Franklin Matters: 2026-09-13

Sunday, September 13, 2026

Agenda for Town Council meeting Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 6 PM

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

September 16, 2026, 6:00 PM

Franklin Municipal Building:

Council Chambers

355 East Central Street, 2nd Floor

Agenda for Town Council meeting Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 6 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 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. COUNCILOR COMMENTS

4. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Joint Budget Subcommittee (next meeting: TBD)

b. Economic Development Subcommittee (next meetings: Sept. 17, 6pm & Oct 1, 6pm)

c. Communications Subcommittee (next meeting TBD)

d. Town Charter Ad Hoc Committee (next meeting: TBD)

e. Police Station Building Committee (next meeting: TBD)

5. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

6. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Proclamation: Hunger Action Month

b. Town Staff Retirements
i. John Rondeau, Facilities, 35 Years
ii. Michael Ellsworth, Facilities, 33 Years
iii. Patrick Farrell, DPW, 32 Years
iv. Irene McDonough, Facilities, 29 Years
v. Jon Chalk, Fire Dept, 21 Years

7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. August 12, 2026

8. APPOINTMENTS

a. Franklin Cultural Council
i. Brittany Capozzi
ii. Jorge Marinez
iii. Jessica Phillips
iv. Nancy Rabinowitz
v. Leslie Rappaport-Atlas

9. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 6:00 PM - None Scheduled.

10. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled.

11. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Franklin Elks Riders Donation to Veterans’ Services Department

i. Legislation for Action #12a

b. Legislative Update - Senator Rebecca Rausch & Representative Jeffrey Roy

c. Franklin Food Pantry Update - Tina Powderly, Executive Director, Franklin Food Pantry

d. SAFE Coalition Update - Jennifer Knight-Levine, Executive Director, SAFE Coalition

e. 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee Update - Jayson Joyce, Chair & Rob Browne, Vice Chair https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10976/11e-PRESENTATION---250th-Committee

i. Legislation for Action #12b

12. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 26-52: Acceptance of Gifts - Veterans Services Department ($2,000) (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-52 - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10968/12a-1---26-52---MEMO---Gift-Acceptances---Veterans-Services-Dept_2_combine

b. Resolution 26-53: Transfer of $25,000 from the Marketing & Branding Capital Account to the 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-53 - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10977/12b-Transfer-of-25k-to-250th-Committee

c. Resolution 26-54: Appropriation of Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming Per MGL Chapter 44, Section 53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-54 - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10967/12c-26-54-PEG-Comcast--Verizon

13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. Exemption #6: Considering the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Public Body and the Chair so-declares:

i. “Other Property” potentially available for Town purchase/acquisition

b. Exemption: To review and approve minutes from Town Council Executive Sessions.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09162026-2512

Franklin TV: You're On! Man-on-the-Street Interviews

Think you can avoid the Franklin TV camera? Think again!

Our Franklin TV crew will be out and about with RJ Sheedy, hitting the festival grounds for some good old-fashioned man-on-the-street interviews.

We'll be asking festival-goers questions, getting reactions, finding out what everyone is enJoy1ng, and hopefully catching a few unexpected answers along the way. You never know when you might find yourself on Franklin TV - so keep an eye out for our crew!

And remember: if you see a camera pointed your way, just go with it.

You could be the next Harvest Fest celebrity.

Be sure to swing by the Franklin TV Tent while you're enjoying the festival.

We'll have games, fun activities, and plenty of opportunities to meet the people behind Franklin TV. Stop by and say hello to our new Executive Director, Liz Harkins, and meet some of the talented producers who help make Franklin TV great.

Ever wondered what it actually takes to turn an idea into a television production?

Our producers will be there to tell you firsthand - from coming up with an idea and planning a production to getting the cameras rolling and bringing a finished program to the community.

Whether you're an experienced producer, someone with a great idea, or simply curious about how community television works, we'd love to talk with you.

And yes, there may be a few rubber ducks involved. Because at Franklin TV, we're not just floating ideas - we're helping them make a splash!

Harvest Fest is about celebrating Franklin, and Franklin TV is proud to be part of that celebration. Whether you stop by the WFPR.FM stage, spot our crew roaming the festival, or visit our tent to meet the team, we hope you'll take a moment to say hello.

Come see what's happening behind the cameras, meet the people who make Franklin TV happen, and maybe even become part of the show!

We'll see you at Harvest Fest - and we promise, it'll be anything but a dry event.

- Liz Harkins

Executive Director, Franklin TV & WFPR-FM

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

Reminder: "Mercy and Malevolence – Discovering the Complex Story of St. Theresa’s Home of the Little Flower"

Where are they now, the scores of children who once resided in Franklin’s Catholic orphanage? The Franklin Historical Museum wants to know!

From the early 1940s to the early 1950s, an orphanage, operated by a Catholic religious order, occupied the Hayward Manor in Franklin, which had just recently been sold by its original owners, the family of a prominent textile executive. St. Theresa’s Home of the Little Flower (also known as the Home of the Holy Child) was never a large institution, with no more than a few dozen children at a time housed there, but it left a deep impression on many of them. Inmates included children from around the region as well as several from Franklin itself whose circumstances made it difficult or impossible for their families to care for them.

On Sept. 13, Franklin Historical Museum Presents:
Mercy and Malevolence – Discovering the Complex
Story of St. Theresa’s Home of the Little Flower

At the time the “social safety net” was all but non-existent and some children were rescued from a life on the streets, stealing food to survive, and given food, clothing, and education. But the Bernardine sisters were not always up to the task, and some of those who lived there remember cruelty, a grim, unchanging routine, and a spartan diet. What’s more, the children mostly spoke English while most of the nuns spoke Polish – a formula for conflict and frustration.

Anyone who was ever a resident at the home or their family members are especially encouraged to attend. There will be a brief overview of history and newspaper stories about the Orphanage and those with stories to tell will be encouraged to share them.

On Sunday, Sept 13, 2026, the museum is open from 1-4 on Sunday and the program starts at 1:15. There is no admission charge but donations are encouraged and appreciated. Contact Alan Earls with questions at alan.r.earls@gmail.com or 508 560 3786.

Where's The Toast Memory Cafe returns Wednesday, Sep 16 at 1:00 PM

On behalf of the Franklin Senior Center, we would like to extend an invitation to our September 16th Where's the Toast?! Memory Cafe.

Memory cafés offer a safe, judgment-free space to connect, socialize, and enjoy meaningful activities together, emphasizing companionship, creativity, and shared experiences. For individuals living with dementia, memory cafés help reduce isolation and foster a sense of belonging. For caregivers, they provide encouragement, understanding, and the chance to connect with others who truly support them.

Whether you come for conversation, laughter, music, or simply to be among supportive community members, you are welcome just as you are.

We hope you’ll join us and be part of a community built on connection, dignity, and joy. Please RSVP to Amanda Rabbitt at arabbitt@franklinma.gov so we are ready to welcome you to the program!

Sincerely,

Amanda S. Rabbitt

Supportive Day Program and

Special Project Coordinator

Tax Work Off Liaison

10 Daniel McCahill St

Franklin, Massachusetts 02038-1352

Encore Music Academy schedules an Open House for Saturday, October 3, 2026

"Encore is having an OPEN HOUSE!

Come join us on Saturday, October 3, from 9 AM to 2 PM to see what we have to offer.

We will be hosting tours and demo classes.

See you soon!

Call - 508-533-7700
web page - encoremusicacademy.net
Email - info@encoremusicacademy.net"

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DdHjrvzpNF9/

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project: Construction Updates ~ Monday, September 14 through Friday September 18

Old West Central - Between Tri-County Drive and Dunkin Donuts: Traffic Rerouting Alert: Monday (9/14) through Friday (9/18)

Starting Monday, September 14, between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., the Contractor will start reclaiming the road and preparing the area for final pavement. Traffic for the dead end section of Old West Central serving Ledgewood Condominiums and Franklin Crossing will be rerouted as necessary. Those residents should continue to follow the posted signs for directions on exiting and entering.

West Central Street (Near BJ's) Potential Lane Closure Alert: Monday (9/14) through Friday (9/18) 7 AM to 4 PM

Monday (9/14) through Friday (9/18) between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., the contractor will work on the elevated sewer along West Central Street. During this time there will be a lane closure on West Central Street between 99 Restaurant and BJ's. Traffic leaving BJ's and the Conlyn Avenue area will be detoured onto Forge Parkway to access Rt. 140. Please use caution when traveling in this area and follow all posted detour signs.

For additional info on the project - https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/557/Beaver-Street-Interceptor-BSI-Project