Thursday, December 4, 2025

Holiday Pop Up Shop, Saturday, Dec 6

Holiday Pop Up Shop, Saturday, Dec 6
Holiday Pop Up Shop, Saturday, Dec 6 
via Ali Rheaume


"It would mean the world to me if you would consider coming by to say hi, shop, or spend the word!

I will also be joined by Samantha Piette who will be selling beautiful floral bouquets, so stay tuned for more!"



Our First Annual Holiday Grand Tasting is here and we’re going big Dec 13

Expect bubbles to pop, caviar to bump, baller wines to flex, and value gems to surprise you in all the best ways. Plus artisan cheese, charcuterie, and a special bakery pop-up to keep the holiday joy flowing.

This is not to be missed—the perfect afternoon to discover your next obsession, stock up for the season, and celebrate with people who love great wine as much as you do. Bring your friends and come taste, explore, and make your holiday season delicious.

Pour Richard's - Saturday, Dec 13 • 1–4 PM



Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, December 4, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fmFranklin 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:

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday
Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday


8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events 


9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM - first hour
10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - second hour

Turntable – "Enjoy a fun experience with co-hosts The Vibe and Pauly G sharing personal discussions about a featured rock n roll vinyl record (1st hour) and the best, all music Vibe Playlist (2nd hour)"  
  • "The Turntable Show features Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life” Album Hour and live recordings from the Natural Wonder record in the Playlist Hour.   “Songs In The Key of Life” debuted September 28, 1976 at number one on Billboard’s 200 chart becoming only the 3rd album to achieve that and the 1st by an American artist.    Stevie Wonder is credited as a pioneer and major influencer across R&B, pop, soul, gospel, funk, and jazz genres.  Enjoy the R&B fun music of a true music industry icon."


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 Thursday, December 4, 2025 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = THURSDAY
10:30 am SAFE Coalition: Task Force
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 Aging Boldfully: Roberta Trahan
5:00 pm Historical Museum: Randy LaRosa and Krishna Swain
6:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith
7:00 pm Frank Presents: Daniela Masters Pt 1
8:00 pm Franklin Interfaith Thanksgiving 2025
9:00 pm Circle of Friends: The Kennedys

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

7:00 am Public School Event: Remington Winter Music 2022
8:30 am FHS Winter Music: Chorus and Orchestra 2024
2:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Lord of the Flies
3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage Pt1
4:00 pm FHS Varsity Field Hockey v Walpole 11-15-25
5:30 pm FHS Varsity Volleyball v Newton North 11-15-25
8:30 pm Critical Conversations: Student Wellbeing

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

8:00 am Conservation Commission 11-13-25
2:00 pm Conservation Commission 11-13-25
6:00 pm  Zoning Board of Appeals  via Zoom Only  910 1554 4527
7:00 pm Conservation Commission  via Zoom Only  814 1293 8378


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

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, Dec 3, 2025 ???

Wednesday, Dec 3

9:30am Busy Bee Holiday Bazaar (Franklin Senior Center)

10:00am Veterans Coffee Social (Franklin Senior Center)

12:00pm Dean College Women in Business Expo (Dean College)



For additional details on Library events -> 

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   


**  Town Meetings today   **

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETINGS

Wednesday, December 3 Time:  5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12032025-2030 


Town Council Meeting / Tax Rate Hearing

Wednesday, December 3 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12032025-2031 



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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

Annual Tax Rate Hearing for FY 2026 - Charts Updated

The Annual Tax Rate Hearing for FY 2026 is on the Town Council agenda Wednesday, Dec 3, 2025. There will be a public hearing before the Council votes to set the rate. A couple of helpful charts have been updated in advance of the hearing.

The key decision at the tax rate hearing is to maintain the single tax rate or move to a split tax rate. The Board of Assessors memo to the Council lays out the argument distinctly:
"A single tax rate means that all property classes (residential, commercial, industrial and personal) are taxed at the same tax rate. A dual tax rate means the commercial-industrial-personal tax rate is increased while the residential rate is decreased. In other words, some of the residential tax burden is shifted towards commercial, industrial and personal properties.

Please note that a dual tax rate does not produce more tax revenue, it simply shifts the burden." (Bold added for emphasis)
Franklin has historically had an approximate 80-20 split between residential and commercial/industrial as shown in the following chart.

It should be interesting to hear why the residential percent rose from 81 to 82%
It should be interesting to hear why the residential percent rose from 81 to 82%

As the assessed valuation increases over time, the tax rate will drop. As the valuation decreases, the tax rate will increase. The tax rate is a good talking point but is simply the result of math driven by the assessed values and the amount to be raised to meet the budget.

The net change in assessed values vs the tax rate shows the inverse relationship
The net change in assessed values vs the tax rate shows the inverse relationship


The rate actually means little to the average home owner. Whether the rate goes up or down, it is more important to know what the valuation of the residence is. The chart will show that over time, the tax rate can go up or down but the average tax bill will continue to increase due to the automatic 2.5% increase voted by the Council. 

The tax rate means nothing when the actual tax bill always increases
The tax rate means nothing when the actual tax bill always increases


Download these updated charts in a PDF to share -> 

FY 2026 Tax classification hearing info -> 

The full Town Council agenda also provide an update on the projected revenue for FY 2027 out five years. 

Insights into Student Services, how in district programs help the students & save money (audio)

FM #1597 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1597 in the series. 


This session shares my conversation with Paula Marano, Asst Superintendent for Student Services. We had our discussion in a conference room at the School District Central offices on Monday, November 17, 2025.

 

Our conversation covers 

  • Paula’s path to this role

  • Special education as required by State and Federal law

  • In district vs out of district placements

  • Individualized Education Program (IEP) & Sec 504 plans and reviews

  • Student services overall


The recording runs about 31 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1597-franklin-pubic-schools-insights-into-student-services-11-17-25/


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Paula’s contact info -> maranop@franklinps.net 


Franklin Public Schools Student Service page -> https://www.franklinps.net/page/student-services 


In district programs -> https://www.franklinps.net/page/in-district-programs 


Paula Marano, on the left, at a recent SchCmte meeting
Paula Marano, on the left, at a recent SchCmte meeting



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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"



350 Mass Franklin Node meeting and Holiday Party - Dec 4

Hi all!

Our 350 Mass Franklin Node meeting and Holiday Party will be held this Thursday night, Dec. 4th, from 7-9 PM. It will be a hybrid meeting, meaning in-person as well as by Zoom.  

Please try to attend in person to enjoy the ❄️ Holiday Party ❄️festivities 🎉☺️!   Let's each bring some holiday fun in the way of easy to prepare snack foods and desserts; beverages will be provided.
350 Mass Franklin Node meeting and Holiday Party - Dec 4
350 Mass Franklin Node meeting and Holiday Party - Dec 4


For those who can only attend by Zoom, have some ❄️ holiday munchies ❄️ you can enjoy with us virtually!  

Meeting Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81930304274?pwd=Tm9VdGxYcDFaVTVDUkwyT3YvUnlFdz09 
Meeting ID: 819 3030 4274 Passcode: 350ma
Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

Our meeting's focus before the party will be on the asks at the indistrict meeting currently scheduled for December 9th -11th.

Thank you, and hoping to see you tomorrow night  at 7 PM to join us in the festivities!

With gratitude,
Carolyn, Rand and Steve
508-335-0848 Carolyn cell

Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Episode 093 - AI Actors, Good Friends Not Forgotten, Love, Trails of Time, and much more (audio)

In this episode, The Franklin Senior Center Writers Group shares stories, poems, and writings about the uprise of AI in the movie making business, and what that means for the future, good friends who will not be forgotten and their story lives on, love poems, the trails of time, Alice shares the next chapter of her novel Hoarding is Murder, and Bob shares the next chapter of The Thousand Hour Lesson.


Senior Story Hour - WFPR
Senior Story Hour - WFPR
Senior Story Hour - WFPR = The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group
Steve Sherlock hosts The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group for a monthly reading of short stories, essays, poetry and more. 
Find more episodes here (or on your favorite podcast app) ->  https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episodes

Holiday Stories & Sing-a-Long with Franklin Fathers - Dec 13

Holiday Stories & Sing-a-Long with Franklin Fathers - Dec 13
Holiday Stories & Sing-a-Long
with Franklin Fathers - Dec 13
"Join us for a Holiday Stories & Sing-a-Long with Franklin Fathers on Saturday, December 13, at 4 PM.
Wear your favorite holiday jammies or ugly sweaters (appropriate for a family event!). Prizes will be offered to the most festively dressed.
Children are invited to bring a pillow and/or blanket to sit around the readers.
Holiday cookies and hot chocolate will be served.
Franklin United Methodist Church (UMC) is located at 82 W. Central Street, Franklin (MA). Parking is available in the parking lot between the church and the Franklin Historical Museum. Street parking is available on East St., West St., and Church Ave. "


Help Support FYHA by eating at Santa Fe - Dec 11

Help Support FYHA by eating at Santa Fe - Dec 11
Help Support FYHA by eating at Santa Fe - Dec 11
SAVE THE DATE - 12/11

Grab lunch and/or dinner at Santa Fe in Franklin and help support FYHA!