Economic Development Subcommittee considers updates to a revised sidewalk snow removal bylaw (Audio)

FM #1041 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1041 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. 

Chair: M Hamblen, C Frongillo, P Sheridan, G Jones (absent)

Town Administration: J Hellen, B Taberner

Brief recap

• The previous sidewalk snow removal bylaw was repealed as unenforceable in 2017

• The sidewalks covered by the Town in their snow removal plan have not been updated in years

• Small sections were discussed and proposed to add to the Town removal coverage (along 140 near the Westerly Apts., the East/West Streets neighborhood, the Alpine/Milliken neighborhood)

• Discussion on the parameters for clearing, when to have completed, etc. were reviewed, also the need for marketing and education to build a culture of "we can do this" and take care of the neighbors who are unable to do so.

• The Town staff will work on the revisions as discussed, basic text of the prior bylaw is a good start to work with, add the map (new areas), etc.

• Motion to adjourn

The recording runs 57 minutes, so let’s listen to the Economic Development Subcmte discussion on Aug 16, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1041-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-08-16-23

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

Meeting agenda =>    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2023-08-16_edc_agenda_.pdf

My notes ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/12loCjrT1sEa9Gfc9Y4gSrauJJohznz_q/view?usp=drive_link

Meeting video ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/v0pTxjdGlIo

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

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"

taken in 2017 on a walk Sunday morning, approx. 12 hours after the storm ended

Economic Development Subcommittee considers updates to a revised sidewalk snow removal bylaw (video)

Three of the four Economic Development Subcommittee members met on Wednesday as scheduled before the full Town Council meeting to hear about possible revisions to a sidewalk snow removal bylaw.

Chair Melanie Hamblen, Cobi Frongillo, Patrick Sheridan, Glenn Jones (absent)

Brief recap

• The previous bylaw was repealed as unenforceable in 2017
• The sidewalks covered by the Town in their snow removal plan have not been updated in years
• Small sections were discussed and proposed to add tot he Town removal coverage (along 140 near the Westerly Apts., the East/West Streets neighborhood, the Alpine/Milliken neighborhood)
• Discussion on the parameters for clearing, when to have completed, etc. were reviewed, also the need to marketing and education to build a cultural of "we can do this" and take care of the neighbors who are unable to do so.
• The Town staff will work on the revisions as discussed, basic text of the prior bylaw is a good start to work with, add the map (new areas), etc.
• Motion to adjourn

Franklin TV video of the session is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/v0pTxjdGlIo

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting canbe found in one PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12loCjrT1sEa9Gfc9Y4gSrauJJohznz_q/view?usp=drive_link

taken in 2017 on a walk Sunday morning, approx. 12 hours after the storm ended

Economic Development & Town Council Meetings - Weds, August 16

Economic Development Subcommittee 

Agenda & Meeting Packet

August 16, 2023 - 5:45 PM

You may access the agenda and links for the meeting here:    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2023-08-16_edc_agenda_.pdf

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

August 16, 2023 - 7 PM

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_aug_16_2023.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for August 16, 2023 Meeting

Economic Development Subcommittee - August 16, 2023 at 5:45 PM

Economic Development Subcommittee 

Agenda & Meeting Packet

August 16, 2023 - 5:45 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

Agenda:

1. Review proposed sidewalk snow removal bylaw

a. Staff Memo, Draft Map & Packet  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/snow_removal_bylaw.pdf

You may access the agenda and links for the meeting here:    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2023-08-16_edc_agenda_.pdf

taken in 2017 on a walk Sunday morning, approx. 12 hours after the storm ended

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

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

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)

Economic Development Subcommittee previews the branding & marketing multiyear plan - June 21, 2023 (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee met on June 21, 2023 beginning at 5:53 PM. The Franklin TV recording of the meeting is available for viewing ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/xF310S39Bw8

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)

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

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

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

Economic Development Subcommittee hears of grants for Nu-Style clean up, discusses GR 5 & cannabis overlap zoning modification (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee met on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 (prior to the Town Council meeting) and covered three key items as follows:

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 

Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda for June 7, 2023  Meeting at 5:45 PM

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

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

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 

Note: the twice monthly Design Review meetings are usually scheduled for the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays each month. I personally haven’t been able to attend as this schedule conflicts with the School Committee meetings.

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

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"

The Franklin For All series continues with a discussion on Design Review - 05/30/23 (audio)