Town Council effectively conducts business before going to Executive Session on Feb 26, 2025 (audio)

FM #1391  This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1391 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, February 26, 2025. 8 of the members participated in Council Chambers, 1 was absent (Dellorco). 

Quick recap:

• Going right to legislation for action

• Bylaw Amendment 25-924: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service - Second Reading; Motion to waive reading, passes - Motion to approve, second, vote via roll call passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)

• Resolution 25-05: Free Cash To Stabilization Accounts Transfers Motion to approve, second - Discussion had been part of the capital budget review by FinCom and Capital budget subcmte but not yet set here for approval - Passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)

• Bylaw Amendment 25-925: Amendment to Sewer System Map (Raymond St.) - First Reading - Last parcel on the road to extend this to. Motion to move to second reading, passes 8-0-1 (1 absent) Related to the above

• Bylaw Amendment 25-926: Amendment to Water System Map (Raymond St.) - First Reading - Water to go along with the sewer as noted, motion to move to second reading, passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)

• Resolution 25-11: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44 §53F3/4 -  Motion to waive reading, passes 8-0-1; Motion to approve, second, passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)

• Town Administrator's Report

• March 5 preliminary FY 2026 budget update coming Traditional slide show, and updates

• Mirchi withdrew the alcohol liquor license application

• Did get confirmation from the Commonwealth, August 31, Best Western will be closed to the emergency shelter program; Jamie still gets emails etc. and blame us for the town role which was not our choice, it was totally a state decision and effort, thanks to the residents and organizations for handling this under the circumstances

• Motion to enter executive session, not to return to open meeting

• Motion, second, passes via roll 8-0-1 (1 Absent)

Let’s listen to the meeting recording which runs about 2 hours and 45 minutes.  Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1391-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-02-26-25/

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My expanded notes -> https://docs.google.com/document/d/10yE_Dj5dIlYdzyYou4cZhh5AD4kJL0JZOGgg0BDuOfA/edit?usp=drive_link 

Franklin TV video is ready for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbkmz3G_q6Y 

The Agenda doc and most materials released for this session ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02262025-1602 

My notes captured during the meeting in one PDF file ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aFS-kA1Xy3rCoN2v-1H8-wbGw6nlI21m/view?usp=drive_link 

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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 out. 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!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Franklin TV video is ready for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbkmz3G_q6Y

FHS' Woodall captures All State title, Carlucci & Sauer qualify for New England wrestling

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Saturday, March 1, 2025

Another successful weekend at the Massachusetts all state tournament!

John Woodall wins the all state tournament

Riley Carlucci places 5th and Jack Sauer places 4th, 

moving all 3 of these wrestlers to the New Englands next weekend!!   https://x.com/FHSWrestle/status/1895982602206789701

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-03-01-25/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Town Administrator Ad-hoc Review Meeting 2/27/26 (video)

The Ad-Hoc Sumbcommittee of the Town Council assigned to conduct the annual review for Town Administrator Jamie Hellen met on Thursday evening Feb 27, 2025 as scheduled. Subcommittee Chair Ted Cormier-Leger open the meeting with Councilors Hamblen and Jones present.

Franklin TV video available for replay  -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjaqeHc6eII

The agenda doc includes the draft review ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02272025-1604

Quick recap:

• Exemplary review, Area for improvement to be mindful of verbiage, tone, in public meetings, emails, etc. Be better able to step back and help us all be better
• In lieu of reading the draft review doc, they walked through some of the sections to pick out key points and allowed Jamie to elaborate on the development of the individual items touting what he (and the town staff) did to complete the item
• Many of the department managers were present and added comments for their review of Jamie

My notes captured during the meeting -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AssnKA3WLeBxDqbwfKc6owJY6MQ9d6pM/view?usp=drive_link

Town Administrator Ad-hoc Review Meeting 2/27/26 (video)

FHS Theater Company moves on to Semi-Finals with performance of "The Yellow Boat"

FHS Theater Company moves on to Semi-Finals 

"The METG: Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild Preliminary Round!

MOVING ON!

What an amazing day in Wayland today celebrating the arts, creativity, and what cooperation, hard work and perseverance can lead to!

Next stop Semi Finals! #FHSTCO #franklinhighschool #theyellowboat"

 Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/posts/3917262445210419/

Franklin TV: All Fired Up!

Where There’s Smoke…

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 03/02/2025

Another month. Another cooking day in our TeeVee Kitchen with Linda Waters and her series, ‘Learn to Cook with Linda’. As per usual, our crew were salivating. It’s very Pavlovian. Getting folks to work on cooking programs is not difficult at all.

Recipes for the day:

Variations on Trifle as a lovely easy dessert – (chocolate and bananas foster.) All about steaks, their different cuts and ways to prepare.

Pies – yup, pies. Peanut butter pie and French chocolate velvet pie. Oh, my.

All was proceeding apace – recording, salivating, making trifle, salivating, cooking steaks, saliv –  and that’s when the fire alarm went off.   Oops!

Franklin TV: All Fired Up!

Turns out that the fire dept had to come. Only they can turn off our alarm. Oops.

At least they were intrigued with our studio, and we made sure that they left with a sample of the trifle and steak. Jokingly, they referred to it as the ‘evidence’? Oops. 

The ultimate irony: We’re slated to test our alarm system on March 4th. 

Duh!

And – as always –

Thank you for watching. 

Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.

And staying informed at Franklin●news.

 

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

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Tri-County Track & Field fund raiser goes bowling - Mar 16

Tri-County Track & Field 

Friends & Family 

Sunday - MARCH 16, 5 - 7 PM

Track & Field fund raiser goes bowling

$25 PER PERSON

BOWLING I FOOD I RAFFLES I PRIZES

Register here: https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3140153937756160556

$25 to TC Sports Boosters: Cash or Venmo

Venmo @TCBoosters

"TRACK BOWLING FUNDRAISER" in comments

North Bowl Lanes

71 E. Washington St, North Attleboro

Made with PosterMyWall com

https://x.com/TriRvths/status/1895563164336664872

Voices of Franklin: Time for Listening Sessions

A poetic expression on current events

  I

What does it matter? Nothing will change at the listening session.

You mean then that your mind is so set, you can't go to a listening session

The budget is what it is. But the structural deficit is very real, things can, and do change when folks ask questions, or make comments at a listening session

There is no “found money”, it does not grow magically on trees, it comes from taxes and local receipts, those sources and the cost drivers are outlined at the listening sessions

Did you know the library card is a magic tool to gain free access to newspapers, and other online resources, all available without a listening session

Did you know the DPW plows the snow, fills potholes, flows water to your faucet, cares for the fields, and lights on the common, all available without a listening session

Did you know Police and Fire depts finally reached staffing levels authorized years ago, this staffing is now in jeopardy unless folks understand the details of these listening sessions

  II

There is economic hardship among our neighbors, the Master Plan document lays out these details, those are available without a listening session

Did you know the national wealth gap lives here too, it should not be a surprise, all our neighbors need to understand the impact of these listening sessions

Did you know economic hardship is like a hidden disability, including stigma, it is not very visible at first glance, with or without a listening session

One point of view says we are “One Franklin.” I wish that were the case; if we have to say it, are we really? It is time for another listening session

Another point of view says “We need to save Franklin.” Actually, we do. However, this group goes on to disparage certain individuals, such attacks only divert us, from paying attention to the listening session

We are a commonwealth, we need to care of all our neighbors, some of them may be the most in need of the services that would be cut without understanding the listening session

So Sherlock, now what? We need to face that we are in this together. We need to make a decision.  There are more sessions scheduled, we all need to absorb what is said, and not said, in the listening sessions

Steve Sherlock

Community Information Director (volunteer) for Franklin Matters & Franklin Public Radio. 

Steve is a "quiet poet". Find more of his poetry at  https://www.quietpoet.com

Guidelines for your submission

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Time for Listening Sessions

Teddy Gallagher's is getting ready for St Patrick's

Teddy Gallagher's is getting ready for St Patrick's

We are ramping up for what looks to be our Best St. Patrick’s week ever! 

Come in and enjoy. 

Corned Beef a plenty!! 

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DGn8rdJRFP1/

Creative Corner Arts Studio: Upcoming Events & Classes

The Summer Program has new exciting themes with our new team. Registration is now open for all our summer sessions. Programs are offered Monday - Friday for Ages 6-11 from 8:30 AM - 12 PM and Teens Ages 12-16 from 1 PM - 4 PM. We will also offer Half Day Sessions in June for the FPS half days.

We are now hosting Thursday Night with the Arts at Birchwood Bakery Monthly. This is an opportunity for adult community members to tap into their creative side. Our next event will be Thursday, March 27th 5:30-8:00 PM. We will be doing acrylic paint on canvas with a local artist. 

Thursday Night with the Arts

Cost is $65 which includes an up to 10 minute reading with nationally known medium Maria Saganis.

After School Creative Club Servicing both Elementary Schools in Franklin for the 2025-2026 school year. After School Art Programs with Transportation Options to and from the Franklin Elementary Schools. Registration is now open with limited enrollment.

We offer Friday Open Studio Nights for Teens ages 13-17 from 4-6 PM.

We host Birthday Parties, Corporate and Family Events in our creative space.

Register for programs at:  www.creativecornerartstudiofranklin.com

Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2025: IRS warns taxpayers to watch out for dangerous threats

The Internal Revenue Service today (02/27/25) announced its annual Dirty Dozen list of tax scams for 2025 with a warning for taxpayers, businesses and tax professionals to watch out for common schemes that threaten their tax and financial information.

Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2025

Ranging from email schemes to misleading tax credits, many of the Dirty Dozen items peak during filing season as people prepare their tax returns. In reality, these scams can occur throughout the year as fraudsters look for ways to steal money, personal information and data.

The IRS' annual Dirty Dozen campaign lists 12 scams and schemes that threaten taxpayers. While the Dirty Dozen is not a legal document or a formal listing of agency enforcement priorities, the education effort is designed to raise awareness and protect taxpayers and tax pros from common tax scams and schemes.

“Scammers are relentless, and they use the guise of tax season to try tricking taxpayers into falling into a variety of traps. These red flags can lead to everything from identity theft to being misled into claiming tax credits for which they’re not entitled,” said Terry Lemons, IRS communications senior adviser. “For more than two decades, the IRS has highlighted the Dirty Dozen through far-reaching communications and education campaigns as part of a wider effort by the agency to protect taxpayers from being scammed.”

Continue reading about the "Dirty Dozen" at the IRS page ->

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-tax-scams-for-2025-irs-warns-taxpayers-to-watch-out-for-dangerous-threats

Life’s Journey: The Relationships We Build along The Way - March 2

Life’s Journey: The Relationships We Build along The Way - March 2

Please join the First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) on March 2, 2025 for an inspirational service of music led by the band, “Critical Mass”.  Centered around the theme that we are all on a journey, the band will explore, through spoken word and song, “How we start on a journey at birth, gather friends and family, enter into or end relationships, assemble our chosen families and, most importantly, how all of these people join to support us on our personal journey.” 

  

“Critical Mass” is comprised of members and friends of FUSF who have been playing together for over twenty years. This service will include songs by James Taylor, Josh Radin and the Traveling Willburys, among others.  We hope that you will join “Critical Mass” and FUSF on March 2nd.  Singing along is encouraged!

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday, March 2, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It ia available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

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

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday