"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Comprehensive School Facilities Planning Subcmte schedules Listening Session (redistricting) - May 7 at 7 PM, FHS
Sunday, September 10, 2023
April Rock and I talk about local business and her lessons to share from Escape Into Fiction (audio)
FM #1056 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1056 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with April Rock, owner operator of Escape Into Fiction. We met in person at Escape on Tuesday, February 14, 2023. (Yes, this may seem to have gotten ‘aged’ in the archives. However, the discussion was relatively green so it did age well. Fortunately, April is healthy now and approved of sharing this.)
April shares her insights into operating a bookstore downtown Franklin, collaborating with Franklin Art Association, the Cultural District, Cultural Council, and other local groups. How research and listening are her two big pieces of advice for local businesses.
Their inventory is small but they can order other books you want, as long as they are still in print. So if you don’t find something in particular, don’t be afraid to ask.
This conversation runs about 16 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with April at Escape Into Fiction. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1056-escape-into-fiction-with-april-rock-02-14-23
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Escape Into Fiction webpage -> https://escapeintofiction.com/
Located at 12 Min St, Franklin contact and hours -> https://escapeintofiction.com/contact-hours
—------------
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).
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"
Saturday, May 6, 2023
Reminder: Redistricting Listening Session May 7 from 2 to 3 PM At the Library
A redistricting listening session has been scheduled by two members of the School Committee: Camille Bernstein and Dave Callaghan. The session is scheduled for Sunday, May 7 from 2 to 3 PM.
Thursday, April 27, 2023
Redistricting Listening Session May 7
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Arts & Culture Listening Tour - Apr 28 at 9 AM
Arts & Culture Listening Tour - Apr 28 at 9 AM |
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Redistricting Listening Session - April 1 from 10 AM to Noon at the Library
Thursday, March 23, 2023
What do you want to tell the Survey about Arts & Culture in Franklin?
The Arts & Culture Survey is open for your input! |
The Arts & Culture listening tour |
Friday, March 10, 2023
Arts & Culture Listening Tour Updated; Your feedback is needed
The Town Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee for Arts and Cultural Initiatives is seeking input from residents and community stakeholders on all things arts and culture. Take the survey today: https://buff.ly/3mEA7Kh
Access event details here: https://buff.ly/3F9YoOv
Monday, March 6, 2023
If it is Tuesday, it must be time for
- 5 PM to 7 PM ->
- 6 PM to 8 PM ->
- 7 PM ->
- 7 PM ->
If it is Tuesday, it must be time for |
Friday, March 3, 2023
Franklin's Event Outlook: Mar 3, 2023 to Mar 9, 2023
Friday, March 3
6:00pm - FHSTC performs "Lord of the Flies" (Franklin High School)
Saturday, March 4
10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
3:00pm - Joey D's Wingz & Thingz (food truck) (67 Degrees Brewery)
5:30pm - John Demers (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)
Sunday, March 5
1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
Monday, March 6
8:00am - Next Size Up - Kids Online Consignment Event
Tuesday, March 7
8:00am - Next Size Up - Kids Online Consignment Event
5:00pm - Arts & Culture Listening Tour - Session 1 (Dean College)
6:30pm - Franklin Garden Club - Peonies: Love of My Life (Franklin Public Library)
7:00pm - YA Adult Book Club (for Adults!) (Franklin Public Library)
Wednesday, March 8
8:00am - Next Size Up - Kids Online Consignment Event
1:00pm - Senior Scribblers (writing group) (Franklin Senior Center)
7:00pm - St Mary's Women's Faith Formation Group (virtual meeting)
Thursday, March 9
8:00am - Next Size Up - Kids Online Consignment Event
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If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication: https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6
The School district calendar is found https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26
Thursday, February 23, 2023
You're Invited to the Franklin Arts & Culture Listening Tour!
You're Invited to the Franklin Arts & Culture Listening Tour!
Help shape the future of Arts & Culture (A&C) during the town's Master Plan update process.
The Franklin Town Council has established an Ad Hoc Subcommittee for Arts and Cultural Initiatives. The Ad Hoc Subcommittee will host 3 sessions as part of their listening tour. The purpose of these tours is to gather community input to help inform the direction of arts and culture for the next 10 -15 years as part of the town's Master Plan Update process.
Your input will help define what Arts and Culture (A&C) is to Franklin and shape where we as a community want it to be. By embedding our communal vision for the arts into long range planning, we can ensure our vision for the arts is developed further and well maintained by the creative community as it continues to evolve.
Dean College, Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center 1st floor in the Campanella Boardroom. (Click here to add this event to your Google Calendar)
Franklin Public Library, Meeting Room (School St. entrance). (Click here to add this event to your Google Calendar)May 19, 2023 - 10 AM - 12 PM
Escape Into Fiction, 12 Main St. Franklin, MA (Click here to add this event to your Google Calendar)
The Ad Hoc Subcommittee for Arts and Cultural Initiatives is composed of the following Town Council members:
- Cobi Frongillo, Chair
- Ted Cormier-Ledger, Vice Chair
- Melanie Hamblen, Clerk
See the attached poster or click here to learn more!
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/events/421731
Sunday, January 17, 2021
FM #436 EDC Listening Session5 - 01/13/21 (audio)
FM #436 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 436 in the series.
This shares the Economic Development Committee Business Listening Session #5 that was held on Wednesday, January 13, 2021.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; some of the key participants were in the Council Chambers, the Chair Melanie Hamblen led the meeting remotely along with many others via Zoom conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are in the show notes. The recording runs just over two hour and thirteen minutes (~2:13) Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HXzHpwwS
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Meeting agenda
https://www.franklinma.gov/economic-development-subcommittee/agenda/edc-business-listening-session-5-revised
Housing Summary (not yet available - view the photos captured for some of the pages)
My notes captured via Twitter and shared here in summary form
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/edc-listening-session-jan-13-2021-recap.html
-------------
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).
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/
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"
Saturday, January 16, 2021
EDC 'Listening Session' - Jan 13, 2021 - Recap - Franklin's housing discussion starts
- While this was the last of the 'listening sessions' the bulk of the meeting time was spent presenting an overview of housing in Franklin. The presentation was insightful and will be shared when made available.
- Housing is one of the the key issues Franklin faces. The discussion will include the data points of this presentation, the demographics from the School study, the Market Study done by MAPC (from which these 'listening sessions' were started), and the realities of the post-pandemic world ahead of us. Keeping civil discourse with multiple threads and trying times will be a challenge but the end goal is required. Franklin needs to determine what it's housing goals will be.
For the time being photos of the slides shared during the meeting are all that is available. The doc is not part of the meeting agenda, nor if it has since been posted to the Town page, I have not found it. Once I do, I will share. Photos can be found in one folder: https://photos.app.goo.gl/KwjXyPtwuadMHsCF8
The audio of the meeting will be shared soon.
----
As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
The Twitter hashtag can be found online
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23edc0113&src=typeahead_click
- Swivel seat to do listening session starting now. #edc0113
- Chair Melanie Hamblen opens meeting, runs thru the protocol statement as normal. #edc0113 Frongillo new member to subcommittee (replacing Chandler). Jones and Bissanti complete the 4 Council membership. Jamie touts the grant process deadline Friday
- #edc0113 Economic Development legislation on Gov Baker's desk for approval. Bryan Taverner to review presentation on housing for Franklin.
- #edc0113 housing slides and population slides (can't share all, will find doc to share - eventually)
- More slides #edc0113
- Getting to discussion on the legislation, not yet signed by Gov Baker; zoning change would be simple majority for Franklin 5 not the current 6 votes required. #edc0113 tenants right to purchase would be interesting for/if Franklin if chosen
- After Council comments, question raised on how do you address the small business side and get better rents as many of them are too high. If the business can't afford, that would affect the residents affordability too. #edc0113
- Could use a 'maker' or incubator type space for start ups, does require land/building owner to be willing to participate. #edc0113 new growth not likely to happen if affordability is mandated to be part of it, takes away their profit. Could renovate existing space
- Residential complex downtown was all presold, to downsizers. Condo folks do want to walk to the restaurants downtown. Not much downtown now in pandemic. #edc0113 supply chain issues due to COVID, development in another Community shd be done now but due to supply issues
- Inclusionary zoning was introduced for cities like Boston to invent development of private residence/condos Franklin at this time and foreseeable is not a good fit for this, numbers also speak to no rush to do something as we should be good thru 2030 #edc0113
- Low income units are in shortage here and all other Communities around the state. Affordable housing is a higher market rate than low income, two separate needs, can't confuse them #edc0113 terms are important. Work force housing is another slice of affordability
- "the rent for an affordable apartment is not really affordable" #edc0113 need to keep terms separate in that 'affordable' is a state housing designation and not to be confused with what 'affordable' is when used an adjective that is relative to each individual circumstance
- Consensus is to get the housing plan done, there are many problems and that may require multiple solutions to address. Need to define the problems (or problems), agree on terms to be used, and then continue the discussion. #edc0113 motion to adjourn, via roll call 4-0
- That's all for tonight, been a long one. Time for a walk and fresh air. Catch you next time #edc0113
EDC 'Listening Session' - Jan 13, 2021 - Recap - Franklin's housing discussion starts |
Monday, January 11, 2021
Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - Jan 13, 2021 - Business Listening & Networking Session #5
1. Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) Sector Specific Relief Grant Program Update.
https://www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org/covid-19-response/sector-specific-relief-grant-program-massachusetts-businesses
2. Business Listening & Networking Session #5: Real Estate, Construction, & Housing.
The members of the EDC will host the third in a series of five Business Listening & Networking Sessions on sectors of the Town’s economy. Anyone is invited to attend and offer public comments.
Jan 13, 2021 - Business Listening & Networking Session #5 |
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
FM #414 Talk Franklin - 12/11/20 (audio)
This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
- Holiday special edition
- #ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards
Town Council
- New councilor
- CPA comes back
- Payment for treatment facility
We’ll record a session of Talk Franklin each week leading to Christmas and take the holiday week off to begin again in 2021. After this session, we have one more to close out 2020.
Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 45 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie. Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/8cb9f089-78b3-477a-9670-daa14150728c
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-dec-16.html
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/edc-business-listening-session-3-recap.html
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
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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"
Monday, December 14, 2020
FM #413 EDC Listening Session #3 - 12/09/20 (audio)
This shares the Economic Development Committee Business Listening Session #3 that was held on Wednesday, December 9, 2020.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; some of the key participants were in the Council Chambers, the remainder participated virtually via Zoom conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Note: during a period of technical difficulty, the Council Chambers dropped off the bridge so what if anything was said until they rejoined is not part of this recording.
Links to the meeting agenda, future schedule for the listening sessions, and my notes are in the show notes. The recording runs just over an hour and twenty minutes (~1:20) Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HsLdWPTS
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https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/business-listening-session-3-dec-9-2020.html
Future schedule of listening sessions
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/business_listening_flyer_-_final_2_1_1.pdf
My notes captured via Twitter and shared here in summary form
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/edc-business-listening-session-3-recap.html
-------------
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
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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"