Thread by @FranklinMatters

Live reporting for the Town Council meeting about to begin, #tc0720, a full chamber tonight with recognitions up front on the agenda

Meeting agenda to follow along franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/… #tc0720

Citizen comment on the MA flag and seal needs to change #edc0720 recording of the presentation at the Library in June is available franklinmatters.org/2022/06/change… there is commission underway, it took them more than a year to determine a change is needed

Steve D speaks in support of the flag & seal change, the speaker at the Library session also present tonight. #tc0720

Colin C also speaks for the flag/seal change
Moving on, approval of minutes Jun 8, moved, second, approved 9-0
Approval of Jun 22 meeting minutes, second, passes 9-0 #tc0720

Proclamation: Margaret (Peg) Simpson, 100 years old, still walks a mile a day. #tc0720

Rep Roy has some proclamations from the State House to recognize here birthday #tc0720

Next up recognition of the FHS Unified Basketball team and their gold medal in the special Olympics earlier this year! #tc0720

FHS unified basketball Team and Council photo #tc0720

Brief 2 minute recess for photos and then resumes #tc0720

Appointments for election workers for 2022 franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/… #tc0720 motion to approve, second, passes 8-0-1 (Mercer abstains)

Elks riders present donation of $1k to veterans services tonight #tc0720

Resolution 22-43: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($2,000) (Motion to
Approve Resolution 22-43 - Majority Vote) motion to approve, second, passes 9-0 #tc0720

Next up, presentation/discussion Old South Franklin meeting house for an RFP and there was interest expressed earlier this year. #tc0720
Looking to get consensus around what the Council wants to set the rules & restrictions for the RFP assuming it proceeds as such

Discussion on pros/cons, restrictions, Franklin only residents. Interesting concept with Habit for Humanity present to add their details to the discussions #tc0720 getting an affordable house on the tax rolls makes sense.

Per Attorney Cerel, deed covenants could be applied to cover the affordable and historic maintenance #tc0720 Town staff will proceed to develop the actual terms of the RFP with the covenants accordingly to come back for review by Council before going out

b. Resolution 22-44: Authoring Tax Increment Financing, Plansee USA LLC, 115 Constitution
Boulevard (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-44 - Majority reqd) moved, second, discussion #tc0720 there have been prior TIFs, (Hamilton, Cold Chain, Tegra Medical) an inc over 10 years

Frongillo not understanding full impact of the TIF opportunity, apparently thinks it is a special case and not a generally available opportunity, we have had 3, companies need to come forward to ask for this to get it, and the State component may be a hurdle for some...

One way to make this more available is for the Council to expand the current opportunity zone to enable others #tc0720

After long discussion
Vote on motion, passes 7-2 (no's, from Frongillo & Sheridan)
#tc0720

c. Resolution 22-45: Transfer of Care, Custody, Management and Control of Davis-Thayer
Elementary School from School Committee to Town Council #tc0720 motion to approve, second, passes 9-0

Actually, 8-0-1 Chandler stepped away from the meeting and with my view I didn't see him leave #tc0720

Resolution 22-46: Gift Acceptance - Historical Commission ($2,000) (Motion to Approve
Resolution 22-46 - Majority (Chandler returns) motion to approve, seconded, passes 9-0

e. Resolution 22-47: Gift Acceptance - Disability Commission ($2,000) (Motion to Approve
Resolution 22-47) moved, seconded, passes 9-0 #tc0720

f. Bylaw Amendment 22-881: Chapter 7 Affordable Housing Trust Fund: Add Vice Chair and Clerk positions, 1st reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 22-881 to Second Reading) move to 2nd reading, second, passes 9-0 #tc0720

g. Bylaw Amendment 22-882: Chapter 4 Admin. of Govt.: Authorize Town Clerk to make format changes, 1st reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 22-882 to Second Reading -
Majority Vote) moved, seconded, passes, #tc0720

h. Resolution 22-55: Town Council’s Local Authorization and Approval for Conduct of 2022 State Elections, as Required by Chapter 92 of Legislative Acts of 2022
Moved, seconded, passes 9-0
Discussion and clarification on process, costs, etc. #tc0720

Town admin report, Jamie updates, friendly 40b projects, new process being put together to include ZBA and Town Council as approvers in addition to the Planning Board. #tc0720 franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/…

Fiscal forecast draft not completed, to be done soon. As an example, the SNETT bid came in at 2to4 times estimate, FY 2023 will be the year we see what effect inflation has on our budget and operations #tc0720

EDC just met earlier on the NuStyle land; GATRA hired a new director, one with experience #tc0720
Future agenda items - flag/seal item coming, Franklin Ridge project endorsement

Comments; cultural festival Sep 10, fund raising via flowers, Farmers Market, SNAP program going great, stay cool, condolences to Derick family, thanks to 4th of July committee for their work, great event #tc0720 Dellorco speaks along and fine about work for Jim Derick/SAFE

Need for executive session to discuss strategy for contract negotiation, and to return to open session. #tc0720 9-0 via roll call

Returned to open meeting, yay! Resolution 22-48: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Public Library Staff Association and the Town of Franklin. moved, second, passes 9-0, thanks for the coordination and collaboration to reach agreement

b. Resolution 22-49: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the DPW Union and the Town of Franklin - moved, second, passes 9-0 #tc0720

c. Resolution 22-50:Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Custodians Union and the Town of Franklin moved, second, passes 9-0 #tc0720

d. Resolution 22-51: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Public Facilities Union and the Town of Franklin - moved, seconded, passes 9-0 #tc0720

e. Resolution 22-52:Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Professional
Firefighters of Franklin and the Town of Franklin - moved, seconded, passes 9-0 #tc0720

f. Resolution 22-53: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Franklin Police Sergeants Union and the Town of Franklin - moved, seconded, passes 9-0 #tc0720

Resolutions completed, thanks to the entire admin team on resolution for contract negotiation,union reps and employees. #tc0720
Motion to adjourn, passes 9-0

Catching up to say that's all for tonight catch you next time!

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