Thread by @FranklinMatters

Ready to report on the Town Council meeting just opening, agenda doc franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/… #tc0426

Citizen raising issue with trucks coming out of Grove St to left turn on Washington St. Apparently bylaw should be preventing that #cbsc0426

Ken Elmore, speaks to the outgoing Dean a students as their semester finish, and graduation on may 6, looking forward to continuing the conversation with the community
#tc0426

Mary O'Neill speaks of the Disability Expo scheduled for May 20 at the Senior Center. Awareness helps, thanks to the Town Council for what they do. #tc0426

Brutus announces the town has been named a "tree city USA", only among 2% of communities in America

I spoke of the Poetry project, read or listen to your favorite poem on Sat at the Library from noon to 3 PM. #tc0426

M McCarthy speaking for a green approach to the police station project. #tc0426

Motion to approve minutes Mar 17, moved, second passes 9-0
Public hearing for license transfer 7-11 at 664 Union St, discussion; hearing closes, no one had questions... Moved, second, passes 9-0 #tc0426

License transaction, La Cantina farmer market license #tc0426 moved, second, passes 9-0

Breeka Li provides an update on the Open Space & Recreation Plan. Yesterday was her 1 yr anniversary with Franklin. Yay! #tc0426

You can fill out the survey if you haven't already

Breeka Li covered a lot of info presentation is on the town page along with the other info on the OSRP process #tc0426

Both Schmidt Farm and Maple Hill will require a nonprofit group to help manage and support the facility, it will take time to develop trails, etc and official for open access. Option for renovation of the barn at Schmidt #tc0426

Chair Mercer thanks for what she and the ConComm is doing, it will take time to make it all happen #tc0426

Next up, Flag discussion item memo copied here franklinmatters.org/2023/04/letter… no vote tonight, discussion only #tc0426

Cormier-Ledger speaking to the Pride Flag which was the impetus for the discussion, the real issue is bigger than just the flag, the symbol is not taking place or superseding the other flags, it means something to help value the open and welcoming #tc0426

So much progress made but so much more to do, per Frongillo Medway example touted as these are the flags we support, US, state, town, military, and during the month of June, the Pride flag. #tc0426 Chandler other flags will come, I believe that

Hamblen, important to have the discussion of ideas from others. I believe in your right to exist, and I accept that. I don't know why some folks feel differently. We are not the only ones trying to do this, we need to take time to do this right. #tc0426

Attny Cerel briefs on the legal status still an evolving issue likely to have additional cases to challenge and clarify the law and the position of "government speech" #tc0426

Kathy wants the pride flag, proposal for addressing the requirements to be set to allow but minimize the approvals required, possible qty of petition to ask for #tc0426

Mark M touts the flag and a process to define for the Town to communicate to the public a governmental message. Does the council want to send a message? Then consider to develop and vote for such #tc0426

Amber Wilson speaks who started the request and this logistical nightmare, President of LGBTQ Alliance, hosting the Pride day here, has experienced issues here and how hurtful these, is also a disabled veteran, understand the divisive nature of this #tc0426

Rachel Plukas speaking for a petition in favor of this, State dept has a list of 10 to explore the heritages of the country, she lists them, instead of the division that a flag can bring think of the celebration by the groups of the 10, can be a group to manage this ...

Outside of town management and funding,
Eveline R, speaking for the pride flag, government neutral is incompatible with Franklin being no place for hate. #tc0426 Mary comes back up with comments for flying the flag

Mercer proposes an ad-hoc committee to pull together a recommendation and some research #tc0426 we are not fearful but we want to be smart, the Freedom Team did deal with an issue where someone placed a confederate flag and it created reactions

Engaging the Interfaith Council, the School Committee and others, veterans council for the war memorials, we have seen the use of the Common particularly for events and around the holidays #tc0426
Kyle Thompson adds his comments against this "not all members support this"

Moving to legislation for action, Resolution 23-28: Town Council Approval of County ARPA Funds, moved, second, passes 9-0 #tc0426 ARPA funds in Boston have been fully spent, an auditor flagged for what they will do after the funds run out; "not enough"

Vote on the motion, passes 9-0
TA report, thanks to all the earth day volunteers, more coming, volunteers have made this community what it is. The budget document is out, 125 page narrative, May 8, 10 & 11. #tc0426

Subcommittee meetings: capital met tonight, approved the four items on the agenda, will be coming to the Council at future meeting #tc0426 EDC nothing at this time. GATRA, recent meeting sneak preview of FY 24 budget, hopefully to make more sense of

Look into the road issue? yes for looking into others agree
Councilors Comments Pellegri, grand daughter graduation from Univ of GA with 2 degrees; thanks for solutions that we hadn't thought of yet. #tc0426, congrats to KP Sompally; arts& cultural listening tour Friday library

Cormier-Ledger thanks for impassioned comments, and solutions, #tc0426 Dean to come back and potentially answer questions on the expansion of their police crew. Frongillo touts projects, movie night the last Tuesdays for the next 2, may 6 Jane walk around town, 10:30 at Common

Mercer thanks for the thoughtful discussion on the flags, and the open space project; great things coming. #tc0426 good ideas, good thoughts, expressed well. The ad hoc committee will be the better long term solution.
Motion to adjourn, passes 9-0

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