Potpourri agenda for last Town Council meeting in 2025

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

December 17, 2025 = 6:00 PM

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

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.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

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.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. November 12, 2025   

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7849/November-12-2025-TC-Meeting-Minutes--Draft-for-Review

b. November 19, 2025   

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7833/3a-November-19-2025-TC-Meeting-Minutes--Draft-for-Review

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. 8th Grade Franklin Panthers Football Team

b. Franklin High School Cheerleading Team

c. Franklin High School Girls’ Volleyball Team

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Council on Aging - Christopher (Kit) Brady   https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7856/5a-Appointment-Kit-Brady

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 6:00 PM - None Scheduled.

 

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. Annual License Renewals

i. See attached “2026 Town of Franklin Alcohol License Renewals”  

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7857/7a-1---MEMO---License-Renewals

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Snow Presentation - Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director & Carlos Rebelo, Highway/Grounds Superintendent   

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7855/Snow-Presentation---December-17-2025

b. Social Equity Policy Discussion  

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7841/Local-Approval-Process-and-Social-Equity-Policy

c. Town Charter Presentation  

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7848/2023-11-01-Town-Charter-Presentation

d. Citizen Satisfaction Survey: the town is headed in the wrong direction  

https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/polco.nrc/viz/TheNCSReport-FranklinMA2025/About

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 25-83: Gift Acceptance - Veterans Services Dept. ($91,072.88), Senior Center (21,275.73), Police Dept. ($710.74)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-83 - Majority Vote)  

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7854/9a-Gifts

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

slide from the snow presentation

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda doc contains remote participation info -> 

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12172025-2062 

More Perfect Union: D. E. I. (video)

In this episode, the group and guest Dr. Bell, as well as the audience from the Senior Center discuss DEI, or Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace, and how it as a concept has been around, and it's important to provide opportunities and fairness to all people.

Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGe7POQRUmQ

More Perfect Union - WFPR

Discussing American Politics and Current Events

Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Jeff Roy, and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.

Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

Summer Sunday Worship Series starts with "Equity's Call" scheduled for June 30, 2024

First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) is pleased to announce our Summer Sunday Worship Series for June 30, 2024 through July, 2024.  

Please join us each Sunday as we explore the Unitarian Universalist (UU) values of Equity, Transformation, Generosity, Interdependence, Justice, Pluralism and Love.

All services start at 10:00 AM.

Afterwards, please plan to stay for coffee, cookies and conversation.

UU Value of Equity: Equity’s Call

June 30, 2024 

Lay Leader: Marggi

Summer Sunday Worship Series starts with "Equity's Call" scheduled for June 30, 2024

"Let's continue to put love out there"

jamele adams, the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Scituate School District, was the target of an incident at Museum Beach in Scituate. The Patriot Ledger story provides an overview of this unacceptable act.

jamele is a Franklin resident. 

https://www.patriotledger.com/story/news/2023/07/26/scituate-ma-public-school-jamele-adams-william-burkhead-police-diversity-equity-inclusion-mock-grave/70457147007/

jamele adams

FPAC to close out their season with performance of Violet - Jun 8, 9, & 10 at THE BLACK BOX

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will close out their star-studded 2022-23 season with the musical Violet, June 8-10 at THE BLACK BOX starring Broadway’s Emily Koch and Tyrick Wiltez Jones. 

Emily Koch, currently on Broadway in Kimberly Akimbo, will lead the cast as Violet. Koch also appeared on Broadway as Elphaba in WICKED and Waitress as Jenna.

 

Tyrick Wiltez Jones will appear as Flick. Jones has been seen on Broadway in Hairspray and Finian’s Rainbow as well as the off-Broadway cast of Bat Out of Hell. NYC’s Robbie Rescigno will round out the principal cast as Monty.

Set to Jeanine Tesori’s stunning score, Violet tells a gripping story. As a girl, Violet was struck by a wayward axe blade when her father was chopping wood, leaving her with a visible scar across her face. With enough money finally saved, she travels across the Deep South in 1964 towards a miracle – the healing touch of a TV evangelist who will make her beautiful.

Although she may not succeed in having the scar on her face healed, Violet is able to repair those scars that are lying deeper than her skin. On the way, she meets a young soldier whose love for her reaches far past her physical “imperfections.” 

The production’s opening night sponsor is Physician One Urgent Care and FPAC’s Broadway sponsor is Dean College. 

The Franklin Performing Arts Company at THE BLACK BOX is a professional Equity theater  producing musicals, plays, and more, featuring Broadway stars, professional and regional performers, and emerging artists. The 2022-23 season featured performances by Sara Jean Ford (The Phantom of the Opera, CATS, and more), Tyrick Wiltez Jones (Hairspray, Finian’s Rainbow), Michael Barra (A Bronx Tale), and Christopher Rice-Thomson (Hamilton, Book of Mormon, Pretty Woman), new choreography by Broadway dance legend Tyler Hanes, and direction by FPAC resident artists and New York guests.

For Violet tickets and more information, visit THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call the box office at (508) 528-3370. THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 W. Central St. in downtown Franklin, MA.

FPAC to close out their season with performance of Violet - Jun 8, 9, & 10 at THE BLACK BOX

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion workshop focuses on the sense of “belonging” (audio)

FM #884 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 884 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin Public Schools Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) “Deep Dive” Workshop held at the Franklin Public Library on Saturday, November 19, 2022.   

Superintendent Lucas Gigiure and DEI Director Heidi Harris co-lead the session. Approx. 30 folks were in the room to participate. 

Much of the workshop was a review of the efforts to date, sharing definitions for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the findings of the equity audit, and understanding the drive to develop a sense of “belonging.”

The equity audit was referred to multiple times as “one slice of the pie” in gathering info to develop the “Equity Action Plan to meet the needs of all learners.” Other sessions like this one will be scheduled to provide opportunity for the community to explore DEI and work toward the plan development.

Given this was a working session, the whole group sections of the meeting audio is what is shared here. There are breaks in the audio when 

• The participants found a person they did not know to introduce themselves

• The participants found another person they did not know to discuss an instance of belonging and then of feeling left out

• The table discussion to review the sticky notes written by the members providing feedback

The breaks are indicated by a few seconds of music then the group discussion resumes

The edit meeting audio recording runs about 70 minutes. Let’s listen to DEI “Deep Dive” Workshop.

Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-884-fps-dei-deep-dive-workshop-11-19-22

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Franklin Public Schools Diversity Equity & Inclusion department page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/diversity-equity-and-inclusion 

DEI page -> https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/fps-diversity-equity-inclusion/home?authuser=0 

Equity audit (1 slice of the pie)  ->

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fps_equity_audit_final_report_october_2022.pdf 

DEI Plan for 2022-2023 -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fps_dei_plan_2022-23_for_sc_0.pdf

DEI Presentation to School Committee Oct 25, 2022 -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fps_dei_presentation_10_25_2022_0.pdf

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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

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!

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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"

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion workshop focuses on the sense of “belonging” (audio)

Franklin Public Schools: District Newsletter - November 2022

District highlights, School Committee Updates and more!

Franklin Public Schools District Newsletter November 2022 Food Services District Calendar School Committee Transportation 22-23 School Calendar Nov. 23 -25 Thanksgiving Break Dec. 7 - Early Release Day Access the 22-23 School Calendar  We're Back in Action! We are excited to welcome families from across the district and the greater Franklin Community to attend our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Deep Dives event! Join us as we dive deeper into the Climate and Culture findings from our 21-22 Equity Audit and look towards the development of our Equity Action Plan throughout the 2022-2023 year. During this session, community members will be able to engage with District Adminstration to discuss questions, concerns, experiences, and solutions. The event will be held at the Franklin Public Library meeting room (School Street entrance) on Saturday, 11/19 from 10am - 11:30am. You can review our D.E.I. Presentation to the School Committee here.   Art of Rangolis During Diwali Oak Street teachers Ms. Kinney teamed up with Mrs. Parikh to help share the history of Diwali with their classrooms. Students were able to learn more about how many other people from around the world as well as their peers, celebrate this holiday. Students even designed their very own Rangolis, which is an Indian art form typically displayed at entryways to welcome prosperity and blessings. This was a wonderful way for students to learn more about their friends.   Clock is Ticking to See Cinderella Franklin High School Theatre Company delivered a fantastic performance of Cinderella (Broadway Version) on Friday, November 11th. Audiences have two additional opportunity to experience this magical performance with shows... Saturday, November 18th at 7pm Sunday, November 19th at 7pm Be sure to grab your ticket before this horse drawn carriage bids farewell! Kindergarten Technology Win! Our Digital Learning Integrationists work to educate our FPS community on how to effectively utilize the variety of digital tools. Recently, our DLI's streamlined a way to assist our educators and kindergarteners during instances of digital enrichment. Logging into a Chromebook can be difficult for our kindergarten kiddos who are still learning their lowercase letters and digital skills. When it's time to sign into these Chromebooks using their logins, it can be a challenge to get a classroom to login quickly. DLI's and IT techs developed a system which allows kindergarteners to login using their own unique QR code while these young learners begin to develop the important skill of being able to enter user and password information independently. Now login is a breeze for these students and they get right to the planned digital activity. What was once a task that took 20-30 minutes to master, is now accomplished in under 3 minutes! The confidence in the faces of these young learners and their teachers show how much of a game changer this system is! Wednesday, November 16th was National Education Support Professionals Day! Our ESP's give their all to keep our schools running efficiently. We couldn't do it without our team of passionate and dedicated ESP's. Thank you for all that you do! Inclement Weather Procedure The FPS Inclement Weather Procedure outlines the decision making process for school cancellation or delays in response to weather related incidents. Families are encouraged to review the procedure as we enter the start of the winter season. View the procedure here. From the School Committee Redistricting Analysis As part of the Redistricting Analysis that is being done in collaboration with the Franklin School Committee, we established a Redistricting Advisory Group of 60 individuals composed of FPS parents/ guardians, educators, administrators. This group will meet with our redistricting consultant App Geo, through May 2023 to provide input, feedback, and local context on proposed scenarios to potential updates to attendance boundaries within Franklin. The initial meeting was held on Tuesday, November 15th.  The results and recommendations will be presented at the conclusion to the School Committee in the Spring of 2023. Any recommendations that may be approved by the School Committee will not go into effect during the 2022-2023 school year. The School Committee will continue to engage the public prior to reaching a final decision on any boundary adjustments. We encourage folks to review the materials from the November 15th meeting here. You can learn more about the Redistricting Advisory Committee here. Please join us for our next School Committee meeting on Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022 at 7pm. Were thankful for the support of our FPS Families, Faculty Staff and Franklin Community!   Franklin Public Schools www.franklinps.net

Franklin Public Schools | 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 www.franklinps.net Sent by communications@franklinps.net powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Franklin Public Schools: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee schedules "Deep Dive" Nov 19

Equity Statement
Vision (Hopes and dreams for the future)

• Franklin Public Schools is committed, through its educational mission, to building an anti-biased and socially-just school system. Members of our school community commit to the process of listening, learning, acting, and reflecting in order to
• affirm the diversity among community members; 
• promote equity and accountability by providing resources and opportunities and reducing barriers to success;
• foster a safe and inclusive school environment so that each student and faculty/staff member truly belongs and is empowered to participate in decision-making. 
• As a system and as individuals, we are responsible for proactively taking steps to prevent bias; similarly we are responsible for illuminating and addressing bias and discrimination when incidents occur. As a result, each student in Franklin Public Schools will have equitable opportunities to achieve Franklin’s Portrait of a Graduate.   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/portrait_of_a_graduate_.pdf

Definitions

• Diversity is a reflection of the uniqueness of an individual’s identity, thoughts, ideas, perspectives, and values, and the fluidity through which each may evolve. Some examples include, but are not limited to, a person’s race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, religious beliefs, culture, national origin, disability and cognitive styles.
• Equity involves each individual being able to attain the attributes of Franklin’s Portrait of a Graduate.
• Inclusion is consistently ensuring that individuals belong in the school community by authentically seeking out, valuing, and respecting their input particularly regarding decisions that affect theirs and others’ lives.

Shared from -> 

https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/fps-diversity-equity-inclusion/home

Participate in the Deep Dive into DEI on Saturday, Nov 19 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM  https://www.franklinps.net/district/events/90971

Franklin Public Schools: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee schedules "Deep Dive" Nov 19