a. FY24 Budget Approvalb. FY24 Project slate
i. Open Space Appropriationsii. Fletcher Field Playground Improvements - $150,000iii. Nason Street site work preparation - $25,000iv. Beaver Street Challenge Course - $150,000
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 *
a. FY24 Budget Approvalb. FY24 Project slate
i. Open Space Appropriationsii. Fletcher Field Playground Improvements - $150,000iii. Nason Street site work preparation - $25,000iv. Beaver Street Challenge Course - $150,000
"In accordance with MGL c. 30 section 39m, it is the intention of the Town of Franklin to retain the services of a construction firm for the purposes of constructing approximately 4,250 feet of waterline improvements in the Janie Avenue Neighborhood in the Town of Franklin."
Shared from Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/janie-avenue-neighborhood-waterline-improvements-project
![]() |
Janie Avenue Neighborhood Waterline Improvements Project - Invitation for Bids |
FM #893 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 893 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Community Preservation Committee meeting held in Council Chambers on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.
Chair C Feeley, M Doyle, J Livingstone, P Malcolm,W Simarian, R Power (remote), L Oxford [D McNeill, M Giardino absent]
Town Administration: J Hellen, A Alleyne,
The meeting approved the minutes of the prior meeting via roll call vote (7-0-2; 7 for, 0 against, 2 absent).
Motion to accept the proposed meeting scheduled for 2023, seconded, passes via voice vote (7 for, 0 against, 2 absent)
Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provides project updates on work underway
Red Brick School exterior renovation - doors and windows backordered
Nason St Tot lot site prep work being done now in advance of renovation in the spring
King St Memorial Field estimate and draft depiction of the field layout and work proposed. Timeline and funding remains TBD. Would be adding pickleball courts, would be including a paved path all around the park, would also be adding parking; questioned on if handicap access for the community garden is considered? I added that when the garden opened in 2010, it did have stonedust entrance and among the first four beds on each side of the main gate. It was covered with mulch a few years ago. The base likely could be restored.
Jamie also provided a financial update, it had a minor error and would be further enhanced to better reflect what was approved vs allocated vs. spent, etc.
Committee entered executive session via roll call vote not to return to open meeting (7 for, 0 against, 2 absent)
The recording runs about 22 minutes, so let’s listen to the Community Preservation Committee discussion on Dec 6, 2022.
--------------
Meeting agenda =>
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-12-06_cpa_agenda_packet.pdf
My notes -> (note my vote tallies were off, there were 3 chairs empty but 1 member was remote so it should have been 7-0-2 [not 6-0-3[)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uBAa-GVCyoWXbh_svh0EwKscfrE326yO/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"
The committee approved the minutes of the prior meeting via roll call vote (7-0-2; 7 for, 0 against, 2 absent).
Motion to accept the proposed meeting scheduled for 2023, seconded, passes via voice vote (7 for, 0 against, 2 absent)
Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provides project updates on work underway
Red Brick School exterior renovation - doors and windows backordered
Nason St Tot lot site prep work being done now in advance of renovation in the spring
King St Memorial Field estimate and draft depiction of the field layout and work proposed. Timeline and funding remains TBD. Would be adding pickleball courts, would be including a paved path all around the park, would also be adding parking; questioned on if handicap access for the community garden is considered? I added that when the garden opened in 2010, it did have a stonedust entrance and among the first four beds on each side of the main gate. It was covered with mulch a few years ago. The base likely could be restored.
Jamie also provided a financial update, it had a minor error and would be further enhanced to better reflect what was approved vs allocated vs. spent, etc.
Committee entered executive session via roll call vote not to return to open meeting (7 for, 0 against, 2 absent)
depiction of proposed King St Memorial park improvements
FM #877 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 877 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Franklin Housing Authority meeting held on Monday, November 14, 2022 in the Common Room at Central Park Terrace.
Participating were:
GEORGE DANELLO, CHAIR
CHRIS FEELEY (a few minutes late to session)
PETER BRUNELLI
ANDREW M KEPPLE, STATE APPOINTEE
CHRISTOPHER LENNON
Lisa M. Audette, Housing Authority Agent
The recording of the meeting runs about 30 minutes. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-877-franklin-ma-housing-authority-mtg-11-14-22
--------------
Meeting agenda doc ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/events/franklin_housing_authority_agenda.pdf
Franklin Housing Authority web page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/housing-authority
My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10LJDmQDEUDJFTUysGKhsIGSG-d2Ct8Wu/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"
"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."
FM #860 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 860 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Community Preservation Committee meeting held in Council Chambers on Tuesday, October 4, 2022.
Chair: C Feeley, D McNeill, M Doyle, J Livingstone, P Malcolm, M Giardino, R Power, L Oxford [W Simarian, absent]
Town Administration: J Hellen, A Alleyne, K Bertone
The meeting approved the minutes of the prior meeting via voice vote (8-0-1; 8 for, 0 against, 1 absent).
Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walked through the right of first refusal option on the Schmidt Farm property. After discussion and clarification questions, the Committee voted to recommend use of CPA funds for the purchase with an 8-0-1 vote (8 for, 0 against, 1 absent).
Jamie also provided some project updates on work underway (Red Brick School exterior renovation) and work being held (Nason St tot lot, Historical Msueum cupola).
The recording runs about 27 minutes, so let’s listen to the Community Preservation Committee discussion on Oct 4, 2022.
--------------
Meeting agenda =>
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/10.04.22_cpc_agenda.pdf
Schmidt Farm presentation doc ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/schmidt_farm_61a_presentation.pdf
My notes ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aTK3-U4PeOUqI2qn-KDNUn49s72eh5jg/view?usp=sharing
--------------
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"
![]() |
Voices of Franklin: Colin Cass on the Norfolk Aggie solar project |
FM #820 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 820 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in hybrid format on Wednesday, June 22, 2022.
Chair: T Mercer, M Hamblen, C Frongillo, G Jones, P Sheridan, D Pellegri, R Dellorco, T Cormier-Leger, B Chandler
Town Administration: J Hellen, A Alleyne, M Cerel, et al
The recording runs about ninety minutes (excluding the brief breaks for photos), so let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on June 22, 2022.
--------------
Meeting agenda =>
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_june_22_2022.pdf
My notes taken via Twitter are captured in this PDF
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hfMfgMowj-Vh04MroSUgrEwK1qzVTLWm/view?usp=sharing
My photos taken during the meeting are in one album https://photos.app.goo.gl/h52SdtFSfb6gxofZA
YouTube video of meeting -> https://youtu.be/J0rn18f6aiM
Keep up with events in Franklin via the Community Calendar
https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.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"