Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Talk Franklin starts with a summer concert recap, then budget & other Town business, before taking time to recoup (audio)

FM #1591 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1591 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen in the Municipal Building on Monday, November 25, 2025.  


Key topics

  • Picked up with summer concert

  • New Council, new School Committee, learning curve

    • Tax rate hearing Dec 3

    • Finance Committee Dec 10

    • Council meeting Dec 17, a potpourri 

  • January 2026 and the budget cycle brings hard choices to be made

  • Cultural events this week and first couple of week of December

  • Spend with with family & friends this weekend


The recording runs about  46 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie.

Audio link -> 
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1591-talk-franklin-11-24-25/


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Talk Franklin starts with a summer concert recap, then budget & other Town business, before taking time to recoup (audio)
Talk Franklin starts with a summer concert recap,
then budget & other Town business,
before taking time to recoup (audio)
Town of Franklin page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/ 


Franklin Public Schools page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/ 


Town budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/168/Town-Budgets 


School budget page -> https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-district-budget 


Community calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 


BTW - Official results of the Override election in 2024 was a difference of 236 votes. The difference narrowed to 196 in the Override vote of 2025.


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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"



FHS vs KP Football History

Thanks to Tim McDonald Jr for compiling the history of the FHS & KP rivalry:


  • 65th Annual Thanksgiving Day Meeting between King Philip & Franklin. 1960-2025 Franklin leads 33-30-1
  • Thursday Nov 27, 2025 10 AM @ Pisini Stadium
  • 11-0 King Philip Vs 5-5 Franklin
  • The winner takes home the 2025 Kelley-Rex Division
  • If King Philip wins they will retire the Turkey trophy
  • King Philip Coach Brian Lee comes in with a 162-62-1 record. 7 League Titles and 3 State Championships
  • Franklin Coach Todd Kiley comes in with a 12-9 record. — at Franklin High School Pisini Stadium


Franklin TV is scheduled to live stream the game -> https://www.youtube.com/@franklinpridetv7819/streams

Additional details on the FHS & KP history can be found in this PDF


FHS Class of 2027 Fundraiser at The Shed - Nov 26

FHS Class of 2027 Fundraiser at The Shed - Nov 26
FHS Class of 2027 Fundraiser at The Shed - Nov 26
The SHED craft bar & kitchen OPENING AT 2pm
WEDNESDAY 11/26
Join us for a pre Thanksgiving celebration SPEAKEASY while SUPPORTING FHS CLASS OF 2026 💙🤍
🍴Kitchen 2-9pm
BAR 2-10pm 🥂



Thrift Shop will be CLOSED for Holiday weekend - Nov 28 + Nov 29, 2025

"Franklin Federated Thrift Shop, 171 Main St., will be CLOSED Friday, November 28 and Saturday, November 29.
Thrift Shop will be CLOSED for Holiday weekend - Nov 28 + Nov 29, 2025
Thrift Shop will be CLOSED for Holiday
weekend - Nov 28 + Nov 29, 2025

So come in next week to see the Holiday collections, kids items, men's and women's.

Always something new and different."







Peak travel times expected for Thanksgiving week

Peak travel times expected for Thanksgiving week
Peak travel times expected for Thanksgiving week
Now is the time to make your plans for #Thanksgiving travel.

#MassDOT Interim Secretary Eng, Undersecretary Gulliver, MassPort, and the Mass State Police are advising travelers to:

🚗Plan ahead
⚠️Drive safety and
🛑Expect delays during peak travel times.


Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DRc65JRkkkm/



Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio introduced a brand new schedule early in 2025 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:
 
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday


8:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM   Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock 
Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 2 PM)  

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone  All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points.    (repeats Saturday at 1 PM)  

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

Franklin TV schedule for Wednesday, November 26, 2025 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY
7:30 am     Mental Health: Mithun Pasham
8:30 am The Millis Berfield Band
10:00 am Franklin Art Association: Vincent Crotty
11:30 am Comfort Food: Comfort Food
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Taquitos
12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Stuffing
1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: White Pizza
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 8
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 5
3:30 pm More Perfect Union: Immigration and the Courts
6:00 pm Understanding Anti-Semitism in 2025
8:30 pm Circle of Friends: The Kennedys

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

7:00 am Public School Event: Remington Winter Music 2022
8:30 am Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2023
10:00 am SAFE Coalition: Task Force
11:00 am Public School Event: Concert Hour Day 1
12:30 pm FHS Varsity Volleyball v Newton North 11-15-25
3:00 pm Rec Basketball: 7th & 8th Grade Boys Championship 2025
6:00 pm FHS Varsity Field Hockey v Walpole 11-15-25
8:30 pm FHS Varsity Football v B. C. High 11-14-25

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

8:00 am Town Council 11-19-25
2:00 pm Town Council 11-19-25

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

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, November 25, 2025 ???

Tuesday, November 25
  • No scheduled trash/recycle curbside pick up delay
  • KoC Thanksgiving Pie Pick up


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

2:30pm Rainbow Cafe (Franklin Senior Center)


For additional details on Library events -> 

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   


**  Town Meetings today   **

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, November 25 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11252025-2025 


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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

December 2025 Franklin Library News & Events - Part 1 of 2

Library Hours
The library’s hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday, 9am to 5pm. The library will close early Wednesday, December 24 at 2pm and remain closed Thursday, December 25 in observance of Christmas. The library will close early Wednesday, December 31 at 2pm and remain closed Thursday, January 1 in observance of New Years.

Thank you to the Children's Museum of Franklin for offering museum passes to our library patrons! Now is a great time to reserve those passes or any of the others on offer to the area’s most popular museums, aquariums, and parks. Passes are available to be reserved up to thirty days in advance.

2025 Reading Challenge
December: Warm your heart
Join the Franklin Public Library's Annual Reading Challenge! For each monthly prompt that you complete and submit on time you will receive a Free Book Coupon that you can redeem at the library's Book Sale. Submissions MUST be submitted by the last day of each month in order to qualify for that month's Free Book Coupon. For complete details and to sign-up, visit our website. Grand prizes made possible by the Friends of the Franklin Library.

Starting January 1, 2026 Massachusetts Center for the Book is launching their 2026 reading challenge for adults and the library will be rewarding your reading! Check out the new details  here. And while you visit, don't forget to take a look into the ongoing challenge for students.

VITA: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Site Opening Saturday February 7
We Need You! Volunteers are always needed for the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs, better known as VITA and TCE. Many volunteer roles are available. You can help as a greeter or an interpreter, but most of all we need tax preparers. Training for certification is provided! Learn more at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-tax-volunteers or email site coordinator Mitzi Gousie at mgousie@minlib.net.


ESOL Program
The library is looking for more volunteer tutors for our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. If you want to make a difference right in your own community, this is a great opportunity! To volunteer please be at least 18 years old, have a High School diploma, & speak English clearly.  No prior teaching experience needed and volunteers and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, please fill out the volunteer form.

Homebound Delivery Program
Can’t make it to the library? Let us bring the library to your door! Franklin Public Library is excited to begin offering Home Delivery Service for Franklin residents who are unable to visit the library due to aging-related limitations, illness, disability, or temporary mobility limitations. Items will be delivered to and picked up from a homebound patron’s home by staff members approximately every three weeks. For eligibility requirements, registration, and more information, please visit the library website.

Franklin Library Book Sale
  • Friday, December 12: 1 - 5pm
  • Saturday, December 13: 9am - 12pm
  • All books are just one dollar!
Bag Sale - $5 A Bag
  • Saturday, December 13: 1 - 4pm
  • Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can! 
Franklin Library Book Sale
Franklin Library Book Sale

**LIBRARY EVENTS**   Weekly/Monthly for Children

Move Along, Mondays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5)
This thirty-minute program features music, movement, stories, and other interactive activities to encourage social skills and promote early literacy! No registration required.

Doggie Tales! Mondays @ 4pm
Registration Required
Kiddos who are working on their reading skills will be able to sign up for a time slot to practice reading to a trained therapy dog. Bring your favorite book or read one of ours. Registration is required, and once attendees arrive they will get their time slot on a first come, first served basis. (We'll also have a greeter dog to keep you company while you wait!)

Cool Cruisers, Tuesdays @ 9:30am
Babies who have graduated from tummy time and are scooting all over the place are welcome to this playgroup just for them! We recognize that this fun age of exploring is very different from their first few months, so join us for a special playgroup just for this exciting time. No registration required.

Pre-K Pals, Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 10:30am (Ages 3-5)
This 30-minute program is a perfect jumpstart for kiddos that are approaching school-age! Stories, music, movement, and engaging activities designed to prepare kids for a school environment. No registration required.

Wiggle Worms! Tuesdays @ 4pm (Ages 0-5)
Beat the afternoon witching hour craziness with a dynamic program for littles! Enjoy music, movement, and some fun surprises. No registration required.

Terrific Toddlers! Wednesdays @10:30am (Ages 18mo-3)
Dance, sing, clap, and play along for a story time party! Enjoy 30 minutes of interactive stories, songs, and activities. No registration required.

Bookworm Bounce, Wednesdays @ 4pm
Join us for an afternoon story time full of music, movement, stories, and other interactive activities to encourage social skills and promote early literacy! No registration required.

Tummy Time, Thursdays @ 9:30am
Babies and caregivers: join us each Thursday morning for Tummy Time! Nurture your baby’s development with gentle music, movement, and sensory play at the library. Please bring a small blanket or towel for your baby’s comfort. No registration required.

Tot Bop, Thursdays, @ 4pm (Ages 3-5)
Get ready to dance around to an energetic playlist in a class that offers littles a chance to play with musicality, coordination, and creativity - all while practicing listening and learning skills! No registration required.

Artsy Afternoons, Thursdays @ 4pm (Ages 5-11)
Registration Required
Join Ms. Cindy for a step-by-step art project specifically for kids! All materials will be provided. 

Bubble Buddies, Fridays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5)
Enjoy a Friday bubble dance party with music, movement, and fun surprises! No registration required.

Weekend Wiggles, Saturdays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5)
Littles and their grownups are invited to an epic dance party to kick off the weekend! Get those wiggles out with fun music, exciting surprises, and plenty of joy and laughter. No registration required.