Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Town Of Franklin Resolution 25-29: Parmenter Deed recording
Saturday, March 8, 2025
3 meetings, approx 5 hours distilled to a 30 minute summary in this Quarterbacking session (audio)
FM #1397 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1397 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 Thursday, March 6, 2025.
Our conversation condenses the three recent meetings:
Police Station Building Cmte Mtg - 02/25/25
Town Council meeting - 2/26/25
Town Council meeting - 3/05/25
We focus on two questions:
• ok, what just happened?
• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?
Topics for this session
Police Station Building Committee 2/25/25
Team together and starting work; No site chosen, no design or estimates other than rough ballparks; Site visits planned to see others recently done; Open houses planned to enable the community to see inside; Video also planned to share views/walkthrough, website with info being built; Likely at east 2 years before some firm details, estimates, sometime after a decision on building vote or not
Town Council meeting 2/26/25
ALS/BLS ambulance fee increase approved
Did get confirmation from the Commonwealth, August 31, Best Western will be closed to the emergency shelter program
Town Council last night - 3/05/25
Police swearing in, replacement for recent retiree,
String quartet and proclamation
OPEB update
Good position, funding plan, AAA related impact
FY 2026 budget update
Listening session at Senior Center ¾
Council Chambers, 3/8 & FHS auditorium on 3/12
JBSC recommendation at end of 3/12 session
Town Council to take up 3/19
$3.862 M shortage, no money to be found otherwise raise or cut
Details on Town page, opportunities for discussion, questions as mentioned
Easement for DCR, and commitment on $1M to help with rail trail extension when the federal acquisition process allows
Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap the three recent meetings
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1397-town-council-quarterbacking-03-06-25/
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Franklin TV video is ready for replay
Police Stn 02/25/25 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWC6PbFTu0s
Town Council 02/26/25 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbkmz3G_q6Y
Town Council 03/05/25 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAHS9BRE4cA&t=100
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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"
Friday, February 28, 2025
Police Station Building Commitee gets an update from the Project team and starts to set dates for site visits (audio)
FM #1389 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1389 in the series.
This session shares the audio of the Police Station Building Committee (PSBC) meeting on Tuesday, Feb 25, 2025. This is the first meeting of 2025. The full project team, OPM, and architects provided an overview of the process and what next steps were starting.
Quick recap:
Discussion on how many 3 or 4 open houses for public to visit the station to see the existing conditions and need for new space
Discussion on how many site visits to other new police facilities, likely 3 so at least the committee members could try and make at least 2 of the 3
Presentation on template of project webpage, still in draft, discussion around what to add to it
Discussion around the video walk through to be coordinated by Steve Sherlock/Franklin TV. Would enable residents who can’t make the open houses to still see the situation.
Discussion on 3 sites, one just rose along Grove St but won’t be considered further as it is too small. Davis Thayer and Parmenter remain currently under evaluation
Town administrator Jamie Hellen made a clear statement on the deed for the Parmenter property that nothing in it prohibits another use. The requirement at the time was to build a school within 3 years, and that was completed. There were no penalties or clawbacks in the deed in case the conditions weren’t met
Not likely to meet again as a committee until summer time. The OPM, architects, etc have work to do gathering info and developing the initial concepts before having something for the committee to review and weigh in on
The recording run about an hour and 10 minutes Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1389-police-station-bldg-cmte-02-25-25/
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Franklin TV video of the meeting -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWC6PbFTu0s
Meeting agenda ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02252025-1601
-------------
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!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Police Station Building Commitee gets an update from the Project team and starts to set dates for site visits (video)
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 ???
4:00 PM - Franklin School Committee (executive session - negotiations)
7:00 PM - Design Review (remote only)
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02252025-15977 PM - Police Station Building Committee (broadcast & Zoom)
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02252025-1601
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What's happening today in Franklin? |
The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Police Station Building Committee Agenda for Feb 25 meeting at 7 PM
a. The project team will do introductions
a. The project team will walk through the new project specific website
a. The project team will give a presentation on the project timeline, process, community outreach, open houses and site evaluation process.
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Police Station Building Committee Agenda for Feb 25 meeting at 7 PM |
Friday, November 15, 2024
Police Station Building Cmte selects KBA for architectural services on new police station (video)
- 6:15 - 7:15: Interview #1: Kaestle Boos Associates https://www.franklinma.gov/police-station-building-committee/files/kaestle-boos-associates-designer-proposal
- 7:15 - 8:15: Interview #2: Tecton Architects https://www.franklinma.gov/joint-budget-subcommittee/files/tecton-architects-designer-proposal
- 8:15 - 9:15: Interview #3: Context Architecture https://www.franklinma.gov/joint-budget-subcommittee/files/context-architecture
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Context Architecture presenting in hybrid |
Thursday, November 14, 2024
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, November 14, 2024 ???
The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars