LIVE BLOG: 2015 Framingham Town Meeting - Night 1

Framingham Patch will be live blogging during the Annual Town Meeting,

Editor’s Note: While the blog is in place, please excuse typos. I will refresh as often as I can

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7:33 p.m. There is a quorum

Moderator Teri Banerjee is calling Town Meeting members to take their seats.

Troop 85198 -- Girl Scout Juniors is the Color Guard for tonight

Selectman Mike Bower inviting Team Framingham, who ran the Boston Marathon, to the front of the hall.

And representatives from the 6 charitable organizations that money was raised for.

Bower -- open and transparent process for BAA bibs via lottery. Pool of applicants is resident of Framingham or employees of the school or municipal side of Framingham

This is the second Team Framingham.

Formed a partnership with the Greater Framingham Running Club.

This year added corporate sponsors who paid for the t-shirts and buses

The sponsors are

• Chris & Heather Connolly - Connolly Acura
  
• Cumberland Farms
• La Cantina
• All-Star Auto Sales on Water Street
  

There were 22 runners this year for Team Framingham

This was a terrible winter, as many of you know, said Bower.

The team did an excellent job.

Greatest accomplishment -- all 22 runners completed the Boston Marathon.

Mike Bower is reading all 22 names.

Assistant Town Manager Jen Thompson giving the latest fundraising numbers....

thanking Mike Bower volunteering his time getting them ready for the race, providing training tools and helping them fundraising.

Thompson -- selectmen and police chief selected the 6 charities.

The charities were:

• Call2Talk - 4 runners - $9,000 plus raised
• Friends of Callahan Senior Center - 2 runners - $5,700 plus raised
• Framingham History Center - 2 runners - $5,500 plus raised
• Voices against Violence -- 3 runners --$6,000 plus raised
• Framingham Adult ESL -- 3 runners - $8,000 plus raised
• Resiliency for Life -- 8 runners -- $21,000 plus raised

$56,000 plus raised thus far this year

Can still donate through May 31 to Team Framingham

***

7:48 p.m.

Girl Scout Color Guard -- studying Massachusetts state government and visited the Massachusetts State House earlier.Tonight learning what it means to be an active citizen. explained the moderator.

Moderator is officially calling the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m.

Recognize the new Town Meeting members - Moderator reading the names

Town Clerk will swear in the new Town Meeting members - 7:52 p.m.

Moderator -- asking Town Meeting members to stand if you ahve been Town Meeting members for 25 years or longer

Joel Winett has been a Town Meeting member for 40+ years

***

There will be 2 Special Town Meetings within this Annual Town Meeting.

First will be done tonight - 2 articles in the special Town meeting warrant

Second one will be on May 5 starting at 7:30 p.m.

May 6 there will be precinct organizational meetings

May 13 there will be standing committee re-organization

***

Test question -- test electronic voting devices.

Make sure the device is turned on, says Moderator.

Press 1 for yes, 2 for no and 3 to abstain

Last button press within the 20 seconds will record your vote.

TEST question: Do you think the Red Sox will win the World Series?

56-53-24 -- Passed

*** 8 p.m.

Open the annual Town Meeting

Motion to opened and adjourned.

Special Town Meeting April 28 is opened.

Article 1: Vote to raise the sum of $675,000 purchasing ”Snow Property” 12.5 acres at 95 Wayside inn Road for conservation purposes

Art Robert - Community and economic development director -- making the presentation -- this article is to make a modification to an article approved last fall Town Meeting. State requires the modifications in order to receive a grant.

There are technical issues with the presentation

Valued at $675,000

Town secured a grant of $400,000 from Commonwealth

It is a reimbursement grant so the Town must authorize to spend $675,000 but state will reimburse a maximum of $400,000 explained Robert

Reports by Committees - no more than 5 minutes each

Chair of Finance committee speaking -- 6-0-0 in favor

Harold Gellar - ways & means chair speaking -- 9-1-0 in favor

Standing Committee real property- Ned Price chair speaking - 11-0-1

Planning Board chair =- Christine Long speaking -- unanimous 5-0-0

***

Town Meeting discussion

Town Meeting member Kathy Vassar - Precinct 1 - rise to speak in favor of this

Open space is less costly than commercial or residential.

The grant can not be used for other properties.

Risk losing other grants by turning down this grant

Richard Barritz - 17 precinct -- speaking -- reimbursement grant? Article says we will not but the property if we don’t get this grant. Seems to be a Catch-22 for me. what is the story? How are we guaranteed we are only going to pay $275,000

Robert speaking -- reimbursement grant -- enjoy great confidence - as town and state have entered into a contract. When town demonstrates proof of purchase then we will be reimbursed.

Gerald Bloomfield -- rise in opposition. -- TMM1 speaking - there is no way into it except for wayside inn road.

I know we have a land bank - but should we anti up $275,000 for this property.

Curious here -- how many of you have walked that site?

Maybe 5-6 people walked that site says Bloomfield.

The people in the committees who voted this -- not sure they ever walked that site -- can’t go and spend money without having all the facts available to you. No specific site plan put up by the sponsor. Request site plan be presented to all of us now.

VOTE -- 2/3rd vote needed says moderator

Electronic vote to be taken -- hold

Joel Winnet motion to table the article as handout just put out and motion not on screen - hand vote - motion fails.

Robert showing a map pf the property on the screen.

Jeanne Bullock - precinct 5 -- it is zoned r4 - so must have 100 foot of frontage to be a legal lot. There are 3 legal lots we were told. Is the one property left have 100 foot of frontage.

Robert -- prepared to talk about the 12.5 acres in question

Point of order -- Bloomfield -- why was not the previous speaker allowed to finish

Moderator Mr. Bloomfield please take your seat

Barritz speaking -- what benefit does the town have for purchasing $275,000 if it is already conservation land?

Robert -- the land in question now is in private hands - it is now conservation lands. There is risk - that the property would be put to other uses.

Andrea Carr-Evans - TMM3 - rise to support this.

Dan Gittleson - TMM14 -- what was the vote the last time? Can it be built on if voted against this? ye sor no.

Robert speaking - The answer is yes.

Moderator -- it passed by 1 vote.

Town Manager Bob Halpin - Planning administrator checking on the lot.

Herb Chasan - TMM4 speaking -- rise to support this article. The Sudbury Valley Trustees support this, according to flyer on the handout table. Kind of a no brainer.

Amanda Loomis -- Planning Board administrator -- A&R plan approved for this project -- 227 feet of frontage. Lot that has the building has 100 feet of frontage.

Jim Rizzoli - TMM14 -- now that some of these point -- something kind of weird about this. Right now you can build on it.

Robert -- this transaction involves three parties. The party that will occur the 2 acres is not the one that controls the 12.5 acres.

Motion to move the question -- hand vote -- moved

Electronic vote -- 2/3rd vote needed

100-31-5 - Article passes

***

8:35 p.m.

Article 2 -- Tax incentive for jack’s Abby

Art Robert -- Community and Economic Development Director to make the presentation

Tax increment Financing with Jack’s Abby Brewing

Founded in 2011

Framingham-based nationally recognized lager micro-brewer

outgrowing current space at 81 Morton Street

Great local success story

attracts young people to downtown Framingham says Roberts

We negotiated this TIF agreement hopeful that TM would approve.

triple employees

quadruple space

12 year lease

$6 million in investment

they have a long term vision to grow in Framingham

boosts downtown attractiveness and investor interest.

Agreement spans 7 years

Next steps -- TM Vote

TIF agreement certified by the state

Consider state to approve an award for Jack’s

Then July TIF agreement implementation

***

Committee reports

Finance Committee -- Chair speaking - 6-0-0

Ways & Means - Gellar Chair speaking -- this is a win-win for the town and for the business. Represents a lot of good pro-active work. Committee -- growth in downtown area.

tap room and restaurant

TIF is 7 years and lease is 12 years liked

vote -- 13-0-1 in favor

Herb Chasan - TMM4 - chair of community services speaking 9-0-0 in favor. Met to find out if Jack’s Abby was a good a community neighbor. Answer was a resounding yes. Jack’s raised thousands of dollars to library, gave to 25 other charities including one Fund Boston, 200 Foundation. Framingham Downtown Renaissance

Town Meeting members speaking

Gerry Boomfield -- TMM1 -- rise in opposition -- because I rise in opposition it means it will pass.

Everyone likes to have fun go out drink beer and have pizza. Start a business. Dealing with tax papers money have to get it right. If this one done right then we can look forward to more of these.

Landlord at 100 Clinton Street.

Landlord is new to town ... just bought the property less than a year ago by the Dennison Corp.

New property owner bought if for $3.3 million -- assessed for only $2 million

Microbreweries come and go ... Town Meeting must vet this proposal to make sure all is well.

What is the landlord’s tie to the property? Will there be a restaurant there?

Patrick Dunne - Precinct 9 -- in support of this .. attracts young people and their elders. This is a clear winner and we should move forward.

Holli Andrews -- Framingham Donwtown Renaissance - we are in support of the TOF

Vibrant and flourishing and economic force in the downtown revitalization

Community character, company’s support to community causes. Embraces their good fortune and shared it.

Economic Development -- Jack’s Abby meeting this demand -- putting us on the map. This greats economic value for them and downtown Framingham.

shape the economic future in downtown Framingham.

hard work, smart choice and grown smart. Great relationship with Town officials.

Expansion will require a $6 million expansion ... will great 35 additional full time jobs.

9:03 p.m.

William LaBarge -- rise to support the article. .. we are not giving them any money we are just giving them a short term discount on their tax bill. There products are pretty good.

Motion to move question -- Audrey Hall - TMM3 - hand vote -- passed

Article 2 -- VOTE -- electronic vote139-2-2 VOTE - PASSED

That completes the special Town Meeting

Kevin Crotty resolves STM warrant -- hand vote - passed

9:09 p.m. ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

Moderator speaking -- talking about background materials....

ARTICLE 1 -- Selectmen reports -- annual report

quality of life issues -- third year in a row board maintain its commitment to reduce tax rate for residents by not taxing the maximum of 2.5%

Town experienced significant economic development - danforth green - 89 acres and $1 million to town.

TIF -- Jack’ Abby

Choose Framingham -- hosted at Genzyme

Had a Choose Framingham night at Fenway park -- 200 participants attended

First annual MetroFest was held at Bowditch Festival - drew large crowds - fun family event

Traffic calming measures on Edmands Road

Board adopted a complete streets policy for Framingham

State funding bridge replacememt program by the state -- Winter Street and Wickford Road bridge -- still work on Route 9 bridge and Saxonville Bridge.

Also in 2014 the board approved an energy services contract ... with Ameresco.

all improvements will be paid with the savings delivered from new energy efficient

all street lights will be replaced with new LED lights

Calendar 2014 year was a busy year -- Framingham is a large and active community that provide a large amount of services to Framingham

9:17 p.m. Vote hand vote -- passed.

Article 2 -- reports

written reports according to moderator are available on the back table

Item 1 - Planning Board - Christine Long Chair of The Planning Board speak ...

Moderator -- says the report is on the ZBA changes approved by the state.

Moderator -- this is not a general report on the Planning Board Ms. Long.

Long -- said recodification, and agricultural approved by the attorney general.

Item 2B -- status of Building projects -- Town Manager Bob Halpin speaking

• Village Hall 1834
  

• Athenaeum 1846

At 2013 annual town meeting money was appropriated to make access to second floor of village hall to all

install elevator for acces sto secodn floor. -- variance was required

install accessible first floor restrooms

The elevator contruction would trigger a fire supression system and an electrical service upgrade.

Estimates cost would be $1.7 million

Disability commission disappointed upgrades can not be done this year but understand ...

****

Framingham’s Anthenaeum Hall

last remaining civic space in Saxonville

Build an outside common core and hosue the elevator and ADA restrooms and all the mechanicals

Estimated cost of $3.5 million

9:32 p.m.

Items 3 and 4 -- written handouts

Article 5 -- Town Clerk

Article 6 Selectmen -- handout

Article 7 -- moderator seats -- expire/

Questions --

• Point of information -- Bloomfield - procedure for mandatory breaks
• Moderator have not heard from anyone about a break

Moderator -- anyone can take breaks anytime they want...

Richard Barritz - TMM17 -- questioned the Village Hall estimate of $200000

Halpin said it should have been $600,000 and once it that threshold triggered the electrical and fire supression.

Joel Winnet - TMM7 -- speaking -- Planning Board was not prepared for their reports

CFO left materials tonight and want to read tonight and table 2 until tomorrow.

2/3rd vote needed - hand vote -- passed

****

9:40 p.m. Article 3

Daphne Collins -- making presentation. she is Community Development Coordinator

CDBG plan -- FY16 -- action plan

accomplishments for FY14 -- handout is on the table.

Going over the FY 16 plan ... including financing.

2 limit caps -- limited 15% to public service -- administration is a 20% cap.

Butterworth Park 1930 concrete bleachers soon to be demolished

public service

funding downtown Framingham

Funding sign program --

9:50 p.m. Committee reports

Chair of Finance Committee speaking -- 5-0-1 in favor

transparent plan

Ways & Means chair speaking -- federal funds coming to the town ... level funded the last few years

grateful for what we have -- wish we had more.

Significant -- funds use downtown

committee voted -- 14-0-0

Herb Chasan - chair of Community Services -- speaking 7-0-1 to approve

impressed with the work -- for low and moderate income residents

neighborhood improvements, downtown business, making public facilities handicapp accessible.

Deferred loan program -- don’t have to be repaid until the house is sold.

income comes back into the program

help provided to adults to improve English, help at risk HS students and after school help for elementary kids.

****

Town Meeting member discussion

Karl Rookey - TMM14 -- question -- butterworth park -- for alumnimum bleachers?

where the funds for detroy bleachers are coming from?

against destroying the landmark in that park

CFO -- speaking --

Rizolli speaking - TMM14 -- question about services 4.2 adult ESL

adult ESL -- CDBG -- is it for Framingham residents only?

CDBG for publci services is for Framingham residents and low and moderate income...

MOTION -- majority of ESL are from out of town ... program 800 people in it ..

majority are not from Framingham. $20,000 given to that program.

If you are going to teach the immigrants English -- no problem with that ...

no other town putting money into that program. Why does Framingham have to pay for everyone.

CDBG -- Adult ESL -- gives it to the Hoops & Homework program ... give it to people in Framingham

I can’t stand take money and give it to people out of town.

Judith Grove - TMM15 -- speaking -- Cedar Street -- neighborhood ... this code enforcement has gone through and not seen any change at all. Like to see reports -- which houses looked at -- what were the complaints and what was the enforcement. What can the town do for enforcement.

Like to see a report on the program.

Collins -- provided the information.

Grove -- questions -- how can you enforce once come through the neighborhood?

Collins -- Building Commissioner -- revolving and constantly

Michael Tusino - Building Commissioner -- speaking --

Grove -- code enforcement - 8 trash cans -- there all week.

Tusino -- occasional cite people ...

Moderator -- this is not the place for this conversation Ms. Grove

Beverly Good -- Precinct 15 -- there may be 800 students in Adult ESL -- $20,000 would cover two classes of 30 students each -- all those 60 students guaranteed to be Framingham residents. -- very small part of that large budget.

Lewis speaking -- TMM18 -- question about inspections and 443 cases resolved ... find out more about the fire on Ames Street -- multiple violation over the course of several years.

Point of Order -- Kathy McCarthy -- Committee report -- Disability Commission

Lewis - decay and issues on Waverely Street ...

Karen Dempsy -- Report from Disability Commission -- met with Framingham Parks & Rec.

Butterworth Park bleachers ...need to put in bleachers ... vote was taken unanimous to support this article 7-0-0

Lloyd Kaye -- speaking in favor of the adult ESL and said more money is needed for that program.

10:10 p.m.

Ned Price - TMM17 - speaking - question -- classes adult ESL -- are they documented if they are Framingham residents.

Collins - the $$ we give CDBG is for a small subset of Framingham residents only

Pillsbury -- move the question ... not debatable 2/3rd vote needed -- passed

VOTE -- majority is needed -- a hand vote -- passed.

Article 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 23, 27, and 43 -- motion refer back to sponsor....

vote to take together -- VOTES - hand vote passed

• vote to refer back VOTES - hand vote passed

Point of order - Rizzoli I had a motion that did not get addressed

Moderator -- you are correct

Article 3 vote did not count ....

Article 3 motion -- move money to Hoops & homework ... majority vote needed

hand vote -- amendment failed

Main motion article 3 -- hand vote - passed

motion to adjourn -- Pillsbury -- 10:14 p.m.

Town Meeting will start Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.