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 *
FM #1776 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1776 in the series.
This session shares my conversation with Mitzi Gousie, Programming and Outreach Librarian with the Franklin Public Library. We had our discussion virtually on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
We talk about
Reviewed the regular open hours, book sale and holiday scheduling for the month
Limited services during regular hours on Friday, July 3
Closed all day Saturday, July 4 for the holiday
Library events for July 2026
In calendar order rather than by category this time around
Note: Updated after we recorded this, the Sunday hours will return in September 2026.
Registration for those events required should be done through the Town website, Library page. There are nefarious folks trying to convince folks otherwise via Facebook. Be safe, use the official Town and Library pages.
The show notes include links to the Library page and to the calendar of events where registration for some of the events is required/recommended.
The recording runs about 33 minutes, so let’s listen in.
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!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
"Despite what you may have heard, there is no definitive version of the song America the Beautiful.
Katharine Lee Bates wrote its lyrics as a poem in 1893, inspired by an ecstatic road trip from the Massachusetts house she shared with her longtime companion Katharine Coman to a teaching gig in Colorado. Over the next few decades, dozens of musicians set it to music, including a tune by New Jersey’s Samuel A Ward. The uniting of the text to a hymn Ward had previously composed in 1882 became, in time, a standard. In 1972, Ray Charles recorded the more or less definitive performance of it. But everyone from Pete Seeger to Tammy Faye Messner have tried their hand at Bates’s ode to equality between peoples and equanimity with nature. At Joe Biden’s inauguration, Jennifer Lopez belted it into a medley, while Carrie Underwood struggled through it at Donald Trump’s second one.
The Korean-born, New Jersey-based pianist Min Kwon has spent her career thinking of ways to build communities through interpretation. As professor of piano at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, she curated concerts featuring university pianists at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall – like a 2015 performance of 50 variations on a waltz the Viennese music publisher Anton Diabelli commissioned in the 1820s from composers including Franz Schubert and Franz Liszt. After that challenge, she says: “I wanted to create a kind of new American Diabelli.” She just needed to find the right theme."
"VOTERS WILL NOT have a $5 billion question to answer after all.
The state’s highest court on Thursday tossed a measure seeking to trim the income tax rate by one-fifth from the November ballot, stopping in its tracks a bruising, months-long political fight that would have carried major implications for both household budgets and public services.
Justices on the Supreme Judicial Court(SJC) ruled that the attorney general’s office erred in its summary of the question, rendering the measure ineligible to appear before voters in November.
It’s a massive decision that cuts the fuse of a revenue bomb that had top Democrats in the House, Senate, and corner office sweating. Independent analysts estimated that reducing the income tax rate from 5 percent to 4 percent, once fully implemented, would trim more than $5 billion from the state’s coffers, likely forcing cuts to public spending.
Justice Serge Georges, Jr., writing for a unanimous court, said the official summary produced by Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s team “misstates the petition’s impact” by incorrectly stating the rate cut would not impact taxes on long-term capital gains.
“The summary’s contrary statement is not a minor imprecision. It is significantly misleading and likely to influence voters,” Georges wrote, concluding that the AG’s office therefore did not provide a sufficiently “fair” summary."
From the time of our country’s founding 250 years ago, the story of America has been one of the constant efforts of Americans—from all races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities—to make real the belief that we are all created equal and have a right to have a say in our democracy. We will be telling their stories over the next several weeks because now, as ever, “We Are America.”
Dr. Jason Herbert is a historian, public scholar, and outdoorsman from Kentucky. Herbert tells us about the Acadians, French settlers expelled from British Canada, who helped to create today’s Cajun culture.
Town of Franklin (MA): Design Review Mtg held on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 was recorded by Franklin Planning & Community Development via Zoom using the OWL camera.
The video was edited by Steve Sherlock, Franklin Matters/Franklin Public Radio and is now available for viewing on YouTube.
Joint Statement from Bipartisan Kids Online Safety Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Jake Auchincloss and Erin Houchin on the Meta, YouTube Social Media Trial Verdict
"Today is a good day in the overdue effort to hold social media corporations accountable. Meta and YouTube tried to deny, deflect, and delay – but a jury heard the evidence and found them negligent in how they designed their apps for children.
However, Congress must be clear-eyed about the limits of litigation. Going forward, the platforms will change their terms of service language and continue to hide their exploitation of children behind bad-faith Section 230 defenses.
Lawmakers must come together in a bipartisan effort to pass a federal age assurance law that raises the age of Internet adulthood to at least 16 years old and holds apps liable for adhering to it. We have the bills, we're on the committee of jurisdiction, and we're committed to working together to make it happen."
Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) and Erin Houchin (R-IN)
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct an Integrated Monitoring Review of Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School during the week of March 9, 2026.
Each school district, charter school, vocational school, and virtual school undergoes an Integrated Monitoring Review every three years. The areas addressed during an Integrated Monitoring Review are organized into two groups, known as Group A Universal Standards and Group B Universal Standards.
DESE
Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School will be undergoing a Group A monitoring review that focuses on special education student identification and special education eligibility timelines; Individualized Education Program (IEP) development; programming and support services; procedural requirements for suspensions and equal opportunity. For additional information please also see Integrated Monitoring Parent and Family Orientation.
The process includes interviews with district staff and administrators, a review of student records, policies and procedures, and school building visits. The process may also include parent/caregiver, student and teacher focus group meetings to gather additional information. Interpretation will be provided, if needed.
The Department will also send a parent survey, in multiple languages and formats, as needed, to parents /guardians of special education students to gather key information on the special education processes and procedures.
Parents/guardians and other stakeholders may call Charles Agong, Monitoring Review Chairperson, at (781) 338-3753 or Charles.O.Agong@mass.gov to request a telephone interview. If anyone requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.
Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the charter school with a report that includes information on further actions that may be required. The public can access the report at https://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/default.html.
"Even in schools, it doesn't matter what the size of the screen is...and it doesn't matter who bought it...All of these things are also going to hurt learning, which in turn are going to hurt our kids' cognitive development."
Hosted by Kahlil Mateus, we sat down with Congressman Jake Auchincloss for a powerful conversation about the future of vocational‑technical education and why it matters for today’s students and communities. He also gives a behind‑the‑scenes look at life as a member of Congress and shares meaningful advice for students planning their next steps.
An inspiring, insightful episode you won’t want to miss.
Today (1/16/26), Governor Maura Healey celebrated the completion of the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) transmission line and is now delivering affordable, stable hydropower from Canada to Massachusetts. The NECEC line will provide Massachusetts with nearly 20 percent of its overall electricity, deliver $3.38 billion in total net economic benefits to Massachusetts ratepayers over the life of the contracts, and reduce ratepayer bills by around $50 million each year.
“Today, power is flowing to Massachusetts through the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line,” said Governor Healey. “My administration worked closely with the Legislature, the Attorney General, and private partners to ensure the project moved forward and delivered savings. The NECEC line represents our all-of-the-above approach in action – working with regional partners to bring affordable energy into the state that will lower costs and meet our growing demand. We are proud to flip the switch on this line and bring costs down, and we are continuing to work to bring more energy into Massachusetts.”
“Over $3 billion in benefits will flow into Massachusetts thanks to this major transmission line,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “That means lower bills, more jobs, and the power we need to grow our economy. Our administration played an important role in keeping this project on track and affordable. We are glad to see NECEC start operation today.”
The fixed prices in the contracts provide power and clean energy attributes at prices well below the projected costs of buying the same amount on the market, and lock in those prices for the next 20 years.
“The NECEC line proves we can do big things here in Massachusetts,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Transmission is key to unlocking savings for ratepayers and businesses, but it requires partnership. To get this done, many people came together toward a common goal: get more affordable energy into Massachusetts. I want to thank the Legislature for their foresight and direction, state energy officials past and present for pushing this project forward, our Canadian partners and Hydro-Quebec for their continued collaboration, the Attorney General and the utilities for their work in the negotiations, Governor Mills for her support, and Avangrid for executing on this project. We’re going to continue to double down on regional collaboration to bring down costs and get more energy projects built.”
“Building and using this line shows us that Massachusetts ratepayers and our clean energy future benefit from planning, partnerships, and perseverance,” said Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony. “The hydroelectric power flowing into our electric grid will lower long-term electricity costs, provide needed winter reliability, help meet rising electricity demand, and bring billions of dollars in economic benefits for Massachusetts. We’ll build on this success with more regional collaboration, and more affordable, clean power for our homes and businesses.”
In addition to lowering electricity prices, this clean, sustainable hydropower will help meet rising electricity demand, provide needed energy reliability in the winter, and reduce harmful pollution in Massachusetts and the region. During cold temperature periods, New England relies on higher-priced, more carbon-intensive fuels. This leads to expensive and volatile winter energy pricing and regional reliability concerns. The NECEC project will help address these challenges by providing consistent clean energy production during cold temperatures.
In 2018, following a competitive solicitation, the Massachusetts electric distribution companies negotiated and executed contracts with the NECEC project. Following authorization from the Massachusetts Legislature in 2023, the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the Attorney General’s Office, Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil negotiated with NECEC to ensure these contracts remain beneficial for Massachusetts ratepayers. The joint settlement agreement was later approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, helping pave the way for the project to finish construction. Under the contracts, NECEC will import 9.55 terawatt-hours annually of 100 percent hydroelectricity from Quebec to the New England electric grid.
Statements of Support:
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell:
“Today is a beacon of hope for our clean energy future at a time when many of our needed clean energy resources are under threat. After years of collaboration and perseverance, we are thrilled to see this power delivered to Massachusetts residents.”
State Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Middlesex and Norfolk):
“With Donald Trump actively fighting against Massachusetts efforts to bring down our energy costs and push back against climate change, the completion of this transmission line marks a milestone in our collective work to deliver true cost savings for residents. This achievement reflects every lever of government working together toward a shared goal, and I applaud my colleagues in the Senate and the Legislature, the Healey-Driscoll Administration, and our partners in the energy sector for advancing a project that will lower costs, strengthen our energy grid, and further secure a clean energy future for Massachusetts.”
State Representative Mark Cusack, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy (D-5th Norfolk):
“This infusion of clean and affordable hydropower onto the Massachusetts grid is a milestone to celebrate. After nearly a decade of work and regional collaboration, the NECEC transmission line will reduce emissions and stabilize electricity prices, supporting affordability and reliability for the residents and businesses of the Commonwealth."
State Senator Michael Barrett (D-Middlesex):
"Massachusetts is fighting for its clean energy agenda and gaining ground, President Trump's opposition notwithstanding. We should take hope from this. There is more work to do but breakthroughs are happening."
State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy, former Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy (D-10th Norfolk):
“Bringing Canadian hydropower into Massachusetts is a major milestone that strengthens our energy reliability, advances our clean energy goals, and—most importantly—delivers a robust new source of power to consumers at a reasonable and predictable price. This long-anticipated moment is the culmination of nearly a decade of careful planning, legislating, and implementation, carried forward despite significant legal, political, and logistical obstacles. I had the opportunity to see the source of this power firsthand when I visited the St. James Bay hydropower facilities—an engineering marvel—in Quebec last March, and it is deeply gratifying to see that work come to fruition.”
State Representative House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-20th Middlesex):
“Diversification of our energy portfolio is crucial to ensuring the consistent delivery of reliable services to Massachusetts ratepayers. The completion of the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line significantly increases the capacity of our existing power grid and provides the Commonwealth with an additional resource that will be critical to meeting the needs of the state’s utility customers moving forward.”
Michael P. Monahan, International Vice-President, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW):
“I applaud the Governor for recognizing the need for an all-of-the-above energy strategy. This new line brings in clean, firm power to meet our growing needs and reliably power our economy. Its construction provided thousands of good-paying jobs with benefits, to IBEW members. New England union workers are building our energy future. More savings and cleaner energy are flowing into Massachusetts thanks to the hard work of our brothers and sisters in Maine and the collaboration between utilities and governments on both sides of the border. It shows what can be done when we prioritize affordability, jobs, and reliable power."
FM #1626 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1626 in the series.
We sat with Samantha Piette, entrepreneur creating Piette Petal Co, an artisanal florist operating on the internet and in pop up shops for now.
We talked about her road to floral arrangements, the build up to Valentine’s Day and all that she offers. We recorded this virtually via Zoom on Monday, December 29, 2025.
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!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
