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 *
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Amie Hazel Interiors invites builders and contractors to breakfast, Sep 26
Saturday, August 26, 2023
Economic Development Subcommittee agrees to proposal on zoning change for 2 lots from Residential to Business (audio)
FM #1046 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1046 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.
Chair: M Hamblen, C Frongillo, P Sheridan, G Jones
Town Administration: J Hellen, B Taberner
Brief recap
Brief discussion around the proposal to change the zoning of 2 lots on King St near Fire Station 2 from residential to business.
A few questions to clarify the matter considering the process and kind of business operation to be allowed were asked. These are more likely to be better understood/considered during the formal hearing process assuming the measure continues to get referred by the Town Council to the Planning Board. The Planning Board will review and make their recommendation back to the Council which in turn holds their own public hearings before voting on it.
One of the nuances on the timeline, by starting now, it could get completed (i.e. a final decision by the Council) before the November election, at which point if it was still in limbo, it would need to start all over.
The measure was approved by 4-0 to bring to the Town Council at the next meeting (Sep 6).
The recording runs about 18 minutes, so let’s listen to the Economic Development Subcmte discussion on Aug 23, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1046-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-08-23-23
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You may access the agenda for this meeting here: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/edc_agenda_aug_23_2023.pdf
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/economic-development-subcommittee-meeting-august-23rd-2023
My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting can be found in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eVFLdGt46ZwOiBLGURB-X6aeax6QRdU3/view?usp=drive_link
Franklin TV video replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/oqw7ereD3uI
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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.
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How can you help?
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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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Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Friendly Reminder: Pickleball start time is 8 AM at King St Memorial Park
"As you know, there is opposition to the sport of pickleball and the noise it creates in other parts of the country/state. Many Towns are being forced to shut down courts and facilities due to neighbors that do not like the sound. I'm not sure if this group knows, but we have neighbors of the King Street courts that are not happy with the noise.
Especially with early morning play on weekends. I received another complaint today of someone playing pickleball at 6:20 AM. This really isn't fair to the neighborhood.
We have advertised start time would be no earlier than 8:00am. Just to reiterate, the hours at King Street courts are:Open Play-8:00am-12:00pmReservations-12:00-4:00pmOpen Play-4:00-8:00pmPlease continue to use the Team Reach app on your mobile device: Group code: KingStPB
With our hope for additional courts in FY2024, we really need to spread the word that pickleball can not start before 8am. These players breaking the rules will force the Town to shut down courts, like they have in other communities.
We have all worked too hard for this to happen. Please respect our neighbors and follow the rules.
Thank you,
Ryan Jette"
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Check out the Pickleball paddle holder, order of play system at King St Memorial Fields
"Who's up Next?
Check out our brand new pickleball paddle holder at the King Street pickleball courts.
Let's Play!"
Saturday, March 4, 2023
Community Preservation Committee Meeting - March 7 at 7 PM
a. FY24 Budget Approvalb. FY24 Project slate
i. Open Space Appropriationsii. Fletcher Field Playground Improvements - $150,000iii. Nason Street site work preparation - $25,000iv. Beaver Street Challenge Course - $150,000
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Dec 6, 2022 - Community Preservation Committee meeting video available via YouTube
- 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
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Community Preservation Committee meeting scheduled for Dec 6 at 7 PM
a. October 4, 2022
a. Red Brick School Houseb. King Street Memorial Park Design
a. 2022 CPA Trust Fund Distributionb. Community Preservation Act Fund Balances
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
Saturday, October 1, 2022
Community Preservation Committee Meeting - Agenda for Oct 4 session includes Schmidt's Farm purchase
a. June 7, 2022
a. Request for Appropriation: $50,000 for the Red Brick Schoolhouseb. Other project updates:
i. Nason Street Tot Lotii. Historical Museum Cupolaiii. King Street Memorial Parkiv. Townwide Open Space & Recreational Planv. State Matching Fund update
Monday, August 22, 2022
Annual Report Of The Recreation Department - FY 2021
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
DPW Notice - Mill & Overlay Project to continue Wednesday, August 3, 2022
DPW Notice - Mill & Overlay Project to continue August 3, 2022
- Sections of Beaver Street near the recycling center,
- Union Street near the Common
- the intersection of King / Chestnut/ East Central (Route 140) will be impacted.
Notice from the Franklin Department of Public Works
Our road improvement program continues tomorrow. Areas that will be "Milled & Overlaid" (i.e. remove top inch and half of asphalt fix manholes and drains structures then repave with new asphalt) are sections of Beaver Street near the recycling center, Union Street near the Common and the intersection of King / Chestnut/ East Central (Route 140).
This work is expected to cause significant traffic delays especially at the intersection of King / Chestnut/ East Central (Route 140)!
As always, please seek alternate routes and proceed with caution in construction areas.
Shared from Town of Franklin DPW -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/dpw-notice-mill-overlay-project-continue-tomorrow-august-3rd-2022
DPW Notice - Mill & Overlay Project to continue Wednesday, August 3, 2022 |
Thursday, July 28, 2022
2 passes complete, looks like 1 to go - King St paving status
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
Franklin DPW: King St paving begins Jul 27, 2022
Notice from the Franklin DPW
Paving will begin on King Street Tuesday, July 26, 2022 from Union Street to East Central Street.Franklin DPW: King St paving begins Jul 27, 2022 |
Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1551660800816943105
Monday, July 25, 2022
King St paving scheduled to begin July 26
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good depth at the junction with Susan's Way |
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the raised utility caps are marked with orange |
Friday, July 8, 2022
Mill and Overlay work well underway on King St
"The Town's contractor, Massachusetts Broken Stone Company, will be starting up on the 2022 Mill and Overlay project the week of July 5.
Streets for this project are to include:
King Street (from Union Street to East Central Street), East Central (from Ruggles to Lewis), Union (from Beaver to School St), and Beaver St (from the RR tracks to I-495 overpass).
The contractor will be starting on King Street. The project will continue through the summer. "
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good depth at the junction with Susan's Way |
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the raised utility caps are marked with orange |
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the storm drain is covered and marked also with orange |
Saturday, June 25, 2022
Attention: Road repaving work starting July 5 - sections of King St, Beaver St, Union St, & East Central
On my transits this week, I noticed covers being put on the storm drains along King St. Something was coming. With the DPW confirmation yesterday, the repaving work is going to being after the 4th of July.
Work areas
- King St from Union to East Central
- East Central from Ruggles to Lewis St
- Union St from Beaver to School
- Beaver St from the railroad tracks to i495
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Road repaving work starting July 5 |
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Girl scout cookies alert for Saturday, Jan 29
"Snow Is Coming, Get Your Girl Scout Cookies Now! Junior Scout Troop 82351 is fully stocked for their cookie booth scheduled for Saturday 1/29 at Dunkin Donuts on King Street (8am-12pm).
With the uncertainty of the upcoming storm, if you’d like to place an order ahead of time & pick up at your convenience, please reach out! (**Pick up location will be on Pond Street in Franklin.)"
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Shade Sail installed at Community Garden
I'm happy to announce that our shade sail project has been completed and is now installed at the Community Garden. The area will be used for gardeners to enjoy lunch, read a book or just relax after tending to the garden.
We are lucky to have some incredible volunteers from the New England Chapel that worked for two days to install this structure. If you would like to send an email of appreciation to Dena Gauthier (dena@nechapel.org), and/or Robert Heriot (bheriot09@gmail.com), I'm sure they would appreciate it.The shade structure will typically be put up around Memorial Day in May and taken down around Veterans Day in November.
Director of Recreation
Franklin Recreation Department
275 Beaver Street
Franklin, MA 02038
Office: (508) 613-1667