What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, November 21, 2024 ???

Thursday, November 21

• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)
• Winter Coat Drive (3 drop off locations)

8:30am Town Council Office Hours (Senior Center)

5:00 pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)

6:30pm Holiday Stress Summit (Birchwood Bakery & Restaurant)

7:00 pm 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting (virtual meeting)

7:00 pm BEN 4 Franklin (no meeting today, recognition event in Somerville)

**  Town Meetings today   **

Franklin Cultural Council Meeting (3rd floor Trng Room)

Event Date:  Thursday, November 21, 2024 - 7:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/franklin_cultural_council_meeting_2.pdf

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting (virtual meeting)

Event Date:  Thursday, November 21, 2024 - 7:30pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/11.21.24_zba_agenda.pdf

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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Why are there multiple calendars?

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

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

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, November 7, 2024 ???

Thursday, November 7

7am Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)

8am Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting (Dean college)

9am Fallen Hero: Lawrence J. Clark (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

4pm Artsy Afternoons (Franklin Public Library)

5pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)

5pm Barefoot Ballet (Franklin Public Library)

6:3pm Knife Skills with Chef Tom (Franklin Public Library)

7pm Musical Bingo: Dean POM Team vs Teddy Gallagher's (Teddy Gallagher's Pub)

7pm 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting (FUSF) 

7pm LGBTQ Monthly meeting (Franklin TV and Radio Studio) 

9pm David Weber (live music) (3 Restaurant)

**   Town Meetings today   **

Commission on Persons with Disabilities agenda (Central Park Terrace)

Event Date:  Thursday, November 7, 2024 - 7:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/agenda_-_11-07-24_-_franklin_disability_commission_meeting.pdf

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting  (remote meeting)

Event Date:  Thursday, November 7, 2024 - 7:30pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/11.7.24_zba_agenda.pdf

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

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

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, August 29, 2024?

Thursday, August 29

9:00am Early Voting - Primary (Town Clerk's Office)

5:00pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)

6:00pm Food and Wine Tasting (The Little Shop of Olive Oils)

9:00pm Joshua David (live music) (3 Restaurant)

**  Town Meetings today   **

• Franklin Agricultural Committee Meeting (virtual meeting)

Event Date:  Thursday, August 29, 2024 - 7:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/franklin_agricultural_committee_agenda.pdf

• Land Use & Zoning Subcommittee Meeting (virtual meeting)

Event Date:  Thursday, August 29, 2024 - 7:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/landusezoningagenda_-_2024-08-29.pdf

• Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Agenda - (NO MEETING)

The next ZBA meeting is scheduled for September 5, 2024 

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

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

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Signatures being looked for to oppose the Autumn Hill development

The Summer St residents group has a webpage and petition underway.

"We strongly oppose the proposed senior development called Autumn Hill, located at 496-498 Summer Street. This property is zoned for single family residential uses, RR1 and RR2. However, the Town of Franklin can override the zoning due to the Senior Village Overlay District. See 185-48 by-law amendment. This allows the densest development possible 

Bruce Hunchard, the chairperson of the zoning board, also the owner of the property, is calling this a senior development. It is actually condominiums, 2-3 bedroom, full basement, and 2 car garage that will sell starting at $850,000. In other words, cluster homes for the wealthy seniors, not seniors in need of affordable housing. 

This is a clear conflict of interest for Mr. Hunchard who owns the property and is Chairperson of the zoning board."

Continue to their webpage to find more info and the petition ->  

https://www.no2summerst.com/

From the Franklin Matters Archives

• 2/11/24 - public hearing notice by Town https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/02/public-hearing-notice-planning-board-to.html
• 2/16/24 - Prior history of proposal for Res 7 zoning https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/02/autumn-hill-development-proposed-for.html
• 2/22/24 - Voices of Franklin submittal https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/02/voices-of-franklin-objection-to-senior.html 
• 3/23/24  - Voices of Franklin submittal https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/03/voices-of-franklin-letter-to-planning.html
• 5/25/24  - Voices of Franklin submittal https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/voices-of-franklin-lack-of.html

Planning Board page for Autumn Hill development docs

https://www.franklinma.gov/planning-board/pages/autumn-hill-senior-village-488-and-496-summer-street-02022024

Watch the Zoning Board of Appeals playlist on YouTube back to January 2022

Franklin TV broadcasts many Town and School meetings to multiple channels. 

• Verizon and Comcast
• Live stream via Zoom
• And to YouTube

You can find the Zoning Board of Appeals playlist on YouTube for meetings since January 2022 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw-g2ngYV90&list=PLNyv0AkVasIRxk98bczKYSJkO2H2k946r

Watch the Zoning Board of Appeals playlist on YouTube back to January 2022

121 Grove Street - ZBA schedules public hearing on Comprehensive Permit - Nov 30

FRANKLIN ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Town of Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public/remote hearing on November 30, 2023 at 7:30pm via Zoom Platform. Please go to Franklinma.gov to view meeting access under ZBA Agenda.

Time: 7:30pm

Applicant: Fairfield Grove Street LLC

Address of Subject Property: 121 Grove Street (Map 294, Lot 007 and Map 295, Lot 001)

Zoning District: Industrial

Petition Type: Comprehensive Permit

Zoning By-Law Sections: N/A

Reason for Denial: Applicant is seeking a building permit to construct a 330 unit multi-family development. The building permit is denied without a Comprehensive Permit from the ZBA. An Appeal from the decision of the Board of Appeals may be made by any person aggrieved pursuant to MGL Chap. 40A, Section 17 as amended, within twenty (20) days after the date of the filing of the notice of decision with the City Clerk. 

All records and files for this project can be viewed in the Building Department on the 1st floor of the Franklin Municipal Building during regular business hours. Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals: (508) 520-4926. Any person or organization so wishing will be afforded the opportunity to be heard. The hearing is accessible to persons with physical disabilities.

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/legal_notice_121_grove_st.pdf

Note: This development proposal should bring in some "affordable" housing and the Town Council earlier this year turned down the opportunity to work with this as a "friendly 40b". The meeting summary can be found here ->     https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/03/town-council-ratifies-master-plan.html

121 Grove Street - ZBA schedules public hearing on Comprehensive Permit - Nov 30

CommonWealth Magazine: "Somerset offshore wind plant clears major hurdle"

In our recent Making Sense of Climate discussion, Ted and I discussed this Somerset Zoning Board decision. While the news seems positive with the reversal of their earlier vote, according to the article, some of the residents will continue to challenge this ruling. 

"A PROPOSED TRANSMISSION cable manufacturing plant in Somerset to serve the US offshore wind industry cleared a major hurdle on Thursday when the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to revise one of the conditions that had become a sticking point with the company.

The board in mid-September voted unanimously to require Prysmian to only use vessels capable of running on electricity when in port picking up cable. The shore-to-ship electricity condition was designed to prevent vessels from pulling into Brayton Point, the site of the proposed factory, and running their dirty diesel engines during the lengthy loading process, which can require the ship to operate 24 hours a day for 10 to 14 days."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/somerset-offshore-wind-plant-clears-major-hurdle/ 

Making Sense of Climate episode where this issue was discussed

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/in-this-making-sense-of-climate-episode.html

CommonWealth Magazine: "Somerset offshore wind plant clears major hurdle"

Town Council approves Curry House alcohol license change, hears about health alliance, moves Inclusionary Zoning along to 2nd reading (audio)

FM #973 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 973 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. 8 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers (D Pellegri absent & unable to participate).

Quick recap:

• License ownership changes for the alcohol license at The Curry House were approved

• Health Director Cathleen Liberty provides insights on the Metacomet Health Alliance and the benefits to Franklin  

• The inclusionary zoning proposal back from the Planning Board review was moved to a second reading, one step closer to approval

• The 3-part package of zoning changes for accessory dwelling units was moved forward from the EDC Plus recommendation with a contentious somewhat modification to refer to the Planning Board for their review. It will come back to the Town Council for their review and potential approval vote sometime in the near future

• FY 2024 budget should be ready for review by Friday, with the Finance Committee and Town Council hears set for May

The recording runs 2 and 40 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on April 12, 2023.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-973-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-04-12-23

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The agenda doc can also be found on the Town of Franklin page ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_april_12_2023.pdf 

Metacomet Health Alliance presentation -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._presentation_metacomet_2.pptx.pdf 

My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OcCY239kVmLdAiMS2FFZSMQyS7JWcCoZ/view?usp=share_link 

My quick notes and the meeting video -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/04/town-council-moves-inclusionary-zoning.html 

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

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"

Town Council approves Curry House alcohol license change, hears about health alliance, moves Inclusionary Zoning along to 2nd reading (audio)

Public Hearing for Zoning Bylaw Amendment - 23-894 - Accessory Dwelling Units by the Planning Board - May 8

FRANKLIN PLANNING BOARD

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

In accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 40A, Section 5, notice is hereby given that the Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, May 8, 2023 at 7:00 PM and the Town Council will hold a Public Hearing on June 7, 2023 at 7:00 PM to consider several amendments to Chapter 185 of the Code of the Town of Franklin as follows:

• ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT 23-894: A Zoning By-law to amend Chapter 185 Section 3 of the Code of the Town of Franklin to add Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Definition 
• ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT 23-895R: A Zoning By-law to amend Chapter 185, Attachment 8, Use Regulations Schedule Part VII: Accessory Uses of the Franklin Town Code to add Accessory Dwelling Residential Units.
• ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT 23-896: A Zoning By-law to amend Chapter 185 Section 19 of the Code of the Town of Franklin to add text on Accessory Dwelling Unit Setbacks

The exact text of these proposed zoning bylaw amendments are posted on the website along with the hearing notice.

Please contact the Department of Planning & Community Development at (508) 520-4907 if you require further information or if you need to make arrangements to provide translation services for the hearing impaired, or for persons with language barriers.

Copies of the plan and supporting documentation may be reviewed in the Department of Planning & Community Development during regular office hours.

Greg Rondeau, Chairman

Public Hearing for Zoning Bylaw Amendment - 23-894 - Accessory Dwelling Units by the Planning Board - May 8

This Town Council Quarterbacking session gets inside the zoning changes; inclusionary and accessory dwelling units (audio)

FM #972 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 972 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 Apr 12, 2023: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

• Police Station Building Committee

• Second readings on lot line changes, the last bulks ones for now

• Public hearing on the inclusionary zoning changes back from Planning Board, move to second reading

• Accessory dwelling unit bylaw proposals referred to planning board

• Budget coming out Friday, hearing schedule set for Finance Cmte May 8, 10, 11 & Council for May 24, 25

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. 

Our conversation runs about 32 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council Quarterbacking session recorded Apr 13, 2023. Audi file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-972-town-council-quarterbacking-04-13-23

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The agenda doc can also be found on the Town of Franklin page ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_april_12_2023.pdf

My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OcCY239kVmLdAiMS2FFZSMQyS7JWcCoZ/view?usp=share_link 

My quick notes and the meeting video -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/04/town-council-moves-inclusionary-zoning.html 

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

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"

This Town Council Quarterbacking session gets inside the zoning changes; inclusionary and accessory dwelling units (audio)