Councilor Morrongiello Seeks Public Input on Master Plan Priority Goals

Town Councilor Maxwell Morrongiello is inviting residents to help identify which goals from the recently adopted Master Plan the Town Council should prioritize during his first term.

The Town of Franklin adopted its 2025 Master Plan last year after extensive public input. The plan identifies more than 300 goals to accomplish over the next decade across six key areas: Housing Diversity, Complete Neighborhoods, Neighborhood Connectivity, Vibrant Downtown, Natural and Historic Conservation, and Resource Efficiency.

"I campaigned on a platform of transparency. Now I want to hear from you," Morrongiello said. "The Town Council will soon be deciding what goals to tackle during the current term."

The survey asks residents to nominate one goal from the Master Plan. Due to the expected volume of responses, participants are asked to submit only their top priority. Morrongiello will follow up with a web poll after the nomination period closes.

Nominations close Jan. 19, 2026.

The Town Council will hold its goal setting meeting Feb. 4. Morrongiello encourages community members to make their voices heard before the council establishes its priorities for the term.

The survey is available at https://forms.gle/f9xHt8wjaNDEFKHB8

The survey is non-binding but will help Morrongiello determine which goals to support as the council develops its legislative priorities for the 2025-2027 term.

Only goals from the adopted Master Plan will be considered for the survey. Residents with suggestions or concerns beyond the Master Plan are encouraged to contact Morrongiello directly at mmorrongiello@franklinma.gov.

The full Master Plan is available at https://www.franklinma.gov/295/Master-Plan

Councilor Morrongiello Seeks Public
Input on Master Plan Priority Goals

About the Franklin Master Plan

The Franklin Master Plan 2025 was adopted after a comprehensive public engagement process and provides a framework for municipal development and decision-making over the next 10 years. The plan includes recommendations for land use, housing, transportation, economic development, natural resources and community facilities.

Planning Board Candidates Discussion with BEN4Franklin 10/30/25 (audio)

FM #1564 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1564 in the series. 

This session shares the discussion co-hosted by BEN 4 Franklin and Franklin Matters with the Planning Board Candidates.  We had our discussion virtually via the Zoom platform on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

 

Hosted by members of BEN 4 Franklin: Cobi Frongillo, Kimberly Mu-Chow, Gino Carlucci, Ndoumbe Ndoye, & Maxwell Morrongiello

• Planning Board candidates: Mark Mucciarone, Erik Steltzer

• Planning Board Associate candidate: William Lee, IV

Recorded & edited by Steve Sherlock, Franklin Matters/Franklin Public Radio

The recording runs about 45 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1564-planning-brd-candidates-discussion-with-ben4franklin-10-30-25/

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Visit BEN 4 Franklin's website to learn more about the group. Sign up for the newsletter, join the monthly meetings (3rd Thursday of the month at 7 PM at Franklin TV Studio) 

BEN 4 Franklin

https://ben4franklin.org/    

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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 it!

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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"

2025 Town of Franklin Biennial Election

Chair Mercer condenses the 4+ hour Town Council meeting to less than 30 minutes (audio)

FM #1556 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1556 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Monday, October 27, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of October 22, 2025.

We focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

• The recent Fire Dept promotions were sworn in. The promotions show the domino effect of the retirement of Chief McLaughlin.  Charles (Chuck) Allen moved up from Battalion Chief to Fire Chief, Sean Lovely took Chuck's former role as Battalion Chief, and Jaden Brodeur took Sean's former role as Lieutenant. Photos of the swearing in and pinning by family members can be viewed in one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/g3Y1X5Emuspooz6g6 

• The Franklin's 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee was appointed after first voting to increase the size of the committee that was initially scoped and authorized

• The 2025 Election Workers were approved as submitted by Town Clerk Nancy Danello

• A public hearing on 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 was conducted and the changes were voted in as approved

• Alan Earls, Historical Commission Chair presented an overview of the ideas for the Historical Museum 2.0  https://photos.app.goo.gl/rSGBDkPJPKgSaKFe9 

• An overview of the Historic District Commission Process should the Town decide to go forward with one was presented by Will Lee, Historical Commission Member & Rowan Lowell, Town Archivist   https://photos.app.goo.gl/qkaVaRd9w3Anh3Nv6 

• Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator provided an update on the status of Town Council & Town Administrator 2024-2025 Goals. A new set of  goals will be determined by the next Council    https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7172/8c-2024-2025-Town-Council-and-Town-Administration-Goals---Oct-2025 

• Two resolutions were approved to process a State grant to fund the Franklin Stormwater Asset Management Plan

• A brief hurrah was heard after the approval of the Adoption of the Schmidt Farm and Maple Hill Master Plans

• Two measure to authorize Residential Commercial Kitchens for locations that are on septic systems (not Town sewer) were approved as an enhancement for economic development of small businesses

• A set of 6 bylaws were approved as amended to create the Crossing Neighborhood Zoning District. Councilor Frongillo recused himself for the discussion and votes as his father owns a business in the proposed (now authorized) district

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided an update that the Department of Conservation and Recreation would like to help fund the work to extend the SNETT to the Crossing Neighborhood District

The conversation runs about 29 minutes. Let’s listen in

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1556-town-council-quarterbacking-10-27-25/ 

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The full agenda took over 4 hours to complete. Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SdsqXbknGQ 

Meeting agenda contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10152025-1953 

My full set of notes captured during the meeting can be found in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P7VMhEm04zewpCdXxAIVjqtoL8S7gzix/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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Chair Mercer condenses the 4+ hour Town Council meeting to less than 30 minutes (audio)

Economic Development Subcmte recommends adding shared kitchen definition for Council review (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee meeting was conducted as scheduled on Wednesday. The meeting started and then restarted to get to the correct Zoom link so few minutes were repeated for some on the video recording and net new for others who joined the real Zoom link.

Franklin TV video replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aC6kDo1DtM&t=408

The meeting agenda and docs released for this session

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/economic-development-to-review-proposed.html

Quick recap:

• The shared kitchen definition and addition to the use tables for commercial (not residential) zones was discussed, clarified, and then moved to bring to the Town Council by a 4-0 vote.
• The naming of the Crossing Neighborhood District and the minor additions was agreed to in concept but after discussion determined that it is an opportunity to do more with than "just renaming". Especially with the Master Plan approved, some of those items can be considered for implementation here.

map displaying the proposed Crossing Neighborhood District changes

My full set of notes captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CkUfWVxVbGsGOp9bj8Ew6yDP8BiZDsvy/view?usp=drive_link

Glenn Jones shares lessons learned from the Master Plan process (audio)

FM #1383 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1383 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with the new "former" Chair of the Master Plan Update Committee Glenn Jones. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Monday, February 10, 2025. 

This session focused on the review of the full process and approval of the Master Plan to help guide Franklin for the next 10 years. 

We had talked at the beginning of the process (Feb 2023) and also before the major Open House event at Dean College (March 2024). Links for those are shared below.

The recording runs about 58 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1383-master-plan-recap-w-glenn-jones-02-10-25/

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Glenn Jones shares lessons learned from the Master Plan

“Final” version of the Master Plan  -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4018/Final-Report 

We met in Feb 2023 to talk about the beginning of the Master Plan effort

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/talking-about-master-plan-committee.html 

We also met in March of 2024 talking about the forthcoming Open House at Dean College and gathering resident input 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/03/glenn-jones-talks-about-what-master.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. 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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Town Council approves capital budget, new victualler license, gives final approval to sign bylaw changes & water/sewer connections for Franklin Ridge (audio)

FM #1376  This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1376 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, February 5, 2025. 7 of the members participated in Council Chambers, 2 were absent (Chandler & Hamblen). 

Quick recap:

Fire Department - Promotions Captain Matthew Kelly & Lieutenant Jeffrey Ward

PUBLIC HEARINGS

     a. Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of September Drive and Countryside Lane and Drainage Lots Parcels A and B and Easements

     b. New Common Victualler Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION - ALS/BLS Trends - EMS Battalion Chief Billy “Numbers” Blanchard, EMS Captain Laurie Kaye

Legislation for action (all votes passed with the same via roll call or voice vote 7-0-2 (2 absent)

•      Resolution 25-07: Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of September Drive and Countryside Lane and Drainage Lots Parcels A and B and Easements

•      Bylaw Amendment 25-924: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service - First Reading

•      Resolution 25-10: Adoption of the 2025 Master Plan for the Town of Franklin  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4018/Final-Report

•      Resolution 25-04: Capital Improvement Plan

•      Resolution 25-02: Statewide Opioid Settlement Fund Appropriation

•      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.)

•      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.)

•      Bylaw Amendment 25-922: Amendment to Sewer System Map

•      Bylaw Amendment 25-923: Amendment to Water System Map

•      Resolution 25-08: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4

•      Resolution 25-09: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($50), Veterans’ ($2,550), & Recreation ($8,405)

Let’s listen to the meeting recording which runs about 2 hours and 45 minutes.  Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1357-master-plan-update-cmte-mtg-01-15-25/

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Franklin TV video is ready for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/4rx-pHX5q_Q?&t=161 

The Agenda doc and most materials released for this session ->   https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02052025-1546 

Fire Dept presentation on call volume leading to an increase in ambulance rates

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4402/Fire-EMS-Presentation-2525?bidId= 

My notes in one PDF file ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z9V6bpd4oFls9lbGgb1nzVoDhi8wu6cV/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

• 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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

from Fire Dept presentation on call volume