Town Council meeting audio split into 2 parts: Survey Says discussion & Everything but the survey (audio)

FM #1473-1474  This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1473-1474 in the series. 

This session (1473) shares “everything but” the Polco Community Survey results discussion of the Franklin (MA) Town Council on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. 8 of the members started the meeting in Council Chambers (1 arrived before the Executive Session started).  

• The meeting opens 

• Chief McLaughlin’s retirement announcement

• Citizen comments

• Electric Youth performance & proclamation

• Appointments, Farmers license for La Cantina Winery

• Legislation for action

• Council Comments

• Executive Session

• Approval of contracts

This session (1474) shares the Polco Community Survey results discussion during the Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

#1473 = The “everything but” survey discussion recording runs about 1.5 hours  

Audio link => https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1473-town-council-mtg-everything-but-survey-06-18-25/

#1474 = The survey discussion recording runs about 1 hour and 10 minutes

Audio link =>  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1474-town-council-mtg-survey-says-06-18-25/

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/RpRNbG1tXVw?&t=188 

Agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06182025-1788

Community Survey Report ->  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5956/8a-Polco-Survey-Final-Report

Presentation doc ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5945/Polco---The-NCS-Presentation-Franklin-MA-2025 

Town presentation doc by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5946/Town-of-Franklin---The-NCSPresentation 

All the details in the survey are posted on one Town page ->   https://franklinma.gov/974/National-Community-Survey

My complete set of notes captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bUOaCgv7a1pv5MHGIqweTwmKy2MkAEjW/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 Council meeting audio split into 2 parts: Survey Says discussion & Everything but the survey (audio)

Tom & I recap the Town Council Mtg of June 18 in this "quarterbacking" session (audio)

FM #1472 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1472 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 Friday, June 20, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of June 18, 2025.

We focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Discussion items: 

• Fire Chief McLaughlin reads his statement announcing his retirement on or before Oct 1, 2025. 

• Electric Youth made their annual 'bon voyage' appearance to perform an a cappella number fittingly "Time of my Life" from the Dirty Dancing movie

• Appointment to the Council on Aging: Elizabeth Sawyer, approved

• Appointment to the Disability Commission: Cheryl Fisher, approved

• Motion made and approved to create the Franklin 250 Celebration Committee

• La Cantina was approved for their Farmers Market license

• The Community Survey results were released and explained. Results can be compared with over 500 communities. Good response rate, among the best at 20%, effectively a better representation of the sense of the community with the random sample selection. Paid via Federal grant money as a pilot program. No definitive timeline for a next survey. Likely a discussion later this year on what the results can be used for

• Resolution 25-39: FY25 Budget Transfers. Balancing the books better before they close out June 30. Out of $150m budget balancing on $40k is amazing

• Council enters Executive Session shortly after to discuss contract negotiation.  They returned approx. 15 minutes later to approve 7 motions certifying the contract with Town side bargaining units. All received the same 2.5% COLA that the School teachers agreed to, for a 3 year term

The conversation runs about 30 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1472-town-council-quarterbacking-06-18-25/

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

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/RpRNbG1tXVw?&t=188 

Agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06182025-1788 

Community Survey results

Report ->  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5956/8a-Polco-Survey-Final-Report 

Presentation doc ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5945/Polco---The-NCS-Presentation-Franklin-MA-2025

Tom & I recap the Town Council Mtg of June 1
8 in this "quarterbacking" session (audio)

Town presentation doc by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5946/Town-of-Franklin---The-NCSPresentation

All the details in the survey are posted on one Town page ->   https://franklinma.gov/974/National-Community-Survey

My complete set of notes captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bUOaCgv7a1pv5MHGIqweTwmKy2MkAEjW/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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. 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"

Survey says: "The majority of residents enjoy a high quality of life in Franklin"

On the Town Council agenda for Wednesday, June 18 is scheduled a presentation/discussion on the results of the Community survey conducted earlier this year.

In addition to the document (summary report) released with the agenda, the Town posted additional info:

Survey says: "The majority of residents
enjoy a high quality of life in Franklin"

All the details in the survey are posted on one Town page ->   https://franklinma.gov/974/National-Community-Survey

The overall presentation doc by the POLCO rep -> https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5945/Polco---The-NCS-Presentation-Franklin-MA-2025

Town presentation doc by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5946/Town-of-Franklin---The-NCS-Presentation

"Division within the Town for the vision of Franklin’s future
and how to get there. We aren’t alone in this,
but it is present and must be seen and heard"

Summary Report -> https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5944/The-NCS-Report---Franklin-MA-2025

Franklin, MA: Agenda for Town Council meeting - Weds, June 18, 2025 at 7 PM

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

June 18, 2025 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers 355 East Central Street 

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others

b. Chair to identify members participating remotely

c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Council cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. May 22, 2025 https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5939/3a-May-22-2025-TC-Meeting-Minutes

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Proclamation & Performance: Electric Youth

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Council on Aging - Elizabeth Sawyer  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5912/5a-Appointments---Elizabeth-Sawyer

b. Disability Commission - Cheryl Fisher  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5913/5b-APPOINTMENT---Disability-Commission---Cheryl-Fisher

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM - None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. Farmer-Winery Farmers Market License - La Cantina Winery   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5943/7a-LICENSE-TRANSACTION---La-Cantina

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSIONS

a. Presentation: Polco National Community Survey Results - Sonya Wytinck, Executive 

Polco National Community Survey Results

Vice-President of Data & Insights with Polco/National Research Center with Kate Hinckley, Director of GIS and Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5956/8a-Polco-Survey-Final-Report

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 25-38: Establishment of Franklin’s 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-38 - Majority Vote)   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5957/9a-25-38---250th-Anniversary-Celebration-Committee

b. Resolution 25-39: FY25 Budget Transfers

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-39 - Majority Vote)   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5936/9b-25-39---FY25-Budget-Transfers

c. Resolution 25-40: Increased Expenditure Limits For FY2026 on Certain Departmental Revolving Funds Established By Franklin Town Code Chapter 73, As Provided in MGL Chapter 44, Section 53 1/2, As Amended (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-40 - Majority Vote)   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5942/9c-25-40---Increased-Expenditure-Limits-FY26

d. Resolution 25-41: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($95)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-41 - Majority Vote)  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5935/9d-1---25-41---Gift-Acceptance---Sr-Ctr

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Economic Development Subcommittee

c. Joint Budget Subcommittee

d. Police Station Building Committee

e. GATRA Advisory Board

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. Exemption #3: Collective Bargaining (all Town unions) - To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the Chair so declares.

15. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

a. Resolution 25-42: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Library Union - Franklin Public Library Staff Association, Massachusetts Library Staff Association (MLSA), Local 4298, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), AFT Massachusetts (AFL-CIO)

(Motion to approve Resolution 25-42 - Majority Vote)

b. Resolution 25-43: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the DPW Union - AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Local 1298, Department of Public Works (Motion to approve Resolution 25-43 - Majority Vote)

c. Resolution 25-44: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Custodians Union - AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Local 1298, Custodians (Motion to approve Resolution 25-44 - Majority Vote)

d. Resolution 25-45: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Public Facilities Union - AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Local 1298, Public Facilities Employees

(Motion to approve Resolution 25-45 - Majority Vote)

e. Resolution 25-46: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Professional Firefighters of Franklin - International Association of Firefighters, Local 2637

(Motion to approve Resolution 25-46 - Majority Vote)

f. Resolution 25-47: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Franklin Police Association

(Motion to approve Resolution 25-47 - Majority Vote)

g. Resolution 25-48: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Franklin Police Sergeants Union

(Motion to approve Resolution 25-48 - Majority Vote)

16. ADJOURN

Note: 

Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda doc also includes remote participation info ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06182025-1788

MassDOT looking for your input on their FY 2026 - FY 2030 Capital Plan

MassDOT looking for input on their FY 2026 - FY 2030 Capital Plan

Share your feedback on transportation investments for the next five-years! #MassDOT's FY26-30 Capital Investment Plan is now open for public review and comment.

ℹ Visit mass.gov/CIP to read the plan and learn more about proposed spending on transportation projects and programs for bridges, transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, road improvements, airports, and more.

🗣Register for upcoming public meetings to connect with MassDOT staff and share your comments, or reach out to us by email or mail through June 12.

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DKAnDVsSEj5/