Changes to Downtown Parking Effective July 1, 2023

Effective July 1st, 2023, many parking regulations will change in downtown Franklin. As part of our communication to the public, we would like to remind the community to check all parking signs and street signs throughout the summer as they may continue to change. The Town will continue to communicate throughout the summer on any additional announcements or changes as they occur. Below is a short summary. 

Downtown Parking Lot Rates

Effective July 1, 2023

Depot Street Municipal Parking Lot & Ferrara's Municipal Parking Lot ONLY

Monday - Friday

Times listed below refer to when a customer arrives and begins parking. All parking is first come, first serve and payment can be done via phone app, debit/credit card and coins on a Flowbird payment kiosk. The quarterly lottery permit is not required. Parking rates are:

5:00 AM to 12:00 PM - $3.00 flat rate all day* 

12:00 PM to 6:00 PM - $2.00 flat rate 

6:00 PM through curfew is Free!

Please note there is no overnight parking allowed. Police take notice and violators will be susceptible to a $50.00 fine, per violation. *The Administration and Town Council are working to tidy up the parking bylaw that will make the parking lots effective at 5:00 AM for the first commuter train. The final enactment of this change is expected to be in effect for the beginning of August. The Police will not give tickets to those commuters between 5:00 to 6:00 AM during the month of July or until the bylaw is changed (signage will be posted appropriately and timely).

Saturday & Sunday

All daytime and evening parking on weekends is free! Please note there is no overnight parking allowed. Police take notice and violators will be susceptible to a $50.00 fine, per violation.

 

Downtown On-Street Parking Modifications

Effective July 1, 2023

• All street parking on residential side streets within the downtown, where allowed, has been merged from two zones into one consistent zone. Monday to Friday 8-2 2HR Parking on certain residential side streets. 
• The Central Business Corridor on East Central Street (Alpine PL to the Bridge) through Downtown Main Street (the Bridge to Emmons Street) has a new zone of regulations. 
  • Monday through Saturday 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM 2 HR parking maximum. 
  • No overnight parking seven days a week from 2:00 AM to 6:00 AM. 
• Some traffic violations have increased, notably a No Overnight Parking violation is $50.00. A new list of violations and tickets are Appendix A of the Franklin Town Code.

Additional Information

• Download the Flowbird Kiosk App for your phone. Kiosks have been installed at the Depot Street and Ferrara's Municipal Parking Lot to accept parking payment. The kiosks accept coin and card, mobile card processing is also available via the Flowbird Kiosk App.
• For online ticketing, please visit the Town's website. If you wish to appeal a ticket, please contact the Treasurer-Collector at 508-520-4950. 
• The Town is working toward developing materials to promote the new downtown parking availability and will be distributed after Labor Day. A portal has been created on the Franklin Police Department website. 
• There will be parking regulations in effect in the Davis-Thayer lot and the Library Parking lots. No overnight parking is allowed in either lot.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/changes-downtown-parking-effective-july-1st-2023

Changes to Downtown Parking Effective July 1, 2023

Town Council approves CPC appointments, closes out FY 2023, refers 2 bylaw mods to Planning Board, welcomes new Deputy Administrator (audio)

FM #1019 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1019 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. 8All 9members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers. 

Brief recap:

• The appointments to the Community Preservation Committee were approved. 6 were reappointed to a new term. One new member representing the Planning Board was made. Two existing members terms did not expire this year and will continue

• Downtown parking bylaw was adjusted for anew start time to account for a change in the MBTA schedule as well as the overnight parking restriction changed for Fri-Sat nights to allow for the late hours of Teddie Gallagher's. Modified bylaw moved to 2nd reading as amended

• 3 resolutions closed out the accounting transactions for the FY 2023 fiscal year for this time. The MECC fund which was reallocated to be part of the school adjustment effectively regained what it 'lost' as there were excess funds that needed to accounted for

• A resolution to clean up some house keeping for the land swap with the State was approved. There was not material fund impact, the funds had already been approved in prior years, the text of the measure needed to be adjusted as requested by the State to better account for their process and records

• 2 bylaws were referred to the Planning Board, both had come forward from the recent Economic Development committee meeting; one to adjust the marijuana overlay district maps, two to allow for reduce impervious coverage in general residential 5 zoning

•  new Deputy Town Administrator Amy M. Frigulietti was introduced. She starts in July

The recording runs 1 and 35 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on June 21, 2023.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1019-town-council-mtg-06-21-23

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The agenda doc can also be found on the Town of Franklin page ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_june_21_2023.pdf 

My notes in one PDF file -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/157tLQi6nFbWEu9QOBPSiUBfdR_M6cyn5/view?usp=drive_link

The meeting video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/P6oDVqj_xqI 

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

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 for June 21, 2023 Meeting

Town Council approves CPC appointments, closes out FY 2023, refers 2 measures to Planning Board, welcomes new Deputy Administrator (video)

The Franklin Town Council met on Wednesday, June 21 as scheduled. The recording is available via Franklin TV -> https://www.youtube.com/live/P6oDVqj_xqI

Brief recap:

• The appointments to the Community Preservation Committee were approved. 6 were reappointed to a new term. One new member representing the Planning Board was made. Two existing members terms did not expire this year and will continue
• Downtown parking bylaw was adjusted for anew start time to account for a change in the MBTA schedule as well as the overnight parking restriction changed for Fri-Sat nights to allow for the late hours of Teddie Gallagher's. Modified bylaw moved to 2nd reading as amended
• 3 resolutions closed out the accounting transactions for the FY 2023 fiscal year for this time. The MECC fund which was reallocated to be part of the school adjustment effectively regained what it 'lost' as there were excess funds that needed to accounted for
• A resolution to clean up some house keeping for the land swap with the State was approved. There was not material fund impact, the funds had already been approved in prior years, the text of the measure needed to be adjusted as requested by the State to better account for their process and records
• 2 bylaws were referred to the Planning Board, both had come forward from the recent Economic Development committee meeting; one to adjust the marijuana overlay district maps, two to allow for reduce impervious coverage in general residential 5 zoning
•  new Deputy Town Administrator Amy M. Frigulietti was introduced. She starts in July

The agenda doc and released supporting documents -> 

 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_june_21_2023.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for June 21, 2023 Meeting

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for June 21, 2023 Meeting

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

June 21, 2023 - 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.

b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

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. 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. May 24, 2023   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/3a._may_24_2023_tc_meeting_minutes_-_draft_for_review.pdf

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled.

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Community Preservation Committee  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5a._appointments_-_cpc.pdf

i. Citizen At Large: Michael Giardino

ii. Citizen At Large: Lisa Oxford

iii. Conservation Commission: Jeffrey Livingstone

iv. Historical Commission: Phyllis Malcolm

v. Housing Authority: Christopher Feeley

vi. Planning Board: Jay Mello

vii. Recreation Advisory Board: Wayne Simarrian

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

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled.

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION - None Scheduled.

 

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Bylaw Amendment 23-900: Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic, Article IV, Stopping, Standing and Parking, §170-15 Parking Prohibitions and Limitations, D. Parking Prohibited, Downtown Parking Map Amendment - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 23-900 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9a._23-900_-_parking_map_revision_0.pdf

b. Resolution 23-41: Appropriation Transfers FY23 (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-41 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9b._23-41_appropriation_transfers_fy23.pdf

c. Resolution 23-42: Sewer Enterprise Fund Supplemental Appropriation FY23 (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-42 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9c._1_-_resolution_23-42_-_sewer_enterprise_fund_supplemental_appropriation_fy23.pdf

d. Resolution 23-43: Transfer of FY23 Regional Dispatch Appropriation to the MECC/Public Safety Stabilization Fund (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-43 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9d._1_-_resolution_23-43_-_fy23_transfer_of_mecc_appropriation.pdf

e. Resolution 23-44: Appropriation of Funds to Enable Town to Implement Chapter 193 of Legislative Acts of 2018, Landfill Land Swap Legislation, So-Called (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-44 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9e._23-44_-landfill_land_swap_legislation.pdf

f. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-898: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements (Motion to Refer Bylaw Amendment 23-898R to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9f.23-898_-_grv.pdf

g. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-899: Marijuana Use Overlay District, A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map

(Motion to Refer Bylaw Amendment 23-899 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9g._23-899_-_marijuana_overlay_district.pdf

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

a. Introduction of Deputy Town Administrator

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Economic Development Subcommittee

c. Budget Subcommittee

d. GATRA Advisory Board

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_june_21_2023.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for June 21, 2023 Meeting

This Town Council "Quarterbacking" session condenses the 11/30/22 meeting to about 28 minutes (audio)

FM #891 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 891 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 of Nov 30, 2022: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Presentation: Elks Riders Donation to Veterans’ Services Department

6. HEARINGS - 7:00 pm

a. Franklin Tax Classification Hearing

b. Resolution 22-77: Tax Classification Residential Factor

c. Resolution 22-78: Tax Classification Open Space Exemption

d. Resolution 22-79: Tax Classification Small Business Exemption

e. Resolution 22-80: Tax Classification Residential Property Exemption

f. Resolution 22-81: Tax Classification Senior Means Tested Exemption

g. Resolution 22-82: Declaration of Town-owned Property Containing “South Franklin Congregational Meeting House” Located at 762 Washington Street as Surplus and Authorization for Disposition (Sale) to Old Colony Habitat for Humanity

h. Resolution 22-83: Downtown Parking Lot Kiosks Authorization  

i. Resolution 22-84: 2023 Town Council Meeting Schedule

k. Resolution 22-85: Public Property Naming & Memorial Installation Policy

Our conversation runs about 28 minutes:

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. 

Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Dec 1, 2022

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-891-town-council-quarterbacking-12-01-22

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

Meeting agenda and documents released for this session ->

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

Watch the Franklin.TV video replay on YouTube -> https://youtu.be/FXWkMcix63s

My notes in one threaded PDF document

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uTxaQe3MXLug8od6xq5C_bqLzbDLoEjY/view?usp=share_link 

My 4 key tax rate charts as discussed in this session

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/good-news-tax-rate-is-going-down.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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

South Franklin Congregational Meeting House

Town Council accepts Elk Riders donation, sets tax rate, approves sale of South Meeting House and more (audio)

FM #890 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 890 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. 7 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers, one member remote (Pellegri) and one member absent (Dellorco), hence all votes were via roll call.

Quick summary of meeting:

• Accepted donation from Elks Riders for the Veterans Services and Veterans Fund

• Held the Tax Classification Public Hearing prior to approving the single rate at 12.58%. Overall residential assessments rose approx 17% resulting in the drop of the rate from 14.05 to 12.58. There were a series of votes to complete the formal process to set the rate for this Fiscal Year 2023

• Approval to sell the Old South Meeting House to the Habitat for Humanity to convert to a single family affordable housing was granted by the Town Council to allow the Town Administrator to complete the paperwork and actions for the transaction

• Formal approval to purchase the new kiosks to be used in the town parking lots to implement the parking bylaw changes approved in the prior meetings was granted

• The Town Council approved as amended the calendar year 2023 meeting schedule. The one change was from Apr 9 to Apr 26. The document also included the Finance Committee and Community Preservation Committee proposed meeting schedules for reference. Those groups need to respectfully approve their own schedule

• The policy to formally call out the process and approvals required for naming any public property was approved. It had been referenced many times that such a policy existed but when it was looked for it could not be found, hence this is now in place.  

The recording runs about 1 hour and 50 minutes, so let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on November 30, 2022.

Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-890-town-council-mtg-11-30-22

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

Meeting agenda and documents released for this session ->

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

Watch the Franklin.TV video replay on YouTube -> https://youtu.be/FXWkMcix63s

My notes in one threaded PDF document (one correction, on the vote for the single tax rate my notes said the no vote was cast by Chandler when it was really Sheridan. Twitter doesn’t allow for editing tweets hence this note of acknowledgment.)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uTxaQe3MXLug8od6xq5C_bqLzbDLoEjY/view?usp=share_link 

My 4 key tax rate charts as discussed in this session

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/good-news-tax-rate-is-going-down.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"

Members of the Elks Riders presented a donation to the Veterans Fund

Town Council Quarterbacking with Tom Mercer gets inside the last meeting for you (audio)

FM #874 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 874 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 of Nov 2, 2022: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

Election Of Officers

License Transactions

o   3 change of manager

o   Big Y change of manager

o   license transfer from Franklin Village Liquors to Big Y for all alcohol

National Register Historic Districts In Franklin (rescheduled)

Lead Service Line Inventory

Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($1,845), Fire Dept. ($486

Parking

Our conversation runs about 28 minutes:

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. 

Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Nov 3, 2022

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-874-town-council-quarterbacking-with-tom-mercer-11-03-22

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

The agenda and documents for this session can be found -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/november_2_town_council_meeting.pdf

Watch the Franklin.TV video replay on YouTube -> https://youtu.be/CqUQ6OxjMj4

My notes in one threaded PDF document

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JQqjOe3j5PayvvfeB5hnvURBbrcPfUUN/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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Nov 2, 2022