Franklin Matters: agenda

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Sunday, October 26, 2025

Franklin, MA: Agenda for the last Town Council meeting of this term - Weds, Oct 29, at 7 PM

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

October 29, 2025 = 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Franklin Municipal Building

355 East Central Street - 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

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 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 - None Scheduled.

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled.

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Agricultural Commission - Jennifer Sweeney (Associate Seat)
b. Council on Aging - Roberta Trahan

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM

a. Multiple modiﬁcations of a Section 15 Package Store All Alcoholic Beverages License: Change of License Manager, Change of Ofﬁcers/Directors & Change of Stock - Dharma Bhakti Corporation d/b/a Liquor World, Located at 365 West Central Street - Continued from October 22, 2029
i. License Transaction #7a

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. Multiple modiﬁcations of a Section 15 Package Store All Alcoholic Beverages License: Change of License Manager, Change of Ofﬁcers/Directors & Change of Stock - Dharma Bhakti Corporation d/b/a Liquor World, Located at 365 West Central Street - Continued from October 22, 2029
b. Farmer-Winery Farmers Market License - Blisspoint LLC d/b/a Blisspoint Meadery

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Presentation: Franklin Elks Riders Donation to Veterans’ Services Department
i. Legislation for Action #9a
ii. Legislation for Action #9b

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 25-68: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($2,000)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-68 - Majority Vote)

b. Resolution 25-69: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($10,480)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-69 - Majority Vote)

c. Resolution 25-70: Adoption of Cannabis licensing Local Approval Process and Cannabis Social Equity Policy (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-70 - Majority Vote)

d. Resolution 25-67: Expenditure Limits for FY2026 on Departmental Revolving Funds Established by Franklin Town Code Chapter 73, as Provided in MGL Chapter 44, §53 E½, as Amended (Electric Vehicle Charging Stations)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-67 - Majority Vote)

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Economic Development Subcommittee
c. Joint Budget Subcommittee
d. Police Station Building Committee
e. GATRA Advisory Board

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda doc also has remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10292025-1978

Franklin, MA: Agenda for the last Town Council meeting of this term - Weds, Oct 29, at 7 PM

Agenda for Economic Development Subcommittee, Weds, Oct 29, 2025 at 5:45 PM

Economic Development Subcommittee

Agenda & Meeting Packet

October 29, 2025 - 5:45 PM

Agenda:

1. Approval of Minutes

a. 2021: March 3, June 16, July 21
b. 2022: April 6
c. 2023: January 4, January 25, February 22, March 1, March 22, May 3, June 7, June 21, August 16, August 23, September 6, October 18, November 1
d. 2024: January 31, March 13, April 10, May 1, May 23, September 18, October 16, November 13, November 20, December 11, December 18
e. 2025: January 8, February 26, May 21, July 16

2. Councilor Comments

3. Adjourn

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10292025-1964

Agenda for the Economic Development Subcmte meeting on Weds, Oct 29, 2025 at 5:45 PM

Saturday, October 25, 2025

Franklin, MA: Agenda for School Committee Meeting, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 - 7 PM

Franklin School Committee

October 28, 2025 = 7:00 P.M

Municipal Building – Council Chambers

Call to Order Mr. Callaghan

Announcements from the Chair

Pledge of Allegiance

Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business

A. Review of Agenda

B. Payment of Bills Mr. Callaghan

C. Payroll Mr. McNeill

D. FHS Student Representative Comments

E. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations

A. none

III. Discussion/Action Items

A. Policy - First Readings
I recommend moving the following policies to a second reading as discussed:

IKF - Graduation Requirements
IKFE - Competency Determinations

B. Superintendent’s Goals
I recommend approval of the Superintendent’s Goals as discussed.

IV. Discussion Only Items

A. October 1 Report
B. ACCEPT Quarterly Report

V. Information Matters

A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
B. School Committee Liaison Reports

School Committee Meeting

VI. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Minutes

I recommend approval of the minutes from your October 14, 2025 School Committee meeting as detailed.

B. Athletics Gift

I recommend the acceptance of $2,000.00 from the Gridiron Club for Supplemental Supplies as detailed.

C. FHS Gift

I recommend the acceptance of $2,457.00 from the Theater Boosters for in-house enrichment as detailed.

VII. Citizen’s Comments

VIII. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

IX. Executive Session

A. As per M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21 (3) To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares

X. Adjournment

Agenda doc also includes remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10282025-1977

Meeting packet folder (contains documents of the meeting released before or after the session) -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/october-28%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/859754

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

School Committee Chair Callaghan condenses their recent meeting in this Chalkboard Chat session (audio)

FM #1552 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1552 in the series.

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion via Zoom on Thursday, October 16, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap the School Committee meeting of October 14, 2025.

We cover

Superintendent’s Report

Budget book, zero based budget effort
Teacher evaluations underway

Update on clubs for FHS & Middle School

FHS club fair held, 35 clubs presented, looking to finalize what's active with signups and payments to confirm membership. If not all to operate there are additional proposals being developed that could be implemented in lieu of some that didn't make it. High school has a late bus confirmed, awaiting word from bus company on one for the middle school
Middle school working on confirming advisors and also setting survey to determine student club interest. Hopeful of get the matching done during November

Franklin Food Pantry presentation by Laura Doherty and Tina Powderly. Much work to create awareness, address stigma, expand the availability of food for those who need it. Lots of coordination, collaboration underway with the School District, more to come. Empty Bowls will continue, looking also to expand and offer bowl workshops outside of the high school to the community. Looking into why middle school students who were part of the back pack program don't continue with it into high school
Good of the order raised the following items

Consideration of removing restrictions on citizen comment about something on the agenda, esp. now as it is at the end of the meeting; could be an opportunity to gain immediate feedback on something discussed during the meeting
A public education slot to share info on current topics, to help address the misinformation still bantered about in the social media channels
Do something to help the new Town Council get up to speed quickly, perhaps to include a tour of the schools, many don't seem aware of the details of daily operations

Entered into Executive Session not to return to open meeting

The meeting recap runs about 30 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1552-chalkboard-chat-10-16-25/

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

School Committee Chair Callaghan condenses
their recent meeting in this
Chalkboard Chat session (audio)

Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEwf-tNffMs

The agenda doc -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142025-1948

The packet folder also contains other docs released before or after the meeting

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/october-14%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/857413

My full set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dKcjoQ-fFsLF7j1sNbpxy6QuusaqtBZG/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin Food Pantry Infographic as shared during the meeting ->

Franklin Food Pantry Infographic

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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!

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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"

Sunday, October 19, 2025

2nd try at the very full Town Council agenda scheduled for Wednesday, Oct 22 at 7 PM (same agenda was scheduled for Oct 15)

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

October 15, 2025 = 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Franklin Municipal Building

355 East Central Street - 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

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 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. September 3, 2025
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7164/3a-September-3-2025-TC-Meeting-Minutes--Draft-for-Review-1
b. September 17, 2025
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7165/3b-September-17-2025-TC-Meeting-Minutes--Draft-for-Review

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Fire Department - Swearing in of promoted employees
i. Fire Chief Charles Allen
ii. Battalion Chief Sean Lovely
iii. Lieutenant Jaden Brodeur

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Franklin's 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee - See "Appointments" legislation in agenda packet for list of names
i. Legislation for Action #9a https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7166/5a-Appointment-250

b. 2025 Election Workers - See "Appointments" legislation in agenda packet for list of names
https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7167/5b-Appointment-Election

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM

a. New Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Bassam Michael as the Manager - BMRG LLC d/b/a Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub, Located at 370 King Street
i. License Transaction #7a. https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7168/6a-Kings-Public-Hearing

b. Multiple modifications of a Section 15 Package Store All Alcoholic Beverages License: Change of License Manager, Change of Officers/Directors & Change of Stock - Dharma Bhakti Corporation d/b/a Liquor World, Located at 365 West Central Street
i. License Transaction #7b
https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7169/6b-LW-Public-Hearing

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. New Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Bassam Michael as the Manager - BMRG LLC d/b/a Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub, Located at 370 King Street Franklin, MA 02038

b. Multiple modifications of a Section 15 Package Store All Alcoholic Beverages License: Change of License Manager, Change of Officers/Directors & Change of Stock - Dharma Bhakti Corporation d/b/a Liquor World, Located at 365 West Central Street

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Historical Museum 2.0 - Alan Earls, Historical Commission Chair

b. Historic District Commission Process - Will Lee, Historical Commission Member & Rowan Lowell, Town Archivist

c. Town Council & Town Administrator 2024-2025 Goals Update - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator
https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7172/8c-2024-2025-Town-Council-and-Town-Administration-Goals---Oct-2025

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 25-63: Increasing the Maximum Number of Members Allowed on Franklin's 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-63 - Majority Vote)

b. Resolution 25-64: Authorizing the Borrowing of Money to Pay Costs Associated with the Franklin Stormwater Asset Management Plan (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-64 - ½ Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7174/9b-1---25-64

c. Resolution 25-65: Authorizing the Town Administrator to File Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan Application (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-65 - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7175/9c-1---RESOLUTION-25-65---Authority-to-File-CWSRF

d. Resolution 25-66: Adoption of the Schmidt Farm and Maple Hill Master Plans

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-66 -Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7178/9d-1----Adopting-Master-Plans---Schmidt-and-Maple-Hill

e. Bylaw Amendment 25-943: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 139, Section 139-14, Sewer System Map (Symphony Dr.) - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 25-943 - Majority Roll Call Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7179/9e-Symphony-Sewer

f. Bylaw Amendment 25-944: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 179, Section 179-9.l Water System Map (Symphony Dr.) - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 25-944 -Majority Roll Call Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7180/9f-1---BYLAW-AMENDMENT-25-944---Water-Map-Amendment---Symphony-Dr

g. Bylaw Amendment 25-945 - A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 65, Collection Containers - Second Reading

(Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 25-945 - Majority Roll Call Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7181/9g-Collection-Containers

h. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-938: Residential Commercial Kitchens - A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Section 3 of the Code of the Town of Franklin - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-938 - ½ Majority Roll Call Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7182/9h-1-25-938

i. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-939: Residential Commercial Kitchens - A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Attachment 81 Use Regulations Schedule Part Vii: Accessory Uses - Second Reading

(Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-939 - ½ Majority Roll Call Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7183/9i-ZONING-BYLAW-AMENDMENT-25-939---Residential-Commercial-Kitchen-Use-Regulation-Schedule-1

J. Bylaw Amendment 25-940: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82. Fees. Municipal Service. by Adding a New Service Fee (Residential Commercial Kitchen) (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 25-940 - Majority Roll Call Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7184/9j---BYLAW-AMENDMENT-25-940---CHAPTER-82-FEES-MUNICIPAL-SERVICE---Residential-Commercial-Kitchen

k. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-929: Creation of the Crossing Neighborhood Zoning District - A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185. Section 4. Districts Enumerated - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-929 - ½ Majority Roll Call Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7185/9k-25-929

I. Zoning Bylaw 25-930: Zoning Map Changes: Crossing Neighborhood Zoning District - A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185. Section 5. Zoning Map - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-930 - ½ Majority Roll Call Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6932/9k-ZONING-BYLAW-ADMENDMENT-25-930---Crossing-Neighborhood-District---Zoning-Map

m. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-931: The Crossing Zoning Use Regulations - A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Use Regulation Schedule, Part I through Part VII - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-931 - ½ Majority Roll Call Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6925/9l-ZONING-BYLAW-ADMENDMENT-25-931---Crossing-Neighborhood-District---Use-Regulation-Schedule_202507180815594442

n. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-932: The Crossing Zoning District - A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-932 - ½ Majority Roll Call Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6926/9m-ZONING-BYLAW-ADMENDMENT-25-932---Crossing-Neighborhood-District---Dimensional-Regulations_202507180820461004

o. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-933: Crossing Neighborhood Zoning District - A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 21, Parking. Loading and Driveway Requirements - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-933 - ½ Majority Roll Call Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6928/9n-ZONING-BYLAW-ADMENDMENT-25-933---Crossing-Neighborhood-District---Parking-etc-reqs

p. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-934: Crossing Neighborhood Crossing District - A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Sections 3, 4. 20 & 31 - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-934 -½ Majority Roll Call Vote)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, acting
through its Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR),
has under consideration the acquisition
of an interest in 19.51 +/- acres of
land in the Town of Franklin

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6927/9o-ZONING-BYLAW-ADMENDMENT-25-934---Crossing-Neighborhood-District---Chapter-185-Sections-3-4-20-31

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

a. Department of Conservation and Recreation (OCR) Public Notification & SNETT Trail Update https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7186/10a-DCR-Notice-of-Proposed-Land-Acquisition

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Economic Development Subcommittee
c. Joint Budget Subcommittee
d. Police Station Building Committee
e. GATRA Advisory Board

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Meeting agenda contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10152025-1953

Saturday, October 18, 2025

Agenda for the Finance Committee Meeting scheduled for Weds, Oct 22, at 5:30 PM

Finance Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 5:30 PM

Franklin Municipal Building

355 East Central Street, 2nd Floor Council Chambers

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Swearing in of the new Finance Committee members

3. Election of Ofﬁcers - Finance Committee Chair, Vice Chair & Clerk

4. Public Comments

- 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 Finance Committee cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Finance Committee may ask town staff to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the town staff from correcting a misstatement of fact.

5. Approval of Minutes