What's the outlook this week? Not enough rain, not enough revenue!

Ironic that the first day it rains in a while, the State announcement on moving to a new level of drought status arrives.

Yes, the outlook for Franklin includes a dry period continuation and potential for a further restriction in outdoor water use as the next couple of months roll towards us. Fortunately, the major growing season is behind us so there should be minimal impact.

On the budget front another shortfall of approx. $271,000 was revealed for the new growth number. How does that happen? There is a quarterly review of incomes and expenses as each budget year progresses. The work of the Board of Assessors showed the shortfall in new growth which may force a further reduction in the current year budget before the tax rate hearing arrives at the end of November, early December.

What does this new reduction mean? The recent trend in new growth coming in lower than previous years is a major concern. New growth is a reflection of the economic development (new housing and commercial buildings, or enhancements, renovations to existing buildings), the downward trend means that the future budget discussions will be that much more important. 

The Town needs to seriously consider how to fund necessary services. If it can’t be done with new growth (the downward trend), and we don’t pass an override (only 1 was ever successful), then the definition of ‘necessary’ services will need to be redefined.

The Planning Board is scheduled to meet on Monday with some development proposals on its agenda. The second of the series of tours for the community to view the existing conditions of the Police Station is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:00 PM. The Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA) continues their one meeting a month routine with a session on Thursday. 

The Harvest Festival closes out the week on Saturday, Sep 27. Main St will be closed from the triangle through to the Library (at School St) and filled with booths for fun, information, and hopefully very civil conversations on all that is happening in and around Franklin.

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 9/19/25, 7:30 PM

Franklin Housing Authority

Monday, September 22 Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09222025-1914 

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, September 22 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09222025-1913

Police Station Open House

Tuesday, September 23 Time: 6:00 PM

No agenda needed for Open House

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, September 23 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09232025-1916 

Town Council - Executive Session Only (added 9/22/25 AM)

Wednesday, September 24    Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09242025-1921

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, September 25 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09252025-1892 

Franklin School Committee - Comm. Relations Sub Committee

Saturday, September 27 Time: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09272025-1915 

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

The Town Council met on Wednesday, Sep 17. The video and recap is available for replay. The Town Council Quarterbacking session with Council Chair Tom Mercer will be available this weekend at Franklin.News

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/09/town-council-welcomed-2-new-police.html 

The Conservation Commission met on Thursday. The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ7geg28FlA 

The big event of the week was the ribbon cutting on Wednesday and opening Thursday of the Children's Museum ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/09/childrens-museum-of-franklin-ribbon.html

Franklin High School sports were covered with 4 live streamed broadcasts during the past week.

• Volleyball match on Monday -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL9yaax5idw 

• Boys soccer on Tuesday -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk2IKFBsN-w

• Girls soccer on Thursday -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmYnyB5hIpA

• Football game away at Brockton on Friday -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyPvQ7krFqA

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

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Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1515-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-09-21-25/

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

September back to school and work routines settling in

September is here, and the back to school, or work routines are getting settled.

On the Planning Board agenda are the reviews of the proposed zoning changes to create the Crossing Neighborhood District as well as to create a limited use for commercial kitchens in residential zones. The one key requirement is that the household is on septic not Town sewer.

The Design Review and School Committee meetings are on Tuesday. The School Committee will hear about the improvement plans for the district and then the ECDC, Elementary, MIddle and High School.

The Historical Commission is scheduled for Wednesday. The agenda is likely to be posted on Monday (given prior practice).

The Classical Charter School board meeting is scheduled for Thursday. THere had been a ZBA meeting also but keeping with their recent habit, there is only one meeting in September and scheduled for the 25th.

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 9/05/25, 7:30 PM

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, September 8 Time: 7:00 PM

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

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, September 9 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09092025-1900 

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, September 9 Time: 7:00 PM

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

Friends of the Franklin Public Library Meeting

Tuesday, September 9 Time: 7:00 PM

no agenda posted

Historical Commission Meeting

Wednesday, September 10 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09102025-1906

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public

Thursday, September 11 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09112025-1898 

Cultural District Committee Meeting

Thursday, September 11 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6885/FY26_September_District_Com?bidId=

ZBA Meeting (no meeting)

Thursday, September 11 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09112025-1884 

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

The Board of Health meeting was canceled

The Town Council met for 4.5 hours, about an hour and a half just on the recognitions before getting to the presentations and then to the minor set of legislation for action.

Recap and video available -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/09/town-council-retires-fire-chief.html

The Town Council quarterbacking session with Chair Tom Mercer condensed the meeting to about 30 minutes

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/09/tom-mercer-condenses-45-hour-90325.html 

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) added a meeting to the schedule forThursday, September 4 at 5:00 PM via Zoom Only. Franklin TV did broadcast it, the meeting lasted only 6 minutes. You can find the video, audio, and transcript here

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/09/franklin-zba-makes-first-vote-on-28.html 

The Conservation Commission also met on Thursday. Franklin TV has the video available for replay  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNuycQojdhM 

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 

Labor Day brings school reopening and all the other activities falling into place

Labor Day weekend. What does it bring? The end of summertime, schools re-open, a mostly normal slate of town meetings, and construction on the Beaver St Interceptor moves to the reduction of a lane along RT 140.

 

Yes, there is a lot happening in and around Franklin, MA as the outlook for the week of September 1 through September 6 fills in.

The Board of Health, Historical Commission, and Town Council are scheduled for Wednesday, Sep 3.  

The Council returns to their normal 7 PM slot with a very healthy agenda so it is likely to be a long session. Recognition of the Fire Chief’s retirement comes before the announcement of the new Chief. A few appointments to continue the annual process are on tap except for the expired term of one ZBA member. Proclamation of Hunger Action Month a recognition of food security efforts by the Food Pantry includes an update from Exec Director Tina Powderly. There are also updates from Patrick McDermott, Norfolk County Sheriff as well as from our legislative delegation Senator Rausch and State Rep Roy.

The Franklin Commission on Disability and the Conservation Commission are both scheduled for regular sessions on Thursday, Sep 4.

Fasten your seatbelts for the ride from September through the end of the year. AND please drive carefully especially during the school bus hours bringing students to and from school.

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 8/29/25, 7:30 PM (1 update added 9/2/25)

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETINGS

Wednesday, September 3 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09032025-1882 

Historical Commission

Wednesday, September 3 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09032025-1889 

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, September 3 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09032025-1891 

Franklin Commission on Disability

Thursday, September 4 Time: 4:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09042025-1887 

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) (added 9/2/25)

Thursday, September 4 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09042025-1895

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, September 4 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/484?fileID=6052 

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

Planning Board had a contention close to their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday. TV video available for replay  -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c4QGzRWRBc 

The School Committee met on Tuesday, the video and audio recaps are available here. The Chalkboard Chat recap with Chair Callaghan is to be published soon  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/08/school-committee-approves-handbooks_0234276677.html 

The Police Station Building Cmte met on Wednesday to hear of the site selection whittling process (from over 200 to 2), the pros and cons of those 2 (Davis Thayer & Parmenter), additional public tours were announced for the existing site on Panther Way, early estimates for the total project cost were released (approx. $48M). Recap, with audio & video replay ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/08/police-station-building-cmte-hears-of_02009228077.html 

Zoning Board of Appeals held its only August meeting also in moments of contention around the Franklin Ridge project (minor approval required), a porch extension (denied), and the ongoing 444 East Central discussion (despite a change in stance from Town Council and multiple comments from residents and abutters, the ZBA is continuing to perform due diligence on the project). TV video available for replay  ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAgrTHFwGsc 

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