What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, September 6, 2025 ??

Saturday, September 6

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:30am Messtival! (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Painting for Adults! (registration required) (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm Karaoke at the Library!  (Franklin Public Library)

8:00pm Karaoke at The Raillery (Raillery Public House)

** NO  Town Meetings today   **

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA

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

Franklin, MA: School Committee meeting agenda for Tuesday, Sep 9, 2025 session at 7 PM

Franklin School Committee

September 9, 2025 - 7:00 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers

 

Call to Order                     Mr. Callaghan 

Announcements from the Chair

Pledge of Allegiance

Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business

A. Review of Agenda

B. Payment of Bills Mr. Callaghan

C. Payroll Mr. McNeill

D. FHS Student Representative Comments

E. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations

A. Portugal/Lisbon Trip Presentation

B. New Administrator Introductions

C. 2025-26 District and School Improvement Plans

III. Discussion/Action Items

A. Portugal/Lisbon Field Trip Approval

I recommend approval of the request of Chris Penza to take FHS students to Portugal and Lisbon from April 17-25, 2027 as discussed.

B. 2025-26 District Improvement Plan Approval

I recommend approval of the 25-26 District Improvement Plan as discussed.

C. 2025-26 ECDC School Improvement Plan Approval

I recommend approval of the 25-26 ECDC School Improvement Plan as discussed.

D. 2025-26 Elementary School Improvement Plan Approval

I recommend approval of the 25-26 Elementary School Improvement Plan as discussed.

E. 2025-26 Franklin Middle School Improvement Plan Approval

I recommend approval of the 25-26 FMS School Improvement Plan as discussed.

F. 2025-26 Franklin High School Improvement Plan Approval

I recommend approval of the 25-26 FHS School Improvement Plan as discussed.

Franklin, MA: School Committee meeting agenda
for Tuesday, Sep 9, 2025 session at 7 PM

IV. Discussion Only Items

A. none

V. Information Matters

A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

B. School Committee Liaison Reports

VI. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Minutes

I recommend approval of the minutes from your August 26, 2025 School Committee meeting as detailed.

VII. Good of the Order

VIII. Citizen’s Comments

IX. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

X. Adjournment

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09092025-1902

Biennial Election Candidate Nomination Papers Filing as of September 5, 2025

The local ballot is filling in. Town Clerk Nancy Danello posted the most recent updated report as of September 5, 2025 showing candidate nomination papers have been taken for Town Council, School Committee, Town Clerk, Board of Assessors and Planning Board at this point. 

There is/are 

1 candidate for the Board of Assessors

2 candidates for 2 spots on the Planning Board

9 candidates for 7 spots on the School Committee (1 withdrew)

1 candidate for 1 spot for the Town Clerk

15 candidates for 9 spots on the Town Council

The Board of Health, and Planning Board (Associate Member) remain without at least a candidate for each open position at this time. 

Biennial election Candidate Nomination Papers Filing

This will likely be fairly dynamic until September 15 when the signatures required are returned and validate. The Ballot doesn't get finalized until Sep 22.

The PDF download ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wWxf1ysvCenaylwFJcKv1T2QZPFIrGsg/view?usp=drive_link

The PDF display: 

Town Council retires Fire chief, appoints new one, hears from Legislative delegates, Norfolk Cnty Sheriff & Food Pantry (audio)

FM #1507 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1507 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council Meeting held Wednesday, Sep 3, 2025. 8 members were present to begin the session (Pellegri absent), one member during the long session (Chandler)

Discussion items: 

PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Proclamation: Hunger Action Month

b. Police Department

i. Retirement Recognition & Proclamation: Police Sergeant Michael Campanelli

ii. Promotion Recognition: Police Sergeant Joseph MacLean

c. Retirement Recognition & Proclamation: Fire Chief James McLaughlin

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Fire Chief  - Chuck Allen

b. Community Preservation Committee - Richard Johnson    

c. Cultural Council

i. Ryan Hanley

ii. William Lee

iii. Caryn Parnell

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Franklin Food Pantry Update: Tina Powderly, Executive Director

b. Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Update: Patrick McDermott, Norfolk County Sheriff

c. Legislative Update: Senator Rebecca Rausch and Representative Jeff Roy

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 25-50: Adoption of Local Initiative Program “Friendly 40B” Policy (Tabled from July 23, 2025 Town Council Meeting) 

b. Bylaw Amendment 25-942: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic - Second Reading 

c. Resolution 25-56: Acceptance of Gifts - Veteran’s Services ($750), Senior Center ($100)  

d. Resolution 25-57: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44 §53F3/4  

The meeting recording runs about 4 hours and 10 minutes (the recess audio was removed to shorten the elapsed time). Let’s listen in Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1507-franklin-ma-town-council-meeting-09-03-25/

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

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5ILK2Y6yTw 

The agenda doc ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09032025-1891  

My notes captured in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/12XGRErMbkxyGIwR7fA0nqhhzqnrsJ-mV/view?usp=drive_link 

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

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!

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

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

FHS field hockey and volleyball teams top KP, football falls to Canton (video)

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, Sep 5, 2025

Football = Canton, 34 @ Franklin, 0 – Final 

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmNBcYEMFEI

"Despite not recording a first down in the first half, Franklin went into the locker room at halftime with a little bit of momentum. A goal-line stand on defense kept Canton’s lead to just two scores with the Panthers getting the ball to start the third quarter.

The hosts were one good drive from getting back into Friday night’s season opener at Pisini Stadium. Instead, a turnover on the third play gave Canton back the ball with a short field and the Bulldogs capitalized, converting the drive into a third touchdown to break the game wide open.

Behind a terrific night from senior quarterback JT Norton (20-of-32, 350 yards, three touchdowns) and from its defense (5 sacks, two forced turnovers, three first downs allowed), Canton pulled away for a convincing 34-0 win. It was Canton’s first win against Franklin since 1990, ending a string of 18 straight Franklin victories (the teams haven’t played since 2011 when the league split into two divisions).

“This is what we’ve been building towards for the last four or five years,” Canton coach Anthony Fallon. “We knew we could get here and we could do this if we did the right things and these guys bought in and they want to be at that level. We’re working on getting the program to where it used to be and where it should be.”

Continue reading the recap  (subscription required) ->

https://hockomocksports.com/norton-leads-canton-football-to-first-win-over-franklin-in-35-years/

For a photo gallery from this game

https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2025-2026/Fall-2025/Franklin-Canton-Football-09-05-25

Field Hockey = King Philip, 1 @ Franklin, 2 – Final 

– Franklin freshman Lila Reardon scored her first career goal and quickly grabbed her second, accounting for all of the the Panthers’ scoring in a crucial division win over King Philip. Reardon finished off a feed from Lily Aparo just under five minutes into the game, and then finished off a chance from Addi Weiss just over four minutes into the second. King Philip pulled one back early in the fourth quarter when Abbey Pompei redirected Ella Morgan’s tip off a shot from Tayla McDuff, but the Warriors were unable to solve Franklin goalie Devon Barry (seven saves) the rest of the way. Lauren Griffin had a strong game in net for the Warriors with seven saves. Franklin coach Michelle Hess noted the great defensive effort of Jossie Camp as well as a strong performance from Aparo.

Volleyball = King Philip, 2 @ Franklin, 3 – Final 

– Franklin battled back from a 2–1 deficit to edge King Philip in five sets (15–25, 25–22, 18–25, 25–17, 15–8). Despite the loss, KP had strong performances across the board, led by senior Cece Kilroy with 13 kills, 10 digs, and seven aces. Senior captain Shayne Dugan added nine kills, senior captain Caleigh Shore recorded 21 digs, and junior Amie O’Neil chipped in seven kills.

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-09-05-25/

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

FHS' CJ Neely Steps Down After 11 Seasons

"Franklin boys basketball head coach CJ Neely is stepping down after 11 years at the helm of the Panthers, he confirmed to HockomockSports.com. He guided the Panthers to the program’s first state championship this past March.

Neely met with his players and school administrators on Friday afternoon to announce his decision.

“My kids are getting older, and I want to be a part of this time in their lives,” Neely said. “Basketball was conflicting with being there for them, being a coach for them, and just being a dad. I want to be around more while they’re still young. I think about how fast they’re growing up, and I want to maximize the time I have with them. I didn’t want to shortchange Franklin by being pulled in different directions.”

In his time at Franklin, the Panthers won four Kelley-Rex titles, reached four Division 1 state finals, and capped a 25-1 season this past year with a 55-52 win over Newton North in the championship game. He is a three-time HockomockSports Coach of the Year, earning the honors in 2022, 2024, and 2025."

Continue reading the article by Ryan Lanigan HockomockSports.com Editor  (subscription required) ->

https://hockomocksports.com/franklins-cj-neely-steps-down-after-11-seasons-with-the-panthers/

https://hockomocksports.com/franklins-cj-neely-steps-down-after-11-seasons-with-the-panthers/

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project: Construction Updates ~ Monday (9/8) through Friday (9/12)

RT. 140 (West Central Street) Lane Closure Alert!

Monday, September 8th, the Contractor will continue with the installation of the sewer force main within RT. 140 (West Central Street). The work will be contained within the southbound lane from Burger King to Beaver Street. During this time there will be daily lane closures on RT. 140 from 7am to 4pm. Please use caution when traveling in this area and follow all posted signs.  

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project:
Construction Updates

Beaver Street Pump Station:

At the Franklin Recreation Center, the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue with construction of the exterior building structure and internal building component installation.

Keep Franklin Flowing - Beaver Street Interceptor Project

Please reference the interactive map and posted signs for details and updates.

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/557/Beaver-Street-Interceptor-BSI-Project

We appreciate the public's continued support and understanding and will continue to communicate regularly via social media, our dedicated email list, and the construction map as work progresses.

"Saturday at the Food Pantry" a new story walk at DelCarte

"Saturday at the Food Pantry" a new story walk at DelCarte

September is Hunger Action Month! Join us in spreading awareness with our friends at the Franklin Food Pantry by visiting our new StoryWalk at DelCarte!

Saturday at the Food Pantry by Diane O’Neil is a wonderful picture book that addresses the realities of food insecurity with gentle warmth and friendly, approachable illustrations!

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1B5suirjtP/

Fairmount Upick Opening Weekend

Fairmount Upick Opening Weekend

"Here is our lineup for tomorrow (Saturday)!

The weather is looking good for the majority of the day. We are mainly picking Macintosh and Honey Crisp apples this weekend!"

Shared from ->

https://www.facebook.com/share/1MZ3N1Teaq/

Did you get your T-shirt to support Franklin Music programs ???

Did you get your T-shirt to support Franklin Music programs ???

Come check out our new T-shirts to support Franklin Music programs.

Only available in-person at FHS Football games, FHS and FMS music concerts.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1TGiufr1g8/

Open hours updated for Pour Richard's Wine & Provisions

Open hours updated for Pour Richard's Wine & Provisions

via Pour Richard's Wine & Provisions

"New hours start today!

Now open Thursday till 8, Sundays we open at 11 for your game day needs, and Mondays till 7 (cause we know about Mondays).

Join us!"

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

Check out the Creative Corner Studio offerings for art programs on Saturdays

Check out the Creative Corner Studio
offerings for art programs on Saturdays

via Amy at Creative Corner

Join us on Saturdays for our weekend art programs! We offer programs for preschool and elementary ages students.

Learn more and register on our website -> www.creativecornerartstudiofranklin.com/elementaryclasses

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DOMCg66jomw/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Saturday, September 6, 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 Saturday

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 Saturday