Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Unboxing books from the wishlist at Franklin Middle School (video)
Friday, October 3, 2025
Franklin Middle School Reading - a work in progress !!!
Looking at this reminds me how far we've come in just a few short weeks. So much thought has gone into this reorganization and the library is no exception. We will have a fully functional library - one exclusively for middle schoolers! - before you know it (or, you know, November-ish.)
Stay tuned!!!"
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| Franklin Middle School Reading - a work in progress !!! |
Saturday, September 13, 2025
BLAST is back !!
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| BLAST is back !! |
Eight years ago @caleighsage and I met with the goal of trying to get the @franklinpubliclibrary into the school system.
We talked, we planned, we fought, we readjusted, and we succeeded.
In the years that followed, BLAST became part of our identity. It spread to five other schools in the district, some charter schools, and even some neighboring towns.
Today was the first time we had BLAST with everyone under one roof at #FranklinMiddleSchool It felt momentous - it was something to celebrate
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Summer is not done yet at the Library
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, July 9, 2025
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| Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday |
- This repeats my conversation discussion on the Summer Reading Blitz with Ms Caleigh and Ms O'Leary -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/talking-about-summer-reading-blitz-and.html
- Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi have a captivating discussion about the world of Italian wine with the esteemed Shelley Lindgren -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/07/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-shelley.html
Friday, June 27, 2025
Community through books - monthly discussions at the Franklin Public Library
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| Community through books - monthly discussions at the Franklin Public Library |
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
School Committee reluctantly approves personnel & funding cuts to FY 2026 budget (audio)
FM #1460 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1460 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. 6 members participated in Council Chambers, 1 remote (Sompally).
Quick recap:
A brief executive session was held before approving the new teacher contract for a 3 year term. Details of the amount approved were not shared, however, members of the negotiation subcommittee spoke highly of the collaboration and cooperation that resulted in a good deal for the district and the Town. The vote was unanimous and included Town Administrator Jamie Hellen (7-0-1) (1 absent)
The budget adjustment reducing the proposed budget by $2M was previewed in a subcommittee meeting before the full committee meeting. 12 personnel are added to the 29 that were reduced by redistricting. Additional expenses were cut to bring the budget into balance per revised Town funding due to the failed override
Bus fee will remain at $387, Sports fees will remain high at this year's levels for next year. A full analysis of the fees and participation will be conducted next year as part of the FY 2027 budget to see what can be done given the lower funding from the Town
The Superintendent evaluation was approved as "Exemplary". A fair results given the multiple threads of work, budget, override, redistricting and oh, conducting school for the district at the same time
The recording leaves out the executive session (replacing with a brief music interlude) Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1470-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-06-10-25/
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Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYQVNOKqqR8
The agenda doc also contains remote participation info -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06102025-1780
The meeting packet folder (all the docs released before or after the meeting)
My full set of notes -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rqv1NSxrFjWZdzwpeo2WJwq3H7FIwujA/view?usp=drive_link
Pictures of the budget revisions can be viewed here -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/YnKXoUH5NncMo2Wk6
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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"
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Library summer blitz kicks off this week
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| Library summer blitz kicks off this week 2 |
Additional details on Library events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=24&showPastEvents=false
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, June 12, 2025
- This segment features my Chalkboard Chat with School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/this-chalkboard-chat-condenses-may-13.html
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 ???
The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar
Middle School Summer Reading Kickoff today, online link available
| Middle School Summer Reading Kickoff today, online link available |
For those who cannot attend but still want to support our fair, here's the link to our online store.
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Talking about the summer reading blitz and "Meet Me in the Middle" (audio)
FM #1463 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1463 in the series.
This session shares my conversation about the Summer Reading Blitz and the middle school program “Meet Me in the Middle.” We talk with Erin O’Leary and Caleigh Keating, the collaborators who fill in the details on summer reading efforts for readers of all ages. We recorded this conversation virtually on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Caleigh Keating, Youth Services Librarian
Erin O’Leary, Reading Specialist at Horace Mann Middle School
We cover the following in our conversation
Library events for the June school half days
Reading program sign up for grades 0-6, teens, and adults
Middle school “Meet Me in the Middle” reading program
The middle school will begin in September with some common points around reading (the 6 books)
The recording runs about 37 minutes
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1463-summer-reading-blitz-05-29-25/--------------
Franklin Public Library page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/233/Franklin-Public-Library
Meet Me in the Middle info page -> https://www.franklinps.net/o/hmms/article/2230185
Erin O’Leary email address -> olearye@franklinps.net
Caleigh Keating email address -> ckeating@minlib.net
-------------
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"












