Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
National Weather Service Boston shares process to properly measure snow fall
Sunday, July 23, 2023
Town Council approves Accessory Dwelling bylaws, hears from State legislative delegation (audio)
FM #1025 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1025 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. All 9 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers.
Quick recap:
APPOINTMENTS
a. Agricultural Commission i. Nick Capoccia
b. Cultural District Committee i. Sue Cass ii. Patrick Conlan
c. Design Review Commission i. Amy Adams ii. Jim Bartro
d. Finance Committee i. Lauren Nagel
e. Franklin Cultural Council i. Carol Fletcher ii. John Ristaino iii. Jean Wolf
Legislative delegation visit: Senator Rebecca Rausch, Representative Jeffrey Roy
Bylaw Amendment 23-900R: Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic, Article IV, Stopping, Standing and Parking, §170-15 Parking Prohibitions and Limitations , D. Parking Prohibited, Downtown Parking Map Amendment - Second Reading
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-894: To Amend Chapter 185, Section 3 of the Code of the Town of Franklin to add Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Definition - Second Reading
c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-895R (As Further Revised): To Amend Chapter 185, Attachment 8, Use Regulations Schedule Part VII: Accessory Uses of the Franklin Town Code to Add Accessory Dwelling Residential Units - Second Reading
d. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-896: To Amend Chapter 185, Section 19 of the Code of the Town of Franklin to Add on Accessory Dwelling Unit Setbacks - Second Reading
Resolution 23-45: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with County of Norfolk for County of Norfolk to Provide Sealer of Weights and Measures Services to Town of Franklin
Resolution 23-46: Acceptance of and Authorization for Town Administrator to Execute Conservation Restriction on Two Open Space Parcels at Brookview Condominium located off Pond Street
Resolution 23-47: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($600), Fire Dept. ($300)
The recording runs about 2 hours and 50 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on July 19, 2023.
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1025-town-council-mtg-07-19-23
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The agenda doc can also be found on the Town of Franklin page ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/july_19_2023_tc_agenda.pdf
My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nt4hKCkbmVavbV-XCPyr9d1lJTpsF3pK/view?usp=drive_link
Franklin TV meeting video -> https://youtu.be/O8_1FbZyKJI
--------------
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"
Saturday, July 22, 2023
This Town Council Quarterbacking session condenses the 7/19/23 Council meeting from 3 hours to 40 minutes (audio)
FM #1024 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1024 in the series.
This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer in our Town Council Quarterbacking session. This is one of the series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior night’s Town Council meeting.
Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England, this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of July 19, 2023:
ok, what just happened?
What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?
We cover the following key topics
APPOINTMENTS
a. Agricultural Commission i. Nick Capoccia
b. Cultural District Committee i. Sue Cass ii. Patrick Conlan
c. Design Review Commission i. Amy Adams ii. Jim Bartro
d. Finance Committee i. Lauren Nagel
e. Franklin Cultural Council i. Carol Fletcher ii. John Ristaino
iii. Jean Wolf
Legislative Delegation visit: Senator Rebecca Rausch, Representative Jeffrey Roy
Bylaw Amendment 23-900R: Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic, Article IV, Stopping, Standing and Parking, §170-15 Parking Prohibitions and Limitations , D. Parking Prohibited, Downtown Parking Map Amendment - Second Reading
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-894: To Amend Chapter 185, Section 3 of the Code of the Town of Franklin to add Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Definition - Second Reading
c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-895R (As Further Revised): To Amend Chapter 185, Attachment 8, Use Regulations Schedule Part VII: Accessory Uses of the Franklin Town Code to Add Accessory Dwelling Residential Units - Second Reading
d. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-896: To Amend Chapter 185, Section 19 of the Code of the Town of Franklin to Add on Accessory Dwelling Unit Setbacks - Second Reading
Resolution 23-45: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with County of Norfolk for County of Norfolk to Provide Sealer of Weights and Measures Services to Town of Franklin
Resolution 23-46: Acceptance of and Authorization for Town Administrator to Execute Conservation Restriction on Two Open Space Parcels at Brookview Condominium located off Pond Street
Resolution 23-47: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($600), Fire Dept. ($300)
Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes.
Our conversation runs about 42 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council Quarterbacking session recorded July 20, 2023.
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1024-town-council-quarterbacking-07-20-23
--------------
The agenda doc can also be found on the Town of Franklin page ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/july_19_2023_tc_agenda.pdf
My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nt4hKCkbmVavbV-XCPyr9d1lJTpsF3pK/view?usp=drive_link
Franklin TV meeting video -> https://youtu.be/O8_1FbZyKJI
--------------
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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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| This Town Council Quarterbacking session condenses the 7/19/23 Council meeting from 3 hours to 40 minutes (audio) |
Friday, July 21, 2023
Rausch & Roy provide updates to Town Council; Council approves accessory dwelling unit (ADU) bylaw changes (video)
- Several appointments were approved to board and committees. This complete the bulk of the renewals that occur annually. Aside from the Town Council and School Committee, all the other board and committee, elected or appointed have staggered terms of office to enable some continuity for the work that each group has underway.
- The new parking regulations were tweaked to modify the overnight parking on Sunday through Thursday and separately on Friday-Saturday. The new kiosks are functional for the additional 70+ parking spots in the former commuter restricted parking at Ferrara's and on Depot St.
- Authorization of a Intermunicipal agreement with Norfolk County for them to provide weights & measures services to Franklin (and initially 3 other communities) was approved.
- Authorization for the Town Administrator to complete the paperwork required to complete the conservation restrictions on the two parcels of land that the Town kept when the Brookview condominiums were created along Pond St. The land provides access to the trail network along Mine Brook.
- Acceptance of donations to Veterans Service and Police department was approved
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| L-R: Kaye Kelly, Senator Becca Rausch |


