Monday, May 6, 2024

Franklin grease trap policy proposed to be formalized in Town bylaw (audio & video)

FM #1193 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1193 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Franklin (MA) Economic Development Subcmte Meeting conducted on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.  The meeting was held at the Municipal Bldg and conducted in a hybrid manner. Chair Melanie Hamblen, Councilors Brian Chandler & Cobi Frongillo were in the Council Chambers. Councilor Sheridan was absent.


The meeting was scheduled to begin at 5:45 and actually started at 5:55 (not 6:55 as is announced by Chair Hamblen). There was technical difficulty with the Zoom video but not with the YouTube video or any channel audio. Turned out to be a setting in the meeting set up that turned the video off for this session. (Duly noted for future sessions).  


Quick summary

  • Current policy across Health Dept, Building Inspection and DPW calls out the requirements for grease traps for commercial use. Those policies would be combined into one Town bylaw to formalize and remove possible confusion or contention as to which one takes precedence.

  • The draft bylaw was recommended to be moved to the Town Council for their review and approval. This one would not need to include the Planning Board for review.


The meeting runs about 26 minutes.    Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1193-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-05-01-24



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Economic Development Subcmte page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/economic-development-subcommittee 


Meeting agenda ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-05-01_edc_agenda_packet.pdf 


Franklin TV video on YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/live/YKganfWutTA?si=EJQ77tsztrptv4Mi&t=100


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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 www.franklin.news/ or  www.Franklinmatters.org/ 


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"



Franklin grease trap policy proposed to be formalized in Town bylaw (audio & video)
Franklin grease trap policy proposed to be formalized in Town bylaw (audio & video)

Senior Center event highlights for the week of May 6 - May 10, 2024

Here’s what’s happening this week at the #franklinseniorcenter 
Lots to do and great people to spend time with. #franklinma #seniorcenter
Check out the full calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming







Franklin Residents: Want To Win a Tree? Enter Here!

We love trees! Do you?

Thanks to State Rep Jeff Roy, the Town of Franklin was gifted a bunch of trees and we want share them with you!

We are going to have a "Street Tree Lottery" and give away 20 of these trees to the residents of our Town!!!

Requirements:

*Tree must be planted in the front yard

*Tree must be planted 20 ft back from the pubic right-of-way

*Must be a Franklin resident

*Only one entry per household

*Winner is responsible for planting, watering, maintaining, and loving the tree!

Varieties available (but not guaranteed) include Kousa dogwood, Akebono Cherry, and Katsura.

Submissions will be accepted through Friday, May 10th.

To enter and for more information click here.

We also have some small tree saplings, Spruce, Red Buds and Dogwoods that folks can pick up at the Public Works Office at 257 Fisher St. during regular working hours.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/want-win-tree-enter-here

Franklin Residents: Want To Win a Tree? Enter Here!
Franklin Residents: Want To Win a Tree? Enter Here!

Governor Healey Signs Chapter 90 Bill to Improve Bridges, Roads, and Infrastructure Across Massachusetts

"At an event in Melrose today (05/03/24), Gov. Maura Healey signed a transportation bond bill that includes $200 million for the Chapter 90 local road and bridge program for fiscal 2025 and $175 million for specified additional infrastructure programs.  
In addition to funding for the Chapter 90 reimbursement program, the $375 million bond package includes $25 million for a supplemental road maintenance program favoring rural communities, and $150 million for the following six existing transportation-related programs:

• Municipal Pavement Program
• Municipal Small Bridge Program
• Complete Streets
• Municipal Bus Enhancement Program
• Mass Transit Access grant program
• Municipal/RTA Electric Vehicle Fleets program"



Governor Healey Signs Chapter 90 Bill to Improve Bridges, Roads, and Infrastructure Across Massachusetts
Governor Healey Signs Chapter 90 Bill to Improve Bridges, Roads, and Infrastructure Across Massachusetts

Should Mandatory parking minimums be removed?

"Mandatory parking minimums render the traditional development pattern that we know is time tested, that we know is productive… de facto illegal… We desperately need to free Minnesota communities from this burden." 
- @dpherriges, @Parking_Reform 
video clip -> https://t.co/vsuRs2V5Zg

Shared from -> https://twittere.com/berkie1/status/1786745173256384764

One of the items on the Town Council agenda that wasn't covered Wednesday, May 1 and got moved to a June meeting was a measure to remove the parking minimum for commercial in a mixed use development in downtown commercial zoning. This is a step in the direction toward removing parking minimums


Should Mandatory parking minimums be removed?
Should Mandatory parking minimums be removed?

Next Size Up Kids Consignment Event - Spring 2024

Local families coming together to buy and sell new and gently used kids items. We'll have thousands of items - clothing sized infant to youth 18, shoes, games, baby gear, books, decor and more all under one roof at bargain prices.

Each family selects their own prices.
Public Free Walk In Shopping: 
Sat., 5/18: 9AM-4PM Sun., 5/19: 10AM-2PM
Early Shopping (registration/ticket required): 
Thurs., May 16: 6PM-9PM Fri., May 17: 10AM-5PM Shop for a Cause! Ticket proceeds donated


Next Size Up Kids Consignment Event - Spring 2024
Next Size Up Kids Consignment Event - Spring 2024

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Monday, May 6, 2024

  • wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Monday

9 AM 12 PM and 6 PM Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong
2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews

11 AM 2 PM and 8 PM A More Perfect Union – Discussing American Politics and Current Events - Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, State Rep Jeff Roy, and Nick Remissong hold a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.

  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = MONDAY

8:00 am SAFE Coalition: Michelle Palladini
9:00 am Concerts on the Common: Ken DoRosario
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs
12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Chicken Marsala
1:00 pm Cooking Thyme: Fish
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Deep Dish
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 8
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 5
3:30 pm Veterans' Call: Veterans' Treatment
5:00 pm Strawberry Stroll 2022
5:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith
7:00 pm Frank Presents: Jamie Barrett
8:00 pm Endless Konnections: Natasha Ward Pt 2
9:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith
10:00 pm Circle of Friends: Brother Sun

  • Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = MONDAY

8:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse v Notre Dame Academy 05-02-24
10:00 am All-Town Showcase 2024: Band
11:30 am All-Town Showcase 2024: Chorus and Orchestra
1:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith
2:30 pm SAFE Coalition: Michelle Palladini
3:30 pm FHS Varsity Baseball v Mansfield 04-29-24
10:00 pm Critical Conversations: Social Media

  • Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = MONDAY

8:00 am Planning Board 04-22-24
12:00 pm Economic Development 05-01-24
2:00 pm Planning Board 04-22-24
7:00 pm Planning Board  LIVE 3rd Floor   974 1000 7698
7:00 pm Finance Committee #1  LIVE Chambers  837 9293 2583


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

Sunday, May 5, 2024

What's happening in Franklin On May 5?

Sunday, May 5 = Cinco de Mayo

10:00am Children's Museum of Franklin - Mobile Museum (Vendetti Motors)
1:00pm This Old Thing? - An Antique Appraisal Adventure with Jim Johnston (Franklin Historical Museum)
1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
2:00pm Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) Book Talk (Franklin Public Library)


What's happening this weekend in Franklin?
What's happening this weekend in Franklin? 
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Why are there multiple calendars?
There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar.

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:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Franklin TV: Chris Stearns - "NOW THEREFORE BE IT KNOWN TO ALL"

20 Years of Franklin Meetings


by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 05/05/2024


"Whereas, Chris Stearns became employed by the Town of Franklin in 2004, when we managed the cable TV studio via our then Cable Advisory Board; and

Franklin TV: Chris Stearns
Franklin TV: Chris Stearns
Whereas, even earlier – Since 1997 – a time when TV cameras were big, heavy, and needed lots of light – Chris Stearns was actively involved in pioneering Citizen TV through our local cable studio, starting with Charter Cable, as well as working at the Town's Comcast studio at 13 Main St., prior to joining Franklin TV; and

Whereas, throughout his years with the Town of Franklin, and Franklin TV, he has covered many meetings at the Town of Franklin’s old Town Hall, and still remains a steady and reliable producer and director of government meetings within the Town of Franklin; and

Whereas, Chris Stearns has adapted readily to the added challenges of the digital world, by adding Zoom access for folks at home, and online streaming in high definition, while working with a consistently positive spirit, week in & week out.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT KNOWN TO ALL
That Chris Stearns is hereby commended and recognized by the Town Council of the Town of Franklin for his twenty years of faithful and unwavering service to the community and to Franklin TV.”

Thanks. Chris. Well done.

Thanks for listening to 102.9 wfpr●fm. 
And – as always – thanks for watching.
Editorial note: And to think I report on about 100 meetings a year, he works to produce more than I do. My congrats to Chris! I depend upon his output for many of the meetings I don't attend to share. We all benefit from his work!

Chris, may the technical difficulties always be quick and easy resolutions!

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

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee Meeting - FY 2025 Budget Hearing - Part 1 of 3 - May 6 at 7 PM

Finance Committee Meeting
Agenda & Meeting Packet
Monday, May 6, 2024 = 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building
2nd floor, Council Chambers
355 East Central Street

Agenda
1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. Approval of Minutes
a. April 17, 2024
4. “A Citizens Pledge to the Residents of Franklin”
5. FY25 Town Administrator Operating Budget Hearing:
FY25 Town Administrator Budget Materials website  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials
a. General Government -
i. Departments: 111 Town Council, 123 Town Administrator, 131 Finance Committee, 135 Comptroller, 141 Assessors, 147 Treasurer-Collector, 151 Legal, 152 Human Resources, 155 Information Technology, 161 Town Clerk, 164 Elections & Registration, 171 Conservation Commission, 176 Appeals Board (ZBA), 177 Planning & Growth Management, 184 Agricultural Commission, 192 Public Properties & Buildings, 196   Purchasing & Central Services.
b. Human Services -
i. Departments: 510 Board of Health, 535 Disability Commission, 541 Council on Aging, 543 Veterans Services, 535 Disability Commission.
c. Culture & Recreation -
i. Departments: 610 Library, 630 Recreation, 690 Historical Museum, 691 Historical Commission, 693 Arts & Culture, 695 Cultural Council, 696 Cultural District Committee.
d. Debt & Interest -
i. Departments: 710 Debt Service - Principal, 750 Debt Service - Interest.
e. Employee Benefits:
i. Departments: 910 Retirement & Pension, 945 Risk Management (Liability Insurance).
6. Future Agenda Items

7. Adjourn




Building Equitable Neighborhoods for Franklin launches with 2 events (audio)

FM #1192 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1192 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares my conversation with resident Lisa Oxford and Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo. We talk about the launch events for the Building Equitable Neighborhoods for Franklin (BEN 4 Franklin). 


We talk about how the group

  • grew out of last year’s Jane Walk
  • subsequent conversations at Strawberry Stroll
  • a meeting in August that drew about 30 folks
  • the core group kept at it to work on a vision and mission, website, and initial event launch


The vision

We envision an inviting, diverse, environmentally sustainable, and fiscally strong Franklin where all can be engaged and find a home. We are aligned with the vision of the 2022 Franklin for All report.


The mission

We are an inclusive community advocating for a Franklin with abundant, affordable housing for all and walkable, economically vibrant downtown and neighborhoods that evolve in a fiscally-responsible manner.


Our conversation runs about 27 minutes.  Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1192-ben-4-franklin-launches-05-02-24  



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BEN 4 Franklin web page ->  https://ben4franklin.org/  


Launch party - May 10, 7 PM at Franklin TV Studio

Jane’s Walk - May 11, 10:30 AM starting from Franklin TV Studio


RSVP to a launch event or to at least join the mailing list

tinyurl.com/ben4franklin


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


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 www.franklin.news/ or  www.Franklinmatters.org/ 


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"


v
Launch party - May 10, 7 PM at Franklin TV Studio


Jane Jacobs' Walk - May 11, 10:30 AM starting from Franklin TV Studio
Jane Jacobs' Walk - May 11, 10:30 AM starting from Franklin TV Studio

Master Plan Subcommittee and Committee meetings on the schedule for this week May 7 & May 8

On the one hand, having been there once upon a time, I understand how folks can miss, or not pay attention, to what's happening around the Town with regards to the key and critical discussions on our future. (The schools redistricting proposal or override being just 2 current topics.)

On the other hand, there are opportunities to at least be aware of what's underway so it is not a "surprise" when the output, after being crafted through multiple meetings, finally rears it's head and catches your attention.

I know. I was in your shows once upon a time. 

So for the sake of all of the residents and taxpayers, please be aware our future is in the hands of the "Master Plan Update Committee." "Our future" in that the goodness of the inputs they have facilitated will result in the action items that the Planning Board and Town Council will approve later this year (Septemberish) and then result in action items for the applicable Town departments, committees, boards, etc. to start to take action on over the next several years. 

At least until about 10 years down the road when the whole review and update process starts all over again.
  • Master Plan: Housing and Economic Development Subcommittee
Event Date:  Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 5:15pm

  • Master Plan Committee
Event Date:  Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 6:30pm

Master Plan Subcommittee and Committee meetings on the schedule for this week May 7 & May 8
Master Plan Subcommittee and Committee meetings on the schedule for this week May 7 & May 8