This session shares the Finance Committee meeting conducted Wednesday, January 15, 2025. 7 members of the Committee were present in Council Chambers on the 2nf floor of the Town of Franklin municipal building for this session (2 absent).

Many of the Town department leaders were present and participating as needed. School Superintendent Lucas Giguere participated as did Interim School Business Administrator Jana Melotti along with consultant Dr Bob Dutch.

Quick recap

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walking the committee thru the memo on the capital budget https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/04a._fy25_capital_improvement_plan_memo.pdf
• Many clarification questions on what for when, as well as possible reallocation of the recommendation. Chart on free cash is for information purposes
• First resolution on use of free cash for the capital budget resulted in a discussion around amending the amount and creating a technology stabilization fund but ultimately that did not get amended and it was approved as proposed by a 7-0-2 (7 for, 2 absent) vote
• Second resolution on funding from the enterprise accounts was approved as recommended with the same 7-0-2 vote
• Now to the Opioid settlement funds. Memo https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5a._opioid_settlement_funds.pdf and the Resolution for approval https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5b._1_-_resolution_25-02_-_opioid_funding.pdf
• After explanation of the current funding and a look at future funds coming (approx. $1.2M) the vote to approve the resolution passed 7-0-2
• Now to the "hold harmless" topic for Chapter 70 school funding. State house news article references a commission to look at school funding https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/6b._with_new_term_dawning_spilka_eyes_k-12_funding_reform_primary_care_overhaul_senate_statehousenews.com_.pdf
• We are currently getting $12m over what the school funding formula calls for. We are the 2nd largest hold harmless (Boston #1) A change to the formula takes time. Jamie has been warning of this for some years.
• Approximately 18-20m of town costs for school functions go to the net school spending. accounting to determine the per pupil spending calculation. ** $27m for FY 2024 fiscal year is actual. Confirmed that 24, 25 and 27 for last 3 years
• Long and complex discussion around the possible review of the formula
• Folks see the buildings going up but the population has been flat. Great quote from Jamie (to clip later) on the wealth growth and the hold harmless getting worse unless we choose to pay more

The recording runs almost 2 hours and 30 minutes, so let’s listen in.

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Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/yzii8AGsv7k?&t=234

Agenda and supporting documents for this session ->

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Jan 14, 2024. 6 of the 7 members participated (6 in Chambers, 1 absent - Sompally).

Quick recap

• FHS Cheerleaders recognized for winning multiple championships, approved for travel to the National Championship
• Superintendent's report included multiple updates on redistricting efforts underway
• FHS school update provided insights in the school year thus far
• FHS Program of Studies update raised some clarification questions and at least one surprise that the community service hours added to the graduation requirements are not being monitored this year due to the budget cut that removed the individual who would have done that tracking. Community hours were being done by students, no one single person was tracking to ensure all the students were doing so this school year
• Franklin TV provided an update on the programming provided to the community including the live broadcast of this meeting (across town, 2 school concerts were also broadcast and the FHS girls basketball game was also broadcast). revenue is dropping due to cable cutting, proposal at State Legislature on potential alternate revenue for cable operations, new Federal administration may attempt to dismantle the Federal authorization for cable broadcasting
• Discussion action items
• approved after much discussion as amended the notification on the temporary names for the schools as part of the redistricting
• Capital budget modified from initial preview and approved
• 3 policies for first reading approved to move to second reading
• Update on educational expenses for the student from the emergency shelter. Quarterly reimbursement from DESE only used to offset the costs of educating these students. Reimbursement at rate of $104/per day/per student. The override had nothing to do with the education of these students. FPS does not use the operational budget to educate the student from the emergency shelter
• Grants to the amount of $1.6 M were preview by the committee (document not part of the public set released prior to the meeting). Over what period these grants covered was not mentioned out loud.
• Round of subcommittee updates
• Motion to enter executive session, not to return to public meeting, passed 6-0-1 (1 absent)

The recording runs about 3 hours & 24 minutes, so let’s listen in.

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

The agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/fsc.pdf

Meeting packet (other docs as they are released after the meeting will get posted here) -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/january-14%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/742564

My full set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JdupV2TntAObJjwWAik_BBpoPfpLPHVH/view?usp=drive_link

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (

This session of the radio show shares conversation with Pam and Joe Formosa, who are leading the revitalized Santa Foundation. We had our conversation in the new facility at 275 Washington St, Suite a6.

We talked about

• Thanking the community and all who helped
• How Pam & Joe ended up in this role
• Planning for the future underway

The recording of our conversation runs about 34 minutes.

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Visit the Santa Foundation online at -> https://www.sfjoy.org/

Or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SantaFoundation

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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. 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"

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, January 8, 2025. All 9 of the 9 members participated in Council Chambers.

Quick recap:

• 2 public hearings on the accessory dwelling unit bylaw changes were opened and closed after discussion. Later the legislation for action approved by 9-0 vote to move both measures to second reading
• 2 public hearings on sign bylaw changes as proposed were opened and continued to the Jan 22 meeting without further discussion. Later in the legislation for action, those two measures were also rescheduled to the Jan 22 meeting by 9-0 votes
• Presentation on Franklin Ridge, a senior affordable housing project update was provided that with the recent funding made available on 2 front for Town work and for the private development of the 60 units, given the current schedule, ground could break in June 2025. Bryan Taberner, Director Planning & Community Development provided the update.
• Bryan continued with a second presentation on the sustainable housing inventory (SHI) or informally called the 40b requirement. Bottomline we are currently at 10.86% (above the critical 10% threshold) with approximately 1,000 units currently permitted or in the pipeline of approvals. If all of those units were indeed built (could be some # of years) we could increase to about 12-13%. Question then becomes, what should our goal be (besides remaining above 10%)?
• 2 items approved to enable the respective water and sewer connections for the Franklin Ridge project as mentioned earlier.
• The last item in legislation was acceptance of additional fund for the Senior Center etc.
• Interesting point in the Town Administrator's Report. The home rule charter request to exempt the town from paying for legal notices in print newspapers was signed by the Governor. We have an email alert process for any one with an email address to enable notification of such legal notices

Let’s listen to the meeting recording which runs about 2 hours. Audio link ->

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/7dQWhWlHRW0?&t=208

The agenda and released documents for this meeting ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_1.8.25.pdf

My full set of notes (in one PDF) can be found online

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S-qr25XiQvmFi_gBNBvjrwUaeoK2ZukH/view?usp=drive_link

Screen grabs of the presentation on housing (40b) -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/pR2DTs2eaifKxWFo9

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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. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we...

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 in Council Chambers. All 4 members of the subcommittee participated in Chambers (Hamblen, Sheridan, Frongillo & Chandler).

Quick recap

• Goals update, discussion on setting what priorities there should be
• Open Space plan not yet approved by State, comments sent back to Town and they will take time to adjust and incorporate
• Round among the subcommittee as they shared their priorities, except for Chandler
• After the round, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen - The Crossing and 40r would probably be best to start with. Home business, taking a reasonable step forward re: water and sewer. Current bylaws restrict auto and food prep from home use, as well as medical. At scale, it gets to be a problem for the infrastructure. Possible joint discussion with Board of Health, Health Dept, along with DPW to talk about the issues they see. Attempting to provide an overview to someone to answer "How does someone start a business, and what are the triggers for the growth steps?" How to ensure the property owner is responsible for their damage that could be caused
• Frongillo comes back to offer his priority, (1) shared parking with initiatives/incentives, residential downtown parking permit, others do it; 19 Dean case for the managed shared parking - (2) downtown business use, a few minor exemptions would be good to look at to enable active store fronts (3) we stopped at downtown dimensions, didn't get into the frontage, setbacks, etc. which are a massive difference to enabling development; has drafted starting points for each of these 3 points
• Per Jamie, If there are bylaw changes required, we would need to get those started by July in order to get those thru the process, before the Nov elections
• Cycling back to the 40r discussion, a 40r draft was prepared a year or so ago, could be picked up from there

Motion to adjourn, passes 4-0

The recording of the meeting runs about 55 minutes.

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Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n11fImC7CE4&t=126

The agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2025-01-8_edc_agenda.pdf

My full set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zpUk1_QkADUkb-iCbJGP9CKvXRx2yj-8/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

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 Thursday, January 9, 2024. Our conversation condenses the Council meeting of Wednesday night with a focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened?

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session

a. Franklin Ridge Senior Affordable Housing Project Update - Bryan Taberner, Director of

Department of Planning and Community

Construction to commence later this summer, after Town finishes its infrastructure work

b. Residential Development & Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI, aka Chapter 40B) Update - Bryan Taberner, Director of Department of Planning and Community

At 10.86% (the guideline is more than 10%)

A summary of what’s approved and or in the planning process

Over 1,000 housing units, approx. 400 would be “Affordable”

"A 1% increase in new supply; i) lowers average rents by 0.19%, ii) effectively reduces rents of lower-quality units, & iii) disproportionately increases the number of second-hand units available for rent. Moreover, the impact on rents is equally strong in high-demand markets."

Institute for Employment Research, A German federal agency

A study on secondary housing, or the domino effect of what new housing does to existing stock and population movement within the existing stock

Legislation for action:

• 2 bylaws to enable to Town work on Franklin Ridge
• 2 bylaws to bring to compliance with State law on ADUs
• 2 bylaws on signs deferred to Jan 22
• Resolution 25-01: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($1,672), Veterans Department ($3,125)

Town Administrator Report reveal the home rule piece was approved to exempt the Town from posting legal notices in print editions of the newspaper

The recording runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap the Town Council meeting held this week

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Franklin TV video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/7dQWhWlHRW0?&t=208

Agendas for Town Council meeting ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_1.8.25.pdf

Screen grabs of the presentation on housing (40b) -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/pR2DTs2eaifKxWFo9

My set of notes in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S-qr25XiQvmFi_gBNBvjrwUaeoK2ZukH/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...

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025. The meeting agenda listed it being conducted via Google meet and with no location shown, it was assumed to be virtual. However, the 2 members of the Board (Harris, Mu-Chow) (1 absent - Sweet) and Health Dept members apparently were present together.

Quick Recap:

• Discussion on new oversight board and appointment of Director Liberty as representative. Motion made and approved 2-0
• Coat drive update: successful, collected over 600 new/used costs, distribution of 325 or so to families, some of the left over coats went to a church in Milford. Total among the distribution and collections, approx 1,000 coats, etc. delivered to families who wanted them.
• 427 Oakland Park update, coordinated with Attny General; owners did start work with a contractor on the roof, letter/ notification of process is underway
• 147 Pleasant St septic exemption requested, relatively minor recommended, so moved, passes 2-0
• Health agent report, training done. Discussion on suspected food poisoning, investigation of incident from a confirmed case, hard to confirm exact cause/location. FDA had notifications recently on cucumbers for example. COVID tests still available via Health nurse at Senior Center, call to arrange pickup. Flu season; 33 current cases (folks actually getting tested)
• Monitoring continues on other cases that arise. Surge in cases due to home and holiday gatherings; Noro virus reports up Training for the school nurses conducted on communicable diseases, hands only CPR last month, participating in the Student Wellness committee, participated in Winter Wonderland at Senior Center
• No citizen comments

Motion to adjourn, second, passes 2-0-1 (1 absent)

The meeting runs about 22 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting Jan 8, 2025.

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The Board of Health agenda can be found ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/1-8-25_boh_agenda.pdf

My notes collected in a Twitter thread PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TLS4pouWCegoJ-PmqjCPItM3p_WbYgLF/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...

This session shares my conversation with Mitzi Gousie, Programming and Outreach Librarian with the Franklin Public Library. We had our discussion virtually on Monday, December 23, 2024.

We talk about

• Reviewed the regular open hours, book sale and holiday scheduling for the month
• Open on Sundays
• Book sale weekend January 17 & 18
• Closed Monday, Jan 20 for Martin Luther King Jr Day
• Library events for December 2024
• Family events
• Kiddos, or “littles”
• Teens
• Adults

The show notes include links to the Library page and to the calendar of events where registration for some of the events is required/recommended.

The recording runs about 24 minutes, so let’s listen in.

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Mitzi Gousie’s email -> mgousie@minlib.net

Franklin Public Library page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library

New event calendar -> https://franklinma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/2025-january/

January newsletter -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/january-2025-franklin-library-news-events

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

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"