In this Town Council Quarterbacking session, we condense the 4 hour meeting to about 30 minutes (audio)

FM #1172 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1172 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. The Council met on Wednesday, and we get together on Thursday morning to condense the meeting. In this case, one of the longer ones at 4 hours.  We look to focus on 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session:

• License Modification - Change of Officers & Change of Stock Interest of a Section 15 Retail Package Store License: Table & Vine, Inc. Located at 348 East Central St., Franklin, MA 02038

• New Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License and Approval of Michael Gannon as the Manager - Shikshapatri Corporation d/b/a Dacey’s Market & Deli, Located at 353 Lincoln St., Franklin, MA 02038

• Resolution 24-17: Local Acceptance of GL Chapter 166 Section 32A

• Resolution 24-18: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($2,250), Senior Center ($1,500), Franklin Historical Museum (~$600) 

• Franklin Town Council Support for Proposed GL Chapter 40B Affordable Housing Project at 444 East Central Street Pursuant to DHCD’s Local Initiative Program (LIP): Friendly 40B 

• Town Administrator report

Press release on Cantoreggi reinstatement

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-04-11_dpw_director_press_release.pdf 

The recording runs about 30 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Tom.Audio link https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1172-town-council-quarterbacking-04-11-24

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The Franklin TV broadcast of the 4 hour session is available for replay on YouTube ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4WPC4cB_S4 

Agenda and supporting documents for this session -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/april_10_2024_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf 

My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1labnvYVykW4HGk01mHIQDk7d725ikuLn/view?usp=drive_link 

Photo album with the slides as captured during the presentation on Wednesday

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WC1n843rA3AQwjTg7 

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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

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"

In this Town Council Quarterbacking session, we condense to 4 hour meeting to about 30 minutes (audio)

In this Town Council Quarterbacking session, we recap the meeting of Feb 28, 2024 (audio)

FM #1148 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1148 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, February 29, 2023.  

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session

• Brownie troop 64085 led the pledge as part of their work on the Democracy badge

• Zoning change from residential to business, two hours, “No action”

• Procedural move to refer back to the Planning Board for their ‘full’ assessment & recommendation

• The OPEB financial report was presented and reviewed, we are in a better position than we were previously

• FY24 Capital Improvement Plan was approved

• Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($2,900), Senior Center ($200), Police Dept. ($50)  were approved with thanks

• Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4 actually 2 resolutions were approved. 

• Joint Budget SubCmte meeting on March 6 will begin work on how to resolve a $10.1M budget deficit across town and school budgets. Agenda and budget details to be released Friday March 1

• Council entered executive session to not return to open meeting for discussion of a matter regarding a real estate purchase

The recording runs about 39 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom on Thursday, February 29, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1148-town-council-quarterbacking-02-29-24

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Town Council agenda for Feb 28, 2024 meeting -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_2.28.24.pdf 

Town Council recap & video link -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/02/town-council-spends-2-hours-and-takes.html 

My notes captured via Twitter and collected in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CBubvtPzSJSvQakhmMx1X7M44cCPu7W_/view?usp=drive_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"

In this Town Council Quarterbacking session, we recap the meeting of Feb 28, 2024 (audio)

Town Council Quarterbacking session touts the greatness of Franklin, FISH recognized, Food Pantry update, Crisis Intervention Team at work (audio)

FM #1137 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1137 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 Friday, January 19, 2023.  

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session

a. Resolution 24-05: Termination of the Massachusetts Statewide Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund, as well as Dedication of Revenues Thereto, as Authorized by G.L. Chapter 77 of the Acts of 2023 (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-05 - Majority Vote)

PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Proclamation: FISH of Franklin

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Discussion: Franklin Food Pantry Update - Tina Powderly, Executive Director 

b. Discussion: Homelessness Report - Amy Frigulietti, Deputy Town Administrator and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)

The recording runs about 28 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom on Thursday, January 18, 2024. Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1137-town-council-quarterbacking-01-18-24

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Town Council agenda for Jan 17, 2024 meeting ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_jan_17_2023.pdf 

Town Council recap & video link -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/01/town-council-hears-about-franklin-food.html 

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

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1srDHwwmM28LbjTIs5NDNHjVBRDW9dTv3/view?usp=drive_link 

The FISH of Franklin volunteers provide rides to Franklin neighbors for medical or social service related appointments. You can call 508-528-2121 to arrange a ride for a medical appointment or to volunteer to provide a ride.

FISH Interview in September 2023 -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/have-you-volunteered-with-fish-of.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"

Town Council Quarterbacking session touts the greatness of Franklin, FISH recognized, Food Pantry update, Crisis Intervention Team at work (audio)

This Town Council Quarterbacking session condenses the meeting of Nov 15, 2023 (audio)

FM #1101 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1101 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 November 15, 2023: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

Election/re-org

1. SWEARING IN OF TOWN COUNCIL

2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS – Town Council Chair, Vice-Chair & Clerk

3. ADOPTION OF TOWN COUNCIL PROCEDURES MANUAL

a. Resolution 23-60: Adoption of the Procedures Manual of the Franklin Town Council (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-60 - Majority Vote)

Resolution 23-65: Establishment by Town Council of Subcommittee for Review of Rules of Procedure of the Town Council (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-65 - Majority Vote)

A total of 3,126 voters cast ballots in this election, only 12% of the 24,474 registered Franklin voters.

Tri-County 1645 voted,  1329 yes, 516 no  6.8% of Franklin  6.4% over the Tri-County 11 communities

Discussion: Open Meeting Law, Public Records, Ethics and Conducting a Public Meeting - Mark Cerel, Town Attorney

DiVita’s Market – license transfer

transfer of Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License, Approval of Pledge of Liquor License, and Approval of Bhaveshkumar Patel as the Manager - Heeru Corporation d/b/a DeVita’s Market, Located at 198 East Central St., Franklin, MA 02038

Elks Riders

Presentation: Franklin Elks Riders Donation to Veterans’ Services Department, $1,000 donation

Legislation

a. Resolution 23-58: General Funds Appropriation, Transfers and Adjustments FY24 (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-58 - Majority Vote)

c. Bylaw Amendment 23-903: A Bylaw to Amend the code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 23-903 to a Second Reading)

d. Bylaw Amendment 23-902: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin by Inserting Chapter 147, Snow and Ice, Removal Of - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 23-902 to a Second Reading - ⅔ Majority Vote)

g. Resolution 23-63: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($1,975)

Our conversation runs about 32 minutes. Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Nov 16, 2023. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1101-town-council-quarterbacking-11-16-23

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Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04-9DhPNSzU&t=5132s 

Town Council agenda doc ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/nov15_2023_town_council_agenda.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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

This Town Council Quarterbacking session condenses the meeting of Nov 15, 2023 (audio)