Franklin Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy

Call for artists & More!

Dear Franklin Community, As I celebrate my first year as Director of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, I am deeply grateful for your support and enthusiasm. Together, we have strengthened connections among local businesses, artists, and residents, fostering a dynamic network that sustains and inspires cultural activity. Our collective efforts have not only enriched Franklin's cultural landscape but also contributed to economic growth, creating a thriving community where creativity and collaboration flourish. Click here to review our 2024 year together in the arts and cultural scene. I look forward to building on this momentum in the years ahead! -Cory Shea, Director of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy Up next for FranklinMA250 Programs - Click here. Call for Artists | Franklin Sculpture Park click the headers below to learn more. About the Sculpture Park Currently on View Descriptions Partnership with Wheaton College Accessibility   The Franklin Sculpture Park Fairy House Exhibit is dedicated to fostering environmental awareness and strengthening community connections through public art. This exhibit invites participants of all ages to create and enjoy fairy houses crafted from eco-friendly materials, celebrating both creativity and environmental respect. Dates to Note March 22nd - Deadline for participation sign up April - Drop off Pieces at the Park [Dept, will contact via email date/times. May - October - On exhibit. November - Exhibition closes. Sign Up Here   By making art accessible and free to everyone, we aim to inspire a shared appreciation for nature, encourage sustainable practices, and build a welcoming community space where imagination and conservation come together.   Learn More about the Park   Franklin Community Calls for Artists & Other Creative Opportunities Franklin Art Association 1st Annual Fakes and Forgeries Exhibit. No Entry fee, open to all ages. Presented at the Franklin Historical Museum June 7 - June 22.  Registration deadline of May 23rd.  Have questions? Email the Franklin Art Association at faasecretary@gmail.com.  Artist Professional Development Suggestions Artist Lab: 2024 Tax Preparation for Artists and Creative Entrepreneurs Free Tax Course Other Calls for Artists New Bedford Art Museum Town of Franklin Franklin Culture District | 355 East Central Street | Franklin, MA 02038 US

Tom Mercer & I condense the Town Council meeting of Feb 5 in this "Quarterbacking" session (audio)

FM #1375 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1375 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Thursday, February 6, 2025.  Our conversation condenses the Council meeting of Wednesday night (Feb 5) with a focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session

• Fire Department - Promotions Captain Matthew Kelly & Lieutenant Jeffrey Ward

• PUBLIC HEARINGS

• a. Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of September Drive and Countryside Lane and Drainage Lots Parcels A and B and Easements

• b. New Common Victualler Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine

• PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION - ALS/BLS Trends - EMS Battalion Chief Billy “Numbers” Blanchard, EMS Captain Laurie Kaye

• Legislation for action

• Resolution 25-07: Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of September Drive and Countryside Lane and Drainage Lots Parcels A and B and Easements

• Bylaw Amendment 25-924: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service - First Reading

• Resolution 25-10: Adoption of the 2025 Master Plan for the Town of Franklin  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4018/Final-Report

• Resolution 25-04: Capital Improvement Plan

• Resolution 25-02: Statewide Opioid Settlement Fund Appropriation

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-919: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin - Signs (at C. 3.)

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-920: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin- Signs (at E.2.)

• Bylaw Amendment 25-922: Amendment to Sewer System Map

• Bylaw Amendment 25-923: Amendment to Water System Map

• Resolution 25-08: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4

• Resolution 25-09: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($50), Veterans’ ($2,550), & Recreation ($8,405)

Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap the Town Council meeting held this week. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1375-town-council-quarterbacking-02-06-25/

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Franklin TV video is ready for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/4rx-pHX5q_Q?&t=161 

The Agenda doc and most materials released for this session ->   https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02052025-1546 

Fire Dept presentation on call volume leading to an increase in ambulance rates

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4402/Fire-EMS-Presentation-2525?bidId= 

My notes in one PDF file ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z9V6bpd4oFls9lbGgb1nzVoDhi8wu6cV/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"

 

Tom Mercer & I condense the Town Council meeting of Feb 5 in this "Quarterbacking" session (audio)

FHS girls & boys basketball teams post wins, girls & boys track teams take 2nd place in Hock Championships

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on  Friday, February 7, 2025

 

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 58 @ Attleboro, 53 – Final 

– Franklin’s Wyatt Herndon is primarily a defensive weapon for the Panthers, but the senior picked a perfect time to contribute offensively too. Herndon scored all eight of his points in the fourth quarter, including a dagger three from the corner with a minute left as Franklin earned a season sweep of Attleboro to clinch at least a share of its third straight Kelley-Rex division title. Holding a three-point lead, the Panthers survived an open look from the Bombardiers on one end and Jake Olmstead found Herndon in the corner for the triple to put the visitors ahead 54-48 with a minute to go. Justice Samuels (15 points) and Caden Sullivan each hit a pair of free throws down the stretch to ice the win. Sullivan was tremendous from the jump with a trio of three-pointers in the first quarter and finished with a game-high 26 points. It was back-and-forth the entire game with Attleboro ahead (17-14) after one and again after three (41-38) while the Panthers had a slight edge at halftime (30-28). Junior Ladainian Rodrigues dropped a team-high 22 points to lead the Bombardiers, classmate Connor Houle added 14 points, and senior Dante Monestime chipped in with 10 points.

Girls Basketball = Attleboro, 48 @ Franklin, 65 – Final 

– Franklin put together a dominant second quarter to double up Attleboro in the first half, rolling to a big win that maintains a tie for first atop the Kelley-Rex division with two games remaining. After taking a 14-10 lead in the first, Franklin scored 22 points in the second and build an 18-point cushion by halftime. Mallory Santos scored seven points and Chloe Fales had six in the second to help break the game open. Both teams came out firing in the third, as Santos added another seven points and Sophia Sacramone scored five in a 19-point quarter. Attleboro scored 16 in the third, including seven from Lola Ronayne. The Bombardiers win the fourth, with Tia Williamson scoring half of the team’s 14 points. Lena Malymina added seven points for Franklin in the fourth, including 4-of-4 from the line, to make sure it was a comfortable win. Santos and Malymina each scored 16 points to lead the hosts, while Fales scored 14. Ronayne finished with a career-high 17 points for the Bombardiers and Williamson scored a dozen. Jenna Callahan hit a pair of threes and scored seven points, while Avery James chipped in with six.

 

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/eae9kau_Gcs?&t=1339

 

 

Indoor Track (@ The TRACK at New Balance)
Hockomock Indoor Track Championships, 

https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-league-indoor-track-championships-2025/

The Franklin Girls Track and Field Team finished second at the Hockomock League Championship Meet. Ella Chandaria had an outstanding meet. She won 2 events the Shot Put and the Hurdles. The team had several outstanding performances and many athletes had personal bests.
https://x.com/FranklinHSXC/status/1888071219515191502

Hockomock League Indoor Track Championships Girls Team Results:

1. Oliver Ames - 81
2. Franklin - 71.5
3. King Philip - 68
4. Canton - 50
5. Attleboro - 44

Full results and a photo gallery will be posted on @HockomockSports
. #hockomock  https://x.com/R_Lanigan/status/1888034722363724214

Franklin Boys take 2nd in the Hockomock league championship. Shout out to Pete Gubka for PRing in the 55Hurdles and 55m dash. Twomey, Pink, place second in the mile/1k and 4x800 placed first.

A. Thorne placed 2nd in LJ and 4th in 55m where he set a new school record (6.69)!
https://x.com/FranklinHSXC/status/1888041520915214463

Hockomock League Indoor Track Championships Boys Team Results:

1. Attleboro - 96.5
2. Franklin - 76
3. Milford - 66
4. Mansfield - 58
5. Sharon - 43

Full results and a photo gallery will be posted on @HockomockSports
. #hockomock  https://x.com/R_Lanigan/status/1888035104045375526

Gymnastics = Hockomock Championships, 7:00 (@ Starland Sportsplex)
no results available at this time

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required) 

https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-02-07-25/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Franklin, MA: School Committee agenda for Feb 11, 2025 meeting at 7 PM

Franklin School Committee
February 11, 2025 7:00 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers


Call to Order    Mr. Callaghan

Pledge of Allegiance 

Moment of Silence

I.    Routine Business

A.    Review of Agenda
B.    Payment of Bills    Mr. Callaghan
C.    Payroll    Mr. McNeill
D.    FHS Student Representative Comments
E.    Superintendent’s Report

II.    Guests/Presentations
A.    none

III.    Discussion/Action Items

A.    FY26 Budget Vote
I recommend approval of the FY26 Budget in the amount of $80,395,338 as discussed.

B.    2025-26 School Calendar - DRAFT
I recommend adoption of the draft 2025-26 School Calendar as discussed.

IV.    Discussion Only Items

A.    2025-26 School Committee Meeting Calendar

V.    Information Matters

A.    School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
B.    School Committee Liaison Reports

VI.    Consent Agenda

A.    Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your January 28, 2025 meeting as detailed.
B.    Keller Recurring Field Trip - RW Zoo
I recommend approval of the request of Cailin Colohan, Ally Bowser & Val Gemski to take 5th graders to Roger Williams Zoo, Providence, RI on June 5, 2025 as detailed.
C.    Keller Recurring Field Trip - Stadium Theater
I recommend approval of the request of Lisa Paulhus to take 4th graders to the Stadium Theater, Woonsocket, RI on March 20, 2025 for the Math Maniac Show as detailed.
D.    FHS Gifts
I recommend the acceptance of $225.00 in memory of Richard Ayer III as follows: $ 50.00 Luke Yanka    Unified Sports Supplies
$175.00 Robert & Margaret Kelliher-Gibson Supplemental Supplies
E.    Lifelong Learning Music Academy Scholarship
I recommend the acceptance of $1200.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for a Lifelong Learning Music Academy Scholarship as detailed.
F.    Music Gift
I recommend the acceptance of $720.00 from music parents for field trips for the Music Department as detailed.
G.    FHS Gift
I recommend the acceptance of $95.05 from Ohiopyle Prints, Inc. for in house enrichment at FHS as detailed.
H.    FHS Athletic Gift
I recommend the acceptance of $150.00 from Chris & Veronica Diorio for supplemental supplies in memory of Kathy Bonney as detailed.

VII.    Good of the Order

 
VIII.    Citizen’s Comments

 
IX.    New Business
To discuss any future agenda items

X.    Executive Session

As per M.G.L c. 30A, §21
A.    (3) To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigation position of the public body and the chair so declares.
B.    (2) To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel.

XI.    Adjournment

 

The agenda doc contains remote participation info -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02112025-1571

 

 

The meeting packet can be found -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/february-11%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/756881

Franklin, MA: School Committee agenda for Feb 11, 2025 meeting at 7 PM

3rd Annual Comedy Night Fundraiser - March 29 to benefit Franklin Rotary Club

3rd Annual Comedy Night Fundraiser

 

"Not funny? No problem! We'll bring the laughs.  

Join our 3rd Annual Comedy Night Fundraiser for dinner and a show featuring three comedic headliners, all for $60 per person. 

Rotary Club of Franklin, MA"

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15ArQLxXpi/

Master Plan Update Cmte spends a few minutes to approve outstanding meeting minutes (audio)

FM #1374 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1374 in the series. 

This session shares the Master Plan Update Committee meeting conducted Wednesday, February 5, 2025. They met for the final time. The key item on the agenda was to approve some minutes from prior meetings.

The recording runs about 7 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1374-master-plan-updt-cmte-mtg-02-05-25/

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/eCmkY0Hl6ow?&t=559 

The agenda doc -> https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02052025-1544 

My notes for this short meeting can be found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jrQGcK9JolOVsljUYPob_1yxkLDisy-g/view?usp=drive_link 

“Final” version of the Master Plan (at least as of 1/20/25) -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4018/Final-Report 

-------------

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!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Master Plan Update Cmte meets for their final time to approve outstanding minutes (audio)