FM #1458 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1458 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 Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meetings of May 21 & May 22, 2025.
We focus on two questions:
FY 2026 Budget hearing process summary Wednesday, May 21
Wednesday, the first night, the line item summary for each of the departments was read aloud by the Clerk of the Council. As it was read, members placed a hold on a department line item for follow-up (question, comment, etc.).
A few departments were held automatically by the Chair (Police, Fire, Schools, DPW, Facilities). Another 14 departments were held by one or members of the Council.
After the list of holds was confirmed, they started back at the beginning of the listing (account number order per voting document) to address the question for that item. Councilors first, then Council Chamber community members, then Zoom participants, until all questions, comments were addressed for each item.
4 hours later, you’re done
Thursday night, May 22
Public hearing on License Modification - Change of LLC Managers & Change of Ownership (Beneficial Membership) Interest of a Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License: Franklin Shed, LLC d/b/a The Shed
2 Public hearings were opened as the items were directly and intimately related to each other and needed to be reviewed together.
Transfer, Change of Location and Approval of Manager of a Section 15 Wine and Malt Beverages Package Store License: DeVitas Market, LLC d/b/a DeVita’s Market, Located at 198 East Central St
Transfer, Change of Location and Approval of Manager of a Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License: Table & Vine, Inc., Located at 348 East Central St
Councilor Cormier-Leger attempted to motion to have the transfer vote tabled to a future meeting, it did not get the majority vote (tied 3-3) so the votes proceeded as scheduled and both transfers passed 5-1-3 (5 for, 1 against (Cormier-Leger) and 3 absent)
The second FY 2026 Budget hearing was opened, after some discussion, it was continued to the June 4 Town Council meeting.
The conversation runs about 28 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1458-town-council-quarterbacking-05-27-25/
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The combined video, audio and recap links for both sessions
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/town-council-fy-2026-budget-hearing-1-2.html
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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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| Tom Mercer & I condense the 2 budget hearings to under 30 minutes (audio) |
