Police Station Bldg Cmte selects Parmenter as site, recommends code review of Parmenter building to Town Council (audio)

FM #1622 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1622 in the series. 

This session shares the Police Station Building Cmte Mtg held on Wednesday, January 6, 2026. 2 members (K Alexander, G Premo) were absent.  

Quick recap:

• Refresh on membership: "The Town Administrator shall nominate all eleven members of the committee membership, to be ratified by the Town Council. The Chair of the Town Council shall select the Chair, Vice-Chair and Clerk. Terms of the committee shall be through substantial completion of the project."   from the Committee charge document -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1146/Police-Station-Building-Committee-Charge-PDF 

• Chief TJ Lynch provides an update on the open house/tours held in Sept/Oct 2025 and poorly attended. Virtual tour available on project webpage -> https://www.franklinmapoliceproject.com/existing-conditions   or the YouTube playlist -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJjVX3ZOe9o&list=PLL2XKlvMgLAlZpjphLCLuJbyvu3tKxMOF 

• Joe Lynch, OPM provides an update then the remainder of the team walk through the process and findings to date. Tonight's presentation doc to be added to the project page in meantime, much of it restates that shared in August 2025  https://a8db3785-aec1-40c7-8a6f-6e79d6737676.filesusr.com/ugd/c81e0f_c6d6a290752446faa622810cfb358ba1.pdf  

• Discussion around site options, decided to make a recommendation for project site as Parmenter (passed unanimously). 

• Also determined to recommend a Code review of the existing facility at the quoted cost of $62.5K (passed 6-1; Woodward no)

• No meeting scheduled at this time, pending direction from Town Council

The recording runs about 60 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1622-police-station-bldg-cmte-mtg-01-06-26/

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urNiDr84B38 

The agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01062026-2064  




My notes in one PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16_dc-Zg0yH5eRlDEfImxNUAiiK92JX3q/view?usp=drive_link 




Photo album of some of the slide alternatives for the Parmenter site

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2UZWJD1m68WCkYZB6 




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



potential placement of new station keeping all of Parmenter building

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 approves additional $1M for schools, starts process for override, turns down King St parcel zoning change (audio)

FM #1249 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1249 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, June 17, 2024.  7 members were present in Council Chambers, one participated remotely (Cormier-Leger), one was absent (Hamblen). For the time when Cormier-Leger participated all votes were recorded via roll call.

Quick summary

• A number of citizens comments accounted for approx. 30 minutes of the meeting before the Council began its business.

• The zoning change for the parcel on King St while forwarded to second reading by a 5-4 vote was roundly defeated by an 8-0-1 (1 absent) vote.

• The override and budget discussion resulted in two actions. 

• One - consensus to begin with a Joint Budget series of meetings to work on determining the future (assuming yes, when?), and getting consensus among the 3 committees (Town Council, School Committee and Finance Committee) on an amount for an earlier spring vote.

• Two - the Council did vote to take $1M from the debt stabilization account to provide for additional funding for the School budget. The School Committee will vote to accept the funding at their next scheduled August meeting (Aug 13). (After this vote Cormier-Leger left the session)

• A set of 3 bylaws to change downtown commercial zoning to bring the Town into compliance with the MBTA regulations were approved and moved to second reading. The second reading will be a Council meeting in August.

• The zoning change for the mill store property on Union St was approved and moved to second reading (also at a meeting in August)

• The Council also voted to approve the land swap deal with the state. This work started approx. 11 years ago and finally getting to the changing of the deeds stage to complete. This will set up for future renovation & enhancements to the Beaver St recycling Center.

The recording runs about 3 hours, so let’s listen to Town Council meeting of June 17, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1249-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-07-17-24/

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

The Franklin TV video of the 3 hour session can be found ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/dvI5kTzZqP0?si=Od24AGR5njNiF99I&t=67 

Agenda document for this session: 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_july_17_2024.pdf

My notes as captured during the session can be found in one PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rUWE6iK-G1T7xnVsjgXiGj2-l2P9S9Kg/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"

Franklin, MA: Town Council -Agenda for Meeting July 17, 2024 at 7 PM

This Chalkboard Chat recaps the School Committee reorganization, Tri-County debt exclusion, & FHS presentation (audio)

FM #1103 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1103 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Franklin School Committee member Dave Callaghan. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV & Public Radio studio on Monday, November 20, 2023. 

Our primary topic was a recap of the School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Nov 14, 2023.  We covered 

• The election, the School Committee reorganization

• The Tri-County debt exclusion avoids problems with the Franklin budget

• The FHS update on what’s happening across their academic, club & sports activities

The recording runs about 25 minutes so let’s listen to my “chalkboard chat” with School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1103-chalkboard-chat-06-dave-callaghan-11-20-23

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

Contact info for Dave Callaghan  callaghand@franklinps.net 

School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 

School budget ->  https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget 

Agenda doc  ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_11-14-23.pdf    

Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-14-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet 

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc8T3jv8fGc 

My notes captured during the meeting via Twitter can be found in one easy to ready PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M0cTWjQ0zg0L-SwDeswUGh-X5k2eUAcO/view?usp=drive_link 

The “Chalkboard Chat” image was the result of a joint collaboration with Mickayla Callaghan. Thank you!

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

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"

This Chalkboard Chat recaps the School Committee reorganization, Tri-County debt exclusion, & FHS presentation (audio)

Friendly Reminder to cast your vote on the Tri-County election today (10/24/23 from noon to 8 PM) at Franklin High School

Why is there a vote for Tri-County today?

The Tri-County Regional VTHS is looking to replace their old and falling apart building with a new one. Today's vote is for the 11 Tri-County communities to say "Yes" or "No" to the project.

The vote for all 11 communities occurs at the same time on Tuesday, October 24, from noon to 8 PM. Franklin votes at Franklin High School. 

The one question ballot simply asks yes or no to authorize building the new school.

How will it be paid for?

Each of the 11 communities will make that determination separately. Franklin has chosen to use a debt exclusion to fund the Franklin portion of the replacement cost.

One question will be on the Nov 7 ballot to authorize Franklin's funding for the project with a debt exclusion (estimated to be $2.1 for 30 years). 

Additional information on the Tri-County project can be found in one place ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/tri-county-election-information-for.html

rendering of the new Tri-County Building

Franklin Town Clerk Nancy Danello walks us through voting process for the Oct 24 Tri-County Election, then for the Nov 7 Biennial Election (audio)

FM #1074 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1074 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Town Clerk Nancy Danello conducted in her office at the Municipal Building on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. 

We talk about 

• The Tri-County election October 24

• The biennial Town of Franklin election Nov 7, includes the debt exclusion to fund the Tri-County building 

The show notes include links to the Town Clerk page and to the Tri-County information.

The recording runs about 27 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1074-franklin-ma-town-clerk-nancy-danello-10-03-23

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

Town Clerk’s page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk 

Tri-County new building page -> https://www.tri-countybuilding.com/ 

Tri County School Building Project - Karen Maguire, Tri County Superintendent (presentation to Town Council) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._tri_county_presentation.pdf

Building update meeting in June, 2023 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/06/tri-county-building-project-update.html 

Tri-County Election Announcement  -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/news/important-news-tri-county-district-wide-election-10242023

Memo from Town Administrator - Tri-County Election if approved: Estimated Cost Per Household   ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/imce/u353/8b._1_-_memo_-_tri_county_school_financing.jpg

Tri-County Election Warrant  ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/news/tri-county-warrant

Tri-County Sample Ballot  -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/news/tri-county_10-24_sample_ballot.pdf

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

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"

Franklin Town Clerk Nancy Danello