80% of the Franklin (MA) registered voters don’t care

Yes, 80% of the Franklin registered voters don’t care that this is the final week of early voting before the Biennial Town Election on November 4. 

A very sad statistic but the numbers show that even during a Presidential election with major amounts of nauseating advertising, about 20% of the voters don’t vote. The State election doesn’t do any better with 40% of the voters not bothering to cast their ballot. Even when it comes down to specific dollar votes for Franklin, whether for school buildings or to fund the operational budget, 55% of the voters ignore the issue and don’t bother to vote.

Voting is easier now than ever before. Absentee ballot, vote by mail, early voting have all been added. While the numbers show a statistical shift away from in person voting on the Day, the percent of voters actively voting overall is NOT increasing. Sadly, 80% of the Franklin voters will do anything but vote on or before November 4, 2025.

You can do something about this sad state of affairs by talking with ALL your Franklin neighbors and friends. Ask them if they are planning to vote? If they are, thank them and remind them that information is available to make an informed decision.

If they are not planning to vote, please ask them why? It is a civic duty, an honorable right, to vote and help determine who governs for us on the local level. Our Town and School services are directly dependent upon these local elected volunteers to provide oversight on the entire Town and School operation.

If they don’t, or won’t vote, then I would have to assume that Franklin doesn’t matter.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1554-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-10-26-25/

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 10/24/25, 8:00 PM   ***

CANCELED: Police Station Building Committee - to be rescheduled

Monday, October 27 Time: 6:00 PM

Franklin Cultural Council

Monday, October 27 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10272025-1969 

Franklin Agricultural Commission

Monday, October 27 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10272025-1970 

Library Board of Directors Regular meeting

Monday, October 27 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Search/?term=&CIDs=all&startDate=10/27/2025&endDate=10/31/2025&dateRange=&dateSelector= 

Hennep Community Outreach Meeting Notice

Tuesday, October 28 Time: 5:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10282025-1946 

Franklin School Committee Budget Sub Committee Meeting

Tuesday, October 28 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10282025-1965 

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, October 28 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10282025-1976 

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, October 28 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10282025-1977 

License to Store Propane Public Hearing

Wednesday, October 29 Time: 11:30 AM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10292025-1979 

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

Wednesday, October 29 Time: 5:45 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10292025-1964 

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, October 29 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10292025-1978 

Historical Commission (Executive Session only) (updated 10/28/25)

Thursday, October 30 Time: 6:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10302025-1981

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, October 30 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/519?fileID=6730 

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

This is Steve Sherlock with a lookback at the week that was in Franklin MA from Oct 19 through Oct 25, 2025

The Planning Board Meeting was broadcast by Franklin TV on Monday, Oct 20 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgakMhebcRk 

The Finance Committee had some good discussion on financial issues but didn’t get into the ‘deep dive’ on Technology in their session on Wednesday. Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMhCNMRndj0 

The Franklin Town Council met for their next to last time in this term on Wednesday in a 4 hour plus session to complete a bunch of the items on their goals list. Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SdsqXbknGQ 

The Zoning Board of Appeals met as scheduled on Thursday. The proposed cell tower was denied by ZBA but it likely will still go forward in a legal challenge and Federal process seems to indicate the courts will approve. No decision yet as the 444 East Central proposal continues its public hearing. Franklin TV video is available for replay ->

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td5Ggg5fwCk 

FHS live streamed sports

Boys soccer on Tuesday, Oct 21 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUhz8K7k7IA

Football homecoming game on Oct 24 ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn_Bra400IU 

The 24 Biennial Election candidate videos conducted are available in a single YouTube playlist  bit.ly/2025-ElectionCollection 

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

80% of the Franklin (MA) registered voters don’t care

Glorious weather weekend leads to a full meeting week

Glorious fall New England weather for this weekend to kick off the full week of Town meetings and early voting in the Town Clerk’s office during office hours Monday through Friday, with Saturday early voting and last day to register to vote both available by appointment.

Monday is the busiest day with Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, Housing Authority, Board of Assessors, and Planning Board all scheduled for meetings.

Tuesday is quiet but then Wednesday the Cultural District has a meeting at Franklin TV while the Finance Committee and Town Council go with back to back sessions. FinCom at 5:30; Council rescheduled from last week at 7.

The Zoning Board of Appeals meets for the only time this month on Thursday at 7:30 PM. 

Special events for the week, a webinar on educational aspects of AI at the Franklin TV Studio, Monday at 6:00 PM. Homecoming week at the High School leading to the homecoming game Friday. The Lions hold their annual Trunk or Treat at the High School on Saturday from 4 to 6 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-1551-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-10-19-25/

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 10/17/25, 5:00 PM   ***

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust

Monday, October 20 Time: 9:00 AM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10202025-1957 

Franklin Housing Authority Meeting

Monday, October 20 Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10202025-1958 

Board of Assessors

Monday, October 20 Time: 5:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10202025-1960 

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, October 20 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10202025-1955

Finance Committee Meeting

Wednesday, October 22 Time: 5:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10222025-1961

Cultural District Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, October 22 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7219/FCD_Agenda_October-2?bidId=

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, October 22 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10222025-1962

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, October 23 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10232025-1947

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

The School Committee meeting on Tuesday was broadcast by Franklin TV. The recap and video link is available -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/school-committee-gets-updates-on-after.html 

The Conservation Commission meeting on Thursday was broadcast by Franklin TV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxXeA21lueQ

On the sports front for Franklin High School broadcast of the following are available:

Volleyball on Tuesday, Oct 14 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxXeA21lueQ

Girls soccer on Weds Oct 15 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV-LEaPRdYM

Boys soccer on Friday, Oct 17 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV-LEaPRdYM

Football on Friday, Oct 17 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M9EyN_YfzY 

The 23 Biennial Election candidate videos conducted are available in a single YouTube playlist  bit.ly/2025-ElectionCollection 

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