What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 ??

Tuesday, August 12

Library & Senior Center events

12:00pm Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

7:00pm FBRTC Rail Trail Cmte Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->        

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

**  Town Meetings today   **

School Committee

Tuesday, August 12 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08122025-1851 

Design Review

Tuesday, August 12 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08122025-1849 

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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

Voices of Franklin: Jane Callaway-Tripp calls for potential candidates for School Committee

Franklin needs you.

As we approach the upcoming election, two seats on our School Committee remain open—and not enough candidates have stepped forward to run. This is more than a vacancy on a ballot. It's a call to action for anyone who believes in the power of public education and the importance of community leadership.

Our boards and committees are only as strong as the people who serve on them. Without full participation, we lose the diverse voices, thoughtful oversight, and collaborative spirit that make Franklin work. The School Committee plays a vital role in shaping the future of our schools, supporting students and families, and ensuring transparency and accountability in decision-making.

If you've ever felt the urge to make a difference, now is the time. Please consider running. Be a voice. Be part of the change. Help guide the decisions that will impact our children, our educators, and our town for years to come.

Franklin's future is built by those who show up. Let's make sure we do.

Sincerely,  

Jane Callaway-Tripp  

Franklin resident and candidate for Town Council

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Jane Callaway-Tripp calls for potential candidates for School Committee

Finance Committee recommends Option B, adding back 2 firefighter/paramedics to resolve budget adjustment (audio)

FM #1492 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1492 in the series. 

This session shares the Finance Committee meeting very briefly conducted Monday, August 11, 2025. The Committee opened with 3 new members and the Chair absent, for his first time, so 8 of 9 present. One member was initially remote, then he came into Chambers so roll call votes were not required. 

The room had changed from the posted agenda so the Studio personnel were not present to broadcast as normal. The Owl was used to enable video and audio for those participating via Zoom. The recording of that can be processed for broadcast later by Franklin TV.

Quick recap:

• After a lengthy presentation and discussion, the Committee voted to recommend Option B for the Town Council to discuss and determine their vote on the FY 2026 budget adjustment.

• The State budget finalized in July authorized $231,152 LESS than the Town had put in the budget and adjusted after the failed override.

• Model A would have split the difference in making further cuts to both Town and School budgets

• Model B makes some minor cuts ($21K), adjusts health care (by $75K) but also by restoring 2 firefighter/paramedics ($115K) is forecast to also bring in $249K in revenue to offset the adds and ‘balance’ the budget again

• Note the numbers presented on the option B slide still result in a NET ADD of $18k to the budget (maybe that will get corrected before the Council meeting Wednesday)

Model A

Model A would split the difference in making further cuts to both Town and School budgets

Model B

Model B makes some minor cuts ($21K), adjusts health care (by $75K) but also by restoring 2 firefighter/paramedics ($115K) is forecast to also bring in $249K in revenue to offset the adds and ‘balance’ the budget again

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1492-tof-finance-cmte-mtg-08-11-25/

Slides as presented -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6560/2025-08-11-Fin-Comm-Slideshow

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Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08112025-1822 

FY26 Budget Amendments

a. Town Administrator Memo  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6478/Town-Administrator-Memo 

b. FY26 Control Sheet Model A & B Comparison 

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6434/FY26-Control-Sheet-Model-A-and-B-Comparison 

c. FY26 Budget Voting Doc Model A & B Comparison  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6433/FY26-Budget-Voting-Doc-A-and-B-Comparison 

d. Budget Voting Resolution Model A  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6489/General-Fund-Appropriation-Transfers-and-Adjustments-Resolution-25-52---Option-A 

e. Budget Voting Resolution Model B  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6492/General-Fund-Appropriation-Transfers-and-Adjustments-Resolution-25-52---Option-B

My notes for the meeting captured in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DkU4mNB3P894CmvRaaqTJQXWhFPhYdB6/view?usp=drive_link 

Photos of the presentation slides for the meeting are in one album ->

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WYo4oK4oQWpQLKDfA

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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"

Creative Corner opens local artists gallery

Creative Corner opens local artists gallery

LOCAL ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Creative Corner is proud to be home to a local artist gallery. We have a lovely group of local artist who are selling their work at the studio as well as teaching classes and workshops.

Keep an eye out on our social media and website to see what offerings these wonderful artists are hosting at the studio.

Read more about our artists and their work at our website: www.creativecornerartstudiofranklin.com

Do YOU want to sell your art or teach class? Reach out to marycreativecornerartstudio@gmail.com

Local Artists

• Paulina Teng @comertengstudio
• Caryn Swenson @upcycledreworks
• Heather McNamara @hedgeandheatherapothecary1
• Toni Carbone @fromthesoul333
• Maria Saganis @thetipsywitchy

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GsZcvpNHs/

Fall Writing Workshop - Aug 24

Fall Writing Workshop - Aug 24

Interesting study: "Young people say they increasingly struggle to make plans and follow through on them"

via Jonathan Haidt

"Young adults’ personalities are changing, with conscientiousness — being responsible, organized, hard-working and goal-oriented — in freefall.

New data in @financialtimes this week points to what I’ve been calling #theattentionapocalypse. These are young people’s self-assessments, not anyone speaking on their behalf.

Young people say they increasingly struggle to make plans and follow through on them. They feel distracted, careless. They feel less outgoing and talkative. They feel less helpful and trusting, and more argumentative.

#Conscientiousness and #neutoriticism as personality traits are highly predictive of career success, divorce and mortality. Highly conscientious people (reliable, disciplined) have the best life outcomes. They live the longest and succeed at work. Their relationships last.

This report is astonishing, and it mirrors my research in #theanxiousgeneration. #GenZ is different, in ways we as a society must work to change. This includes everything from #thefournorms I propose in the book (delaying smartphones & social media, #phonefreeschools, and more IRL, embodied experiences) to better infrastructure to support in-person activities for all ages.

Since infrastructure takes years, if not decades, to change, the best place to start is our own homes. Limit your own social media and screen time. Try *not* to fill interstitial moments with screens. Resist the endless scroll. Most of all, if you have kids, limit touch-screen devices and insist on reading, real-life unstructured play, longer stories (family movies are fine on non-touch-screen devices), and other activities that foster slow dopamine.

Join the other parents and organizations committed to this work at anxiousgeneration.com/join. Let’s do this, together."

Additional charts from the study can be found ->

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNJmSrGsTgy/?

The link to the Financial Times article -> https://www.ft.com/content/5cd77ef0-b546-4105-8946-36db3f84dc43

Rise Up This Saturday, August 16

Good morning!

Our next Rise Up social hour, with a special guest, is:

Date: August 16th

Time: 10 to 11 AM

Location: Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central Street, Franklin, MA (parking and entrance/ramp on left side) 

Outline:

- Open social time

- Group intros

- Discussion and Resources from MassAbility

- Wrap up and final social time

Hope to have you with us!

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This one-hour social meet-up is intended to be a safe space for:

• individuals navigating life with disability to meet others they can relate with
• community partners to learn more about the population and share resources
• support persons to meet other support persons

For additional information about this event, please visit ->   https://alirheaume.com/rise-up

RISE Up - next social hour gathering Saturday, Aug 16

South Street Six to perform at the Westwood Living Bean Farm Summer Bonanza - Aug 28 (ticketed event)

South Street Six to perform at the Westwood Living
Bean Farm Summer Bonanza - Aug 28 (ticketed event)

Mark your calendars! South Street Six is thrilled to be performing live at the Westwood Living Bean Farm Summer Bonanza on Thursday, August 28, from 5 PM to 9 PM (band at 5:30) at Bean Family Farm in Westwood, MA.

Bring the whole family—enjoy our tunes, hay-rides, games, face-painting, tasty bites from Pollard’s Test Kitchen, and ice cream from Bubbling Brook. All proceeds support the Norfolk County Farm Bureau.

Tickets and more info at https://bit.ly/beanfarmbonanza25

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

Patriot Day - National Day of Service, September 11, 2025

View as a webpage VA National Cemeteries National Day of Service Patriot Day September 11, 2025   Find more information about a cemetery near you: https://www.cem.va.gov/National-Day-of-Service/ You can register here, but not necessary:  https://www.carrytheload.org/patriot-day-national-day-of-service/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, August 12, 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