Showing posts with label quarterback. Show all posts
Showing posts with label quarterback. Show all posts

Saturday, June 21, 2025

Tom & I recap the Town Council Mtg of June 18 in this "quarterbacking" session (audio)

FM #1472 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1472 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 Friday, June 20, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of June 18, 2025.


We focus on two questions:

  • ok, what just happened? 

  • What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?


Discussion items: 

  • Fire Chief McLaughlin reads his statement announcing his retirement on or before Oct 1, 2025. 

  • Electric Youth made their annual 'bon voyage' appearance to perform an a cappella number fittingly "Time of my Life" from the Dirty Dancing movie

  • Appointment to the Council on Aging: Elizabeth Sawyer, approved

  • Appointment to the Disability Commission: Cheryl Fisher, approved

  • Motion made and approved to create the Franklin 250 Celebration Committee

  • La Cantina was approved for their Farmers Market license

  • The Community Survey results were released and explained. Results can be compared with over 500 communities. Good response rate, among the best at 20%, effectively a better representation of the sense of the community with the random sample selection. Paid via Federal grant money as a pilot program. No definitive timeline for a next survey. Likely a discussion later this year on what the results can be used for

  • Resolution 25-39: FY25 Budget Transfers. Balancing the books better before they close out June 30. Out of $150m budget balancing on $40k is amazing

  • Council enters Executive Session shortly after to discuss contract negotiation.  They returned approx. 15 minutes later to approve 7 motions certifying the contract with Town side bargaining units. All received the same 2.5% COLA that the School teachers agreed to, for a 3 year term



The conversation runs about 30 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1472-town-council-quarterbacking-06-18-25/



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The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/RpRNbG1tXVw?&t=188 


Agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06182025-1788 


Community Survey results

Report ->  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5956/8a-Polco-Survey-Final-Report 


Presentation doc ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5945/Polco---The-NCS-Presentation-Franklin-MA-2025


Tom & I recap the Town Council Mtg of June 18 in this "quarterbacking" session (audio)
Tom & I recap the Town Council Mtg of June 1
8 in this "quarterbacking" session (audio)
Town presentation doc by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5946/Town-of-Franklin---The-NCSPresentation


All the details in the survey are posted on one Town page ->   https://franklinma.gov/974/National-Community-Survey



My complete set of notes captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bUOaCgv7a1pv5MHGIqweTwmKy2MkAEjW/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. 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"


Friday, June 6, 2025

Tom Mercer & I condense the 4 hour Council meeting to about 20 minutes (audio)

FM #1462 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1462 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, June 5, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of June 4, 2025 and the closeout of the FY 2025 budget approval in light of the failed override June 3, 2025.


We focus on two questions:

  • ok, what just happened? 

  • What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?


Discussion items: 

  • FY 2026 Budget adjusted for Option B and approved

  • Thanks to all involved for their efforts and collaboration through the Joint Budget process and in resolving the required cuts

  • What’s next, another Joint Budget series starts in the fall

  • The next couple of budget years are going to be equally tough, we need to work together to figure this out

  • THis weekend brings the Farmers Market opening, FHS Class of 2025 graduation, PorchFest returns on Saturday, there is a lot happening



The conversation runs about 25 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1462-town-council-quarterbacking-06-05-25/



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Franklin TV video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/_f72Yd8VXz0?&t=316 


The agenda doc was updated Wednesday afternoon to add the Option B and Options A & B comparisons for the discussion on the budget cuts.


Option A & B Comparison ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5883/FY26-Control-Sheet-and-Voting-Doc-COMPARISON 


Option B -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5882/FY26-Control-Sheet-and-Voting-Doc-OPTION-B 


Full agenda -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06042025-1769 


My full set of notes as written during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1718wLXj_U_hdqq82Jb1rVrgeomNdeHaO/view?usp=drive_link 


The 3 slides Jamie talked to in his explanation of Option B

https://photos.app.goo.gl/oxfbkEcNhB5mpjHB8 


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


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"


Tom Mercer & I condense the 4 hour Council meeting to about 20 minutes (audio)
Tom Mercer & I condense the 4 hour Council meeting to about 20 minutes (audio)

Sunday, May 4, 2025

Tom Mercer & I condense the April 30 Council meeting to 30 minutes for you (audio)

FM #1439 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1439 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 Friday, May 2, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of April 30, 2025. 


We focus on two questions:

  • ok, what just happened? 

  • What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?


Topics for this session:

  • SchCmte Chair Callaghan updates on SchCmte business

  • Town Clerk Nancy Danello with an update on the special election

  • Proclamations:

    • Police Department - Promotions = . Sergeant John Godino

    • Police Department - Swearing in of New Court Prosecutor / Detective = . Tara Lagoa

    • Proclamation: Franklin High School Theater Group

    • Proclamation: Bryan Taberner, Director, Department of Planning and Community Development

  • Appointments

    • Agricultural Commission = Matthew Stoltz

    • Disability Commission = Kelly Quinlan

  • PUBLIC HEARING - a. Transfer of Section 12 Restaurant Common Victualer All Alcohol License and Approval of Dolores Costa as the Manager - Franklin Hospitality Group, LLC d/b/a The Tavern on Central

  • Resolution 25-29: Transfer of Care, Custody, Management and Control of Town-owned Property Containing the Building Known as “Gerald Murdock Parmenter Elementary School” from the Franklin School Committee to the Franklin Town Council, for Municipal Purposes - Motion to approve, second, passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)

  • Update that for the Town Council Budget Hearings scheduled for May 21, 22  Town Administrator will propose that they continue the second hearing to June 4 to enable possible adjustments. The budget as presented assumes the override passes. If it doesn't, cuts would be forthcoming

  • Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided updates on Previous Requests:

    • 300 Fisher Street - very dormant

    • Chestnut Street Apartments - The exterior is complete, the interior has not been finished, in the owners control currently



Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap the Town Council meeting. Approx. 31 minutes Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1439-town-council-quarterbacking-05-02-25/


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


Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/laeIcVjRlgU?si=4VVLHqNRh28zvyuM&t=134 


The agenda and released materials for this session ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04302025-1709 


Photos of the recognitions -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/PKZgCKJM8vAYTVoK7 


My notes can be found in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mo8xvhuHCvkPLQ_Fi54OMbtkQ2WulsJK/view?usp=drive_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

  • 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"



Tom Mercer & I condense the April 30 Council meeting to 30 minutes for you (audio)
Tom Mercer & I condense the April 30 Council meeting to 30 minutes for you (audio)