Franklin TV: Tri-County Topped

A culmination – and a beginning

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 09/14/2025

Tri-County is finally realizing its dream – building a 21st century school facility. The long journey to today’s ‘topping off’ ceremonies began BC – before COVID. Architectural dreams often begin as design sketches – on napkins – in notebooks. Sketches become plans. Plans become projects. Today, that dream has a shape, sketched across the September sky – in steel.

Franklin TV: Tri-County Topped

The bones of the building now stand tall and strong.

The teachers, students, planners, political advocates, supporters and well-wishers all came out to celebrate the momentous event on a glorious Friday morning. So much work has been done to make this happen, and so much more will unfold over the next few years to complete Tri-County’s extensive regional vocational facility.

At a time when careers of every stripe face growing concerns over the threat of AI to future employment, the recognized and rising need for a highly skilled trades workforce that can meet the country’s future construction and infrastructure needs is becoming all the more acute. Skilled and talented ‘makers of tomorrow’ will come from schools like Tri-County which is clearly preparing to lead the way.

A grateful nod goes out to all who helped to guide this much needed initiative along the way. At the outset, the cost of such dreams can seem dear, but the generational value for decades to come is invaluable.

And – as always –

Thank you for watching. 

Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.

And staying informed at Franklin●news.

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

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Tri-County Topping off held Friday, Sep 12

Tri-County Topping off held Friday, Sep 12

The topping off ceremony marking the last beam for the steel frame for the new Tri-County Vocational Technical High School was held on Friday, Sep 12, 2025.

The photos are courtesy of Chris Flynn, Franklin TV.

Photo album ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/AD9224P6czCEYLNp9

Police Station Open House-Tour Saturday, Sep 13 at 1 PM

via the Police Station Bldg Committee:

Join us for an Open House of the Police Facility in Franklin!

Police Station Open House-Tour Saturday, Sep 13 at 1 PM

Stay informed on the plans, progress, and community impact of Franklin’s new police facility while we build a safer future for the police department and the greater community. -> https://www.franklinmapoliceproject.com/

Police Station Open House - Saturday, September 13, from 1 PM to 4 PM

The Police Station Building Committee has coordinated to hold three (3) open houses for Franklin residents to view the current and existing conditions of the facility on 911 Panther Way.

Police Station Open House - Saturday,
September 13, from 1 PM to 4 PM

The first of the 3 is on Saturday, September 13 from 1 to 4 PM.

The second is Tuesday, September 23 beginning at 6 PM

The third and final is Sunday, October 1 beginning at 6 PM

For additional info on the building project itself, visit ->

https://www.franklinmapoliceproject.com/

Police Station Building Cmte hears of progress on project, site selection info, initial cost estimates, sets meeting for Oct 27 (audio)

FM #1500 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1500 in the series. 

This session shares the Police Station Building Cmte Mtg held on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. One member (G Premo) was absent.  

Quick recap:

• Joe Lynch, Owner Project Manager, (OPM) provides an overview, then the other members of the team walk through the presentation doc shared here

• Starting with 200 in Franklin they whittled down to 36, then to 8, then finally to 2; Davis Thayer and Parmenter

• Compiled the listing of deficiencies and needs for the current and future department operations, lead to preliminary building design requirements

• In turn, these requirements lead to initial placement on the final 2 sites (DT & Parmenter) and a discussion on the pros and cons of each

• An initial estimation of the building cost and total project cost was provided. For Parmenter site it could be about $48M, the DT site would be more as it would also require demolition of the existing building and that was not calculated at the time

• Next steps were outlined

• open houses scheduled for the community to view the existing facility on 911 Panther Way

• Tours of 3 recent police buildings done for other communities are being scheduled for the Committee

• Next meeting scheduled for Oct 27 at Council Chambers

• Site selection is likely to be either at that meeting or the next one in order for the remainder of the project timeline to continue to move forward (i.e. more detailed design, and cost estimations, etc.)

The recording runs about 1 hour & 30 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1500-police-station-bldg-cmte-mtg-08-27-25/

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Police Station Building Cmte hears of progress on project

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

Meeting agenda -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08272025-1881

Presentation copy -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OPCajcx6PGeiL2iLebQCN9Kj66sgOz2N/view?usp=drive_link

Police Station Building Cmte project page -> https://www.franklinmapoliceproject.com/

 

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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"

Police Station Building Cmte hears of progress on project, site selection info, initial cost estimates, sets meeting for Oct 27 (video)

The Police Station Building Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, Aug 27 at 6 PM. Only 1 member (G Premo)  was missing from the meeting. The meeting completed in less than 2 hours.

The Franklin TV broadcast is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdnipAetV_Q

The project website was introduced -> https://www.franklinmapoliceproject.com/

Meeting agenda ->     https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08272025-1881

Presentation reviewed at the meeting ->   https://www.franklinmapoliceproject.com/_files/ugd/c81e0f_1cd15d826c4840618b7cc0f43a1d353e.pdf

Quick Recap:

• Joe Lynch, Owner Project Manager, (OPM) provides an overview, then the other members of the team walk through the presentation doc shared here
• Starting with 200 in Franklin they whittled down to 36, then to 8, then finally to 2; Davis Thayer and Parmenter
• Compiled the listing of deficiencies and needs for the current and future department operations, lead to preliminary building design requirements
• In turn, these requirements lead to initial placement on the final 2 sites (DT & Parmenter) and a discussion on the pros and cons of each
• An initial estimation of the building cost and total project cost was provided. For Parmenter site it could be about $48M, the DT site would be more as it would also require demolition of the existing building and that was not calculated at the time
• Next steps were outlined
• open houses scheduled for the community to view the existing facility on 911 Panther Way
• Tours of 3 recent police buildings done for other communities are being scheduled for the Committee
• Next meeting scheduled for Oct 27 at Council Chambers
• Site selection is likely to be either at that meeting or the next one in order for the remainder of the project timeline to continue to move forward (i.e. more detailed design, and cots estimations, etc.)

Police Station Building Cmte hears of progress on project

Police Station Building Committee agenda for meeting Weds, August 27 at 6 PM

Police Station Building Committee

Agenda & Meeting Packet

August 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM

Agenda:

1. Approval of Minutes

a. October 30, 2024

b. November 14, 2024

c. February 25, 2025

d. August 6, 2025

2. Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) Presentation CHA and KBA

a. Project Website Launch

b. Engagement: Open House Dates and Time Announcements

Police Station Building Committee agenda

i. Saturday, September 13th, 2025 at 1:00 PM

ii. Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025 at 6:00 PM

iii. Sunday, October 5th, 2025 at 6:00 PM

c. Programming Study Process

d. Site Selection Analysis, Process and Evaluation

e. Preliminary Sample Designs & Construction Budgets

3. Discussion: Next steps and Committee meeting dates

4. Adjourn

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08272025-1881

Police Station Building Committee tours the current station built in 1991 on School District property (brief photo essay)

Chief TJ Lynch lead a small group of the Police Station Building Cmte and a few residents on a tour of the existing facility. Additional tours are being scheduled for September/October. Work is also underway to provide a video tour with Chief Lynch's narration for those who might be able to make the tours.

A brief recap of some of the existing conditions. And yes, the building is built on School property.

In the holding area, Chief Lynch describes the parole process

The only significant change within the building was the addition of this evidence storage mechanism. It will likely move to a new facility if that is the ultimate decision of the committee and community

Chair Tom Mercer and Town Administrator Jamie Hellen listen as Chief Lynch describes the space for our detectives where 7 are operating in a room that should be for 3-4

The sally port where folks under custody should be safely and securely transferred from a police vehicle to the station. It is also used as storage for multiple items that should be stored elsewhere if there was sufficient space.

Photo album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/k9x4C2xcTQxiLG4JA

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, Aug 6, 2025 ??

Library & Senior Center events

Wednesday, Aug 6

6pm Summer Patio Concerts: The Moonbellies (live music) (Franklin Public Library)

6pm UFO Concert (Ukelele Friends Orchestra) (Franklin Senior Center)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->        

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  Town Meetings today   **

Franklin Housing Authority Meeting

Wednesday, August 6 Time: 4:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08062025-1840 

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETINGS Canceled (removed from calendar)

Wednesday, August 6 Time: 5:00 PM

no agenda at this time

Police Station Building Committee Meeting

Wednesday, August 6 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08062025-1801

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What's happening today in Franklin? 

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

The Police Station Building Committee will take a tour of the facility at 911 Panther Way - Aug 6 at 5 PM

Police Station Building Committee

Agenda & Meeting Packet

August 6, 2025 - 5:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Franklin Police Station, 911 Panther Way

Agenda:

1. Tour of the Franklin Police Station located at 911 Panther Way.

facility at 911 Panther Way

The Building Committee will take a tour of the facility. The public is welcome to attend and tour the facility with the Committee. There will be more public opportunities to tour the facility in September and October as part of a formal public outreach and engagement series.

 

Agenda doc - (no remote participation) 

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08062025-1801

Hold the date: Police Station Building Committee - Agenda for Aug 6, 2025

Police Station Building Committee

Agenda & Meeting Packet

August 6, 2025 - 5:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Franklin Police Station - 911 Panther Way

Agenda: 

1. Tour of the Franklin Police Station located at 911 Panther Way. The Building Committee will take a tour of the facility. 

The public is welcome to attend and tour the facility with the Committee. There will be more public opportunities to tour the facility in September and October as part of a formal public outreach and engagement series.

Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08062025-1801

3 meetings, approx 5 hours distilled to a 30 minute summary in this Quarterbacking session (audio)

FM #1397 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1397 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, March 6, 2025.  

Our conversation condenses the three recent meetings:

• Police Station Building Cmte Mtg - 02/25/25

• Town Council meeting - 2/26/25

• Town Council meeting - 3/05/25 

We focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session

• Police Station Building Committee 2/25/25

Team together and starting work; No site chosen, no design or estimates other than rough ballparks; Site visits planned to see others recently done; Open houses planned to enable the community to see inside; Video also planned to share views/walkthrough, website with info being built; Likely at east 2 years before some firm details, estimates, sometime after a decision on building vote or not

• Town Council meeting 2/26/25

ALS/BLS ambulance fee increase approved

Did get confirmation from the Commonwealth, August 31, Best Western will be closed to the emergency shelter program

• Town Council last night - 3/05/25

Police swearing in, replacement for recent retiree, 

String quartet and proclamation

OPEB update

Good position, funding plan, AAA related impact

FY 2026 budget update

Listening session at Senior Center ¾

Council Chambers, 3/8 & FHS auditorium on 3/12

JBSC recommendation at end of 3/12 session

Town Council to take up 3/19

$3.862 M shortage, no money to be found otherwise raise or cut

Details on Town page, opportunities for discussion, questions as mentioned

Easement for DCR, and commitment on $1M to help with rail trail extension when the federal acquisition process allows

Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap the three recent meetings

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1397-town-council-quarterbacking-03-06-25/

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Franklin TV video is ready for replay

• Police Stn 02/25/25 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWC6PbFTu0s 

• Town Council 02/26/25  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbkmz3G_q6Y 

• Town Council 03/05/25 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAHS9BRE4cA&t=100 

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

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"

3 meetings, approx 5 hours distilled to a 30 minute summary in this Quarterbacking session (audio)