Governor’s Supplemental Budget – Education Earmark Awards for Franklin Public Schools

via Superintendent Lucas Giguere

"I am excited to share that Franklin has been awarded two education earmarks under the Fair Share Supplemental Budget. Governor Healey’s Supplemental Budget, signed on June 24, 2025, invests in education and transportation across the Commonwealth, with funding directed toward projects that support students at every level.

The first earmark, $75,000, will support the replacement of a specialized transportation van. This funding enables us to continue updating our aging fleet, ensuring that students who require these services have access to safe and reliable transportation. Special thanks go to State Representative Jeff Roy for his advocacy in securing this important support.

specialized transportation van

The second earmark, $100,000, will support the first phase of improvements within our school courtyards, transforming them into outdoor learning environments and engaging spaces for students. These redesigned areas will enhance the interior spaces within the school footprint, creating safe, flexible, and inspiring environments for hands-on learning and social interaction. Special thanks to State Senator Rebecca Rausch for her advocacy in securing these important funds.

Details on the earmarks statewide can be found on the state’s website:

👉 Fair Share Supplemental Budget – Education Earmarks

We are deeply grateful for this recognition and support. Thank you to our legislators and community partners for their continued advocacy on behalf of Franklin Public Schools.

FY26 MIIA Safety Grant

I would like to thank the Town of Franklin and Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and his staff for supporting Franklin Public Schools in submitting our proposal for additional two-way radios for our schools. The proposal was awarded in the amount of $9,945. These two-way radios help to support a safe learning environment for students and staff, and ensure quick and efficient communication throughout each school day and in the event of an emergency.

Shared from the FPS Page -> https://www.franklinps.net/live-feed#10203952

Understanding Antisemitism in 2025 - A Panel Discussion - Oct 28, 2025

On Tuesday, October 28, join State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin), Rabbi Rachel Putterman of Temple Etz Chaim, and Reverend Kathleen McAdams of St John Episcopal Church for a panel discussion regarding antisemitism in the current moment. The event will take place at 7 PM at Franklin High School.

Understanding Antisemitism in 2025 -
A Panel Discussion - Oct 28, 2025 

Rep. Roy will moderate the panel discussion which will include the following:

• Jeremy Burton, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston
• Rabbi Rachel Putterman, Temple Etz Chaim in Franklin
• Dr. Miri Bar-Halprin, Director of Trauma Training and Services at Parents for Peace and a lecturer at Harvard Medical School
• Mike Rubin, Uxbridge High School Principal and President of Temple Etz Chaim
• State Rep. Simon Cataldo, Co-Chair of the Special Massachusetts Committee on Combating Antisemitism
• Rev. Kathy McAdams, Saint John Episcopal Church, Franklin

This community conversation will address the history of antisemitism, experiences of antisemitism today, and communal responses to antisemitism including the work of the Special Commission and public school curriculum requirements.

Occurrences of antisemitic incidents have dramatically increased over the past five years, including in our community, especially since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023. According to the Anti-Defamation League New England (ADL), there were 438 antisemitic incidents in Massachusetts in 2024, a nearly threefold increase from 152 antisemitic incidents in 2022.

There will be time at the end for the panelists to answer questions from the audience.

This event is open to the public.

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, September 20, 2025 ??

Saturday, September 20

9am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9am Library Book Sale (Franklin Public Library)

10am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10am Rise Up (Franklin United Methodist Church)

10:30am Laptop Refurbishing Events (New England Chapel)

10:30am Weekend Wiggles! (Franklin Public Library)

11am Fall Safety Fest (Fletcher Field)

12pm 5th Annual Mexican Independence Day Fiesta (La Cantina Winery)

1pm Library Books by the Bag Sale (Franklin Public Library)

6pm Free Danielle Miraglia Concert at SAFE Cafe After Dark (31 Hayward St)

8pm Karaoke at The Raillery (Raillery Public House)

** NO Town Meetings today   **

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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

Reminder: Fall Safety Fest Franklin - Saturday, Sep 20

Join us for the Fall Safety Fest on Saturday, September 20 from 11 AM to 2 PM at Fletcher Field, 45 Peck Street in Franklin! Hosted by the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff Patrick McDermott in partnership with Representative Jeffrey N. Roy, this free community event will include a touch-a-truck experience, live K9 demonstrations, family activities, community vendors, resources, and free food.  We will also be collecting non-perishable food items for the Franklin Food Pantry. Bring the family and enjoy a day of fun, food, and community. We hope to see you there!

Norfolk County Sheriff's Office | 200 West St | Dedham, MA 02027 US

Sheriff Patrick McDermott, the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office & State Rep Jeffrey Roy to host Fall Safety Fest in Franklin on Sep 20

Sheriff Patrick McDermott, the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office, and State Representative Jeffrey Roy are teaming up to host a free Fall Safety Fest at Fletcher Field in Franklin on Saturday, September 20, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

The safety fest will bring together local public safety agencies, community organizations, and Franklin area residents for an event filled with interactive displays, K9 and safety demonstrations, and a touch-a-truck experience, featuring vehicles from the Franklin Police, Fire, and Department of Public Works and the NCSO Command Center.

“We are getting a jump on fall with a great opportunity for people to meet the public safety professionals, local leaders, and organizations who serve their communities, said Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott. “We are excited to partner with Rep. Jeff Roy for this fun, family day.”

Children can explore a bouncy house and obstacle course, and all guests can enjoy complimentary hamburgers and hot dogs, courtesy of the sheriff’s “Tactical Picnic Unit.”

“The safety fest is a nice way for people to learn about the many local resources available to them across Norfolk County,” said Rep. Jeffrey Roy, 10th Norfolk. “We look forward to welcoming people of all ages to Fletcher Field as fall is about to settle into Massachusetts.”

Residents are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the safety fest in support of the Franklin Food Pantry.

Parking for Fletcher Field is located at both 45 Street and 84 Wachusett Street in Franklin.

Town Council retires Fire chief, appoints new one, hears from Legislative delegates, Norfolk Cnty Sheriff & Food Pantry (audio)

FM #1507 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1507 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council Meeting held Wednesday, Sep 3, 2025. 8 members were present to begin the session (Pellegri absent), one member during the long session (Chandler)

Discussion items: 

PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Proclamation: Hunger Action Month

b. Police Department

i. Retirement Recognition & Proclamation: Police Sergeant Michael Campanelli

ii. Promotion Recognition: Police Sergeant Joseph MacLean

c. Retirement Recognition & Proclamation: Fire Chief James McLaughlin

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Fire Chief  - Chuck Allen

b. Community Preservation Committee - Richard Johnson    

c. Cultural Council

i. Ryan Hanley

ii. William Lee

iii. Caryn Parnell

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Franklin Food Pantry Update: Tina Powderly, Executive Director

b. Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Update: Patrick McDermott, Norfolk County Sheriff

c. Legislative Update: Senator Rebecca Rausch and Representative Jeff Roy

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 25-50: Adoption of Local Initiative Program “Friendly 40B” Policy (Tabled from July 23, 2025 Town Council Meeting) 

b. Bylaw Amendment 25-942: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic - Second Reading 

c. Resolution 25-56: Acceptance of Gifts - Veteran’s Services ($750), Senior Center ($100)  

d. Resolution 25-57: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44 §53F3/4  

The meeting recording runs about 4 hours and 10 minutes (the recess audio was removed to shorten the elapsed time). Let’s listen in Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1507-franklin-ma-town-council-meeting-09-03-25/

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

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5ILK2Y6yTw 

The agenda doc ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09032025-1891  

My notes captured in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/12XGRErMbkxyGIwR7fA0nqhhzqnrsJ-mV/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"

Tom Mercer condenses the 4.5 hour 9/03/25 Council meeting to less than 30 mins (audio)

FM #1506 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1506 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, September 4, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of September 3, 2025.

We focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Discussion items: 

PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Proclamation: Hunger Action Month

b. Police Department

i. Retirement Recognition & Proclamation: Police Sergeant Michael Campanelli

ii. Promotion Recognition: Police Sergeant Joseph MacLean

c. Retirement Recognition & Proclamation: Fire Chief James McLaughlin

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Fire Chief  - Chuck Allen

b. Community Preservation Committee - Richard Johnson    

c. Cultural Council

i. Ryan Hanley

ii. William Lee

iii. Caryn Parnell

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Franklin Food Pantry Update: Tina Powderly, Executive Director

b. Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Update: Patrick McDermott, Norfolk County Sheriff

c. Legislative Update: Senator Rebecca Rausch and Representative Jeff Roy

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 25-50: Adoption of Local Initiative Program “Friendly 40B” Policy (Tabled from July 23, 2025 Town Council Meeting) 

b. Bylaw Amendment 25-942: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic - Second Reading 

c. Resolution 25-56: Acceptance of Gifts - Veteran’s Services ($750), Senior Center ($100)  

d. Resolution 25-57: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44 §53F3/4  

The conversation runs about 29 minutes. Let’s listen in

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1506-town-council-quarterbacking-09-04-25/

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

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5ILK2Y6yTw 

The agenda doc ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09032025-1891  

My notes captured in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/12XGRErMbkxyGIwR7fA0nqhhzqnrsJ-mV/view?usp=drive_link 

Background on “assessment center”  https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/assessment-and-selection/other-assessment-methods/assessment-centers/

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

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"

Tom Mercer condenses the 4.5 hour 9/03/25 Council meeting to less than 30 mins (audio)