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 *
The Franklin School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, Sep 8, 2026. All 7 members were participating in Council Chambers. The meeting was delayed starting as a new Zoom link needed to be created and shared.
Note: the draft District Improvement Plan likely won't be available online until after approval at the next School Committee meeting. Last years plan can be found online - https://heyzine.com/flip-book/24ecc9f7e5.html#page/1
A photo album of the slcreens shared is available in the interim
Each of the Central Office departments presented their goals and measureable markers aligned with the strategic objectives which while the remain essentially the same as last year have measurable steps outlined to assess progress
Teaching and Learning
Student Services
Business and Finance
Lifelong Learning
Operations (including Food Service)
Technology
The Consent Agenda was approved as outlined by a 7-0 vote
Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Boys Soccer = Franklin, 1 @ King Philip, 1 – Final
– Franklin and King Philip traded first half goals and then played 40 minutes of scoreless soccer to settle for a point apiece in the season opener. Junior Cam Lambert put the visitors up inside the opening 10 minutes, finishing off a pass from classmate Ethan Herndon to give Franklin a 1-0 lead. Just before halftime, senior Iago Oliveira had a shot from 20 yards out hit off the post and senior Nick Wendling was first to the loose ball, poking the rebound in to tie it.
Girls Soccer = King Philip, 1 @ Franklin, 4 – Final
– Click here for a photo gallery of this game. – Lily Strong scored once and assisted on another to help Franklin pull out a win in a season-opening battle of 2025 Final Four teams. The Panthers took the lead in the 17th minute. Madison Griffith sprung Phoebe Cuneo down the right wing. After some confusion in the center of the KP defense, the loose ball popped out to Strong on the edge of the box and she slotted it into the empty net. KP nearly equalized a few minutes later, but Ava Quintin’s 25-yard free kick hit the underside of the bar and somehow stayed out. On the rebound, freshman Lola Weeman had a header inside the six saved by Devyn Cairns. Strong would force a good save from Emma Weiblin and Hannah Griffith went close after getting on the end of a free kick, but it stayed 1-0 at the break. Franklin started the second half well and nine minutes in the Panthers doubled their lead. Cuneo won the ball back in midfield and sent a through ball to Strong in the right channel. A slightly heavy touch nearly took the chance away, but Strong managed to get to the ball before the keeper and square it for a wide open Cuneo to tap in. Three minutes later, KP (which was playing without star Ella McDonald) got on the board. Avery Hebert’s long throw from the left wing dropped in the box and Molly Morgan was able to corral the bouncing ball and squeeze it in at the near post, just under the arm of Cairns, to cut the deficit to 2-1. Laila Rosen restored the two-goal cushion just five minutes later with a terrific solo effort. She won the ball back in midfield, drove forward, shrugged off a challenge just outside the box, and from the edge of the area rifled a left-footed shot into the far bottom corner. Hailey Leblanc capped off the day with her first varsity goal on a chip from the right side of the box that snuck under the bar.
Field Hockey = King Philip, 2 @ Franklin, 3 – Final
– Click here for a photo gallery of this game. – Ella Marzullo’s second goal of the game proved to be the difference as Franklin held off King Philip to open the season with a win. The senior intercepted a clearance attempt, juggled the ball into the circle, and then ripped a high shot past the keeper with eight minutes left to put the Panthers up 3-1. KP rallied to pull within one when Caitlyn McManus set up Ella Morgan in front with five minutes to go, but the Panthers were able to close out the win. Marzullo opened the scoring two minutes into the game on a well-worked corner from the hosts. Lila Reardon sent the original pass out to Penelope Brady who shuffled it over to Caydence Canavan, and her blast toward goal was tipped in by Marzullo out in front. King Philip tied the game with less than a minute left in the opening quarter when Morgan gained control just past midfield and used her speed to take it all the way into the circle, firing a near post shot in. Amelia Manning put the hosts back in front just two minutes into the third off a pass from Marzullo. KP had a chance to tie the game in the third but junior Elise Ackerman (three saves) made a terrific stick save on a penalty stroke to keep Franklin ahead. Sophomore Bella Pennini made six saves in net for the Warriors. Franklin head coach Michelle Hess credited Jossie Camp (defense) and Cade Taccini (midfield) with strong performances.
Volleyball = King Philip, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final
– Franklin prevailed in a tight opening set before pulling away for a convincing 3-0 win over King Philip, taking the match 25-19, 25-10, 25-9. Emerson Delleo led the Panthers with 10 kills, 10 digs, and two blocks, while Phoebe O’Connor dished out 20 assists to go along with four aces, five digs, and two blocks. Gianna Laurello added four kills, five aces, and 12 digs, and Marley Lindenmeyer chipped in four kills, six digs, and an ace. For King Philip, junior Mia Keays finished with 15 digs and junior Molly Sweeney recorded seven kills.
Golf = Franklin, 163 @ Taunton, 176 – Final
– Franklin returned home from Segregansett Country Club with a division win over Taunton, led by senior Tyler Perlman and junior Bryce Botelho, who each recorded six pars. Perlman fired a team-low 39, while Botelho carded a 40. Senior Ben Burgess added a 41 and senior Ayden Doyle finished with a 43. Colby Emond led Taunton with a 42, followed by Logan Mendes at 44 and Trey Buebendorf and Caleb Bond at 45.
For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)
FM #1812 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1812 in the series.
This session shares my conversation with Saumy Jani and Andrew Bairos. As freshmen at FHS, they created SNND Events to make money and have been successful doing so. We had our conversation via Zoom on Monday, August 31, 2026.
Discussion items:
How they started
How they networked and expanded
Advice for other students, start early
The conversation runs about 18 minutes. Let’s listen in
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"
Steve Sherlock visits with Lauren and Ryan Maloney as we explore the Maloney Farm and Forest. They operate the farm to house and care for rescue farm animals, many of whom we met during our visit.
Here is a video that Scott Mason and I taped at Franklin TV on the Post Office in Franklin. If you're interested in seeing other programs that we taped, go to Franklin TV's website and you'll see the links there.
Steve Sherlock visits with Bryan Felton as we follow the build process for their custom kitchen cabinets made here in Franklin in the former bakery building on Ruggles St.
If interested in a cabinet upgrade, visit their showroom downtown at 22 East Central St to start the process. They offer complimentary on-site design consultations.
We’re excited to announce that Franklin Matters is expanding through a new collaboration with Franklin TV!
Starting this September, Franklin TV will bring a monthly news show to viewers in Franklin and beyond. The video news program will be called Franklin Matters.
The program will be produced by the Franklin TV team in collaboration with Steve Sherlock and Liz Kalaijian, Town of Franklin Communications and Community Engagement Director, who will serve as our anchor.
And don’t worry — your favorite Franklin Matters video stories aren’t going anywhere! We’re not replacing what you love; we’re building on it and adding even more value to the Franklin Matters brand. The new monthly program will offer more ways to watch, listen, and read the news and stories that matter to our community.
Have a newsworthy topic, community update, segment idea, or story you’d like to see featured? Reach out to Liz Harkins at info@franklin.tv to connect, schedule an interview, or share your story idea.
We can’t wait to bring you more Franklin Matters — more stories, more voices, and more ways to stay!
Continue to read this week's Studio newsletter with this link or the embedded file below -
Earmark funds spent by due date and accounted for. Funds to puchase additional clothing for sale was approved
For the community portion, little input other than mine to encourage posting the dates as they become firm so that everyone, other orgs, etc can start planning accordingly
moving the location for the next three months (Sep, Oct, Nov) to the Franklin TV studio approved via consensus
discussion on obtaining donations when not a 501(c3). there is language in the law...
Sep 3 subcmte meeting to work on finalizing the first email pitch; should also set up a separate meeting to work on the parade planning with the Police, Fire, etc.
motion to vote on the dates for the donor lunches, Oct 16, Nov 5, and Nov 19; vote on the motion via roll call, passes
Discussion on additional fund raising opportunities; need volunteers to do the additional work, it is a lot already on our plates. we spent a year spending $50k, and have 18 months to raise $750k. What is the risk if we don't reach $750K? We scale back the events; as noted earlier 2 other communities raised 400+ and 300+, the 300+ had significantly less events. What kind of celebration do we really want?
West Central Street (Near BJ's) Lane Closure Alert: Monday (8/31) through Friday (9/4) 7 AM to 4 PM
Starting Monday (8/31) through Friday (9/4) between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., the contractor will work on the elevated sewer along West Central Street. During this time there will be a lane closure on West Central Street between 99 Restaurant and BJ's.
Traffic leaving BJ's and the Conlyn Avenue area will be detoured onto Forge Parkway to access Rt. 140. Please use caution when traveling in this area and follow all posted detour signs.
FM #1802 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1802x in the series.
This session shares my conversation with Mitzi Gousie, Programming and Outreach Librarian with the Franklin Public Library. We had our discussion virtually on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
We talk about
Reviewed the regular open hours, book sale and holiday scheduling for the month
Sunday hours (1:30 to 5 PM) return on September 13
Book sale weekend Sep 18 & Sep 19
Library event highlights for September 2026
In calendar order rather than by category this time around
Registration for those events required should be done through the Town website, Library page. There are nefarious folks trying to convince folks otherwise via Facebook. Be safe, use the official Town and Library pages.
The show notes include links to the Library page and to the calendar of events where registration for some of the events is required/recommended.
The recording runs about 19 minutes, so let’s listen in.
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"
Aging Agenda, a new show on Franklin TV hosted by Tony DaSilva, is a locally produced program that explores the important decisions people can make before and during retirement. In a relaxed interview format, DaSilva speaks with local experts about topics such as retirement timing, finances, taxes, wills and trusts, and ways to make the most out of life after leaving a traditional 8-to-5 career.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is excited to launch its 13thannualSafe Streets Smart Trips High School Video Contest and we look forward to your students participating!
For the 2026-2027 school year, we are inviting all enrolled Massachusetts public high school students to write and produce a 30-60 second video showcasingsafe riding behaviors for electric micromobility devices (e-bikes, e-scooters, etc.). By bringing attention to this growing safety topic, we can help students, families, and community members better understand their role in promoting safe and responsible behaviors.
The video contest will feature two entry categories – a Freshman/Sophomore category and a Junior/Senior category. A grand prize, runner-up, and honorable mention will be selected in each category. Top videos may be used in future MassDOT safety campaigns.
Prize categories:
Grand Prize package – $500 Amazon gift card & sponsor items
Runner-up package – $300 Amazon gift card & sponsor items
Honorable Mention package – Sponsor items
All winners will be announced on October 27, 2026 at MassDOT’s Moving Together Conference. The winners will be featured during one of the conference sessions and the videos will be showcased to a large audience of transportation professionals.
Please circulate the attached submission guidelines and encourage your students to have fun, be safe, and get creative! There is no limit to the number of students who can participate. All video submissions must be uploaded in the submission form no later than,
Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell and Quincy Access Television host Mark Crosby discuss Norfolk County real estate statistics, market trends, and various topics affecting Norfolk County residents.
To learn more about Registry of Deed’s events and initiatives, like us on Facebook® at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on Twitter® at twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and Instagram® at Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.
The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101 or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.
Consensus developed around three goals;, in my kitchen english wording - (1) education/awareness of the Town finances (2) alignment on the structural deficit for 3 years (3) potential solutions or strategy to resolve such deficit in that time. Additional wordsmithing being done by the committee for review at next session, no date available for next session
