Agenda for Town Council Meeting, Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 6 PM

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

March 4, 2026 = 6:00 PM

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. COUNCILOR COMMENTS

Agenda for Town Council Meeting,
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 6 PM

4. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

5. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

6. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled

7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. February 11, 2026

8. APPOINTMENTS -

a. Franklin’s 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee - Courtney Shimer

9. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 6:00 PM - None Scheduled

10. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled

11. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION -

a. Discussion: 2026-2027 Town Council-Town Administrator Goals

i. Town Administrator Memo

ii. Draft Town Council-Town Administrator Preliminary List of Goals

12. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 26-10: Adoption of 2026-2027 Town Council and Town Administration Goals (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-10 - Majority Vote)

b. Resolution 26-11: Establishment of Ad Hoc Subcommittee to Review Town Charter (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-11 - Majority Vote)

c. Resolution 26-12: Appropriating Funds by Borrowing to Pay Costs of Purchasing a Fire Truck for the Fire Department (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-12 - ⅔ Majority Vote)

d. Resolution 26-13: Parking Meter Receipts Appropriation (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-13 - Majority Vote)

e. Resolution 26-14: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($1,645) (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-14 - Majority Vote)

f. Resolution 26-15: PEG Funding Approval (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-15 - Majority Vote)

g. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-948: A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Use Regulation Schedule, Attachment 2, Attachment 3, Attachment 4, Attachment 7 & Attachment 8 - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-948 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)

h. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-949: A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot Area Requirements - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-949 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)

13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

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 contains remote participation info

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03042026-2166

Town Council spends almost 2 hours to ultimately & unanimously approve appointments of 2 to the ZBA (video)

The Town Council met for 5 hours on Wednesday night, Jan 21, 2026. 8 members were present in Chambers with one absent.

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSZJNniE9Gk

The meeting agenda ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01212026-2101 

Quick recap:

• 2 hours were spent talking around and around the Zooning Board of Appeals appointments. After all was said, both highly qualified candidates were approved unanimously (in separate votes)
• Brutus Cantoreggi presented on the DPW and their infrastructure work. As he began he introduced the entire management team which was also present and several of them has an opportunity to answer specific questions during the segment
• The Council again combined "councilor comments and future agenda items" sections in an attempt to speed up the closing of the session. However ended up in an extensive discussion on future topics around budget, timeline, engagement, to have and hold Joint Budget sessions, etc. Seems like that may happen after the budget is released in April. Stay tuned
• An item coming out of the ZBA discussion earlier was a desire to expand the board membership from 3 to 5. That would require a charter change, and per the prior 1 hour plus discussion at the Dec 17,2025 meeting on charter changes, would not likely happen in time for a November 2026 ballot question (although that was the request)

My notes in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lz6tu7vPWXskijNcph_qOcdToMGFgi5t/view?usp=drive_link

This highlights the central role DPW infrastructure plays in Town operations

The presentation PDF can be previewed here

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8133/Town-Council-Presentation---January-21-2026

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, December 26, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events 

• This shares the segment  from the Town Council meeting 12/17/25 covering the full discussion on the charter change process -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/audio-of-121725-town-council-in-3.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong. 2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews  Showcasing the "Blues" as a basis for and influence of Country, Jazz and Rock and Roll, here and worldwide.

11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM - “The Vibe” show plays music for everyone searching for some enjoyment, some dance, a happy or thinking mood, and most importantly, having fun.  Tune in to wfpr.fm and listen to “DJ Vibe” spin music across many genres and join this new vibing experience

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Audio of the 12/17/25 Town Council in 3 logical segments (audio)

FM #1612-13-14 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 1612-13-14 in the series. 

This session shares part of the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. The Council held this session as scheduled beginning at 6 PM. All 9 Councilors participated (1 remotely) for this 4 hour session. 

 

• 1612 - covers the opening, Citizen comments, recognitions, alcohol license renewals and everything else except 

• the snow update (see 1613) 

• and the charter discussion (see 1614)  (approx. 2 hours 27 mins)

• 1613 - segment from the meeting covering the full discussion on the DPW snow update  (approx.. 58 minutes)  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7855/Snow-Presentation---December-17-2025 

• 1614 - segment from the meeting covering the full discussion on the charter change process  (approx. 45 mins)  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7848/2023-11-01-Town-Charter-Presentation 

Audio 1612 link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1612-town-council-mtg-minus-snow-charter-updates-12-17-25/

Audio 1613 link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1613-snow-update-to-town-council-12-17-25/

Audio 1614 link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1614-charter-discussion-at-town-council-mtg-12-17-25/

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Additional notes including the video link for the meeting can be found ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/town-council-closes-out-year-approving.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

• 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 closes out year approving license renewals, hearing about the snow plowing process, recognizing 3 teams (video)

The Franklin Town Council closed out the calendar year with a meeting on Wednesday, Dec 17, 2025. All 9 members participated, 1 remotely so all votes were recorded via roll call.

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti39-iOe-eo

Agenda doc  -> 

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12172025-2062 

My notes taken during the meeting in one PDF file ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1stKCN6LNIlCgPA_AobKLmkIsS6109ozr/view?usp=drive_link

Brief recap:

• recognition of 8th Grade Franklin Panthers Football Team, Franklin High School Cheerleading Team, and the Franklin High School Girls’ Volleyball Team was followed by a brief recess to allow for group photos
• Council on Aging - Christopher (Kit) Brady appointment approved via 9-0 roll call
• Annual License Renewals “2026 Town of Franklin Alcohol License Renewals”  were approved after brief discussion on process by the 9-0 roll call vote
  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7857/7a-1---MEMO---License-Renewals
• Snow Presentation - Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director & Carlos Rebelo, Highway/Grounds Superintendent   
  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7855/Snow-Presentation---December-17-2025
• Social Equity Policy Discussion was a long one and the topic will be added to a meeting already planned between Councilor Malloy and TA Hellen to review additional changes to be brought back to the Council. Maybe the State will have provided feedback on the submittal already made
  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7841/Local-Approval-Process-and-Social-Equity-Policy 
• Town Charter Presentation was brief (3 pages) on process, the discussion was much longer. To summarize  depending upon the change being proposed, either the charter commission process or the ad-hoc committee would be the way to go. As the changes are not yet outlined, the ad-hoc committee will be art of the goals discussion in January to at least determine what the listing of changes desired are and then determine which way to go
  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7848/2023-11-01-Town-Charter-Presentation 
• Citizen Satisfaction Survey: Not sure how to summarize the discussion on this  
  https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/polco.nrc/viz/TheNCSReport-FranklinMA2025/About
• Resolution 25-83: Gift Acceptance - Veterans Services Dept. ($91,072.88), Senior Center (21,275.73), Police Dept. ($710.74)  was accepted by the roll call 9-0 vote   https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7854/9a-Gifts

Meeting adjourned after 10 PM

group photo of all 3 teams with Council

Potpourri agenda for last Town Council meeting in 2025

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

December 17, 2025 = 6:00 PM

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. November 12, 2025   

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7849/November-12-2025-TC-Meeting-Minutes--Draft-for-Review

b. November 19, 2025   

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7833/3a-November-19-2025-TC-Meeting-Minutes--Draft-for-Review

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. 8th Grade Franklin Panthers Football Team

b. Franklin High School Cheerleading Team

c. Franklin High School Girls’ Volleyball Team

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Council on Aging - Christopher (Kit) Brady   https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7856/5a-Appointment-Kit-Brady

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 6:00 PM - None Scheduled.

 

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. Annual License Renewals

i. See attached “2026 Town of Franklin Alcohol License Renewals”  

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7857/7a-1---MEMO---License-Renewals

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Snow Presentation - Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director & Carlos Rebelo, Highway/Grounds Superintendent   

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7855/Snow-Presentation---December-17-2025

b. Social Equity Policy Discussion  

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7841/Local-Approval-Process-and-Social-Equity-Policy

c. Town Charter Presentation  

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7848/2023-11-01-Town-Charter-Presentation

d. Citizen Satisfaction Survey: the town is headed in the wrong direction  

https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/polco.nrc/viz/TheNCSReport-FranklinMA2025/About

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 25-83: Gift Acceptance - Veterans Services Dept. ($91,072.88), Senior Center (21,275.73), Police Dept. ($710.74)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-83 - Majority Vote)  

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7854/9a-Gifts

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

slide from the snow presentation

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 contains remote participation info -> 

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12172025-2062 

Town Council views 4 firefighter/paramedic swear-ins & discusses the process for charter changes (video)

The Town Council met on Wednesday, Nov 1, 2023 as scheduled.

Brief recap:

• 4 firefighter/paramedics were sworn in
• Key presentation and discussion around the Town charter and how to change it if so desired. A healthy discussion, some interesting nuances were revealed (a community with less than 6,000 can only use a town meeting format, a community with more than 12,000 can chose to use the city form of government). Likely to come forward again as part of the new Council goals setting session
• Finance Cmte meeting Nov 8 will review the budget update, still a downgrade of revenue of about $300K. Ways to manage this were found.
• Town Council will get to the budget at their Nov 15 meeting. The tax rate hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov 21
• Migrant housing update, hotel now full. Coordinated efforts to help as required. Portal on the Board of Health webpage with donation listing and the migrant housing statistics. $10,000 grant received for non-emergency medical transportation. Clinic in the works with State and Federal official on work permits, lots of unknowns remain as details are still scant.

Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/a4szhufndn0?si=HqcE_7yLD66iBNf9

Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_nov_1_2023.pdf

Did you know you can view a transcript for meetings as they broadcast and as they are reviewed? When in YouTube, show "More" and then view "Transcript" 

Town Council views 4 firefighter/paramedic swear-ins & discusses the process for charter changes (video)

Franklin, MA: Agenda for Town Council meeting Nov 1, 2023 at 7 PM

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

November 1, 2023 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

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.

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. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask

the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. September 20, 2023  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/3a._september_20_2023_tc_meeting_minutes_-draft_for_review.pdf

b. October 11, 2023  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/3b._october_11_2023_tc_meeting_minutes_-draft_for_review.pdf

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled.

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. 2023 Election Workers

i. See Exhibit 1 of Appointment Transaction in agenda packet for list of names  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5a._appointments_-_election_workers.pdf

b. Conservation Commission

i. Roger Trahan  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5b._con_com_appointment_roger_trahan.pdf

c. Fire Department - Swearing In of New Firefighters/Paramedics

i. Kenneth Cotnoir

ii. Douglas Jasper

iii. Christopher Rose

iv. Ovidiu Ticlea

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM - None Scheduled.

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled.

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Town Charter Presentation - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator & Mark Cerel, Town Attorney  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/8a._charter_presentation.pdf

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION - None Scheduled.

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

a. Migrant Housing Update

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Economic Development Subcommittee

c. Budget Subcommittee

d. Master Plan Committee

e. Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Committee

f. Police Station Building Committee

g. 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 -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_nov_1_2023.pdf

ribbon cutting at Schmidt Farm to acknowledge the open space purchase with CPA funds

Franklin Charter Discussion - Frank & Steve close out with Part 3 - 11/29/21 (audio)

FM #730 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 730 in the series. 

This shares part 3 of my conversation with Frank Falvey, of Franklin Presents, a long time Franklin resident and cable show host. This is part of a three-part series on the Town Charter, the process to change it, and some of the possible revisions that Frank and I discuss.  

 

Links to the current Town charter (modified in 2013) and the charter report for 1995 (prior changes) are included in the show notes. 

The recording runs about 40 minutes: Let’s listen to this recording of Frank and I talk about the charter.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-730-franklin-charter-discussion-p3-of-3-11-29-21

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Feedback via email -> info@franklin.tv

Current Town Charter ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/revised_2013_1.pdf 

Charter Commission Report - 1995

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczeUlRYUpQeFd0QXc/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-afykQfGLjmP3-DNzc-H-uA

MA General Law Chapter 34  https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVI/Chapter34A/Section4 

Division of Local Services (DLS) - newsletter summarizing change change process https://www.mass.gov/doc/october4thpdf/download 

Part 1 - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/falvey-and-sherlock-talk-about-town.html 

Part 2 - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/franklin-town-charter-discussion-frank.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"

Falvey and Sherlock in FHS for the first live broadcast on wfpr.fm Nov 2019