Saturday, October 10, 2026

What tax rate is best for the "common good" of Franklin, MA ???

This week starts discussion on yet another opportunity for Franklin residents and taxpayers to come to an agreement on the “common good”.


Yes, Franklin operates within the Commonwealth of Mass. A commonwealth is defined as “one founded on law and united by compact or tacit agreement of the people for the common good.”


The Town has operated with a single tax rate which means that all property owners and businesses pay the same rate. The current Town Council wants to consider a split tax rate. The split tax rate doesn't raise any additional funds. It only shifts the burden from one category (residential) to another (commercial/industrial) although it could be applied the other way; that is, shifting the burden from commercial industrial to residential. 


Over the next 3 Town Council sessions, there are 3 workshops scheduled to define the terminology, present results of some studies, and set up for a robust discussion on the pros and cons of the split vs. single tax rate before the tax rate hearing is held in December. 


What rate provides the best outcome, for our common good, for all of Franklin? 


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. 


*** Event & Meeting schedule (with agendas) as of Town pages 10/09/26 5:00 PM ***


Franklin School Committee Policy Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, October 13, 2026  Time = 6:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10132026-2558 


250th Anniversary Celebration Communications Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, October 13, 2026  Time = 6:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10132026-2553 


Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, October 13, 2026  time = 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10132026-2559 


Charles River Pollution Control Meeting

Wednesday, October 14, 2026   Time = 3:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142026-2561 


Board of Assessors Regular Meeting

Wednesday, October 14, 2026  Time = 5:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142026-2562 


Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, October 14, 2026  Time = 6:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142026-2560 


Coffee Hour with State & Local Officials

Thursday, October 15, 2026  Time = 8:30 AM

No agenda for this informal session


250th Anniversary Celebration Events Subcommittee Meeting

Thursday, October 15, 2026  Time = 7:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10152026-2552 


Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, October 15, 2026  Time = 7:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10152026-2540 



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



Town & School meetings


Joint Budget Subcmte on Wednesday

https://www.youtube.com/live/zQCeOrqhWRA?is=Df440kdXQFy2bgVB 


Conservation Commission on Thursday

https://www.youtube.com/live/FxDu-rCQvyc?is=w9DDyofyUB5gcwr6 



FHS Sports


FHS girls soccer on Tuesday 

https://www.youtube.com/live/vQ5cJQ66bZU?is=B7_VIhH_O6Fkp0Xc


All Access Channel


Franklin Union St Cemetery tour https://youtu.be/wgAonH4qHxA?is=y0bNzIwSwLRKE-Zg


Frank Presents Diane DiZoglio 

https://youtu.be/zQkaGM6rDGw?is=3UvK40M63TIaiWI- 


Frank Presents Wayne Adams 

https://youtu.be/t2wKrrfRGqg?is=BMAfhD39bBHX_qbm




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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.


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 

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Location: Franklin, MA 02038, USA

Saturday, October 3, 2026

Major or minor, the meetings are important

9 meetings on tap this week and 1 special event being recorded for future broadcast.

I hesitate to call some meetings “major”, which means some are “minor”, when all are important to the operation of the Town and School services. And yet, some are more important than others.

School Superintendent Lucas Giguere is the representative for the District to the BICO Collaborative. Their transportation subcommittee meets on Monday. 

The Recreation Advisory Board and the BFCCPS School Governance committees also have regular sessions on Monday.

The School Committee budget subcommittee meets on Tuesday to start preparing for the next budget cycle, especially in acceptance of the Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting on Wednesday. 

Town Clerk Nancy Danello has an information session on Wednesday with Liz Harkins, Franklin TV executive director. The event will be recorded for a future broadcast providing the ins and out of mail ballots, early voting, etc. to prepare us all for the multipage ballot for the November 3 state election.

The Board of Health is scheduled to meet Wednesday. Their agenda is not yet published but will likely be on Monday.

The Joint Budget Subcommittee is composed of representation from the Town Council, School Committee, and Finance Committee. They have the task to figure out how to solve our structural budget deficit. 

This is one of those “major” meetings. Don't hide behind your keyboard and walk up in a couple of months “surprised“ when the opportunity for input is now.

The Municipal Affordable Housing Trust is scheduled to meet on Thursday. Their agenda is usually posted no later than Tuesday.

The Conservation Commission and the Cultural District Committee close out the meeting week with their respective sessions Thursday. 

Friendly reminder that it does take over 200 unpaid volunteers serving on these boards, committees, and commissions providing oversight and direction for the Town of Franklin authorizing the services the Town provides for all of us. 
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. 


*** Event & Meeting schedule (with agendas) as of Town pages 10/02/26 8:00 PM ***

BICO Transportation Subcommittee Meeting
Monday, October 5, 2026 Time: 2:30pm

Recreation Advisory Board Meeting
Monday, October 5, 2026 Time: 7:00pm

BFCCPS School Governance Cmte
Monday, October 5, 2026 Time: 7:30pm

Franklin Public Schools Budget Subcommittee Meeting
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 Time: 6:00pm

Your Vote, Your Voice! An Information Session
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Time: 4:00pm
No agenda posted, will be recorded for future broadcast

Board of Health Meeting
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Time: 5:00pm
Agenda usually posted Monday 

Joint Budget Subcommittee 
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Time: 6:00pm

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meeting
Thursday, October 8, 2026 Time: 2:00pm
Agenda usually posted Monday 

Conservation Commission Meeting
Thursday, October 8, 2026 Time: 7:00pm

Cultural District Cmte Meeting
Thursday, October 8, 2026 Time: 7:00pm


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


Town & School meetings

The Planning Board met on Monday, among the key items was the opening discussion on the Depot Plaza proposal. View the replay https://www.youtube.com/live/ofxfKrbslNE?is=MOMwVA8TwQHUs5YJ 

The Zoning Board of Appeals met on Thursday, view the replay here

FHS Sports

FHS girls soccer on Monday 

FHS boys soccer on Wednesday 

FHS volleyball on Wednesday 

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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.

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 

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Location: Franklin, MA 02038, USA

Saturday, September 26, 2026

September runs out, October opens

Monday is full of meetings, the rest of the week not so many.


The Town Administrator Ad-hoc evaluation continues its work with a session early Monday morning.


The Franklin Cultural Council, the Agricultural Commission, and the 250th historical significance subcommittee all meet Monday evening.


The major meeting of the week is the Planning Board session also Monday night. This is the start of the formal process for the Depot Plaza development. Should it be 4 stories, should it have additional parking, what should it look like are likely among the topics for  discussion. 


Given the track record with other development proposals, the process starts but won't finish in one night. It is likely to take several months to reach a conclusion. 


The School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday.


There is a continuation of a Pole Petition hearing scheduled for Wednesday. 


The Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to meet and review one proposal on Thursday.


The Commission on Disability has a meeting for the record to allow the membership to participate in the Senior Expo on Friday from 10 AM to 1 PM.


The Farmers Market closes out the week Friday afternoon. Having been canceled recently, folks will be looking to stock up.


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.


*** Event & Meeting schedule (with agendas) as of Town pages 9/25/26   8:00 PM   ***


Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee Meeting

Monday, September 28 Time: 9:30 AM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09282026-2535


Franklin Cultural Council

Monday, September 28 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09282026-2529

Franklin Agricultural Committee

Monday, September 28 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09282026-2527


Planning Board Meeting

Monday, September 28 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09282026-2532


250th Historical Significance subcommittee

Monday, September 28 Time: 7:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09282026-2533


Franklin School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee

Tuesday, September 29, 2026.       Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/School-Committee-35/?#_09292026-2536


Pole Petition Hearing

Wednesday, September 30 Time: 1:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09302026-2508


Economic Development Subcommittee
Thursday, October 1 Time: 6:00 PM

ZBA Meeting

Thursday, October 1 Time: 7:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10012026-2518


Franklin Commission on Disability Meeting

Friday, October 2nd Time: 9:00 AM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10022026-2520



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


Town & School meetings

The Franklin School Committee met on Tuesday. The recap and video link is available at https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/09/franklin-school-committee-meeting-goes.html

The Finance Committee met on Wednesday, the recap and video is available 

The Conservation Commission met on Thursday, Franklin TV video is available for replay


FHS Sports 


FHS Boys soccer game on Tuesday 

https://www.youtube.com/live/sf07LkVW3-g?si=HGONzEg3g3zgRgGc 


FHS Girls varsity soccer on Friday

https://www.youtube.com/live/dXol3S9J_ys?si=rsuiCLnw96OcenVn


FHS football game on Friday 

https://www.youtube.com/live/ug-3uHdxUTc?si=Nn39ZIkhWsXXuwEf


All Access


Frank Falvey in Frank presents interviews independent candidate for Norfolk County District Attorney https://youtu.be/THr9G_Yr8PU?si=EazRDBMFNZLm9RrH


The first episode of FM Journal was broadcast this week and is available for replay

https://youtu.be/YVWdEy2kLak?si=akW-jdByqJZsjXlk


On the radio on demand/podcast front


The October event highlights at the Senior Center

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/09/mary-jillian-reveal-special-events.html


And at the Library  https://youtu.be/aJDQ-NUiHUk 


The Senior Center scribblers or Writers Group has a new episode

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/09/senior-story-hour-wfpr-episode-111.html 


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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.



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 

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Location: Franklin, MA 02038, USA

Saturday, September 19, 2026

7 meetings on tap this week leading to the Farmers Market (Fri) and Harvest Festival (Sat)

7 meetings on tap this week.


On Monday, the Conservation Commission does a site walk to view in person the property where proposed work would encroach on wetlands. This is prior to their discussion on the proposal for their normal scheduled Thursday meeting.


Also Monday, the Housing Authority and the Library Board of Directors conduct their regular monthly sessions.


Tuesday, the School Committee gets the school level details on the Improvement Plan that go the District view of in their prior meeting. Both the District and School Improvement plans are up for vote at this session.


On Wednesday, the Finance Committee elects their leadership (Chair, Vice-Chair, and Clerk). Michelle Monsegur, Deputy Town Administrator is formally introduced to the Committee. Word is that she will be taking the lead on the financial aspects of the Town Administrator's Office, allowing Jamie to do other items around planning and economic development.


This is the Finance Cmte’s first meeting since June. They get to review the 5 year and fiscal plan for FY 2028 that the Joint Budget subcommittee got to see in August.


The previously mentioned Conservation Commission meeting closes out the meeting week on Thursday. Friday features the Farmers Market, and Saturday is the 24th Annual Harvest Festival. Main St from the triangle/railroad bridge through to School St is closed to traffic for this event full of vendors, organizations, live entertainment, and food & refreshments.


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-1826-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-09-20-26/

*** Event & Meeting schedule (with agendas) as of Town pages 9/18/26   4:00 PM   ***



9/21/26 Conservation Commission Site Walk at 78 Populatic

Monday, September 21 Time: 1:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09212026-2516 


Franklin Housing Authority

Monday, September 21 Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09212026-2502 


Library Board of Directors Regular Meeting

Monday, September 21 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09212026-2514 


Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, September 22 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09222026-2519 


Council on Aging Board Meeting

Wednesday, September 23 Time: 11:00 AM

No agenda at this time


Finance Committee Meeting

Wednesday, September 23 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09232026-2522 


Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, September 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09242026-2521 



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


Town/ School meetings


  • The Town Council met for more than 4 hours on Wednesday. Zoom restarted on its own creating 2 YouTube videos. This is temporary. The Studio is working to replace them with a complete one. 

Part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yU90Rl52sE

Part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v6EpsdI8dY



FHS Sports broadcasts




All Access programming


Franklin Matters




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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.


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 


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Location: Franklin, MA 02038, USA
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