The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: most members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, at least one member of the Council was remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the almost three hour minute meeting into three logical segments:

First - covers the opening through the public hearing on the street acceptances (49 minutes)

** Second ** covers the DPW presentation and subsequent discussion with the Council members (37 mins)

Third - covers the long list of Legislation for Action through the close of the meeting (1 hour 20 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda.

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Apr 7, 2021

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

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF)

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/april-7-town-council-agenda (https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/april-7-town-council-agenda)

My notes from the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-town-council-meeting-apr-7-2021.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-town-council-meeting-apr-7-2021.html)

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

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit https://franklinmatters.org/ ( Franklinmatters.org/) orhttp://www.franklin.news/ ( 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 byhttp://www.eastofshirley.com/ ( Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley"). The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark and 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"

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: most members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, at least one member of the Council was remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the almost three hour minute meeting into three logical segments:

** First ** covers the opening through the public hearing on the street acceptances (49 minutes)

Second - covers the DPW presentation and subsequent discussion with the Council members (37 mins)

Third - covers the long list of Legislation for Action through the close of the meeting (1 hour 20 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda.

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Apr 7, 2021

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

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF)

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/april-7-town-council-agenda (https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/april-7-town-council-agenda)

My notes from the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-town-council-meeting-apr-7-2021.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-town-council-meeting-apr-7-2021.html)

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

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit https://franklinmatters.org/ (Franklinmatters.org/) or http://www.franklin.news/ (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 byhttp://www.eastofshirley.com/ ( Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley"). The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark and 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 is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England, this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting:

ok, what just happened?

What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

Public hearing on street acceptances

DPW presentation

Capital budget items

Complete streets policy

Two bylaws for First readings

One bylaw for Adoption

The show notes include links to the meeting agenda and associated documents.

Our conversation runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen in to my quarterbacking session with Tom Mercer.

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

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF)

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/april-7-town-council-agenda (https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/april-7-town-council-agenda)

DPW overview presentation doc

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/dpw_town_council_presentation_4_7_2021.pdf (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/dpw_town_council_presentation_4_7_2021.pdf)

My notes from the Town Council meeting

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

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit https://www.franklinmatters.org/ (Franklinmatters.org/) or http://www.franklin.news (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 byhttp://www.eastofshirley.com/ ( Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley"). The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark and 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"

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; some of the key participants were in the Council Chambers, the Chair Melanie Hamblen led the meeting remotely along with several others via Zoom conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are in the show notes. The meeting recording runs about 58 minutes. Let’s listen to the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting

-----------

Meeting agenda

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2021-4-7_edc_agenda_.pdf (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2021-4-7_edc_agenda_.pdf)

Downtown Partnership “Ladybug Trail’ presentation doc

https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/franklin-downtown-partnership-planning-ladybug-trail (https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/franklin-downtown-partnership-planning-ladybug-trail)

My notes captured via Twitter and shared here in summary form

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-economic-development-subcomm-mtg.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-economic-development-subcomm-mtg.html)

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

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit https://franklinmatters.org/ (Franklinmatters.org/) or http://www.franklin.news/ (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 byhttp://www.eastofshirley.com/ ( Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley"). The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark and 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"

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: all but one of the Committee members, Town Administrator and key personnel, were in the Council Chambers; the public and one committee member were remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 75 minutes, so let’s listen to the Community Preservation Committee meeting.

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

Community Preservation Committee agenda

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/cpc_agenda_4-6-2021_final.pdf (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/cpc_agenda_4-6-2021_final.pdf)

Open Space presentation

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/open_space_presentation_update_4-6-2021.pdf (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/open_space_presentation_update_4-6-2021.pdf)

My notes captured during the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-community-preservation-committee.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-community-preservation-committee.html)

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

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit https://franklinmatters.org/ (Franklinmatters.org/) or http://www.franklin.news/ (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 byhttp://www.eastofshirley.com/ ( Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley"). The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark and 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"

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: the Subcommittee members, Town Administrator and key personnel, were in the Council Chambers; the public was remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 78 minutes, so let’s listen to the Capital Budget Subcommittee meeting.

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

Capital Budget agenda https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/capital-budget-subcommittee-meeting-mar.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/capital-budget-subcommittee-meeting-mar.html)

Town of Franklin budget page https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget (https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget)

Franklin Schools budget page https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget (https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget)

My FinComm capital budget meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/finance-committee-meeting-recap-topics.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/finance-committee-meeting-recap-topics.html)

Audio recording of FinComm mtg (capital budget segment)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/fm-488-finance-committee-meeting-031021.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/fm-488-finance-committee-meeting-031021.html)

My notes captured during the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-of-capital-budget-subcommittee.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-of-capital-budget-subcommittee.html)

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

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit https://franklinmatters.org/ (Franklinmatters.org/) or http://www.franklin.news/ (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 byhttp://www.eastofshirley.com/ ( Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley"). The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark and 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"

We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about:

Re-opening

Vaccine local delivery for homebound?

Library, what’s next?

Senior Center st pats meal

THE BLACK BOX has events in April

Project Envoy continues (#ThinkFrankinFirst)

Budget cycle

Capital coming to Capital SubComm - Weds, Mar 31

Joint Budget SubComm - TBD

FinComm hearings in Apr (4/27-28-29, 5/4)

Town Council hearings in May

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 41 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie.

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

Town of Franklin COVID-19 page = https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/vaccination-and-covid-19-data (https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/vaccination-and-covid-19-data)

Town of Franklin budget page https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget (https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget)

Franklin Schools budget page https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget (https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget)

#Project Envoy - March schedule = https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/project-envoy/ (https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/project-envoy/)

#ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards = https://franklingiftcard.com/ (https://franklingiftcard.com/)

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

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

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit https://franklinmatters.org/ (Franklinmatters.org/) or http://www.franklin.news/ (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 byhttp://www.eastofshirley.com/ ( Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley"). The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark and 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"

The session was conducted virtually via Zoom conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I do use a brief presentation deck to open the session. A couple of recent photos and screen captures of the webpages and the “watch list” are among the key items to share and open the discussion. After that, we are there to answer your questions.

Among the topics we discussed in this session; my ‘watch list’ for 2021 including vaccine availability, the School Committee budget, Town budget cycle, after Davis Thayer - the next step for the School Committee is developing the long range ‘master plan’ for the school district.

The recording runs just about 45 minutes so let’s listen in

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

Presentation deck

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1RgkTpVpCMuWuWYyJJuSk-iVmYLBpnXm7el0zeA5okmI/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1RgkTpVpCMuWuWYyJJuSk-iVmYLBpnXm7el0zeA5okmI/edit?usp=sharing)

Franklin Senior Center newsletter

https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center/pages/connection-newsletter (https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center/pages/connection-newsletter)

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

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

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit https://franklinmatters.org/ (Franklinmatters.org/) or http://www.franklin.news/ (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 byhttp://www.eastofshirley.com/ ( Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley"). The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark and 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"

We had our conversation via virtual conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about the major topics of

COVID-19

Emergency dispensing

Drive through flu clinic

Mosquitoes

Returning to ‘normal’

The recording runs about 31 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Cathleen

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

Health Dept page

https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department (https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department)

Board of Health page

https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department (https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department)

Prior podcasts with Cathleen

421 - Dec 17, 2020 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/fm-421-health-director-cathleen-liberty.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/fm-421-health-director-cathleen-liberty.html)

391 - Nov 12, 2020 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/fm-391-health-dir-cathleen-liberty.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/fm-391-health-dir-cathleen-liberty.html)

355 - Sep 29, 2020 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/fm-355-town-of-franklin-health-director.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/fm-355-town-of-franklin-health-director.html)

271 - May 11, 2020 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/fm-355-town-of-franklin-health-director.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/fm-355-town-of-franklin-health-director.html)

259 - April 29, 2020 BoH Chair Bridget Sweet and Cathleen Liberty https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fm-259-board-of-health-c-liberty-b.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fm-259-board-of-health-c-liberty-b.html)

232 - March 27, 2020 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/fm-232-franklin-ma-health-director.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/fm-232-franklin-ma-health-director.html)

224 - March 13, 2020 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/fm-224-health-director-cathleen-liberty.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/fm-224-health-director-cathleen-liberty.html)

204 - Feb 12, 2020 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/fm-204-health-director-cathleen-liberty.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/fm-204-health-director-cathleen-liberty.html)

196 - January 28, 2020 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/fm-196-cathleen-liberty-franklins.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/fm-196-cathleen-liberty-franklins.html)

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

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

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit https://franklinmatters.org/ (Franklinmatters.org/) or http://www.franklin.news/ (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 byhttp://www.eastofshirley.com/ ( Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley"). The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark and 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"

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee members, Central Office personnel, and key guests were in the Council Chambers; the remainder, along with the public, were remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the just almost three hour meeting into three logical segments:

*** First *** covers the school budget public hearing (approx. 1 hour and 27 minutes)

Second - pick up the regular meeting and Jefferson presentation (approx. 43 mins)

Third - from the discussion action items through to the end of the public meeting (approx. 39 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. The meeting packet folder will hold the other documents released for the meeting.

Let’s listen to this segment of the School Committee meeting of Mar 23, 2021

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

Agenda doc https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/agenda-3-23-21 (https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/agenda-3-23-21)

Budget presentation https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fy22_public_budget_hearing_presentation_1.pdf (https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fy22_public_budget_hearing_presentation_1.pdf)

Budget information https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy2022-budget (https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy2022-budget)

Jefferson presentation doc https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/jefferson_presentation_to_the_school_committee_3-23-21.pdf (https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/jefferson_presentation_to_the_school_committee_3-23-21.pdf)

Meeting packet folder https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/march-23-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet (https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/march-23-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet)

My notes from the meeting https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/recap-school-committee-meeting-mar-23.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/recap-school-committee-meeting-mar-23.html)

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

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit https://franklinmatters.org/ (Franklinmatters.org/) or http://www.franklin.news/ (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 byhttp://www.eastofshirley.com/ ( Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley"). The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark and 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"