Summertime, the living is easy as we ease into the 4th of July weekend

We can put “Summertime, and the living is easy”  on repeat as we ease into the long 4th of July weekend.

Less than a handful of meetings this week. The Agricultural Committee and Planning Board meets on Monday. The Municipal Affordable Housing Trust meets on Tuesday. 

While the Board of Health has a meeting scheduled for their normal first Wednesday of the month, there is no agenda posted and it may not occur. Prior meeting discussion was around whether there was a need to meet during the summer. Nothing was pressing at the time.

The 4th of July Celebration opens on Wednesday and runs through Sunday on the Town Common. Carnival rides open daily with a wrist band or ride package available. Live music is scheduled each day with the 5th Annual Mike Crandall Blues Festival on Saturday. Fireworks close out Saturday night at 10 PM from Franklin High School.

The Franklin Democratic Committee, the Rod and Gun Club, and the 4th Coalition will operate food booths during the event. Supporting these organizations are a win-win; food or refreshments for you and the family, and you help the group.

You can check out the 4th of July Coalition page for their full schedule. The Coalition is community supported so your donation can help support this event.

Each day's schedule will also be shared via the Franklin.news daily newsletter. 

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 6/27/25, 8:00 PM

Franklin Agricultural Committee

Monday, June 30 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Agricultural-Commission-13/?#_06302025-1797 

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, June 30 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06302025-1798 

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meeting

Tuesday, July 1 Time: 2:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/437?fileID=5188 

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETINGS

Wednesday, July 2 Time: 5:00 PM

no agenda at this time (not likely meeting)

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

A short week of meetings this past week.

The School Committee policy subcommittee met virtually on Tuesday at 6 PM to preview the fee discussion and decision before the full meeting at 7 PM. 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/franklin-school-cmte-policy-subcmte-mtg.html

The full School Committee meeting met at 7 PM with 5 members participating for this virtual session. Franklin TV did not broadcast this session as it was virtual only. The audio for both the Policy subcommittee and full meeting is available at Franklin.news. 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/school-committee-meets-virtually.html 

The Conservation Commission met on Thursday. Franklin TV video is available for replay on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glunYy20aWs 

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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

Summertime, “Summertime, and the living is easy”

Summertime,  “Summertime, and the living is easy” 

The Fiscal Year 2025 comes to a close on June 30. Town business starts to shift gears from one fiscal year to the next as the cycles continue. FY 2026 opens July 1 and we’ll start seeing confirmation of the budget cuts due to the failed override to fund the level service budget. No level service? Correct, town delivery of services will decline in various aspects. Some will be more noticeable than others.

With schools closed, the Recreation dept has temporarily moved to use Parmenter while construction on the Beaver St interceptor continues to work in their yard as well as disrupt traffic on Beaver St. They take this week off fortunately but are likely to be back as steel plates in the road remain.

The Design Review, School Committee and SchCmte Policy subcommittee all meet virtually on Tuesday. The Conservation Commission meets on Thursday.

For updates and reporting on the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendar and information 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 6/20/25, 6:30 PM

Franklin Public Library Board of Directors Meeting

Monday, June 23 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Library-Board-of-Directors-20/?#_06232025-1776 

Franklin School Committee Policy Subcommittee Meeting (virtual only)

Tuesday, June 24 Time: 6:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06242025-1792 

Design Review Meeting (virtual only)

Tuesday, June 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/429?fileID=5164 

Franklin School Committee (Virtual only)

Tuesday, June 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/School-Committee-35/?#_06242025-1793 

Arts and Culture Symposium Subcommittee Meeting

Wednesday, June 25` Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5979/Arts-and-Culture-Symposium_-SubCommittee-Meeting--1?bidId= 

Tri-County Regional Vocational School Committee Appointment Meeting

Thursday, June 26 Time: 2:30 PM

no agenda available at this time

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, June 26 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/430?fileID=5169 

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

The groundbreaking for Habitat for Humanity to formally take title to the Old South Meeting House took place on Wednesday, June 18. The exterior will be preserved while the interior will be renovated to become a single family affordable residence.

The most significant meeting of the week was the Town Council session on Wednesday, June 18. The agenda was a typical variety of business appointments, recognitions, survey results, and a surprise. Fire Chief James McLaughlin announced his retirement effective on or before Oct 1, 2025. The video replay of the full meeting is available.

Chair Tom Mercer and I met virtually to record our Council “quarterbacking” session. We recap the meeting and condense it answering 2 key questions: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

You can also find the audio at Franklin.News

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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

A very full week of Town and School business meetings is scheduled May 12 through May 16, 2025

A very full week of Town and School business meetings scheduled 

Both the Recreation and Planning Board are scheduled to meet on Monday. Housing Authority, Design Review, Friends of the Library, and School Committee and School Policy Subcommittee are scheduled for Tuesday.  The Board of Health, Cultural Council and Historical Commission are scheduled to meet on Wednesday.  Thursday morning starts with the Town and State official coffee social (8:30AM) at the Senior Center, followed by ribbon cutting for the new van and pavilion also at (10:00AM) the Senior Center. Thursday evening has the regular meeting of the Conservation Commission. Friday, the School Committee has a contract negotiation session to close out the busy week.

Over 200 volunteers, yes, some of your neighbors may be part of this group of non-paid volunteers spending some number of hours willingly to provide oversight for the Town and School operations. As a general rule, we should all be kind to our neighbors and more so to those who volunteer to help make this community work for us.

There may be disagreements on specific items but we are all here because we chose to be. We need to work together to make it a better place. Step away from the vitriol on the social webs and have a civil conversation with your neighbors. Franklin will be a better place for us.

*** The agendas for the week ahead can be found here: (as of 8:00 PM Friday, May 9, 2025)

Recreation Advisory Board Agenda

May 12, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05122025-1713

Planning Board Meeting

May 12, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05122025-1727 

Franklin Housing Authority Meeting

May 13, 2025, 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05132025-1733 

Design Review Meeting

May 13, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05132025-1732 

Franklin School Committee Policy Subcommittee Meeting

May 13, 2025, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05132025-1737 

Franklin School Committee Meeting

May 13, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05132025-1735 

Friends of the Franklin Public Library Meeting

May 13, 2025, 7:00 PM - 7:45 PM

No agenda posted

Board of Health

May 14, 2025, 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05072025-1722 

Franklin Cultural Council Meeting

May 14, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05142025-1731 

Historical Commission Meeting

May 14, 2025, 6:00 PM 

No agenda posted at this time

Coffee Hour with State & Local Officials

May 15, 2025, 8:30 AM

No agenda for this informal gathering

Conservation Commission Meeting

May 15, 2025, 7:00 PM

No agenda posted at this time

SC Negotiations - Franklin School Committee

May 16, 2025, 4:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05122025-1713

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

The Town Council met on Wednesday, May 7. The audit is once again “clean” and we also heard of the renewal for our AAA bond rating. This provides significant financial value to the Town. The recap and video can be found

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/town-council-hears-of-clean-audit-and.html 

The Town Council Quarterbacking session with Council Chair Tom Mercer condensed the almost 3 hour meeting to about 30 minutes can be found

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/town-council-quarterbacking-condenses.html 

The Zoning Board of Appeals had a contentious but informative session on Thursday. More discussion on the key zoning and building topics, including the 40b topic will be coming. In the meantime, catch up on the meeting here (recap and video)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/zba-listens-town-administrator-attempts.html 

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For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendars at Franklin.news where each day, that day's events on posted on the top of the page

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

Financial details laid out for review in advance of casting an informed vote on or before June 3

With the Finance Committee budget hearings completed, the Town can focus on other business in advance of the early voting which begins May 16. 

 

Memorial Day Parade and ceremonies scheduled for May 26 are being adjusted. The parade route is being changed, it will start at 11 AM, the ceremonies at Dean College and the 2 cemeteries will be conducted in advance of the parade beginning at 9:30 AM. The ceremony on the Town Common will remain in place at noon. The American Legion & VFW are making these changes to hopefully make it easier for veterans to participate. 

 

The Town Council budget hearings are scheduled for May 21 & 22. The second hearing will be continued until the June 4 regularly scheduled meeting of the Town Council. If the override passes, the budget as proposed can be officially and formally passed. If the override fails, the budget adjustments will need to made before the budget is approved. The vote of June 3rd will be available for them to close out the budget.

 

What do cuts look like if the override would fail?

• Fire Dept would lose staffing, and 3rd ambulance would come out of service
• Police Dept would lose staffing
• DPW admits many won't notice changes immediately but road repairs, etc will either be delayed or not happen with their cuts
• Other personnel cuts across the smaller departments would be significant in affecting service and program delivery

The Schools redistricting as currently funded, should lay the foundation for future but if the override fails, cuts of $2M across the district including staffing would be made. The bus and athletic fees would remain as they are (rather than be reduced if the override passes).

 

The choice will be up to the voters. Be informed with accurate info from Town and credible sources.

 

Town Clerk's page with voting info and schedule

https://www.franklinma.gov/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=Special-Election-for-Proposition-2-12-Ov-20

 

Town page with all the budget info and override details

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/1089/Fiscal-Year-2026-Override-Information

*** The agendas for the week ahead can be found here:

Franklin Public Schools Community Relations Meeting

Monday, May 5    Time: 5:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05052025-1714

Community Preservation Committee Meeting

Monday, May 5    Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05052025-1717

Franklin School Committee - Executive Session Contract Negotiations

May 6, 2025    Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05062025-1588

Charles River Pollution Control District

May 7, 2025    Time: 3:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05072025-1718

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING - Moved to May 14

Wednesday, May 7 Time: 5:00 PM

No agenda at this time

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, May 7 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05072025-1719

Pole Petition Hearing Agenda - 90 East Central Street

May 8, 2025    Time: 12:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05082025-1716

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)

May 8, 2025     Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05082025-1695

 

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

Three Finance Committee budget hearings, along with Planning Board, School Committee, Town Council and Conservation Commission were a full line up of meetings.

 

The Franklin TV recordings are available for all of them as follows:

 

Finance Cmte recap & video

budget #1 (education) - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/04/finance-committee-hears-of-franklin.html

budget #2 (public safety & public works) - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/04/2nd-budget-hearing-confirms-what.html

budget #3 (general government & recommendation votes) - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/finance-committee-closes-out-fy-2026.html

 

Planning Board video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koR2GYAZDaU

 

School Cmte video -  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/school-committee-approves-elementary.html

 

Town Council recap & video - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/town-council-recognitions-for-police.html

 

Conservation Commission video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQInKdj_mFw

 

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For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendars at Franklin.news where each day, that day's events on posted on the top of the page

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