FM #1431 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1431 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, April 17, 2025.
Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of April 16, 2025.
We focus on two questions:
Topic for this session:
School Committee Chair D Callaghan provided an update on recent meeting updates including the potential naming of the "Horace Mann Campus"
per Town Clerk Nancy Danello, notification of election coming via mail re: the override election June 3. Postcard with QR code to register to vote, also includes a vote by mail application. Only one card to head of household not one per every voter
Appointment of the 2025 election workers was approved by unanimous vote
Resolution 25-18: June 3, 2025 Election Early & Mail in Voting was approved unanimously. The scheduled early voting dates will be added to the Community calendar
Public hearing conducted on 2 related bylaw changes to allow Shared-Use Commercial Kitchens in commercial zones. The Planning Board had approved also, these measures were moved to a second reading (at a future meeting)
Presentation and update on work being done by Franklin Police Department Mental Health Clinician Division - Kallie Montagano, Clinician Program Manager
Followed by an update on the Franklin Crisis Action Team by Deputy Administrator Amy Friguiletti. Housing and temp shelter the top issue the FCAT group sees
A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Section 24, Floodplain District - Referral to the Planning Board was approved unanimously. Apparently, the Town slipped in knowing that this had a 5 year life expectancy and was due to be updated. Only minor changes required but the due process is being initiated now with this referral
Approval for acceptance of gifts
Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap the Town Council meeting. Approx. 35 minutes Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1431-town-council-quarterbacking-04-17-25/
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The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/C9jXhRmTTlI?&t=94
The agenda and released documents can be found -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04162025-1682
My full set of notes captured during the meeting
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nIb72BBNqBkuEgMCgS9ggo5T5UR8A7BD/view?usp=drive_link
Photo album of the recognitions -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/NFs8QPA39vzy5tzn8
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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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| Tom Mercer and I condense the 3 hour Town Council meeting to about 35 minutes (audio) |
