Showing posts with label planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label planning. Show all posts

Saturday, September 5, 2026

Commission on Disability meeting interrupted/shortened by fire alarm at Senior Center (audio)

FM #1811 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1811 in the series. 


This episode shares the Franklin Commission on Disability Meeting held on Sep 3, 2026 at the Franklin Senior Center. The meeting was interrupted by a fire alarm at the Senior Center. The group managed to practice a safe exit and added planning for disability accommodations (as needed) for Town facilities and public events to their list of topics. 

Commission on Disability meeting interrupted/shortened by fire alarm at Senior Center (audio)

Quick recap:

  • Discussion on a backup clerk for this session, initially John, then Julie took notes.

  • Update on the accessibility working down at the Town level, becoming more formal, coordinating multiple departments as needed, likely meeting quarterly to work on a long range (10-year) plan. Potential covering areas like infrastructure and digital access

  • Disability commissions to gather for a roundtable discussion Oct 14, John and Randy volunteered to participate for this session

  • Issue raised with no audio signal for the Shaw’s traffic crossing; also with a homeowner on Mill St that needs  handicap ramp put in

  • Minutes moved to approve for prior meeting, seconded

  • Interrupted by fire alarm, all clear received approx 20 minutes later

  • Discussion on planning for the Harvest Festival

  • Discussion on having or changing the October meeting date as it currently conflicts with the Senior Expo on October 2

    • Ultimately resolved to cancel the October session

    • Continued discussion on planning for the Senior Expo

    • ASL interpreter being set up for the Expo, vote to authorize the expense (approx $500)

    • Reminder for commission members to wear their t-shirts for the Festival and Expo

  • Motion to move a couple of agenda items out to the November session (advocacy letter to SNETT, and social media guidelines), seconded

  • Motion to adjourn, seconded



The meeting recording runs about 43 minutes (shorter due to the fire alarm interruption).

Audio link - 
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1811-commission-on-disability-mtg-09-03-26/


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The meeting agenda -  https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09032026-2474 


Commission on Disability page - https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/496/Franklin-Commission-on-Disability 


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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 out. 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!

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


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


Saturday, August 29, 2026

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee met on Thursday to share updates (video)

The  250th Anniversary Celebration Committee met as scheduled in the 3rd floor Training Room on Thursday, August 27, 2026 begnning just after 7 PM.

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee met on Thursday to share updates (video)
Franklin TV recording is available for replay herehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqGcII8ylBY


Quick recap:
  • Earmark funds spent by due date and accounted for. Funds to puchase additional clothing for sale was approved
  • For the community portion, little input other than mine to encourage posting the dates as they become firm so that everyone, other orgs, etc can start planning accordingly
  • moving the location for the next three months (Sep, Oct, Nov) to the Franklin TV studio approved via consensus
  • discussion on obtaining donations when not a 501(c3). there is language in the law...
  • Sep 3 subcmte meeting to work on finalizing the first email pitch; should also set up a separate meeting to work on the parade planning with the Police, Fire, etc.
  • motion to vote on the dates for the donor lunches, Oct 16, Nov 5, and Nov 19; vote on the motion via roll call, passes
  • Discussion on additional fund raising opportunities; need volunteers to do the additional work, it is a lot already on our plates. we spent a year spending $50k, and have 18 months to raise $750k. What is the risk if we don't reach $750K? We scale back the events; as noted earlier 2 other communities raised 400+ and 300+, the 300+ had significantly less events. What kind of celebration do we really want?
  • meeting adjourns at 8:25 PM
My full set of notes captured during the meeting


Saturday, August 1, 2026

Agenda for the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting, Tuesday, Aug 4 at 6 PM

Economic Development Subcommittee
Agenda & Meeting Packet
August 4, 2026 = 6:00 PM
Agenda for the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting, Tuesday, Aug 4 at 6 PM


Agenda:
1. Call to Order

2. Discussion/Action: Umass Boston Downtown Planning Studio

3. Discussion/Action: Friendly 40B Policy

4. Discussion/Action: Climate Leader Designation Goal

5. Discussion: GATRA Update - Morena Zelaya, Director of Planning and Community Development and Franklin GATRA Representative

6. New Growth Follow up

7. Next Meeting September 17th (Permitting 101 w/ town permitting boards)

8. Adjourn

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info

Thursday, July 9, 2026

The "Aging Agenda" Show Highlights Retirement Planning for Local Viewers (video)

Brand-new Franklin TV program offers practical conversations on life after 60

Life after 60 does not have to mean scaling back dreams. It can be a time to choose new experiences, make thoughtful plans, and move confidently into the next chapter of life.
The "Aging Agenda" Show Highlights Retirement Planning for Local Viewers (video)

Aging Agenda, a brand-new show on Franklin TV hosted by Tony DaSilva, is a locally produced program that explores the important decisions people can make before and during retirement. In a relaxed interview format, DaSilva speaks with local experts about topics such as retirement timing, finances, taxes, wills and trusts, and ways to make the most out of life after leaving a traditional 8-to-5 career.

Episodes of Aging Agenda are available through Franklin TV, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Community members interested in practical retirement guidance and meaningful conversations about life after 60 are encouraged to tune in.



Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Franklin, MA: Agenda for the Economic Development Mtg Thursday, May 14

The Economic Development Subcommittee meets with the UMass Boston folks who are proposed to develop a unified plan for downtown Franklin during the Fall of 2026. As this project would be as part of the UMass Boston graduate level class work and free, an agreement on scope and approval is likely to be received. 

The subcommittee is also scheduled for discussion to set their goals and objectives.

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info

Franklin, MA: Agenda for the Economic Development Mtg Thursday, May 14
Franklin, MA: Agenda for the Economic Development Mtg Thursday, May 14 

Friday, April 24, 2026

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD)

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

General Purpose

The Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD)'s mission is to plan and implement comprehensive policies and initiatives that work to fulfill the community development and land use-related goals of the Town and its residents. DPCD works to administer and implement the goals identified in Franklin's 2025 Master Plan. The Department works in all areas of planning and community development, and is responsible for traditional land-use related activities such as updating the Town’s plans, and amending and creating zoning bylaws.

Core Functions

Provides helpful and timely customer service to both internal stakeholders and the general public who call for a variety of questions and public records requests.

Support of Town Boards, Commissions, and Committees: Provide staff support to several boards, commissions and committees, including the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Design Review Commission, Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, and the Technical Review Committee.

Provides project guidance and information to applicants, prospective applicants, abutters and other interested parties.

Works closely with the Zoning Board of Appeals and Conservation Commission on related projects.

Produces zoning bylaw amendments in response to community needs, particularly those identified in the Town's Master Plan, and to state and federal requirements.

In recent years DPCD has worked on dozens of projects in all areas of planning and community development, including comprehensive planning, downtown revitalization, economic development, open space preservation, wetlands protection, natural hazard mitigation, brownfields redevelopment, historic preservation, affordable housing, transit oriented development, and sustainable development including the use of smart growth and low impact development concepts.

Staffing

One (1) Director of Planning and Community Development
One (1) Town Planner
One (1) Permitting Specialist


Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

FY26 Accomplishments

Created a new zoning district for the Crossing Neighborhood District and amended related bylaws.

Amended a Zoning Bylaw to add a definition for Residential Commercial Kitchens and related regulations.

Submitted Zoning Bylaw amendments related to MBTA Communities compliance as well as a general cleanup.

Received a Determination of Conditional Compliance from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities for the Town's efforts towards complying with the MBTA Communities Act.

Reapplied for Housing Choice Community Designation

Applied for and awarded a $250,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for demolition and abatement at 21 Grove Street.

Submitted grant applications for assistance with updating Town's Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Affordable housing: coordinated the resale of four affordable units. Established a new process for resale opportunities, including new forms and a clearer timeline to reduce confusion among applicants.

Affordable housing: Assisted with ownership transfer of Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Funds (MAHTF) parcel for the Franklin Ridge Senior Housing project.

Affordable housing: Will be conducting an information session at the Franklin Senior Center to introduce new processes and explain differences in types of affordable housing and how they're administered.

Design Review Commission: Bylaw and Guidelines review and potential updates. Submitting Community OneStop for Growth grant application for help in producing these updates.

FY27 Initiatives

Spearhead the implementation of the 2025 Master Plan.
Draft bylaw amendments related to Wireless Communications Services District to bring in line with federal requirements.
Create a consolidated local permit application for certain clean energy projects as required by 225 CMR 29.00.
Oversee next phase of demolition, abatement and remediation efforts of brownfields site at former Nu-Style property, 21 Grove Street.
Draft a new Hazard Mitigation Plan and submit for approval.
Amend and develop Zoning Bylaw to encourage growth that will benefit the Town.
Work to implement the goals and strategies identified in the Master Plan including but not limited to:
Work to revitalize Franklin’s Downtown core and adjacent neighborhoods.
Expand and enhance the downtown and neighborhoods by prioritizing them for housing development and investments in neighborhood character that include improving infrastructure, amenities, community engagement, and quality of life for residents.
Provide guidelines on Franklin character and develop a more clearly defined review process
Provide quality arts and cultural resources as a vital part of the creativity and growth of our community.
Work to obtain the funding and other resources necessary to implement open space and recreation goals, objectives and actions identified in Plan.

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

DPCD is requesting a small increase of $1,000 in our consulting services budget line in anticipation of necessary work related to the Nu-Style brownfields site and to potential Design Review Commission bylaw and guidelines updates.

DPCD is also requesting a small increase of $500 for its Meetings & Conferences budget line in anticipation of increased attendance at meetings and conferences by the new Director.

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

The Department of Planning and Community Development has an outsized impact on how Franklin grows and develops. With a staff of just three we provide staffing and support to numerous standing and ad hoc committees and boards, we provide accurate information and assistance to numerous residents and stakeholders, including on matters that may not be entirely under the department's purview. We handle affordable housing resale opportunities in house, something a great number of communities find too cumbersome to do themselves and ask the State or other regional entity to handle.

The DPCD Director consistently works with the Downtown Partnership, sits on the GATRA board and on the 495/MetroWest Board of Directors.

The Town Planner sits on MAPC's SouthWest Advisory Planning Committee (SWAP) and on its Council, to which the Director is also the alternate. This requested budget is already

$26,000 less than the FY26 revised budget and further cuts will have a great impact on our ability to serve residents, promote Franklin, and to help Franklin grow in a way that best incorporates the needs of the community.

The DPCD has historically struggled to maintain a full and complete staff, notably a full time position was reduced from the budget in FY26 as part of the override failure.



The complete set of FY 2027 budget information can be found 
https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Lauren makes the case for how Brightlight Business Co can help (audio)

FM #1722 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1722 in the series. 


Brightlight Business Co
Brightlight Business Co
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Lauren Mottley, owner of Brightlight Business Co. We had our conversation in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studios on Monday, April 20, 2026. 


We cover the following topics

  • Lauren’s “Franklin story”

  • How the “Brightlight” name came to be

  • How the company is positioned to help

  • How to get started


The conversation runs about 41 minutes. Let’s listen in

Audio - 
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1722-brightlight-business-co-04-20-26/


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Brightlight Business Co - https://brightlightbusinessco.com/ 


Brightlight business LinkedIn page - linkedin.com/company/brightlight-business-co 


Brightlight Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/brightlight_businessco/ 



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


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 out. 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!

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


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Design Review Committee Meeting 3/31/26 (video)

Town of Franklin (MA): Design Review Mtg held on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 was recorded by Franklin Planning & Community Development via Zoom using the OWL camera. The video was edited by Steve Sherlock, Franklin Matters/Franklin Public Radio and is now available for viewing on YouTube.


Agenda for this session


Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Barbara & Ted officially are a realtor team (video & audio)

FM #1688 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1688 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares my conversation with realtors Barbara Scardino and Ted Cormier-Leger. We had our conversation virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. 


We talk about

  • Their background as realtors

  • Starting their team at Coldwell Banker

  • The benefits of planning

  • The support structure at Coldwell banker that they can leverage


The conversation runs about 37 minutes. Let’s watch or listen


YouTube link -
https://youtu.be/4SBGCepeNRA

Audio link - 
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1688-barbara-teds-fine-homes-03-10-26/




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Barbara & Ted’s page on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BTFineHomes/directory_contact_info 


Their webpage - https://www.barbarasfinehomes.com/ 


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


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 out. 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!

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


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


Monday, March 9, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, March 9, 2026 ???

Monday, March 9



Library & Senior Center events
Library & Senior Center events


For additional details on Library events -> 
For additional details on Senior Center events ->   


Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times


***  Town Meetings today   ***

Franklin School Committee Negotiations Subcommittee Meeting (Executive Session)

Monday, March 9 Time: 4:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03092026-2162 


Planning Board Meeting

Monday, March 9 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03092026-2171 


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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