Talk Franklin - a podcast from the Town Administrator's Office

Town of Franklin, MA

This podcast provides a trusted information source from the Town Administrators office, featuring news, alerts, department info and more. Created in coordination with Franklin TV and Radio and Franklin Matters.

  1. 6D AGO

    Talk Franklin, A Podcast from the Town Administrator's Office - March 2, 2026

    FM #1680X = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1680xin the series.  This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and  Liz Kalaijian, the new Director of Communications and Community Engagement for the Town of Franklin. We recorded our conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Monday, March 2, 2026.   Key topics Welcome Liz Quick updates on Town business Deep dive on Mass Municipal Association (MMA) Close with some musical fun (songs about communications) The recording runs about  59 minutes. Let’s listen to our conversation. -------------- Town of Franklin page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/  MMA page - https://www.mma.org/ Mass Town Careers (A campaign created by MMA) - https://masstowncareers.org/ Town budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/168/Town-Budgets  School budget page -> https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-district-budget  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 And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. 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"

    1 hr

  2. 07/15/2025

    Talk Franklin - A Podcast from the Town Administrator's Office

    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. -------------- Town of Franklin page https://www.franklinma.gov/ Franklin Public Schools page -> https://www.franklinps.net/ 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 ● 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"

    58 min

  3. 02/14/2025

    Talk Franklin, A Podcast from the Town Administrators Office - February 11, 2025

    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 Breeka Li Goodlander, Conservation Director Cathleen Liberty, Health Director Bryan Taberner, Director of Planning & Community Development Joel D’Errico, Franklin resident & developer Joe Halligan, Franklin resident & developer Brad Chaffee, Franklin resident & developer for Camford Property Group Gus Brown, Building Commissioner Key topics Main development issue, change Then 5 things that are top complaints Traffic Density 52:05 “The 3rd thing” environmental concerns Too many school children Character of the Town The recording runs about 1 Hour & 40 minutes. Let’s listen to this conversation on Franklin’s development hot topics -------------- 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"

    1h 39m

  4. 12/18/2024

    Talk Franklin, A Podcast from the Town Administrators Office - December 17, 2024

    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 -------------- 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"

    58 min

  5. 11/20/2024

    Talk Franklin, A Podcast from the Town Administrators Office - November 19, 2024

    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 Franklin doesn't have enough water, we have a water ban every year How come the Town of Franklin is building so many apartments What happening with Davis Thayer building I thought the old museum was being developed by Habitat for Humanity Get more grants Regionalization will save us Parmenter school deed restriction 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. -------------- 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"

    48 min

  6. 10/31/2024

    Talk Franklin, A Podcast from the Town Administrators Office - October 24, 2024

    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. -------------- 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"

    1h 3m

  7. 09/10/2024

    Talk Franklin, A Podcast from the Town Administrators Office - September 9, 2024

    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

    52 min

  8. 05/28/2024

    Talk Franklin, A Podcast from the Town Administrators Office - May 21, 2024

    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. -------------- 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"

    45 min
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This podcast provides a trusted information source from the Town Administrators office, featuring news, alerts, department info and more. Created in coordination with Franklin TV and Radio and Franklin Matters.

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