Franklin, MA News in less than 5 mins: Middle of the new month in this new year (audio)

We are already into the middle of the new month in this new year and deep into the middle of all that is happening.

• For background music, you can listen to "Stuck in the middle with you" https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=ln7Vn_WKkWU

There is a full week of meetings across Town and School business. The Housing Authority, Planning Board, and School Committee Community Relations subcommittee are all scheduled for Monday.

Some folks learned this week that the Housing Authority is not related to the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust other than sharing ‘housing’ as their focal point. Housing Authority is a State agency operating Central Park Terrace, Winter St and other State owned low income housing in Franklin. The Municipal Affordable Housing Trust manages a few Town properties that are deeded restricted. There are other private entities that manage deed restricted units as well.

Tuesday has the 250th Anniversary Celebration, School Committee Policy Subcommittee, and then the full School Committee meeting, as well as the meeting of the Friends of Franklin Library.

Wednesday is relatively quiet but very important with the Finance Committee hearing about the “economics of development” at this session. The answer to one question “Which are more financially beneficial to the Town, rental units or ownership units?” may get some clarity.

Thursday starts with Town official coffee hour at the Senior Center, followed by meetings of the Cultural District Committee and Conservation Commission.

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-1625-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-01-11-26/

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 1/09/26, 8:30 PM   ***

Franklin Housing Authority Meeting

Monday, January 12 Time: 4:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01122026-2080 

Franklin Public School Community Relations Sub Committee Meeting

Monday, January 12 Time: 6:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01122026-2082 

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, January 12 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01122026-2083 

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee Meeting

Tuesday, January 13 Time: 5:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01132026-2074 

Franklin School Committee -Policy Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, January 13 Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01132026-2087 

Franklin School Committee

Tuesday, January 13 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01132026-2086 

Friends of the Franklin Public Library Meeting

Tuesday, January 13 Time: 7:00 PM - 7:45 PM

No agenda available at this time

Finance Committee Meeting

Wednesday, January 14 Time: 6:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01142026-2089 

Cultural District Committee Meeting

Thursday, January 15 Time: 6:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01152026-2088 

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, January 15th Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/545?fileID=7509 

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

The Police Station Building Committee had a significant meeting on Tuesday. Significant in that they finally recommended that Parmenter should be the site for the potential new station. They also recommended to request the Town Council to authorize $64K for a ‘code review’ of the existing Parmenter facility. Such a study would detail what updates would be required to bring it into compliance with current building code. The building was initially constructed in the 1950’s and then expanded in the 80’s when it was re-opened as a school to handle the growth at that time. Video and recap of the meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/police-station-bldg-cmte-selects_8.html 

The Franklin Board of Health met on Wednesday. The work of this group will become more important as the changes to the Federal health department continue to be made. Exclusive audio of this meeting (and a quick recap) can be found ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/franklin-ma-board-of-health-mtg-010726.html 

The Town Council met in another 4 hour plus session on Wednesday. They approved an amended Friendly 40b policy after juggling the legislative set of their agenda to get the ‘easy’ items out of the way before tackling the 40b discussion. The recap and video of the meeting is available. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/town-council-approves-amended-friendly.html 

Exclusive audio of the Candlelight Vigil for Renee Nicole Good held on the Town Common on Thursday is available ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/candlelight-vigil-for-renee-nicole-good.html 

On the FHS sports live streaming front

• FHS girls basketball -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7pWLyhuW-Q 

• FHS girls hockey -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-8FxtAbw18 

• FHS swim team -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViCnoxLMJAI 

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  

We have a Wolf moon to begin the New Year

We have a wolf moon to begin the new year. Hmm, what does that mean? 

There are probably lots of possible explanations, and from a variety of view points. For me, on a clear early Saturday morning with the moon setting over a very cold Franklin, it was such a sight to behold. 

If only solutions for the issues facing us were as clearly defined and agreed to. Frankly, there are too many questions unanswered, or even well defined, to begin to see some agreements on approaching resolutions. 

So we take each day as it comes. On Tuesday, the Police Station Building Committee meets for the first time since August. Who from the current Town Council makes up this group now? 2 of the 3 prior Council members are no longer on the Council.

The Board of Health meets at 5 PM on Wednesday. The Town Council is scheduled for 6 PM the same day. A presentation on Facilities is scheduled as is the return of the possible change to the friendly 40b policy. 

Recall that the changes to this friendly 40b policy had been ‘tabled’ by the prior Council, sent to the Economic Development Subcommittee, which after their first meeting in October was canceled, the item was dropped from their rescheduled October agenda. Likely due to the approaching election. Now, this new Council gets it without a prior review of Economic Development.  Will there even be such a Subcommittee for this Council?

For my view, the proposed changes only tackle one of the multiple issues with the existing policy. It only requires future projects to be ownership based rather than rental. It neglects to address the other process issues with this policy around awareness, notifications, etc.

So how will this Council approach the potential change? The answer may come Wednesday. Some folks might be left howling no matter how the Council decides to address it.

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-1620-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-01-04-26/

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 1/02/26, 6:30 AM   ***

Police Station Building Committee Meeting

Tuesday, January 6 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01062026-2064 

Board of Health Meeting

Wednesday, January 7 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01072026-2071 

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, January 7 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01072026-2073 

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meeting

Thursday, January 8 Time: 2:00 PM 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01082026-2081

Franklin Commission on Disability Meeting

Thursday, January 8 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01082026-2070 

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School (updated 1/05/26)

Thursday, January 8 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01082026-2078

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting (meeting canceled)

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

With the new year here, some of last year's items may not be fully complete. For example, the final document with the history and decision of the ZBA on the 444 East Central St project has been completed, marked with the Town Clerk seal, and posted to the ZBA page

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8024/444-E-Central-St-Record-and-Decision-with-Clerk-Stamp 

Will this decision be appealed? Stay tuned…

On the sports live streaming front, it was relatively quiet over the holidays with only one live streamed event as we go to press

• FHS boys basketball on Friday, 1/02/26 vs.Taunton  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvwrGKKYm1o 

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  

For the sake of an old time Franklin, we need to take time to go forward together.

“Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne!”   https://poets.org/poem/auld-lang-syne 

"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scots phrase that literally translates to "old long since," but has taken on a more fluid definition along the lines of "for old time's sake" or "the olden days."   https://www.countryliving.com/life/a30201370/auld-lang-syne-meaning 

As we greet the new year, let’s use this time of no town or school meetings to build some relationships. The past is now passed into history. We can no longer go back there. 

Time and life are more river-like, go with the flow, step aside, and the flow continues on.

Step in again, and it is a new flow, the waters you left are now ahead of you, not to be caught up again.

There is an African proverb that says if you want to go quickly, you go alone. If you want to go sustainably, you go with others. Going with others takes time, lots of discussion, lots of negotiation, lots of agreement. There may be times of agreeing to disagree but let’s at least agree to go forward.

For the sake of an old time Franklin, we need to take time to go forward together.

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-1619-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-12-28-25/

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 12/26/25, 7:00 AM   ***

There are NO Town meetings scheduled this week

Senior Center 

Closes at noon, December 31

Public Library

Closes at 2 PM December 31

All Town and School facilities closed January 1

The trash/recycle curbside pick up is one day offset due to New Year’s

• Those scheduled for Thursday will get picked up Friday

• Those scheduled for Friday will get picked up Saturday

Senior Center

Regular hours, 8:30 AM to 4 PM - January 2

Public Library

Regular hours, 9 AM to 5 PM - January 2

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

ZBA met for 4 hours on Tuesday, December 23 ultimately rendering their 2-1 decision for the 444 East Central project with a long list of conditions and some exemptions. The final document should be available for filing by the Town Clerk before December 31, 2025. The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzHv26ryV0 

High school live streamed sports:

• FHS boys basketball on Monday, 12/22 vs. King Philip  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M3T6IpUb7M 

• FHS boys hockey on Tuesday, 12/23 vs Archbishop Williams  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UCc8r3VzEw 

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  

'Twas the week before Christmas, in all Franklin town, Everyone was waiting for the decision to come down

'Twas the week before Christmas, in all Franklin town

Everyone was waiting for the decision to come down

ZBA public hearings were complete, now fully closed

All comments made, residents could only sit posed

The new Council had voted to change their mind

And drafted the letter to which they readily signed

Would it make a difference, the TA said no

The State said likewise, but what does the Council know

The ZBA will make their decision soon reviewing

The exemptions one by one, residents patiently stewing

The developer team will be on edge, calculator at hand

Anxiously waiting, where will the mitigations land

When will we find out, and will that be the end

Or will it be appealed with a filling quickly penned

In the meantime, let’s enjoy the seasonal glow

Have a round of cheer, the sun will still rise tomorrow

With apologies to Clement Moore, the major decision on the 444 East Central development proposal should be forthcoming from the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting at Tuesday's meeting. Note, with the public hearing closed, there may not be an opportunity for comment from the public either before or after the decision is made.

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-1610-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-12-21-25/

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 12/19/25, 6:30 PM   ***

Charles River Pollution Control District Meeting

Monday, December 22 Time: 3:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12222025-2067

ZBA Meeting

Tuesday, December 23 Time: 6:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12232025-2057 

Senior Center 

Closed all day, December 246

Public Library

Closes at 2 PM December 24

All Town and School facilities closed December 25

Senior Center 

Closed all day, December 26

Public Library

Regular hours, 9 AM to 5 PM - December 26

Public Library

Regular hours, 9 AM to 5 PM - December 27

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

Planning Board met on Monday, December 15 as scheduled, the Franklin TV video is available -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DovJ17h2e0c 

Town Council met on Wednesday, December 17 for another 4 hour session to close out the calendar year. The recap and Franklin TV video can be found -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/town-council-closes-out-year-approving.html 

ZBA met for 30 minutes on Thursday, December 18 on a different topic this time, the Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzHv26ryV0 

• Franklin MIddle school band concert on Tuesday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AP5OeVaREw

• FHS Girls basketball game on Tuesday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AP5OeVaREw

• FHS girls hockey on Wednesday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AP5OeVaREw

• FHS boys basketball on Friday  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_hMOXtGYgg&t=1063s

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