Showing posts with label town council. Show all posts
Showing posts with label town council. Show all posts

Thursday, July 10, 2025

New Legal Ad - Electric Vehicle Charging Station 07/23/2025

The Franklin Town Council will hold a second reading and final vote on the adoption of two Town Code Bylaw Amendments summarized as follows:
  • Bylaw Amendment 25-936: Proposes to add a new subsection G. Electric Vehicle Charging Station Revolving Fund as a new Authorized Revolving Fund under Chapter 73, Section 73-5 of Franklin Town Code.
  • Bylaw Amendment 25-937: Proposes to amend Franklin Town Code at Chapter 82, Section 82-6, Schedule of Service, Subsection A. Administration by adding a fee of 35 cents per kWh for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
The second reading and final votes on adoption of both of these bylaw amendments will take place during the Town Council Public Meeting beginning at 6:00 pm on July 23, 2025; there will be an opportunity for public input during the process. Location: Municipal Building, 2nd Floor Council Chambers, 355 E. Central Street, Franklin, and also via the “ZOOM” platform. 

Residents can visit the Town website (Franklinma.gov) town calendar to review the agenda including full text of proposed bylaw amendments, and for up to date meeting information, on and after July 18, 2025. 

Please call the Town Administrator’s Office at (508) 520-4949 if you require further information or to make arrangements for translation services

Respectfully Submitted by,
Julie McCann




Sunday, June 22, 2025

Town Council meeting audio split into 2 parts: Survey Says discussion & Everything but the survey (audio)

FM #1473-1474  This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1473-1474 in the series. 


This session (1473) shares “everything but” the Polco Community Survey results discussion of the Franklin (MA) Town Council on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. 8 of the members started the meeting in Council Chambers (1 arrived before the Executive Session started).  

  • The meeting opens 

  • Chief McLaughlin’s retirement announcement

  • Citizen comments

  • Electric Youth performance & proclamation

  • Appointments, Farmers license for La Cantina Winery

  • Legislation for action

  • Council Comments

  • Executive Session

  • Approval of contracts


This session (1474) shares the Polco Community Survey results discussion during the Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, June 18, 2025.


#1473 = The “everything but” survey discussion recording runs about 1.5 hours  

Audio link => https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1473-town-council-mtg-everything-but-survey-06-18-25/


#1474 = The survey discussion recording runs about 1 hour and 10 minutes

Audio link =>  
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1474-town-council-mtg-survey-says-06-18-25/



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


The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/RpRNbG1tXVw?&t=188 


Agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06182025-1788


Community Survey Report ->  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5956/8a-Polco-Survey-Final-Report


Presentation doc ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5945/Polco---The-NCS-Presentation-Franklin-MA-2025 


Town presentation doc by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5946/Town-of-Franklin---The-NCSPresentation 


All the details in the survey are posted on one Town page ->   https://franklinma.gov/974/National-Community-Survey


My complete set of notes captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bUOaCgv7a1pv5MHGIqweTwmKy2MkAEjW/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

  • 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 Council meeting audio split into 2 parts: Survey Says & Everything but the survey (audio)
Town Council meeting audio split into 2 parts: Survey Says discussion & Everything but the survey (audio)


Saturday, June 21, 2025

Tom & I recap the Town Council Mtg of June 18 in this "quarterbacking" session (audio)

FM #1472 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1472 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, June 20, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of June 18, 2025.


We focus on two questions:

  • ok, what just happened? 

  • What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?


Discussion items: 

  • Fire Chief McLaughlin reads his statement announcing his retirement on or before Oct 1, 2025. 

  • Electric Youth made their annual 'bon voyage' appearance to perform an a cappella number fittingly "Time of my Life" from the Dirty Dancing movie

  • Appointment to the Council on Aging: Elizabeth Sawyer, approved

  • Appointment to the Disability Commission: Cheryl Fisher, approved

  • Motion made and approved to create the Franklin 250 Celebration Committee

  • La Cantina was approved for their Farmers Market license

  • The Community Survey results were released and explained. Results can be compared with over 500 communities. Good response rate, among the best at 20%, effectively a better representation of the sense of the community with the random sample selection. Paid via Federal grant money as a pilot program. No definitive timeline for a next survey. Likely a discussion later this year on what the results can be used for

  • Resolution 25-39: FY25 Budget Transfers. Balancing the books better before they close out June 30. Out of $150m budget balancing on $40k is amazing

  • Council enters Executive Session shortly after to discuss contract negotiation.  They returned approx. 15 minutes later to approve 7 motions certifying the contract with Town side bargaining units. All received the same 2.5% COLA that the School teachers agreed to, for a 3 year term



The conversation runs about 30 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1472-town-council-quarterbacking-06-18-25/



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


The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/RpRNbG1tXVw?&t=188 


Agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06182025-1788 


Community Survey results

Report ->  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5956/8a-Polco-Survey-Final-Report 


Presentation doc ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5945/Polco---The-NCS-Presentation-Franklin-MA-2025


Tom & I recap the Town Council Mtg of June 18 in this "quarterbacking" session (audio)
Tom & I recap the Town Council Mtg of June 1
8 in this "quarterbacking" session (audio)
Town presentation doc by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5946/Town-of-Franklin---The-NCSPresentation


All the details in the survey are posted on one Town page ->   https://franklinma.gov/974/National-Community-Survey



My complete set of notes captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bUOaCgv7a1pv5MHGIqweTwmKy2MkAEjW/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

  • 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"


Friday, June 20, 2025

Town Council hears of Chief McLaughlin retirement, Electric Youth performance, and approves union contracts (video)

The Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in the Council Chambers with 8 present initially and the 9 joined in progress.

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/RpRNbG1tXVw?&t=188


Electric Youth made their annual 'bon voyage' appearance to perform an a cappella number
Electric Youth made their annual 'bon voyage' appearance to perform an a cappella number


Quick recap:
  • Fire Chief McLaughlin reads statement announcing his retirement on or before Oct 1, 2025. He lists the accomplishments of his time here including that the Department has multiple qualified candidates to replace him. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen confirms later in the meeting that the position posting will be for internal candidates only.
  • Electric Youth made their annual 'bon voyage' appearance to perform an a cappella number fittingly "Time of my Life" from the Dirty Dancing movie
  • Appointment to the Council on Aging: Elizabeth Sawyer, approved
  • Appointment to the Disability Commission: Cheryl Fisher, approved
  • La Cantina was approved for their Farmers Market license
  • The Community Survey results were released and explained. Results can be compared with over 500 communities. Good response rate, among the best at 20%, effectively a better representation of the sense of the community with the random sample selection. Paid via Federal grant money as a pilot program. No definitive timeline for a next survey. Likely a discussion later this year on what the results can be used for
  • Motion made and approved to create the Franklin 250 Celebration Committee. Up to 13 members with some specific representation and some at large residents, Term thru June 30, 2029. Plan the year long celebration, engaging, calendar, programs, access, etc. The committee needs to be of people who are willing to do the work. Town staff as ex officio to assist the committee, the committee needs to do the work. Discussion on council membership in "at large role"
  • Resolution 25-39: FY25 Budget Transfers. Balancing the books better before they close out June 30. Out of $150m budget balancing on $40k is amazing
  • Councilor Cormier-Leger arrives at 9:25 PM. Council enters Executive Session shortly after to discuss contract negotiation.  They returned approx. 15 minutes later to approve 7 motions certifying the contract with Town side bargaining units. All received the same 2.5% COLA that the School teachers agreed to, for a 3 year term.
  • Meeting adjourned
My complete set of notes captured during the meeting


Wednesday, June 18, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 ???

Library & Senior Center events
Library & Senior Center events
Wednesday, June 18

  • Eat at Sante Fe - help Santa Foundation (Santa Fe Burrito Grill)

11:00am Franklin Q&A (Franklin Senior Center)
1:00pm Where's the Toast? Memory Cafe (Franklin Senior Center)



For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   






**  Town Meetings today   **

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, June 18 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Town-Council-4/?#_06182025-1788


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What's happening today in Franklin?
What's happening today in Franklin? 
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