Franklin Matters: Franklin 250

Showing posts with label Franklin 250. Show all posts

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

Saturday, August 29, 2026

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee met on Thursday to share updates (video)

The 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee met as scheduled in the 3rd floor Training Room on Thursday, August 27, 2026 begnning just after 7 PM.

Franklin TV recording is available for replay here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqGcII8ylBY

Meeting agenda - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08272026-2463

Quick recap:

Earmark funds spent by due date and accounted for. Funds to puchase additional clothing for sale was approved
For the community portion, little input other than mine to encourage posting the dates as they become firm so that everyone, other orgs, etc can start planning accordingly
moving the location for the next three months (Sep, Oct, Nov) to the Franklin TV studio approved via consensus
discussion on obtaining donations when not a 501(c3). there is language in the law...
Sep 3 subcmte meeting to work on finalizing the first email pitch; should also set up a separate meeting to work on the parade planning with the Police, Fire, etc.
motion to vote on the dates for the donor lunches, Oct 16, Nov 5, and Nov 19; vote on the motion via roll call, passes
Discussion on additional fund raising opportunities; need volunteers to do the additional work, it is a lot already on our plates. we spent a year spending $50k, and have 18 months to raise $750k. What is the risk if we don't reach $750K? We scale back the events; as noted earlier 2 other communities raised 400+ and 300+, the 300+ had significantly less events. What kind of celebration do we really want?
meeting adjourns at 8:25 PM

My full set of notes captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qc6qYvMBp0eKQzrwdnpjVuMH_U9s-QQH/view?usp=drive_link

Thursday, August 27, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, August 27, 2026 ???

Thursday, August 27

8:00am Early Voting - State Primary (Town Clerk's Office)

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/DocumentCenter/View/9890

*** Town Meetings today ***

Pole Petition Hearing

Thursday, August 27 Time: 10:00 AM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08272026-2460

Conservation Commission Meeting * Council Chambers

Thursday, August 27 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08272026-2473

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee Meeting * 3rd Floor Trng Room

Thursday, August 27 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08272026-2463

* both agendas initally called for their meetings to be in the 3rd floor training room. Per email with TOwn official this AM, Conservation will be held in the Council Chambers

---------

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

Sunday, August 23, 2026

Planning Board, Historical Significance Subcommittee, & School Committee meeting agendas

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, August 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08242026-2465

250th Anniversary Celebration Historical Significance Subcommittee Meeting

Monday, August 24 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08242026-2464

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, August 25 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08252026-2467

Thursday, August 20, 2026

Community Invited to Help Shape Franklin’s 250th Anniversary Celebration

The Franklin 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee invites residents to attend its general committee meeting August 27 at 7 PM, in the third-floor training room at the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central St.

Residents will receive the latest updates on the celebration plans, have the opportunity to ask questions and share ideas during citizen comments and learn how to get involved. The public may attend in person or via Zoom.

Community Invited to Help Shape Franklin’s 250th Anniversary Celebration

Franklin will mark the 250th anniversary of its incorporation on March 2, 2028. The celebration is being developed around a central vision: “A celebration of who we’ve been, who we are, and who we’re becoming together.” Planning includes community events and programming, educational initiatives, historical preservation efforts and partnerships with local organizations.

Community participation is central to that work. The committee is seeking residents who want to share ideas, volunteer at events or take a more active role in the planning process.

“The 250th anniversary gives us an opportunity to recognize the people, institutions and traditions that have shaped Franklin over the last 250 years, but our responsibility is not simply to look backward,” said Rob Browne, vice chair of the Franklin 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee. “I encourage residents to join us on Aug. 27, hear about the work already underway and learn how they can be part of what comes next. There is still a great deal of work ahead of us, and the success of this celebration will depend on the ideas, involvement and contributions of people throughout our community.”

The official meeting agenda and Zoom information are available on the Town of Franklin website: Franklin250 Agenda Aug. 27 https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08272026-2463

Residents interested in volunteering can visit the official anniversary celebration website at franklin250.org/volunteer.

About Franklin's 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee

The Committee is leading the planning and coordination of activities to commemorate the Town of Franklin’s 250th Anniversary in 2028. Through community events, educational programming, historic preservation initiatives and partnerships with local organizations. The Committee aims to celebrate Franklin’s rich history while inspiring community pride and engagement for generations to come.

Monday, August 10, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, August 10, 2026 ???

Monday, August 10

Franklin Lions Clothing Drive active through Aug 22 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/07/the-franklin-lions-conducting-clothing.html

7:00pm Franklin Democratic Town Committee (Franklin TV and Radio)

7:00pm Summer Concert Series: Bluegrass & Hillbilly (Franklin Senior Center)

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/DocumentCenter/View/9890

*** Town Meetings today ***

Franklin Housing Authority Meeting

Monday, August 10 Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08102026-2437

Franklin Public School Horace Mann Legacy Sub Committee Meeting

Monday, August 10 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08042026-2436

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, August 10 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08102026-2438

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee Meeting

Monday, August 10 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08102026-2439

---------

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

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

The Franklin 250 Team to Help Out at MetroWest Regional Fan Zone

The MetroWest Regional Fan Zone is hosting major FIFA World Cup™ watch parties right in Franklin on Wednesday June 24 and Thursday June 25 at the Franklin Town Common and adjacent Hayward Manor (195 Main St) and volunteers from the town’s Franklin 250th Celebration Committee will be helping out!

The free, family-friendly events feature a giant jumbotron, food trucks, a beer garden, and live entertainment but tickets (free) are required.

● June 24: The Festival opens 2pm – 9pm Showing: Switzerland vs Canada at 3pm and Scotland vs Brazil at 6pm

● June 25: The Festival opens 3pm – 9pm Showing: Ecuador vs. Germany at 4pm and Tunisia vs Netherlands at 7pm

In addition to helping out at the event, the Franklin 250th Celebration Committee will have a booth selling the same kinds of merchandise that made a big hit at Franklin’s Strawberry Stroll on June 12.

This week, come for the FIFA World Cup™ Watch event but stay to pick up cool new town-themed merchandise and learn about how to participate in this special town event from now through 2028!

Watch for Franklin 250 volunteers at other upcoming events including Farmers Market and at the town's Independence Day festivities on the Common, July 1-5.

About

The Franklin 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee builds on the work of townspeople who came together in 1878, 1928, and 1978 (and 2003) to commemorate important milestones in the town's life, to honor the leadership and accomplishments of the past, and to point the way toward a vibrant future for the state's 221st town. Activities and events for all ages are being planned. The seed funds for the Committee came from a state legislative earmark. All other funding will be by voluntary contributions from citizens and organizations who share a commitment to honor the past and build for the future.

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Franklin 250 Team Joins Strawberry Stroll, Shares First Logo & Merch

An exciting kickoff is coming!

Attendees at the 22nd Annual Strawberry Stroll in downtown Franklin on June 12, 2026 from 4-8 (rain date June 13) will want to visit the booth of the Franklin 250th Celebration Committee (near the Library)!

Formed in late 2025 by the Town of Franklin to ready the community to mark its first "quarter millennia" as a town, the Committee will be formally revealing its new logo and sharing fun merchandise to both build awareness and raise funds for what is to come.

The committee, composed of 15 residents, has already set dates for several celebratory events in 2028, including a parade and fireworks in September of 2028 and a gala in early November.

Between now and then, the committee is pursuing a number of fun and educational initiatives and engaging with residents, businesses, and community groups to help make this 250th celebration truly special.

Watch for Franklin 250 volunteers at other upcoming events including Watch Parties, Farmers Market and at the town's Independence Day festivities on the Common, July 1-5.

About

The Franklin 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee builds on the work of townspeople who came together in 1878, 1928, and 1978 (and 2003) to commemorate important milestones in the town's life, to honor the leadership and accomplishments of the past, and to point the way toward a vibrant future for the state's 221st town. Activities and events for all ages are being planned. The seed funds for the Committee came from a state legislative earmark. All other funding will be by voluntary contributions from citizens and organizations who share a commitment to honor the past and build for the future.