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

Latest Episodes:

Talk Franklin, A Podcast from the Town Administrator's Office - August 17, 2026 Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We recorded our conversation virtually via Zoom on Monday, August 17, 2026.

Key topics

Mid-summer status
Town Council & contract extension
A validated budget for FY 2027

Joint Budget working on a strategy

More topics coming

Sept 2

Town available land and facilities

Sept 16

Legislative update with Senator Rausch & Rep Roy
Presentations by Food Pantry, SAFE Coalition, 250th Celebration

Sept 3

Police station building committee

Economic Development

Split tax workshops
UMass students' study on downtown

The recording runs about 37 minutes. Let’s listen to our conversation.

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Town of Franklin page - https://www.franklinma.gov/

Notify Me - sign up for notification on meetings and agendas https://www.franklinma.gov/list.aspx

Subscribe to Franklin First newsletter https://www.franklinma.gov/m/newsflash

Community calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

Town Administrator contract press release https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/08/franklin-town-council-approves-town.html

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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 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"

Talk Franklin, A Podcast from the Town Administrator's Office - May 28, 2026 Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We recorded our conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Thursday, May 28, 2026.

Key topics

Updates to the FY 2027 budget
Health care overview
Final stretch for budget approval

Finance Cmte Jun 3
Town Council Jun 10
Town Council Jun 17

The recording runs about 1 hour & 5 minutes. Let’s listen to our conversation.

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Summary memo on budget changes - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/05/town-administrator-memo-to-finance.html

Finance Committee agenda with budget document updates

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06032026-2346

Town of Franklin page - https://www.franklinma.gov/

FY 2027 budget page - https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

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

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"

Talk Franklin, A Podcast from the Town Administrator's Office - March 2, 2026 Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

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.

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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

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"

Talk Franklin - A Podcast from the Town Administrator's Office Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

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

--------------

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

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"

Talk Franklin, A Podcast from the Town Administrators Office - February 11, 2025 Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

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

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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

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"

Talk Franklin, A Podcast from the Town Administrators Office - December 17, 2024 Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

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

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"

Talk Franklin, A Podcast from the Town Administrators Office - November 19, 2024 Nov 20, 2024

Show notes

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.

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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.

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"

Talk Franklin, A Podcast from the Town Administrators Office - October 24, 2024 Oct 31, 2024

Show notes

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

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"

Talk Franklin, A Podcast from the Town Administrators Office - September 9, 2024 Sep 10, 2024

Show notes

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

Talk Franklin, A Podcast from the Town Administrators Office - May 21, 2024 May 28, 2024

Show notes

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"