2 Part Audio for the Town Council Mtg March 4: authorized fire truck, approved goals, & heard total exp on snow & ice now exceeds $2M (audio)

FM #1684-85 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 1684-85 in the series. 

This session shares part of the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The Council held this session as scheduled beginning at 6 PM. All 9 Councilors participated for this 4 hour plus session. 

 

• 1684 - The Opening, and all agenda items except the goals which they saved for last  (approx. 2 hrs. 7 mins)  

• 1685 - Discussion on the goals brings them right up to the 4 hour limit which they managed to stay within  (approx. 1 hour and 55 mins)

  

Audio 1684 - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1684-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-03-04-26-p1-of-2/

Audio 1685 - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1685-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-03-04-26-p2-of-2/

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Additional notes on the meeting recap can be found (including link to Franklin TV video) ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/03/town-council-authorizes-fire-truck.html 

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Engine 3 is the fire truck authorized to be replaced

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"

Fire Dept & Health Dept schedule Hands Only CPR Training - March 25

Fire Dept & Health Dept schedule
Hands Only CPR Training - March 25

Hands only CPR Training (Free)

Registration required

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ACAF2EAAF9C25-62703663-handsonly?useFullSite=true#/

Franklin Fire Dept report on Peters Lane fire - Feb 27, 2026

"At 1:17 PM the Metacomet Emergency Communications Center received a call reporting a possible structure fire at 6 Peters Lane.

Franklin Fire Dept report on
Peters Lane fire - Feb 27, 2026

Franklin Fire units arrived and found a fire in the garage of the home that was quickly extinguished. Two residents were rescued from the house by Franklin Fire personnel. They were transported by Bellingham and Medway Fire Department ambulances to Rhode Island Hospital.

The Franklin Fire Department was assisted by the Bellingham, Medway, Mendon, Norfolk, Plainville, and Wrentham Fire Departments.

A special thank you to the Franklin Police Department personnel who assisted at the scene.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Franklin Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal's Office.

The Foxboro Fire Department provided station coverage during the incident."

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CPVB4NWPt/

Finance Committee approves funding recommendation for fire truck replacement (video)

The Franklin (MA) Finance Committee met on Wednesday, Feb 25, 206 as scheduled at 6 PM. 5 members were in chambers, 1 remote. It was announced 1 member had resigned that day and would hopefully be replaced before the budget hearings in April.

Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/sM7NUUmqKlw?&t=245

The agenda and released doc can be found - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02252026-2152 

My notes were captured via the Bluesky app, the top of the thread can be found here - https://bsky.app/profile/franklinmatters.bsky.social/post/3mfpsbpk6us2o

Quick recap

• Motion to approve the prior meeting notes, so moved, second, passes via roll call (1 remote) was 6-0-3 (2 absent, 1 resigned this AM)
• Discussion on need to replace a fire engine which has frame corrosion and was taken offline.
• Discussion on an undercarriage wash to help prolong the life of the trucks and rest of the fleet with other issues of corrosion
• Consider other alternatives for prevention of corrosion, maybe look to a cost analysis on the sand vs. salt/brine solution. What are the pros, cons?
• Multiple options available for financing, ultimately resolved to recommend authorization of a BAN (a short term borrowing instrument) for the full $935K.
• This keeps the stabilization account intact for now and can still be used to pay down the principal when the BAN is converted to a longer term finance deal
• Vote passed 5-1 via roll call
• Q2 report 
• Snow and ice was gradually increased to be fully funded from ops instead of free cash
• Lack of FEMA money for 'disaster' events like the major storms
• Local receipts are not at the level that Kerri would like
• Library is only $25k over the State minimum
• Discussion on adding to a May meeting reconsidering the OPEB contribution to relook at the recommendation before the Council votes in June
• Discussion on the Council handling of the capital budget and suggestion of having FinCom representative at the Council meeting to support any recommendations. A great idea

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 ???

Wednesday, February 18

9:00am Fallen Heroes: Alan W. Willard (Veterans Walkway, Town Common) 

11:00am Franklin Conversation; Q&A (Franklin Senior Center) 

12:00noon    Joe Landry Recording Session (Franklin TV and Radio 102.9 FM)

3:00pm Stop The Bleed (free training) (Franklin Fire Department)

5:00pm Free NARCAN Training (Franklin Public Library)

6:30pm Queer Book Club (Franklin TV and Radio 102.9 FM)

7:00pm Smarty Pants Trivia  (Raillery Public House)

7:30pm Much Ado About Nothing (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

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

Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times

***  NO Town Meetings today   ***

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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

Stop the bleed

The next "Stop the Bleed" Class is scheduled for February 18, 2026 (it is Free!)

The next "Stop the Bleed" Class is scheduled
for February 18, 2026 (it is Free!) 

The Franklin Health and Fire Department is having another FREE Stop the Bleed class for community members on February 18th from 3 pm - 4:30 PM at the Franklin Fire station. 

Individuals will learn how to recognize life-threatening bleeding and act quickly and effectively to control bleeding in order to help save a life. 

SIGN UP LINK:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ACAF2EAAF9C25-62141396-stop

Download a copy of the flyer as a reminder or to share ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/14zCwcnLZ8A3zcwFzbS9LGLqASQrukRBe/view?usp=drive_link

The next "Stop the Bleed" Class is scheduled for February 18, 2026 (it is Free!)

The next "Stop the Bleed" Class is scheduled
for February 18, 2026 (it is Free!) 

The Franklin Health and Fire Department is having another FREE Stop the Bleed class for community members on February 18th from 3 pm - 4:30 PM at the Franklin Fire station. 

Individuals will learn how to recognize life-threatening bleeding and act quickly and effectively to control bleeding in order to help save a life. 

SIGN UP LINK:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ACAF2EAAF9C25-62141396-stop

Download a copy of the flyer as a reminder or to share ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/14zCwcnLZ8A3zcwFzbS9LGLqASQrukRBe/view?usp=drive_link

Thank you very much! 

Alisha Sullivan RN, BSN

Public Health Nurse | Health Department

10 Daniel McCahill Street

Franklin, Massachusetts 02038-1352

FREE Choking Emergency class Jan 28

FREE Choking Emergency class Jan 28

The Franklin Fire and Health Department's are hosting a FREE class that focuses on choking emergencies for our community members this month on January 28 from 3 PM - 4:30 PM at the Franklin Fire Station on 40 West Central St. 

SIGN UP LINK: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ACAF2EAAF9C25-61503087-first

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/13x5W_sTOVbMxHL43X5XkIst8TiHMf377/view?usp=drive_link

Storm brings power outages, downed trees; Clean up and restorations continue this morning

Our household and neighborhood had power restored at 4 AM Saturday morning, an outage of approx. 17 hours. At the peak of the outages, streets were blocked with downed trees. Police and Fire units were active in responding. 

"Good morning,

I wanted to provide an update on the power outage situation from overnight into this morning.

I did not want to send emails throughout the night; however, please be assured that we were actively monitoring conditions and remained in close contact with National Grid throughout the event.

As of approximately 4:30 AM, there were about 1,600 households without power. By 6:30 AM this morning, that number had been reduced to approximately 600 locations still without power. National Grid continues to work on restoring service to the remaining customers.

I hope these updates have been helpful to you as you field questions from residents. I understand that some residents were looking for more detailed information and exact restoration timelines. I want to stress that we share all information as soon as it is provided to us by National Grid.

To recap, although there were multiple individual power lines down within our community the primary cause of the widespread outage was damage that occurred outside of town. National Grid advised that the root cause was a failure of a power transfer loop at a substation. This substation failure impacted four communities. The large-scale outage was due to the substation issue, not individual line failures.

Throughout the night, our crews kept up with demand and responded to calls for service as power was restored. There were no major incidents reported overnight.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely as the morning progresses and provide updates as necessary.

Please feel free to reach out if you need any additional information."

Fire Chief & Emergency Management Manager Charles Allen

And 

"Good morning,

The Department of Public Works has crews out this morning continuing with debris cleanup around town.

The good news is that we did not need to salt the roads, which saved municipal funds.

Have a great week!"

Robert Cantoreggi

Director, Department of Public Works

The NationalGrid outage map as of 7:30 this morning

The NationalGrid outage map as of 7:30 this morning

Christmas on the Common comes around again, Sunday, November 30 at 4 PM

For the young and young at heart, Santa arrives on the Town Common, Sunday, Nov 30, 2025 at 4 PM. He is reported to be arriving via a special Franklin fire truck. Will Mrs. Claus be with him too?

Sponsored by Concerts on the Common. Donations to help with this and the Town Common decorations are appreciated. Checks can be mailed to 

"Concerts on the Common"
PO Box 92
Franklin, MA 02038

Download the flyer as a reminder of this special event

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n0d8kOZtEIYHZoVfVxU09bXP8YuVWYaS/view?usp=drive_link

Christmas on the Town Common - Nov 30 at 4 PM

Franklin Fire Dept hosted training for the Regional Tech Rescue Team

Via Franklin Fire Dept:

"We were happy to host a training drill for our regional tech rescue team this week. Members of the department are assigned to this team."

Franklin Fire Dept hosted training for the Regional Tech Rescue Team

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/16Zx556Xh5/

Franklin Annual Firefighter Memorial

"The Franklin Fire Department held their annual Firefighter memorial Sunday yesterday.  Thank you to members of the Town Council, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Fire Department Chaplain Father Robert Poitras, and all those who attended.

A special thank you to Vicario Studio for capturing this event."

Shared from (view additional photos) -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1BRqbkP7dd/

Franklin Annual Firefighter Memorial (photos courtesy of Vicario Studio)

Franklin Fire Dept Press Release on Response to Maple St Fire Nov 1

Franklin Fire Dept Press Release on Response to Maple St Fire Nov 1

Shared from ->  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16p1SkUJBa/

Members of the Franklin Fire Dept receive recognition of "recent life saving skills on a critical call"

"Members of Group 4 were recognized by

@Handtevy

for their recent life saving skills on a critical call involving a five week old infant. We are proud of each of them and their professionalism."

Members of the Franklin Fire Dept receive recognition of "recent life saving skills on a critical call"

Shared from -> https://x.com/FranklinMAfire/status/1983530180435140932

Town Council helps complete many goals in a marathon 4 hour plus session on Wednesday, 10/22/25 (audio)

FM #1560 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1560 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.  The agenda was the same as the one published for Oct 15 which was not held and rescheduled for the 22nd. All 9 of the members of the committee were present in Council Chambers for this session. 

Quick recap:

• The recent Fire Dept promotions were sworn in. The promotions show the domino effect of the retirement of Chief McLaughlin.  Charles (Chuck) Allen moved up from Battalion Chief to Fire Chief, Sean Lovely took Chuck's former role as Battalion Chief, and Jaden Brodeur took Sean's former role as Lieutenant. Photos of the swearing in and pinning by family members can be viewed in one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/g3Y1X5Emuspooz6g6 

• The Franklin's 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee was appointed after first voting to increase the size of the committee that was initially scoped and authorized

• The 2025 Election Workers were approved as submitted by Town Clerk Nancy Danello

• A public hearing on a New Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Bassam Michael as the Manager - BMRG LLC d/b/a Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub was conducted and the changes were voted in as approved.

• The public hearing on Multiple modifications of a Section 15 Package Store All Alcoholic Beverages License: Change of License Manager, Change of Officers/Directors & Change of Stock - Dharma Bhakti Corporation d/b/a Liquor World was continued to Oct 29. The principals involved were ready for the original Oct 15 session but unable to meet the rescheduled date

• Alan Earls, Historical Commission Chair presented an overview of the ideas for the Historical Museum 2.0  https://photos.app.goo.gl/rSGBDkPJPKgSaKFe9 

• An overview of the Historic District Commission Process should the Town decide to go forward with one was presented by Will Lee, Historical Commission Member & Rowan Lowell, Town Archivist   https://photos.app.goo.gl/qkaVaRd9w3Anh3Nv6 

• Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator provided an update on the status of Town Council & Town Administrator 2024-2025 Goals. A new set of  goals will be determined by the next Council.    https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7172/8c-2024-2025-Town-Council-and-Town-Administration-Goals---Oct-2025 

• Two resolutions were approved to process a State grant to fund the Franklin Stormwater Asset Management Plan

• A brief hurrah was heard after the approval of the Adoption of the Schmidt Farm and Maple Hill Master Plans

• Approval of Sewer System Map & Water System Map changes for Symphony Dr

• The Collection Containers bylaw was approved. The Elks in this case but any non-profit would have a collection container on their property with authorization from this bylaw

• Two measure to authorize Residential Commercial Kitchens for locations that are on septic systems (not Town sewer) were approved as an enhancement for economic development of small businesses

• A set of 6 bylaws were approved as amended to create the Crossing Neighborhood Zoning District. Councilor Frongillo recused himself for the discussion and votes as his father owns a business in the proposed (now authorized) district

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided an update that the Department of Conservation and Recreation would like to help fund the work to extend the SNETT to the Crossing Neighborhood District. 

The recording runs about 4 hours & 12 minutes (the brief recess for fire dept photos was left out of the audio).

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1560-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-10-22-25/

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

Meeting agenda contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10152025-1953 

My full set of notes captured during the meeting can be found in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P7VMhEm04zewpCdXxAIVjqtoL8S7gzix/view?usp=drive_link 

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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"

Town Hall - sunny day