Franklin Matters: Tom Mercer condenses the 4.5 hour 9/03/25 Council meeting to less than 30 mins (audio)

Friday, September 5, 2025

Tom Mercer condenses the 4.5 hour 9/03/25 Council meeting to less than 30 mins (audio)

FM #1506 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1506 in the series.

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, September 4, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of September 3, 2025.

We focus on two questions:

ok, what just happened?
What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Discussion items:

PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Proclamation: Hunger Action Month

b. Police Department

i. Retirement Recognition & Proclamation: Police Sergeant Michael Campanelli

ii. Promotion Recognition: Police Sergeant Joseph MacLean

c. Retirement Recognition & Proclamation: Fire Chief James McLaughlin

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Fire Chief - Chuck Allen

b. Community Preservation Committee - Richard Johnson

c. Cultural Council

i. Ryan Hanley

ii. William Lee

iii. Caryn Parnell

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Franklin Food Pantry Update: Tina Powderly, Executive Director

b. Norfolk County Sheriff’s Ofﬁce Update: Patrick McDermott, Norfolk County Sheriff

c. Legislative Update: Senator Rebecca Rausch and Representative Jeff Roy

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 25-50: Adoption of Local Initiative Program “Friendly 40B” Policy (Tabled from July 23, 2025 Town Council Meeting)

b. Bylaw Amendment 25-942: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 170, Vehicles and Trafﬁc - Second Reading

c. Resolution 25-56: Acceptance of Gifts - Veteran’s Services ($750), Senior Center ($100)

d. Resolution 25-57: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44 §53F3/4

The conversation runs about 29 minutes. Let’s listen in

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1506-town-council-quarterbacking-09-04-25/

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Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5ILK2Y6yTw

The agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09032025-1891

My notes captured in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/12XGRErMbkxyGIwR7fA0nqhhzqnrsJ-mV/view?usp=drive_link

Background on “assessment center” https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/assessment-and-selection/other-assessment-methods/assessment-centers/

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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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