Join us for a Jane's Walk in Franklin on Sunday, May 4 at 10 AM

Join Cobi Frongillo & Steve Sherlock NEXT SUNDAY (5/4) for our third annual walk around Downtown Franklin to reflect on placemaking and town planning.

The event is part of an annual international series of walks to honor the social activist Jane Jacobs.

Meet at the Depot St parking lot Sunday morning. We will leave at 10:00 AM and should meander back by 11:30 AM.

Join us for a Jane's Walk in Franklin on Sunday, May 4 at 10 AM

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AHWKwXMp5/

Find out more about Buliding Euitable Neighborhoos For Franklin (BEN 4 Franklin)  https://ben4franklin.org/

Economic Development Subcmte recommends adding shared kitchen definition for Council review (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee meeting was conducted as scheduled on Wednesday. The meeting started and then restarted to get to the correct Zoom link so few minutes were repeated for some on the video recording and net new for others who joined the real Zoom link.

Franklin TV video replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aC6kDo1DtM&t=408

The meeting agenda and docs released for this session

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/economic-development-to-review-proposed.html

Quick recap:

• The shared kitchen definition and addition to the use tables for commercial (not residential) zones was discussed, clarified, and then moved to bring to the Town Council by a 4-0 vote.
• The naming of the Crossing Neighborhood District and the minor additions was agreed to in concept but after discussion determined that it is an opportunity to do more with than "just renaming". Especially with the Master Plan approved, some of those items can be considered for implementation here.

map displaying the proposed Crossing Neighborhood District changes

My full set of notes captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CkUfWVxVbGsGOp9bj8Ew6yDP8BiZDsvy/view?usp=drive_link

Glenn Jones shares lessons learned from the Master Plan process (audio)

FM #1383 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1383 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with the new "former" Chair of the Master Plan Update Committee Glenn Jones. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Monday, February 10, 2025. 

This session focused on the review of the full process and approval of the Master Plan to help guide Franklin for the next 10 years. 

We had talked at the beginning of the process (Feb 2023) and also before the major Open House event at Dean College (March 2024). Links for those are shared below.

The recording runs about 58 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1383-master-plan-recap-w-glenn-jones-02-10-25/

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Glenn Jones shares lessons learned from the Master Plan

“Final” version of the Master Plan  -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4018/Final-Report 

We met in Feb 2023 to talk about the beginning of the Master Plan effort

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/talking-about-master-plan-committee.html 

We also met in March of 2024 talking about the forthcoming Open House at Dean College and gathering resident input 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/03/glenn-jones-talks-about-what-master.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. 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"

Master Plan Update Committee meeting 1/15/25 (video)

The Master Plan Update Committee met as scheduled Wednesday, January 15 in the 3rd Floor Training room. 

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/YhdShT_-gN0?si=eizxLnOeDcKkEvdR&t=146

You can follow the agenda for this session ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/master_plan_agenda_-january_15_2025.pdf

The final Master Plan Report ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/franklin_master_plan_final_report-submitted_to_town-01-15-2025.pdf

Town Council gets updates on Franklin Ridge, 40b status, & moved to 2nd reading ADU bylaw changes (audio)

FM #1352  This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1352 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, January 8, 2025. All 9 of the 9 members participated in Council Chambers. 

Quick recap:

• 2 public hearings on the accessory dwelling unit bylaw changes were opened and closed after discussion. Later the legislation for action approved by 9-0 vote to move both measures to second reading

• 2 public hearings on sign bylaw changes as proposed were opened and continued to the Jan 22 meeting without further discussion. Later in the legislation for action, those two measures were also rescheduled to the Jan 22 meeting by 9-0 votes

• Presentation on Franklin Ridge, a senior affordable housing project update was provided that with the recent funding made available on 2 front for Town work and for the private development of the 60 units, given the current schedule, ground could break in June 2025. Bryan Taberner, Director Planning & Community Development provided the update.

• Bryan continued with a second presentation on the sustainable housing inventory (SHI) or informally called the 40b requirement. Bottomline we are currently at 10.86% (above the critical 10% threshold) with approximately 1,000 units currently permitted or in the pipeline of approvals. If all of those units were indeed built (could be some # of years) we could increase to about 12-13%. Question then becomes, what should our goal be (besides remaining above 10%)?

• 2 items approved to enable the respective water and sewer connections for the Franklin Ridge project as mentioned earlier.

• The last item in legislation was acceptance of additional fund for the Senior Center etc.

• Interesting point in the Town Administrator's Report. The home rule charter request to exempt the town from paying for legal notices in print newspapers was signed by the Governor. We have an email alert process for any one with an email address to enable notification of such legal notices

Let’s listen to the meeting recording which runs about 2 hours.  Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1352-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-01-08-25/

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

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/7dQWhWlHRW0?&t=208 

The agenda and released documents for this meeting ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_1.8.25.pdf 

My full set of notes (in one PDF) can be found online

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S-qr25XiQvmFi_gBNBvjrwUaeoK2ZukH/view?usp=drive_link 

Screen grabs of the presentation on housing (40b) ->    https://photos.app.goo.gl/pR2DTs2eaifKxWFo9 

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

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"

key summary from presentation on housing (40b)

This Town Council quarterbacking session condenses the Council meeting of Weds, Jan 8, 2025 (audio)

FM #1350 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1350 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, January 9, 2024.  Our conversation condenses the Council meeting of Wednesday night with a focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session

a. Franklin Ridge Senior Affordable Housing Project Update - Bryan Taberner, Director of

Department of Planning and Community

Construction to commence later this summer, after Town finishes its infrastructure work

b. Residential Development & Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI, aka Chapter 40B) Update - Bryan Taberner, Director of Department of Planning and Community

At 10.86% (the guideline is more than 10%) 

A summary of what’s approved and or in the planning process

Over 1,000 housing units, approx. 400 would be “Affordable”

"A 1% increase in new supply; i) lowers average rents by 0.19%, ii) effectively reduces rents of lower-quality units, & iii) disproportionately increases the number of second-hand units available for rent. Moreover, the impact on rents is equally strong in high-demand markets."

Institute for Employment Research, A German federal agency

A study on secondary housing, or the domino effect of what new housing does to existing stock and population movement within the existing stock

Legislation for action:

• 2 bylaws to enable to Town work on Franklin Ridge

• 2 bylaws to bring to compliance with State law on ADUs

• 2 bylaws on signs deferred to Jan 22

• Resolution 25-01: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($1,672), Veterans Department ($3,125) 

Town Administrator Report reveal the home rule piece was approved to exempt the Town from posting legal notices in print editions of the newspaper

The recording runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap the Town Council meeting held this week

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1350-town-council-quarterbacking-01-09-25/

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

Franklin TV video  -> https://www.youtube.com/live/7dQWhWlHRW0?&t=208 

Agendas for Town Council meeting ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_1.8.25.pdf 

Screen grabs of the presentation on housing (40b) ->    https://photos.app.goo.gl/pR2DTs2eaifKxWFo9

My set of notes in one PDF ->  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S-qr25XiQvmFi_gBNBvjrwUaeoK2ZukH/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"

This Town Council quarterbacking session condenses the Council meeting of Weds, Jan 8, 2025 (audio)

Town Council gets updates on Franklin Ridge, 40b status, & moved to 2nd reading ADU bylaw changes (video)

The Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 with all 9 councilors present in Council Chambers.

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/7dQWhWlHRW0?&t=208

The agenda and released documents for this meeting ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_1.8.25.pdf

Quick recap

• 2 public hearings on the accessory dwelling unit bylaw changes were opened and closed after discussion. Later the legislation for action approved by 9-0 vote to move both measure to second reading
• 2 public hearings on sign bylaw changes as proposed were opened and continued to the Jan 22 meeting without further discussion. Later in the legislation for action, those two measures were also rescheduled to the Jan 22 meeting by 9-0 votes
• Presentation on Franklin Ridge, a senior affordable housing project update was provided that with the recent funding made available on 2 front for Town work and for the private development of the 60 units, given the current schedule, ground could break in June 2025. Bryan Taberner, Director Planning & Community Development provided the update.
• Bryan continued with a second presentation on the sustainable housing inventory (SHI) or informally called the 40b requirement. Bottomline we are currently at 10.86% (above the critical 10% threshold) with approximately 1,000 units currently permitted or in the pipeline of approvals. If all of those units were indeed built (could be some # of years) we could increase to about 12-13%. Question then becomes, what should our goal be (besides remaining above 10%)?
• 2 items approved to enable the respective water and sewer connections for the Franklin Ridge project as mentioned earlier.
• The last item in legislation was acceptance of additional fund for senior Center etc.
• Interesting point in the Town Administrator's Report. The homerule charter request to exempt the town from paying for legal notices in print newspapers was signed by the Governor. We have an email alert process for any one with an email address to enable notification of such legal notices

My full set of notes (in one PDF) can be found online

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S-qr25XiQvmFi_gBNBvjrwUaeoK2ZukH/view?usp=drive_link

Screen grabs of the presentation on housing (40b) ->    https://photos.app.goo.gl/pR2DTs2eaifKxWFo9

key summary from presentation on housing (40b)

Public Hearing on MA ADU regulations - In person or via Zoom - Jan 10 at 10:00 AM

Public Hearing on MA ADU regulations 

"Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) draft regulations have been created to provide clarity on the new ADU law. EOHLC is looking for comments and feedback on the draft regulation starting December 20 until January 10. 

A public hearing, with options for in-person or remote participation, will take place on January 10, 2025 at 10:00 AM. The public hearing will be held at 100 Cambridge Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA or virtual via ZOOM. 

Please register in advance to attend in-person or online. Please visit: Mass.gov/ADU.

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DD0C86TKv13/