Town Council Quarterbacking with Tom Mercer - Storm water fee, capital budget, and the FY 2023 Budget process

This episode 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 March 16, 2022: 

• ok, what just happened? 
• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

Recognitions/promotions

• Police Department - Sergeant Connor Crosman
• Police Department - Detective Laura Canavan
• New Hire: Police Department - Derek Mackey

Storm water received 1st approval

Capital plan

Preliminary FY23 Budget Model

Our conversation runs about 37 minutes:

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

Let’s listen to Tom and I in this Town Council Quarterbacking session

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-756-town-council-quarterbacking-with-tom-mercer-03-18-22

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Town Council Agenda document -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-march.html  

Recording & Transcript -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/town-council-hears-about-storm-water.html 

My notes for the meeting -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HKbbsQfgbgIjPbUx7DbMGikfrXo2iI68/view?usp=sharing 

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

Town Council hears about the storm water utility fee and give first approval (audio & transcript)

FM #753 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 753 in the series. 

This session shares part of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, some members of the public participated in person, some via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The recording runs about two hours and thirty minutes (2:30 )

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting of March 16, 2022

NEW: A transcript of the recording is available. The transcript is part of a pilot by Franklin Matters using the transcription service provided by Otter.ai https://otter.ai/ 

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-753-town-council-meeting-03-16-22

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Agenda document ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-march.html 

My notes from the meeting  ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HKbbsQfgbgIjPbUx7DbMGikfrXo2iI68/view?usp=sharing 

Meeting transcript ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YLEsQa-LOO7-erEyhrykMhilZUNpTMaI/view?usp=sharing

Photos captured during the meeting many shared via Twitter with my notes
https://photos.app.goo.gl/S3camznuYvK3wYL6A

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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 www.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"

 

Kate Sjoberg, Derek Adams, and Brutus Cantoreggi presenting on storm water

Recap: Town Council discusses Old South Meeting House, formalizes Joint Budget Committee among key items

Quick recap:

• The Council meeting began with a number of citizen comments about the student behavior and parking issues in the neighborhood around Dean College
• Recognition of Priscilla Cornetta, founder of Friends of Franklin, along with three promotions within the Franklin Police Dept
• Two alcohol license transactions were approved
• Discussion on the Old South Meeting House results in steps to be taken to put out an RFP to see if someone would buy it from the Town
• Approval of the Town Council procedures with some technical updates to bring into alignment with Mass general law and some to put into writing what actually had been the process, along with some minor modifications to bring enable better meeting management
• Formalization of the Joint Budget Committee composed of representatives from the Town Council, School Committee and Finance Committee with an "'advisory" role. This should help with sharing the details on cost drivers among the key groups and community in developing the budget

My Town Council meeting notes taken via Twitter and captured along with the photos shared from the meeting in one PDF document

The audio recording will be available in a day or so.

View the notes via the embedded document (below) or via this link ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MtKjMop-hOxx9-WcdZt9Lwy3bTmNl8I9/view?usp=sharing

Photos captured during the meetings (sone shared via Twitter, some not shared) can be found in one album ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/jWU9Ht8xtBRdFa2T8

 

Recognition of Priscilla Cornetta, founder of Friends of Franklin

Franklin, MA Town Council Meeting - Wednesday, September 15, 2021 - Three Part Audio Segments

FM #605-606-607 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 605-606-607 in the series. 

This shares the three part audio segments of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel, the Police retirement and promotion individuals, along with their guest and family members were in the Council Chambers, some members of the public participated in person, some via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the just about two hours and forty-five minutes ( 2:45 total elapsed time) into three (3) logical segments:

• First (#605) - covers the opening, citizen comments, Police retirement and promotions. The break after the police ceremonies was excluded from this audio.  (~40 mins)

• Second (#606) - covers three appointments, one license transaction and the SAFE Coalition presentation by Jennifer Knight-Levine (~ 58 minutes) 

• Third (#607) - covers the DelCarte invasive species update by Conservation Agent Jennifer Delmore, Legislation for Action, Council Comments and meeting close. (~ 58 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Sep 15, 2021

Part 1 (#605) -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/5563727f-a24f-4aa8-b4e2-9901951bd693

Part 2 (#606) -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/ab9ec365-5692-4151-883f-04fe5e8014cd

Part 3 (#607) -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/c0a7f4f2-5afb-4d2d-9daf-64422c92b1f1

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Agenda document 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/09-15-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf 

My notes from the meeting  -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/recap-introduction-retirement-promotion.html 

Town Council Quarterbacking session (a short recap with Council Chair Tom Mercer) -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/fm604-town-council-quarterbacking.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 www.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"

 

Slide from the SAFE Coalition presentation by Jennifer Knight-Levine

FM#604 - Town Council Quarterbacking - 09/15/21 (audio)

FM #604 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 604 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 September 15, 2021: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

4.       PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

a.        Police Department:

i.          Sergeant Lee Drake - Retirement

ii.         Sergeant Louis Marguerite - Promotion

 

5.        APPOINTMENTS

a.        Janice Prentice - Associate member, Historical Commission   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5a._appointment_-_prentice.pdf 

b.        Chuna Keophannga - Finance Committee   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5b._appointment_-_keophannga.pdf 

c.         Tyrel Hansen - Finance Committee   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5c._appointment_-_hansen.pdf 

 

7.        LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a.        Franklin Shed, LLC d/b/a Franklin Shed, New Section 12 Restaurant, All Alcoholic Beverages, and approval of manager, located at 340 East Central Street, Franklin, MA.   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a._web_franklin_shed.pdf 

 

8.        PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

a.        SAFE Coalition, Jennifer Knight-Levine, Executive Director

b.        Delcarte Conservation Area Weed Remediation, Jennifer Delmore, Conservation Agent  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._delcarte_weeds_pres.pdf

 

10.      LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a.        Resolution 21-53: Gift Acceptance, Franklin Public Library $5,890, Veterans’ Service Department $300, Fire Department $200 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-53 - Majority Vote)

b.        Bylaw Amendment 21-875: Chapter 82, Trash and Recycling Fee Increase - Second Reading

(Motion to adopt Bylaw Amendment 21-875 - Majority Roll Call Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10b._21-875_trash.pdf 

The show notes include links to the meeting agenda and associated documents.

Our conversation runs about 25 minutes, so let’s listen in to my quarterbacking session with Tom Mercer. Audio file => https://player.captivate.fm/episode/9ff2fbfe-abca-4e0b-893e-e69b66a08c5c

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Agenda doc (including connection info) -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/recap-introduction-retirement-promotion.html 

Volunteer form -> http://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/newcaf.php 

The report tab is configured for two reports, one on vacancies -> http://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/vt.php 

And one on expiring terms -> http://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/et.php  

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

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"

 

FM#604 - Town Council Quarterbacking - 09/15/21 (audio)

FM #316 - Franklin (MA) Fire Department Promotion Ceremony (audio)

FM #316 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 316 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Fire Department Promotion Ceremony held on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. This is the next step in the department's reorganization plan put together by Chief James J McLaughlin. Links to earlier updates are in the shown notes.

The ceremony runs just about 45 minutes, so let’s listen to Fire Department Promotion Ceremony.

Note the actual swearing in language is hard to hear however all the announcements for the pinning is loud and clear.  Audio file = https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-316-franklin-ma-fire-department-promotion-ceremony

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The program and photos from the event
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/07/franklin-fire-department-promotional.html

Chief McLaughlin interview in March 2020
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/fm-233-fire-chief-james-mclaughlin.html

FinCom budget hearing May 2020
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/finance-committee-recap-budget-hearing.html

Town Council budget hearing June 2020
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/06/real-time-reporting-town-council-budget.html

Town Council votes to remove Fire Dept from Civil Service in Jan 2020 (requires legislative approval)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/fire-dept-removed-from-civil-service.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/
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"

FM #316 - Franklin (MA) Fire Department Promotion Ceremony (audio)