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.
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.
a. September 3, 2025https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7164/3a-September-3-2025-TC-Meeting-Minutes--Draft-for-Review-1b. September 17, 2025https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7165/3b-September-17-2025-TC-Meeting-Minutes--Draft-for-Review
a. Fire Department - Swearing in of promoted employees
- i. Fire Chief Charles Allen
- ii. Battalion Chief Sean Lovely
- iii. Lieutenant Jaden Brodeur
a. Franklin's 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee - See "Appointments" legislation in agenda packet for list of namesi. Legislation for Action #9a https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7166/5a-Appointment-250
b. 2025 Election Workers - See "Appointments" legislation in agenda packet for list of nameshttps://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7167/5b-Appointment-Election
a. New Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Bassam Michael as the Manager - BMRG LLC d/b/a Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub, Located at 370 King Streeti. License Transaction #7a. https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7168/6a-Kings-Public-Hearing
b. Multiple modifications of a Section 15 Package Store All Alcoholic Beverages License: Change of License Manager, Change of Officers/Directors & Change of Stock - Dharma Bhakti Corporation d/b/a Liquor World, Located at 365 West Central Streeti. License Transaction #7bhttps://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7169/6b-LW-Public-Hearing
a. New Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Bassam Michael as the Manager - BMRG LLC d/b/a Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub, Located at 370 King Street Franklin, MA 02038
b. Multiple modifications of a Section 15 Package Store All Alcoholic Beverages License: Change of License Manager, Change of Officers/Directors & Change of Stock - Dharma Bhakti Corporation d/b/a Liquor World, Located at 365 West Central Street
a. Historical Museum 2.0 - Alan Earls, Historical Commission Chair
b. Historic District Commission Process - Will Lee, Historical Commission Member & Rowan Lowell, Town Archivist
c. Town Council & Town Administrator 2024-2025 Goals Update - Jamie Hellen, Town Administratorhttps://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7172/8c-2024-2025-Town-Council-and-Town-Administration-Goals---Oct-2025
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| The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, DCR, has under consideration the acquisition of an interest in 19.51 +/- acres of land in the Town of Franklin |
a. Department of Conservation and Recreation (OCR) Public Notification & SNETT Trail Update https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7186/10a-DCR-Notice-of-Proposed-Land-Acquisition
a. Capital Budget Subcommitteeb. Economic Development Subcommitteec. Joint Budget Subcommitteed. Police Station Building Committeee. GATRA Advisory Board
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.
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.
a. Fire Department - Swearing In of New Firefighter / Paramedici. Jeffrey Wolcott
a. Annual Reappointments and New Appointments of Boards and Committees Membersi. See “Committee Appointments” in packet for member names https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6294/5a-Committee-Renewals
a. New Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Xiao Xia Zhang as the Manager - Kojo Asian Fusion LLC d/b/a Kojo, Located at 28 East Central Street,Franklin, MA 02038i. License Transaction # 7a https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6273/6a---ABCC-application-Kojo-Franklin-Packetb. License Modification - Change of Location of a Section 15 Wine and Malt Beverages Package Store License: The Little Shop of Olive Oils Inc. d/b/a The Little Shop of Olive Oils,, Located at 5 Main St., Franklin, MA 02038i. License Transaction # 7b https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6272/6b---Little-Shop-of-Olive-Oils-Packet
a. New Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Xiao Xia Zhang as the Manager - Kojo Asian Fusion LLC d/b/a Kojo, Located at 28 East Central Street,Franklin, MA 02038
b. License Modification - Change of Location of a Section 15 Wine and Malt Beverages Package Store License: The Little Shop of Olive Oils Inc. d/b/a The Little Shop of Olive Oils,, Located at 5 Main St., Franklin, MA 02038
a. Capital Budget Subcommitteeb. Economic Development Subcommitteec. Joint Budget Subcommitteed. Police Station Building Committeee. GATRA Advisory Board
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| Franklin, MA: Chock full Agenda for the Town Council Meeting, yes, it starts at 6 PM |
FM #1456-1457 This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1456-1457 in the series.
This session (1456) shares the FY 2026 first budget hearing held by the Franklin (MA) Town Council on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. All 9 of the members started the meeting in Council Chambers (1 left not feeling well during the meeting). The Full Budget hearing #1 recording runs about 4 hours
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1456-town-council-mtg-budget-hearing-1-05-21-25/
This session (1457) shares the FY 2026 second budget hearing held by the Town Council Meeting of Thursday, May 22, 2025. The budget hearing happens after the ABCC license transactions are completed. 7 members started the meeting (2 absent), 1 left during the meeting, leaving only 6 to make the final votes. The Second meeting recording runs about 2 hours
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1457-town-council-mtg-budget-hearing-2-05-22-25/
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Budget hearing #1
The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/OBuOFLY5kZY?&t=184
The Council agenda and associated budget documents can be found here ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05212025-1752
My notes captured via Twitter/X during the session are collected in one PDF file
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11W1dMjvh9zB0X9Bqw8CgfLus5YZG7arZ/view?usp=drive_link
FM posting of video & recap ->
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/town-council-spends-4-hours-reviewing.html
Budget hearing #2
Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/KxgDYAmr-zM?&t=95
The agenda and released documentation for this session -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05222025-1753
My notes as captured via Twitter/x during the session can be found in one PDF ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Zc-q92nV-paFAQ3DXWbqcucn-NRwRCVE/view?usp=drive_link
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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"
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| Town Council FY 2026 Budget Hearing #1 & #2 - Held on May 21 & May 22, 2025 (audio) |
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| License swaps scheduled for public hearing: Table & Vine, Inc. to DeVitas Market; DeVita’s Market to Table & Vine |
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| Fire Dept news hires pose with Town Council |
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| Police Dept promotions pose with Town Council |
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.
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.
a. October 16, 2024
a. Fire Department - Swearing In of New Firefighter / Paramedics
- i. Paul Schleicher Jr.
- ii. Michael Dumican
- iii. Corey Rafter
- iv. Steven Osorio
- v. Shea Hurley
b. Fire Department - Promotion: Fire Lieutenant Joseph McGann
c. Police Department - Promotions
- i. Lieutenant Michael Colecchi
- ii. Sergeant Cody Landry
a. Rescission of Prior Approval of Transfer of Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License, Rescission of Prior Approval of Pledge of Liquor License, and Rescission of Prior Approval of Bhaveshkumar Patel as the Manager - Heeru Corporation d/b/a DeVita’s Market,Located at 198 East Central St., Franklin, MA 02038i. License Transaction #7a
b. Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of Bogans Way and Drainage Lot Parcel A and Easementsi. Legislation for Action Item #9a
a. Rescission of Prior Approval of Transfer of Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License, Rescission of Approval of Pledge of Liquor License, and Rescission of Approval of Bhaveshkumar Patel as the Manager - Heeru Corporation d/b/a DeVita’s Market, Located at 198 East Central St., Franklin, MA 02038https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/rescission_of_license_transfer_-_devitas_0.pdfb. License Modification - Change of Manager of a Section 15 Retail Package Store License: Shaw’s Supermarkets, Inc. d/b/a Shaw’s; Located at 255 East Central St., Franklin, MA 02038
a. Franklin Children's Museum - Meghan Hagen & Erin Gallagher
a. Resolution 24-62: Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of Bogans Way and Drainage Lot Parcel A and Easements (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-62 - ⅔ Majority Vote)https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9a._1_-_resolution_24-62_-_bogans_way_-_google_docs.pdfb. Resolution 24-63: Gift Acceptance: Senior Center ($100) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-63 - Majority Vote)https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/24-63_-_gift_acceptance_-_sr._ctr_0.pdfc. Resolution 24-64: Town Council Approval of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds ($8,304) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-64 - Majority Vote)https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/24-64_-_arpa_8304.pdf
a. Friendly 40B Policy Updatehttps://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/10a._-_friendly_40b_policy_-_revised.pdf
a. Capital Budget Subcommitteeb. Economic Development Subcommitteec. Budget Subcommittee/Joint Budget Subcommitteed. Master Plan Committeee. Police Station Building Committeef. GATRA Advisory Board
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| DaVita's Market (image from their Facebook page) |
