Town Council takes almost 5 hours to approve FY 2027 budget, the CPA funded projects & capital round 2 (video)

The Franklin Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, June 10 with all 9 members present in Council Chambers. The session went almost 5 hours with a vote to extend past 4, and a brief "bio break/recess" during.

The 'surprise' of the evening was the announcement that Police Chief TJ Lynch will retire in November 2026.

Ultimately the FY 2027 budget passed by a 6-3 vote, the CPA funding allocation also passed by a 7-2 vote. The use of free cash for the capital round 2 was also approved by a vote of 9-0

Franklin TV video is available for replay  https://www.youtube.com/live/qrKpQCBSomk?&t=170

The agenda and associated materials can be found - https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06102026-2357 

My notes in one PDF can be found - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EPl6-K3022R4Jzy0uObq2AyvHbqrl9lS/view?usp=drive_link

A Tally of the individual votes is being put together and we be shared as soon as complete

Franklin TV schedule for Thursday, June 11, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = THURSDAY

9:30 am Memorial Day Breakfast 2026

11:33 am Cooking Thyme: Lasagna

12:03 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers

12:35 pm Cooking with Linda: Crescent Rolls

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Deep Dish

2:00 pm New England Candlepins Summer 2023 Show 3

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 7

3:30 pm Aging Boldfully: Ken Bray

4:30 pm Veterans' Call: PACT Act

5:30 pm Celebrate with Pride: Toby

9:00 pm Circle of Friends; Abbie Gardner

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = THURSDAY

7:30 am     Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2

8:30 am FHS Spring Jazz 2026

10:30 am Tri County Graduation 05-28-26

12:30 pm FHS Chamber Music 04-08-26

2:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Lord of the Flies

3:00 pm FHS Varsity Softball v Shrewsbury 06-06-26

9:00 pm FHSTC: Curious Case of Cottingley Fairies

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = THURSDAY

8:00 am Conservation Commission 06-04-26

12:00 pm Economic Development 06-04-26

2:00 pm Conservation Commission 06-04-26

6:00 pm Communications Subcommittee 05-28-26

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

School Committee gets updates on Facilities, AI, and evaluates the Superintendent on Tuesday(video)

The Franklin School Committee met as scheduled in Council Chambers on Tuesday, June 9 at 7 PM. 6 of the 7 members were present, 1 absent (O'Sullivan).

Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/hgHgIZ5L_iY?&t=235

The agenda document https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06092026-2356 

The presentations documents should be posted in a couple of days to this folder   https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/june-9%2C-2026-sc-meeting-packet/28109200

Quick recap

• Presentation and discussion on Facilities focused on school projects completed as part of the redistricting, and those left remaining, some of which are funded, some are pending funding and some are for future
• Presentation and discussion on the potential intentional implementation of AI as an educational tool as well as how to use AI being taught to the students. The work over the last four months has developed 4 main principles to guide the further discussion and planning. Additional updated will be made as progress is made
• Superintendent evaluation was discussed and approved. The doc with the feedback, goals and accomplishments is to be posted to the Schools page soon
• The Committee entered into Executive Session not to return to open meeting for contract negotiations approx. 10:30 PM

Photos of the Facility presentation

https://photos.app.goo.gl/t3rkbwCxnDm6A9Wy6

Photos of the AI discussion presentation

https://photos.app.goo.gl/TqNxhuTk8og7WqRp8

The working 4 guiding principles as presented

Aging Boldfully: Ken Bray (audio & video)

Aging Boldfully is a new show on Franklin TV's All Access channel hosted by Susan Rohrbach. Ken Bray was Susan's guest for this episode.

The show description: 

"Aging Boldfully is about living your next chapter outside of your comfort zone—fully embracing the uniqueness of you.

For many of us, the idea of aging doesn’t appear on our radar until we approach our 60s, when retirement begins to loom. During this time, our attention often narrows to one critical goal: ensuring financial independence. While that focus is important, it can distract us from an equally vital question: What am I going to do with the rest of my life? 

Each of our journeys is unique. Rather than clinging to the tired concept of “retirement,” we have the chance to rethink and redesign this new chapter. What will life look like now that we are the CEO of our own story? 

Aging Boldfully will explore the themes that matter most as we step into this phase—purpose, relevance, resilience, physical health, mental well-being, intentional living, and mindfulness. It will showcase members of our community who are finding meaning, living with purpose, and overcoming obstacles—real examples of what it means to age not just gracefully, but boldfully."

Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y3e4ShaBXo

Audio link -  https://aging-boldfully.captivate.fm/episode/episode-007-ken-bray

Franklin TV schedule for Wednesday, June 10, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY

7:30 am     Arts Advocacy: How-Tos

8:30 am Veterans' Oral History Project: Dave Cargill

10:00 am Memorial Day 2026

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Lasagna

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Crescent Rolls

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Deep Dish

2:00 pm New England Candlepins Summer 2023 Show 3

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 7

3:30 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta

6:00 pm Concerts on the Common: Mike Tarara

8:30 pm Circle of Friends; Abbie Gardner

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = WEDNESDAY

8:30 am Jazz Cafe 03-06-26

10:00 am SAFE Coalition: Woody Geissman

11:00 am FHS Spring Jazz 2026

1:30 pm     FHS Varsity Softball v Shrewsbury 06-06-26

3:30 pm Tri County Graduation 05-28-26

5:15 pm     FHS Chamber Music 04-08-26

7:00 pm FHS Varsity Baseball v Leominster 05-31-26

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = WEDNESDAY

8:00 am Town Council 05-20-26

1:00 pm Town Council 05-21-26

7:00 pm Town Council  CHAMBERS  860 1320 5721

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

Franklin TV schedule for Tuesday, June 9, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = TUESDAY

 7:00 am Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta

7:30 am     Joe Landry: The Hurricane of 1938

9:00 am Arts Advocacy: How-Tos

10:00 am Frank Presents: Jay Elias Pt 2

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Crescent Rolls

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Deep Dish

2:00 pm New England Candlepins Summer 2023 Show 3

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 7

3:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2

5:30 pm United Methodist Church: Lola Richardson

9:00 pm Concerts on the Common: Mike Tarara

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = TUESDAY

7:00 am FHS Spring Jazz 2026

9:00 am FHS Chamber Music 04-08-26

10:30 am Arts Advocacy: How-Tos

11:30 am Jazz Cafe 03-06-26

1:00 pm FHS Varsity Softball v Shrewsbury 06-06-26

3:00 pm FHS Senior Awards 2026

9:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2

10:00 pm FHSTC: Curious Case of Cottingley Fairies

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = TUESDAY

8:00 am School Committee 05-26-26

11:00 am Finance Committee 06-03-26

2:00 pm School Committee 05-26-26

7:00 pm School Committee  CHAMBERS  896 2120 3740  Passcode 399476

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

Franklin TV schedule for Monday, June 8, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel   (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = MONDAY

7:00 am Aging Boldfully: Ken Bray

8:00 am SAFE Coalition: Woody Geissman

9:00 am Concerts on the Common: Mike Tarara

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Lasagna

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Crescent Rolls

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Deep Dish

2:30 pm New England Candlepins Summer 2023 Show 3

3:30 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 7

4:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage Pt1

7:00 pm Frank Presents: Jay Elias Pt 2

8:00 pm Celebrate with Pride: Toby

9:00 pm United Methodist Church: Lola Richardson

10:00 pm Circle of Friends; Abbie Gardner

Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel              (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = MONDAY

8:30 am SAFE Coalition: Woody Geissman

9:30 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2

10:30 am FHS Spring Jazz 2026

12:30 pm FHS Concert Hour 02-26-26

2:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse v Westford Academy 06-02-26

6:30 pm FHS Senior Awards 2026

9:00 pm FHSTC: Curious Case of Cottingley Fairies

Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel     (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = MONDAY

8:00 am Planning Board 06-01-26

10:00 am Finance Committee 06-03-26

2:00 pm Planning Board 06-01-26

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

FHS girls softball playoff run ends vs. Shrewsbury (video)

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Saturday, June 6, 2026

Softball = Division 1

#12 Franklin, 5 @ #4 Shrewsbury, 6 – Final

HockomockSports.com photo gallery of the game  (subscription required) -  https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2025-2026/Spring-2026/Franklin-Shrewsbury-Softball-06-06-26

Franklin TV video for replay = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBOpcB6iaJw

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-06-06-26/

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