- 20% (plus or minus) for local elections
- 40% (plus or minus) for override or debt exclusion elections
- 60% (plus or minus) for the State elections in November
- 80% (plus or minus) for the Federal elections in November
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 *
Friday, September 4, 2026
State Primary turnout for Town of Franklin 2nd highest in 20 years
FHS Football Schedule for Fall 2026
Mark your calendars and come out to support the Panthers all season long! We’re looking forward to packed stands, Friday night lights and a great season of Franklin Football.
Be sure to check the Panther App throughout the season for schedule updates, game information and additional details.
LET’S GO PANTHERS!"
Annual Recycling Event scheduled for Saturday, Sep 5 from 9 AM to 1 PM
While you drop off your recyclables, please consider bringing diapers and wipes to support the Franklin Food Pantry. These essentials are urgently needed right now for local families.
Horace Mann's 12 for 12
He did his homework. Horace Mann rode horseback across Massachusetts, physically inspecting school buildings and gathering hard data on their crumbling conditions. He published his findings in 12 famous Annual Reports that served as a roadmap for modernizing curriculum, improving physical classrooms, and securing permanent state funding. He proved that public schools were the ultimate investment in society's future.
Check out tthe link below to listen to his annual reports:
https://librivox.org/annual-reports-to-the-massachusetts-board-of-education-by-horace-mann/"
first Franklin School Committee Newsletter of the 2026-2027 school year is ready for you to read
Indian Lane Neighborhood Yard Sale scheduled for Saturday, Sept 5
See a QR code parked somewhere? Don’t scan it…yet!
"Ever tried to pay for parking and discovered you need to scan a QR code to pay? It seems like a convenient way to pay, but it turns out scammers like using QR codes, too.
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, September 4, 2026
- This hour features the Senior Center event highlights for September 2026 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/08/chasity-jillian-fill-us-in-on-whats.html
9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM
10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong. 2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews Showcasing the "Blues" as a basis for and influence of Country, Jazz and Rock and Roll, here and worldwide.
11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM - “The Vibe” show plays music for everyone searching for some enjoyment, some dance, a happy or thinking mood, and most importantly, having fun. Tune in to wfpr.fm and listen to “DJ Vibe” spin music across many genres and join this new vibing experience
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 September 4, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY
Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY
Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = FRIDAY
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
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Thursday, September 3, 2026
Board of Health approves MHOA as tobacco agents, plans for withdrawl from Metacomet Health Alliance (audio)
FM #1808 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1808 in the series.
The Franklin, MA Board of Health met on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at 5 PM as scheduled. All three members were present in the 3rd floor training room with the full representation of the Health Department members.
Quick recap:
Approval of minutes for June, so moved, second, passes 2-0-1 (1 absent, in route to meeting)
Updates from all departments gathered weekly for Town communications efforts, Director to share with Board what she shares
Motion to accept MHOA as agent for tobacco checks, etc. new Memo of Understanding (MOU), second, passes 3-0 (Daddario arrived)
Update on Kratom, actioned by Federal agency as Level 1, nice to have taken the issue on early
Vaccine clinic update, Sep 22, half appointments filled, so space still available
West Nile, Triple EEE, up to 5 cases on West Nile statewide
risk level low for triple EEE West Nile level moderate
Reviewed DPH vaccine level report for K & 7, very high compliance for Franklin. School nurses working with kids and families on the catch up schedule for those missing, aside from health, religious exemption
Senior Health Expo, Oct 2, OSCO to be there for vaccine/flu
Announced in passing that the Town has withdrawn from Metacomet Health alliance effective Oct 1. They are keeping Alecia full time, but using a consultant for the food inspections; not likely to get a role filled within the budget, grant is expected to fade away, so this is part of the transition
Cyclosporiasis cases are relatively low, it is hard to pinpoint the local source(s) for the local cases. only 2 cases in July, none in August
55 cases of Lyme disease, 7 in August COVID-19 cases very low
baby shower in Wrentham a huge success
Motion to adjourn, passes 3-0
The recording runs about 32 minutes, so let’s listen in.
Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1808-franklin-ma-board-of-health-mtg-09-02-26/--------------
Agenda doc - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09022026-2480
My notes in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-B3I14vFnRZVMSPh6j-rvzge3uwtm9gb/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"
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, September 3, 2026 ???
Franklin Commission on Disability Meeting
Thursday, September 3 Time: 4:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09032026-2474
Town Charter Ad Hoc Committee - canceled - "The Town Charter Ad Hoc Committee Meeting scheduled for September 3 @ 6pm will be rescheduled for a date TBD."
ZBA Meeting
Thursday, September 3 Time: 7:30 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09032026-2469
Town of Franklin Announces Appointment of Michelle Monsegur as Deputy Town Administrator
The Town of Franklin is pleased to announce the appointment of Michelle Monsegur as its new deputy town administrator. Monsegur will begin her new role on Sept. 14, 2026.
"I'm really excited about this opportunity to serve the Franklin community!” said Monsegur. “As a lifelong public servant, I love working at the local level and I look forward to getting to know folks in Franklin and diving into the budget process this fall. Thank you to Jamie Hellen and the Town of Franklin for welcoming me."
As Deputy Town Administrator, Monsegur will work closely with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen to oversee municipal finance, support municipal operations, lead strategic initiatives, special projects and collaborate with department leaders to advance the Town’s priorities and deliver exceptional public service.
“Michelle brings a strong combination of leadership experience, sound judgment and a deep commitment to public service to this role,” said Town Administrator Hellen. “She understands the complexity of municipal government and the importance of working collaboratively with department leaders, employees and the community to get things done. I am confident that she will be an invaluable partner as we continue to move the Town’s priorities forward, while also helping us prepare for the new challenges and opportunities ahead.”
The appointment follows a thorough selection process that included more than 100 applications for the position.
In her new role, Monsegur will work closely with the chief financial officer, Franklin Public Schools and the Town’s finance committee to develop short- and long-term, town-wide financial strategies. While the chief financial officer oversees the day-to-day operations of the Town’s finance departments, Monsegur will work closely with elected officials, stakeholders and residents on financial strategy and implementation with a focus on long-term financial solvency, stability and sustainability. She will also bring a fresh perspective to town and school finance while helping preserve and build institutional knowledge.
Monsegur’s responsibilities will also include strategic planning, collective bargaining, capital planning, technology and artificial intelligence. As the use of AI continues to evolve, she will help the Town monitor developments, assess potential opportunities and consider how the technology may affect municipal government and the community in the years ahead.
Prior to joining Franklin, Monsegur served as assistant town administrator for finance for the Town of Hingham, where she oversaw day-to-day operations for 25 departments and approximately 300 employees in close collaboration with the town administrator. She led the town’s financial strategy, including development of its $165 million annual budget and authored the Sustainable Budget Task Force (equivalent to Franklin’s Joint Budget Subcommittee).
Previously, Monsegur served as principal budget analyst for the City of Cambridge, where she developed and managed the city’s $730 million annual budget. She also led the city’s first participatory budgeting processes, giving residents a direct role in determining how capital funds would be spent.
Monsegur holds a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University. She is a member of the Massachusetts Municipal Association and the International City/County Management Association. She also serves on the executive board of the Massachusetts Government Finance Officers Association.
The Town welcomes Deputy Town Administrator Michelle Monsegur to the position and looks forward to her contributions to the organization and the Franklin community.
shared from - https://www.franklinma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/190
Town Council approve West as Police Chief, approves excess sewer capacity deal, & goes past 10 PM on Police Station and Town properties discussion (video)
- comments on Chestnut St buildings not completed, what can be done
- multiple citizens comments on Flock cameras, being addressed by the Council
- Results of the State Primary are now official as announced by Town Clerk Nancy Danello
- Appointment of James West as Police Chief was approved
- Excess sewer capacity deal with Millis and Medway approved
- Presentation on Town of Franklin properties resulted in a long dicussion ultimately around site of the Police Station. While the Police Station Building Committee was also participating, they did not make a formal presentation, did answer multiple questions. Concensus among COuncil was to review the proposed building to reduce size of building to better fit on the Davis Thayer site. Parmenter would be retained as recreation and potential other Town use. RFP for 275 Beaver St possible
- As the discussion on this Town property topic completed about 10:25 PM, the Council voted to adjourn, they did not need to vote to extend the meeting past their 10 PM self-imposed deadline. Had they attempted another topic, that would have been required
















