From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.
General Purpose
The mission of the Veterans’ Services Office (VSO) is to provide comprehensive support to Franklin Veterans and their eligible dependents. Our services include benefit screening, client education, case management, and community-building through an array of social events, programming, and partnerships. Confidentiality, professionalism, and communication are at the core of VSO service. According to the most recent census data, there are 1,010 Veterans in Franklin.
Core Functions
● Veterans Benefits
○ When a client seeks assistance from the Franklin VSO, they are screened for all potential Veterans benefits at the federal, state, and local levels. Moreover, the VSO provides ongoing client support and education so clients understand the benefits they are applying for and receiving.
● Massachusetts General Law (MGL) Chapter 115
○ Chapter 115 is a needs-based benefit for Veterans (and eligible dependents) administered at the local level with authorization from the state. It is considered a “benefit of last resort” because qualifying asset and income thresholds are very low. For all monies spent in this line item, the town is reimbursed 75% by the Commonwealth in the next fiscal year. As of February 28, 2026, the VSO has dispersed $70,616.77 in Chapter 115 benefits to 13 Franklin Veterans and/or eligible dependents. Please note that the Memorial Day cemetery flags are also purchased and reimbursed (75%) under this program.
● VA Claims Overview
○ In calendar year 2025, Franklin Veterans and eligible dependents received
$9.74 million in VA tax-free benefits owed to them for their service. This data is derived from a “VA Money Report” provided to VSO’s across the Commonwealth. This report breaks down VA benefits by town, benefit type, average monthly amount, and number of recipients. The numbers on this report include all benefits, regardless of whether the Veteran filed the claim independently, or received assistance from the VSO. The Franklin Director of Veterans’ Services is accredited through the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO), which requires attendance at an annual online conference to maintain CEU’s ($400) and an annual membership fee ($50). Accreditation through NACVSO allows the VSO to file and monitor claims independently as a VA Affiliate, which increases efficiency and results in a better client experience. The VSO helps with the types of claims listed below.
● VA Disability Claims
○ Applying for VA disability is a “must” for all eligible Veterans and service members. A VA disability rating grants financial compensation for injuries incurred during service and guarantees access to VA Health Care and other downstream benefits. Prior to filing the claim, the VSO meets with the Veteran on multiple occasions to research, strategize, take statements, and collect medical records. Many well-developed claims are denied the first time, and VSO assists with appeals at the VA Regional Office (RO) and Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA). In FY26, the VSO completed Advanced Appeals training through NACVSO ($300) to increase knowledge regarding this process. Once a disability rating is granted, the VSO assists the Veteran in education about downstream benefits such as the disabled Veterans property tax exemption, access to VA Health Care, option to apply for VRE & E (Voc. Rehab), and potential survivor benefits for eligible dependents. For Veterans receiving a 100% rating, downstream benefits also include the state annuity, excise tax waiver for one vehicle, waiver of some RMV fees, and benefits for eligible dependents such as Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) and Survivor’s and Dependent’s Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.
● VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Claims (DIC)
○ A VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Claim (DIC) is a monthly survivor stipend based primarily on the service-connected death of a Veteran. The VSO emphasizes client education while the Veteran is alive to increase the survivor’s likelihood of qualifying for DIC after the Veterans’ death. This is the most stable type of survivor benefit resulting in many downstream benefits such as the state annuity, a partial or full local property tax exemption, and eligibility for CHAMPVA health care and DEA benefits.
● VA Pension and Survivor’s Pension Claims
○ Commonly referred to as “Aid and Attendance,” a misnomer. These
means-tested benefits for wartime Veterans and their eligible dependents are complex and almost always misunderstood. VSO emphasis is on client education. VSO will help with applications if clients meet the criteria.
● VA Health Care Applications
○ Enrolling in VA Health Care is another “must” for all eligible Veterans. Veterans with a disability rating of 10% or higher are eligible, as well as toxin-exposed Veterans, and those with a household income below the regional threshold established by the VA (currently around $100,000). VSO assists with applications and education about how the VA Health Care system works. Once a Veteran is enrolled in VA Health Care and assigned a VA primary care physician, they can potentially access a wide array of resources such as world-class medical care, low-cost medications, home health services,
home-based primary care, adult day health, mental health services, addiction programs, and low-cost durable medical equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, and hearing aids. Moreover, the VA Health Care system is poised to help in almost every type of medical or mental health crisis situation, if the Veteran is enrolled. Therefore, a top priority of the VSO is getting as many Veterans as possible enrolled in VA Health Care.
● Case Management
○ Complex situations require routine, in-depth supervision. For clients experiencing extreme difficulties, we expand our case management services to include weekly or monthly meetings to ensure that the client stays on track to achieve positive outcomes. These visits may include assistance with subsidized housing applications, document collection, navigating medical bills, helping caregivers utilize the VA Health Care system, mental health check-ins, home visits, family engagement, and referrals to partner agencies. While the VSO is well-equipped to provide case management for complex situations, the office is NOT staffed to provide 24-7 crisis intervention. Our Town Veterans’ Services webpage has posted resources for immediate crisis situations that can be used when our office is closed.
● Franklin Municipal Veterans Assistance Fund
○ This established dedicated fund authorized by the Town Council allows residents to make a donation to the fund to assist Franklin Veterans and their eligible family members with the costs of food, transportation and home heating bills. Thanks to very generous donors, in FY26 the fund has provided
$6,474.18 in aid to 9 Veterans and eligible dependents in the form of heat bill assistance, transportation to medical appointments, and car repairs. The average amount of assistance so far this fiscal year has been $719 per household. As of February 28, 2026, this fund’s balance is $15,669.01. These funds are intended to provide bridge assistance to a Veteran or eligible family member during a crisis, or for an atypical expense, such a high winter fuel bill. This fund is not intended to provide ongoing support for an unsustainable situation. In cases where more support is needed, VSO will assess eligibility for other benefits and coordinate with partner agencies to expand assistance.
● Veterans Gift/Assistance Fund
○ This fund provides additional support to assist Franklin Veterans and Veterans’ activities. Thanks to very generous donations from individuals and organizations, during FY26 we have used $10,311.52 of this fund to assist 12 Veterans and eligible dependents with housing, medical, dental, utility, and other essential expenses, in addition to $2,938.38 for Veterans’ events. The average amount of assistance so far this fiscal year has been $859 per household. As of February 28, 2026, the fund’s current balance is $99,560. These funds are intended to provide bridge assistance for essential services to a Veteran or eligible family member during a crisis, or for an atypical expense not covered by the Franklin Municipal Veterans Assistance fund. Examples include help with medical bills, dental bills, electric bills, property tax bills, durable medical equipment, and moving costs. This fund is not intended to provide ongoing support for an unsustainable situation. In cases where more support is needed, VSO will assess eligibility for other benefits and coordinate with partner agencies to expand assistance.
● Veterans Tax Work-Off Program
○ The Veterans’ Services Executive Assistant manages the Franklin Veterans Tax Work-Off Program. So far in FY 26, there are 18 participants working in a variety of town departments. Participants can work up to 100 hours to earn up to $1500 off the next fiscal year’s property tax bill. Eligibility is based on the state definition of a Veteran. Surviving spouses of deceased Veterans and spouses of disabled Veterans may also be able to participate in this program.
● Veterans Memorial Walkway
○ The Veterans’ Services Executive Assistant manages the brick orders and installment for the Veterans Memorial Walkway. To date, since the dedication of the memorial walkway in Nov. 2018, 1,953 engraved bricks have been installed. Twenty-nine (29) bricks were installed in Nov 2025 to coincide with Veterans Day. There are currently (10) brick orders to be installed before Memorial Day 2026 (order deadline is March 31, 2026). Bricks may be purchased for any U.S Veteran or current service member, living or deceased. Please visit here for more information about purchasing a brick.
● Maintenance of Town War Monuments
○ The Franklin VSO coordinates periodic cleaning and repairs of the monuments.
● Veterans Council
○ The VSO continues to chair the Veterans Council which meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7pm to discuss and plan Veterans’ events and activities. The Council is composed of representatives from Franklin Veterans organizations and other social and civic organizations in Franklin. This council is instrumental to the successful engagement of Veterans in the Franklin community.
● Veterans Day Luncheon
○ The VSO is responsible for coordinating the annual Veterans Day Luncheon, with support from the Veterans Council. The Franklin Elks Club hosted the luncheon on November 11, 2025. The luncheon featured guest speaker USAF Ronald Seyffert, a Franklin resident who spoke about his service in Vietnam and the significance of Veterans Day. The Franklin High School Chorus performed patriotic music, and the POW-MIA table was presented by USMC Veteran Patrick Doyle. The Veterans Gift Fund was used to provide flowers, decorations, and the cake for the luncheon. Volunteers from the Franklin Senior Center helped with many facets of the event. Franklin TV recorded the event and provided sound. Photos were taken by Linda Rondeau, who donated her time for the event.
● Memorial Day Events
○ The 2026 Memorial Day breakfast will be coordinated by Franklin Veterans’ Services and held on Friday, May 22, 2026 at the Franklin Senior Center. The featured speaker will be Army Veteran and Franklin DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi. The meal will be catered by the Franklin Senior Center culinary team and paid for by the Friends of the Franklin Elders. The parade and ceremony will be coordinated by American Legion Post 75, VFW Post 3402, and the Franklin VSO, in partnership with the Veterans Council, Franklin Police Department, Franklin Fire Department, Franklin DPW, Franklin Public Schools, Franklin TV, Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School, Franklin Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, and other partners. Korean War Veteran Victor Pisini has been named the 2026 Parade Marshal and will speak at the ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2026. The Veterans Services Memorial Day Fund will pay for the parade police detail, contractors to set up canopies and chairs, additional sound assistance, and breakfast supplies and decorations.
Staffing
● One (1) Director of Veteran’s Services
● One (1) part-time Veteran’s Services Executive Assistant
Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments
● Professional Development and Training
○ The Director of Veterans’ Services attends the annual Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) training, biannual MA Veterans Services Officer Association (MVSOA) trainings, and quarterly Southeastern MA Veterans Services Officer Association (SMVSOA) meetings to stay informed about all Veteran-related topics. Membership in the MVSOA includes annual dues, registration fees for biannual training events, and hotel fees for the summer training. Membership in the SMVSOA includes annual dues and registration fees for quarterly meetings. As mentioned in the core function section, the VSO also pays membership dues and annual training fees to NACVSO to maintain professional accreditation.
● The VA Boston Home Health Care
○ The VA Boston Home Health Care team presented information about VA Boston’s Home Health programs at the Veterans Coffee Social on September 3, 2025. Their presence generated a great deal of interest among the Veterans in attendance, highlighting an aspect of VA Health Care that many were not aware of.
● Survivor Benefit Discussion
○ On September 15, 2025, the Franklin VSO held an outreach event for Veterans and spouses for a comprehensive discussion of federal, state, and local survivor benefits. The following service-connected survivor benefits were discussed: DIC, burial benefits, CHAMPVA health insurance, DEA education benefits, state annuity, and property tax exemptions. The following needs-based survivor benefits were discussed: VA Survivor’s Pension and Chapter 115.
● SHEROES Luncheon
○ The Franklin VSO hosted a SHEROES Luncheon at Franklin Town Hall on October 17, 2025. Brigadier General (BG) and EOVS Deputy Secretary Andrea Gayle-Bennett presented the highlights of the Women Veteran Advisory Committee (WVAC) Report. Her inspirational presentation was followed by a deep-dive into the HERO Act by Nicholas Charrette, EOVS Deputy Chief Engagement Officer. Women Veterans from Franklin and the surrounding area were in attendance, as well as representatives from Veterans organizations such as Clear Path and Veterans’ Inc. This educational and social event created a space for meaningful discussion and connection. The luncheon was paid for by the Veterans Gift Fund.
● Veterans Display Case
○ The Veterans’ Services Executive Assistant manages the Veterans Display Case at Town Hall, creating new displays approximately every six months. FY26 started off with a display highlighting our local Veterans Organizations American Legion Post 75 and VFW Post 3402. In conjunction with the SHEROES luncheon, a new display was created featuring several local SHEROES and their inspiration for joining the military.
● Veterans Call
○ So far in FY26, Franklin TV has recorded two Veterans Call episodes. The VSO interviewed Franklin Elks Lodge Veteran Liaison Tom Marcone in September 2025. The goal of this interview was to highlight how the Elks Lodge has provided enduring support for our local Veterans. In March 2026, the VSO interviewed David Hencke, Veteran and Community Outreach Coordinator for the VA Boston Health Care system. This interview was designed as part of a broader initiative to increase Veteran awareness of the significant benefits they can receive from enrolling in VA Health Care.
● Outreach Plans for FY27
○ This will include a workshop to promote VA Health Care enrollment among all Veterans, and a VA disability workshop regarding presumptive conditions for Vietnam War Veterans. The VSO will also facilitate small-scale gatherings for Women Veterans.
● Veterans Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
○ The VSO will continue to utilize partnerships to expand community social networks, attend training sessions on how to identify at-risk Veterans and situations, work with healthcare partners to ensure at-risk Veterans and family members are given access to mental health services in a timely manner, conduct comprehensive case management for at-risk Veterans to ensure they have access to all available support systems and resources, work with the Franklin Veterans’ Liaison Police Officers to achieve optimal outcomes for Veterans in active crisis, and participate on the Franklin Crisis Action Team (FCAT).
● Veterans Coffee Socials
○ Coordinated by the Veterans’ Services Executive Assistant and catered by Franklin Starbucks free of charge, these monthly socials have maintained their popularity, with 40 to 50 Veterans typically in attendance. Guest speakers regarding Veteran-specific programs are invited on occasion. On November 5, 2025, the Franklin Food Pantry surprised Veterans with a Mobile Pantry as part of their Veterans Outreach; they are planning another visit in the spring of 2026. Clear Path for Veterans visited the coffee social on
February 4, 2026 and surprised Veterans in attendance with brand new coats. Many community partners and individual supporters provided baked goods for the coffee socials this fiscal year, including the Franklin Federated Church, Cathy Durand, and student Max Greene. On April 1, 2026, the Franklin Starbucks team will be recognized for seven years of their support at these events.
● Purple Heart Community
○ On August 6, 2025, Franklin Purple Heart recipients and surviving family members were recognized at the Veterans Coffee Social. The Purple Heart recipients in attendance were Marine Corps Veteran Richard Douglas, Army Veteran Robert Gardner, Army Veteran Gerald Bradie, and Army Veteran Roger Gilbert. Special music was performed by guitarist Heath Nisbett, who donated his time. This event was held in honor of National Purple Heart Day, which is celebrated every year on August 7th. For FY27, we will recognize our Purple Heart recipients at the Veterans Coffee Social on August 5, 2026.
● Tune It Out Guitar for Veterans
○ Since its inception in 2021, this free guitar-instruction program for Veterans continues to meet every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Franklin Senior Center. There are currently three volunteer instructors and several active participants. The group celebrated with a holiday pizza party on December 2, 2025, and will enjoy an end-of-year celebration and volunteer recognition in June 2026. Participants will receive small gifts related to their music instruction. The Veterans Gift Fund is used to support this program.
● Warrior Within Yoga Project
○ Since December 7, 2023, the nonprofit organization Warrior Within Yoga Project (WWYP) has been providing free yoga classes for Veterans, First Responders, and their immediate family members every Thursday from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Franklin Senior Center. For more information about the benefits of yoga and class schedules, click here.
● Collaboration with School Groups
○ In FY26, the VSO has collaborated with Franklin schools/students on several projects. These include working with two students from the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School (BFCCPS) on their Capstone Projects, distributing Valentines from Lincoln Street School students at the Veterans’ Coffee Social, and coordinating with Franklin High School National Honor Society students to interview Franklin Veterans for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. The Franklin High School Music Department and BFCCPS band have also participated (or will participate) in our patriotic events this year. The VSO office helps identify local Veterans to speak to students at BFCCPS around Veterans Day and Washington Street School around Memorial Day.
● Trends
○ VSO collects data and monitors trends in service provision. Trends expected to continue into FY27.
○ Veteran census will continue to decline, due to Veteran deaths, as well as a decline in the absolute number of military Veterans.
Continue reading this section in the PDF which has additional text and charts to tell the Veterans Services story
For the full FY 2027 budget narrative https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1
The FY 2027 budget information can be found
