| Celebrate the Holidays with Humbug! |
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 *
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Celebrate the Holidays with Humbug!
Town Council closes out year approving license renewals, hearing about the snow plowing process, recognizing 3 teams (video)
- recognition of 8th Grade Franklin Panthers Football Team, Franklin High School Cheerleading Team, and the Franklin High School Girls’ Volleyball Team was followed by a brief recess to allow for group photos
- Council on Aging - Christopher (Kit) Brady appointment approved via 9-0 roll call
- Annual License Renewals “2026 Town of Franklin Alcohol License Renewals” were approved after brief discussion on process by the 9-0 roll call votehttps://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7857/7a-1---MEMO---License-Renewals
- Snow Presentation - Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director & Carlos Rebelo, Highway/Grounds Superintendenthttps://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7855/Snow-Presentation---December-17-2025
- Social Equity Policy Discussion was a long one and the topic will be added to a meeting already planned between Councilor Malloy and TA Hellen to review additional changes to be brought back to the Council. Maybe the State will have provided feedback on the submittal already made
https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7841/Local-Approval-Process-and-Social-Equity-Policy - Town Charter Presentation was brief (3 pages) on process, the discussion was much longer. To summarize depending upon the change being proposed, either the charter commission process or the ad-hoc committee would be the way to go. As the changes are not yet outlined, the ad-hoc committee will be art of the goals discussion in January to at least determine what the listing of changes desired are and then determine which way to go
https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7848/2023-11-01-Town-Charter-Presentation - Citizen Satisfaction Survey: Not sure how to summarize the discussion on this
https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/polco.nrc/viz/TheNCSReport-FranklinMA2025/About - Resolution 25-83: Gift Acceptance - Veterans Services Dept. ($91,072.88), Senior Center (21,275.73), Police Dept. ($710.74) was accepted by the roll call 9-0 vote https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7854/9a-Gifts
Girls hockey & wrestling results for Wednesday, December 18
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| FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com |
Copley Cats scheduled to perform at the Library Dec 20 at 3 PM
Community Closet is closed & re-opening Jan 6, 2026
Trash/Recycle schedule changes for the next 2 weeks
Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, December 18, 2025
8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events
- This segment shares the Middle School Reading Update with Reading Specialist Erin O'Leary -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/erin-shares-middle-school-reading.html
- "This week's Turntable Show album hour features the brilliant Trans-Siberian Orchestra's (TSO) "Christmas Eve and Other Stories" debut album released in 1996 and seen live across the world in concerts every year. TSO's founders created this unique special holiday/Christmas story with lyrics, a passionate symphonic rock style of music, and brilliant performers.
- The debut is the first in a trilogy and the Turntable Show Vibe Playlist hour will feature songs from TSO's 2nd and 3rd albums. The Vibe and Paul G wish everyone a peaceful and safe holiday. Enjoy the holiday tunes!"
Franklin TV schedule for Thursday, December 18, 2025 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = THURSDAY
Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = THURSDAY
Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = THURSDAY
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, December 17, 2025 ???
- FHS Class of 2026 fundraising at Chipotle (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/chipotle-fund-raising-for-class-of-2026.html)
- Music Booster fund raiser at Dave's Hot Chicken (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1634587667521738&set=a.726881648292349)
Town Council Meeting
Wednesday, December 17 Time: 6:00 PM
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12172025-2062
The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar
"Where's the Toast?" Memory Cafe, Weds, Dec 17 features music with Jeff Thomas
| "Where's the Toast?" Memory Cafe, Weds, Dec 17 features music with Jeff Thomas |
* Jillian Rochat
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT | FRANKLIN SENIOR CENTER
10 Daniel McCahill Street
Franklin, Massachusetts 02038-1352
O. 508-520-4945
F. 508-520-4917
E. jrochat@franklinma.gov
Kuehnel Psychological Services supporting youth, parents, families & very concerned about screen time (audio)
FM #1609 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1609 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Dr. Carolyn Kuehnel and Dr. Cindy Ballou. We had our conversation in their office in downtown Franklin on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
Dr Carolyn Kuehnel is the owner of Kuehnel Psychological Services, PLLC.
In the course of our discussion we covered
Their individual road to this role
Kuehnel Psychological Services The services they provide
Supporting parents and families
The need for a community approach
The dangers of screen time
The recording runs about 59 minutes so let’s listen to my conversation with Carolyn and Cindy.
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1609-kuehnel-psychology-12-09-25/
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Kuehnel Psychological Services https://kuehnelpsych.com/
The Wait Until 8th organization website -> https://www.waituntil8th.org/
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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"







