This Town Council Quarterbacking session recaps the 4 hour Council meeting in about 25 minutes (audio)

FM #1229 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1229 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. The Council met on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 for the first of their 2 normal meetings for June.  Our schedules coordinated to talk on Thursday morning to recap the long 4 hour session the night before..

We look to focus on 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session:

• Electric Youth high point of session

• Verizon cable contract renewal

• Farmers Market licenses for La Cantina, Blisspoint Meadery

• Public Hearing on King St business zoning proposal

• Moved to second reading by 5-4 vote

• Final approval requires 6 Yes votes

• Friendly 40b approved by 5-4 vote

• Still needs to work through the permit process, etc.

• Zoning bylaws referral to Planning Board

• 3 measures regarding MBTA compliance

• Mixed use zoning definition

• EDC recommendation changed on parking minimums

• Still to come back to Council for discussion & vote

• TA Emergency shelter update

• No town funds spent for anything

• Schools reimbursed from State for their additional support costs

The recording runs about 26 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Tom.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1230-town-council-quarterbacking-06-06-24

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The Franklin TV broadcast 06/05/24  ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps1PnsDuPwE 

Agenda and supporting documents -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/june_5_2024_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf 

My notes for this meeting  captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/190oyby8h5rC5ivDqN4lKAOV5PBP2UCM4/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

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"

This Town Council Quarterbacking session recaps the 4 hour Council meeting in about 25 minutes (audio)

Franklin High School is where it is at on Wednesday, April 24: Art around the world & Joint Meeting on Possible Override

• 
  Art Around the World, a  fun family and free event is scheduled for the 5:30 to 7:30 PM
   

You can listen to the conversation about the kid friendly (and did we say, “Free”) Create Art Around the World scheduled for Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.  Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1158-fhs-nahs-create-art-round-the-world-03-07-24

• Joint Town Council & School Committee Mtg for an Operational Override Discussion April 24, 2024 - 7:00 PM until ??

The agenda was posted by the Town Council/Town Administration. The post from the School Committee/School District also adds a survey form to solicit questions and/or comments in advance of the meeting.

Meeting Agenda

1. Introduction from the Chairs of the Town Council and School Committee

2. Presentation

a. Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen and Superintendent of Schools, Lucas Giguere

3. Discussion & Public Hearing

a. To discuss the public opinion of an operational override

4. Adjourn

Agenda doc contains remote viewing info (No Zoom participation, only YouTube and cable viewing) ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-04-24_town_council_school_committee_agenda_.pdf

Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel is available via cable or YouTube

• Comcast 9
• Verizon 29
• YouTube ->  http://bit.ly/43lBwVE

Question and/or comment link ->   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqX7WYOkT2nuhXQbYaIEF8q_0_Lbz2PUIx9WSn8-xKd5Ynsw/viewform

Agenda for the Joint Town Council and School Committee Meeting April 24, 2024 at 7 PM

Comcast subscribers in Franklin: Today, the Franklin TV Channels are changing their line up

From Franklin TV:

Our Public Access channel (on Comcast 6) offers full production support for local TV programs created by your Franklin friends and neighbors (or perhaps you).

Our Educational channel (on Comcast 8) covers as many school sports and student events as we can fit into our busy production schedule. Many are carried live.

Our Government channel (on Comcast 9) covers Council, Committee and Board meetings each week from our two TV control facilities in the Municipal Building.

Again, our local P/E/G programming, normally on Comcast 8/96/11, will move to Comcast 6/8/9, on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. 

Verizon channels 26/28/29 and our YouTube streams are not affected.

Comcast subscribers in Franklin: Today, the Franklin TV Channels are changing their line up

The Comcast Franklin TV Channels are Changing - Aug 29, 2023

A new P/E/G channel lineup for Comcast viewers.

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 08/27/2023

On Tuesday August 29 Comcast will change our P/E/G channels lineup. Only Comcast customers are affected. Verizon and YouTube streams are not affected. This is a technical change that Comcast is making. They are moving our programs to TV channels that are being vacated by other services.

P/E/G is a shorthand acronym for our three local cable TV channels:

Our Public Access channel (on Comcast 6) offers full production support for local TV programs created by your Franklin friends and neighbors (or perhaps you).

Our Educational channel (on Comcast 8) covers as many school sports and student events as we can fit into our busy production schedule. Many are carried live.

Our Government channel (on Comcast 9) covers Council, Committee and Board meetings each week from our two TV control facilities in the Municipal Building.

Comcast Franklin TV Channels

Again, our local P/E/G programming, normally on Comcast 8/96/11, will move to Comcast 6/8/9, on Tuesday, August 29th. Verizon channels 26/28/29 and our YouTube streams are not affected.

While there may be a bit of confusion through September, the channel reassignments place our local channels squarely within the Boston area TV station lineup. These changes will likely prove to be beneficial for Comcast customers (and for us) in the long run.

As we so often say on TV – Stay tuned. 

And – as always –

Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 

And, thank you for watching.

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

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

"A Conversation of Hope: Black & Jewish Voices in Harmony" - Franklin TV schedule for week of 12/19/22

A Conversation of Hope: Black & Jewish Voices in Harmony was held at the Temple Etz Chaim on Sunday, Dec 11, 2022. 

Hosted by Rabbi Tom Alpert, moderated by Rabbi Elise Winick, and instigated by jamele adams and less than 20 people participated in person. Due to technical difficulty it was not available via live stream as planned. The video was recorded by Franklin TV for future broadcast and replay.

The audio recording runs 1 hour and 20 minutes, so let’s listen to the Conversation of Hope Dec 11, 2022. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-896-a-conversation-of-hope-12-11-22

The replay is available this week

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26)

TUESDAY = 7:00 am Conversation of Hope: Black & Jewish Voices in Harmony WEDNESDAY = 6:00 pm Conversation of Hope: Black & Jewish Voices in Harmony FRIDAY = 7:30 am Conversation of Hope: Black & Jewish Voices in Harmony

L-R: jamele adams, Rabbi Elise Winick, Rabbi Tom Alpert

Watch the FHS Class of 2022 Graduation today

If you want to watch the Class of 2022 graduation at 7:00 PM today, there are several options to do so.

You can watch the live broadcast

• on the Franklin Pride EDU channel, via Comcast 96,  or via Verizon 28.
• on Franklin TV live stream  available at   https://cloud.castus.tv/vod/franklintv/video/61d5c56c98c2200008a35d58?page=HOME&type=live
• or with the Franklin TV YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of4NzEJWZj0&list=PLfmIkAj28lU8TpDLOIvu4NrlL-PdQoXu_&index=2

Watch the FHS Class of 2022 Graduation today

FHS girls basketball game scheduled for live stream/cable broadcast - 3:30 PM

FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) tweeted Fri, Mar 11, 2022:

For anyone who can't make it to the Girls BB game tomorrow in Springfield, you may watch it on Franklin.TV. 

Go to https://t.co/0XREXRHzrE and click the button for 'Pride TV'. 

If you have cable, tune in to either Comcast Ch 96 or Verizon Ch 28, depending on your cable provider.

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FHSSports/status/1502368470616449024

FHS girls basketball game scheduled for live stream/cable broadcast

FHS Panthers

Boston Globe: "What to do about your cable bill"

"Last year, I got tired of paying Comcast $14 a month to rent a modem and router, especially because the Wi-Fi service I got at home was so spotty. So I purchased my own modem and router for $290.

I now have better Wi-Fi and lower monthly cable bills. What I am saving monthly will soon exceed the cost of my new equipment. After that, it will be like getting a $14 discount every month.

I continued, however, to pay a very steep price to rent three digital adapters, which I need for the three “extra” TVs in my house. In December, Comcast hiked the fee for each adapter to $8.50. How can I justify paying $25.50 a month for adapters to TVs my wife and I only occasionally use?

I can’t. And so began my long-overdue quest to free myself of those infernal adapters, spurred on by Comcast’s latest round of price increases. I finally figured it out, and I will soon be rid of them. In the process, I realized cutting cable altogether isn’t such a scary prospect, even for a somewhat technophobic baby boomer like me."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/02/15/business/angry-that-your-cable-bill-went-up-again-heres-how-save/

A man holding a television remote.CHRIS RATCLIFFE/BLOOMBERG

“There isn’t anything more local than a public access studio"

"If you’re one of many people in the United States who has decided to do away with cable in the last few years — or never had it to begin with — you’re not alone. 

But the exodus is cutting in to the revenue that makes certain services possible. Specifically, Public, Education and Government channels, or PEG channels. 

What are PEG channels? 

Parents who have tuned in to school committee meetings to scope out reopening plans or residents who’ve watched city council meetings for updates on construction projects— or done so after the fact — likely have PEG channels to thank. 

“If you put on your local government channel, and you watch it, I call it the best reality on television,” said Scott Mercer, executive director of Access Framingham, the nonprofit that runs the PEG channels in Framingham. “We are the ones who maintain and produce and support the citizens of Framingham to have a television station.”

Continue reading the article online. (Subscription maybe required)

https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/news/2021/11/01/cutting-cord-cable-tv-has-bigger-implications-than-you-may-think/8539447002/

“There isn’t anything more local than a public access studio"

Candidates Night - Oct 14, 2021 - 7 PM

MEET THE CANDIDATES

DATE:   THURSDAY, October 14 

PLACE:           Municipal Building
  355 East Central St., 2nd Floor
  Council Chambers

TIME: 7:00  PM

Tune in via Franklin TV – Channel 29 (Verizon) or Channel 11 (Comcast) 

Download copy of flyer for reference or to share

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12TfqHaVeAJJjxULlxfiZLK5GnQBnaPDP/view?usp=sharing

The Franklin Observer has more details on this events format by sharing a letter sent to all the candidates:

https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/45481/candidates-night-meet-candidates-thursday-night

Candidates Night - Oct 14, 2021 - 7 PM

Franklin TV: "More Meetings"

More Open, More Engagement.
by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 03/07/2021

Per Massachusetts Open Meeting Laws, many communities have their government meetings televised on a dedicated cable channel. In Franklin, it’s Town Hall TV on Comcast 11 and Verizon 29.
 

Back in 2019 BP – (Before Pandemic) we covered the following meetings regularly: 

• M - Planning Board
• T -  School Committee
• W -  Town Council
• T - Conservation Commission – or – Zoning Board of Appeals Finance Committee

Recently, we’ve added:

• Economic Development Committee Town Administrator’s Review Budget Subcommittee
• Community Preservation Committee – Their inaugural meeting was last week.  
• Candidates’ Forum – Special meetings for Town Council Elections 
• Agriculture Commission – May begin soon with a limited series.
  

Check this week’s schedule of live and replay meetings on our last page.

Today we also stream the government channel meetings live on our website. Just click on the Town Hall TV logo. Past meetings are searchable on demand as well.

Adding our live Zoom connection has been a real game chan– um, a meeting changer. Our government meetings, whether originating in town Chambers or remotely, Zoom makes citizen participation possible and convenient. What you see over Zoom is very much like what you see at home on TV, but you can participate easily. Just remember your Zoom etiquette. Please keep your microphone muted until you are addressed by the meeting chairperson during the public portion of the meeting. Place your computer in a quiet location that is well lit. Note that because you can see everyone – everyone can also see you.

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 

And, thank you for watching.

 

Get this week's program guide for Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online

http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  

or for archive purposes   https://drive.google.com/file/d/12XtEe_HZCYR-CVu4GYw6eqWIscn2jHu5/view?usp=sharing

 

 

Franklin TV: "More Meetings"

Live Events – Online

We are – LIVE! Online!  by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 10/18/2020

 

Our Franklin●TV channels are all streaming live in HD – online, anytime. Finding the channel you want is also easy. In a Google search we are always the first listing – Numero Uno!

You can watch our live sports on our Franklin Pride school channel, on Comcast 96 or Verizon 28. We are now streaming our three channels online in high definition.

How can you find our live streams? Visit our Franklin●TV website.

Click on the channel you want. Easy-peasy!

We will also post our games for Video-on-Demand replays.   Click on “Past Shows”. Video on Demand postings may take a week or so after a live event.

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 

And, thank you for watching. 

 

Program guide - http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

For historical purposes, the program guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/194ObpSxF4s5to0peqBK5r5AIW1_zj53p/view?usp=sharing

 

http://franklin.tv/

FHS Graduation 2020 - Video downloads available for limited time

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 06/28/2020

Three Programs 

 freely available for Video On Demand

We have recently completed the final release versions of programs for the FHS 2020 Graduation. They will be shown on our cable channels for several weeks according to our weekly schedule. These TV Program files are also available for downloading in high-definition at these links.

• Senior Awards = http://tbf.me/a/BwXVZ5 (4 GB)
• Car Parade = http://tbf.me/a/BVmlpJ (5 GB)
• Graduation = http://tbf.me/a/CFR8yf (12 GB)

Just enter these links into your browser and download/save the files to your computer. These are lengthy TV programs, and downloading may take some time, depending on your internet speed. These programs will remain available for free downloading until July 23rd.

Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

And – as always –

Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.

And, thank you for watching.

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And if you want to watch them on the local cable channels, the schedule for the week looks like this:

Franklin All-Access 
Comcast Channel 8; Verizon Channel 26

Sunday
12:00 PM FHS Graduation 2020
04:00 PM FHS Car Parade 2020

Monday
08:00 AM FHS Graduation 2020
03:30 PM FHS Car Parade 2020

Tuesday
07:30 PM FHS Senior Awards 2020

Wednesday
08:30 AM FHS Senior Awards 2020
05:30 PM FHS Graduation 2020

Thursday
11:00 AM FHS Senior Awards 2020

Saturday
04:30 PM FHS Graduation 2020

Franklin Pride 
Comcast Channel 96; Verizon Channel 28

Sunday
03:31 PM FHS Car Parade 2020
09:00 PM FHS Senior Awards 2020

Monday
05:34 PM FHS Graduation 2020

Tuesday
09:01 AM FHS Graduation 2020

Wednesday
11:00 AM FHS Senior Awards 2020
06:30 PM FHS Car Parade 2020

Thursday
08:01 AM FHS Graduation 2020
04:30 PM FHS Senior Awards 2020

Friday
01:30 PM FHS Senior Awards 2020

Saturday
03:30 PM FHS Graduation 2020
09:30 PM FHS Car Parade 2020

The full schedule can be found in the TV guide for this week
http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

Or for historical record
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GJyATMa_FLnZiTRd9gMYwII7emYAPAFT/view?usp=sharing

FHS Graduation 2020 - Video downloads available for limited time

"if cable franchising fees went away. It would be a major loss to all communities"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Get ready to say goodbye to some local cable channel broadcasts of government meetings, elections and other town events. 

The Federal Communications Commission is moving toward adopting a new rule that community television groups say would gut funding for public, educational and governmental channels. 

“The loser, if that ends up happening, will be the local taxpayer, the local cable subscriber and the everyday citizens who rely on access to public information that’s provided through these programs,” said Geoffrey C. Beckwith, executive director and CEO of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. 

The proposed rule, moving quickly toward regulatory approval, would allow major cable companies, such as Verizon FiOS, Comcast Xfinity and RCN, to limit the amount of spending for community programming that has been negotiated as part of their licensing agreements with cities and towns."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181117/fcc-rule-threatens-community-tv-programs-in-massachusetts


Franklin TV and WFPR.fm are supported by cable funding. The Town Council in Sept 2018 approved the new agreement with Verizon.
http://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda-items/10a-legislation-action-1

The notes from the Sep 26, 2018 meeting with the approval for the Verizon Agreement  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/10/town-council-sep-26-2018.html

For more about your cable TV, visit Franklin.TV or WFPR.fm

http://franklin.tv/

Verizon: We're here for you when the snow stops falling

As the snow continues to fall, one of the most common storm-related issues is a power outage, which can affect your Fios®  services.  If that happens, here are some quick tips to get you back up and running. To fix most issues, unplug and plug back in your Verizon equipment. Didn't work?  You may have to reset your Optical Network Terminal (ONT) by following these instructions. Still no luck?  Visit verizon.com/Outage or the My Fios app via a mobile device for answers to common questions or to submit a repair request.  Don't have the My Fios app?  Download it now.   We hope you stay warm and stay safe this winter. © 2017 Verizon. All Rights Reserved. Please Note: If you have fiber-optic voice service, your service requires electricity in order to work. In the event of a power outage, you won't be able to make or receive calls, including calls to 911, unless you use an alternative like a cell phone. If you have an alarm system it may not be able to contact its central monitoring station in the event of a power outage. Depending on the Verizon equipment installed at your home, backup power may be provided by a Battery Backup Unit (BBU) that uses a 12-volt battery or a PowerReserve device that uses 12 D-cell batteries that you provide. More information is available at verizon.com/battery Ensure Verizon emails reach your inbox by adding verizon-notification@verizon.com to your "safe" email list. Your email or Internet provider can provide instructions on how it works. This email has been sent from an auto-notification system that cannot accept incoming email.