Franklin (MA) Matters

This session shares the Joint Budget Listening Session held Saturday, March 8, 2025 Council Chambers. 8 of the 10 members participated along with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen & School Supt Lucas Giguere.Brief statements by TA Hellen and Supt Giguere opened the session before going to the audience for questions and comments. More than 14 folks stepped up to comment or ask a question, some multiple questions. Felicia Oti, Library Director spoke to the work being done by the Library.Link to the Town page with the budget materials for both Town and School sides https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500 The recording runs about 2 hours 7 minutes , so let’s listen in.--------------Franklin TV video for viewing -> https://www.youtube.com/live/LlUDdpZqkNg?&t=13 My notes captured during the sessionhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1wBaFVj9_9K0Rj1z23CGl2--vaO0QsoIn/view?usp=drive_link Updated FY 2026 budget document -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4593/2025-03-05-

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, March 5, 2025. All 9 of the members participated in Council Chambers.  The audio is in 2 sections:Part 1 - the beginning and the ending (1 hour 40 mins)Part 2 - the FY 2026 preliminary budget review & discussion (2 hours)Quick recap:Part 1 - non budgetPolice officer Steven Dejoie sworn in replacing Officer Lawrence who had retired a couple of months agoA string quartet of FHS students played a brief piece as part of a recognition of their music achievements which also resulted in a formal proclamation of their accomplishments. Many other students recognized were in the audience as wellDan Sherman provided the annual update on the town progress towards funding their OPEB liability. We are in good stead, better off than many other MA communities. We will do better once the Norfolk Retirement liability is paid off (2035ish) and that amount of funding can be shifted to the OPEB liability to advance the payoff scheduleApproval f

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, March 5, 2025. All 9 of the members participated in Council Chambers.  The audio is in 2 sections:1 - the beginning and the ending (1 hour 40 mins)2 - the FY 2026 preliminary budget review & discussion (2 hours)Quick recap:Part 1 - non budgetPolice officer Steven Dejoie sworn in replacing Officer Lawrence who had retired a couple of months agoA string quartet of FHS students played a brief piece as part of a recognition of their music achievements which also resulted in a formal proclamation of their accomplishments. Many other students recognized were in the audience as wellDan Sherman provided the annual update on the town progress towards funding their OPEB liability. We are in good stead, better off than many other MA communities. We will do better once the Norfolk Retirement liability is paid off (2035ish) and that amount of funding can be shifted to the OPEB liability to advance the payoff scheduleApproval for easemen

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, March 6, 2025.  Our conversation condenses the three recent meetings:Police Station Building Cmte Mtg - 02/25/25Town Council meeting - 2/26/25Town Council meeting - 3/05/25 We focus on two questions:• ok, what just happened? • What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?Topics for this sessionPolice Station Building Committee 2/25/25Team together and starting work; No site chosen, no design or estimates other than rough ballparks; Site visits planned to see others recently done; Open houses planned to enable the community to see inside; Video also planned to share views/walkthrough, website with info being built; Likely at east 2 years before some firm details, estimates, sometime after a decision on building vote or notTown Council meeting 2/26/25ALS/BLS ambulance fee increase approvedDid get confirmation

This session of the radio show shares the Art Pharmacy Community Conversation held at THE BLACK BOX on March 5, 2025. Cory Shea, Director of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy opened the event with 3 panelists who made brief presentations and then participated in a Q&A session.Panelists:Michael Bobbitt, Mass Cultural CouncilEmily Devlin, Art PharmacyAmy Friguiletti, Deputy Town AdministratorThe Q&A session of this is not shared, the audio quality was not sufficient.The presentation portion of the event runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen to overview of Art Pharmacy and how the Town of Franklin will be the first community to use their Opioid Settlement funds to  use this--------------** Presentation by Michael Bobbitt -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_g76jrwROR3wWehzLD5mDxrWk3zhk8Uo/view?usp=drive_linkMass Cultural Council press release on Art Pharmacy -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/introducing-the-first-statewide-social-prescribing-solution-in-the-u-s/ Mass Cultural

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of my conversation with Gary Premo, Executive Director of the Metacomet Emergency Communication Center (MECC). We had our conversation at the MECC on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.  Gary provides his backgroundOperations at the MECCWhat to expect when you call 911Growth and possible expansionThe meeting runs about 20 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Gary on emergency dispatch operations.--------------Metacomet Emergency Communication Center home page https://www.meccdispatch.org/ Member communities -> https://www.meccdispatch.org/home/pages/visit-our-member-communities Facebook page -> https://www.facebook.com/meccdispatch --------------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 h

This session shares my conversation with Sarah Amaral, Director and Ariel Doggett, Programming & Volunteer Coordinator with the Franklin Senior Center. We had our discussion virtually via Zoom on Friday, February 28, 2025.We talk about The Listening Session March 4 at 9:30 AM (free breakfast)The closure begins at 1:00 PM on March 4Many (but not all programs) have an alternate site beginning March 5Keep in touch via the newsletter, social media accounts, and if necessary, call the CenterKey special events when the center reopensFire Dept St Patrick’s lunch date to be determinedLunches available at Tri-County during the closure, need to call day before except for March 14, which will be a box lunch picked up at the Municipal Bldg (also need to call day before)The show notes include links to the Senior Center page, the calendar of events and to subscribe to the monthly newsletter. The recording runs about 23 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------Franklin Senior Center page ->  http

This session shares the Joint Budget Listening Session held Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at the Franklin Senior Center. 8 of the 10 members participated along with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen & School Supt Lucas Giguere.Brief statements by TA Hellen and Supt Giguere opened the session before going to the audience for questions and comments. More than 20 folks stepped up to comment or ask a question, some multiple questions. Both Police Chief Lynch and Fire Cheif McLaughlin spoke to their budget risks. Sarah Amaral, Senior Center Director spoke to the work being done by the center.Link to the Town page with the budget materials for both Town and School sideshttps://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500 As of today, $3.8M short, got a slight update with the preview of the preliminary budget being presented to the Town Council Wednesday, March 5.The recording runs about 2 hours 30 minutes , so let’s listen in.--------------Franklin TV video for viewing -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCbOgOSGCAI&

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Ad Hoc committee for the Town Administrators Review. The meeting was held on Thursday, February 27, 2025 in the Council Chambers. Subcommittee Chair Ted Cormier-Leger opens the meeting. Councilors Melanie Hamblen and Glenn Jones participate. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and many Town department heads are also present and contribute to this session.Quick recap:Exemplary performance review; Area for improvement to be mindful of verbiage, tone, in public meetings, emails, etc. Be better able to step back and help us all be betterIn lieu of reading the draft review doc, they walked through some of the sections to pick out key points and allowed Jamie to elaborate on the development of the individual items touting what he (and the town staff) did to complete the itemMany of the department managers were present and added comments for their review of JamieThe meeting runs about 1 hour & 55 minutes, so let’s listen to the Ad Hoc committee fo

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, February 26, 2025. 8 of the members participated in Council Chambers, 1 was absent (Dellorco). Quick recap:Going right to legislation for actionBylaw Amendment 25-924: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service - Second Reading; Motion to waive reading, passes - Motion to approve, second, vote via roll call passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)Resolution 25-05: Free Cash To Stabilization Accounts Transfers Motion to approve, second - Discussion had been part of the capital budget review by FinCom and Capital budget subcmte but not yet set here for approval - Passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)Bylaw Amendment 25-925: Amendment to Sewer System Map (Raymond St.) - First Reading - Last parcel on the road to extend this to. Motion to move to second reading, passes 8-0-1 (1 absent) Related to the aboveBylaw Amendment 25-926: Amendment to Water System Map (Raymond St.) - First Reading - Water to go along with the sewer

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 in Council Chambers. All 4 members of the subcommittee participated in Chambers (Hamblen, Sheridan, Frongillo & Chandler).Quick recapThe meeting started and then restarted to get to the correct Zoom link so a few minutes were repeated for some on the video recording and net new for others on the proper Zoom link. This audio recording only includes from the restartThe shared kitchen definition and addition to the use tables for commercial (not residential) zones was discussed, clarified, and then moved to bring to the Town Council by a 4-0 voteThe naming of the Crossing Neighborhood District and the minor additions was agreed to in concept but after discussion determined that it is an opportunity to do more with than "just renaming". Especially with the Master Plan approved, some of those items can be considered for implementation hereMotion to adjourn, passes 4-0 

This session shares the audio of the Police Station Building Committee (PSBC) meeting on Tuesday, Feb 25, 2025. This is the first meeting of 2025. The full project team, OPM, and architects provided an overview of the process and what next steps were starting. Quick recap:Discussion on how many 3 or 4 open houses for public to visit the station to see the existing conditions and need for new spaceDiscussion on how many site visits to other new police facilities, likely 3 so at least the committee members could try and make at least 2 of the 3Presentation on template of project webpage, still in draft, discussion around what to add to it Discussion around the video walk through to be coordinated by Steve Sherlock/Franklin TV. Would enable residents who can’t make the open houses to still see the situation. Discussion on 3 sites, one just rose along Grove St but won’t be considered further as it is too small. Davis Thayer and Parmenter remain currently under evaluationTown administrator Jamie Hel

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee Legislative Forum held on Monday, Feb 24, 2025. The Forum was held in the FHS Lecture Hall and broadcast via cable, Zoom, and to YouTube by Franklin TV. The audio of that recording is available here as a podcast. School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan was host, welcomed Superintendent Lucas Giguere who provided a briefing on the school redistricting and school budget.Chair Callaghan turned to the legislative delegation, Senator Becca Rausch and State Representative Jeff Roy for their opening remarks before getting into some prepared questions. After the prepared questions, the audience was allowed to ask questions or make comments.The recording runs about 1 hour & 55 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------The Franklin TV video is available for replay here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuUN6giRqc0 The agenda doc can be found -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02242025-1582 My full se

This session shares the Joint Budget Listening Session held Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at the Franklin Senior Center. All 10 members participated along with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. School Supt Lucas Giguere missed the session due to school break week.Brief statements by TA Hellen and School Committee Vice Chair David McNeill opened the session before going to the audience for questions and comments. At least 13 folks stepped up to comment or ask a question, some multiple questions.Link to the Town page with the budget materials for both Town and School sideshttps://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500 As of today, $3.6M short, may change slightly but that is the ballpark for today. Town budget coming out in April.Cherry sheet link to MA Dept of revenue as referenced by Town administrator Jamie Hellen https://www.mass.gov/cherry-sheet-estimates The recording runs about 2 hours 12 minutes , so let’s listen in.--------------The agenda doc https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/View

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Laura Doherty, Franklin Food Pantry Associate Director. We had our conversation at the Franklin Food Pantry at Edwin’s. Laura provides a brief story on her road to The Pantry then we get to talk about The Pantry Strategic Plan. It was funded by a grant from the MetroWest Health Foundation specifically for use in building capacity. The Pantry developed the strategic plan with involvement of multiple stakeholders groups and is now able to bring the plan to life.The recent holiday meal distribution is one example of how the strategic plan led to the enhancements that resulted in almost 1,000 meals distributed during Nov & Dec 2024.Disclosure: during the conversation you will hear that I was previously on the Food Pantry Board. I am currently volunteering on a couple of committees to help the Food Pantry mission. The recording runs about 39 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Laura-------------Franklin Food Pantry strategic plan

This session shares the Joint Budget Listening Session held Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at the Remington/Jefferson cafetorium.  8 of the 10 members participated along with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Supt Lucas Giguere. Brief statements by TA Hellen and by Supt Giguere opened the session before going to the audience for questions and comments. About 10 folks stepped up to comment or ask a question, some multiple questions.Link to the Town page with the budget materials for both Town and School sides https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500 As of today, $3.6M short, may change slightly but that is the ballpark for today. Towb budget coming out March 5.Cherry sheet link to MA Dept of revenue as referenced by Town administrator Jamie Hellen https://www.mass.gov/cherry-sheet-estimates The recording runs about 2 hours 20 minutes , so let’s listen in.--------------The agenda doc https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Joint-Budget-Subcommittee-6/?#_02122025-1560&nbs

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 person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. We recapped the School Committee meeting of February 11, 2025. We cover Keller Kids “Student Council” led the pledgeApproval of the FY 2026 Superintendent’s Recommended budget & discussionRedistricting is intertwined with the budget, Transportation update coming March 11School Calendar for Sept 2025 to start after Labor Day to allow for moveSchool Committee calendar to provide for a transition to new committee in NovEncourage participation in the Listening Sessions (4 remaining)The recording runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net   School Committee Meeting InfoThe Franklin TV video is available for replay here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vfq

This session shares my conversation with the newly former Chair of the Master Plan Update Committee Glenn Jones. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Monday, February 10, 2025. This session focused on the review of the full process and approval of the Master Plan to help guide Franklin for the next 10 years. We had talked at the beginning of the process (Feb 2023) and also before the major Open House event at Dean College (March 2024). Links for those are shared below.The recording runs about 58 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------“Final” version of the Master Plan  -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4018/Final-Report We met in Feb 2023 to talk about the beginning of the Master Plan efforthttps://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/talking-about-master-plan-committee.html We also met in March of 2024 talking about the forthcoming Open House at Dean College and gathering resident input https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/03/gle

This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen in the Municipal Building on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.  Several folks joined in this roundtable discussion on a variety of hot topics around development. Joining the discussion Breeka Li Goodlander, Conservation DirectorCathleen Liberty, Health DirectorBryan Taberner, Director of Planning & Community DevelopmentJoel D’Errico, Franklin resident & developerJoe Halligan, Franklin resident & developerBrad Chaffee, Franklin resident & developer for Camford Property Group  Gus Brown, Building CommissionerKey topicsMain development issue, changeThen 5 things that are top complaintsTrafficDensityEnvironmental concernsToo many school childrenCharacter of the TownThe recording runs about 1 Hour & 40 minutes. Let’s listen to this conversation on Franklin’s development hot topics --------------Town of Franklin page  https://www.franklinma.gov/ Community ca

This session shares my conversation with Brian McGonigal, franchise owner of Caring Transitions operating in Franklin/Milford along with Eric Eidswick, Business Development Manager. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio Studios on Monday, January 27, 2025.We talk about Caring Transitions services Senior relocation, downsizing, estate sales Start with a phone call or web interaction Free in home consultation  Can lead to a proposal and contract for services Personalized to meet your needsThe recording runs 44 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------Caring Transitions web page ->  https://www.caringtransitions.com/locations/mode/franklin-milford Estate sales page -> https://ctbids.com/ Tip & Trick to assess item value -> eBay app - download, take a photo, do a search, go to “Sold & Completed items” “Your Kids Don’t Want Your Stuff”  https://www.amazon.com/Your-Kids-Dont-Stuff-Memoir-ebook/dp/B0BN2B7KQP “Nobody Wants your Sh-t - Decluttering