Thread by @FranklinMatters

Live reporting on the Town Council meeting about to commence

Follow with agenda here
ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/V…

To be broadcast to Comcast 9, and Verizon 29 subscribers and YouTube bit.ly/FTV-TownHall

Chair Dellorco reads the protocol statement as usual

Citizen comment
P Griffith, SchCmte Chair provides updates on past 2 meetings, focused on budget, zero based budget approach, approx. 4300 students
2.5% increase with budget, more details forthcoming, approved health care transfer to Town budget line item 910.

Positive dialog and coordination on the health care transfer. Budget hearing next Tuesday, Feb 10, line by line review

K Mu Chow, on behalf of Council of Aging, first info session at Senior center Friday, 62 and up available, Franklin TV recording to be available

Prior comment on "we don't need Senior housing"; largest population of unhoused are single women who's husband has passed
We do need Senior housing

G Carlucci, president of Italian org, celebration of 100 year anniversary
Stephen Puleo to speak at April 12 at Historical Museum
Dinner in May, more details forthcoming

DPW Cantoreggi almost at budget we spend for year, $325,000 for last storm clearing
Fortunately no storms on the horizon

Approve minutes of Dec 17, 2025
Moved, second, passes 9-0

Discussion: 2026-2027 Town Council-Town Administrator Goals
i.Town Administrator Memo ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter…

Draft Town Council-Town Administrator Preliminary List of Goals ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter…

Discussion: Town and School Strategic Planning
Jamie provides an update on something that can be done to help bridge the divide and help determine how we all can go forward together
We all have more in common than we have that divides us.

Malloy, offer up a small group to consolidate the individual views of the councilors and bring it back, doesn't need to be decided tonight
Have them gather and bring it back to the full group

Grella agrees with that
Ojukwu with the recent news (ThermoFisher, Panera) ...

How do we address this with the economic development? There is an opportunity to have a consultant lead us thru an exercise to have a plan to work with

Jamie adds we have some money from the marketing branding effort that we can use for this

Discussion on the short term goals, LeBlanc likes the start for this year as outlined
Morrongiello doesn't want to wait for this year's goal any longer
Fixed bus route for GATRA in addition to on demand
Fiscal proposal with metrics on services levels, to help explain why ...

Things are the way they are

Max adds some items and language, will send those items to Jamie

Jane wants to organize via the liaison, many are wanting to do the same thing, but how to get there maybe slightly different
Bring town together, get a sustainable budget

Also desires to have the liaison incorporate the public input
People feel need to be heard
Should incorporate an open meeting

Consultant can customize this approach

Grella, terminology is key, what are goals vs objectives

Much of what has already been done i.e. master plan, housing plan, open space & rec plan
Facilitator can make an easy start using what we already have in hand
Key will be able to get the community involved ...

While each of the plans did get significant input from the community, some folks are not willing to accept what was done

We do need to get folks involved to move forward together

We are here with Franklin TV, radio to help any way we can

M Minnechelli keep the GATRA item, keep the sustainable director

Email, to Jamie individually

Discussion on subcmte, maybe not as too bureaucratic and time consuming

Cormier-Leger seconds the items that Mark and I referenced as starting point for the consultants

Next discussion March 4

LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a.Resolution 26-08: Adoption of Amendment to the Procedures Manual of the Franklin Town Council (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-08 - Majority Vote) ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter…

So moved, second, discussion
LeBlanc poses adjusted language, second,
P5, sec 2, regular meetings may not begin earlier than 6, provided that an agenda items is not already under discussion, the meeting may continue with a majority vote
Passes 9-0

Vote on the motion as amended
Passes 9-0

Town administrator update
Congratulations to K Carney on Grow the game award; runs the field hockey program for the state
Sarah Amaral now on a state position, did hire a communication director to start soon
She is excited, to join us
Thermo Fisher closing, Panera Bread baking

Jamie follows up with exit interview , includes state reps will be meeting soon, Cold chain was loss of NIH grant not something applicable to local efforts
Some of the rumors on why are manufactured

Future items
Arts funding percent for legislation in House for chap 70 percent
Advocating with beacon hill can be productive, choice of letter or resolution
Should tag team with beacon hill
Any additional funding for arts education is good to go for

Council comments
Malloy, none tonight
Ojukwu, not Tonight
Griffith, recognize concern about Lincoln St, administration is working on this, changing queue time to avoid longer wait times, parents please be patient
World cancer day, keep up with screenings. Stop the bleed ...

Rec Dept, food pantry collection of soup for the SOUPer bowl contest

Train exhibit continues for 2 weeks

If a business closes, the signs should come down

LeBlanc key on budget , expectations

Contractual salaries 2.5, others at 1
Expenses above this year should be explained
Restoration of positions cut previously, 2 people over there cannot do it all.
With companies moving out, we need marketing, half time,
Return summer help hours to the DPW, would use free cash

Could students use the gatra bus?
Thanks to DPW for all they do, I did get to ride

Jane anxious to moving forward with liaison and budget

Ted, great performance at TBB, online comments are not kind, Solutions sold out in less than 24 hours, need to look at expanding

Go Pats!! 3 former Franklin residents played for the Patriots

Motion to enter executive session
So moved, second
Passes 9-0 via roll call

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