Community engagement, everywhere you turn, there's an opportunity tops this Talk Franklin discussion (audio)

FM #943 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 943 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via conference bridge on Thursday, February 8, 2023.  

Topics for this session

Community Preservation Cmte – public hearing Tuesday

Finance Cmte (will be conducted after we record)

Community engagement opportunities

• Master plan

• Davis Thayer

• Police Station

Town Council outlook for the Feb 15 meeting

• inclusionary zoning

• capital plan (first pass) 

The conversation runs about 27 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie. Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Police-Building--Davis-Thayer-Reuse--Master-Plan-Committee-opportunities-and-more-for-residents-e1v1ags/a-a9bepvf

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Town Council agenda for 2/15/23

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/feb_15_2023_agenda.pdf 

Community Preservation Committee meeting (video)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/community-preservation-cmte-public.html 

Finance Committee meeting (video)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/franklin-tv-video-of-finance-committee.html 

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

Talk Franklin podcast page -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin 

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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!

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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"

Community engagement, everywhere you turn, there's an opportunity tops this Talk Franklin discussion (audio)

Town of Franklin has a number of Volunteer Opportunities - one of these could be a good fit for you!

Town Volunteer Opportunities

Davis-Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee, Master Plan, Police Station and more!

Have you ever desired to volunteer for a town board or committee to enhance the great quality of life in Franklin? Below is a list of open vacancies on town boards and committees, including three new committees that have recently been established on major community-defining projects in town.  

Board/ Committee	# of Vacancies
Davis-Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee (NEW) The Davis-Thayer Citizens committee will explore options for reuse of the former school.	5
Master Plan Update Committee (NEW)  Applicants should expect a 12-18 month process to develop a ten-year vision for the community, including town facilities, arts and cultural development, housing, infrastructure, open space and economic development and much more.  Read the current town-wide Master Plan.	6
Police Station Building Committee (NEW) Applicants must have a background in engineering or in construction management.  The committee will evaluate and plan a Police Station.	2
Cultural District Committee The Committee promotes arts and cultural development in the district as part of the Town's  certification with the Commonwealth.	3
Design Review Commission (DRC) The DRC recommends sign design and style to the Planning Board.	1 (Associate)
Franklin Cultural Council The Cultural Council awards grants to local arts organizations every year and assists in sponsoring major events like the Cultural Festival And Annual Arts Symposium.	2

To apply, submit a Volunteer Application Form.  Deadline to apply is March 3, 2023. 

Paper copy forms and prospective applicants may also visit in person or call the Town Administrator's Office at 508-520-4949 and speak with Executive Assistant, Julie McCann. The staff are willing to assist anyone submitting an application by not using the online application portal. 

Shared from the Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/town-volunteer-opportunities

Town of Franklin has a number of Volunteer Opportunities - one of these could be a good fit for you!

Town Council Quarterbacking session with Chair Tom Mercer condenses the 2.5 hour meeting to about 35 minutes (audio)

FM #921 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 921 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 Jan 18, 2023: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

• Presentation on the first year at the Senior Center by Director Danielle Hopkins and Deputy Director Christina Larose; introduction of multi year plan, service enhancements, etc.

• Storm water presentation, how to find your property on the map, and calculate your fee; Then discussion on the credit booklet and process for applying; business would apply every five years, residents yearly

• Announcement of the Town Council members for the four committees authorized at the prior meeting, some of these will start right away, some later this year. The application process for residents to express interest is still forthcoming. These are the Councilors who will lead the efforts as Chair, Vice-chair and Clerk.

 

Committee	Chair	Vice-chair	Clerk
Ad-Hoc Arts & Culture	Frongillo	Cormier-Leger	Hamblen
Master Plan	Jones	Frongillo	Hamblen
Davis Thayer Reuse	Pellegri	Sheridan	Cormier-Leger
Police Station Building	Mercer	Chandler	Dellorco

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

Our conversation runs about 39 minutes. Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Jan 19, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-921-town-council-quarterbacking-01-19-23

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Meeting agenda and documents released for this session ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/january_18_2023_town_council_agenda.pdf

Watch the Franklin.TV video replay on YouTube ->  https://youtu.be/OcZywdfQ5eA 

My recap, notes, and audio -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/town-council-hears-updates-on-senior.html 

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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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Town Council Quarterbacking session with Chair Tom Mercer condenses the 2.5 hour meeting to about 35 minutes (audio)

"Talk Franklin" gets the new year started; Jamie talks of committees authorized, compensation plan, capital budget, and more (audio)

FM #917 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 917 in the series. 

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

Topics for this session

Welcome to 2023

200 acres of open space

Town Council recap

Four committees authorized

• Arts & Culture prep for Master Plan – complete Jun 2023

• Master Plan – approx. 18 months

• Davis Thayer reuse – complete Dec 2023

• Police Station likely 3-4 years

Finance Committee recap

• Compensation plan, multi year implementation

• Capital budget for FY 2023 ( increase to debt stabilization account)

Hiring for backfills continues

Preview of Town Council

The conversation runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie. Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/2023---A-Year-of-Planning-for-Franklins-Future-e1tjutj/a-a96jv09

 

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Town Council meeting 1/04/23 recap (audio & video links) -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/franklin-panthers-recognized-historic.html 

Finance Committee 1/11/23 recap (audio & video links) ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/finance-cmte-gets-briefed-on-1st.html 

Compensation & Classification Study

i. Draft Report, Results & Methodology   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/class_and_comp_draft_final_report.pdf 

ii. Compensation & Classification Plan   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/class_and_comp_plan.pdf 

Town Council agenda for 1/18/23

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/franklin-ma-town-council-january-18.html 

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

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

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"

"Talk Franklin" gets the new year started; Jamie talks of committees authorized, compensation plan, capital budget, and more (audio)

Franklin Panthers recognized, Historic Districts info shared, goals update provided and 4 committees authorized (audio)

FM #913 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 913 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. All 9 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers.

Quick recap:

• Franklin Panthers 4th grade football team recognized for winning the State Championship

• Video and info shared on the 2 National Register Historic Districts in Franklin that was prepared by Vicki Earls, Franklin Public Library

• Town Council Goals Update in the middle of this two year term was provided by Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

• Renewal of Municipal agreement with Tri-County for school resource officer

• Ratification of 3 contract adjustments with Police (2) and Fire (1)

• Authorize formation of four committees

• Arts & Culture

• Master Plan

• Police Station

• Davis Thayer reuse

The recording runs just over 2 hours. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on January 4, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-913-town-council-mtg-01-04-23

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Meeting agenda and documents released for this session ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/franklin-ma-town-council-meeting-agenda.html

The National Register Historic Districts presentation ->   https://youtu.be/KdGHozDRa1E

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

My notes in one threaded PDF document -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iIH7JAlnlgN69HDkUYIS-3U44pUSUW15/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"

Historic Districts info shared