Reminder: Economic Development Subcommittee - May 14

Reminder: Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

Thursday, May 14 at 6:00 p.m.

3rd Floor Training Room, Franklin Municipal Building

Residents are invited to attend in person, stream live via the Franklin Town Hall TV YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/FTV-TownHall or participate virtually via Zoom 

Agenda & webinar link available here: https://buff.ly/MmLlvZl

Shared from:  

https://www.facebook.com/share/18QJMVAD63/

Franklin, MA: Agenda for the Economic Development Mtg Thursday, May 14

The Economic Development Subcommittee meets with the UMass Boston folks who are proposed to develop a unified plan for downtown Franklin during the Fall of 2026. As this project would be as part of the UMass Boston graduate level class work and free, an agreement on scope and approval is likely to be received. 

The subcommittee is also scheduled for discussion to set their goals and objectives.

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Economic-Development-Subcommittee-7/?#_05142026-2311

Franklin, MA: Agenda for the Economic Development Mtg Thursday, May 14 

The Economic Development Subcommittee met for the first time April 2, 2026 (audio)

FM #1716 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1716 in the series. 

Economic Development Subcommittee

The Economic Development Subcommittee met for the first time in this new Council term. Committee Chair LeBlanc, members Morrongiello, Griffith & Malloy present for this session.

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Building Commissioner Gus Brown, and Planning and Community Development Director Morena Zelaya were also present

The meeting runs about 1 hour and 16 minutes. 

Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1716-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-04-02-26/

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Franklin Matters recap - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/04/the-economic-development-subcommittee.html 

Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/EStN4ZeBYow?&t=112 

The agenda here - 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04022026-2223 

My full set of notes taken during the meeting - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n0qTNv-eqTy85Vqdu3aJvo59fGJzHAwu/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 www.franklin.news/ or  www.Franklinmatters.org/ 

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"

The Economic Development Subcommittee met for the first time Thursday (video)

The Economic Development Committee met for the first time in this new Council term. Committee Chair LeBlanc, members Morrongiello, Griffith & Malloy present for this session.

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Building Commissioner Gus Brown, and Planning and Community Development Director Morena Zelaya were also present

Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/EStN4ZeBYow?&t=112

The agenda here - 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04022026-2223

My full set of notes taken during the meeting - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n0qTNv-eqTy85Vqdu3aJvo59fGJzHAwu/view?usp=drive_link

Quick recap:

• 300 Fisher is scheduled to present at a July session, an EPA brownfield, does have economic value down the line
• NuStyle with grant is advancing and that can be a valuable property given it's location
• The no cap on restaurant alcohol licenses is an untapped advantage, we could do more on it.
• Morena talks of the 600 page doc for Somerville as too much, a recent conference talked of "form based lite" and might be more workable here
• The Town has done a lot downtown but what have the property owners done? How do we engage them to find out what their plans are? There is a gap there, they didn't do much in the Franklin For All project.  We need them to tell us what they are looking for.
• Possible student class with a college graduate level project could help develop a vision or model of what the downtown could be, could incorporate the networking with the owners as part of it, UMass Boston could meet sooner to set the class for the fall.
• LeBlanc economic development is an area where you spend money to make money

"Congratulations to the Franklin Performing Arts Center for receiving a Destination Development Capital Grant"

via Senator Becca Rausch

"Congratulations to the Franklin Performing Arts Center for receiving a Destination Development Capital Grant. These funds will cover roof renovation costs for THE BLACK BOX, a world-class stage that spotlights talented local actors and engaging Massachusetts stories. 

Thanks to the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism for your continuing support of our vibrant creative economy. "

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B2y32iXcf/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, April 2, 2026 ???

Thursday, April 2

8:30am FDP General Mtg (Dean College)

3:00pm Back to Life: Youth Theater Project (SAFE Coalition)

Library & Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times

***  Town Meetings today   ***

Franklin Commission on Disability

Thursday, April 2 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04022026-2209 

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

Thursday, April 2 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04022026-2223 

ZBA Meeting- NO Public Meeting

Thursday, April 2 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04022026-2213 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04022026-2228 

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Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Franklin to Launch First-Ever Restaurant Week (May 31 - June 6, 2026) for Franklin, MA

Kick Off Summer with the Flavors of Franklin!

More information:
 Franklin Restaurant Week 2026 Webpage

The Town of Franklin is excited to launch its inaugural Restaurant Week, taking place May 31 – June 6, 2026, and invites local restaurants to join the celebration.

This weeklong event will showcase Franklin's dining scene and encourage residents and visitors to support local businesses. Restaurants can participate in a way that works best for them—whether through a special menu, promotion, or limited-time offer.

Learn More & Get Involved

More information: Franklin Restaurant Week 2026 Webpage

Restaurants Wanted! 

Fill out the form to participate.
Restaurant Sign Up: Restaurant Week Sign Up

For questions, contact:
Liz Kalaijian: ekalaijian@franklinma.gov
Cory Shea: cshea@franklinma.gov

4 hour Finance Meeting recording in 2 parts for convenience: P1 - economics of development, P2 - capital budget (audio)

FM #1643-44 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1643-44 in the series. 

This session shares the Finance Committee meeting conducted Wednesday, January 14, 2026. 8 members of the Committee participated, 1 absent. 

4 hour Finance Meeting recording in 2 parts for convenience

The recording is in 2 parts:

P1 for the economics of development

P2 for the capital budget

Quick recap -> 

• Board of Assessors and Town Staff: The Economics of Development, residential valuations are based upon residential property sales and comparables. Commercial Industrial valuations are more complicated in that there is a revenue factor for how much money the operations is actually making (confidentially reported to the Assessors) along with several other factors. The repeated phrase was "it's complicated"

• We did hear that there is NO issue with water supply or sewer capacity. Police and Fire are understaffed (but managing as best they can for the volume), Schools built extra capacity as part of the redistricting effort. The per pupil amount talked of is not what each net new student would cost. There are existing capacities to handle some number of students without adding a teacher

• Part of the agenda included an update on the abatement process which was not covered and seems to be deferred to a future meeting (TBD)

• The capital budget first pass was approved after a lengthy discussion. Town policy calls for funding multiple stabilization accounts, this year only the OPEB account was proposed for funding due to the budget shortfall and that it had not been funded last year.

• The OPEB fund resolution passed 8-0-1 (1 absent)

• The first pass at the tier 1 capital requests accounted for $1.8M and was proposed to amend to remove the sprinkler system work required at the Senior Center. The amendment was meant to reserve the additional $750K for the potential budget deficit. The motion to amend after a lengthy discussion failed by a 1-7-1 (1 for, 1 absent, 7 against removal for the item). The vote on the original resolution passed 7-1-1 (7 for, 1 against, 1 absent)

The recording for Part 1 - Economics of development runs just over 2 hours

https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1643-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-p1-of-2-01-14-26/

The recording for Part 2 - the capital budget runs just under 2 hours

https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1644-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-p2-of-2-01-14-26/

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Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaC9XFahY1M 

The agenda and released documents for this meeting -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01142026-2089 

My notes collected in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qRDOyvDbYn1A5DqogXU-4DpgjpwYvRNH/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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. 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"

Finance Committee hears economics of development as "it's complicated", approves Capital budget requests (video)

The Finance Committee met on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2025. 8 members (1 absent) were present in Council Chambers for a four hour session.

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaC9XFahY1M

The agenda and released documents for this meeting -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01142026-2089 

Quick recap ->

• Board of Assessors and Town Staff: The Economics of Development, residential valuations are based upon residential property sales and comparables. Commercial Industrial valuations are more complicated in that there is a revenue factor for how much money the operations is actually making (confidentially reported to the Assessors) along with several other factors. The repeated phrase was "it's complicated"
• We did hear that there is NO issue with water supply or sewer capacity. Police and Fire are understaffed (but managing as best they can for the volume), Schools built extra capacity as part of the redistricting effort. The per pupil amount talked of is not what each net new student would cost. There are existing capacities to handle some number of students without adding a teacher.
• The capital budget first pass was approved after a lengthy discussion. Town policy calls for funding multiple stabilization accounts, this year only the OPEB account was proposed for funding due to the budget shortfall and that it had not been funded last year.
• The OPEB fund resolution passed 8-0-1 (1 absent)
• The first pass at the tier 1 capital requests accounted for $1.8M and was proposed to amend to remove the sprinkler system work required at the Senior Center. The amendment was meant to reserve the additional $750K for the potential budget deficit. The motion to amend after a lengthy discussion failed by a 1-7-1 (1 for, 1 absent, 7 against removal for the item). The vote on the original resolution passed 7-1-1 (7 for, 1 against, 1 absent)

Franklin, MA: Agenda for the Finance Committee Meeting scheduled Jan 14 at 6 PM

Finance Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 = 6:00 PM

Franklin Municipal Building

355 East Central Street, 2nd Floor Council Chambers

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments - 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 Finance Committee cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Finance Committee may ask town staff to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the town staff from correcting a misstatement of fact.

3. Approval of Minutes

a. December 10, 2025  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7934/3a-FinCom-Minutes-12102025-2

4. The Bill Dowd “Deep Dive Series”

a. Board of Assessors and Town Staff: The Economics of Development

b. Board of Assessors and Town Staff: Understanding Abatements, Exemptions and Overlay

5. FY2026 Capital

a. Capital Improvement Book & Breakdown of Free Cash  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8098/FY26-Capital-Improvement-Book

i. FY2025 Expenditures Analysis by Department  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8001/FY2025-Expenses-Analysis-Returns

ii. FY2025 Revenue Analysis by Department  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7997/FY2025-Revenue-Analysis-by-Department

b. Resolution 26-03 Stabilization Funds  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8087/26-03-Free-Cash-Stabilization-Transfers

c. Resolution 26-04 FY26 Capital Funds  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8088/26-04-Capital-Resolution

d. Resolution 26-05 Enterprise Funds  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8094/26-05-Capital-Resolution---Enterprise-Funds

6. Future Agenda Items / Next meeting Dates:

a. February 25, 2026 (Q2 Revenue Report and Year to Date expenditures)

b. March 11, 2026

c. April 6, 7, 8 & 9, 2026 Anticipated Finance Committee Budget Hearings

7. Finance Committee Member Comments

8. Adjourn

The agenda doc contains remote participation info -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01142026-2089 

Franklin, MA: Agenda for the Finance Committee
Meeting scheduled Jan 14 at 6 PM

A century of service versus 350 days - "The cups don't lie"

A century of service versus 350
days - "The cups don't lie"

"This video uses visual math to compare presidential wealth gains while in office only. Each cup represents $10 million. One stack shows the combined wealth growth of U.S. presidents from Calvin Coolidge forward, across an entire century of leadership. The other shows what one president accumulated in a single year. Same scale. Same units. No spin. This isn’t about party or personality — it’s about standards. Public office was never meant to be a personal revenue stream. Look at the cups. Draw your own conclusion."

video link -> https://sullydawg.com/video/35b9434c-d2b8-4511-a888-3579f2365b2c

Insights on the new Body Fit Training fitness studio in Franklin (audio)

FM #1602 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1602 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with the ownership team for the Body Fit Training fitness studio here in Franklin. We had our discussion in the studio after the sessions were completed for Saturday, November 29, 2025. 

 

We started with a round of introductions and their role in the development (in order of introduction)

• 

  (L-R) Steve, Tom, Bethany, KP,  Patrick

  KP (Kerry) Peterson

• Bethany Gerry

• Tom Gerry

• Patrick Murphy

Our conversation covers 

• The path to opening, idea, research, decision…

• Open 4 months now, membership continues to grow

• Science based approach to training, progressive 8-10 week planned sessions

• BFT proprietary technology used to inform the training (heart rate monitor, eVolt scan)

• Coaches and members make this a “happy place”

• Want to participate? sign up for a free session to check it out

The recording runs about 40 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio recording -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1602-body-fit-training-studio-11-29-25/

Note: You hear in the recording that I am a member of the studio and on my journey to better fitness. This recording is part of my overall business and cultural discussions to share with the community.

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

BFT Franklin ->  https://www.bodyfittraining.com/location/franklin-village 

Sign up for first lesson ->  link to sign up for a free session

Instagram ->  https://www.instagram.com/bft_franklinvillage/ 

Recording with Bethany Gerry of Dec 2024 ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/12/bethany-shares-lessons-from-her-olympic.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"