"This one's easy, it's not like the others.""It's all downhill from here.""Today's just gonna be fun.""No reason why it shouldn't work.""Piece of cake, nothin' but net.""Just kick back, let the good stuff happen.""Call ahead, tell them we're all set.""We're gonna crush this!"
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 *
Monday, November 9, 2026
A Well-Deserved Thank You: Franklin and State Recognize Pete Fasciano for His Years of Service
Saturday, November 7, 2026
You can listen to the Town Council Communications Subcmte Mtg on Thursday, Nov 5, 2026 (audio)
FM #1852 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1852 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council Communications Subcommittee meeting held virtually (via Zoom) on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Committee members: Caroline Griffith, Chair, Jane Callaway-Tripp, Vice Chair, Maxwell Morrongiello, Gene Grella and Elizabeth Kalaijian, Director of Communications and Community Engagement.
Agenda:
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes
a. July 15, 2026 Meeting Minutes
b. May 28, 2026 Meeting Minutes
c. April 27, 2026 Meeting Minutes
3. Review and Discussion: next steps, priorities, and questions
a. Updated_2026-27_Comms Subcommittee Work Plan Draft
b. 2026-2027 Communications Subcommittee work plan
4. Adjourn
The recording runs about 72 minutes, so let’s listen to the Communications Subcommittee meeting of November 5, 2026.
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Agenda doc - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11052026-2590
Town Council Communications Subcmte page - https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/1311/Communications-Subcommittee
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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 www.franklin.news or 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!
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Friday, November 6, 2026
Town Council hears the details on what the Flock system does / doesn't do, postpones decision to Dec 16 (video)
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| Pete Fasciano (center) with Town Council members |
- Recognition of former Chief Lynch with a photo of his retirement party signed by town staff
- Recognition of Pete Fasciano on his retirement after 14 years with Franklin TV
- Presentation and discussion on Flock, check the presentation copy linked here. Vote on the motion to continue discussion and vote to the Dec 16 meeting (via roll call) passed 7-2 (Dellorco & LeBlanc voted no)
- the elephant is the room is who do we trust (FPD yes) other depts (less likely) so do we thru "the proverbial baby out with the bathwater" because we lack trust in anorganization outside Franklin
- Resolution 26-59: Acceptance of Private Road Covenant with Owner-Developer of Balsam Estates, a Two-Lot Subdivision so moved, second, to protect the Town from road maintenance for road not built to standard passes 9-0
- Council entered Executive Session for negotiation matters to return to open meeting
- returning to open session
- Resolution 26-60: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Franklin Police Association so moved, second discussion, none passes 9-0
- Resolution 26-61: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Franklin Police Sergeants Union so moved, second discussion, none passes 9-0
- Motion to adjourn, passes 9-0
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Reminder: Upcoming Town Council Meeting - Wednesday, Nov 4, 2026 at 6 PM
The School Committee and Town Council are competing in a friendly food drive to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry! Through November 18, residents can bring nonperishable food donations to either group's meetings. The collection bins will be weighed at the end to determine the winner. Help support our neighbors in need!
Sunday, November 1, 2026
Agenda for Town Council meeting, Wednesday, Nov 4, 2026
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 ???
- 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
- Last time to Order your KoC Thanksgiving Pie(s) Please visit our website www.kofc1847.org/payments-thanksgiving-pie-sale
Council on Aging Board Meeting
Wednesday, October 28 Time: 11:00 AM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10282026-2584Town Council Meeting @ Franklin High School Auditorim
Wednesday, October 28 Time: 6:00 PM
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Agenda for Town Council meeting Wednesday, Oct 28 at FHS Auditorium
Monday, October 19, 2026
Town Council hears student intern report in first of 3 tax rate workshops (video)
- 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
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
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.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, October 14, 2026 ???
Charles River Pollution Control Meeting
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Time = 3:00 PM
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142026-2561
Board of Assessors Regular Meeting
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Time = 5:00 PM
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142026-2562
Town Council Meeting
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Time = 6:00 PM
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142026-2560
3 items to add to the single vs. split tax rate discussion scheduled for the Town Council meeting Oct 14, 2026
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
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.









