One error corrected, one still being worked

Date Error Acknowledged: 

The Sunday edition (7/26) of the Franklin Matters newsletter shared for the 2nd time an invite to the annual open meeting and block party at the Franklin TV studi. 

The time of day on Saturday is good but the date was wrong, it is not scheduled for August 22. It is scheduled for August 29. 

• The prior posts on the FM page have been corrected
• The Facebook posts have been corrected
• Additional reminders will include the proper date (August 29)
• The community calendar has been updated with the proper date (August 29)

Radio Streaming Service offline:

The streaming service for Franklin Public Radio, wfpr.fm, which is usually available 7 by 24 by 365 is offline. The technical issue is being worked. Hopefully, it won't be too much longer before it is resolved.

The broadcast on the local area FM band to 102.9 is not affected by the outage, only the streaming srvice is.

Economic Development Subcommittee discuss new growth with Board of Assessors (audio)

FM #1784 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1784 in the series. 

The Economic Development Subcommittee met on Thursday, June 23, 2026 as scheduled. Committee Chair LeBlanc, members Morrongiello, Malloy were present for this session, Griffith was absent.

Quick recap:

• Director of Assessors Kevin Doyle read a prepared statement for the record outlining the assessment process

• Questions from the committee members

• the focus of the discussion on new growth is due to its impact on the financial revenue available above 2.5% (and the levy limit)

• really to better understand the valuation process and how to make improvements as possible

• question on a possible timeline for a permit through to the assessment and re-evaluation; response included mention of a subscription to aerial photos of the Town 3x during the year to help identify what is happening around Town, trying to get an answer on an avg time line but it is not forthcoming

• the two approaches for commercial valuations come within 5-10% plus or minus of each other; course 101 from the Dept of Revenue provides the basics

• 2 properties in the same neighborhood should calculate to the same, based upon the tables (I.e. property card records) and MA process

• is there an audit to see that we are covering what should be? Effectively, no - audits wouldn't necessarily be fair and equitable for all

• question about the Senior means exemption, will get the info asked for

• question on an ownership change, if the new owner transaction brings that amount into new growth, does that really overstate our assessed value? as the old owner's assessed value goes away from the total assessed value? or does it? We understand the question, we need to get back to you on the right answer

• Another example - residence valued at $900k, renovation of $40k, new assessed value comes at $1M but the $100k increase is 'only' $14k of new growth and the balance is the market value; Answer: don't confuse the market value with the cost of the renovation, it is not a straight linear line

The meeting runs about 1 hour 45 minutes. 

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1784-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-07-23-26/

—-----------

Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/PJlxSRZebX0?&t=91 

The meeting agenda and released documents - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07232026-2422 

My full set of notes captured in the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E5RSt7sJdi_34C3soFiPJHoNlikm8ioc/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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit www.franklin.news/ or  www.Franklinmatters.org/ 

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"

Franklin TV schedule for Monday, July 27, 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: Fyzical

8:00 am SAFE Coalition: The Hamlins

9:00 am 4th of July 2026: GQ & The Lady

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Lobstah

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Chicken Salad

12:30 pm Learn to Cook with Linda: Chicken Piccata Meatballs

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Black Bean, Roasted Pepper & Garlic Pizzetta

2:30 pm New England Candlepins Summer 2023 Show 7

3:30 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 10

4:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith

5:28 pm Aging Agenda: Brian Maxfield, CFP

7:00 pm Frank Presents: Bob Jubinville

8:00 pm Celebrate with Pride 2026

9:00 pm ArtWeek: Ed Iannuccilli

10:00 pm Franklin Cultural Council: Pamela Means

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

8:30 am  SAFE Coalition: The Hamlins

9:30 am  Winning Ways with the MIAA: Student Athletes Ep 2 06-11-26

10:30 am  FHS Concert Hour 02-25-26

12:30 pm  Jazz Cafe 03-06-26

2:00 pm  FHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse v Taunton 04-06-26

6:30 pm  FHS Graduation 2026

9:00 pm  FHSTC: Peter and the Starcatcher

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

8:00 am Planning Board 07-13-26

11:00 am Economic Development 07-23-26

2:00 pm Planning Board 07-13-26

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

http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  

You are all welcome to the Franklin TV Open Board Meeting / Block Party on - Saturday, Aug 29

It’s Happening. August 29nd at Our Studio

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 07/26/2025

Our Annual Open Board Meeting will take place as our neighborhood block party. Come to our 23 Hutchinson St. studios.

Join us, Saturday, August 29nd at 3:00pm. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by August 25 to: info@franklin.tv

It’s open to all Franklin businesses and residents. We’ll meet-and-greet and enjoy the day starting at 3:00 PM. Come hungry, enjoy great food and all the fixin’s – along with tunes and fun.

You can also tour our studios and learn about Franklin●TV and wfpr●fm. We’ll also briefly review the past year’s progress and plans for the future. At our meeting you may cast your vote for new and/or renewing board positions.

Excerpt from our bylaws: (Available on our website.)

Section 15. Election of Director by the Membership (a) Members shall be notified by the Clerk of the election of a director by the Membership at the Annual Meeting. Said notice shall be in accordance with the notice provisions of Section 4 of this Article IV. (b) Any eligible voting Member may be nominated for election to the position of Director by: 

(i) Written notification to the Clerk no later than seven (7) days prior to Annual Meeting; or (ii) By nomination from the floor of the Annual Meeting made and seconded by no less than three (3) eligible voting members.

Thanks to our board members who contribute their time and energy to help make Franklin●TV all that a public access TV studio can be. If you would like to become involved either as a volunteer or to create your own TV or radio programs at Franklin●TV and wfpr●fm, just send an email to: info@franklin.tv with your contact information. You can also call us to explore your ideas. 508-541-4118.

Please join us at our Franklin●TV event. Come meet, greet, chow down, have fun, and learn all about local TV and radio in Franklin.

See you then.

And – as always –

Thank you for watching. 

Thanks 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 

Economic Development Subcommittee discusses new growth with Board of Assessors (video)

Economic Development Subcommittee met as scheduled on Thursday, July 23 in Council Chambers. Chair Michael LeBlanc, members Max Morrongiello and Stephen Molloy participated.

Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/PJlxSRZebX0?&t=91

The meeting agenda and released documents - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07232026-2422 

Quick recap:

• Director of Assessors Kevin Doyle read a prepared statement for the record outlining the assessment process
• Questions from the committee members
• the focus of the discussion on new growth is due to its impact on the financial revenue available above 2.5% (and the levy limit)
• really to better understand the valuation process and how to make improvements as possible
• question on a possible timeline for a permit through to the assessment and re-evaluation; response included mention of a subscription to aerial photos of the Town 3x during the year to help identify what is happening around Town, trying to get an answer on an avg time line but it is not forthcoming
• the two approaches for commercial valuations come within 5-10% plus or minus of each other; course 101 from the Dept of Revenue provides the basics
• 2 properties in the same neighborhood should calculate to the same, based upon the tables (I.e. property card records) and MA process
• is there an audit to see that we are covering what should be? Effectively, no - audits wouldn't necessarily be fair and equitable for all
• question about the Senior means exemption, will get the info asked for
• question on an ownership change, if the new owner transaction brings that amount into new growth, does that really overstate our assessed value? as the old owner's assessed value goes away from the total assessed value? or does it? We understand the question, we need to get back to you on the right answer
• Another example - residence valued at $900k, renovation of $40k, new assessed value comes at $1M but the $100k increase is 'only' $14k of new growth and the balance is the market value; Answer: don't confuse the market value with the cost of the renovation, it is not a straight linear line

My full set of notes captured in the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E5RSt7sJdi_34C3soFiPJHoNlikm8ioc/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin TV schedule for July 24, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

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

8:30 am Frank Presents: Cliff Winters

10:00 am Aging Boldfully: Fyzical

11:00 am Senior Connection: Kitchen Gadgets Pt. 3

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Chicken Salad

12:30 pm Learn to Cook with Linda: Chicken Piccata Meatballs

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Black Bean, Roasted Pepper & Garlic Pizzetta

2:00 pm New England Candlepins Summer 2023 Show 6

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 9

3:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Student Athletes Ep 2 06-11-26

4:30 pm Metrowest FanZone: Groovestone

6:00 pm Franklin 4th 2026: Ricky Brennan Jr.

9:00 pm Franklin Cultural Council: Pamela Means

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

7:00 am Middle School Spring Band 06-04-26

8:30 am Arts Advocacy: Fundraising

9:30 am FHS Spring Pops 2026

11:00 am FHSTC - Flowers for Algernon

1:00 pm All-Town Chorus & Orchestra 2026

3:30 pm FHS Varsity Baseball v Attleboro 04-13-26

8:00 pm FHSTC: Peter and the Starcatcher

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

8:00 am  Zoning Board of Appeals 07-09-26

2:00 pm  Zoning Board of Appeals 07-09-26

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

Franklin TV schedule for Thursday, July 23, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

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

8:30 am Strawberry Stroll 2026

9:30 am FSPA Spring Concerts Show 2 05-16-26

11:33 am Cooking Thyme: Lobstah

12:03 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Chicken Salad

12:35 pm Learn to Cook with Linda: Chicken Piccata Meatballs

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Black Bean, Roasted Pepper & Garlic Pizzetta

2:00 pm New England Candlepins Summer 2023 Show 6

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 9

3:30 pm Aging Boldfully: Fyzical

4:30 pm Veterans' Call: Tom Marcone

7:00 pm Celebrate with Pride 2026

8:00 pm Aging Agenda Episode 1

9:00 pm Franklin Cultural Council: Pamela Means

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

7:30 am     Winning Ways with the MIAA: Student Athletes Ep 2 06-11-26

8:30 am FHS Concert Hour 02-25-26

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

12:30 pm All-Town Chorus & Orchestra 2026

2:00 pm FHSTC - Flowers for Algernon

3:00 pm FHS Varsity Softball v Sharon 05-04-26

9:00 pm FHSTC: Peter and the Starcatcher

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

8:00 am Conservation Commission 07-16-26

2:00 pm Conservation Commission 07-16-26

6:00 pm Economic Development Committee  CHAMBERS  867 7184 7369

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