Tom Mercer recaps the Council Meeting of Jan 3 in this "Quarterbacking" session to start 2024 (audio)

FM #1127 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1127 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, January 5, 2023.  

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. New Section 12 Restaurant Common Victualer All Alcohol License and Approval of Lisa Ann Truax as the Manager - L Truax King Street Cafe Inc. d/b/a King Street Cafe, Located at 390 King Street  

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Discussion: 2024-2025 Town Council & Town Administration Work Plan  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/8a._24-01_tc_and_ta_goals.pdf 

b. Resolution 24-01: Adoption of 2024-2025 Town Council and Town Administration Work Plan (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-01 - Majority Vote)  

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Bylaw Amendment 24-904: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service - First Reading

c. Resolution 24-02: Acceptance of Parcel A , Drainage Lot, on Westerly Side of Maple Street (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-02 - Majority Vote)  

The recording runs about 28 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom on Friday, January 3, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1127-town-council-quarterbacking-01-05-24

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Town Council agenda for Jan 3, 2024 meeting ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/jan_3_2023_town_council_agenda.pdf 

Town Council recap & video link -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/01/town-council-approves-all-alcohol.html 

My notes captured via Twitter and collected in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PAyli8_q5IIawWv8HKWNHeOP8mrfaFwi/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

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"

Tom Mercer recaps the Council Meeting of Jan 3 in this "Quarterbacking" session to start 2024 (audio)

Town Council approves all alcohol license and sets work plan for next 2 years (video)

The Franklin (MA) Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday January 3, 2024. All nine members were present in Chambers. The Council accomplished a bunch of business during the 2 hour session.

Quick recap:

• Approved a New Section 12 Restaurant Common Victualer All Alcohol License and Approval of Lisa Ann Truax as the Manager - L Truax King Street Cafe Inc. d/b/a King Street Cafe, Located at 390 King Street 
• Reviewed, took community input, and discussed adjustments to the work plan for the next 2 years. These Council "goals" are a mix of projects not completed in prior years (Historical Museum cupola), place holders for work coming (Objectives TBD from the Master Plan), and wordsmithing to better provide opportunity to accomplish the "aggressive" plan put forward by Town Administration 
• Community input could be summarized in 3 areas: affordable housing, addressing climate change, and finding a workable solution even if a flag policy can't be found
• Agreed to an increase for the ambulance rates. This is done annually to ensure the Town recovers appropriate costs as well as maintain competitive rates vis a vi neighboring communities. This was the first reading, the second reading will likely be the next Council meeting
• The Council also approved Acceptance of Parcel A, Drainage Lot, on Westerly Side of Maple Street

The Franklin TV video link (edited to remove the 20 second zoom bombing that briefly interrupted the session) -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSJhP-o9mKE

The agenda for th

e meeting (and associated documents) -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/jan_3_2023_town_council_agenda.pdf

My notes captured via Twitter and collected in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PAyli8_q5IIawWv8HKWNHeOP8mrfaFwi/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for Meeting - January 3, 2024

2024-2025 Town Council and Town Administration Work Plan (draft for review at Council Mtg 1/03/24)

December 29, 2023  

                              

Memorandum

 

To:     Town Council

From:    Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

            Amy Frigulietti, Deputy Town Administrator

Re: Resolution 24-01: Adoption of 2024-2025 Town Council and Town Administration Work Plan

Please see the attached DRAFT work plan for the upcoming 2024-2025 Council session. This list has been compiled by the town departments and reflects projects that have been financed and/or started and that fall within the capacity of the current town staffing structure. As you can see, the theme of the next two years is to finish what has been started, as well as projects that are currently awaiting legal approval, such as the Master Plan and Open Space Plan.

Please let us know if you have any questions!

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2024-2025 Town Council and Town Administration Work Plan

Last updated: January 3, 2024

The following are a list of proposed goals (not in any particular order) by the Town Council and Town Administrator for the 2024-2025 session.

Finance

●    Review & approve biennial Town Finance Policies

● Review annual financial audit and OPEB actuarial

● Conduct a market analysis on Chapter 82 fees for service

● Authorize and manage final allotments of ARPA federal stimulus funds

● Approve annual capital budget for FY24 and FY25

● Approve annual operating budget for FY25 and FY26

● Evaluate and discuss the need for an override through the Joint Budget Subcommittee

● Commence collective bargaining prior to contract expiration (Summer 2025)

● Reevaluate and approve revised borrowing legislation for school and town facilities

Economic Development (To the EDC)

●    Comply with the MBTA Communities law, including evaluating the potential of rezoning around Forge Park MBTA station

● Monitor statewide Housing Bond Bill & housing legislation relative to ADU’s

● Support and codify a grease trap bylaw with the Board of Health and Sewer Department.

● Discuss a 40R Bylaw

● Prioritize and/or implement recommendations from the Housing Production Plan and townwide Master Plan (pending approval of the Master Plan by the Planning Board)

● Execute Phase 1 of the branding & marketing analysis, including a refresh of the town and school websites

● Continue to research and discuss a home occupation business bylaw

● Research zoning relative to shared kitchen spaces

● Review and approve the Franklin Crossing Neighborhood zoning district (C-1)

● Collaborate with FPS, local, regional and statewide stakeholders to prepare for and market Franklin when the World Cup arrives in 2026 in Foxborough

Public Works

●    Support and educate the community on the Beaver Street Interceptor project

● Develop a strategy to prioritize town infrastructure investments, including roads, sidewalks, stormwater, sewer, water and recycling

● Evaluate the need for a stormwater rate increase to meet the federal mandate

● Approve a new 5-year Water Main replacement plan

● Complete the state land swap and design the Recycling Center

● Implement the Water Tank Analysis Master Plan

● Apply for the next phase of Complete Streets grant funding

● Continue to fund and accept public ways

 

Facilities

● Support the staff in completing the backlog of funded or partially designed projects, including:

○ Municipal Building renovation

○ Hire an Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) to lead the Police Station Building project

○ Restore the Cupola in the Franklin Historic Museum and hire an architect to reevaluate the Museum floor plan to create more flexible exhibit spaces

○ Replace High School visitor bleachers and sound system

○ Design and build the Senior Center Pavilion (also install sign lighting)

○ Update the design of the Remington-Jefferson renovation

○ Support the King Street Memorial Park rehabilitation

● Collaborate with the School Department on a Comprehensive Facilities Assessment

● Evaluate the reuse of the Davis-Thayer School by issuing a preliminary Expression of Interest and finalizing the property appraisal

● Work with Habitat for Humanity to execute the Purchase & Sale and Renovation of the Old South Church on Washington Street

● Apply for the next round of Green Communities grant funding

General Government

● Promote and educate on the new sidewalk snow removal bylaw

● Evaluate and discuss a Flag Policy

● Accept Municipal Disability Commission statute

● Execute Cannabis Control Commission’s unfunded mandates to comply with new permitting regulations and equity requirements for private cannabis companies

● Support School & Town Finance and HR departments’ reorganization, electronic personnel records integration, onboarding software, succession planning, MUNIS updates, and expanding LinkedIn recruiting and retention presence

● Research and evaluate a revised Family Leave policy

● Fund and lead a townwide Polco/NRC/ICMA scientific “Citizen Satisfaction Survey” to evaluate and help prioritize policy development and strategic planning goals

● Fund and Master Plan Maple Hill and Schmidt Farm parcels

● Prioritize Open Space and Recreation Plan implementation goals (once approved).

● Review and approve a Public Art Display Policy

● Establish a 250th Town Anniversary Committee

● Collaborate with Dean College to establish and build stronger relationships and support collaboration on shared initiatives

● Develop a strategy for the use of opioid settlement funds

Administrative (Presentations/Discussions)

● Establish an Ad Hoc subcommittee to review Town Council biennial Rules of Procedure

● Establish an Ad Hoc subcommittee to evaluate the Town Administrator annually

● Presentation update on the Franklin Ridge project

● Presentation on homelessness in Massachusetts

a. Discussion: 2024-2025 Town Council & Town Administration Work Plan  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/8a._24-01_tc_and_ta_goals.pdf

2024-2025 Town Council and Town Administration Work Plan (draft for review at Council Mtg 1/03/04)

Town of Franklin, MA: update for Tuesday, Dec 19

Good Morning folks:

The good news is National Grid restored almost 4,000 households over night. There are still about 2,000 without power and conditions look favorable today. Our hope is full restoration today, except some possible isolated areas with severe tree or wire issues that affect limited households.

Kennedy School is back with power and the Superintendent closed Parmenter today as there is no power there.

Town Hall had power all day yesterday, but does not have it this morning. I have delayed the opening of the Muni until at least 10:00AM and until further notice. (Updated 10:00 AM: Municipal Building is open for business with power.)

As we all know, the state got pounded quite hard from the last 48 hours and all crews are working to get everything up and going.

Jamie Hellen
Town Administrator

Town of Franklin, MA: update for Tuesday, Dec 19

Town Council Segment - Migrant Housing Status - 11/1/23 (audio)

FM #1093 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1093 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Administrator’s Report segment from the Town Council Meeting of Nov 1, 2023. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provides an update on the Migrant Housing status.  

The report segment runs about 9 minutes. Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1093-town-administrators-report-migrant-housing-status-11-01-23

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Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator

Town Council agenda doc ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/franklin-ma-agenda-for-town-council.html

Migrant Housing Portal -> https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department/pages/migrant-dashboard-portal 

Prior updates on the Migrant Housing Status

• Update from the Oct 18, 2023 meeting ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/town-council-segment-migrant-housing.html

• Update from the Oct 11, 2023 meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/town-administrators-report-migrant.html 

• Update from Sep 20 meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant_20.html 

• Update from Sep 6 meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant.html 

• Notification on migrant temporary housing ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/ma-notifies-franklin-of-plans-to-house.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 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 Segment - Migrant Housing Status - 11/1/23 (audio)

Town Council Segment - Migrant Housing Status - 10/18/23 (audio)

FM #1083 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1083 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Administrator’s Report segment from the Town Council Meeting of Oct 18, 2023. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provides an update on the Migrant Housing status.  

The report segment runs about 14 minutes. Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1083-town-administrators-report-migrant-housing-status-10-18-23

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

Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator

Town Council agenda doc ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/franklin-ma-agenda-for-town-council.html

Prior updates on the Migrant Housing Status

• Update from the Oct 11, 2023 meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/town-administrators-report-migrant.html 

• Update from Sep 20 meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant_20.html 

• Update from Sep 6 meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant.html 

• Notification on migrant temporary housing ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/ma-notifies-franklin-of-plans-to-house.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 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 Jamie Hellen makes an update