Tom Mercer condenses the Oct 29 Town Council meeting (audio)

FM #1573 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1573 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, October 30, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

We focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

• 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

• Gift acceptance, $10,000 from Adirondack Club

• 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

• 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 conversation runs about 28 minutes. Let’s listen in

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1572-town-council-quarterbacking-10-30-25/

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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 

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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"

Tom Mercer condenses the Oct 29 Town Council meeting (audio)

Jen Knight-Levine updates Council on work of SAFE Coalition and the humane approach to dealing with migrant housing situation (audio)

FM #1082 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1082 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares a segment from the regularly scheduled Town Council meeting on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. The segment covers the guest presentation by Jen Knight-Levine of the SAFE Coalition. 

Jen,CEO and co-founder of SAFE, provides some statistics on the work being done to meet the needs of the community initially in substance abuse and mental health, and recently expanding to take a humanitarian approach to the migrant housing situation developing here in Franklin. 

The segment runs about 30 minutes including the Q&A with the Council members. Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1082-town-council-mtg-segment-jen-knight-levine-10-18-23

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SAFE Coalition -> https://www.safecoalitionma.org/ 

Town Council agenda doc ->  

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/franklin-ma-agenda-for-town-council.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 iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Jen Knight-Levine updates Council on work of SAFE Coalition and the humane approach to dealing with migrant housing situation (audio)

Economic Development Subcommittee hears of grants for Nu-Style clean up, discusses GR 5 & cannabis overlap zoning modification (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee met on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 (prior to the Town Council meeting) and covered three key items as follows:

Quick recap:

• Nu-Style property now has $600K to support its clean up from two sources; $100K from ARPA funds, and a new grant received for $500K. Thanks to Brian Taberner who has continued to write for grants for this brownfield project and persisted in that effort

• General residential 5 (GR 5) zoning changes initially proposed to increase the impervious coverage for the property and for the property plus parking would be increased as well as reducing the setbacks required for multi-family 

• Discussion around what percent the amounts should be, was currently, initially proposed to increase to 35, 45. 

• Amendment to change to 50, 60, second; after discussion amendment revised to be 45,55, seconded, passes 3-1 (Jones no)

• Recommendations as amended to move to the Council, passes unanimous 4-0

• Cannabis overlay district; this is literally only a house cleaning of the map itself, nothing else in the bylaw changes. As businesses changed, this allowed for other changes with restrictions removed

Franklin TV YouTube video ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/UbMxtOXP6ms?feature=share 

The agenda doc also includes remote participation info ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/edc_meeting_agenda_-_june_7_2023.pdf

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting (in 1 PDF file)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZCa5NThqjXcxviE57inxIZMM7ycfnT9B/view?usp=drive_link 

Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda for June 7, 2023  Meeting at 5:45 PM

Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda for June 7, 2023 Meeting at 5:45 PM

Economic Development Subcommittee

Agenda & Meeting Packet

June 7, 2023 - 5:45 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers, 355 East Central Street

Agenda:

1. NuStyle property update

2. GRV Zoning amendment proposal

a. Staff Memo & Draft Zoning amendment

3. Marijuana Overlay District Housecleaning

a. Staff Memo & Draft Map

Agenda doc includes remote participation info ->  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/edc_meeting_agenda_-_june_7_2023.pdf

Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda for June 7, 2023  Meeting at 5:45 PM

MA State News Roundup: MLK monument; Wu leaves Twitter; cannabis pricing plummets

(1) Today "The Embrace" is scheduled to be unveiled on the Boston Common. Good timing for the Martin Luther King Jr holiday weekend. This will be a new excuse for a day trip into Boston on a good weather day.

Boston Globe article (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/01/12/arts/embrace-is-tribute-love-justice-unsung/

Commonwealth Magazine article

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/raceracism/healey-calls-king-statue-important-given-bostons-narrative/

Artist Hank Willis Thomas, who conceived "The Embrace," is seen in his studio in Brooklyn, N.Y. JENNIFER S. ALTMAN

(2) CommonWealth Magazine runs a headline "Citing increasingly toxic climate, Michelle Wu turns away from Twitter"

A sad state of affairs for anyone using social media tools these days. You can read the full article here -> https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/citing-increasingly-toxic-climate-michelle-wu-turns-away-from-twitter/

(3) Common Wealth Magazine also provides some insights into the cannabis market. Why does this matter to Franklin? Given the change in the host community agreements, the Town of Franklin is still schedule to get a percentage of the revenues from cannabis sales and we have both growth facilities as well as retails facilities. With the budget cycle starting, these changes will perhaps show up in a lesser amount anticipated on the revenue sheet.

"ON A RECENT DAY, a Brockton customer looking for some marijuana could have bought one-eighth of an ounce of LA Kush Cake flower for just $20 at Commonwealth Alternative Care. Nearby, Legal Greens was advertising one-eighth of an ounce of Jet Fuel flower for $25, according to the marijuana marketing website Leafly.

The prices are way down from the $50 or $60 that a decent strain of marijuana was going for just two years ago. That’s good news for consumers tired of paying some of the highest prices for marijuana in the nation, but it’s bad news for the state’s legal marijuana industry. Just four years after cannabis shops opened, the price decline is destabilizing the industry and threatening to force companies out of business. Policy makers are being urged to consider radical action, including placing a moratorium on the granting of new cultivation licenses."

Continue reading the article ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/marijuana/plummeting-prices-destabilize-mass-marijuana-market/

CommonWealth Magazine: "Marijuana content labels can’t be trusted - Testing reveals inconsistencies on THC, contaminants"

"ONE OF THE main arguments in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana was that consumers would have access to tested, regulated products, and know exactly what they are buying.

But a CommonWealth investigation reveals that the potency levels listed on websites and product labels at marijuana stores are regularly inflated, sometimes by as much as a third. The investigation also found that some products in Massachusetts cannabis stores tested positive for contaminants that would have kept them off the shelves if they were detected earlier because they were potentially unsafe for human consumption.

The findings suggest that marijuana consumers cannot rely with any confidence on product labels. Labs are performing tests using different technologies and methods, and growers are gravitating to labs that report the highest THC levels or pass the most samples for contaminants, even if their testing methods are not the most scientifically accurate. That, in turn, is creating incentives for labs to generate testing results with higher THC readings."

Continue reading the article online at CommonWealth Magazine ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/marijuana/marijuana-content-labels-cant-be-trusted/

 

A marijuana sample is prepared for testing at Analytics Labs in Holyoke on November 30, 2022. (Photo by Shira Schoenberg)

Massachusetts Legislature Passes Legislation to Foster Greater Equity in Cannabis Industry

The Massachusetts Legislature passed legislation, An Act relative to equity in the cannabis industry, that encourages and facilitates participation in the cannabis industry from communities disproportionally harmed by marijuana criminalization by creating a Social Equity Trust Fund. The bill also strengthens the host community agreement process and clarifies procedures for permitting social consumption sites.

"The passage of this legislation will help to ensure that those who have been historically impacted by marijuana prohibition can find new opportunity in the emerging industry," said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). "This legislation will help to support folks who have faced generations of inequality secure the needed capital to launch a cannabis business. I want to thank Chair Donahue and the conferees, my colleagues in the House, as well as Senate President Spilka and our partners in the Senate for the hard work required to get this done."

"I am thrilled we were able to reach a deal on this bill, which will take meaningful steps toward ensuring communities who have historically been harmed by marijuana criminalization can access resources to enter this industry," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "I'd like to thank Chair Rodrigues as well as Senators Comerford and Fattman and all of the Senators who have worked so hard on this issue, Speaker Mariano and our partners in the House, and all of the conferees for advancing this important issue forward."

"This legislation's inclusion of a social equity trust fund will allow social equity entrepreneurs equal access to the cannabis industry. Further, this legislation will update the Commonwealth's expungement processes to allow for individuals with past cannabis related charges a path forward in expunging their criminal records," said Representative Daniel M. Donahue (D-Worcester), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy. "This bill has been considered by the legislature for the past four years; we are proud to have come to an agreement to move the cannabis industry forward in Massachusetts and to have removed barriers for those most disadvantaged by the war on drugs in Massachusetts."

"The conference report we passed today builds upon the goals that we have always had for the cannabis industry here in the Commonwealth—protecting consumers, supporting small business, and promoting social equity," said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. "I want to thank Senate President Spilka for her leadership, along with Senator Chang-Diaz, Senator Cyr, Senator Jehlen and others for advocating to make sure Massachusetts remains a cannabis industry leader. Ultimately, this conference report passed by the Senate promotes the continued growth of a competitive and equitable industry here in our state."

Establishes the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund

This legislation creates a trust fund to make grants and loans to social equity program participants and economic empowerment priority applicants, which will give entrepreneurs from communities that have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement better access to grants and loans to get their businesses off the ground.

Fifteen per cent of the revenue collected from the sale of marijuana and marijuana products must be transferred to the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund, which will be administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED), in consultation with a newly created Cannabis Social Equity Advisory Board.

"This legislation will create a more equitable cannabis industry in the Commonwealth and I am pleased to see it reach the Governor's desk," stated Senator Joanne M. Comerford (D-Northampton), "I am deeply grateful for the hard work put into this bill by the conferees, led by Senator Rodrigues and Representative Donahue. They approached this issue with expertise and compassion and the resulting bill will bring more diversity and equity to this industry."

Clarifies the host community agreements process

The legislation clarifies the Cannabis Control Commission's (CCC) role in reviewing and approving host community agreements (HCA), which are executed between marijuana businesses and their host municipalities. It authorizes the Commission to prioritize social equity program businesses and economic empowerment priority applicants for expedited review.

The legislation also clarifies the scope of HCAs and adds new criteria, such as:

• No host community agreement can include a community impact fee that is beyond the business's eighth year of operation.
• The community impact fee must be reasonably related to the actual costs required to operate a cannabis business in a community.
• The CCC must review and approve each host community agreement as part of the license application and renewal process.
• All host communities must establish procedures and policies to encourage full participation in the regulated marijuana industry by people from communities that have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement.

"I am proud this body is taking steps to reform the HCA process and bringing forward better options for the growing cannabis industry in the Commonwealth," said Representative Mathew J. Muratore (R-Plymouth).

"I am proud to have served on the conference committee on the cannabis and social equity bill, which expands access to the cannabis industry," said Senator Ryan C. Fattman (R-Sutton). "America is the land of opportunity, and it is crucial that it is available to all. Our founding principles are based on these ideals, and we must be persistent in our pursuit of equity of opportunity in our economy today."

Clarifies the local social consumption approval process

The social consumption policy, which would allow the sale of marijuana and marijuana products for consumption on the premises where sold, is authorized by existing law. However, this legislation amends it to ensure proper procedures are taken regarding local initiative petitions. Under this legislation, as an alternative to local initiative petitions, a city or town may also allow for social consumption sites through the passage of a by-law or ordinance.

Expedites the expungement process

For individuals seeking to expunge a record for previous offenses that are now decriminalized, this legislation requires the court to order the expungement of the record within 30 days of the request and expunge records for possession of marijuana or distribution of marijuana based on the now legal amount.

Having been passed by the Senate and the House, An Act relative to equity in the cannabis industry now goes to the Governor for his signature.

Text of the legislation can be found -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S3096

Massachusetts Legislature Passes Legislation to Foster Greater Equity in Cannabis Industry

Showcase Cars Coming to NETA Franklin on Memorial Day Saturday - A Great Photo Opportunity!

What do SHOWCASE CARS and CANNABIS have in common?  See for yourself Memorial Day Saturday!  NETA will host a charity car show ‘Fuel’d Up Franklin’ on Saturday, May 28th in the NETA Franklin store parking lot at 162 Grove St.

The event will be held from 10 AM - 5 PM.  Admission is free.

Everyone must be 21 years or older.  You must show a legal ID to enter.  

NETA is collaborating with “Pull’d Up” a national car show company – the event will benefit the Franklin Food Pantry.  The pantry will have a donation station where you can support their work in the community.

You will see showcase cars including ‘Muscles’ and ‘Exotics’ while you can enjoy the other festivities of the day with:

• Local Franklin companies
• Food trucks
• NETA swag and products
• Pax engraver
• Adopt a dog program
• Live entertainment

Parking is available and police will be on hand to help guide traffic.

We look forward to seeing you there!

NETA always promotes responsible and safe use of cannabis.

Showcase Cars Coming to NETA Franklin on Memorial Day Saturday - A Great Photo Opportunity!

MA House passes cannabis legislation, bill now to Conf Cmte to reconcile with MA Senate version

"THE MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE took a major step Wednesday toward improving equity in the cannabis industry, passing a bill similar to one previously passed by the Senate that would create a new grant and loan fund for diverse entrepreneurs. The bill would better regulate host community agreements and ease the process of getting marijuana-related criminal records expunged. 

Five years after marijuana legislation, Rep. Dan Donahue, House chair of the Committee on Cannabis Policy, said it was time to address some nagging issues. “It is time to revisit the original legislation to provide clarity on the intent of the Legislature and work to ensure we continue to remove barriers to entry to this unique industry for those communities who were disproportionately harmed by the prohibition on marijuana,” he said. "

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/marijuana/lawmakers-move-closer-to-address-nagging-cannabis-questions/

"The Massachusetts House voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to approve major reforms to the state’s marijuana laws, with legislative leaders saying they were implementing changes long demanded by cannabis businesses, activists, and consumers.

The 153-2 vote in favor of the bill, which largely mirrors legislation approved by the state Senate in April, came on the same day regulators announced that total recreational pot sales in Massachusetts have surpassed $3 billion — underscoring the high stakes of any tweaks to the rules governing the industry.

Among other provisions, the changes would allow cities and towns to opt in to hosting marijuana cafés, steer a significant chunk of state pot tax revenue to so-called equity applicants trying to get their small cannabis businesses off the ground, crack down on controversial local fees charged to marijuana operators while easing their state tax burden, and make it easier for former defendants to wipe away old marijuana charges."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/05/18/marijuana/mass-house-poised-vote-sweeping-cannabis-bill/

Town of Franklin has multiple host agreements with cannabis firms which may be affected by whatever changes are introduced (finally). The café concept is also interesting and should join the "watch list."

 

MA House passes cannabis legislation, bill now to Conf Cmte to reconcile with MA Senate version