This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. All three board members participated, 2 in room, 1 remote (hence roll call votes). Health Dept staff present were in the 3rd floor training room. 

Quick Recap:

• Public hearing on proposed reflexology regulations held as scheduled, regulations approved, to be effective in 30 days to allow for posting, communications, etc.
• Reorganization of committee resulted in B Sweet remaining as Chair, and T Cochrane taking role as Vice-Chair 
• Capture of food waste pilot program made another appearance on TV, is continuing to be expanded to other schools
• Inspector’s report, Nurse’s report, Epidemiologist report all touting volume and some issues but nothing major
• Homeless data gathered for report to CHANA6 region (of which we are part)
• Development of new OPIOID dashboard almost complete, updates to COVID dashboard ongoing, new Flu dashboard also nearing competition status

The meeting runs about 30  minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting Jan 4, 2022.

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The Board of Health agenda can be found ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/1-4-23_0.pdf 

Reflexology regulations as proposed

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/regulation_governing_the_practice_of_bodywork_draft_11-2-22.pdf 

My notes collected in a Twitter thread PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y-9VCBjQzNIFo5couL4nsGDvTxRqRQz2/view?usp=share_link 

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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

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

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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

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

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of my conversation with Ted Cormier-Leger. We met in the Franklin TV Studio on Wednesday, Dec 21, 2022.

Ted is a realtor here in Franklin as well as a Town Councilor. Our discussion uses a key stat he shared with me as a starting point for our conversation on housing in Franklin. 

The recording of our conversation on housing runs about 40 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted.

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Ted’s realtor page on Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/TCLRealtyMass/

Ted’s LinkedIn profile page -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-cormier-leger-211aa351/ 

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

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/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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

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

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Franklin School Superintendent Lucas Giguere. We had our conversation in person in the Superintendent’s office in the Municipal Building on Monday, December 19, 2022. 

At a high level our topics were:

• DEI deep dive 
• Redistricting
• Finance Committee school budget discussion
• A day in the life of a Superintendent

The recording runs about 30 minutes 

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Superintendent’s page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent 

DEI page (with link to plans, etc.) -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/diversity-equity-and-inclusion 

Redistricting page -> https://www.franklinps.net/school-committee/2023-redistricting-advisory-committee

Finance Committee video replay -> https://youtu.be/o4vY1ekbk10 

Franklin Matters recap & audio -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/finance-committee-gets-some-financial.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/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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

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

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Alecia Alleyne, Assistant to the Town Administrator. We had our conversation via conference bridge.  

** Topics for this session

Quick Recap

200 acres open space preserved with last 17 acres 

License renewals

Franklin Library Association ends it long service & donation run

Economic Development

Inclusionary zoning

MBTA, Franklin For All, etc.

Outlook

First pass at Capital budget, CPC, ARPA

Compensation study

Job opportunities across a variety of Dept/functions

Goodbye Alecia, best wishes

The conversation runs about 42 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie & Alecia

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Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator

Finance Committee (with School budget deep dive) 12/07/22 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/finance-committee-gets-some-financial.html 

Town Council 12/14/22 (video, audio & recap) ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/town-council-approves-open-space.html 

Note: The video portion with Library Director Felicia Oti talking about the Franklin Library Assoc begins at about 25 minutes

Open positions with Town of Franklin ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities 

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

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/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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

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

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist via the Zoom conference bridge Monday, December 19, 2022.  

In this episode we covered the following topics: 

• East Boston Olmsted park now part of airport
• NY Times mapping impacts
• University study funding questioned
• Texas oil funding objections to New England wind efforts 
• Activists and ISO New England
• NY Times interactive survey fosters discussion

This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well. 

If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.  

The conversation runs about 43 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted 

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The Boston Globe article on the former Olmsted Park in East Boston  https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/12/05/metro/transformative-decision-half-century-ago-scrap-i-95-extension-still-resonates-boston-today/

New York Times article on climate impact for neighborhoods  https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/12/13/climate/climate-footprint-map-neighborhood.html

Funding source of university study reveals possible conflict of interest  https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/12/13/science/scientific-journal-investigating-umass-hydrogen-study-after-revelations-gas-industry-influence/

Texas Public Policy funding lawsuits challenging wind  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/04/climate/texas-public-policy-foundation-climate-change.html

Link to Ted’s episode talking with Boston University Prof Nathan Phillips

https://www.massclimateaction.org/activists_take_seats_on_an_iso_committee_december_14_2022

NY Times climate survey with quick answers

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/12/15/opinion/how-reduce-carbon-footprint-climate-change.html

See the page that collects the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.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...

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of my conversation with Melanie Hamblen and Cobi Frongillo. We met in the Franklin TV Studio on Monday, Dec 19, 2022.

We talked about inclusionary zoning and other zoning items from the “Franklin For All” project which are now in the review and discussion process with the Economic Development Subcommittee that Melanie Chairs and for which Cobi is Vice-Chair. 

The recording of our conversation on zoning runs about 45 minutes. Let’s listen in.

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Cobi’s ride around Franklin taking photos of housing types

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DG0iuZH0MmITC6GVDqL_zsZSV--9eq4s/view?usp=share_link

Cobi shared some Franklin Housing Data from DataTown (provided by MHP) via a Twitter thread  https://twitter.com/CobiFrongillo/status/1516768940579606532

Prior discussion with Cobi on housing conference -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/05/conversation-with-town-councilor-cobi.html

Prior discussion on Franklin For All project -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/this-franklin-for-all-discussion.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/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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

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

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin author Susan K Hamilton.  Susan has just published her third novel Stone Heart. 

We briefly talk about Susan’s Franklin story. Folks may recall we talked about her two most recent books the last time Susan and I spoke in 2021. We pick up from that conversation and talk about her new work and what might come after.

The recording runs about 23 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Susan 

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Susan K Hamilton’s web page  https://www.susankhamilton.com/ 

Stone Heart ->  https://smile.amazon.com/Stone-Heart-Susan-K-Hamilton/dp/1737353687/ 

The Devil Inside ->  https://www.amazon.com/Devil-Inside-Susan-K-Hamilton/dp/1950301206/ 

The Shadow King -> https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-King-Susan-K-Hamilton/dp/1947848984 

Our conversation from 2021 ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/fm-579-franklin-author-susan-k-hamilton.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/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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

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

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin Public Schools Redistricting Advisory Committee Meeting held in hybrid format with folks at the FHS Media Center on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 as well as some members who participated remotely.   

Given this was a working session, the major whole group sections of the meeting audio is what is shared here. There is one break in the audio when 

• The breakout discussion was held at each table

The break is indicated by a about 5 seconds of music (replacing about 25 minutes of table discussion) then the group discussion resumes

The edited meeting audio recording runs about 58 minutes. Let’s listen to Redistricting Advisory Committee Meeting

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Dec 20 meeting agenda -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/redistricting_advisory_subcom_12_20_22.pdf 

Redistricting Advisory Committee page ->

https://www.franklinps.net/school-committee/2023-redistricting-advisory-committee 

Presentation doc shared during the meeting ->

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/franklin_schools_redistricting_committee_meeting_presentation_12.20.2022.pdf 

My notes in one Twitter threader document   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qWEoyejx9_i_LDuDAOVUys8OH1EGhl3i/view?usp=share_link 

The photo album shared via Twitter of the pix taken of the meeting and presentation slides   https://photos.app.goo.gl/QyKb2wkFHtqryhC18 

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

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/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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

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

This 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 Dec 14, 2022: 

• ok, what just happened? 
• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

APPOINTMENTS

a. Mark LePage - Conservation Commission

b. Alison Rheaume - Disability Commission

c. Francesca Ricci - Disability Commission

d. Lloyd (Gus) Brown - Sealer of Weights and Measures

LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. 2023 Annual Alcohol License Renewals - See attached 2023 Town of Franklin Alcohol Licenses Renewals

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Franklin Library Association Presentation of Gift - Scott Nolan, President, FLA

b. Snow Removal Presentation: Robert “Brutus” Cantoreggi, Director of Public Works

Legislation for Action

d. Resolution 22-88: Local Acceptance of MGL Ch40, Section 5B, Fourth Paragraph

e. Resolution 22-89: Creation of the Massachusetts Statewide Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund, as Authorized b GL Chapter 40, Section 5B

f. Resolution 22-90: Authorization of and Appropriation for Purchase of Three Parcels of Unimproved Land 

g. Resolution 22-91: Authorization for Town Administrator to Submit American Rescue Plan Act Applications to Norfolk County 

i. Resolution 22-95: Gift Acceptance - Recreation Department ($109,832.25)

Executive session, return approx 35 mins later

b. Resolution 22-94: Salary Schedule: Full-Time Elected Official - Town Clerk 

a. Vote on approving Administrator contract, subject to Executive Session outcome

i. Legislation for action: 1. Resolution 22-93: Approval of Town Administrator’s Contract

Our conversation runs about 38 minutes:

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. 

Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Dec 15, 2022

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Meeting agenda and documents released for this session ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/dec_14_tc_mtg_agenda-revised.pdf 

The Snow presentation ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._snow_presentation.pdf 

Watch the Franklin.TV video replay on YouTube ->  https://youtu.be/qVbiUMlcbL8 

My notes in one threaded PDF document -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TT_f9Y9eVXExUtjlcCD2XKtSTjcwG582/view?usp=share_link 

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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

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, December 30, 2022. All 9 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers.

Quick recap:

APPOINTMENTS

• a. Mark LePage - Conservation Commission
• b. Alison Rheaume - Disability Commission
• c. Francesca Ricci - Disability Commission
• d. Lloyd (Gus) Brown - Sealer of Weights and Measures

LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. 2023 Annual Alcohol License Renewals - See attached 2023 Town of Franklin Alcohol Licenses Renewals

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Franklin Library Association Presentation of Gift - Scott Nolan, President, FLA

b. Snow Removal Presentation: Robert “Brutus” Cantoreggi, Director of Public Works

Legislation for Action

d. Resolution 22-88: Local Acceptance of MGL Ch40, Section 5B, Fourth Paragraph

e. Resolution 22-89: Creation of the Massachusetts Statewide Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund, as Authorized b GL Chapter 40, Section 5B

f. Resolution 22-90: Authorization of and Appropriation for Purchase of Three Parcels of Unimproved Land 

g. Resolution 22-91: Authorization for Town Administrator to Submit American Rescue Plan Act Applications to Norfolk County 

i. Resolution 22-95: Gift Acceptance - Recreation Department ($109,832.25)

Executive session, return approx 35 mins later

b. Resolution 22-94: Salary Schedule: Full-Time Elected Official - Town Clerk 

a. Vote on approving Administrator contract, subject to Executive Session outcome

i. Legislation for action: 1. Resolution 22-93: Approval of Town Administrator’s Contract 

The recording runs about 2 hours and 16 minutes, so let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on December 14, 2022. (Due to the Executive Session, approx 35 minutes, the total time on Wednesday was longer. The recording excludes the Executive Session but does include the return to open meeting).

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Meeting agenda and documents released for this session ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/dec_14_tc_mtg_agenda-revised.pdf

The Snow presentation ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._snow_presentation.pdf

Watch the Franklin.TV video replay on YouTube ->  https://youtu.be/qVbiUMlcbL8

My notes in one threaded PDF document -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TT_f9Y9eVXExUtjlcCD2XKtSTjcwG582/view?usp=share_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...