Town Council hears of Chief McLaughlin retirement, Electric Youth performance, and approves union contracts (video)

The Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in the Council Chambers with 8 present initially and the 9 joined in progress.

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/RpRNbG1tXVw?&t=188

Agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06182025-1788

Electric Youth made their annual 'bon voyage' appearance to perform an a cappella number

Quick recap:

• Fire Chief McLaughlin reads statement announcing his retirement on or before Oct 1, 2025. He lists the accomplishments of his time here including that the Department has multiple qualified candidates to replace him. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen confirms later in the meeting that the position posting will be for internal candidates only.
• Electric Youth made their annual 'bon voyage' appearance to perform an a cappella number fittingly "Time of my Life" from the Dirty Dancing movie
• Appointment to the Council on Aging: Elizabeth Sawyer, approved
• Appointment to the Disability Commission: Cheryl Fisher, approved
• La Cantina was approved for their Farmers Market license
• The Community Survey results were released and explained. Results can be compared with over 500 communities. Good response rate, among the best at 20%, effectively a better representation of the sense of the community with the random sample selection. Paid via Federal grant money as a pilot program. No definitive timeline for a next survey. Likely a discussion later this year on what the results can be used for
• Report ->  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5956/8a-Polco-Survey-Final-Report
• Presentation doc ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5945/Polco---The-NCS-Presentation-Franklin-MA-2025
• Town presentation doc by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5946/Town-of-Franklin---The-NCSPresentation
• All the details in the survey are posted on one Town page ->   https://franklinma.gov/974/National-Community-Survey
• Motion made and approved to create the Franklin 250 Celebration Committee. Up to 13 members with some specific representation and some at large residents, Term thru June 30, 2029. Plan the year long celebration, engaging, calendar, programs, access, etc. The committee needs to be of people who are willing to do the work. Town staff as ex officio to assist the committee, the committee needs to do the work. Discussion on council membership in "at large role"
• Resolution 25-39: FY25 Budget Transfers. Balancing the books better before they close out June 30. Out of $150m budget balancing on $40k is amazing
• Councilor Cormier-Leger arrives at 9:25 PM. Council enters Executive Session shortly after to discuss contract negotiation.  They returned approx. 15 minutes later to approve 7 motions certifying the contract with Town side bargaining units. All received the same 2.5% COLA that the School teachers agreed to, for a 3 year term.
• Meeting adjourned

My complete set of notes captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bUOaCgv7a1pv5MHGIqweTwmKy2MkAEjW/view?usp=drive_link

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, June 16, 2025 ???

Library & Senior Center events

Monday, June 16

7am 2nd Annual Nick Strong Golf Tournament (New England Country Club)

9am Senior Olympics open (Senior Center)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   

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

**  Town Meetings today   **

Planning Board Meeting (Executive session, no remote participation)

Monday, June 16, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Planning-Board-23/?#_06162025-1786

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What's happening today in Franklin? 

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 - Agenda for meeting April 29 at 7 PM

Franklin School Committee 

April 29, 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. None

III. Discussion/Action Items

A. Elementary Report Cards

I recommend approval of the proposed changes to the Elementary Report Card as discussed.   

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5568674/Discussion_Action_A_-_Elem._Report_Cards.pdf

B. Letter of Support

I recommend approval of the letter of support for an Act to Modernize Funding for Community Media Programming as discussed.  

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5568677/Discussion_Action_B_-_Letter_of_Support.pdf

IV. Discussion Only Items

A. Campus Naming Discussion

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 April 8, 2025 School Committee Meeting as detailed.

B.   Music Gift

I recommend the acceptance of $2,442.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for in-house enrichment as detailed.

C.   Scholarships

I recommend the acceptance of $7,000.00 for FHS Scholarships as follows:

● $1,500.00 Carol Mahar Scholarship

● $2,500.00 Digital Federal Credit Union

● $2,000.00 Class of 2025 Memorial Scholarship

● $750.00 Oskey Yearbook

● $250.00 Art NHS

D. American Heart Association Gift

I recommend the acceptance of $5,100.00 from the American Heart Association for the Kid’s Heart Challenge to be distributed as follows:

● Jefferson $1,000.00

● Keller $  700.00

● Kennedy $1,700.00

Franklin, MA; School Committee

● Oak St $1,200.00

● Parmenter $  500.00

 

VII. Citizen’s Comments

VIII. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

IX. Executive Session

A. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(2) to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel

X. Discussion/Action Item

A. Superintendent Contract

The Chair recommends approval of the successor contract for Lucas Giguere to serve as Superintendent of Schools, July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2031.

XI. Adjournment

Meeting agenda doc -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5568671/SCAGENDA_4-29-25.pdf

Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/april-29%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/792078

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 ???

Tuesday, March 18

* Dine out at Hot Table on March 18 to help the Music Boosters

* Senior Center Closed today, no events other than bus service

* "Look Up" Gallery (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

9:00am Fallen Hero: Elton E Ekstrom (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

11:00am Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

6:00pm Table Top (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Musical Bingo (Raillery Public House)

For additional details on Library events ->    

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

** Town Meetings today   **

Franklin School Committee - Negotiations - Executive Session

Tuesday, March 18th  Time: 4:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/School-Committee-35/?#_03182025-1585

Franklin School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting (virtual only) = Tuesday, March 18th Time: 5:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03182025-1610

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Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

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 Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

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-calendars

Franklin School Committee hears concerns from teachers before vote to approve FY 2026 budget (audio)

FM #1380 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1380 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Feb 11, 2025. All 7 members participated in Council Chambers. 

The public section of the meeting was comparatively short. They did enter Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations and did not return to the public meeting.

Quick recap

• The Keller Student Council stepped forward to lead the Pledge of Allegiance to open the meeting

• During the Superintendent's report, there was recognition of 4 FHS musicians who were selected to the All-State Music Festival; Emma Anderson (French horn), Ace Eagerman (string bass), Alex Fioavanti (?) and Emily Lou, (violin) 

• During the discussion prior to the vote on the budget, a number of teachers from elementary, middle, and high school stepped up to comment on the decline of funding over the years, the impact on the students and their educational development effects on college prep with a limit on foreign language options less than optimal and not talked of impacts to the new schedule at both elementary & middle levels while individual classes size is maintained within guidelines,the teacher workload increases

• The committee did vote 7-0 on the proposed budget; I assume it is possible to make further adjustments (as hoped for by some of the teachers) given the position we are in for this budget cycle

• The budget as approved does assume a successful  override although that decision remains before the Town Council at a March meeting, after the listening sessions are completed. Date and amount of override to be determined

• School calendar for the 2025-2026 year was approved. It does start after Labor Day this year to enable the move in Sept 2025 to be completed. Resumption of pre-Labor Day start is expected for the next school year

• Discussion on a draft of the School Committee meeting calendar covered multiple topics mostly around the local election in November and to prepare for a new committee to be able to transition into their new role more easily than prior

• Motion to enter into Executive session, not to return to public meeting for contract negotiation discussions

The recording runs about 1 hour & 40 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1380-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-02-11-25/

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Photos taken during the meeting can be found in one album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wUQtiMDnwKLSQyTa9  

 

The Franklin TV video is available for replay here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfqefUMtloU&t=51 

The agenda doc can be found -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/School-Committee-35/?#_02112025-1571 

Meeting packet (other docs as they are released after the meeting will get posted here) -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/february-11%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/756881 

My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xUU7zppEaNgj9xN442EdbZnFvnqI3VSM/view?usp=drive_link   

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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!

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

School Committee & Supt Gigure posed with All-State Music Festival; Emma Anderson (French horn), Ace Eagerman (string bass), Alex Fioavanti (?) and Emily Lou, (violin)

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, February 4, 2025 ???

Tuesday, February 4

• Last days to order charCUTEerie box - Food Pantry fund raiser
• Fudge Fund Raiser for Friends of Franklin Library 

11:00am Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

6:00pm Table Top (Franklin Public Library)

6:30pm Franklin Garden Club - monthly meeting (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm Musical Bingo (Raillery Public House)

7:00pm Friends of Franklin Public Library Book Club (Franklin Public Library)

**   Town Meetings today   **

Franklin Public Schools Contractual Negotiations (executive session)

Tuesday, February 4, 2025 - 4:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02042025-1537

Franklin School Committee Meeting - Budget Hearing FY 2026 (Council Chambers & broadcast)

February 4, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5247243/SCAGENDA_2-4-25_Budget_Open_Hearing.pdf

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

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 Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

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-calendars

2 School Committee meetings scheduled for Tuesday, Feb 4; the budget hearing (at 7 PM) is the one to pay attention to

Franklin Public Schools Contractual Negotiations (executive session)

Tuesday, February 4, 2025 - 4:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02042025-1537

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Franklin School Committee

February 4, 2025 - 7:00 P.M.

Municipal Building – Council Chambers

Call to Order                                             Mr. Callaghan

Pledge of Allegiance

Moment of Silence

FY26 Budget Open Hearing

Adjournment

Franklin School Committee Meeting (Budget hearing - Council Cambers)

February 4, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5247243/SCAGENDA_2-4-25_Budget_Open_Hearing.pdf

The budget book was mentioned as being available for the budget hearing. It is not yet posted (as of late Friday, Jan 31) to the FY 2026 budget page.

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/about-us/school-district-budget/fy2026-budget/728831

2 School Cmte meetings scheduled for Tues, Feb 4; the budget hearing (at 7 PM) is the one to pay attention to