Town Council meeting of Jan 22, 2025 available for audio replay (audio)

FM #1362  This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1362 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, January 22, 2025. All 9 of the members participated in Council Chambers. 

Quick recap:

• APPOINTMENTS - Police Station Building Committee - Andrew Woodward

• PUBLIC HEARING - rescheduled to Feb 5; New Common Victualler Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine

• PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION on Maple Hill and Schmidt Farm Update - Breeka Li Goodlander, Conservation Director

• 2 Zoning Bylaw Amendments for Signs, first reading and approved to move to second reading

• 2 Zoning Bylaw Amendments for their second reading, and receiving unanimous final approval

• Grant of Underground Gas Distribution System Easement for work by Eversource at the Pump Station near the Recreation Dept.

• Approval of a donation for the Senior Center

• TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

• Emergency housing potentially ended by year end (if not sooner)

• New website, agenda issue for Jamie, kins to be worked out

• Senior Center heating issue, funding planned for ‘permanent’ fix

Let’s listen to the meeting recording which runs about 2 hours and 10 minutes.  Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1362-town-council-mtg-01-22-25/

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Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/whUEjE1HPjY?&t=149 

The agenda doc -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01222025-1501 

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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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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"

Town Council meeting video available for replay - Jan 22, 2025 (video)

Tom Mercer condenses the Jan 22, 2025 Town Council meeting in this Quarterbacking session (audio)

FM #1360 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1360 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, January 23, 2025.  Our conversation condenses the Council meeting of Wednesday night with a focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session

• APPOINTMENTS - Police Station Building Committee - Andrew Woodward

• PUBLIC HEARING - rescheduled to Feb 5; New Common Victualler Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine

• PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION on Maple Hill and Schmidt Farm Update - Breeka Li Goodlander, Conservation Director

• 2 Zoning Bylaw Amendments for Signs, first reading and approved to move to second reading

• 2 Zoning Bylaw Amendments for their second reading, and receiving unanimous final approval

• Grant of Underground Gas Distribution System Easement for work by Eversource at the Pump Station near the Recreation Dept.

• Approval of a donation for the Senior Center

• TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

• Emergency housing potentially ended by year end (if not sooner)

• New website, agenda issue for Jamie, kins to be worked out

• Senior Center heating issue, funding planned for ‘permanent’ fix

Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap the Town Council meeting held this week. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1360-town-council-quarterbacking-01-23-25/

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

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/whUEjE1HPjY?&t=149 

The agenda doc -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2025-01-22_town_council_agenda_1.pdf 

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

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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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"

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for January 22, 2025 Meeting

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

January 22, 2025 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers 355 East Central Street 

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

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.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Council cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. January 8, 2025

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Police Station Building Committee - Andrew Woodward

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM

a. New Common Victualler Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine, Located at 14 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 (Motion to Continue Public Hearing of New Common Victualler Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine to February 5, 2025 at 7:00 pm - Majority Vote)

i. See License Transactions #7a. 

b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-919: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin - Signs (at C. 3.) - Continued from January 8, 2025

i. Legislation for Action #9a 

c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-920: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin- Signs (at E.2.)  - Continued from January 8, 2025

i. Legislation for Action #9b

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. New Common Victualler Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine, Located at 14 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 (Motion to Continue License Transaction for New Common Victualler Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine to February 5, 2025 at 7:00 pm - Majority Vote)

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Maple Hill and Schmidt Farm Update - Breeka Li Goodlander, Conservation Director

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-919: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin - Signs (at C. 3.) - First Reading - Continued from January 8, 2025 (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-919 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)

b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-920: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin- Signs (at E.2.) - First Reading - Continued from January 8, 2025 (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-920 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)

c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-917: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 3 of the Code of the Town of Franklin - Definitions, Accessory Dwelling Units. - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-917 - Roll Call Majority Vote)

d. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-918: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185 Attachment 8, Use Regulations Schedule Part CVII: Accessory Uses - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-918 - Roll Call Majority Vote)

e. Resolution 25-03: Grant of Underground Gas Distribution System Easement, Town Owned Land at Parcel 277-009 (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-03 - ⅔ Majority Vote)

f. Resolution 25-06: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($170)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-06 - Majority Vote)

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Economic Development Subcommittee

c. Budget Subcommittee

d. Master Plan Committee

e. Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Committee

f. Police Station Building Committee

g. GATRA Advisory Board

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. Exemption #3: Collective Bargaining (all Town unions) - 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.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2025-01-22_town_council_agenda_1.pdf

New Common Victualler Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License

Schmidt's Farm & Maple Hill Planning Session scheduled for Oct 16

Schmidt's Farm & Maple Hill Planning Session

We want you to participate!

Schmidt's Farm & Maple Hill Planning Session

Come join us at the Franklin Senior Center (10 Daniel McCahill Street) on Wednesday, October 16 from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM to see preliminary concept designs, existing conditions, and speak to Town staff and our consulting planners for Schmidt's Farm and the Maple Hill Conservation Area. Light refreshments will be provided. Be sure to bring your input!

Not able to attend? No problem! Please utilize this form to view the draft concept designs and provide feedback: https://forms.gle/p68XWq4c13Bf2jrx8

Feedback must be submitted by 1 PM on Friday, October 18.

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/schmidts-farm-maple-hill-planning-session

Schmidt's Farm & Maple Hill Planning Session scheduled for Oct 16, 2024

Schmidt's Farm & Maple Hill

Schmidt's Farm & Maple Hill Planning Session

We want you to participate!

Come join us at the Franklin Senior Center (10 Daniel McCahill Street) on Wednesday, October 16 from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM to see preliminary concept designs for Schmidt's Farm and the Maple Hill Conservation Area. 

Light refreshments will be provided. Be sure to bring your input!

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/schmidts-farm-maple-hill-planning-session

2023 OSRP Focus Group Meeting - Maple Hill - Wednesday, March 22

2023 OSRP Focus Group Meeting - Maple Hill - Wednesday March 22

The Conservation Commission will hold its sixth Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) focus group meeting this Wednesday, March 22 from 6-7 PM in the Third Floor Training Room (Room 326A) of the Town Hall. 

This meeting will also be available via Zoom. Zoom login information can be found here. In case you'll miss the Wednesday meeting or would like further discussion, you are also invited to attend OSRP Office Hours Friday, March 24 between 10 and 11 AM in the third floor training room (Room 326A) at Town Hall or via Zoom. 

Bring your ideas and see you there! 

Read more

2023 OSRP Focus Group Meeting - Maple Hill - Wednesday, March 22

DATE AND LOCATION CHANGE - Maple Hill Open Space and Recreation Focus Group Meeting - March 22

DATE AND LOCATION CHANGE - Maple Hill Open Space and Recreation Focus Group Meeting

New Date and Location: Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 6 PM in Room 326A at Town Hall

The Maple Hill Open Space and Recreation Plan focus group meeting will now be held on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 6 PM in Room 326A at Town Hall. 

Please join the Conservation Commission on the third floor and brainstorm ideas for the Maple Hill Conservation Area prior to the Master Plan process. 

See you there!

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/date-and-location-change-maple-hill-open-space-and-recreation-focus-group-meeting

Was previously scheduled for Thursday, Mar 23, NOW scheduled for Wednesday Mar 22

DATE AND LOCATION CHANGE - Maple Hill Open Space and Recreation Focus Group Meeting - March 22

Watch or listen to the Open Space & Recreation Plan - Public Hearing #1 - 02/21/23 (audio & video)

The Open Space Recreation Plan Public Hearing #1 Agenda was updated on Tuesday to more clearly outline the discussion for the session Feb 21, 2023.

There was public participation in person at the Council Chambers and online in the Zoom session.

Quick recap:

• Member of a mountain biking group looking to help in ways they can
• Bleachers have wide spaces at the top that could allow a small child to slip through
• Suggestion on signage to remind folks (i.e. drivers) to share the road with bikers
• Discussion on kayak access for the Charles, there is access at Beaver Pond, may also eventually be at DelCarte, also evaluation of a kiosk to help with rental of kayaks
• Comment on citizen awareness of open space, AgCom (Agriculture Commission) also working on that awareness,; the amount of salt in the water supply is increasing, we need to look at that...
• from Mark (last name?), thanks for whomever did successfully make the open space purchases
• A question to be addressed is how to balance maintaining the forest area at Maple Hill and yet provide access to the trail network there in a minimalist manner
• ADA self assessment being planned for all Town and School facilities
• Rec Dept had reached out to scouting groups pre-COVID to see if some trail maintenance could be organized, would like to bring that back to the forefront!
• Remember to respond to the survey, approx. 250+ so far
• Next public hearing scheduled for Apr 25 will review objectives for the plan draft

The presentation copy shared during the meeting ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/osrp_public_hearing_1_-_presentation_pdf.pdf

The video of the public hearing can be found ->  https://youtu.be/nTt6r_Ix0yM

The audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-948-osrp-public-hearing-1-02-21-23

My notes captured via Twitter and found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14Z-VKfzLXdjXSeYp5OQUJhhv6eQZtMhR/view?usp=share_link

Watch or listen to the Open Space & Recreation Plan - Public Hearing #1 - 02/21/23 (audio & video)

Community Preservation Act funding scheduled for Town Council approval - June 22

Why is there a Community Preservation Committee meeting scheduled for the same time and place as the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, June 22?

The Town Council is scheduled for a discussion and approval for the initial budget for how the CPA funds available will be spent. Per Open Meeting Law, in order to allow the Community Preservation Committee members to be present, there needs to be a formal agenda announced in advance.

While it is not a requirement to have all the CPC members present, it would be good to see as many as possible in support of this historic occasion. The CPC and Town staff did all the hard work to get to this point of approval. The Town Council is limited to a yes or no vote.

CPC meeting agenda:

Community Preservation Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

June 22, 2022 - 7:00 PM

Agenda:

1. Discussion at the Town Council meeting on the CPA Master Plan and project proposals. This agenda is in the event a quorum of the CPC is present.

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-06-22_cpc_agenda.pdf

Town Council meeting agenda items for CPA fund authorization

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 22-36: FY23 CPA Budget & Reservations (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-36 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9a.pdf

b. Resolution 22-37: FY23 CPC Appropriation of Capital Funds (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-37 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9b.pdf

c. Resolution 22-38: CPC Appropriation of Funds - Debt Service Maple Hill Land (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-38 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9c.pdf

How did the Community Preservation Committee get here? The meeting schedule and recordings for their sessions during 2022:

• Jan 4 - public hearing - recap & audio ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/recap-community-preservation-committee.html
• Jan 18 - public hearing - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/recap-community-preservation-committee_01161699892.html
• Apr 5 - recap & audio -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/04/community-pres-cmte-discusses-first.html
• Jun 7 - recap & audio -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/06/community-preservation-committee_02031190524.html

CPC site visits to Red Brick School & Historical Museum were conducted in Sep/Oct 2021

The latest "Talk Franklin" episode is ready for your listening pleasure

FM #639 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 639 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing Communication Specialist Lily Rivera. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 

• Finance Committee meeting
• Human Resources presentation by Karen Bratt
• Veterans tax rate increase
• Senior Workoff program increase
• Both pending approval by Town Council
• ARPA accounting
• Oct 20 – Town Council
• New precinct plan per 2020 Census data
• Maple Hill purchase finalized

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 23 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Lily.

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/54dea437-2130-4798-9e3c-bcbb611edc5b

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Finance Committee

Agenda -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/10-13-21_finance_committee_agenda.pdf 

My recap -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/finance-committee-hears-update-from.html 

Audio file -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/finance-committee-hears-human-resources.html 

Human Resources presentation doc  -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/fincomm-presentation-october142021.pdf

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

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"

The latest "Talk Franklin" episode is ready for your listening pleasure