"Summer's here and the time is right Talkin’ ‘bout zoning"

Calling out around the Town

Are you ready for a brand-new heat

Summer's here and the time is right

Talkin’ ‘bout zoning along the street  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HasaQvHCv4w

Or is it? 

With apologies to David Bowie & Mick Jagger for redoing the lyrics of their Live-Aid performance of “Dancin’ in the street”

The outlook for current and future meetings concern hot topics around housing developments and zoning approvals for future developments. All in an attempt to address our housing issues.

Yes, affordability is a key factor and due to both Federal and State regulations, there is little we, in Franklin, have direct control over for affordability.  

We do have control over our zoning however. We can continue to keep multiple variances required for every project to ensure local control remains in the hands of the Planning Board, ZBA and others in the approval process. 

Or we can consider crafting the regulations to enable more ‘by right’ approvals. Clearly these changes would be within reason, and should be more reasonable than we have today.

Be part of the process by watching the Planning board and ZBA meetings this week. The next Council meeting will also take up the ‘friendly 40b’ policy again. It was tabled for future discussion during last week’s lengthy and only July Council meeting.  

The Town Council August 13 meeting likely will also be lengthy as it is the only one for this summer month.

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 7/25/25, 10:00 PM

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, July 28 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07282025-1833 

Massachusetts Strategic Health Group Meeting

Tuesday, July 29 Time: 1:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07292025-1836 

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, July 31 Time: 7:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07312025-1830 

*** Looking back at the week that was ***

The major meeting of the week was the single July meeting for the Town Council. It was a lengthy one consuming almost 5 hours. The recap, video and audio of the meeting is available.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/07/town-council-spends-almost-5-hours_26.html 

The Town Council Quarterbacking session for the July meeting will be available mid-week (approx. 7/29-7/30)

There are two worthy interviews to share:

Chris Flynn talks about his Horace Mann project. He has developed a script for a 4-part video series on the life of Horace that he is ready to film and is looking for actors to fulfill the roles in Horace's life. Listen here ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/07/actor-chris-could-use-your-help-in-this.html

Amy Adams talks about her "Healing with HeART" projects, the newest of them opens on the Natick Town Common. She creates a "wind phone" following the lead of a Japanese gentleman initially although there are hundreds if not thousands of "wind phones" around the world. Listen here -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/07/amy-adams-talks-about-wind-phone.html

For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendar at Franklin.news where each day, that day's events are posted on the top of the page, the TV and radio schedules are on the bottom, and all the other goodness falls in-between.

Town calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx   

Community calendar -> https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar  

Subscribe for the daily dose of information -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html   

Subscribe for the weekly dose of information -> https://www.franklinmattersweekly.org/p/subscribe-for-email.html 

Bonus - YouTube has the audio output of these

• Outlook = https://youtu.be/BBUrqBb9OxE 
• Lookback = https://youtu.be/pNwBQS_Zvxg 

Zoning details get up front and center for discussion this week: July 20 to July 26, 2025

“Hot town, summer in the city

Zoning details gettin' dirty and gritty”

With apologies to the Lovin Spoonful for adapting their lyrics to this week’s outlook

The Town Council has their only July meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 23 and it starts earlier than normal due to the nature and number of items on the agenda. Yes, pay attention, the action starts at 6 (not 7) PM on Wednesday.

Aside from some of the normal business items (new restaurant license, restaurant license moves, some but not all of the expiring committee/board appointments) there are the multiple zoning items for the Crossing Neighborhood District up for referral to the Planning Board. These were a key part of the lengthy Economic Development Subcommittee meeting this past week. Add a few more voices to the discussion and it is likely to be lengthy as well.  

All of this before the Council gets to weigh in on a new “friendly” 40b proposal (202 Washington St) as well as the promised adjustments to the friendly 40b process. Why not do the adjustments before the discussion on the new 40b proposal? Given the timing, the new 40b proposal would be applicable to the prior process not the new process (even if the new was approved).

One item not on the agenda related to 40b is a resident request to consider developing a “Franklin” 40b target. There are problems with the State calculation (including all apartment units to the 40b listing; for example, 121 Grove St will bring on 300 units but only 75 of them are affordable). Is 10% really a worthy target? Or should it be another and more accurate reflection of affordable units?

Settle in for a lengthy evening of important discussions and decisions beginning at 6 PM on Wednesday. 

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 7/18/25, 8:00 PM

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, July 22 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/450?fileID=5409 

Charles River Pollution Control Meeting

Wednesday, July 23 Time: 3:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07232025-1824 

Board of Health Meeting

Wednesday, July 23 Time:5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07232025-1828  

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, July 23 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07232025-1829 

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School Meeting

Thursday, July 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07242025-1825    

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, July 24 Time:7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/451?fileID=5417 

*** Looking back at the week that was ***

The Economic Development Subcommittee met on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 in the 3rd Floor Training room. 3 members were present and participated in the first agenda item. Once that was complete, the 4th member, Cobi Frongillo joined them for the remainder of the session. He had recused himself from the Crossing Neighborhood District discussion to avoid a conflict of interest. His father's business is located in that potential district.

Franklin TV video replay is available -> https://www.youtube.com/live/6hKdQIw9rpQ

Franklin Matters recap -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/07/economic-development-subcmte-spends-3.html 

Two musical performances were recorded at the Franklin TV Studio and now available for replay via YouTube:

Chad Hollister & Premo which includes a conversation with Jim Derick, Chad & Premo between songs => https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXY5gQTcnpw

Electric Youth 2025 which includes a conversation with Raye Lynn Mercer and the group ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH0YtOwSaok

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For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendars at Franklin.news  where each day, that day's events are posted on the top of the page, the TV and radio schedules are on the bottom, and all the other goodness falls in-between.

Town calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx   

Community calendar -> https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar  

Subscribe for the daily dose of information -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html   

Subscribe for the weekly dose of information -> https://www.franklinmattersweekly.org/p/subscribe-for-email.html 

The slow season of summertime lingers this week 07/14 - 07/20/25

“Another day in the park

I think it was the Fourth of July”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjylD7esXDo

The slow season of summertime lingers this week. Only 1 ‘major’ meeting and 3 ‘minor’ meetings on tap for the week. 

The Economic Development Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday previews zoning bylaw changes proposed for the Crossing Neighborhood District located at the junction of Union and & Cottage. 

Stop by the Senior Center for breakfast and open conversation with State and Town officials on Thursday morning. A good breakfast at a very good price and usually a good conversation opportunity.

The ZBA meeting scheduled for Thursday has been rescheduled for July 31.

If you have other Town of Franklin questions, you can also take advantage of the Franklin Q&A session on Wednesday morning either remotely or in person at the Franklin Senior Center. Open to all in Franklin, you bring your questions, I’ll provide the answers either then or via follow up.

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 7/11/25, 8:00 PM

OPEB Board of Trustees Meeting

Tuesday, July 15 Time: 11:00 AM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07152025-1813 

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

Wednesday, July 16 Time: 5:45 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07162025-1818 

(Note: due to equipment trouble in the Council Chamber studio, the meeting might be broadcast from the 3rd Floor Training Room.)

Coffee Hour with State & Local Officials

Thursday, July 17 Time: 8:30 AM

No agenda for this open session

Zoning Board of Appeals ZBA Meeting

Thursday, July 17 Time: 7:30 PM -> rescheduled to July 31, 2025

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07172025-1811 

Council on Aging Meeting

Friday, July 18 Time: 1:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06202025-1790 

*** Looking back at the week that was ***

The only meeting broadcast or recorded by Franklin TV was the 

Conservation Commission - July 10, 2025

Franklin TV video -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuhuJNjwcrk 

The Memorial Day breakfast was published to YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04CztHlxZKE

The Memorial Day parade and ceremonies was published to YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79er1B_Cpd0

And from the archives of Franklin TV, the video of Poetry Day at the Senior Center held Oct 25, 2017 was published to YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4LPTfBJ_vk

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For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendars at Franklin.news  where each day, that day's events are posted on the top of the page, the TV and radio schedules are on the bottom, and all the other goodness falls in-between.

Town calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx  

Community calendar -> https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 

Subscribe for the daily dose of information -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html  

Subscribe for the weekly dose of information -> https://www.franklinmattersweekly.org/p/subscribe-for-email.html

Summertime, the living is easy as we ease into the 4th of July weekend

We can put “Summertime, and the living is easy”  on repeat as we ease into the long 4th of July weekend.

Less than a handful of meetings this week. The Agricultural Committee and Planning Board meets on Monday. The Municipal Affordable Housing Trust meets on Tuesday. 

While the Board of Health has a meeting scheduled for their normal first Wednesday of the month, there is no agenda posted and it may not occur. Prior meeting discussion was around whether there was a need to meet during the summer. Nothing was pressing at the time.

The 4th of July Celebration opens on Wednesday and runs through Sunday on the Town Common. Carnival rides open daily with a wrist band or ride package available. Live music is scheduled each day with the 5th Annual Mike Crandall Blues Festival on Saturday. Fireworks close out Saturday night at 10 PM from Franklin High School.

The Franklin Democratic Committee, the Rod and Gun Club, and the 4th Coalition will operate food booths during the event. Supporting these organizations are a win-win; food or refreshments for you and the family, and you help the group.

You can check out the 4th of July Coalition page for their full schedule. The Coalition is community supported so your donation can help support this event.

Each day's schedule will also be shared via the Franklin.news daily newsletter. 

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 6/27/25, 8:00 PM

Franklin Agricultural Committee

Monday, June 30 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Agricultural-Commission-13/?#_06302025-1797 

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, June 30 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06302025-1798 

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meeting

Tuesday, July 1 Time: 2:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/437?fileID=5188 

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETINGS

Wednesday, July 2 Time: 5:00 PM

no agenda at this time (not likely meeting)

*** Looking back at the week that was ***

A short week of meetings this past week.

The School Committee policy subcommittee met virtually on Tuesday at 6 PM to preview the fee discussion and decision before the full meeting at 7 PM. 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/franklin-school-cmte-policy-subcmte-mtg.html

The full School Committee meeting met at 7 PM with 5 members participating for this virtual session. Franklin TV did not broadcast this session as it was virtual only. The audio for both the Policy subcommittee and full meeting is available at Franklin.news. 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/school-committee-meets-virtually.html 

The Conservation Commission met on Thursday. Franklin TV video is available for replay on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glunYy20aWs 

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For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendars at Franklin.news  where each day, that day's events are posted on the top of the page, the TV and radio schedules are on the bottom, and all the other goodness falls in-between.

Town calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx  

Community calendar -> https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 

Subscribe for the daily dose of information -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html  

Subscribe for the weekly dose of information -> https://www.franklinmattersweekly.org/p/subscribe-for-email.html