What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 ???

Tuesday, December 16

12:00pm Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

6:00pm FMS 7 GR/ 8 GR Band Concert (Franklin Middle School)

6:00pm Table Top (Franklin Public Library)

Library & Senior Center events

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   **

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee (Communications Subcmte)

Tuesday, December 16 Time: 5:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12162025-2060 

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, December 16 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12162025-2059 

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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

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

Monday, December 15

Library & Senior Center events

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   **

Franklin Public Schools Community Relations Sub Committee Meeting

Monday, December 15 Time: 6:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12152025-2050 

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee (Events & Logistics Subcmte)

Monday, December 15 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12152025-2061 

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, December 15 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12152025-2056 

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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

Agenda for Town Council meeting Dec 3: includes Tax rate hearing and FY 2027 Five Year Fiscal Forecast

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

December 3, 2025 = 6:00 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None Scheduled

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Amy Galose, Creative Corner

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Franklin’s 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee

i. New Member Maureen Brennan

ii. Ratification of Officers

1. Chair: Jayson Joyce

2. Vice Chair: Robert Browne

3. Clerk: Alan Earls

4. Treasurer: Charleen Belcher

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM

a. FY26 Tax Classification Hearing

i. Legislation for Action Item 9a

ii. Legislation for Action Item 9b

iii. Legislation for Action Item 9c

iv. Legislation for Action Item 9d

v. Legislation for Action Item 9e

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Five-Year Fiscal Forecast

i. FY26 Town Administrator memo - August 2025

ii. FY27-FY31 Fiscal Revenue forecast - August 2025

iii. FY27-FY31 Fiscal Department forecast - August 2025

iv. Budget presentation - August 2025 

v. Other Budget Resources:

1. Town Budget Website Portal

2. School Committee & School Department Website Portal

3. FY26 Compensation & Classification Plan

a. 2022-2023 Compensation & Classification Baseline study

4. Department Heads Letter - December 17, 2024

b. Deputy Town Administrator & Town Administration staffing

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 25-76: Tax Classification Residential Factor

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-76 - Majority Vote)

b. Resolution 25-77: Tax Classification Open Space Exemption

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-77 - Majority Vote)

c. Resolution 25-78: Tax Classification Small Business Exemption

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-78 - Majority Vote)

d. Resolution 25-79: Tax Classification Residential Property Exemption

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-79 - Majority Vote)

e. Resolution 25-80: Tax Classification Senior Means Tested Exemption

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-80 - Majority Vote)

f. Resolution 25-81: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44 §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-81 - Majority Vote)

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Agenda for Town Council meeting Dec 3:
includes Tax rate hearing and
FY 2027 Five Year Fiscal Forecast

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QfgJW2si5mxS-2zYN9l22AB9t7b8Ec6p/view?usp=drive_link

Town of Franklin, MA: 250 Celebration Committee

Town of Franklin, MA: 250 Celebration Committee

Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) posted Fri, Nov 21, 2025:

The 250th Birthday Celebration kicked off last Thursday night (11/20/25).

833 days to the town's 250th Birthday! 

Shared from -> 

https://t.co/7yUDEATDix

Town of Franklin to Establish a 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee

The Town of Franklin is excited to announce the establishment of a 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee. The Committee will plan, organize, and carry out events and activities pertaining to Franklin’s 250th Anniversary celebration, which will be held throughout the Town’s semiquincentennial year, culminating with a signature event marking the Town’s 250th anniversary of March 2, 2028. 

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee

“The Town Council is enthusiastic in establishing this committee in recognition of Franklin’s 250th Anniversary”, stated Town Council Chair Thomas Mercer. “The mission of the Committee is to have events throughout the year recognizing Franklin’s Past, Present and Future - engaging all Franklinites in a celebratory, collaborative, and unified manner.” 

Thirteen voting members and five ex officio non-voting staff members will be appointed to the Committee. Of the thirteen voting members, one member from the Cultural District Committee, Cultural Council, Historical Commission, and Library Board of Directors will be recommended to the Town Administrator by the Chair of each committee, and one member of the Dean College organization will be recommended by the College’s President or Interim President.  Eight At-Large Franklin residents will be selected through the Town’s standard volunteer application process. The terms of the committee members will end on June 30, 2029.

“The Committee will be asked to engage town boards, committees and departments for input, ideas and collaboration on the yearlong celebration and plan a rich program of events and activities”, said Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. “Due to the nature of this committee, the Town is able to establish a fund in accordance with MGL Chapter 53, Section 53i and fundraise to finance these programs. The Town anticipates hosting events and activities similar to what many other communities have done during their celebrations, such as a gala, carnival, parade, concert, fireworks, time capsule, monument, tours, a tree or other commemorative gesture, or whatever creative ideas the committee comes up with that tells Franklin's unique story.”

Franklin residents interested in serving on the Committee should apply via the Town’s Online Volunteer Application Form. The application will remain open to the community until September 15, 2025.  The Town anticipates that the Committee will begin meeting this October, 2025

Join us in celebrating Massachusetts 250 starting in 2025

As we look ahead to Franklin 250th anniversary in 2028, we invite you to join us in celebrating Massachusetts 250 starting in 2025!

MA 250 is all about celebrating America's 250 birthday! Communities around the commonwealth are curating programming to reflect and celebrate this milestone. How will your organization or community join in on the fun?

MA 250 Franklin

In preparation for this exciting milestone, we encourage local event organizers to incorporate a historic element into their annual programs, celebrating Franklin’s rich heritage and cultural history.

These events will be highlighted as part of a town-wide community marketing campaign that showcases the unique stories, traditions, and achievements of our town, building momentum towards the grand celebration in 2028. Let’s come together to honor the past and create a lasting legacy for the future!

Submit your MA 250 event here to be included in the program booklet - Deadline is December 6th, 2024.

https://www.franklinculture.org/ma-250-franklin-250