Zoning Board of Appeals adds a 1 agenda item meeting to Thursday, Sep 4, 2025

Thanks to the notification service implemented by the Town of Franklin's new web page, alerts on the meeting added to the calendar and to the agenda posted for the 5 PM session were received on Tuesday.

You can find the agenda on the Town page -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/Zoning-Board-of-Appeals-31/?#_09042025-1895

or view the agenda here:

Zoning Board of Appeals adds a 1 agenda item meeting to Thursday, Sep 4, 2025

MMA: "House OK’s bill to extend remote and hybrid meeting authorizations"

"The House today (3/17/25) passed a bill that would extend the authorizations for local boards and committees to hold public meetings remotely or in a hybrid format for more than two more years.

The bill, H. 62, would also extend the remote meeting option for representative town meetings and permit reduced quorums for open town meetings. The extensions would run through June 30, 2027.

In a prepared statement, Senate President Karen Spilka said the Senate and House have reached agreement on the bill and that her chamber will take it up on Thursday."

Continue to read the article online -> https://www.mma.org/house-oks-bill-to-extend-remote-and-hybrid-meeting-authorizations/

The legislation can be found ->  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H62

a Franklin Town Council meeting from Dec 2024 with Zoom as the basis for the Franklin TV broadcast

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, March 8, 2025 ???

Saturday, March 8

"Look Up" Gallery (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9:00am Women's Faith Formation (St. Mary's Parish)

9:30am Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) (Franklin Public Library)

10:00am Winter Farmers Market (Fairmount Fruit Farm) 

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Session (Council Chambers) 

10:00am Polar Plunge (for Special Olympics) (Beaver Pond)

10:30am Music at the Blissful (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Saturday Sessions with George (Pour Richard's Wine & Provisions)

1:00pm Irish Dancing Showcase (Franklin Public Library)

7:30pm Joe Crookston (live music) (Circle of Friends Coffeehouse) 

8:00pm Karaoke Night (Raillery Public House)

** Town Meetings today   **

10:00 AM - Joint Budget Listening Session (Council Chambers & remote)

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Joint-Budget-Subcommittee-6/?#_03082025-1557

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Did You Know: You have 2 opportunities to Get your Franklin questions answered, in person or remotely, in September ???

What is going on with .... ? 

What happened to ....? 

How come .... ?

Join Steve Sherlock, Community Information Director (volunteer), for Franklin Matters & Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm), for an informal and informative Q&A session. 

What is the session about?

•  Steve provides some updates on what's happened over the past month in the first 10-15 minutes, then opens the floor to answer whatever questions you have.

You get two chances to participate in September 

#1 - When: Monday, September 16, 2024 at 6:30 PM  

Where:  via Zoom or in person at the Franklin Public Library 

#2 - When: Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 11:00 AM  

Where:  via Zoom or in person at the Senior Center

If you want the Zoom link, please use this form or or send me an email:      https://forms.gle/46H3gb4FZ4HSvwQJ6

Download this flyer as a reminder or to share

• For Library session  ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/10ebLmdYWKkdlEdYhNaDTvoNanTLjiXNH/view?usp=drive_link
• For Senior Center session  ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/10eCadwdAPNuSVeusTxCF1iDgnTPYXliF/view?usp=drive_link

You have 2 opportunities to Get your Franklin questions answered, in person or remotely, in September ???

Agenda for the Joint Town Council and School Committee Meeting April 24, 2024 at 7 PM

A Joint Meeting of the

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL & FRANKLIN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

[A quorum of the Franklin Finance Committee will be in attendance]

April 24, 2024 - 7:00 PM

Franklin High School Auditorium, 218 Oak Street

Meeting Agenda

1. Introduction from the Chairs of the Town Council and School Committee

2. Presentation

a. Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen and Superintendent of Schools, Lucas Giguere

3. Discussion & Public Hearing

a. To discuss the public opinion of an operational override

4. Adjourn

Agenda doc contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-04-24_town_council_school_committee_agenda_.pdf

Agenda for the Joint Town Council and School Committee Meeting April 24, 2024 at 7 PM

Candidate Interview: Glenn Jones, incumbent candidate for Town Council (video)

Glenn Jones and I met via Zoom on Sunday, Oct 29, 2023 to record this candidate interview. 

As an Incumbent candidate for the Franklin, MA Town Council, Glenn talks about his "Franklin story", the importance of voting, his background and experience he brings to this role and how he would prioritize the budget

video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT3Byq6I3a8&t

Candidate Interview: Glenn Jones, incumbent candidate for Town Council (video)

Joint Budget Subcmte hears of shortfall in new growth, hears update on School Budget, plans next session (video)

The Joint Budget Subcommittee met on Wednesday, Oct 11, 2023 as scheduled. The first ten minutes of the meeting were shared via Zoom, then there was an approx. 10 minute break and the meeting resumed also being broadcast via cable and live streamed to YouTube. 

The 'missing' video was recorded via Zoom and likely will be available later. The audio was captured by Franklin Matters includes the complete meeting and will be shared in a day or so.

Quick recap:

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided a brief update on FY 24, change in new growth coming, reduction of $250K, implications remain TBD
• Schools updated some of their numbers, starting to plan for FY 25, to include the 4 years after, due approx.. Mar/Apr; looking into comparable communities (i.e. Hockomock League)
• Finance Committee meeting Nov 8, Town Council meeting Nov 15, Tax rate hearing set for Tuesday, Nov 21 (Yes, note it is a Tuesday!)
• Next Joint Budget Subcmte session in Jan 2024 (TBD)

video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3sqZhpIT9Q

Meeting agenda -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/joint_budget_subcommitee_agenda_-_oct_11_2023.pdf

Photo album capturing some of the School presentation

https://photos.app.goo.gl/v1qW8nmPYUQTcLgm8

My notes captured via Twitter and collected in one PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YHP7KFAXd6DDwtAKGLIUwnEFOX_qFte7/view?usp=drive_link

one of the FPS slides used for the budget update

Your Franklin questions answered, in person or remotely - Aug 16 at 11 AM

What is going on with .... ?

What happened to ....?

How come .... ?

Join Steve Sherlock, Franklin Matters & wfpr.fm Community Information Director (volunteer), for an informal and informative Q&A session. 

What is the session about?

• Steve provides some updates on what's happened in the past month in the first 10-15 minutes, then opens the floor to answer whatever questions you have

When: Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 11:00 AM  

Where: Franklin Senior Center (2nd floor conf room) and via Zoom

If you want the Zoom link, please use this form, or check with the Senior Center front desk, or email me:  https://forms.gle/yaoTyeNdbs63pe7o9

Download this flyer as a reminder ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H9b-EYD1D6CpKNjTQNsl0dvWva6-Utco/view?usp=drive_link

Your Franklin questions answered, in person or remotely - Aug 16 at 11 AM

Exploring Nantucket with Ranger Allen Reinhard - July 20 at 10 AM

Enjoy this tour from the Senior Center or via Zoom -- call to register 508-520-4945

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-Mq8NClawYbK09CPAD_jw77ZtChFWIbM/view?usp=drive_link

Exploring Nantucket with Ranger Allen Reinhard - July 20 at 10 AM

Your Franklin questions answered, in person or remotely - June 21 at 11 AM

What is going on with .... ?

What happened to ....?

How come .... ?

Join Steve Sherlock, Franklin Matters & wfpr.fm Community Information Director (volunteer), for an informal and informative Q&A session. 

What is the session about?

• Steve provides some updates on what's happened in the past month in the first 10-15 minutes, then opens the floor to answer whatever questions you have

When: Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM  

Where: Franklin Senior Center (2nd floor conf room) and via Zoom

If you want the Zoom link, please use this form, or check with the Senior Center front desk, or email me:  https://forms.gle/Pg2KtkibitY3e9ZQ8

Download this flyer as a reminder ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/13ILNWQ7oGk2me9xQDP536NzTw0RdjlLM/view?usp=drive_link

Your Franklin questions answered, in person or remotely - June 21 at 11 AM

All are invited to the remote only Franklin Q&A session Weds, Feb 15 at 11:00 AM - get your questions answered

The groundhog checked out their shadow, the Super Bowl and commercial have come and gone, so there is time now to get your Franklin questions answered.

Due to the closure of the Senior Center this week (repairs remain underway to fix the sprinkler break) the session will only be available via Zoom.

What is going on with .... ?

What happened to ....?

How come .... ?

• If you want the Zoom link, please use this form, email me, or comment on this post  ->   https://forms.gle/UxqrKHw4wUHUsW7w9  

All invited to the remote only Franklin Q&A session Weds, Feb 15 at 11:00 AM - get your questions answered

Inclusionary zoning and tax rate hearing on tap for meetings Wednesday night

Two meetings on tap for Wednesday at the Municipal Building. First up at 5:45 PM the Economic Development "Plus" subcommittee, followed by the Town Council meeting at 7 PM. I plan on reporting on both meetings. Franklin TV will be broadcasting both via cable (Verizon or Comcast), live streaming, Zoom, and YouTube. So there are multiple ways to view and/or participate in the meetings.

1 - Economic Development Agenda

1. Discussion: Zoning

a. Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw

Agenda doc and remote connection info

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-11-30_edc_agenda.pdf

The prior meeting started this discussion and as time ran out, the discussion resumes at this session. Catch up to the discussion before the meeting:

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/economic-development-subcmte-recommends.html

2 - Town Council Agenda

Full agenda and docs released ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/nov_30_town_council_agenda.pdf

Charts explaining the tax rate history can be found ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/good-news-tax-rate-is-going-down.html

the "Plus" Cmte gets into housing density proposal

Franklin.TV: There’s More More Perfect Union!

We, the People are Adding – People.

Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 10/30/2022

In January of 2021 Frank Falvey gathered a group of informed citizens to launch a new radio program. Each week our Radio Roundtable of Regulars discusses the legal, educational and political issues of our time, and how we as a nation might move forward to advance a More Perfect Union.

At the outset, our group was comprised of Frank, Higher Education Dr. Michael Walker-Jones, Harvard’s Dr. Natalia Linos, Executive Director for Health and Human Rights, Franklin’s Representative Jeff Roy, and yes, even Yorz Trooly.

We gather via Zoom on Thursday mornings to record our More Perfect musings that you hear the following Monday.

Franklin.TV: There’s More More Perfect Union!

More recently, we’ve grown our group, deepened our bench. We welcome Nick Remissong and Chris Woolf from WGBH/BBC’s The World. Others who join us now and then: Alan Earls, Franklin’s Republican Committee Chair, and Rachel Plukas, Franklin’s Democratic Committee Chair.

As they say in all those wonder widget ads, But wait. There’s more!

It’s a daring experiment. We’re opening our Zoom doors. This Thursday morning you can stand on your soap box in our virtual town square and opine with us.

Topic? Opinion? The floor is yours. Interested?

Join us via Zoom on Thursday morning at 9:30. Zoom Link: 872 7243 7375

Hope to see you then.

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching.

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

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Know someone going to college? Consider the "College Admissions Insights" session scheduled Aug 1 at 1 PM

Know someone going to college?

Is the process anything like when you considered college? Or your kids did?

For answers to these questions, consider joining Allison Sherlock, Director of Admission at Saint Michael's College for an informative session on what the college admissions process is like these days. 

Allison will provide some insights on 
• the application process (now a Common app)
• what the student (and family) should consider in their college search
• lessons learned from reading more than 10,000 college entry essays

When: Monday, August 1, 2022 at 1:00 PM  

Where: Franklin Senior Center (conf room) and via Zoom

To attend via Zoom, use this form and we'll email the link  ->   https://forms.gle/8cte5TsuJUB3XkxN8

Who is Allison? (aside from my daughter)

Allison graduated from Franklin High in 2004, earned her BA in 2008 and her Masters in 2016 both at Assumption College.

Allison has worked in admissions at Assumption, MCPHS University, Wheelock College, and for 5 years at Saint Michael’s mostly as a Regional Recruiter, now currently as Admissions Director.

Her full LinkedIn profile can be found online at https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsherlock/

Consider the "College Admissions Insights" session scheduled Aug 1 at 1 PM

How to Spot Misinformation Online - 2 sessions at Franklin Senior Center - Jul 18 & 25

Join Steve Sherlock to walk through an online course from the Poynter Institute and MediaWise on how to spot misinformation online. 

Sign up at the Senior Center to participate for these session whether in person or via Zoom. 

When: 

Monday, July 18 - 1 PM (part 1)

Monday, July 25 - 1 PM (part 2)

“This free short course from MediaWise for Seniors will teach you how to tell what’s true and false on the internet. By looking at examples of political, health, travel and climate misinformation, you will learn techniques for identifying false information and how to seek out trustworthy sources. 

Christiane Amanpour, Joan Lunden, Lester Holt, Hari Sreenivasan and Dave Jorgenson — MediaWise Ambassadors — will also pop in to share their advice as experienced journalists to help you navigate information on platforms like Google, Facebook and more.”

The online course is listed as taking 1-2 hours. We have scheduled 2 one hour sessions to allow for discussion and following links to research current examples along the way.  

How to Spot Misinformation Online - 2 sessions at Franklin Senior Center

You can register with Poynter Institute and take the course on your own 

https://www.poynter.org/shop/fact-checking/how-to-spot-misinformation-online-july-2021/

How to comment or watch the Franklin For All event Monday, May 16 at 6:30 PM

Monday, May 16, 2022 at 6:30 PM, join MAPC and the Town of Franklin for the next Franklin For All hybrid public forum. 

This event will take place at THE BLACK BOX (15 West Central Street) and over Zoom. Weigh in on draft zoning recommendations and learn about next steps for the rezoning effort. Doors to The Black Box open at 6:00 PM.

To participate & comment:

• in person at THE BLACK BOX
• via Zoom (registration required to get link (and ensure on mailing list))

To view/watch only:

• Via Comcast (11) or Verizon (29)
• via Zoom (registration required to get link (and ensure on mailing list))
• via YouTube (Franklin MA TV) and find the "Live" show - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp4_sDQGHNa9MKpqfmXGZrg/featured
• via Live stream on your desktop/laptop, etc. from the Franklinma.gov page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/live-meetings-stream

Yes, it is the same broadcast starting on Zoom, then feeding out to the various channels of delivery to you at home or wherever on your device.

Yes, it would have been nice to have the recommendations in advance to review and prepare questions & comments. That has not happened; little will change that at this point. What we can do is be patient to listen to what is revealed as a recommendation or recommendations. 

Whatever is revealed may take time to digest. 

The best response may well be quiet, thoughtful absorption of what they reveal.

As mentioned in other meetings, whatever is recommended will be digested and discussed at future Economic Development meetings. 

It will take time to determine what if any changes will be made to the downtown zoning. Those zoning changes also will take time. 

How much time will it take? 

The Town will need 

• proposal to be drafted by the Dept of Planning and Community Development
• reviewed by the Economic Development Committee (EDC) (may be more than 1 meeting)
• when ready EDC will forward to the Town Council
• the Town Council discuss but decide to refer to the Planning Board for two readings & hearing before Planning Board returns the proposal with recommendation(s) to Town Council
• the Town Council will also hold two readings and hearing to review and discuss such before final vote (to accept or reject)

So it will be good to see what MAPC proposes but this is really the START of the process if anything will change.

How to comment or watch the Franklin For All event today

Franklin.TV: Our Normal Returneth?

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 03/20/2022

After two years of COVID we are working on reopening our studio. I say ‘working on’ for a number of reasons. Topmost? Things are not simply what they were in 2019. We are entering a new time. This new time demands new thinking.

We are facing more technical changes, and with those, more operational changes. We also have to carefully consider how our staff (God bless ‘em.) can best balance a more flexible work schedule that now includes WFH. With our studio shuttered, they responded in time of COVID-crisis to get out there and cover as many live civic, school and sports events as possible. That meant working many more random nights and weekends. They made it happen without missing a beat.

We geared up, building small, portable TV control systems as ‘Flypaks’ that enable us to originate live from wherever with minimal setup effort. Our systems were also designed to be Zoom-friendly. We installed new systems in Town Chambers for effortless Zoom integration there as well.

Our radio operation became totally remote, with up to a dozen volunteers working, conducting guest interviews and producing programs from home via Zoom.

Now we’re headed back the other way, technically. We’re opening up studios that have been shuttered for the most part. But, they won’t be the same. They also must be Zoom-enabled. Our new normal brings new expectations. We also have to enable Zoom in the FHS auditorium, a very large venue with its own challenges.

The beginning of the pandemic forced us into technical overdrive for months in order to meet the challenges of TV and radio production in 2020.

Now, at the end of the pandemic in 2022 (hopefully) we need to rework our studios, our gear and production skills to integrate Zoom on demand – whenever, wherever. We also plan to work on integrating radio and TV programming where possible. Life in 2019 B.C. (Before COVID) feels like quaint ancient history.  Now, in 2022 A.D. (After Disaster) our lives are filled with change.

The only constant in life – is change. - Heraclitus

Do we simply succumb to it, or – do we master it? 

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching. 

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

Franklin.TV: Our Normal Returneth?

Sign up for the Franklin Matters Q&A Session - Feb 23, 2022 - 11 AM (hybrid)

Please join me for an informative and informal Q&A session. This will be a hybrid meeting. I plan to be in the Senior Center and will have the Zoom conference bridge available for remote participation. 

We will try something new this time with a special guest: Town Councilor Ted Cormier-Leger will join us for the discussion.

When: Wednesday, Feb 23,2022 at 11:00 AM  

Where: Franklin Senior Center (conf room upstairs on left) and via Zoom

If you want the Zoom link, please use this form:   https://forms.gle/52iVgVhNdKEa6A5h9

Franklin Matters Q&A session scheduled for Feb 23, 2022 - 11 AM

Recap: Procedure review completed; Town Administrator review previewed

Quick Recap:

• In back to back meetings on Wednesday, two subcommittees of the Town Council completed discussion on their tasks
• First, the Procedural Review picked up from their Dec meeting to complete review of the current document and make mostly minor and/or technical revisions. One key component is to expand the remote participation up to "no more than 4". Pre-pandemic only one councilor was allowed to participate via phone remotely. Now, with Zoom in place, the limit can be raised to 4. Still need to maintain a physical quorum in the room
• This is also pending further review depending upon what the State House does with the Open Meeting Law requirements with the current pandemic exceptions expiring in April (or June?)
• The procedure doc changes as drafted by the subcommittee will be reviewed at a meeting Feb 2, before the full council session at 7, and scheduled for full discussion with the Council
• Second, the Ad Hoc Town Administrator Review subcommittee met to review the performance and accomplishments of Jamie Hellen
• Jamie insisted that his review is a reflection of the overall town personnel in providing service to the community. When pressed if he had any plans to leave, he said no. Paraphrasing - I don't take things for granted, it has been most rewarding here, we are rooted in MA, if I had my druthers, I'd stay here. I am still young. #tctar0126 I'd be more than honored to serve here at your discretion.
• The full review write up is currently planned to be brought to the Town Council for the Feb 16 meeting for their full discussion and approval

The combined Twitter thread for the two meetings is located here (below).  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MBd3ieaUnIBVv8rrJ9zV_Bo2e8FBhJK9/view?usp=sharing

The audio recording of the TA review meeting will be available in a couple of days.

 

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen updating the Council at a recent meeting

Meeting schedule - Information sessions Weds and Thursday

There are multiple meetings this week. The Town calendar provides all the details. I will be reporting on the following:

• School Committee meets Tuesday (7 PM)
• A School Committee budget workshop before their Tuesday meeting (6 PM)
• Town Council meets Wednesday (7 PM)
• A Town Council subcommittee looking at reviewing their procedures manual also before their meeting Wednesday (6 PM)

The monthly Franklin Matters Q&A scheduled for Wednesday morning at 11:00 AM. The meeting is hybrid. I'll be in the Senior Center and also allow for participation virtually via Zoom. Send me an email for the Zoom info. 

The Town Officials and State Rep Jeff Roy will hold their monthly coffee hour at the Senior Center Thursday morning at 8:30 AM. Also a good chance to get some details on any questions you may have.

Town Calendar - https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Meeting schedule - Information sessions Weds and Thursday