Audio recording of the FHA Appreciation Event held Monday, June 9, 2025 (audio)

FM #1468 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1468 in the series. 

This session shares audio recording of the Appreciation Event celebrating the collaboration that returned a single family home to Franklin housing stock. State Representative Jeff Roy hosted the event on Monday, June 9, 2025

 

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1468-fha-appreciation-event-06-09-25/

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Video recording by Steve Sherlock (Franklin Matters/Franklin Public Radio)

Video link -> https://youtu.be/lXcfc3-nNbI

Front row (L-R) Nayda Sanchez-DeJesus, Mark Lanigan, Larry Rettman, Maurice Coleman, Jeff Roy, Chris Feeley, Mike Doherty, George Danello, Paul White; Back row: Lisa Mosczynski, Lisa Audette, Susan Speers

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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. 

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How can you help?

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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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Appreciation Event celebrates the collaboration that returned a single family home to franklin housing stock (video)

State Representative Jeff Roy hosted the event on Monday, June 9, 2025. 

Video recording by Steve Sherlock (Franklin Matters/Franklin Public Radio)

Video link -> https://youtu.be/lXcfc3-nNbI

Front row (L-R) Nayda Sanchez-DeJesus, Mark Lanigan, Larry Rettman, Maurice Coleman, Jeff Roy, Chris Feeley, Mike Doherty, George Danello, Paul White; Back row: Lisa Mosczynski, Lisa Audette, Susan Speers

Event background:

The Franklin Housing Authority has acquired the ‘long-time vacant’ property located at 813 Summer Street, Franklin. The beautifully renovated three-bedroom home will be leased to an income eligible family and the property will remain in the Town’s affordable housing stock through perpetuity.   

The process of obtaining the property took many years and has involved much assistance from several local officials, agencies and advocates.

 

Supporters included: State Representative Jeffrey Roy, Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator, Lisa Mosczynski, President, Metacomet Land Trust (MLT) and all of MLT’s Board of Directors including Treasurer Susan Speers, Attorney Michael Doherty, Attorney Richard Cornetta, Chairman Christopher Vericker, Franklin Municipal Affordable Housing Trust (MAHT) and all MAHT’s Trust Members including Christopher Feeley, Bank of America, Dean Bank, George Danello, Chairman of the Franklin Housing Authority (FHA) and all FHA Board Members.

Read full article: 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/franklin-housing-authority-preparing-to.html

Watch "The Meaning of You - Scott Pelley | Wake Forest University Commencement Speech 2025" on YouTube

"Join veteran journalist Scott Pelley as he delivers the 2025 Wake Forest University Commencement address. In this inspiring speech, Pelley reflects on the power of truth, the importance of courage, and the role of education in shaping a better future. Drawing on stories from around the world, he urges graduates to seek understanding, include everyone, and stand up for their values. This address celebrates resilience, hope, and the enduring impact of service and integrity."

"In a moment like this, when our country is in peril. Don't ask the meaning of life. Life is asking 'What's the meaning of you?'"

Video link -> https://youtu.be/r9CCgmvq9O4

Franklin Matters Weekly Outlook & Lookback (video)

The weekly outlook for Franklin, MA for June 9 through June 14, 2025

video link -> https://youtu.be/9VWKNZZTLPg

Looking back at the week that was June 2 through June 8, 2025

video link ->  https://youtu.be/0fhHfGIpPkU

You can subscribe to get the text version in one email Sunday morning ->    https://www.franklinmattersweekly.org/p/subscribe-for-email.html

Town Council follows through approving the forecasted $3.8M budget cuts resulting from failed override (video)

The Franklin (MA) Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The meeting was delayed starting but all 9 councilors were present in Council Chambers with a full audience and at least another 50+ via Zoom.

Franklin TV video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/_f72Yd8VXz0?&t=316

The agenda doc was updated Wednesday afternoon to add the Option B and Options A & B comparisons for the discussion on the budget cuts.

Option A & B Comparison ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5883/FY26-Control-Sheet-and-Voting-Doc-COMPARISON

Option B -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5882/FY26-Control-Sheet-and-Voting-Doc-OPTION-B

Full agenda -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06042025-1769

Quick recap:

• After the 5 minutes late start, the public hearing on the FY 2026 budget was resumed from the May 22 session.
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walked through the recap and explained the Option A& B using 3 slides (see below) as well as the Option A & B voting docs (linked above)
• Chief Lynch, Chief McLaughlin, Supt Giguere, and Library Director Oti spoke of the cut impacts to their operations but approved of them as necessary due to the failed override
• Supt Giguere confirmed the full details of their cuts would be reviewed with the School Cmte at their meeting June 10. Of the projected 10-15 personnel, he confirmed likely 12 FTE positions,  some teachers, some retirees not being backfilled and other personnel across the district as well as the fees would need to remain as they are this year
• The public then had an opportunity to comment or question the cuts as proposed. Those in Chambers went first before those on Zoom, and all were covered before the Councilors had their turn.
• The vote finally came to approve the cuts as proposed:
• 2 personnel from Police Dept (currently open slots not to be backfilled as had been planned)
• 2 personnel from Fire Dept (currently 1 open position not backfilled, and the last hired will also be leaving)
• This does take the 3rd ambulance offline increasing response times and creates a lose of revenue (for the ambulance runs if required to hospital)
• 1 admin position for Town Administrators office
• 1 from Planning & Community Development
• 1 from Board of Assessors
• the part-time nurse at the Senior Center
• DPW cuts their summer intern program (unspecified number of positions for summer help)
• Library Sunday hours (during the winter, there are open during the summer)
• additional expenses were reduced to bring to the total required (see Option B for details)

• Personnel cuts by my tally = 8 Town side, 12 school side, plus expenses (PS - this tally was confirmed with our Town Administrator Jamie Hellen via email)

• The meeting then went through the long series of votes to approve the final budget, the salary for the Town Clerk, the Community Preservation Act budget before closing just after 11 PM 

My full set of notes as written during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1718wLXj_U_hdqq82Jb1rVrgeomNdeHaO/view?usp=drive_link

The 3 slides Jamie talked to in his explanation of Option B

https://photos.app.goo.gl/oxfbkEcNhB5mpjHB8

Watch "US Federal Income Taxes: How the US Federal Government is Funded & How Your Share is Calculated" on YouTube

Via USA Facts: 

"The US federal government collected $4.9 trillion in revenue in 2024 -- 99% of it from taxes. 49% came from federal income tax and 35% came from payroll taxes (for social security and medicare). The US has a progressive tax system, which means that you pay more taxes on each income tier (in 2024 for single filers, 10% on your first $11,600, 12% on $11,604 to $47,150 and so on). And you can deduct some expenses (like mortgage interest) from your taxable income amount. More Americans are in the 12% tax bracket than any other. Learn more about how personal federal income taxes work, as well as corporate taxes, state and local taxes, and tax changes over time. "

Video link ->  https://youtu.be/3B0EWgrr8ZI?

For more info:

https://usafacts.org/answers/how-much-does-the-us-federal-government-collect/country/united-states/

https://usafacts.org/articles/who-pays-the-most-income-tax/

Unofficial Override Results: The NO's take it by 185 votes (video)

The unofficial results of the override election are in.  You can listen as Town Clerk Nancy Danello make the announcement in the FHS gymnasium about 8:30 PM June 3, 2025

2025 2024

Yes = 5093     5542

No = 5278     5778

Blank =     4         5

Total = 10.375 11,325

Margin = 185          236

Percent turnout    40%            45%

So the budget balancing adjustments will need to be made. The Town Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, June 4. They already continued their 2nd FY 2026 budget hearing to this night. They were hoping to close the hearing and then approve the budget as proposed BUT with the No vote prevailing, the proposed cuts will need to be applied.

The Town Council will determine the amount of the school funding, the School Committee and Central Office will need to determine within their budget how that will fall out.

Likely the sports and bus fees will remain as this year, and there will be additional personnel cuts (10-15 were mentioned previously). They are scheduled to meet on June 10.

There are some important events remaining this week.

• The first Farmers market of the season opens Friday on the Town Common from 2 to 6 PM
• Franklin High School graduates in Class of 2025 Friday evening
• Little Women, the Musical opens at THE BLACK BOX for a run Friday, Sat and Sunday
• Porchfest returns to Franklin on Saturday, with the rain date for Sunday. You can find the full schedule of 30 porches and over 50 performances at Franklin Porchfest Info

For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendars at Franklin.news  where each day, that day's events are posted on the top of the page, the TV and radio schedules are on the bottom, and all the other goodness falls in-between.

Video link -> https://youtu.be/_f-UkftK3fo

Voices of Franklin: Town Councilor Glenn Jones says "get out to vote June 3" (video)

Voting for the special election on June 3, 2025 is from 6 AM to 8 PM at Franklin High School.

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDCFQJyEfQU

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Town Councilor Glenn Jones says "get out to vote June 3" (video)

FHS girls & boys lacrosse, baseball & softball advance in playoffs (video)

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Spring sports playoff results for Franklin High School on Monday, June 2, 2025

Monday's Results - June 2

Boys Lacrosse = Division 1

#21 Waltham, 0 @ #12 Franklin, 10 – Final 

– After a scoreless first quarter, Franklin’s offense roared to life with five goals in the second and then added four more in the third quarter to earn a convincing win over Waltham in the opening round of the tournament. Franklin’s shutdown defense was anchored by Flynn Baker, Tyler Crandall, Drew McCarthy, Jackson Palmieri, and Andrew Fraulo, and goalie Sam Freedman made six saves in the shutout. Junior Quinn Kielty paced the offense with three goals while junior Joey Tarentino, sophomore Nate Walsh (assist), and senior Jack Fairweather each tallied twice in the win. Senior Jack O’Connor chipped in with one goal in the win. #12 Franklin will travel to #5 Acton-Boxborough on Wednesday at 4:00.

Franklin TV video -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJneB1sPaq0

Girls Lacrosse = Division 1

#26 Weymouth, 7  @ #7 Franklin,  21 – Final

– A dominant performance on the draw in the second half helped Franklin pull away against visiting Weymouth in an opening round matchup. Senior Sophia Sacchetti scored with just two seconds left in the first half to put the Panthers up 9-5 at the break. While the game was close at half, it didn’t stay that way for very long. Franklin outscored the Wildcats 8-1 in the third quarter to grow a four-goal lead into a double-digit advantage going into the fourth. “We were trying a bunch of different people on the draws and different setups but Kendell Mone (five draw controls) going in, she was able to switch it up and Morgan Lovell and Julia Flynn won them on the circle,” said Franklin head coach Kristin Igoe Guarino. “We struggled in the first quarter on the draws but making that adjustment was key to giving our team possession and getting us 21 goals.” Freshman Clara Blongastainer scored a game-high six goals while junior Izzy Cross (four assists), senior Julia Flynn (assist), and Sachetti (assist) each scored a trio of goals. Seniors Gabi Consigli and Liza Kudish each chipped in with two goals and junior Erin Peterson found the back of the net once. #7 Franklin will be the home team against #10 Andover on Wednesday at 4:00 at Mansfield High School.

Franklin TV video -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkmUNErgYB4

Sunday's Results - June 1

Baseball = Division 1

#21 Durfee, 1 @ #12 Franklin, 4 – Final 

Softball = Division 1

#22 Springfield Central, 2 @ #11 Franklin, 22 – Final (5 Inn.) 

Franklin is now scheduled to play at Lincoln-Sudbury on 6/04/25 4:00 PM

Sunday's results -> 

https://hockomocksports.com/sundays-schedule-scoreboard-06-01-25/

Monday's results ->

https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-06-02-25/

FHS girls & boys lacrosse, baseball & softball advance in playoffs (video)

June 1, 2025 Town of Franklin MA Pride Flag Raising (video)

The 2nd Annual Pride Flag Raising ceremony held on Sunday, June 1, 2025 in Franklin, MA. Town Councilor Ted Cormier-Leger was 'master of ceremonies' for this event introducing each speaker. 

Sioo did perform a song (Journey) for which he gave thanks. It was left out of the video to avoid copy right issues.

video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C6bdr9spr0

Winning Ways with the MIAA: Bracket Release - Volleyball & Rugby (video)

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOKqZ7ye3bY 

The MIAA Bracket release show for baseball & softball is scheduled for 2:30 PM Wednesday, May 28  -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj6DCeCN_AM

Tim O'Toole plays taps as part of Taps Across America (video)

Tim O'Toole plays taps at 3 PM on May 26, 2025 as part of Taps Across America.

Taps Across America -> https://www.tapsacrossamerica.org/

video link -> https://youtu.be/OdXUnQF1VrM

Taps Across America -> https://www.tapsacrossamerica.org/

Voices of Franklin: Councilor Melanie Hamblen encouraging civil discourse (video)

Town Councilor Melanie Hamblen share her plea for Franklin folks to "be better" and for civil discourse.

video link -> https://youtu.be/Vup7_keVGUg

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Councilor Melanie Hamblen encouraging civil discourse (video)

Franklin TV: TV’s, Cameras, Lights!

Then we’re ready for Lights, Cameras, Action! 

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 05/25/2025

It’s another TV Studio makeover. Chris Flynn and I returned to the Dean TV studio to work with Gregg Seibert (left) and Peter Leger (right) to fine tune the Dean College studio system – the background displays, the cameras, and the lights. If you watch any TV at all, these days all the major evening newscasts and many of the Prime-time live programs use digital background displays to visually dramatic effect. To play those effects to best – umm, effect takes careful optical calibration. How do we do this? We match the cameras to the displays. Then we adjust the lights to the cameras. Precisely.

Gregg Seibert (left) and Peter Leger (right)

optical calibration

Franklin TV studios are the only PEG facilities in the state that are fully equipped and optimized to perform this same visual magic as the national TV networks. Last fall we installed this capability in the Dean studio, and began producing programs for Franklin.TV, making the Dean College an able extension of our own facility. When Dean students visit our studio or work as interns, they will be in familiar surroundings, and prepared for careers in a state-of-the-art operation.

And – as always –

Thank you for watching. 

Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.

And staying informed at Franklin●news.

 

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Town Council spends 4 hours reviewing details of the FY 2026 budget (video)

The Franklin, MA Town Council conducted the first of 2 budget hearings for the FY 2026 budget on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. All 9 councilors were present to start the meeting, 1 left not feeling well during the 4 hour session (Chandler).

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->     https://www.youtube.com/live/OBuOFLY5kZY?&t=184

The Council agenda and associated budget documents can be found here ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05212025-1752 

Budget hearing process summary

This first night, the line item summary for each of the departments is read aloud by the Clerk of the Council. As read, members can place a hold on a department line item for follow-up (question, comment, etc.).

A few departments were held automatically by the Chair (Police, Fire, Schools, DPW, Facilities). Another 14 departments were held by one or members of the Council.

After the list of holds was confirmed, they started back at the beginning of the listing (account number order per voting document) to address the question for that item. Councilors first, then Council Chamber community members, then Zoom participants, until all questions, comments were addressed for each item.

My notes captured via Twitter/X during the session are collected in one PDF file

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11W1dMjvh9zB0X9Bqw8CgfLus5YZG7arZ/view?usp=drive_link

Economic Development Subcmte reviews Residential Commercial Kitchen proposal and forwards to Town Council (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee met on Wednesday May 21, 2025 as scheduled. A  four members were present in Chambers. Change in membership acknowledged as Chandler is no longer part of the subcmte and Jones returns to the group.

Franklin TV Video available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhA24NshAhw

The agenda doc and released materials for this session can be found ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05212025-1754 

My notes captured via Twitter/X during the approx 20 minutes session can be found ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PHbVok-fMevABTsvD4-Mz7qa_oANto2Z/view?usp=drive_link