FM #1458 - Town Council Quarterbacking - 05/27/25
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 Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meetings of May 21 & May 22, 2025. We focus on two questions:ok, what just happened? What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?FY 2026 Budget hearing process summary Wednesday, May 21Wednesday, the first night, the line item summary for each of the departments was read aloud by the Clerk of the Council. As it was read, members placed a hold on a department line item for follow-up (question, comment, etc.). A few departments were held automatically by the Chair (Police, Fire, Schools, DPW, Facilities). Another 14 departments were held by one or members of the Council.After the list of holds was confirmed, they started back at the beginning of the listing (account number order per voting document) to address the question for that item. Councilors first, then Council Chamber community members, then Zoom participants, until all questions, comments were addressed for each item.4 hours later, you’re doneThursday night, May 22Public hearing on License Modification - Change of LLC Managers & Change of Ownership (Beneficial Membership) Interest of a Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License: Franklin Shed, LLC d/b/a The Shed2 Public hearings were opened as the items were directly and intimately related to each other and needed to be reviewed together. Transfer, Change of Location and Approval of Manager of a Section 15 Wine and Malt Beverages Package Store License: DeVitas Market, LLC d/b/a DeVita’s Market, Located at 198 East Central St Transfer, Change of Location and Approval of Manager of a Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License: Table & Vine, Inc., Located at 348 East Central St Councilor Cormier-Leger attempted to motion to have the transfer vote tabled to a future meeting, it did not get the majority vote (tied 3-3) so the votes proceeded as scheduled and both transfers passed 5-1-3 (5 for, 1 against (Cormier-Leger) and 3 absent)The second FY 2026 Budget hearing was opened, after some discussion, it was continued to the June 4 Town Council meeting.The conversation runs about 28 minutes--------------The combined video, audio, and recap links for both sessionshttps://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/town-council-fy-2026-budget-hearing-1-2.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 neighborsIf you don't like something here, please let me knowAnd 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 doThrough this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or...
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