What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, March 2, 2025 ??? - Town of Franklin birthday celebration

Sunday, March 2, 2025

** "Look Up" Gallery (during open hours at Franklin Public Library)

11:00am Sunday Brunch (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub) 

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:00pm Town of Franklin birthday party

7:00pm Rehearsal for Distinguished Young Women (Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center)

** NO Town Meetings today   **

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Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

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

Franklin, MA: agenda for Town Council meeting March 5 at 7 PM

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

March 5, 2025 = 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers 355 East Central Street 

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Council cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None Scheduled

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Police Department - Swearing In of New Patrol Officers

i. Steven Dejoie

ii. Tyler Hosley

b. Proclamation & Performance: Franklin Fine & Performing Arts Students

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Cultural District Committee - Peter Rochat   https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4571/5a---Cultural-District-Appointment---Peter-Rochat

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM - None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS  - None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Actuarial Update - Dan Sherman   https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4572/8a---OPEB-Presentation---Franklin-FYE2024-GASB7475-v1-1

b. FY26 Budget Preview - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator   https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4575/8b-1---MEMO---FY26-Budget-Preview---Google-Docs

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-927: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Section 3 of The Code Of The Town of Franklin, Definitions (Shared-Use Commercial Kitchen) - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-927 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4573/9a-25-927-and-25-928---Shared-Used-Kitchens

b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-928: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Attachment 3, Use Regulation Schedule, Part II Principal Uses (Shared-Use Commercial Kitchen) - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-928 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4574/9b-1---ZONING-BYLAW-AMENDMENT-25-928---Use-Regulations---Shared-Use-Commercial-Kitchen-1

c. Resolution 25-12: Receipts Reserved for Appropriation from Parking Fund

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-12 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4576/9c-25-12---Parking-Kiosk-Appropriation

d. Resolution 25-13: Authorization to Grant Easement to Commonwealth of Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation and Recreation to Enable Construction of Rail Trail Extension (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-13 - ⅔ Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4578/9d-25-13---Grant-of-Easement-and-MOA---SNETT---Google-Docs

e. Resolution 25-14: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($250) (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-14 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4577/9e-25-14---Gift-Acceptance---Sr-Ctr

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Subcommittee Report

b. Capital Budget Subcommittee

c. Economic Development Subcommittee

d. Joint Budget Subcommittee

e. Police Station Building Committee

f. GATRA Advisory Board

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03052025-1608

Franklin, MA: agenda for Town Council meeting March 5 at 7 PM

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