FM #1478 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1478 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town
Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Superintendent Lucas Giguere in the Municipal
Building on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
Key topics
● After the FY 2026 budget discussion, what’s next
○ Town business
○ School’s redistricting
○ Survey and engagement
● Music playlists, concerts, & time away
The recording runs about 55 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie & Lucas.
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Town of Franklin page https://www.franklinma.gov/
Franklin Public Schools page -> https://www.franklinps.net/
Community calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar
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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
● And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do
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 our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen in the Municipal Building on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
Several folks joined in this roundtable discussion on a variety of hot topics around development. Joining the discussion
Key topics
The recording runs about 1 Hour & 40 minutes. Let’s listen to this conversation on Franklin’s development hot topics
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Town of Franklin page https://www.franklinma.gov/
Community calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar
Master Plan (as approved by Planning Board & Town Council)
https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4018/Final-Report
Jimmy McMillen, founder of the “Rent is too Damn High Party”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rent_Is_Too_Damn_High_Party
--------------
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"
FM #1339 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1339 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Deputy Administrator Amy Frigulietti in the Municipal Building on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
Our discussion was essentially a review of the 2024 calendar year. While the failed override was significant, Jamie & Amy wanted to highlight some of the other key accomplishments.
Key topics
Franklin Crisis Action Team (FCAT)
Community survey
Community engagement & civil discourse
Many of the accomplishments are also listed in the mid year summary doc in the Council agenda for 12/18/24
The recording runs about 57 minutes. Let’s listen to this conversation closing out 2024
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Town of Franklin page https://www.franklinma.gov/
Community calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar
Mid-year review (adoption of 2025 goals) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9a._resolution_24-78_tc_goals.pdf
Homeless resources page -> https://sites.google.com/view/homeless-resources-services/home
Healthcare & Resources link -> https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/7a79d8f9979f4709ad5b7311c91c8258
--------------
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"
FM #1319 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1319 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen in his office on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.
Jamie has mentioned in many meetings that he doesn’t spend time on social media. So I took some of the top items that generally get wrapped around misinformation and brought them to have Jamie provide his trusted source input
The recording runs about 45 minutes. Let’s listen to this conversation and bust some myths floating around some of the social media in Franklin.
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Town of Franklin page https://www.franklinma.gov/
Community calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar
Water system 3 part podcast
https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/news/franklin-matters-conversations-regarding-franklins-sewer-services-doug
Franklin TV News Awareness Survey
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/11/your-input-is-requested-for-franklin-ma.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 our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen in the 3rd floor Training Room on Thursday, October 24, 2024.
Jamie and I were joined in the roundtable discussion by (in order of appearance):
● Cory Shea, Town of Franklin Director of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy
● John Ristaino: Franklin Cultural Council Chair
● Sue Cass: Franklin Cultural District Committee member
● Lauren Kloos & Roger Trahan: Franklin Farmers Market
● Raye Lynn Mercer: Artistic & Executive Director at Franklin Performing Arts Company
● Kayla Nisbet: Franklin Artist; graphic designer, muralist & new Franklin Cultural Council Member
The recording runs about 62 minutes. Let’s listen to this conversation on the new & exciting cultural happenings in Franklin.
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Town of Franklin page https://www.franklinma.gov/
Cultural District page https://www.franklinculture.org/
Cultural Council page https://www.franklinma.gov/cultural-council
Franklin Farmers Market page https://www.franklinfarmersmarketma.com/
Franklin Performing Arts Company page https://fpaconline.com/
A Wreath of Franklin sign up page https://form.jotform.com/242634718318056
Community calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar
--------------
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.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"
FM #1275 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1275 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Superintendent Lucas Giguere. We had our conversation in the Town Administrator's office on Monday, September 9, 2023.
September brings
● Renovation to Town offices, process improvements
● School re-opening
● Redistricting planning
● Joint Budget Subcommittee starts Sep 11 to work on budget for FY 2026
● More engaged now, need to bring them along the discussion on wish list items, what do we really need, and then prioritize accordingly
The recording runs about 50 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Lucas
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Deputy Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti, Police Lt Jason Reilley, and Kallie Montagano, Co-Response Program Manager on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
We get a very brief recap of current events (it’s all about the budget) and then get into the evolution of the “jail diversion” program to the “co-response” program now managed by Kallie with 2 other clinicians (Sonja and Caroline). There is no typical day.
We close out with discussion and laughter around the Top 20 songs of Hope. (playlist below)
Our conversation runs about 45 minutes.
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Contact info: for Jamie & Amy: https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator
Police Department page: https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department
Contact info for Lt Reilly: jreilly@franklinma.gov
Contact info for Kallie: kmontagano@franklinma.gov
Co-Response Program page: https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/pages/co-response-program
Songs of Hope YouTube playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL2XKlvMgLAldLSI4Eiro2M-gyEz73X2n
--------------
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 www.franklin.news/ or www.Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve@gmail.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"
FM #1184 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1184 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Deputy Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti, Conservation Agent Breeka Li Goodlander and Recreation Director Ryan Jette on Monday, April 29, 2024.
We get a very brief recap of current events (it’s all about the budget) and jump right into Earth Day and the other activities of the Conservation and Recreation departments
Conservation
Recreation
We close out with discussion and laughter around the Top 35 songs about weather
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Eu2npqGS0fH9N0Uc0iB5WCitoawIMFdJ/view?usp=drive_link
Our conversation runs about 41 minutes.
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Contact info: for Jamie & Amy:
https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator
Conservation page:
https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation
Recreation page:
https://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department
Fact checking update:
● In 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco, peace activist John McConnell proposed a day to honor the Earth and the concept of peace, to first be observed on March 21, 1970, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. This day of nature's equipoise was later sanctioned in a proclamation written by McConnell and signed by Secretary General U Thant at the United Nations. A month later, United States Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed the idea to hold a nationwide environmental teach-in on April 22, 1970. He hired a young activist, Denis Hayes, to be the National Coordinator. Nelson and Hayes renamed the event "Earth Day" https://www.earthday.org/history/
● The group garnered worldwide attention with 1987 album Diesel and Dust. Its singles
"The Dead Heart" and " Beds Are Burning" illuminated the plight of indigenous Australians
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_Oil
--------------
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 www.franklin.news/ or www.Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve@gmail.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 Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Deputy Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti, School Superintendent Lucas Giguere, and Assistant Superintendent Dr Tina Rogers on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.
We get a brief recap of current events and the dive into the major discussion of the budget and the timeline around its final development. Information on the key questions that remain to be answered are discussed.
Budget timeline:
● April 9 - School Committee vote on school’s budget
● April 12 - Town FY 2025 budget released
● April 17 - Finance Committee meeting
● April 24 - Joint meeting of School Committee & Town Council at FHS Auditorium
● May 6, 8, and 15 - Finance Committee budget hearings
● May 22, 23 - Town Council budget hearings
We close on a lighter note with discussion and laughter around the Top 20 songs about schools:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AEq1QElhBShhGAMjH-S_uEceAfNPftlC/view?usp=drive_link
Our conversation runs about 55 minutes.
Topics for this session
Water & Sewer
Stormwater
Trash & recycling
GIS (graphical information service)
Fleet management
Engineering
Highway/ & Grounds
The recording runs about 96 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie, Amy & the DPW group on Thursday, February 22, 2024
This session of the radio show shares a new format for "Talk Franklin" with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Deputy Administrator Amy Frigulietti.
This episode features a conversation on the 2024 elections with Town Clerk Nancy Danello. We recorded our discussion in person in the 3rd floor Training Room on Thursday, January 25, 2024.
Topics for this session
Quick news highlights
Elections for 2024
Quick outlook
The recording runs about 47 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie, Amy & Nancy on Thursday, January 25, 2024.
A conversation with Steve Sherlock of Franklin Matters, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Deputy Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti, and Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. They talk about...
○ Police Dept - $559,000
○ Sewer projects - $500,000
○ Franklin Food Pantry - $100,000
○ SAFE Coalition - $100,000
○ YMCA Bernon Family Branch - $100,000
○ $1M to reconstruct Baron Road
○ $420,000 for replacement & construction of visitor bleachers at the high school field
The recording runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie, Amy & Tom on Thursday, December 21, 2023.
A conversation with Steve Sherlock of Franklin Matters and Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. They talk about...
A conversation with Steve Sherlock of Franklin Matters, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Deputy Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti. They talk about...
A conversation with Steve Sherlock of Franklin Matters, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Deputy Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti.
They talk about...
A conversation with Steve Sherlock of Franklin Matters, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and our new Deputy Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti.
They talk about...
A conversation with Steve Sherlock of Franklin Matters, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and our new Deputy Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti.
They talk about...
A conversation with Steve Sherlock of Franklin Matters, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and our new Deputy Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti.
They talk about...
A conversation with Steve Sherlock of Franklin Matters, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and our new Deputy Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti.
They talk about...
Joint Budget Subcommittee – Aug 2 the start of discussions around what is needed to be sustainable going forward.
A conversation with Steve Sherlock of Franklin Matters and Town Administrator Jamie Hellen.
They talk about: