Saturday, June 28, 2025

Summertime, the living is easy as we ease into the 4th of July weekend

We can put “Summertime, and the living is easy”  on repeat as we ease into the long 4th of July weekend.


Less than a handful of meetings this week. The Agricultural Committee and Planning Board meets on Monday. The Municipal Affordable Housing Trust meets on Tuesday. 


While the Board of Health has a meeting scheduled for their normal first Wednesday of the month, there is no agenda posted and it may not occur. Prior meeting discussion was around whether there was a need to meet during the summer. Nothing was pressing at the time.


The 4th of July Celebration opens on Wednesday and runs through Sunday on the Town Common. Carnival rides open daily with a wrist band or ride package available. Live music is scheduled each day with the 5th Annual Mike Crandall Blues Festival on Saturday. Fireworks close out Saturday night at 10 PM from Franklin High School.


The Franklin Democratic Committee, the Rod and Gun Club, and the 4th Coalition will operate food booths during the event. Supporting these organizations are a win-win; food or refreshments for you and the family, and you help the group.


You can check out the 4th of July Coalition page for their full schedule. The Coalition is community supported so your donation can help support this event.


Each day's schedule will also be shared via the Franklin.news daily newsletter. 



*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 6/27/25, 8:00 PM



Franklin Agricultural Committee

Monday, June 30 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Agricultural-Commission-13/?#_06302025-1797 


Planning Board Meeting

Monday, June 30 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06302025-1798 


Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meeting

Tuesday, July 1 Time: 2:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/437?fileID=5188 


BOARD OF HEALTH MEETINGS

Wednesday, July 2 Time: 5:00 PM

no agenda at this time (not likely meeting)



*** Looking back at the week that was ***


A short week of meetings this past week.


The School Committee policy subcommittee met virtually on Tuesday at 6 PM to preview the fee discussion and decision before the full meeting at 7 PM. 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/franklin-school-cmte-policy-subcmte-mtg.html


The full School Committee meeting met at 7 PM with 5 members participating for this virtual session. Franklin TV did not broadcast this session as it was virtual only. The audio for both the Policy subcommittee and full meeting is available at Franklin.news. 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/school-committee-meets-virtually.html 


The Conservation Commission met on Thursday. Franklin TV video is available for replay on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glunYy20aWs 


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For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendars at Franklin.news  where each day, that day's events are posted on the top of the page, the TV and radio schedules are on the bottom, and all the other goodness falls in-between.


Town calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx  

Community calendar -> https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 


Subscribe for the daily dose of information -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html  

Subscribe for the weekly dose of information -> https://www.franklinmattersweekly.org/p/subscribe-for-email.html

Saturday, June 21, 2025

Summertime, “Summertime, and the living is easy”

Summertime,  “Summertime, and the living is easy” 


The Fiscal Year 2025 comes to a close on June 30. Town business starts to shift gears from one fiscal year to the next as the cycles continue. FY 2026 opens July 1 and we’ll start seeing confirmation of the budget cuts due to the failed override to fund the level service budget. No level service? Correct, town delivery of services will decline in various aspects. Some will be more noticeable than others.


With schools closed, the Recreation dept has temporarily moved to use Parmenter while construction on the Beaver St interceptor continues to work in their yard as well as disrupt traffic on Beaver St. They take this week off fortunately but are likely to be back as steel plates in the road remain.


The Design Review, School Committee and SchCmte Policy subcommittee all meet virtually on Tuesday. The Conservation Commission meets on Thursday.


For updates and reporting on the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendar and information at Franklin.news  where each day, that day's events are posted on the top of the page, the TV and radio schedules are on the bottom, and all the other goodness falls in-between.



*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 6/20/25, 6:30 PM


Franklin Public Library Board of Directors Meeting

Monday, June 23 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Library-Board-of-Directors-20/?#_06232025-1776 


Franklin School Committee Policy Subcommittee Meeting (virtual only)

Tuesday, June 24 Time: 6:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06242025-1792 


Design Review Meeting (virtual only)

Tuesday, June 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/429?fileID=5164 


Franklin School Committee (Virtual only)

Tuesday, June 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/School-Committee-35/?#_06242025-1793 


Arts and Culture Symposium Subcommittee Meeting

Wednesday, June 25` Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5979/Arts-and-Culture-Symposium_-SubCommittee-Meeting--1?bidId= 


Tri-County Regional Vocational School Committee Appointment Meeting

Thursday, June 26 Time: 2:30 PM

no agenda available at this time


Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, June 26 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/430?fileID=5169 


*** Looking back at the week that was ***



The groundbreaking for Habitat for Humanity to formally take title to the Old South Meeting House took place on Wednesday, June 18. The exterior will be preserved while the interior will be renovated to become a single family affordable residence.


The most significant meeting of the week was the Town Council session on Wednesday, June 18. The agenda was a typical variety of business appointments, recognitions, survey results, and a surprise. Fire Chief James McLaughlin announced his retirement effective on or before Oct 1, 2025. The video replay of the full meeting is available.


Chair Tom Mercer and I met virtually to record our Council “quarterbacking” session. We recap the meeting and condense it answering 2 key questions: 

  • ok, what just happened? 

  • What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?


You can also find the audio at Franklin.News


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For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendars at Franklin.news  where each day, that day's events are posted on the top of the page, the TV and radio schedules are on the bottom, and all the other goodness falls in-between.


Town calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx  


Community calendar -> https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 



Subscribe for the daily dose of information -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html  


Subscribe for the weekly dose of information -> https://www.franklinmattersweekly.org/p/subscribe-for-email.html


Saturday, June 14, 2025

Franklin Schools close out for the summer, June 18, District prepares for September 2025

School closes out this week with half days as Franklin prepares for redistricting starting in September. The last day to register for bus transportation is Friday, June 20. Any requests after Friday can not be guaranteed a bus seat for September.


A small slate of meetings are scheduled for this shortened week with Town and School facilities closed Thursday for Juneteenth


The Planning Board meets on Monday and the Town Council on Wednesday. The Council agenda includes ratification of multiple union contracts. The School Committee approved their teacher contract in their last session June 10. 


For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendars at Franklin.news  where each day, that day's events are posted on the top of the page, the TV and radio schedules are on the bottom, and all the other goodness falls in-between.



*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 6/13/25, 10:30 PM


Planning Board Meeting

Monday, June 16, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Planning-Board-23/?#_06162025-1786


Brownfields Cleanup Plan Review for 21 Grove Street

Tuesday, June 17 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Legal-Notices-29/?#_06172025-1770


Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, June 18 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Town-Council-4/?#_06182025-1788


Town officials office hours  canceled

June 19 all Town, schools closed for Juneteenth Holiday


ZBA Meeting canceled

Thursday, June 19th https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Zoning-Board-of-Appeals-31/?#_06192025-1745 


Council on Aging Meeting

Friday, June 20th. Time: 1:30 PM

No agenda posted



*** Looking back at the week that was ***



State Representative Jeff Roy hosted an appreciation event on Monday, June 9 to recognize the collaboration to bring a single family home back into the Franklin Housing Authority (FHA) inventory. It has been stuck in a legal limbo for about 20 years and finally got unstuck, renovated, and is now occupied by a Franklin family.  The audio and video of the event can be found  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/audio-recording-of-fha-appreciation.html


The Franklin School Committee reluctantly approved their revised budget to account for the reduced allocation from the Town per the failed override. In addition to the 29 personnel cuts due to redistricting (saving the Town $3.1M annually), the District reduced an additional 12 personnel along with multiple sets of expenses to account for $2M less in revenue. This results in only a 1% increase over the prior year school budget the lowest annual increase since 2013The recap and recording of the meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/school-committee-reluctantly-approves.html


The Finance Committee held its shortest meeting on Wednesday. It struggled to gain quorum, then when it did achieve that, determined to postpone the Technology topic for presentation/discussion in the fall. 3 new members are scheduled to be appointed in July and they would benefit from such information. The very brief audio officially recording the short meeting  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/finance-committee-reschedules-their.html 



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For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendars at Franklin.news  where each day, that day's events are posted on the top of the page, the TV and radio schedules are on the bottom, and all the other goodness falls in-between.


Town calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx  


Community calendar -> https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 



Subscribe for the daily dose of information -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html  


Subscribe for the weekly dose of information -> https://www.franklinmattersweekly.org/p/subscribe-for-email.html


Saturday, June 7, 2025

Majority rules: Level service is not worth paying for

With the new world of less than level service approaching July 1, the Town of Franklin will continue to do business and plan for what’s next. The operational budget years for FY 2027 and FY 2028 are not rosy pictures.


The School Committee Budget Subcommittee will preview the adjustments to their budget required by the reduction in revenue authorized by the Town Council. The failed override is expected to reduce school personnel by an additional 12 while keeping fees high (at this year’s levels). “Additional” as they already had reduced by 29 as part of redistricting which will save the community $3.1M. Specific details will be available in the full School Committee meeting later Tuesday evening, June 10.


The Finance Committee on Wednesday, June 11 gets a “deep dive” on the Technology budget and capital plan. As more and more technology is utilized in delivery of services across the Town and schools, this should be insightful.


The Strawberry Stroll comes back on Friday, June 13 with a change or two. It will extend up Main St to School St to include the Library front lawn and make it easier for all to also combine with the Farmers Market at the Town Common; The Market is open from 2 to 6 PM. The stroll opens from 4 to 8 PM.



*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 6/06/25, 7:30 PM

Franklin School Committee - Budget Subcommittee
Tuesday, June 10 Time: 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School - Board of Trustees Mtg
Tuesday, June 10 Time: 7:00 PM

Design Review Meeting
Tuesday, June 10 Time: 7:00 PM

Franklin School Committee
Tuesday, June 10 Time: 7:00 PM

Friends of the Franklin Public Library Meeting
Tuesday, June 10 Time: 7:00 PM - 7:45 PM
No agenda posted for this meeting

Charles River Pollution Control Meeting
Wednesday, June 11 Time: 3:00 PM

Historical Commission Meeting
Wednesday, June 11 Time: 6:00 PM
No agenda posted at this time

Finance Committee Meeting
Wednesday, June 11 Time: 7:00 PM

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meetings
Thursday, June 12 Time: 2:00 PM
No agenda posted at this time

Conservation Commission Meeting
Thursday, June 12 Time: 7:00 PM

Franklin School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee - Strawberry Stroll
Friday, June 13 Time: 4:00 PM


*** Looking back at the week that was ***



With 15,451 registered voters sitting out the special election on June 3, the No’s won the democratic process by a 196 vote margin, effectively saying that the level of services provided by Town and Schools wasn’t worth funding. 


In addition to the 29 personnel the Schools cut in the redistricting effort, another dozen will go out the door effective July 1 to join 8 from the Town side of the operational budget. Road conditions will worsen, sidewalks won’t get fixed, class sizes will increase, and school fees will remain high, etc. 


The official override results can be found 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/official-override-results-nos-take-it.html 


The unofficial results announced Tuesday evening

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/unofficial-override-results-nos-take-it.html


The Town Council quarterbacking session with Council Chair Tom Mercer condenses the 4 hour Council session as they made the required reductions to the budget following the override results

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/tom-mercer-i-condense-4-hour-council.html 


The override and debt exclusion history of Franklin voters was updated with these results

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkwjbnXDBhczdDVWaFU0N2ZsTEE2TUVuWHk5NURvQWc#gid=0 


Tri-County Regional Voc Tech Class of 2025 graduation was held June 5

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/tri-county-class-of-2025-graduation.html 


Franklin High School’s Class of 2025 graduation was held June 6

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/fhs-class-of-2025-graduation-ceremony.html 


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For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendars at Franklin.news  where each day, that day's events are posted on the top of the page, the TV and radio schedules are on the bottom, and all the other goodness falls in-between.


Town calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx  


Community calendar -> https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 



Subscribe for the daily dose of information -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html  


Subscribe for the weekly dose of information -> https://www.franklinmattersweekly.org/p/subscribe-for-email.html