Audio recording of the Jan 7, 2026 Franklin (MA) Town Council in 3 parts: Facilities, 40B, & everything else

FM #1632-33-34 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 1632-33-34 in the series. 

This session shares part of the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The Council held this session as scheduled beginning at 6 PM. All 9 Councilors participated for this 4 hour plus session. 

 

• 1632 - covers the opening, Citizen comments, and everything else except  (approx. 1 hour 36 mins)

• the Facilities presentation & discussion (see 1633) 

• and the friendly 40b policy discussion (see 1634)  

• 1633 - segment from the meeting covering the full discussion on the Facilities update from Kevin Harn  (approx. 1 hr. 27 mins)  

• 1634 - segment from the meeting covering the full discussion on the charter change process  (approx. 1 hr. 5 mins)

  

Audio 1632 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1632-town-council-mtg-part-1-of-3-01-07-26/

Audio 1633 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1633-town-council-mtg-part-2-of-3-01-07-26/

Audio 1634 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1634-town-council-mtg-part-3-of-3-01-07-26/

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Additional notes on the meeting recap can be found ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/town-council-approves-amended-friendly.html 

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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!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, January 7, 2026 ???

Wednesday, January 7

• Christmas trees scheduled for curbside pickup on your normal trash/recycling day

 

1:00pm Joe Landry "Depot Plaza" (Franklin Senior Center)

6:30pm Franklin Art Association Monthly Meeting (Franklin Senior Center)

Library & Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  Town Meetings today   **

Board of Health Meeting

Wednesday, January 7 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01072026-2071 

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, January 7 Time: 6:00 PM

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

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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 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-calendar

Franklin, MA: Agenda for Town Council meeting Weds, Jan 7 at 6 PM

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

January 7, 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.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. December 3, 2025

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - Mark Minnichelli   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8039/5a-Appointment---Mark-Minnichelli

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

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Town and School Facilities Presentation - Kevin Harn, Facilities Director  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8040/8a-1---MEMO---Facilities-Presentation

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 26-01 - Friendly 40B Policy (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-01 - Majority Vote)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8041/9a-MEMO---Friendly-40B

b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-946: A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Attachment 7, Part VI Use Regulation Schedule - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-946 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8043/9b-26-946

c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-947: A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements - Referral to the Planning Board

(Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-947 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8044/9c-26-947

d. Resolution 26-02: Gift Acceptance - Veterans Services Dept. ($2,470)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 26-02 - Majority Vote)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8042/9e-26-02---Gift-Acceptances

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

a. Personnel Update

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

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01072026-2073

Franklin, MA: Agenda for Town Council meeting Weds, Jan 7 at 6 PM

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, January 2, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events 

• This shares the segment  from the Town Council meeting 12/17/25 covering the full discussion on the charter change process -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/audio-of-121725-town-council-in-3.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong. 2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews  Showcasing the "Blues" as a basis for and influence of Country, Jazz and Rock and Roll, here and worldwide.

11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM - “The Vibe” show plays music for everyone searching for some enjoyment, some dance, a happy or thinking mood, and most importantly, having fun.  Tune in to wfpr.fm and listen to “DJ Vibe” spin music across many genres and join this new vibing experience

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, January 1, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events 

• This shares the segment  from the Town Council meeting 12/17/25 covering the full discussion on the DPW snow update   ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/audio-of-121725-town-council-in-3.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM - first hour

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - second hour

Turntable – "Enjoy a fun experience with co-hosts The Vibe and Pauly G sharing personal discussions about a featured rock n roll vinyl record (1st hour) and the best, all music Vibe Playlist (2nd hour)"  

• The Turntable Show album hour features the "The Rising" double album by Bruce Springsteen and a Vibe playlist hour including live Bruce music from Songs of Introspection.   "The Rising", released July 30, 2002, is Springsteen's 12th studio album and is based on his reflections in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.  A big success and his first album to top the US Billboard 200 in 15 years winning two Grammy Awards.  It marked the return to the studio after almost two decades with the famous E Street Band.  Includes the hits: "The Rising",  "Lonesome Day", and "Waitin' on a Sunny Day".  
• Enjoy The Boss and Happy New Year!

Find the playlist ->  https://tinyurl.com/TurntablePlaylists

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio introduced a brand new schedule early in 2025 for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM   Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock 

Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 2 PM)  

• This segment shares Part 1 of 3 segments from the 12/17/25 Town Council meeting. This covers the opening, citizen comments, recognitions and alcohol license renewals ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/audio-of-121725-town-council-in-3.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone  All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points.    (repeats Saturday at 1 PM)  

• This segment features Kim & Mark in Episode 305 - All Things Bubbly For New Years  ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode_01041367699.html

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf