Franklin Matters

Like many municipalities across the Commonwealth, the Town of Franklin is grappling with mounting financial challenges. Rising costs—driven by inflation, aging infrastructure, and increased demand for public services—are placing significant strain on our local budget. At the same time, the constraints of Proposition 2½ severely limit our ability to generate the revenue needed to meet these growing demands. As a result, Franklin is facing an unsustainable gap between the services our community requires and the resources available to provide them.

Without the passage of a Proposition 2½ override, the town will be forced to implement deep and painful cuts to essential services. These reductions could have serious consequences. Public safety would be directly affected, with fewer police officers and firefighters on duty and the potential loss of our third ambulance, an indispensable resource for ensuring timely emergency medical care. Basic services such as road maintenance and snow removal could be curtailed, leading to deteriorating conditions and slower response times during winter storms.

Deferred maintenance on public buildings would likely result in more costly repairs in the future, while our public schools could suffer severe budget cuts, threatening the quality of education that Franklin families count on.

A successful override would allow Franklin to preserve and maintain the vital services that residents rely on every day. It would support adequate staffing levels in our police and fire departments, ensuring swift and reliable emergency response. It would enable the Department of Public Works to continue keeping our roads safe and accessible throughout the year. It would provide for the upkeep of municipal buildings and facilities, and most critically, it would help safeguard the strength of our public schools, allowing students to continue receiving the

high-quality education they deserve.

This override is not about funding new or expanded programs—it is about preserving the core services that form the foundation of Franklin’s safety, livability, and overall quality of life. The long-term financial and societal costs of inaction will far exceed the short-term investment required today.

I encourage all residents to learn more about the override proposal, attend public meetings, and engage in informed discussions. On June 3rd, please join me in voting YES at Franklin High School to support this critical investment in the future of our town and the well-being of our entire community.

Respectfully,

Councilor Glenn Jones

Clerk of Council

Franklin Town Council

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If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Councilor Jones advocates for the Override June 3

Voices of Franklin: Roberta Trahan voting "Yes" for the June 3 Override

Voices of Franklin: Roberta Trahan

Video link -> https://youtube.com/shorts/z2k7IOzy9Qw

The FY 2026 budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500

The FY 2026 Override info for the June 3 vote -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/1089/Fiscal-Year-2026-Override-Information

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If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Roberta Trahan voting "Yes" for the June 3 Override

FHS boys lacrosse falls to Longmeadow on Tuesday (video)

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Franklin, 5 vs. Longmeadow, 9 – Final

– Franklin had a one-goal lead at halftime but the Longmeadow defense didn’t allow the Panthers another goal until a minute left in the fourth quarter, rattling off a 7-0 run to get the win. Jack O’Connor scored twice for the Panthers while Jack Nelson, Quinn Kielty, and Nate Walsh each scored once. Sam Freedman had a strong performance in the cage with 16 saves.

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/uHugHYsmroc?&t=235

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-05-20-25/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Empty Bowls Fundraiser is Thursday, May 22, at 6 PM! Join the Family-friendly Annual Event that Supports the Franklin Food Pantry!

This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the Empty Bowls Dinner! The simple dinner of soup and bread is hosted by the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club in partnership with The Pantry, and reminds us that, "Somewhere, someone's bowl is empty."

What: Empty Bowls Fundraiser

When: Thursday, May, 22, 2025, 6 to 8 p.m.

Where: Franklin High School Cafeteria

Tickets: Adults $22 online, $25 at the door

Children (ages 18 & under) $12 online, $15 at the door

Each attendee will leave with a hand-crafted ceramic bowl made by a student. There will also be silent auction items including original works of art, live music, and family-friendly fun—complete with face painting and a selfie booth with props!

Get Your Tickets!

Thank You to the Empty Bowls Fundraiser Sponsors

The Empty Bowls Fundraiser would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We are so grateful for their partnership!

Pot of Gold Sponsors

Allegra Marketing, Print, and Mail

School of Rock Franklin

Silver Platter Sponsors

Franklin Cultural Council

Next9Up

Bronze Bowl Sponsors

b. LUX

Eagle Stainless Tube and Fabrication

Fenton Financial Group

Franklin Matters

Mount Street Farm

QRGA Certified Public Accountants

Soup Starter Sponsors

Advanced European Auto Repair

All Around Gymnastics Academy

The Baur Family

The Danz & Coates Family

Elizabeth's Bagels & More

Knights of Columbus #1847

Grove Street Auto Repair

Receive Assistance from the Franklin Food Pantry

The Pantry offers assistance to more than 850 households in Franklin. If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, we may be able to help. For more information, email Laura Du, Client Services Manager at Ldu@franklinfoodpantry.org, call 508-528-3115, or visit our website for complete details.

Franklin Food Pantry | PO Box 116 | Franklin, MA 02038 US

The Drummers' Studio 15th Anniversary Celebration - June 21

Come support our Bands and players as we celebrate music from the 80s, while we raise funds for a new sound panels and in-ear systems for the studio!

Pot Luck and Pictures from 12:00 to 12:45 PM

Suggested donation $10.00pp - Venmo Kris-Russell-9 and CashApp $Krisdrum101

Awesome prizes awarded for two totally fun contests - 80's Dress & 80's Dance!

Please contact Kris Russell @ 508-520-1414 or email thedrummersstudio@gmail.com

To RSVP, click here https://evite.me/dHBEmM1wAy

Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners attempts to deal with Federal funding cuts

On March 14, 2025 President Trump signed Executive Order 14238 eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) "to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law." IMLS is the single largest source of critical federal funding for libraries. Through IMLS' Grants to States Program, for FY2025 the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) was allocated $3.6 million to support statewide library services and grants to local libraries. In the weeks that followed the executive order, IMLS staff were placed on administrative leave and in the President’s FY2026 budget, IMLS is eliminated (pg. 39 under Small Agency Eliminations).

At the annual Massachusetts Library Association conference, MBLC Director Maureen Amyot addressed the impact of ongoing federal uncertainty caused by the executive order and spoke about the MBLC’s efforts to preserve as many federally funded statewide services as possible. Director Amyot announced the FY2026 plan for statewide research databases, the statewide eBook program, and the Commonwealth Catalog.

"The federal impact cannot be overstated. In Massachusetts, over 1,600 school, public, academic and special libraries from across the state benefit from federal IMLS funding. Millions of people rely on federally funded library services,” she said. "Developing a plan for services in an environment of almost daily federal change has been challenging, but our goal has remained constant: to maintain services that are integral to the functioning of our system and heavily relied on by the people of the Commonwealth."

Starting on July 1, 2025, statewide research database offerings will be significantly reduced. However, the MBLC and the Massachusetts Library System (MLS), which jointly fund databases, will maintain several of the most heavily used. The MBLC spends close to $2.2 million of its federal allocation to fund statewide research databases, an amount that cannot be made up in state funding. For FY2026, the eBook content grant to Networks from MBLC’s state line 9506 will likely be funded at $500,000*, which will allow for $500,000 funding in that line to go towards databases. MLS will increase its support for databases by $18,575 to a total of $670,575. Overall, combined database funding from MBLC and MLS will go from $2.8 million to $1.17 million.

"The President has determined that the Institute of Museum and Library Services is 'unnecessary.' But we know the opposite to be true. We know that welcoming ALL, including diverse voices in our collections, and providing free and equitable access to library services make public libraries the cornerstone of a free democratic society,” said Director Amyot. "Libraries change people’s lives. That’s why these reductions in critical library services hurt. But we’re in this for the long game and in the year ahead we’ll continue to work with local, state and federal partners to stabilize library funding and services."

Databases provide every Massachusetts resident with trustworthy online content covering topics such as science, health, history, biographies and more. Last year, there were over 9 million full text downloads from research databases, an increase of 12% in just one year. Sixty percent of database usage comes from schools. The chart below details which databases will be available as of July 1, 2025.

Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners attempts to deal with Federal funding cuts

Continue reading the press release -> https://mblc.state.ma.us/news/news-releases/2025/nr250520.php

The FSPA Open House includes the Little Music School - Weds, May 21 from 10 AM to 7:30 PM

Little Music School - Weds, May 21

Unique to FSPA, Little Music School teaches children as young as 18 months to play the piano, engaging them from the earliest age in the joys of music-making and exploration of the arts! Under the direction of Kim Rezendes, FSPA is pleased to be the only school in the United States to offer this unique program!

FSPA is excited to host an Open House for prospective students and families this Wednesday from 10 AM - 7:30 PM!

FREE LITTLE MUSIC SCHOOL TRIAL CLASSES

Little Music School (ages 18 months-3) 3:30-4:00
Little Music School (ages 4 + 5) 5:00-5:30

~Additional trials available on different days!~

Franklin School for the Performing Arts, 38 Main Street, Franklin ● 508-528-8668

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ44D_LRRDO/

Check out the DJ party scheduled for the Maha Juice Bar - May 24

Maha Juice Bar DJ party - May 24

Hey Franklin! We are having a DJ party to celebrate the 7th year anniversary of Maha Juice Bar this weekend!

On May 24th from 12-3 PM come enjoy your favorite bites from MJB-Franklin.

We will be serving samples and giving out prizes.

You don’t want to miss this! It’s our way to say Thank You for embracing us from the start!

Saturday May 24th from 12-3 PM

395 E Central St.

Franklin-MA

See you there!— in Franklin.

Shared from -> Facebook post

Spring Rising Stars performs cabaret style at THE BLACK BOX on May 22

Spring Rising Stars performs cabaret style

THE BLACK BOX presents a crowd favorite with its Spring Rising Stars. Talented young singers, ages 11-18, deliver powerful performances of pop and rock songs in a cabaret setting.

Tickets available online at https://theblackboxonline.com/rising-stars-pop-rock-cabaret/

School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan updates the Franklin community (video)

School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan updates the Franklin community at the Franklin Town Council meeting May 7, 2025

"Take a look at this quick recap of some of the smart, strategic moves our schools have made to save taxpayers millions—all while keeping student needs front and center. Proud of the work being done to make every dollar count!"

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16WB7uoSGo/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio introduced a brand new schedule early in 2025 for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves.

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock

Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 2 PM)

This features our Town Clerk Nancy Danello with updates in advance of the Special Election June 3, 2024 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/town-clerk-nancy-danello-provides.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points. (repeats Saturday at 1 PM)

Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you and talk about wine "Beyond the Bottle" https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode.html

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

Franklin Matters

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 ???

Voices of Franklin: Councilor Jones advocates for the Override June 3

Voices of Franklin: Roberta Trahan voting "Yes" for the June 3 Override

FHS boys lacrosse falls to Longmeadow on Tuesday (video)

Empty Bowls Fundraiser is Thursday, May 22, at 6 PM! Join the Family-friendly Annual Event that Supports the Franklin Food Pantry!

Thank You to the Empty Bowls Fundraiser Sponsors

Receive Assistance from the Franklin Food Pantry

The Drummers' Studio 15th Anniversary Celebration - June 21

Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners attempts to deal with Federal funding cuts

The FSPA Open House includes the Little Music School - Weds, May 21 from 10 AM to 7:30 PM

Check out the DJ party scheduled for the Maha Juice Bar - May 24

Spring Rising Stars performs cabaret style at THE BLACK BOX on May 22

School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan updates the Franklin community (video)

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, May 21, 2025

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