Franklin, MA News in less than 5 mins: Middle of the new month in this new year (audio)

We are already into the middle of the new month in this new year and deep into the middle of all that is happening.

• For background music, you can listen to "Stuck in the middle with you" https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=ln7Vn_WKkWU

There is a full week of meetings across Town and School business. The Housing Authority, Planning Board, and School Committee Community Relations subcommittee are all scheduled for Monday.

Some folks learned this week that the Housing Authority is not related to the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust other than sharing ‘housing’ as their focal point. Housing Authority is a State agency operating Central Park Terrace, Winter St and other State owned low income housing in Franklin. The Municipal Affordable Housing Trust manages a few Town properties that are deeded restricted. There are other private entities that manage deed restricted units as well.

Tuesday has the 250th Anniversary Celebration, School Committee Policy Subcommittee, and then the full School Committee meeting, as well as the meeting of the Friends of Franklin Library.

Wednesday is relatively quiet but very important with the Finance Committee hearing about the “economics of development” at this session. The answer to one question “Which are more financially beneficial to the Town, rental units or ownership units?” may get some clarity.

Thursday starts with Town official coffee hour at the Senior Center, followed by meetings of the Cultural District Committee and Conservation Commission.

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-1625-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-01-11-26/

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 1/09/26, 8:30 PM   ***

Franklin Housing Authority Meeting

Monday, January 12 Time: 4:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01122026-2080 

Franklin Public School Community Relations Sub Committee Meeting

Monday, January 12 Time: 6:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01122026-2082 

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, January 12 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01122026-2083 

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee Meeting

Tuesday, January 13 Time: 5:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01132026-2074 

Franklin School Committee -Policy Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, January 13 Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01132026-2087 

Franklin School Committee

Tuesday, January 13 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01132026-2086 

Friends of the Franklin Public Library Meeting

Tuesday, January 13 Time: 7:00 PM - 7:45 PM

No agenda available at this time

Finance Committee Meeting

Wednesday, January 14 Time: 6:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01142026-2089 

Cultural District Committee Meeting

Thursday, January 15 Time: 6:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01152026-2088 

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, January 15th Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/545?fileID=7509 

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

The Police Station Building Committee had a significant meeting on Tuesday. Significant in that they finally recommended that Parmenter should be the site for the potential new station. They also recommended to request the Town Council to authorize $64K for a ‘code review’ of the existing Parmenter facility. Such a study would detail what updates would be required to bring it into compliance with current building code. The building was initially constructed in the 1950’s and then expanded in the 80’s when it was re-opened as a school to handle the growth at that time. Video and recap of the meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/police-station-bldg-cmte-selects_8.html 

The Franklin Board of Health met on Wednesday. The work of this group will become more important as the changes to the Federal health department continue to be made. Exclusive audio of this meeting (and a quick recap) can be found ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/franklin-ma-board-of-health-mtg-010726.html 

The Town Council met in another 4 hour plus session on Wednesday. They approved an amended Friendly 40b policy after juggling the legislative set of their agenda to get the ‘easy’ items out of the way before tackling the 40b discussion. The recap and video of the meeting is available. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/town-council-approves-amended-friendly.html 

Exclusive audio of the Candlelight Vigil for Renee Nicole Good held on the Town Common on Thursday is available ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/candlelight-vigil-for-renee-nicole-good.html 

On the FHS sports live streaming front

• FHS girls basketball -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7pWLyhuW-Q 

• FHS girls hockey -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-8FxtAbw18 

• FHS swim team -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViCnoxLMJAI 

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  

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

• FHS boys basketball on Friday, 1/02/26 vs.Taunton  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvwrGKKYm1o 

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  

Final days of the campaign for the Town of Franklin Biennial Election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025

We’re in the final days of the campaign for the Town of Franklin Biennial Election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

The clocks turn back an hour to give us either more sleep or time to prepare to cast our vote on Tuesday. The 2025 Election Collection is chock full of links with all the current information on the candidates and Voices of Franklin entries.  Election Collection => https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/08/election-collection-2025.html 

And yes, there are town meetings this week. Monday, the hearing on propane tank storage at Tri-County is continued at 3 PM and the Planning Board meets at 7 PM. The Franklin Public Schools Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee meets at 6 PM.

Tuesday is election day with voting from 6 AM to 8 PM available. The unofficial results for the non-write-in candidates are expected to be available between 8:30 and 9 PM. The write-in candidate unofficial tally will be sometime later. Unknown exactly when as it isn’t known how many write-in votes will be cast and have to be hand counted.

Franklin Matters will be there to record the audio of the announcement by Town Clerk Nancy Danello. The PDF of the results will be shared as soon as practical.

Wednesday, the Board of Health will meet and reorganize with their new member at 5 PM (assuming the write-in vote tally is resolved by then). The Finance Committee is scheduled to take their deep dive on Technology at their meeting at 7 PM.

The Commission on Disability is scheduled to meet Thursday at 4 PM, and the ZBA is scheduled to meet at 7:30 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-1565-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-11-02-25/

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 10/31/25, 9:30 PM   ***

License to Store Propane Public Hearing (Continued from October 29, 2025)

Monday, November 3 Time: 3:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11032025-1987 

Franklin Public Schools Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee Meeting

Monday, November 3 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11032025-1988 

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, November 3 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11032025-1984 

Biennial Local Election

Tuesday, November 4th Time: 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Location: All Precincts Vote @ Franklin High School

Massachusetts Strategic Health Group Meeting

Tuesday, November 4 Time: 1:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11042025-1989 

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETINGS

Wednesday, November 5 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11052025-1990 

Finance Committee Meeting

Wednesday, November 5 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11052025-1992 

Franklin Commission on Disability Meeting

Thursday, November 6 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11062025-1985 

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, November 6 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11062025-1975 

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

Taking a look back at the week that was in Franklin MA from Oct 26 through Nov 1, 2025

The School Committee Budget Subcommittee met on Tuesday, Oct 28 before the full school committee meeting on Tuesday. The audio is available exclusively via Franklin Matters -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/franklin-school-committee-budget_01481115260.html 

The full meeting was broadcast by Franklin TV -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtitdxM_a2A 

The Economic Development Subcommittee met on Wednesday at 5:45 PM and the recap and video link can be found -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/economic-development-subcmte-catches-up.html 

The Town Council met at 7 PM on Wednesday, the recap and video link can be found -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/town-council-hears-snett-and-franklin.html

The Conservation Commission met on Thursday, Oct 30. The video replay is available -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgC4W_5f_FI

From the FHS sports live streamed events we can share

• The girls varsity soccer match on Monday, Oct 27 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aw-FYyyGr8&t  

• The football game vs Milford on Friday, Oct 31 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o223ZsJewTU 

Other share worthy items from the week:

• Old Colony Habitat for Humanity announced the family to occupy the renovated South Meeting House -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/old-colony-habitat-for-humanity.html 

• The Planning Board candidates had a conversation with the BEN 4 Franklin group co-hosted by Franklin Matters -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/11/2025-biennial-election-planning-board.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