Children's Museum at La Cantina this Wednesday (4/23/25) and more Spring Break plans!

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online. Friends, We're getting so close—and we're overjoyed to share that the interior construction of the Children's Museum of Franklin is nearly complete! Over the next couple of weeks, we'll be sharing sneak peeks as new exhibits are installed and the museum truly takes shape.   To help us open our doors, we've got some exciting fundraisers and ways to support coming up this week and next. Every bit of help brings us one step closer to welcoming families into a space built for creativity, discovery, and joy. Click the images below to learn more!  A few more ways to get involved: Remember, our Founding Families program will close out at the end of April. Additionally, you can sign up to learn more about volunteer opportunities in our space by following this link. Be sure to follow us on social media (@childrensmuseumfranklin) to stay in the loop and see all the behind-the-scenes progress—we can't wait to share this journey with you!   With gratitude,   Erin & Meg

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It ia available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, Franklin Public Radio

Tuesday

SAFE Radio – Jim Derick and Dr. Anne Bergen Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder 

Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines - An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday

Franklin TV schedule for Tuesday, April 22, 2025

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

7:30 am     Mental Health: Joanne Spillane
8:30 am     FPAC: Hamlet
10:00 am     Millis Berfield Band
11:30 am     Cooking Thyme: Sweet Corn Risotto
12:00 pm     Brook'n'Cookin: Tai Salad
12:30 pm     Cooking with Linda: Shepherd's Pie
1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Black Bean, Roasted Pepper & Garlic Pizzetta
2:00 pm     New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 5
3:00 pm     Candlepin New Generation: Spring 2019 Show 2
3:30 pm     Metrowest Boston Annual Meet Pt. 1
7:30 pm     Concerts on the Common: Heather Deary & Carolyn Rae

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

7:00 am     FHS Winter Jazz 01-29-25
8:30 am     Public School Concert: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2023
11:30 am    Mental Health: Joanne Spillane
12:30 pm   All-Town Concert: Chorus & Orchestra
2:00 pm     FHS Boys Varsity Lacrosse v Shrewsbury 04-19-25
4:00 pm     Winning Ways with the MIAA: Districts
6:00 pm     FHS Varsity Softball v St. Paul Diocesan 04-19-25
9:00 pm     FHSTC: Peter and the Starcatcher

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

8:00 am School Committee 04-08-25

2:00 pm School Committee 04-08-25

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, April 21, 2025 ???

Monday, April 21 = Easter Monday & Patriots Day

 

 

 

**  NO Town Meetings today   **

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What's happening today in Franklin? 

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 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

Town Administrator Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Budget - Executive Summary

In compliance with Article Six, Sections 6-3-1 through 6-5-2 of the Franklin Town Charter, I am submitting the proposed FY26 Budget Message & Budget to the Town Council and Finance Committee.

I am presenting a balanced budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), which assumes an approved override amount of $3,862,672 as approved and placed on the ballot by the Town Council on March 19, 2025. Without the approval of an override by the registered voters of Franklin at the special election on June 3, 2025 the Town will have to produce $3,862,672 in revenue to continue level service or reduce budget line items.

Beginning in September of 2024, the Joint Budget Subcommittee, which consists of members from the Finance Committee, Town Council and School Committee, and town and school staff held monthly meetings to walk the entire community through the annual budget process. The JBSC held six townwide listening sessions in different areas of town and at different times of day to give the entire community and every stakeholder an opportunity to ask questions, share opinions and engage in the budget process. Please visit the FY26 Budget page for all materials related to the FY26 budget process.

The Executive Summary explains the budget process, highlights, assumptions, and provides some general overview statistics and trends. Detailed department budget narratives that speak to the mission of and strategic initiatives within each department are included in Section 2 of this document, and detailed budget line item numbers are located in Appendix A.

The budget process is a year round exercise, occurring throughout the entire fiscal year (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025). Town staff continuously update the budget model as new information becomes available. A budget review typically occurs every November prior to setting the annual tax rate. Residents are encouraged to sign up for Town Council agendas and legal notices here, which disclose the most up to date budget related actions and discussions in town. Residents who seek to take a deeper dive into departmental or project specific finances can review the Franklin Finance Committee meetings. The Finance Committee meets regularly to discuss and debate townwide financial information at length. Please visit the Town Budget page on the Town website for the latest FY26 budget information. All budget meetings can be viewed on the Town’s YouTube channel, live and in archive, and on Franklin TV.

 

The Town of Franklin continues to perform at a very high level and is widely regarded as a leader across Massachusetts for our innovative and collaborative approach to both town and school management. The entire municipal government consists of a proficient, creative, dynamic and professional team that performs at an exemplary level. The Town and School Departments provide exceptional services to residents at a very good value. I encourage Franklin residents to reflect on their own success: high graduation rates and college readiness, incredible school athletic achievements, superior special education services, vibrant extracurricular activities, and more:

● Franklin Public Schools had a 100% graduation rate in 2024.

● Franklin Public Schools is the 53rd best ranked High School in Greater Boston, which also happens to be the best public school system in the United States. Of High Schools with greater than 1,500 students, Franklin is the 12th highest performing High School in Massachusetts, just behind Arlington and Andover.

● Franklin Public Schools won the Dalton Award five years in a row, between 2018 to 2023, indicating the highest sports team winning percentage in the state with teams winning national and state championships; most recently Basketball and Cheerleading, as well as many students receiving elite college scholarships. Numerous youth sports teams also win championships and compete at a very high level.

● Franklin Public Schools has award winning team and individual academics, arts, and music achievements.

● Franklin Fire is rated a ISO-1 - the best possible rating a Fire Department can receive. Franklin Fire is one of only 9 communities in Massachusetts with this rating; one of 15 in New England and one of 450 out of 45,000 Fire Departments in the United States. The Franklin DPW qualifies as 40% of the requirements for this status because they also are first responders in town!

● The Franklin PD is exceeding national standards for law enforcement, having received full accreditation of 327 Best Practice Standards of Excellence.

● Both Franklin Fire and Franklin Police are operating at staffing levels that are the highest and most secure that they have ever been. While call volume trends continue to rise at record-breaking levels, any further reductions in staff will unquestionably hurt response times and the overall quality of public safety in Franklin.

● Franklin is a AAA Bond Rated community - the highest possible credit rating the Town can receive. We are in the top 25% of Massachusetts in this category, as approximately 80 communities are AAA rated. The Town has received a AAA Bond Rating twice and will be evaluated again this spring with the purchase of a fire truck. This favorable rating allows the Town to borrow at a lower rate, saving the Town as well as residents and taxpayers significant money over time.

● Franklin has received exemplary financial audits that have improved every year without recommendations for improvement for both Town and School Departments.

● The Department of Public Works (DPW) continues to be a regional leader in rebuilding the Town’s infrastructure, including the largest public works project in history over the next three years, the Beaver Street Interceptor. The project, which will replace a 109 year old system for 75% of the town’s raw sewage, is currently on time and under budget moving into one of the largest phases of the project.

● First class arts, cultural, and community resources through various departments, including Franklin Recreation, Senior Center, Public Library, Historical Museum, Public Schools, Veterans’ Services, Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, as well as various public-private partnerships relating to arts, culture, and economic development. The staff of these departments are innovative and service some of the community's highest need residents with incredible programs and compassion.

● Public access to walking, biking and hiking trails, open space and high quality, modern town and school facilities, including sports and recreation fields is abundant. The Town purchased over 200 acres of open space in the last three years, including the recently proposed SNETT Trail expansion. Over the next five years the Town will be planning how to use this open space to meet the needs of the community for future generations to come.

● Franklin has maintained its status as a Green Community and is widely known as a leading community in sustainability.

● The Town also has a favorable business climate with 20% of the overall tax base paid for by the commercial business sector. In recent years we have seen record breaking local taxes in meals, hotels and cannabis, and the Town has more restaurants, with a significant amount of them locally owned, than we did before the pandemic.

● We are fortunate to have a progressive, knowledgeable, fair and talented Public Health, Building & Inspections, and Planning & Community Development staff whose aim is to create a safe, vibrant and thriving business environment in Franklin.

● Franklin boasts exceptional and professional administrative, finance and support staff throughout both the municipality and school district.

The Town of Franklin and the Franklin Public Schools are fortunate to have dedicated, hard working and compassionate staff from the bottom to the top of the organization! Despite the overwhelming amount of requests the Town receives for services, departmental operations have excelled throughout the past few years and have become even more efficient. As we continue to find innovative ways to do more with less, enough cannot be said for the commitment, passion, innovation, humility and teamwork of the staff. The overall achievements of this organization have been tremendous, and we should all be thankful and appreciative of what this team has achieved and the role the municipal and school staff play in strengthening the community. The future of the organization remains as bright as ever, and the quality of life in Franklin is as exceptional as it has ever been.

As I have documented in prior Fiscal Forecasts and Budget Narratives, while services in FY26 will remain highly effective, inflation has now settled into the local budget.

The Executive Summary can be found ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5322/FY26-Budget-Narrative

Sections of the Summary will continue to be shared in advance of the Finance Committee budget hearings scheduled for April 28, April 29, and May 1.

The FY 2026 budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500

The FY 2026 Override info for the June 3 vote -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/1089/Fiscal-Year-2026-Override-Information

Talking about the 3rd Annual Disability Expo with Randy Jay (audio)

3rd Annual Disability Expo

FM #1432 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1432 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Randy Jay. He is a member of the Commission on Persons with Disabilities. We recorded this conversation in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studio Monday, April 14, 2025. 

We cover the following in our wide ranging conversation

• Randy’s road to Franklin

• Role of the disability commission

• Expo now in its 3rd year

• Happening April 26 from 11 AM to 2 PM at the Senior Center

The recording runs about 35 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1432-disability-expo-with-randy-jay-04-14-25/

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Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/496/Commission-on-Persons-with-Disabilities 

Facebook page with additional details including participating vendors/organizations https://www.facebook.com/share/15RMr42ncJ/ 

Download a copy of the flyer as a reminder or to share -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kqD_s15Nice8hGQ17aC2zbzcNRFK814M/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

Bellingham Fire, Many Nearby Departments Battle Mulch and Brush Fire

Battle Mulch and Brush Fire

Chief William Miller reports that the Bellingham Fire Department and crews from many neighboring communities worked for more than five hours Sunday to contain a sprawling mulch and brush fire. There were no injuries.

Bellingham firefighters first received a call around 8:40 AM Sunday, April 20, about a mulch fire at D&D Mulch and Landscape, 236 Maple St.

Crews quickly responded to the industrial property to attack a fire at two 10,000-yard mulch piles, which Miller said likely was caused by spontaneous combustion. Immediately firefighters requested regional assistance, with more than a dozen other departments providing some form of mutual aid.

Soon the fire jumped to nearby brush, and 6-1/2 acres were consumed.

The fire scene is located along a power line right of way and next to Interstate 495, creating added complications on a day that was warm and windy, ideal for quick-spreading fires.

“First, our crews did a great job immediately responding to the scene and evaluating the situation,” Chief Miller said. “As we requested further assistance, nearby departments stepped up and helped, despite dealing with their own brush fires. We’re really grateful for their help.”

It took until 2 PM for firefighters to declare things under control.

The fire claimed an excavator and a wheel loader from D&D. No buildings were damaged. Some fire departments' hose lines were knocked out of service.

Chief Miller estimated that at least 20 pieces of equipment and 50 firefighters were at the scene.

Foxborough, Norwood and Hopedale provided off-road equipment as part of the firefighting efforts. Brush trucks came from Milford and Mendon. Engines and other apparatus came from Milford, Hopkinton, Westborough, Mendon, Norfolk, Medway, Mansfield, Walpole, Norwood, Hopedale, Wrentham and the state Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry. Plainville’s ambulance team also was on scene.

Franklin firefighters covered Bellingham’s stations.

Chief Miller urges Bellingham residents to use caution, especially on windy days, and be aware of the dangers of fast-moving brush fires.

“These type of fires can quickly spiral out of control,” Chief Miller said.

Register O'Donnell Promotes Consumer Notification Service

As home transactions pick up speed as spring continues and in light of recent publicity from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) Boston Division relating to quit claim deed fraud, or “deed theft,” Norfolk County Register of Deeds, William P. O’Donnell, today, reminds residents about the Registry's Consumer Notification Program.

The F.B.I. Boston division has reported that from 2019 through 2023, 58,141 victims nationwide reported $1.3 billion in losses relating to real estate fraud. In the Boston Division alone, 2,301 victims reported losing more than $61.5 million during the same period.

 

Register O'Donnell Promotes Consumer Notification Service

Deed theft can take different forms. The most common type of fraud preys on people who are in danger of losing their property through foreclosure. The owners are told that they qualify for a "short sale," a process where the foreclosing lender settles for less than the amount owed on the mortgage, and that if they sign the deed over to a third party, they can avoid the foreclosure. The owner signs a deed over to the third-party scammer, not realizing they are still responsible for the debt, and the scammer, rather than negotiating the short sale, collects and keeps the rental payments until the lender eventually forecloses.

Another type of deed theft targets elderly people who sign over their property without realizing what they are doing. This is often done by a family member. Deed theft is a serious crime that can result in the loss of one's home and equity. Homeowners should be aware of these scams and talk to a lawyer before signing any papers that have to do with their property.

A growing concern is forgery, where a scammer fakes a homeowner’s signature on a deed and records it in the registry of deeds. A forged deed is not valid and conveys nothing. If a buyer or a lender rely on a forged deed and don’t do their due diligence on a property’s title, they are out of luck. They, not the legitimate property owner, will ultimately lose any money paid to the thief. Forgery is a felony in all fifty states, punishable by jail time and heavy fines. The court may also require restitution for damages caused by the forgery, such as the costs of clearing the title.

F.B.I. Boston is working with property owners, realtors, county registers, title companies, and insurance companies to thwart the fraud schemes. Read the full article from the FBI Boston Division regarding quit claim deed fraud here: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/boston/news/fbi-boston-warns-quit-claim-deed-fraud-is-on-the-rise-

Commenting on the issue, Register O’Donnell stated, "Our mission at the Registry of Deeds is the safety and security of all property records. We recognize that there are unscrupulous individuals who may try to take advantage of the property rights of others. In 2015, we at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds initiated a Consumer Notification Service, a free service whereby subscribers sign up to be notified when any document is recorded under their name. This initiative came about in response to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) indicating property and mortgage fraud was one of the fastest growing white-collar crimes in America."

Companies now offer paid subscription services that will check public records and let a property owner know if a deed has been recorded that changes who owns their property. It is not title insurance. At the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds one can sign up for notification if a document is recorded in one’s name at the Registry.

Information on "Consumer Notification" can be found on the Registry website, www.norfolkdeeds.org under the heading "Services". The Registry Customer Service Department can assist anyone who would like to set up the notification for their property.

Register O’Donnell concluded, "I want to reiterate that our free notification service, like the paid services, does not protect against fraud but will at least alert the owner if a fraudulent deed has been recorded. This way the homeowner can take steps right away to combat the fraud. Also, Owners should always be aware of what they are signing when it comes to any document that may affect the title to their real estate and should scrutinize any company that promises to alleviate debt if you sign over a deed to them. In Massachusetts, a deed should always be signed in front of a notary public. Massachusetts notaries are obligated to request identification from the party signing the deed."

If you have any questions about the notification service, please contact our Customer Service Center at 781-461-6101, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Our trained staff is more than willing to answer any questions you may have.

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, “like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/norfolkdeeds. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @norfolkdeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St., Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities, and others with a need for secure, accurate, and accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website, www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101 or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

Library has a full schedule for kiddos of all ages during school vacation week

Library has a full schedule for kiddos of all ages 

 

Tuesday through Saturday, the Franklin Public Library has special events every day for school vacation week

 

 

Check out the highlights -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DIokB91R6Vt/

 

 

The listing will be on the daily calendar posting each day

 

 

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->  

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

First Annual Comedy for a Cause - Benchmark Senior Living

First Annual Comedy for a Cause - 4/25

via Jackie Smith

"This is a fundraiser for Benchmark Senior Living’s One Company Fund.  

A superb line-up of comedians (I’m performing as well), open-bar cocktail hour, appetizers, raffles, prizes and a ton of fun!  Please come out for a fantastic evening in support of a great cause!"

Tickets etc -> https://www.onecompanyfund.com/upcoming-events 

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/?multi_permalinks=3964742457129084

I can’t go everywhere my daughter goes – and it’s heartbreaking | Well actually | The Guardian

"We met K when she was a week old. We were foster parents and not expecting a call about a newborn. Despite becoming her mom with just 12 hours’ notice – we adopted her the next year – my early months with her felt so natural.

I had been disabled for six years. While on a hike, I developed dysautonomia, which is secondary to a genetic connective tissue disorder called hEDS [hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome]. I experience a great deal of daily pain and can’t stand for more than a minute or sit upright unsupported for more than five.

As a result, I spend most of my day reclined. Her high need for physical contact in infancy fit my need to rest all day. She didn’t need a mom who could pace. She needed a mom who didn’t get bored lying on the sofa. We were a perfect match.

After a few months with K, we started to make plans. The first was a trip to a small island called Lummi off the coast of Washington state. We flew out of Oakland; a friend drove us to the airport and helped us check the bags. David pushed me in my wheelchair, and I carried K on my lap. Once in the air, we learned the hard way that air pressure changes can contribute to diaper blowouts, but the flight was, generally, fine."

For some disabled or chronically ill people, leaving the house isn’t possible at all. But for others, the barriers are structural. Composite: The Guardian/Getty Images

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue reading the article online -> https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2025/apr/15/parenting-disability-wheelchair 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Monday, April 21, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

wfpr.fm Schedule for Monday - Franklin Public Radio

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule