Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
There is a Fallen Hero Recognition event today (6/15/25) at 9 AM on the Town Common Veterans Walkway to honor Cpl Elijah H. Coldwell, U.S. Marine Corps.
This program will include the placing of a Memorial Wreath for the day, the playing of Taps, a salute from those present, and a reading of whatever history may be available for that veteran. This is a way of keeping the memory of that veteran alive.
Cpl Elijah H. Coldwell, U.S. Marine Corps
Unfortunately, we have not been able to locate any further information about Elijah Coldwell other than he was killed in action on this date in 1918.
2nd floor, Council Chambers 355 East Central Street
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 et seq, 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
a.Exemption #3: Collective Bargaining (all Town unions) - To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the Chair so declares.
15.RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
a.Resolution 25-42: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Library Union - Franklin Public Library Staff Association, Massachusetts Library Staff Association (MLSA), Local 4298, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), AFT Massachusetts (AFL-CIO)
(Motion to approve Resolution 25-42 - Majority Vote)
b.Resolution 25-43: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the DPW Union - AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Local 1298, Department of Public Works (Motion to approve Resolution 25-43 - Majority Vote)
c.Resolution 25-44: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Custodians Union - AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Local 1298, Custodians (Motion to approve Resolution 25-44 - Majority Vote)
d.Resolution 25-45: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Public Facilities Union - AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Local 1298, Public Facilities Employees
(Motion to approve Resolution 25-45 - Majority Vote)
e.Resolution 25-46: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Professional Firefighters of Franklin - International Association of Firefighters, Local 2637
(Motion to approve Resolution 25-46 - Majority Vote)
f.Resolution 25-47: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Franklin Police Association
(Motion to approve Resolution 25-47 - Majority Vote)
g.Resolution 25-48: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Franklin Police Sergeants Union
(Motion to approve Resolution 25-48 - Majority Vote)
16.ADJOURN
Note:
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting
Part of Corey Silva's remarks at the MasterPeace Service Dog Graduation on Saturday, June 14
"Mike Masters, affectionately known as “The DogFather,” co-founded MasterPeace Dog Training in Franklin with his wife Fran in 2001. What they envisioned as a fun ten-year retirement project became so much more. Mike was a passionate dog owner, trainer, and competitor—most notably with his service dog Paxton, a Spinone Italiano. His passing was a tremendous loss to both the service and agility dog communities.
Dogs adored Mike, and the feeling was mutual. He began teaching agility in the 1990s, when the sport was just beginning in the U.S. Many top competitors holding multiple MACH titles began their journey with Mike’s guidance.
Even more remarkably, Mike was training his own service dogs as far back as the early 1980s—long before service dogs were widely understood or accepted. In one memorable story, he removed himself from his wheelchair and crawled up a flight of stairs to show a skeptical landlord why his service dog, Mariah, was essential for operating the elevator.
After Mariah, Mike went on to self-train two more Golden Retrievers and Paxton, his “heart dog.” He also helped many others with disabilities train their own service dogs here at MasterPeace. His legacy lives on today through the MasterPeace Service Dog Program.
So while I never got to meet Mike, I became a part of his community here. I built my own service dog curriculum from everything I could find—books, mentors, experience. I leaned on the knowledgeable trainers around me, especially Kelly Taylor, who teaches many popular classes on Saturday mornings. That work led to a conversation with Fran and Patty about creating a formal program for owner-trainers here at MasterPeace.
Mike has been the spiritual mentor and inspiration that guided this program into existence.
Today we celebrate the achievements of two service dog teams.
Grisel and Luna
You’ve worked with me diligently over the last two years—even before this program officially launched. Luna’s service dog tasks include deep pressure therapy, interrupting repetitive behaviors, retrieving medication with water, and bringing her leash. Together, you’ve earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen, the MasterPeace Home Helpmate title, and passed the MasterPeace Public Access Test. My favorite of Luna’s accomplishments, however, was watching her overcome her fear of automatic doors and loud noises through countless training sessions at Stop & Shop and Forge Park Station.
Isabel and Nalah
You’ve worked so hard over these last two years and were among the first to attend our inaugural Service Dog 101 Workshop. Nalah’s service dog tasks include deep pressure therapy, retrieving medication with water, and her leash, and locating a seat for you. Together, you’ve also earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen, the MasterPeace Home Helpmate title, and passed the MasterPeace Public Access Test. Nalah is our first nosework dog turned service dog—a transition made possible by the beautiful bond you two share. I hope she inspires more teams to follow that path.
To conclude, I want to say how special it has been for me to witness owner trainers train their own service dogs. I’ve learned firsthand that the act of training your own service dog is therapeutic in itself. The bond that forms through that process is like nothing else.
I often liken dog training to a passage from one of my favorite books, The Little Prince. In it, the prince tames a wild fox, and the fox says:
“To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you, I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world…”
The bonds you’ve built with your dogs here at MasterPeace are just that—unique in all the world."
We set records at Strawberry Stroll. Our ‘Pluck-a-Ducky’ game was a big hit. Kiddies won 400 duckys and 20 wfpr.fm radios. We were so busy that we ran out of duckys by 6:30. Wow!! Slammin’! We did not see that coming.
Franklin TV: Pluck -A- Ducky!
At our busiest point the line to play our Ducky game was 12-15 kiddies long. Everyone who played won at least one ducky – and had a great time playing.
Watching little tykes grappling for duckys With serious concentration – ‘cute overload’.
The newest Traveling School of Fish splash down at the Franklin Sculpture Park - June 9, 2025
Thank you to everyone who came out to welcome this vibrant public art installation. Created by local students coordinated by Franklin’s very own Amy Adams , each fish tells a story—and together, they remind us of the power of creativity, community, and movement.
If you missed it, swing by the park to experience this joyful swim through art
It's our Week of Giving—and we're asking for your help.
This week, we're raising funds to support the FREE summer programs we provide for kids and families in Lowell. Help us keep our "Free Fun For Kids" shows accessible to the families who need it most.
Free Fun For Kids is one of the most meaningful things we do—offering free live shows, healthy snacks, books, crafts, and trolley rides every week in July and August at Boarding House Park.
While the shows are free for the children who attend, they aren't free for us to produce. With rising costs and shrinking community resources, this program has never been more important—or more dependent on community support.
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
