Master Plan Update Committee sets additional subcmte sessions and final review before bringing to Planning Board (video)

The Master Plan Update Committee met for under an hour on Wednesday, Dec 4, 2024. 10 members participated, 7 in Council Chambers, 3 remotely.

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/3yl_-0_Uvgc?si=ycbQ7gKYW1H2J3b2&t=84

The agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/master_plan_agenda_-december_4_2024-_with_minutes_to_approve.pdf

Quick recap:

• The 'final' draft is to be updated with comments and potential feedback, subcommittees need to review and coordinate where there are some potential conflicts
• Planning Board is the ultimate approval at Town level (they should actually be preparing the report) although Town Council does have approval before submittal to State
• Discussion on the nature of changes, some are potential, not all need to be considered, respectfully; i.e. if a Planning Board chair makes a suggestion how is it handled? It depends...
• Discussion on adding a subcommittee meeting to the schedule to review/process the changes, use of spreadsheet rather than updating the live
• doc directly. The full committee will decide on the individual changes before they are made. For example, the pedestrian, walk ability changes even if the doc doesn't have the exact wording, when the work required gets is actually getting done, the final regulations will need to be ADA compliant to whatever is the current standard
• Discussion on scheduling joint subcommittee meetings to resolve some around overlap items (Housing, Land Use)
• Likely another full Committee session in January before bringing to Planning Board/ Town Council; discussion on processing inputs and turning around before getting to the Planning Board, discussion reiterates the Master Plan Committee is charged with development of the 10 year plan 
• Suggestion to give the Planning Board a 'redline' view of the final changes, could be easier for Planning Board for their review. 
• Consensus on the full Committee to meet Jan 15 to vote on changes, Planning Board would get the final copy redlined on the 27th; meeting starts at the same time, 6:30 PM
• Chair thanks everyone for the work done this far, wishes all great holidays, Motion to adjourn, second, passes 10-0 via roll call

My full set of notes ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NLCQrQ5sHv274HqRzT1G01isgi61QG4o/view?usp=drive_link

Master Plan Update Committee sets additional subcmte sessions and final review before bringing to Planning Board (video)

Master Plan Update Cmte agenda for Dec 4, 2024 meeting at 6:30 PM

Town of Franklin - 

Master Plan Committee

December 4, 2024 -6:30PM

1. Meeting Minutes

-October 23, 2024

-November 14, 2024

2. Review comments to the Master Plan Final Draft

3. Future Dates

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/master_plan_agenda_-december_4_2024-_with_minutes_to_approve.pdf

Master Plan Update Cmte agenda for Dec 4, 2024 meeting at 6:30 PM

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 ???

Tuesday, November 12

7am Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library) 

10:30am CANCELED - new date TBD - Ribbon Cutting for Senior Center new Van

11am Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

6pm Family Game Night  (Franklin Public Library) 

7pm FBRTC Rail Trail Cmte Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio 102.9 FM) 

7pm Musical Bingo (Raillery Public House) 

**  Town Meetings today   **

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meeting (virtual meeting)

Event Date:  Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 10:00am

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/november_12_2024_agenda.pdf

School Cmte: Policy Subcommittee agenda  (3rd floor training room)

Event Date:  Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 6:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/11_12_24_policy_subcommittee_agenda_.pdf

Design Review Meeting Agenda  (virtual meeting)

Event Date:  Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 7:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/design_review_11-12-2024.pdf

Franklin School Committee Meeting  (Council Chambers & broadcast)

Event Date:  Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 7:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/fps_meeting_1.pdf

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Have you tried the "Year in Review" Quiz on the News in the Town of Franklin for 2023?

Let's try something a little different as we approach the close out of 2023. 

How closely did you pay attention to the news during the year?

A Town of Franklin "Year in Review" news quiz. 

10 questions, and a bonus question. All worth 10 points each.

Submit a valid email at the beginning of the quiz, and at the end of the quiz, you can select to receive how you did on the quiz sent to that email.

We'll keep the quiz open until January 7 and share the overall results.

Take the quiz in the embedded form below or follow this link ->
https://forms.gle/RABScYHFy2mKLgiX7

The Chestnut Street Revue Variety Show - Nov 11

The First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) is pleased to announce The Chestnut Street Revue is back after a two-year hiatus. The FUSF Community prides itself on its musical and artistic talent. Don’t miss this jam-packed evening of music, singing, storytelling and more! Something for all families and the young at heart to enjoy.

$10/person and $25/family

Bake Sale at Intermission Sample delicious treats from the Bake Sale Table made by our expert bakers.

We look forward to seeing you on November 11, 2023.

November 11. 2023, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

262 Chestnut Street, Franklin

The Chestnut Street Revue Variety Show - Nov 11

Shared from -> https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02J4Tk1uEZ7XDDe9LqBGr8jyYjocpvPiHcvEThSafsAGd8Lkuu9bJwsp3yQSaLJ7zTl&id=100064728883709&mibextid=Nif5oz

The Franklin For All series continues with a discussion on Design Review - 05/30/23 (audio)

FM #1005 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1005 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the housing and zoning discussion with Brad Chafee, Melanie Hamblen, Cobi Frongillo, and Sam Williams. Most of us were in the Franklin TV Studio on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. Cobi joined us via the Zoom conference bridge.

Consider this a continuation of the downtown zoning discussion from the “Franklin For All” project which is underway with review and discussion at the Economic Development Subcommittee Plus meetings that Melanie Chairs and for which Cobi is Vice-Chair.  

We were joined by Sam Williams for this session to include his insights as the Vice-Chair of the Design Review Commission.  

The conversation centered on design aspects of the ongoing Franklin For All discussion. Design Review had come up in a couple of the prior sessions so we decided to spend some time on it here with Sam. 

The recording of our conversation on zoning runs about 58 minutes. Let’s listen in. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1005-franklin-for-all-7-talks-about-design-review-05-30-23

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

The collection of Franklin For All zoning discussions can be found here ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/franklin-for-all-housing-zoning-podcast.html

Design Review page  https://www.franklinma.gov/design-review-commission 

Design Review Guidelines (established in 2005)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/guidelines.pdf 

Design Review Best Practices (as updated in 2016) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/best_development_guidebook_sept_2016_1.pdf 

  

Sign guidelines mentioned but more likely to be part of a future discussion

https://www.franklinma.gov/design-review-commission/pages/sign-guidelines 

Note: the twice monthly Design Review meetings are usually scheduled for the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays each month. I personally haven’t been able to attend as this schedule conflicts with the School Committee meetings.

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

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"

The Franklin For All series continues with a discussion on Design Review - 05/30/23 (audio)

Town of Franklin has a number of Volunteer Opportunities - one of these could be a good fit for you!

Town Volunteer Opportunities

Davis-Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee, Master Plan, Police Station and more!

Have you ever desired to volunteer for a town board or committee to enhance the great quality of life in Franklin? Below is a list of open vacancies on town boards and committees, including three new committees that have recently been established on major community-defining projects in town.  

Board/ Committee	# of Vacancies
Davis-Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee (NEW) The Davis-Thayer Citizens committee will explore options for reuse of the former school.	5
Master Plan Update Committee (NEW)  Applicants should expect a 12-18 month process to develop a ten-year vision for the community, including town facilities, arts and cultural development, housing, infrastructure, open space and economic development and much more.  Read the current town-wide Master Plan.	6
Police Station Building Committee (NEW) Applicants must have a background in engineering or in construction management.  The committee will evaluate and plan a Police Station.	2
Cultural District Committee The Committee promotes arts and cultural development in the district as part of the Town's  certification with the Commonwealth.	3
Design Review Commission (DRC) The DRC recommends sign design and style to the Planning Board.	1 (Associate)
Franklin Cultural Council The Cultural Council awards grants to local arts organizations every year and assists in sponsoring major events like the Cultural Festival And Annual Arts Symposium.	2

To apply, submit a Volunteer Application Form.  Deadline to apply is March 3, 2023. 

Paper copy forms and prospective applicants may also visit in person or call the Town Administrator's Office at 508-520-4949 and speak with Executive Assistant, Julie McCann. The staff are willing to assist anyone submitting an application by not using the online application portal. 

Shared from the Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/town-volunteer-opportunities

Town of Franklin has a number of Volunteer Opportunities - one of these could be a good fit for you!

Ad-hoc Town Administrator Review Cmte meets briefly to move formal review to Council (audio)

FM #925 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 925 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Ad Hoc committee for the Town Administrators Review. The meeting was held on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 in the 3rd floor training room. I recorded this audio in the room. 

Subcommittee Chair Tom Mercer opens the meeting. Councilors Robert Dellorco and Glenn Jones participate. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and HR Director Karen Bratt are also in the room.

• Live reporting from the TA Ad-hoc Review Cmte meeting starting now, Chair Mercer, Councilors Dellorco Jones present along with TA Jamie Hellen and HR Director K Bratt

#tareview0125

• Summary draft provided to subcmte related to the Council goals discussed earlier this year (1/4/23) meeting. Credit to the staff recruited and operating under Jamie and to the work accomplished, Jamie happy to be here with these circumstances #tareview0125

• Nothing to add to the goals, other than the new committees, #tareview0125

• Per Jamie, looks great as drafted, we have a great team. Going to full committee for formal approval at the Feb 1 meeting, motion to move to Council, approved by 3-0; motion to adjourn, 3-0

The meeting runs about 8 minutes, so let’s listen to the Ad Hoc committee for the Town Administrators review meeting. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-925-tof-town-administrators-review-ad-hoc-cmte-mtg-01-25-2

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

Agenda doc (no remote participation info) ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2023-01-25_ta_evaluation_agenda.pdf

My notes from the meeting

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xdviRoGYvAeeKXjBEeq6iRkbip9eI79_/view?usp=share_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"

Ad-hoc Town Administrator Review Cmte meets briefly to move formal review to Council (audio) 

Senate President Karen Spilka: Happy Holidays! The 192nd Legislative Session in Review

Plus news from the district & around the state

Updates from Beacon Hill & MetroWest Happy Holidays! The hustle and bustle of the holiday season are finally upon us and with it comes an opportunity to reflect on the year gone by and plan for the year ahead. We have so much to be thankful for: our family, friends, neighbors, and community. This season, I am thankful for your support and what we've accomplished together. As we begin 2023—and a new two-year legislative session—I am looking forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the Senate and all of you to build a strong, inclusive, innovative and compassionate Commonwealth. From my family to yours, I wish you a happy and healthy holiday season.   As always, my office is available if you need assistance or wish to share your opinion. You can email me at karen.spilka@masenate.gov or call 617-722-1500. Warm regards, Reflecting on the last two years As 2022 comes to a close, so too does the 192nd Legislative Session of the Massachusetts General Court, our state's legislature. The 2021-2022 Legislative Session proved to be a historic and exciting time as the Massachusetts State Senate works to address the challenges affecting every one of us. As our state continues to recover from the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued to deliver relief to workers, families, and small businesses, centering them in our strategy to promote an equitable recovery for all. In response to worrying trends at the national level, we expanded Massachusetts residents' access to voting, protected our right to receive reproductive or gender-affirming healthcare, and be safe from gun violence. We also passed two major bills, now law, aimed at combatting climate change, positioning Massachusetts as a leader in this fight. Of course, no reflection on the last two years would be complete without celebrating passage of my priority issue, bringing long overdue reform to our mental and behavioral health care delivery system and ensuring that everyone can get the mental health care they need, when they need it. With the signing of the Mental Health ABC Act 2.0 into law in August 2022, all residents will soon be guaranteed a free mental health assessment, we will have tools to enforce parity for mental health coverage and we will take significant steps toward addressing the emergency room boarding crisis. And having spoken with representatives from the White House who believe that our mental health care reform bill can and will serve as model legislation for the United States, I am grateful to know that we will be providing hope for the entire nation. Our state has an important role to play as a national leader and a beacon of hope to so many. I look forward to tackling the challenges that the new session will bring. Highlights of the 192nd Legislative Session Below, are just a few of the most prominent issues which my colleagues and I in the Massachusetts State Senate addressed in the 2021-2022 Legislative Session. You can read more about all of these in the Senate's Session Report. READ THE FULL REPORT HERE

The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To review the full set of contents, please visit this link ->    https://drive.google.com/file/d/17F28czHEgzLmIfRs6TGfYg-8gWmma5KZ/view?usp=share_link