Showing posts with label appointments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label appointments. Show all posts

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Snowmageddon, or “Fern” … take your pick, either way, please be prepared

Snow, snow, snow… snowmageddon, or “Fern” … take your pick, if you wish, either way, please be prepared.


When folks ask me what I think of the coming storm, I say that I don’t do forecasts. Seriously, I am better at reporting on what is happening, or has happened. That in and of itself, is challenging enough.


There is a collection of the alerts, and reminders, all accurate information from the trusted sources, to help prepare and deal with however much we get. You can find it on the top of the page at Franklin.news for the duration of the storm event.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/franklin-ma-storm-center-collection-for.html 


Assuming the storm aftermath is relatively clean (we have power, roads are clear…) then the Monday schedule for meetings may occur. If not, there’ll be updates to the storm collection. The curbside schedule for the week has already changed to a one day delay; Monday on Tuesday, etc.


Franklin Agricultural Commission, Franklin Public Library Board of Directors, Planning Board, and Recreation Advisory Board are all scheduled for 7 PM starts in their respective locations. Of note, the Planning Board has a public hearing on the 2 minor zoning changes to bring us fully into compliance with the MBTA Community guidelines. 


We were almost there when the requirements came out due to the previous “Franklin For All” project and have managed to get closer with additional changes. Assuming the Planning Board approves, then these zoning changes come back to the Town Council for their public hearing, and given recent experience, a lengthy discussion before the vote.


The School Committee meeting on Tuesday gives us the first view into the Superintendent’s Recommended FY 2027 school budget.


The Conservation Commission has its 2nd monthly normal session scheduled for Thursday.


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.


Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1640-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-01-25-26/


*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 1/23/26, 10:00 PM   ***


11:00am 1/25/26
Town of Franklin robocall with DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi delivering the messages https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/town-of-franklin-robocall-with-dpw.html

With the Town and School buildings closed on Monday, the meetings scheduled for Monday are also canceled and to be rescheduled.


Franklin Agricultural Commission Agenda

Monday, January 26 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01262026-2102 


Franklin Public Library Board of Directors Meeting

Monday, January 26 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01262026-2108 


Planning Board Meeting

Monday, January 26 Time: 7:00 PM

(Legal notice) - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01262026-2091 

(Agenda) -  https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01262026-2106  


Recreation Advisory Board Meeting

Monday, January 26 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01262026-2097 


Massachusetts Strategic Health Group

Tuesday, January 27 Time: 1:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01272026-2100 


Franklin School Committee

Tuesday, January 27 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01272026-2111 


Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, January 29 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/551?fileID=7563 



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


The Town Council meeting on Wednesday was another marathon 5 hour session. Almost 2 hours alone on the Zoning Board of Appeal appointments, which after all was said, both passed unanimously. 


Brutus Cantoreggi introduced his entire DPW team before presenting an expedited update on the overall infrastructure operations provided by the DPW departments. A few of the managers had an opportunity to step up to answer specific questions. You can find the presentation doc on the Town page


Franklin TV video is available for replay. Franklin Matters Radio will shortly have the two primary audio segments of the meeting available to listen to. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSZJNniE9Gk 


The Zoning Board of Appeals met for the first time with their new members on Thursday. The first order of business was to reorganize and the results were: Ginelle Lang was elected as Chair, Jennifer Williams as Vice-Chair, and Isabella Carter as Clerk. All votes were 3-0.

https://www.youtube.com/live/RBO9UPZIdZk?si=qbWcn1l52HJ1Oq6Z&t=275 


On the Franklin Public Schools live streaming front:



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 

Saturday, July 19, 2025

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


—------------


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