Franklin MAtters Weekly

Saturday, July 4, 2026

250 years behind for USA, 2 more years to go before Franklin 250th

250 years are now behind the USA, 2 more years to go before Franklin gets to celebrate its own birthday, and another light meeting week ahead.

The weather was hot and humid but the crowds enjoyed the 4th of July celebration on the Town Common.

State Rep Jeff Roy delivered the Town’s copy of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence at the opening of the festivities on July 1.

The light meeting week includes a continuation of a small cell tower proposal for Pond St, Communication Subcomte for the Franklin 250th, a Cultural District meeting as well as a ZBA meeting. The agenda for all the meetings posted so far are linked below. The couple of agenda missing are likely to be posted in advance of the session to keep with Open Meeting requirements.

You can subscribe to get notified for meetings, agenda and minutes for each of the board and committee across the Town operations.

For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendar 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.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1775-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-07-05-26/

*** Event & Meeting schedule (with agendas) as of Town pages 7/03/26, 4:00 PM ***

Small Cell Wireless Antenna Petition Hearing - Pond St.

Tuesday, July 7 Time: 1:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07072026-2381

250th Anniversary Celebration Communications Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, July 7 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07072026-2393

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meeting

Thursday, July 9 Time: 2:00 PM

no agenda available at this time

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School Meeting

Thursday, July 9 Time: 7:00 PM

no agenda available at this time

Cultural District Committee Meeting

Thursday, July 9 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07092026-2395

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, July 9 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07092026-2392

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

The light meeting week that was, resulted in only one broadcast. That of the Conservation Commission

Town/ School meetings

Conservation Commission met on Thursday, July 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBbdWaqxbCY

All-Access Programing

Aging Boldfully: Sisters United Against Cancer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYHAWR0H9Yw

Veterans' Call: David Hencke

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L6LUi-3Gh4

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 27, 2026

Franklin is off to a great start to the summer of 2026 (audio)

Several thousand folks had a grand time with the MetroWest Fan Zone World Cup watch parties on Wednesday & Thursday. No matter which teams won or lost, a good time was had by all.

The weather continued to cooperate for the Farmers Market on Friday and Celebrate with Pride on Saturday.

Word has it that the heat will be here for the 4th of July Celebration on the Town Common beginning Wednesday, July 1 and running through Sunday, July 5.

There is a light schedule of meetings this week, and an even lighter schedule the week of July 6.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and be kind to one another.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1774-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-06-28-26/

*** Event & Meeting schedule (with agendas) as of Town pages 6/26/26, 8:00 PM ***

4th of July celebration schedule - https://www.franklin4th.com/

Franklin Agricultural Committee Meeting

Monday, June 29 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06292026-2383

Franklin School Committee (virtual only)

Monday, June 29 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06292026-2389

250th Anniversary Celebration Historical Significance Subcommittee Meeting

Monday, June 29 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06292026-2379

Board of Health Meeting

Wednesday, July 1 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07012026-2387

Franklin Commission on Disability

Thursday, July 2 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07022026-2386

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, July 2 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07022026-2388

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

Town/ School meetings

School committee meeting on Tuesday, June 23 - recap and video link - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/06/franklin-school-committee-approves.html

The Ad-hoc Charter Review committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday was canceled and will be rescheduled

The Zoning Board of Appeals met on Thursday, June 25, the video can be found https://www.youtube.com/live/GHhLAzuXP4c?si=fD5cGzAHj0QLPZAk&t=98

New All-Access Programing

Lincoln St 5th Grade https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwwzwNpbvp0

World Cup Watch Party entertainment day 1 - https://www.youtube.com/live/N3SefP0AyZ4?&t=472

World Cup Watch Party entertainment day 2 -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBeo1QqI4iM

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 20, 2026

The budget is behind us, summer is officially here, let’s start taking part in all the fun stuff in Franklin

The FY 2027 budget is finally behind us, summer is officially here, let’s start really taking part in all the fun stuff in Franklin.

The Farmers Market is operating weekly on Friday from 2 to 6 PM. Concerts on the Common extends musical entertainment for 6 weeks from July 10 to August 14. The Community calendar has the listing of performers each week.

The World Cup is happening and Franklin has its own Fan Zone Wednesday June 24 and Thursday June 25. Two games will be shown each day on a large screen at Hayward Manor. Food trucks, and activities will happen on the Town Common.

Main St will be closed from High St to Pleasant St to enable placement of the food trucks and easy access from the Common to the Manor, etc. Be aware of the traffic implications!

The Franklin 4th of July Celebration opens July 1. The fireworks are scheduled for July 2 and the celebration, rides, food, & entertainment run through Sunday, July 5.

And yes, there are a few town & school meetings this week, the schedule and agendas are listed here.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1770-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-06-21-26/

*** Event & Meeting schedule (with agendas) as of Town pages 6/19/26, 8:00 PM ***

Library Board of Directors Regular Meeting

Monday, June 22 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06222026-2372

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, June 22 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06222026-2373

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, June 23 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06232026-2374

Council on Aging Board Meeting

Wednesday, June 24 Time: 11:00 AM

no agenda available

Petition Hearing - Grant of Location for Small Cell Antenna

Wednesday, June 24 Time: 12:15 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06242026-2376

Ad-hoc Charter Review

Wednesday, June 24 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06242026-2382

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Wednesday, June 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06242026-2375

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, June 25 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06252026-2359

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

Town/ School meetings

Town Council meeting on June 17 - recap and video https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/06/town-council-witnesses-backfill-new.html
Conservation Commission - June 18 - video = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVMvhMmsQMc&t=299s

FHS/ Tri-County live streaming

Washington St 5th grade graduation - video - https://www.youtube.com/live/ImRUHEebybQ&t=560

New All-Access Programing

Memorial Day Breakfast 2026 is available for viewing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e3-D_DO_xs
Memorial Day ceremonies - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WILTuEWRF1g

Franklin Matters Video

State Representative Jeff Roy explains the audit issue and House legislation - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/06/whats-up-with-audit-state-rep-jeff-roy.html
Come along for a tour inside the Beaver St Interceptor Lift Station - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/06/come-along-with-us-as-we-go-inside-lift.html

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 13, 2026

The Town of Franklin has an FY 2027 budget with only minor changes to what was proposed

The FY 2027 budget has been approved, what remains is to close out the FY 2026 budget by June 30.

The Town Council spent 8.5 hours over 2 nights in May for their FY 2027 budget hearing and then almost another 5 hours to get through the 40 plus budget votes and ancillary matters at their June 10 meeting.

One take away that should be remembered: While some members of both the Finance Committee and Town Council expressed interest in not using free cash and finding ways to cut the budget to balance, the votes were not where to do so.

Another way of putting it is that both the Finance Committee and Town Council "validated the budget.” The amount and areas of change from the original proposal to the approved version were minimal.

Now let’s see that effort put toward the strategic plan to really get a fix to the structural issues we have. Significant savings have occurred to the budget over the past several years due to the reorganizations by the Fire Dept, Police Dept, Finance Dept/Human Resources (Town and Schools) and the major savings from the Schools redistricting. Those savings have helped but that can’t be repeated. Time to focus on the revenue side.

The Town Council meeting Wednesday, June 17 has a few measures to help ready the book of accounts to get closed out for FY 2026 as of June 30.

Also of note on the agenda are the appointments for the expiring terms across multiple boards and committees. While the majority of volunteers are renewing, there are about 20 positions on 8 boards/committees that remain open. Check out the listing of those and see if one might be something you could take up.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1763-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-06-14-26/

*** Event & Meeting schedule (with agendas) as of Town pages 6/12/26, 9:00 PM ***

Franklin Housing Authority Meeting

Monday, June 15 Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06152026-2351

Community Preservation Committee - CANCELED

Monday, June 15 Time:

Massachusetts Strategic Health Group Meeting

Tuesday, June 16 Time: 1:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06162026-2367

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, June 16 Time: 7:00 PM