Franklin MAtters Weekly: directors

Snow, snow, snow… snowmageddon, or “Fern” … take your pick, if you wish, either way, please be prepared.

When folks ask me what I think of the coming storm, I say that I don’t do forecasts. Seriously, I am better at reporting on what is happening, or has happened. That in and of itself, is challenging enough.

There is a collection of the alerts, and reminders, all accurate information from the trusted sources, to help prepare and deal with however much we get. You can find it on the top of the page at Franklin.news for the duration of the storm event.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/franklin-ma-storm-center-collection-for.html

Assuming the storm aftermath is relatively clean (we have power, roads are clear…) then the Monday schedule for meetings may occur. If not, there’ll be updates to the storm collection. The curbside schedule for the week has already changed to a one day delay; Monday on Tuesday, etc.

Franklin Agricultural Commission, Franklin Public Library Board of Directors, Planning Board, and Recreation Advisory Board are all scheduled for 7 PM starts in their respective locations. Of note, the Planning Board has a public hearing on the 2 minor zoning changes to bring us fully into compliance with the MBTA Community guidelines.

We were almost there when the requirements came out due to the previous “Franklin For All” project and have managed to get closer with additional changes. Assuming the Planning Board approves, then these zoning changes come back to the Town Council for their public hearing, and given recent experience, a lengthy discussion before the vote.

The School Committee meeting on Tuesday gives us the first view into the Superintendent’s Recommended FY 2027 school budget.

The Conservation Commission has its 2nd monthly normal session scheduled for Thursday.

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-1640-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-01-25-26/

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 1/23/26, 10:00 PM ***

11:00am 1/25/26

Town of Franklin robocall with DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi delivering the messages https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/town-of-franklin-robocall-with-dpw.html

With the Town and School buildings closed on Monday, the meetings scheduled for Monday are also canceled and to be rescheduled.

~~Franklin Agricultural Commission Agenda~~

~~Monday, January 26 Time: 7:00 PM~~

~~https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01262026-2102~~

~~Franklin Public Library Board of Directors Meeting~~

~~Monday, January 26 Time: 7:00 PM~~

~~https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01262026-2108~~

~~Planning Board Meeting~~

~~Monday, January 26 Time: 7:00 PM~~

~~(Legal notice) - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01262026-2091~~

~~(Agenda) - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01262026-2106~~

~~Recreation Advisory Board Meeting~~

~~Monday, January 26 Time: 7:00 PM~~

~~https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01262026-2097~~

Massachusetts Strategic Health Group

Tuesday, January 27 Time: 1:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01272026-2100

Franklin School Committee

Tuesday, January 27 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01272026-2111

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, January 29 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/551?fileID=7563

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

The Town Council meeting on Wednesday was another marathon 5 hour session. Almost 2 hours alone on the Zoning Board of Appeal appointments, which after all was said, both passed unanimously.

Brutus Cantoreggi introduced his entire DPW team before presenting an expedited update on the overall infrastructure operations provided by the DPW departments. A few of the managers had an opportunity to step up to answer specific questions. You can find the presentation doc on the Town page

Franklin TV video is available for replay. Franklin Matters Radio will shortly have the two primary audio segments of the meeting available to listen to. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSZJNniE9Gk

The Zoning Board of Appeals met for the first time with their new members on Thursday. The first order of business was to reorganize and the results were: Ginelle Lang was elected as Chair, Jennifer Williams as Vice-Chair, and Isabella Carter as Clerk. All votes were 3-0.

https://www.youtube.com/live/RBO9UPZIdZk?si=qbWcn1l52HJ1Oq6Z&t=275

On the Franklin Public Schools live streaming front: