Sponsored by Concerts on the Common. Donations to help with this and the Town Common decorations are appreciated. Checks can be mailed to
"Concerts on the Common"
PO Box 92
Franklin, MA 02038
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 *
Sponsored by Concerts on the Common. Donations to help with this and the Town Common decorations are appreciated. Checks can be mailed to
"Concerts on the Common"
PO Box 92
Franklin, MA 02038
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| Franklin Fire Dept Press Release on Response to Maple St Fire Nov 1 |
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| Members of the Franklin Fire Dept receive recognition of "recent life saving skills on a critical call" |
FM #1560 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1560 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. The agenda was the same as the one published for Oct 15 which was not held and rescheduled for the 22nd. All 9 of the members of the committee were present in Council Chambers for this session.
Quick recap:
The recent Fire Dept promotions were sworn in. The promotions show the domino effect of the retirement of Chief McLaughlin. Charles (Chuck) Allen moved up from Battalion Chief to Fire Chief, Sean Lovely took Chuck's former role as Battalion Chief, and Jaden Brodeur took Sean's former role as Lieutenant. Photos of the swearing in and pinning by family members can be viewed in one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/g3Y1X5Emuspooz6g6
The Franklin's 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee was appointed after first voting to increase the size of the committee that was initially scoped and authorized
The 2025 Election Workers were approved as submitted by Town Clerk Nancy Danello
A public hearing on a New Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Bassam Michael as the Manager - BMRG LLC d/b/a Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub was conducted and the changes were voted in as approved.
The public hearing on Multiple modifications of a Section 15 Package Store All Alcoholic Beverages License: Change of License Manager, Change of Officers/Directors & Change of Stock - Dharma Bhakti Corporation d/b/a Liquor World was continued to Oct 29. The principals involved were ready for the original Oct 15 session but unable to meet the rescheduled date
Alan Earls, Historical Commission Chair presented an overview of the ideas for the Historical Museum 2.0 https://photos.app.goo.gl/rSGBDkPJPKgSaKFe9
An overview of the Historic District Commission Process should the Town decide to go forward with one was presented by Will Lee, Historical Commission Member & Rowan Lowell, Town Archivist https://photos.app.goo.gl/qkaVaRd9w3Anh3Nv6
Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator provided an update on the status of Town Council & Town Administrator 2024-2025 Goals. A new set of goals will be determined by the next Council. https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7172/8c-2024-2025-Town-Council-and-Town-Administration-Goals---Oct-2025
Two resolutions were approved to process a State grant to fund the Franklin Stormwater Asset Management Plan
A brief hurrah was heard after the approval of the Adoption of the Schmidt Farm and Maple Hill Master Plans
Approval of Sewer System Map & Water System Map changes for Symphony Dr
The Collection Containers bylaw was approved. The Elks in this case but any non-profit would have a collection container on their property with authorization from this bylaw
Two measure to authorize Residential Commercial Kitchens for locations that are on septic systems (not Town sewer) were approved as an enhancement for economic development of small businesses
A set of 6 bylaws were approved as amended to create the Crossing Neighborhood Zoning District. Councilor Frongillo recused himself for the discussion and votes as his father owns a business in the proposed (now authorized) district
Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided an update that the Department of Conservation and Recreation would like to help fund the work to extend the SNETT to the Crossing Neighborhood District.
The recording runs about 4 hours & 12 minutes (the brief recess for fire dept photos was left out of the audio).
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1560-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-10-22-25/--------------
Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SdsqXbknGQ
Meeting agenda contains remote participation info ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10152025-1953
My full set of notes captured during the meeting can be found in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P7VMhEm04zewpCdXxAIVjqtoL8S7gzix/view?usp=drive_link
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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!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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| Franklin Fire Dept gets training on thermal imaging |
This week each group received an in depth presentation on thermal imagers by Bob Athanas from Safe-IR.
Shared from -> https://t.co/F8TUirqtx7
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/228/Job-Opportunities
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| Fire Dept hiring to backfill open positions |
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| Franklin Fire Dept announce receipt of FEMA grant for training |
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| Sign up for the next FREE hands-only CPR class scheduled for Oct 22 |
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| Annual Fire Dept Open House scheduled for Saturday, Oct 4, 2025 |
Historical Commission Meeting
Wednesday, September 10 Time: 6:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09102025-1906