📰 BEN's Bulletin: New Format, MBTA Communities

Key meetings, events, and resources!

BEN's Bulletin (07/08/24)   We've launched and now we're shaping up! This is the new format of our newsletter, where we'll be sharing information on key meetings, events, and resources. Please feel free to provide feedback. As always, we meet every THIRD THURSDAY at Franklin TV (unless otherwise noted). Our next meeting is July 18 at 7 PM. All are welcome! Our agenda and previous minutes will be shared in advance of the meeting. Key Agenda Items It'll be a relatively quiet season for meetings, but BEN's keeping an eye on MBTA Communities Act compliance and the Master Plan.  For live links and photos, see the items on our Google Doc. What We're Reading Starter homes begin with starter lots (Commonwealth Beacon) How Creative Design Can Turn Strict Zoning Codes Into Success Stories (Strong Towns) The senior struggle to age in community (Commonwealth Beacon) Reach out with any comments or questions. Thanks! The BEN Brigade Know someone else who may be interested in this content? Please share! Newsletter Sign Up Ben 4 Franklin, https://ben4franklin.org/ Send free email today

Master Plan Update Cmte conducts public hearing, gets feedback to consider (audio)

FM #1244 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1244 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Master Plan Update Committee Public Hearing held on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. 10 members participated, 9 in chambers, 1 remote (for a portion of session, she did join in person - Williams), 3 were absent (Gallagher, Hagen, Halligan).

Quick recap:

• Overview presentation coordinate by Chair Jones, and each subcommittee chair, before getting into the public portion

• Presentation doc was not included with the agenda very few (outside of the committee) likely had time to preview the goals before the session

• Good input from the multiple commenters both in person and participating remotely

• Next meeting for the committee scheduled for July 24 to incorporate the feedback from this session, and then begin work on the objectives (which have not yet been revealed) to assign them to responsible Town departments, etc.

The recording runs about 77 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1244-master-plan-update-cmte-public-hearing-07-10-24

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

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK0miWgTjaU 

Agenda doc  -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/master_plan_agenda_-_july_10_2024.docx.pdf    

Presentation doc ->  

https://www.franklinma.gov/master-plan-update-committee/files/draft-goals-presentation 

My notes in one PDF ->  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nF1FzxJfke50IOjftj5Xqum8QFtSDozP/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

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"

Master Plan Update Cmte conducts public hearing, gets feedback to consider (audio)

Davis Thayer Reuse Cmte wants to keep the building, lease the land, and do something for arts & culture (video)

The Davis Thayer Reuse Advisory Subcommittee met as scheduled on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 to complete their charge before their authorization expired on June 30.

The Franklin TV recording is available ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cruuseXmHqc

1. Expressions of Interest Presentations

a. 7:00 to 7:20 - Dean College combined with Camford Property Group  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/rei_davis_thayer_letter_of_interest_proposal_narrative_and_project_description_-_dean_college.pdf

b. 7:20 to 7:40 - Pennrose, LLC  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/pennrose.pdf

c. 7:40 to 8:00 - HFA and TMC Properties   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/tmc_hfa_davis_thayer_submission_email.pdf

2. Final Recommendation to the Town Council - the draft was revised to remove "if possible", change the date from Dec to June 30, change # of proposals from 4 to 3 and approved as amended. Other typos were to be sent to Town Administrator Jamie Hellen to include in the updated version. The amended version was approved via roll call vote (one member was remote) 9-0.

a. Draft Letter   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-06-26_davis-thayer_reuse_committee_recommendation.pdf

My notes can be found in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-v2wyKzAdoDYv68PiueotKmBFbdIeuLA/view?usp=drive_link

Davis Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee scheduled to meet Tuesday, June 25 at 7 PM

Upzone Update offers analysis of MBTA Community compliance efforts

"Upzone Update offers analysis of MBTA-C compliance efforts, produced by zoning expert Amy Dain and the staff of Boston Indicators. This week's article is by Amy Dain.

It has been an intense spring of zoning reform, as housing prices continue to escalate. The Upzone Update has been reporting on wins, opportunities, and also some disappointments.

Stay tuned for more editions of the Upzone Update due out in the fall, when votes on zoning reform will resume, and the SJC will hear the Milton case.

In the meantime, don’t hesitate to be in touch with your own insights and updates. Contact us at upzoneupdate@bostonindicators.org. 

Continue reading the recent update ->    https://mbtacommunities.bostonindicators.org/mbtac-its-all-in-the-details/ 

 

Upzone Update offers analysis of MBTA-C compliance efforts

Master Plan Update Cmte: Housing Subcommittee - June 18 at 5:15 PM

Housing Subcommittee

Event Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 - 5:15pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/housing_economic_development_subcommittee_-_06182024.pdf

 

 

Master Plan Update Cmte: Housing Subcommittee - June 18 at 5:15 PM

 

Master Plan Update Cmte struggles discussing mixed business vs. neighborhood, vs. village (video)

The Master Plan Update Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, May 29 commencing shortly after 6:30 PM. Chairperson Glenn Jones opened the meeting with members present and participating virtually and a few missing due to other Franklin commitments that night.

 

Quick recap:

• Subcommittee Reports - They did get through the round of updates from the subcommittee chairs (with 1 exception). Most had not met since the prior meeting anticipating a new meeting to review the discussion from tonight (later in the agenda) 
• Review Goals for each element - They started and deviated multiple times in the intersection around housing, economic development, transportation. (This is not unlike any other discussion in the general community around what it takes to make Franklin a better place.)
• Public Hearing - spent some time to reach consensus on the presentation for the public hearing scheduled for June 12. Sentiment to get the objectives that drive the goals out well in advance of the meeting didn't seem to reach consensus due to timing and to approach. Some wanted to get goals agreed to before getting into objectives, yet the objective help explain the goals. We'll wait and see what comes out before the meeting.

The Franklin TV video for this session -> https://www.youtube.com/live/0liwAaLsFzQ?si=Yfz4FnaSRASN95jn&t=101

The meeting agenda -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/master_plan_agenda_-may_29_2024.pdf

 

The Master Plan page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/master-plan-update-committee

 

My full set of notes captured during the meeting -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Suocmznpurt4aKQlVnEndcZWVaejaTFs/view?usp=drive_link

Master Plan Update Cmte struggles discussing mixed business vs. neighborhood, vs. village (video)