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 *
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Governor Maura Healey released her proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY 2027)
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
School Committee get preview of FY 2027 school budget with 2.5% increase, assuming health costs transfer to Town account (video)
- The committee and community got a preview of the FY 2027 school budget. Excluding the health care costs ($8.8M), they presented a 'level service' budget that stays within a 2.5% increase
- The discussions with the Town to transfer the health care costs to the Town account 910 are in process. A Memo of Agreement (MOA) is being prepared to cover the details of the transfer. The Committee will schedule a special meeting to vote to approve the transfer next week
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Agenda for Town Council Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026 at 6 PM
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events.
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Council cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact.
Agenda for Town Council Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026 at 6 PM
a. January 7, 2026 https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8113/3a-January-7-2026-TC-Meeting-Minutes--Draft-for-Reviewdocx
a. Proclamation - Scotty Smith Retirement
a. Zoning Board of Appeals
i. Isabella Carter https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8127/5aii-1---Isabella-Carterii. Jennifer Williams https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8126/5ai-1---Jen-Williams
a. Town Infrastructure Overview - Brutus Cantoreggi, Director of Public Works https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8133/Town-Council-Presentation---January-21-2026
a. Resolution 26-06: Amendment to Cannabis licensing Local Approval Process and Cannabis Social Equity Policy Social Equity policy (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-06 - Majority Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8129/9a-Cannabis-Social-Equity-Policy
b. Resolution 26-07: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Public Library ($500)(Motion to Approve Resolution 26-07 - Majority Vote)https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8130/9b--Gift-Acceptance---Library
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Town of Franklin: Government 101 series - what does Franklin do & how do they do it?
Technology, Dec 2025
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/finance-committee-gets-answer-on-how.html
Capital budget FY 2024
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/01/finance-committee-reviews-and-approves.html
Facilities, Dec 2023
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/12/finance-committee-takes-deep-dive-sorta_01138495076.html
Permitting & storm water credits Feb 2023
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/finance-committee-hears-from-town.html
Schools, Dec 2022 (audio)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/finance-committee-gets-some-financial.html
Schools, Dec 2022 (Video)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/finance-committee-gets-to-better.html
Storm water utility fee March 2022
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/your-time-is-needed-now-to-pay.html
"Talk Franklin" series on individual departments/services
- Town Clerk on elections - Jan 2024 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/01/nancy-danello-joins-this-talk-franklin.html
- DPW operations - Feb 2024 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/02/in-this-talk-franklin-episode-we-talk.html
- School budget with Supt Lucas Giguere and Dr Tina Rogers - April 2024 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/in-this-talk-franklin-episode-some.html
- Conservation & Recreation - April 2024 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/earth-day-earth-month-conversation-with.html
- Mental health services (co-response program) - May 2024 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/we-spent-our-talk-franklin-time-on.html
- School & Town budget leading into the Joint Budget sessions -> Sep 2024 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/jamie-lucas-talk-town-and-school-topics.html
- Arts, culture & economic development Oct 2024 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/11/talking-franklin-arts-culture-economic.html
- Town Administrator Jamie Hellen takes on some myth busting Nov 2024 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/11/in-this-talk-franklin-episode-jamie.html
- 2024 Year in Review with Jamie & Amy -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/11/in-this-talk-franklin-episode-jamie.html
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| Town of Franklin: Government 101 series - what does Franklin do & how do they do it? |
Sunday, December 28, 2025
School Committee meeting of Dec 9 condensed to 30 minutes (audio)
FM #1618 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1618 in the series.
This session shares my conversation with Vice Chair of the School Committee Dave Callaghan. We had our discussion via Zoom on Monday, December 15, 2025. We condense and get into the explanations behind the key items from the recent School Committee meeting Dec 9, 2025.
Our conversation covered the following topics:
- Policy Subcommittee meeting update
- FHS Volleyball team recognized for D1 State Championship for first time
- Capital budget presentation
- Franklin (MA) School enrollment
- Hold harmless and revolving funds
Our conversation runs about 40 minutes. Let’s listen
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1618-chalkboard-chat-12-15-25/--------------
School Committee page (with contact info) -> https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-committee
Franklin TV Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/tUGB-NrTDqg?si=hP1E7xxxxg-vJwVa&t=13
Agenda for this session -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092025-2043
My notes captured during the session -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XXqbmtnXdasgYqiM9utZ2WPhLMQ1S3Gq/view?usp=drive_link
Superintendent’s Report -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6159058/December_9__2025_Superintendent_s_Report_to_School_Committee.pdf
School District Capital Request ->
Special Education Presentation to SchCmte -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6159049/Special_Education_School_Committee_Presentation_December_9__2025.pdf
Franklin (MA) Enrollment snapshot (as of October 1, 2025)
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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!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 ???
- FHS Cheerleaders fundraiser from 5 PM to 9 PM (Chipotle Mexican Grill)
Franklin School Committee - Budget Subcommittee
December 9, 2025, 6:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092025-2047
Franklin School Committee Policy Subcommittee Meeting
December 9, 2025, 6:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092025-2046
Design Review Meeting-CANCELED
December 9, 2025, 7:00 PM
Friends of the Franklin Public Library Meeting
December 9, 2025, 7:00 PM
Franklin School Committee
December 9, 2025, 7:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092025-2043
The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar
Saturday, December 6, 2025
3 School Committee meetings on Tuesday, Dec 9, 2025
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Talk Franklin starts with a summer concert recap, then budget & other Town business, before taking time to recoup (audio)
FM #1591 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1591 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen in the Municipal Building on Monday, November 25, 2025.
Key topics
Picked up with summer concert
New Council, new School Committee, learning curve
Tax rate hearing Dec 3
Finance Committee Dec 10
Council meeting Dec 17, a potpourri
January 2026 and the budget cycle brings hard choices to be made
Cultural events this week and first couple of week of December
Spend with with family & friends this weekend
The recording runs about 46 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie.
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1591-talk-franklin-11-24-25/--------------
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| Talk Franklin starts with a summer concert recap, then budget & other Town business, before taking time to recoup (audio) |
Franklin Public Schools page -> https://www.franklinps.net/
Town budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/168/Town-Budgets
School budget page -> https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-district-budget
Community calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar
BTW - Official results of the Override election in 2024 was a difference of 236 votes. The difference narrowed to 196 in the Override vote of 2025.
- 2024 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/06/official-certified-results-franklin-ma.html
- 2025 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/official-override-results-nos-take-it.html
--------------
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"








