Franklin (MA) Matters

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist via the Zoom conference bridge Thursday, July 27, 2023.  In this episode we welcome Town of Franklin (ToF) Fire Chief James McLaughlin. The Chief is also the ToF Emergency Management Director. Given the headlines and climate weather related emergencies around us, it was a good time to talk about Franklin’s planning efforts.  Links to the articles we talk of are located in a section below.  This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well. If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.  The conversation runs about 42 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted McIntyre and Chief McLaughlin as we help ‘make sense of climate.’--------------Links

The Franklin (MA) School Committee met on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 as scheduled and completed business without student updates (school vacation) or any presentations (summer time) with a brief Executive Session and the total was within an hour. A rare but worthy accomplishment.Getting ready to report on the School Committee meeting at 7 PM follow along with the agenda #schcom0726  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_7-25-23.pdf Chair Spencer opens meeting, gets right to the Supt Giguere report on the activity this summer. Administrator pretreat the day after school ended to close and reflect on the past school year. #schcom0725 retreat next week, 3 days, asst and principals togetherPlanning and strategic planning key topic, to be held at Dean College; MSAA executive institute for Lucas, Paula & Tina at the Cape recently, how to move from striving to thriving, budget development also a key topic #schcom0725Elementary literacy materials arrived, being distributed t

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Doug Martin, Franklin’s Water and Sewer Superintendent and Jake Standly, the Assistant Water/Sewer Superintendent . We had our conversation in the Franklin Public Radio studios on Hutchinson St. This is one of three in a series exploring the status and operations of the Franklin’s Water & Sewer Division. During 2021, we did a 3-part series on the water supply. With the Beaver St interceptor project starting later this year, we decided to cover the sewer side of the business. A little more dirty talk although we do start out with some updates on water.Part 1 - approx. 25 minutesPFAS - the EPA is looking to update their regulationMitigation of PFAS for Well 7 is costly and starting later this yearIf the proposed regulations go through, it will be more costly as "60% of our water sources are currently above that (proposed) threshold"Likely water rate increase coming in a future year (TBD)New diagram shows lines of responsibility for water (and s

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Doug Martin, Franklin’s Water and Sewer Superintendent and Jake Standly, the Assistant Water/Sewer Superintendent . We had our conversation in the Franklin Public Radio studios on Hutchinson St. This is one of three in a series exploring the status and operations of the Franklin’s Water & Sewer Division. During 2021, we did a 3-part series on the water supply. With the Beaver St interceptor project starting later this year, we decided to cover the sewer side of the business. A little more dirty talk although we do start out with some updates on water.Part 1 - approx. 25 minutesPFAS - the EPA is looking to update their regulationMitigation of PFAS for Well 7 is costly and starting later this yearIf the proposed regulations go through, it will be more costly as "60% of our water sources are currently above that (proposed) threshold"Likely water rate increase coming in a future year (TBD)New diagram shows lines of responsibility for water (and s

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Doug Martin, Franklin’s Water and Sewer Superintendent and Jake Standly, the Assistant Water/Sewer Superintendent . We had our conversation in the Franklin Public Radio studios on Hutchinson St. This is one of three in a series exploring the status and operations of the Franklin’s Water & Sewer Division. During 2021, we did a 3-part series on the water supply. With the Beaver St interceptor project starting later this year, we decided to cover the sewer side of the business. A little more dirty talk although we do start out with some updates on water.Part 1 - approx. 25 minutesPFAS - the EPA is looking to update their regulationMitigation of PFAS for Well 7 is costly and starting later this yearIf the proposed regulations go through, it will be more costly as "60% of our water sources are currently above that (proposed) threshold"Likely water rate increase coming in a future year (TBD)New diagram shows lines of responsibility for water (and s

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. All 9 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers.Quick recap:APPOINTMENTSa. Agricultural Commission i. Nick Capocciab. Cultural District Committee i. Sue Cass ii. Patrick Conlanc. Design Review Commission i. Amy Adams ii. Jim Bartrod. Finance Committee i. Lauren Nagele. Franklin Cultural Council i. Carol Fletcher ii. John Ristaino iii. Jean WolfLegislative Delegation visit: Senator Rebecca Rausch, Representative Jeffrey RoyBylaw Amendment 23-900R: Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic, Article IV, Stopping, Standing and Parking, §170-15 Parking Prohibitions and Limitations , D. Parking Prohibited, Downtown Parking Map Amendment - Second Reading  Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)b.     Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-894: To Amend Chapter 185, Section 3 of the Code of the Town of Franklin to add Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Definition - Second Reading 

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer in our Town Council Quarterbacking session. This is one of the series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior night’s Town Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England, this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of July 19, 2023: ok, what just happened? What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?We cover the following key topicsAPPOINTMENTSa. Agricultural Commission i. Nick Capocciab. Cultural District Committee i. Sue Cass ii. Patrick Conlanc. Design Review Commission i. Amy Adams ii. Jim Bartrod. Finance Committee i. Lauren Nagele. Franklin Cultural Council i. Carol Fletcher ii. John Ristaino iii. Jean WolfLegislative Delegation visit: Senator Rebecca Rausch, Representative Jeffrey RoyBylaw Amendment 23-900R: Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic, Article IV, Stopping, Standing and Parking, §170-15 Parking

This session shares my conversation with Town Clerk Nancy Danello conducted in her office at the Municipal Building on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. We talk about the biennial Town of Franklin election. Nomination papers available Aug 1, timeline and details for return, certification of candidates, registration to vote. We also briefly discuss the possible Tri-County school building special election currently targeted for Oct 24 but to be confirmed during August.The show notes include links to the Town Clerk page and to the Tri-County information.The recording runs about 18 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------Town Clerk’s page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk Tri-County new building page -> https://www.tri-countybuilding.com/ Tri County School Building Project - Karen Maguire, Tri County Superintendent (presentation to Town Council) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._tri_county_presentation.pdfBuilding update meeting in June, 2023 -> https:/

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist via the Zoom conference bridge Thursday, July 13, 2023.  In this episode we cover multiple topics as we caught up on what has happened since our prior recording. Links to the articles we talk of are located in a section below.  BrieflyClimate challenges are here, when will it be recognized that change is required?Solar, agrivoltaics, home wind turbines, nuclearISO grid intersections Energize Franklin, action is the antidote to despairThis discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well. If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.  The conversation runs about 42 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted McIntyre as he helps me ‘make sense of

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" session with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation in person at the Municipal Building on Thursday, July 13, 2023. New Deputy Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti joins us for the first time.Topics for this sessionIntroduce Amy Frigulietti, new Deputy Town AdministratorRecap of FY 23 close, FY 24 budgetJoint Budget Subcmte – Aug 2 the start of discussions around what is needed to be sustainable going forward. Head’s up, Aug 16 Council meeting will feature update on Open Meeting law requirements Town Council – July 19  Legislative delegation visits to provide update (Rep Roy, Senator Rausch) Accessory dwelling legislation up for second reading & voteFarmers Market & Concerts on the Common - Friday’s the Common is busy The recording runs about 43 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie & Amy on Thursday, July 13, 2023--------------Town FY 2024 budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/

This session of the radio show shares the conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Town Council Chair Tom Mercer, School Superintendent Lucas Giguere, and School Committee Chair Denise Spencer. We had our conversation at the Municipal Building on Tuesday June 27,2023. Tom Mercer joined via Zoom.  Now that the major FY 2024 budget decisions are behind us, how we will go forward becomes the topic. The next steps start with the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting scheduled for Aug 2. Over the next several months, lots of conversations, and discussions should result in a plan to go forward that the ad-hoc residents committee can then spread the word on for a potential override decision by the Town.The conversation runs about 54 minutes. Let’s listen to the recording of the way forward discussion on Tuesday, June 27, 2023--------------Town FY 2024 budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials School FY 2024 budget information -> https:/

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. 8All 9members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers. Brief recap:The appointments to the Community Preservation Committee were approved. 6 were reappointed to a new term. One new member representing the Planning Board was made. Two existing members terms did not expire this year and will continueDowntown parking bylaw was adjusted for anew start time to account for a change in the MBTA schedule as well as the overnight parking restriction changed for Fri-Sat nights to allow for the late hours of Teddie Gallagher's. Modified bylaw moved to 2nd reading as amended3 resolutions closed out the accounting transactions for the FY 2023 fiscal year for this time. The MECC fund which was reallocated to be part of the school adjustment effectively regained what it 'lost' as there were excess funds that needed to accounted forA resolution to clean up some house keeping for the land swap

This session of the radio show shares the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Chair: M Hamblen, C Frongillo, G Jones, P Sheridan, Town Administration: J Hellen, L Rivera, J Jacobson, B Taberner, A LoveThe branding and marketing plan as drafted by Julie Jacobson & Lily Rivera was previewed with the Subcommittee. Utilization of 2 grants to provide funding for consultant work to develop the brand is incorporated into this multi year effort.Implementation costs may be minimized for office stationary as the new letterheads, etc. can get integrated upon restocking. How the branding is implemented across the signs and vehicles remains to be determined and will have a cost factor.The recording runs 34 minutes, so let’s listen to the Economic Development Subcmte discussion on June 21, 2023.--------------Meeting agenda =>    https://www.franklinma.gov/economic-development-subcommittee/agenda/june-21-2023-edc-meeting-agendaMy notes -> https://drive.google.

This session of the radio show shares the third and final Public Hearing held to gather input on the Town of Franklin Open Space & Recreation Plan (OSRP).The hearing covered some of the details around the process: The draft has been issued for commentComments are open through July 12Additional detail on the survey results are being formatted to add to the draft. This won't change the goals or objectives, just provide the additional supporting evidence for such.The conversation runs about 70 minutes. Let’s listen to the OSRP Public Hearing #3--------------Conservation page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation The draft plan can be found online ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/system/files/uploads/2023_osrp_draft_for_comment_0.pdf Comments on the plan can be submitted ->https://forms.gle/SJZKH43xj6JkAVPX8 The summary of the plan -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/06/2023-open-space-recreation-plan-summary.html The goals & objectives -> https:/

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Amber Wilson, President of the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance. We talk about the Celebrate with Pride event scheduled for the Franklin Town Common on Sunday, June 25. We talk about the evolution of the committee and future plans for the group.Listen to the recording of our conversation (approx. 43 minutes) ->  --------------The event page on Facebook ->  https://www.facebook.com/events/724337825660145 Sign up for the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance emails on this Google Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfnRB-LK3z7DKSe1Rl0ClaY7LQpAteHAhf3YpLLjejFi_A6gQ/viewform Send an email FranklinLGBTQAlliance@gmail.com  if you questions or to express interest in helping with the group--------------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

This session of the radio show shares the Master Plan Update Committee meeting held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.The Master Plan Update Committee met for the first time and 12 of the committee present were sworn in. One member was remote and will be sworn in laterDuring the meeting, it was revealed that the 13 member committee will split into 5 subcommittees each responsible for their own goals, workflows, and coordinating through the Planning Dept for supportWhile the subcommittees were announced, confirmation of the membership is schedule for the next sessionMuch of the meeting was laying the groundwork and ground rules for their future sessions. Much of the time was spent reading the agenda materials released before the meetingListen to the recording of the meeting (approx. 1 hour 50 minutes) -> --------------The agenda doc is rich with links to the prior master plan and associated materials     https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/june_14_2023_mp_agenda_0.pdf&nbs

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the housing and zoning discussion with Brad Chafee, Melanie Hamblen, and Cobi Frongillo. We were joined by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Town Council Chair Tom Mercer for this discussion on new growth. Most of us were in the Franklin TV Studio on Monday, June 5, 2023. Tom joined us via the Zoom conference bridge.Consider this a continuation of the downtown zoning discussion from the “Franklin For All” project which is underway with review and discussion at the Economic Development Subcommittee Plus meetings that Melanie Chairs and for which Cobi is Vice-Chair.  The conversation centered on new growth and how the zoning decisions have a relationship with the budget. The recording of our conversation on zoning runs about 1 hour 10 minutes. Let’s listen in.--------------The collection of Franklin For All zoning discussions can be found here ->https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/franklin-for-all-housing-zoning-podcast.htmlThe

This session of the radio show shares the Tri-County RVTHS Community Update #4 held on Thursday, June 15, 2023.Tri-County Superintendent Karen Maguire opens the session and introduces each of the speakers. My brief recap is as follows:The current school is 'broken', per the MSBA process the building did evaluate options to renovate, renovate & create an addition, or rebuild. The rebuild option was selected as the most viable The cost today is shown as 284MOct 24, 2023 is scheduled date for approval of the Tri-County school replacement project approval assuming that MSBA decides on a final cost during AugustWhen MSBA does approve the final cost, they should also provide the reimbursement expected, hence the bottom line for the district to payAdditional details will be provided after MSBA makes their decisionAfter the October vote to approve the project, additional details for the cost per community can be developedIt is likely that the first payments wouldn’t be due until FY 2026 or FY 2027The October

This session of the radio show shares part of the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: all of the School Committee members, school district personnel along with some of the public were in the Council Chambers. Some members of the public participated via conference bridge.Brief recap:Moment of silence to recognize the tragic passing of an FHS graduating seniorDuring the Superintendent's Report, 2 highlights were shared. (1) a quick overview of the Spanish trip during Spring break. (2) recognition of three FHS outdoor track athletes for their accomplishments at the Meet of ChampionsRecognition of Michelle Kingsland Smith retiring for the 2nd time this year with 50 years of education experience. Recognition of Miriam Goodman's retirement as Business AdministratorMiddle school civics program provided an update on the process across the three schools and a student presentation from Horace Mann.The Oak St Elementary team provided and inte

This session of the radio show shares the audio of the Franklin Food Pantry Grand Opening Ceremony held outside the new facility at 341 West Central Street. The familiar Edwin’s has been renovated to house the Food Pantry operations. Tina Powderly, Executive Director of the Food Pantry, was ‘master of ceremony’ and introduced the other three speakers: Town Council Chair Tom Mercer MassDev representative Robert JenkinsState Representative Jeffrey RoyThe ceremony kept within the 30 minutes allotted. —------------Photos of the building tour for the media can be found in one album along with photos from the event -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/QWaRtvycHT7qqDmG7Franklin Food Pantry page -> https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/New Building Capital Campaign -> https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/new-building/campaign/--------------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