"Come join us for our Open House on October 21st! https://t.co/KCFJQAL7VT"
Franklin Fire schedules Open House for Oct 21 from 10 AM to 2 PM
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 *
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Franklin Fire schedules Open House for Oct 21 from 10 AM to 2 PM
Monday, October 2, 2023
Massachusetts Department of Fire Services: fire prevention week Oct 1 to Oct 7
"Thank you to @massgovernor for designating Oct. 1-7 as #FirePreventionWeek!
This year's theme is "Cooking Safety Starts with You: Pay Attention to Fire Prevention."
#DYK unsafe cooking is the #1 cause of fires & fire injuries in Massachusetts?
Learn more: https://t.co/JfkssyJRmZ"
Shared from -> https://t.co/sdVikdG1ph
Massachusetts Department of Fire Services: fire prevention week Oct 1 to Oct 7 |
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Town Council hears about Dean College, views Fire promotions, gets updates on Tri-County & migrant status (audio)
FM #1060 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1060 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. 8 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers; Frongillo participated remotely, hence all votes were via roll call.
Quick recap:
APPOINTMENTS
a. Design Review Commission - i. Andrew Pratt
b. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - i. Jayaprabha Vijayaraghavan
Both appointments were approved via 9-0 votes
c. Fire Department - New Employee - i. Jack Lennon: Firefighter/Paramedic
d. Fire Department - Promotions
• Thomas Konieczny: Battalion Chief
• Paul Molla: Captain
• Laurie Kaye: EMS Captain
• Matthew Kelly: Lieutenant
• Michael Berthiaume: Lieutenant
• Jonathan Chalk: Lieutenant
The Fire Dept had a bunch of promotions and one new hire to swear in and recognize. The promotions are competitive and occurred over time as other members left or retired creating a domino effect, hence they were batched to be all done at once. Photo album of the ceremony can be found -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/j98XmZmpzjsg5vGZ6
Dean College Update - Ken Elmore, President of Dean College
President Elmore provided a brief update with highlights from the past year, work underway, and still working on better integration of the college within the community and the community within the college.
Tri-County Regional Vocational School Financing
The MSBA provided formal approval of the building project committing about $90M towards the $283M total cost, leaving approx. $200M to be funded by the 11 communities sending students. The 11 communities will vote as one entity n Oct 24 to approve the project. A 50+1 percent is required for approval. The funding for the Franklin portion of the project is likely to be $2.1M per year for 30 years, so it will likely be a separate vote for a debt exclusion, possibly as early as the November election. Stay tuned for additional info. The Tri-County School Committee will be sharing info on the project advocating for it's passage.
LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-898: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements - Second Reading
b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-899: Marijuana Use Overlay District, A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map - Second Reading
Both the second readings of the above bylaws were approved with 9-0 votes
c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-901: A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map
This measure was referred to the Planning Board and will come back to the Council for further action at a future meeting
d. Resolution 23-49: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with County of Plymouth for County of Plymouth to Provide Parking Ticket Computerization and Processing Services to Franklin
The intermunicipal agreement was approved by a 9-0 vote. An interesting way to combine services and save money in so doing.
e. Resolution 23-50: Acceptance of Private Road Covenant with Owner-Developer of Prospect Hills Estates with Access Road Off Prospect Street
The private road covenant was approved by a 9-0 vote. This means the Town of Franklin will not maintain the road.
f. Resolution 23-51: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($1,525)
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT - Migrant Housing Update
The recording runs 2 hours and 30 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on Sep 6, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1060-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-09-06-23
--------------
Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided an update. This audio segment of the meeting was shared separately. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant.html
The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/lUOJJj5hec8?si=IUzMbo_9nNGYa59y&t=194
My full set of notes captured via Twitter during the meeting are collected in a single PDF for easier reading https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_Go0RhESjzP4F3KWutGqZ-kxO3-Fdn0l/view?usp=drive_link
Town Council agenda doc ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_9.6.23.pdf
--------------
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"
Sunday, September 10, 2023
This Town Council Quarterbacking session recaps the Sep 6 meeting including the migrant status update (audio)
FM #1057 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1057 in the series.
This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England, this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of September 6, 2023:
ok, what just happened?
What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?
We cover the following key topics
APPOINTMENTS
a. Design Review Commission - i. Andrew Pratt
b. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - i. Jayaprabha Vijayaraghavan
c. Fire Department - New Employee - i. Jack Lennon: Firefighter/Paramedic
d. Fire Department - Promotions
• Thomas Konieczny: Battalion Chief
• Paul Molla: Captain
• Laurie Kaye: EMS Captain
• Matthew Kelly: Lieutenant
• Michael Berthiaume: Lieutenant
• Jonathan Chalk: Lieutenant
Dean College Update - Ken Elmore, President of Dean College
Tri-County Regional Vocational School Building project and expected votes to (1) approve and (2) approve of the financing for it
LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-898: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements - Second Reading
b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-899: Marijuana Use Overlay District, A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map - Second Reading
c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-901: A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-901 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)
d. Resolution 23-49: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with County of Plymouth for County of Plymouth to Provide Parking Ticket Computerization and Processing Services to Franklin
e. Resolution 23-50: Acceptance of Private Road Covenant with Owner-Developer of Prospect Hills Estates with Access Road Off Prospect Street
f. Resolution 23-51: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($1,525)
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT - Migrant Housing Update
Our conversation runs about 49 minutes. Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Sep 7, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1057-town-council-quarterbacking-09-07-23
--------------
The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/lUOJJj5hec8?si=IUzMbo_9nNGYa59y&t=194
My full set of notes captured via Twitter during the meeitng are collected in a single PDF for easier reading -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_Go0RhESjzP4F3KWutGqZ-kxO3-Fdn0l/view?usp=drive_link
Town Council agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_9.6.23.pdf
The Town Administrator Report audio segment of the meeting was shared separately. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant.html
--------------
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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
This Town Council Quarterbacking session recaps the Sep 6 meeting including the migrant status update (audio) |
Saturday, September 9, 2023
Town Council hears about Dean College, views Fire promotions, gets updates on Tri-County & migrant status (video)
APPOINTMENTSa. Design Review Commission - i. Andrew Prattb. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - i. Jayaprabha Vijayaraghavan
Both appointments were approved via 9-0 votes
c. Fire Department - New Employee - i. Jack Lennon: Firefighter/Paramedicd. Fire Department - Promotions• Thomas Konieczny: Battalion Chief• Paul Molla: Captain• Laurie Kaye: EMS Captain• Matthew Kelly: Lieutenant• Michael Berthiaume: Lieutenant• Jonathan Chalk: Lieutenant
The Fire Dept had a bunch of promotions and one new hire to swear in and recognize. The promotions are competitive and occurred over time as other members left or retired creating a domino effect, hence they were batched to be all done at once. Photo album of the ceremony can be found -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/j98XmZmpzjsg5vGZ6
Dean College Update - Ken Elmore, President of Dean College
President Elmore provided a brief update with highlights from the past year, work underway, and still working on better integration of the college within the community and the community within the college.
Tri-County Regional Vocational School Financing
The MSBA provided formal approval of the building project committing about $90M towards the $283M total cost, leaving approx. $200M to be funded by the 11 communities sending students. The 11 communities will vote as one entity n Oct 24 to approve the project. A 50+1 percent is required for approval. The funding for the Franklin portion of the project is likely to be $2.1M per year for 30 years, so it will likely be a separate vote for a debt exclusion, possibly as early as the November election. Stay tuned for additional info. The Tri-County School Committee will be sharing info on the project advocating for it's passage.
LEGISLATION FOR ACTIONa. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-898: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements - Second Readingb. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-899: Marijuana Use Overlay District, A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map - Second Reading
Both the second readings of the above bylaws were approved with 9-0 votes
c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-901: A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map
This measure was referred to the Planning Board and will come back to the Council for further action at a future meeting
d. Resolution 23-49: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with County of Plymouth for County of Plymouth to Provide Parking Ticket Computerization and Processing Services to Franklin
The intermunicipal agreement was approved by a 9-0 vote. An interesting way to combine services and save money in so doing.
e. Resolution 23-50: Acceptance of Private Road Covenant with Owner-Developer of Prospect Hills Estates with Access Road Off Prospect Street
The private road covenant was approved by a 9-0 vote. This means the Town of Franklin will not maintain the road.
f. Resolution 23-51: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($1,525)
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT - Migrant Housing Update
Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided an update. This audio segment of the meeting was shared separately. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant.html
Town Council agenda doc ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_9.6.23.pdf
Ken Elmore, President of Dean College |
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Franklin's finest "Touch a Truck" event scheduled for Saturday, Oct 14 from 10 AM to 2 PM
Sunday, August 20, 2023
Franklin Fire shares tornado safety tips
"Tornado Safety tips from :
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/tornado-safety-tips"
Franklin Fire shares tornado safety tips |
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Town of Franklin, MA: Registration is open for a FREE Hands Only CPR class Aug 16 - 4 PM
The Franklin Health Department & @FranklinMAFire are teaming up to offer a FREE Hands Only CPR class on 8/16/2023 at 4pm.
Spots are limited! This class is for educational purposes only & participants will not receive a CPR certification.
Sign up here: https://t.co/06KR0inYZc
Shared from -> https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1686084196287086592
Town of Franklin, MA: Registration open for a FREE Hands Only CPR class Aug 16 - 4 PM |
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Making Sense of Climate: Ted & I talk emergency preparedness with Chief McLaughlin (audio)
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist via the Zoom conference bridge Thursday, July 27, 2023.
In this episode we welcome Town of Franklin (ToF) Fire Chief James McLaughlin. The Chief is also the ToF Emergency Management Director. Given the headlines and climate weather related emergencies around us, it was a good time to talk about Franklin’s planning efforts. Links to the articles we talk of are located in a section below.
This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well.
If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.
The conversation runs about 42 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted McIntyre and Chief McLaughlin as we help ‘make sense of climate.’
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1030-making-sense-of-climate-29-07-27-23
--------------
Links to articles referenced:
Resources available on Town page https://www.franklinma.gov/fire-department/pages/emergency-preparedness
Hazard mitigation plan https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/franklin_ma_hazard_mitigation_plan_2020_update_-_adopted_01-06-21.pdf
Home emergency guide https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/home_emergency_guide_2018.pdf
The Mass Emergency Mgt Agency (MEMA) posted a reminder on important docs to have ready in an emergency (good timing!)
Mass Emergency Mgt Agency (MEMA) posted a reminder on important docs to have ready in an emergency (good timing!)
Not to be left out, the Federal Emergency Mgt Agency (FEMA - they must have been listening to us) just released a planning guide for working on climate change emergencies -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/19CHPJsmBN40DMKlBea9RKbqiE6lf_--G/view?usp=drive_link
** See the page that collects all the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html
--------------
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 www.franklin.news/ or www.Franklinmatters.org/
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"