Franklin (MA) Matters

This session (1456) shares the FY 2026 first budget hearing held by the Franklin (MA) Town Council on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. All 9 of the members started the meeting in Council Chambers (1 left not feeling well during the meeting).  This session (1457) shares the FY 2026 second budget hearing held by the Town Council Meeting of Thursday, May 22, 2025. The budget hearing happens after the ABCC license transactions are completed. 7 members started the meeting (2 absent), 1 left during the meeting, leaving only 6 to make the final votes.Budget hearing #1 recap ->Budget hearing process summaryThis first night, the line item summary for each of the departments is read aloud by the Clerk of the Council. As read, members can place a hold on a department line item for follow-up (question, comment, etc.). A few departments were held automatically by the Chair (Police, Fire, Schools, DPW, Facilities). Another 14 departments were held by one or more members of the Council.After the list of holds was

This session (1456) shares the FY 2026 first budget hearing held by the Franklin (MA) Town Council on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. All 9 of the members started the meeting in Council Chambers (1 left not feeling well during the meeting).  This session (1457) shares the FY 2026 second budget hearing held by the Town Council Meeting of Thursday, May 22, 2025. The budget hearing happens after the ABCC license transactions are completed. 7 members started the meeting (2 absent), 1 left during the meeting, leaving only 6 to make the final votes.Budget hearing #1 recap ->Budget hearing process summaryThis first night, the line item summary for each of the departments is read aloud by the Clerk of the Council. As read, members can place a hold on a department line item for follow-up (question, comment, etc.). A few departments were held automatically by the Chair (Police, Fire, Schools, DPW, Facilities). Another 14 departments were held by one or more members of the Council.After the list of holds was

This session of the radio show shares the audio of the Town of Franklin Memorial Day ceremony held on the Town Common at the end of the parade on Monday, May 26, 2025. The day was sunny, a few passing clouds with a gentle breeze. Veterans Service Officer Shannon Nisbett is the master of ceremonies and introduces each speaker, and walks us through the program. The ceremony runs about 47 minutes. --------------My photos (for both the parade & ceremony) are found in one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/w7AdGvP6PDGimFT88 --------------We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.How can you help?If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighborsIf you don't like something here, please let me knowThrough this feedback loop we can cont

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion virtually on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap the School Committee meeting of May 13, 2025. We cover Theatre group recognitionTraffic study and mitigations Horace Mann renaming discussionSuperintendent evaluationOverride discussion, vote on or before June 3; any questions, please reach out to find outThe recording runs about 30 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net   Franklin TV video for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/TPngAPt1WHs?&t=110  The meeting agenda can be found ->   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05132025-1735 Documents released for this agenda after the meeting can be found -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 in Council Chambers. All 4 members of the subcommittee participated in Chambers (Hamblen, Sheridan, Frongillo & Jones). Change in membership acknowledged as Chandler is no longer part of the subcmte and Jones returns to the group.Quick recapDiscussion on the proposed zoning change to enable a commercial kitchen in residential areas if they are on septic systemsHealth Dept Cathy Liberty and Planner Amy Love present for the discussion; Fee is the same as other permits Health covers, and also commensurate with neighboring communitiesClarification questions around coverage of this residential bylaw as proposed, there is a limitation on the kinds of foods prepared in this wayConsideration for this to be enabled for sewer system users would be problematic for monitoring and enforcement if requiredThis is a start and we'll be able to check out for potential enhancementsResident M

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Brenna Johnson, Franklin High School art/ceramics teacher and Empty Bowls (EB) coordinator. We met to record in the ceramics room at FHS on Thursday, May 15, 2025. The FHS EBers introduce themselves as we go around the table: Grace GeogheganEvie Weir Kat RosenbergerCleo St. Vrain LarryThe conversation runs about 25 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with the FHS Empty Bowls Club core group --------------Tickets for Empty Bowls -> https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E188424&id=95 Prior Year Recordings2024 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/this-episode-talks-about-working-with.html 2023 ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/05/the-empty-bowls-club-talks-about.html 2021 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/06/fm-561-inside-empty-bowls-2021-060821.html 2020 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fm-263-fhs-empty-bowl-club-stars-50420.html&nbs

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. 7 members participated, 6 in Council Chambers, 1 remote (Gallagher). The audio for the meeting leaves out the approx 30 minute executive session that the committee spent on negotiation strategy. A brief sound bit highlights the gavel to go into and then the gavel is heard again as they return.  Quick recap:Recognition of the FHS student Theater groupPresentation update on the traffic study and mitigation efforts underwayLink to presentation in the notes section below NO projects to address the traffic flow will be completed before the Sep 2025-2026school year.Currently the traffic queues will more than double in SeptemberAlternatives are being reviewed before making decisions on which projects wouldbe beneficial for traffic as well as at minimal expenseAdditional updates will be sent to families during the summer by the respective school principals“It is not going to be perfect on day 1”BICO Board

Sharing the Franklin (MA) Town Clerk Robocall sent out on Early Voting - 05/16/25

This session shares my conversation with Franklin High School junior Tuhina Pal. Tuhina recently published a book of her poems on her journey to recovery. We recorded this conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. We cover the following in our conversationHow normal anxiety worsened during the pandemicHow she recognized that, got help and has been on the recovery journeyHow recovery is not a linear journeyPoetry was a vehicle for her to work through her issuesThe recording runs about 36 minutes--------------FHS Active Minds Club announcement of book -> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH_IsYluNwM/ Follow Tuhina’s Instagram account for updates -> https://www.instagram.com/tuhinapal.poetry/ The book is available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Bookshop.org  -> https://bookshop.org/p/books/they-didn-t-know/b519f506fefb8083?ean=9798218477141&next=t -------------We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin

This session (1448) shares the FY 2024 Fiscal Audit presentation and discussion from the Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, May 7, 2025. This includes the announcement of the AAA bond rating renewal. Meeting recap -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/town-council-hears-of-clean-audit-and.html The Audit Segment runs about 56 minutes--------------The Franklin TV recording is available for review -> https://www.youtube.com/live/BjLJUaJedMc&t=389 The agenda and released documents for this session ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05072025-1719 My full set of notes captured during the meeting -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YrOYu85-re20L0v7tmmAvCY2e54ir5sY/view?usp=drive_link FY 2024 Audit report ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/539 Other audit reports can be found -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?AMID=36 S&P Bond Rating letter dated May 6, 2025https://ma-franklin.c

This session (1447) shares the FUll Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, May 7, 2025. All 9 of the members participated in Council Chambers.  Meeting recap -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/town-council-hears-of-clean-audit-and.html The Full meeting recording runs about 2 hours and 37 minutes  --------------The Franklin TV recording is available for review -> https://www.youtube.com/live/BjLJUaJedMc&t=389 The agenda and released documents for this session ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05072025-1719 My full set of notes captured during the meeting -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YrOYu85-re20L0v7tmmAvCY2e54ir5sY/view?usp=drive_link FY 2024 Audit report ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/539 Other audit reports can be found -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?AMID=36 S&P Bond Rating letter dated May 6, 2025https://ma-franklin.civicplus

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Franklin Housing Authority meeting held on Tuesday, March 13, 2025 in the Peter L Brunelli Community Center on Central Park Terrace. Participating were:GEORGE DANELLO, CHAIR CHRIS FEELEY (a few minutes late to session)Jennifer LevineANDREW M KEPPLE, STATE APPOINTEECHRISTOPHER LENNONLisa M. Audette, Housing Authority AgentNayda DeJeusQuick recap:From the Director’s Report23,000plus on waiting list; Franklin list up 33 folks in one month2 vacancies, both in congregate, both will be housed possible within a few days, interviews and offers madeDiscussion & vote on payment to employees leaving before SeptemberIf they did not take health care coverage, they did get a payment of $1,000 (for a year, or prorated accordingly). HLC increased the allowable amount from $1,000 to $5,000/year. Board vote required to approve of payment, normally would be made in September but the employees involved wouldn’t not be on the active payroll at that tim

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Bobbi Gerlits. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Our conversation talked about the restoration of the labyrinth at the First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF).Labyrinth installation in 2008, restoration in 2025A non-denominational tool for navigating life4 R’s to guide walking a labyrinthThe labyrinth at FUSF is open to the community from sunrise to sunsetWorkshops and walks will be scheduledThe conversation runs about 37 minutes--------------FUSF page  https://fusf.org/worship/sacred-spaces/ World page for FUSF space ->https://labyrinthlocator.org/labyrinth/first-universalist-society-in-franklin/?fwp_city=Franklin Nathan Wiles’s labyrinth designer page  https://innatecreations.org/ --------------We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  This podcast is my

This session shares my conversation with Town Clerk Nancy Danello about the Special Election for the Fiscal Year 2026 Override coming up Tuesday, June 3, 2025.  We briefly touch on the regular local election scheduled for November. Our conversation covers:Early in person voting starts May 16 during office hours in Clerk’s OfficeLast day to register to vote is May 24Last day for absentee voting at the Office, Monday June 2 at noon.Office closed on Tuesday June 3 to run the election at Franklin High School gymnasiumJune 3 hours from 6 AM to 8 PMNovember election for Town Council, School Committee, Planning Board, Board of Assessor, Board of Health, Constables for 2 year terms. The Town Clerk is also up for a 4 year term.We’ll cover this election in more detail later this summerNeither of us will tell you how to vote, we will share information on what you need to know to properly cast an informed vote on or before June 3.Our conversation recording runs about 24 minutes, so let’s listen in --------

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Thursday, May 7, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of May 7, 2025. We focus on two questions:ok, what just happened? What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?Quick recap:Town Clerk Nancy Danello provides some updates on the early voting, last day to register, etc. for the FY 2026 override special election June 3School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan provides some updates on the redistricting efforts, how the savings will lay the foundation for the future assuming the override does passRecognitionPolice Department - Swearing in of New Police Officer, Tyler HosleyPolice Department - Recognition of New Town of Upton Chief of Police, Chief Nicholas Palmieri, former Sergeant of the Franklin Police DepartmentPublic hearingNew Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswa

This session of the radio show shares the Community Preservation Committee meeting held in the Council Chambers on Monday, May 5, 2025. All nine members of the committee were present in Council Chambers.Quick Recap -> No live broadcast of the Community Preservation committee meeting tonight. The meeting is being recorded and will be set for broadcast laterMinutes approved for August 20, 2024 and December 18, 2024 (approved as amended, some minor updates on who the members were at the time)Citizen comment; request for pickleball courts, already planned for the King St Park renovation, lights on the fields are out for bid, and courts are possible for phase 2, likely coming before the CPC in the fall to approve funding for additional pickleball courts5 year anniversary of CPA in Franklin coming in the fall. Yes, really. Time flies  Committee will need to discuss how to utilize the discretionary funding, potentially use more by category or continue to save for future use Motion to approve the fu

This session shares my conversation with Chasity Cheng, Senior Center Deputy Director and Jillian Rochat, Administrative Assistant, both with the Franklin Senior Center. We had our discussion in the Franklin Radio Studio on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.We talk about All the key event highlights for May, includingEat around the World - AustraliaVan and pavilion ribbon cutting May 15 at 10 AMVeterans breakfast May 23Teasers for June, including the Senior OlympicsThe show notes include links to the Senior Center page, the calendar of events, and to subscribe to the monthly newsletter. The recording runs about 39 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------Franklin Senior Center page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/583/Franklin-Senior-Center-Council-on-Aging May 2025 newsletter -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5446/May-2025-Newsletter?bidId= Senior Center calendar view (just FSC events) -> https://franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false S

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion in the Studio on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap the School Committee meeting of April 29, 2025. We cover Transportation, busing sign up now active, due by June 20Elementary Report Cards Letter of Support Campus Naming DiscussionOverride discussion, vote on or before June 3; any questions, please reach out to find outThe recording runs about 33 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net   Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/ZUcSpIZK3Ms?&t=175Meeting agenda doc -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5568671/SCAGENDA_4-29-25.pdf Elementary Report Cards = https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/upl

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Friday, May 2, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of April 30, 2025. We focus on two questions:ok, what just happened? What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?Topics for this session:SchCmte Chair Callaghan updates on SchCmte businessTown Clerk Nancy Danello with an update on the special electionProclamations:Police Department - Promotions = . Sergeant John GodinoPolice Department - Swearing in of New Court Prosecutor / Detective = . Tara LagoaProclamation: Franklin High School Theater GroupProclamation: Bryan Taberner, Director, Department of Planning and Community DevelopmentAppointmentsAgricultural Commission = Matthew StoltzDisability Commission = Kelly QuinlanPUBLIC HEARING - a. Transfer of Section 12 Restaurant Common Victualer All Alcohol License and Approval of Dolores Costa as the Manager -

This session shares the Finance Committee meeting conducted Thursday, May 1, 2025. 7 members of the Committee participated, 6 in Council Chambers, 1 remote (Hamilton) 1 absent (Nagel) for the last of the series of Budget Hearings for FY 2026. This session covered the General government line items and led to the series of recommending votes.   Quick recapUp for review tonight were the General government departments, many of them much smaller than the Police, FIRE, DPW, and Schools covered previously but all key to Town services. Recreation pays for itself with fee revenue from servicing 7200 kids with 3 full time personnelLibrary just above the minimum required by State legislation not revised since it was enabled over 100 years agoTown Clerk's office runs the annual census, dog licenses, registrations, and this year 2 elections; the special override election June 3 and the local election in November (Town Council, School Cmte and other elected positions, including this year the Town Clerk)