Friday, March 14, 2025

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

FM #1404 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1404 in the series. 


This session shares the last of the 6 Joint Budget Listening Sessions held Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at the FHS Auditorium. 10 of the 11 members participated along with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen & School Supt Lucas Giguere.


Quick recap:

  • Brief statements by TA Hellen and Supt Giguere opened the session before going to the audience for questions and comments. 

  • Approx 100 folks in the audience this evening, a mix of town staff, school dept and teachers, and residents

  • 10 members of the Joint Budget Subcmte present on the stage along with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Superintendent Lucas Giguere

  • A dozen folks asked questions, some more than 1; some got long answers, some got short answers

  • the Subcommittee gets their say one at a time (beginning approx 9:15 PM), then after hearing the majority for the 3.8 number with some for a pyramid (also adding a higher #, 4.9 possibly)

  • Motion for the $3863,672, seconded and then after discussion it passes by a 9-1 vote (1 voting no, O'Sullivan)

  • Motion for Tuesday, June 3, 2025 as the date, second, passes 10-0

  • motion to adjourn, passes 10-0


The recording runs about 3 hours 20 minutes , so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1404-joint-budget-listening-session-6-03-12-25/



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Franklin TV video for viewing -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3yEVAe0NHU 


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


My notes captured during the session  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Afr2hGWcMvzGJX1zd_VojMpjkl9WMTU-/view?usp=drive_link 


Link to the Town page with the budget materials for both Town and School sides

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500 


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 the prior sessions here ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/joint-budget-listening-sessions-fy-2026.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

  • 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"



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

Comment period open until March 25, 2025 on Environmental Assessment for Veterans Memorial Drive Extension

The Town has received an $850,000 Community Project Funding (CPF) grant through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funds will be combined with a portion of our FY2023 Massachusetts MassWorks Infrastructure Program grant to construct the Veterans Memorial Drive Extension in Franklin, which will extend the existing public right-of-way through an undeveloped tract of land to support the future construction of the Franklin Ridge Senior Affordable Housing Project.

The Town has recently completed an environment assessment (EA) of the Veterans Memorial Drive Extension project’s potential impacts, and has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment.
 
Anyone disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the project may submit to the Town of Franklin’s Department of Planning & Community Development.  All comments received by March 25, 2025 will be considered by the Town of Franklin prior to submission of a request for release of funds.  

On or about March 26, 2025 the Town plans to submit a Request for Release of Funds and Certification to HUD for the release of the $850,000 in CPF HUD funding.

Attached is a combined Notice that satisfies two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Town: a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) notice; and a Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds (NOI-RROF).  

Thank you for your attention to this issue.

Bryan W. Taberner, AICP
Director of Planning and Community Development
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038-1352
Phone: 508-520-4907



Comment period open until March 25, 2025 on Environmental Assessment for Veterans Memorial Drive Extension
Comment period open until March 25, 2025 on Environmental Assessment for Veterans Memorial Drive Extension

Senior Center closure extends 2 days, will reopen Wednesday, March 19 (audio)

Sarah Amaral, Franklin Senior Center Director, with the robocall message about the extension of the closure.

The Center will reopen March 19, and no events other than the van schedule will be held on Monday, March 17 or Tuesday, March 18.

The Party had been rescheduled to Thursday, March 20





Oak St 5th Grade wins a plow name with "Mac N' Freeze"

Oak St 5th Grade wins a plow name with "Mac N' Freeze"
Oak St 5th Grade wins a
plow name with "Mac N' Freeze"


"Congratulations to the 5th grade class at Oak Street Elementary School in Franklin, for their winning snow plow name "Mac N' Freeze!" @FranklinPSNews"
Video clip -> https://t.co/DqyRJoMRiN


Shared from -> https://x.com/MassDOT/status/1900269415582638562



Night Owl Farm has open spots for some good workshops this month of March

Night Owl Farm has open spots for some good workshops this month of March
Night Owl Farm has open spots for some
good workshops this month of March
via Night Owl Farm:
"We still have some excellent workshops left this month!"



Sign up for one or more of the workshops online ->    https://www.nightowlfarm.org/workshops



What are the signs of a scam?


What are the signs of a scam?

By BCP Staff

Though the details might change, scams usually have some things in common. And knowing what they are can help you recognize — and then avoid — scams that come your way.

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/03/what-are-signs-scam?




What are the signs of a scam?
What are the signs of a scam?

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, March 14, 2025

  • wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday
Time/DayFriday
7:00 AM12:00 Noon5:00 PMJazz
8:00 AM1:00 PM6:00 PMFM News - Sherlock
9:00 AM2:00 PM7:00 PMTalking Blues - Derick/Remissong
10:00 AM3:00 PM8:00 PMTalking Blues - Derick/Remissong
11:00 AM4:00 PM9:00 PM "The Vibe"


8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events 


9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong. 2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews


11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM - “The Vibe” show plays music for everyone searching for some enjoyment, some dance, a happy or thinking mood, and most importantly, having fun.  Tune in to wfpr.fm and listen to “DJ Vibe” spin music across many genres and join this new vibing experience



Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday

Franklin TV schedule for Friday, March 14, 2025

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

7:00 am Franklin Library Association: Role of the Library in American Democracy
8:30 am Care For Ukraine
10:00 am Riffin' on Main Street: Pauline Spender
11:00 am Senior Connection: Spaghetti Bolognese
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Tai Salad
12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Monkey Bread
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 1
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer '19 Show 2
3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith
7:00 pm Franklin Art Association: Erin Spencer
8:30 pm Veterans' Call: Steve Crouteau
9:30 pm Critical Conversations: Social Media

  • Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY
7:00 am Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2022
8:30 am Mental Health: Amanda Ayer & David Gove
9:30 am All-Town Showcase 2024: Chorus and Orchestra
11:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Canton 02-05-25
1:00 pm FHS Concert Hour 02-26-25
2:30 pm Track and Field: v King Philip 05-07-21
6:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Lord of the Flies
8:30 pm Franklin Footlighters: Footloose

  • Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) =  FRIDAY
8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals 01-30-25
12:00 pm Town Administrator's Review 02-27-25
2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals 01-30-25
6:00 pm Town Administrator's Review 02-27-25

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
Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Thursday, March 13, 2025

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

Thursday, March 13

  • "Look Up" Gallery (Franklin Public Library during open hours)
5:00pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)
6:30pm Open Mic & Spoken Word (Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen)
7:00pm Franklin Cultural Council Grant Awards (Dean College Guidry Center)


For additional details on Senior Center & Library events ->     https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false
For additional details on Senior Center & Library events ->    

**  Town Meetings today   **

Bi-County Collaborative Board of Directors Meeting Thursday, March 13, 2025 9:00 AM https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03132025-1631


Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meetings

Thursday, March 13th Time: 2:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/318?fileID=4197


Charles River Pollution Control District
Thursday, March 13th 3:00 PM

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School
Thursday, March 13th  Time: 7:00 PM

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, March 13th Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Zoning-Board-of-Appeals-31/?#_03132025-1615


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Why are there multiple calendars?
What's happening today in Franklin?
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

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

The 6th and final Joint Budget Listening Session shifted from listening to the audience to listening to each other at about 9:15 PM and began the discussion on the potential override. The ultimate recommendation was for the amount of $3,862,672 and for Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

The Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3yEVAe0NHU


Quick recap
  • Approx 100 folks in the audience this evening, a mix of town staff, school dept and tachers, and residents
  • 10 members of the Joint Budget Subcmte present on the stage along with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Superintendent Lucas Giguere
  • A dozen folks asked questions, some more than 1; some got long answers, some got short answers
  • the Subcommittee gets their say one at a time (beginning approx 9:15 PM), then after hearing the majority for the 3.8 number with some for a pyramid (also adding a higher #, 4.9 possibly)
    • Motion for the $3863,672, seconded and then after discussion it passes by a 9-1 vote (1 voting no, O'Sullivan)
    • Motion for Tuesday, June 3, 2025 as the date, second, passes 10-0
  • motion to adjourn, passes 10-0
My notes taken during the session in one PDF ->



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

Country Dance: Reels and More! at FUSF on Saturday, March 15

Country Dance” is a fun, accessible style of dance that includes Virginia Reels and more. It is suitable for people of all ages, from 4 to 88. Families, college students, teens, and the young at heart are most welcome! 

The dancing does not require any previous experience. The dance caller walks everyone on the floor through simple steps, helps the group put them together, and then the music starts.  

Country Dance: Reels and More! at FUSF on Saturday, March 15
Country Dance: Reels and More!

Doors open at 6:45 pm. There will be two sets with a brief intermission in between. Comfortable seating will be available should you want to sit out a specific dance. Snacks and water will be provided. 

It is highly recommended that tickets be bought in advance since this is anticipated to be a popular evening, and only a certain number of dancers can be accommodated.  

Tickets can be purchased at FUSF.org/Upcoming Events. Admission is $5 for students 13-18, $10 for individuals. Children under 12 are free.  Checks or cash will be accepted at the door. 


The First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) is a Unitarian Universalist Welcoming Congregation located at 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. 

Our Interim Minister is Reverend Beverly Waring. 

For more information about FUSF please visit our website at Fusf.org. or  contact us at info@fusf.org; call 508-528-5348.