In this "Talk Franklin" episode Jamie & I welcome Liz, get updates, and dive into MMA (audio)

A new episode of the Talk Franklin podcast with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen is now available! 

In this "Talk Franklin" episode Jamie & I
welcome Liz, get updates, and dive into MMA (audio)

Produced in collaboration with Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio, this conversation covers Town updates and community topics.

🎧 Listen here: https://buff.ly/0eTqtVi

This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Liz Kalaijian, the new Director of Communications and Community Engagement for the Town of Franklin. We recorded our conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Monday, March 2, 2026.

Key topics

• Welcome Liz
• Quick updates on Town business
• Deep dive on Mass Municipal Association (MMA)
• Close with some musical fun (songs about communications)

The recording runs about  59 minutes. Let’s listen to our conversation.

Town of Franklin: Government 101 series - what does Franklin do & how do they do it?

We're going to the archives to bring forward a number of key items to share to help folks who are newly engaged to help understand the overall processes of Town of Franklin government in action.

Town of Franklin: Government 101 (audio) (2018)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-government-101-audio.html

Town of Franklin: Government 101 (video) (2019)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-government-101-video.html

Town of Franklin: Government 101 - budget cycle (audio) (2022)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-government-101-budget.html

Town of Franklin: Government 101 - Finance Update (audio) (Dec 2024)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/12/kerri-jana-share-finance-town-school.html

Town of Franklin: All about the water system, yes we have enough (audio) (August 2021)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-all-about-water-system.html

Town of Franklin: All about the sewer system, yes we have capacity for growth (audio) (2023)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-all-about-sewer-system.html

Town of Franklin Water & Sewer projects update (audio) (Oct 2025)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/doug-jake-provide-updates-on-sewer.html

Franklin For All housing & zoning podcast series (audio) (2022-2023)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/franklin-for-all-housing-zoning-podcast.html

*** Finance Committee "Deep Dive" series

Technology, Dec 2025

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/finance-committee-gets-answer-on-how.html

Capital budget FY 2024 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/01/finance-committee-reviews-and-approves.html

Facilities, Dec 2023

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/12/finance-committee-takes-deep-dive-sorta_01138495076.html

Permitting & storm water credits Feb 2023

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/finance-committee-hears-from-town.html

Schools, Dec 2022 (audio)

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

Schools, Dec 2022 (Video) 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/finance-committee-gets-to-better.html 

Storm water utility fee March 2022

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/your-time-is-needed-now-to-pay.html

"Talk Franklin" series on individual departments/services

• Town Clerk on elections - Jan 2024 ->    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/01/nancy-danello-joins-this-talk-franklin.html
• DPW operations - Feb 2024 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/02/in-this-talk-franklin-episode-we-talk.html
• School budget with Supt Lucas Giguere and Dr Tina Rogers - April 2024 ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/in-this-talk-franklin-episode-some.html
• Conservation & Recreation - April 2024 ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/earth-day-earth-month-conversation-with.html
• Mental health services (co-response program) - May 2024 ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/we-spent-our-talk-franklin-time-on.html
• School & Town budget leading into the Joint Budget sessions -> Sep 2024 ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/jamie-lucas-talk-town-and-school-topics.html
• Arts, culture & economic development Oct 2024 ->     https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/11/talking-franklin-arts-culture-economic.html
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen takes on some myth busting  Nov 2024 ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/11/in-this-talk-franklin-episode-jamie.html 
• 2024 Year in Review with Jamie & Amy ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/11/in-this-talk-franklin-episode-jamie.html

You can also check out the department segments shared from each of the Annual Reports. While much of the report sections tout the stats for that department's activity in the prior year, they also get into some detail on what is done and how it is done. 

Town of Franklin: Government 101 series - what does Franklin do & how do they do it?

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio introduced a brand new schedule early in 2025 for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM   Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock 

Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 2 PM)  

• This segment shares my "Talk Franklin" episode with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/11/talk-franklin-starts-with-summer.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone  All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points.    (repeats Saturday at 1 PM)  

• This segment features Kim & Mark in Episode 304 - Holiday/Christmas Songs Paired With Wine  ->     https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode.html

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, December 4, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events 

• This segment shares my Current Talk Franklin episode with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen ->    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/11/talk-franklin-starts-with-summer.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM - first hour

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - second hour

Turntable – "Enjoy a fun experience with co-hosts The Vibe and Pauly G sharing personal discussions about a featured rock n roll vinyl record (1st hour) and the best, all music Vibe Playlist (2nd hour)"  

• "The Turntable Show features Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life” Album Hour and live recordings from the Natural Wonder record in the Playlist Hour.   “Songs In The Key of Life” debuted September 28, 1976 at number one on Billboard’s 200 chart becoming only the 3rd album to achieve that and the 1st by an American artist.    Stevie Wonder is credited as a pioneer and major influencer across R&B, pop, soul, gospel, funk, and jazz genres.  Enjoy the R&B fun music of a true music industry icon."

Find the playlist ->  https://tinyurl.com/TurntablePlaylists

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Talk Franklin starts with a summer concert recap, then budget & other Town business, before taking time to recoup (audio)

FM #1591 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1591 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen in the Municipal Building on Monday, November 25, 2025.  

Key topics

• Picked up with summer concert

• New Council, new School Committee, learning curve

• Tax rate hearing Dec 3

• Finance Committee Dec 10

• Council meeting Dec 17, a potpourri 

• January 2026 and the budget cycle brings hard choices to be made

• Cultural events this week and first couple of week of December

• Spend with with family & friends this weekend

The recording runs about  46 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1591-talk-franklin-11-24-25/

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Talk Franklin starts with a summer concert recap,
then budget & other Town business,
before taking time to recoup (audio)

Town of Franklin page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/ 

Franklin Public Schools page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/ 

Town budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/168/Town-Budgets 

School budget page -> https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-district-budget 

Community calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 

BTW - Official results of the Override election in 2024 was a difference of 236 votes. The difference narrowed to 196 in the Override vote of 2025.

• 2024 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/06/official-certified-results-franklin-ma.html 
• 2025 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/official-override-results-nos-take-it.html 

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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 out. 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 Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio introduced a brand new schedule early in 2025 for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM   Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock 

Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 2 PM)  

• This repeats my conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen & School Supt Lucas Giguere on the closing out of FY 2025 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/07/jamie-and-lucas-close-out-fy-2025-look.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone  All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points.    (repeats Saturday at 1 PM)  

• Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi have a discussion with Mike Veseth ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/07/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode.html

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Jamie and Lucas close out FY 2025, look to the summer, and what's next (audio)

FM #1478 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1478 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Superintendent Lucas Giguere in the Municipal Building on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.  

Key topics

• After the FY 2026 budget discussion, what’s next

• Town business

• School’s redistricting

• Survey and engagement

• Music playlists, concerts, & time away

The recording runs about  55 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie & Lucas.  Audio link -> https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Talk-Franklin---A-Podcast-from-the-Town-Administrators-Office-e35jgvq/a-ac26nek

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

Town of Franklin page  https://www.franklinma.gov/ 

Franklin Public Schools page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/ 

Community calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 

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

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"

Jamie and Lucas close out FY 2025, look to the summer, and what's next (audio)