Use of Opioid Settlement Funds to bring Art Pharmacy to Franklin "another first of many" (video)

The Art Pharmacy Community Conversation was held at THE BLACK BOX on March 5, 2025. Cory Shea, Director of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy opened the event with 3 panelists who made brief presentations and then participated in a Q&A session.

Panelists:

• Michael Bobbitt, Mass Cultural Council

• Emily Devlin, Art Pharmacy

• Amy Friguiletti, Deputy Town Administrator

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

The audio version (minus the Q&A section) can also be found online here ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/use-of-opioid-settlement-funds-to-bring.html

Use of Opioid Settlement Funds to bring Art Pharmacy to Franklin "another first of many"

School Committee recognizes Boys Basketball & Cheerleaders; hears of High School & Middle School updates (video)

The School Committee met as scheduled Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in the Council Chambers. 6 of the 7 members were present in Chambers, one participated remotely (Gallagher). All votes were recorded via roll call.

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/RwZ6HFEvzx8?&t=95

The meeting agenda can be found -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03252025-1651 

Documents released for this agenda after the meeting can be found ->

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/march-25%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/776268

Quick recap:

• During the Superintendent's Report recognition was made of the Boys Basketball team for their first State D1 Championship. Recognition also made of the Cheerleaders with their National Championship muliple years doing so
• One team is still in competition, that is the FHS Theatre Co is scheduled to perform in the finals on Friday, with results known on Saturday evening. Tickets available via the website metg.org
• France, England & Scotland Field Trip - Nikki Hafele - an EF Tour proposed for 2026, approved via roll call by 7-0 vote
• Franklin High School Update - Dr. Weber, H McVay - an update on the course selection process and student choices within that, discussion also around budget and range of offerings as well as the trend of choices seems to be changing
• Middle School Reorganization Update - Mr. Williams; Evolution of the master schedule, mention of the must haves, can haves and nice to haves...
• A unique year to do a middle school experience for all three grades, but thereafter would be for the incoming new 6th grade as they get welcomed from the future 2 elementary sending schools
• Policy - 1st Read & Elimination - I recommend moving the following policies to a second reading: ACA - Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex Elimination: ACA-R - Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex Under Title IX Including Sex-Based Harassment; Motion to move to second, passes via roll call 7-0
• Motion to enter Executive Session not to return to public session, passes 7-0 via roll call

My notes captured in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PEGYx0qPwSu93ymlY0Xn7y57Rd0_s-kY/view?usp=drive_link

FHS boys basketball State D1 Champs pose with School Committee

FHS cheerleaders multiple times National Champs pose with School Committee

Watch, Listen, Read: The 6th Joint Budget Listening Session - Wednesday, March 19

This combines the video, audio, and transcript for the 6th of the 6 listenting sessions in advance of the possible override decision/discussion for the FY 2026 budget.

This is the sixth of 6 listening sessions scheduled through March 12, 2025 in advance of a decision on an override (yes, or no), when? and for what amount. The decision discussion is committed to be on the agenda for the March 19 Town Council meeting.

** Watch

video link ->   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3yEVAe0NHU 

** Listen

audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1404-joint-budget-listening-session-6-03-12-25/

** Read 

Transcript prepared by Otter.ai and edited for speaker name accuracy. As the audio time stamp is also included you can synch the transcript to either the video or audio to catch the full spoken word.  PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CHnwgdsqQ-HtVC0RC_bgGQy2vUz34mdX/view?usp=drive_link

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Listening Session #6 agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Joint-Budget-Subcommittee-6/?#_03122025-1620

Updated FY 2026 budget document -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4593/2025-03-05-Town-Council-Preliminary-Budget-Presentation-v2 

Citizen discounts and exemptions -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4418/Local-and-State-Assistance-Programs-PDF 

You can find the collection of video, audio, and transcripts for ALL the Listening Sessions here ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/joint-budget-listening-sessions-fy-2026.html 

Joint Budget Subcommittee recommends to the Town Council a $3.862 M override for Tuesday, June 3

ALARM Robotics recognized with prestigious Engineering Inspiration Award at 2025 Awards - NE District URI Event

We are happy to share that ALARM Robotics has won the prestigious Engineering Inspiration Award again this year at the recent robotics competition at University of Rhode Island. View the complete listing of awards -> https://frc-events.firstinspires.org/2025/RIKIN/awards

ALARM Robotics is a Franklin based, community robotics team that calls Red Brick School House its home.

ALARM Robotics

This is what the competition announced about us:

"The Engineering Inspiration Award celebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s organization, and community. Inspiring others to respect science and technology requires passion, knowledge and commitment, and we recognize these qualities through this award.

2079 is giving the competition a wake up call. Despite working with a limited budget, they proved their innovation isn't about resources, it's about determination. Through inclusive STEM workshops and mentorship, they've inspired future engineers across all ages, showing that anyone can build, create, and dream. Their impact reaches far beyond competition, proving that true engineering comes from resilience and passion for sharing knowledge."

We have recently published a video on our outreach work ->    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o6lguBKp1k

Franklin Town Council sets June 3 for date of Override vote on $3,862,672 to balance FY 2026 budget

The Franklin Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, March 19 in Council Chambers. 8 of the 9 members were present and participating, 1 absent (Dellorco - due todeath in family).

Franklin TV video for replay of meeting -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoNPkBHRLzI

The agenda doc released for the meeting ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03192025-1639 

Quick recap

• after approval of 2 prior meeting minutes, the Council get to the key item and after a brief discussion took two votes;
• one to approve the amount and ballot question text
• the second to set the date, Tuesday, June 3, 2025 for the override
• both votes were 8-0-1 (1 absent)
• The School Committee had met earlier that evening and voted unanimously to support the override vote. Chair Dave Callaghan and Vice-Chair David McNeill stood up to make that announcement during the discussion
• Other legislation for action on the minimum item agenda for the evening; 2 items to extend the sewer and water lines to a new residence that had already been approved in the first vote both received the passing vote by the same 8-0-1 vote (1 absent) via roll call
• A resolution accepting gifts to the Veterans services was approved and thanks extended
• Town Administrator's Report
• Jamie acknowledged receipt of a letter from Archbishop Henning commending the work of the Fire Dept on the St Mary's Church fire. He had just recently attended the re-opening masses. The letter will be posted to the Town pages
• The lease for Town use of the Ferrara's parking lot was signed to extend the agreement for 5 years
• The final approvals on the deed and associated documents for the Old South Church were completed and to be handed over to Habitat for Humanity so the docs can be filed with the Registrar of Deeds, and work can begin to renovate the building for a residence
• After a round of Councilor comments, the meeting closed

My full set of notes taken during the meeting (in one PDF) -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TPEkxHcViPCNwOGHmiydPVt1rGW5Xy05/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin TV video for replay of meeting -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoNPkBHRLzI

Relive the FHS Boys basketball Final Game on Sunday (video)

The basketball game Sunday is a good one to watch or watch again, thanks to Franklin TV.  Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Xo__LX4fgI

The HockomockSports.Com write up and the Boston Globe recap can be found ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/hockomocksportscom-franklin-outlasts.html

HockomockSports.com: "Franklin Outlasts Newton North To Win First Ever State Championship"

Franklin School Committee get a transportation, facility, and fee consideration update (video)

The Franklin School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. 6 members participated in the session, 5 in Council Chambers and 1 remotely (Charles) with 1 absent (Griffin).

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocJsUiAaOw0

The agenda doc -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5388334/SCAGENDA_3-11-25.pdf

Quick recap:

• Recognition of multiple sets of students for accomplishments in (arts, writing, painting, ceramics), and for those in the DECA program who were State champions
• The redistricting facility update was talked to. The doc itself wil be posted on Wednesday. It lies out the process in 3 phases of immediate, near term, and long term apparently in detail. The pix captured of the doc shown on the screen during the time shown didn't allow for sufficient evaluation
• The Transportation update was good, ultimately while some more students are expected to ride the bus, with the redistricting, travel times should be improved, and there is potential for 2 less buses. Now, this is a model based upon current students in the district. The key will be the bus enrollment/payment process beginning in April, that closes at the end of schoool in June, to confirm the bus routing that would really be required
• The consideration of fees was a discussion only topic. This doc will also be posted on Wednesday. There was discussion of going to 4 tiers of sports fees (rather than 3). Hockey effectively moving to its own tier. Busing fees are being considered for reduction from $500 to $387 with a return of the family cap, and capping at $1000.

My full notes captured during the meeting in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IMCqlD8Uouxkf0bB0ZuwRY8uZoH-o576/view?usp=drive_link

A day at Tri-County (video)

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19PNFLp4Qq/

Watch "A day at Tri-County"!

See students hard at work in their vocational programs! #WorkHardTodayCounts

Watch the video ->    https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19PNFLp4Qq/

5th Joint Budget Listening Session held with remote participation option on Saturday (video)

The 5th in the series of 6 Joint Budget Listening Sessions was held in the Council Chambers on Saturday, March 8, 2025. This was the only one enabled for Zoom participation and about 10 folks took advantage of this.

The deficit at this point is $3.8M a light increase over the initial projection of $3.6M

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/LlUDdpZqkNg?&t=13

The agenda doc contains the updated preliminary budget information released this week -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Joint-Budget-Subcommittee-6/?#_03082025-1557

The audio will be made available and the transcript in the next couple of days. You can find the collection of video, audio and transcripts for the prior sessions here ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/joint-budget-listening-sessions-fy-2026.html

My notes captured during the listening session can be found in one PDF file

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wBaFVj9_9K0Rj1z23CGl2--vaO0QsoIn/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin Town Council gets update on the FY 2026 deficit, primed with a performance by FHS student quartet; 2 part audio

FM #1398-1399  This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1398-1399 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, March 5, 2025. All 9 of the members participated in Council Chambers.  

The audio is in 2 sections:

Part 1 - the beginning and the ending (1 hour 40 mins)

Part 2 - the FY 2026 preliminary budget review & discussion (2 hours)

Quick recap:

Part 1 - non budget

Part 1 audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1398-town-council-mtg-non-budget-sections-03-05-25/

• Police officer Steven Dejoie sworn in replacing Officer Lawrence who had retired a couple of months ago

• A string quartet of FHS students played a brief piece as part of a recognition of their music achievements which also resulted in a formal proclamation of their accomplishments. Many other students recognized were in the audience as well

• Dan Sherman provided the annual update on the town progress towards funding their OPEB liability. We are in good stead, better off than many other MA communities. We will do better once the Norfolk Retirement liability is paid off (2035ish) and that amount of funding can be shifted to the OPEB liability to advance the payoff schedule

• Approval for easement granted to DCR for access to SNETT extension, also a commitment from them for $1M to help prepare it when the trail does become ours (will take time with Federal process)

• From TA Report - another first in that the Town is first in using opioid funding for the Art Pharmacy program, more to come on this exciting opportunity for health with an economic development aspect for local arts/culture organizations

Part 2 - FY 2026 Budget

Part 2 audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1399-town-council-mtg-fy-2026-prelim-budget-03-05-25/

• FY 2026 - Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walked through the preview of the budget, some updates had been previewed most recently on Tuesday at the Senior Center with the Joint BUdget Listening Session. More was expanded upon here. The documents will be posted to the Town budget page today. We are in a $3.8M deficit and coming up with that (or an amount close to it) is likely the only way to maintain "level service". What we have is what will stay, if we want increases or expansions to such services, we need to get by this one first before considering more. "we need a win" someone said in the course of the discussion

Let’s listen to the meeting recording which runs about 2 hours and 45 minutes. 

Part 1

Part 2

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Franklin TV video ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAHS9BRE4cA&t=100 

The agenda doc ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03052025-1608 

The budget preview presentation ->

https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4620/2025-03-05-Budget-Update---Town-Coucil-Version-PDF 

My notes captured during the session

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TELQ8ylitbI6RxGjNDCll4poFZsu2ONg/view?usp=drive_link 

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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. 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"

primed with a performance by FHS student quartet

Lunch: Local Grass Fed Beef from Weatherlow Farms in Westport, MA served with Roasted Bok Choy, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Carrots

https://youtube.com/shorts/SRwB08bsGgU

To watch the video on how it was made click: https://youtube.com/shorts/SRwB08bsGgU

Franklin High School featured Local Grass Fed Beef from Weatherlow Farms in Westport, MA served with Roasted Bok Choy, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Carrots!

We used the top round cut to make our scratch made Beef Ramen Bar for lunch today!

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/19zNQPgdDh/