This shares my conversation with candidate for Town Council Tom Mercer.

This is one of a series of conversations with candidates for the Franklin Election on Nov 2, 2021. I do this to provide Franklin, MA voters with accurate and timely information that they can use to cast an informed vote. Publication of the answers or interview responses does not constitute an endorsement of this or any candidate.

We cover the candidate questions as previously developed with the community and shared with the candidates. Five of the questions are ‘general’ in nature, the sixth is specific to the role of the candidate. In this case, for the Town Council.

Our conversation runs about 21 minutes, so let’s listen to my interview with Tom Mercer.

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

Candidate questions -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/election-2021-candidate-interview.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/election-2021-candidate-interview.html)

Contact info:

Phone -> 508 528-9084

Email address -> [email protected]

Election Collection 2021 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/franklin-election-collection-2021.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/franklin-election-collection-2021.html)

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with http://www.franklin.tv/ (Franklin.TV) and Franklin Public Radio (http://www.wfpr.fm/ (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"

This shares my conversation with candidate for Town Council Cobi Frongillo.

This is one of a series of conversations with candidates for the Franklin Election on Nov 2, 2021. I do this to provide Franklin, MA voters with accurate and timely information that they can use to cast an informed vote. Publication of the answers or interview responses does not constitute an endorsement of this or any candidate.

We cover the candidate questions as previously developed with the community and shared with the candidates. Five of the questions are ‘general’ in nature, the sixth is specific to the role of the candidate. In this case, for the Town Council.

Our conversation runs about 26 minutes, so let’s listen to my interview with Cobi Frongillo.

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

Candidate questions -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/election-2021-candidate-interview.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/election-2021-candidate-interview.html)

Candidate page -> https://www.cobifrongillo.com/ (https://www.cobifrongillo.com/)

Election Collection 2021 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/franklin-election-collection-2021.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/franklin-election-collection-2021.html)

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with http://www.franklin.tv/ (Franklin.TV) and Franklin Public Radio (http://www.wfpr.fm/ (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"

This shares the Complete Streets Public Discussion meeting that was held on Wednesday, September 22, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; Town Administration and DPW staff along with some public participants were present in the Council Chambers. Others were able to via the Zoom conference bridge.

Yes, I do participate in this session to ask about the documentation shared to those in the room and not yet available for those remote. I also raise a few points on safe walking issues around town.

Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are in the show notes. The meeting recording runs about twenty-six minutes (~:26) . Let’s listen to the Complete Streets Public Discussion for Sep 22

-----------

Meeting agenda (including connection info) ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/events/2021-09-22_complete_streets_public_meeting_1.pdf (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/events/2021-09-22_complete_streets_public_meeting_1.pdf)

My notes captured via Twitter and shared here in summary form

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/franklins-complete-streets-feedback.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/franklins-complete-streets-feedback.html)

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with http://www.franklin.tv/ (Franklin.TV) and Franklin Public Radio (http://www.wfpr.fm/ (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 Franklinmatters.org/

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 shares the Community Preservation Committee meeting that was held on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; committee members present were in the Council Chambers, along with some public participants and the Town Administration staff. Others were able to via the Zoom conference bridge.

Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are in the show notes. The meeting recording runs about fifty minutes (~:50) . Let’s listen to the Community Preservation Committee meeting for Sep 21

-----------

Meeting agenda (including connection info) ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/community-preservation-committee/agenda/cpc-agenda-4 (https://www.franklinma.gov/community-preservation-committee/agenda/cpc-agenda-4)

My notes captured via Twitter and shared here in summary form

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/recap-community-preservation-committee.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/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 Franklinmatters.org/

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 shares my conversation with candidate for Planning Board Beth Wierling.

This is one of a series of conversations with candidates for the Franklin Election on Nov 2, 2021. I do this to provide Franklin, MA voters with accurate and timely information that they can use to cast an informed vote. Publication of the answers or interview responses does not constitute an endorsement of this or any candidate.

We cover the candidate questions as previously developed with the community and shared with the candidates. Five of the questions are ‘general’ in nature, the sixth is specific to the role of the candidate. In this case, for the Planning Board.

Our conversation runs about 14 minutes, so let’s listen to my interview with Beth Wierling.

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

Candidate questions -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/election-2021-candidate-interview.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/election-2021-candidate-interview.html)

Candidate page -> https://www.bethwierling.com/ (https://www.bethwierling.com/)

Election Collection 2021 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/franklin-election-collection-2021.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/franklin-election-collection-2021.html)

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with http://www.franklin.tv/ (Franklin.TV) and Franklin Public Radio (http://www.wfpr.fm/ (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"

This session shares part of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, September 15, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel, the Police retirement and promotion individuals, along with their guest and family members were in the Council Chambers, some members of the public participated in person, some via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the just about two hours and forty-five minutes ( 2:45 total elapsed time) into three (3) logical segments:

First (#605) - covers the opening, citizen comments, Police retirement and promotions. The break after the police ceremonies was excluded from this audio. (~40 mins)

Second (#606) - covers three appointments, one license transaction and the SAFE Coalition presentation by Jennifer Knight-Levine (~ 58 minutes)

Third (#607) - covers the DelCarte invasive species update by Conservation Agent Jennifer Delmore, Legislation for Action, Council Comments and meeting close. (~ 58 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Sep 15, 2021

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

Agenda document

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/09-15-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/09-15-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf)

My notes from the meeting ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/recap-introduction-retirement-promotion.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/recap-introduction-retirement-promotion.html)

Town Council Quarterbacking session (a short recap with Council Chair Tom Mercer) ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/fm604-town-council-quarterbacking.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/fm604-town-council-quarterbacking.html)

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with http://www.franklin.tv/ (Franklin.TV) and Franklin Public Radio (http://www.wfpr.fm/ (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 http://www.franklinmatters.org (www.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 session shares part of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, September 15, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel, the Police retirement and promotion individuals, along with their guest and family members were in the Council Chambers, some members of the public participated in person, some via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the just about two hours and forty-five minutes ( 2:45 total elapsed time) into three (3) logical segments:

First (#605) - covers the opening, citizen comments, Police retirement and promotions. The break after the police ceremonies was excluded from this audio. (~40 mins)

Second (#606) - covers three appointments, one license transaction and the SAFE Coalition presentation by Jennifer Knight-Levine (~ 58 minutes)

Third (#607) - covers the DelCarte invasive species update by Conservation Agent Jennifer Delmore, Legislation for Action, Council Comments and meeting close. (~ 58 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Sep 15, 2021

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

Agenda document

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/09-15-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/09-15-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf)

My notes from the meeting ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/recap-introduction-retirement-promotion.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/recap-introduction-retirement-promotion.html)

Town Council Quarterbacking session (a short recap with Council Chair Tom Mercer) ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/fm604-town-council-quarterbacking.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/fm604-town-council-quarterbacking.html)

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with http://www.franklin.tv/ (Franklin.TV) and Franklin Public Radio (http://www.wfpr.fm/ (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 http://www.franklinmatters.org (www.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 session shares part of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, September 15, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel, the Police retirement and promotion individuals, along with their guest and family members were in the Council Chambers, some members of the public participated in person, some via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the just about two hours and forty-five minutes ( 2:45 total elapsed time) into three (3) logical segments:

First (#605) - covers the opening, citizen comments, Police retirement and promotions. The break after the police ceremonies was excluded from this audio. (~40 mins)

Second (#606) - covers three appointments, one license transaction and the SAFE Coalition presentation by Jennifer Knight-Levine (~ 58 minutes)

Third (#607) - covers the DelCarte invasive species update by Conservation Agent Jennifer Delmore, Legislation for Action, Council Comments and meeting close. (~ 58 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Sep 15, 2021

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

Agenda document

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/09-15-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/09-15-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf)

My notes from the meeting ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/recap-introduction-retirement-promotion.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/recap-introduction-retirement-promotion.html)

Town Council Quarterbacking session (a short recap with Council Chair Tom Mercer) ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/fm604-town-council-quarterbacking.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/fm604-town-council-quarterbacking.html)

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with http://www.franklin.tv/ (Franklin.TV) and Franklin Public Radio (http://www.wfpr.fm/ (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 http://www.franklinmatters.org (www.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 shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. 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 of September 15, 2021:

ok, what just happened?

What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

a. Police Department:

i. Sergeant Lee Drake - Retirement

ii. Sergeant Louis Marguerite - Promotion

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Janice Prentice - Associate member, Historical Commission https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5a._appointment_-_prentice.pdf (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5a._appointment_-_prentice.pdf)

b. Chuna Keophannga - Finance Committee https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5b._appointment_-_keophannga.pdf (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5b._appointment_-_keophannga.pdf)

c. Tyrel Hansen - Finance Committee https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5c._appointment_-_hansen.pdf (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5c._appointment_-_hansen.pdf)

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. Franklin Shed, LLC d/b/a Franklin Shed, New Section 12 Restaurant, All Alcoholic Beverages, and approval of manager, located at 340 East Central Street, Franklin, MA. https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a._web_franklin_shed.pdf (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a._web_franklin_shed.pdf)

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

a. SAFE Coalition, Jennifer Knight-Levine, Executive Director

b. Delcarte Conservation Area Weed Remediation, Jennifer Delmore, Conservation Agent https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._delcarte_weeds_pres.pdf ( https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._delcarte_weeds_pres.pdf)

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 21-53: Gift Acceptance, Franklin Public Library $5,890, Veterans’ Service Department $300, Fire Department $200 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-53 - Majority Vote)

b. Bylaw Amendment 21-875: Chapter 82, Trash and Recycling Fee Increase - Second Reading

(Motion to adopt Bylaw Amendment 21-875 - Majority Roll Call Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10b._21-875_trash.pdf (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10b._21-875_trash.pdf)

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

Our conversation runs about 25 minutes, so let’s listen in to my quarterbacking session with Tom Mercer.

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

Agenda doc (including connection info) ->https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/6-23-21_town_council_agenda.pdf ( )

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/recap-introduction-retirement-promotion.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/recap-introduction-retirement-promotion.html)

Volunteer form -> http://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/newcaf.php (http://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/newcaf.php)

The report tab is configured for two reports, one on vacancies -> http://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/vt.php (http://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/vt.php)

And one on expiring terms ->...

This shares the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting that was held on Wednesday, September 15, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; the three committee members present were in the Council Chambers, along with some public participants and the Town Administration staff. Others were able to via the Zoom conference bridge.

Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are in the show notes. The meeting recording runs about thirty-seven minutes (~:37) . Let’s listen to the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting for Sep 15

-----------

Meeting agenda

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-09-15_edc_agenda_.pdf (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-09-15_edc_agenda_.pdf)

My notes captured via Twitter and shared here in summary form

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/recap-economic-development-subcommittee.html (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/recap-economic-development-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 Franklinmatters.org/

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"