Escape Into Fiction reminds us that the Downtown parking map is available

 

"#Franklin may look like all the parking is full, but did you know there are THREE lots, places in downtown that you can park for free? Need a better image? Just go to the Town of Franklins official website and you can see the entire map.

Don’t let the thought of no parking keep you from checking out some great new and well established businesses."

Shared from Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ2Hcb-l_W0/

Franklin Downtown Parking map (PDF) prepared by the Cultural District 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/parking_brochure_6_3_2020_0.pdf

You can also interact with the Downtown parking GIS map here

https://townoffranklin.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6bf6022121014f43860164a1c1325fab

Escape Into Fiction reminds us of that the Downtown parking map  is available

Update: parking ban for this weekend in advance of the forecasted blizzard

Parking Ban, 1AM Sat to 8AM Sun

•     Schools, 
•     Library, 
•     Recycling 

all closed Sat and Sun. 

All recreation events cancelled also canceled this weekend

Shared from Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/parking-ban-129-1am-130-8am

Be safe!

Will we see snow like we did in 2015? Stay tuned!

FHS parking monitoring and enforcement resumes week of Jan 31, 2022

Pantherbook (@FHSPantherbook) tweeted on Wed, Jan 26, 2022:

We have noticed an increase in the number of unregistered cars in the student parking lots. 
1. Please remember to park in your assigned lot.
2. Unregistered? Please see Mr. Lestage in the 3rd floor office.
3. Starting next week we will begin recording license plate numbers. 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FHSPantherbook/status/1486403753100066819

FHS parking monitoring and enforcement resumes week of Jan 31, 2022

Senior Parking Pass for MA Residents good for use at MA State Parks

Massachusetts residents aged 62 or older are eligible for a discounted lifetime parking pass. This pass covers the cost of parking at most state parks.

If you are eligible for a Senior Parking Pass, you can order it by mail.

Send a request for a Senior Parking Pass to your closest regional office:

Central Regional Office

355 West Boylston Street, Route 110

Clinton, MA 01510

Attention: Senior Pass 

Include:

• A copy of your Massachusetts driver’s license or other official proof of state residency and age.
• A check for $10 made out to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• A contact phone number or email in case we need to reach you. (Optional)
• Senior passes may take 4-7 weeks before they are mailed.

For additional info on this program, use this MA Gov link ->  https://www.mass.gov/how-to/get-a-senior-parking-pass

Senior Parking Pass for MA Residents good for use at MA State Parks

Town Council Meeting - 09/01/21 - Audio in 2 parts

FM #598 & 599 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 598 & 599 in the series. 

This session shares part of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, September 1, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel, many of the Police promotion and new hires, along with their guest and family members were in the Council Chambers, some members of the public participated via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the just over 3.5 hour session (total elapsed time) into 2 logical segments:

• First - covers the opening, Police promotions, new hires and the Public hearing on the downtown zoning item. The break after the police ceremonies was excluded from this audio.  (~59 mins)

• Second - covers the balance of the meeting, entry to Executive Session, and then the return to open meeting 40 minutes later  (~1 hour and 8 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting of Sep 1, 2021

Part 1 = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/69af8744-8945-4f07-9192-beec01e71403

Part 2 = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/da222513-19e9-462b-a3d0-794a3699828f

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

Agenda document 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/9-1-21_town_council_agenda.pdf 

My notes from the meeting  -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/recap-town-council-meeting-090121.html

Photos of the Police promotions and swearing in can be found in one album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/VJ494vDqhnX1SEDbA

Town Council Quarterbacking session (a short recap with Council Chair Tom Mercer) -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/fm-597-town-council-quarterbacking.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 www.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"

 

Victoria McVicar, New Hire Introduction & Ceremonial Swearing in

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Sep 1, 2021

Town Council Meeting

September 1, 2021 - 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 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. July 21, 2021   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/3a_minutes.pdf

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
a. Police Department:
i. Nick Palmieri, Promotion to Sergeant
ii. Jack Flynn, Promotion to Detective
iii. Victoria McVicar, New Hire Introduction & Ceremonial Swearing in
iv. Patrick MacDonald, New Hire Introduction & Ceremonial Swearing in

5. APPOINTMENTS
a. Richard C. Johnson, Conservation Commission   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5a._appointment_r_johnston.pdf

6. HEARINGS - 7:10pm
a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 21-874: Amendment to Ch.185 Section 21 Parking, Loading, and Driveway Requirements proposed change to minimum parking requirements in Downtown Commercial and Commercial I zoning districts.

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/6a._dt_parking.pdf

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS 
a. Karen Maguire - Superintendent of Schools, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

• a. Resolution 21-50: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services, $400 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-50 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10a._gift_vets_400.pdf
• b. Resolution 21-51: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-51 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10b._peg_qrtr_2.pdf
• c. Resolution 21-52: Budget Stabilization Policy (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-52 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10c._financial_policies.pdf

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
a. 2020-2021 Town Council Goals Update  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/11a._2020-2021_town_council_goals_update_as_we_go.pdf

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Considering the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Board.

15. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
a. Discussion of possible land acquisition depending on the outcome of the Executive Session.

16. ADJOURN

Note:

• Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
• Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda document with connection info ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/9-1-21_town_council_agenda.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Sep 1, 2021

FM #542 - Economic Development SubCommittee Mtg - 05/12/21 (audio)

FM #542 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 542 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Economic Development SubCommittee meeting held on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the SubCommittee members were in the Municipal Bldg, other members joined the public via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. My notes taken during the meeting are also linked to.

The recording runs about 1hour and 46 minutes, so let’s listen to the EDC meeting for May 12.

Audio file =  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/de4a9bc7-faac-4986-a095-8a6c81388229

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

The agenda doc for this meeting can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/edc_agenda_for_may_12.pdf 

Housing Production memo

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/memo-_2021_public_draft_housing_production_plan.pdf 

 

Housing Production Plan

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/franklin_housing_production_plan_-_may_2021_public_draft.pdf 

My notes captured during the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/05/recap-economic-development-subcomm.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"

 

Housing Production Plan

Recap: Economic Development SubComm Meeting - 05/12/21 - downtown parking zoning, housing production plan

Quick Recap:

• The parking downtown seems to be a never ending topic and as such ran through a number of nuances during this session. Conversation could be better if folks stuck to the topic and didn't get sidetracked with other personal issues or mind reading assumptions. At the end, the proposal to reduce from 1.5 to .5 spaces per lot was moved to Town Council for discussion, referral to Planning Board, public hearing process, and then back to Council for their hearings and ultimate vote.
• The housing production plan was released for public comment. Public hearings will be scheduled for discussion and comment collection. A revision is anticipated based upon the feedback and likely sometime later this year, the Planning Board and Town Council will need to vote to approve before submitting to the State. This is a component of the Master Plan to be updated next year 

 

----

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  #edc0512

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23edc0512&src=typeahead_click
 
The agenda doc for this meeting can be found
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/edc_agenda_for_may_12.pdf

• Real time reporting underway for the Economic Development subcommittee meeting #edc0512
• Agenda doc and connection info https://franklinma.gov/economic-development-subcommittee/agenda/edc-agenda-27 #edc0512
• First of series of guidance on the American Rescue Plan for restaurants etc. Town will share the info via their normal channels #edc0512 link to SBA application in doc https://restaurants.sba.gov/requests/borrower/login/
• Social media audience is part of spreading the word. Word of mouth helps. Maybe some effort but look into it, money to be used within guidelines. #edc0512
• Moving on to parking bylaw discussion for C1 and downtown commercial. #edc0512 reduces the parking requirements in these two districts. Proposed to go to .5 vehicles parking per lot. Can't really go to zero per legal enforcements. Would have taken planning board out of mix ->
• ".5 is something we can live with" Q why not address non-residential also? Can be addressed. This is a proposal for discussion. Direct cost, opportunity cost, of parking passed on to renters business or residents; indirect costs, encourages impervious surfaces, etc. #edc0512
• Can there be more opportunity for shared spaces? Already possible to get an agreement from a nearby location to bring to planning board. Some spaces need to be required downtown. #edc0512
• Parking has been going back and forth, when Marino came downtown, we dropped parking to 1.5 and I wouldn't go lower for mixed used per Padula chair of Planning Board. Q Was an outside study done on parking downtown? No, Planning dept did so several years ago #edc0512
• Will be contracting with MAPC in near future to look at parking and zoning all together. #edc0512 meters removed to encourage parking, easy payment process was evaluated but not cost effective. Town sold only 4 parking passes this month for commuters, that will change
• Will be looking around 1 mile of the downtown station per new state guidelines looking to enhance the transportation and retail, residential opportunities. #edc0512 "nothing has ever been denied due to parking" building or parking lot is impervious
• Planning Board looks at the mix of business, we are forgetting (in this discussion) about handicap access (and can't do so). Example of possible brewery at the old oil place on Alpine; where would folks park if zero is allowed. #edc0512
• #edc0512 Q on why the 1.5 per units in the trans oriented development. If we could rebuild from scratch, we could do something, we are trying to live with a situation that started with horses/carriages. $20k/space for a parking garage. Where is the snow going to go?
• #edc0512 I live downtown and have 4 vehicles, two in the driveway and two on the street. Should wait for the survey/study before making the decision. No need to rush this, esp now in pandemic when things are different.
• With 1.5 per mixed use and up to 5 residents in a 2 bedroom unit, they could have 3 cars (or more) and have no place to park, with nothing left for retail. #edc0512 C1 is along the 140 corridor, downtown commercial is a separate zone. Need to make an equal balance
• C1 used to be in the center of town and was changed to be downtown commercial. #edc0512 need to get residential development downtown. As for the proposal, ok; as for other things we can/could consider doing; req parking in back of building?
• Takes away ability for a developer to address his site and opportunity. Let's talk about it during the Master Plan process. We have used this for years and amended over time. We could redo it all at once but it will be time consuming #edc0512
• Can count parking on street vs lot, count differently? It is like that now. If we create a town around cars, then we have to live and make do with cars. Let's try and plan around not a car. #edc0512 Town Council can't micromanage what goes where
• Conversation could be better if folks stuck to the topic and didn't get sidetracked with other 'stove pipe' issues. #edc0512 motion to forward to council, seconded, passes 4-0 via roll call Next up housing production plan draft https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/memo-_2021_public_draft_housing_production_plan.pdf
• https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/franklin_housing_production_plan_-_may_2021_public_draft.pdf #edc0512 memo and doc, the two go together
• Public comment extended and open to June 30 on the housing plan #edc0512 Housing Trust will hold public hearing as part of series of public sessions, comments, questions and inputs sought. Other boards and Committees will need to be involved
• Updates go to town council and planning board, both need to approve before it goes to state for their sign off and acceptance. #edc0512 send input to planning dept via email or letter to be part of the process.
• Community preservation Committee also could/should review as they touch housing. #edc0512 consider Jun 16 at 7 PM as next EDC meeting for housing with public hearing input Motion to adjourn, second, passes 4-0
  

Audio of meeting to be available in a couple of days 

 

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen making a point during EDC meeting

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - May 12

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

Wednesday, May 12, 2021 - 5:30 PM

Agenda:
1. Restaurant Revitalization Fund Discussion

a. Online Application  https://restaurants.sba.gov/requests/borrower/login/

b. Sample Application  https://www.sba.gov/document/sba-form-3172-restaurant-revitalization-funding-application-sample

c. Restaurant Revitalization Funding Program Guide  https://www.sba.gov/document/support-restaurant-revitalization-funding-program-guide

2. Downtown Parking Commercial & C1 Zoning Draft Bylaw Amendment
3. Housing Production Plan Draft

Please find the agenda and links for the upcoming Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting posted here https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/edc_agenda_for_may_12.pdf

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - May 12

“Commuter rail is commuter rail. It’s not transit"

"When Garrett Wollman was considering his housing options in the greater Boston region back in 2001, the possibility of a carless commute beckoned. After all, the city has one of the best mass transit systems in the country, including an extensive regional rail network that ranges down to Providence, R.I., and up to beach towns like Gloucester and Manchester.

He picked a townhouse in downtown Framingham, a Boston suburb, a little over 20 miles from his job in Cambridge at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in part because it had a couple of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) regional rail stations within two miles of his front door.

In theory, it would take Wollman almost the same amount of time to drive to his job at MIT as it would to take mass transit. According to Google Maps, the trip by public transportation is a mere 10 minutes less by highway, so why not skip the hassle of traffic sometimes and ride the rail from Framingham?"

Continue reading the article online

https://www.governing.com/now/taking-the-commuter-out-of-americas-rail-systems

Shared from Twitter:https://twitter.com/KeolisBoston/status/1387886641734471680

“Commuter rail is commuter rail. It’s not transit"

FM #518-519-520 - Town Council Mtg - 04/14/21 - 3 part audio

FM #518-519-520 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 518-519-520 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Apr 14, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: most members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, at least one member of the Council was remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the almost 3 hour minute meeting into three logical segments:

• First - covers the opening  Sheriff McDermott’s update and the OPEB update (~63 mins)
• Second - covers the GATRA discussion (~42 minutes)
• Third - covers the Downtown parking requirements discussion and the remainder of the meeting (~72 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this meeting. 

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Apr 14, 2021

Audio file P1 =  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/04a7a0ac-fa31-4046-9393-621f2333bdcf

Audio file P2 = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/91c1b768-60e8-4bf6-890f-fe59d6f55789

Audio file P3 = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/d3146fb0-0336-46c2-97ee-ba2e1ea63f4b

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

Agenda document folder
https://franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/april-14-town-council-agenda

 
My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-town-council-mtg-apr-14-2021.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/  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"

FM #515 - Town Council Quarterbacking - 04/15/21 (audio)

FM #515 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 515 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting: 

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

We cover the following key topics

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS   Diane Daddario, MD
 
8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS        

a. Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick W. McDermott  ~25 mins

b. Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Actuarial Update - Dan Sherman  ~15 mins

c. GATRA - Mark Sousa, Executive Director ~32 mins

d. Downtown Commercial Zoning District & Commercial Zoning District 1 Parking requirements  ~55 mins

 
10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 21-22: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with the Town of Foxborough for the Town of Foxborough to Provide Emergency Motor Vehicle Technician Services (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-22 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

The show notes include links to the meeting agenda and associated documents.
Our conversation runs about 30 minutes, so let’s listen in to my quarterbacking session with Tom Mercer.

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/38c6835f-451c-4709-b5e8-23c6afcbdf1b

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

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF) 
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/april-14-town-council-agenda 

My notes from the Town Council meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-town-council-mtg-apr-14-2021.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/  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"

FM #515 - Town Council Quarterbacking - 04/15/21 (audio)