Open Space, School Budget, and Holiday Happenings! all in this Talk Franklin episode (audio)

FM #897 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 897 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Alecia Alleyne, Assistant to the Town Administrator. We had our conversation via conference bridge.  

Topics for this session

Community Preservation Cmte meeting

Finance Committee

• School budget deep dive

• Most questions answered, some set for follow up

Town Council preview

• Alcohol license renewals

Holiday spirit all over Franklin “Light It Up”

• Fire Dept Polar Express night

• Police toy drive, photos with Santa

• Historical Museum concert, and Mrs Claus

Winter Wonderland at the Senior Center Dec 15

• Live streamed to cable, YouTube and wfpr.fm (radio broadcast but no live stream due to change in weather)

The conversation runs about 27 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie & Alecia.

Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Open-Space--School-Budget-and-Holiday-Happenings-e1s59c6/a-a91ja4d

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John Lennon anniversary Dec 8, 1980 ->  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_John_Lennon 

Imagine by John Lennon -> 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imagine_(John_Lennon_song)

YouTube version of Imagine -> https://youtu.be/ugrAo8wEPiI 

Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator

Community Preservation Committee 12/06/22 recap, audio & video links ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/community-preservation-cmte-gets.html 

 

Finance Committee 12/07/22 recap, audio & video links ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/finance-committee-gets-some-financial.html 

Town Council agenda for 12/14/22 ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda.html 

--------------

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"

Open Space, School Budget, and Holiday Happenings! all in this Talk Franklin episode (audio)

Community Preservation Cmte gets updates on projects, approves schedule for 2023 and more (audio)

FM #893 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 893 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Community Preservation Committee meeting held in Council Chambers on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. 

Chair C Feeley, M Doyle, J Livingstone, P Malcolm,W Simarian, R Power (remote), L Oxford  [D McNeill, M Giardino absent]

Town Administration: J Hellen, A Alleyne,  

The meeting approved the minutes of the prior meeting via roll call vote (7-0-2; 7 for, 0 against, 2 absent). 

Motion to accept the proposed meeting scheduled for 2023, seconded, passes via voice vote (7 for, 0 against, 2 absent)

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provides project updates on work underway

• Red Brick School exterior renovation - doors and windows backordered

• Nason St Tot lot site prep work being done now in advance of renovation in the spring

• King St Memorial Field estimate and draft depiction of the field layout and work proposed. Timeline and funding remains TBD. Would be adding pickleball courts, would be including a paved path all around the park, would also be adding parking; questioned on if handicap access for the community garden is considered? I added that when the garden opened in 2010, it did have stonedust entrance and among the first four beds on each side of the main gate. It was covered with mulch a few years ago. The base likely could be restored.

Jamie also provided a financial update, it had a minor error and would be further enhanced to better reflect what was approved vs allocated vs. spent, etc.

Committee entered executive session via roll call vote not to return to open meeting  (7 for, 0 against, 2 absent)

The recording runs about 22 minutes, so let’s listen to the Community Preservation Committee discussion on Dec 6, 2022.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-893-community-preservation-cmte-mtg-12-06-22

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Meeting agenda =>   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-12-06_cpa_agenda_packet.pdf 

My notes -> (note my vote tallies were off, there were 3 chairs empty but 1 member was remote so it should have been 7-0-2 [not 6-0-3[)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uBAa-GVCyoWXbh_svh0EwKscfrE326yO/view?usp=share_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"

Community Preservation Cmte gets updates on projects, approves schedule for 2023 and more (audio)

Dec 6, 2022 - Community Preservation Committee meeting video available via YouTube

The Community Preservation Committee met Tuesday Dec 6, 2022 with 7 members participating (6 in Council Chambers, 1 remote).

The Franklin.TV recording is available for replay via YouTube

https://youtu.be/AwyxxvfEHYk

Quick Recap:

• Committee: Chair C Feeley, M Doyle, J Livingstone, P Malcolm,W Simarian, R Power (remote), L Oxford - [D McNeill, M Giardino absent]
• Town Administration: J Hellen, A Alleyne,  

The committee approved the minutes of the prior meeting via roll call vote (7-0-2; 7 for, 0 against, 2 absent). 

Motion to accept the proposed meeting scheduled for 2023, seconded, passes via voice vote (7 for, 0 against, 2 absent)

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provides project updates on work underway

• Red Brick School exterior renovation - doors and windows backordered

• Nason St Tot lot site prep work being done now in advance of renovation in the spring

• King St Memorial Field estimate and draft depiction of the field layout and work proposed. Timeline and funding remains TBD. Would be adding pickleball courts, would be including a paved path all around the park, would also be adding parking; questioned on if handicap access for the community garden is considered? I added that when the garden opened in 2010, it did have a stonedust entrance and among the first four beds on each side of the main gate. It was covered with mulch a few years ago. The base likely could be restored.

Jamie also provided a financial update, it had a minor error and would be further enhanced to better reflect what was approved vs allocated vs. spent, etc.

Committee entered executive session via roll call vote not to return to open meeting  (7 for, 0 against, 2 absent)

depiction of proposed King St Memorial park improvements

Community Garden opening day, 2011 shows the stone dust (grey) around
 the first 8 garden beds at the entrance

 

Community Preservation Committee meeting scheduled for Dec 6 at 7 PM

Community Preservation Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

December 6, 2022 - 7:00 PM

Agenda:

1. Approval of Minutes

a. October 4, 2022

2. 2023 CPC Meeting Schedule

3. Town Administrator Project Updates

a. Red Brick School House

b. King Street Memorial Park Design

4. Finance Update:

a. 2022 CPA Trust Fund Distribution

b. Community Preservation Act Fund Balances

5. Executive Session:

a. Considering the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Public Body

The agenda doc and remote connection info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-12-06_cpa_agenda_packet.pdf

Community Preservation Committee meeting scheduled for Dec 6 at 7 PM

Talk Franklin with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen discusses parking, municipal aggregation, Schmidt's Farm and more (audio)

FM #864 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 864 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via conference bridge.  

Topics for this session

• Municipal aggregation 

• Right of First Refusal – Schmidt’s Farm purchase recommended by CPC and public hearing held by Town Council;  CPA funding key

• Downtown parking bylaws pending 2nd reading (Nov 2 meeting)

• Dean student parking issues (Chancellor Augustus) did hold first neighborhood alliance meeting

• Election, vote by mail ballots being sent by Town Clerk’s office

The conversation runs about 34 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie

Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Schmidts-Farm--Downtown-Parking-and-Election-Information-e1phind/a-a8njdi0

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Municipal aggregation information

https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/municipal-aggregation 

Town Council meeting video ->  https://youtu.be/N6qHB7PJMq8

Town Council meeting audio -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/10/franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-100522.html 

Election collection for Nov 8, 2022 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/10/election-collection-2022-state-election.html 

Community & Cultural District calendar https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html 

--------------

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"

Talk Franklin with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen discusses parking

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda for Oct 18, 2022 meeting at noon

Finance Committee Meeting 

Agenda & Meeting Packet 

Tuesday, October 18, 2022 -12:00 PM 

Agenda 

1. Call to Order 

2. Vote to Recommend the Following: 

a. Appropriating Funds by Borrowing to Pay Costs of Land Acquisition: Land of Schmidt’s Farm, Inc. off Prospect Street in the amount of $3,800,000.00 

3. Adjourn

This meeting will be conducted via Zoom only. Check the full agenda for access info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/10-18-22_fin_com_agenda.pdf

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda for Oct 18, 2022 meeting at noon

Town Council Quarterbacking with Council Chair Tom Mercer - Recap of the Oct 5, 2022 meeting (audio)

FM #863 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 863 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior 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 Oct 5, 2022: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

Right of first refusal – Schmidt’s Farm

Norfolk County Commission Update

Special liquor license for Dacey’s Market

4 bylaws for parking changes downtown

How to address habitual offenders for Dean parking/Neighborhood Alliance

Gift acceptance to Police/Fire

Our conversation runs about 30 minutes:

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. 

Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Oct 13, 2022

Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-864-town-council-quarterbacking-10-13-22

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Agenda and documents released for this meeting

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/10.05.22_town_council_agenda.pdf

My notes -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LS8OhA3BKWQuqto4tv82cb4YmvRRz5Dk/view?usp=sharing

 

The meeting video is also available for viewing on YouTube   https://youtu.be/N6qHB7PJMq8

--------------

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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

The Town Council held a public hearing on the right of first refusal to purchase the Schmidt Farm property with CPA funding