Rise Up Holiday Party & Open House - Saturday, Dec 20 at 10 AM

The Rise Up Holiday Party and Open House is this Saturday, Dec 20!! Anyone 18+ is welcome to attend, so invite whoever you want to!

Date: Saturday, December 20th

Rise Up Holiday Party & Open House - Saturday, Dec 20 at 10 AM

Time: 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Location: Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central St, Franklin, MA 02038

Parking: On the left side of the building

Entrance: On the left side of the building (choice of ramp or stairs)

Restrooms: There is a handicap accessible restroom.

Outline:

- open social time, free food, and card-making activity

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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

Finance Committee gets the answer on how much it would take to fully fund Technology (add $1.5M/year) (audio)

FM #1608 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1608 in the series. 

This session shares the Finance Committee meeting conducted Wednesday, December 12, 2025. All 9 members of the Committee participated, 8 in Council Chambers, with 1 remote; hence a roll call for required votes.

Quick recap:

• Technology Director Tim Rapoza was the key presenter and outlined the technology requirements for licenses, hardware, and software which enable the Town and Schools to deliver the services they do

• Key question: How much it would take to fully fund Technology for the hardware, software, licenses and personnel to support Town and School needs. Answer = add $1.5M/year to the existing budget

The recording runs just about 2 and ½ hours, let’s listen

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1608-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-12-10-25/

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Franklin TV video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeAQEXjI0D8 

Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12102025-2039  

Finance Cmte gets the answer on how
much it would take to fully fund
Technology (add $1.5M/year)

The presentation doc https://franklintechnology2025.my.canva.site/ 

Pictures of the slides presented are captured in one album ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/ThWM9bemHaA48xk69 

My notes can be found in one PDF ->    https://drive.google.com/file/d/10VfXGVVfuS1pge0RwuA3VxKgYAoZKuCx/view?usp=drive_link 

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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"

FHS boys hockey tops Newburyport on Monday

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Monday, December 15, 2025

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 2 @ Newburyport, 1 – Final

– Newburyport struck first but Franklin potted a pair of unanswered goals to grab a win on the road. The Clippers opened the scoring with just over five minutes to go in the first period but the Panthers were able to equalizer before the first intermission as senior Rocco Lampasona jumped onto a loose puck in front and ripped one past the keeper. With under three minutes to go in the second, senior Cooper Taccini found classmate Thomas Quinn streaking into the offensive zone, and Quinn made a great move past the defenseman to go in alone on goal and sniped one past the glove to make it 2-1. James McLaughlin and Drake McAlpine also had assists in the win.

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 0 @ Shrewsbury, 5 – Final

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-12-15-25/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

FHS sports live streaming schedule for week of Dec 15 - Dec 19, 2025

FHS sports live streaming schedule for week of Dec 15 - Dec 19, 2025

You can find the video each day/time at    https://www.youtube.com/@franklinpridetv7819/streams

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

Franklin Police: Deputy Chief James West Graduates from FBI National Academy

On December 12, 2025, Chief Thomas Lynch announced that Deputy Chief James West has graduated as a member of the 296th session of the FBI National Academy. The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on December 11th, 2025. Deputy Chief West is the fourth officer in department history to complete this prestigious program. Nationally, fewer than one percent of officers have the opportunity to attend the program.

 

Deputy Chief James West

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers 11 weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. Participants must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to attend. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.

The 296th session consisted of two hundred and fifty-four law enforcement officers who graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The 296th session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 47 states and the District of Columbia. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 24 countries, four military organizations, and two federal civilian organizations.

Deputy Chief West started his law enforcement career in Winthrop, MA in 1996 before transferring to the Franklin Police Department in 2001. He rose through the ranks and served as Sergeant, Lieutenant and currently holds the rank of Deputy Chief of Police. Deputy Chief West has also served on the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) and served as an academy drill instructor for many years for the Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee.

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DSSw5z5iXS0/

Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Episode 094 - Saint Stephen, Love, Words, Seance, and December Themes (audio)

In this episode, The Franklin Senior Center Writers Group shares stories, poems, and writings about winter carols, hymns, and songs, poems of love, a short story about words, a seance for a dead poet, and reflecting on old December work.

Audio link -> https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episode/episode-094-saint-stephen-love-words-seance-and-december-themes

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

CommonWealth Beacon: "Municipalities seek big batch of state cash to navigate financial crunch "

"AFTER WARNING ABOUT the “perfect storm” on the horizon, the organization representing Bay State cities and towns has ideas on how to chart a course through the fiscal rains and winds. 

CommonWealth Beacon: "Municipalities
seek big batch of state cash
to navigate financial crunch "

The Massachusetts Municipal Association on Thursday (12/11/25) offered up a package of steps it wants Beacon Hill to take in support of strained city and town hall finances, including a gargantuan increase in local aid and reforms to loosen — but not eliminate — the property tax cap law known as Proposition 2½.  

The 10-page report formalizes a major request for action on behalf of all 351 cities and towns, adding more pressure on the Legislature to come to the rescue of their municipal counterparts and constituents. "

Continue reading the CommonWealth Beacon article ->

https://commonwealthbeacon.org/government/local-government/municipalities-seek-big-batch-of-state-cash-to-navigate-financial-crunch/

MMA report on perfect storm -> https://www.mma.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/MMA-APerfectStorm-HistoricFiscalPressures-report-10.9.25.pdf

New 10 page report -> https://www.mma.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MMA-Navigating_the_Storm_report-12.11.25.pdf

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, December 16, 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, December 16 2025 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

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

7:00 am Winter Wonderland 2024

7:30 am     Once Upon A Town: The Rome Block

9:00 am FHS Sports: Mike Masto

10:00 am Frank Presents: Jim Derick

11:00 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2

12:00 pm Brooke'n'Cookin: Mac'n'Cheese

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Quiche

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer '19 Show 2

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 7

3:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2

5:30 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Wolfgang Bauer

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

8:30 pm Concerts on the Common: Frank Padula Band

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

7:00 am Cultural Council: BT ALC Big Band

8:30 am FHS Winter Music: Band and Wind Ensemble

10:00 am FHS Sports: Mike Masto

11:00 am Lifelong Music: Strings School 01-22-25

1:30 pm      FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Stoughton 12-18-24

4:00 pm FHS Varsity Swimming v Milford 01-03-25

6:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2

9:00 pm Critical Conversations: Student Wellbeing

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

8:00 am School Committee 11-18-25

2:00 pm School Committee 11-18-25

6:00 pm Finance Committee 12-10-25

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

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, December 15, 2025 ???

Monday, December 15

Library & Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

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

** Town Meetings today   **

Franklin Public Schools Community Relations Sub Committee Meeting

Monday, December 15 Time: 6:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12152025-2050 

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee (Events & Logistics Subcmte)

Monday, December 15 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12152025-2061 

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, December 15 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12152025-2056 

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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

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

The Franklin Art Association's First Meeting of the New Year features Katie Kindilien - Jan 7, 2026

The Franklin Art Association's First Meeting of the New Year!
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Guest Artist — Katie Kindilien

The Franklin Art Association warmly welcomes the public to our first public meeting of the new year, at 6:30 PM on January 7, 2026 at the Franklin Senior Center. Our artist demonstrator will be Katie Kindilien.

Katie is a landscape and still life painter who currently lives in New Haven, CT. She received her undergraduate degree in painting from Tyler School in Philadelphia. A year studying in Rome opened her eyes to fresco and oil painting. She taught art in public school, as she painted and took classes to develop her own skills.

Guest Artist — Katie Kindilien

Katie's work is inspired by the everyday moments of beauty that surround us. She hopes her paintings and demonstrations will bring light and joy to others, and she says of her approach:

"My work is inspired by the everyday moments of beauty that surround us. Whether I’m painting a still life in the studio or a landscape outdoors, I hope to capture the fleeting sense of light and space, as well as infusing the work with feeling and authenticity. The process of putting paint to canvas and creating something that’s never been made before continues to excite me and fill me with anticipation!"

Why not make it a your New Year's resolution to join us on Wednesday, January 7th and all our monthly meetings for art instruction, the camaraderie of art conversation and refreshments at intermission?

The Franklin Art Association takes pride in offering a student scholarship yearly to a local art student wishing to continue their art career in art instruction after high school graduation.

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DSF3sGqkrqQ/