Franklin Matters

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 ???

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Wed, 20 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Wednesday, May 20

7:00am Dana-Farber Mammograms Van (New England Chapel)

12:00pm Once Upon A Town (live taping) (Franklin TV and Radio Studio)

1:00pm "Where's the Toast?" Memory Cafe (Franklin Senior Center)

2:00pm Women's Health Expo (New England Chapel)

6:00pm FHS Senior Student Recital (Franklin United Methodist Curch)

6:30pm Bingo night (Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub)

6:30pm Franklin Elks Bingo Night (Franklin Elks Lodge #2136)

7:00pm Smarty Pants Trivia (Raillery Public House)

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

For additional details on Senior Center events ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9195/May-2026-Newsletter?bidId=

*** Town Meetings today ***

Town Council Meeting - budget hearing #1

Wednesday, May 20 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05202026-2323

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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

Town Council FY 2027 budget hearings scheduled over 2 nights; May 20 & May 21

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Wed, 20 May 2026 09:55:00 +0000

The Town Council meetings over the next 2 nights will give the new, and yes, since they haven't (most of them anyway), done a budget hearing before, this is all new to the Council.

The normal format is Wednesday, the first night, the line item summary for each of the departments is read aloud by the Clerk of the Council. As it is read, a member (or multiple members) placed a hold on a department line item for follow-up (question, comment, etc.).

A few departments are generally held automatically by the Chair (Police, Fire, Schools, DPW, Facilities).

After the list of holds is confirmed, the Council will start back at the beginning of the listing (account number order per the voting document) to address the question for that item. Councilors first, then Council Chamber community members, then Zoom participants, until all questions/comments were addressed for each item.

If any questions can't be answered (usually due to additional research required), those are carried over to the second night. After all those are done, the Council usually votes on the budget.

Not this time around.

Recall that at the end of the 4 Finance Committee hearings, it was revealed that the current budget version would not be revised to include

the latest from the Senate or House versions
the actual costs for the GIC health plans for FY 2027
the Finance Committee recommendations.

Until after Memorial Day, and ready for the Finance Committee meeting May 27. The Finance Committee is also scheduled to meet June 3, at one of these 2 sessions, the Finance Committee will get to vote on the revised budget. The Town Council mets on June 10 and will at that time get to close out this portion of the FY 2027 budget.

So settle in, the questions and answers are going to be interesting to see which way the Council will go on the budget.

Town Council budget hearing #1 agenda

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05202026-2323

Town Council budget hearing #2 agenda

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Town-Council-4/?#_05212026-2328

Finance Committee budget hearings covered spent 16+ hours reviewing, questioning, and deliberating on the FY 2027 budget over 4 nights. The YouTube videos are available on the TV Town Hall Channel. The meeting recap for each session is available at Franklin.News

Monday, April 6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7KSV5MTfHs&t=140s

Tuesday, April 7 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SrQw4jc-r0

Wednesday, April 8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8Hb_pCl64A&t=164s

Thursday, April 9 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oIsBHQ73Ts&t=1170s

Image shared from https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhky7vlSSC/

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Stormwater & Environmental Affairs (Enterprise Account)

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Wed, 20 May 2026 09:50:00 +0000

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

General Purpose

Use the highest levels of science, innovation, conservation, and customer service to collect and monitor stormwater, maintain stormwater infrastructure, educate the public, and treat stormwater as required by State and Federal permits.

Core Functions

● Catch Basins (5,700+)

○ Continue to monitor and clean catch basins to maintain a level of <50% full.

● Drain Pipe (128 miles)

○ Continue to monitor, maintain and repair all drain pipes to ensure proper passage of stormwater and prevent localized ﬂooding.

● Outfalls (502)

○ Continue to monitor, maintain and repair all outfalls to prevent ﬂooding and identify and remove possible illicit discharges.

● Catchments (499)

○ Continue to monitor and investigate stormwater catchments to ensure appropriate functionality of the drainage system and prevent illicit discharges into the MS4.

● Stormwater Control Measures (307)

○ Continue to monitor and maintain all stormwater control measures (SCMs), including rain gardens, dry detention basins, inﬁltration basins, tree wells, stormceptors and other subsurface drainage structures. Franklin’s SCMs play a critical role in removing pollutants from stormwater and encouraging inﬁltration, making their maintenance and continued functionality crucial to the success of the drainage system.

● Public Education

○ Continue to educate and engage with the public on stormwater pollutants, stormwater treatment and how residents can keep Franklin’s stormwater clean and free from debris.

● Support Supplies & Equipment

○ Ensure the department has trucks, equipment, and a proper inventory of supplies for day-to-day operations and emergencies after hours.

Stafﬁng

The salary costs for the Director, Managers and Administrative Staff are shared between the DPW General Fund and the various Enterprise funds.

The Stormwater Enterprise fund pays for 4.83 FTEs (the breakdown):

● Management & Administration: 1.23

● Engineering/GIS Staff: 0.55

● Administrative Support: 0.35

● Stormwater Division Laborers: 2.7

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Increased MassDEP and EPA regulatory activities and how they may impact the current MS4 permit.

● The continued implementation of the Phosphorus Control Plan (PCP), speciﬁcally SCM retroﬁts and new construction to meet our phosphorus reduction goals.

● Continue to lead in organizing municipalities to coordinate efforts to meet regulatory compliance as possible cost saving measures.

● Continue to foster a “keep stormwater clean” attitude and understanding throughout Town with education, outreach and enforcement.

● Continue to perform public outreach regarding stormwater education and build upon past initiatives of story map and mailer information.

● Continue impervious area feature class updates to ensure accurate stormwater billing.

● Major Concerns:

○ As weather patterns continue to change, additional stresses will be placed upon the drainage system and its ability to function. Therefore, the Stormwater Division must be creative in managing future stormwater threats to Franklin. Through grant funding and collaboration with local non-proﬁt groups, the Stormwater Division will continue to keep up-to-date on the latest innovative solutions and green infrastructure options to maintain and improve the drainage infrastructure.

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● Stormwater Expense Total Increase: $13,000

○ Street Sweeping - $50,000

○ Catch Basin Cleaning - Decrease ($35,000)

○ Asset Essentials Software - $2,000

○ Consulting Services - $11,000

○ Materials (Asphalt, Loam, Stone) - Decrease ($16,000)

○ Training - $1,000

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

Enterprise funds are accounted for separately from the General Operating Budget and are designed to be self-supporting through user fees and charges. As such, their revenues and expenditures do not impact the Town’s Operating Budget, as all costs are recovered within the enterprise fund rather than supported by general taxation.

This budget reﬂects reprioritization due to shifting obligations regarding the MS4 permit. Each line item uniquely addresses the administrative, construction, and planning aspects of the Program. The established Stormwater Utility, along with the passage of the proposed FY27 budget; will enable the Town of Franklin to be poised to address the most pressing & pertinent aspects of the MS4 permit.

The PDF of this section -

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13hjkhKs7u2K2ay3j_PYu_C8F2vgu14L9/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Water Dept (Enterprise Account)

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Wed, 20 May 2026 09:45:00 +0000

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

General Purpose

Use the highest levels of science, innovation, conservation and customer service to safely deliver, and bill accordingly over seven hundred million gallons of potable water to the residents, businesses and industries of Franklin.

Core Functions

● Wells/water facilities (23 sites)

○ Maintain chemical levels to State & Federal standards, daily pumping records, daily water testing, weekly water sampling and testing by certiﬁed lab, and monthly records reported to MassDEP. Maintain pumps, electric motors, telemetry, chemical feed systems, standby power supplies, buildings, security fencing, roadways and grounds.

● Water Meters (~10,000 accounts)

○ All residential, commercial and industrial water meters read quarterly. Maintain meters, water meter calibration, water meter replacement program,

ﬁnal read inspections for homes over 20 years old, records for water meter installation, meter history and maintenance cards.

● Emergency twenty-four hour, seven days a week response/ customer service.

● Cross-Connection Control Program

○ Operate and maintain a cross-connection control program that oversees the testing and inspection of over 700 backﬂow protection devices.

● Water Distribution System Maintenance

○ Maintain and repair all of the Town's water mains, water service lines to and including the curb stop valves, and public hydrants. Perform annual hydrant ﬂushing, valve exercising and annual leak detection to provide the Town with adequate ﬂows and pressures for ﬁre protection and domestic uses. Keep unaccountable water at a low percentage.

● Support Supplies & Equipment

○ Ensure the department has trucks, equipment, and a proper inventory of supplies for day-to-day operations and emergencies after hours.

● This department provides both technical and physical assistance to internal and external customers for public and private projects including plan review and permitting, and provides excellent customer service.

Stafﬁng

The salary costs for the Director, Managers and Administrative Staff are shared between the DPW General Fund and the various Enterprise funds.

The Water Enterprise fund pays for 17.94 FTEs (the breakdown):

● Management & Administration: 3.69

● Engineering/GIS Staff: 2.20

● Administrative Support: 1.05

● Water Division Laborers: 11.0

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Increased Mass DEP and EPA regulatory activities; particularly as they affect municipal water, PFAS, iron and manganese levels, lead and copper testing, water service line inventory and water management act conservation requirements.

● Lead in organizing municipalities to coordinate involvement in response to unwarranted, detrimental, and non-funded DEP policy making.

● Continue to secure water for the Town’s future, by restoring capacity in existing wells (treatment plant, well redevelopment, water treatment etc.).

● Strengthen existing 'Water Smart' development standards to ensure sustainable water conservation and more effective localized groundwater recharge.

● Cultivate community-wide water conservation through education and enforcement. This strategy remains central to the Town’s recognized success in maintaining low residential per capita consumption.

● Sustain the Town’s robust leak detection initiatives to limit water loss and ensure our unaccounted-for water percentage remains industry-leading at less than 10%.

● Continued proactive meter replacement plan for accurate water billing. In addition, continue to invest in Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to improve operational efﬁciencies and sustainability by effectively monitoring water usage and system efﬁciency, detecting malfunctions and recognizing irregularities.

● As part of our commitment to transparency and efﬁciency, 70% of the Town has been transitioned to hourly water reading collection. We encourage all residents to utilize the Franklin Water Department Consumer Water Portal to monitor usage, set custom consumption alerts, and proactively detect potential leaks. Activate your My360 account today to take control of your water budget and support Town-wide conservation.

● Capital Improvement Concerns that will likely affect water rates:

○ The Town currently utilizes two existing, riveted steel tanks at the Hillside distribution storage facility, Hillside Tank No. 1 was originally constructed in 1888 and Hillside Tank No. 2 in 1928. In 2022 the Town elected to pursue replacement of the two existing riveted steel tanks with one new welded steel tank with combined capacity of 1.7 million gallons. The new tank will be equipped with a mixing system. The design of the project has been advanced to 95% and will be shelved until the funding is available (estimated at $10.5 million).

○ The prior 5-year Water Main Replacement program is now complete. The next 5-year plan focuses on replacement of older Cast Iron (CI) and Asbestos Cement (AC) water mains. In addition, these proposed projects will aid the Town in replacing galvanized water services that are potentially connected with Lead Goosenecks. These water services are required to be replaced by 2037 per the EPA's Lead & Copper Rule Improvement (LCRI) regulations. The replacement of water mains in the areas of Park Road, Maple Street, Partridge Street., Meadow Parkway, and Pheasant Hill Road are being considered among others.

○ The Pleasant Street Tank, Forge Hill Tank, and Bald Hill Tank all require rehabilitation. Speciﬁcally, we are looking at reconﬁguring the existing low

service area (Pleasant Street) system to eliminate "in series” pumping and remove the existing tank. At the Bald Hill and Forge Hill Tanks, rehabilitation includes cleaning and repairing the interior and exterior concrete structure; replacing the interior overﬂow pipe assemblies; and repairing the shell manholes which show extensive corrosion. These projects will reduce annual energy costs and eliminate the need for future tank painting, pump replacement, and other structural/architectural improvements associated with the existing Pleasant Street infrastructure. The needed maintenance will also provide resiliency to the existing infrastructure for continued operation now and in the future. The projected total cost for all 3 projects is approximately $11.5 million.

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● The FY27 budget was prepared as a “level service budget” to continue with residents' expected services. Exceptions include the following:

○ Account 517050 - Professional Licenses - Decreased $2,000 to align with the 5 year average.

○ Account 517195 - OPEB - Required increase in contribution

○ Account 521010 - Electricity - Increased $46,000 to account for inﬂation and align with 5 year average

○ Account 530700 - Architects and Engineers - Increase $10,000 to comply with Federal and State requirement to update Emergency Response Plan

○ Account 530950 - Consulting Services - Increase $10,000 to have consultant and lawyer assist with Water Management Act Renewal

○ Account 542010 - Ofﬁce Supplies - Decreased $2,000 to align with the 5 year average.

○ Account 542080 - Ofﬁce Equipment - Decreased $1,500 to align with the 5 year average.

○ Account 554010 - Construction Material - Decreased $5,000 to align with the 5 year average.

○ Account 554035- Chemicals - Increased $13,000 to account for inﬂation and operation of Well 7 in 2026/2027

● The FY27 personal services budget does reﬂect step raises and other contractual requirements for union employees as well as cola increases for non union staff. In addition, the budget includes a small increase for overtime.

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

The FY27 Water Department budget is a level-service request designed to maintain the high standards of safety, reliability, and conservation that Franklin residents expect. Approval of this budget ensures the continued delivery of over 700 million gallons of potable water while meeting increasingly stringent MassDEP and EPA regulations regarding PFAS, manganese, and lead.

Furthermore, these funds support critical infrastructure modernizations, such as the AMI meter system and leak detection programs that keep our water loss rates among the lowest in the State. A reduction in this requested budget would directly impact the community by delaying vital well capacity restoration and infrastructure repairs, potentially increasing long-term emergency maintenance costs and hindering our ability to proactively detect leaks and deliver safe drinking water, meeting all Federal and State Standards, to the residents of Franklin.

The PDF of this section -

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V9kta_2cbN_vPI9P-Zn-Nqp28ua10r4I/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

FHS Theater Co to perform "Curious Case of Cottingly Fairies" on Fri/Sat, May 22, May 23

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Wed, 20 May 2026 09:35:00 +0000

FHS Theater Co to perform "The Curious Case of Cottingly Fairies" on Fri/Sat, May 22, May 23

Shared from https://www.instagram.com/p/DYfQI4lFdkm/

Free Sober Prom for Norfolk County Teens - June 13, 2026 from 8 PM to 11 PM

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Wed, 20 May 2026 09:30:00 +0000

SAFE is throwing a free prom night celebration for all high school students in Norfolk County.

Free Sober Prom for Norfolk County Teens
June 13, 2026 from 8 PM to 11 PM

Night to Remember is a glow-and-neon themed dance party at SAFE's Franklin office, open to all teens (ages 14 to 18).

The night includes a live DJ, dance floor, mocktail bar with custom drinks, photo booth, games like cornhole and oversized Jenga, glow bracelets, temporary tattoos, and prizes and giveaways.

Prom season is one of the highest-risk times of year for teen substance use, and free, teen-centered weekend events are rare in our area. Night to Remember gives high school students a genuinely fun alternative—a low-pressure way to dress up, celebrate, and have a great time with their friends, while reinforcing the kind of community SAFE is known for building.

Spots are limited and registration closes on Thursday, June 11. If you know a high school student in our community, please share this with them.

This event is made possible with support from Lawson Charitable Foundation, Community Health Systems Foundation, and Rockland Trust.

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/18W98BaiL8/

How to spot and avoid business coaching scams

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Wed, 20 May 2026 09:05:00 +0000

How to spot and avoid business coaching scams

By BCP Staff

Have you seen ads promising that a training or coaching program will help you build a thriving business or make significant money investing in markets like crypto, forex, or precious metals?

Offers like these might sound exciting, but could be coaching scams in disguise.

Do you know how to spot them?

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, May 20, 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Wed, 20 May 2026 09:02:00 +0000

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio introduced a brand new schedule early in 2025 for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves.

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock

Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 2 PM)

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points. (repeats Saturday at 1 PM)

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

Franklin TV schedule for Wednesday, May 20, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Wed, 20 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY

Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = WEDNESDAY

Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = WEDNESDAY

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 ???

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Tue, 19 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Tuesday, May 19

12:00pm Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

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

For additional details on Senior Center events ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9195/May-2026-Newsletter?bidId=

*** Town Meetings today ***

Franklin School Committee Contractual Negotiations Meeting (executive session)

Tuesday, May 19 Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05192026-2255

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, May 19 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05192026-2322

250th Anniversary - Events subcommittee

Tuesday, May 19 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05192026-2297

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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

Franklin Fathers meeting Thursday (5/21) & 2 events on Saturday (5/23)

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Tue, 19 May 2026 09:55:00 +0000

Via Franklin Fathers:

"While we continue to gear up for the Eddie Grant Kickball Tourney on 6/14, we did want to take a minute to shout out a few events coming up in May!

This THURSDAY, 5/21, we’ll be back at The Tavern on Central at 7:30 PM for our May Member Meetup. Come grab some grub or a beverage, catch up, and have a few laughs.

On Saturday, 5/30, we’re thrilled to be joining our friends at Franklin Public Library Official Site for a very dapper double feature: Hairstyling Workshop for Grownups + Kiddos at 1 PM, and then, starting at 2 PM, the library’s very first Petite Prom!

If you’re interested in the hairstyling session, please make sure you register on the library event calendar (link in the comments of the Facebook post )."

Shared from : https://www.facebook.com/share/14cNXETxUwx/

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Sewer Dept (Enterprise Account)

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Tue, 19 May 2026 09:50:00 +0000

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

General Purpose

We deliver elite customer service and ensure the consistent operation and maintenance of our collection system, safely transporting and billing over 900 million gallons of wastewater annually to the Charles River Pollution Control Treatment Plant.

Core Functions

● Manage and maintain 23 sewer lift stations.

○ Includes daily operational monitoring, recording pumping data, and facility sanitization to ensure consistent ﬂow to the CRCPD. Responsibilities encompass the technical maintenance of pumps, motors, telemetry, and standby power, as well as the upkeep of site security, fencing, and grounds.

● Sewer Collection System Maintenance

○ Ensure the integrity of the Town’s sewer infrastructure through proactive repairs and maintenance of mains and manholes. This includes systematic

hydraulic cleaning, internal TV inspections for asset management, and the clearing of easements to ensure emergency access.

● Emergency twenty-four hour, seven days a week response/customer service.

● Support Supplies & Equipment

○ Ensure the department has trucks, equipment, and a proper inventory of supplies for day-to-day operations and emergencies after hours.

● This department provides both technical and physical assistance to internal and external customers for public and private projects including plan review and permitting providing excellent customer service.

Stafﬁng

The salary costs for the Director, Managers and Administrative Staff are shared between the DPW General Fund and the various Enterprise funds.

The Sewer Enterprise fund pays for 10.33 FTEs (the breakdown):

● Management & Administration: 3.28

● Engineering/GIS Staff: 1.0

● Administrative Support: 1.05

● Sewer Division Laborers: 5.0

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● In FY27, the Department will reach a major milestone with the completion of the Beaver Street Interceptor project. As the conduit for 70% of the Town’s raw sewage, replacing this century-old line is essential. Despite signiﬁcant logistical hurdles involving environmental and transportation corridors (Route 140, MBTA tracks, and local wetlands), the project remains ﬁscally responsible through the use of State Revolving Funds (SRF) low-interest loans and Federal Infrastructure Bill principal forgiveness.

● Modernize critical infrastructure by completing the multi-year pump and control system upgrade across the Town’s sewer network.

● Increased Mass DEP and EPA regulatory activities of delivery and operations of wastewater operations.

● Sustain ongoing sewer system capital improvements to further reduce Inﬂow and Inﬁltration levels.

● Continue to collaborate with the development community to implement

ﬂow-mitigation strategies that reduce system strain during peak demand periods.

● Work with Charles River Pollution Control District on proposed Inﬂow and Inﬁltration work to the District owned interceptors and plan for future improvements to the District owned Treatment Facility.

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● The FY27 budget was prepared as a “level service budget” to continue with residents' expected services. Exceptions include the following:

○ Account 517195 - OPEB - Required increase in contribution

○ Account 521010 - Electricity - Increased $4,000 to account for inﬂation, startup of the new BSI Pump Station, and align with 5 year average.

○ Account 521020 - Natural Gas - Increased $2,000 to account for inﬂation, startup of the new BSI Pump Station, and align with 5 year average.

○ Account 527030 - Equipment Rental/Lease - Increased $10,000 to match water enterprise. The account is used for Fleet GPS and potential for emergency pump rental.

○ Account 530300 - Health/Medical Services- Increased $500 due to increased cost of ﬁrst aid kit requirements.

○ Account 543010 - Building - M&R Supplies - Increase $3,000 to account for operation of aging equipment.

○ Account 554035 - Chemicals - Decrease $5,000 to align with the 5 year average.

● The FY27 budget does reﬂect step raises, cost of living adjustments and other contractual requirements for union employees as well as COLA adjustments for non union staff.

● FY27 Charles River Pollution Control District assessments are based on information provided by them. The number is subject to change.

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

Approval of the FY27 requested budget is essential to maintaining the "level service" that ensures the safe conveyance and billing of over 900 million gallons of wastewater annually. This funding supports critical infrastructure, including 23 sewer pump stations and the future startup of the ongoing, multi-million dollar Beaver Street Interceptor project, which is

vital to the community's health, safety, and prosperity. A reduction or cut to this request would directly impact the department’s ability to provide 24/7 emergency response, meet increasing MassDEP and EPA regulatory requirements, and perform necessary maintenance to prevent system failures.

The PDF of this section -

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yFHOZ9pEMU5nPL5WaFeMZpO10liwWyoJ/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Recycling & Solid Waste (Enterprise Account)

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Tue, 19 May 2026 09:45:00 +0000

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

General Purpose

To provide the highest level of customer service for curbside pickup of trash, recyclables, and yard waste from 9,686 households for transportation to Millbury WIN Incinerator, the recycling processing center, and composting centers.

Core Functions

● Continue a high level of customer service and fast response times.

● Work to increase the Town's recycling rate while decreasing the amount of trash tonnage that is delivered to the Millbury Waste-To-Energy facility.

● Manage single-stream recycling, solid waste, waste-to-energy, and composting contracts.

● Apply for and obtain DEP grant funding to improve operations, enhance recycling monitoring, and public outreach/education.

Stafﬁng

The salary costs for the Director, Managers and Administrative Staff are shared between the DPW General Fund, and the various Enterprise funds. The Solid Waste Enterprise fund pays for 1.55 FTE's.

● Management & Administration: 0.9

● Administrative Support: 0.35

● Solid Waste Laborers: 0.3

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Residential compost bins offered free of charge to residents; which were obtained through MassDEP grant funding. This program reduces "trash" tonnage and is environmentally sound.

● Reorganized and enhanced efﬁciencies amongst the schools through the district-wide composting program.

● Continue to remain below 10% contamination rate through our single-stream recycling program - one of the best rates in Massachusetts.

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

Solid Waste Expense Increase: $195,000

● Wheelabrator Trash Disposal: This $34,000 increase is consistent with the 5-year average. The actual rate of increase is calculated annually in May, by Wheelabrator actuaries, based on the CPI and as speciﬁed in the Franklin-Wheelabrator contract.

● Recycling Disposal/Tipping: Increase of $45,000 reﬂects 5 year historical averages and current/projected market trends.

● Waste Management Trash Collection: This $53,000 increase reﬂects the collective total of the per-customer rate increase, as speciﬁed in the Franklin-Waste Management 2026-2031 contract.

● Waste Management Recycling Collection: This $63,000 increase reﬂects the collective total of the per-customer increase, as speciﬁed in the Franklin-Waste Management 2026-2031 contract.

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

This budget reﬂects contractual increases regarding the Waste Management trash/recycling collection and hauling contract. It also includes the projection for the annual increase in the Waste Disposal / Wheelabrator contract. Both items are necessary to maintain health, cleanliness, and proper sanitation in regard to solid waste throughout the Town of Franklin.

The PDF of this section -

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xA-cmR1hmHF1mdvwAGEScsunBgBtlHxA/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

Reminder: Women’s Health Expo - Wednesday, May 20

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Tue, 19 May 2026 09:40:00 +0000

Friendly reminder! The Franklin Health Department’s Women’s Health Expo is happening this Wednesday, May 20, from 2–5 PM at New England Chapel (300 E. Central Street).

Stop by for health screenings, educational resources, local vendors, wellness information, and more — all focused on supporting women’s health and well-being.

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute mobile mammography van will also be on-site from 7:00 AM–3:15 PM.

We encourage residents to attend, explore available resources, and take time to prioritize their health and wellness!

C&C ice cream truck at the Hockomock League JV track meet Tuesday, May 19

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Tue, 19 May 2026 09:35:00 +0000

C&C ice cream truck at the Hockomock League JV track meet Tuesday, May 19

Shared from https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17vY2Xzk6F/

MLT members meeting now on Zoom - 7:00 p.m. Thursday May 21

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Tue, 19 May 2026 09:30:00 +0000

View this email in your browser

MLT MEETING MOVES TO ZOOM!

Thursday, May 21st
7:00 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/94424267852?pwd=0i7H79OOabampxb1kT0Way8nojhD5F.1

Due to space conflicts at the Sutton High School complex, Metacomet will hold our annual business meeting virtually. If you are a member, please log in and participate.

This short meeting will cover required elections, approval of last year's minutes and the financial report. Our Annual Report with details is here.

MLT needs a quorum of 20 or more members participating on the video meeting or sending a proxy to our Board President and/or Vice President before the meeting begins.

Please send a brief email to Lisa Mosczynski@MetacometLandTrust.org stating your proxy for the meeting. Proxies must be received by noon on Thursday.

If you have not previously installed Zoom on your phone or computer, we recommend doing so before the meeting.

Our program on watershed protection with Stefanie Covino, of the Blackstone Watershed Collaborative, will be rescheduled for the fall.

MLT ANNUAL MEETING ZOOM INSTRUCTIONS

Topic: MLT - ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Time: May 21, 2026 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/94424267852?pwd=0i7H79OOabampxb1kT0Way8nojhD5F.1

Meeting ID: 944 2426 7852
Passcode: 346921

One tap mobile
+16469313860,,94424267852#,,,,*346921# US
+19292056099,,94424267852#,,,,*346921# US (New York)

Join instructions
https://zoom.us/meetings/94424267852/invitations?signature=WVC_q1_gCHzrSDZIkH8XuPZuEcNoodpZ_psOIg4RXqs

Would you like to renew your membership online before the meeting?

Check your last donation date below and renew by mail or use the PayPal link to pay online.

Our records show your donation of $1,000 was received on 02/19/2026.

Please keep your donation receipts.

Our Federal Tax-Exempt ID is: 04-3020897.

We Love Where We Live -- And We Know You Do, Too!

Metacomet Land Trust

P.O. Box 231

Franklin, MA 02038

Telephone:
(508) 271-7131

Reminder: 2026 Memorial Day observances for the Town of Franklin

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Tue, 19 May 2026 09:25:00 +0000

The Town of Franklin invites residents, veterans, families and visitors to come together in remembrance and gratitude during the community’s 2026 Memorial Day observances. A series of events will honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

The Memorial Day Breakfast will take place on Friday, May 22, from 9 to 11 AM, at the Franklin Senior Center and offers an opportunity for the veteran community to gather ahead of Memorial Day. Reservations are required and must be made by Friday, May 8, by calling the Veterans’ Services Office at 508-613-1315.

On Memorial Day, the community is invited to attend a series of commemorative events, beginning with ceremonies at Dean College at 9:30 AM, Union Street Cemetery at 9:50 AM, and St. Mary’s Cemetery at 10:10 AM, prior to the start of the parade.

Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony — May 25, 2026

The Memorial Day Parade is scheduled for Monday, May 25, 2026, at 11 AM, beginning at Horace Mann Middle School and proceeding along Oak Street, Daniel McCahill Street, Union Street, West Central Street, Emmons Street and Main Street, ending at the Franklin Town Common.

View the parade route: Memorial Day 2026 Parade Route

Download a PDF copy - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L7xl3qkGgSuR-9vLd2wpdOCqsiBUPdRq/view?usp=sharing

The Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at 12 PM at the World War I Memorial on the Town Common immediately following the parade. The ceremony will honor Franklin veterans who have passed since last Memorial Day, as well as the Town’s 45 fallen heroes who died in service to the nation.

In the event of inclement weather, updates and cancellation notices will be posted on the Town’s Veterans’ Services webpage (https://www.franklinma.gov/335/Veterans-Services).

Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served. The Town of Franklin encourages all to take part in these observances and join in honoring the legacy of our nation’s heroes.

The FPAC Golf Tournament, golf to help an artistic & charitable cause

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Tue, 19 May 2026 09:20:00 +0000

The FPAC Golf Tournament is coming up fast. We are very excited to make this year’s tourney bigger and better.

Take a day off work for a charitable cause, and test your skills in 18 holes of golf at the New England Country Club! Compete with friends, family, and co-workers for on-course hole contests (50/50 Hole, Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive) and raffle prizes!

The FPAC Golf Tournament, golf to help an artistic & charitable cause

Golf proceeds support FPAC programming and THE BLACK BOX while encouraging the development of emerging artists. FPAC’s fundraising events help bring world-class talent to perform in downtown Franklin, amplifying the cultural fabric of MetroWest Boston.

For additional info and to register - https://fpaconline.com/golf-tournament/

Reminder on Hands Only CPR class during EMS Week Tuesday, May 19

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Tue, 19 May 2026 09:15:00 +0000

The Franklin Fire and Health Department is celebrating EMS Week by hosting a FREE hands only CPR class.

The class will take place on May 19th from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM at the Franklin Fire Station, 40 West Central St.

Shared from https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CSb74wpxZ/

Garden of Hedon concert scheduled for THE BLACK BOX on June 20

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Tue, 19 May 2026 09:15:00 +0000

Vintage style psychedelic blues rock with just a shot of punk rock attitude!

The swagger of The Stones meets the sophistication of The Beatles, combined with the power of Led Zeppelin and the eclectic weirdness of early David Bowie and Alice Cooper.

Matt Zajac: Lead Vocals, Background Vocals, Acoustic Guitar

William James Donovan: Bass Guitar, Background Vocals

Steven Serra: Electric Guitar

Tim Corrigan: Electric Guitar

Kevin Meaney: Slide Guitar

Johnny Keys: Piano, Organ, Keyboard

Tim Provost: Drums

Come see what’s growing in the Garden Of Hedon!

Tickets available at THEBLACKBOXonline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370!

#theblackboxfranklin #livemusic #franklinmassachusetts #metrowestma #franklinma

Creative Corner Art Studio offers, after school, Saturdays and Summer programs

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Tue, 19 May 2026 09:10:00 +0000

Shared from https://www.instagram.com/p/DYQFy_WvB7M/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, May 19, 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Tue, 19 May 2026 09:05:00 +0000

Yes, Franklin has its own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves.

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

Franklin TV schedule for Tuesday, May 19, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Tue, 19 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = TUESDAY

Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = TUESDAY

Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = TUESDAY

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, May 18, 2026 ???

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Mon, 18 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Monday, May 18

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

For additional details on Senior Center events ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9195/May-2026-Newsletter?bidId=

*** Town Meetings today ***

Community Preservation Committee Meeting

Monday, May 18 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05182026-2318

Franklin Public Schools Community Relations Sub Committee Meeting

Monday, May 18 Time: 6:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05182026-2321

Library Board of Directors Regular Meeting

Monday, May 18 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05182026-2316

----------

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

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Debt & Interest

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sherlock) — Mon, 18 May 2026 09:50:00 +0000

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

Type and Purpose of Debt

The Town of Franklin sells General Obligation Bonds to ﬁnance capital improvements and other projects that require large amounts of cash such as schools, public works, recreational areas, public safety, and public buildings. General Obligation Bonds are supported by the full faith and credit of the Town and are repaid from property taxes from both current and future property owners or, in the case of water or sewer projects, out of their respective enterprise funds. Over the last few years, typical rates for 20 year municipal bonds have been in the 3% to 4% range. With the current situation, rates may be more variable and possibly higher as less bidders compete in the marketplace.

Debt shall be issued only for capital improvements with a useful life equal to or exceeding the term of the ﬁnancing. The Town will manage its debt in a manner that maintains a high credit quality, ensures long-term affordability, and limits the impact on taxpayers.

The Town’s most recent borrowing is a one-year Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) issued to fund the replacement of Fire Engine 3, with a total authorization of $935,000.

A BAN offers a cost-effective short-term ﬁnancing option, as issuance costs are signiﬁcantly lower than those associated with long-term bonds. This approach is particularly advantageous if the Town plans to reduce the principal over time or consolidate this borrowing with other authorized projects into a future bond issuance.

The BAN was authorized by the Town Council on March 4, 2026.

After a ratings review by Standard & Poor’s in May 2025, the Town’s bond rating was afﬁrmed at AAA with a stable outlook.

FY26 Debt Service by Category

1. School Buildings – Franklin High School and Tri-County Regional Vocational H.S

2. Public Buildings – Senior Center, Library, Municipal Building Renovation

3. Technology - improvements to school and town systems

4. Public Safety – Fire Truck, Aerial Ladder Truck

5. Water Debt – Water mains, repairs, storage, lines and the water treatment plant through the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust Loan Program (MCWT)

i. MCWT is a state agency that improves water quality throughout the Commonwealth by providing low-interest loans to municipalities.

6. Sewer Debt – Beaver Street Interceptor, through MCWT.

Debt Service Trend Chart

The Town maintains a policy of limiting annual debt service to no more than 5% of the operating budget. Current debt service represents approximately 4.5%, reﬂecting adherence to this policy and a prudent approach to long-term ﬁnancial management. Debt service is projected to decrease from FY27 to FY28, primarily due to the following factors:

● Horace Mann Middle School debt – both excluded and non-excluded debt service will drop off in FY27

● Final payments on major capital projects – debt associated with the Senior Center, Fire Station, and School issuances will reach their ﬁnal payment in FY28, resulting in signiﬁcantly lower debt service compared to prior years.

For reference, below is a summary of excluded and non-excluded debt retiring between FY23-FY28, including issuance and sunset years:

Continue reading this section to review additional text and charts in the PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OQNtkj-72ohybKN8bt4QMSajSOflXqvG/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577