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 *
Sunday, August 13, 2023
Economic Development & Town Council Meetings - Weds, August 16
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Economic Development Subcommittee - August 16, 2023 at 5:45 PM
1. Review proposed sidewalk snow removal bylawa. Staff Memo, Draft Map & Packet https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/snow_removal_bylaw.pdf
taken in 2017 on a walk Sunday morning, approx. 12 hours after the storm ended |
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Economic Development Subcommittee previews the branding & marketing multiyear plan - June 21, 2023 (audio)
FM #1018 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1018 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
Attending: Chair M Hamblen, C Frongillo, G Jones, P Sheridan, Town Administration: J Hellen, L Rivera, J Jacobson, B Taberner, A Love
The branding and marketing plan as drafted by Julie Jacobson & Lily Rivera was previewed with the Subcommittee. Utilization of 2 grants to provide funding for consultant work to develop the brand is incorporated into this multi year effort.
Implementation costs may be minimized for office stationary as the new letterheads, etc. can get integrated upon restocking. How the branding is implemented across the signs and vehicles remains to be determined and will have a cost factor.
The recording runs 34 minutes, so let’s listen to the Economic Development Subcmte discussion on June 21, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1018-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-06-21-23
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Meeting agenda =>
https://www.franklinma.gov/economic-development-subcommittee/agenda/june-21-2023-edc-meeting-agenda
My notes -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QHhMhnwr3_y_TMLrqQskm2An80ytHjZ1/view?usp=drive_link
Meeting video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/xF310S39Bw8
--------------
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"
Economic Development Subcommittee previews the branding & marketing multiyear plan - June 21, 2023 (audio) |
Thursday, June 22, 2023
Economic Development Subcommittee previews the branding & marketing multiyear plan - June 21, 2023 (video)
You may access the agenda and links for the meeting here: https://www.franklinma.gov/economic-development-subcommittee/agenda/june-21-2023-edc-meeting-agenda
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/economic-development-subcommittee-june-21st-2023
Economic Development Subcommittee previews the branding & marketing multiyear plan - June 21, 2023 (video) |
Sunday, June 11, 2023
Economic Development Subcmte hears of grant for Nu-Style clean up, discusses GR 5 & cannabis overlap zoning modification (audio)
FM #1007 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1007 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee held on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 in the Council Chambers with all 4 members participating in the Council Chambers.
Quick recap:
Nu-Style property now has $600K from two sources; $100K from ARPA funds, and a new grant received for $500K. Thanks to Brian Taberner who has continued to write for grants for this brownfield project and persisted in that effort
General residential zoning changes initially proposed to increase the impervious coverage for the property and for the property plus parking would be increased as well as reducing the setbacks required for multi-family
Discussion around what percent the amounts should be, was currently, initially proposed to increase to 35, 45.
Amendment to change to 50, 60, second; after discussion amendment revised to be 45,55, seconded, passes 3-1 (Jones no)
Recommendations as amended to move to the Council, passes unanimous 4-0
Cannabis overlay district; this is literally only a house cleaning of the map itself, nothing else in the bylaw changes. As businesses changed, this allowed for other changes with restrictions removed
The recording of the meeting runs just under 1 hour. audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1007-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-06-07-23
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The agenda doc also includes remote participation info ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/edc_meeting_agenda_-_june_7_2023.pdf
Franklin TV YouTube video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/UbMxtOXP6ms?feature=share
My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting (in 1 PDF file)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZCa5NThqjXcxviE57inxIZMM7ycfnT9B/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"
Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda for June 7, 2023 Meeting at 5:45 PM |
Saturday, June 10, 2023
Economic Development Subcommittee hears of grants for Nu-Style clean up, discusses GR 5 & cannabis overlap zoning modification (video)
Quick recap:
Nu-Style property now has $600K to support its clean up from two sources; $100K from ARPA funds, and a new grant received for $500K. Thanks to Brian Taberner who has continued to write for grants for this brownfield project and persisted in that effort
General residential 5 (GR 5) zoning changes initially proposed to increase the impervious coverage for the property and for the property plus parking would be increased as well as reducing the setbacks required for multi-family
Discussion around what percent the amounts should be, was currently, initially proposed to increase to 35, 45.
Amendment to change to 50, 60, second; after discussion amendment revised to be 45,55, seconded, passes 3-1 (Jones no)
Recommendations as amended to move to the Council, passes unanimous 4-0
Cannabis overlay district; this is literally only a house cleaning of the map itself, nothing else in the bylaw changes. As businesses changed, this allowed for other changes with restrictions removed
Franklin TV YouTube video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/UbMxtOXP6ms?feature=share
The agenda doc also includes remote participation info ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/edc_meeting_agenda_-_june_7_2023.pdf
My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting (in 1 PDF file)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZCa5NThqjXcxviE57inxIZMM7ycfnT9B/view?usp=drive_link
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
The Franklin For All series continues with a discussion on Design Review - 05/30/23 (audio)
FM #1005 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1005 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the housing and zoning discussion with Brad Chafee, Melanie Hamblen, Cobi Frongillo, and Sam Williams. Most of us were in the Franklin TV Studio on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. Cobi joined us via the Zoom conference bridge.
Consider this a continuation of the downtown zoning discussion from the “Franklin For All” project which is underway with review and discussion at the Economic Development Subcommittee Plus meetings that Melanie Chairs and for which Cobi is Vice-Chair.
We were joined by Sam Williams for this session to include his insights as the Vice-Chair of the Design Review Commission.
The conversation centered on design aspects of the ongoing Franklin For All discussion. Design Review had come up in a couple of the prior sessions so we decided to spend some time on it here with Sam.
The recording of our conversation on zoning runs about 58 minutes. Let’s listen in. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1005-franklin-for-all-7-talks-about-design-review-05-30-23
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The collection of Franklin For All zoning discussions can be found here ->
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/franklin-for-all-housing-zoning-podcast.html
Design Review page https://www.franklinma.gov/design-review-commission
Design Review Guidelines (established in 2005) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/guidelines.pdf
Design Review Best Practices (as updated in 2016) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/best_development_guidebook_sept_2016_1.pdf
Sign guidelines mentioned but more likely to be part of a future discussion
https://www.franklinma.gov/design-review-commission/pages/sign-guidelines
--------------
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"
Meeting schedule reminders: Board of Health, Economic Development, & Town Council
Monday, June 5, 2023
Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda for June 7, 2023 Meeting at 5:45 PM
a. Staff Memo & Draft Zoning amendment
a. Staff Memo & Draft Map
Friday, May 5, 2023
Economic Development Subcmte reviews and sets priorities for remainder of year (audio)
FM #989 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 989 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 in the Council Chambers with all 4 members participating in the Council Chambers.
Quick recap:
Healthy discussion on the next steps for each of the outstanding remaining goals on the list:
40r was the #1 priority for MAPC, within which the specified design standards and dimensional standards (lot coverage, stories, setbacks, etc.) really need to be addressed whether we do 40r or not
Shared parking policy (maybe some incentives to entice coordination for private space)
Review sidewalk snow removal bylaw (review map put together by Brutus)
Research changes to the home occupation business bylaw (interested in but will take time to do properly)
Review the marijuana overlay district (some adjustments needed, Kenwood Circle, Amgeo on Washington St, etc.)
Review the cell phone tower overlay district and consider a 5G local permitting bylaw (maybe just research required)
Resulting priorities
GR 5 impervious coverage
Cannabis overlay district
Design stuff - Barrette contract product output
Snow removal on sidewalks (Brutus’ map)
The recording of the meeting runs just under 1 hour.
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-989-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-05-03-23
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The agenda doc also includes remote participation info ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2023-05-03_edc_agenda__0.pdf
Franklin TV YouTube video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/IEFqlGhx-ho
My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting (in 1 PDF file)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ROvOLHRTDdYrqJ49AYdRk6S7naue3Ylb/view?usp=share_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"