Members of the Elks Riders presented a donation to the Veterans Fund |
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Franklin Town Council meeting of Nov 30, 2022 video replay available (YouTube)
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Inclusionary zoning and tax rate hearing on tap for meetings Wednesday night
1. Discussion: Zoning
a. Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Good news, the tax rate is going down; however, that doesn't mean our taxes are decreasing
commercial/industrial valuation split vs. residential |
So bottom line, while we do need more commercial/industrial growth, whether the tax rate goes up or down (as it does this year), the one other constant in the mix is that the tax bills do increase. This last chart shows that relationship.
whether the tax rate goes up or down the tax bills do increase |
Sunday, November 27, 2022
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda for Nov 30, 2022 - 7 PM
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
i. Legislation for Action Items: 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f
a. Capital Budget Subcommitteeb. Economic Development Subcommitteec. Budget Subcommitteed. GATRA Advisory Board
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Town Council recognizes Carloni, appoints Wallace, approves license for La Cantina, hears from the Recreation Dept, and more at their Wednesday meeting (audio)
FM #883 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 883 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, October 16, 2022. 7 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers, one member remote (Frongillo) and one member absent (Dellorco), hence all votes were via roll call.
Quick summary of meeting:
The meeting opened with recognition of Becki Carloni of the Franklin Fire Department for her off duty life saving effort at a sporting event.
The appointment of Alison Wallace to the Library Board of Directors was approved.
The Special License to allow sale of wine at 2022-2023 Franklin Winter Farmers’ Market by La Cantina Winery Company was approved. The first market is this Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Ryan Jette, Director of Recreation provided an update on the operation of the Recreation Department including near term plans and future plans.
There was also a discussion on the approach to determine the reuse of Davis Thayer. Consensus was to set up a Reuse Committee of town folks interested in this building and location to make a proposal to the Council for approval. Details on the volunteer application process will be forthcoming and the process will kick off sometime in 2023.
Legislation to approve of an increase to the minimum wage for both the senior citizen and veterans tax work off programs was approved.
Legislation to adjust the budget with some transfers and final numbers of state aid, etc. was approved. This had been previewed by the Finance Committee in their meeting last week and unanimously recommended. This adjustment step was needed before the tax rate is set. The hearing for the tax rate is scheduled for the Nov 30 Town Council meeting.
The Franklin Open Space and Recreation Plan Kickoff Process has begun. The Conservation Commission will lead this effort to update the plan.
The recording runs just about 2 hours and 18 minutes, so let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on October 16, 2022.
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-883-town-council-mtg-11-16-22
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The agenda and documents released for this session can be found https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/november_16_town_council_agenda.pdf
The Franklin TV video replay of the meeting is available on YouTube https://youtu.be/v_88xT1K7mU
My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting can be found in one PDF document -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Kcsiah2iONeLXjpPRlc9dOSEKNKpx8AQ/view?usp=share_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
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"
firefighter/paramedic Becki Carloni Listens to Councilor Pellegri read the proclamation |
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Town Council recognizes Carloni, appoints Wallace, approves license for La Cantina, hears from the Recreation Dept, and more at their Wednesday meeting (video)
The Town Council held their session Wednesday in Council Chambers beginning at 7 PM. One member (Frongillo was remote) so all votes were via roll call. One member absent (Dellorco).
- The meeting opened with recognition of Becki Carloni of the Franklin Fire Department for her off duty life saving effort at a sporting event.
- The appointment of Alison Wallace to the Library Board of Directors was approved.
- The Special License to allow sale of wine at 2022-2023 Franklin Winter Farmers’ Market by La Cantina Winery Company was approved. The first market is this Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM.
- Ryan Jette, Director of Recreation provided an update on the operation of the Recreation Department including near term plans and future plans.
- There was also a discussion on the approach to determine the reuse of Davis Thayer. Consensus was to set up a Reuse Committee of town folks interested in this building and location to make a proposal to the Council for approval. Details on the volunteer application process will be forthcoming and the process will kick off sometime in 2023.
- Legislation to approve of an increase to the minimum wage for both the senior citizen and veterans tax work off programs was approved.
- Legislation to adjust the budget with some transfers and final numbers of state aid, etc. was approved. This had been previewed by the Finance Committee in their meeting last week and unanimously recommended. This adjustment step was needed before the tax rate is set. The hearing for the tax rate is scheduled for the Nov 30 Town Council meeting.
- The Franklin Open Space and Recreation Plan Kickoff Process has begun. The Conservation Commission will lead this effort to update the plan.
firefighter/paramedic Becki Carloni Listens to Councilor Pellegri read the proclamation |
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
On the Horizon - Budget, SNETT Upgrades and Town Council Teasers (audio)
FM #878 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 878 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via conference bridge.
Topics for this session
FinCom recap; Minor adjustments $542k on $128m is only .004
Budget cycle
SNETT work completed by MA Dept of Conservation & Recreation https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-conservation-recreation
Town Council teasers
The conversation runs about 25 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie
Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/On-the-Horizon---Budget--SNETT-Upgrades-and-Town-Council-Teasers-e1qoo24/a-a8s5r8o
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Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator
Finance Committee notes and links ->
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/finance-committee-gets-update-on-fy.html
Nov 16, 2022 agenda ->
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-nov-16.html
Economic Development Subcommittee ->
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/economic-development-subcommittee.html
121 Grove St info ->
Application => https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2022_09_21_121_grove_street_application.pdf
Site plan => https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2022_09_21_121_grove_street_schematic_plan_set.pdf
--------------
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"
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Franklin, MA: Tax Rate Public Hearing scheduled for Nov 30, 2022
Monday, December 6, 2021
Town Council meeting - Dec 1. 2021 - audio in two parts
FM #671-672 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 671-672 in the series.
This session shares part of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, December 1, 2021.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, some members of the public participated in person, some via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
I’ve split the just about two hour into two (2) logical segments:
- First - covers the opening, Tax Rate Hearing including approval of the several resolutions required to complete setting the rate for FY 2022 (~49 mins) https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6128980e-13cf-4dcd-9189-ed9d2716ea4a
- Second - covers the annual Snow presentation and discussion, Council Comments, and Council votes to enter Executive Session, not to return to open meeting. (~ 1 hour and 11minutes) https://player.captivate.fm/episode/91a26556-85de-4148-aba1-0fb3070e4d48
The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Dec 1, 2021
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Agenda document -> https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_dec_1_2021.pdf
My notes from the meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/recap-town-council-sets-tax-rate-at.html
--------------
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 www.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 - Dec 1. 2021 - audio in two parts |