Franklin, MA News

11/09/2025

Audio recording of the Franklin Public Schools Horace Mann Legacy Subcmte Mtg - Nov 3, 2025 (audio exclusive)

FM #1575 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1575 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin Public Schools Horace Mann Legacy Subcmte Mtg held on Monday, Nov 3, 205 at 6:00 PM. Meeting chaired by School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan. Members Ruthann O’Sullivan and KP Sompally participated remotely. Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Director of Operations Colin Boisvert participated.

QUick recap

Draft doc for scope and mission of the subcmte being reviewed

Overall question is how do we engage the entire community to understand, appreciate and honor his legacy with an education focus. But acknowledge that he did have other interests in his career

Goals around three arenas:
- The named campus, the physical presence
- Education
- Advocacy

Discussion on guardrails to keep subcmte from wandering off the tasks

Discussion on composition of committee, representation from various stakeholder groups; final decision up to full School Committee

Draft doc to be updated based upon discussion and used by next committee

Motion to adjourn

The meeting runs about 1 hour and 8 minutes, so let’s listen in.
Audio link ->

This session shares the Franklin Public Schools Horace Mann Legacy Subcmte Mtg held on Monday, Nov 3, 205 at 6:00 PM. Meeting chaired by School Committe...

11/09/2025

Franklin TV: The Synthespians Are Coming !

And Hollywood is – Totally – Freaking – Out.

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 11/09/2025

Synthespian? Sounds like a strange other-worldly being from a far away planet. Not so. Synthespians are home-grown – by computers. They’re synthetic thespians; actors, created via artificial intelligence systems. You describe the physical traits, characteristics, mannerisms, behaviors and such that define your synthespian’s looks and personality, crunch that data, and digital voila – out s/he pops – in fulgent, totally ready-to-perform form. Background extras – aka ‘Phillip Space’? Digital extras have roamed the background for years. Now they’re ready for their close-up.

Such is the creation of Tilly Norwood; a synthetic thespian entity – a ‘digital actor’ created by Eline Van der Velden at Particle 6. Tilly made her debut in late September at the Zurich Film Festival. Reactions?

If you’re talent, or any number of other production craft positions from the director of photography to the set painters and production assistants –Tilly Norwood represents Artificial Armaggedon. Hollywood’s hyper-reactive fury is raging like a California wildfire, anticipating a scorched Earth future for the industry.

Many Hollywood creatives have their heads in the sand on this. They wail and moan about genuine human emoting, character development, the humanity that visionary directors and ‘A’ list actors bring to the screen – and so on. However, if you’re a movie studio, what’s not to like? Tilly might well be a studio’s dream ‘talent’. She is infinitely accommodating and always at the ready, absent any off-stage drama, histrionics or guile ( – unless the script calls for that). She is as pure as the driven snow ( – if the script calls for that).

My point? We have seen this movie before. Literally – in 1995. Pixar’s ‘Toy Story’ was the first CGI feature-length animation – 30 years ago.. Then as now, the backbone of every Pixar and Disney animation since Toy Story has been precisely about that – Story. The technology wasn’t the star. The story was, and every story well-told is dripping with humanity, pathos, soul, wit, trauma, redemption, and on.

So, where is all this going? Extract Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Micky, Minnie, et al. Insert Tilly. The modern animation studio has 3 successful decades of refining story, preproduction and so on. The CGI production pipeline is mature and ready. Working with Tilly and other (studio created and owned) digital entities who will surely follow will be just another data at the office. In a mere handful of years the difference between a CGI animations and blockbuster features will be –

Another key point: There are already several AI services that will gladly ‘rent’ their ‘Tilly equivalents’ as directable avatars. Because they have been trained by movies to move and speak like humans do in movies, they have ‘life experience’ and can ‘act’. They say what you want ‘em to say and move how you want ‘em to move. Like the fella sed – they can walk and chew gum at the same time ( – if the script calls for that). They are digital virtual spokespeople – able spokes-folks for hire.

Are we at Franklin.TV interested? Yes. Exploring? Yes. Working with? Not quite yet, but perhaps sooner than later.

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

11/09/2025

Franklin High School Cross Country Results for MIAA Division 1A Cross Country Championship on Nov 8, 2025

MIAA Division 1A-1B-1C Cross Country Championship on Nov 8, 2025
Wrentham Developmental Center
Results filtered for -> Franklin High School

** Boys 5000m Varsity Division 1A

47 Kyle Twomey 16:59.50 IQ • +47pts • #827 • Yr: 11
63 Adam Peng 17:21.20 +63pts • #823 • Yr: 12
84 Tyler Anderson 17:56.10 +84pts • #818 • Yr: 12
86 Nicholas Mitchell 17:57.50 +86pts • #820 • Yr: 11
95 Sawyer Laing 18:04.50 +94pts • #819 • Yr: 10
103 Tucker Morin 18:14.40 +102pts • #821 • Yr: 12
107 Ethan Riley 18:18.90 +106pts • #824 • Yr: 11

** Girls 5000m Varsity Division 1A

35 Victoria Courtright-Lim 20:21.80 IQ • +34pts • #198 • Yr: 12
48 Annabelle Santiago 20:54.40 +47pts • #206 • Yr: 11
100 Violet Copeland 22:50.90 +97pts • #197 • Yr: 10
112 Sasha Ignatova 23:21.20 +109pts • #201 • Yr: 9
117 Neve Morrison 23:35.80 +114pts • #203 • Yr: 9
119 Keelan Donnelly 23:40.20 +116pts • #199 • Yr: 10
126 Abigail Liang 24:58.80 +122pts • #202 • Yr: 9

FHS results -> https://lasttimeout.anet.live/meets/58242/teams/1385014

Complete meet results -> https://lasttimeout.anet.live/meets/58242

IQ = Individual qualified for the State meet
TQ = Team Qualified

Download a PDF copy of the FHS results ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XAu5jCFHq28Ix5kj4J4db6agIisXwucY/view?usp=drive_link

11/09/2025

FHS boys soccer playoff run ends in Framingham on Saturday 1-2 in OT

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, November 8, 2025

Boys Soccer = Division 1 = #22 Franklin, 1 @ #6 Framingham, 2 – Final (OT)

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qNsIesLrv4

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

11/09/2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, November 9, 2025 ???
Sunday, November 9

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
1:00pm Musical Bingo (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

** NO Town Meetings today **

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Find the full Community event calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication: https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

This calendar shares the community & cultural events happening in Franklin, MA

11/08/2025

ART PHARM | 6 month Check-In scheduled for Nov 14 at the SAFE Coalition

Since its official launch in May 2025, the Art Pharmacy partnership in Franklin has successfully integrated arts and culture into support systems for individuals in treatment for opioid use disorders and prevention efforts. The program established a custom referral workflow, trained Care Navigators, and engaged over 50 prescribing partners across schools, municipal departments, and recovery services.

Community members referred to the program have participated in diverse arts and culture events, with costs covered for them and their companions, supported by bilingual navigation services. 

Click here for the quarterly report -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7495/Quarterly-Report-with-our-Partners-at-Art-Pharmacy?bidId=
___________________________________________________

We're back this November for a follow up community conversation to welcome new partners and neighboring communities on learning more. Community conversation will take place with Emily Devlin, Art Pharmacy and Erik Holgrem, Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Presented at the Safe Coalition, 31 Hayward St Suite 2C, Franklin, MA 02038
Friday, November 14 10-11:30 AM

Please register here -> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-pharm-community-check-in-tickets-1821512365519
This event is free and open to the public.

11/08/2025

Save the Date!!! Holiday Cookie Walk at FUSF scheduled for Saturday, Dec 13

The 3rd annual “Holiday Cookie Walk” will be hosted by First Universalist Society in Franklin (262 Chestnut St.). Saturday, December 13th 10 AM until 1 PM.

Come and stroll through the festive Meetinghouse, located at 262 Chestnut Street in Franklin, as you select from a delicious assortment of homemade treats provided by more than 30 bakers.

You are sure to find the perfect confections for your holiday table, a hostess gift, or your next party.

Cookies will be sold by the pound. Containers, decorated with your choice of holiday sticker, will be provided. Cash, check, or electronic payments accepted. Make this event part of your holiday fun.

11/08/2025

Franklin Interfaith Council Thanksgiving Service - Sunday, Nov 16

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

11/08/2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, November 8, 2025 ???

8:00am Town Wide Curb Alert (Find Streets on page)
9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church
10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
10:30am Weekend Wiggles! (Franklin Public Library)
2:00pm Craftalong for Adults (Franklin Public Library)
8:00pm Karaoke at The Raillery (Raillery Public House)

8:00pm FPAC Gala (THE BLACK BOX)

For additional details on Library events ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

** NO Town Meetings today **

11/07/2025

Voices of Franklin: Reflections upon a gift of conversations received from a friend called necessity*

*With apologies to John Tobias

During that autumn
As the leaves started to
Change color and fall
Creating a carpet of crunches
While the temperature remained summer like
But without the thunder storms to
Roll thru and break the heat
Even if momentarily
While the drought monitors crept higher
And higher, inducing restrictions
On outdoor water use

During that autumn
Which definitely was
Created by the biennial election
There were multiple conversations
And the conversations ruled

Schedules to coordinate
Times to agree upon,
Zoom info shared, then connecting
Sound check,
Background check,
Lighting check,
Find the button and we're on

How to get at the questions
Folks wanted answers to
Without being so direct,
Abrupt, or unfriendly

We created the context,
The setting, neighbors
Meeting neighbors
Some closer than others
Some we'd met before
Some we hadn't yet
Until there, virtually, we were
Together to get their story
Their point of view
Recorded to share

Wind down to a close,
Then editing, Cut this,
Queue this, upload that,
Send this, wait for their response

And when the recording
Was approved, it was
Shared, some more widely than
Others, somehow that is always
The case, some candidates generated
More interest by being new
Less familiar than the
Incumbents whom folks seem
To know enough of
To not need anymore

When the recorded conversations
Came to a close
Other conversations began
Folks following up with candidates
Candidates following up with
Each other, making the meet &
Greet circuit, making the rounds,
To address all the questions,
Provide all the answers

On the website, the pages
Are rich with links
To the conversations,
Video and audio,
Along with historical data,
Info on what was done before
And may need to begin again
To further the conversation
And become closer neighbors
Than we were when
The conversation started

When the biennial election is
Over, the results tallied,
Perhaps they'll be a new set
Of folks at the table
Now with the task of
Providing oversight
To our Town, our services
Which we need, some of which
Some of us
More than others

And so by necessity
This autumn the conversations
Continue, neighbors with neighbors
To find the solutions
That can be possible

Steve Sherlock
Franklin resident

originally shared with the Senior Center Writers Group and posted to
https://www.quietpoet.com/2025/10/reflections-upon-gift-of-conversations.html

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

11/07/2025

Tom Mercer condenses the Oct 29 Town Council meeting (audio)

FM #1573 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1573 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, October 30, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of Wednesday, October 29, 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

Appointments to the Agricultural Commission - Jennifer Sweeney (Associate Seat) and to the Council on Aging - Roberta Trahan were both approved by 9-0 votes

The Public Hearing, originally scheduled for Oct 15, and continued to this date, was opened and eventually closed with no public or Council comments on the multiple modifications of a Section 15 Package Store All Alcoholic Beverages License: Change of License Manager... Doing business as Liquor World. The measure was approved by 9-0 vote

The Council approved a Farmer-Winery Farmers Market License - Blisspoint LLC d/b/a Blisspoint Meadery by a 9-0 vote

Presentation: Franklin Elks Riders Donation to Veterans’ Services Department. Veterans Service Officer, Shannon Nisbett received the check for $2000 from this year's rides

Gift acceptance, $10,000 from Adirondack Club

Resolution 25-70: Adoption of Cannabis licensing Local Approval Process and Cannabis Social Equity Policy (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-70 - Majority Vote) Moved, second. The proposal is modeled after that of Shrewsbury as they are the only 1 approved now, 100+ communities remain to develop one and get theirs approved. This is an example of additional revenue from cannabis, almost $.5m yearly total. NETA has done well here

Resolution 25-67: Expenditure Limits for FY2026 on Departmental Revolving Funds Established by Franklin Town Code Chapter 73, as Provided in MGL Chapter 44, §53 E½, as Amended (Electric Vehicle Charging Stations) approved by 9-0 vote, may need to adjusted upward as time goes and action on this revenue stream increases

From the Town Administrator's Report

Purchase of the SNETT extension is complete, now owned by the Town, Work remains to be funded and completed but the registry of deeds has the record of ownership

Formally closed on Franklin Ridge, contracts going out to bid, info sessions in the spring on lottery process etc. Construction once begun is anticipated to go 18-24 months

Approximately, the remaining 40 minutes of the meeting were Councilor Comments reflecting on accomplishments for this term, recognition of the 3 not running for re-election, etc.

The conversation runs about 28 minutes. Let’s listen in
Audio link ->

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Con...

11/07/2025

Project PJ returns for their 11th year !!!
Hello everyone!

We are back and better than ever, ready to collect donations and start our 11th year off strong!

Make sure to follow this page for any and all updates. If you have any questions, send us a DM or email us at [email protected]!

Links to our registries and Venmo are in our stories and highlights, so make sure to check those out! -> https://linktr.ee/projectpjma?

As always, thank you for your support!!

Linktree. Make your link do more.