Town Council Meeting 5/07/25 Audio in 2 parts (1) full meeting, (2) audit & AAA rating only

FM #1447-1448  This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1447-1448 in the series. 

This session (1447) shares the FUll Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, May 7, 2025. All 9 of the members participated in Council Chambers.  

This session (1448) shares the FY 2024 Fiscal Audit presentation and discussion from the Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, May 7, 2025. This includes the announcement of the AAA bond rating renewal. 

Meeting recap -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/town-council-hears-of-clean-audit-and.html 

The Full meeting recording runs about 2 hours and 37 minutes  

#1447 - Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1447-town-council-mtg-full-session-05-07-25/

The Audit Segment runs about 56 minutes

#1448 - Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1448-town-council-mtg-audit-segment-05-07-25/

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The Franklin TV recording is available for review -> https://www.youtube.com/live/BjLJUaJedMc&t=389 

The agenda and released documents for this session ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05072025-1719 

My full set of notes captured during the meeting -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YrOYu85-re20L0v7tmmAvCY2e54ir5sY/view?usp=drive_link 

FY 2024 Audit report ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/539 

Other audit reports can be found -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?AMID=36 

S&P Bond Rating letter dated May 6, 2025

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5614/SP-Rating-Report---Franklin---2025 

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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"

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5614/SP-Rating-Report---Franklin---2025

Town of Franklin Receives ‘AAA’ Bond Rating from S&P Global Ratings

The Town of Franklin is proud to announce that S&P Global Ratings, the leading provider of independent credit ratings, has assigned its prestigious ‘AAA’ long-term rating to the Town. 

This marks the third consecutive year the Town of Franklin has received a ‘AAA’ rating — the highest possible from S&P Global Ratings — recognizing the Town’s consistent strong financial practices, sound fiscal stewardship, and commitment to long-term financial stability.  

"This ‘AAA’ rating reflects the Town’s strong commitment to responsible fiscal management and long-term planning,” stated Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. “This is a true team victory and the result of hard work and collaboration across our finance team, elected leadership, department heads, and the entire municipal and town staff”.

Town of Franklin Receives ‘AAA’
Bond Rating from S&P Global Ratings

The S&P report highlights the Town’s stable financial profile supported by strong financial management policies and indicates the ‘AAA’ rating reflects Franklin’s “affluent and diverse tax base and strong financial management, both of which have helped fuel a track record of strong financial performance and the maintenance of steady reserves.” In the report, the Town is also recognized for continued cautious budgeting practices and making expenditure adjustments as necessary to maintain positive operations despite revenue-raising limitations and ongoing cost pressures.

Kerri Bertone, Chief Financial Officer, adds that “This rating highlights our shared commitment to financial stability, accountability, and transparency. It’s a reflection of the diligence of our finance team, the guidance of our elected officials, and the support of our entire community." 

The ‘AAA’ rating will enable the Town to borrow at the most favorable interest rates, directly benefiting Franklin taxpayers by reducing the cost of capital for infrastructure and community investments.

S&P Bond Rating letter dated May 6, 2025

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5614/SP-Rating-Report---Franklin---2025

Town Council Quarterbacking condenses the almost 3 hour meeting May 7, 2025 to 30 minutes (audio)

FM #1443 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1443 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, May 7, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of May 7, 2025. 

We focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Quick recap:

Town Clerk Nancy Danello provides some updates on the early voting, last day to register, etc. for the FY 2026 override special election June 3

School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan provides some updates on the redistricting efforts, how the savings will lay the foundation for the future assuming the override does pass

Recognition

Police Department - Swearing in of New Police Officer, Tyler Hosley

Police Department - Recognition of New Town of Upton Chief of Police, Chief Nicholas Palmieri, former Sergeant of the Franklin Police Department

Public hearing

New Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine. 

Public hearing

Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-935: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Section 24, Floodplain District. No comments or questions from public or Council, had also been approved by Planning Board  Motion to move to 3nd reading, second, passes 9-0

License Modification - Change of Manager of a Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License: The Chateau Restaurant of Franklin, Inc. d/b/a The Chateau, Motion to approve, second, passes 9-0

Presentation: 

FY 24 Financial Audit - Scott McIntire, CPA, Managing Director, CBIZ, we have a clean audit result this year. Scott compliments the Town for preparing and executing in the audit, Entirely new set of staff to conduct this audit, a clean audit opinion. This reflects an evaluation of the internal controls of the Town operations

Jamie also updated that the recent bond application resulted in renewal of our AAA rating, a major accomplishment to continue this

What does the triple AAA mean? The lowest interest rate is available to use and will save us millions of dollars; Beaver St interceptor project is at 1.5% interest, in today's market it would be about 4%

Legislation for action

Resolution 25-28: Extension of the Time Period for the Automatic Reverter Contained in the Deed of Former Town-owned Land Off Panther Way Previously Conveyed to the Franklin Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund; Motion to approve, second, passes 9-0

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-927: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Section 3 of The Code Of The Town of Franklin, Definitions (Shared-Use Commercial Kitchen) - Second Reading;

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-928: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Attachment 3, Use Regulation Schedule, Part II Principal Uses (Shared-Use Commercial Kitchen)  - Second Reading; 

Both measures Motion to approve, second; Discussion, there has been interest expressed; Passes 9-0 via roll call

TA Report highlights

Budget hearing May 21-22, will be continued to June 4 to do the votes that night after the override results are available

How does development affect the budget? Jamie will do his best to address, will be beneficial for community discussion as part of the hearing 5/22. Jamie will be attending the ZBA meeting at the request of the chair and members. Will be part of other discussions on the 444 East Central St item for as long as it goes

The conversation runs about 30 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1443-town-council-quarterbacking-05-08-25/

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The Franklin TV recording is available for review -> https://www.youtube.com/live/BjLJUaJedMc&t=389 

The agenda and released documents for this session ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05072025-1719

My notes collected in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YrOYu85-re20L0v7tmmAvCY2e54ir5sY/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

• 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 Quarterbacking condenses the almost 3 hour meeting May 7, 2025 to 30 minutes (audio)

Town Council hears of clean audit and renewal of AAA rating among items on a varied and busy meeting (video)

The Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday evening, May 7 starting a few minutes after 7 PM with all 9 Councilors present.

The Franklin TV recording is available for review -> https://www.youtube.com/live/BjLJUaJedMc&t=389

The agenda and released documents for this session ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05072025-1719

Quick recap:

• Town Clerk Nancy Danello provides some updates on the early voting, last day to register, etc. for the FY 2026 override special election June 3
• School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan provides some updates on the redistricting efforts, how the savings will lay the foundation for the future assuming the override does pass
• Citizens comments:
• J Callaway-Tripp, thanks for the Parmenter property deed adjustment; Future use of whatever the property be designated for, requesting a Town wide vote as it did back in the early 1950's; Request a town committee to determine the future of the property
• M Minnichelli quotes Yogi Berra, reminding that we should set a target, the 10% is a state requirement
• J Nutting speaking for the override
• Sherlock spoke to the FinCom budget hearings (watch, listen, read almost complete) and Pen to Picture event May 10 at the Library
• J Cohen asking for help in speaking for clarity on the issues around the override, stopping building is not the same as voting on the override
• Recognition
• Police Department - Swearing in of New Police Officer, Tyler Hosley
• Police Department - Recognition of New Town of Upton Chief of Police, Chief Nicholas Palmieri, former Sergeant of the Franklin Police Department

2 minute recess 

• Public hearing
• New Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine. Attorney and applicant participated remotely. Applicant had started ABCC application without legal assistance, withdrew it from ABCC and with legal guidance resubmitted. No real changes to application operational details; Motion to approve, second, passes 9-0
•  Public hearing
• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-935: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Section 24, Floodplain District. No comments or questions from public or Council, had also been approved by Planning Board  Motion to move to 3nd reading, second, passes 9-0
• License Modification - Change of Manager of a Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License: The Chateau Restaurant of Franklin, Inc. d/b/a The Chateau, Motion to approve, second, passes 9-0
• Presentation: 
• FY24 Financial Audit - Scott McIntire, CPA, Managing Director, CBIZ, we have a clean audit result this year. Scott compliments to the Town for preparing and executing in the audit, Entirely new set of staff to conduct this audit, a clean audit opinion. This reflects an evaluation of the internal controls of the Town operations
• Jamie also updated that the recent bond application resulted in renewal of our AAA rating, a major accomplishment to continue this
• What does the triple AAA mean? The lowest interest rate is available to use and will save us millions of dollars; Beaver St interceptor project is at 1.5% interest, in today's market it would be about 4%
• Legislation for action
• Resolution 25-28: Extension of the Time Period for the Automatic Reverter Contained in the Deed of Former Town-owned Land Off Panther Way Previously Conveyed to the Franklin Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund; Motion to approve, second, passes 9-0
• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-927: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Section 3 of The Code Of The Town of Franklin, Definitions (Shared-Use Commercial Kitchen) - Second Reading;  & Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-928: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Attachment 3, Use Regulation Schedule, Part II Principal Uses (Shared-Use Commercial Kitchen)  - Second Reading; Both measures Motion to approve, second; Discussion, there has been interest expressed; Passes 9-0 via roll call
• TA Report highlights
• Budget hearing May 21-22, will be continued to June 4 to do the votes that night after the
• override results are available
• How does development affect the budget? Jamie will do his best to address, will be beneficial for community discussion as part of the hearing 5/22. Jamie will be attending the ZBA meeting at the request of the chair and members. Will be part of other discussions on the 444 East Central St item for as long as it goes
• Best Western no longer housing emergency shelter as of July. Budget issues were not being created by that State item. The Town has not spent a dollar on that
• Bids came in on budget for the cupola, hopefully work will start June/July when contractor will be available
• Cricket field being built and opening here on Pond St (behind Kennedy)
• Sculpture Park new features there
• Porchfest will also feature a Cornhole competition June 7

My notes collected in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YrOYu85-re20L0v7tmmAvCY2e54ir5sY/view?usp=drive_link

Inclusionary zoning bylaw approved by Town Council in key action at meeting May 3 (audio)

FM #991 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 991 in the series.

The Franklin (MA) Town Council met on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 for their regular meeting and covered a number of items. One of the major achievements was the passage of the inclusionary zoning bylaw. This was one of the action items from the Franklin For All project and a significant accomplishment.

Among the other news worthy items on the agenda were

• All alcohol license approved for Sierra's Brick Oven Pizza
• Corporate record license changes for both Longhorn Restaurant and the 99 Restaurant were approved
• Financial Audit report for FY 2022 reveals a clean report, no actions, no management letter, the Town maintains their AAA rating status
• Presentation from the Charles River Pollution Control District
• Update on the long awaited Beaver St interceptor, bids came in below expectations, sewer rates will rise and remain to pay for the 20 year borrowing costs of this major infrastructure project
• PFAS regulation increases proposed by EPA can cost us significantly. Well 7 is currently offline, more wells may be in jeopardy of shutdown due to increased monitoring. Yet, PFAS is still being made, is a forever chemical and is major concern for future water supply quality and cost thereof

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-991-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-05-03-23

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The full agenda and documents associated with it can be found online ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/04/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-for-may.html

Franklin TV's video recording of the meeting is available for replay on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/live/mhRDmkdk7og?feature=share

My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gWiBSq_Q8vMNIUKv32jeLQtMypvF8fTb/view?usp=share_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"

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda for the May 3, 2023 Meeting

ICYMI: Talk Franklin with Jamie Hellen in May 2022: "The journey rather than the destination is a hiking theme through much of this episode (audio)

In case you missed this episode, we'll turn the clock back to May and replay this session of my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge.

Conversation around the following topics with a common thread of peaks and valleys, journey more important than the destination:

Welcome back

Friday 13th

 

So much good happening

• Fire dept ISO Class 1

• Clean audit report

• AAA bond rating

• DPW water conservation award

 

Where do you go from here?  The challenge is greater to maintain this

 

Budget through Finance Committee

Next up Town Council (May 25, May 26)

 

MAPC forum and recommendations

The recording runs about 38 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie as we “Talk Franklin”.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-798-talk-franklin-05-13-22

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

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

Franklin For All -> https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/ 

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The journey rather than the destination is a hiking theme through much of this Talk Franklin episode (audio)