Thread by @FranklinMatters

Getting ready for the Town Council meeting in 7 PM agenda doc here franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/… #tc0202

*In person - Municipal Building, 2nd floor - Council Chambers
*Via cable - This meeting is shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29
#tc0202

Via live stream - franklinma.gov/home/pages/liv…
Via Zoom - info see agenda doc
#tc0202

Meeting called to order, Chair Mercer reads protocol statement #tc0202

Citizen comment: James Johnston - re Clara Johnston Room at the Historical Museum (link to be added later) 2nd room gifted two years ago and developing since then apparently is not being accepted by Historical Museum #tc0202 expressing concern over this rejection

85-90 sq feet space were already readied for this, #tc0202
Ms Young speaking in complaint for the Dean students re parking, and other abusive behaviors, similar issue had been at Framingham State and resolved, let's do that here. delivered petition from neighbors

Nancy Danello, Town Clerk, with updates - dog license renewals due, online good option; census late this year, due to the 9th precinct being added awaiting state data. #edc0202 JC Tripp also speaking to the Dean issue better enforcement required in coordination with Dean

Mr McLaughlin can't get to his house due to issues (Dean neighborhood). #tc0202
Motion to approve minutes, Jan 19, second, passes 9-0

Proclamation: Priscilla Cornetta, Friends of Franklin #tc0202

Recognition / Promotion: Police Department - Sergeant Michael Colecchi #tc0202

Recognition / Promotion: Police Department - Lieutenant Eric Zimmerman #tc0202

Recognition / Promotion: Police Department - Deputy Chief James West #tc0202

Two minutes recess #tc0202

Meeting returns to open session
APPOINTMENTS
a. Michael R. Rein - Conservation Commission
#tc0202 motion, second, passes 9-0

LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
a. License Modification - Change of Manager: Let’s Eat Franklin, LLC d/b/a 3 Restaurant, Located
at 461 West Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 #tc0202 motion, second, passes

b. License Modification - Change of Officers/Directors: Rare Hospitality International, Inc. d/b/a
Longhorn Steakhouse; Located at 250 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin, MA #tc0202 motion, second, passes

a. Old South Church - Mike D’Angelo, Director of Public Facilities
i. Old South Church Existing Conditions Report and Peer Review Study. September 2020 #tc0202

What do you want to do with the building? That would then help us determine how and what would need to be done to prepare it. It is not in good shape and is really small (approx 1800 SQ ft) with limited lot area #tc0202 also an easement to consider

Possible RFI/RFP for the building see if someone wants it, would be lots of money to redo, could restrict the changes to the outside but couldn't for the interior #tc0202 multiple questions exploring options, little apparent interest spending to fix without knowing for what?

Best option might be to sell it, could keep some preservation restrictions for the exterior but to try and do something without knowing what to use it for? #tc0202

Discussion on possible RFP to see if there is interest, if we review the proposal we can decide, if then, we could simply go to see for an offer. #tc0202 Town Administrator and staff to work and bring back to Council

EDC did meet earlier and plans are underway for forum Mar 7 on the Franklin for All zoning effort #tc0202

Resolution 22-07: Creation of the Joint Budget Subcommittee - motion, second, passes #tc0202 joint committee would be advisory only but would help to explain the budget and issues; Frongillo speaks for this as an opportunity to help residents understand and invest in ...

Resolution 22-08: Adoption of Revisions to the Procedures Manual of the Franklin Town
Council #tc0202 - Chair Mercer reviews details on the changes made - need to follow link from agenda doc franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/…

Statement on diversity and welcoming added to enforce the position of the Town #tc0202 reduced citizen comments to 3 minutes (to synch with SchComm), in case of a tie votes, the proposal shall be considered defeated (to clarify what was there)

Some of the procedure changes bring them into alignment with current MA general law #tc0202 if sponsor is not present changed from shall to may for action of the chair, requiring name of sponsor removed from bylaw (generally weren't there anyway)

Chair gets formal right to change agenda items for presentation or hearing, they have done that previously, this formally allows them to do so #tc0202

During Council comments restrictions to items not on the agenda, attempting to restrict some of the prior discussions that had been happening and we're creating potential open meeting law requirements; also hearings will start at 7, not 7:10 #tc0202

Closing of hearing by chair without opposition, otherwise chair could ask for a vote; #tc0202 subcommittee appointments clarification language; ad hoc committee appointment coverage to match wording elsewhere; either chair or vice chair can report on subcommittee action

Votes in executive session must be roll call votes, participating decorum changes to help clarify for public demonstration potential. Remote participation, changed to up to 4 first come, first serve; notice to chair on remote need reduced #tc0202

Do have motion and second, open for discussion. Hamblen likes the addition of #4 Frongillo likes #4 also, "chair's sound discretion" OPML gives right to attend but not to participate. This clarifies the role of the chair in charge of meeting #tc0202

Debate limitation will enforce council 3 minutes rule at least to go all around the members before someone gets a second shot to speaking #tc0202 comment on gender reference to say him/her and not just him, will be corrected

J C-T comment requesting to differentiate between agenda items and citizen comments should keep the 5. #tc0202 finally vote on the motion, passes 9-0

Resolution 22-09: Gift Acceptance: Senior Center ($1,000.00) moved, second, passes 9-0 #tc0202 Resolution 22-10: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44,
§53F3/4 moved, second, passes 9-0

Resolution 22-11: Acceptance of Private Road Covenant With Owner-Developer of Smits
Estates, A Two-Lot Subdivision #tc0202 moved, seconded, passes

Resolution 22-12: Order of Layout, Acceptance and Taking of Brandywine Road and a Portion
of Charles Drive and Drainage and Utility Easements: Referral to the Planning Board - motion to waive reading, passes 9-0; motion to refer to planning board, #tc0202

TA report, nothing at this time
Future items; chief will be at the next meeting to address Dean neighborhood issue, req to have a rep from Dean for the discussion; Councilor comments; welcome to Black History Month, let's learn something #tc0202

Thought the Dean parking issue was handled but apparently not; #tc0202 DECA program sending 119 students to States, that is amazing. Panther TV does good stories on students with different backgrounds, new bookstore downtown this week

Encouraging participating in Mar 7 in the Franklin for All forum on zoning; thanks to the DPW for road clearance in the blizzard; thanks to all the teachers for managing all this past month, good news appears to be coming #tc0202

#tc0202 FHS girls cheerleaders approved to go to the nationals, good for them. A lengthy story took a while to handle, at one point 208 homes without power and back within 3 hours
Do have need for executive session, Mercer recuses himself, will not be ...

Not returning to open meeting, Dellorco takes over , motion to enter, second passes 8-0-1 (1 recused) via roll call #tc0202

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