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 *
Friday, December 26, 2025
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards open for High School Sophomores in February 2026
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
FHS boys basketball top KP on Monday (video)
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| FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com |
Friday, December 19, 2025
Steve Sherlock takes a trip to the new Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center (video)
My thanks to Chris Correnti and Winslow Woodacre for sharing their info and to Chris Leverone, for his video and editing contribution.
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Town Council closes out year approving license renewals, hearing about the snow plowing process, recognizing 3 teams (video)
- recognition of 8th Grade Franklin Panthers Football Team, Franklin High School Cheerleading Team, and the Franklin High School Girls’ Volleyball Team was followed by a brief recess to allow for group photos
- Council on Aging - Christopher (Kit) Brady appointment approved via 9-0 roll call
- Annual License Renewals “2026 Town of Franklin Alcohol License Renewals” were approved after brief discussion on process by the 9-0 roll call votehttps://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7857/7a-1---MEMO---License-Renewals
- Snow Presentation - Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director & Carlos Rebelo, Highway/Grounds Superintendenthttps://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7855/Snow-Presentation---December-17-2025
- Social Equity Policy Discussion was a long one and the topic will be added to a meeting already planned between Councilor Malloy and TA Hellen to review additional changes to be brought back to the Council. Maybe the State will have provided feedback on the submittal already made
https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7841/Local-Approval-Process-and-Social-Equity-Policy - Town Charter Presentation was brief (3 pages) on process, the discussion was much longer. To summarize depending upon the change being proposed, either the charter commission process or the ad-hoc committee would be the way to go. As the changes are not yet outlined, the ad-hoc committee will be art of the goals discussion in January to at least determine what the listing of changes desired are and then determine which way to go
https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7848/2023-11-01-Town-Charter-Presentation - Citizen Satisfaction Survey: Not sure how to summarize the discussion on this
https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/polco.nrc/viz/TheNCSReport-FranklinMA2025/About - Resolution 25-83: Gift Acceptance - Veterans Services Dept. ($91,072.88), Senior Center (21,275.73), Police Dept. ($710.74) was accepted by the roll call 9-0 vote https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7854/9a-Gifts
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Habit for Humanity video on the Franklin Build at 762 Washington St (video)
"We are deeply grateful for Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen, and the entire Town of Franklin MA, for their unwavering partnership and support. Together, we’re building more than homes - we’re building stability, hope, and a stronger community for families like Sally’s.Donation link -> https://lnkd.in/eBzMSVKu
Join us in supporting the Franklin build by donating below! "
Monday, December 15, 2025
Talking with JM Celi about the next stage in the "Unlife of Lisa Cooper" (audio & video)
FM #1607 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1607 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with local author J.M. Celi. We had our conversation via Zoom to record the video & audio on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
Our conversation lets you find out more about Jamie and his third independently published work “The Unlife of Lisa Cooper: Vengeance."
This is the second in the planned series of the vampire, Siobhan McSweeny or Lisa Cooper.
We talk about Jamie’s writing process, the road through multiple reviews and edits to publication. He has some other works out for possible publication. He is working on the outline for the 3rd in the Lisa series. There may be other works covering specific decade time periods in Boston.
The recording runs about 39 minutes so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie
Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQAW9ZvaJhc--------------
J.M. Celi’s author web site -> https://www.jmceli.com/
“The Unlife of Lisa Cooper: Conviction", “The Vampires of 1863” and “The Unlife of Lisa Cooper: Vengeance" can be found in most bookstores.
Prior audio recordings
Vampires of 1863 - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/07/talking-boston-vampires-and-writing.html
Unlife of Lisa Cooper - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/11/author-jm-celi-wrote-book-he-couldnt.html
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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
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"
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Finance Committee gets the answer on how much it would take to fully fund Technology (add $1.5M/year) (video)
Aging Boldfully: Jenn Goebel (video)
"Aging Boldfully is about living your next chapter outside of your comfort zone—fully embracing the uniqueness of you.
For many of us, the idea of aging doesn’t appear on our radar until we approach our 60s, when retirement begins to loom. During this time, our attention often narrows to one critical goal: ensuring financial independence. While that focus is important, it can distract us from an equally vital question: What am I going to do with the rest of my life?
Each of our journeys is unique. Rather than clinging to the tired concept of “retirement,” we have the chance to rethink and redesign this new chapter. What will life look like now that we are the CEO of our own story?
Aging Boldfully will explore the themes that matter most as we step into this phase—purpose, relevance, resilience, physical health, mental well-being, intentional living, and mindfulness. It will showcase members of our community who are finding meaning, living with purpose, and overcoming obstacles—real examples of what it means to age not just gracefully, but boldfully."
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| Aging Boldfully: Jenn Goebel (video) |
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
School Committee recognizes the Championship volleyball team, approves the capital budget, hears about Student Services (video)
Franklin TV Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/tUGB-NrTDqg?si=hP1E7xxxxg-vJwVa&t=13
Agenda for this session -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092025-2043
My notes captured during the session -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XXqbmtnXdasgYqiM9utZ2WPhLMQ1S3Gq/view?usp=drive_link
Superintendent’s Report -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6159058/December_9__2025_Superintendent_s_Report_to_School_Committee.pdf
School District Capital Request ->
Special Education Presentation to SchCmte -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6159049/Special_Education_School_Committee_Presentation_December_9__2025.pdf
Franklin (MA) Enrollment snapshot (as of October 1, 2025)
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| Full School Committee & Supt Giguere with the FHS volleyball team |
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| The State D1 Champion FHS volleyball team showcases their jackets |
Video for the Town Council meeting of Dec 3, 2025 now available (video)
Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zByUmQbYP08
Note: There remains 7 minutes 40 seconds of blank screen with audio before the video kicks in.
Monday, December 8, 2025
USA Facts video series - well worth binging !! (video)
- What is Poverty? Ep 1 of Just the Facts: Do you Qualify? -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsUeoe2GJdk
- What is Medicaid and How Many Americans Use It? Ep 2 of Just the Facts: Do you Qualify? -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd93Z-resrE
- What is Subsidized Housing? | Episode 3 of Just the Facts: Do you Qualify? -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfhwCPLCkpw
- How Do SNAP Benefits Impact Food Insecurity? | Episode 4 of Just the Facts: Do You Qualify? -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snHiT4f_wa4
- How Does the Government Help Low-Income Students? | Episode 5 of Just the Facts: Do You Qualify? -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti6Motk5Dhc
- What Cash Assistance does the Government provide? | Episode 6 of Just the Facts: Do You Qualify? -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYmUfktljQE
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| USA Facts video series - well worth binging !! |
Friday, December 5, 2025
LiveARTS String Quartet concert at Franklin Historical Museum (video)
This video shares the Free Concert performance of the LiveARTS String Quartet at the Franklin Historical Museum on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
There is an intermission and at the end of the performance, the quartet does come back for a brief encore.
Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6vwYXZj_5s
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| LiveARTS String Quartet concert at Franklin Historical Museum (video) |
Freshly made pizza for the kiddos !!!
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| Freshly made pizza for the kiddos !!! |
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Erin shares a middle school reading update (video & audio)
FM #1598 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1598 in the series.
This session shares my conversation with Erin O’Leary, FMS Reading Specialist. We recorded this conversation virtually on Friday, November 14, 2025.
We cover the following in our conversation
Success of the middle school program “Meet Me in the Middle.”
Virtual visiting author series though The Unlikely Story bookstore
Culling the middle school library collection, Amazon wish list TBD
“Content in context”
The recording runs about 30 minutes
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1598-fps-middle-school-reading-update-11-14-25/Video link -> https://youtu.be/bNKJKKVqkvU?
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Erin O’Leary email address -> olearye@franklinps.net
Meet Me in the Middle info page -> https://www.franklinps.net/o/hmms/article/2230185
Instagram posts referenced:
Library ready to open -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DRLNrqSCXoy/
Book trailers -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DQKcERxEnXi/
Middle School reading wish list -> https://bookshop.org/wishlists/79f98bd86f715dae8789b3296edd63ebd92ef1ea
Tom Asacker -> https://tomasacker.com/ his book “Sandbox Wisdom” is the source of the “content in context” story that you heard
https://www.amazon.com/Sandbox-Wisdom-Tom-Asacker/dp/1497554977//humanfactormarke
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| Erin shares a middle school reading update (video & audio) |
-------------
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"










