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| Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday |
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| Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday |
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
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| Joint Budget Subcommittee recommends to the Town Council a $3.862 M override for Tuesday, June 3 |
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| What's happening today in Franklin? |
A. Review of AgendaB. Payment of Bills Mr. CallaghanC. Payroll Mr. McNeilD. FHS Student Representative CommentsE. Superintendent’s Report
A. Approval of MinutesI recommend approval of the minutes from your March 11, 2025 SchoolCommittee Meeting and March 19, 2025 Special School Committee Meeting as detailed.B. Parmenter GiftI recommend the acceptance of $3,906.44 from the Parmenter PCC for field trips as detailed.C. FHS GiftI recommend the acceptance of $200.00 from Philip & Jari Vandermeer for supplemental supplies for FHS in memory of Richard Ayer III.D. Oak Street GiftI recommend the acceptance of $3,900.00 from the Oak St. PCC for field trips as detailed.E. FHS GiftsI recommend the acceptance of $10,918.09 as follows:
- $10,545.57 Show Tix In-house Enrichment
- $ 267.00 Parents Field Trips
$ 105.52 Parents In-house Enrichment
Agenda for School Committee
A. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(2) To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel
Dear Creative Corner Families and Friends,
I'm reaching out today because I need your help to secure Creative Art Corner's future here in Franklin. My vision has always been to provide a safe and inspiring space where children and young adults can express their emotions through art, promoting healing, growth, and creativity — all while having fun.
I'm thrilled to share that we've already raised $2000, which is 29% of our $7,000 goal. Every dollar gets us closer, and I'm asking you to consider making a donation today. Creative Corner needs a permanent home to continue offering our beloved after-school programs, summer camps, and community events. If we don't meet our goal by April 24th, all funds will be returned to donors, and we won't be able to move forward.
To put it simply — if 60 people give $100 or more, we'll reach our goal! I know firsthand how tight finances can be, especially as a single mom and small business owner. But I truly believe in the importance of art as a form of self-expression and therapy, and I'm committed to keeping that opportunity alive for our community's children.
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| Support Creative Corner Capital Campaign - Deadline April 20th |
With recent cuts to arts programs in Franklin public schools, Creative Art Corner's role is more essential than ever. By contributing to our Kickstarter campaign, you're not just helping us move — you're ensuring that the arts remain accessible and vibrant in our community.
Please consider donating at http://kck.st/4i45m99. Every contribution matters, and sharing our campaign with friends, family, and neighbors can make an even greater impact.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support. Together, we can keep the arts alive in Franklin.
FM #1411 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1411 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 Friday, March 21, 2025.
Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of March 19, 2025.
We focus on two questions:
• ok, what just happened?
• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?
Topics for this session
Discussion and vote to set an override before the community in the amount of $3,862,672 and on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. There were 2 separate votes, one on the ballot question text and the second on the date. Both passed with the same 8-0-1 (8 for, none against, 1 absent - Dellorco)
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
Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap the Town Council meeting. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1411-town-council-quarterbacking-03-21-25/
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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
My full set of notes taken during the meeting (in one PDF) -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TPEkxHcViPCNwOGHmiydPVt1rGW5Xy05/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 out. 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"
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| Franklin TV video for replay of meeting -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoNPkBHRLzI |
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| ALARM Robotics |
"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."
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| one of The Pantry garden beds in 2020 |
*Commit to a bed (or 2!) There are eight raised beds at the Franklin Community Garden that are being reserved for volunteers willing to grow, harvest and deliver produce to the Pantry.*Grow flowers at home or at the Franklin Community Garden, harvest and place in vases (repurposed jars, containers, etc.) and then bring them to the Pantry on shopping days.*Become a FFP volunteer (if you aren't already) and sign up for a shift at the Pantry's Farmers Market.
"On March 19, 2025, the Town Council voted to adopt recommendations from the Joint Budget Subcommittee (JBSC) that the Town Council vote put forth a $3,862,672 override ballot question to the registered voters of the Town of Franklin at a Special Local Election on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
For details and additional information concerning this matter, please visit the FY26 Budget Override webpage."
FY 2026 Budget Overrride page -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/1089/Fiscal-Year-2026-Override-Information
The timeline reflects on what has happened in the Joint Budget process. I would emphasize that the critical meetings are actually scheduled before the vote June 3.
Detailed questions and answers can be found with
(1) the Finance Committee budget hearings over three days: Apr 28, Apr 29, and May 1
(2) the Town Council budget hearings scheduled for May 21 and May 22.
The official Town budget comes out in April and will be the source of the detailed discussion reviewed during the budget hearings. There really should be no questions unanswered by the time June 3 arrives.
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| Fiscal Year 2026 Override Information for Franklin, MA |
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| Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Saturday |
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| Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Saturday |
