstanding differences between the supplemental budgets passed in each chamber before sending the bill to the Governor's desk.


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Thursday, June 24, 2021

Franklin's Ndoumbe Ndoye Awarded Commonwealth Heroine Award

Franklin Resident Ndoumbe Ndoye Honored as a Commonwealth Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women 


Senator Rausch nominated Ndoumbe Ndoye for her local activism and contributions to the Franklin Community 

 

Today (6/23/21) , Ndoumbe Ndoye of Franklin, Massachusetts was named a Commonwealth Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. In a virtual ceremony, Ndoye was celebrated along with over 120 fellow heroines of Massachusetts for her exemplary service to her community.  Senator Becca Rausch nominated Ndoye for her local activism and commitment to advancing racial equity and justice within the town of Franklin and beyond.  


Ndoye, a recent graduate of Franklin High School, is a young leader, role model, activist, and organizer dedicated to combatting social injustice. Ndoye has served in numerous leadership roles, including as president of the FHS Diversity Awareness Club, a local campaign organizer, and a mentor for children of color. Ndoye actively strives to create a better environment for marginalized groups in predominantly white spaces. She is well known for her Kneel for Nine speech on the Franklin Town Common in June 2020 after the death of George Floyd, where she shared her personal experiences with racism. Ndoye plans to study political science and government on a pre-law track as she heads off to college this year. 


The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women gives the Commonwealth Heroine award annually to "women who don't always make the news but truly make a difference." This year, in lieu of an in-person ceremony at the State House, the Commission streamed the ceremony virtually over Facebook live to celebrate women across the Commonwealth for their contributions to their communities.  


"Ndoumbe is a powerful force for good in our community, and I am deeply grateful for her dedication to advancing equity and justice," said Senator Becca Rausch. "As a recent high school graduate, Ndoumbe is a trusted voice and role model for not only her peers and classmates but also to local elected officials and community leaders. Ndoumbe's future is incredibly bright, and I'm thrilled to see the multitude of ways she continues to leave her impact on the town of Franklin and this Commonwealth." 


The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women is a state-established body created in 1998 charged with reviewing the status of women in Massachusetts and offering recommendations regarding policy that would improve access to opportunities and equality.  


Franklin Senior Ndoumbe Ndoye is a determined and passionate youth activist. Photo used with permission from Ndoumbe Ndoye (Pantherbook image from Jason Beckett )
Franklin Senior Ndoumbe Ndoye is a determined and passionate youth activist. Photo used with permission from Ndoumbe Ndoye (Pantherbook image from Jason Beckett )