Franklin, MA News

09/22/2025

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.

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

*** 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

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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This episode combines the Franklin Matters Radio spots for the week of September 21, 2025. The outlook for the week ahead Sep 21 through Sep 27, 20...

09/21/2025

Town Council Chair Tom Mercer condenses the 2+ hour meeting to about 35 minutes (audio)

FM #1514 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1514 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Thursday, September 18, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of September 17, 2025.

We focus on two questions:
- ok, what just happened?
- What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

Announcements from the Chair

Town Clerk Nancy Danello provides update on biennial election status

School Cmte Chair Dave Callaghan provides an update on school opening and traffic issues being worked

2 Police Dept new hires effectively back filling for positions authorized within the reduced Police Dept staffing were sworn in and pinned by family members

2 public hearings were opened separately; one for the 2 commercial kitchen bylaws to enable the operation of a commercial kitchen within a residence if on septic (not on town sewer); and second, a set of 6 bylaws to create the Crossing Neighborhood zoning district. It would be similar to the Downtown zoning with a couple of exemptions. Councilor Frongillo recused himself from these discussions and votes as his father's business operates in the proposed zoning area

In legislation for action

all 8 of the zoning changes moved to a second reading

The Council voted to formalize the early in person voting schedule for the November election as announced

A couple of water & sewer extensions were approved

A definition of a collection container was accepted and authorized to extend the current use by religious organizations to non-profits, in particular the American Legion and VFW

A presentation on Solicitation Permits by Police Chief Thomas Lynch and Deputy Police Chief James West was made to provide some info on the process in response to an incident earlier this year.

In the Town Administrator's Report 2 key items were covered;

Qne - a series of personnel moves; B Taberner's replacement was announced, M Kinhart and M D'Angelo are retiring, Breeka Li Goodlander to return from pregnancy leave in mid-Oct;

Second - the Assessors revealed new growth will be about $271,000 shorter than projected earlier this year. This will need to be adjusted somehow before the tax rate hearing in Nov/Dec. It seems to be reflecting the slowdown in growth due to interest rates, uncertainty, and the 'nimby-factor', etc.

The conversation runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen in

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1514-town-council-quarterbacking-09-18-25/

09/21/2025

Gobble, Gobble! The Franklin Turkey Trot is Back! - Nov 27

Get ready to run, walk, or waddle! Registration is now open for the annual Franklin Turkey Trot, a family-friendly fun run held on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 27, 2025, at 8 AM.

All levels and abilities are welcome to join in this community event. Participants can look forward to a light breakfast, raffle prizes, and medals for each age bracket after the run – and NEW this year is a prize for best costume!

All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the Franklin Food Pantry.

Event Details:
What: Franklin Turkey Trot
When: Thursday, November 27, 2025, at 8 AM
Where: Start and finish from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 91 Jordan Road, Franklin, MA 02056

Registration:
Register Online at www.franklinturkeytrot.org, in-person at 91 Jordan Road, Franklin, MA, on November 26, 2025, from 7 to 9 PM, or on race day from 6:30 to 7:30 AM

Early Bird: $25 until October 13, 2025
Standard: $30 after October 13, 2025

Swag: Race shirts are available for purchase online through October 30, 2025, or in-person at bib pick-up and on race day (while supplies last)

Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Last year, nearly 1,000 people participated in the Franklin Turkey Trot. Businesses interested in gaining valuable name recognition while supporting the Franklin Food Pantry can contact Jen Johnson, Franklin Food Pantry’s Development Associate, at [email protected] for more information.

The Franklin Food Pantry extends a special thank you to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Franklin for hosting and helping to organize this event.

Note: Franklin Matters is a proud sponsor of this event

09/21/2025

Franklin TV: Children’s Museum “Play is the Work of Children”

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 09/21/2025

After years of planning and prepping, it’s real. On Wednesday the Children’s Museum cut the ribbon and opened its doors for all to see – and play. It began as an idea and the shared dream of Meg Hagen and Erin Gallagher. In two years it moved (literally) from idea to a mobile museum to today’s grand opening.

Then, (and waiting quite patiently), after several comments and well-wishes by a series of speakers , all the kids enjoyed a ‘ribbon cutting ceremony’ of their own.

Three! – Two! – One!

They literally ‘stormed the ramparts’, running the access ramp at top kid speed.

Play is indeed the work of children. Every child is a curious researcher, an intrepid explorer, a self-propelled scientist. Some say that our powers of imagination peak at the tender age of five. They brought their imagination and curiosity, and the museum with its many inspiring, interactive exhibits, provided the tools and toys.

The kids got right down to work.

And – as always –

Thank you for watching
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm
And staying informed at Franklin●news

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

09/21/2025

FHS volleyball & field hockey teams post wins on Saturday
Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Saturday, Sep 20, 2025

Field Hockey = Franklin, 4 @ Natick, 0 – Final

Volleyball = Franklin, 3 @ Bishop Feehan, 1 – Final

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)
https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-09-20-25/

09/21/2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, September 21, 2025 ??

7:30am All You Can Eat Breakfast (Franklin Rod & Gun Club)
9:00am Fallen Hero: Lawrence E. Garron Jr & Alfred L. Mucciarone (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)
11:00am Sunday Brunch (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)
1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free) (Franklin Historical Museum)
5:00pm Movie Night Under the Stars (St. Mary's Parish)

** NO Town Meetings today **

09/21/2025

2 Fallen Hero Recognitions Today: Garron & Mucciarone - Sep 21, 2025 at 9 AM

Memorial event today (9/21/25) at 9 AM on the Town Common Veterans Walkway to honor Lawrence E. Garron and Alfred L. Mucciarone.

This program will include the placing of a Memorial Wreath for the day, the playing of Taps, a salute from those present, and a reading of whatever history may be available for that veteran. This is a way of keeping the memory of that veteran alive.

Fallen Hero: Lance Corporal Lawrence E. Garron

Lance Corporal Lawrence E. Garron was born on September 27, 1948, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence E. Garron Sr. Lawrence lived with his parents and a sister at 1295 Pond St., went to grade schools in Franklin and then went to Boston Trade High School from which he was graduated in 1967.
Corporal Garron enlisted in the Marine Corps in May of 1967 and had served overseas for 10 months. During his tour of duty in June of 1968, Cpl. Garron had been wounded and was hospitalized for eight weeks in Saigon from shrapnel wounds in the leg, for which he received the Purple Heart.
Cpl. Garron later returned to- active duty where he became a casualty on September 21, 1968 when he was one of eight marines in a platoon of 15 men killed in the explosion of a mine while on patrol in Quang Nam province, Vietnam.
Lance Corporal Lawrence Garron Jr. was 19 years old at the time of his death in Vietnam.

Posted previously -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/fallen-hero-lance-corporal-lawrence-e.html

Fallen Hero: Pvt. Alfred L. Mucciarone, U. S. Army, WWI
Born in Italy, son Accenzia (Bertino) and Mariannino Mucciarone, he came to Franklin as a child. After living here for 17 years, he entered the service on September 20, 1917 and was assigned to Company F, 302 Infantry Battalion of the 76th Division, and later transferred to Company A 306th Machine Gun Battalion of the 77th Division. He went overseas on April 13, 1918

With this group, he became mortally wounded, during the Ouse - Aisne Offensive, and died at Base Hospital #41.

Franklin Honored this hero by naming a Town Square after him.

He was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously in 1967, and the award was presented to his brother, Elio.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/fallen-hero-staff-sergeant-anthony-j.html

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For the full published series of Fallen Heroes you can visit this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-fallen-heroes-series.html

Photo album of the Fallen Hero pillars along the Veterans Walkway
https://photos.app.goo.gl/oRGdmq9krLNEBnjJ7

09/20/2025

When life changes, The Pantry can help (video)
WCVB as part of the Day of Giving to support the Greater Boston Food Bank did the following piece on Franklin resident Ali Rheaume:

"Ali Rheaume was just 28 years old when a traumatic brain injury changed her life forever.

"I used to be a very active person, a teacher, a coach," Rheaume said. "Then, all of a sudden, I am the one that needed all the help."

Rheaume now has a personal care assistant and has challenges with memory and mobility. She also gets help from the Franklin Food Pantry, which serves 1,900 people each year.

"I work. I'm a professional, but I just don’t make enough money to pay for everything myself, so I come here to help support that," Rheaume said."

Follow the link to view the remainder of the post and view the video itself ->

Powered by citizen journalism, your daily source of information about what matters in Franklin, MA.

09/20/2025

Property Inspections to be conducted by CIDARE in Franklin, MA between September 22 and October 11, 2025

A property inspection is essential for ensuring your property record is accurate and that we can perform fair and equitable property valuations.

This year, the Town of Franklin has partnered with CIDARE to field collect and process data for 225 specific single family homes. Notification letters have been mailed to each of the property owners and were mailed on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. The homes were identified for inspection as the result of a recently issued building permit or because we have not yet verified the construction associated with a prior issued permit.

Properties that CIDARE is Visiting (225 properties to be visited)

Property Inspections to be conducted in Franklin, MA between September 22 and October 11, 2025
Property Inspections to be conducted in Franklin, MA
between September 22 and October 11, 2025
Please note that we will be updating this map as we make visits. Blue represents parcels that have yet to be visited. Yellow represents parcels that have been visited.

Data collectors will be visiting properties between September 22 and October 11. Upon arrival, they will knock on your door and introduce themselves. If you are home and it is convenient, they will conduct a full inspection. If no one is available, a notice will be left with instructions to contact the Franklin Assessors’ Office.

Inspections consist of two parts:

Interior Inspection: A data collector will walk with you through the property, noting overall condition and any permit-related changes. This portion typically takes 10–15 minutes.

Exterior Inspection: Using a 3D laser scanner (LIDAR), the data collector will walk around the property to measure buildings, take updated photographs, and document any visible changes. This portion takes approximately 10 minutes. If the property is unfenced and no one is home, the exterior inspection will still be performed.

For additional info on the inspection process and inspectors conducting the data collection -> https://www.franklinma.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=82

09/20/2025

FHS football (video) & volleyball teams post wins on Friday

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, Sep 19, 2025

Football = Franklin, 21 @ Brockton, 18 – Final

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyPvQ7krFqA

Volleyball = Franklin, 3 @ Stoughton, 0 – Final
– Franklin returned from its road trip to Stoughton with a clean sweep, 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-14), over the Black Knights. Emerson Delleo led the Panthers with 10 kills, four aces, and six digs. Makayla Kuykendall had a strong all-around performance with nine kills, 11 digs, and an ace. Charlotte Yeulenski and Livi Alberti each chipped in three kills, while setter Liv Caruso ran the offense with seven assists. Emerson Stewart anchored the defense with 11 digs, and Phoebe O’Connor added nine assists and two aces in the win.

Golf = Canton, 155 @ Franklin, 158 – Final
– Canton earned its second big win of the week, knocking off Franklin on the road at Franklin Country Club. The Bulldogs were led by rounds of 38 from both Teddy Shuman and Joey Ryan, while Cam Washburn added a 39, and Mason Wachtendonk chipped in a 40. Franklin’s Tyler Perlman was the match medalist with a 37, Ben Burgess shot a 38 with a birdie on the fifth, Dylan O’Brien carded a 41, and Bryce Botelho (42) added a birdie on the eighth.

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-09-19-25/

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

09/20/2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, September 20, 2025 ??

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)
9:00am Library Book Sale (Franklin Public Library)
10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
10:00am Rise Up (Franklin United Methodist Church)
10:30am Laptop Refurbishing Events (New England Chapel)
10:30am Weekend Wiggles! (Franklin Public Library)
11:00am Fall Safety Fest (Fletcher Field)
12:00pm 5th Annual Mexican Independence Day Fiesta (La Cantina Winery)
1:00pm Library Books by the Bag Sale (Franklin Public Library)
6:00pm Free Danielle Miraglia Concert at SAFE Cafe After Dark (31 Hayward St)
8:00pm Karaoke at The Raillery (Raillery Public House)

** NO Town Meetings today **

09/19/2025

Annual Fire Dept Open House scheduled for Saturday, Oct 4, 2025

via the Franklin Fire Dept:

We are hosting our annual Open House on October 4th from 10 AM - 2 PM.

This is at our Headquarters located at 40 West Central St.

Please stop by and join us!