Listen to Franklin's Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen, on WBUR's Morning Edition (audio)

"Last week, Franklin's Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen, ICMA-CM joined WBUR's Morning Edition to discuss the fiscal challenges cities and towns are facing—from core service budget pressures to rising operational costs.

As municipalities continue to navigate complex financial landscapes, conversations like this help shed light on the real impacts to local services and the importance of informed community engagement.

Listen to the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/eNc_27wg"

Shared from - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/why-many-massachusetts-cities-and-towns-are-share-7448363205057429504-A1ey/

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Town Administrator section

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing. 

Town Administrator

General Purpose

The Town Administrator is the chief executive officer of the Town, whose primary responsibility is to administer the policies and programs approved by the Franklin Town Council while ensuring that the provisions of the Town Charter are upheld in all areas of town management.

It is the responsibility of the Town Administrator to annually submit a balanced budget, capital improvement program, five year financial forecast, and other reports to the Town Council, per the Town Charter. This includes revenue projections, analyzing and administering use of reserves for capital acquisitions and projects, and working closely with the Franklin Public School Administration to coordinate on strategic initiatives and resources and maintain a strong partnership.

The Town Administrator is also responsible for negotiating and managing all collective bargaining agreements with employee organizations representing Town employees, and participating in the deliberations of the School Committee and School Administration in collective bargaining pertaining to school employees.

Read a general summary of the Town Administrator’s responsibilities on the website.

 

Core Functions

What does the Town Administrator do? For a partial list, read this:

● Town Administration works with the Town Council to improve the quality of life of the residents of Franklin.

● The Town Administrator is diligent in balancing the budget, keeping an eye on the Town’s future needs and maintaining its current assets.

● The Town Administrator is responsible for the management of all municipal departments and employees, under the jurisdiction of the Town Council.

● The Town Administrator, along with the administrative staff, develops all Town Council agendas and ensures that all necessary legislation is being voted on in a timely manner.

● The Town Administrator, along with the Human Resources (HR) Director, works on union negotiations with all municipal bargaining units. The TA also has a seat and vote on the teachers collective bargaining agreement.

● The Town Administrator also works closely with the Town’s local legislative delegation to advocate for legislation and earmarks that would benefit the Town of Franklin and its residents.

● In addition to working with all departments under the jurisdiction of the Town Council, Town Administration is tasked with drafting bylaws and resolutions relative to public policy, implementing economic development measures, collaborating with the Town’s internal and external partners on special projects, grants administration, licensing and permitting, management of boards & committees, and administering insurance policies and claims.

● The Operations Manager serves as the Licensing Administrator for all permits and licenses issued by Town Administration, manages public records request responses, Town boards and committees, insurance claims and policy renewals, co-chairs the Safety Committee, administers the Town website, assists the Town Administrator in carrying out goals and projects established by the Council, and supervises

day-to-day office operations.

Staffing

● One (1) Town Administrator

● One (1) Deputy Town Administrator*

● One (1) Operations Manager

● One (1) Director of Communications and Civic Engagement

● One (1) Part-Time Administrative Assistant

● One (1) Part-Time Secretary (to take minutes)

* Proposed restored Position for FY27

 

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Town Administration, working with the Finance Department, will continue working to preserve the Town’s AAA bond rating, spotless financial audits and solid financial acumen.

● In 2028, Franklin will celebrate the Town’s 250th Anniversary! In order to plan for this marked celebration, the Town has formed an official celebration committee under Massachusetts General Law and initiated the planning process.

● With the savings of the mid-year departure of the FY26 budgeted Deputy Town Administrator, the Town Administration Department added and filled a full-time Communications Specialist and a part-time Administrative Assistant.

● Town Council and Town Administrator goals are jointly agreed to and located here.

● For accomplishments, please see the Town Council & Town Administration goals archive here for the past lists of goals and accomplishments.

● A main goal for the year is integrating and onboarding the Director Communications and Civic Engagement and Administrative Assistant who were just hired in February 2026.

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● The Town Administration department is requesting the position of a full-time Deputy Town Administrator with a budgeted annual salary of $190,000. Staff are currently compiling data and will share the market when we have a final list.

● Otherwise, this is a level funded budget.

● The Administrator’s Office Personnel and Expense budgets have been cut in FY24 and FY25.

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qrwiPOoze_41hX3WnGuYKFvUMGEiI0bh/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

Executive Summary to the Town of Franklin FY 2027 Budget

From Town Administrator Jamie Hellen

"I present a balanced budget model for FY27. This budget is submitted as my formal budget proposal under Town Charter requirements in 6-3-1, 6-4-1, and 6-5-1 and mirrors what was presented in February. A revised model will be presented in mid-to-late May after staff receive actual employee health insurance numbers.

FY 2027 Budget

This model provides the most updated revenue assumptions, the requested budget model by the Superintendent of Schools & School Committee, all municipal department requests, and the proposed restoration of some critical municipal positions (which also impacts the schools).

I propose using free cash to patch the overall structural budget deficit and prevent additional cuts to town and school departments. However, I am not specifically using the free cash to support one service or another, nor have I stated free cash is being used to restore specific municipal positions or any department. Rather, the use of free cash is to support the overall requests from all departments and the Schools. In my opinion, this budget provides a roadmap for the desired service level required to run our organization to the standards outlined by the public, especially based on the feedback received in the wake of two failed overrides in 2024 and 2025."

Continue reading the Executive Summary to the FY 2027 budget

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YhYy4_hSjXhXaOqfw5ZgFFYiOXOfxHFY/view?usp=drive_link

Full release of the FY 2027 Town of Franklin Budget

https://www.franklinma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/115

In this "Talk Franklin" episode Jamie & I welcome Liz, get updates, and dive into MMA (audio)

A new episode of the Talk Franklin podcast with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen is now available! 

In this "Talk Franklin" episode Jamie & I
welcome Liz, get updates, and dive into MMA (audio)

Produced in collaboration with Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio, this conversation covers Town updates and community topics.

🎧 Listen here: https://buff.ly/0eTqtVi

This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Liz Kalaijian, the new Director of Communications and Community Engagement for the Town of Franklin. We recorded our conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Monday, March 2, 2026.

Key topics

• Welcome Liz
• Quick updates on Town business
• Deep dive on Mass Municipal Association (MMA)
• Close with some musical fun (songs about communications)

The recording runs about  59 minutes. Let’s listen to our conversation.

ISO-New England Initiative Requires Rate Change In Franklin’s Community Choice Electricity Program

An ISO-New England (ISO-NE) initiative has resulted in the need for a rate adjustment in Franklin’s Community Choice Power Supply Program. Importantly, the rate residents pay will continue to remain slightly below National Grid’s and Eversource’s current Basic Service rates for the Town’s standard product. 

As the result of a regulatory event (the recent extreme east coast two month cold snap), the Town of Franklin’s current aggregation rates will increase effective with the March 2026 meter reads. The new rates will be in effect for the remainder of the term, ending November 2028.

For comparison purposes, Basic Service rates are fixed from February 1 through July 31, 2026 -- National Grid’s Residential at $0.15372 per kWh and Commercial at $0.14493 per kWh; and Eversource’s Residential at $0.15629 per kWh and Small Commercial & Industrial at $0.15030 per kWh.

What is a regulatory event and how can it result in a rate adjustment?  A regulatory event is an action taken or change enacted by a regulatory authority that results in a direct, material increase or decrease in costs during the term of an electric power supply contract. 

Who is ISO-NE and what do they do?  Independent System Operator New England (ISO-NE) is an independent, nonprofit company authorized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to perform three interconnected roles; grid operation, market administration and power system planning, for the New England region. Visit https://www.iso-ne.com/about/what-we-do to learn more.

⇨ ISO-NE Day-Ahead Ancillary Services Initiative (DASI or DAAS) – DASI introduces a co-optimized day-ahead market that simultaneously considers energy and ancillary services, replacing the previous Forward Reserve Market. This approach ensures that resources providing essential services like operating reserves are adequately compensated and obligated to perform when needed, thereby improving system reliability. By implementing DASI, ISO-NE aims to provide targeted compensation and establish clear financial obligations and incentives for flexible resources, which are crucial for maintaining grid reliability amid the increasing integration of renewable energy sources. FERC approved DASI, recognizing that it would significantly improve operating reserve resource readiness, efficiency, and day-ahead price formation in ISO-NE. Visit https://www.iso-ne.com/participate/support/participant-readiness-outlook/day-ahead-ancillary-services-initiative to learn more.  

⇨ In other words, DASI lessens the need for fast start generation assets and diminishes loads settled on the real time market over time. This new market structure operates on the day-ahead market, so costs are more variable. Most notably, DASI includes a new component to the ancillary market. This new component was designed to bridge the gap between supplier bids and expected demand. This cost is set on the real-time market, which means increased costs for consumers during times of uncertainty (e.g. heat wave, cold snap).  The consistent, freezing weather pattern on the entire east coast over the past two months has put a unique stress on energy markets.

⇨ This regulatory event results in an increase in the Town’s aggregation rates (effective with the March 2026 meter reads) pursuant to a provision in the Electric Service Agreement (ESA).

Why is the aggregation rate changing if the Town signed a fixed price contract?  DASI was implemented in March 2025 and, given the newness of the program, costs were unhedgeable and had to be estimated based on guidance from ISO-NE.

⇨ Original Projections vs Actual Costs – The Cost Impact Analysis that ISO-NE filed with FERC estimated DASI costs at $120 to $150 million/year or $1 to $1.25/MWh which were approved as just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or preferential. However, actual costs have far exceeded initial expectations with December 2025 coming in at ~$17/MWh and January 2026 at ~$48/MWh. The recent cold snap complicated matters further and resulted in two years of expected costs being incurred in only two days – January 26 and January 27. 

⇨ Per the ESA, the Town’s aggregation rates included a cost estimate of $6/MWh (or $0.006/kWh) for DASI, which was more than sufficient at the time given ISO-NE’s projections, with a fully reconcilable provision once actual costs were known. This rate adjustment is a direct result of the pass-through costs that far exceeded initial estimates.

What is the impact of the rate adjustment?  Given average usage of 600 kWh per month, the Town’s new aggregation rates represent an increase of $6.82 per month versus the current rates, assuming the exact same usage. However, considering this is the seventh calendar year of aggregation, residential homeowners in Franklin have weathered the major and significant increases over those years and have consistently saved money on electric rates over the duration of the aggregation program. 

All electricity suppliers operating in Massachusetts, including National Grid and Eversource, are subject to the new market structure and the associated increase in cost (i.e. all ratepayers will be impacted). Winter Basic Service rates (effective August 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027) are expected to be elevated as a result of DASI.

The Town launched its electricity program in November 2020. From inception through September 2025, the program has saved residents and small businesses over $16.4 million in electricity costs as compared to National Grid and Eversource Basic Service.  Given the Town’s approval for aggregation by the state before the pandemic, this program has stabilized electricity rates for all residents during a decade of historic disruption from the pandemic, record inflation and geopolitical disruption (of which energy is a global commodity). 

For questions about the Town’s rate adjustment or your options, please visit colonialpowergroup.com/franklin or call Colonial Power Group at (866) 485-5858 ext. 1. You may OPT-OUT or OPT-IN at any time in the future with NO CHARGE.

Residents may also visit the Town of Franklin’s Municipal Aggregation website at: 

franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/municipal-aggregation.

ABOUT COLONIAL POWER GROUP: Based in Marlborough, Mass., Colonial Power Group is the leading aggregation-consulting firm in Massachusetts. Colonial Power has been working with local governments since 2002 in the design, implementation and management of municipal aggregation programs.

Agenda for Town Council Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026 at 6 PM

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

January 21, 2026 = 6:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Franklin Municipal Building 355 East Central Street - 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

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 Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact.   

Agenda for Town Council Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026 at 6 PM

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. January 7, 2026   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8113/3a-January-7-2026-TC-Meeting-Minutes--Draft-for-Reviewdocx

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Proclamation - Scotty Smith Retirement

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Zoning Board of Appeals

i. Isabella Carter  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8127/5aii-1---Isabella-Carter

ii. Jennifer Williams    https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8126/5ai-1---Jen-Williams

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

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled

 

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Town Infrastructure Overview - Brutus Cantoreggi, Director of Public Works   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8133/Town-Council-Presentation---January-21-2026

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 26-06: Amendment to Cannabis licensing Local Approval Process and Cannabis Social Equity Policy Social Equity policy (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-06 - Majority Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8129/9a-Cannabis-Social-Equity-Policy 

b. Resolution 26-07: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Public Library ($500)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 26-07 - Majority Vote)  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8130/9b--Gift-Acceptance---Library

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

a. FY27 Budget Update and Timeline  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8134/10a-1---MEMO---FY26-Budget-Update-and-Timeline

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Town Council approves an amended Friendly 40b policy in another long 4 hour session (video)

The Town Council meet for the first time in 2026 for another long 4 hour session with all 9 members present in Council Chambers.

Franklin TV video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/07Ywvi5WtP8?&t=487

The agenda and doc released for this session -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01072026-2073 

Quick recap:

• The longest discussion on a single appointment in my time reporting ultimately resulted in a unanimous vote to approve Mark Minnichelli to the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust. Kudos to Mark for his careful and confident responses to the questions.
• Town and School Facilities Presentation - Kevin Harn, Facilities Director https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8040/8a-1---MEMO---Facilities-Presentation
• This discussion was extensive as Facilities and the potential issues facing the Town are something this Council is going to need to get up to speed quickly on to make the decisions and determine the direction to go, all of which ultimately gets to funding and resources
• The Davis Thayer (DT) building future has been the Council's hands since the Advisory committee did its work. On Tuesday (Jan 6, 26) the Police Station Building Comte determined Parmenter was the best site freeing up DT for a decision on what it's future is
• The combination of the Washington St renovations, Middle School roof, and the Police Station would be approx. $50M. To do and how to fund remain questions before the Council
• The presentation doc is not on the Town page or within the Council agenda but pictures of the slides shared can be found in one album ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/1FpYnuiED36kPumw8
• 2 Zoning Bylaw amendments were referred to the Planning Board. There is likely to be an extensive discussion on these when they return as the Council was not familiar with the bylaw process (usually starting with Planning Dept (as in this case), discussion before Economic Development Subcmte (not yet in place), referral to Planning Board, and then return to Council for decision). As these 2 measure are the 'final' points to bring the Town in compliance with the MBTA Community requirements, the potential for discussion before this new Council is great
• The friendly 40b policy came back on the agenda for this Council and they juggled their agenda to get the above items out of the way before settling into this lengthy discussion. Ultimately, 2 amendments to the wording were approved first one by a 5-4 vote to require an annual review of the policy, the second to fix the confusing wording in a sentence by a 9-0 vote, and then the overall measure passed by a 9-0 vote
• Multiple personnel changes were announced in Town Administrator Jamie Hellen's report. Of note, the Council also gave the go ahead to the hiring request they had approved at the tax rate hearing and then also asked to put on hold. The Town Administrator's office which used to be 4 people is only 2, and one was sick this week. If the Council wants the Town to get work done, these resources are required. Fortunately, the Council agreed

My notes captured in one PDF file ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zmqgACh7aVrr8OnerWndCC74ehZoDuuL/view?usp=drive_link

The combination of the Washington St renovations,
Middle School roof, and the Police Station would be approx. $50M

Habit for Humanity video on the Franklin Build at 762 Washington St (video)

Via Habitat for Humanity

"We are deeply grateful for Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen, and the entire Town of Franklin MA, for their unwavering partnership and support. Together, we’re building more than homes - we’re building stability, hope, and a stronger community for families like Sally’s.

Join us in supporting the Franklin build by donating below! "

Donation link -> https://lnkd.in/eBzMSVKu

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8cXeyMzYY0

Incident Report on Town Council (Dec 3) & ZBA (Dec 4) meetings

Incident Report on Town Council (Dec 3) & ZBA (Dec 4) meetings 

The following “incident report” was prepared by Steve Sherlock in coordination with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Franklin TV Executive Director Peter Fasciano.

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

** The Dec 3, 2025 Town Council meeting issue:

Franklin TV equipment in Council Chambers took a power surge during the storm Tuesday night causing the loss of some critical equipment. Studio personnel worked Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Friday’s work seems to have brought the systems back to operational status. Additional testing will be done before the meetings next week

Action:

• The Town Council Dec 3, 2025 meeting needs to be reconstructed from the Zoom recording and Council Chamber recording. This will take time but will be shared once ready. 

• Processing underway by Franklin TV

• The studio equipment is Franklin TV responsibility; the studio location in Council Chambers is powered by the Town. Power management from the Town is optimal.  A few years ago backup power was revised to distribute to 'mission critical' service points throughout the building in an emergency.  It's referenced as red-socketing.  You see red wall sockets in hospitals and anywhere that power must be maintained under all conditions.  It answers the question:  If power goes away, what points must we maintain?  It divides the building into "must do, like to do".  The Franklin TV control room is included. The implementation was smartly accomplished. The issue that arose in this case was a failure in the Franklin TV UPS - (uninterruptible power supply) the one thing that should have protected the system.  

• The UPS is effective and necessary, but not absolutely guaranteed. Franklin TV to replace the UPS

** Thursday’s Dec 4, 2025 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting issues:

The Thursday Zoning Board of Appeals meeting had less of a technical glitch and more of a resource issue to manage the meeting. The technical glitch occurred prior to the meeting start and the check to resolve was not completed before the meeting started. The meeting was recorded, and immediately upon conclusion, made available to YouTube.

• All meetings scheduled for broadcast start on Zoom.

• The Town manages the meeting or webinar format, setting time, permissions, and managing the attendees (admitting, muting/unmuting, etc.). 

• One of the key steps is for the Town to permission the Franklin TV account to record the meeting. This recording is then fed through the Franklin TV network to feed the Comcast and Verizon cable subscribers as well as to YouTube. 

The technical glitch on Thursday was an update to the YouTube feed controller. Comcast and Verizon broadcast feeds were handled properly. The YouTube feed was fixed immediately after the meeting ended and the meeting was public at that time.

The management glitch was in Town administration of the meeting. A new person was at the controls and unaware of the lack of the feed to YouTube. Once made aware, then the general public were added to the session (beginning approx. 7:00 PM).

Action:

• Franklin TV to confirm feed configurations are proper and operational before next week's meetings.

• As noted in the Town Council issue, Franklin TV will be conducting additional testing to confirm both the Chamber studio and feed configurations are operational

• There needs to be a backchannel for those conducting the meeting to communicate other than through the open meeting, especially when the open meeting itself is an issue. The backchannel process needs to be defined, process and communications confirmed to better manage future meeting issues. (Note: this backchannel is much more important for Remotely Only meetings, generally, folks are together in the Council Chambers or 3rd floor training room and can address the issues and determine a communication plan if needed)

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen acknowledges and will coordinate appropriate parties

Town Council votes to join GIC, approves FY 2026 budget adjustment, rescinds prior vote on 40b approval (video)

The Franklin Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 beginning at 6 PM. 8 members participated in Council Chambers. One member traveling on vacation participated remotely for portion of the session.

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGGEiz-8dlM

The agenda for this session ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11192025-2010 

Note: additional docs were shared during the session, one on screen only, 2 copies available in Chambers. Those will be added here as time permits

Quick recap:

• vote to join the GIC passed 9-0
• Vote to approve the budget adjustment was approved 9-0. TA Hellen to hold on posting for the Communications role pending further discussion with the Town Council
• After much discussion, the vote to rescind the vote on the approval of the "friendly 40b" for 444 East Central St was approved by 5-1 (Morrongiello no; Grella, Malloy both recused themselves; Cormier-leger was not online at the time of the final vote)

My notes for the full meeting in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/19-3d9qq6zRWsk0GedQJ6NUm6Q425CldU/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin Town Council to meet in Executive Session on Wednesday, Sep 24 at 5 PM

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

September 24, 2025 - 5:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Franklin Municipal Building

355 East Central Street - 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

NOTE TO RESIDENTS: This meeting will not be recorded or live streamed and will not have a Zoom option.

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

In accordance with MGL Chapter 30A, Section 21, subsection (b): a public body may meet in closed session for 1 or more of the purposes enumerated in subsection (a) provided that: 

1. the body has first convened in an open session pursuant to section 21;

2. a majority of members of the body have voted to go into executive session and the vote of each

member is recorded by roll call and entered into the minutes;

3. before the executive session, the chair shall state the purpose for the executive session, stating

Franklin Town Council to meet in Executive Session 

all subjects that may be revealed without compromising the purpose for which the executive session was called;

4. the chair shall publicly announce whether the open session will reconvene at the conclusion of the executive session; and

5. accurate records of the executive session shall be maintained pursuant to section 23.

2. EXECUTIVE SESSION - The Town Council will not reconvene in open session.

a. Exemption #2: Contract negotiations with non-union personnel: Town Administrator.

b. Adjournment will occur at the conclusion of executive session.

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09242025-1921

Town Administrator Releases Memo with ZBA Update

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen released this memo during the Town Council meeting on Wednesday evening. You can download the PDF copy or view it here

Download PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TMwJRj8zJqR7hkwTNkZbtKkfEeX55eg2/view?usp=drive_link

View the PDF:

Town Administrator Releases Memo with ZBA Update

ZBA listens, Town Administrator attempts to clarify points, on the 444 East Central project (video)

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) met as scheduled Thursday night, May 8, 2025. The 444 East Central portion of the meeting begins at 19 minutes into the recording and such is set for the replay here. (You can easily go to the beginning of the video and view the earlier portion if you choose.)

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/82a99atYf0s?&t=1149

The ZBA page for this 444 East Central project is here -> https://www.franklinma.gov/815/2025-Current-Recent-ZBA-Hearings

The application as submitted on the Town page is here -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4594/444-East-Central-ZBA-application-comp-permit

Meeting items of note

• Halligan recused himself
• project overview briefly recapped (slides captured below)
• a clerical problem with notice resulted in an agreement between the applicant attorney and the committee, committee not to invoke safe harbor, appplicant not to invoke a constructive grant. The constructive grant would have allowed the applicant to bypass most of the ZBA process
• The application will continue and take some number of months to do so. The next meeting is targeted for June 5, the next after that is July 17
• Due to this negotiation, the peer review process did not start. Traffic will be first up at the next meeting
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen participating this time, and he explains why, he is participating to explain details around the process and clarify, everybody can hear the record as one
• One sore point (lack of communication from the ZBA Chair and other members after multiple email queries), it was revealed that responding to individual emails is a non-no during the time that the subject is before the Board. It could potentially violate open meeting law. All discussions, responses to questions, need to be in the open meeting.

Slides of the presentation ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/x5N6EvhwDRUtcRps5

The waivers requested by the project are outlined in Section 8 and contained in this PDF (separated from the full project doc) -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/11lkqa0Hz1VCO_J3utf-5NynwlnPeVPQj/view?usp=drive_link

To support Town Administrator Hellen's statements on water supply, information on the water conservation page should explain ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/628/Water-Conservation 

There is a 3-part podcast series covering the water supply and operations for Franklin from well to our faucets -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-all-about-water-system.html

There is also a 3-part series on the sewer from our flushes to the Charles River Treatment -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-all-about-sewer-system.html

444 East Central project

5th Joint Budget Listening Session held with remote participation option on Saturday (video)

The 5th in the series of 6 Joint Budget Listening Sessions was held in the Council Chambers on Saturday, March 8, 2025. This was the only one enabled for Zoom participation and about 10 folks took advantage of this.

The deficit at this point is $3.8M a light increase over the initial projection of $3.6M

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/LlUDdpZqkNg?&t=13

The agenda doc contains the updated preliminary budget information released this week -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Joint-Budget-Subcommittee-6/?#_03082025-1557

The audio will be made available and the transcript in the next couple of days. You can find the collection of video, audio and transcripts for the prior sessions here ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/joint-budget-listening-sessions-fy-2026.html

My notes captured during the listening session can be found in one PDF file

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wBaFVj9_9K0Rj1z23CGl2--vaO0QsoIn/view?usp=drive_link