Reminder: Very important Finance Committee meeting on the FY 2027 budget and CPA funding

The Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, June 3, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at the Franklin Municipal Building.

Residents are encouraged to follow the discussion and stay informed on Town finances and budget-related matters.

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06032026-2346  

Attend remotely via Zoom using the information provided in the agenda packet.

To be broadcast to FRANKLIN TOWN HALL TV for Comcast 9 / Verizon 29 subscribers and to YouTube https://bit.ly/FTV-TownHall

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Among the items on the agenda are a review of proposed Community Preservation Act funds for a number of projects

4. Community Preservation Act

a. Resolution 26-23 Community Preservation Fund: Annual Appropriation and Reservation  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/9623/3c-FY27-CPA-Reservations-Resolution-26-23-1

b. Resolution 26-24 on amended Project Slate from CPC  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/9656/4b-FY27-CPA-Appropriation-of-Funds---Capital-26-24

i. 05-18-2026 CPC Agenda Packet   https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05182026-2318

These projects were discussed the Community Preservation Committee meeting May 18, 2026. You can watch the video replay here - https://www.youtube.com/live/VK4JHlQ0FPo?&t=74

Time to get your Franklin (MA) Questions Answered: Weds, Dec 17, 11:00 AM at the Senior Center or via Zoom

What is going on with .... ?

What happened to ....?

                How come .... ?

Join Steve Sherlock, volunteer Community Information Director for Franklin Matters & Franklin Public Radio for an informal and informative Q&A session. 

What is the session about?

• Steve provides some updates on what's happened in the past month in the first 10-15 minutes, then opens the floor to answer whatever questions you have.

Time to get your Questions Answered

When: Wednesday, Dec 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM  

Where: Franklin Senior Center  and via Zoom

If you want the Zoom link, please use this form, or check with the Senior Center front desk, or email me:  https://forms.gle/Nh8RxkMtG1J1DGwj9

Planning Board Candidates Discussion with BEN4Franklin 10/30/25 (audio)

FM #1564 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1564 in the series. 

This session shares the discussion co-hosted by BEN 4 Franklin and Franklin Matters with the Planning Board Candidates.  We had our discussion virtually via the Zoom platform on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

 

Hosted by members of BEN 4 Franklin: Cobi Frongillo, Kimberly Mu-Chow, Gino Carlucci, Ndoumbe Ndoye, & Maxwell Morrongiello

• Planning Board candidates: Mark Mucciarone, Erik Steltzer

• Planning Board Associate candidate: William Lee, IV

Recorded & edited by Steve Sherlock, Franklin Matters/Franklin Public Radio

The recording runs about 45 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1564-planning-brd-candidates-discussion-with-ben4franklin-10-30-25/

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Visit BEN 4 Franklin's website to learn more about the group. Sign up for the newsletter, join the monthly meetings (3rd Thursday of the month at 7 PM at Franklin TV Studio) 

BEN 4 Franklin

https://ben4franklin.org/    

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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 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 it!

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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"

2025 Town of Franklin Biennial Election

Zoning Board of Appeals adds a 1 agenda item meeting to Thursday, Sep 4, 2025

Thanks to the notification service implemented by the Town of Franklin's new web page, alerts on the meeting added to the calendar and to the agenda posted for the 5 PM session were received on Tuesday.

You can find the agenda on the Town page -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/Zoning-Board-of-Appeals-31/?#_09042025-1895

or view the agenda here:

Zoning Board of Appeals adds a 1 agenda item meeting to Thursday, Sep 4, 2025

MMA: "House OK’s bill to extend remote and hybrid meeting authorizations"

"The House today (3/17/25) passed a bill that would extend the authorizations for local boards and committees to hold public meetings remotely or in a hybrid format for more than two more years.

The bill, H. 62, would also extend the remote meeting option for representative town meetings and permit reduced quorums for open town meetings. The extensions would run through June 30, 2027.

In a prepared statement, Senate President Karen Spilka said the Senate and House have reached agreement on the bill and that her chamber will take it up on Thursday."

Continue to read the article online -> https://www.mma.org/house-oks-bill-to-extend-remote-and-hybrid-meeting-authorizations/

The legislation can be found ->  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H62

a Franklin Town Council meeting from Dec 2024 with Zoom as the basis for the Franklin TV broadcast

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, March 8, 2025 ???

Saturday, March 8

"Look Up" Gallery (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9:00am Women's Faith Formation (St. Mary's Parish)

9:30am Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) (Franklin Public Library)

10:00am Winter Farmers Market (Fairmount Fruit Farm) 

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Session (Council Chambers) 

10:00am Polar Plunge (for Special Olympics) (Beaver Pond)

10:30am Music at the Blissful (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Saturday Sessions with George (Pour Richard's Wine & Provisions)

1:00pm Irish Dancing Showcase (Franklin Public Library)

7:30pm Joe Crookston (live music) (Circle of Friends Coffeehouse) 

8:00pm Karaoke Night (Raillery Public House)

** Town Meetings today   **

10:00 AM - Joint Budget Listening Session (Council Chambers & remote)

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Joint-Budget-Subcommittee-6/?#_03082025-1557

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Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

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 Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

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-calendars

Did You Know: You have 2 opportunities to Get your Franklin questions answered, in person or remotely, in September ???

What is going on with .... ? 

What happened to ....? 

How come .... ?

Join Steve Sherlock, Community Information Director (volunteer), for Franklin Matters & Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm), for an informal and informative Q&A session. 

What is the session about?

•  Steve provides some updates on what's happened over the past month in the first 10-15 minutes, then opens the floor to answer whatever questions you have.

You get two chances to participate in September 

#1 - When: Monday, September 16, 2024 at 6:30 PM  

Where:  via Zoom or in person at the Franklin Public Library 

#2 - When: Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 11:00 AM  

Where:  via Zoom or in person at the Senior Center

If you want the Zoom link, please use this form or or send me an email:      https://forms.gle/46H3gb4FZ4HSvwQJ6

Download this flyer as a reminder or to share

• For Library session  ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/10ebLmdYWKkdlEdYhNaDTvoNanTLjiXNH/view?usp=drive_link
• For Senior Center session  ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/10eCadwdAPNuSVeusTxCF1iDgnTPYXliF/view?usp=drive_link

You have 2 opportunities to Get your Franklin questions answered, in person or remotely, in September ???

Agenda for the Joint Town Council and School Committee Meeting April 24, 2024 at 7 PM

A Joint Meeting of the

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL & FRANKLIN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

[A quorum of the Franklin Finance Committee will be in attendance]

April 24, 2024 - 7:00 PM

Franklin High School Auditorium, 218 Oak Street

Meeting Agenda

1. Introduction from the Chairs of the Town Council and School Committee

2. Presentation

a. Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen and Superintendent of Schools, Lucas Giguere

3. Discussion & Public Hearing

a. To discuss the public opinion of an operational override

4. Adjourn

Agenda doc contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-04-24_town_council_school_committee_agenda_.pdf

Agenda for the Joint Town Council and School Committee Meeting April 24, 2024 at 7 PM

Candidate Interview: Glenn Jones, incumbent candidate for Town Council (video)

Glenn Jones and I met via Zoom on Sunday, Oct 29, 2023 to record this candidate interview. 

As an Incumbent candidate for the Franklin, MA Town Council, Glenn talks about his "Franklin story", the importance of voting, his background and experience he brings to this role and how he would prioritize the budget

video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT3Byq6I3a8&t

Candidate Interview: Glenn Jones, incumbent candidate for Town Council (video)

Joint Budget Subcmte hears of shortfall in new growth, hears update on School Budget, plans next session (video)

The Joint Budget Subcommittee met on Wednesday, Oct 11, 2023 as scheduled. The first ten minutes of the meeting were shared via Zoom, then there was an approx. 10 minute break and the meeting resumed also being broadcast via cable and live streamed to YouTube. 

The 'missing' video was recorded via Zoom and likely will be available later. The audio was captured by Franklin Matters includes the complete meeting and will be shared in a day or so.

Quick recap:

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided a brief update on FY 24, change in new growth coming, reduction of $250K, implications remain TBD
• Schools updated some of their numbers, starting to plan for FY 25, to include the 4 years after, due approx.. Mar/Apr; looking into comparable communities (i.e. Hockomock League)
• Finance Committee meeting Nov 8, Town Council meeting Nov 15, Tax rate hearing set for Tuesday, Nov 21 (Yes, note it is a Tuesday!)
• Next Joint Budget Subcmte session in Jan 2024 (TBD)

video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3sqZhpIT9Q

Meeting agenda -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/joint_budget_subcommitee_agenda_-_oct_11_2023.pdf

Photo album capturing some of the School presentation

https://photos.app.goo.gl/v1qW8nmPYUQTcLgm8

My notes captured via Twitter and collected in one PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YHP7KFAXd6DDwtAKGLIUwnEFOX_qFte7/view?usp=drive_link

one of the FPS slides used for the budget update

Your Franklin questions answered, in person or remotely - Aug 16 at 11 AM

What is going on with .... ?

What happened to ....?

How come .... ?

Join Steve Sherlock, Franklin Matters & wfpr.fm Community Information Director (volunteer), for an informal and informative Q&A session. 

What is the session about?

• Steve provides some updates on what's happened in the past month in the first 10-15 minutes, then opens the floor to answer whatever questions you have

When: Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 11:00 AM  

Where: Franklin Senior Center (2nd floor conf room) and via Zoom

If you want the Zoom link, please use this form, or check with the Senior Center front desk, or email me:  https://forms.gle/yaoTyeNdbs63pe7o9

Download this flyer as a reminder ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H9b-EYD1D6CpKNjTQNsl0dvWva6-Utco/view?usp=drive_link

Your Franklin questions answered, in person or remotely - Aug 16 at 11 AM

Exploring Nantucket with Ranger Allen Reinhard - July 20 at 10 AM

Enjoy this tour from the Senior Center or via Zoom -- call to register 508-520-4945

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-Mq8NClawYbK09CPAD_jw77ZtChFWIbM/view?usp=drive_link

Exploring Nantucket with Ranger Allen Reinhard - July 20 at 10 AM

Your Franklin questions answered, in person or remotely - June 21 at 11 AM

What is going on with .... ?

What happened to ....?

How come .... ?

Join Steve Sherlock, Franklin Matters & wfpr.fm Community Information Director (volunteer), for an informal and informative Q&A session. 

What is the session about?

• Steve provides some updates on what's happened in the past month in the first 10-15 minutes, then opens the floor to answer whatever questions you have

When: Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM  

Where: Franklin Senior Center (2nd floor conf room) and via Zoom

If you want the Zoom link, please use this form, or check with the Senior Center front desk, or email me:  https://forms.gle/Pg2KtkibitY3e9ZQ8

Download this flyer as a reminder ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/13ILNWQ7oGk2me9xQDP536NzTw0RdjlLM/view?usp=drive_link

Your Franklin questions answered, in person or remotely - June 21 at 11 AM

All are invited to the remote only Franklin Q&A session Weds, Feb 15 at 11:00 AM - get your questions answered

The groundhog checked out their shadow, the Super Bowl and commercial have come and gone, so there is time now to get your Franklin questions answered.

Due to the closure of the Senior Center this week (repairs remain underway to fix the sprinkler break) the session will only be available via Zoom.

What is going on with .... ?

What happened to ....?

How come .... ?

• If you want the Zoom link, please use this form, email me, or comment on this post  ->   https://forms.gle/UxqrKHw4wUHUsW7w9  

All invited to the remote only Franklin Q&A session Weds, Feb 15 at 11:00 AM - get your questions answered

Inclusionary zoning and tax rate hearing on tap for meetings Wednesday night

Two meetings on tap for Wednesday at the Municipal Building. First up at 5:45 PM the Economic Development "Plus" subcommittee, followed by the Town Council meeting at 7 PM. I plan on reporting on both meetings. Franklin TV will be broadcasting both via cable (Verizon or Comcast), live streaming, Zoom, and YouTube. So there are multiple ways to view and/or participate in the meetings.

1 - Economic Development Agenda

1. Discussion: Zoning

a. Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw

Agenda doc and remote connection info

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-11-30_edc_agenda.pdf

The prior meeting started this discussion and as time ran out, the discussion resumes at this session. Catch up to the discussion before the meeting:

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/economic-development-subcmte-recommends.html

2 - Town Council Agenda

Full agenda and docs released ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/nov_30_town_council_agenda.pdf

Charts explaining the tax rate history can be found ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/good-news-tax-rate-is-going-down.html

the "Plus" Cmte gets into housing density proposal

Franklin.TV: There’s More More Perfect Union!

We, the People are Adding – People.

Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 10/30/2022

In January of 2021 Frank Falvey gathered a group of informed citizens to launch a new radio program. Each week our Radio Roundtable of Regulars discusses the legal, educational and political issues of our time, and how we as a nation might move forward to advance a More Perfect Union.

At the outset, our group was comprised of Frank, Higher Education Dr. Michael Walker-Jones, Harvard’s Dr. Natalia Linos, Executive Director for Health and Human Rights, Franklin’s Representative Jeff Roy, and yes, even Yorz Trooly.

We gather via Zoom on Thursday mornings to record our More Perfect musings that you hear the following Monday.

Franklin.TV: There’s More More Perfect Union!

More recently, we’ve grown our group, deepened our bench. We welcome Nick Remissong and Chris Woolf from WGBH/BBC’s The World. Others who join us now and then: Alan Earls, Franklin’s Republican Committee Chair, and Rachel Plukas, Franklin’s Democratic Committee Chair.

As they say in all those wonder widget ads, But wait. There’s more!

It’s a daring experiment. We’re opening our Zoom doors. This Thursday morning you can stand on your soap box in our virtual town square and opine with us.

Topic? Opinion? The floor is yours. Interested?

Join us via Zoom on Thursday morning at 9:30. Zoom Link: 872 7243 7375

Hope to see you then.

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)