Biennial election ballots gets complete, Town Council has a full agenda for the week of Sep 14, 2025

The middle of September is here already. 

The Biennial Election ballot gets close to final this week as all the nomination papers are due Monday, Sep 15. Candidates can still change their mind by Sep 22 to withdraw. After the 22nd, the ballots will get sent out for printing and be back in time for the in person early voting scheduled to begin Oct 17. 

The in person early voting schedule has been posted by the Town Clerk and added to the Community Calendar.

The Town Council agenda is full. Among the key items are: 

• Some Police Dept personnel are sworn in as back fill for retirees

• There are zoning bylaws in a couple of categories; a set of six to create the Crossing Neighborhood District, and a couple of others for commercial kitchens in residential areas as long as the unit is on septic (not Town sewer)

• There is also a presentation on the solicitation permit process by Chief Lynch and Deputy Chief West

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen is also scheduled to provide a personnel update; i.e word has it the replacement for Bryan Taberner has been hired

2 additional options for getting your questions answered occur this week. Steve Sherlock holds his Franklin Q&A at the Senior Center, Wednesday, Sep 17 at 11 AM. The Town and Local official also hold their coffee hour at the Senior Center on Thursday at 8:30 AM.

Buckle those seat belts, driving safely now that school is settling into their schedule. The Biennial Election campaign period is about to get real active over the next several weeks.

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 9/12/25, 9:30 PM

Library Board of Directors Regular meeting

Monday, September 15 Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Library-Board-of-Directors-20/?#_09152025-1904 

Recreation Advisory Board Meeting

Monday, September 15 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09152025-1867 

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, September 17  Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09172025-1911 

Town Council Office Hours

Thursday, September 18 Time: 8:30 AM

no agenda for this open discussion

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, September 18 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/497?fileID=6384 

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

Franklin TV broadcast two meetings during the week that are available for replay

1 - Planning Board Meeting Monday, September 8

Franklin TV video for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSttQT8spbE 

The agenda can be found -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09082025-1897  

2 - Franklin School Committee Meeting - Tuesday, September 9

Franklin TV video for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38uXznSNhM8 

The agenda can be found ->

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09092025-1902

The Franklin TV studio was also busy with school sports broadcasting 4 competitions during the week

FHS girls soccer 9/8/25 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb_52WSHUpw

FHS volleyball 9/8/25 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bVwmEEaQ4U 

FHS boys soccer 9/10/25 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U5xsFYOM3k

FHS football 9/12/25 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5uLubdGr2c 

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

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

Early voting is underway with the Town Council picking up their Budget Hearing duties Weds/Thur

Early voting opened on Friday with a steady stream of folks coming to the Town Clerk's Office to mark their ballot for the Special Election on the override question. Town Clerk Nancy Danello reported 214 voters on the first day.

Early voting continues at the Town Clerk's office during office hours and then on Saturday, May 24 until 3 PM. Registration to vote closes out also in the office that Saturday at 5 PM.

The Town Council gets to their public hearing on the FY 2026 budget. Wednesday night is usually the long night as the major questions are asked of each department. Thursday will be somewhat different in that while questions left unanswered Weds, should be answered Thursday, the multiple votes on the budget will be continued to the Council's June 4 meeting.

With the results from June 3 available, the Town Council June 4 meeting will either approve the budget as proposed or make the significant cuts outlined should the override fail to pass.

The Town and School Dept have prepared all the info needed to cast an informed vote. If you still have a question, please raise it Wednesday. 

*** The agendas for the week ahead can be found here: as of 7:00 PM Friday, May 16 ***

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING

Monday, May 19, 2025 9:00 am

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05192025-1743

Library Board of Directors Regular Meeting

Monday, May 19, 2025 7:00 pm

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/Library-Board-of-Directors-20/? 

Franklin Agricultural Committee Agenda

May 19, 2025 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05192025-1734

Recreation Advisory Board Meeting

Monday, May 19, 2025 7:00 pm

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05192025-1750

Norfolk County Regional Emergency Planning Committee

May 20, 2025, 10:30 AM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05202025-1739 

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 5:45 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05212025-1754 

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, May 21, 2025 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05212025-1752 

Town Council Meeting

Thursday, May 22, 2025, 7:00 PM 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05222025-1753 

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting (CANCELED)

Thursday,  May 22, 2025, 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05222025-1723 

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

Monday saw the Franklin Housing Authority rename the Community Center at Central Park Terrace for the late & long time board member Peter L Brunelli. Recap of the event including video of the exterior unveiling ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/franklin-housing-authority-renamed.html

The Franklin Housing Authority held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday. The recap and audio recording (an exclusive) is available here ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/franklin-housing-authority-meets-in.html

The School Committee met for the first of their regular monthly meetings and heard about the traffic study results, plans for capital funding perhaps later this year. There will be no significant dollars spent to prepare for September, 2025. Any projects would be scoped and funded later this year for Sept 2026. In the meantime, consider having the kiddos ride the bus or expect car queue lengths to double for elementary school drop-offs. Recap & video -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/school-committee-gets-update-on-traffic.html

The newest volume of "Franklin First" the updated Town of Franklin newsletter was posted on Friday -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5671/Newsletter-3 

Share-worthy interviews to be aware of:

• We have a labyrinth in town at the First Universalist Society of Franklin (FUSF). Find out about the recent renovation of it and how to approach waking it. It can be a tool to help deal with all that is going on -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/talking-about-labyrinths-with-bobbi.html
• Tuhina Pal, a junior at FHS, wrote a book of poetry to help her navigate life post COVID -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/tuhina-pal-talks-about-her-book-they.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 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