Franklin Matters: goal

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"

Sunday, November 2, 2025

School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan condenses the recent meeting to about 25 mins (audio)

FM #1566 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1566 in the series.

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion via Zoom on Thursday, October 30, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap the School Committee meeting of October 28, 2025.

We cover

Recognition of Erin Gallagher & David McNeill not returning
Pledge students, a nice touch
Policy first readings

Graduation requirements
Competency determinations

Superintendent’s Goals, aligned with District’s Goals
October 1 report, enrollment trends

The meeting recap runs about 26 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1566-chalkboard-chat-10-30-25/

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net

Franklin TV video is available for replay ->

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtitdxM_a2A

The agenda doc ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10282025-1977

The packet folder also contains other docs released before or after the meeting

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/october-28%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/859754

My full set of notes in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-utM6sD6UggBNAMgWnQsG0g_lfmqo-on/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

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"

School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan condenses the recent meeting to about 25 mins (audio)

Friday, July 18, 2025

Economic Development Subcmte spends 3 hours in discussion on Wednesday (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee met on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 in the 3rd Floor Training room. 3 members were present and participated in the first agenda item. Once that was complete, the 4th member, Cobi Frongillo joined them for the remainder of the session. He had recused himself from the Crossing Neighborhood District discussion to avoid a conflict of interest. His father's business is located in that potential district.

Franklin TV video replay is available -> https://www.youtube.com/live/6hKdQIw9rpQ

The EDC agenda and supporting documents

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07162025-1818

Quick recap:

Item 1 - Crossing Neighborhood

TA Jamie Hellen provides the overview of the background on the proposal for the Crossing Neighborhood. Multiple zoning bylaws make up the "package" to work together. Direct link to the memo providing the overview https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6226/1a-DPCD-Memo---Crossing-Neighborhood-Zoning-District---71625
Hamblen looks at this as a "mini downtown commercial". She raises an issue on 3 family by right, J Halligan notes that the current bylaw actually includes the proper language; apparently in the draft, the section language got left out. It can be included (and should) without vote to modify this. An oversight on version control. This identifies a couple of updates to the online zoning codes as they were changed just not reflected in the current versions
After much discussion

Motion to amend 2.3 8a from no to planning board special permit Passes 3-0
Motion to move to Town council as amended, second passes 3-0

Item 2 - Use Variances

Discussion on Recommendation on eliminating “Use Variances” from the authority within the Zoning Board of Appeals
Discussion on elimination of use variance from approval by the ZBA, which in those cases tend to overstep their authority; the restriction was intentionally made by the zoning bylaws with PB and Council approval and then the ZBA can act on their own...
After much discussion, Motion to move to council for further discussion (Jones)
Not seconded, hence the move does not take place. There will be some discussion overall on this topic in a positive manner per Hamblen

Item 3 - update on World Cup

FIFA requirements will host the fan center in Boston. We arestill figuring out what we can do. Artificial Turf fields are not used by international games (Gilletteis redone with real grass for international games)
Lots of other events at the same time; Highland games, Tall Ships, etc
Marketing via MetroWest on the benefits of Franklin. Hotel outreach, transportation planning needed; Porchfest, 4th of July also in similar time frames... Found in Franklin market for goods, crafts

Item 4 - EDC goals

On the one hand, given the length of the meeting and discussions there seemed little interest in this item; only one member Frongillo was prepared with a short list of priorities
Recognition from TA Hellen that until B Taberner's replacement is hired, there is very little staff to do the additional work

Motion to adjourn, passes 4-0

My full set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ME-F_qCpL61vAQz0NeBnFDIakEXX3mzO/view?usp=drive_link

EDC discussion on first item (Frongillo recused)

Saturday, January 11, 2025

Economic Development Subcmte reviews and discusses priorities for the goals for this year (audio)

FM #1351 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1351 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 in Council Chambers. All 4 members of the subcommittee participated in Chambers (Hamblen, Sheridan, Frongillo & Chandler).

Quick recap

Goals update, discussion on setting what priorities there should be
Open Space plan not yet approved by State, comments sent back to Town and they will take time to adjust and incorporate
Round among the subcommittee as they shared their priorities, except for Chandler
After the round, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen - The Crossing and 40r would probably be best to start with. Home business, taking a reasonable step forward re: water and sewer. Current bylaws restrict auto and food prep from home use, as well as medical. At scale, it gets to be a problem for the infrastructure. Possible joint discussion with Board of Health, Health Dept, along with DPW to talk about the issues they see. Attempting to provide an overview to someone to answer "How does someone start a business, and what are the triggers for the growth steps?" How to ensure the property owner is responsible for their damage that could be caused
Frongillo comes back to offer his priority, (1) shared parking with initiatives/incentives, residential downtown parking permit, others do it; 19 Dean case for the managed shared parking - (2) downtown business use, a few minor exemptions would be good to look at to enable active store fronts (3) we stopped at downtown dimensions, didn't get into the frontage, setbacks, etc. which are a massive difference to enabling development; has drafted starting points for each of these 3 points
Per Jamie, If there are bylaw changes required, we would need to get those started by July in order to get those thru the process, before the Nov elections
Cycling back to the 40r discussion, a 40r draft was prepared a year or so ago, could be picked up from there

Motion to adjourn, passes 4-0

The recording of the meeting runs about 55 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1351-franklin-ma-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-01-08-25/

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

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n11fImC7CE4&t=126

The agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2025-01-8_edc_agenda.pdf

My full set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zpUk1_QkADUkb-iCbJGP9CKvXRx2yj-8/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. 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

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 Subcmte reviews and discusses priorities for the goals for this year (audio)

Thursday, January 9, 2025

Economic Development Subcmte reviews and discusses priorities for the goals for this year (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee met as scheduled Wednesday, January 8, 2025 in Council Chambers. All four members of the subcommittee met in Chambers.

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n11fImC7CE4&t=126 (Franklin Matters Radio will have the audio in a couple of days)

Follow along with the agenda https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2025-01-8_edc_agenda.pdf

Quick recap:

Goals update, discussion on setting what priorities there should be
Open Space plan not yet approved by State, comments sent back to Town and they will take time to adjust and incorporate
Round among the subcommittee as they shared their priorities, except for Chandler
After the round, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen - The Crossing and 40r would probably be best to start with. Home business, taking a reasonable step forward re: water and sewer. Current bylaws restrict auto and food prep from home use, as well as medical. At scale, it gets to be a problem for the infrastructure. Possible joint discussion with Board of Health, Health Dept, along with DPW to talk about the issues they see. Attempting to provide an overview to someone to answer "How does someone start a business, and what are the triggers for the growth steps?" How to ensure the property owner is responsible for their damage that could be caused
Frongillo comes back to offer his priority, (1) shared parking with initiatives/incentives, residential downtown parking permit, others do it; 19 Dean case for the managed shared parking - (2) downtown business use, a few minor exemptions would be good to look at to enable active store fronts (3) we stopped at downtown dimensions, didn't get into the frontage, setbacks, etc. which are a massive difference to enabling development; has drafted starting points for each of these 3 points
Per Jamie, If there are bylaw changes required, we would need to get those started by July in order to get those thru the process, before the Nov elections
Cycling back to the 40r discussion, a 40r draft was prepared a year or so ago, could be picked up from there

My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zpUk1_QkADUkb-iCbJGP9CKvXRx2yj-8/view?usp=drive_link

From the archives, prior discussion of 40r goes back to

40r, Dec 2022 - EDC Plus Mtg

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/economic-development-plus-cmte-mtg.html

40r (and home occupation) Oct 2023 - EDC Mtg

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/economic-development-cmte-hears-about.html

40r, Nov 2023 - EDC Mtg

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/11/economic-development-subcommittee.html