Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
New elementary school logos designed by Franklin's Kayla Jean Creative
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Final week for "F" driveway logo fund raiser
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| Final week for "F" driveway logo fund raiser |
Friday, February 7, 2025
New Town logo (not replacing the seal)
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| New Town logo (not replacing the seal) |
"After months of work, I’m thrilled to share the refreshed visual identity for the Town of Franklin.
Inspired by the heritage brands of both New England and the Low Country, our goal was to create a design that honors the town’s 200-year history while looking ahead to the next 200.
Bridging tradition and progress, the new identity is responsive, adaptable, and extendable across the Town’s 30 departments.
This was a true labor of love, and I couldn’t be happier with the result. Excited to see it come to life throughout Franklin!"
Monday, December 23, 2024
Town Council recognizes Youth football teams, keeps Ben & adds logo, hears of forthcoming survey & more (audio)
FM #1345 This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1345 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, Dec 18, 2024. 8 of the 9 members participated in Council Chambers, 1 absent (Jones). Special vote to appoint Frongillo as temporary clerk for the meeting to be authorized to sign the documents (approved 8-0-1).
An overflow audience filled the Chambers to start and then filtered away as their recognition section was completed.
Quick recap:
PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS a. Fourth and Sixth Grade Youth Football Teams -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/G8RxjgueNHCd5UcH8
b. Peter Brunelli
c. Steve Carlucci -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/GAaiWxXj6nxTAQTR6
5. APPOINTMENTS a. Agricultural Commission - Benjamin Rousseau
Approved by vote 8-0-1 (1 absent)
Annual License Renewals = Approved by vote 8-0-1 (1 absent)
PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSIONS
a. National Citizen Survey (aka Citizen Satisfaction Survey) - Kate Hinckley, Director of GIS https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/8a._-_discussion_-_national_citizen_survey.pdf
b. Biennial Town Council - Town Administrator Midterm Goals Review - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator motion tabled from a resolution vote perspective as some of the goals will be noted as unable to complete due to funding/resource constraints.
c. Town Seal and Logo Presentation - Amy Frigulietti, Deputy Town Administrator
after some contentious discussion, the vote to approve the logo passes 6-2-1 (1 absent)
d. The Distribution of Town Initiated Ballot Question Materials - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator; Mark Cerel, Town Attorney; and Nancy Danello, Town Clerk
No real good way to accomplish this
Resolution 24-82: Adoption of Updated Fiscal Policies
approved after discussion around implication for directing school budget policy
Resolution 24-80: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4 Approved by vote 8-0-1 (1 absent)
Resolution 24-81: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($2,735), Senior Center ($130.02) , Fire Dept. ($1,515) Approved by vote 8-0-1 (1 absent)
Let’s listen to the meeting recording which runs 2 hours & 45 miuntes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1345-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-12-18-24/
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Franklin TV video of the meeting available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/5h-UYum-TtQ?&t=132
The agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_-_dec_18_2024.pdf
My set of notes collected in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yn6Ems4Gc0TfI9L-9vE_Ll40oVGHPfFU/view?usp=drive_link
-------------
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!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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| vote to approve the logo passes 6-2-1 (1 absent) |
Sunday, December 22, 2024
This Quarterbacking session recaps the Joint Budget & the Town Council meetings (audio)
FM #1344 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1344 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Thursday, December 19, 2024.
• ok, what just happened?
• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?
Topics for this session
Joint Budget meeting
• Health care, pension cost updates; deficit was 3.7ish, now more like 4.5
• Communications planned with 5 or 6 listening sessions at different locations, end of Jan through March…
Town Council meeting
PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
• Fourth and Sixth Grade Youth Football Teams
• Peter Brunelli
• Steve Carlucci
5. APPOINTMENTS = Agricultural Commission - Benjamin Rousseau
Annual License Renewals
PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSIONS
National Citizen Survey (aka Citizen Satisfaction Survey) - Kate Hinckley, Director of GIS
Biennial Town Council - Town Administrator Midterm Goals Review - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator
Town Seal and Logo Presentation - Amy Frigulietti, Deputy Town Administrator
Legislation
Resolution 24-82: Adoption of Updated Fiscal Policies
Resolution 24-80: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4
Resolution 24-81: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($2,735), Senior Center ($130.02) , Fire Dept. ($1,515)
The recording runs about 40 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap both the Joint Budget and Town Council meetings held this week. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1344-town-council-quarterbacking-12-19-24/
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Franklin TV video
Joint Budget -> https://www.youtube.com/live/Pq0-UqDkm4o?&t=54
Town Council -> https://www.youtube.com/live/5h-UYum-TtQ?&t=132
Agendas
Joint Budget -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-12-17_joint_budget_subcommittee_meeting_agenda.pdf
Town Council ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_-_dec_18_2024.pdf
My set of notes in one PDF ->
Joint Budget -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yVajSM_qNPtttoVAWuWjqA9OMDRtTyYl/view?usp=drive_link
Town Council -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yn6Ems4Gc0TfI9L-9vE_Ll40oVGHPfFU/view?usp=drive_link
--------------
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!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
Friday, December 20, 2024
Town Council recognizes Youth football teams, keeps Ben & adds logo, hears of forthcoming survey & more (video)
a. Fourth and Sixth Grade Youth Football Teams -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/G8RxjgueNHCd5UcH8
![]() |
| Fourth and Sixth Grade Youth Football Teams |
b. Peter Brunelli ->
![]() |
| Peter Brunelli recognition |
c. Steve Carlucci https://photos.app.goo.gl/GAaiWxXj6nxTAQTR6
![]() |
| Steve Carlucci family & coworkers photo |
5. APPOINTMENTS
a. Agricultural Commission - Benjamin Rousseau
Approved by vote 8-0-1 (1 absent)Annual License Renewals = Approved by vote 8-0-1 (1 absent)
PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSIONS
a. National Citizen Survey (aka Citizen Satisfaction Survey) - Kate Hinckley, Director of GIS https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/8a._-_discussion_-_national_citizen_survey.pdf
b. Biennial Town Council - Town Administrator Midterm Goals Review - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator motion tabled from a resolution vote perspective as some of the goals will be noted as unable to complete due to funding/resource constraints.
c. Town Seal and Logo Presentation - Amy Frigulietti, Deputy Town Administrator
after some contentious discussion, the vote to approve the logo passes 6-2-1 (1 absent)

vote to approve the logo passes 6-2-1 (1 absent)
d. The Distribution of Town Initiated Ballot Question Materials - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator; Mark Cerel, Town Attorney; and Nancy Danello, Town Clerk
No real good way to accomplish thisResolution 24-82: Adoption of Updated Fiscal Policies
approved after discussion around implication for directing school budget policyResolution 24-80: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4 Approved by vote 8-0-1 (1 absent)
Resolution 24-81: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($2,735), Senior Center ($130.02) , Fire Dept. ($1,515) Approved by vote 8-0-1 (1 absent)
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Economic Development Committee reviews and approves revisions to branding proposal (audio)
FM #1336 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1336 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee (EDC) held on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 in the Council Chambers.
All 4 members of the subcommittee participated in Chambers (Hamblen, Sheridan, Frongillo & Chandler).
Quick recap:
After last session, follow up discussion on the branding with one member along with a check on how much of the seal can be “changed” within the cleanup currently authorized
Memo outlines the walk through of how we got here
Visual presentation of the logo/brand with clarification on terms to be used, discussion on revision; rescission of prior recommendation and vote to accept the revision by 4-0
Visual presentation on the seal and proposed changes, addition of the glasses likely too much of a change, rescission of prior recommendation and vote to accept the revision by 4-0
Both updates scheduled for Town Council agenda Dec 18
Motion to adjourn, passes 4-0
The recording of the meeting runs about 40 minutes.
--------------
Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/B7xXNIA2ULo?si=elUr9XSRh6M8Whwu&t=27
Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-12-11_edc_agenda.pdf
Revisions as presented and approved Dec 11 -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/franklin_phase_2_-_revision_wbs_1.pdf
Additional info on the branding process can be found -> https://www.franklinma.gov/economic-development-subcommittee/webforms/edc-branding-presentations
--------------
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!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"








