Mass. AG: Why I filed a lawsuit to enforce housing law — and why it’s personal for me

Andrea Campbell is attorney general of Massachusetts.

Mass. AG: Why I filed a lawsuit to enforce
housing law — and why it’s personal for me

"Massachusetts has a housing crisis. People across the state are struggling to pay rent and find an affordable place to live. Seniors are struggling to keep their homes, and good luck to anyone attempting to buy one. Young people want to stay in the communities where they grew up, but they can’t make the math work. Rents and home prices are rising faster than wages. Employers can’t fill jobs because workers can’t afford to live anywhere near them.

Every elected official has a responsibility to use the tools at their disposal to address the crisis head on. That’s why I filed a lawsuit Thursday to enforce the MBTA Communities law, which requires communities served by public transit to allow multifamily housing to be built as of right. It’s not the only solution, but it helps to get more housing built in the Commonwealth.

I understand what having a home means and the stability it creates for families. Stable housing is not a luxury — it’s an essential need."

Continue reading the article with this 'share link' ->   https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/29/opinion/mbta-communities-lawsuit/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

Boston Globe: "Here are the 12 communities that haven’t passed a new state-approved housing plan yet"

"Five years after it began, the fight over a controversial state housing law is nearly over.

The final compliance deadline for the MBTA Communities Act — the 2021 law that requires cities and towns served by the T make room for more multifamily housing — came and went at the end of 2025. And after a series of sometimes-bruising local fights, 165 of the 177 cities and towns the law covers have passed zoning intended to comply with it.

The remaining noncompliant towns are: Carver, Dracut, East Bridgewater, Freetown, Halifax, Holden, Marblehead, Middleton, Rehoboth, Tewksbury, Wilmington, and Winthrop.

That just 12 communities are considered out of compliance represents significant progress for Governor Maura Healey’s administration, which embraced the nearly-passed law when Healey took office in 2022."

Continue reading the article online with this 'sharing' link ->

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/05/07/business/boston-housing-mbta-communities-law-towns/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

Note: the map is 'inaccurate' at least as far as Franklin is concerned. While we have made zoning changes, there are a couple of technical changes out for Planning Board approval to come back to the Town Council for approval to bring us into full compliance. We were almost there when the whole MBTA community thing started due to the work we had already begun with Franklin For All.  Prior maps usually were shown as compliant, or pending, or not. We were in the pending status previously.

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio introduced a brand new schedule early in 2025 for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM   Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock 

Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 2 PM)  

• This segment shares the FPS Sch Cmte Community Relations Mtg 1/12/26  -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/school-committee-community-relations.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone  All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points.    (repeats Saturday at 1 PM)  

• This segment features Kim & Mark in Episode 307 - Wine Social Media Star Kelly Axelrad   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode_0602953869.html

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

Franklin School Committee opens the new year with 3 meetings

The key agenda items for two subcommittee meetings and the full School Committee meeting are shared below. The agenda PDF doc also contains remote participation info

1 - Franklin Public School Community Relations Sub Committee Meeting

Monday, January 12 Time: 6:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01122026-2082 

Agenda:

● Establish Mission Statement / 2026 Goals

● 2026 Engagement & Activity Brainstorming

● Newsletter Planning

2 - Franklin School Committee - Policy Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, January 13 Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01132026-2087 

Agenda:

II. Review of Minutes

III. Overview of Policies & Procedures

IV. Approved Policies

A. none

V. Discussion of Policies sent to School Committee

A. IHAIA - Middle School Pathway Exploration

VI. Policy Revisions & New Policies - New Discussion Item

A. BL: Remote Participation

B. GBEBD - Online Fundraising and Solicitations- Crowdfunding

C. Signage on State Property (State Champions)

D. AEB - Recognition of Accomplishments

E. Facility Rental Policies (KF, KF-E1, KF-E2, KF-E3, KF-E4, KF-E5)

3 - Franklin School Committee

Tuesday, January 13 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01132026-2086 

Agenda:

II. Guests/Presentations

A. FHS Galapagos Field Trip

B. FHS 2026-27 Program of Studies Update – Dr. Weber

C. Office of Teaching & Learning District Assessment Presentation – Dr. Rogers

D. Franklin Childcare Presentation – Patty Gay

III. Discussion/Action Items

A. FHS Galapagos Islands Trip

I recommend approval of the request of Jason Chetlan to take FHS Students to the Galapagos Islands from 2/13 - 21/2027 as discussed. 

B. 2026-27 FHS Program of Studies

I recommend approval of the 2026-27 FHS Program of Studies as discussed. 

C. Policy - First Reading

I recommend moving Policy IHAIA - Middle School Pathway Exploration to a second reading as discussed. 

D. ECDC 2026-27 Tuition Rate

I recommend approval of the ECDC 2026-27 tuition rate as discussed

Franklin School Committee opens the new year with 3 meetings

FHS girls (video) & boys basketball teams both drop games to OA on Tuesday

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Girls Basketball = Oliver Ames, 54 @ Franklin, 35 – Final 

– OA jumped out to a 21-2 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, rolling to a season-opening win at defending Kelley-Rex champ Franklin. Avery Gamble and Maeve Horsman combined for 13 points in the first, while the OA defense held the Panthers to just two points. Trailing by 24 at halftime, Franklin tried to pull itself back into the game in the third, scoring 20 points. Freshman Brielle Nicholls scored eight and sophomore Tessah Rodrigues added seven, as the Panthers sliced the deficit in half. OA clamped down again on defense, holding Franklin to just three points in the fourth, to seal the victory. Gamble hit three from beyond the arc and had a game-high 23 points. Horsman chipped in with 13 and freshman Ashlyn Hrenko scored six in her varsity debut. Nicholls led the Panthers for the second game in a row, finishing with 14 points. Rodrigues added a dozen.

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kPceh_BhfM

"THANK YOU, Franklin & Oliver Ames! 💙🏀

We are incredibly grateful to the Franklin community and both the Franklin Panthers and Oliver Ames Tigers basketball programs for your overwhelming generosity and support. Because of you, the donations collected for The Santa Foundation will make a meaningful difference for families this season.

Community Night showed exactly what makes high school sports special—coming together beyond the game to give back. Thank you to everyone who donated, supported, and helped make this night such a success. Your kindness truly embodies the spirit of teamwork and community. The Santa Foundation: https://www.sfjoy.org/"   

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSWTO9IDRc6/

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 39 @ Oliver Ames, 54 – Final

"For most of the past two seasons, taking a three wasn’t high on Jacob Lok’s list of offensive options.

The senior point guard has built his reputation as a pass-first floor general, but with Oliver Ames needing new scoring options after heavy graduation losses, Lok committed to expanding his game — and it paid off Tuesday night.

Lok hit four triples in the third quarter and scored 15 of his career-high 18 points in the frame, powering Oliver Ames to a 54-39 win over Franklin, snapping the Panthers’ 39-game Hock win streak that dated back to January of 2023. It also marked OA’s first win over Franklin since 2014."

Continue reading the article By Ryan Lanigan || HockomockSports.com Editor (subscription required) -> https://hockomocksports.com/jacob-lok-sparks-oliver-ames-boys-basketball-second-half-surge-past-franklin/

For a photo gallery from this game -> https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2025-2026/Winter-2025-2026/Oliver-Ames-Franklin-Boys-Basketball-12-16-25

Swimming = Franklin @ Concord-Carlisle, 4:30 (@ Beede Pool)

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-12-16-25/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

FHS girls basketball community night scheduled for Dec 16

Save the Date: 

FHS girls basketball community night scheduled for Dec 16

Next Tuesday, December 16th, the FHS Girls basketball team will host COMMUNITY NIGHT & Donations for The Santa Foundation. 

Join us at the FHS Gym as we celebrate all levels of the Franklin Basketball Community and support the Santa Foundation. We will be collecting NEW BASKETBALL donations size 5, 6 or 7 for The Santa Foundation!

Wear your FHS colors and cheer on the JV girls in their game vs Oliver Ames at 5pm followed by Varsity at 6:30. 

The concession stand will be open and we will have limited FHS basketball swag for sale! Hope to see you all there!

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DSAZnt7kSro/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, December 1, 2025 ???

Monday, December 1

7:00pm Southeastern Mass Community Concert Band (Franklin Senior Center)

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

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

Library & Senior Center events

**  Town Meetings today   **

Planning Board Meeting - meeting Cancelled

Monday, December 1 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12012025-2016 

----------

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

Franklin Fathers to Debut at Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 27

New community group invites men and caregivers to connect, volunteer, and build stronger Franklin neighborhoods

Franklin Fathers, a new community-based organization uniting men and caregivers around family connection, mutual support, and local advocacy, will make its public debut at the Harvest Festival in front of the library on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 12:00–5:00 PM. Festival-goers are invited to stop by the Franklin Fathers table to meet the founders, learn about upcoming events, and join the growing network of neighbors pitching in to support other dads and build community.

Franklin Fathers

“Franklin is full of dads who want to show up for their kids, their schools, and their town—sometimes they just need a simple way to plug in,” said Chris Stickney, a Founding Father of the group. “We’re creating welcoming spaces for men and caregivers to connect, get active, and do tangible good right here in our community.”

Franklin Fathers will highlight a fall calendar designed to bring people together, get outdoors, and support local families:

• Weekly Run Club at the SNETT: Casual, all-levels runs with other dads. Sunday morning at 8am.
• Trunk or Treat — October 25, 2025: Family-friendly Halloween fun providing a safe opportunity for kids to walk around and collect treats. Co-Host / Co-Sponsoring with the Franklin Historical Museum and Franklin United Methodist Church. Franklin Fire will be in attendance with a vehicle!
• Dean College Tailgate — November 1, 2025: Fall wrap-up tailgate and community gathering.
• Collaborations with Franklin Library and Other Community Partners — Upcoming programming will include library events, service projects, and educational workshops designed to strengthen family life and civic connections.

“So many of us feel the weight of national division and disconnection, but the antidote is right here on our own Town Common, at our athletic fields, and in our backyards,” Jayson Joyce, another founder, added. “Franklin Fathers is about building spaces to actively ‘dad’ together in ways that are fun, supportive, and lasting.”

In addition to social and community-building activities, Franklin Fathers will serve as a collective voice advocating for strong schools, vibrant public spaces, and policies that support working families.

The group is currently recruiting members, volunteers, and steering committee participants. Fathers of all ages and backgrounds are welcome.

How to Get Involved

Come meet the founders at the Harvest Festival and learn more about membership, volunteering, and upcoming activities. Follow updates and event details at Franklin Fathers on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580257836187)  or email FranklinFathersMA@gmail.com!

Join with Jamie Barrett in the Community Song Circle - Weds, Sep 24 at 6:45 PM

Join with Jamie Barrett in the Community Song Circle - Weds, Sep 24 at 6:45 PM

via Jamie Barrett

"Come sing along with me Wednesday night at the Franklin Public Library! Love to see you!"

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DO83HLsjR32/

FHS Boys Soccer Community Night 9/25/25

FHS Boys Soccer Community Night 9/25/25

Let’s fill the stands for Community Night!  

Come cheer on the Panthers vs. Attleboro on 9/25 at 6 PM.

Please bring a new insulated water bottle to support the Santa Foundation.

And there will be Chik-Fil-A!

FREE Community Cookout - Saturday, August 23

Saturday, August 23: 

FREE Community Cookout with burgers, hot dogs, and chips served from 5:30-6:30 pm on the back lawn at 82 West Central Street  Franklinumc.org/community (event will cancel in case of rain) 

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KBisqIibQxsfBAKOgDyXGK9OJ2fvJa2t/view?usp=drive_link

Community Cookout – Aug 23, 2025 at Franklin UMC

Community Cookout – Aug 23, 2025 at Franklin UMC

Join us Saturday, 5:30–6:30 PM behind the church for free burgers, hot dogs, chips & drinks (veggie options too!).

Bring a friend, a lawn chair, and your appetite!

All are welcome.

Rain cancels.

Franklin United Methodist Church

More info: https://franklinumc.org/2025/08/11/free-community-cookout-august-23-2025/

The magic that is a library!!! (video)

The magic that is a library!!! (video)

"The magic is subtle but the message is clear. We need community centers like the library more than ever."

You do need to click through to view the reel (video) on Instagram ->

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMbeEc7ykdJ/

Community cookout scheduled for United Methodist Church, Sat, July 26

All are invited to a FREE community cookout at the Franklin United Methodist Church (82 W. Central Street) on Saturday, July 26. Food will be served from 5:30 - 6:30 PM. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Limited seating will be available.

Community cookout scheduled for
United Methodist Church, Sat, July 26

There is no need to register for this event; however, setup/cleanup volunteers and those looking to donate deserts should signup by going to https://onrealm.org/FranklinUMC/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=OTdmMWEwNDQtNDhlOS00YWU5LTkzZWUtYjMxZDAwZDRlZDVh

In case of rain, this event will be cancelled. Notices will be posted to the church’s website and FB page. If you have any questions, or would like to donate to this event, please contact Pastor Jacob.

To learn more about Community Cookouts @FranklinUMC, go to https://franklinumc.org/community/cookouts/. 

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share -> https://franklinumc.org/wp-content/uploads/FLYER-COMMUNITY-COOKOUT-202507.pdf

Franklin Liquors is asking for your support for the 2025 MetroWest Community's Choice Awards

Once again asking for your support and votes. My family business Franklin Liquors is nominated for best Liquor Store and best Wine Store.

Franklin Liquors is asking for your support for
the 2025 MetroWest Community's Choice Awards

Please vote daily

Thank you

Mark Lenzi

Vote online -> https://metrowestdailynews.gannettcontests.com/2025-MetroWest-Communitys-Choice-Awards/gallery/

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1AeiPxYuPK/

Community through books - monthly discussions at the Franklin Public Library

Community through books - monthly
discussions at the Franklin Public Library

Summer in Franklin is vibrant! Join us for fun events this week - check out the details in our weekly Franklin Culture Eblast

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

A Statement from the Town of Wrentham on MBTA Communities Act Decision

The following is a statement from the Wrentham Select Board and Town Manager Michael King: 

After careful consideration, the Wrentham Select Board has decided not to appeal the recent decision issued by the Superior Court in the case of Town of Wrentham vs. Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, et al.

The Select Board initiated this case to affirm the State Auditor's finding that the MBTA Communities zoning law constituted an unfunded mandate, imposing substantial requirements on municipalities without corresponding financial support. Based on that determination, the Town sought judicial relief from compliance until the economic impacts of the law could be assessed and addressed.

While Wrentham presented thorough arguments to the court, the presiding judge ultimately ruled that the Auditor erroneously determined that an unfunded mandate existed and found that the only mandatory obligation was to establish a zoning bylaw. Although the Select Board is dissatisfied with the outcome, it respects the court's decision.

Throughout this process, the Select Board has remained committed to advocating for Wrentham's fiscal and planning interests. The Select Board honored its obligation to the Town to seek financial impact information from the Commonwealth on the sweeping state-mandated changes to the Town's zoning Bylaws. Having pursued the case to a logical conclusion, the Select Board considered all various options, including appeal, and has determined that the most prudent and cost-effective option is to move forward while working proactively to manage future growth in a way that reflects the community's values and priorities. This decision also ensures that Wrentham remains eligible for key state funding opportunities that support infrastructure, public safety, education and other services critical to residents' quality of life.

The Select Board remains dedicated to protecting the interests of Wrentham residents and will continue to engage with state partners to advocate for balanced, sustainable growth that benefits the entire community.

Background:

Boston Globe: "Towns lose their latest challenge to controversial state housing law"  Continue reading the article online -> 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/06/06/business/mbta-communities-lawsuit-housing/ 

How to access the Globe articles via the Franklin Library with your library card

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/how-to-access-online-resources-with.html

The Marblehead Current provides greater detail from the court case and decision

https://marbleheadcurrent.org/2025/06/06/judge-rejects-towns-lawsuit-over-mbta-housing-law-as-marblehead-braces-for-vote/

What is Franklin's Status? Per Mass.gov

Franklin Interim Compliance  District Compliance Application in review

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/multi-family-zoning-requirement-for-mbta-communities

Franklin Interim Compliance 
District Compliance Application in review