Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
"To Bee or Not to Bee" - That is the topic for Sunday's service at FUSF August 10
Bob & I review the COA Letter and reveal the town records on the position funding (audio)
FM #1489 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1489 in the series.
This session shares my conversation with Robert (Bob) Kaufman, member of the Council on Aging which oversees the Senior Center in an advisory capacity. We had our discussion on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio.
We talk about
The circumstances that created the situation
The points of the COA Letter
Rebuttal or alternate explanations for the points of the letter
The point of our conversation was to more fully explain the details around the letter and ensure that we could have a better and civil discussion. While this happened this year, given the financial situation of the town, we will likely see this again. We, the collective "we", need to determine how "we" are going to solve our budget problem.
The recording runs about 59 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1489-coa-letter-robert-kaufman-07-30-25/
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| History of the grants and Friends of Franklin Elders (FOFE) |
COA Letter as discussed -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/07/franklin-council-on-aging-letter-to.html
History of the grants and Friends of Franklin Elders (FOFE) funding for the cook and nurse from 2010 through 2017 when the Town budget provided the funding https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iOz6F1W9Rq-H67C2jmhthNNPL7GZCyMQ/view?usp=drive_link
To save some from searching, Bob did struggle to recall the name of the last Republican Mayor of Chicago -> a source of the history for “Big Bill” Thompson is available https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hale_Thompson
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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"
Franklin LGBTQ Alliance: Join us for our next meeting August 7 at 6:30 PM
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Annual Report of the Town of Franklin School Committee - FY 2024
With the Biennial Election coming up November 4, 2025, the nomination papers are available beginning Aug 4, 2025 for candidates to take, obtain the appropriate number of signatures to get on the ballot.
We are sharing the section of the Annual Report for the Town of Franklin 2024 to help explain what each role entails.
- Dave Callaghan, Chair
- David McNeill, Vice Chair
- Al Charles
- Erin Gallagher
- Paul Griffith
- Ruthann O’Sullivan
- KP Sompally
Reminder: Register now for the Odd Fellows Cornhole tournament scheduled for Aug 17, 2025
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| Hold the date: Aug 17 for the Odd Fellows Cornhole tournament |
Discussion of VA and State Survivor Benefits for Franklin, MA - Sep 15 at 9 AM
Julia Dhar: How to have constructive conversations | TED (video)
- Choose curiosity over clash
- expect development of your ideas through discussion
- anchor in common purpose
Amtrak “key signal bungalow” may take several weeks to repair
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| Amtrak “key signal bungalow” may take several weeks to repair |
Scammers are using fake websites in a twist on jury duty scams
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, August 6, 2025
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| Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday |
- This shares my conversation with Mitzi Gousie, Programming and Outreach Librarian about the events at the Franklin Public Library during August 2025 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/07/mitzi-i-review-all-big-events-and.html
- Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi have a discussion with Viticulture Leader Brenae Royal -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/08/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode.html
Franklin TV schedule for Wednesday, August 6, 2025 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY
Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = WEDNESDAY
Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = WEDNESDAY
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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