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  

Tis the season to wrap things up… literally

Many meetings this week are the last of the calendar year with the Christmas and New Year’s holidays coming over the next 2 weeks. Some subcommittees are active this week, especially as the 250th Celebration planning gets underway.

The Town Council meeting Wednesday (6 PM) has a potpourri of an agenda. Recognitions, alcohol license renewals, snow update, Town Charter change process presentation, among others in a full agenda.

Town officials hold their office hours at the Senior Center Thursday morning (8:30 AM). There is a ZBA meeting Thursday evening but the 444 East Central project will be the topic for their meeting on Tuesday the 23rd.

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-1606-fm-weekly-outlook-lookback-combo-12-14-25/

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 12/12/25, 8:00 PM   ***

Franklin Public Schools Community Relations Sub Committee Meeting

Monday, December 15 Time: 6:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12152025-2050 

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee

Monday, December 15 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12152025-2061 

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, December 15 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12152025-2056 

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee

Tuesday, December 16 Time: 5:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12162025-2060 

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, December 16 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12162025-2059 

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, December 17 Time: 6:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12172025-2062 

Town Council Office Hours

Thursday, December 18 Time: 8:30 AM

ZBA Meeting

Thursday, December 18 Time: 7:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12182025-2055 

FOFE Meeting

Friday, December 19 Time: 9:30 AM

Council on Aging Meeting

Friday, December 19 Time: 1:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12192025-2066

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

The Franklin School Committee met for their only December session on Tuesday, December 9. The Volleyball team was recognized, the capital budget request was reviewed and approved, Student Services presented on all that they do. The recap, video and audio links are available https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/school-committee-recognizes_030419169.html 

The Finance Committee finally got their ‘deep dive’ into Technology. It took multiple reschedules but it happened. It is highly recommended spending the time to watch the video replay. To fully & properly fund technology for the required licenses, hardware, software and staffing to keep it all running would be an additional $1.5M per year. Food for thought and consideration https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/finance-committee-gets-answer-on-how.html 

 

The Conservation Commission met on Thursday. The video replay is available

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

On the Schools channel:

• the FHS Concert Band and Wind Ensemble concert was broadcast and is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqY8ICpCF5w
• the FHS Concert Band concert Dec 11 was broadcast and is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqY8ICpCF5w

On the All Access channel:

• the next in the series of Aging Boldfully shows hosted by Susan Rohrbach is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHBjudkBsFk

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