Agenda for the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting Weds, Feb 4, 2026

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

February 4, 2026 = 6:00 PM

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Council cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. December 17, 2025

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS - None Scheduled

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 6:00 PM - None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Discussion: 2026-2027 Town Council-Town Administrator Goals

• i. Town Administrator Memo   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8244/8a-1---MEMO---2026-27-TC_TA-Goals-Setting-Session
• ii. Draft Town Council-Town Administrator Preliminary List of Goals  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8254/8a-2---2026-2027-Town-Council-and-Town-Administration-Goals-January-2026---Google-Docs

iii. Discussion: Town and School Strategic Planning

1. Town of Wrentham Strategic Planning Presentation  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8241/8aiii---1---Updated-Board-Presentation-12026---Wrentham---Copy

2. Town of Westford Strategic Planning

• a. 2025 Strategic Plan Document   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8240/8aiii2a---Westford-MA-Strategic-Plan-final
• b. Presentation   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8242/8aiii---2b---2025-Town-Manager-Strategic-Plan-Presentation-2025_01_28

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 26-08: Adoption of Amendment to the Procedures Manual of the Franklin Town Council (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-08 - Majority Vote)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8256/9a-Rules-of-Procedure

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION -

a. Exemption #6: Considering the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Public Body:

• i. Former Davis-Thayer Elementary School
• ii. Former Parmenter Elementary School
• iii. “Other Property” potentially available for Town purchase/acquisition

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

School Committee get preview of FY 2027 school budget with 2.5% increase, assuming health costs transfer to Town account (audio)

FM #1650 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1650 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. All 7 members of the committee were present. 

Quick recap:

• The committee and community got a preview of the FY 2027 school budget. Excluding the health care costs ($8.8M), they presented a 'level service' budget that stays within a 2.5% increase

• The discussions with the Town to transfer the health care costs to the Town account 910 are in process. A Memo of Agreement (MOA) is being prepared to cover the details of the transfer. The Committee will schedule a special meeting to vote to approve the transfer next week

The recording runs about 3 hours and 49 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1650-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-01-27-26/

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preview of FY 2027 school budget

Additional links to the meeting recap, Franklin TV video, and key documents for this session   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/school-committee-get-preview-of-fy-2027.html 

Superintendent’s Recommended budget for FY 2027 https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/f0eb6e5e-b914-4650-9811-892c46570b5f/FINAL---FY27-Superintendents-Recommended-Budget-%282%29.pdf?disposition=inline 

Memo on the health care account transfer

https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/b1bd78ca-d7a9-4f42-a1b3-15fdce87d449/REVISED---Healthcare-memo-for-SC-discussion.pdf?disposition=inline 

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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 girls swim takes home Hockomock League Championship for 6th Straight Season (video)

Franklin took home the team title at the annual Hockomock Girls Swim Championships for the sixth straight season.

FHS girls swim takes home Hockomock League
 Championship for 6th Straight Season (video)

Team Results

1. Franklin – 340

2. Sharon – 258

3. Oliver Ames – 224

4. Attleboro – 222

5. Mansfield – 188

6. Taunton – 177

7. Milford – 153

8. King Philip – 141

9. Canton – 138

10. Stoughton – 123

11. Foxboro – 95

12. North Attleboro – 41

Race Results

200 Yard Free

1. Feining Huang, Sharon – 1:53.83**

2. Ava Pecora, Franklin – 2:02.46

4. Elyse Ferreira, Franklin – 2:15.28

6. Elliana Boudreau, Franklin – 2:18.71

 

200 Yard IM

1. Cora Shea, Sharon – 2:12.76

3. Molly McKinnon, Franklin – 2:25.20

4. Sophie Fracassa, Franklin – 2:30.36

50 Yard Free

1. Wilma Zeng, Sharon – 26.29

2. Sasha Baghdasaryan, Franklin – 26.32

100 Yard Butterfly

1. Feining Huang, Sharon – 56.55**

3. Molly McKinnon, Franklin – 103.33

5. Sophie Fracassa, Franklin – 106.95

100 Yard Free

1. Samantha Provost, Attleboro – 56.31

3. Elyse Ferreira, Franklin – 59.69

500 Yard Free

1. Ava Pecora, Franklin – 5:30.53

2. Bridget Travers, Franklin – 5:57.58

5. Elliana Boudreau, Franklin – 6:12.34

200 Yard Free Relay

1. Sharon (Cora Shea, Wilma Zeng, Daisy Ryu, Feining Huang) – 1:48.24

3. Franklin (Elyse Ferreira, Gianna Musilli, Caroline Gurge, Bridget Travers) – 1:53.97

100 Yard Backstroke

1. Cora Shea, Sharon – 1:00.12

2. Sasha Baghdasaryan, Franklin – 1:04.58

400 Yard Free Relay

1. Franklin (Sasha Baghdasaryan, Ava Pecora, Molly McKinnon, Elyse Ferreira) – 3:51.19

Franklin TV video ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjJLApGFBj8

Complete meet results from Hockomock Sports (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-girls-swim-championships-2026-results/

Photo gallery from Hockomock Sports (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2025-2026/Winter-2025-2026/Hockomock-League-Girls-Swim-Championships-01-31-26

FHS girls hockey fall in OT on Saturday

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Saturday, January 31, 2026

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 2 @ Stoughton/Sharon, 3 – Final (OT) 

– Sophomore Kayla Monaghan tied the game with three minutes to go and then buried a rebound 37 seconds into overtime to deliver Stoughton/Sharon a comeback win over Franklin. The Panthers took the first lead of the game five minutes in on a snipe from senior Jenny McLaughlin but Stoughton eighth grader Sophie Kirkwood answered five minutes into the second period to make it 1-1. Just three minutes later, Franklin sophomore Reese Beaulieu lit the lamp to put the Panthers back ahead. Monaghan collected the puck in the neutral zone and carried it in before her shot deflected off the glove and in with 2:57 to go. In overtime, sophomore Raegan Costello set up senior Addison Strunk for a shot on goal that bounced around in front before Monaghan cleaned it up for the game-winner.

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-31-26/

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

FHS wrestling finishes 4th at Hockomock League Championships

Team Results

1. Milford – 222

2. Taunton – 156.5

3. Foxboro – 142

4. Franklin – 128

5. North Attleboro – 121

T6. Canton – 120.5

T6. Sharon – 120.5

8. Oliver Ames – 88.5

9. Mansfield – 72

10. King Philip – 64.5

11. Stoughton – 3.5

Finals Weight Matchup Result

106 Calvin Quinn (Canton) vs. Jowell Quinones (Taunton) Quinn (Fall, 0:59)

113 John Woodall (Franklin) vs. Sam Katz (Sharon) Woodall (Fall, 1:28)

120 Ryan Gill (North Attleboro) vs. Ben Dandurand (Franklin) Gill (Fall, 1:12)

126 Brayden Boccia (Milford) vs. Michael Canova (North Attleboro) Boccia (Fall, 3:13)

132 Derek Marcolini (Milford) vs. Max Thaler (Sharon) Marcolini (Fall, 0:31)

138 Jack Sauer (Franklin) vs. Dylan Wright (Milford) Sauer (Dec, 13-1)

144 Ryan Flis (Milford) vs. Abdullah Peterson (North Attleboro) Peterson (Fall, 3:13)

150 Josiah Carney (Milford) vs. Anthony Vieira (Taunton) Carney (Fall, 1:34)

157 Joshua Millerick (Taunton) vs. Kaua Reis (Milford) Millerick (Dec, 9-6)

165 Kingston DaCosta (Taunton) vs. Sawyer Fernandes (Oliver Ames) DaCosta (Fall, 1:58)

175 Griffin McCreedy (King Philip) vs. Wanderson Dos Santos (Milford) McCreedy (Dec, 2-1)

190 Josh Hindin (Foxboro) vs. Adam Loebl (Sharon) Hindin (Fall, 1:37)

215 William Buffington (Taunton) vs. JJ Blanchard (Foxboro) Buffington (Dec, 12-8)

285 Nathan Pailler (Mansfield) vs. Luca Angelucci (King Philip) Pailler (Fall, 1:06)

Fina additional details on the wrestling championships (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-wrestling-championships-2026/

Talkin' TC! New Episode Alert! (video)

Talkin' TC! New Episode Alert!

(L-R) Congressman Jake Auchincloss with Kahlil Mateus

Hosted by Kahlil Mateus, we sat down with Congressman Jake Auchincloss for a powerful conversation about the future of vocational‑technical education and why it matters for today’s students and communities. He also gives a behind‑the‑scenes look at life as a member of Congress and shares meaningful advice for students planning their next steps.

An inspiring, insightful episode you won’t want to miss.

Watch the full conversation at the link below!

Video link -> https://youtu.be/lzI3AikHXU8

#WorkHardTodayCounts #JakeAuchincloss

@repauchincloss

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1Fiym9L4aX/

Franklin TV: Oh, Snap!

Waaaay too cold.

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 02/01/2026

 

Oh, Snap!

 

Cold snap.

January, February. (Sigh!) 

Air is crisp, dry –

but it doesn’t snap.

It saps – warmth from skin – down to the bone.

It lingers – languishing. 

Winter does that.

Nothing snappy about January, February. 

Nothing eases all the freezes it inflicts.

The trees snap from heavy snows. 

Winter kill is afoot.

Winter doldrums – to snap out of.

Bring the Spring – and make it snappy. 

A happy snappy Spring? A weary wish.

As I snap snaps on my clumsy coat

I wish this cold snap would end – in a snap.

Franklin TV: Oh, Snap! 

What might ease a cold snap? 

A hot flash?

Perhaps not. 

Oh, snap!

And – as always –

Thank you for watching. 

Thanks for listening to wfpr●fm,

and staying informed at Franklin●news

 

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

Stickman Blue & Kaye Kelly schedule gig in Chelmsford February 14

Stickman Blue & Kaye Kelly schedule
 gig in Chelmsford February 14

"Fun gig coming up y’all! Hope to see some of you up in Chelmsford, Ma:)"

Chelmsford  February 14   https://www.instagram.com/p/DUGh2XOkW-g/

Town Council spends 2 hours to ultimately & unanimously approve appointments of 2 to the ZBA (audio)

FM #1647-48-49 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 1647-48-49 in the series. 

This session shares part of the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. The Council held this session as scheduled beginning at 6 PM. All 9 Councilors participated for this 4 hour plus session. 

 

• 1647 - covers the opening, Citizen comments, and 2 appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals  (approx. 2 hour 16 mins) 

• 1648 - segment from the meeting covering the full discussion on the DPW infrastructure update & discussion  (approx. 1 hr. 40 mins)  

• 1634 - segment from the meeting covers remainder of the meeting  (approx. 52 mins)

  

Audio 1647 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1647-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-20260121-p1-of-3/

Audio 1648 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1648-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-01-21-26-p2-of-3/

Audio 1649 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1649-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-01-21-26/

Town Council spends 2 hours to ultimately & unanimously approve appointments of 2 to the ZBA (audio)

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Additional notes on the meeting recap can be found (including link to Franklin TV video) ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/town-council-spends-almost-2-hours-to.html 

-------------

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!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Get your photo with Elsa at the next Winter Farmers Market Feb 7

Get your photo with Elsa at the
next Winter Farmers Market Feb 7

At the next Winter Farmers Market on February 7, Elsa will be visiting from 10 AM - 1:00 PM!

Every season Fairmount Fruit Farm schedules different events; you can check them out on their website www.fairmountfruit.com/events

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DU9SFzvMW/

The Guardian: "What to know about the jury trials of Meta, Snap, TikTok and YouTube"

"Social media companies will have to answer to a jury – for the first time – for allegations that their products are intentionally addictive and harmful to young users’ mental health. Hundreds of parents, teens and school districts sued Meta, Snap, TikTok and YouTube, leading to a series of landmark trials that began this week. Jury selection in the first case started on Tuesday in Los Angeles court.

Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg is among the big tech CEOs who are expected to testify. Both sides are likely to bring in experts to hash out the science behind alleged addiction to social media.

Social media companies
will have to answer to a jury

The initial trial involves a 20-year-old, identified by the initials KGM, who alleges she experienced physical and emotional harm after becoming addicted to social media at age 10. This case is expected to last six to eight weeks, and will be the first of about 22 “bellwether” trials. The outcome can signal, and influence, how courts and juries may handle similar lawsuits in the future. Snap and TikTok have settled with the plaintiff in the first case, leaving Meta and YouTube to stand trial.

“Everybody’s looking at it as a data point,” said Benjamin Zipursky, a law professor at Fordham University."

Continue reading the article with this 'share' link

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jan/31/what-to-know-trials-meta-snap-tiktok-youtube?CMP=share_btn_url