FM #1397 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1397 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, March 6, 2025.
Our conversation condenses the three recent meetings:
Police Station Building Cmte Mtg - 02/25/25
Town Council meeting - 2/26/25
Town Council meeting - 3/05/25
We focus on two questions:
• ok, what just happened?
• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?
Topics for this session
Team together and starting work; No site chosen, no design or estimates other than rough ballparks; Site visits planned to see others recently done; Open houses planned to enable the community to see inside; Video also planned to share views/walkthrough, website with info being built; Likely at east 2 years before some firm details, estimates, sometime after a decision on building vote or not
ALS/BLS ambulance fee increase approved
Did get confirmation from the Commonwealth, August 31, Best Western will be closed to the emergency shelter program
Police swearing in, replacement for recent retiree,
String quartet and proclamation
OPEB update
Good position, funding plan, AAA related impact
FY 2026 budget update
Listening session at Senior Center ¾
Council Chambers, 3/8 & FHS auditorium on 3/12
JBSC recommendation at end of 3/12 session
Town Council to take up 3/19
$3.862 M shortage, no money to be found otherwise raise or cut
Details on Town page, opportunities for discussion, questions as mentioned
Easement for DCR, and commitment on $1M to help with rail trail extension when the federal acquisition process allows
Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap the three recent meetings
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1397-town-council-quarterbacking-03-06-25/
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Franklin TV video is ready for replay
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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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| 3 meetings, approx 5 hours distilled to a 30 minute summary in this Quarterbacking session (audio) |
