Franklin TV: Ken Norman - In Memoriam

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 12/07/2025

2012. A lovely ‘greening’ day in April. A good day to show off the best of any town. Ken drove me (the new guy) all around Franklin. Nothing desultory about his pitch. I had just been hired as the Executive Director for what would become Franklin.TV. Although I hadn’t officially started yet, I was up for the tour. Ken didn’t disappoint. As Board President of FCCA, Inc., dba Franklin.TV, Ken was all about getting me settled in and fully engaged. He brought enthusiasm for the Town and lots of rich detail and backstory to help me know the community firsthand – to welcome me. Yes, I felt welcomed. Vested. Sold!

A week later. Tuesday. My second ‘official’ day on the job. Ken came to our studio at 13 Main that morning to see if I was okay. He instinctively knew that I had a hill to climb. Humbly, sheepishly, he asked. ‘Did I mind him stopping by? He didn’t want to intrude – get in the way or disrupt anything.’

“Are you kiddin’ me? Gladaseeya! Gladahavya! Anytime. Stop by all you want. Whenever. Sit. Let’s talk.” I welcomed him. He felt welcomed. Vested. Sold.

Thus, a deep abiding partnership was born. Partners in crime. Brothers in arms. Call it what you will, but Ken signed on to the ‘grand vision’ – all of it. Truth be told, he owns as much of any ‘grand vision’ as I do. That Summer we stumped around town looking for a new studio home. We visited other PEG studios. We discussed all manner of issues, opportunities, goals. We cobbled plans. Ken came by 3-4 times every week. Gabfests. More plans. More progress. More vision. More victories.

Ken Norman getting recognized for his services
by State Rep Jeff Roy at the Town Council Mtg 12/20/2023

This was our normal – right up until COVID, when our studio was closed – for 2 years. Together, we adapted. We soldiered on. COVID had its hidden costs for many of us. By 2023 Ken was no longer as spry. Getting around town became more challenging. Over time, I saw less of my partner in crime.

There are many business books on managing, but few on leadership. Visionary leadership is rare. There is leadership – and there is cheerleadership. Ken was a cheerleader – for me, for us, for Franklin. Every vision needs a spark. Ken passed away peacefully on Friday afternoon at The Maples in Wrentham. I miss his spark.

And – as always –

Thank you for watching.

Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 

And staying informed at Franklin●news.

 

Download a copy of the Ken Norman retrospective

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rzx2-fzT61w218Bpn4h1enlurPP-6EBR/view?usp=sharing

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, November 24, 2025 ???

Monday, November 24

What's happening in Franklin, MA ??

• No scheduled trash/recycle curbside pick up delay

6:30pm FHS Unified benefit game for KyleCares (FHS Gymnasium)

What's happening in Franklin, MA

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  Town Meetings today   **

Cultural District Committee Meeting

Monday, November 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7738/CDC-Agenda_Meeting_-Nov2025docx?bidId= 

Franklin Agricultural Committee

Monday, November 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Agricultural-Commission-13/?#_11242025-2018 

Franklin Cultural Council

Monday, November 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Cultural-Council-26/?#_11242025-2022 

Library Board of Directors Regular meeting

Monday, November 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Library-Board-of-Directors-20/?#_11242025-2024 

Recreation Advisory Board

Monday, November 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11242025-2017 

-----------

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

Amber Baur shares about her work volunteering for the Franklin Food Pantry (audio)

FM #1519 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1519 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Amber Baur, Chair of the Board of Directors, for the Franklin Food Pantry. We had our conversation in person in the community room at The Pantry on Monday, September 22, 2025. 

Discussion items: 

Amber Baur

• Amber’s background and road to The Pantry

• Board and subcommittee structure to build a pipeline of talent 

• Strategic & careful expansion of curbside services to neighboring communities

• Many opportunities to be involved to help The Pantry

The conversation runs about 34 minutes. Let’s listen in 

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1519-franklin-food-pantry-board-chair-amber-baur-09-22-25/

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

Franklin Food Pantry web page -> https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/ 

Follow The Pantry on

Facebook ->  https://www.facebook.com/FranklinFoodPantry 

Instagram ->  https://www.instagram.com/franklinfoodpan/ 

Amazon wishlist ->  https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2SIL7UR08ZZUC?ref_=wl_share 

Greater Boston Food Bank ->  https://www.gbfb.org/ 

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

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 out. 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"

Franklin Area Mom's introduce their new board for 2025-2026

Franklin Area Mom's introduce their new board for 2025-2026

"Happy Sunday!!

As board members settle into our new roles, we wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves! We’re all so excited to be serving Franklin Area Moms (FAM) this year and hope to see you at an event soon"

Click through on the link to review the Board members ->

  https://www.instagram.com/p/DOmjnwYjXvp/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, September 15, 2025 ??

Monday, September 15

Library & Senior Center events

Nomination papers due for all candidates in the Biennial Election November 3, 2025

9:00am Discussion of VA and State Survivor Benefits (Franklin Senior Center)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->        

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  Town Meetings today   **

Library Board of Directors Regular meeting

Monday, September 15 Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Library-Board-of-Directors-20/?#_09152025-1904 

Recreation Advisory Board Meeting

Monday, September 15 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09152025-1867 

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

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 TV: Our Open Board Meeting - Saturday, Aug 23 at 3 PM

It’s Happening. August 23rd at Our Studio

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 07/20/2025

Our Annual Open Board Meeting will take place as our neighborhood block party. Come to our 23 Hutchinson St. studios.

It’s open to all Franklin businesses and residents. We’ll meet-and-greet and enjoy the day starting at 3:00 PM. Come hungry and enjoy steak tips, pulled pork, dogs, burgers and all the fixin’s – along with tunes, games and fun.

You can also tour our studios and learn about Franklin●TV and wfpr●fm. We’ll also briefly review the past year’s progress and plans for the future. At our meeting you may cast your vote for new and/or renewing board positions.

Excerpt from FCCA bylaws: (Available on our website.)

Section 15. Election of Director by the Membership (a) Members shall be notified by the Clerk of the election of a director by the Membership at the Annual Meeting. Said notice shall be in accordance with the notice provisions of Section 4 of this Article IV. (b) Any eligible voting Member may be nominated for election to the position of Director by:

(i) Written notification to the Clerk no later than seven (7) days prior to Annual Meeting; or (ii) By nomination from the floor of the Annual Meeting made and seconded by no less than three (3) eligible voting members.

Thanks to our board members who contribute their time and energy to help make Franklin●TV all that a public access TV studio can be. If you would like to become involved either as a volunteer or to create your own TV or radio programs at Franklin●TV and wfpr●fm, just send an email to: info@franklin.tv with your contact information. You can also call us to discuss and explore your ideas. 508-541-4118.

Please join us at our Franklin●TV event. Come meet, greet, chow down, have fun, and learn all about local TV and radio in Franklin.

See you then.

And – as always –

Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 

And, thank you for watching.

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

MetroWest Nonprofit Network recognizes the Franklin Food Pantry Board of Directors as a Nonprofit Valuable Player (NVP)!

MetroWest Nonprofit Network recognizes
 the Franklin Food Pantry Board of Directors

Via the Franklin Food Pantry: 

"We are so incredibly proud of our 2024 Board of Directors!  

Congratulations on being named a Nonprofit Valuable Player (NVP) by the MetroWest Nonprofit Network! Your hard work and dedication to The Pantry and to our community is making a real difference and we are so grateful."

MetroWest Nonprofit Network

"Congratulations to the 2024 Board of Directors of the @Franklin Food Pantry, Inc.—our newest Nonprofit Valuable Player (NVP)! 

Nominated by Executive Director, Tina Tavares Powderly, because of their unwavering commitment to the Pantry's mission and Franklin community.

"Their strategic vision has empowered us to grow thoughtfully—investing in staff, volunteers, and infrastructure, most notably are first permanent space, to better serve those in need. This dynamic group brings diversity, dedication, brilliance, and a spirit of collaboration and fun that continually motivates and strengthens our entire organization." —Tina

 The NVP Award is part of MWNN’s Mission: Possible campaign—celebrating the individuals and organizations making their nonprofit missions possible. It's all in honor of National Nonprofit Day on 8/17."

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/19RVewN6vV/