Town Council approves open space purchase, Town Administrator contract, annual alcohol license renewals, and more (audio)

FM #900 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 900 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, December 14, 2022. All 9 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers.

Quick recap:

APPOINTMENTS

a. Mark LePage - Conservation Commission

b. Alison Rheaume - Disability Commission

c. Francesca Ricci - Disability Commission

d. Lloyd (Gus) Brown - Sealer of Weights and Measures

LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. 2023 Annual Alcohol License Renewals - See attached 2023 Town of Franklin Alcohol Licenses Renewals

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Franklin Library Association Presentation of Gift - Scott Nolan, President, FLA

b. Snow Removal Presentation: Robert “Brutus” Cantoreggi, Director of Public Works

Legislation for Action

d. Resolution 22-88: Local Acceptance of MGL Ch40, Section 5B, Fourth Paragraph

e. Resolution 22-89: Creation of the Massachusetts Statewide Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund, as Authorized b GL Chapter 40, Section 5B

f. Resolution 22-90: Authorization of and Appropriation for Purchase of Three Parcels of Unimproved Land 

g. Resolution 22-91: Authorization for Town Administrator to Submit American Rescue Plan Act Applications to Norfolk County 

i. Resolution 22-95: Gift Acceptance - Recreation Department ($109,832.25)

Executive session, return approx. 35 mins later

b. Resolution 22-94: Salary Schedule: Full-Time Elected Official - Town Clerk 

a. Vote on approving Administrator contract, subject to Executive Session outcome

i. Legislation for action: 1. Resolution 22-93: Approval of Town Administrator’s Contract 

The recording runs about 2 hours and 16 minutes, so let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on December 14, 2022. (Due to the Executive Session, approx. 35 minutes, the total time on Wednesday was longer. The recording excludes the Executive Session but does include the return to open meeting).

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-900-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-12-14-22

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Meeting agenda and documents released for this session ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/dec_14_tc_mtg_agenda-revised.pdf

The Snow presentation ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._snow_presentation.pdf

Watch the Franklin.TV video replay on YouTube ->  https://youtu.be/qVbiUMlcbL8

My notes in one threaded PDF document -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TT_f9Y9eVXExUtjlcCD2XKtSTjcwG582/view?usp=share_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"

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda & Documents for Dec 14, 2022 7:00 PM

Franklin Town Council closes out last meeting of 2022 with approval of an open space purchase to reach 200 acres in about 18 months (video)

The Franklin Town Council meet for the last time in the 2022 calendar year on Dec 14, 2022. The last agenda was a full one even after revising it to remote a couple of items for a future session.

After about 2 hours and 10 minutes, they entered Executive Session and returned after approx. 35 minutes to approve two more items and then close the meeting.

The Franklin TV video replay is available here -> https://youtu.be/qVbiUMlcbL8

The full agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/dec_14_tc_mtg_agenda-revised.pdf

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting (in 1 PDF file)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TT_f9Y9eVXExUtjlcCD2XKtSTjcwG582/view?usp=share_link

The meeting audio and my recap will be shared in a day or so.

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda & Documents for Dec 14, 2022 7:00 PM

Open Space, School Budget, and Holiday Happenings! all in this Talk Franklin episode (audio)

FM #897 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 897 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Alecia Alleyne, Assistant to the Town Administrator. We had our conversation via conference bridge.  

Topics for this session

Community Preservation Cmte meeting

Finance Committee

• School budget deep dive

• Most questions answered, some set for follow up

Town Council preview

• Alcohol license renewals

Holiday spirit all over Franklin “Light It Up”

• Fire Dept Polar Express night

• Police toy drive, photos with Santa

• Historical Museum concert, and Mrs Claus

Winter Wonderland at the Senior Center Dec 15

• Live streamed to cable, YouTube and wfpr.fm (radio broadcast but no live stream due to change in weather)

The conversation runs about 27 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie & Alecia.

Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Open-Space--School-Budget-and-Holiday-Happenings-e1s59c6/a-a91ja4d

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John Lennon anniversary Dec 8, 1980 ->  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_John_Lennon 

Imagine by John Lennon -> 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imagine_(John_Lennon_song)

YouTube version of Imagine -> https://youtu.be/ugrAo8wEPiI 

Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator

Community Preservation Committee 12/06/22 recap, audio & video links ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/community-preservation-cmte-gets.html 

 

Finance Committee 12/07/22 recap, audio & video links ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/finance-committee-gets-some-financial.html 

Town Council agenda for 12/14/22 ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda.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

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"

Open Space, School Budget, and Holiday Happenings! all in this Talk Franklin episode (audio)

Town Council meeting recapped & more as we join TC Quarterbacking with Talk Franklin for this session (audio)

FM #888 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 888 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares the combined Town Council Quarterbacking session with our "Talk Franklin" conversation. I am grateful for the alignment of the schedules to have Town Council Chair Tom Mercer along with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Asst Administrator Alecia Alleyne. We conducted our conversation via conference bridge.  

Topics for this session

PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

• Becki Carloni - Franklin Fire Department 

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

• Presentation: Recreation Department, Ryan Jette, Director of Recreation

• Discussion: Davis-Thayer Reuse Committee   

LEGISLATION FOR ACTION 

• raise to minimum wage & 

• Increase in opportunity for veterans to take advantage

• If a disabled veteran, can have a family member do the work for the benefit

• budget adjustment prior to tax rate hearing

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

• Franklin Open Space and Recreation Plan Process   

Town Council teasers

• Tax hearing coming Nov 30

• Old South Meeting House

• Annual license renewals

The conversation runs about 45 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom, Jamie, and Alecia

Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Talk-Franklin-with-the-Town-Council-e1rfsjn

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Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator

Town Council page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council 

Nov 16, 2022 agenda -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-nov-16.html

Nov 30, 2022 agenda ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/nov_30_town_council_agenda.pdf

And the Doug Flutie anniversary was indeed on Nov 23, 1984 (the day after we recorded this session)  https://www.boston.com/sports/college-sports/2019/11/22/doug-flutie-hail-mary-miracle-in-miami/ 

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

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"

Town Council meeting recapped & more as we join TC Quarterbacking with Talk Franklin for this session (audio)

Town Council recognizes Carloni, appoints Wallace, approves license for La Cantina, hears from the Recreation Dept, and more at their Wednesday meeting (audio)

FM #883 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 883 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, October 16, 2022. 7 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers, one member remote (Frongillo) and one member absent (Dellorco), hence all votes were via roll call.

Quick summary of meeting:

• The meeting opened with recognition of Becki Carloni of the Franklin Fire Department for her off duty life saving effort at a sporting event.

• The appointment of Alison Wallace to the Library Board of Directors was approved.

• The Special License to allow sale of wine at 2022-2023 Franklin Winter Farmers’ Market by La Cantina Winery Company was approved. The first market is this Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM.

• Ryan Jette, Director of Recreation provided an update on the operation of the Recreation Department including near term plans and future plans.

• There was also a discussion on the approach to determine the reuse of Davis Thayer. Consensus was to set up a Reuse Committee of town folks interested in this building and location to make a proposal to the Council for approval. Details on the volunteer application process will be forthcoming and the process will kick off sometime in 2023.

• Legislation to approve of an increase to the minimum wage for both the senior citizen and veterans tax work off programs was approved.

• Legislation to adjust the budget with some transfers and final numbers of state aid, etc. was approved. This had been previewed by the Finance Committee in their meeting last week and unanimously recommended. This adjustment step was needed before the tax rate is set. The hearing for the tax rate is scheduled for the Nov 30 Town Council meeting.

• The Franklin Open Space and Recreation Plan Kickoff Process has begun. The Conservation Commission will lead this effort to update the plan.

The recording runs just about 2 hours and 18 minutes, so let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on October 16, 2022.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-883-town-council-mtg-11-16-22

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The agenda and documents released for this session can be found  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/november_16_town_council_agenda.pdf

The Franklin TV video replay of the meeting is available on YouTube https://youtu.be/v_88xT1K7mU

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting can be found in one PDF document -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Kcsiah2iONeLXjpPRlc9dOSEKNKpx8AQ/view?usp=share_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"

firefighter/paramedic Becki Carloni Listens to Councilor Pellegri read the proclamation