FM #1556 - Town Council Quarterbacking - 10/27/25

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Monday, October 27, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of October 22, 2025.

We focus on two questions:

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

We cover the following key topics

• The recent Fire Dept promotions were sworn in. The promotions show the domino effect of the retirement of Chief McLaughlin.  Charles (Chuck) Allen moved up from Battalion Chief to Fire Chief, Sean Lovely took Chuck's former role as Battalion Chief, and Jaden Brodeur took Sean's former role as Lieutenant. Photos of the swearing in and pinning by family members can be viewed in one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/g3Y1X5Emuspooz6g6 
• The Franklin's 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee was appointed after first voting to increase the size of the committee that was initially scoped and authorized
• The 2025 Election Workers were approved as submitted by Town Clerk Nancy Danello
• A public hearing on a New Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Bassam Michael as the Manager - BMRG LLC d/b/a Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub was conducted and the changes were voted in as approved.
• Alan Earls, Historical Commission Chair presented an overview of the ideas for the Historical Museum 2.0  https://photos.app.goo.gl/rSGBDkPJPKgSaKFe9 
• An overview of the Historic District Commission Process should the Town decide to go forward with one was presented by Will Lee, Historical Commission Member & Rowan Lowell, Town Archivist   https://photos.app.goo.gl/qkaVaRd9w3Anh3Nv6 
• Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator provided an update on the status of Town Council & Town Administrator 2024-2025 Goals. A new set of  goals will be determined by the next Council.    https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7172/8c-2024-2025-Town-Council-and-Town-Administration-Goals---Oct-2025 
• Two resolutions were approved to process a State grant to fund the Franklin Stormwater Asset Management Plan
• A brief hurrah was heard after the approval of the Adoption of the Schmidt Farm and Maple Hill Master Plans
• Two measure to authorize Residential Commercial Kitchens for locations that are on septic systems (not Town sewer) were approved as an enhancement for economic development of small businesses
• A set of 6 bylaws were approved as amended to create the Crossing Neighborhood Zoning District. Councilor Frongillo recused himself for the discussion and votes as his father owns a business in the proposed (now authorized) district
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided an update that the Department of Conservation and Recreation would like to help fund the work to extend the SNETT to the Crossing Neighborhood District.

The conversation runs about 29 minutes. Let’s listen in

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The full agenda took over 4 hours to complete. Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SdsqXbknGQ 

Meeting agenda contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10152025-1953 

My full set of notes captured during the meeting can be found in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P7VMhEm04zewpCdXxAIVjqtoL8S7gzix/view?usp=drive_link 

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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!

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