School Committee gets updates on Franklin TV, Oct 1 enrollment, approves FHS student trip to Greece in 2028 (video)

The Franklin School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. 5 of the 7 members were present in Council Chambers, 2 absent (O'Sullivan, Karunakaran).

Franklin TV video is available fro replay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EShcxo9UUCw

The agenda document can be found - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10272026-2581

Quick recap:

• Presentation by Franklin TV's new Executive Director, Liz Harkins. Photos of the presentation in one album https://photos.app.goo.gl/7q258GY4iAQTGcbq5
• Presentation on proposed high school trip to Greece in 2028 (approved later in the meeting). Photos of the presentation in one album https://photos.app.goo.gl/3jJzPgUFzV1FsrGf6
• Policy ECAB Access to Buildings & Grounds moved to second reading as discussed. motion to approve, second, passes 5-0-2 (2 absent)
• the Oct 1, 2026 enrollment report and discussion    https://photos.app.goo.gl/gPpPP37KQVtYHXc59
• meeting change from May 11 to May 4, 2027, presentation on Horace Mann coincidentally on HM birthday; policy subcommittee also moves from May 11 to May 4
• Entered Executive Session for contract negotiation, did return and approved the addition of Applied Behavioral Analyst (ABA) Tutors to the ESP contract; vote on the motion 5-0-2 (2 absent)

My notes from this session in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xlmiR4mJG0SM5ybaiv14_mEMqqy3TUAQ/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin TV schedule for Wednesday, October 28, 2026

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

7:30 am Battleship Cove: Inside the History: Pt. 4

8:30 am The Black Box: T3

10:00 am Second Sunday Speaker Series: Hayward Manor

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Lobstah

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

12:30 pm Cook with Linda: Chicken with Dijon

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

2:00 pm New England Candlepins Summer 2023 Show 4

3:00 pm Senior Expo 2026

3:10 pm FM: Rotary Car Show

4:00 pm Aging Agenda: Brian Maxfield

6:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Districts

7:00 pm ArtWeek: Airmen of Note

9:30 pm Circle of Friends: Brother Sun

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

8:30 am 6th Grade Winter Music 02-10-26

10:00 am Veterans Oral History Project: Joseph McMannus

11:00 am Middle School 7th & 8th Grade Chorus & Orchestra

1:00 pm FHS Varsity Volleyball v Stoughton 10-23-26

5:30 pm FHS Varsity Field Hockey v Natick 10-17-26

7:30 pm FHS Winter Jazz 2026

9:00 pm FHS Varsity Football v Milton 10-23-26

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

8:00 am Town Council 10-14-26

1:00 pm Town Council 10-14-26

6:00 pm Town Council 10-28-26 FRANKLIN HIGH AUDITORIUM  857 5054 8632

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, Oct 27, 2026

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

7:30 am Aging Agenda: Brian Maxfield

9:00 am Battleship Cove: Inside the History: Pt. 4

10:00 am Frank Presents: Andrew Mikula

10:30 am Frank Presents: Tamisha Civil

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

12:30 pm Cook with Linda: Chicken with Dijon

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

2:00 pm New England Candlepins Summer 2023 Show 4

3:00 pm Senior Expo 2026

3:10 pm FM: Rotary Car Show

3:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Districts

4:30 pm Franklin Matters: Cemetery Tour

5:30 pm FM Journal October 2026

7:30 pm Once Upon A Town: Cataldo Block

9:00 pm ArtWeek: Airmen of Note

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

7:00 am Middle School 7th & 8th Grade Chorus & Orchestra

10:30 am Battleship Cove: Inside the History: Pt. 4

11:30 am 6th Grade Winter Music 02-10-26

1:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Soccer v Mansfield 10-21-26

3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Districts

4:00 pm FHS Varsity Field Hockey v Natick 10-17-26

8:30 pm FHS Winter Jazz 2026

10:00 pm FHSTC: Peter and the Starcatcher

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

8:00 am School Committee 10-13-26

12:00 pm Finance Committee 10-21-26

2:00 pm School Committee 10-13-26

7:00 pm School Committee 10-27-26 CHAMBERS 825 6416 6305

                                                   PW:424543

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, Oct 26, 2026

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

7:00 am Aging Boldfully: Jenn Goebel

8:00 am Veterans' Oral History Project: Dave Cargill

9:00 am ArtWeek: Airmen of Note

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Lobstah

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

12:30 pm Cook with Linda: Chicken with Dijon

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

2:30 pm New England Candlepins Summer 2023 Show 4

3:30 pm Senior Expo 2026

3:40 pm FM: Rotary Car Show

4:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Districts

5:00 pm FM Journal October 2026

6:00 pm Aging Agenda: Brian Maxfield

7:00 pm Frank Presents: Tamisha Civil

7:30 pm Frank Presents: Mike Maraglia

8:00 pm Franklin Matters: Cemetery Tour

9:00 pm Town of Franklin Voter Information Session 2026

10:00 pm Circle of Friends: Brother Sun

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

8:30 am Veterans Oral History Project: Joseph McMannus

9:30 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Districts

10:30 am Middle School 7th & 8th Grade Chorus & Orchestra

12:30 pm Lifelong Music Spring 2025: Band and Glee

2:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Soccer v Medfield 10-13-26

6:30 pm Franklin Youth Softball: All-Stars 06-11-26

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 10-19-26

10:00 am Town Charter AD Hoc Committee CHAMBERS 874 7455 4498

12:00 pm Finance Committee 10-21-26

2:00 pm Planning Board 10-19-26

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: Thanksgiving Day Football - Bringing the Excitement Home!

"Thanksgiving Day in Franklin wouldn’t be complete without football, family, and hometown pride! This year, Franklin TV is teaming up with the KP Collaborative to help bring the excitement of Thanksgiving Day football right to your screen with upcoming live game coverage.

Whether you’re cheering from the sidelines, celebrating with family around the table, or tuning in from afar, you won’t have to miss a moment of the action.

From the energy on the field to the traditions that bring our community together, Franklin TV is proud to help keep fans connected to the teams, athletes, and hometown spirit that make this annual matchup so special.

Can’t make it to the game? We’re bringing the game to you! Get ready to cheer on our local athletes, celebrate the Thanksgiving tradition, and experience the excitement from wherever you are.

Stay tuned to Franklin TV for more details on our upcoming live coverage. This Thanksgiving, we’re bringing the community together—one play, one cheer, and one hometown tradition at a time!

Continue reading additional news in this week's programming guide"

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oZvxOFAKpsZr6YO6UrwIW7nbBGOesrdO/view?usp=drive_link

FHS volleyball tops Stoughton on Friday (video)

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, October 23, 2026.

Football = Franklin, 6 @ Milton, 41 – Final

1st Quarter: (M) Chaz Putman 7-yard pass from Sean Lane, XP no good; (F) Christian Holmes 20-yard rush, XP blocked.

2nd Quarter: (M) Jayden Dubois 8-yard rush, Peter Skutnik XP good; (M) P. Skutnik 20-yard rush, P. Skutnik XP good; (M) J. Dubois 35-yard rush, P. Skutnik XP good.

3rd Quarter: (M) C. Putman 10-yard pass from S. Lane, P. Skutnik XP good; (M) Taj Chung 18-yard pass from S. Lane, P. Skutnik XP good.

4th Quarter: No scoring.

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

Volleyball = Stoughton, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final

– Franklin’s seniors stole the show on senior night as the Panthers rolled past Stoughton, 3-0 (25-8, 25-6, 25-12). Senior Gianna Laurello finished with nine kills, six aces, and 10 digs, senior Sarah Chace added five kills and two blocks, senior Katelynn Crosby collected nine digs and two aces, and senior Olivia Caruso handed out 20 assists to go with five digs and two aces.

Franklin TV video for replay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0224oSody8

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-10-23-26/

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

Franklin TV schedule for Friday, Oct 23, 2026

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

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

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

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

Finance Committee gets insights on the enterprise funds & approves fiscal policy revision (video)

The Franklin (MA) Finance Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, Oct 21 in Council Chambers. All 9 members participated, 1 remotely.

Franklin TV for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/6TyCyxQt1cw?si=CGwvJ7CY9zKzCm2L&t=219

The agenda for this session - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10212026-2572 

Quick recap

• The DPW Enterprise funds (water, sewer, solid waste, & storm water) are separate from the general fund. These are all user based funds from fees for the service, and the expenses for those services are paid from these accounts. The accounts are set to maintain a balance for emergencies, and in some cases calculated to build the balance to offset the need for a rate increase
• Slides presented captured in this photo album https://photos.app.goo.gl/9K8Hgc8HUVjg3umw5
• Review & discussion of the 1Q budget to date report
• https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/11317/5b-Local-Receipts-Enterprise-Revenues-Budget-to-Actual-Report-9-30-2026
• Review & discussion on the fee revenue generated by department
• https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/11375/5c-FY-2026-Revenue-By-Departments-ONLY
• Review & discussion on the expense analysis by Department through 1Q FY 2027
• https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/11376/5d-FY2026-Expense-Analysis-by-Departments
• Review & discussion on the FY 2027 budget tracker. Dept Management gets this report monthly, the Finance Committee gets this quarterly
• https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/11384/September-FY27-Budget-Tracker

My notes in one PDF as captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OnhbqHca8MjRiJW7ysNjxepf0_wKYxGU/view?usp=drive_link

What is the Senior Expo like? Watch the recap and mark your calendar for next year (video)

Sarah Montoya, Senior Center Director

Over 40 vendors came to the Franklin Senior Center to educate the senior population on the services they offer. Everything from medical assistance to financial help and everything in between was on offer, and the house was packed!

Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bzdbgW0wOo

FHS volleyball & boys soccer teams post wins on Wednesday

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

Boys Soccer = Mansfield, 0 @ Franklin, 1 – Final

– Senior Will McAuley scored just after the midway point of the first half and Franklin’s defense registered its seventh shutout of the season, and the Panthers secured a share of the Kelley-Rex division with a 1-0 win over Mansfield. Shortly after a timeout from head coach Nick Goldman, Franklin put the pressure on the Hornets back line, and McAuley blocked a clearance and split a pair of defenders off a miscommunication and went in alone on goal and buried a low shot past the keeper. It marked the Panthers’ fifth straight Kelley-Rex division title, this one shared with Milford.

Franklin TV video available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdmhvY0L9Gg

Volleyball = Franklin, 3 @ Taunton, 0 – Final

– Sophomore Phoebe O’Connor recorded her 1,000th career assist while filling the stat sheet in Franklin’s sweep of Taunton. The Panthers won 3-0 (25-14, 25-19, 25-8) as O’Connor finished with 23 assists, five aces, two kills, four blocks, and five digs, junior Emerson Delleo added 10 kills, 11 digs, and three aces, and senior Gianna Laurello chipped in six kills, six aces, and 11 digs.

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-10-21-26/

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

Franklin TV schedule for Thursday, Oct 22, 2026

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

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

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

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 Wednesday, October 21, 2026

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

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

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

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

The Franklin community's GREAT accomplishment with Old Colony Habitat For Humanity (video)

"A 170-year-old church transformed. A mother’s life changed forever. A New Beginning for the Marmol family. Old Colony Habitat for Humanity’s 2026 Franklin Build is chronicled in this short-form documentary, donated by Jeff Bragg of Storypulse Media (https://www.storypulsemedia.com/). This project in Franklin, MA was truly a special one, and we are so thankful to Jeff for sharing Sally’s story in such a beautiful way. 

We would also like to thank the over 50 sponsors and hundreds of other supporters who helped make Sally’s homeownership dream a reality. We give special thanks to the Town of Franklin, who donated the former South Franklin Congregational Meeting House to Old Colony Habitat for Humanity, allowing us to transform this piece of history into a forever home for Sally and her family.

Thank you to some of our biggest sponsors:

Town of Franklin, MA (https://www.franklinma.gov/)

Advanced Green Insulation (https://www.advancedgreeninsulation.com/)

Connell Roofing (https://www.connellroofing.com/)

Pinette Plumbing (https://www.pinetteplumbingandheating...)

Notturno Home Services (https://notturnohome.com/)

Camger Solutions (https://www.camger.com/)

O’Koren Electrical (https://okorenelectrical.com/)

Our project in Norton, MA will be very different from this one, but no less special. We are building a new home from the ground up on a plot of land donated to us by a Norton resident. Thank you to our donor and to the town of Norton for giving us the opportunity to provide another partner family with a safe, secure, and comfortable home. To stay up to date on or get involved with this new project, please visit us at oldcolonyhabitat.org."

Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLrgF-k9lNY

Interview with Jamie Hellen and Kim Thomas in October, 2025  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/talk-franklin-update-on-old-colony.html

Ribbon cutting June 2026  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/06/historic-old-south-church-given-new.html

Old Colony Habitat given Mary Olsson Award    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/06/the-third-annual-presentation-of-mary-c.html

Franklin TV schedule for Tuesday, Oct 20, 2026

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

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

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

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

Town Council hears student intern report in first of 3 tax rate workshops (video)

The Franklin Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, Oct 14 in Council Chambers. All 9 members were present.

Franklin TV video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBUfX3OGpgM

The agenda doc and released supporting material

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142026-2560 

Quick recap

• need more info on how the split would work for Franklin (The calculation is actually one page in the annual tax rate hearing documentation provided by the Board of Assessors)
• aside: the tax rate is a result of a calculation and not a decision or a toss of darts to a board the authorized budgeted amount divided by the total assessed valuation results in the tax rate as the residential evaluations have increased recently (due to the increased price war for housing), the ratio of residential vs CIP has generally been in a tight range until the last couple of years

PDF version of this memo to the Council as part of the Oct 14 agenda

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/11284/11a-i---MEMO---Tax-Rate-Workshop-1 

Tax rate package for FY 2026 - https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7790/6a-Tax

Student presentation doc 

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11278/11a-ii-1---Franklin-Tax-Rate-Council-Presentationpptx---Google-Slides

Comparison Report (details upon which the presentation was drawn from) - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11277/11a-ii-2---Franklin-Tax-Rate-Study-Single-vs-Split-Rate-Analysisdocx

Complete agenda for Oct 14 session

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142026-2560

In addition to the info brought forth by the FHS students for the tax rate discussion tonight at the Town Council meeting, I offer the following.

Item 1 

For the chart the students offered in the Comparison Report, I

1 - added the total assessed valuation per community

2 - sorted by the CIP%

3 - highlighted the exceptions in both sections of the sort

The same chart in PDF format

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MhtZaxxPYhk_2o35ETje_1G-7CLsfq0M/view?usp=drive_link

The Excel workbook used for this

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/118r4s31jOLdPMBJ_FuWj3XE47vhQ6WlI/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=101938843903614700481&rtpof=true&sd=true

Item 2

Content in context is important. While the research produced the chart with 17 communities, what is the view across the Commonwealth? The Dept of Local Services has a great data bank to provide the info. 2026 was chosen as the data for 2027 is not fully populated across the 351. 2022 was chosen simply as the first year before the housing crunch from COVID.

In 2026, 129 of the 351 communities had split tax rates

In 2026, 37 had a CIP% less than 20%  (92 had more than 20%)

In 2022, 118 of the 351 communities had split rates

In 2022, 49 had a CIP% less than 20%  (70 had more than 20%)

Why the change in 4 years? Oh, the residential valuations have increased significantly more than the commercial valuations changing the ratio between the two.

Has the residential demand (or valuations) slowed down yet? Not likely given what we are seeing in the market.

Item 3

From the FY 2026 tax rate hearing (and decision to confirm the single rate as calculated)  

While it is regularly mentioned during the tax rate hearings, the move to a split rate does not add a single dollar to our revenue. All it does is shift the burden from one property class to another.

I'd also add, no matter the single or split rate, no matter the rate rising or falling, the tax bill is always going up.

Additional charts posted in Dec 2025

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/annual-tax-rate-hearing-for-fy-2026.html

The full agenda doc for the Town Council meeting October 14, 2026

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142026-2560