Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Video replay available for the Economic Development Subcommittee held March 13 (video)
Sunday, February 18, 2024
Annual Report Of Department Of Planning And Community Development: FY 2023 Report
Annual Report Of Department Of Planning And Community Development: FY 2023 Report |
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Economic Development discussion on priorities within the list of goals (video)
Agenda:
Economic Development Subcommittee meeting - Jan 31 at 5:45 pm |
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Economic Development Subcommittee meeting - Jan 31 at 5:45 pm
Economic Development Subcommittee meeting - Jan 31 at 5:45 pm |
Friday, December 15, 2023
MMA: "Governor signs economic development plan"
"Gov. Maura Healey yesterday signed the administration’s first economic development plan, which aligns its economic development priorities, funding and legislative initiatives within three main areas of focus: investing in the fundamentals to enable economic growth; retaining and attracting talent; and supporting businesses.The plan will likely provide a foundation for an economic development bill expected to be filed by the governor early in 2024.At an unveiling event on Dec. 6, Gov. Maura Healey said the plan — Team Massachusetts: Leading Future Generations — outlines a strategy to “put us on a path to future success by powering short- and long-term economic growth, retaining and attracting the world’s best talent, and supporting our businesses,” particularly in sectors like climate technology, life sciences and advanced manufacturing."
Continue reading the article at MMA -> https://www.mma.org/governor-signs-economic-development-plan/
Find the Economic Development Plan online -> https://www.mass.gov/economic-development-plan or direct to the PDF download -> https://www.mass.gov/doc/economic-development-plan/download
The press release for the Economic Development Plan -> https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-announces-2023-economic-development-plan
the PDF download -> https://www.mass.gov/doc/economic-development-plan/download |
Friday, November 3, 2023
Economic Development Subcommittee reviews 40r (video)
Economic Development Subcommittee reviews 40r (video) |
1. Discussion: 40R https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/40r_overlay_dist_memo_and_bylaw.pdf
Monday, October 30, 2023
Economic Development Subcommittee to discuss 40R - November 1, 2023 AT 5:30 PM
1. Discussion: 40R https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/40r_overlay_dist_memo_and_bylaw.pdf
Economic Development Subcommittee to discuss 40R - November 1, 2023 AT 5:30 pm |
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Economic Development Cmte hears about home occupation and gets an overview of 40R (audio)
FM #1085 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1085 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.
Chair: M Hamblen, C Frongillo (remote), P Sheridan, G Jones
Town Administration: J Hellen, B Taberner
Brief recap
My notes captured during the meeting:
Economic development Cmte meeting about to begin, live reporting will commence with the meeting #edc1018
3 of the 4 members present in Chambers (Frongillo absent?)
Home occupation proposal up for discussion only, no legislation drafted yet, looking to help understand the issue, pros/cons, to eventually bring something forward. Frongillo tapped in via Zoom. Follow along with agenda (link below)
Bryan Taberner, Planning and Community Development, provides an overview on the home occupancy research, example of other communities; we don't have a specific bylaw for home occupancy but do have a section covering the items, and in comparison, we have what others do
Discussion around the nuances of the current regulation, most staff are happy with the current status; suggestion on limiting to some number with an area; not practical, nor encouraging the entrepreneur spirit of those interested. Need to get up to speed (revenue) ...
Before moving from home to a more formal business setting. Lowers the barrier to entry for business. Frongillo (1) making it easier to understand the current status, (2) parking, most streets have parking space unused most of the time (3) manufacturing, particularly food ...
Cathy Liberty, Health Director, speaks to the issues on both sides business and Health to enforce the regulations; different from a food establishment, the health dept can go in anytime because they are in business for that reason; home kitchen different as it is ...
Used some of the time and the access to the kitchen would need to be scheduled. DPW Director Cantoreggi talks to the need for grease traps for commercial kitchens,
maintenance is a requirement so it does add cost to the business, but ultimately it protects the community
One aspect of the regulations is to protect the assets (sewer pipes, water infrastructure,...) Moving to the second agenda item, discussion of 40R.
One of the goals from the Franklin For All project. "A smart growth overlay district" if done right, does well
40R does require State approval before going to Town Council, a housing build. Slides shared for the overview ->
40R draft is good but doesn't really do anything until a 40R district is created. This is the umbrella language that covers the future districts. A boat load of work, bring it back for the Nov 1 EDC mtg
Motion to adjourn, second, passes 4-0 via roll call
The recording runs about an hour and 17 minutes, so let’s listen to the Economic Development Subcmte discussion on Oct 18, 2023. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1085-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-10-18-23
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Franklin TV video replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/ZxSsKapfjqY?si=49MdVfK6SAwtc4Lj
You may access the agenda for this meeting here: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/edc_agenda_10.18.2023.pdf
My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting can be found in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ee3BBIPK-k_iyEvoRavYSyKCqBlHIHF8/view?usp=share_link
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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 neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Economic Development Cmte hears about home occupation and gets an overview of 40R (video)
Economic Development Cmte hears about home occupation and gets an overview of 40R (video) |
Monday, October 16, 2023
Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda for Oct 18 meeting at 5:30 PM
a. Staff memo
Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda for Oct 18 meeting at 5:30 PM |
Monday, September 11, 2023
Economic Development Subcmte shovels the snow bylaw forward for Council discussion (audio)
FM #1059 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1059 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee (EDC) held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 in the Council Chambers.
The EDC talked about snow removal on a hot Wednesday in the Franklin Council Chambers for their regularly scheduled meeting.
The proposed reintroduction of the sidewalk snow removal bylaw which was rescinded in 2017 was initially discussed at the August EDC meeting at which one member was absent. All four participated this time, 3 present in Chambers, one via remote connection.
That the bylaw hadn't been present for 6 years apparently had wrought enough interest to make it to the Council's objectives, hence this discussion.
The committee could have decided to do more research before forwarding to the Council, or done nothing (effectively continuing the status quo of the past 6 years). They did end up moving it forward without recommendation for a full Council discussion. Some additional research will be done by Town staff in prep for a future Council meeting.
Quick recap:
What some folks would want is for the Town to clear the sidewalks, however the DPW is not staffed to do this and their other priorities. The community (commercial, retail and residents) should be able to help which is what the proposal lays out. It will create some inequity and hardship particularly among some of the elderly and disabled residents.
What kind of community and area do we want to live in is the real question?
There are pros and cons, and no easy answer. Where is Solomon when we need him?
The recording of the meeting runs just about 70 minutes. Audio file ->
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1059-franklin-ma-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-09-0623Full agenda doc ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/edc_agenda_9.6.23.pdf
Franklin TV Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/DLFDj9HEyRU?si=4_o_8sYPiFQqWhLZ&t=105
My notes taken via Twitter and captured via a single PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rOTVhHzvrppkmJB3HmmyqbJHaq6LTXj7/view?usp=drive_link
--------------
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 neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
Proposed sidewalk snow removal map |