Franklin, MA: Agenda for Town Council meeting April 16, 2025

Franklin Town Council
Agenda & Meeting Packet
April 16, 2025 - 7 PM

 

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, 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
a.    March 19, 2025

4.    PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
a.    Proclamation: Franklin High School Cheerleaders
b.    Proclamation: Franklin High School Boys Basketball Team
c.    Proclamation: The Dean College Athletic Training and Franklin Public Safety Departments
 

5.    APPOINTMENTS
a.    2025 Election Workers  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5217/5a---Appointments---Election-Workers
i.    See Exhibit 1 of Appointment Transaction in agenda packet for list of names

6.    PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM

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)
i.    Legislation for Action # 9b.  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5234/6a-1-Shared-Kitchen-Public-Hearing
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)
i.    Legislation for Action # 9c.   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5235/6b-Public-Hearing-Shared-Kitchens

7.    LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled
 

8.    PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a.    Franklin Police Department Mental Health Clinician Division - Kallie Montagano, Clinician Program Manager
b.    Franklin Crisis Advocacy Team - Amy Frigulietti, Deputy Town Administrator

9.    LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a.    Resolution 25-18: June 3, 2025 Election Early & Mail in Voting
(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-18 - Majority Vote)   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5227/9a-25-18---6_3_25-Election-early-voting-and-vote-by-mail
b.    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) - First Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-927 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)
c.    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) - First Reading
(Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-928 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)
d.    Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-935: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Section 24,
Floodplain District - Referral to the Planning Board  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5236/9d-25-935-Floodplain
(Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-935 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)
e.    Resolution 25-19: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($3,014.98), Veterans’ ($11,959.90)
(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-19 - Majority Vote)

10.    TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
 

11.    SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a.    Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Subcommittee Report (Vote to Accept)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4568/2025-TA-Evaluation
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

 

 

Franklin, MA: Agenda for Town Council meeting April 16, 2025

Franklin TV: On the Radio

For your listening and dancing pleasure…

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 04/13/2025

Franklin TV: On the Radio

What does it mean to be ‘on the radio’. In radio’s early years it meant live performances by radio stars, big bands, (for your listening and dancing pleasure…) and the birth of the ‘soap opera’ – often broadcast as 15 minute serialized programs. There were on-air personalities who rose to radio stardom.

President Roosevelt held ‘fireside chats’ – as if seated with you in your own parlour. The warm glow of a radio dial offered comfort in the dark days of the Depression.

They say ‘talk is cheap’. On the radio it is definitely not. Discussion programming costs a lot more than just playing the hits. Fortunately, we are blessed with talented and dedicated volunteers who produce our regular interview programming as well as occasional ‘fireside chats’ and opinion–editorial musings of their own.

What happens at the national and state level – laws, policy, politics, edicts and so on gets ample coverage. What happens at the local level is just as important, and our volunteers do all they can to highlight key issues and events in our own back yard.

Franklin Public radio. We are local community radio – citizen radio – writ large.

There’s room for you in our on-air schedule. We can help you rise to radio stardom.
Come sit by the fire – and let’s talk.

Do you have a program you would like to do? It’s easy.
Call us. 508-541-4118.

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 

Highbar Physical Therapy Opens New Clinic in Franklin, MA Empowering Lives and Building Community

Highbar Physical Therapy is proud to announce the opening of its newest clinic at 150 Emmons Street in Franklin, MA, furthering its mission to empower people to feel better, move freely, and live fully. This brings Highbar’s patient-centered care, evidence-based treatment, and commitment to helping individuals return to the activities they love to Franklin and its surrounding areas.

Leading the Franklin clinic is Dr. Reid Holden, PT, DPT, an experienced physical therapist specializing in orthopedics and sports-related injuries. As a former athlete who underwent physical therapy to recover from major injuries, Dr. Holden brings a deep understanding of the rehabilitation process and a passion for helping patients return to the activities they love.

“We are excited to open our doors in Franklin and bring Highbar’s expertise to this community,” said Dr. Holden. “Our goal is to provide exceptional care, whether you're an athlete looking to return to competition or someone recovering from an injury and eager to regain an active lifestyle. We look forward to making a positive impact on our patients’ lives.”

Highbar Physical Therapy Opens New Clinic

At Highbar Physical Therapy, we’re not just providing services; we're elevating the standards of rehabilitation. Our evidence-based care, combined with expert clinicians and personalized treatment plans, ensures that patients achieve their goals as quickly and effectively as possible. To make care even more accessible, we proudly offer same-day appointments, allowing patients to start their recovery journey without delay.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.highbarhealth.com or call 508-939-5579.
 

About Highbar Physical Therapy

Highbar Physical Therapy is the region’s leading provider for innovative, results-driven physical therapy services. The practice boasts the highest number of board-certified clinicians in New England. By combining the latest advancements in musculoskeletal health with personalized, compassionate care, we help our patients achieve life-changing results. Our skilled physical therapists serve as primary care providers for musculoskeletal conditions, working closely with you to achieve new milestones. At Highbar, we’re committed to helping you feel better, move freely, and live fully. To learn more, visit www.highbarhealth.com.

Hold a spot for EarthDay at Delcarte - April 26

 

Hold a spot for EarthDay at Delcarte - April 26

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

Notice of Public Hearing - Transfer of a Section 12 All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License From ACT Hospitality, Inc. d/b/a Box Seats to Franklin Hospitality Group, LLC d/b/a The Tavern on Central

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
FRANKLIN, MA
Transfer of a Section 12 All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License
From ACT Hospitality, Inc. d/b/a Box Seats to Franklin Hospitality
Group, LLC d/b/a The Tavern on Central

 

 

The Franklin Town Council will hold a Public Hearing on an application by Franklin Hospitality Group, LLC for a transfer to it of a Section 12 All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License presently held by ACT Hospitality, Inc. d/b/a Box Seats, located at 391 East Central Street, #5, Franklin, MA, to continue to be exercised at 391 East Central Street, #5, Franklin, MA. 

 

This public hearing will take place during the Town Council Public Meeting beginning at 7:00 pm on April 30, 2025; there will be an opportunity for public input during the process. 

 

Location: Municipal Building, 2nd floor Council Chambers, 355 E. Central Street, Franklin, and also via the “ZOOM” platform. Residents can visit the Town website (Franklinma.gov) town calendar to review the agenda and for up to date meeting information, on and after April 25, 2025. 

 

Please call the Town Administrator’s Office at (508) 520-4949 if you require further information or to make arrangements for translation services.

Respectfully Submitted by,

Julie McCann
Licensing Administrator

 

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04302025-1679

 

Notice of Public Hearing - Transfer of a Section 12 All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License From ACT Hospitality, Inc. d/b/a Box Seats to Franklin Hospitality Group, LLC d/b/a The Tavern on Central

An Invite From Your Congressman - Virtual Update and Q&A on Tuesday, April 15

Hi neighbor, On Tuesday, April 15, I'll be hosting a Virtual Update and Q&A to discuss President Trump's chaotic trade policies. This is an opportunity for you to raise questions and hear updates on how President Trump's tariffs will impact Bay Staters.  Tariffs Edition: Congressional Update and Q&A with  Congressman Jake Auchincloss  and Special Guest Ed Gresser, Vice President and Director for Trade and Global Markets  at the Progressive Policy Institute  Tuesday, April 15, 2025 12:00pm – 1:00pm  RSVP for the Zoom link HERE *By registering for this event, you grant our office permission to send you future communications and updates. Sincerely, Jake Auchincloss WASHINGTON 15 Independence Avenue SE 1524 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5931 NEWTON 29 Crafts Street Suite 375 Newton, MA 02458 Phone: (617) 332-3333 ATTLEBORO 8 North Main Street Suite 200 Attleboro, MA 02703 Phone: (508) 431-1110

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project: Construction Update for the Week of April 14

Monday (4/14) through Friday (4/18): 

The Contractor will be excavating on Grove Street for the next round of jack and bore trenchless installation work.  During this time, Grove St. will be closed at the MBTA train tracks between the hours of 7 AM--4PM. Traffic turning onto Grove St from Rt. 140 will be detoured over to Beaver Street via Rt. 140. Please follow posted detour signs for directions.

In addition, there will continue to be a construction crew conducting the jack and bore trenchless installation of the new sewer un

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project:

der Rte. 140. The work will be occurring off the road at 38 Pond St. and within the Franklin Village Mall area. No traffic impacts are expected.

At the Franklin Recreation Center, the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue with concrete work around the top of the new pump station and within the launching chamber.  In addition, civil work within the site, and mechanical work within the pump room will be occurring.

Shared from -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/557/Beaver-Street-Interceptor-BSI-Project 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday, April 13 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:

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, April 12, 2025 ???

Saturday, April 12

* Franklin Art Association Art Show and Sale Exhibit (Norfolk Public Library)

 

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

Library events

9:00am Book Sale ($1/book) (Franklin Public Library)
9:00am Women's Faith Formation (St. Mary's Parish)
9:30am Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) (Franklin Public Library)
10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:00pm Books by the Bag Sale ($5/bag) (Franklin Public Library)
3:00pm Boston Typewriter Orchestra (Franklin Public Library)

 

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->  

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

 

 

** NO Town Meetings today   **

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

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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 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

This Chalkboard Chat condenses both the April 8 Policy Subcmte & full School Cmte meetings (audio)

FM #1425 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1425 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion in the Studio on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap both the Policy Subcommittee and School Committee meetings of April 8, 2025. 

 

We cover 

Policy Subcmte mtg - All About Horace

School Cmte Mtg

ECDC update - Kimberly Taylor, Principal

Elementary update -> 

          grade level                      3-5                    K-2

Washington                     Even Chalman             Stefani Wasik

Lincoln                                    Brad Hendrixson                Keri Busavage

Discussion/ actions items -

School Choice Vote 

Foreign Exchange Student Vote 

Policy- 2nd Reading 

The recording runs about 48 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1425-chalkboard-chat-04-09-25/

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

Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net   

Policy Subcmte Mtg

Policy Subcmte meeting audio -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/04/school-committee-policy-subcommittee.html 

The Policy Subcmte meeting agenda can be found -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04082025-1668 

The Town Council memo as discussed -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CCDx8c4zn4ZVUr0EYQy1snpygRVLzxHO/view?usp=drive_link 

My full set of notes taken during the Policy Subcmte meeting can be found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14gUGQ0N6s5bMiGwhbHegsRcxfkZUCirY/view?usp=drive_link 

School Committee Meeting Info

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/3rgXaYFUtNA?&t=100

The meeting agenda ->  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04082025-1669 

Documents released for this agenda after the meeting can be found -> 

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/april-8%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/784309 

My notes captured in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QCIHgtiYGE6hjPEpDLKBhP2B1oYReHbu/view?usp=drive_link

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

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. 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!

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

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

This Chalkboard Chat condenses both the April 8 Policy Subcmte & full School Cmte meetings (audio)

Check out "Little Solutions" at ECDC Pond Street beginning in September 2025

Check out "Little Solutions" at ECDC Pond Street

Lifelong Learning (@FPSLearning) posted on Thu, Apr 10, 2025:

 

"New from Lifelong Learning! "Little Solutions" at ECDC Pond Street for 2025-2026.

We'll care for your pre-K student before and after their ECDC school day.

Go to https://t.co/2vc70vKiXg for details. "

 

Shared from -> https://x.com/FPSLearning/status/1910374136213360806

FHS baseball team posts a win on Friday (video)

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, April 11, 2025

Baseball = Franklin, 7 vs. Bridgewater-Raynham, 6 – Final

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aC6rNcXHUI

 


Boys Tennis = Franklin vs. Bishop Feehan, 4:00


Girls Tennis = Franklin @ Bishop Feehan, 3:30

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-04-11-25/

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