Electric Youth 2025 visit the Franklin TV Studio for a performance & conversation (audio)

FM #1479 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1479 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our conversation with Raye Lynn Mercer & Electric Youth 2025 in the Franklin TV studios on Tuesday, June 4, 2025.  

Key topics

• Performance of their new acapella number

• Their European tour

After Electric Youth returns from Europe, they are scheduled for a performance at the Farmers Market/Concerts on the Common on August 1. Be sure to stop by and catch their performance.

The recording runs about  24 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Raye Lynn & Electric Youth 2025   Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1479-electric-youth-2025-06-04-25/

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAPVZx9kqi4

Franklin School for Performing Arts ->  https://www.fspaonline.com/ 

You can also check out Electric Youth's webpage -> https://www.electricyouth.com/  

The "38 Years at 38 Main" audio interview mentioned can be found here

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/09/raye-lynn-mercer-shares-some-stories-of.html 

Performance of "[I've had] The Time of My Life"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAPVZx9kqi4

Community calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 

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

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"

A conversation with Raye Lynn Mercer & Electric Youth 2025 (video)

Before Electric Youth 2025 left for their European Tour, we had the opportunity for them to visit the Franklin TV Studio for a conversation and recording. We get to share the performance and discussion with you.

My thanks to Raye Lynn Mercer and Electric Youth and to the Franklin TV studio crew for the work recording and preparing the video to share.

Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH0YtOwSaok

After Electric Youth returns from Europe, they are scheduled for a performance at the Farmers Market/Concerts on the Common on August 1. Be sure to stop by and catch their performance.

You can also check out Electric Youth's webpage -> https://www.electricyouth.com/ 

The "38 Years at 38 Main" audio interview mentioned can be found here

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/09/raye-lynn-mercer-shares-some-stories-of.html

Town Council meeting audio split into 2 parts: Survey Says discussion & Everything but the survey (audio)

FM #1473-1474  This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1473-1474 in the series. 

This session (1473) shares “everything but” the Polco Community Survey results discussion of the Franklin (MA) Town Council on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. 8 of the members started the meeting in Council Chambers (1 arrived before the Executive Session started).  

• The meeting opens 

• Chief McLaughlin’s retirement announcement

• Citizen comments

• Electric Youth performance & proclamation

• Appointments, Farmers license for La Cantina Winery

• Legislation for action

• Council Comments

• Executive Session

• Approval of contracts

This session (1474) shares the Polco Community Survey results discussion during the Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

#1473 = The “everything but” survey discussion recording runs about 1.5 hours  

Audio link => https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1473-town-council-mtg-everything-but-survey-06-18-25/

#1474 = The survey discussion recording runs about 1 hour and 10 minutes

Audio link =>  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1474-town-council-mtg-survey-says-06-18-25/

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

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/RpRNbG1tXVw?&t=188 

Agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06182025-1788

Community Survey Report ->  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5956/8a-Polco-Survey-Final-Report

Presentation doc ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5945/Polco---The-NCS-Presentation-Franklin-MA-2025 

Town presentation doc by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5946/Town-of-Franklin---The-NCSPresentation 

All the details in the survey are posted on one Town page ->   https://franklinma.gov/974/National-Community-Survey

My complete set of notes captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bUOaCgv7a1pv5MHGIqweTwmKy2MkAEjW/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 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"

Town Council meeting audio split into 2 parts: Survey Says discussion & Everything but the survey (audio)

Electric Youth single released (audio)

Electric Youth single released (audio)

Available NOW on all streaming platforms!!!

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAPVZx9kqi4

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, June 20, 2025 ???

Friday, June 20

Library & Senior Center events

9:00am Fallen Hero: Edward A. Kelly (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

2:00pm Farmers Market (Franklin Town Common)

3:00pm The Jazz Quartet (live music) (Franklin Town Common)

7:30pm Jamie Barrett (live Music) (Bog Iron Brewing, Norton)

7:30pm Electric Youth 2025 Bon Voyage (THE BLACK BOX)

8:00pm Jennifer Tefft (live music) (Quarterdeck, Falmouth)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   

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

**  NO Town Meetings today   **

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

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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

Town Council hears of Chief McLaughlin retirement, Electric Youth performance, and approves union contracts (video)

The Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in the Council Chambers with 8 present initially and the 9 joined in progress.

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/RpRNbG1tXVw?&t=188

Agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06182025-1788

Electric Youth made their annual 'bon voyage' appearance to perform an a cappella number

Quick recap:

• Fire Chief McLaughlin reads statement announcing his retirement on or before Oct 1, 2025. He lists the accomplishments of his time here including that the Department has multiple qualified candidates to replace him. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen confirms later in the meeting that the position posting will be for internal candidates only.
• Electric Youth made their annual 'bon voyage' appearance to perform an a cappella number fittingly "Time of my Life" from the Dirty Dancing movie
• Appointment to the Council on Aging: Elizabeth Sawyer, approved
• Appointment to the Disability Commission: Cheryl Fisher, approved
• La Cantina was approved for their Farmers Market license
• The Community Survey results were released and explained. Results can be compared with over 500 communities. Good response rate, among the best at 20%, effectively a better representation of the sense of the community with the random sample selection. Paid via Federal grant money as a pilot program. No definitive timeline for a next survey. Likely a discussion later this year on what the results can be used for
• Report ->  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5956/8a-Polco-Survey-Final-Report
• Presentation doc ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5945/Polco---The-NCS-Presentation-Franklin-MA-2025
• Town presentation doc by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5946/Town-of-Franklin---The-NCSPresentation
• All the details in the survey are posted on one Town page ->   https://franklinma.gov/974/National-Community-Survey
• Motion made and approved to create the Franklin 250 Celebration Committee. Up to 13 members with some specific representation and some at large residents, Term thru June 30, 2029. Plan the year long celebration, engaging, calendar, programs, access, etc. The committee needs to be of people who are willing to do the work. Town staff as ex officio to assist the committee, the committee needs to do the work. Discussion on council membership in "at large role"
• Resolution 25-39: FY25 Budget Transfers. Balancing the books better before they close out June 30. Out of $150m budget balancing on $40k is amazing
• Councilor Cormier-Leger arrives at 9:25 PM. Council enters Executive Session shortly after to discuss contract negotiation.  They returned approx. 15 minutes later to approve 7 motions certifying the contract with Town side bargaining units. All received the same 2.5% COLA that the School teachers agreed to, for a 3 year term.
• Meeting adjourned

My complete set of notes captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bUOaCgv7a1pv5MHGIqweTwmKy2MkAEjW/view?usp=drive_link

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, June 19, 2025 ???

Thursday, June 19 = Juneteenth

8:30am State & Town Officials Office Hour (CANCELED)

5:00pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)

7:00pm 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting (First Universalist Society Franklin)

7:00pm BEN 4 Franklin Mtg (This session canceled)

7:30pm Musical Bingo (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

7:30pm Electric Youth 2025 Bon Voyage (THE BLACK BOX)

**  NO Town Meetings today   **

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

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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

Electric Youth tour of Europe 2025

Electric Youth tour of Europe 2025

The Electric Youth head off to tour Europe. Before they do, you have a few chances to catch a performance.

• Town Council meeting June 18
• THE BLACK BOX, June 19 & 20 at 7:30 PM  https://theblackboxonline.com/electric-youth-2025-bon-voyage/

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DK2REYtuv5B/