Labor Day gives us a long weekend and a short week (audio)

Monday, September 7, is Labor Day, the latest in the month that this occurs, so we end up with a long weekend and a short week.

Note: due to the holiday, the trash and recycle curbside schedule is off by one day. Imagine DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi talking about the Monday Collection: Moved to Tuesday; Tuesday Collection: Moved to Wednesday, etc. 

As a bonus, the recording of one of the winter announcements of the delay is available, and linked to below. 

On Tuesday, the School Committee Policy subcmte gets together at 6. They are slated to begin review of a number of fiscal policies related to the budget and operations. 

The full School Committee gets together at 7 PM also on Tuesday. The District Improvement PLan is being presented. This plan sets the stage for individual school plans as well as for the Superintendent’s goals.

On Wednesday, the Historical Commission among other items is considering offering tours on Saturdays. 

The 250th Celebration Events subcmte, also meets and among other items is a discussion on their first potential donor lunch scheduled for Oct 16.

Thursday is the busiest meeting day with meetings for the Bi-County Collaborative, Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter, Conservation Commission and last but not least the Cultural District committee. 

The Cultural District meeting also lists an item to discuss cultural tours on Saturdays.

A special event is also on Thursday; new exhibits are being welcomed to the Sculpture Park at 5 PM. On Saturday to close out the week, there is a Bike Safety Event at Franklin High School beginning at 9 AM.

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-1813-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-09-06-26/

*** Event & Meeting schedule (with agendas) as of Town pages 9/04/26   7:00 PM   ***

Franklin Public Schools Policy Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, September 8 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09082026-2485 

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, September 8 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09082026-2487 

Charles River Pollution Control Meeting

Wednesday, September 9 Time: 3:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09092026-2491

Franklin Historical Commission Meeting

Wednesday, September 9 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09092026-2490 

250th Anniversary Celebration Events Sub Committee

Wednesday, September 9 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09092026-2492 

Bi-County Collaborative - Board of Directors Mtg.

Thursday, September 10 Time: 9:00 AM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09102026-2489 

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meeting - canceled

Thursday, September 10 Time: 2:00 PM

Sculpture Park - new exhibits revealed Thursday, September 10  - 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/09/reminder-sculpture-park-is-adding-art.html 

Cultural District Committee Meeting

Thursday, September 10 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09102026-2471 

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School Meeting

Thursday, September 10 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09102026-2488 

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, September 10 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09102026-2497

Bike Safety Event Saturday, September 12 - 9:00 AM at Franklin High School

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/09/reminder-bike-and-helmet-safety-event.html 

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

Town/ School meetings

The Town Council met on Wednesday, Sep 2, the recap and video can be found

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/09/town-council-approve-west-as-police.html

The Commission on Disability met on Thursday, the exclusive audio can be found - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/09/commission-on-disability-meeting.html   

The Zoning Board of Appeals met on Thursday, Sep 3, the video can be found https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O93n6IQhRH4

All Access programming

A new episode of Aging Boldfully: Discussion with Julie Booth of Quinnipiac University is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ymehk2zxGZE 

A new episode of Once Upon a Town from Joe Landry and Scott Mason talking about the Post Office in Franklin is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTH6nG2ewlU 

Franklin Matters took a walk through the rescue animal farm and you can join us for that walk at the Maloney Farm and Forest - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEkAQfKLMU4 

Franklin Matters also took a walk through the kitchen cabinet custom build process process happening in the former bakery building on Ruggles St. Join us for the informative session with the Franklin KItchen Center - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc3ss_wlgpE 

***  As a special episode of Franklin Matters Radio, we offer the voice recording of DPW Director Robert "Brutus" Cantoreggi's voice message in advance of the blizzard forecasted for Jan 29, 2022

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/dpw-director-brutus-cantoreggis-voice.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    

“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly” Insights on the week ahead, Jan 18, 2026

“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” 

—“Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” written by Martin Luther King Jr in 1963. The complete letter is a worthy read and you can find the link https://letterfromjail.com/ 

The week starts with Martin Luther King Day on Monday, while legally designated a holiday it is not fully observed. For example, the MBTA commuter rail runs a ‘normal’ weekday schedule.

Worthy of note is that there is a scheduled virtual only meeting on Sunday evening for the 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee at 5:30 PM.

Tuesday we see the normal schedule for a Design Review meeting. The site (12 Main St) of the former book store is potentially a convenience store and their proposed signage is up for review.

Wednesday is the Town Council meeting with some key items on its agenda. 

• 2 appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeal are up for approval. That action alone may not shut down the vociferous calls for a ‘new’ board from some community members but we’ll see what the Council does.
• The Council gets an update on the infrastructure of the Town from DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi. The dollars for continuing to maintain all our water, sewer, roads, fields, etc. has continued to grow. A plan is needed for funding. “Pay me now, or pay me more later” becomes very real.
• The budget timeline for the FY 2027 cycle is presented. The recent capital budget items reviewed by the Finance Committee come before the Council on Feb 11. The official town budget is on schedule to be filed in late March.

Thursday, the Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to meet and likely for the first time with their new membership (depending upon the outcome at the Council meeting on Weds).

We’ll close this outlook with a referral back to the MLK quote we opened with: “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly” . You reading this, are either a close or remote neighbor. Either way, we are faced with some challenges this year.

On the one hand, I am very grateful for what we do have. On the other hand, there is a lot of work and tough conversations to be held to ensure we can maintain the community we all live in and love.

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-1628-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-01-18-26/

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 1/16/26, 6:00 PM   ***

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee (remote only)

Sunday, January 18 Time: 5:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01182026-2096 

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, January 20 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01202026-2099 

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, January 21 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01212026-2101 

GATRA Regional Bus Meeting (at Franklin Senior Center)

Thursday, January 22 Time: 2:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01222026-2085 

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting  (remote only)

Thursday, January 22 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01222026-2093 

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

On Monday, the School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee met. On Tuesday, the Policy subcommittee met before the full School Committee meeting. Both audio recordings will be available shortly. 

The School Committee recap and video is available for their 4 hour plus session  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/school-committee-approves-trip-program.html 

SchCmte member Reis Hansen joined me in a recap of the session which is available via video and audio formats https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/chalkboard-chat-condenses-4-hour-jan-13.html 

The Finance Committee had a lengthy discussion on the ‘economics of development’. Personally, it was not what I expected. The primary reason being “It is complicated.” The first pass on the Capital budget was also reviewed at length and ultimately recommended to the Council for their review and vote.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/finance-committee-hears-economics-of.html 

The Conservation Commission met on Thursday, the video of their session is available  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=881gI4sj0kM 

On the FHS sports live streaming front

• FHS boys basketball on Tuesday vs Stoughton  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdzU98jvr34 

• FHS boys hockey on Thursday vs Oliver Ames -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4tkF2a8r7U 

• FHS girls basketball on Friday vs Milford -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJ3CkRa4IIU 

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  

A full week of meetings arrive this middle of October

A short work week for some with the holiday Monday (which doesn’t change the trash and recycling pick up schedule) is a week full of meetings.

The School Committee has a policy subcommittee meeting at 6 PM and their full committee session at 7 PM. Their full meeting gets an update on after school clubs (middle and high school) as well as a presentation by the Franklin Food Pantry.

The Town Council has an Economic Development Subcommittee (EDC) meeting at 5:45 and then the full Council meeting at 7 PM. The EDC meeting picks up the discussion on the possible adjustments to the “Friendly 40b” policy. Also up for discussion is the citizen prompted move to consider a separate and more accurate Town 40b calculation. The current State calculation under represents the actual 40b units in the housing inventory.

The full Town Council meeting has a chock full agenda so it will likely be a long session. Swearing in of the Fire Dept recent promotions, a new alcohol license for King St Brick Oven Pizza, appointments of the Franklin 250 Committee, state interest in purchase of the SNETT extension the Town is buying from CSX, and the zoning second readings for residential commercial kitchens, and creation of Crossing Neighborhood District to highlight just a few.

 

Election season is fully underway. 23 candidate interviews have been completed. The videos are publicly available. The last of the audio recordings will be completed on Saturday.  The candidate interviews can be found in the 2025 Election Collection. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/08/election-collection-2025.html

Per the Town Clerk, the ballots have been received. Mail ballots sent to those who requested them. Ballot testing is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct 15 at 9 AM. Early voting at the Town Clerk’s office begins Friday Oct 17 and runs through Friday, Oct 31. Biennial Election day is Tuesday, Nov 4 from 6 AM to 8 PM with all voting in the FHS gymnasium.

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-1549-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-10-12-25/

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 10/10/25, 7:00 PM   ***

Monday, October 13

Town & School buildings closed for Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day

Franklin School Committee Policy Subcommittee

Tuesday, October 14 Time: 6:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142025-1949 

Design Review Meeting - Cancelled

Tuesday, October 14 Time: 7:00 PM

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, October 14 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142025-1948 

Friends of the Franklin Public Library Meeting

Tuesday, October 14 Time: 7:00 PM

No posted agenda for this session

Franklin Q&A

Wednesday, October 15 Time: 11:00 AM

No posted agenda for this information sharing session, to participate remotely contact the Senior Center or use the form -> https://forms.gle/Q3i9SUGXzsDHoBvy7 

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

Wednesday, October 15 Time: 5:45 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10152025-1954 

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, October 15 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10152025-1953 

Town Council Office Hours

Thursday, October 16 Time: 8:30 AM

No posted agenda for this social gathering

Charles River Pollution Control District

Thursday, October 16 Time: 3:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10162025-1952 

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, October 16 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/514?fileID=6655 

Council on Aging Meeting

Friday, October 17 Time: 1:30 PM

no posted agenda for this session

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

The Police Station open house and tour generated a disappointing amount of interest. In two of the 3 sessions that I participated in, only a dozen folk attended. All were informed on the lack of sufficient space in the current facility and appreciated the frank discussion by Chief TJ Lynch. Video tours of the individual rooms of the station have been posted to the Police Station Building Committee project page -> https://www.franklinmapoliceproject.com/existing-conditions 

The Planning Board meeting was broadcast by Franklin TV. The video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehDt5Ueh08Y 

Franklin TV live streamed 3 high school sporting events during the week

• Volleyball on Tuesday, Oct 7 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sZJ3ZtbBpY

• Girls soccer on Weds, Oct 8 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4vjigi3e5k 

• Football game on Fri, Oct 10 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAiKO3k0R90 

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