School vacation ends, busy week ahead

School vacation comes to an end with another wet weekend and major meetings are on the calendar for the week ahead.

Hopefully folks are fully rested and ready to return. The Finance Committee has its 3 budget hearings set for this week. They start Monday with Education covering the Tri-County, Norfolk Aggie and Franklin Public Schools budgets. Tuesday they get into the details on Public Works (water, sewer, roads, storm water, etc.) and Public Safety (police, fire and regional dispatch). They close out the week on Thursday with General Government, health and debt accounts and the vote to recommend for the Town Council. The Town Council will conduct their 2 budget hearings in May (May 21 & MAy 22).

As mentioned earlier, if there are remaining questions on the need for the override special election coming up on June 3, these three meetings are the time to get those lingering questions answered.

As to why the override is back again? Folks should remember that the steps taken to adjust the budget last year after the override failed used $3M of one time funds to balance that budget setting up for this year. We are fortunate that the school redistricting effort did result in significant savings so we are only facing a $3.8M deficit; yes, only .8M more than we knew last June we would face this year. 

As for the remainder of the full week schedule, it is good that Franklin TV did build out the 3rd floor training room as a second broadcast spot (in addition to Council Chambers), as there will be dual live broadcasts on 3 of the 4 nights Monday through Thursday.

• Monday - Finance Committee and Planning Board
• Tuesday - Finance Committee and School Committee
• Wednesday - Town Council
• Thursday - Finance Committee and Conservation Commission

*** The agendas for the week ahead can be found here:

Finance Committee Meeting (Council Chambers)

Monday, April 28 Time:7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04282025-1700

Planning Board Meeting (3rd Floor Trng Room)

Monday, April 28 Time:7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04282025-1701 

Massachusetts Strategic Health Group (Medway)

Tuesday, April 29 Time: 1:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04292025-1708 

Finance Committee Meeting (3rd Floor Trng Room)

Tuesday, April 29 Time:7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04292025-1699 

Franklin School Committee Meeting (Council Chambers)

Tuesday, April 29 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04292025-1704 

Cultural District Committee — SUBCOMMITTEE Porchfest Meeting  

Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 6:30pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5329/PorchFest-Sub-Committee-Agenda_Meeting_-April-30-2025docx?bidId=  

Town Council Meeting (Council Chambers)

Wednesday, April 30 Time:7:00 PM 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04302025-1709 

Franklin Housing Authority - Special Meeting of the Board of Commissioners (Remote Mtg)

Thursday, May 1 Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05012025-1705 

Conservation Commission Meeting (3rd Floor Trng Room)

Thursday, May 1 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/382?fileID=4477 

Finance Committee Meeting (Council Chambers)

Thursday, May 1 Time: 7:00 PM

No agenda released at this time

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

The meetings during the school break week were generally quiet. I will bring to your attention the following recordings that if you missed as worthy of listening to:

Town Council Chair Tom Mercer and I condense the Council meeting of 4/16/25 to about 30 minutes

FM #1431 - Town Council Quarterbacking - 04/17/25

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/04/tom-mercer-and-i-condense-3-hour-town.html

Listen to the origin story of BLAST - Bringing Libraries and Schools Together. We talk with Erin O’Leary and Caleigh Keating, the collaborators who start with “Yes” and then figure it out.

FM #1434 - BLAST Fun - 04/17/25

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/04/caleigh-erin-i-had-blast-talking-about.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 on posted on the top of the page

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

With the override amount & date set, how do we grow smartly?

With the key budget item decided (amount and date for override vote), the meetings this week can get us into some of the other Town business arenas. 

The hot topics from the 2 question and answer sessions I held this week were focused primarily around the affordable housing issue we (and Mass overall) faces. Our zoning bylaws, as currently structured, need to be btter understood to see how we got into this situation, and more important, what we need to do to address it. That opportunity sets us up for the week ahead.

How do we grow smartly to increase revenue without increasing the costs of operations for Town and Schools? 

Two development proposals are on the dockets this week; one is close to a decision, one is just getting started. How does the redistricting affect the middle school program of studies offered?

• The Planning Board meeting, on Monday, continues it review of the proposed Autumn Hill development for Summer St 
• The School Committee meeting, on Tuesday, gets into the next level of detail on redistricting for high school and middle school schedules and course offerings
• The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, on Thursday, starts its review of the proposal for redevloping the Stobbart's property

In addition to understanding Franklin's Master Plan, there is a group of concerned residents who are educating themselves in order to advocate for smart growth. Smart growth is one measure we can use to help to ensure appropriate revenue increases to mitigate further budget issues. 

Find out more about Building Equitable Neighborhoods for Franklin (BEN 4 Franklin) on the web page where you can join the mailing list and join our monthly meetings to help with this effort.  https://ben4franklin.org/

*** For the week of March 24 - March 28 (as of Town site on Friday, 3/21 evening) ***

Library Board of Directors Meeting

Monday, March 24th Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Library-Board-of-Directors-20/?#_03242025-1646 

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, March 24th  Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/331?fileID=4217 

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, March 25th Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/344?fileID=4249 

Franklin School Committee

Tuesday, March 25th  Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03252025-1651 

Zoning Board of Appeals, ZBA Meeting

Thursday, March 27th  Time: 7:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03272025-1619 

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

The Town Council took up the recommendation from the Joint Budget Subcommittee and did approve an override special election for June 3, 2025 for the amount of $3,862,672 to support both Town and School operational expenses. Now the work to get it passed can begin.

The Watch Listen Read series for the 6 Joint Budget Listening Sessions is complete

March 12 session -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/watch-listen-read-6th-joint-budget.html

You can find the full series -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/joint-budget-listening-sessions-fy-2026.html

Town Council Chair Tom Mercer and I recap the March 19 Council meeting and override decision -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/franklin-town-council-sets-june-3-for_22.html

The audio & video links forthe March 19 meeting can be found -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/franklin-town-council-sets-june-3-for_0620382669.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 on posted on the top of the page

• 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

6 listening sessions leads to a recommendation for the Town Council to review March 19

The last of the 6 scheduled Joint Budget Subcommittee listening sessions was held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. After continuing to listen for about 2 hours, the subcommitte then spent another hour to discuss and decide to recommend an override in the amount of $3.86 million to be held Tuesday, June 3, 2025. The Town Council is now scheduled to take up this recommendation and decide at their scheduled session, Wednesday,March 19.

"At the final JBSC listening session on March 12th, the Committee voted, 9-1 (with one member absent) to recommend the following: 

1) That the Town Council vote to put forth a $3,862,672 override ballot question to the registered voters of the Town of Franklin with the following ballot question language - "Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to assess an additional $3,862,672 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of the municipal and school operating budgets for which monies from this assessment will be used for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025". 

2) That the Town Council vote to place the proposed override ballot question before the residents for a vote at a Special Town Election on Tuesday, June 3, 2025."

As this is the 3rd week of the month, in addition to the schedule of Town meetings outlined below, I conduct 2 Question & Answer sessions. The first, Monday at the Library at 6:30 PM and the second, Wednesday at the Senior Center at 11:00 AM. Both sessions offer a remote option. To get on that mailing listing, please contact me directly or use the form to sign up. 

You can also come to the Senior Center Thursday morning to talk with the Town & State officials coffee hour at 8:30 AM.

** For the week of March 17 - March 21 **

Franklin School Committee - Negotiations - Executive Session

Tuesday, March 18th  Time: 4:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/School-Committee-35/?#_03182025-1585

Franklin School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, March 18th Time: 5:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03182025-1610 

Franklin Public Schools School Committee Special Meeting (virtual only)

Wednesday, March 19th Time: 6:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03192025-1635 

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, March 19th Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03192025-1639 

Ballot question text -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/proposition-2-override-ballot-question.html

Coffee Hour with State & Local Officials

Thursday, March 20th Time: 8:30 AM

No agenda expected, open session

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, March 20th Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/321?fileID=4200 

** Looking back at the week that was March 10 - March 14 **

As mentioned about, the Joint Budget Subcommittee met on Wednesday, March 12  resulted in the overrride recommendation. You can watch, listen, or read the details here ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/joint-budget-subcommittee-recommends-to_01637031613.html

The School Committee meeting on March 11 revealed 

• detailed info on what the redistricting does for busing (smooths out the ride lengths, and potentially reduces 2 buses, while handling an increase in ridership)
• the facility plans for acommodations and enhancements due to the redistricting, most of the major items would not be done before September when schools open in the new structure
• and finally, assuming the proposed override is successful, the sprts and transportation fees could be reduced

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/franklin-school-committee-get_13.html

Senior Center closure extends 2 days to March 19 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/senior-center-closure-extends-2-days.html

Chalkboard Chat recaps the March 11 School Committee meeting and the Joint Budget Listening Sessions -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/this-chalkboard-chat-condenses-mtg-of.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 on posted on the top of the page

• 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

1 more listening session, then a recommendation; School Coommittee to get lowdown on busing

You may fear of missing out (FOMO) but with this Franklin Matters Outlook (FMO), there is no need to fear, we provide the information on the key meetings for the week ahead.

The final listening session (in the series of 6) is scheduled for Wednesday evening, Wednesday, March 12 at the FHS Auditorium. Per Chair Mercer, the listening portion might get shortened to allow the committee to hold their discussion and come up with the recommendation for the Town Council. The Council is scheduled to review this recommendation and decide on March 19.

The School Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 11 is scheduled for an update on the redistricting transportation and busing items. We'll find out how many buses, the possible routes, timing, etc. There is also an update on facility work that would be required for redistricting. Based upon prior discussions, some would be done before September, some would be phased in (due to timing of resources and funding).

The full listing of meetings is shown here (as accurate as of the Town/School webpage on the evening of Friday, March 7, 2025)

Franklin Housing Authority Meeting

Monday, March 10th Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Housing-Authority-12/?#_03102025-1614

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, March 10th Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Planning-Board-23/?#_03102025-1612

Design Review Meeting - Cancelled

Tuesday, March 11th Time: 7:00 PM

Friends of the Franklin Public Library Meeting

Tuesday, March 11th Time: 7:00 PM No agenda posted

School Committee 

Tuesday, March 11th Time: 7:00 PM

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5388334/SCAGENDA_3-11-25.pdf

Historical Commission Meeting

Wednesday, March 12th Time: 6:00 PM No agenda posted

Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting

Wednesday, March 12th Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Joint-Budget-Subcommittee-6/?#_03122025-1620

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meetings

Thursday, March 13th Time: 2:00 PM No agenda posted

Cultural District Committee Meeting

Thursday, March 13th Time: 7:00 PM No agenda posted

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, March 13th Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Zoning-Board-of-Appeals-31/?#_03132025-1615

*** Looking back at the week that was (March 3 throgh 8)

4th Listening Session on Tuesday, March 4 at the Senior Center. Watch, listen or read the video replay, audio or transcript of the session:

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/watch-listen-read-joint-budget.html

Town Council meeting on March 5 included a review of the preliminary FY 2026 budget. Deficit now $3.8 up from $3.6M. Video link and two-part audio of the meeting; part 1 for "just" the budget, part 2 for everything else.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/franklin-town-council-gets-update-on-fy_01380946739.html

Town Council Chair Tom Mercer and I recap 3 meetings condensing about 5 hours down to 30 minutes. Police Station Building Cmte, Town Council Feb 26, and Town Council March 5 in this "quarterbacking" session.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/3-meetings-approx-5-hours-distilled-to.html

The 5th Listening Session was held on Saturday March 8. The only one with remote comment participation for which about 10 folks joined the Zoom session.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/5th-joint-budget-listening-session-held.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 on posted on the top of the page

• 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

School is back, Town business returns with a full slate of meetings for week of Feb 24, 2025

Looking ahead, the Town calendar is full of meetings with the school break behind us. Many of them will be live streamed & broadcast.

Monday, we hit the ground running with the Legislative Forum hosted by the School Committee at the FHS Lecture Hall and the regular Planning Board meeting. Both are broadcast, three other meetings are not broadcast.

Tuesday, the Police Station Building Committee gets to work with the project team, architect and others in place. They'll outline the process for community engagement across the project timelone.

Wednesday, the Economic Development Subcmte and the Town Council conduct their business.

February 24, 2025 

6:30 PM - Franklin School Committee Meeting (Legislative Forum @ FHS)

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02242025-1582 

7:00 PM - Franklin Agricultural Committee (not broadcast) https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02242025-1591

7:00 PM -  Library Board of Directors Meeting (not broadcast)

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Library-Board-of-Directors-20/?#_02242025-1593

7:00 PM - Recreation Advisory Board (not broadcast)

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02242025-1535

7:00 PM - Planning Board

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02242025-1594 

 

February 25, 2025 

4:00 PM

Franklin School Committee (executive session - negotiations) (not broadcast)

7:00 PM

Design Review (not broadcast)

7 PM

Police Station Building Committee

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02252025-1601 

February 26, 2025

5:45 PM

Economic Development Subcmte

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02262025-1600

7 PM

Town Council

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02262025-1602

February 27, 2025

7:00 PM

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) - no meeting

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

The most significant meeting of the school break week was the 3rd in the series of 6 Listening Sessions hosted by the Joint Budget Subcmte. This time at the Senior Center. The recording video & audio are available. The transcript is ready so you can Watch, Listen or Read -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/watch-listen-read-joint-budget_01215382675.html

Transcripts were provided for the first 2 listening sessions

#1 - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/watch-listen-read-joint-budget.html

#2 - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/watch-listen-read-joint-budget_01718995583.html

Laura Doherty, Associate Director of the Franklin Food Pantry shared some insights on The Pantry's straegic plan in this audio session

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/laura-shares-insights-from-pantry.html

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For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendars, or visit Franklin Matters where each day, that day's events on posted on the top of the page

• 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