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

Town Administrator Ad-hoc Review Meeting 2/27/25 (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 2/27/25 (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

Jamie leads the group on 5 hot topics in this "Talk Franklin" episode (audio)

FM #1382 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1382 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen in the Municipal Building on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.  

Several folks joined in this roundtable discussion on a variety of hot topics around development. Joining the discussion 

• Breeka Li Goodlander, Conservation Director

• Cathleen Liberty, Health Director

• Bryan Taberner, Director of Planning & Community Development

• Joel D’Errico, Franklin resident & developer

• Joe Halligan, Franklin resident & developer

• Brad Chaffee, Franklin resident & developer for Camford Property Group  

• Gus Brown, Building Commissioner

Key topics

• Main development issue, change

• Then 5 things that are top complaints

• Traffic

• Density

• Environmental concerns

• Too many school children

• Character of the Town

The recording runs about 1 Hour & 40 minutes. Let’s listen to this conversation on Franklin’s development hot topics. Audio link -> https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Talk-Franklin---A-Podcast-from-the-Town-Administrators-Office-e2f34do/a-aatdjc7

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Town of Franklin page  https://www.franklinma.gov/ 

Community calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 

Master Plan (as approved by Planning Board & Town Council)

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4018/Final-Report 

Jimmy McMillen, founder of the “Rent is too Damn High Party”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rent_Is_Too_Damn_High_Party

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

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"

Jamie leads the group on 5 hot topics in this "Talk Franklin" episode (audio)

Franklin, MA Town Administrator Jamie Hellen Voted as MMA President

Franklin Town Administrator voted by statewide municipal colleagues to serve as President

The Town of Franklin is pleased to announce that our Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen, has been voted by his colleagues throughout Massachusetts as the 2025 President of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) Board of Directors. The MMA Board of Directors are made up of municipal leaders, including Town Managers, Mayors, City Councillors, Select Board and Finance Committee members from throughout Massachusetts.

“I am deeply honored that my colleagues throughout Massachusetts chose and voted to have me serve as MMA President this year”, said Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. “Make no mistake, this appointment is less about me personally, but more so recognizes the deep respect that municipal officials across the entire state have for the Town of Franklin. This is a reflection of the creativity, innovation and leadership every single member of our town and school staff have across Massachusetts. This is a team win; the entire town and school staff and Franklin Town Council should be exceptionally proud of their continuous work to distinguish Franklin.”

Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen (left)
will serve as president of the MMA
and Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove
(right) will serve as vice president. (MMA Photo)

Mr. Hellen was appointed at a Board of Directors meeting last weekend at the Connect 351 annual conference of municipal leaders in Boston. Over a dozen officials from Franklin attended the conference, including Massachusett Municipal Councillors Association (MMCA) member and Franklin Town Councillor, Melanie Hamblen.

“I am really proud that Franklin has a leadership role in the MMA and a seat at the table with respect to state policy impacting local government” said Town Councilor, Melanie Hamblen, who serves as a member of the MMCA and on many committees, including the Nominating Selection Committee for City Councillors to the MMA Board of Directors. “It is clear many communities across Massachusetts view Franklin as a role model given the leadership the Town has demonstrated over the years. Few people have as much passion, dedication and commitment to public service as Jamie. I am personally very happy for him and our community to be recognized in this way.”

As President of MMA, Mr. Hellen will serve a one year term through next year's annual conference in 2026. The main responsibility of the President is to Chair the monthly Board of

 

Directors meetings, as well as facilitating the Local Government Advisory Council (LGAC) with Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. Each LGAC meeting features top state officials, such as state cabinet secretaries to collaborate on policy decisions at the state level that affect cities and towns.

Mr. Hellen will serve as the 49th President in MMA history. Many longtime residents may also recall that Mr. Hellen’s predecessor, Jeff Nutting, also served as the 33rd MMA President in 2009. The President role rotates between Municipal Mayors, Managers, City Councillors and Select Board members annually. Mr. Hellen will serve as the 15th Town Manager/Administrator in history. 

A list of Past MMA Presidents is here:  https://www.mma.org/about-mma/leadership/mma-past-presidents/

“I’ve been fortunate to serve this community for over four decades on both the Town Council, School Committee and many other town boards. It is never lost on me how fortunate this town has been with respect to leadership and management in our town administration, department heads and school administration” said Tom Mercer, Chair of the Franklin Town Council. “Jamie stepped in for Jeff right away, even before Day 1, and this recognition shows how respected the Town of Franklin is across Massachusetts. The entire community should be really proud of the dedication and success we have had from both Jeff and Jamie over the past 25 years.”

The MMA announcement is here:  https://www.mma.org/jamie-hellen-is-new-mma-president-kassandra-gove-is-vp/