Ironic that the first day it rains in a while, the State announcement on moving to a new level of drought status arrives.
Yes, the outlook for Franklin includes a dry period continuation and potential for a further restriction in outdoor water use as the next couple of months roll towards us. Fortunately, the major growing season is behind us so there should be minimal impact.
On the budget front another shortfall of approx. $271,000 was revealed for the new growth number. How does that happen? There is a quarterly review of incomes and expenses as each budget year progresses. The work of the Board of Assessors showed the shortfall in new growth which may force a further reduction in the current year budget before the tax rate hearing arrives at the end of November, early December.
What does this new reduction mean? The recent trend in new growth coming in lower than previous years is a major concern. New growth is a reflection of the economic development (new housing and commercial buildings, or enhancements, renovations to existing buildings), the downward trend means that the future budget discussions will be that much more important.
The Town needs to seriously consider how to fund necessary services. If it can’t be done with new growth (the downward trend), and we don’t pass an override (only 1 was ever successful), then the definition of ‘necessary’ services will need to be redefined.
The Planning Board is scheduled to meet on Monday with some development proposals on its agenda. The second of the series of tours for the community to view the existing conditions of the Police Station is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:00 PM. The Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA) continues their one meeting a month routine with a session on Thursday.
The Harvest Festival closes out the week on Saturday, Sep 27. Main St will be closed from the triangle through to the Library (at School St) and filled with booths for fun, information, and hopefully very civil conversations on all that is happening in and around Franklin.
*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 9/19/25, 7:30 PM
Franklin Housing Authority
Monday, September 22 Time: 4:30 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09222025-1914
Planning Board Meeting
Monday, September 22 Time: 7:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09222025-1913
Police Station Open House
Tuesday, September 23 Time: 6:00 PM
No agenda needed for Open House
Design Review Meeting
Tuesday, September 23 Time: 7:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09232025-1916
Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting
Thursday, September 25 Time: 7:30 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09252025-1892
Franklin School Committee - Comm. Relations Sub Committee
Saturday, September 27 Time: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09272025-1915
*** Looking back at the week that was ***
The Town Council met on Wednesday, Sep 17. The video and recap is available for replay. The Town Council Quarterbacking session with Council Chair Tom Mercer will be available this weekend at Franklin.News
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/09/town-council-welcomed-2-new-police.html
The Conservation Commission met on Thursday. The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ7geg28FlA
Franklin High School sports were covered with 4 live streamed broadcasts during the past week.
Volleyball match on Monday -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL9yaax5idw
Boys soccer on Tuesday -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk2IKFBsN-w
Girls soccer on Thursday -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmYnyB5hIpA
Football game away at Brockton on Friday -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyPvQ7krFqA
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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