Showing posts with label Police Station. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Police Station. Show all posts

Saturday, January 3, 2026

We have a Wolf moon to begin the New Year

We have a wolf moon to begin the new year. Hmm, what does that mean? 


There are probably lots of possible explanations, and from a variety of view points. For me, on a clear early Saturday morning with the moon setting over a very cold Franklin, it was such a sight to behold. 


If only solutions for the issues facing us were as clearly defined and agreed to. Frankly, there are too many questions unanswered, or even well defined, to begin to see some agreements on approaching resolutions. 


So we take each day as it comes. On Tuesday, the Police Station Building Committee meets for the first time since August. Who from the current Town Council makes up this group now? 2 of the 3 prior Council members are no longer on the Council.


The Board of Health meets at 5 PM on Wednesday. The Town Council is scheduled for 6 PM the same day. A presentation on Facilities is scheduled as is the return of the possible change to the friendly 40b policy. 


Recall that the changes to this friendly 40b policy had been ‘tabled’ by the prior Council, sent to the Economic Development Subcommittee, which after their first meeting in October was canceled, the item was dropped from their rescheduled October agenda. Likely due to the approaching election. Now, this new Council gets it without a prior review of Economic Development.  Will there even be such a Subcommittee for this Council?


For my view, the proposed changes only tackle one of the multiple issues with the existing policy. It only requires future projects to be ownership based rather than rental. It neglects to address the other process issues with this policy around awareness, notifications, etc.


So how will this Council approach the potential change? The answer may come Wednesday. Some folks might be left howling no matter how the Council decides to address it.


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-1620-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-01-04-26/


*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 1/02/26, 6:30 AM   ***


Police Station Building Committee Meeting

Tuesday, January 6 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01062026-2064 


Board of Health Meeting

Wednesday, January 7 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01072026-2071 


Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, January 7 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01072026-2073 


Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meeting

Thursday, January 8 Time: 2:00 PM 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01082026-2081


Franklin Commission on Disability Meeting

Thursday, January 8 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01082026-2070 


Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School (updated 1/05/26)
Thursday, January 8 Time: 7:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01082026-2078

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting (meeting canceled)




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


With the new year here, some of last year's items may not be fully complete. For example, the final document with the history and decision of the ZBA on the 444 East Central St project has been completed, marked with the Town Clerk seal, and posted to the ZBA page

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8024/444-E-Central-St-Record-and-Decision-with-Clerk-Stamp 


Will this decision be appealed? Stay tuned…


On the sports live streaming front, it was relatively quiet over the holidays with only one live streamed event as we go to press


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  


Saturday, October 4, 2025

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:


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 


Saturday, September 20, 2025

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

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.



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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