Town Administrator Ad-hoc Review Meeting 2/27/26 (audio)

FM #1392 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1392 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 Thursday, February 27, 2025 in the Council Chambers. 

Subcommittee Chair Ted Cormier-Leger opens the meeting. Councilors Melanie Hamblen and Glenn Jones participate. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and many Town department heads are also present and contribute to this session.

Quick recap:

• Exemplary performance review; Area for improvement to be mindful of verbiage, tone, in public meetings, emails, etc. Be better able to step back and help us all be better

• In lieu of reading the draft review doc, they walked through some of the sections to pick out key points and allowed Jamie to elaborate on the development of the individual items touting what he (and the town staff) did to complete the item

• Many of the department managers were present and added comments for their review of Jamie

The meeting runs about 1 hour & 55 minutes, so let’s listen to the Ad Hoc committee for the Town Administrators review meeting. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1392-franklin-ma-town-administrator-review-02-27-25/

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Franklin TV video available for replay  -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjaqeHc6eII 

The agenda doc includes the draft review ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02272025-1604 

My notes captured during the meeting -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AssnKA3WLeBxDqbwfKc6owJY6MQ9d6pM/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 out. 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"

Town Administrator Ad-hoc Review Meeting 2/27/26 (audio)

Town Administrator Ad-hoc Review Meeting 2/27/26 (video)

The Ad-Hoc Sumbcommittee of the Town Council assigned to conduct the annual review for Town Administrator Jamie Hellen met on Thursday evening Feb 27, 2025 as scheduled. Subcommittee Chair Ted Cormier-Leger open the meeting with Councilors Hamblen and Jones present.

Franklin TV video available for replay  -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjaqeHc6eII

The agenda doc includes the draft review ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02272025-1604

Quick recap:

• Exemplary review, Area for improvement to be mindful of verbiage, tone, in public meetings, emails, etc. Be better able to step back and help us all be better
• In lieu of reading the draft review doc, they walked through some of the sections to pick out key points and allowed Jamie to elaborate on the development of the individual items touting what he (and the town staff) did to complete the item
• Many of the department managers were present and added comments for their review of Jamie

My notes captured during the meeting -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AssnKA3WLeBxDqbwfKc6owJY6MQ9d6pM/view?usp=drive_link

Town Administrator Ad-hoc Review Meeting 2/27/26 (video)

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, February 27, 2025 ???

Thursday, February 27

5pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)

for additional details on Library events ->  https://franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=24&showPastEvents=false

**  Town Meetings today   **

Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02272025-1604

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) - No meeting, next scheduled meeting March 13

https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02272025-1539

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Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

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

Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee meeting scheduled for February 27, 2025

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR EVALUATION AD HOC COMMITTEE

Agenda & Meeting Packet

February 27, 2025 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR EVALUATION DISCUSSION & RECOMMENDATION

a. Chair Memo & Evaluation

b. Town Council/Town Administrator Goals list September 2024-25

c. Town Administrator Contract Language

d. Staff Input:

• i. James McLaughlin, Fire Chief
• ii. Ryan Jette, Recreation Director
• iii. Felicia Oti, Library Director
• iv. Amy Frigulietti, Deputy Town Administrator
• v. Kerri Bertone, Chief Financial Officer
• vi. Other Department Heads

3. ADJOURN

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02272025-1604

Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee meeting scheduled for February 27, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 ???

Tuesday, January 28

• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library) 
• Last days to buy Music Booster calendar raffle for February

2:30pm Rainbow Cafe (Franklin Senior Center)

6:30pm Franklin Public Library Book Club (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Musical Bingo (Raillery Public House)

**   Town Meetings today   **

Design Review Meeting

January 28, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01282025-1524

Franklin School Committee Meeting

January 28, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01282025-1531

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, January 14, 2025 ???

Tuesday, January 14

• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library) 

6:00pm Family Game Night (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm FBRTC Rail Trail Cmte Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio Studio)

**  Town Meetings today   **

Franklin School Committee Policy Subcommittee Meeting

Event Date:  Tuesday, January 14, 2025 - 6:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/franklin_school_committee_meeting_10.pdf

Design Review Meeting

Event Date:  Tuesday, January 14, 2025 - 7:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/design_review_meeting_-_1-14-2024.pdf

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Event Date:  Tuesday, January 14, 2025 - 7:00pm

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

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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

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

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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)