What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, October 24, 2026 ???

Saturday, October 24

Get your spot for the FHS Theatre Company Boosters November Calendar Raffle

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/10/get-your-spot-for-fhs-theatre-company.html

8:00am Early voting (Town Clerk's Office)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

10:00am 7th Annual Pumpkin Patch (St John's Episcopal Church)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Drug Takeback Events (31 Hayward St)

10:00am    Steps & Strides group walk/run    (SNETT Trail)

10:30am Trunk or Treat! (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm Disney’s Frozen (THE BLACK BOX)

2:00pm Halloween Party (Franklin Police)

4:00pm Lions - Trunk or Treat (Franklin High School)

4:00pm Trunk or Treat / Community Cookout (Franklin United Methodist)

7:30pm Disney’s Frozen (THE BLACK BOX)

7:30pm Richard Shindell (live music) (262 Chestnut St)

8:00pm Karaoke at The Raillery (Raillery Public House)

8:00pm Kendo (live music) (The Tavern on Central)

For additional details on Library events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

*** 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

Downtown Franklin parking options for Halloween weekend

Heading downtown this weekend? Know before you go! 

With the Franklin Public Library's Trunk or Treat and the Franklin Police Department’s Halloween Party happening tomorrow, it’s a great time to brush up on parking options around town!

📍 The Town of Franklin’s Downtown Parking Map highlights public parking options, including the Library, Depot Street, Davis Thayer Building and Ferrara parking lots.

🗺️ Did you know? The Town also offers interactive maps and other mapping resources through its GIS website to help residents explore local information and resources.

🔗 Downtown Parking Map: https://buff.ly/3DrqgVE

🔗 Explore the Town’s GIS Maps: https://buff.ly/ofBMFWw 

Please remember to follow all posted parking signs and restrictions, and enjoy this weekend’s Halloween festivities!

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19vak5iTua/ 

Franklin MAtters will be at the Lions Trunk or Treat, Saturday Oct 24 from 4 to 6 PM

There are three Trunk or Treat events on Saturday AND the Halloween party at the Police Station. 

• Library - 10:30 AM to Noon
• Franklin United Methodist Church - 4 PM to 6 PM
• Franklin Lions at FHS - 4 PM to 6 PM

The police station Halloween event runs from 2 to 5 PM.

“Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Councilor Max Morrongiello (audio)

FM #1818 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1818 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Councilor Max Morrongiello. We had our conversation in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studios on Friday, September 4, 2026. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of September 2, 2026. 

We focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

• Approval of Police Chief James West

• Excess sewer capacity sold to Medway, Millis

• Town properties, presentation by Kate Hinckley GIS, then discussion on the key decisions; siting the Police Station, then what to do with Davis Thayer, Parmenter, 275 Beaver St, etc.

• Office hours at Library, more like this coming

The conversation runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen in

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1818-town-council-quarterbacking-09-04-26/

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Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/uMeOjqTdAEw?si=qSIBaHW_AgOh6RCn&t=57 

The modified agenda for this session (modified to remove the Executive Session)

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09022026-2482 

My full set of notes captured during the meeting in one PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-5-_8ZH8wT7D-xz8WH0fdzhWQCW2jIg9/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!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Four & half hour September 2, 2026 Town Council meeting in 3 parts for ease of listening (audio)

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. The Council held this session as scheduled beginning at 6 PM. 7 members participated in Chambers, 2 remotely so all votes were via roll call.  

The meeting recording is divided into 3 parts

Part 1 - opening through to Police Chief appointment (approx. 90 minutes)

Part 1 - Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1814-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-p1-of-3-09-02-26/

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Part 2 - other appointments, excess sewer capacity discussion and Legislation for action (approx. 50 minutes)

Part 2 - Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1815-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-p2-of-3-09-02-26/

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Part 3 - presentation on TOwn of Franklin properties by Kate Hinckley, GIS and discussion on the key decisions to be made; Police station site, then what dominos follow, Parmenter, Davis Thayer, 275 Beaver St, etc. (approx 2 hours)

Part 3 - Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1816-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-p3-of-3-09-02-26/

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Quick Recap:

The recap and my notes can be found

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/09/town-council-approve-west-as-police.html 

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Franklin TV YouTube video - 

https://www.youtube.com/live/uMeOjqTdAEw?si=qSIBaHW_AgOh6RCn&t=57 

Agenda doc for this session - 

The modified agenda for this session (modified to remove the Executive Session)

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09022026-2482 

My full set of notes captured during the meeting in one PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-5-_8ZH8wT7D-xz8WH0fdzhWQCW2jIg9/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 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 Council approve West as Police Chief, approves excess sewer capacity deal, & goes past 10 PM on Police Station and Town properties discussion (video)

The Franklin Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday Sep 2 in Council Chambers. All 9 members participated, 7 in Chambers, 2 remotely so all votes were via roll call.

Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/uMeOjqTdAEw?si=qSIBaHW_AgOh6RCn&t=57

The modified agenda for this session (modified to remove the Executive Session)

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09022026-2482

Quick recap

• comments on Chestnut St buildings not completed, what can be done
• multiple citizens comments on Flock cameras, being addressed by the Council
• Results of the State Primary are now official as announced by Town Clerk Nancy Danello
• Appointment of James West as Police Chief was approved
• Excess sewer capacity deal with Millis and Medway approved
• Presentation on Town of Franklin properties resulted in a long dicussion ultimately around site of the Police Station. While the Police Station Building Committee was also participating, they did not make a formal presentation, did answer multiple questions. Concensus among COuncil was to review the proposed building to reduce size of building to better fit on the Davis Thayer site. Parmenter would be retained as recreation and potential other Town use. RFP for 275 Beaver St possible
• As the discussion on this Town property topic completed about 10:25 PM, the Council voted to adjourn, they did not need to vote to extend the meeting past their 10 PM self-imposed deadline. Had they attempted another topic, that would have been required

My full set of notes captured during the meeting in one PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-5-_8ZH8wT7D-xz8WH0fdzhWQCW2jIg9/view?usp=drive_link

Police Station location & Town Properties "multi-month dialogue and discussion" begins with Council meeting Sep 2, 2026

August 28, 2026

To: Town Council

From: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

RE: Town Owned Properties, including Davis-Thayer, Parmenter & 275 Beaver St.

The Town Council and community will see a comprehensive presentation on town owned property. We have included a presentation and cover memo from the Director of GIS.

This presentation will serve as a spring board into a community dialogue about the future use of Parmenter, Davis-Thayer and 275 Beaver Street. There are no final decisions or legislation for action this evening.

Staff have included memorandums for the current conditions at Parmenter, a draft of an Request For Proposals (RFP) for the Davis-Thayer School (including a cover memo with the policy decisions needed to be made by the Town Council) and two RFP drafts related to 275 Beaver St: one to sell, and one to lease 275 Beaver Street.

These drafts are being provided based on decisions by the Town Council in Executive Session in February 2026, as well as the recommended site for the future of the Police Station by the Building Committee.

Members of the Police Station Building Committee will be present this evening, as well as representatives from CHA Consulting, Inc. who is acting as the Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) as required by state law.

Tonight begins a multi-month dialogue and discussion from the Town Council on formal decisions on where to site a new Police Station, whether to sell the Davis-Thayer property, the Parmenter property, where to permanently locate the Recreation Department and whether to sell or lease 275 Beaver Street.

In working with Chair Dellorco, we are anticipating Council discussions on this issue will occur on a monthly basis through, at least, the end of the year, or as long as the Council desires.

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11.        PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION -

b.        Discussion/Presentation: Town Owned Properties & siting of a new Police Station

i.   Town Administrator Memorandum

ii.     Town Owned Properties - Director of GIS, Kate Hinckley

1. Director memorandum

2.  GIS presentation

iii.   Director of Public Facilities Memorandum re: Parmenter

iv.   Police Station Building Committee website

v.   Director of Planning & Community Development Memorandum

vi.   Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for Davis-Thayer property

vii.   Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for 275 Beaver Street (sell)

viii.   Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for 275 Beaver Street (lease)

The full agenda doc - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09022026-2482

Agenda for the Franklin Town Council meeting Wednesday, Sep 2, 2026 at 6 PM

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

September 2, 2026, 6:00 PM

Franklin Municipal Building: 

Council Chambers 355 East Central Street, 2nd Floor

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Council cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact.

3. COUNCILOR COMMENTS

4. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Joint Budget Subcommittee (next meeting: TBD)

b. Economic Development Subcommittee (next meeting: September 17 @ 6pm)

c. Communications Subcommittee (next meeting: TBD)

d. Town Charter Ad Hoc Committee (next meeting: September 3rd @ 6pm)

e. Police Station Building Committee (next meeting: TBD)

5. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

a. Deputy Town Administrator and Administrative Assistant Introductions

6. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled

 

7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. July 22, 2026

b. August 15, 2026 (Office Hours)

8. APPOINTMENTS

a. Chief of Police - James West

b. New Appointments of Boards and Committees Members

i. See “Committee Appointments” in packet for list of names

9. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 6:00 PM - None Scheduled

10. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled

11. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION -

a. Update on the Sewer Capacity Transfer to Medway & Millis

i. Town Administrator Memo on Sewer Transfers

● Data Request: Table 1 - Current Residential & Commercial Flows

● Data Request: Table 2 - Ongoing, Approved, Anticipated Development

● Data Request: Table 3 - 20-year historic sewer flows

● See Legislation for Action #12a. (Millis)

● See Legislation for action #12b. (Medway)

● See Legislation for action #12c. (District Amendment)

b. Discussion/Presentation: Town Owned Properties & siting of a new Police Station

i. Town Administrator Memorandum

ii. Town Owned Properties - Director of GIS, Kate Hinckley

1. Director memorandum

2. GIS presentation

iii. Director of Public Facilities Memorandum re: Parmenter

iv. Police Station Building Committee website

v. Director of Planning & Community Development Memorandum

vi. Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for Davis-Thayer property

vii. Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for 275 Beaver Street (sell)

viii. Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for 275 Beaver Street (lease)

12. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 26-39: Authorization to Transfer (Sell) a Portion of Franklin’s Excess Sewer Capacity at Charles River Treatment Plant to Town of Millis

(Motion to Approve Resolution 26-39 - Majority Vote)

b. Resolution 26-40: Authorization to Transfer (Sell) a Portion of Franklin’s Excess Sewer Capacity at Charles River Treatment Plant to Town of Medway

(Motion to Approve Resolution 26-40 - Majority Vote)

c. Resolution 26-41: Authorization to Execute Third Amendment to Agreement Between Charles River Pollution Control District and Town of Franklin

(Motion to Approve Resolution 26-41 - Majority Vote)

d. Resolution 26-50: Authorization for the Town of Franklin to Enter into Intermunicipal Agreement Between the Town of Walpole and Various Municipalities for Joint Legal Services for Solid Waste Contract Negotiations

(Motion to Approve Resolution 26-50 - Majority Vote)

e. Resolution 26-51: Acceptance of Private Road Covenant (Grillo Estates)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 26-51 - Majority Vote)

f. Resolution 26-49: Gift Acceptances - Veterans Services, Senior Center, Franklin Fire Department (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-49 - Majority Vote)

13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION -

a. Exemption #6: Considering the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Public Body:

i. “Other Property” potentially available for Town purchase/acquisition

b. Exemption: To review and approve minutes from Town Council Executive Sessions.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info -https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09022026-2482 

In this Talk Franklin episode TA Jamie Hellen let's us in on what's happening beginning in September (audio)

FM #1800 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1800 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We recorded our conversation virtually via Zoom on Monday, August 17, 2026.  

Key topics

• Mid-summer status

• Town Council & contract extension

• A validated budget for FY 2027

• Joint Budget working on a strategy

• More topics coming

• Sept 2

• Town available land and facilities

• Sept 16

• Legislative update with Senator Rausch & Rep Roy

• Presentations by Food Pantry, SAFE Coalition, 250th Celebration

• Sept 3

• Police station building committee

• Economic Development 

• Split tax workshops

• UMass students study on downtown

The recording runs about 37 minutes. Let’s listen to our conversation.

Audio link - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Talk-Franklin--A-Podcast-from-the-Town-Administrators-Office---August-17--2026-e3nih1r/a-acr33iq

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Town of Franklin page -  https://www.franklinma.gov/ 

Notify Me - sign up for notification on meetings and agendas  https://www.franklinma.gov/list.aspx 

Subscribe to Franklin First newsletter  https://www.franklinma.gov/m/newsflash 

Community calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 

Town Administrator contract press release https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/08/franklin-town-council-approves-town.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 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"