Voices of Franklin: One Franklin "Shared Values Lead to a Common Goal"

One Franklin (Ballot Question Committee) is proud to stand with educators and grateful for the support of the teachers who serve our community every day. 

We share the mission to advocate for quality public education in an environment in which lifelong learning can flourish. 

All campaign finance reporting requirements are being fully followed. Any materials paid for by outside organizations will be clearly disclosed, and we are in compliance with all state laws.

One Franklin and our town’s educators share a deep concern about what will happen to the Franklin Public Schools and our town services if the override does not pass.

We often hear the saying “It takes a village”. In Franklin’s case, the village that supports our students, and all of us, includes the town police officers who keep our town safe and who keep our students feeling secure, the town fire personnel who show up for us when we need emergency assistance, the town’s outstanding senior center and library that offer socialization and support for senior and young people alike, and the DPW that takes care of our buildings, roads, and open spaces. All of these departments and all of you, the people in our community, working together, make up Franklin's village.

This is a pivotal moment for Franklin, and by coming together to support our public safety, public services, and public schools, we can preserve this wonderful community that we all share.

Please consider voting Yes on June 3rd for our Town of Franklin!

With gratitude,

Jenna Cohen and One Franklin Team

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If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin:  One Franklin "Shared Values Lead to a Common Goal"

2nd budget hearing confirms what happens if override fails for Police, Fire, DPW (video)

The Franklin, MA Finance Committee met as scheduled for their 2nd in the series of Budget hearings for the FY 2026 budget cycle. The meeting took oplace in the 3rd floor conference room and as usual was broadcast to Comcast/Verizon subscribers, as well as to Zoom & YouTube. All 8 members participated.

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

The agenda doc for this session ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04292025-1699

Quick recap:

• Police Chief TJ Lynch started his update. Basically the same as last year with some minor adjustments. If the override were to fail, he would loose 2 officers. He is hiring to backfill for retirees and transfers. When as ked to elaborate on that, he provided the details on the 5 recent departures, with one being sworn in at Council meeting and one still to be hired.
• Deputy Chiefs Klich & Barberi provided the update in lieu of Chief McLaughlin out this week on vacation. 
• Similar to the police update, very little change in totals. If the override fails, they would loose the staffing for the 3rd ambulance. The 3rd ambulance responded to over 100 calls last year and resulted in over 70 hospital trnasports during its 40 hours of weekly coverage. The community would notice the difference in slower response times as mutual aid would be providing more coverage than they do today
• Discussion on vehicle replacement both costs increasing and lead times lengthening. A new ambulance ordered in 2022 is scheduled for delivery on August. The Tower truck ordered in 2023 is scheduled for delivery this summer. The current tower would stay in the fleet and move to back up status, as would the oder of the ambulances when the new one arrives.
• Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW director and Kathy Mooradd, Administration and Budget manager presented initially. Doug Martin, Water/Sewer Superintendent stood up along the way to cover water and sewer updates.
• Similar to the police and fire updates, a level funded budget being presented. Note, not a level service budget. The dollar remains about the same but as the materials cost across the DPW departments account for 65% of the total budget (35% of the personnel cost). The same amount of money is getting less to work with. A failed override will also be noticeable but not right away. Water will still run, sewers will still operate, other maintenance and road repairs, ertc. will be delayed or take longer.
• There were other budget items discussed; Building & inspection, MECC dispatch. The meeting total only runs 90 minutes so it should be easy enough to catch up to. The audio and transcript will come out also (audio THursday, transcript on the weekend).

My notes captured during the meeting via Twitter

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ocIK4PjauaMMklMFVxkybmp4eTf5716K/view?usp=drive_link

Bellingham Fire, Many Nearby Departments Battle Mulch and Brush Fire

Battle Mulch and Brush Fire

Chief William Miller reports that the Bellingham Fire Department and crews from many neighboring communities worked for more than five hours Sunday to contain a sprawling mulch and brush fire. There were no injuries.

Bellingham firefighters first received a call around 8:40 AM Sunday, April 20, about a mulch fire at D&D Mulch and Landscape, 236 Maple St.

Crews quickly responded to the industrial property to attack a fire at two 10,000-yard mulch piles, which Miller said likely was caused by spontaneous combustion. Immediately firefighters requested regional assistance, with more than a dozen other departments providing some form of mutual aid.

Soon the fire jumped to nearby brush, and 6-1/2 acres were consumed.

The fire scene is located along a power line right of way and next to Interstate 495, creating added complications on a day that was warm and windy, ideal for quick-spreading fires.

“First, our crews did a great job immediately responding to the scene and evaluating the situation,” Chief Miller said. “As we requested further assistance, nearby departments stepped up and helped, despite dealing with their own brush fires. We’re really grateful for their help.”

It took until 2 PM for firefighters to declare things under control.

The fire claimed an excavator and a wheel loader from D&D. No buildings were damaged. Some fire departments' hose lines were knocked out of service.

Chief Miller estimated that at least 20 pieces of equipment and 50 firefighters were at the scene.

Foxborough, Norwood and Hopedale provided off-road equipment as part of the firefighting efforts. Brush trucks came from Milford and Mendon. Engines and other apparatus came from Milford, Hopkinton, Westborough, Mendon, Norfolk, Medway, Mansfield, Walpole, Norwood, Hopedale, Wrentham and the state Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry. Plainville’s ambulance team also was on scene.

Franklin firefighters covered Bellingham’s stations.

Chief Miller urges Bellingham residents to use caution, especially on windy days, and be aware of the dangers of fast-moving brush fires.

“These type of fires can quickly spiral out of control,” Chief Miller said.

Franklin Fire Department awarded SAFE & Senior SAFE program grant

SAFE & Senior SAFE program grant

 

"The Franklin Fire Department is pleased to announce that we have been awarded $9,800 through a state grant for the SAFE and Senior SAFE program."

 

 

Shared from -> https://x.com/FranklinMAfire/status/1910362401419014207?

 

 

For the full list of grant awards -> https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-announces-32-million-in-fire-safety-grants

 

Franklin area firefighters conduct specialized technical rescue drill

specialized technical rescue drill 

On Monday, your Franklin Firefighters teamed up with our peers from the Franklin Water Department, the Plainville and Millis Fire Departments to conduct a specialized technical rescue drill at the Grove Street Water treatment building. 

These drills and interagency collaborations allow us to be better prepared to protect the community through our all-hazards emergency response skillset. 

Thank you to The Franklin Water Department for hosting us! It was a very successful training drill.

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DHdqAR6MPuf/

Franklin Fire Dept shares Archbishop Henning's Letter

via Franklin Fire Dept:

"Thank you to Archbishop Henning, Rev. Poitras, and the St. Mary’s Parish community for your continued support of the Franklin Fire Department. We greatly appreciate the kind words. We are glad to see the parish back in the renovated church."

Franklin Fire Dept shares Archbishop Henning's Letter

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15xqWv9RSU/

Fire Dept gets hands-on “Man vs Machine” training via FEMA grant

“Man vs Machine” training via FEMA grant

"We would like to give a huge thank you to @pl_vulcan_fire_training for coming out and providing an excellent hands-on “Man vs Machine” training for all 4 groups this week. 

Members learned various methods for removing rings, extricating victims from under vehicles, impalements, and much more.

We are also pleased to report that this training was 100% funded by a grant awarded from @fema"

 

You can also view additional photos of this training at ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DHEi4s2yAGb/

The Guardian: "Trump administration cancels classes at National Fire Academy amid funding freeze"

"The country’s pre-eminent federal fire training academy canceled classes, effective immediately, on Saturday amid the ongoing flurry of funding freezes and staffing cuts by Donald Trump’s administration.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that National Fire Academy (NFA) courses had been canceled amid a “process of evaluating agency programs and spending to ensure alignment with Administration priorities”, according to a notice sent to instructors, students and fire departments. Instructors were told to cancel all future travel until further notice.

Firefighters, emergency medical service providers and other first responders from across the country travel to the NFA’s Maryland campus for the federally funded institution’s free training programs.

“The NFA is a powerhouse for the fire service,” said Marc Bashoor, a former Maryland fire chief and West Virginia emergency services director with 44 years of fire safety experience. “It’s not a ‘nice to have’. It is the one avenue we have to bring people from all over the country to learn from and with each other. If we want to continue to have one of the premier fire services in the world, we need to have the National Fire Academy.”

Shared from (subscription maybe required) -> https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/08/trump-administration-national-fire-academy

FREE STOP THE BLEED CLASS scheduled for March 19

FREE STOP THE BLEED CLASS scheduled for March 19

The Franklin Health and Fire Department is having another free stop the bleed class for the community on March 19th from 3 PM - 4:30 PM at the Franklin Fire station. 

Please share the attached flyer and sign up link below!

Thank you very much! 

SIGN UP LINK:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ACAF2EAAF9C25-55535046-stop

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s4f0fbIC3AeM7FMreDJuAAyLUtek-YDq/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin TV: All Fired Up!

Where There’s Smoke…

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 03/02/2025

Another month. Another cooking day in our TeeVee Kitchen with Linda Waters and her series, ‘Learn to Cook with Linda’. As per usual, our crew were salivating. It’s very Pavlovian. Getting folks to work on cooking programs is not difficult at all.

Recipes for the day:

Variations on Trifle as a lovely easy dessert – (chocolate and bananas foster.) All about steaks, their different cuts and ways to prepare.

Pies – yup, pies. Peanut butter pie and French chocolate velvet pie. Oh, my.

All was proceeding apace – recording, salivating, making trifle, salivating, cooking steaks, saliv –  and that’s when the fire alarm went off.   Oops!

Franklin TV: All Fired Up!

Turns out that the fire dept had to come. Only they can turn off our alarm. Oops.

At least they were intrigued with our studio, and we made sure that they left with a sample of the trifle and steak. Jokingly, they referred to it as the ‘evidence’? Oops. 

The ultimate irony: We’re slated to test our alarm system on March 4th. 

Duh!

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

3rd of 6 Joint Budget Listening Sessions held, more questions & answers (audio)

FM #1368 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1368 in the series. 

This session shares the Joint Budget Listening Session held Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at the Franklin Senior Center. All 10 members participated along with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. School Supt Lucas Giguere missed the session due to school break week.

Brief statements by TA Hellen and School Committee Vice Chair David McNeill opened the session before going to the audience for questions and comments. At least 13 folks stepped up to comment or ask a question, some multiple questions.

Link to the Town page with the budget materials for both Town and School sides

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500 

As of today, $3.6M short, may change slightly but that is the ballpark for today. Town budget coming out in April.

Cherry sheet link to MA Dept of revenue as referenced by Town administrator Jamie Hellen https://www.mass.gov/cherry-sheet-estimates 

The recording runs about 2 hours 12 minutes , so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1387-joint-budget-listening-session-3-02-19-25/

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

The agenda doc 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02192025-1559 

The agenda packet includes:

a. Town Administrator FY26 Budget Update #4 Memorandum - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4201/Town-Administrator-FY26-Budget-Update-4-Memorandum- 

b. Updated FY26 Budget Model (1/30/25)  - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4191/02b-FY26-Budget-Control-Sheet---Control-Summary 

c. Estimated Override Matrix  - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4190/02c-Override-Tax-Rate-Impact-Calculationxlsx---Sheet1 

d. Board of Assessors Request Letter  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4189/02d-Board-of-Assessors-Support-for-Administrative-Assistant

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->    https://www.youtube.com/live/HWM25y_m2Bk?&t=552 

Franklin Public Schools had a tri-fold handout available for participants. A PDF copy for you to view and download is here ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q02Jpzl96WslZNUv6hMeXzwEmwVXCuoM/view?usp=drive_link 

My notes captured during the meeting can be found in one PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1639lkClEA8IfavpdIKCQq_MbW2i1AsMB/view?usp=drive_link 

The Dr Bergen, School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan discussion on the history of school cuts  Audio link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pqiBAoPBMg 

The Fire Dept presentation on ambulance call volume at the Feb 5 Town Council meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/town-council-approves-capital-budget_8.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. 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"

3rd of 6 Joint Budget Listening Sessions held, more questions & answers (audio)

3rd of 6 Joint Budget Listening Sessions held, more questions & answers (video)

The Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Session #3 of 6 was held at the Senior Center on Wednesday, Febrary 19, 2025.

Franklin TV broadcast and recorded the meeting for replay ->

https://www.youtube.com/live/HWM25y_m2Bk?&t=552

The meeting agenda packet ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02192025-1559

Franklin Public Schools had a tri-fold handout available for participants. A PDF copy for you to view and download is here ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q02Jpzl96WslZNUv6hMeXzwEmwVXCuoM/view?usp=drive_link

My notes captured during the meeting can be found in one PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1639lkClEA8IfavpdIKCQq_MbW2i1AsMB/view?usp=drive_link

The Dr Bergen, School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan discussion on the history of schoool cuts

Audio link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pqiBAoPBMg

The Fire Dept presentation on ambulance call volume at the Feb 5 Town Council meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/town-council-approves-capital-budget_8.html

 

3rd of 6 Joint Budget Listening Sessions held, more questions & answers (video)

HANDS-ONLY CPR Class offered for FREE on Weds, Feb 19 at Fire Dept

HANDS-ONLY CPR Class Weds, Feb 19

The Town of Franklin health Department & Fire Department Present: HANDS-ONLY CPR - TOMORROW - Wednesday, February 19, 3pm - 4:30pm at the

Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Classroom,

Franklin Fire Headquarters

40 West Central St, Franklin, MA

This class teaches participants how to recognize cardiac arrest and to effectively perform hands-only CPR in order to save a life. This class is for educational purposes only and participants will not receive a CPR certification.

Approximately 1 hour long FREE instructional class (including hand-on practice).

Sign up link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ACAF2EAAF9C25-54802899-handsonly?#/

Do you have an appointment for a Car Seat Inspection today?

Do you have an appointment for a Car Seat Inspection today?

 

"The Franklin Police Department is offering a free car seat inspection Thursday (2/13/25) tomorrow at our station. 

Check out the flyer below to make an appointment."

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1Pi7A5Xxue/

Town Council approves capital budget, new victualler license, gives final approval to sign bylaw changes & water/sewer connections for Franklin Ridge (audio)

FM #1376  This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1376 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, February 5, 2025. 7 of the members participated in Council Chambers, 2 were absent (Chandler & Hamblen). 

Quick recap:

Fire Department - Promotions Captain Matthew Kelly & Lieutenant Jeffrey Ward

PUBLIC HEARINGS

     a. Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of September Drive and Countryside Lane and Drainage Lots Parcels A and B and Easements

     b. New Common Victualler Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION - ALS/BLS Trends - EMS Battalion Chief Billy “Numbers” Blanchard, EMS Captain Laurie Kaye

Legislation for action (all votes passed with the same via roll call or voice vote 7-0-2 (2 absent)

•      Resolution 25-07: Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of September Drive and Countryside Lane and Drainage Lots Parcels A and B and Easements

•      Bylaw Amendment 25-924: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service - First Reading

•      Resolution 25-10: Adoption of the 2025 Master Plan for the Town of Franklin  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4018/Final-Report

•      Resolution 25-04: Capital Improvement Plan

•      Resolution 25-02: Statewide Opioid Settlement Fund Appropriation

•      Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-919: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin - Signs (at C. 3.)

•      Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-920: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin- Signs (at E.2.)

•      Bylaw Amendment 25-922: Amendment to Sewer System Map

•      Bylaw Amendment 25-923: Amendment to Water System Map

•      Resolution 25-08: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4

•      Resolution 25-09: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($50), Veterans’ ($2,550), & Recreation ($8,405)

Let’s listen to the meeting recording which runs about 2 hours and 45 minutes.  Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1357-master-plan-update-cmte-mtg-01-15-25/

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

Franklin TV video is ready for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/4rx-pHX5q_Q?&t=161 

The Agenda doc and most materials released for this session ->   https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02052025-1546 

Fire Dept presentation on call volume leading to an increase in ambulance rates

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4402/Fire-EMS-Presentation-2525?bidId= 

My notes in one PDF file ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z9V6bpd4oFls9lbGgb1nzVoDhi8wu6cV/view?usp=drive_link 

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

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"

from Fire Dept presentation on call volume