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

• The Economic Development Subcommittee met on Thursday. The video is available for replay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46_qWc-jBXA 

FHS Sports broadcasts

• Boys soccer game vs Milford on Monday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKgRSxo564I 

• The FHS football game on Friday vs. Brockton https://www.youtube.com/live/O948Io4nwAs 

• Also Friday, FHS Volleyball vs. Oliver Ames https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG_Zyf7mlPY

• The boys soccer game vs. St John’s on Saturday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjQpI-E6VMI

All Access programming

• A brief promotion for the Harvest Festival from the new program scheduled to debut next week called FM Journal  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQGCZg_zZb4

Franklin Matters

• Exclusive audio of the Horace Mann Legacy meeting held Monday, Sep 14 is available https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/09/exclusive-audio-of-horace-mann-legacy.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 

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 

"A misunderstanding once But now we look it in the eye”

“There was a distance between you and I

A misunderstanding once

But now we look it in the eye”   *1

Oh, how I wish that were the case.  

Most problems are within our realm to correct. The problem resolution needs to start with a clear definition of the problem to be solved, a civil discussion around the proper, accurate data involved, and then the pros and cons of the choices to let the greater good prevail.

This first week of August 2025 has a light schedule of meetings. The Housing Authority has a special meeting to review a plan for the trees on their property. The Board of Health is scheduled to meet but they may not as there is not a published agenda at this time.

The Police Station Building Committee gets together on Wednesday to tour the existing facility. The public is welcome and there will be specific dates and times in September/October for the community to participate in a tour.  Work is also underway on a video tour for those who may not be able to go in person.

The Conservation Commission has the first of its 2 scheduled August meetings on Thursday to close out this week of Town meetings.

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 8/1/25, 8:00 PM

Franklin Housing Authority Meeting

Wednesday, August 6 Time: 4:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08062025-1840 

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETINGS Canceled (removed from calendar)

Wednesday, August 6 Time: 5:00 PM

no agenda at this time

Police Station Building Committee Meeting

Wednesday, August 6 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08062025-1801 

Franklin Commission on Persons with Disabilities Meeting

Thursday, August 7 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08072025-1843

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, August 7 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/459?fileID=5437 

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

The Planning Board met on Monday, July 28, 2025. The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/esjFezYI2ls 

The Zoning Board of Appeals met on Thursday, July 31, 2025. The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aomZAxoWXRw

Town Council Quarterbacking with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer was published recapping the almost 5 hour meeting of July 23, 2025 -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/07/4-hour-plus-town-council-meeting-try.html

Franklin artist Amy Adams revealed her ‘wind phone’ in Natick on Sunday, the video of her remarks is available -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXkf_qo7Tiw& 

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  

*1 Video link to the song & lyrics quoted in the opening:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3sMjm9Eloo and the lyrics -> 

https://genius.com/Tom-cochrane-life-is-a-highway-lyrics

The playlist of all the music used in the intro of these weekly summaries can be found ->  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL2XKlvMgLAldgEtfDZo2UM9-W9pjc2qK

Franklin Schools close out for the summer, June 18, District prepares for September 2025

School closes out this week with half days as Franklin prepares for redistricting starting in September. The last day to register for bus transportation is Friday, June 20. Any requests after Friday can not be guaranteed a bus seat for September.

A small slate of meetings are scheduled for this shortened week with Town and School facilities closed Thursday for Juneteenth. 

The Planning Board meets on Monday and the Town Council on Wednesday. The Council agenda includes ratification of multiple union contracts. The School Committee approved their teacher contract in their last session June 10. 

For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendars 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.

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 6/13/25, 10:30 PM

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, June 16, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Planning-Board-23/?#_06162025-1786

Brownfields Cleanup Plan Review for 21 Grove Street

Tuesday, June 17 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Legal-Notices-29/?#_06172025-1770

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, June 18 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Town-Council-4/?#_06182025-1788

Town officials office hours  canceled

June 19 all Town, schools closed for Juneteenth Holiday

ZBA Meeting canceled

Thursday, June 19th https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Zoning-Board-of-Appeals-31/?#_06192025-1745 

Council on Aging Meeting

Friday, June 20th. Time: 1:30 PM

No agenda posted

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

State Representative Jeff Roy hosted an appreciation event on Monday, June 9 to recognize the collaboration to bring a single family home back into the Franklin Housing Authority (FHA) inventory. It has been stuck in a legal limbo for about 20 years and finally got unstuck, renovated, and is now occupied by a Franklin family.  The audio and video of the event can be found  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/audio-recording-of-fha-appreciation.html

The Franklin School Committee reluctantly approved their revised budget to account for the reduced allocation from the Town per the failed override. In addition to the 29 personnel cuts due to redistricting (saving the Town $3.1M annually), the District reduced an additional 12 personnel along with multiple sets of expenses to account for $2M less in revenue. This results in only a 1% increase over the prior year school budget the lowest annual increase since 2013. The recap and recording of the meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/school-committee-reluctantly-approves.html

The Finance Committee held its shortest meeting on Wednesday. It struggled to gain quorum, then when it did achieve that, determined to postpone the Technology topic for presentation/discussion in the fall. 3 new members are scheduled to be appointed in July and they would benefit from such information. The very brief audio officially recording the short meeting  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/finance-committee-reschedules-their.html 

—------------

For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendars 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