![]() |
Preliminary Subdivision - Balsam Estates - Planning Board - Sep 25 |
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Preliminary Subdivision - Balsam Estates - Planning Board - Sep 25
Sunday, February 12, 2023
"Housing choice is mismatched to need" & 15 minute city model
"Housing choice is mismatched to need."
Southern Urbanism "Housing choice is mismatched to need" |
You can visit DataTown at the Mass Housing Project to get our local stats -> https://mhpcenterforhousingdata.shinyapps.io/DataTown/#
"The 15-minute city model is the idea that cities should be designed, or redesigned, so that within a 15-minute walk or bike of home, people should be provided the opportunity to access many of their daily needs like work, food, health, education, culture and leisure."
The 15-minute city model |
Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/berkie1/status/1624381496348794883
Sunday, September 25, 2022
Economic Development Subcmte hears timeline on Franklin For All projects; reviews & forwards parking changes to Council (audio)
FM #847 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 847 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, Sep 21, 2022 in the Council Chambers.
“Franklin For All” Steering Committee
Chair Melanie Hamblen, Glenn Jones, Cobi Frongillo, Pat Sheridan
Greg Rondeau, Beth Wierling, and Bruce Hunchard
Quick recap:
Franklin For All portion
Full steering committee reviewed the priority listing and time line developed by Planning and Community Development Dept after the steering committee had set the priorities for the Franklin For All recommendations during their August meeting
Much of the discussion was around clarification on what was included, what was not, and why
Parking bylaw proposal portion of meeting
Just the Council members remainder on the dias for the longer section of the meeting around the parking proposals (B Wierling did move to the audience and ended upon commenting on the proposal as a resident)
There was much discussion and input from community and business members on aspects of the proposal
The subcommittee voted to move the recommendations forward to the Council with a variety of votes. At first they attempted to move all forward, by a 4-0 vote. When they were advised it was complete, a more refined set of votes on aspects of the proposals results in 3-1 votes (Hamblen, Frongillo, Sheridan for; Jones against). Another motion for an amendment (for residential parking) by Sheridan did not get a second so it died there. One of the proposed amendments (from Frongillo) was to expand the role of the Town Administrator to set more than just the rates. This was objected to (by Jones) and the resulting discussion did not result in a vote
The proposals will come before the Council at one of the October meetings
The recording of the meeting runs about 2 hours and 15 minutes
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-847-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-09-21-22--------------
Meeting agenda doc ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/09-21-22_edc_agenda.pdf
Franklin TV YouTube video -> https://youtu.be/0juF7Nd2ngk
My notes taken via Twitter and captured in one PDF can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V880A9wPIyLuq-GjD9f6AJ0mYbGIzwrs/view?usp=sharing
--------------
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"
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Build-Out & Infrastructure Analysis from MAPC Franklin For All Executive Summary
Build-Out & Infrastructure Analysis from MAPC Franklin For All Executive Summary |
Friday, August 19, 2022
Annual Report Of The Department Of Planning And Community Development - FY 2021
The full Annual Report for 2021 can be found
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2021_annual_report.pdf
The collection of Annual Reports can be found online
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/town-franklin-annual-reports
Thursday, July 21, 2022
Recap: Economic Development Subcommittee hears about the complicated Nu-Style property
- The neighboring residents and business property owners are not interested in remediation of the contaminated site
- Without additional EPA/DEP grants funds to facilitate the clean up, the Town is lacking in funds to clean it properly although it recognized the need and obligation to do so
- For now, the Town will continue to work the grant applications for funds, and may consider re-issuing the property for sale
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
DOER has scheduled seminars to obtain feedback on stretch code proposal
DOER Announces Public Hearings on New Stretch Code Proposal
Dear Building Energy Code Stakeholder,
DOER will hold five virtual public
hearings to receive comment on its Straw Proposal for Stretch Code
update and New Specialized Stretch Code released on February 8th. The following
information can be reviewed in advance of the hearings at DOER's new Stretch Code Development
webpage:
2.
Recording of February 8 Webinar (registration required to view)
3.
Summary of stretch code analysis
informing straw proposal
Interpretation services will be provided at
all hearings in Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and
Vietnamese.
Hearing Focus |
Date |
March 2, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
|
March 3, 9:00 am – 11:00 am |
|
March 4, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
|
March 7, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
|
March 8, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
DOER will provide a brief presentation to respond to clarifying questions received in advance of the public hearing, however the majority of the time is reserved to hear public comments. Public comments will be limited to 3 minutes per person to ensure all participants have a chance to provide comment.
To submit questions or to sign up to give public comment at a hearing please send an email to stretchcode@mass.gov with the title ‘Comment for Public Hearing’ and include your name, organizational affiliation and municipality where you work or reside, as applicable. There will be four regional hearings and one additional hearing dedicated to Environmental Justice communities statewide. At each regional hearing, comments and questions from participants representing communities in the designated region will be prioritized. Visit the Green Communities webpage to find out which region your community is in.
REMINDER: DOER highly encourages written comments on the Straw Proposal for Stretch Code update and New Specialized Stretch Code to be submitted electronically to stretchcode@mass.gov with the subject line “Stretch Code Straw Proposal Comments”. Written comments will be accepted until 5 pm EST on March 9th, 2022
Thank you,
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
What is Strong Towns about? (video)
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Strong Towns Event @ THE BLACK BOX - 11/15/21 (audio)
FM #661 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 661 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Strong Towns Town Hall event with Congressman Jake Auchincloss, State Rep Jeff Roy, Franklin Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo, and Charles Marohn from Strong Towns.
The event was held at THE BLACK BOX and broadcast via Franklin TV and Zoom.
After a round of opening remarks, there is a question and answer period with audience participation. Each question asker identifies themselves so you should be able to follow along.
The recording runs about 1 hour and 14 minutes, so let’s listen to the Strong Towns Event on Nov 15, 2021. Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/9af1799e-c16d-4b73-8329-74515b343b2f
--------------
My notes from the session
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/recap-strong-towns-event-fostering.html
More about Strong Towns can be found online -> https://www.strongtowns.org/
--------------
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"
Sunday, May 16, 2021
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Meeting Agenda - May 19
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.b. Chair to identify Council Members participating remotely
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five 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. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Considering the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Board.
4. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
5. ADJOURN
Please find the agenda and connection info for the Meeting https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-05-19_town_council_agenda_1.pdf
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/definitive_subdivision_plan.pdf
![]() |
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Meeting Agenda - May 19 |