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

Senator Rausch schedules office hours at Franklin Senior Center - Monday, Oct 20

Senator Rausch schedules office hours at
Franklin Senior Center - Monday, Oct 20

Senator Becca Rausch will be holding office hours at the Senior Center next month and still has two slots available.

To sign up please visit: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904044ea4ad2fa3f85-senator2#/

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DOoWpOjjXyK/

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/

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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 

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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!

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

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/

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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)

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

The Franklin (MA) Town Council spent almost 4.5 hours at their Wednesday, Sep 3, 2025 meeting. One member was absent, one member left early leaving 7 total for the major legislative vote portion of the session.

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

Quick recap:

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