What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 ???

Library & Senior Center events

Tuesday, July 29

Raffle tickets for TRI-COUNTY COUGAR WRESTLING TEAM  (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/07/raffle-tickets-for-tri-county-cougar.html)

2:30pm Rainbow Cafe (Franklin Senior Center)

5:00pm CANCELED due to weather Youth Summer Track Meet (Franklin High School)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->        

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

**  Town Meetings today   **

Massachusetts Strategic Health Group Meeting

Tuesday, July 29 Time: 1:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07292025-1836 

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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-calendar

FPAC Searching for Kids to Star in ANNIE and PETER AND THE STARCATCHER

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) is seeking young local actors ages 8-18 to complete their casts for their October production of Annie and November production of Peter and the Starcatcher at THE BLACK BOX. 

Children’s Auditions for both shows will be held on September 6th from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM at THE BLACK BOX located at 15 W. Central Street in Franklin, MA. Those auditioning for Annie are asked to prepare 16-32 bars of a musical theater song and those auditioning for Peter and the Starcatcher are given the option of preparing a brief monologue or reading one provided at the audition. Sign-ups for audition time slots are open now at FPAConline.com/auditions. 

FPAC Searching for Kids to Star in ANNIE
and PETER AND THE STARCATCHER

Those auditioning for both shows are asked to sign up for two slots in the same “group” when possible. For full character descriptions and instrument information, visit FPAConline.com/auditions. All questions regarding the audition/casting process can be emailed to FPACcasting@gmail.com. 

Annie will be directed by FPAC Artistic Director Raye Lynn Mercer, choreographed by Broadway’s Clay Rice-Thomson (Moulin Rouge, Matilda, Newsies, King Kong), with music direction by FPAC’s Resident Music Director Hallie Wetzell. The production runs October 17-26 at THE BLACK BOX. Peter and the Starcatcher will be directed by NYC’s Ali Funkhouser and run November 21-23 at THE BLACK BOX. 

FPAC is a professional regional theater (Actors’ Equity SPT Tier 1). The casts and creative teams are made up of Broadway stars, professionals from NYC and Boston, local talent, and student apprentices. All performers 18 (high school) and under cast in FPAC productions appear as “Student Apprentices.” 

The FPAC Student Apprentice program gives students of the arts a chance to share the stage with and be directed/choreographed by Broadway stars and New York, Boston, and local professional artists. A learning experience in the world of professional regional theater, Student Apprentices are sometimes called upon to assist FPAC’s Stage Management team and crew with things like technical rehearsals, upkeep of THE BLACK BOX space, and more. 

Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written, including “Tomorrow.” 

Peter and the Starcatcher is a play with music that upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a. Peter Pan). From marauding pirates and jungle tyrants, to unwilling comrades and unlikely heroes, Peter and the Starcatcher playfully explores the depths of greed and despair… and the bonds of friendship, duty, and love.

Tickets for FPAC’s entire 2025-26 Season will be available soon at FPAConline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. 

4 hour plus Town Council meeting?? try our 30 minute condensed recap (audio)

FM #1485 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1485 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 Monday, July 28, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of July 23, 2025.

We focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Discussion items: 

Fire Department - Swearing In of New Firefighter / Paramedic 

• i. Jeffrey Wolcott, a backfill for an existing & funded position

Annual Reappointments and New Appointments of Boards and Committees Members 

• i. See “Committee Appointments” in packet for member names

ABCC Transactions

• New Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Xiao Xia Zhang as the Manager - Kojo Asian Fusion LLC d/b/a Kojo, Located at 28 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038.

• License Modification - Change of Location of a Section 15 Wine and Malt Beverages Package Store License: The Little Shop of Olive Oils Inc. d/b/a The Little Shop of Olive Oils,, Located at 5 Main St., Franklin, MA 02038

Legislation for Action

• Resolution 25-27: FY26 Community Preservation Appropriation of Funds - Capital 

Friendly 40b

• Resolution 25-49: Franklin Town Council Support for Proposed GL Chapter 40B Affordable Housing Project at 202 Washington Street Pursuant to DHCD’s Local Initiative Program (LIP)

Residential Commercial Kitchens

• j. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-938: Residential Commercial Kitchens - A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Section 3 of the Code of the Town of Franklin

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-939: Residential Commercial Kitchens - A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Attachment 8, Use Regulations Schedule Part Vii: Accessory Uses - Referral to the Planning Board

New Service Fee

• Bylaw Amendment 25-940: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service, by Adding a New Service Fee: Residential Commercial Kitchen - First Reading. Moved to 2nd

Resolution 25-50: Adoption of Local Initiative Program “Friendly 40B” Policy, 

• Motion to Amend, fails 4-5

• Motion to table and deliberate at a future meeting, Seconded. Nondebatable - Via roll call, passes 5-4 to be tabled for later date (Yes - Sheridan, Frongillo, Pellegri, Hamblen, Mercer; No - Cormier-Leger, Chandler, Jones, Dellorco)

Crossing Neighborhood Zoning District

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-929: Creation of the Crossing Neighborhood Zoning District - A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 4,Districts Enumerated - Referral to the Planning Board Motion to referral, second 

• Next 6 votes all relate to this one, all 6 moved to Planning Board, to return to Council likely in September

EV Charging Stations

• Bylaw Amendment 25-936: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 73, Departmental Revolving Funds (EV Charging Stations) 

• Bylaw Amendment 25–937: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82,Fees, Municipal Service (EV Charging Stations) 

Acceptance of Gifts

• Resolution 25-51: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($1,646), Veterans’ Services ($400), Fire Department ($1,025), Police Department ($1,000), Recreation (AED)

TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

• Research forthcoming on alcohol license handling. Options for other than the Council 

• Local aid cut $231,000 from final State budget; Further pressure next year, Aug 11 Finance Cmte

• Raeleen Gallivan has a new position elsewhere closer to her home

• Amy Frigulietti has a new position in Yarmouth

The conversation runs about 33 minutes Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1485-town-council-quarterbacking-07-28-25/

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The Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dc10zX_m3k 

The agenda docs and supporting material ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07232025-1829 

My full set of notes: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HG6gba9gs32QQmenYy89A426iD-eGNLd/view?usp=drive_link 

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1484-town-council-mtg-07-23-25/ 

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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"

4 hour plus Town Council meeting?? try our 30 minute condensed recap (audio)

Franklin Council on Aging letter to Franklin Town Council RE: Private Donation

Date: July 11, 2025

To: Franklin Town Council

From: Franklin Council on Aging Board

RE: Private Donation

Dear Members of the Town Council,

The Franklin Council on Aging respectfully recommends that the Town Council not accept the recent private donation made to the Senior Center, which is restricted to funding the salary of a part-time nurse.

While we appreciate the generosity and intent behind this contribution, accepting such a donation raises several significant concerns:

1. Equity and Fairness: Allowing private funds to direct staffing decisions opens the door to unequal treatment and the risk that individuals with financial resources could exert disproportionate influence over municipal human resource decisions in the future.

2. Policy Consistency: Accepting this donation would create inconsistency across town governance. The Town of Franklin School Committee has an established policy prohibiting private donations from being used to fund salaries (e.g., supplanting):

Donations of Non-Budgeted Funds 

The Franklin School Committee gratefully accepts donations made by Booster Groups, Parent Communication Councils (PCCs), other private entities and Educational Foundations to support the Franklin Public School System. In an effort to ensure equity, consistency and compliance with Massachusetts General Law, any donated funds shall not supplant the operational budget voted by the School Committee. (This would include payment of salaries, instructional stipends, operating cost of buildings and curriculum programming or other recurrent budgetary items.)

3. Operational Integrity: Staffing decisions at the Senior Center should remain under the purview of its management, who are best positioned to assess and deploy resources in service of our constituents.

4. Respect for Voter Decision: In June 2025, Franklin voters chose not to pass a Proposition 2½ override, with the understanding that such a decision would necessitate reductions in staffing and services across the Town of Franklin. Accepting private funds to restore positions contradicts the democratic will expressed through that vote.

Accepting this donation could set a troubling precedent that undermines transparent governance, community equity, and proper management authority. We urge the Town Council to consider the broader implications and decline the offer.

Thank you for your attention and continued support of the Franklin Senior Center and its mission.

Sincerely,

Below Signed Members, Franklin Council on Aging 

10 Daniel McCahill Street

Franklin, MA 02038

Carolyn O'Brien, Chair

Phyllis Malcom, Vice Chair

Faith Flaherty, Secretary

Elizabeth Sawver

Kimberly Mu-Chow

Tina Powderly

Copy of the original signed letter ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LwnxHzW_MLw4tev6E6Ot8IYAPK98qVcn/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin School Cmte policy on non-budgeted funds (as referenced above) ->   https://www.franklinps.net/page/kcd-donations-of-non-budgeted-funds

Franklin Council on Aging letter to Franklin Town Council RE: Private Donation

The Children's Museum of Franklin is looking to hire "Visitor Experience Associate"

The Children's Museum of Franklin is looking
to hire "Visitor Experience Associate"

via The Children's Museum of Franklin:

"Check out our posting for Visitor Experience Associate, a part time, hourly position, on our website!"  

 -> https://www.childrensmuseumfranklin.org/joinus

Wit & Wisdom: A Tale of Two Grapes - Aug 14

Wit & Wisdom: A Tale of Two Grapes - Aug 14

via Pour Richard's

Join us August 14 from 6–8 PM for a swirl through the bright, bold worlds of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

From zesty and crisp to round and opulent, this masterclass dives deep into the styles, stories, and sass of two of wine’s most iconic grapes.

Seats are limited—reserve yours now and sip smarter.

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DMpqZ_rx2C1/?

The magic that is a library!!! (video)

The magic that is a library!!! (video)

"The magic is subtle but the message is clear. We need community centers like the library more than ever."

You do need to click through to view the reel (video) on Instagram ->

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMbeEc7ykdJ/

Spot scams while getting out of debt

Spot scams while getting out of debt By BCP Staff Having a lot of debt can be stressful at any age. But if you're retired or about to live on a fixed income, paying off debt can sometimes be more challenging. As you explore your options, know that scammers might promise to take away your debt — for a fee. If you pay them before they help you, you'll likely lose money instead of getting a fresh start. So, what's the best way to pay down debt while avoiding scams? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/07/spot-scams-while-getting-out-debt?utm_source=govdelivery

Spot scams while getting out of debt

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, July 29, 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 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, July 29, 2025 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

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

7:30 am Once Upon A Town: Grocery Stores

9:00 am Mental Health: Raeleen Sullivan

10:00 am Frank's Musings: Supreme Court

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Quinoa

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Trifles

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: White Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 3

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 9

3:30 pm Riffin' on Main Street: Jacob Juncker

4:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1

6:00 pm Horace Mann PSA

6:30 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Italian Cookies

7:30 pm Battleship Cove: Preserving the Fleet

8:00 pm 4th of July 2025: Midnight Ride

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

7:00 am All-Town Showcase 2024: Chorus and Orchestra

8:30 am Public School Event: Elementary Music Pt. 1 06-04-18

10:00 am Mental Health: Raeleen Sullivan

12:30 pm FHS Concert Hour 02-26-25

2:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Lacrosse v Shrewsbury 04-19-25

4:30 pm Tri County Graduation 2025

8:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1

9:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Cinderella

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

8:00 am  School Committee 06-10-25

2:00 pm  School Committee 06-10-25

6:00 pm  Economic Development 07-16-25

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

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