Glorious weather weekend leads to a full meeting week

Glorious fall New England weather for this weekend to kick off the full week of Town meetings and early voting in the Town Clerk’s office during office hours Monday through Friday, with Saturday early voting and last day to register to vote both available by appointment.

Monday is the busiest day with Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, Housing Authority, Board of Assessors, and Planning Board all scheduled for meetings.

Tuesday is quiet but then Wednesday the Cultural District has a meeting at Franklin TV while the Finance Committee and Town Council go with back to back sessions. FinCom at 5:30; Council rescheduled from last week at 7.

The Zoning Board of Appeals meets for the only time this month on Thursday at 7:30 PM. 

Special events for the week, a webinar on educational aspects of AI at the Franklin TV Studio, Monday at 6:00 PM. Homecoming week at the High School leading to the homecoming game Friday. The Lions hold their annual Trunk or Treat at the High School on Saturday from 4 to 6 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-1551-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-10-19-25/

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 10/17/25, 5:00 PM   ***

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust

Monday, October 20 Time: 9:00 AM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10202025-1957 

Franklin Housing Authority Meeting

Monday, October 20 Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10202025-1958 

Board of Assessors

Monday, October 20 Time: 5:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10202025-1960 

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, October 20 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10202025-1955

Finance Committee Meeting

Wednesday, October 22 Time: 5:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10222025-1961

Cultural District Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, October 22 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7219/FCD_Agenda_October-2?bidId=

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, October 22 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10222025-1962

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, October 23 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10232025-1947

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

The School Committee meeting on Tuesday was broadcast by Franklin TV. The recap and video link is available -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/school-committee-gets-updates-on-after.html 

The Conservation Commission meeting on Thursday was broadcast by Franklin TV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxXeA21lueQ

On the sports front for Franklin High School broadcast of the following are available:

Volleyball on Tuesday, Oct 14 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxXeA21lueQ

Girls soccer on Weds Oct 15 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV-LEaPRdYM

Boys soccer on Friday, Oct 17 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV-LEaPRdYM

Football on Friday, Oct 17 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M9EyN_YfzY 

The 23 Biennial Election candidate videos conducted are available in a single YouTube playlist  bit.ly/2025-ElectionCollection 

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

Use the light Town meeting schedule to take a Police Station tour Sunday and meet & greet with Candidates on Weds (audio)

A light Town meeting schedule this week provides opportunity for participation in 2 other related events.

1 - Why is Franklin exploring a new police station? You can check out the existing conditions of the station at 911 Panther Way to see why Chief TJ Lynch claims that it is not sized for appropriate police functions today. It was built in 1991 when the staffing was in the 30’s. Now the staffing is almost double that, the locker space alone doesn’t cover the female officers & staff never mind provide adequate room for the male staff and all the gear required today. 

There is an open house and tour of the facility scheduled for Sunday, Oct 5 beginning at 6:00 PM. Come, walk through the station, talk with the Chief and others about the planning process.

2 - Election season is fully underway. Candidate interviews are being made available so all the residents and voters can cast an informed ballot either by mail, early voting at the Town Clerk’s office beginning Oct 17, or at the FHS gymnasium on Tuesday, Nov 4 from 6 AM to 8 PM.

There is also a candidate meet & greet at Teddy Gallagher’s on Wednesday, Oct 8 beginning at 6:00 PM. 

The candidate interviews can be found in the 2025 Election Collection. As more are conducted and released, they will be added to the page.  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/08/election-collection-2025.html

Audio version -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1530-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-10-05-25/

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 10/03/25, 7:00 PM   ***

Police Station Open House

Sunday, October 5 Time: 6:00 PM

no agenda for this open house & tour opportunity

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, October 6 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10062025-1936 

Historical Commission Meeting

Wednesday, October 8 Time: 6:00 PM

Not yet available 

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meetings

Thursday, October 9 Time: 2:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/513?fileID=6640 

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School Meeting

Thursday, October 9 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10092025-1941 

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, October 9 Time: 7:30 PM - no meeting today, next session scheduled for Oct 23  https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10092025-1918 

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

The School Committee conducted its shortest meeting of the calendar year on Tuesday. There were updates on transportation, the Franklin Education Legacy fund process, and thanks to Senator Rausch and State Rep Roy for their earmarks in the recent State budget which we confirmed received by the School District.

The School Committee meeting recap with audio & video links ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/school-committee-conducts-shortest_0363846285.html 

The Conservation Commission meeting on Thursday is available for replay by Franklin TV ->    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IajMFl4dSrU

On the FHS sports front, Franklin TV live streamed the following competitions this week:

• FHS volleyball, Monday 9/29 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGmK8XEAkeg

• FHS boys soccer Tuesday, 9/30 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PspN8s1E-TU

• FHS football Friday, 10/3 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzOXFI7LF0c

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 

What's the outlook this week? Not enough rain, not enough revenue!

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 

Town Council - Executive Session Only (added 9/22/25 AM)

Wednesday, September 24    Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09242025-1921

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 

The big event of the week was the ribbon cutting on Wednesday and opening Thursday of the Children's Museum ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/09/childrens-museum-of-franklin-ribbon.html

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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Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1515-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-09-21-25/