- Citizens comments were active, one person speaking against the potential reinstatement of the suspended DPW Director. The others speaking for. The matter might have been on the Executive Session agenda. We'll know for sure some time later
- The minutes for the Feb 28, 2024 session were approved
- The Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-905 for Zoning Map Changes From Single Family Residential III To Business, An Area On Or Near King Street was moved to refer to the Planning Board by an 8-1 vote. Pellegri cast the one "No" vote
- Resolution 24-14: Direction for Issuance of Request for Expressions of Interest for Purchase / Lease and Redevelopment of Former Davis Thayer Elementary School, 137 West Central St was passed by an 8-0-1 vote. Jones recused himself from the discussion as his residence is an abutter to the property
- The results of the Request for Expressions of Interest are non-binding. Input is due back May 31. At which time the Advisory Committee will spend time in June/July to review and bring back their recommendation to the Council for approval and possible further action
- Resolution 24-15: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Public Library ($4,817.48). "This donation is especially meaningful as it marks the final gift from the Franklin Library Association, which after 150 years of operation, has closed its doors"
- The Council entered Executive Session to not return to public meeting with a 9-0 vote via roll call.
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
Town Council approves Request for Expression of Interest to be issued for Davis Thayer, refers zoning change to Planning Board (video)
Sunday, March 10, 2024
Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for the March 13, 2024 Meeting
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
a. February 28, 2024 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/february_28_2024_tc_meeting_minutes.pdf
a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-905: Zoning Map Changes From Single Family Residential III To Business, An Area On Or Near King Street(Motion to Refer Bylaw Amendment 24-905 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/zoning_bylaw_amendment_24-905.pdf
b. Resolution 24-14: Direction for Issuance of Request for Expressions of Interest for Purchase / Lease and Redevelopment of Former Davis Thayer Elementary School, 137 West Central St. (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-14 - Majority Vote)https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/resolution_24-14.pdf
c. Resolution 24-15: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Public Library ($4,817.48) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-15 - Majority Vote)https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/24-15-_gift_acceptance_library_0.pdf
a. FY25 Budget Update https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials
a. Capital Budget Subcommitteeb. Economic Development Subcommitteec. Budget Subcommitteed. Master Plan Committeee. Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Committeef. Police Station Building Committeeg. GATRA Advisory Board
a. Exemption #1:To discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual, or to discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or Individuals.
b. Exemption #3: Collective Bargaining (Police, Fire, Public Works, Facilities, Library) - To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares.
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Town Council spends 2 hours and takes "no action" on zoning proposal (video)
- Brownie troop 64085 led the pledge as part of the work on the Democracy badge
- The minutes for the Jan meeting were approved
- The OPEB financial report was presented and reviewed, we are in a better position than we were previously
- FY24 Capital Improvement Plan was approved
- associated transfers to account for the funding approval were also approved
- The Council voted to support the Pending State Legislation Entitled “The Municipal Empowerment Act”
- The Revised 2024 Town Council Meeting Schedule was approved
- Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($2,900), Senior Center ($200), Police Dept. ($50) were approved with thanks
- Designation of “Special Municipal Employee” Under State Ethics Law were approved for newly create committees not previously covered by this move (housekeeping)
- Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4 actually 2 resolutions were approved. If the "empowerment Act noted above becomes law, this kind of approval would disappear from Council agendas
- Council entered executive session to not return to open meeting for discussion of a matter regarding a real estate purchase
- Joint Budget SubCmte meeting on March 6 will begin work on how to resolve a $10.5M budget deficit across town and school budgets. Agenda and budget details to be released Friday March 1
Sunday, February 11, 2024
Public hearing notice: Planning Board to hear about Autumn Hill Condominiums - Mon, Feb 26
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Watch the Planning Board playlist on YouTube back to January 2022
- Verizon and Comcast
- Live stream via Zoom
- And to YouTube
Watch the Planning Board playlist on YouTube back to January 2022 |
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Franklin Town Council approves flying Pride flag during June, Planning Board associate & elections workers (video)
Franklin Town Council approves flying Pride flag during June, Planning Board associate & elections workers (video) |
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Please vote today, the polls are open from 6 AM to 8 PM. This local election determines how Franklin's dollars are spent.
Friday, October 13, 2023
Candidate Interview: Jay Mello, candidate for Planning Board (audio)
Friday, September 22, 2023
Uncas Ave Extension - Site Plan and Special Permit Application - Planning Board - Public Hearing - Oct 16
Uncas Ave Extension - Site Plan and Special Permit Application - Planning Board - Public Hearing - Oct 16 |
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Zoning Bylaw Amendment - 23-901 - King Street area Rezone from SFRIII to B
Zoning Bylaw Amendment - 23-901 - King Street area Rezone from SFRIII to B |
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Preliminary Subdivision - Balsam Estates - Planning Board - Sep 25
Preliminary Subdivision - Balsam Estates - Planning Board - Sep 25 |
Sunday, August 27, 2023
What is the ONE question would you ask of each candidate for the Town of Franklin 2023 Election?
The candidates are in their final days to gather signatures for the November 2023 Biennial Town of Franklin Election. The nomination papers are due to the Town Clerk by September 6.
It is now time for us (together) to prepare the set of interview questions.
- Which one question would you ask of a Town Council candidate? School Committee candidate? etc...
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Thursday, August 24, 2023
Economic Development Subcommittee agrees to proposal on zoning change for 2 lots from Residential to Business (video)
The measure was approved by 4-0 to bring to the Town Council at the next meeting (Sep 6).
map showing location of the 2 lots in question on King St |
You may access the agenda and links for this meeting here: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/edc_agenda_aug_23_2023.pdf
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Public Hearing Notice: Upper Unions St Solar Project - Sep 11
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Maplegate Solar South - Site Plan - Planning Board - Aug 21 at 7:05 PM
Maplegate Solar South - Site Plan - Planning Board - Aug 21 at 7:05 PM |
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Town Council approves CPC appointments, closes out FY 2023, refers 2 bylaw mods to Planning Board, welcomes new Deputy Administrator (audio)
FM #1019 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1019 in the series.
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 continue
Downtown 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 amended
3 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 for
A resolution to clean up some house keeping for the land swap with the State was approved. There was not material fund impact, the funds had already been approved in prior years, the text of the measure needed to be adjusted as requested by the State to better account for their process and records
2 bylaws were referred to the Planning Board, both had come forward from the recent Economic Development committee meeting; one to adjust the marijuana overlay district maps, two to allow for reduce impervious coverage in general residential 5 zoning
new Deputy Town Administrator Amy M. Frigulietti was introduced. She starts in July
The recording runs 1 and 35 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on June 21, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1019-town-council-mtg-06-21-23
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The agenda doc can also be found on the Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_june_21_2023.pdf
https://drive.google.com/file/d/157tLQi6nFbWEu9QOBPSiUBfdR_M6cyn5/view?usp=drive_link
The meeting video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/P6oDVqj_xqI
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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
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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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