Franklin (MA) Matters

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, May 7, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of May 7, 2025. We focus on two questions:ok, what just happened? What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?Quick recap:Town Clerk Nancy Danello provides some updates on the early voting, last day to register, etc. for the FY 2026 override special election June 3School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan provides some updates on the redistricting efforts, how the savings will lay the foundation for the future assuming the override does passRecognitionPolice Department - Swearing in of New Police Officer, Tyler HosleyPolice Department - Recognition of New Town of Upton Chief of Police, Chief Nicholas Palmieri, former Sergeant of the Franklin Police DepartmentPublic hearingNew Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswa

This session of the radio show shares the Community Preservation Committee meeting held in the Council Chambers on Monday, May 5, 2025. All nine members of the committee were present in Council Chambers.Quick Recap -> No live broadcast of the Community Preservation committee meeting tonight. The meeting is being recorded and will be set for broadcast laterMinutes approved for August 20, 2024 and December 18, 2024 (approved as amended, some minor updates on who the members were at the time)Citizen comment; request for pickleball courts, already planned for the King St Park renovation, lights on the fields are out for bid, and courts are possible for phase 2, likely coming before the CPC in the fall to approve funding for additional pickleball courts5 year anniversary of CPA in Franklin coming in the fall. Yes, really. Time flies  Committee will need to discuss how to utilize the discretionary funding, potentially use more by category or continue to save for future use Motion to approve the fu

This session shares my conversation with Chasity Cheng, Senior Center Deputy Director and Jillian Rochat, Administrative Assistant, both with the Franklin Senior Center. We had our discussion in the Franklin Radio Studio on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.We talk about All the key event highlights for May, includingEat around the World - AustraliaVan and pavilion ribbon cutting May 15 at 10 AMVeterans breakfast May 23Teasers for June, including the Senior OlympicsThe show notes include links to the Senior Center page, the calendar of events, and to subscribe to the monthly newsletter. The recording runs about 39 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------Franklin Senior Center page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/583/Franklin-Senior-Center-Council-on-Aging May 2025 newsletter -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5446/May-2025-Newsletter?bidId= Senior Center calendar view (just FSC events) -> https://franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false S

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 30, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap the School Committee meeting of April 29, 2025. We cover Transportation, busing sign up now active, due by June 20Elementary Report Cards Letter of Support Campus Naming DiscussionOverride discussion, vote on or before June 3; any questions, please reach out to find outThe recording runs about 33 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net   Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/ZUcSpIZK3Ms?&t=175Meeting agenda doc -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5568671/SCAGENDA_4-29-25.pdf Elementary Report Cards = https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/upl

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 Friday, May 2, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of April 30, 2025. We focus on two questions:ok, what just happened? What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?Topics for this session:SchCmte Chair Callaghan updates on SchCmte businessTown Clerk Nancy Danello with an update on the special electionProclamations:Police Department - Promotions = . Sergeant John GodinoPolice Department - Swearing in of New Court Prosecutor / Detective = . Tara LagoaProclamation: Franklin High School Theater GroupProclamation: Bryan Taberner, Director, Department of Planning and Community DevelopmentAppointmentsAgricultural Commission = Matthew StoltzDisability Commission = Kelly QuinlanPUBLIC HEARING - a. Transfer of Section 12 Restaurant Common Victualer All Alcohol License and Approval of Dolores Costa as the Manager -

This session shares the Finance Committee meeting conducted Thursday, May 1, 2025. 7 members of the Committee participated, 6 in Council Chambers, 1 remote (Hamilton) 1 absent (Nagel) for the last of the series of Budget Hearings for FY 2026. This session covered the General government line items and led to the series of recommending votes.   Quick recapUp for review tonight were the General government departments, many of them much smaller than the Police, FIRE, DPW, and Schools covered previously but all key to Town services. Recreation pays for itself with fee revenue from servicing 7200 kids with 3 full time personnelLibrary just above the minimum required by State legislation not revised since it was enabled over 100 years agoTown Clerk's office runs the annual census, dog licenses, registrations, and this year 2 elections; the special override election June 3 and the local election in November (Town Council, School Cmte and other elected positions, including this year the Town Clerk)

This session shares the Finance Committee meeting conducted Tuesday, April 29, 2025. All 8 members of the Committee were present in the 3rd floor training for the second of the series of Budget Hearings for FY 2026. This session covered Public Safety (police, fire, dispatch, and inspections) and Public Works (DPW, water, sewer, roads, etc).   Quick recap:Police Chief TJ Lynch started his update. Basically the same as last year with some minor adjustments. If the override were to fail, he would loose 2 officers. He is hiring to backfill for retirees and transfers. When as ked to elaborate on that, he provided the details on the 5 recent departures, with one being sworn in at Council meeting and one still to be hired.Deputy Chiefs Klich & Barberi provided the update in lieu of Chief McLaughlin out this week on vacation. Similar to the police update, very little change in totals. If the override fails, they would lose the staffing for the 3rd ambulance. The 3rd ambulance responded to over

This session shares the Finance Committee meeting conducted Monday, April 28, 2025. All 8 members of the Committee were present in Council Chambers for the first of the series of Budget Hearings for FY 2026. This session covered Education; Tri-County, Norfolk Aggie and Franklin Public Schools. Only Franklin was there to present in person. The Chair almost closed the meeting without mentioning the other two budget items.  Quick recap:School Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Interim Business Administrator Jana Milotti made the presentation supported at different points by Dr Dutch and Asst Supt Paula MoranoThe slides of the presentation can be found ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/RZR8tubpGhMB6Ac47 The school budget fits within the Town allocation which assumes a successful override vote on June 3. The school budget is an increase over last year by $2.9MRedistricting brought significant savings to the tune of $3.1MIf the override fails, $2M would be cut from this budget (per current Town do

This session shares my conversation with Dick Hynes and Scott Carruthers about the changes to the Memorial Day Parade for 2025. We recorded this conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Thursday, April 17, 2025. Dick Hynes, American Legion, Post 75 CommanderScott Carruthers, Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW Post 3402 CommanderWe cover the following in our conversationParade route route changedFor better staging locationShorten parade to enable more veerans to participateSeparate the cemetery ceremonies from the parade itselfDean & cemetery ceremonies start at 9:30 AMParade starts at 11:00 AMCeremony on the own Common remains at noon time About the American Legion & VFWMembershipactivitiesThe recording runs about 28 minutes--------------VFW page -> https://post3402.org/ American Legion page -> https://www.mapost75.com/ Parade Route Updated -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/04/did-you-hear-there-is-new-memorial-day.html  Or -> https://post3402.or

This session shares my conversation about the origin story of BLAST - Bringing Libraries and Schools Together. We talk with Erin O’Leary and Caliegh Keating, the collaborators who start with “Yes” and then figure it out. We recorded this conversation virtually on Thursday, April 17, 2025. Caleigh Keating, Youth Services LibrarianErin O’Leary, Reading Specialist at Horace Mann Middle SchoolWe cover the following in our conversationThe origin storyA ‘free’ service but dependent upon the override passingMiddle school and elementary school coordinationHow redistricting will simplify the operationsSummer reading kickoffs being planned forThe recording runs about 32 minutes--------------Franklin Public Library page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/233/Franklin-Public-Library Erin O’Leary email address -> olearye@franklinps.net Caleigh Keating email address -> ckeating@minlib.net -------------We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, April 16, 2025. All 9 of the members participated in Council Chambers.   Approx 10-15 minutes of the recess for photos is excluded from the audio and replaced by a few seconds of music to mark the spot.Quick recap: School Committee Chair D Callaghan provided an update on recent meeting updates including the potential naming of the "Horace Mann Campus" per Town Clerk, notification of election coming via mail re: the override election June 3. Postcard with QR code to register to vote, also includes a vote by mail application. Only one card to head of household not one per every voter Proclamations and recognition for  the FHS Cheerleaders  the FHS boys basketball team  members of the Dean College Athletic Training first responders who saved the life of an individual at a recent athletic event Appointment of the 2025 election workers was approved by unanimous vote Public hearing conducted on 2 re

This session shares my conversation with Randy Jay. He is a member of the Commissionon Persons with Disabilities. We recorded this conversation in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studio Monday, April 14, 2025. We cover the following in our wide ranging conversationRandy’s road to FranklinRole of the disability commissionExpo now in its 3rd yearHappening April 26 from 11 AM to 2 PM at the Senior CenterThe recording runs about 35 minutes.--------------Tonw of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/496/Commission-on-Persons-with-Disabilities Facebook page with additional details including participating vendors/organizations https://www.facebook.com/share/15RMr42ncJ/ -------------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 fi

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, April 17, 2025.  Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of April 16, 2025. We focus on two questions:ok, what just happened? What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?Topic for this session:School Committee Chair D Callaghan provided an update on recent meeting updates including the potential naming of the "Horace Mann Campus"per Town Clerk Nancy Danello, notification of election coming via mail re: the override election June 3. Postcard with QR code to register to vote, also includes a vote by mail application. Only one card to head of household not one per every voterAppointment of the 2025 election workers was approved by unanimous voteResolution 25-18: June 3, 2025 Election Early & Mail in Voting was approved unanimously. The scheduled early voting dates will be added to the Communit

This session shares my conversation with Chavelyn Santana, Director of Collaborative Care and Emma Kelley, Director of Adolescent Wellness for the SAFE Coalition. We recorded this conversation in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studio Thursday, April 10, 2025. We cover the following in our wide ranging conversationTheir individual road to SAFEThe organization around three approaches Adolescent wellnessFamily recoveryCollaborative careListening as key to growth of services to 55 communitiesThe 90 day support planThe Gala as a fundraising event, May 8The recording runs about 49 minutes.--------------Link to SAFE Coalition -> https://www.safecoalitionma.org/ Purchase tickets to the SAFE Gala May 8 -> https://secure.qgiv.com/event/safegala/ -------------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 al

This session shares my conversation with Camille Bernstein about poetry and her project for April as Poetry Month. We recorded this conversation in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studio Wednesday, April 9, 2025. We cover the following in our wide ranging conversationThe origins of her projectPoetry was responsible for meeting her husbandWords and how they matterPoetry as a centering aspect of lifeThe recording runs about 45 minutes.--------------Link to Today”, the Billy Collins poem Camille reads -> https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/40824/today-56d21ebdad746 The link to sign up for the April poem a day project https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1yf-G9LvPeAvF5B7FJdDSyBpr8eGNNkcfJbBTYl6xYtk/edit Find Steve's poetry at www.quietpoet.com/-------------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 alo

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, April  8, 2025. 7 members participated, 6 in Council Chambers.1 remote (Sompally). The audio for the meeting is split into 3 segments for ease of listeningPart 1 - #1426 = the beginning and ending of the meeting (approx. 43 minutes)Part 2 - #1427 = the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) update (approx. 53 mins)Part 3 - #1428 = the Elementary schools redistricting update (approx. 1 hr 16 minutes)Quick recap: ECDC update - Kimberly Taylor, PrincipalPhotos of the slides as presented -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/qYDXR58de1BmRCaa6  Elementary update ->       grade level                  3-5                K-2Washington                 Even Chalman         Stefani WasikLincoln              

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, April  8, 2025. 7 members participated, 6 in Council Chambers.1 remote (Sompally). The audio for the meeting is split into 3 segments for ease of listeningPart 1 - #1426 = the beginning and ending of the meeting (approx. 43 minutes)Part 2 - #1427 = the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) update (approx. 52 mins)Part 3 - #1428 = the Elementary schools redistricting update (approx. 1 hour & 16 mins)Quick recap: ECDC update - Kimberly Taylor, PrincipalPhotos of the slides as presented -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/qYDXR58de1BmRCaa6  Elementary update ->       grade level                  3-5                K-2Washington                 Even Chalman         Stefani WasikLincoln            

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, April  8, 2025. 7 members participated, 6 in Council Chambers.1 remote (Sompally). The audio for the meeting is split into 3 segments for ease of listeningPart 1 - #1426 = the beginning and ending of the meeting (approx. 43 minutes)Part 2 - #1427 = the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) update (approx. 52 minutes)Part 3 - #1428 = the Elementary schools redistricting update (approx. 1 hour & 16 mins)Quick recap: ECDC update - Kimberly Taylor, PrincipalPhotos of the slides as presented -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/qYDXR58de1BmRCaa6  Elementary update ->       grade level                  3-5                K-2Washington                 Even Chalman         Stefani WasikLincoln           &nbs

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 HoraceSchool Cmte MtgECDC update - Kimberly Taylor, PrincipalElementary update ->           grade level                      3-5                    K-2Washington                     Even Chalman             Stefani WasikLincoln                                    Brad Hendrixson          &n

This session shares my conversation about the 3rd Annual Pen to Picture event scheduled for the Franklin Public Library May 10, 2025. We talk with Bree Comeau, Erin O’Leary and Pam Allard about this event with graphic novelist and illustrator Raul the Third. We recorded this conversation virtually on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Bree Comeau, Assistant Youth Services LibrarianErin O’Leary, Reading Specialist at Horace Mann Middle SchoolPam Allard, Reading Specialist at Remington Middle SchoolWe cover the following in our conversationDetails of the event May 10Graphic novels an entry point for some readersCollaboration between Library and the schoolsEvent is funded via grant from Mass Cultural CouncilThe recording runs about 29 minutes.--------------Pen 2 Picture info -> https://franklinma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/pen-to-picture/ Download a copy of the flyer as a reminder or to share -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xhxb-vsN1yyqijCm34Rjwyvd_Tq67YIj/view?usp=drive_link ---------