What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, February 13, 2025 ???

Thursday, February 13

2:30pm FHS Theatre Company clothing drive - drop off (Franklin High School) 

4:30pm Valentine Craft (Grade K -5) (Franklin High School)

5pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)

5:30pm Teen Chocolate Around the World Tasting (Franklin Public Library)

6pm Country Line Dancing (Lifelong Learning Class starts) (JF Kennedy Elementary school)

6pm Valentine Craft (Grades 6-8) (Franklin High School)

6:30pm Galentine's Day (Pour Richard's Wine & Provisions)

7pm Franklin Cultural District Committee (Franklin Historical Museum)

7pm Galentine's Charcuterie Party! (La Cantina Winery)

7pm Karaoke (La Cantina Winery)

**   Town Meetings today   **

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meetings            2:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02132025-1572 

Cultural District Committee Meeting            7:00 PM

No agenda at this time

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting (No meeting scheduled)    7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02132025-1538 

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Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Abundant Housing MA schedules 2 events; 1 features Building Equitable Neighborhoods for Franklin (BEN 4 Franklin)

Looking for ways to connect with other pro-housing advocates? Join us next week!

Upcoming Events   New Year, New Housing: How to Start a Pro-Housing Group in Your Community. Eager to advocate for more housing where you live?  Maybe this is the year to start your own pro-housing group to make your local community a welcoming and inclusive place!   Abundant Housing Massachusetts and Welcoming Neighbors Network are excited to release a ten page guide on how to build a new pro-housing group in your town or city. Join our online launch event Tuesday, February 25, 2025 from  7 – 8 pmET [6 pm CT// 5 pm MT// 4 pm PT// 3 pm AKST// 2 pm HST].   Join us to learn about the different steps to forming a group detailed in the new guide — finding and recruiting new members, developing leaders, crafting a mission, developing a structure, taking action to pass local pro housing policies, and more.  Join the founders of Building Equitable Neighborhoods (BEN) 4 Franklin and Norwood For All who will share their journeys of how they formed successful groups from the ground up.  Q & A to follow a brief panel presentation.   If you are part of a state-wide organization looking to support nascent pro-housing groups in different cities and towns, this event is also for you! Please join to learn more about the guide and how you can use it to support groups emerging across your state. Register Today!  Boston Pro-Housing Mixer Abundant Housing Massachusetts and Dorchester Growing Together are teaming up to host an exciting Pro-Housing Mixer at Dorchester Brewing Company on February 27th —and you're invited! Come share ideas about how we can work together to build more homes in our communities. Whether you're a seasoned housing advocate or just passionate about creating a more inclusive, accessible Massachusetts, this is the place to be! Enjoy delicious catering from the renowned M&M BBQ, bringing you mouth-watering, locally inspired flavors that pair perfectly with a cold pint of DBCO's finest brews. It's an evening for making new connections, engaging in meaningful conversations, and—of course—having fun while advocating for the future of housing in Massachusetts. Whether you're interested in zoning reform, affordable housing, or just love meeting like-minded people, we can't wait to see you there. Mark your calendar, bring a friend (or two!), and let's make some noise for better housing policy in Dorchester and beyond! Register below! Register Today!   Abundant Housing Massachusetts 50 Milk Street Boston, MA 02109 United States

MA Housing Plan has set a giant goal to achieve by 2035

historical view on annual permits for housing

 

"Massachusetts new Housing Plan has set a housing production goal of 222,000 units by 2035. A 22,000 unit average would require us to build at a pace not seen since the 1980s, with annual permits likely needing to exceed 22,000.  

Mass issued 11,600 permits in all of 2023."

Shared from ->   https://x.com/berkie1/status/1887532943653929225

Download the full plan to read 

Download the full plan to read and/or share -> https://www.mass.gov/doc/a-home-for-everyone/download

Download the Housing Needs Assessment -> https://www.mass.gov/doc/statewide-housing-needs-assessment/download

Venn diagram on the intersection of services, housing, and taxes

 intersection of services, housing, and taxes

 

"the consequence for showing up at a village meeting to complain about new homes being built in your community should be having to memorize this Venn diagram"

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEGlHEtO1xk/

Stephanie talks with me about the housing programs offered by the SAFE Coalition (audio)

FM #1361 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1361 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Stephenie Heath, Ph.D., MSW who works as a Community Outreach Counselor for the SAFE Coalition. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio Studios on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

We talk about

Stephanies’s path to SAFE

The housing program funded through the ARPA grant 

Postpartum support sessions with the YMCA

Suspension diversion program with area high schools

The recording runs 25 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1361-safe-coalition-housing-program-etc-01-22-25/

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SAFE Coalition web page -> https://www.safecoalitionma.org/ 

Support programs offered -> https://www.safecoalitionma.org/get-support 

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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. 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"

Stephanie talks with me about the housing programs offered by the SAFE Coalition (audio)

MBTA Community Law determined to be legal by Supreme Judicial Court

The Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) ruled the MBTA Community Law is legal. The Town of Franklin took action to bring it's zoning in compliance and is awaiting word that those action do indeed meet the requirements. The SJC decision can be found  ->  https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2025/01/08/h13580.pdf?

https://ben4franklin.org/

The Building Equitable Neighborhoods for Franklin (BEN 4 Franklin) group is locally educating themselves on the housing issues and the nuances within and will advocate for improvement. The group meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday at the Franklin TV Studio at 7 PM. 

Find out more about the group at ->   https://ben4franklin.org/ and join the mailing list to follow our learning and efforts.

SJC Decision coverage 

Via CommonWealth Beacon:

"AFTER THE STATE’S high court offered broad approval for the attorney general to enforce a sweeping state housing law, the Healey administration is tinkering with new emergency regulations to abide by the court’s conclusion that previous guidelines were rolled out incorrectly and could not be enforced.

With significant substantive changes to the rezoning requirements unlikely in the reworking of regulations that’s now underway, it seems only a matter of time until communities that are out of step with law will have to comply or face the music. 

The MBTA Communities Act, a 2021 law, requires cities and towns near public transit to zone a district of reasonable size to include multifamily housing by right. While the vast majority of the 177 communities are compliant or in the process of adopting new zoning to meet the law’s requirements, 28 municipalities are non-compliant because they missed their deadline to submit acceptable rezoning plans. Another three are on the cusp of following the path taken by Milton, with referendums scheduled to toss their compliant plans."

Continue reading the article ->  https://commonwealthbeacon.org/housing/state-municipalities-prepare-for-next-steps-on-mbta-communities-law/

The Boston Globe editorial on the decision -> 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/01/08/opinion/milton-sjc-housing-mbta-campbell-healey/

Abundant Housing MA shared this article:

Today, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts affirmed that the MBTA Communities Act is the law and that all cities and towns must comply with it. 

The decision affirms the dedication and commitment of people working together across the region to create a Massachusetts that is more welcoming and affordable. The SJC validated that building more homes is good public policy. Well over 100 communities have said yes to zoning that creates more housing supply and Abundant Housing MA is hopeful new regulations can be enacted swiftly to maintain this momentum.

“Today’s decision reinforces our mission to alleviate our state’s current housing crisis. The MBTA Communities Act allows cities and towns to use zoning to meet the growing demands of housing production and create diverse housing opportunities for Massachusetts residents”, said Jesse Kanson- Benanav, Executive Director of Abundant Housing Massachusetts. We applaud MA Attorney General Andrea Campbell and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their fight for more affordable, abundant housing across Massachusetts. We look forward to continuing work with our partners to bring to life a vision where people can move where they want, when they want, and not when they have to.”

“The SJC made clear that each MBTA community must comply with the law, forcefully rejecting the argument that communities could simply ignore the state’s mandate to permit a “fair share of multifamily housing” near the MBTA stations from which they benefit,” said John Infranca, Contributor to AHMA’s Amicus Brief, Professor of Law & Director of Faculty Scholarship & Research. “Given the thoughtful and thorough process through which the existing guidelines were drafted, I suspect most communities will simply choose to proceed with their existing compliance efforts in the expectation that any new guidelines will not be substantively different.”

Continue reading the article -> https://www.abundanthousingma.org/the-supreme-judicial-court-of-massachusetts-rules-in-favor-of-the-attorney-general-in-lawsuit-against-the-town-of-milton-after-failure-to-comply-with-the-mbta-communities-law/

Franklin, MA: Agenda for Town Council Meeting on January 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

January 8, 2025 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Council cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. December 18, 2024

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS - None Scheduled

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM

a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-917: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 3 of the Code of the Town of Franklin - Definitions, Accessory Dwelling Units.

i. Legislation for Action #9c

b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-918: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185 Attachment 8, Use Regulations Schedule Part CVII: Accessory Uses

i. Legislation for Action #9d

c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-919: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin - Signs (at C. 3.) To be continued. (Motion to Continue Public Hearing of Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-919 to January 22, 2025 at 7:00 pm - Majority Vote)

i. Legislation for Action #9e

d. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-920: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin- Signs (at E.2.) To be continued. (Motion to Continue Public Hearing of Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-920 to January 22, 2025 at 7:00 pm - Majority Vote)

i. Legislation for Action #9f

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Franklin Ridge Senior Affordable Housing Project Update - Bryan Taberner, Director Director of

Department of Planning and Community

b. Residential Development & Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI, aka Chapter 40B) Update - Bryan

Taberner, Director Director of Department of Planning and Community

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Bylaw Amendment 25-922: Amendment to Sewer System Map - First Reading

(Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 25-922 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)

b. Bylaw Amendment 25-933: Amendment to Water System Map - First Reading

(Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 25-923 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)

c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-917: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 3 of the

Code of the Town of Franklin - Definitions, Accessory Dwelling Units. - First Reading

(Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-923 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)

d. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-918: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at

Chapter 185 Attachment 8, Use Regulations Schedule Part CVII: Accessory Uses - First

Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-918 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)

e. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-919: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the

Code of the Town of Franklin - Signs (at C. 3.) First Reading to be continued. (Motion to

Continue First Reading of Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-919 to January 22, 2025 - Majority Vote)

f. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-920: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the

Code of the Town of Franklin- Signs (at E.2.) - First Reading to be continued. (Motion to

Continue First Reading of Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-920 to January 22, 2025 - Majority Vote)

g. Resolution 25-01: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($1,672), Veterans Department ($3,125)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-01 - Majority Vote)

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Economic Development Subcommittee

c. Budget Subcommittee

d. Master Plan Committee

e. Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Committee

f. Police Station Building Committee

g. GATRA Advisory Board

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Complete agenda doc on Town page -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_1.8.25.pdf

Accessory Dwelling Units

Invisible People ➤ "From Abundance to Crisis: The Collapse of Affordable Housing in America"

Invisible People ➤ Imagine Everyone With a Home (@invisiblepeople) posted on Mon, Dec 30, 2024:

"The Collapse of Affordable Housing in America"

🏠 Once, America had a surplus of affordable housing. 

Today, we're 7.3 million units short. 

How did we get here, and what must change to solve this crisis? ->   https://t.co/x4bWw0ePUN

 

Shared from -> https://x.com/invisiblepeople/status/1873595245155188993

Welcome to 2025 - What will your top topic be for this year?

What will your top topic be for 2025?

I suspect that a few of the “Watch List” items from last year will return:

• The budget for FY 2026 is one of the top ones. We start with about a $4M deficit and unless there is an override, balancing the budget means significant cuts to people and services.

• Housing and managing our growth smartly needs to be front and center. This goes hand in hand (or pocket to pocket) with the budget. 

• The Master Plan is up for approval to guide our next 10 years. This is another way of looking at the budget and growth issues as the Master Plan prescribes how we'll grow.

• The school district will continue to develop the implementation plan for the redistricting that begins in September 2025. While there is minimal budgetary savings this year, it is supposed to better position the district to be more effective going forward. Reducing from 9 schools to 7 schools (in 5 buildings) brings economies not available in the prior structure.

What else would you put on this listing of items to watch (and engage with) this year?

https://forms.gle/vo8QPEi1Aq2YTH6M6

Welcome to 2025 - What will your top topic be for this year?

Secretary Ed Augustus Jr. stopped to visit the Franklin Housing Authority on Monday

Secretary Ed Augustus Jr. (@MA_EOHLC) posted on Mon, Dec 30, 2024:

"Today, I visited three of our local housing authorities in Medfield, Millis and Franklin. 

This makes 95 visits to see first-hand the challenges of our public housing and how the investments in the Affordable Homes act will make a meaningful difference in people's lives. "

Shared from ->  https://t.co/nhQesFcB9L

(L-R) unidentified, Lisa Audette, Ed Augustus, Janie Hellen, Tom Mercer

"The only way to keep rents low for everyone is to add more housing" (video)

“The evidence is clear: building a lot of new housing at all income levels keeps prices down—and reduces homelessness. This great new video by @jj_under will likely be the first thing I send people getting interested in the housing crisis.” 

https://x.com/mnolangray/status/1873785670755639367 

"building a lot of new housing at all income levels keeps prices down—and reduces homelessness"

“If we don't build housing to meet demand, it's not like people just magically disappear. The demand doesn't go away. Instead high income residents turn to older units and bid up the price. The only way to keep rents low for everyone is to add more housing. Only abundant housing supply relieves market rent.” 

Direct link to quote in video ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQW4W1_SJmc&t=1273s 

Start to watch the full video here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQW4W1_SJmc 

And who is Justine Underhill?

“When I graduated from college many people asked me, "What in the world are you going to do with a degree in economics, theater and math?" Well I can now proudly say I found the perfect combination for my studies-- I do my own investigative research (involving econ and math!) to tell stories that are off the beaten path. And I have definitely found a use for all of these skills as a writer, storyteller and journalist.”

Shared from Justine's LinkedIn page -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/justineu/