Present: Kelly, Jones, Vallee, Whalen, Mason, Pfeffer, McGann, Zollo, Powderly
Absent: none
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July 7, 2010
Motion to approve, passed 9-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS - Meetings of the Town Council are Recorded
Change of Council Meeting Dates – Sept. 1 to Sep 8, and Sep 15 to Sept. 29
motion to approve change of Sep meeting dates, passed 9-0
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none
E. APPOINTMENTS - none
F. HEARINGS - none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - none
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - none
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS - none
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION –
1. Resolution 10-40:Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Action Plan
very little discussion, the summary of it is that the numbers available are from the Census 2000 data (very out of date) but the report is required by the State to be submitted every five years, (i.e. now) so it will go forward with outdated data. The overall document is very similar to the document and plan already in place and operational.
Pfeffer requested consideration of housing for veterans in addition to the focus already in place on new home buyers and seniors.
Motion to approve, passed 9-0
2. Resolution 10-42:Establishment of North Grove Street Economic Opportunity Area
This proposal is similar to ones passed last year to help provide incentives to businesses to come to Franklin. Hard to say how effective the incentives have been. Zollo requested to present such data as available for future.
Motion to approve, passed 9-0
3. Resolution 10-43:Establishment of South Grove Street Economic Opportunity Area
similar to that already discussed above, no further questions or discussion
Motion to approve, passed 9-0
4. Resolution 10-44: Establishment of Financial Way Economic Opportunity Area
similar to that already discussed above, no further questions or discussion
Motion to approve, passed 9-0
5. Resolution 10-45: Purchase of Land at 459 Pleasant Street-Authorization and Appropriation
Purchase funds coming from the Open Space fund, it is not funds that can be used for operational or capital expenses. Roll call and two thirds vote required to pass.
The purchase price ($320,000) is higher than the assessed value. The house is in poor condition and probably needs to be torn down. It had been inhabited but when visited a couple of weeks ago this was vacant.
Motion to approve, passed 9-0 (unanimous roll call)
6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-645: Site Plan Review & Design Review – 2nd Reading
Motion to approve, passed 9-0
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
1 - On going sewer inflow and infiltration system work has reduced from 500,000 to 300,000 gallons per day. The flow goes through the Beaver St interceptor and then to the plant which we pay for. This is a significant reduction and a great cost benefit to the town. I'll get a more complete update on the whole sewer system for the Council sometime this fall.
2 - We will be constructing Wachusetts St over the next several months. Parents will be notified as it will affect the drop off and pick up of students with school in session. The base coat should be done before the winter, we'll let it settle and then do a final coat next year. We'll do our best to ease that inconvenience but we have a lot of work to do.
3 - CGKV Architects have been chosen for the high school renovation project.
4 - Thanks to the Franklin fire fighters for their hard work on the Norfolk fire. They did a tough job in a difficult situation.
5 - Improvements being made to the Spanish War Memorial. Cottage St Sheetmetal did work for us to take the rust off. The paint color to reflect the time period is underway, then it will be epoxied so it will not rust.
Maxim Nordifeld 37 MM
Bob Fahey has some money left over from the major memorial work which is being used to update this memorial. The plaque will be mounted on a granite pedestal. We'll work with the Historic Commission on the guns placement with the memorial.
L. OLD BUSINESS
none
M. NEW BUSINESS
Zollo - ETA on the King St/i495 lights, when will they be fully functional?
Nutting - I don't know exactly but it will be done before the winter. They still have to get the base coat down, I am not sure when they'll do the final coat.
McGann - Jeff is there anyway you can get a report on the water treatment plant on how long it runs and how long it is down? Two retention ponds are right up to the top.
Nutting - I am not sure what it is. It has been down for a month. $5.8 million for the plant. I can get you a report yes.
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
McGann - What Jeff mentioned earlier, an electrician I have worked with (Bill Nichols) passed away in the fire. Others are in bad shape but recovering.
Thanks to my three neighbors on Lewis St. for their support.
My condolences to Phillip Brunelli and his family on the passing of his mother.
The old police station had been on East St and prior to that had it been the American Legion. The gun had previously been in front of the American Legion for some time, then at a private residence before coming to the Town Common via the DPW.
Where the final placement of the gun will be remains to be determined. We don't want to detract from the names on the memorial.
The gun was on a ship that was retired in 1919 and sold as a yacht to someone in Wisconsin.
Nutting - I'd like to see the Historic Commission help determine where it should be.
The muzzle is full of concrete. There are some around but I am not sure how rare it is.
Pfeffer - I think it is wonderful that we are taking care of this gun but the bottomline is better communication is needed. A long rant ensues but that is the justifiable gist.
The old fire station has been repaired, new carpets, etc. If I see this, then others in town will as well. People get excited about money being spent if there is no money.
Are we in a hiring freeze?
Nutting - Not necessarily, it is on a case by case basis. We haven't hired anybody, we have no plans to do so. There have been no new hires in the last 30-60-90 days.
Mason - on behalf of the council wishing Officer Clifford best wishes on a speedy recovery. He was hit by a hit and run driver while on a construction detail yesterday.
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
not required.
P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed 9-0
Franklin, MA
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