MassBudget: "Local Revenue is a Key Tool to Advance Housing Affordability"

via MassBudget:

"All residents of Massachusetts deserve access to affordable, safe, and stable housing. However, the Commonwealth currently faces a severe shortage of housing that is affordable to households earning lower incomes. Additionally, home prices have dramatically outpaced inflation, while renters, especially renters of color, continue to face high housing cost burdens. 

Cities and towns have the potential to make significant contributions toward meeting affordable housing needs, but they need the resources to do it.  Real estate transfer fees, which assess a fee on specific real estate sales, can create or preserve thousands of affordable housing units. Transfer fee revenue from high-end sales could fund local affordable housing trusts, which are often underfunded.

Transfer fees direct some of the economic gains from those who have most benefited from real estate appreciation to those who have most acutely felt the negative impacts of the housing affordability and displacement crises. In doing so, they are a tool for economic and racial equity. 

In a new report, MassBudget Housing Analyst Victoria DiLorenzo discusses how municipal affordable housing trusts create and preserve affordable housing locally, and how local revenue can be a key tool in addressing the Commonwealth’s housing affordability crisis. The report focuses on the 19 communities that have filed home rule petitions seeking state permission to enact a real estate transfer fee."  

Read the report -> https://massbudget.org/2025/02/13/local-revenue-affordable-housing/

MassBudget: "Local Revenue is a Key Tool to Advance Housing Affordability"

The Town Council meeting of Oct 30 gets condensed to 34 minutes in this Quarterbacking session (audio)

FM #1306 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1306 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 Tuesday, November 5, 2023.  

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session

Fire Department - Swearing In of New Firefighter / Paramedics

• Paul Schleicher Jr.

• Michael Dumican

• Corey Rafter

• Steven Osorio

• Shea Hurley

The Police Department had 2 Promotions, Both sworn in by Town Clerk Nancy Danello

• Lieutenant Michael Colecchi 

• Sergeant Cody Landry

Rescission of Prior Approval of Transfer of Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License, Heeru Corporation d/b/a DeVita’s Market. 

License Modification - Change of Manager of a Section 15 Retail Package Store License: Shaw’s Supermarkets, Inc. d/b/a Shaw’s. 

Franklin Children's Museum - Meghan Hagen & Erin Gallagher, joined by architect and Brad Chaffee, Camford Property Group. 

Resolution 24-63: Gift Acceptance: Senior Center ($100)

Resolution 24-64: Town Council Approval of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds ($8,304) 

Friendly 40B Policy Update introduced by Jamie in response to what has been heard from the community. 

Joint Budget recap - Council action item at a February meeting to determine Override vote (yes/no), if yes, date, if yes, amount

The recording runs about 34 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap the Council meeting of Wednesday, October 30, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1306-town-council-quarterbacking-11-05-24/

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Town Council agenda Oct 30, 2024 -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_meeting_october_30_2024_packet_2.pdf 

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

My notes captured during the meeting and now in one PDF file ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zqgR9Lc2lYE9H3f8WOor2CoM-XPxaUG3/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. 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"

The Town Council meeting of Oct 30 gets condensed to 34 minutes in this Quarterbacking session (audio)

Town Council approves Rescission of license transfer, accepts Bogan's Way, welcomes Fire Dept news hires & Police Dept promotions (video)

The Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, Oct 30, 2024. 8 members participated, one was absent (Frongillo),

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

The agenda doc can be found here ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_meeting_october_30_2024_packet_2.pdf

Quick recap:

• After multiple citizen comments on a variety of topics the Council got to their agenda items
• Fire Department - Swearing In of New Firefighter / Paramedics
• Paul Schleicher Jr.
• Michael Dumican
• Corey Rafter
• Steven Osorio
• Shea Hurley
• First time to have 60 firefighters on staff, need to keep up with the growing needs of the community. All 60 are licensed paramedics 
• The Police Department had 2 Promotions, Both sworn in by Town Clerk Nancy Danello
• Lieutenant Michael Colecchi 
• Sergeant Cody Landry
• Rescission of Prior Approval of Transfer of Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License, Heeru Corporation d/b/a DeVita’s Market. Jamie explains quick background on the recession as the "easy" way for the parties to resolve the issues they have, including allowing DaVita's to reapply for a renewal of the license Building code issues need to be resolved to enable the transfer. vote passes 8-0-1 (8 - yes, 0 - no, 1 absent)
• Public hearing on Bogan's way; Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of Bogans Way and Drainage Lot Parcel A and Easements. Planning did approve acceptance, Continuing to chip away on all the public streets in town Public hearing closed with no comments. vote passes 8-0-1 (8 - yes, 0 - no, 1 absent)
• License Modification - Change of Manager of a Section 15 Retail Package Store License: Shaw’s Supermarkets, Inc. d/b/a Shaw’s. So moved, second, passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)
• Franklin Children's Museum - Meghan Hagen & Erin Gallagher, joined by architect and Brad Chaffee, Camford Property Group. Presentation slides ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/4SqkayuitiSFjuzU8
• Resolution 24-63: Gift Acceptance: Senior Center ($100) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24- 63 - Majority Vote). So moved, second Passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)
• Resolution 24-64: Town Council Approval of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds ($8,304) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-64 - Majority Vote). So moved, second Passes 8-0-1 ,1 absent)
• Friendly 40B Policy Update introduced by Jamie in response to what has been heard from the community. After some discussion, when it wasn't really an item for discussion, it is not clear if it is in effect as proposed, or if it is being referred to a subcommittee and/or future agenda for further discussion. Editor's note: there should be a further review and potentially additional changes made to this. It is not a policy that is clearly understood and appreciated by either the Council or the community  

Fire Dept news hires pose with Town Council

Police Dept promotions pose with Town Council

Town Council reopens hearing to approve the BJs-Pour Richard's transfer, hears of health care expense issue (audio)

FM #1274  This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1274 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, Sep 4, 2024.  8 members were present in Council Chambers, Pellegri was absent. 

Quick recap

• A few appointments to close out the annual round of appointments. As announced in the August 14 meeting with the primary set of appointments, a few were in the process of being finalized. This should complete the slate of appointments to renew and fill the open slots for now.

• Public hearing voted to re-open to review the prior BJs & Pour Richard's license transfers. The vote at the June 26 meeting was 6-3 to deny the approval. The denial was not based upon the 2 areas that such a denial could be made, hence the return for a review. Long story short, enough councilors got the message on the legal options and the transfers passed 5-3-1 (Cormier-Leger, Chandler, Dellorco voted no; Pellegri absent).

• Pete Fasciano, Executive Director of Franklin TV provided an update on the operations. 

• The presentation deck can be found ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/10cRsmUL5lpDkpXoeZdsivJ0M2U-FDK98/view?usp=drive_link

• The wfpr.fm Advertising copy ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/10gbRqBrGymDvD7gFwFN6vqhZZCbGmUYB/view?usp=drive_link

• Discussion on Right of Refusal for the Maplegate Country Club property. We can't afford it but will gain some revenue as the deal closes completely since they were "under taxed" and the owners will need to 'catch up'. The Council still needs to accept a resolution to formal pass on the purchase option

• The Davis Thayer Reuse report was accepted by the Council. This will take time for the Council to work through the discussion to set up a possible RFP. 

• Health care issue raised will be part of the budget discussions going forward, have seen increase in 6-8 percent range prior years, anticipated increase of about 13%

Let’s listen to the meeting recording which runs just short of 3 hours.  Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1274-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-09-04-24/

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Franklin TV video is available for replay ->    https://www.youtube.com/live/eZ51XEq57_U?si=DnXqGMfyZU1OEX7S&t=89

Agenda doc ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-09-04_town_council_agenda_0_0.pdf 

My notes captured during the meeting and now in one PDF file ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ojJYhfyLslZxv7XQ8dhevA3R0jMyHcj5/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"

Maplegate Country Club

Chair Mercer condenses the Sep 4, 2024 Town Council meeting in this Quarterbacking session (audio)

FM #1272 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1272 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 Thursday, September 5, 2023.  

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session

APPOINTMENTS

a. Conservation Commission: Lui Puga (term expiration correction to 2026)

b. Council on Aging: Tina Powderly

c. Finance Committee: Ken Ojukwu

d. Franklin TV Board of Directors

i. Anne Bergen

ii. William “Ken” Norman

a. Vote to reopen the June 26, 2024 Public Hearing: Transfer, Change of Location, Pledge of Collateral and Approval of Manager of a Section 15 Wine and Malt Beverages Package Store License: Rye's Wine Incorporated d/b/a Pour Richard’s Wine & Provisions Located at 835 West Central Street, Suite 2, Franklin, MA 02038

b. Vote to reopen the June 26, 2024 Public Hearing: Transfer, Change of Location and Approval of Manager of a Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License: Mormax Corporation d/b/a BJ’s Wholesale Club Located at 100 Corporate Drive, Franklin, MA 02038

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Pete Fasciano - Franklin TV

Chapter 61B Right of First Refusal on Maplegate Country Club

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/memo_-_chapter_61b_right_of_first_refusal_on_maplegate_country_club.pdf 

c. Davis-Thayer Reuse

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/8c._1_-_memo_-_davis_thayer_reuse.pdf 

c. Resolution 24-55: Health Care Group Insurance Transfer

(Motion to Approve Resolution 24-55 - Majority Vote)

d. Resolution 24-56: Gift Acceptance - Recreation Department ($2,000)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 24-56 - Majority Vote)

The recording runs about 32 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom on Thursday, September 5, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1272-town-council-quarterbacking-09-05-24/

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Town Council agenda Sep 4, 2024

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-09-04_town_council_agenda_0_0.pdf 

Franklin TV video is available for replay ->    https://www.youtube.com/live/eZ51XEq57_U?si=DnXqGMfyZU1OEX7S&t=89

Town Council recap -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-council-reopens-hearing-to-approve.html 

My notes captured during the meeting and now in one PDF file ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ojJYhfyLslZxv7XQ8dhevA3R0jMyHcj5/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"

right of first refusal on the Maplegate Country Club property was previewed