Toward a More Perfect Union with Franklin Matters (audio)

FM #1582 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1582 in the series. 

The Towards a More Perfect Union radio show wants to continue to explore national issues but also bring them into a state level and local level point of discussion. Michael Walker-Jones and I got to sit recently to explore out loud some of the ways that could work. 

It seems like a natural fit. I generally focus on what matters here in Franklin and given the political climate and trends, some of those national issues will have an impact here. Maybe not the same as elsewhere but if there will be an impact, Franklin needs to be aware.

While our conversation covers a broad range of topics, we start by introducing Michael to my Franklin listeners, in case you are not aware of his background.

We are also looking for your input on what we might call this series of conversations. Something simpler than “Towards a More Perfect Union meets Franklin Matters” (or vice versa).

The recording runs about 51 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1582-franklin-matters-meets-toward-a-more-perfect-union-11-03-25/

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Toward a More Perfect Union with Franklin Matters (audio)

Toward a More Perfect Union audio episodes can be found ->  https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm 

As they move to do more video episodes, they also can be found on Franklin TV’s All Access YouTube page -> https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbAODFjFPJ0wfMIr07hSTgQeTpTCghG0I 

Michael Walker-Jones’ LinkedIn profile -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-walker-jones-ed-d-136a74112/ 

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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"

Joshua talks about his Capstone Project raising money for kids who love music (audio)

FM #1580 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1580 in the series. 

This episode shares the conversation I had with Joshua Shearer as he talked about his BFCCPS Capstone Project fund raising for the non-profit Music Will. 

Accompanied by his mother, Josh came to the Studio after school to talk about his love for music and his fund raising efforts which have raised over $2,000 in a couple of months for Music Will.

Listen in to our conversation (about 12 minutes)

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1580-josh-shearer-and-his-capstone-project-11-04-25/

Joshua’s page on Music Will

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Music Will home page ->  https://musicwill.org/ 

Joshua’s page on Music Will ->  https://give.musicwill.org/fundraiser/6591420 

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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"

Town Council selects Dellorco as Chair, Grella as Vice Chair, Cormier-Leger as Clerk (audio)

FM #1579 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1579 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. The Council held the first session of its legislative term as scheduled at 6 PM. All 9 Councilors participated during the early portion of this meeting. Councilor Cormier-Leger was traveling and joined remotely for the organizational votes. All of the other 8 councilors were in Council Chambers for this session.

 

Town Clerk Nancy Danello officially & publicly swore in the new Council

Quick recap:

• Town Clerk Nancy Danello officially & publicly swore in the new Council.

• Town Administrator Hellen opened nominations for the Chair. Cormier-Leer nominated Dellorco, second by Ojukwo. No other nominations were made. Vote on the nomination passed by 9-0

• Dellorco took the gavel and opened nominations for Vice Chair. Griffith nominated Ojukwo. Callaway-Tripp nominated Grella. No other nominations. Vote by each person for one or the other tallied as follow with Grella getting 5, Ojukwo getting 4.

• Ojukwo - Cormier-Leger, Ojukwo, Griffith, Morrongiello (4)

• Grella - Grella, Malloy, LeBlanc, Callaway-Tripp, Dellorco (5)

• Dellorco takes nominations for Clerk. and nominates Cormier-Leger. No other nominations. Vote on the motion, passes 9-0

• Vote to appoint Griffith as Clerk in Cormier-Leger's absence (2 meetings), passed by 9-0 vote.

• The remainder of the meeting covers the key items on the lengthy set of documents around Town Charter, Town Code, Conflict of Interest, Open Meeting law, etc.

The recording runs about 3 hours & 20 minutes

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1579-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-11-12-25/

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Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsYVvhWdqWs 

The agenda doc rich with links ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11122025-2001  

My notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gZpUPlE873EPMJqfT42KhLsTzxZjSLIf/view?usp=drive_link 

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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"

Audio recording of the Franklin (MA) Board of Health Mtg - Nov 5, 2025 (audio)

FM #1576 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1576 the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. The meeting agenda was held in the 3rd floor training room as well as via Google Meet. All 3 board members were present. 

Quick Recap:

• Current chair Jeff Harris opens meeting

• Reads protocol statement re: Google meet

• Welcomes new member Diane Daddario

• Approval of minutes, June 4 moved, second, passes 2-0-1 (1 abstain)

• July 23 moved also by 2-0-1 (1 abstain)

• Reorganization

• Motion to make Kim as chair passes, Jeff as vice chair, passes 3-0 for both

• Tobacco control agent appt required. 

• Motion to make MHOA, second, passes 3-0

• Discussion on tobacco regulations, need to adjust the Franklin regs to along with State changes;

• C Liberty offers to provide info on neighboring communities and how they handle it

• Issue with the difference between tobacco vs other retail store opportunities, could affect their market

• Issue with menthol cigarettes prohibited in MA, folks traveling to RI to purchase

• Next meeting to review again, decision likely in Dec, public hearing to be scheduled in January

• Motion to adjourn passes, 3-0

The meeting runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting November 5, 2025.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1576-franklin-ma-board-of-health-mtg-11-05-25/

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The Board of Health agenda can be found ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11052025-1990 

My notes captured in one PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CkWYFXT-obacJrhnXt8jOb8auxYKb0zW/view?usp=drive_link 

Audio recording of the Franklin (MA)
Board of Health Mtg - Nov 5, 2025 (audio)

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

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 hears the SNETT and Franklin Ridge transactions are complete, accepts Elks Riders donation in last session (audio)

FM #1574 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1574 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. The Council held the last session of its legislative term as scheduled at 7 PM. All 9 Councilors were present in Chambers for this session.

 

Quick recap:

• Approximately the first 45 minutes of the meeting were taken up with multiple citizen comments, many on the 444 East Central development proposal which while one of their complaints is that the Council doesn't listen to them, also ironically indicates that they haven't listened or don't understand the meaning of due process

• One comment revealed the first annual Caregiver Appreciation day scheduled for Nov 7 at the Senior Center from 11 - 3 PM. (Note, on that the day the regular Senior Center activities are canceled)

• Appointments to the Agricultural Commission - Jennifer Sweeney (Associate Seat) and to the Council on Aging - Roberta Trahan were both approved by 9-0 votes

• The Public Hearing, originally scheduled for Oct 15, and continued to this date, was opened and eventually closed with no public or Council comments on the multiple modifications of a Section 15 Package Store All Alcoholic Beverages License: Change of License Manager... Doing business as Liquor World. The measure was approved by 9-0 vote

• The Council approved a Farmer-Winery Farmers Market License - Blisspoint LLC d/b/a Blisspoint Meadery by a 9-0 vote

• Presentation: Franklin Elks Riders Donation to Veterans’ Services Department. Veterans Service Officer, Shannon Nisbett received the check for $2000 from this year's rides

• Resolution 25-70: Adoption of Cannabis licensing Local Approval Process and Cannabis Social Equity Policy (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-70 - Majority Vote) Moved, second. The proposal is modeled after that of Shrewsbury as they are the only 1 approved now, 100+ communities remain to develop one and get theirs approved.  This is an example of additional revenue from cannabis, almost $.5m yearly total. NETA has done well here

• Gift acceptance, $10,000 from Adirondack Club

• 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) approved by 9-0 vote, may need to adjusted upward as time goes and action on this revenue stream increases

• From the Town Administrator's Report 

• Purchase of the SNETT extension is complete, now owned by the Town, Work remains to be funded and completed but the registry of deeds has the record of ownership

• Formally closed on Franklin Ridge, contracts going out to bid, info sessions in the spring on lottery process etc. Construction once begun is anticipated to go 18-24 months

• Approximately, the remaining 40 minutes of the meeting were Councilor Comments reflecting on accomplishments for this term, recognition of the 3 not running for re-election, etc.

The recording runs about 2 hours & 5 minutes

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1574-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-10-29-25/

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIgSJh9fWjA

The agenda and associated documents for this session ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10292025-1978

My full set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XVFpF-Gf2ULj1avVodFT4RXGkXMvWvg5/view?usp=drive_link 

Franklin Elks Riders Donation to Veterans’ Services Department.
Veterans Service Officer, Shannon Nisbett received the check

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

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"