Franklin Matters: negotiation

Showing posts with label negotiation. Show all posts

Thursday, July 31, 2025

More Perfect Union - WFPR: Should teacher's be able to legally strike (audio)

In this episode, the group and guests Max Page, president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and Cecily Myart-Cruz, president of the United Teachers Los Angeles, discuss if teacher's should be able to legally strike, and why they would want to strike.

Audio link -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episode/100-teachers-union

More Perfect Union - wfpr

More Perfect Union - WFPR

Discussing American Politics and Current Events

Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Jeff Roy, hold a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.

Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

Saturday, June 21, 2025

Tom & I recap the Town Council Mtg of June 18 in this "quarterbacking" session (audio)

FM #1472 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1472 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 Friday, June 20, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of June 18, 2025.

We focus on two questions:

ok, what just happened?
What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Discussion items:

Fire Chief McLaughlin reads his statement announcing his retirement on or before Oct 1, 2025.
Electric Youth made their annual 'bon voyage' appearance to perform an a cappella number fittingly "Time of my Life" from the Dirty Dancing movie
Appointment to the Council on Aging: Elizabeth Sawyer, approved
Appointment to the Disability Commission: Cheryl Fisher, approved
Motion made and approved to create the Franklin 250 Celebration Committee
La Cantina was approved for their Farmers Market license
The Community Survey results were released and explained. Results can be compared with over 500 communities. Good response rate, among the best at 20%, effectively a better representation of the sense of the community with the random sample selection. Paid via Federal grant money as a pilot program. No definitive timeline for a next survey. Likely a discussion later this year on what the results can be used for
Resolution 25-39: FY25 Budget Transfers. Balancing the books better before they close out June 30. Out of $150m budget balancing on $40k is amazing
Council enters Executive Session shortly after to discuss contract negotiation. They returned approx. 15 minutes later to approve 7 motions certifying the contract with Town side bargaining units. All received the same 2.5% COLA that the School teachers agreed to, for a 3 year term

The conversation runs about 30 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1472-town-council-quarterbacking-06-18-25/

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/RpRNbG1tXVw?&t=188

Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06182025-1788

Community Survey results

Report -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5956/8a-Polco-Survey-Final-Report

Presentation doc -> https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5945/Polco---The-NCS-Presentation-Franklin-MA-2025

Tom & I recap the Town Council Mtg of June 1
8 in this "quarterbacking" session (audio)

Town presentation doc by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen -> https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5946/Town-of-Franklin---The-NCSPresentation

All the details in the survey are posted on one Town page -> https://franklinma.gov/974/National-Community-Survey

My complete set of notes captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bUOaCgv7a1pv5MHGIqweTwmKy2MkAEjW/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. 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"

Sunday, June 15, 2025

Franklin, MA: Agenda for Town Council meeting - Weds, June 18, 2025 at 7 PM

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

June 18, 2025 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd ﬂoor, Council Chambers 355 East Central Street

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

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. May 22, 2025 https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5939/3a-May-22-2025-TC-Meeting-Minutes

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Proclamation & Performance: Electric Youth

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Council on Aging - Elizabeth Sawyer
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5912/5a-Appointments---Elizabeth-Sawyer
b. Disability Commission - Cheryl Fisher
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5913/5b-APPOINTMENT---Disability-Commission---Cheryl-Fisher

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

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. Farmer-Winery Farmers Market License - La Cantina Winery https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5943/7a-LICENSE-TRANSACTION---La-Cantina

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSIONS

a. Presentation: Polco National Community Survey Results - Sonya Wytinck, Executive
Polco National Community Survey Results
Vice-President of Data & Insights with Polco/National Research Center with Kate Hinckley, Director of GIS and Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5956/8a-Polco-Survey-Final-Report

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 25-38: Establishment of Franklin’s 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-38 - Majority Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5957/9a-25-38---250th-Anniversary-Celebration-Committee

b. Resolution 25-39: FY25 Budget Transfers
(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-39 - Majority Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5936/9b-25-39---FY25-Budget-Transfers

c. Resolution 25-40: Increased Expenditure Limits For FY2026 on Certain Departmental Revolving Funds Established By Franklin Town Code Chapter 73, As Provided in MGL Chapter 44, Section 53 1/2, As Amended (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-40 - Majority Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5942/9c-25-40---Increased-Expenditure-Limits-FY26

d. Resolution 25-41: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($95)
(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-41 - Majority Vote)
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5935/9d-1---25-41---Gift-Acceptance---Sr-Ctr

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Economic Development Subcommittee
c. Joint Budget Subcommittee
d. Police Station Building Committee
e. GATRA Advisory Board

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. Exemption #3: Collective Bargaining (all Town unions) - To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the Chair so declares.

15. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

a. Resolution 25-42: Ratiﬁcation of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Library Union - Franklin Public Library Staff Association, Massachusetts Library Staff Association (MLSA), Local 4298, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), AFT Massachusetts (AFL-CIO)
(Motion to approve Resolution 25-42 - Majority Vote)
b. Resolution 25-43: Ratiﬁcation of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the DPW Union - AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Local 1298, Department of Public Works (Motion to approve Resolution 25-43 - Majority Vote)
c. Resolution 25-44: Ratiﬁcation of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Custodians Union - AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Local 1298, Custodians (Motion to approve Resolution 25-44 - Majority Vote)
d. Resolution 25-45: Ratiﬁcation of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Public Facilities Union - AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Local 1298, Public Facilities Employees
(Motion to approve Resolution 25-45 - Majority Vote)
e. Resolution 25-46: Ratiﬁcation of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Professional Fireﬁghters of Franklin - International Association of Fireﬁghters, Local 2637
(Motion to approve Resolution 25-46 - Majority Vote)
f. Resolution 25-47: Ratiﬁcation of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Franklin Police Association
(Motion to approve Resolution 25-47 - Majority Vote)
g. Resolution 25-48: Ratiﬁcation of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Franklin Police Sergeants Union
(Motion to approve Resolution 25-48 - Majority Vote)

16. ADJOURN

Note:

Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda doc also includes remote participation info -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06182025-1788

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 ???

Tuesday, March 18

* Dine out at Hot Table on March 18 to help the Music Boosters

* Senior Center Closed today, no events other than bus service

* "Look Up" Gallery (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

9:00am Fallen Hero: Elton E Ekstrom (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

11:00am Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

6:00pm Table Top (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Musical Bingo (Raillery Public House)

For additional details on Library events ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

** Town Meetings today **

Franklin School Committee - Negotiations - Executive Session

Tuesday, March 18th Time: 4:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/School-Committee-35/?#_03182025-1585

Franklin School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting (virtual only) = Tuesday, March 18th Time: 5:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03182025-1610

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Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin?

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication: https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events -> calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false