“Where have all the showers gone?” vs. “Come Monday…”

We’ll start with competing themes for this week: 

“Where have all the showers gone?” vs. “Come Monday…”

Franklin averages 4.5” of rain during April and thus far, we have only 1.6.” So it doesn’t seem like April showers will bring lots of May flowers.

When I retired in 2019, I sent my colleagues a playlist* that started with the Jimmy Buffett tune “Come Monday…”  ‘cuz on that next Monday, I would be elsewhere.

In Franklin, this week of April 26 and following, after Monday which sees 6 meetings, there is only 1 public session and 1 executive session both on Tuesday, for the remainder of the week.

You can start the week with some Jazz at the Historical Museum on Sunday at 3 PM, and also close the week on Saturday celebrating Horace Mann’s birthday also at the Museum from 10 AM to 1 PM.  

You can also close the week by joining Jane's Walk on Saturday. It starts at the TV Studio on Hutchinson St at 10 AM, finishes there about 1.5 miles later (approx. 11:30 AM). In between, conversation on the look and feel of the neighborhoods, and what zoning does or doesn’t do. An informative and casual learning opportunity followed by lunch and networking at the Studio.

The listing of the agendas for the meetings scheduled this week are provided below.

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-1729-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-04-26-26/

* Playlist that I sent out to my corporate colleagues upon retirement can be found https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKGw_hrlaOY&list=PLL2XKlvMgLAnv_Y2MOsekFSPEpxXeyEn4

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town pages 4/24/26, 7:00 PM   ***

Music at the Museum: Jazz

Sunday, April 26 Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

At the Historical Museum

Communications Subcommittee Meeting

Monday, April 27 Time: 12:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04272026-2270 

Franklin Agricultural Committee Meeting

Monday, April 27 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04272026-2266 

Franklin School Committee Horace Mann Legacy Sub Committee Meeting

Monday, April 27 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04272026-2263

Library Board of Directors Regular Meeting

Monday, April 27 Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04272026-2272 

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, April 27 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04272026-2271 

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee Historical Importance Subcommittee

Monday, April 27 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04272026-2273

Massachusetts Strategic Health Group Meeting

Tuesday, April 28 Time: 1:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04282026-2274 

Franklin School Committee Contractual Negotiations Meeting

Tuesday, April 28 Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04282026-2198 

ZBA Meeting-NO MEETING

Thursday, April 30 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04302026-2269 

Happy Birthday Horace Mann!

Saturday, May 2 Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

At the Historical Museum 

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

Town & School meetings

• Conservation Commission meeting https://www.youtube.com/live/I1JVCaT9-qk?&t=79 

From FHS live streaming

• 45th Anniversary Lions All-Star Band  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cry-f-oTMuA 

• FHS Baseball vs Catholic Memorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSOLLBjbdZs&t=440s 

• FHS girls lacrosse vs. Needham https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tjqDMrNK-A 

• FHS softball vs. Hopkinton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec6wuiN4Q2M

From All Access

• Franklin Falvey interviews Djuna Perkins, candidate for Norfolk County District Attorney  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDK373-Fv58 

• A “Once Upon A Town” episode from Joe Landry & Scott Mason https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShTSMbPVsB0 

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  

School break, Patriots Day, marathon Monday & a relatively quiet meeting week in Franklin (audio)

School break, Patriots Day, marathon Monday…

And a relatively quiet meeting week in Franklin, MA for April 19 through April 25, 2026.  

Even with the holiday Monday, there is no scheduled delay in the trash and recycling pick up for the week.

The hydrant flushing project continues. The DPW updates their webpage daily to let folks know what streets they will be working on. The work is briefly opening a hydrant to let the water flow for a period. This clears the water (may cause some temporary discoloring) but also confirms the water pressure for fire suppression at that point.

The Board of Assessors, Franklin Housing Authority, and Design Review Committee are all scheduled for regular settings on Tuesday.

The Council on Aging, effectively the oversight board for the Senior Center, is scheduled to meet on Wednesday. 

On Thursday, GATRA conducts one of their virtual feedback sessions via the Senior Center. The Conservation Commission also meets in the evening.

The week closes out with the Annual Ladybug Trail Walk on Saturday, April 25. Multiple events and retail opportunities are being set up. Stay tuned during the week for updates.

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-1719-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-04-19-26/

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town pages 4/17/26, 9:00 PM   ***

Board of Assessors Meeting

Tuesday, April 21 Time: 8:30 AM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04212026-2261 

Franklin Housing Authority Meeting

Tuesday, April 21 Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04212026-2259 

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, April 21 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04212026-2260 

Council on Aging Board Meeting

Wednesday, April 22 Time: 11:00 AM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04222026-2264 

GATRA Regional Public Meeting

Thursday, April 23 Time: 2:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04232026-2243 

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, April 23 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/589?fileID=8914 

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

Town & School meetings

• The School Committee met on Tuesday getting a midyear update on the District and school Improvements plans. The recap and video link are available https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/04/franklin-school-committee-gets-mid-year.html 

• The Town Council met on Wednesday getting an update from NationalGrid and a deep dive into the history and budget concerns of both the Fire and Police Departments The recap and video link is available https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/04/town-council-hears-from-natinalgrid.html 

• The Joint Budget Subcommittee met for the first time in their new configuration of membership on Thursday. The video is available for replay.  The recap and audio will be available early in the coming week.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbKccD9CA3Q 

From FHS live streaming

• The Girls lacrosse match vs Canton  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOcXCMo52CA&t=169s

• The baseball game vs Attleboro https://www.youtube.com/live/IPHWCvzaJV0?&t=548

From All Access

• The SAFE Coalition Gala celebrating their 10th Anniversary was broadcast Friday from Gillette Stadium  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-Xby1B-lQM

From Franklin Matters Radio

• The audio of the Hometown Hero event recognizing Town of Franklin Police Chief TJ Lynch is available to listen to  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/04/wellpoint-honors-franklin-police-chief.html
• Chalkboard Chat catching up to recap the School Committee's March 24 meeting is available  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/04/catching-up-to-chalkboard-chat-for.html

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 

The budget discussion blossoms

Spring is here, the budget discussion blossoms. The trees are budding and will shortly start filling out with their leaf cover. 

The Finance Committee spent 16+ hours reviewing the FY 2027 budget and will bring their findings to the Town Council hearings in May and to the Joint Budget Subcmte meeting this week.

The School Committee meets on Tuesday and is scheduled for a District and School improvement plan update.

The Town Council meets on Wednesday and is scheduled for presentations from NationalGrid, as well as the Police & Fire Departments where the Council will get some background and updates on those key public safety operations.

The Joint Budget Subcommittee gets to meet for the first time in this new set of terms with new membership from the Finance Committee, School Committee and Town Council. They get a grounding in the FY 2027 budget approach and as mentioned, an update from the FinCom on what they have found and will recommend to the Council.

The 250th Anniversary celebration has a subcommittee meeting on Sunday and another subcommittee meeting on Wednesday. The ZBA is not holding a meeting on Thursday.

Thursday morning at the Senior Center local town officials will meet for an informal discussion and coffee.

 

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-1714-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-04-12-26/

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town pages 4/10/26, 10:00 PM   ***

250th Anniversary Celebration Budget and Fundraising Subcommittee Meeting

Sunday, April 12 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04122026-2248 

Franklin School Committee Contractual Negotiations Meeting - Executive Session

Monday, April 13 Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04132026-2197 

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, April 14 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04142026-2250 

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, April 15 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04152026-2251 

250th Anniversary Celebration Subcommittee on Events and Logistics Meeting

Wednesday, April 15 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04152026-2245 

Town Council Monthly Office Hours

Thursday, April 16 Time: 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting

Thursday, April 16 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04162026-2252 

ZBA Meeting-no meeting

Thursday, April 16 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04162026-2236 

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

Town/School meetings

The Finance Committee spent 16+ hours reviewing, questioning, and deliberating on the FY 2027 budget over 4 nights. The YouTube videos are available on the TV Town Hall Channel. The meeting recap for each  session is available at Franklin.News

Monday, April 6  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7KSV5MTfHs&t=140s

Tuesday, April 7  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SrQw4jc-r0 

Wednesday, April 8  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8Hb_pCl64A&t=164s 

Thursday, April 9   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oIsBHQ73Ts&t=1170s 

The Planning Board met on Monday and the video is available on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyyk7XtPsLM

The Conservation Commission met on Thursday and the video is available on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDH7mr4BEbw&t=1s 

FHS sports live streaming

Girls lacrosse vs Taunton  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i81AGqEiQxk

Girls softball vs North Attleboro  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCcxtb2IKkg&t=192s 

All Access Programs

Frank Falvey interviews Jason Poulos, a candidate for US House of Representatives, District 4 in Democratic primary in Sept 2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtiVLSvBe64 

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