Franklin Matters: 2025-10-19

Sunday, October 19, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, October 19, 2025 ??

Sunday, October 19

7:30am All You Can Eat Breakfast (Franklin Rod & Gun Club)

8:00am Scary Scurry 5K and Fun Run (Children's Museum of Franklin 157 Cottage St)

11:00am Sunday Brunch (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

12:00pm Pumpkin Patch (St John's Episcopal Church)

1:00pm Musical Bingo (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm Greenwich Bay Brass (free concert) (Franklin Historical Museum)

2:00pm Annie (THE BLACK BOX)

2:00pm The Wolves (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

** NO Town Meetings today **

What's happening in Franklin, MA

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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

2nd try at the very full Town Council agenda scheduled for Wednesday, Oct 22 at 7 PM (same agenda was scheduled for Oct 15)

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

October 15, 2025 = 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Franklin Municipal Building

355 East Central Street - 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

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 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

a. September 3, 2025
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7164/3a-September-3-2025-TC-Meeting-Minutes--Draft-for-Review-1
b. September 17, 2025
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7165/3b-September-17-2025-TC-Meeting-Minutes--Draft-for-Review

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Fire Department - Swearing in of promoted employees
i. Fire Chief Charles Allen
ii. Battalion Chief Sean Lovely
iii. Lieutenant Jaden Brodeur

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Franklin's 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee - See "Appointments" legislation in agenda packet for list of names
i. Legislation for Action #9a https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7166/5a-Appointment-250

b. 2025 Election Workers - See "Appointments" legislation in agenda packet for list of names
https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7167/5b-Appointment-Election

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM

a. New Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Bassam Michael as the Manager - BMRG LLC d/b/a Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub, Located at 370 King Street
i. License Transaction #7a. https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7168/6a-Kings-Public-Hearing

b. Multiple modifications of a Section 15 Package Store All Alcoholic Beverages License: Change of License Manager, Change of Officers/Directors & Change of Stock - Dharma Bhakti Corporation d/b/a Liquor World, Located at 365 West Central Street
i. License Transaction #7b
https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7169/6b-LW-Public-Hearing

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. New Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Bassam Michael as the Manager - BMRG LLC d/b/a Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub, Located at 370 King Street Franklin, MA 02038

b. Multiple modifications of a Section 15 Package Store All Alcoholic Beverages License: Change of License Manager, Change of Officers/Directors & Change of Stock - Dharma Bhakti Corporation d/b/a Liquor World, Located at 365 West Central Street

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Historical Museum 2.0 - Alan Earls, Historical Commission Chair

b. Historic District Commission Process - Will Lee, Historical Commission Member & Rowan Lowell, Town Archivist

c. Town Council & Town Administrator 2024-2025 Goals Update - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator
https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7172/8c-2024-2025-Town-Council-and-Town-Administration-Goals---Oct-2025

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 25-63: Increasing the Maximum Number of Members Allowed on Franklin's 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-63 - Majority Vote)

b. Resolution 25-64: Authorizing the Borrowing of Money to Pay Costs Associated with the Franklin Stormwater Asset Management Plan (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-64 - ½ Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7174/9b-1---25-64

c. Resolution 25-65: Authorizing the Town Administrator to File Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan Application (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-65 - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7175/9c-1---RESOLUTION-25-65---Authority-to-File-CWSRF

d. Resolution 25-66: Adoption of the Schmidt Farm and Maple Hill Master Plans

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-66 -Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7178/9d-1----Adopting-Master-Plans---Schmidt-and-Maple-Hill

e. Bylaw Amendment 25-943: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 139, Section 139-14, Sewer System Map (Symphony Dr.) - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 25-943 - Majority Roll Call Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7179/9e-Symphony-Sewer

f. Bylaw Amendment 25-944: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 179, Section 179-9.l Water System Map (Symphony Dr.) - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 25-944 -Majority Roll Call Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7180/9f-1---BYLAW-AMENDMENT-25-944---Water-Map-Amendment---Symphony-Dr

g. Bylaw Amendment 25-945 - A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 65, Collection Containers - Second Reading

(Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 25-945 - Majority Roll Call Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7181/9g-Collection-Containers

h. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-938: Residential Commercial Kitchens - A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Section 3 of the Code of the Town of Franklin - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-938 - ½ Majority Roll Call Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7182/9h-1-25-938

i. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-939: Residential Commercial Kitchens - A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Attachment 81 Use Regulations Schedule Part Vii: Accessory Uses - Second Reading

(Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-939 - ½ Majority Roll Call Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7183/9i-ZONING-BYLAW-AMENDMENT-25-939---Residential-Commercial-Kitchen-Use-Regulation-Schedule-1

J. Bylaw Amendment 25-940: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82. Fees. Municipal Service. by Adding a New Service Fee (Residential Commercial Kitchen) (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 25-940 - Majority Roll Call Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7184/9j---BYLAW-AMENDMENT-25-940---CHAPTER-82-FEES-MUNICIPAL-SERVICE---Residential-Commercial-Kitchen

k. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-929: Creation of the Crossing Neighborhood Zoning District - A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185. Section 4. Districts Enumerated - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-929 - ½ Majority Roll Call Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7185/9k-25-929

I. Zoning Bylaw 25-930: Zoning Map Changes: Crossing Neighborhood Zoning District - A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185. Section 5. Zoning Map - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-930 - ½ Majority Roll Call Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6932/9k-ZONING-BYLAW-ADMENDMENT-25-930---Crossing-Neighborhood-District---Zoning-Map

m. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-931: The Crossing Zoning Use Regulations - A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Use Regulation Schedule, Part I through Part VII - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-931 - ½ Majority Roll Call Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6925/9l-ZONING-BYLAW-ADMENDMENT-25-931---Crossing-Neighborhood-District---Use-Regulation-Schedule_202507180815594442

n. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-932: The Crossing Zoning District - A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-932 - ½ Majority Roll Call Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6926/9m-ZONING-BYLAW-ADMENDMENT-25-932---Crossing-Neighborhood-District---Dimensional-Regulations_202507180820461004

o. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-933: Crossing Neighborhood Zoning District - A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 21, Parking. Loading and Driveway Requirements - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-933 - ½ Majority Roll Call Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6928/9n-ZONING-BYLAW-ADMENDMENT-25-933---Crossing-Neighborhood-District---Parking-etc-reqs

p. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-934: Crossing Neighborhood Crossing District - A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Sections 3, 4. 20 & 31 - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-934 -½ Majority Roll Call Vote)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, acting
through its Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR),
has under consideration the acquisition
of an interest in 19.51 +/- acres of
land in the Town of Franklin

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6927/9o-ZONING-BYLAW-ADMENDMENT-25-934---Crossing-Neighborhood-District---Chapter-185-Sections-3-4-20-31

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

a. Department of Conservation and Recreation (OCR) Public Notification & SNETT Trail Update https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7186/10a-DCR-Notice-of-Proposed-Land-Acquisition

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

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Meeting agenda contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10152025-1953

Seminar on why AI is so important - Oct 20 at Franklin TV Studio 6 PM

Seminar on why AI is so important - October 20,2025 at Franklin TV Studio at 6 PM. This in person seminar will be recorded and available for broadcast later.

Seminar on why AI is so important - Oct 20 at Franklin TV Studio 6 PM

Franklin TV: Citizen Steve & Franklin Matters Radio

The Candidates Speak – All of Them (almost)

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 10/19/2025

This year we have a generous slate of candidates (fifteen, a record number) for Town Council and other key offices. Franklin folks are stepping up. There’ll be lots of names to check off (carefully) on your ballot, come November 4th.

As Franklin’s own self-styled Community Information Director (volunteer), Steve Sherlock has been unusually busy this season. The tall challenge? Make sure every candidate that wished to be heard – is heard. At this point Steve’s daunting task has now been accomplished.

https://bit.ly/2025-ElectionCollection

Now it’s time for you to do your part –

We all love binge watching our fave TeeVee shows. In fact, Hollywood streamers were taken aback by just how long a TeeVee audience would actually stay engaged. Turns out that in a world of distractions we actually do have attention ‘spans’. They were not prepared to feed such high, sustained program consumption.

Binge? Me?

Guilty as charged. No doubt, you do as well. (It’s okay, binge away.) This is your

chance to ‘binge’ watch/listen to each (or even every) candidate’s comments.

Steve has prepared this link as your on ramp:

https://bit.ly/2025-ElectionCollection

You’ll find 23 candidate videos – all in one E–Z–2 navigate playlist. Settle in with that big bowl-o-popcorn – and become informed.

You can also check out Town Hall TV. The candidates schedule is the last page of the programing guide*.

Thanks, Steve.

And – as always –

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

*also available as a 1 page DPF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JHKGGZLURmKmM6dADs-o2oNuF32bHdUB/view?usp=drive_link

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

Explore the MMA’s new report, "A Perfect Storm: Cities and Towns Face Historic Fiscal Pressures", to understand why

Explore the MMA’s new report,
"A Perfect Storm: Cities and Towns Face
Historic Fiscal Pressures", to understand why

via MMA:

"Massachusetts cities and towns are being forced to make increasingly devastating cuts to essential services for residents.

Our new research with the Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University shows why.

Where do we go from here?

Explore our report and weigh in: www.mma.org/aperfectstorm"

Shared from -> https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mma-a-perfect-storm-fiscal-report-ugcPost-7382148738418413568-pKJW/

Franklin Food Pantry receives new truck from BJs, hands off truck to Natick Service Council (video)

via Franklin Food Pantry post to LinkedIn:

"Volunteering is one of the most powerful ways to support our mission. When individuals share their professional expertise, the value they bring is immeasurable. Special thanks to Pantry volunteer Timothy Montgomery for filming and editing this fantastic video—with additional photography by Steve Sherlock and Franklin TV—that captures the BJ's Wholesale Club Truck Donation Event with Natick Service Council on August 13, 2025.

If you have a special talent that you would like to use to help The Pantry, please visit our website, complete an application and share your special talents in the application form."

Video link: https://lnkd.in/eBJSZ24b

"School Resource Officers don't just wear a badge: they build trust, keep peace, and stay sharp under pressure"

via Officer Frankie:

"School Resource Officers don't just
wear a badge: they build trust,
keep peace, and stay sharp under pressure"

"Sorry not sorry, this is the most important job in any police department, it also comes with the most RESPONSIBILITY.

SRO’s do more for students and staff than anyone will ever know. In this day and age being a police officer is a very tough job. Most of the time when we show up it’s on a persons worst day.

Our Officers do so many good things, and yet most only focus on the negatives. Most of the time the only communications our department receives are complaints.

On our website there is a form to praise or thank an officer for his/her behaviors."

Here is the site: https://www.franklinma.gov/FormCenter/Police-7/Commend-a-Franklin-Police-Officer-49

Shared from: https://www.instagram.com/p/DP1yX8Hjljz/