What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, May 4, 2025 ???

Sunday, May 4 - Horace Mann's Birthday

10:00am Jane's Walk - Franklin (Depot Plaza)
11:00am Sunday Brunch (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)
12:00pm Kenny Hadley LEGACY Big Band (THE BLACK BOX)
1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:00pm Celebrate Horace Mann's Birthday (Franklin Historical Museum)
3:00pm LiveARTS: Rachel Childers & Ann Sears (Murray Unitarian Universalist church)
7:00pm Rehearsal for Distinguished Young Women (Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  NO  Town Meetings today   **

 

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What's happening today in Franklin? 

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Voices of Franklin: Donna Grady outlines the reasons for voting "Yes" on or before June 3

Dear Franklin Residents,

Franklin is your home. Maybe you moved here for easy access to the commuter rail. Maybe you moved to Franklin because it’s one of America’s safest towns thanks to the exemplary police and fire departments. Maybe the top-notch schools, music, athletic, and recreation programs, or the many fine restaurants called you to Franklin. Maybe you were born in Franklin, you attended the Little Red Schoolhouse, and today you enjoy the Senior Center's many wonderful activities. Maybe you are hooked into public water and sewer and you’re looking forward to another 100 years of a functioning sewer system thanks to the Beaver Street interceptor project. For all these reasons and many more, you are rightfully proud to call Franklin home. Today, the fiscal challenges that started brewing when Proposition 2 1/2 was put into effect in 1982 have cooked up a kettle of trouble. As the Joint Budget Subcommittee’s listening tour proved, Franklin can no longer afford the quality of life to which residents have become accustomed unless each of you chips in a little extra. 

It’s easy to drive by one of our schools and think our students are getting the same education that you or a neighbor received 15 years ago. It’s easy to drive by a fire station and think that an ambulance is only two minutes from my house if I’m not paying enough attention when I use the bagel slicer. It’s easy to think the Town Clerk is available five days a week to complete your marriage application. Unfortunately, unless you vote YES on June 3rd, town offices will close earlier, class sizes will increase while course offerings decrease, the third ambulance will come from a neighboring town instead of your local fire station, and the police department will lose highly trained officers. As the proud leader of the Franklin Educators Association, I stand in solidarity with the equally dedicated public safety and public services workers that make Franklin a terrific place to call home. 

Please think of the common good and shared responsibility of citizenship when the time to vote yes is yours on Tuesday, June 3rd. If you can’t wait to vote yes, keep in mind that early voting starts on May 16th at the Town Clerk’s office and the last day to register is May 24th.  Please vote YES to maintain the quality of life that makes Franklin a splendid place to call home. 

Respectfully,

Donnas Grady

FEA President

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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:  Donna Grady outlines the reasons for voting "Yes" on or before June 3

Franklin, MA: Town Council agenda for meeting scheduled May 7 at 7 PM

Franklin Town Council
Agenda & Meeting Packet
May 7, 2025 - 7 PM

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.
c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20, the Open Meeting Law, the Council cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None Scheduled.

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Police Department - Swearing in of New Police Officer
i. Tyler Hosley
b. Police Department - Recognition of New Town of Upton Chief of Police
i. Chief Nicholas Palmieri, former Sergeant of the Franklin Police Department

5. APPOINTMENTS - None Scheduled.
 

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS

a. New Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine, Located at 14 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038
i. License Transaction #7a.

b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-935: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Section 24, Floodplain District
i. Legislation For Action #9a.

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. New Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine, Located at 14 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038

b. License Modification - Change of Manager of a Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License: The Chateau Restaurant of Franklin, Inc. d/b/a The Chateau; Located at 466 King St., Franklin, MA 02038

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a. Presentation: FY24 Financial Audit - Scott McIntire, CPA, Managing Director, CBIZ

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-935: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Section 24, Floodplain District - First Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-935 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)

b. Resolution 25-28: Extension of the Time Period for the Automatic Reverter Contained in the Deed of Former Town-owned Land Off Panther Way Previously Conveyed to the Franklin Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-28 - ⅔ Majority Vote)

c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-927: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Section 3 of The Code Of The Town of Franklin, Definitions (Shared-Use Commercial Kitchen) - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-927 - ⅔ Majority Roll Call Vote)

d. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-928: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Attachment 3, Use Regulation Schedule, Part II Principal Uses (Shared-Use Commercial Kitchen) - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-928 - ⅔ Majority Roll Call Vote)

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Economic Development Subcommittee
c. Joint Budget Subcommittee
d. Police Station Building Committee
e. GATRA Advisory Board

 

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled
 

15. ADJOURN

 

The agenda doc also includes remote participation info -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05072025-1719

  

Franklin, MA: Town Council agenda for meeting scheduled May 7 at 7 PM

Tom Mercer & I condense the April 30 Council meeting to 30 minutes for you (audio)

FM #1439 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1439 in the series. 

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 Friday, May 2, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of April 30, 2025. 

We focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session:

• SchCmte Chair Callaghan updates on SchCmte business

• Town Clerk Nancy Danello with an update on the special election

• Proclamations:

• Police Department - Promotions = . Sergeant John Godino

• Police Department - Swearing in of New Court Prosecutor / Detective = . Tara Lagoa

• Proclamation: Franklin High School Theater Group

• Proclamation: Bryan Taberner, Director, Department of Planning and Community Development

• Appointments

• Agricultural Commission = Matthew Stoltz

• Disability Commission = Kelly Quinlan

• PUBLIC HEARING - a. Transfer of Section 12 Restaurant Common Victualer All Alcohol License and Approval of Dolores Costa as the Manager - Franklin Hospitality Group, LLC d/b/a The Tavern on Central

• Resolution 25-29: Transfer of Care, Custody, Management and Control of Town-owned Property Containing the Building Known as “Gerald Murdock Parmenter Elementary School” from the Franklin School Committee to the Franklin Town Council, for Municipal Purposes - Motion to approve, second, passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)

• Update that for the Town Council Budget Hearings scheduled for May 21, 22  Town Administrator will propose that they continue the second hearing to June 4 to enable possible adjustments. The budget as presented assumes the override passes. If it doesn't, cuts would be forthcoming

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided updates on Previous Requests:

• 300 Fisher Street - very dormant

• Chestnut Street Apartments - The exterior is complete, the interior has not been finished, in the owners control currently

Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap the Town Council meeting. Approx. 31 minutes Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1439-town-council-quarterbacking-05-02-25/

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Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/laeIcVjRlgU?si=4VVLHqNRh28zvyuM&t=134 

The agenda and released materials for this session ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04302025-1709 

Photos of the recognitions -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/PKZgCKJM8vAYTVoK7 

My notes can be found in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mo8xvhuHCvkPLQ_Fi54OMbtkQ2WulsJK/view?usp=drive_link 

 

 

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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. 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!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Tom Mercer & I condense the April 30 Council meeting to 30 minutes for you (audio)

Franklin Historical Museum: Celebrate Horace Mann's Birthday

Celebrate Horace Mann's Birthday

An annual tradition at the Franklin Historical Museum is a celebration of the birthday of Franklin-born Horace Mann – a key figure in 19th century reform movements, including abolition, and as the architect of America’s public education movement. And, need we add, a Franklin native.

This year, it will also be a celebration of the growing support from the School Committee to create the Horace Mann Campus from the footprint of FHS and the existing Horace Mann Middle School.

School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan noted, "[at their last meeting] The committee was enthusiastic about establishing the Horace Mann Campus. There was discussion about adding signage and boulevard banners on flagpoles to highlight the campus identity (and even discussion about a statue down the line.

"Beyond the campus concept, we also discussed ways to bring Horace Mann’s legacy to life for students and families—similar to what’s been done with the Ladybug. Some ideas included adding his birthday to the school calendar and working with classroom teachers to celebrate it and explore his contributions."

In addition to offering cake, coffee, water and sodas, the museum plans to show some short documentaries about Horace Mann as well as a famous Twilight Zone episode inspired by Mann!

The museum, located at 80 West Central Street, is open from 1-4 and the event is free.

 

Shared from -> https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/300403/extra-happy-birthday-horace-mann-sunday 

Frequently Asked Questions: FY 2026 Override -> Questions 5 - 8

Frequently Asked Questions - shared from the Town of Franklin FY 2026 Override Information page. There are 40 and a form to ask another question if it is not already listed there -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/Faq.aspx?TID=41

5.What does the override get us? Where does the $3,862,672 million go? 

The $3,862,672 will be used to fix the structural deficit. This funding allows the Town to maintain “Level Service”, meaning the same staffing and expenses as the current fiscal year. 

The two minor exceptions:

• One administrative assistant request by the elected Board of Assessors. Half of this request was offset by the elimination of a part-time position in town Human Resources. 
• Eight restored FPS positions that were cut in the FY25 budget for Account 300 Franklin Public Schools. 

Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) at 2.5%: 

• Municipal estimated cost of a $610,000 increase over FY25. 
• School FEA Unit A Cost 2.5% COLA. Estimated $1,381,594 increase over FY25.

Account 300 Franklin Public Schools: $2.9 million increase or a $3.8% over FY25. 

Municipal Line item 910 Benefits Budget:

• Town and school employees and the town will see a health insurance increase of 14.5%. 
• Norfolk County Pension Assessment - $558,045 or 7%, increase over FY25. 
• All municipal health insurance related line items combined to increase 19%.

6.How much would my taxes increase for FY26 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026)? 

Based on the FY25 Tax Rate of $11.62 and the FY25 Certified Median Single Family House Value of $679,449, a $3,862,672 million override would increase the average residential tax bill $312.00 for the FY26 tax year, in addition to the normal annual increase allowed under Proposition 2 ½. The average tax bill increase in FY25 was $226 (current fiscal year). Prop 2 ½ combined with the $3,862,672 override results in a $538 increase annually.

The actual increase for each homeowner is based on the assessment for the home. You can also use the calculator on the Department of Revenue (DOR) website to perform calculations. 

Disclaimer: The FY26 tax rate is not established until November/December of 2025. The Board of Assessors will not have an actual dollar figure on the baseline Proposition 2 ½ figure until the tax rate is established. Projecting data on a tax rate establishment in 8 or 9 months is not advantageous. Staff use FY25 to illustrate the tax impact on families and households to offer a more accurate projection of their property tax increases with an override.

7.When will this increase be reflected on my tax bill? 

The new tax rate is not set until December 2025. If an override passes on June 3, 2025, preliminary tax bills will go out in the summer and fall of 2025 and actuals will be reflected on the January 2026 and April 2026 tax bills. These bills will reflect the override increase plus 2.5%.  

8.How much would my taxes increase after FY26? 

After Fiscal Year 2026, annual increases would again be limited by Proposition 2 ½, but the override amount would be included in the new baseline.

Additional info can be found on the Town FY 2026 Override page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/1089/Fiscal-Year-2026-Override-Information

Frequently Asked Questions: FY 2026 Override -> Questions 1 - 4

Franklin TV: Open Meetings

If You Build it, They Will Meet.

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 05/04/2025

It was quite busy in the Municipal Building last week. They scheduled seven open televised/streamed/Zoomed meetings. A new record. Why? Because they could.

MONDAY    (LAST WEEK’S MEETINGS)
7:00 pm    Finance Committee CHAMBERS
7:00 pm    Planning Board TRAINING Rm Floor 3
TUESDAY
7:00 pm    School Committee CHAMBERS
7:00 pm    Finance Committee TRAINING Rm Floor 3
WEDNESDAY
7:00 pm    Town Council CHAMBERS
THURSDAY
7:00 pm    Finance Committee CHAMBERS
7:00 pm    Conservation Commission TRAINING Rm Floor 3

Looking back to 2023 when we began our planning for the Master Plan meetings (Yes, there really was a plan for covering the Master Plan. It sounds like something the Department of Redundancy Department would dream up. )

The decision at that time was simply a matter of logistics and cost. We were looking at having to bring what was perhaps 250-300 pounds of video gear – three cameras and tripods, sixteen microphones, and all the monitoring, switching and control equipment to support a live event up to the third floor for each meeting. Then there’s setup and testing before each meeting and the teardown afterward.

Considering the labor involved, added wear-and-tear on traveling equipment, and the testing and occasional troubleshooting that must happen before each event –

Umm – Perhaps we can install something permanent. A second TV control facility in the Training Room. Once it’s in place we’ll have an alternate means for covering the meetings if our main facility should suffer a significant failure.

So, build we did. A leap of faith (and funding). After comparing the build cost to the anticipated cost of not building, we’ve more than recouped our investment.

And – as always –

Thank you for watching
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm
And staying informed at Franklin●news

view of the 3rd floor training room broadcasting the
Finance Cmte Budget Hearing #2, Fire Dept presenting

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

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Read the latest volume of Franklin First

The second edition of the revised Town of Franklin newsletter "Franklin First" is available ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5516/Newsletter-2

Read the latest volume of Franklin First

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday, May 4, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule 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 Sunday

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

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday