Thread by @FranklinMatters

Getting ready to live report on the Town Council meeting at 7, follow along with the agenda doc here franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/… #tc0315

Chair Mercer opens the meeting, a large crowd in the Chambers for the 4 police swearing ceremonies tonight #tc0315

Note to add the live streaming option is also through to Franklin TV's YouTube
Citizen comment - Amber speaking for the flying of the Pride flag at the Municipal Bldg during the period before or the full month #tc0315

4 swearing in ceremonies completed, brief brief to allow for the photos, will resume shortly
#tc0315

Photos from the swearing in are all in one album photos.app.goo.gl/iCu3fmLgnFwnrT… #tc0315

Master Plan Update Committee franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/… #tc0315 motion to approve, second, passes 9-0

Discussion: FLOCK Cameras - Chief of Police Thomas J. Lynch
franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/… #tc0315

Slides from presentation on this proposed technology #tc0315

More slides #tc0315

Additional slides #tc0315

More slides #tc0315

Slides #tc0315

Pilot for a year with no commitment and prorated if removed, 2 cameras proposed to only track traffic coming into Franklin #tc0315

Discussion & Project Presentation: 121 Grove Street, a “Friendly 40B” - Fairfield lots of details already posted in the agenda #tc0315

This developer also did the Station 117 apartments along Dean Ave, 257 units (none affordable). This proposal would include affordable units. Started with the technical Review last June and has been working the development & proposal along the way #tc0315

The developer could apply for the friendly 40b on their own, they are choosing to take the 'community' route as they have this past year to do it right for the relationship with Franklin that they have and want to enhance #tc0315

Fairfield aims at the top of the line and is structured to develop, build, support the units as proposed as they are doing at Dean Ave #tc0315

While 25%, actually 75-83 units would be affordable, the State allows all 300 to be counted as 'affordable' for the housing unit count #tc0315

The key item here is the revenue impact, currently only getting $13k from the property today, fully developed and rented, likely to be about $800k revenue. The kind of smart growth we could use especially as it includes affordable units #tc0315

All the photos captured (but not all the slides) can be found in one photo album #tc0315 photos.app.goo.gl/i6UVHeTKgPPgwC…

Consideration of a sidewalk along from the development to the Beaver St playground area, #tc0315

Q on the Dean project, a lot of mitigation for the land there to clean it up took away some of the money that could have been used for affordable units. #tc0315

Whether the Town Council wants it or not, the ZBA has the final approval if they go as 40b. They are going friendly 40b to better make it work #tc0315 if the Council were to approve, that approval does help with the State and ZBA but the details need to be met

Some of the Council comments are drawing not good looks from the Town Attorney. #tc0315 yes, the land is industrial but it hasn't been used by anyone for that use due to the topography of the parcel. 'Affordable' is set by the state and known to not really be affordable

Mercer not comfortable with the amount of unknowns: traffic study, wetland delineation, # of the units, height of the units. 40b as a friendly affordable is a better option now than to lose to a regular 40b where we have less control. #tc0315

Halligan raises historical and rationale arguments for these affordable units, we have this chance now. #tc0315 Jamie adds valid factors to support Halligan's comment especially to address the ample water comment, we do have ample water, "Facebook is wrong"

Moving on to legislation for action ... Resolution 23-26: Franklin Town Council Support for Proposed GL Chapter 40B Affordable Housing Project at 121 Grove Street Pursuant to DHCD’s Local Initiative Program (LIP): Friendly 40B #tc0315 motion to waive reading, second

"This is not an endorsement it is allowing the project to proceed through the process" #tc0315 we need to have confidence in the ZBA and the "process" to see that these things get done right
And the vote on the motion, 5-4 needed 6, so it fails to gain the Friendly 40b

Resolution 23-27: Acceptance of an Additional 2% COLA for Retirees, as Authorized by Chapter 269 of the Legislative Acts of 2022 moved, second, #tc0315 discussion on why, what's impact, passes 9-0 will get a pension update in future to help understand this and other pensions

Bylaw Amendment 23-893: Amendment to Sewer System Map - Second Reading
(Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 23-893 - Majority Roll Call Vote) #tc0315 moved, second, passes 8-1 (Chandler no)

EDC meeting 3/22 at 6 PM to discuss accessory dwelling units #tc0315 joint budget subcmte did meet last week, most discussion on the school side of the budget,

Future agenda , place to put up different types of flags, policy on flags for discussion, pension to be discussed #tc0315
Comments - happy St Pat's, symposium Mar 30, open space survey still open, arts survey open, at library Apr 28, conserve forum 3/29 from 4-6

Condolences to the Palmieri family, looking forward to Arts & Culture listening session as it continues #tc0315 rod and gun club breakfast this Sunday, all you can eat.
Jones next master plan will be a great one. Traffic issue at St Mary's how to handle

Great to have the swearing in ceremonies and the support of the officers, police presentation and 121 Grove
Motion to adjourn, passes 9-0

Correction to the vote shown; it was 4 yes (Frongillo, Sheridan, Hamblen, Mercer) and 5 No (Cormier-Leger, Chandler, Pellegri, Jones, Dellorco); 6 was needed to pass, this it fell 2 short. #tc0315

@threadreaderapp unroll