Tax season 2025: where to find help

Tax season 2025: where to find help By BCP Staff Tax season is here and people have questions. Where to file? How to file? Can I file online? For free? For those answers, always start with the official IRS website at irs.gov. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/02/tax-season-2025-where-find-help?

The Franklin Public Library also offers tax assistence for those with income less than $67,000  https://franklinma.gov/266/Volunteer-Income-Tax-Assistance-VITA

Tax season 2025: where to find help

Teddy Gallagher's sees Jambag return to perform on Saturday, March 15

 Jambag returns to perform on Saturday, March 15

 

Teddy’s is proud to present Jambag for another return engagement the Saturday 3/15... 

One of the premier bands in the region!!! We are lucky to have them back. 

It doesn’t hurt when the lead singer is your nephew!! Come in early for some great food followed by some awesome rock & roll!!

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DF-syfrRt7X/

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Friday, Feb 14, 2025

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday

9:00am, 12:00pm, 6:00pm - Chapters – Jim Derick  Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews

10:00am, 1:00pm, 7:00pm - Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey

11:00am, 2:00pm, 8:00pm - Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel         (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY

7:00 am     Vera Meyer: Glass Harmonica
8:30 am     Frank Presents: Michael Soter and Jeff Roy
10:00 am     Riffin' on Main Street: Jacob Juncker
11:00 am     Senior Connection: Disabilities Commission
12:00 pm     Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers
12:30 pm     Cooking with Linda: Stir Fry
1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Margherita Pizza
2:00 pm     New England Candlepins: Summer '19 Show 2
3:00 pm     Winning Ways with the MIAA: Student Athletes Pt 1
7:00 pm     Second Sunday Speaker Series: Freedom Trail
8:30 pm     Veterans' Call: Robert Pierson
9:30 pm     Shelley Otis: Harpist

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY

7:00 am     Public School Event: Remington Winter Music 2022
8:30 am     Mental Health: Joanne Spillane
9:30 am     Lifelong Music: Strings School 01-22-25
11:00 am     FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Canton 02-05-25
1:00 pm     Lifelong Music: Band & Elementary Glee
2:00 pm     Hockomock League Swim Championships Day 1 2025
5:30 pm     FHS Theater Company: Lord of the Flies
8:30 pm     FHSTC: Peter and the Starcatcher

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) =  FRIDAY

8:00 am     Zoning Board of Appeals 01-30-25
2:00 pm     Zoning Board of Appeals 01-30-25
6:00 pm     Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Session 1 01-30-25

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

Franklin School Committee hears concerns from teachers before vote to approve FY 2026 budget (audio)

FM #1380 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1380 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Feb 11, 2025. All 7 members participated in Council Chambers. 

The public section of the meeting was comparatively short. They did enter Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations and did not return to the public meeting.

Quick recap

• The Keller Student Council stepped forward to lead the Pledge of Allegiance to open the meeting

• During the Superintendent's report, there was recognition of 4 FHS musicians who were selected to the All-State Music Festival; Emma Anderson (French horn), Ace Eagerman (string bass), Alex Fioavanti (?) and Emily Lou, (violin) 

• During the discussion prior to the vote on the budget, a number of teachers from elementary, middle, and high school stepped up to comment on the decline of funding over the years, the impact on the students and their educational development effects on college prep with a limit on foreign language options less than optimal and not talked of impacts to the new schedule at both elementary & middle levels while individual classes size is maintained within guidelines,the teacher workload increases

• The committee did vote 7-0 on the proposed budget; I assume it is possible to make further adjustments (as hoped for by some of the teachers) given the position we are in for this budget cycle

• The budget as approved does assume a successful  override although that decision remains before the Town Council at a March meeting, after the listening sessions are completed. Date and amount of override to be determined

• School calendar for the 2025-2026 year was approved. It does start after Labor Day this year to enable the move in Sept 2025 to be completed. Resumption of pre-Labor Day start is expected for the next school year

• Discussion on a draft of the School Committee meeting calendar covered multiple topics mostly around the local election in November and to prepare for a new committee to be able to transition into their new role more easily than prior

• Motion to enter into Executive session, not to return to public meeting for contract negotiation discussions

The recording runs about 1 hour & 40 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1380-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-02-11-25/

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Photos taken during the meeting can be found in one album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wUQtiMDnwKLSQyTa9  

 

The Franklin TV video is available for replay here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfqefUMtloU&t=51 

The agenda doc can be found -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/School-Committee-35/?#_02112025-1571 

Meeting packet (other docs as they are released after the meeting will get posted here) -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/february-11%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/756881 

My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xUU7zppEaNgj9xN442EdbZnFvnqI3VSM/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"

School Committee & Supt Gigure posed with All-State Music Festival; Emma Anderson (French horn), Ace Eagerman (string bass), Alex Fioavanti (?) and Emily Lou, (violin)

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, February 13, 2025 ???

Thursday, February 13

2:30pm FHS Theatre Company clothing drive - drop off (Franklin High School) 

4:30pm Valentine Craft (Grade K -5) (Franklin High School)

5pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)

5:30pm Teen Chocolate Around the World Tasting (Franklin Public Library)

6pm Country Line Dancing (Lifelong Learning Class starts) (JF Kennedy Elementary school)

6pm Valentine Craft (Grades 6-8) (Franklin High School)

6:30pm Galentine's Day (Pour Richard's Wine & Provisions)

7pm Franklin Cultural District Committee (Franklin Historical Museum)

7pm Galentine's Charcuterie Party! (La Cantina Winery)

7pm Karaoke (La Cantina Winery)

**   Town Meetings today   **

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meetings            2:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02132025-1572 

Cultural District Committee Meeting            7:00 PM

No agenda at this time

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting (No meeting scheduled)    7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02132025-1538 

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Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

BFCCPS schedules performances of "Annie" for March 7-9

BFCCPS schedules performances of "Annie" for March 7-9

 

"You can now pre-purchase tickets, place an ad in the program or send well wishes to the cast & crew. 

Please visit this site for all the details! -> https://www.bfccps.org/apps/s/?s=12777"

You have 2 chances to get your Franklin Questions Answered in February 2025

What is going on with .... ?

What happened to ....?

How come .... ?

Join Steve Sherlock, Franklin Matters & wfpr.fm Community Information Director (volunteer), for an informal and informative Q&A session. 

What is the session about?

• Steve provides some updates on what's happened in the past month in the first 10-15 minutes, then opens the floor to answer whatever questions you have.

When: Saturday, February 15, 2024 at 3:30 PM  

Where: Franklin Public Library (Community Room) and via Zoom

  Or

When: Wednesday, February 19, 2024 at 11:00 AM  

Where: Franklin Senior Center (2nd floor conf room) and via Zoom

If you want the Zoom link, please use this form, or check with the Library/ or Senior Center front desk, or email me:  https://forms.gle/Nh8RxkMtG1J1DGwj9

Download this flyer as a reminder ->    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ep1nLKpM28FUhSsXzkRPxemeB4BuPdUZ/view?usp=drive_link

You have 2 chances to get your Franklin Questions Answered in February 2025

2nd Joint Budget Listening Sessions gets more questions & answers (video)

The second in the series of 6 Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Sessions was held on Wednesday, Feb 12 at the Remington-Jefferson cafetorium.

Franklin TV broadcast the event, it is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/UWOc6uLkOO0?&t=356

The agenda doc ->  https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02122025-1560

The agenda packet includes:

a. Town Administrator FY26 Budget Update #4 Memorandum - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4201/Town-Administrator-FY26-Budget-Update-4-Memorandum- 

b. Updated FY26 Budget Model (1/30/25)  - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4191/02b-FY26-Budget-Control-Sheet---Control-Summary 

c. Estimated Override Matrix  - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4190/02c-Override-Tax-Rate-Impact-Calculationxlsx---Sheet1 

d. Board of Assessors Request Letter  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4189/02d-Board-of-Assessors-Support-for-Administrative-Assistant

My notes and a more complete recap will come in a day or so ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14ZqQ_mjYRrkcoszx1YVW-JVq4o9CSz1V/view?usp=drive_link

FHS boys hockey team posts win vs. Bishop Feehan on Wednesday

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 5 @ Bishop Feehan, 1 – Final

– After trading goals early in the second period, Franklin scored four unanswered to land a crucial non-league win over Bishop Feehan. Carter Balducci, who gave the Panthers the lead just seconds into the second, scored with just under two minutes left to give Franklin a 2-1 lead going into the third. Drake McAlpine then scored back-to-back goals three minutes apart and Balducci completed the hat trick with an empty net goal to ice the win. Jack Wernig, David Smith, Jake Harrington, Cooper Taccini, and Kevin Daly each had an assist and Jack O’Connor secured the win in net.

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 2 vs. Algonquin, 3 – Final

– A pair of third period goals proved pivotal as visiting Algonquin grabbed a close win at Franklin. The Panthers opened the scoring in the first on a goal from Julia Flynn (Haley Wernig) and had an unassisted power play goal from Maddie O’Brien in the third period.

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required) 

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-12-25/

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

Republican Leaders Gather in Franklin to Celebrate Lincoln’s Legacy on His Birthday

On the evening of  **February 12th—Abraham Lincoln’s birthday—** over 100 Republicans and Independents from across Massachusetts gathered at La Cantina Winery in Franklin for a successful Lincoln Dinner, celebrating the life and legacy of America’s 16th president.

The event brought together local Republican Town Committees (RTCs), state committee members, and elected officials, emphasizing Lincoln’s principles of unity, freedom, and opportunity. The evening featured Sheriff Lew Evangelidis of Worcester County as the keynote speaker, along with remarks from Republican leaders highlighting Lincoln’s impact and the importance of grassroots activism.

"This dinner is not just about history—it’s about continuing Lincoln’s work by standing for liberty, personal responsibility, and a government that truly represents the people," Dashe Videira, Franklin Republican Town Committee Chair.

Republican Leaders Gather in Franklin

A Strong Showing of Republican Leadership

Representatives from nine RTCs attended the event, including:

• Bellingham
• Foxboro
• Franklin
• Medway
• Milford
• Needham
• Wrentham
• Sandwich
• Barnstable

In addition to the RTCs, several state committee members and elected officials were in attendance:

State Committee Members

• Amanda Peterson, State Committee Woman (Norfolk, Worcester & Middlesex District) & Secretary of the State Party
• Leanne Harris, Committee Woman (Middlesex & Norfolk District)
• Ryan Chamberland, State Committee Man (Worcester & Hampden District)

Elected Officials

• Michael Chaisson (1st Bristol District)
• Marcus Vaughn (9th Norfolk District)
• Mike Soter (8th Worcester District)
• Steven Xiarhos (5th Barnstable District)

A Night of Celebration & Momentum

The Lincoln Dinner was a testament to the strength and unity of Massachusetts Republicans, with engaged discussions on how to continue fighting for the values Lincoln stood for.

The evening’s success would not have been possible without the dedication of the Republican Town Committees, State Committee members, musicians, and local community members, who helped create a meaningful and impactful gathering.

As attendees left, the message was clear: Lincoln’s legacy is alive and well, and Massachusetts Republicans are ready to carry his vision forward.

Do you have an appointment for a Car Seat Inspection today?

Do you have an appointment for a Car Seat Inspection today?

 

"The Franklin Police Department is offering a free car seat inspection Thursday (2/13/25) tomorrow at our station. 

Check out the flyer below to make an appointment."

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1Pi7A5Xxue/