56° and Partly Cloudy
Image
(Above: Town Administrator Jamie Hellen discussing Housing Production Plan)
The Franklin Town Council met Wednesday evening with a fairly full agenda but mostly items about which everyone agreed.
As is traditional, the meeting began with Citizen Comments. One individual commented about a Washington Street project that recently came before the Planning Board. She expressed strong concerns about the scale of the project and its impact on a narrow and busy roadway which accommodates walkers and school buses heading to the Charter School. She hoped the Council would give it their attention.
School Superintendent Sara Ahern and her team gave a back-to-school update to the Council. She acknowledged that the Covid period had seen a significant increase in home schoolers, a phenomenon she attributed to fear of Covid.
The Council recognized the Franklin Cultural Council for its work in creating the 2021 Cultural Fest
Appointment made during the session included Susan Younis to the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, Candice Narsasian to the Cultural District Committee, and Anne Bergen and Ken Norman to the Franklin TV Board of Directors.
The main item under legislation for action was approval of the Housing Production Plan, which has been under development for several months and was recently approved by the Planning Board. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen lauded the work of the planning department and the economic development committee and said the 93-page report was very well executed. Councilor Andy Bissanti spoke favorably of the document and noted the many meetings that had been spent on its development. He said there had been many naysayers but he believed it was a framework that could succeed and reopen doors to people staying in Franklin. “One of my daughter lives in Woonsocket; I’d like to see her work her way back here,” he said. And, he stressed, it can work best if the right incentives are provided to developers to provide more inclusionary and affordable housing.
Councilor Brian Chandler pointed out that the town’s senior population is on track to triple and that, therefore, more housing along the lines of Eaton Place would be needed. Councilor Melanie Hamblen asked Hellen how soon the plan could get to the state and when it might be approved. His best guess was perhaps around the end of the year. He noted that many parts of state government are dealing with lengthy backlogs.
Councilor Debbie Pellegri then asked Hellen about the need for affordable housing. “I heard from someone that there is a backlog of 700 trying to get into the Franklin Housing Authority, is that true,” she asked? Hellen said, the number is actually closer to 7000, but noted that not all are from Franklin.
After some further discussion, the matter came to a vote and passed unanimously. Other matters requiring approval were two donations, of $1000 each to the Veterans Department and the Conservation Commission from Joseph Halligan. Another resolution was to approve acceptance of a Dog Park Gazebo, donated by the Bissanti family. All three were accepted. The Town Council also voted on a routine application of Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming.
TA Report
In his Town Administrator report Hellen noted:
> The town is going to be awarded $2.2 million, primarily to reconstruct the intersection of Grove and Washington. Additional funds are also expected that will link that intersection to the SNETT trail and enhance connections to Beaver Street.
> He noted the role the Marcus Partners played in helping to secure funding. That company revitalized 176-210 Grove, turning into a new UPS facility.
>The town got $75,000 for a study of the downtown
> The Chief of Police garnered a $22,000 grant for road safety work.
> Effective Oct 18, the Senior Center will require visitors either show proof of vaccination or wear a mask.
> The town currently has 51 active Covid cases.
In the Councilor Comments section, Pellegri asked that the Housing Authority provide an update to the Council and also noted the recent passing of former Town Councilor Julio Renzi in Florida.
