FM #1485 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1485 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 Monday, July 28, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of July 23, 2025.
We focus on two questions:
ok, what just happened?
What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?
Discussion items:
Fire Department - Swearing In of New Firefighter / Paramedic
i. Jeffrey Wolcott, a backfill for an existing & funded position
Annual Reappointments and New Appointments of Boards and Committees Members
i. See “Committee Appointments” in packet for member names
ABCC Transactions
New Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Xiao Xia Zhang as the Manager - Kojo Asian Fusion LLC d/b/a Kojo, Located at 28 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038.
License Modification - Change of Location of a Section 15 Wine and Malt Beverages Package Store License: The Little Shop of Olive Oils Inc. d/b/a The Little Shop of Olive Oils,, Located at 5 Main St., Franklin, MA 02038
Legislation for Action
Resolution 25-27: FY26 Community Preservation Appropriation of Funds - Capital
Friendly 40b
Resolution 25-49: Franklin Town Council Support for Proposed GL Chapter 40B Affordable Housing Project at 202 Washington Street Pursuant to DHCD’s Local Initiative Program (LIP)
Residential Commercial Kitchens
j. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-938: Residential Commercial Kitchens - A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Section 3 of the Code of the Town of Franklin
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-939: Residential Commercial Kitchens - A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Attachment 8, Use Regulations Schedule Part Vii: Accessory Uses - Referral to the Planning Board
New Service Fee
Bylaw Amendment 25-940: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service, by Adding a New Service Fee: Residential Commercial Kitchen - First Reading. Moved to 2nd
Resolution 25-50: Adoption of Local Initiative Program “Friendly 40B” Policy,
Motion to Amend, fails 4-5
Motion to table and deliberate at a future meeting, Seconded. Nondebatable - Via roll call, passes 5-4 to be tabled for later date (Yes - Sheridan, Frongillo, Pellegri, Hamblen, Mercer; No - Cormier-Leger, Chandler, Jones, Dellorco)
Crossing Neighborhood Zoning District
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-929: Creation of the Crossing Neighborhood Zoning District - A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 4,Districts Enumerated - Referral to the Planning Board Motion to referral, second
Next 6 votes all relate to this one, all 6 moved to Planning Board, to return to Council likely in September
EV Charging Stations
Bylaw Amendment 25-936: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 73, Departmental Revolving Funds (EV Charging Stations)
Bylaw Amendment 25–937: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82,Fees, Municipal Service (EV Charging Stations)
Acceptance of Gifts
Resolution 25-51: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($1,646), Veterans’ Services ($400), Fire Department ($1,025), Police Department ($1,000), Recreation (AED)
TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
Research forthcoming on alcohol license handling. Options for other than the Council
Local aid cut $231,000 from final State budget; Further pressure next year, Aug 11 Finance Cmte
Raeleen Gallivan has a new position elsewhere closer to her home
Amy Frigulietti has a new position in Yarmouth
The conversation runs about 33 minutes Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1485-town-council-quarterbacking-07-28-25/
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The Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dc10zX_m3k
The agenda docs and supporting material -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07232025-1829
My full set of notes:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HG6gba9gs32QQmenYy89A426iD-eGNLd/view?usp=drive_link
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1484-town-council-mtg-07-23-25/
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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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