Town Council hears about Dean College, views Fire promotions, gets updates on Tri-County & migrant status (audio)

FM #1060 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1060 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. 8 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers; Frongillo participated remotely, hence all votes were via roll call. 

Quick recap:

APPOINTMENTS

a. Design Review Commission - i. Andrew Pratt

b. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - i. Jayaprabha Vijayaraghavan 

Both appointments were approved via 9-0 votes 

c. Fire Department - New Employee - i. Jack Lennon: Firefighter/Paramedic

d. Fire Department - Promotions

• Thomas Konieczny: Battalion Chief

• Paul Molla: Captain

• Laurie Kaye: EMS Captain

• Matthew Kelly: Lieutenant

• Michael Berthiaume: Lieutenant

• Jonathan Chalk: Lieutenant 

The Fire Dept had a bunch of promotions and one new hire to swear in and recognize. The promotions are competitive and occurred over time as other members left or retired creating a domino effect, hence they were batched to be all done at once. Photo album of the ceremony can be found ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/j98XmZmpzjsg5vGZ6 

Dean College Update - Ken Elmore, President of Dean College 

President Elmore provided a brief update with highlights from the past year, work underway, and still working on better integration of the college within the community and the community within the college. 

Tri-County Regional Vocational School Financing

The MSBA provided formal approval of the building project committing about $90M towards the $283M total cost, leaving approx. $200M to be funded by the 11 communities sending students. The 11 communities will vote as one entity n Oct 24 to approve the project. A 50+1 percent is required for approval. The funding for the Franklin portion of the project is likely to be $2.1M per year for 30 years, so it will likely be a separate vote for a debt exclusion, possibly as early as the November election. Stay tuned for additional info. The Tri-County School Committee will be sharing info on the project advocating for it's passage.

LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-898: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements - Second Reading 

b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-899: Marijuana Use Overlay District, A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map - Second Reading 

Both the second readings of the above bylaws were approved with 9-0 votes 

c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-901: A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map 

This measure was referred to the Planning Board and will come back to the Council for further action at a future meeting

d. Resolution 23-49: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with County of Plymouth for County of Plymouth to Provide Parking Ticket Computerization and Processing Services to Franklin 

The intermunicipal agreement was approved by a 9-0 vote. An interesting way to combine services and save money in so doing. 

e. Resolution 23-50: Acceptance of Private Road Covenant with Owner-Developer of Prospect Hills Estates with Access Road Off Prospect Street 

The private road covenant was approved by a 9-0 vote. This means the Town of Franklin will not maintain the road. 

f. Resolution 23-51: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($1,525) 

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT -  Migrant Housing Update 

The recording runs 2 hours and 30 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on Sep  6, 2023.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1060-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-09-06-23

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Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided an update. This audio segment of the meeting was shared separately. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant.html

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->    https://www.youtube.com/live/lUOJJj5hec8?si=IUzMbo_9nNGYa59y&t=194

My full set of notes captured via Twitter during the meeting are collected in a single PDF for easier reading  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_Go0RhESjzP4F3KWutGqZ-kxO3-Fdn0l/view?usp=drive_link

Town Council agenda doc ->  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_9.6.23.pdf

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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

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"

Ken Elmore, President of Dean College

Police Station Building Committee starts work at first meeting (audio)

FM #1047 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1047 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Police Station Building Cmte Meeting held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. 

Brief recap

First step getting sworn in by Town Clerk Nancy Danello was quickly accomplished.

Round of introductions by the members of the committee was conducted.

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided a brief overview. Facilities Director Mike D'Angelo walked through the overall process they will get into.

High level process (additional detail in memo)

• Request for a Proposal (RFP) for an Owner Project Manager (OPM)

• Select an OPM

• Work with the OPM to select an architect

• Site visits to current station (what is) and other community stations (what could be)

• Schematic design

• Design development

• Construction documents

• Bidding

• Construction

The site and site selection are important as is the funding and approval for such. While the actual building process was talk of being done in about 2 years, the entire process is more likely to run 3-5 years.

The recording runs 59 minutes, so let’s listen to the Police Station Building Cmte Meeting of August 23, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1047-police-station-building-cmte-mtg-08-23-23

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Meeting agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2023-08-23_police_station_building_committee.pdf 

Committee page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/police-station-building-committee 

Franklin TV video replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/57woRz_bSKo 

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DirbGHhnp78PdFxzbiXjEx_qDqszqMK8/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

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"

Police Station Building Committee stands for swearing in

Police Station Building Committee starts work at first meeting (video)

The Police Station Building Committee began their work in the first meeting on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. First step getting sworn in by Town Clerk Nancy Danello was quickly accomplished.

Round of introductions by the members of the committee was conducted.

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided a brief overview. Facilities Director Mike D'Angelo walked through the overall process they will get into.

High level process (additional detail in memo)

• Request for a Proposal (RFP) for an Owner Project Manager (OPM)
• Select an OPM
• Work with the OPM to select an architect
• Site visits to current station (what is) and other community stations (what could be)
• Schematic design
• Design development
• Construction documents
• Bidding
• Construction

The site and site selection are important as is the funding and approval for such. While the actual building process was talk of being done in about 2 years, the entire process is more likely to run 3-5 years.

Police Station Building Committee stands for swearing in

Meeting agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2023-08-23_police_station_building_committee.pdf

Committee page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/police-station-building-committee

Franklin TV video replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/57woRz_bSKo

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DirbGHhnp78PdFxzbiXjEx_qDqszqMK8/view?usp=drive_link

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities Open Now for Building & Inspections, DPW, and Facilities

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email. 

Administrative Assistant - Building and Inspections Department

Motor Equipment Repair Person - Department of Public Works

Local Building Inspector - Building and Inspections Department

Heavy Motor Equipment Operators - Department of Public Works

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department

Updated 07/06/2023

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here .

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities

Town of Franklin has multiple Job Opportunities - 1 could be for You!

Tri-County building project update provided, some questions remain but the date to vote is set as Oct 24, 2023 (audio & video)

Tri-County RVTHS held their 4th in a series of Community Updates to share information on the school building project on Thursday, June 15, 2023.

Tri-County Superintendent Karen Maguire opens the session and introduces each of the speakers. My brief recap is as follows:

• The current school is 'broken', per the MSBA process the building did evaluate options to renovate, renovate & create an addition, or rebuild. The rebuild option was selected as the most viable. 
• The cost today is shown as 284M. Franklin's portion will be calculated on the number of students attending Tri-County and currently estimated at about $2M (see handout PDF below) 
• Oct 24, 2023 is scheduled date for approval of the Tri-County school replacement project approval assuming that MSBA decides on a final cost during August
• When MSBA does approve the final cost, they should also provide the reimbursement expected, hence the bottom line for the district to pay
• Additional details will be provided after MSBA makes their decision
• After the October vote to approve the project, additional details for the cost per community can be developed
• It is likely that the first payments wouldn’t be due until FY 2026 or FY 2027
• The October vote will be conducted across the 11 communities at the same time, from 12 PM to 8 PM. The vote will be counted in aggregate and a 50% +1 is required for passage
• The MSBA process is out of step on a couple of fronts: (1) it doesn't appropriately account for Voc tech schools as distinct from 'regular' schools (2) the vote by the district doesn't mention how each community will fund it. Many (at least some) communities may require a debt exclusion. Measures to address these issues have been filed with the MA House & Senate and are currently in the committee process, what will happen to them remains to be determined

The slides shown during the meeting video are expected to be posted to the Tri-County page on Friday. Once the link is found, it will be added here. In the meantime, I did capture photos of the slides and speakers. Those can be found in one album ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Wx3ST2CPAogW5cfV6

Presentation copy ->  https://www.tri-countybuilding.com/_files/ugd/7870a5_26e521f9652444a0be34c8dea278106f.pdf

Handout with estimated community share of the building project debt

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13cmnb-b84YcE4yxOLIed9VMpMqkdpWBW/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin TV did a live broadcast of the meeting from Tri-County and it is available for replay via YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/live/7SYEYsoyaAU

The audio of the meeting is also available ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1013-tri-county-rvths-community-update-4-06-15-23

Franklin TV video

 

Franklin Matters/wfpr.fm Audio Recording

Tri-County building project update provided, some questions remain but the date to vote is set as Oct 24, 2023

Town of Franklin, MA: Tri-County School Project Update - Community Meeting - June 15 at 6 PM

The public is invited to the 4th Community Meeting for the @TriCountyRVTSD School Building Project on Thursday, 6/15/23 at 6 PM in the Tri-County Library Media Center.

Learn more about the project here: 

https://t.co/RZSVcuyv3t or -> https://www.tri-countybuilding.com/communityoutreach

Shared from -> https://t.co/aeo82I1eow 

Town of Franklin, MA: Tri-County School Project Update- Community Meeting - June 15 at 6 PM

Tri-County School Project Update

Franklin Food Pantry held Grand Opening Ceremony on June 12, 2023

"Congratulations to the @FranklinFoodPan on relocating to 341 W Central St. in Franklin. We hope this larger facility will assist your mission of addressing food insecurity. 

Thank you for your efforts & to @MassDev Underutilized Properties grant funding for making this possible!"

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1668347182804791297 

Franklin TV recorded the video of the brief (30 minute) ceremony and a walk trough of the building for the special guests. 

The audio recording of the ceremony will be available Wednesday. In the meantime, photos of the building tour for the media can be found in one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/QWaRtvycHT7qqDmG7

The Food Pantry is opening for clients Tuesday, and continuing to train volunteers on operations in the new space. Tours for the public are planned for later this Fall.

Fund raising for the new building formally kicks off. Visit the campaign page for details ->  https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/new-building/campaign/

L-R: State Rep Jeff Roy, Town Council Chair Tom Mercer, MassDev grant representative Robert Jenkins, Executive Director Tina Powderly

Editorial Note: This is a dream come true. I was fortunate to have been a member of the Food Pantry Board of the Directors from 2010- early 2015, and honored to have led the Board for most of that time. I am contributing to the building campaign in addition to my other support for the Food Pantry (Empty Bowls & Turkey Trot sponsorships). I also participate regularly on a couple of working committees for the Food Pantry (Governance & Advancement).

Tri-County RVTHS schedules Community Meeting to provide a building project update - June 15 at 6 PM

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School

Community Meeting No. 04

June 15, 2023 at 6.00 PM

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School 

147 Pond Street, Franklin, MA 02038

The meeting will be broadcast live to Franklin residents on Comcast channel 93, and Verizon channel 28.

Following the meeting, the recording will be accessible on www.northtv.net, and www.tri-countybuilding.com.

For any questions, please email Christina Dell Angelo cdellangelo@doreandwhittier.com

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/TriRvths/status/1665993543607894016

Tri-County RVTHS schedules Community Meeting to provide a building project update - June 15 at 6 PM

Chair Tom Mercer and I condense the Feb 1, 2023 Town Council meeting to about 30 min (audio)

 FM #936 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 936 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of Feb 1, 2023: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

APPOINTMENTS

a. New Employee: Fire Department - Kristin Krauss, Firefighter

b. Promotion: Fire Department - William Blanchard, EMS Battalion Chief

LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. New Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Retail Package Store License and Approval of Scott Corvi as the Manager - MADD Deli, Inc. d/b/a Dacey’ s Market and Deli, Located at 353 Lincoln Street  

b. Transfer of Section 15 Wine and Malt Beverages Package Store License and Approval of Vrushank Patel as the Manager - 660 Central, LLC d/b/a Mobil, Located at 660 West Central Street  

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Tri County School Building Project - Karen Maguire, Tri County Superintendent  

LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Bylaw Amendment 23-892: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82,  Fees, Municipal Service - First Reading 

b. Resolution 23-14: Appropriating Funds by Borrowing to Pay Costs of Purchasing an Aerial Ladder Truck for Fire Dept.

c. Resolution 23-15: Gift Acceptance - Police Dept. ($315)

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. 

Our conversation runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Feb 6, 2023 Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-936-town-council-quarterbacking-02-06-23

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The full agenda can be found ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/feb_1_2023_town_council_agenda.pdf   

The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/-AQpq8GSvi4?feature=share 

My recap, notes, and audio -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/town-council-approves-all-alcohol_5.html 

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

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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Tri-county Regional Voc Tec representatives (l-r) Peter Wiernicki, Karen McGuire, Dan Haynes