The Infrastructure of Trust: How Local Civic Hubs Are Rebuilding Democracy Across Rural America - Ford Foundation

"Across rural America, democracy is upheld from the community level up—and when organizers lack infrastructure and support, the effects are wide-ranging. In towns where Main Streets have gone dark, grocery stores have closed, and residents are moving away, communities need spaces and structures that allow people to come together, work through differences, and solve shared problems.

The Trust for Civic Life, a Ford grantee, invests in local efforts that help people connect and create their community’s future together, strengthening civic life and democracy for all residents. The organization’s grantmaking model is built around the core belief: that national problems are solved in local communities. Central to that is a structure the Trust calls “Civic Hubs”: locally based, locally led organizations that create the culture and conditions for people to discuss the decisions that affect them most and act together toward meaningful change. Here, Charlie Brown, executive director of the Trust for Civic Life, discusses their approach and the lessons they’ve learned from communities across the Heartland."

Continue reading about "civic hubs"

https://www.fordfoundation.org/news-and-stories/stories/the-infrastructure-of-trust-how-local-civic-hubs-are-rebuilding-democracy-across-rural-america/

Town Council spends 2 hours to ultimately & unanimously approve appointments of 2 to the ZBA (audio)

FM #1647-48-49 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 1647-48-49 in the series. 

This session shares part of the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. The Council held this session as scheduled beginning at 6 PM. All 9 Councilors participated for this 4 hour plus session. 

 

• 1647 - covers the opening, Citizen comments, and 2 appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals  (approx. 2 hour 16 mins) 

• 1648 - segment from the meeting covering the full discussion on the DPW infrastructure update & discussion  (approx. 1 hr. 40 mins)  

• 1634 - segment from the meeting covers remainder of the meeting  (approx. 52 mins)

  

Audio 1647 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1647-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-20260121-p1-of-3/

Audio 1648 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1648-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-01-21-26-p2-of-3/

Audio 1649 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1649-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-01-21-26/

Town Council spends 2 hours to ultimately & unanimously approve appointments of 2 to the ZBA (audio)

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Additional notes on the meeting recap can be found (including link to Franklin TV video) ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/town-council-spends-almost-2-hours-to.html 

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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"

Department of Public Works | Infrastructure & Costs

The Franklin Dept of Public Works (DPW) is scheduled to present on their operations which cover a bunch of our infrastructure.

The presentation PDF can be previewed here

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8133/Town-Council-Presentation---January-21-2026

or viewed here

Department of Public Works | Infrastructure & Costs

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, January 21 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01212026-2101

Agenda for Town Council Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026 at 6 PM

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

January 21, 2026 = 6:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Franklin Municipal Building 355 East Central Street - 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

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 Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact.   

Agenda for Town Council Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026 at 6 PM

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. January 7, 2026   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8113/3a-January-7-2026-TC-Meeting-Minutes--Draft-for-Reviewdocx

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Proclamation - Scotty Smith Retirement

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Zoning Board of Appeals

i. Isabella Carter  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8127/5aii-1---Isabella-Carter

ii. Jennifer Williams    https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8126/5ai-1---Jen-Williams

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 6:00 PM - None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled

 

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Town Infrastructure Overview - Brutus Cantoreggi, Director of Public Works   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8133/Town-Council-Presentation---January-21-2026

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 26-06: Amendment to Cannabis licensing Local Approval Process and Cannabis Social Equity Policy Social Equity policy (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-06 - Majority Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8129/9a-Cannabis-Social-Equity-Policy 

b. Resolution 26-07: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Public Library ($500)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 26-07 - Majority Vote)  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8130/9b--Gift-Acceptance---Library

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

a. FY27 Budget Update and Timeline  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8134/10a-1---MEMO---FY26-Budget-Update-and-Timeline

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

Town Council Meeting has DPW presentation on the Agenda

Town Council Meeting

The Town Council will meet September 18, 2024, at 7:00 pm.
You may access the agenda and links for the meeting here:

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_9.18.24.pdf

Recall that the prior DPW update to the Town Council (August 2023) showed the following projections for infrastructure costs: 

DPW update to the Town Council (August 2023)

Given the prices of goods reported recently, these estimates may be low. It will be more interesting to see how much of this is needed year by year? How much comes from Chap 90, from Capital, and how much via bonding? We likely don't have the resources to do it all at once anyway (but that is another aspect of this).

If not on Wednesday, I would hope this would be addressed by the Joint Budget Subcommittee as these numbers should play into the overall finance discussion the community needs to have. 

Recall that we are starting the FY 2026 budget with a $3M hole. What is the overall town and school wish list look like? The Joint Budget Subcommittee then should work from the wishes, to the needs, and then prioritize them accordingly  to come up with something reasonable, i.e. that tells a story of what we can and should do. It may take more than one override depending upon the size of the needs. An important community discussion.

DPW presentation of August 2023 ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/pages/councl_update_aug_23.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for their Sep 18, 2024 meeting

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

September 18, 2024 = 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

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. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask

the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None Scheduled

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Patrol Officer James Lawrence

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Treasurer-Collector - Anne Marie Duggan

b. Zoning Board of Appeals (Associate) - Joseph Halligan

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM - None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. DPW Infrastructure Presentation - DPW Staff 

b. Street Signs Policy - Brutus Cantoreggi

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 24-57: Town Council’s Support of Pending State Legislation Entitled “An Act to Modernize Funding for Community Media Programming” (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-57 - Majority Vote)

b. Resolution 24-58: Chapter 61B – 1st Refusal Option - Property Located in Franklin off of Maple Street (Property Owner: Maple Gate Realty Trust) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-58 - Majority Vote)

c. Bylaw Amendment 24-914: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 24-914 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)

d. Bylaw Amendment 24-915: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 139, Sewers - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 24-915 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)

e. Bylaw Amendment 24-916: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 147, Snow and Ice, Removal Of - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 24-916 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)

f. Resolution 24-59: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($350), Senior Center ($125), Police Dept. ($1,000), Fire Dept. ($1,000) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-59 - Majority Vote)

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Economic Development Subcommittee

c. Budget Subcommittee/Joint Budget Subcommittee

d. Master Plan Committee

e. Police Station Building Committee

f. GATRA Advisory Board

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCILOR COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda doc contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_9.18.24.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for their Sep 18, 2024 meeting

Where does the food that we eat come from? New tool models that answer for us!

"What is this and why is it relevant?

This is a proof of concept digital twin of the United States food system. Recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have revealed inherent gaps in the way food systems are modeled. Particularly, these events have exposed how these shocks cascade through food systems and impact food security at an individual and community level. Digital twins of food systems hold massive potential to fill the decision making under food crises, including those caused or exacerbated by climate change.

What is this tool showing?

This tool visualizes a model designed to predict where food is grown and connecting that food to where it is consumed. Each colored point moving on the map correlates to a set number of calories from that food group. In the consumer view the map shows how the food that is consumed in a county travels to that region; in the producer view it shows where food that grows in that county is consumed and how it gets to that region. It shows the roads which that food flows down from fork to fork, and how climate shocks in one region propagate through the supply chain and impact on the availability of food in consumers food baskets."

Shared from -> https://food.theplotline.org/ 

Set up for Norfolk County, MA (screengrab)

Where does the Norfolk County, MA food that we eat come from? New tool models that answer for us!

Interactive view -> https://food.theplotline.org/?s=03#viewport=-71.162%7E42.196%7E4.454%7E30%7E0&roads=false&county=%2225021%22&foodGroup=null&flowType=%22consumer%22&allLinkedCounties=true&search=false

Picked up on the radar via Twitter ->   https://twitter.com/simongerman600/status/1733623819003113513

Boston Globe: "Governor Healey wants to ‘drive economic development.’ Her first bill puts $1 billion toward that goal"

"Governor Maura Healey announced Thursday that she is filing her first two pieces of legislation, one of which is a $987 million “immediate needs” bond bill targeting housing and economic development.

The wide-ranging, nearly billion-dollar “immediate needs” bond bill would dedicate $400 million for MassWorks, a program created in 2010 that makes grants available to cities and towns for infrastructure projects. Her bill would continue the funding stream for MassWorks and other programs, preventing key programs from running out of money.

Healey, who has highlighted economic development as a top priority for her nascent administration, said she filed the bill “to ensure critical housing and economic development programs across the state can continue to serve people in Massachusetts without interruption.”

Continue reading the article in the Boston Globe (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/01/19/metro/governor-healey-wants-drive-economic-development-her-first-bill-puts-1-billion-toward-that-goal/

Today, we filed legislation to make sure that critical housing, infrastructure, & community development programs continue without interruption. As part of this bill, we’re supporting efforts to expand high speed broadband & funding MassWorks, which helps create housing and jobs.

Governor Healey's letter to Legislature on the bond bill

https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2023/01/19/Gov%20Filing%20Ltr%20Immediate%20Needs%20Bond%20Bill%20_%20Jan%2019%202023.pdf

Governor Healey's letter to Legislature on the Chap 90 bill

https://www.mass.gov/doc/ch-90-bond-bill-filing-letter/download

(both links via Franklin Observer) 

 

Town Council asked to review and approve a new "Lead Service Line Inventory and Replacement Plan"

October 28, 2022

To: Town Council
From:  Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator
Allecia Alleyne, Assistant to the Town Administrator

Re: Resolution 22-69: Authorizing the Borrowing of Money to Pay Costs Associated with the Creation of the Lead Service Line Inventory and Replacement Plan and Authorizing the Town Administrator to File Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan Application and to Take Other Action as Needed

In December 2020, the EPA issued Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) which require all Public Water Suppliers to document the material of all Lead Service Lines (LSLs) within their distribution system and produce an inventory of all pipe materials by October 16, 2024. To achieve compliance, the Town will need to organize, examine, and compile all documentation that determines pipe material into a single database which must be accessible to the public. The Town must also submit a plan to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) by October 2024 detailing how we will prioritize, fund, and fully remove any remaining lead services within the distribution system.

The Town of Franklin historically has low levels of lead and copper as represented by the regular sampling we are required to conduct (see annual water quality reports). The Town has no known full lead service lines but there are approximately 115 potential lead gooseneck locations (https://www.lslr-collaborative.org/intro-to-lsl-replacement.html) that are documented. This number decreases yearly as the Town continues to invest in the replacement of the older cast iron (CI) and asbestos cement (AC) mains.

Starting July 2022, Massachusetts Clean Water Trust and MassDEP began offering loans with 100% loan forgiveness for planning activities assisting all public water suppliers to complete planning projects for LSL inventories and for the development of LSL replacement plans. The MassDEP will accept loan applications on a rolling basis while funding is available.

As with other SRF related projects, the funding must be appropriated through borrowing. We are asking the Council to approve Resolution 22-69, to authorize the appropriation of $119,000 for this project.

Additionally, this resolution will authorize the Town Administrator to act as the authorized representative of the Town in connection with this application.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

The full memo and resolution can be found in this PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HnaCcxZMallTMhzf_5KxofN7vXvBJ7vb/view?usp=share_link

The full Town Council agenda and documents released for Wednesday's meeting ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/november_2_town_council_meeting.pdf

Town Council asked to review and approve a new "Lead Service Line Inventory and Replacement Plan"

CommonWealth Magazine: "Baker vetoes prison moratorium"

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Thursday vetoed a five-year moratorium on new prison construction, citing concerns that it would constrain the state from moving forward with several planned prison improvement projects. The moratorium was included in a $5.1 billion bond bill for projects related to government operations, which Baker signed.

“These improvements require facility modifications that will require not only funding, but the allowance of discretion in how existing facilities are used – or not used,” Baker wrote in his signing letter."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/criminal-justice/baker-vetoes-prison-moratorium/ 

The full list of legislation acted upon by Gov Baker on Thursday

(copied from the Governor's page -> https://www.mass.gov/service-details/on-the-governors-desk)

Legislation Acted Upon by the Governor - August 4, 2022:

Bill #	Bill Title	Sponsors	Action
H5065	An Act financing the general governmental infrastructure of the Commonwealth	Governor Baker	Signed in part – 8/4/2022
H5130	An Act relative to a purchase option on a University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth leased facility in New Bedford (FY23 attach Y)	Governor Baker	Signed – 8/4/2022
H5048	An Act relative to a certain parcel of land in the town of Townsend	Rep. Kim Ferguson, Sen. Anne Gobi	Signed – 8/4/2022
H4250	An Act authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to release easements upon certain real property in the town of Canton	Rep. William Galvin, Sen. Walter Timilty	Signed – 8/4/2022
H5106	An Act relative to the governance, structure and care of veterans at the Commonwealth’s veterans’ homes	Rep. Linda Dean Campbell and Sen. Anne Gobi	Signed – 8/4/2022
H4442	An Act further regulating the enforcement of illegal hunting practices	Rep. Lori Ehrlich, Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante	Signed – 8/4/2022
H1917	An Act relative to taking or transmitting images of crime victims by first responders	Rep. Joseph Wagner and Sen. Eric Lesser	Signed – 8/4/2022
H4338	An Act relative to regular compensation for certain retirees and active retirement system members	Rep. Paul McMurtry and Rep. Colleen Garry	Signed – 8/4/2022
H5159	An Act authorizing the commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to convey a certain parcel in the Roxbury section of the city of Boston	Rep. Elizabeth Malia	Signed – 8/4/2022
H901	An Act protecting research animals	Rep. Carolyn Dykema	Signed – 8/4/2022

MCI-Shirley, a medium and minimum security state prison. (Photo by Department of Correction)

What is the Beaver St Interceptor? Why does it need to be replaced?

The interceptor is a critical part of the Town of Franklin sewer system that enables our sewerage to be sent to the Charles River Pollution Control facility in Medway to be treated.

The interceptor is over 100 year old, runs along the MBTA tracks parallel to RT 140, alongside Mine Brook, and behind Franklin Village Mall (Stop & Shop plaza), and under i495. A break at almost any of the key points along the way would be a rather expensive disaster for Franklin.

Multiple grants and state bond financing will help to pay for this, the largest single project the Town of Franklin has taken on (aside from a school building).

DPW presentations to the Town Council over the years as the replacement project is talked of and becomes a reality

November 2014 - Beaver St culvert

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/beaver_st_culvert_presentation_0.pdf

February 2015 - part of DPW update to Town Council

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/council_update_feb_14_2015.pdf

Oct 2021 - Town Council update (audio)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/fm-372-town-council-mtg-102120-part-2.html 

Oct 2021 Presentation doc https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/dpw_beaver_street_interceptor_10_21_2020.pdf 

Oct 2021 “Talk Franklin” with Jamie Hellen part of this covers the Beaver St Interceptor

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/fm-368-talk-franklin-102320-audio.html

Jan 2021 approval by Town Council of the Beaver St project, initial funding

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/fm-428-town-council-meeting-p1of2.html 

June 2022 authorized updated cost to fund the Beaver St project

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/06/town-council-hears-of-way-to-proceed.html

hydraulic flow diagram of the Beaver St interceptor