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!

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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/

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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/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

Ribbon cutting at Schmidt's Farm recognizes CPA funding for purchase of 200 acres of open space (photos & audio)

The ribbon cutting Friday at Schmidt's Farm acknowledged the purchase of over 200 acres of open space with Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds. A significant accomplishment for Franklin! 

Town Council Chair Tom Mercer opened the brief ceremony with a few remarks. (Most were caught on the audio recording):

"Good morning. Thank you for joining us on this beautiful day to recognize the Town of Franklin’s recently acquired land at Maple Hill and Schmidt Farm for the purpose of preserving open space!

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize John Schmidt of Schmidt’s Farm, who worked with the Town during the acquisition of the approximately 115 acres we are standing on today. 

I would also like to acknowledge Kathy Dalzell who is here representing the Dalzell family. The Dalzell family generously provided the Town with 15 acres of land connecting these two parcels - a gift we were extremely grateful for. Please express our gratitude to your family, Kathy. 

We are very excited to celebrate this marked occasion of the purchase of over 200 acres of public natural resources through the recently adopted Community Preservation Act."

a view from partway into the large open field

the ribbon cutting

the barn has hopes of being restored with CPA funds

(L-R) Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Councilor Melanie Hamblen, Council Chair Tom Mercer, State Rep Jeff Roy (minding Rosie Melanie's dog)

Photo album of the ceremony and of a brief walk across the open field

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Wz79C3HCF4ZYXxsX7

Town of Franklin recognizes the 3 ribbon cuttings this year: https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/status/171799700345026190

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1090-schmidts-farm-ribbon-cutting-ceremony-10-27-23

Open Space Ribbon Cutting at Schmidt Farm scheduled for Friday, Oct 27, at 11 AM

We hope you can join us on Friday, October 27, 2023 from 11am to 12pm for an Open Space Ribbon Cutting at Schmidt Farm, located at 215 Prospect Street in Franklin. 

We will be celebrating Franklin's official ownership of over 200 acres of open space through the local adoption of the Community Preservation Act. 

We hope to see you there to mark this special occasion! Please find a formal invitation 

Open Space Ribbon Cutting at Schmidt Farm scheduled for Friday, Oct 27, at 11 AM

Schmidt's Farm Open Space and Recreation Plan Meeting Recording

Schmidt's Farm Open Space and Recreation Plan Meeting Recording

In case you missed it, the Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) Schmidt's Farm meeting was last Thursday, February 23, 2023 and can be viewed here or by copying/pasting the link https://www.youtube.com/live/l7c7wy_RT1Q?feature=share into your web browser. 

The Franklin Conservation Commission will be receiving public comment for Schmidt's Farm until the end of the OSRP process - around mid-August. Public comments can be submitted via this Google Form (copying/pasting https://forms.gle/UTSrtG9VgeBNdhbi6 into your web browser), by emailing bgoodlander@franklinma.gov, or by filling out this contact webform. 

https://forms.gle/isJqEyuaih4ePPDV6

Please see the QR code to the right to take the OSRP survey or visit https://forms.gle/isJqEyuaih4ePPDV6.   

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/schmidts-farm-open-space-and-recreation-plan-meeting-recording 

Town of Franklin: Focus group on Schmidt's Farm for the 2023 OSRP Update

Town of Franklin: Focus group on Schmidt's Farm for the  2023 OSRP Update

We're scheduled for another OSRP focus group meeting - this time about the recently purchased Schmidt's Farm!

As a brief recap, the FCC held the first OSRP public hearing last night, February 21, at Town Hall. Participating residents were able to learn about the OSRP, its process, benefits, and how to get involved. In case you missed the meeting, a recording can be found here. The FCC also held a focus group meeting held on February 9 - School Recreation Facilities and Parks (ADA Compliance Included) - which can be found here. Feel free to watch these recordings at your convenience and provide any comments or questions via this Google form.

I'll keep the rest of this email brief! The next focus group meeting is on Schmidt's Farm tomorrow February 23 from 6-7 PM  in Council Chambers at Town Hall. We know this is a big ticket item for the community so start brainstorming ideas now. In the interim, please feel free to utilize this OSRP map to become familiar with Schmidt's Farm digitally or review the below screenshot. Town property, including Schmidt's Farm, is shown in gray. 

Schmidt's Farm

Come learn about the history of Schmidt Farm, its potential, and provide input on what you would like to see - the sky's the limit for your ideas! 

Other information on the Open Space & Recreation Plan Update ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/pages/2023-open-space-and-recreation-plan-update

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)