FM #497 - Town Council Quarterbacking - 03/18/21 (audio)

FM #497 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 497 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: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

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/bb4cc8a1-24ed-404d-9ee6-c233fddca435

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Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF) 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/03-17-21_town_council_agenda_1.pdf 

My notes from the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/recap-town-council-meeting-mar-17-2021.html 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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

 

FM #497 - Town Council Quarterbacking - 03/18/21 (audio)

FM #495 - Town Council Meeting - 03/17/21 - P1 of 2 (audio)

FM #495 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 495 in the series. 

This session shares part 1 of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Mar 17, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: most members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, at least one member of the Council was remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the almost two hour minute meeting into two logical segments:

• *** First *** - covers the opening through the retirement recognitions and new hire swearing in ceremonies (56 minutes)
• Second - covers the committee reports, the two items for legislation and the remainder of the meeting up to entering Executive Session, not to return to public meeting (42 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda. 

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Mar 17, 2021

Audio link = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6cf3a4c4-5b7c-440c-b533-7ca66a549330

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Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF) 
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-mar-17.html 

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/recap-town-council-meeting-mar-17-2021.html  

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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" 

Kevin Ryan - Retirement Recognition, Franklin Police Department #tc0317 served 44 years, under 5 chiefs Resolutions from House and Senate presented by Rep Roy

Recap -Town Council meeting Mar 17, 2021 - opens with moment of silence remembering 42 lost to COVID-19

Quick Recap:

• opens with moment of silence remembering 42 lost to COVID-19 
• Citizens Comment: reminder on bricks for the Veterans Walkway purchased by April 1 will be installed for Memorial Day; announcement of a Franklin Area Non-profit Network beginning March 29
• Recognition of retirees from DPW and Police along with the swearing in of new Police and Fire personnel 
• First passage of fee for food trucks for private parties
• Bylaw proposal referred to Planning Board on removal of restrictions for space for tasting room
  

 

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

 

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one folder  https://photos.app.goo.gl/nFjW3RwqtrzycAGW7

 

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #tc0317

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23tc0317&src=typeahead_click

• Getting ready for the town Council meeting #tc0317 https://franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/march-17-town-council-agenda Agenda doc has the connection info to view via cable, live stream or Zoom.
• Reminder on bricks for sale for the Veterans Walkway available for purchase by Apr 1, the cut off would be for brick to be installed this Memorial Day. #tc0317 I announced the kick off meeting for the Franklin Area Nonprofit Network on Mar 29 at 7 PM more info to come
• Citizen commenting against the stormwater fee but confusing it with the water and sewer enterprise funding process #tc0317 valid comments on any increase needs to be considered.
• Ciccone question and confusion around the stormwater, also confusing about what is where on the budget. Also confusing the capital vs operational budget spending. #tc0317 Motion on minutes from prior meeting, passes 9-0 via roll call
• Recognition of - David Allard - Retirement Recognition, Franklin DPW #tc0317
• Recognition of - Kevin Ryan - Retirement Recognition, Franklin Police Department #tc0317 served 44 years, under 5 chiefs Resolutions from House and Senate presented by Rep Roy
• Brief break to allow for movement of folks within the chambers Recognition of Detective John Maloney - Retirement Recognition, Franklin Police Department #tc0317
• Recognition of Kristopher Smith - Achievement Recognition, graduation from the Massachusetts Fire Academy #tc0317
• Swearing in of new officers for Police - (1) Rob Burchill - New Patrol Officer Ceremonial Swearing In & Badge Pinning, Police Department (2) Derek Tetrault - New Patrol Officer Ceremonial Swearing In & Badge Pinning, Police Department #tc0317 sworn in by town clerk N Danello
• Brian Armstrong - New Hire, Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Dept Jeffrey Ward - New Hire, Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Dept Kent Parsons - New Hire, Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Dept Benjamin Angelo - New Hire, Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Dept #tc0317
• The four firefighter/paramedics are starting Monday, being sworn in tonight. #tc0317 and pinned by family members
• Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick W. McDermot was rescheduled for a future meeting Subcommittee meetings for capital and budget being confirmed #tc0317
• Moving to legislation for action, temporary food truck event fee, https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._food_trucks.pdf #tc0317 only vote needed for a new fee to help expand food trucks in Franklin, private property owners. Fact sheet in agenda doc motion to 2nd reading, second, passes 9-0 via roll call
• Motion to refer to Planning Board,  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/21-872_tasting_room.pdf #tc0317 Change in requirements for tasting room for new establishments, does not apply to existing unless they come back to Planning Board. Passes 9-0 via roll call
• Town Admin report congratulations to cultural District for first state grant, housing grant received for affordable housing, chapter 90 allotment just under $1M, thanks to legislative delegation for keeping local aid coming, Gov Baker apparently to move to Phase 4 #tc0317
• #tc0317 Sr coffee hour at 8:30 AM, police reform discussion coming 3/24 at 7 PM, need to recognize and note hate crimes Homeless forum on 3/25 Congrats to retirees and new hires Lost 42 Franklinites to COVID Recognition of access to police hiring, not full pool of candidates
• #tc0317 #talkfranklinfirst gift cards sold over $42k so far, money to stay here. Thanks to Anne Marie for her efforts on the gift cards Historical Museum open, looking for volunteers. Sundays 1-4pm. thanks to the library for their efficiency during the closed period
• #tc0317 stay safe, be careful. We're not done yet, SAFE is very busy, help someone, reach out. Condolences to those who lost any one to this pandemic. Don't forget to do what we need to do, masks, social distance... Happy st patrick's
• Motion to enter executive session, not to return to open meeting 9-0 via roll call That's all for tonight, catch you next time #tc0317 

 

Chief Lynch checking the inscription on the plaque