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Monday, November 25, 2024
Reminder: MBTA uses shuttle buses for December 7-9 on the Franklin/Foxboro
Monday, November 11, 2024
MBTA announces shuttles buses for the Franklin/Foxboro line on the December 7-8 weekend
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| MBTA announces shuttles buses for the Franklin/Foxboro line on the December 7-8 weekend |
Friday, November 8, 2024
MBTA Franklin/Foxboro Line: the new Fall/Winter Scheduled effective November 18, 2024
- The ski train will be back on the Fitchburg Line. Wachusett Mountain ski area operates a shuttle between the ski area and Wachusett station during Winter months to connect to these trains which feature a specifically modified coach equipped with racks for ski and snowboard equipment. Update to when the Ski Trains will be in effect will come out soon.- Holiday service: On Thursday, November 28th, 2024 (Thanksgiving Day), Wednesday, December 25th, 2024 (Christmas Day), Wednesday, January 1st, 2025 (New Year's Day), and Monday, February 17th, 2025 (President's Day) all lines will operate on a weekend schedule. On Monday, January 20th, 2025 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), and Monday, April 21st, 2025 (Patriot's Day), all lines will operate on a regular weekday schedule.Affected lines: Newburyport/Rockport Line Lowell Line Fitchburg Line Framingham/Worcester Line Needham Line Franklin/Foxboro Line Fairmount Line Providence/Stoughton Line Middleborough/Lakeville Line Kingston Line Greenbush Line
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| MBTA Franklin/Foxboro Line: the new Fall/Winter Scheduled effective November 18, 2024 |
Thursday, November 7, 2024
The MBTA Forge Park parking lot will be partially closed from Monday, November 11
The Forge Park parking lot will be partially closed from Monday, November 11, at 8:00 pm to Thursday, November 14, at 5:00 am due to construction. Vehicles left in the lot during these times will be relocated or towed at the vehicle owner’s expense.
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| The Forge Park parking lot will be partially closed from Monday, November 11 |
Sunday, September 1, 2024
"BEN Wins BIG On 3A Zoning"
- Increased housing density downtown to up to 18 units/acre
- Created affordability requirements for complexes over 10 units
- Legalized 3-family homes by-right around the commuter rail
- Passed Accessory Dwelling Unit by-law delineating standards and approval process
- Rezoned historic downtown factory for mixed-use development
- Advanced two affordable housing developments
- Appointed pro-housing members to Zoning Board and Master Plan Committee
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| "BEN Wins BIG On 3A Zoning" |
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Monday through Tuesday: MBTA Commuter Rail notice for Labor Day holiday period
- Newburyport/Rockport Line
- Haverhill Line
- Lowell Line
- Fitchburg Line
- Framingham/Worcester Line
- Needham Line
- Franklin/Foxboro Line
- Fairmount Line
- Providence/Stoughton Line
- Middleborough/Lakeville Line
- Kingston Line
- Greenbush Line
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| Construction of high rise platform underway as a train enters Franklin/Dean heading into Boston |
Saturday, August 17, 2024
This Quarterbacking session condenses the Town Council Meeting to about 30 minutes for you (audio)
FM #1260 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1260 in the series.
This session shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. The Council met on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 for the first meeting of the Fiscal Year 2025. We met Thursday morning August 15, to recap and condense the 3 and 40 minute session to about 30 minutes.
We look to focus on
ok, what just happened?
What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?
Topics for this session:
Annual Reappointments and New Appointments of Boards and Committees Members
PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-906: Changes to §185-3. Definitions, Mixed Use Development Definition
b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-907R: Changes to §185-21 Parking, Loading and Driveway Requirements
c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-908: §185 Attachment 7. Part VI, Addition of Mixed Use Development to Use Regulation Schedule
d. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-913: Zoning Map Changes from Business to Commercial I, an Area on Union Street Near Franklin Crossing
PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a. Presentation & Discussion: 4H Alarm Robotics Club 2079
b. Discussion: Legislative Delegation - Senator Rebecca Rausch and Representative Jeffrey Roy
c. Discussion: Norfolk Registry of Deeds Update - Register William O’Donnell
Resolution 24-51: Gift Acceptance - Fire Department ($100), Senior Center ($10,070), Veterans’ Services Department ($150)
Resolution 24-52: Revised 2024 Town Council Meeting Schedule
The recording runs about 31 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Tom.
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1260-town-council-quarterbacking-08-15-24/--------------
The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/ucR5rvaR-Pk?si=guHDipisHqH_Q9hn&t=73
Agenda and docs released for this session ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_aug_14_2024.pdf
My full set of notes as captured during the meeting via Twitter/X ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10kZggKLArBB2AbSMxRKHWb8b2iUFIhZH/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
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"
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| This Quarterbacking session condenses the Town Council Meeting to about 30 minutes for you (audio) |
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Talking accessibility enhancements with Ali Rheaume - 07/25/24 (audio)
FM #1253 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1253 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Franklin resident, artist, and disability advocate Ali Rheaume. We had our conversation via the Zoom conference bridge on Thursday, July 25, 2023.
Our conversation covers the accessibility enhancements
to the MBTA Franklin/Dean Station
other Franklin Projects (parks, trails, etc.)
American Disability Act signing anniversary, July 26
We also talk about the Rise Up group meeting monthly on the 3rd Saturday for those navigating life with disability. The group is also open to advocates and community members.
The recording runs about 30 minutes so let’s listen to my conversation with Ali Rheaume. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1253-ali-rheaume-disability-enhancements-07-25-24/
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MBTA press release on Franklin/Dean raised platform
Rise Up group page -> https://alirheaume.com/rise-up
--------------
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
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"
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| Ali awaiting a train at the MBTA Franklin/Dean Station |
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| The fenced area pending the new high rise platform at Franklin/Dean Station |
Sunday, July 28, 2024
MBTA Communities Update: 71 communities have now passed local zoning
#MBTACommunities Update: 71 communities have now passed local zoning intended to comply with the law and create multi-family zoning districts in their communities. https://t.co/pvB4R30esm
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| MBTA Communities Update: 71 communities have now passed local zoning |
c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-906: Changes to §185-3. Definitions, Mixed Use Development Definition - First Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-906 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9c._24-906_907_908.pdfd. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-907: Changes to §185-21 Parking, Loading and Driveway Requirements, Elimination of Minimum Parking Requirements in Downtown Commercial Zoning District - First Reading(Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-907 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9d._bylaw_amendment_24-907.pdfe. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-908: §185 Attachment 7. Part VI, Addition of Mixed Use Development to Use Regulation Schedule - First Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-908 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9e._24-908.pdf
Saturday, July 20, 2024
This Town Council Quarterbacking session condenses the July 17 meeting to about 30 minutes (audio)
FM #1242 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1242 in the series.
This session shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. The Council met on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 for the first meeting of the Fiscal Year 2025. We met Thursday morning to recap the 3 hour session.
We look to focus on
ok, what just happened?
What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?
Topics for this session:
A number of citizens’ comments accounted for approx. 30 minutes of the meeting before the Council began its business.
The zoning change for the parcel on King St while forwarded to second reading by a 5-4 vote was roundly defeated by an 8-0-1 (1 absent) vote.
The override and budget discussion resulted in two actions.
One - consensus to begin with a Joint Budget series of meetings to work on determining the future (assuming yes, when?), and getting consensus among the 3 committees (Town Council, School Committee and Finance Committee) on an amount for an earlier spring vote.
Two - the Council did vote to take $1M from the debt stabilization account to provide for additional funding for the School budget. The School Committee will vote to accept the funding at their next scheduled August meeting (Aug 13). (After this vote Cormier-Leger left the session)
A set of 3 bylaws to change downtown commercial zoning to bring the Town into compliance with the MBTA regulations were approved and moved to second reading. The second reading will be a Council meeting in August.
The zoning change for the mill store property on Union St was approved and moved to second reading (also at a meeting in August)
The Council also voted to approve the land swap deal with the state. This work started approx. 11 years ago and finally getting to the changing of the deeds stage to complete. This will set up for future renovation & enhancements to the Beaver St recycling Center.
Resolution 24-49: Acceptance of Gifts - Veterans’ Service Department ($700), Senior Center ($381), Franklin Public Library ($500)
The recording runs about 29 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Tom.
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The Franklin TV video of the 3 hour session can be found -> https://www.youtube.com/live/dvI5kTzZqP0?si=Od24AGR5njNiF99I&t=67
Agenda document for this session:
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_july_17_2024.pdf
My notes as captured during the session can be found in one PDF
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rUWE6iK-G1T7xnVsjgXiGj2-l2P9S9Kg/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
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"
