Final days of the campaign for the Town of Franklin Biennial Election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025

We’re in the final days of the campaign for the Town of Franklin Biennial Election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

The clocks turn back an hour to give us either more sleep or time to prepare to cast our vote on Tuesday. The 2025 Election Collection is chock full of links with all the current information on the candidates and Voices of Franklin entries.  Election Collection => https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/08/election-collection-2025.html 

And yes, there are town meetings this week. Monday, the hearing on propane tank storage at Tri-County is continued at 3 PM and the Planning Board meets at 7 PM. The Franklin Public Schools Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee meets at 6 PM.

Tuesday is election day with voting from 6 AM to 8 PM available. The unofficial results for the non-write-in candidates are expected to be available between 8:30 and 9 PM. The write-in candidate unofficial tally will be sometime later. Unknown exactly when as it isn’t known how many write-in votes will be cast and have to be hand counted.

Franklin Matters will be there to record the audio of the announcement by Town Clerk Nancy Danello. The PDF of the results will be shared as soon as practical.

Wednesday, the Board of Health will meet and reorganize with their new member at 5 PM (assuming the write-in vote tally is resolved by then). The Finance Committee is scheduled to take their deep dive on Technology at their meeting at 7 PM.

The Commission on Disability is scheduled to meet Thursday at 4 PM, and the ZBA is scheduled to meet at 7:30 PM

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-1565-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-11-02-25/

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 10/31/25, 9:30 PM   ***

License to Store Propane Public Hearing (Continued from October 29, 2025)

Monday, November 3 Time: 3:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11032025-1987 

Franklin Public Schools Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee Meeting

Monday, November 3 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11032025-1988 

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, November 3 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11032025-1984 

Biennial Local Election

Tuesday, November 4th Time: 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Location: All Precincts Vote @ Franklin High School

Massachusetts Strategic Health Group Meeting

Tuesday, November 4 Time: 1:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11042025-1989 

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETINGS

Wednesday, November 5 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11052025-1990 

Finance Committee Meeting

Wednesday, November 5 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11052025-1992 

Franklin Commission on Disability Meeting

Thursday, November 6 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11062025-1985 

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, November 6 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11062025-1975 

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

Taking a look back at the week that was in Franklin MA from Oct 26 through Nov 1, 2025

The School Committee Budget Subcommittee met on Tuesday, Oct 28 before the full school committee meeting on Tuesday. The audio is available exclusively via Franklin Matters -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/franklin-school-committee-budget_01481115260.html 

The full meeting was broadcast by Franklin TV -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtitdxM_a2A 

The Economic Development Subcommittee met on Wednesday at 5:45 PM and the recap and video link can be found -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/economic-development-subcmte-catches-up.html 

The Town Council met at 7 PM on Wednesday, the recap and video link can be found -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/town-council-hears-snett-and-franklin.html

The Conservation Commission met on Thursday, Oct 30. The video replay is available -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgC4W_5f_FI

From the FHS sports live streamed events we can share

• The girls varsity soccer match on Monday, Oct 27 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aw-FYyyGr8&t  

• The football game vs Milford on Friday, Oct 31 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o223ZsJewTU 

Other share worthy items from the week:

• Old Colony Habitat for Humanity announced the family to occupy the renovated South Meeting House -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/old-colony-habitat-for-humanity.html 

• The Planning Board candidates had a conversation with the BEN 4 Franklin group co-hosted by Franklin Matters -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/11/2025-biennial-election-planning-board.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 

A summer day in September? Yup, it can happen (audio)

A summer day in September? 

Yup, it can happen, and it brought out the crowds to the Annual Harvest Festival in downtown Franklin, on Saturday, Sep 27. From the triangle to School St, Main St was chockfull of families, vendors, organizations, sprinkled with games and live music. It was clear a good time was had by all!

This week brings the formal transition from September to October. 

• The Pumpkin Patch opens Sunday the 28th at St John’s

• Franklin Cultural Council and Agricultural Committee are scheduled to meet on Monday, Sep 29

• Franklin Housing Authority and Franklin School Committee meet on Tuesday, Sep 30

• The Board of Health meets on Wednesday, Oct 1

• The Franklin Commission on Disability and Conservation Commission are scheduled to meet on Thursday, Oct 2

• The Farmers Market returns to the Town Common on Friday with only a few more times remaining before closing down for the season

• The Fire Dept holds an Open House on Saturday, Oct 4 to close out the week

No matter the weather, we are also into our biennial election season. Let’s keep the conversations going in a civil and respectful manner.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1516-franklin-matters-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-09-28-to-10-04-2025/

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 9/36/25, 7:30 PM

Franklin Cultural Council Meeting

Monday, September 29 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09292025-1930 

Franklin Agricultural Committee Meeting

Monday, September 29 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09292025-1926 

Franklin Housing Authority Meeting

Tuesday, September 30 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09302025-1932 

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, September 30 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09302025-1934 

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING

Wednesday, October 1, 2025 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10012025-1917 

Franklin Commission of Disability

Thursday, October 2, 2025 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10022025-1931 

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, October 2, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/506?fileID=6550 

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

The Planning Board met on Monday, Sep 22. The Franklin TV video can be found -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrUCN7h3ohU 

The 2nd of the 3 opportunities to tour the current Police Station and view the existing conditions was poorly attended on Tuesday, Sep 23. One more is currently scheduled for Sunday, Oct 5 at 6:00 PM

The Town Council held an Executive Session on Wednesday. We are likely to find out what it entails at a future meeting. This session was a hold over from the one at the end of their Sep 17 meeting which apparently ran out of time to complete the required business.

The Zoning Board of Appeals met on Thursday, Sep 25. The Franklin TV video can be found -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbZgtnLczFc 

On the sports front:

Franklin TV broadcast the FHS boys soccer game on Sep 25

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy4L94gJnpc 

And the FHS volleyball game on Sep 26 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quKasBaj3jM

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 

A summer day in September?  Yup, it can happen

Labor Day brings school reopening and all the other activities falling into place

Labor Day weekend. What does it bring? The end of summertime, schools re-open, a mostly normal slate of town meetings, and construction on the Beaver St Interceptor moves to the reduction of a lane along RT 140.

 

Yes, there is a lot happening in and around Franklin, MA as the outlook for the week of September 1 through September 6 fills in.

The Board of Health, Historical Commission, and Town Council are scheduled for Wednesday, Sep 3.  

The Council returns to their normal 7 PM slot with a very healthy agenda so it is likely to be a long session. Recognition of the Fire Chief’s retirement comes before the announcement of the new Chief. A few appointments to continue the annual process are on tap except for the expired term of one ZBA member. Proclamation of Hunger Action Month a recognition of food security efforts by the Food Pantry includes an update from Exec Director Tina Powderly. There are also updates from Patrick McDermott, Norfolk County Sheriff as well as from our legislative delegation Senator Rausch and State Rep Roy.

The Franklin Commission on Disability and the Conservation Commission are both scheduled for regular sessions on Thursday, Sep 4.

Fasten your seatbelts for the ride from September through the end of the year. AND please drive carefully especially during the school bus hours bringing students to and from school.

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 8/29/25, 7:30 PM (1 update added 9/2/25)

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETINGS

Wednesday, September 3 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09032025-1882 

Historical Commission

Wednesday, September 3 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09032025-1889 

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, September 3 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09032025-1891 

Franklin Commission on Disability

Thursday, September 4 Time: 4:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09042025-1887 

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) (added 9/2/25)

Thursday, September 4 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09042025-1895

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, September 4 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/484?fileID=6052 

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

Planning Board had a contention close to their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday. TV video available for replay  -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c4QGzRWRBc 

The School Committee met on Tuesday, the video and audio recaps are available here. The Chalkboard Chat recap with Chair Callaghan is to be published soon  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/08/school-committee-approves-handbooks_0234276677.html 

The Police Station Building Cmte met on Wednesday to hear of the site selection whittling process (from over 200 to 2), the pros and cons of those 2 (Davis Thayer & Parmenter), additional public tours were announced for the existing site on Panther Way, early estimates for the total project cost were released (approx. $48M). Recap, with audio & video replay ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/08/police-station-building-cmte-hears-of_02009228077.html 

Zoning Board of Appeals held its only August meeting also in moments of contention around the Franklin Ridge project (minor approval required), a porch extension (denied), and the ongoing 444 East Central discussion (despite a change in stance from Town Council and multiple comments from residents and abutters, the ZBA is continuing to perform due diligence on the project). TV video available for replay  ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAgrTHFwGsc 

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