Clocks change, State Election Tuesday, and a full slate for meetings this week

The clocks should have fallen back an hour to give us more daylight as winter approaches. No further forecast on winter from here, it is hard enough reporting on what happens in Town, never mind trying to forecast what could happen on the ever changing weather front.

The Planning Board meeting on Monday continues the Depot Plaza proposal discussion. The developer has rendering for the building height relative to the others on Main St. The agenda doc also includes some citizen proposals for consideration by the Planning Board.

The State election is Tuesday, Nov 3. Polls open at 6 AM and close at 8 PM. There are 9 ballot questions so being prepared is a great thing to do to speed your way through the process. Be patient as others may not have been as prepared. 

As there is nothing Franklin specific on the ballot to be decided by the outcome of the vote, Franklin Matters will be covering the School Committee meetings. When the Town Clerk releases the unofficial totals, we will post those as soon as possible.

The School Committee Policy subcommittee meets on Tuesday. Up for consideration are a set of changes resulting from further review of the Freedom to Read legislation passed during the summer to bring other references inline with that change. Also a continuation of the fiscal policy work already underway.

The full School Committee also meets on Tuesday, on their agenda is an update from the SAFE Coalition, the Horace Mann Legacy, and Franklin 250 Anniversary Celebration.

The Board of Health is scheduled for their monthly meeting on Wednesday at 5 PM.  

The Town Council meets at 6 PM with the key discussion item being a presentation by the Police Dept on their use of the Flock cameras. Legislation is prepared should the Council consider a vote to remove them. There is also an executive session on 2 police contracts with a return to open meeting for their app (assuming it works out that way).

The Commission on Disability is scheduled for their monthly meeting at 4 PM at the Senior Center. 

The Conservation Commission has canceled their normal session this week. This continues the trend of meeting cancellations across the Planning Board, Design Review, and ZBA as proposals for new developments have dried up.

There is a meeting for the Finance Committee on the Town calendar but it is likely to be cleaned up. The published set of meetings for the year listed nothing for November, and their October session confirmed their next meeting as December 9.

The Franklin Fire Dept closes out the week with their annual Open House on Saturday from 10 AM to 2 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-1848-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-11-01-26/

*** Event & Meeting schedule (with agendas) as of Town pages 10/30/26 5:00 PM ***

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, November 2 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11022026-2589 

Franklin School Committee Policy Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, November 3 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11032026-2592 

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, November 3 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11032026-2591 

Board of Health Meeting

Wednesday, November 4 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11042026-2588 

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, November 4 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11042026-2593 

Town Council Communications Subcommittee Meeting

Thursday, November 5 Time: 12:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11052026-2590 

Franklin Commission on Disability

Thursday, November 5 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11052026-2585 

Cancelled Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, November 5 Time: 7:00 PM

No agenda needed for this canceled session

Fire Department Open House

Saturday, November 7 Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

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

There were several video productions by Franklin TV during the past week both broadcast live and pre-recorded for publication via YouTube.

Town & School meetings

Town Charter Ad hoc commission meeting on Monday, Oct 26 video link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mwUliR6Ods 

School Committee meeting Tuesday, Oct 27 meeting recap - 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/10/school-committee-gets-updates-on.html 

Town Council meeting Wednesday Oct 28 - video link - 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f09u6XBeJ0 

Economic Development Subcmte meeting Thursday, Oct 29 - video link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAba-Yo3yxE&t=609s

Zoning Board of Appeals meeting Thursday, Oct 29 -  video link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlE8To9Q2H8 

FHS Sports

FHS field hockey vs Concard-Carlisle on Monday, Oct 26 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqNIzLBVmOA

FHS Girls Soccer vs. Sharon on Tuesday, Oct 27

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWUH0PMiBww 

FHS football vs. Taunton on Friday, Oct 30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPF4fQxaaL8 

All Access Channel

Town of Franklin Voter Information Session 2026  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05ktQgEuqS4

Frank Presents: Andrew Mikula https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3fO5KzGoqU 

Frank Presents: Mike Maraglia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVuJ7t85Kqg 

Frank Presents: Tamisha Civil 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvPtsRbln3g 

Franklin Matters

FM #1844 Direct Impact Checking & SAFE Coalition 10/27/26

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlK8J9OiwSk 

-----------

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 

Major or minor, the meetings are important

9 meetings on tap this week and 1 special event being recorded for future broadcast.

I hesitate to call some meetings “major”, which means some are “minor”, when all are important to the operation of the Town and School services. And yet, some are more important than others.

School Superintendent Lucas Giguere is the representative for the District to the BICO Collaborative. Their transportation subcommittee meets on Monday. 

The Recreation Advisory Board and the BFCCPS School Governance committees also have regular sessions on Monday.

The School Committee budget subcommittee meets on Tuesday to start preparing for the next budget cycle, especially in acceptance of the Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting on Wednesday. 

Town Clerk Nancy Danello has an information session on Wednesday with Liz Harkins, Franklin TV executive director. The event will be recorded for a future broadcast providing the ins and out of mail ballots, early voting, etc. to prepare us all for the multipage ballot for the November 3 state election.

The Board of Health is scheduled to meet Wednesday. Their agenda is not yet published but will likely be on Monday.

The Joint Budget Subcommittee is composed of representation from the Town Council, School Committee, and Finance Committee. They have the task to figure out how to solve our structural budget deficit. 

This is one of those “major” meetings. Don't hide behind your keyboard and walk up in a couple of months “surprised“ when the opportunity for input is now.

The Municipal Affordable Housing Trust is scheduled to meet on Thursday. Their agenda is usually posted no later than Tuesday.

The Conservation Commission and the Cultural District Committee close out the meeting week with their respective sessions Thursday. 

Friendly reminder that it does take over 200 unpaid volunteers serving on these boards, committees, and commissions providing oversight and direction for the Town of Franklin authorizing the services the Town provides for all of us. 

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. 

*** Event & Meeting schedule (with agendas) as of Town pages 10/02/26 8:00 PM ***

BICO Transportation Subcommittee Meeting

Monday, October 5, 2026 Time: 2:30pm

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10052026-2542

Recreation Advisory Board Meeting

Monday, October 5, 2026 Time: 7:00pm

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10052026-2515

BFCCPS School Governance Cmte

Monday, October 5, 2026 Time: 7:30pm

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10052026-2541

Franklin Public Schools Budget Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, October 6, 2026 Time: 6:00pm

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10062026-2545

Your Vote, Your Voice! An Information Session

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Time: 4:00pm

No agenda posted, will be recorded for future broadcast

Board of Health Meeting

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Time: 5:00pm

Agenda usually posted Monday 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10072026-2549

Joint Budget Subcommittee 

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Time: 6:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10072026-2551

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meeting

Thursday, October 8, 2026 Time: 2:00pm

Agenda usually posted Monday 

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, October 8, 2026 Time: 7:00pm

Updated agenda -   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10082026-2555 

Cultural District Cmte Meeting

Thursday, October 8, 2026 Time: 7:00pm

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10082026-2537

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

Town & School meetings

The Planning Board met on Monday, among the key items was the opening discussion on the Depot Plaza proposal. View the replay https://www.youtube.com/live/ofxfKrbslNE?is=MOMwVA8TwQHUs5YJ 

The Zoning Board of Appeals met on Thursday, view the replay here

https://www.youtube.com/live/xm10rWRaytg?is=g1bakbb8b92cAgtD 

FHS Sports

FHS girls soccer on Monday 

https://www.youtube.com/live/xh4QSWSx_hc?is=yLTq31XyeVryJyDj 

FHS boys soccer on Wednesday 

https://www.youtube.com/live/kFdaIal5xJE?is=UP37IqKBfi_Jc6Qd

FHS volleyball on Wednesday 

https://www.youtube.com/live/PFsfHHjYovU?is=QLNsTlKkGx28gx9v

-----------

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 

Hot August nights winding down as the summer comes to a close

“Hot August night

And the leaves hanging down

And the grass on the ground smellin' sweet”

You can get into the spirit with this golden oldie from Neil Diamond.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K398Q4DYCW8

The summer nights are rapidly coming to a close. Labor day is around the corner. Nomination papers are still available for the Biennial Town Election coming November 4. While there are just enough candidates for most roles, the Board of Health and the Planning Board (Associate) are both lacking candidates for their open positions. 

Potential candidates are gathering signatures at the Farmers Market and elsewhere around town. Some are knocking on doors or having conversations in person, or on the social webs.

Some may be touting they will be the next savior for the Town. Listen, and listen well. What are they saying? What are they not saying? 

We’ll try and gather a set of information for the residents and voters to make their decisions. We try to get more than a sound bite. What is the candidate's story? What are they looking to do? And importantly, how do they think they’ll do it?

These are not questions with yes or no answers. Nor are they trick questions. So listen and listen well to be able to cast an informed decision on November 4. These folks are stepping up to volunteer to help our town provide services to the community. We are all in this together. 

On the meeting front, the Planning Board meets Monday, School Committee Tuesday, Police Station Building Committee and Agriculture Committee are both scheduled for Wednesday, and Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday. Important meetings on key topics for town and school business. 

Meeting agendas where available are here to help prepare and understand what each group is doing on our behalf. Watch, listen, and listen well.

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 8/22/25, 7:00 PM

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, August 25 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08252025-1869 

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday. August 26 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08262025-1870 

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, August 26 Time: 7:00 PM

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5979273/SCAGENDA_8-26-25.pdf 

Franklin Agricultural Committee Meeting

Wednesday, August 27 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08272025-1873 

Police Station Building Committee

Wednesday, August 27 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08272025-1881

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, August 28 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08282025-1855 

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

The only meeting broadcast by Franklin TV in the short week of meetings was the Conservation Commission meeting on Thursday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpuG9wRB0mg 

While there was only one meeting broadcast, a couple of videos ended up getting finished for publication recently.

More Perfect Union: Teachers Unions (video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqlylccC5cc 

Veterans' Call: Tom Marcone (video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mnumAQnzvI 

Frank Presents: Cliff Winters (video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MNnK8vGKu4

The individual video links can be found on Franklin Matters Weekly or use the Bit.ly link to go directly to the Franklin TV All Access page -> bit.ly / FTV - AllAccess -> https://bit.ly/FTV-AllAccess

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  

Next up: high school project status

Franklin voted on Tuesday, Nov 6th at the high school field house. 17,500 voters came out to cast their ballots an impressive turnout! While the parking lot may have been hectic, there were minimal to no lines inside as things moved smoothly. Debbie Pellegri, the Town Clerk, reported that the machine for Precinct 7 was sticking on some votes but other than that, no issues.

The results were already report here and here so we won't spend more time on those now. I updated the chart to depict the voter turnout for the elections from 2003 through to the most recent Nov 2012 results.

One of the minor complications to the parking lot situation on Tuesday was that the contractor closed off the second entrance to the parking lot during the day. I had parked at Horace Mann/Oak St and walked over to save time going through the parking lot. As I came back in the evening to get the results, I noticed that the entrance had been fenced off.

Awareness of the high school building project schedule is on tap for this week. Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers, the project status and construction phases will be reviewed. Building Committee Chair Tom Mercer has stated that the project manager, the contractor, the architect and the Building Committee will be present for this meeting.

Tuesday evening, you can take in the hunger experience at Dean College. Additional details ate found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/11/dean-college-hunger-awareness-banquet.html

Thursday evening, the Downtown Partnership is holding a networking event at the Six One Seven Studios. They are located at 25 Kenwood Circle. If you have not been to view their production studios, this is a good time to do that and network with other business folks in Franklin at the same time.

Other items posted in the past week include:

Nov 11

---

• Dean College Hunger Awareness Banquet (Free Event)
• FHS Girls Soccer - South Sectional finals - Sun 11/11 @ 5:00 PM
• Trail Grants up for Discussion
• "they kicked over a hornet’s nest"

Nov 10

---

• 39th Annual Craft Fair - today, 9:00 to 4:00 PM
• "I think of the guys who sacrificed for us"
• In the news: repairs, Kennedy, veterans

Nov 9

---

• Franklin TV - Member meeting
• Network with Franklin Downtown Partnership members!
• Franklin Liquor - Wine Tasting - 4:00 - 7:00 PM
• From the "Juicy Nibble" - insights on 4th grade Math in Franklin

Nov 8

---

• Reminder - Franklin TV meeting - Nov 8 6:00 PM
• Franklin to receive solar savings
• Town Council - 11/07/12
• In the News: election wrap up
• Real time reporting - closing
• Real time reporting - legislation
• Real time reporting - Franklin TV
• Real time reporting - Senior Center update
• Real time reporting - Appointments
• Real time reporting: Town Council - Nov 7, 2012

Nov 7

---

• Holiday Stroll - Nov 29th 4:00 to 7:00 PM
• Will Anya represent the Patriots?
• Roy takes 10th Norfolk
• In the News: concert, ballot questions, nor'easter
• Election results - quick totals
• Election 2012 - Results by Precinct
• Live reporting - Finance Committee - Nov 6, 2012

Nov 6

---

• Franklin votes at the high school
• Another stabilization fund?
• Music Boosters Fund Raiser - Thu Nov 8
• In the News: hurricane, ballot questions, election letters
• FHS Girls Varsity game - Tues 6pm @ FHS

Nov 5

---

• November is busy!
• Election 2012: What's on the ballot?
• "It’s been a great race"
• Democracy Amendment Massachusetts (Common Cause Ballot Initiative to overturn Citizens United)
• Hurricane Relief collection underway