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Saturday, August 15, 2026
Franklin Fire Department Promotes Mike Berthiaume to Captain
Friday, October 31, 2025
Town Council helps complete many goals in a marathon 4 hour plus session on Wednesday, 10/22/25 (audio)
FM #1560 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1560 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. The agenda was the same as the one published for Oct 15 which was not held and rescheduled for the 22nd. All 9 of the members of the committee were present in Council Chambers for this session.
Quick recap:
The recent Fire Dept promotions were sworn in. The promotions show the domino effect of the retirement of Chief McLaughlin. Charles (Chuck) Allen moved up from Battalion Chief to Fire Chief, Sean Lovely took Chuck's former role as Battalion Chief, and Jaden Brodeur took Sean's former role as Lieutenant. Photos of the swearing in and pinning by family members can be viewed in one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/g3Y1X5Emuspooz6g6
The Franklin's 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee was appointed after first voting to increase the size of the committee that was initially scoped and authorized
The 2025 Election Workers were approved as submitted by Town Clerk Nancy Danello
A public hearing on a New Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Bassam Michael as the Manager - BMRG LLC d/b/a Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub was conducted and the changes were voted in as approved.
The public hearing on Multiple modifications of a Section 15 Package Store All Alcoholic Beverages License: Change of License Manager, Change of Officers/Directors & Change of Stock - Dharma Bhakti Corporation d/b/a Liquor World was continued to Oct 29. The principals involved were ready for the original Oct 15 session but unable to meet the rescheduled date
Alan Earls, Historical Commission Chair presented an overview of the ideas for the Historical Museum 2.0 https://photos.app.goo.gl/rSGBDkPJPKgSaKFe9
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An overview of the Historic District Commission Process should the Town decide to go forward with one was presented by Will Lee, Historical Commission Member & Rowan Lowell, Town Archivist https://photos.app.goo.gl/qkaVaRd9w3Anh3Nv6
Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator provided an update on the status of Town Council & Town Administrator 2024-2025 Goals. A new set of goals will be determined by the next Council. https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7172/8c-2024-2025-Town-Council-and-Town-Administration-Goals---Oct-2025
Two resolutions were approved to process a State grant to fund the Franklin Stormwater Asset Management Plan
A brief hurrah was heard after the approval of the Adoption of the Schmidt Farm and Maple Hill Master Plans
Approval of Sewer System Map & Water System Map changes for Symphony Dr
The Collection Containers bylaw was approved. The Elks in this case but any non-profit would have a collection container on their property with authorization from this bylaw
Two measure to authorize Residential Commercial Kitchens for locations that are on septic systems (not Town sewer) were approved as an enhancement for economic development of small businesses
A set of 6 bylaws were approved as amended to create the Crossing Neighborhood Zoning District. Councilor Frongillo recused himself for the discussion and votes as his father owns a business in the proposed (now authorized) district
Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided an update that the Department of Conservation and Recreation would like to help fund the work to extend the SNETT to the Crossing Neighborhood District.
The recording runs about 4 hours & 12 minutes (the brief recess for fire dept photos was left out of the audio).
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1560-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-10-22-25/--------------
Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SdsqXbknGQ
Meeting agenda contains remote participation info ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10152025-1953
My full set of notes captured during the meeting can be found in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P7VMhEm04zewpCdXxAIVjqtoL8S7gzix/view?usp=drive_link
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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!
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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"
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| Town Hall - sunny day |
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Town Council approves Rescission of license transfer, accepts Bogan's Way, welcomes Fire Dept news hires & Police Dept promotions (video)
- After multiple citizen comments on a variety of topics the Council got to their agenda items
- Fire Department - Swearing In of New Firefighter / Paramedics
- Paul Schleicher Jr.
- Michael Dumican
- Corey Rafter
- Steven Osorio
- Shea Hurley
- First time to have 60 firefighters on staff, need to keep up with the growing needs of the community. All 60 are licensed paramedics
- The Police Department had 2 Promotions, Both sworn in by Town Clerk Nancy Danello
- Lieutenant Michael Colecchi
- Sergeant Cody Landry
- Rescission of Prior Approval of Transfer of Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License, Heeru Corporation d/b/a DeVita’s Market. Jamie explains quick background on the recession as the "easy" way for the parties to resolve the issues they have, including allowing DaVita's to reapply for a renewal of the license Building code issues need to be resolved to enable the transfer. vote passes 8-0-1 (8 - yes, 0 - no, 1 absent)
- Public hearing on Bogan's way; Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of Bogans Way and Drainage Lot Parcel A and Easements. Planning did approve acceptance, Continuing to chip away on all the public streets in town Public hearing closed with no comments. vote passes 8-0-1 (8 - yes, 0 - no, 1 absent)
- License Modification - Change of Manager of a Section 15 Retail Package Store License: Shaw’s Supermarkets, Inc. d/b/a Shaw’s. So moved, second, passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)
- Franklin Children's Museum - Meghan Hagen & Erin Gallagher, joined by architect and Brad Chaffee, Camford Property Group. Presentation slides -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/4SqkayuitiSFjuzU8
- Resolution 24-63: Gift Acceptance: Senior Center ($100) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24- 63 - Majority Vote). So moved, second Passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)
- Resolution 24-64: Town Council Approval of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds ($8,304) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-64 - Majority Vote). So moved, second Passes 8-0-1 ,1 absent)
- Friendly 40B Policy Update introduced by Jamie in response to what has been heard from the community. After some discussion, when it wasn't really an item for discussion, it is not clear if it is in effect as proposed, or if it is being referred to a subcommittee and/or future agenda for further discussion. Editor's note: there should be a further review and potentially additional changes made to this. It is not a policy that is clearly understood and appreciated by either the Council or the community
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| Fire Dept news hires pose with Town Council |
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| Police Dept promotions pose with Town Council |
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Town Council hears about Dean College, views Fire promotions, gets updates on Tri-County & migrant status (audio)
FM #1060 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1060 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. 8 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers; Frongillo participated remotely, hence all votes were via roll call.
Quick recap:
APPOINTMENTS
a. Design Review Commission - i. Andrew Pratt
b. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - i. Jayaprabha Vijayaraghavan
Both appointments were approved via 9-0 votes
c. Fire Department - New Employee - i. Jack Lennon: Firefighter/Paramedic
d. Fire Department - Promotions
• Thomas Konieczny: Battalion Chief
• Paul Molla: Captain
• Laurie Kaye: EMS Captain
• Matthew Kelly: Lieutenant
• Michael Berthiaume: Lieutenant
• Jonathan Chalk: Lieutenant
The Fire Dept had a bunch of promotions and one new hire to swear in and recognize. The promotions are competitive and occurred over time as other members left or retired creating a domino effect, hence they were batched to be all done at once. Photo album of the ceremony can be found -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/j98XmZmpzjsg5vGZ6
Dean College Update - Ken Elmore, President of Dean College
President Elmore provided a brief update with highlights from the past year, work underway, and still working on better integration of the college within the community and the community within the college.
Tri-County Regional Vocational School Financing
The MSBA provided formal approval of the building project committing about $90M towards the $283M total cost, leaving approx. $200M to be funded by the 11 communities sending students. The 11 communities will vote as one entity n Oct 24 to approve the project. A 50+1 percent is required for approval. The funding for the Franklin portion of the project is likely to be $2.1M per year for 30 years, so it will likely be a separate vote for a debt exclusion, possibly as early as the November election. Stay tuned for additional info. The Tri-County School Committee will be sharing info on the project advocating for it's passage.
LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-898: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements - Second Reading
b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-899: Marijuana Use Overlay District, A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map - Second Reading
Both the second readings of the above bylaws were approved with 9-0 votes
c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-901: A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map
This measure was referred to the Planning Board and will come back to the Council for further action at a future meeting
d. Resolution 23-49: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with County of Plymouth for County of Plymouth to Provide Parking Ticket Computerization and Processing Services to Franklin
The intermunicipal agreement was approved by a 9-0 vote. An interesting way to combine services and save money in so doing.
e. Resolution 23-50: Acceptance of Private Road Covenant with Owner-Developer of Prospect Hills Estates with Access Road Off Prospect Street
The private road covenant was approved by a 9-0 vote. This means the Town of Franklin will not maintain the road.
f. Resolution 23-51: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($1,525)
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT - Migrant Housing Update
The recording runs 2 hours and 30 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on Sep 6, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1060-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-09-06-23
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Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided an update. This audio segment of the meeting was shared separately. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant.html
The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/lUOJJj5hec8?si=IUzMbo_9nNGYa59y&t=194
My full set of notes captured via Twitter during the meeting are collected in a single PDF for easier reading https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_Go0RhESjzP4F3KWutGqZ-kxO3-Fdn0l/view?usp=drive_link
Town Council agenda doc ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_9.6.23.pdf
--------------
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"
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| Ken Elmore, President of Dean College |