Chair Mercer condenses the Sep 4, 2024 Town Council meeting in this Quarterbacking session (audio)

FM #1272 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1272 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, September 5, 2023.  

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session

APPOINTMENTS

a. Conservation Commission: Lui Puga (term expiration correction to 2026)

b. Council on Aging: Tina Powderly

c. Finance Committee: Ken Ojukwu

d. Franklin TV Board of Directors

i. Anne Bergen

ii. William “Ken” Norman

a. Vote to reopen the June 26, 2024 Public Hearing: Transfer, Change of Location, Pledge of Collateral and Approval of Manager of a Section 15 Wine and Malt Beverages Package Store License: Rye's Wine Incorporated d/b/a Pour Richard’s Wine & Provisions Located at 835 West Central Street, Suite 2, Franklin, MA 02038

b. Vote to reopen the June 26, 2024 Public Hearing: Transfer, Change of Location and Approval of Manager of a Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License: Mormax Corporation d/b/a BJ’s Wholesale Club Located at 100 Corporate Drive, Franklin, MA 02038

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Pete Fasciano - Franklin TV

Chapter 61B Right of First Refusal on Maplegate Country Club

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/memo_-_chapter_61b_right_of_first_refusal_on_maplegate_country_club.pdf 

c. Davis-Thayer Reuse

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/8c._1_-_memo_-_davis_thayer_reuse.pdf 

c. Resolution 24-55: Health Care Group Insurance Transfer

(Motion to Approve Resolution 24-55 - Majority Vote)

d. Resolution 24-56: Gift Acceptance - Recreation Department ($2,000)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 24-56 - Majority Vote)

The recording runs about 32 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom on Thursday, September 5, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1272-town-council-quarterbacking-09-05-24/

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Town Council agenda Sep 4, 2024

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-09-04_town_council_agenda_0_0.pdf 

Franklin TV video is available for replay ->    https://www.youtube.com/live/eZ51XEq57_U?si=DnXqGMfyZU1OEX7S&t=89

Town Council recap -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-council-reopens-hearing-to-approve.html 

My notes captured during the meeting and now in one PDF file ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ojJYhfyLslZxv7XQ8dhevA3R0jMyHcj5/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

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"

right of first refusal on the Maplegate Country Club property was previewed

In this Quarterbacking session, we condense the 5 hour 45 minute Town Council session June 26 to less than 30 minutes (audio)

FM #1242 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1242 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. The Council met on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 for the last meeting of the Fiscal Year 2024. As the session was a marathon one, extending into Thursday morning, completing at 12:45 AM, we met on Friday to recap the long 5 hour and 45 minute session. 

We look to focus on 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session:

• Recognition 

• of Rabbi Tom Alpert retiring

• Of Gabrielle “Ellie” Dalton & Community Outreach Dog, “Officer” Ben Franklin

• Failed to approve the license transfers between BJs and Pour Richard's. Likely to be appealed and appeal upheld by ABCC (the reasons the Council verbalized for denial are not within the 2 criteria allowed per ABCC regulations, as I understand things)

• After much discussion, cut the Town budget $1.1M to provide that money to the FPS school budget. Also in principle agreed to fund another $1M next month from debt stabilization

• Raised water rate, Trash/recycle rate, & storm water rate

g. By-Law Amendment 24-910: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Water Usage Rates - Second Reading 

h. By-Law Amendment 24-911: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Curbside Trash Fee - Second Reading 

i. By-Law Amendment 24-912: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Stormwater Service Charge - Second Reading  (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 24-912 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

• TA Report

• Road condition report published

• Finance reorganization

• Linda Darling appointed, Chris Sandini retiring, Kerri Bertone appointed, org chart coming next time

The recording runs about 27 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Tom.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1242-town-council-quarterbacking-06-28-24

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The Franklin TV broadcast 06/05/24  ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkF-BLT5Vns 

Agenda - > 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_june_26_2024.pdf 

Updated budget document -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/june_26_2024_town_council_meeting_agenda_fixed.pdf

My notes for this meeting  captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fFz4yUhZUIdxhE9P_mi6ASkaLwWnMiw5/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

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"

In this Quarterbacking session, we condense the 5 hour 45 minute Town Council session June 26 to less than 30 minutes (audio)

This Town Council Quarterbacking session covers the FY 2025 budget, the override, school redistricting, and the Master Plan (audio)

FM #1224 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1224 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. The Council met on Wednesday and Thursday (May 22 & May 23) to conduct their 2-night  Budget Hearing for the FY 2025 budget. Our schedules coordinated to talk on Tuesday after Memorial Day.

We look to focus on 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session:

• Town budget for FY 2025 & override June 11

• School redistricting

• Master Plan goals & objectives, review for Franklin’s future

• Summer time events

• Vote on or before June 11

The recording runs about 26 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Tom.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1224-town-council-quarterbacking-05-28-24

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The Franklin TV broadcast of budget hearing #1 - 05/22/24  ->  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0UvopOrvAs

The Franklin TV broadcast of budget hearing #2 - 05/23/24  -> 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRc-8mCAPws 

Agenda and supporting documents for #1 -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/may_22_2024_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf 

Agenda and supporting documents for #2 -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_meeting_agenda_may_23_2024.pdf 

My notes for #1 captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O69NgV1ANM3iJq5TFUm4ALkGmbTMc_sD/view?usp=drive_link 

My notes for #2 captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HVhORTXoOdWGOgZryo8tmzYdLkXDTBy1/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

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"

This Town Council Quarterbacking session covers the FY 2025 budget, the override, school redistricting, and the Master Plan (audio)

In this Town Council Quarterbacking session, we condense the 4 hour meeting to about 30 minutes (audio)

FM #1172 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1172 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. The Council met on Wednesday, and we get together on Thursday morning to condense the meeting. In this case, one of the longer ones at 4 hours.  We look to focus on 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session:

• License Modification - Change of Officers & Change of Stock Interest of a Section 15 Retail Package Store License: Table & Vine, Inc. Located at 348 East Central St., Franklin, MA 02038

• New Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License and Approval of Michael Gannon as the Manager - Shikshapatri Corporation d/b/a Dacey’s Market & Deli, Located at 353 Lincoln St., Franklin, MA 02038

• Resolution 24-17: Local Acceptance of GL Chapter 166 Section 32A

• Resolution 24-18: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($2,250), Senior Center ($1,500), Franklin Historical Museum (~$600) 

• Franklin Town Council Support for Proposed GL Chapter 40B Affordable Housing Project at 444 East Central Street Pursuant to DHCD’s Local Initiative Program (LIP): Friendly 40B 

• Town Administrator report

Press release on Cantoreggi reinstatement

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-04-11_dpw_director_press_release.pdf 

The recording runs about 30 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Tom.Audio link https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1172-town-council-quarterbacking-04-11-24

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The Franklin TV broadcast of the 4 hour session is available for replay on YouTube ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4WPC4cB_S4 

Agenda and supporting documents for this session -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/april_10_2024_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf 

My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1labnvYVykW4HGk01mHIQDk7d725ikuLn/view?usp=drive_link 

Photo album with the slides as captured during the presentation on Wednesday

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WC1n843rA3AQwjTg7 

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

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"

In this Town Council Quarterbacking session, we condense to 4 hour meeting to about 30 minutes (audio)