FM #1514 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1514 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, September 18, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of September 17, 2025.
We focus on two questions:
We cover the following key topics
Announcements from the Chair
2 Police Dept new hires effectively back filling for positions authorized within the reduced Police Dept staffing were sworn in and pinned by family members
2 public hearings were opened separately; one for the 2 commercial kitchen bylaws to enable the operation of a commercial kitchen within a residence if on septic (not on town sewer); and second, a set of 6 bylaws to create the Crossing Neighborhood zoning district. It would be similar to the Downtown zoning with a couple of exemptions. Councilor Frongillo recused himself from these discussions and votes as his father's business operates in the proposed zoning area
In legislation for action
all 8 of the zoning changes moved to a second reading
The Council voted to formalize the early in person voting schedule for the November election as announced
A couple of water & sewer extensions were approved
A definition of a collection container was accepted and authorized to extend the current use by religious organizations to non-profits, in particular the American Legion and VFW
A presentation on Solicitation Permits by Police Chief Thomas Lynch and Deputy Police Chief James West was made to provide some info on the process in response to an incident earlier this year.
In the Town Administrator's Report 2 key items were covered;
Qne - a series of personnel moves; B Taberner's replacement was announced, M Kinhart and M D'Angelo are retiring, Breeka Li Goodlander to return from pregnancy leave in mid-Oct;
Second - the Assessors revealed new growth will be about $271,000 shorter than projected earlier this year. This will need to be adjusted somehow before the tax rate hearing in Nov/Dec. It seems to be reflecting the slowdown in growth due to interest rates, uncertainty, and the 'nimby-factor', etc.
The conversation runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen in
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1514-town-council-quarterbacking-09-18-25/
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Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQsgBfKN8cY
The agenda and docs released for this session can be found
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09172025-1911
My notes in a single PDF can be found -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MNwWCGlCOgPnqbmMecTz5TqaesbmSt4z/view?usp=drive_link
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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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| Town Council Chair Tom Mercer condenses the 2+ hour meeting to about 35 minutes (audio) |
