People, Power, and Politics

An actor playing Paul Revere beckons to the crowd at the National Conference of State Legislatures' annual meeting in Boston on Aug. 5, 2025.Hosting more than 8,000 legislators, staff and guests from across the nation might seem like bad timing for Massachusetts lawmakers to face new ballot campaigns aimed at docking their pay and forcing open their records — or maybe it offered a chance to find allies who understand the pressure. In the Seaport convention center, the National Conference of State Legislatures held a "Ballot Measures as Barometers" panel on Wednesday, the same day that folks across town were filing 2026 initiative petition language and signatures and thinking about the road to next fall's ballot.  Among the 47 measures residents and advocacy groups hope to put before voters (some duplicates) are proposals that seek to overhaul the financial stipends that legislative leaders award to many lawmakers, and subject the governor's office and Legislature to the state's public records law.

FRANKLIN

New
Town Website Does Not Support “Cut and Paste” of calendar
entries. Go to https://franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
However, Steve Sherlock from Franklin Matters has compiled and and
shared the below information. Thanks Steve!

And you thought the FY 2026 budget decisions were behind us with the adjustments made at the June 4, 2025 Town Council meeting to line up with the failed override. Yet the assumptions made in the budget for the expected State revenue has now changed and will provide less funding than was budgeted for, hence the adjustment required for $231 thousand odd.

The Finance Committee gets the first crack at this on Monday, August 11. The Town Council then gets to this at their Wednesday, Aug 13 meeting. The key decision will revolve around splitting the deficit equally between Town and School budgets, or having the Town absorb the deficit and reinstate the 3rd ambulance.

Yes, the 2 voting docs do require some explanation. One accounts for the $231 thousand odd adjustment, the other actually increases the budget by $18 thousand. How these are reconciled requires an explanation at the Finance Cmte and Town Council meetings.

The School Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug 12. We’ll get an update on educational activities during the summer as well as an update on the moving activities for the redistricting for the schools to reopen in September.

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 8/08/25, 8:00 PM

Finance Committee Meeting

Monday, August 11 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08112025-1822

Planning Board Meeting - mtg canceled (next session 8/25/25)

Monday, August 11 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08112025-1844

School Committee

Tuesday, August 12 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08122025-1851

Design Review

Tuesday, August 12 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08122025-1849

Town Council

Wednesday, August 13 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08132025-1852

Historical Commission

Wednesday, August 13 Time: 6:00 PM

no agenda released at this time

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - no meeting (next meeting is 9/11/25)

Thursday, August 14 Time: 2:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/466?fileID=5560

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School - BOT Mtg

Thursday, August 14 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08142025-1845

Zoning Board of Appeals ZBA no meeting (next meeting 8/28/25)

Thursday, August 14 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08142025-1842

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

The Police Station Building Committee met on Wednesday, August 6 at 5 PM to tour the existing station facility. Additional opportunities for the community will be announced for Sept/Oct time frames. There is also work underway to create a video walk through of the facility for those who might not be able to participate in person. A recap of the tour is found https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/08/police-station-building-committ…

The Commission on Disability met on Thursday, August 7 beginning at 4 PM. Mary O'Neill, was taken by surprise with the gathering of more than the Commission members and with the presentations of proclamations by State Rep Jeff Roy and Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. Among the many things Mary is known for it is her inspiration and persistence that produced the "Kindness Matters" signs seen around town. A recap of the meeting including some photos https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/08/mary-oneill-and-randy-jay-surpr…

The Conservation Commission met on Thursday, August 7. The Franklin TV video is available for replay on YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4kHhc-j_KE

MEDWAY

Medway’s
new website, likewise, does not readily support cut and paste. Go to
medwayma.gov.

STATE
HOUSE and BEYOND

The Massachusetts Legislature and Congress are taking summer breathers but President Donald Trump continues to exercise his powers, handing down new executive orders that have states on their heels. This week alone, as state lawmakers enjoyed some downtime or networked at the National Conference of State Legislatures' annual summit in Boston, Trump handed down orders governing alternative 401(k) assets, transparency in higher education admissions and access to banking services. Lawmakers have been mulling legislative responses to Trump administration directives that have key sectors here - health care, higher education, and clean energy - scrambling to adapt to change. The state Senate plans to resume formal sessions in mid-September and House Democrats have not indicated when they will return to Beacon Hill. For now, it's twice-weekly informal sessions, where there's been a slight uptick in activity compared to earlier in the session. A group of lawmakers also plans to head up to Maine next week to learn more about how that state has responded to the threats posed by PFAS to farmland, drinking water and public health. And as K-12 schools begin to think about reopening their doors to students in a few weeks, it looks like state officials won't coalesce around a cellphone ban policy before then. The legislation that cleared the Senate last month would largely ban cellphone use by students beginning in 2026 and top House Democrats haven't outlined a timeline for taking up the bill or their approach to the issue, which is generating lots of debate at the local level.

Gov. Maura Healey in recent days signed a trio of major bills on her desk funding road and bridge repairs, providing raises for bar advocates, and boosting protections for reproductive and transgender care in Massachusetts. It will probably be several weeks before she receives another significant piece of legislation. Lawmakers this fall will need to tackle a closeout budget -- which could become at least the eighth separate spending bill of the year -- needed to wrap up accounting for the fiscal year that ended June 30. They might be inclined to pull other Healey ideas into that package, including her push for greater budget-trimming authority or her idea to deploy state dollars to cover lost federal funding for research. Another topic that might get some attention this fall is Healey's proposed environmental bond bill (S 2542), a somewhat regularly occurring borrowing package that the House and Senate are usually eager to tackle.

Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025

WARREN ON KELLER: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren joins political analyst Jon Keller's weekly talk show "Keller at Large" to discuss the state of the economy, the status of federal funding for Massachusetts infrastructure projects, President Trump's firing of the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and her ability to communicate with the executive branch. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)

SEN. FRIEDMAN ON NBC: Sen. Cindy Friedman sits down with NBC 10 Boston reporter Matt Prichard. (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NBC 10)

MBTA EMERGENCY RESPONSE: MBTA holds an emergency training response exercise with a Blue Line train in the Orient Heights Yard area. Media and observers are invited to attend, and must arrive at 9:30 a.m. for a safety briefing ahead of the exercise at 10 a.m. Officials say there will be no service impacts, though Blue Line service is already suspended between Airport and Wonderland and replaced with shuttle buses from Aug. 9-17. "The learning exercise will include a scenario in which a subway train traveling on this section of Blue Line track experiences an unexpected incident," the MBTA advisory says. "Responders will face challenges that include extrication, treatment of injured riders, and the evacuation of passengers." The exercise is being held with the Revere Fire Department, Revere Police Department, Cataldo Ambulance and other public safety agencies. (Sunday, Aug. 10, 10 a.m., Orient Heights Yard and Maintenance Facility, Boston | RSVP)

ROONEY ON OTR: Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jim Rooney joins hosts Ed Harding and Sharman Sacchetti on WCVB's weekly political talk show "On the Record." Democratic political analyst Mary Anne Marsh and Republican analyst Rob Gray will also join the show for a roundtable discussion.(Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB)

Monday, Aug. 11, 2025

CERTIFIED MEDICATION AIDES: State officials hold a public hearing to establish the role of certified medication aides and to implement fee requirements, based on the 2024 long-term care reform law. The Executive Office for Administration and Finance and the Department of Public Health's Drug Control Program hold the joint hearing. (Monday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Access)

SENATE: Senate meets without a calendar. (Monday, 11 a.m. | Livestream | Agenda)

HOUSE: House meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m. | Livestream)

WORCESTER RIBBON-CUTTING: Housing Secretary Augustus speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for 30 Winfield St. in Worcester, which will bring 17 permanent supportive homes to individuals transitioning out of homelessness. (Monday, 11 a.m., 30 Winfield St., Worcester)

MOULTON IN ANDOVER: Congressman Seth Moulton visits Ironstone Farm to meet with veterans participating in the farm’s equestrian therapy program. He plans to take part in a therapy session, have a discussion about veterans’ mental health and connect with participants, according to his office. A press availability will follow, during which Moulton is slated to speak about the impacts of Trump administration policies on veterans services. (Monday, 12 p.m., Challenge Unlimited at Ironstone Farm, Andover)

MOULTON IN BEVERLY: Congressman Seth Moulton joins volunteers at nonprofit Beverly Bootstraps, where he plans to help assemble bags of fresh produce and pantry staples for delivery to the Council on Aging for seniors. A press availability will follow, during which Moulton is expected to speak about how nonprofits and the communities they serve could be impacted by the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act. (Monday, 2 p.m., Beverly Bootstraps, 198 Rantoul St.)

HEALEY IN NATICK: Gov. Healey, Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Transportation Secretary Tibbits-Nutt, MBTA General Manager Eng, Senate President Karen Spilka and others gather to celebrate the reopening of Natick Center Station. The station reopened in late July after receiving accessibility upgrades. (Monday, 3 p.m., Natick Center Station)

BLACK ATTORNEYS GENERAL PANEL: African American Policy Forum hosts a panel discussion titled "Preemptive Alliances: Black Attorneys General On The Frontlines for Civil Rights." Attorney General Campbell participates alongside Minnesota AG Keith Ellison, Nevada AG Aaron Ford, New York AG Letitia James and Washington AG Nick Brown. (Monday, 5 p.m., Union Chapel, 55 Narragansett Ave., Oak Bluffs | Livestream)

BUSINESS FRONT DOOR: Department of Early Education and Care holds an information session about the "Business Front Door," which is a new tool from the Executive Office of Economic Development. It helps businesses access state resources and receive tailored guidance. (Monday, 6 p.m. | Register)

MCGOVERN IN GREENFIELD: Congressman Jim McGovern hosts a public conversation with former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Rohit Chopra. McGovern's office signaled his plans ahead of the event, saying he'll ask Chopra about how "the Trump administration is robbing everyday Americans in order to give tax breaks to the rich and powerful," according to his office. A media availability will follow. (Monday, 6 p.m., Greenfield Community College Dining Commons)

Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025

DESIGNER SELECTION PANEL: Designer Selection Panel of the Massachusetts School Building Authority meets. The agenda includes finalist interviews with architects for Essex Elementary School, an application review for Springfield's German Gerena Elementary School and general business. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., Agenda and Access)

ARCHITECTURE BOARD HEARING: Board of Registration of Architects holds a virtual public hearing on regulatory changes to architecture licensure requirements. The board has issued 8,415 active architect licenses, and the majority likely work in small businesses, according to a small business impact statement. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. | More Info and Access)

DPU OVERSIGHT HEARINGS: Department of Public Utilities' Transportation Oversight Division holds virtual public hearings on applications for carrier certification. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. | More Info)

MBTA BOARD MEETING: MBTA Board of Directors meets with an agenda that includes a report from General Manager Eng, a safety program update and transit safety plan, and a 20-minute block during which advisors will discuss the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

AUGUSTUS IN READING: Housing Secretary Augustus tours the Reading Housing Authority, joined by Housing Committee Co-chair Rep. Haggerty of Woburn. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., 22 Frank Tanner Drive, Reading)

BROCKTON DTA: Department of Transitional Assistance's Brockton Advisory Board meets. (Tuesday, 1 p.m. | Agenda and Access)

SOCIAL SECURITY: AARP Massachusetts hosts a celebration for the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act and advocates for the program to be protected. More than 1.3 million Massachusetts residents rely on Social Security, and 75% of recipients are retired workers, according to AARP. Social Security also contributes $28.4 billion into the state economy each year. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Waltham Council on Aging, 488 Main St., Waltham)

AMERICAN REVOLUTION COMMISSION: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Subcommittee of the Special Commission on the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution meets virtually. Agenda includes remarks from co-chairs Rep. Garballey and Sen. Mark, and a discussion with Sheila Green, the state's 250th coordinator at the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. (Tuesday, 3 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

PLYMOUTH DMH: Plymouth Site Board of the Department of Mental Health meets. (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., 38 Industrial Park Road, Plymouth | More Info)

MASS. DELEGATION VISITS MAINE: A delegation of Massachusetts officials, lawmakers and advocates will visit Maine to speak with farmers and well owners who have been impacted by PFAS, and to learn from Maine officials and lawmakers how their state is addressing the impacts of PFAS contamination on farmland, drinking water and public health. Anticipated attendees include Reps. Arena-DeRosa, Ciccolo and Owens, Sens. Comerford and Eldridge, and representatives and staff from the Department of Agricultural Resources and Department of Environmental Protection. The trip is a part of Comerford and Arena-DeRosa's ongoing PFAS policy work (S.56, H.109), according to Comerford's office. A press availability will follow the visit. If attending in person, media are asked to RSVP to katelyn.billings@masenate.gov, alexandra.trantos@mahouse.gov, tmoore@defendourhealth.org and william.pluecker@legislature.maine.gov. (Tuesday, 4:15 p.m., Courtyard between the Maine State House and the Cross Building, Augusta, Maine)

BOSTON RODENT ACTION PLAN: City officials hold a virtual community meeting about the Boston Rodent Action Plan. (Tuesday, 6 p.m. | Register)

DIGHTON BRIDGE REPLACEMENT: MassDOT holds a design public hearing for a proposed project to replace the Pleasant Street Bridge over Muddy Cove, which is adjacent to the Taunton River in Dighton. (Tuesday, 6 p.m. | Register)

Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025

PUBLIC HEALTH COUNCIL: Public Health Council meets. Agenda includes an update from Department of Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein. Council members will vote on a determination of need request from Everest Hospital for a transfer of ownership. Agenda also includes an informational presentation about COVID-19 and flu vaccinations among health care personnel in 2024-2025, plus a roundtable discussion about vaccines. Gov. Healey has filed legislation that would disentangle Massachusetts vaccine policy from federal guidance. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

EARLY ED, CARE BOARD: Board of Early Education and Care meets. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. | More Info and Livestream)

GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - WILLIAM POWERS HEARING: Governor's Council holds a hearing on Gov. Healey's nomination of William Powers to the District Court. A trial attorney with more than 26 years of experience, Powers has worked as a solo practitioner in Hampden County and as a bar advocate for indigent defendants. He works as U.S. Rep. Richard Neal's general counsel. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Council Chamber Livestream)

GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: Governor's Council meets, and could vote to confirm Thomas Townsend to the Superior Court. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)

BOSTON YOUTH FEST: Boston Music Project presents Youth Fest!, which is the city's first festival for young artists to perform. It's also hosted by the City of Boston's Office of Youth Employment & Opportunity. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., City Hall Plaza, 1 City Hall Square, Boston | More Info)

SOCIAL SECURITY: AARP Massachusetts holds its second celebration of the week to mark the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Gardner Council on Aging, 294 Pleasant St., Gardner)

BUSINESS FRONT DOOR: Department of Early Education and Care holds an information session about the "Business Front Door," a new tool to connect to state resources. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | Register)

Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025

PENSION RESERVE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT BOARD: The Pension Reserve Investment Management Board meets. Treasurer Goldberg chairs the meeting. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m. | For public access please visit https://www.mapension.com/events/)

CRICKET FIELDS: Ribbon-cutting ceremony is held for the new Cricket Fields at Harambee Park. Mayor Wu attends, along with representatives from the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, cricket leagues and community members. (Thursday, 10 a.m., 65 Westview St., Dorchester)

CANNABIS CONTROL COMMISSION: Cannabis Control Commission holds a public meeting. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | More Info)

FEDERAL ANTI-POVERTY FUNDS: U.S. Rep. Trahan holds a press conference with Community Action Agencies in the Merrimack Valley about looming federal cuts to anti-poverty funds. Funding included in the Community Services Block Grant -- which President Donald Trump's fiscal 2026 budget proposal seeks to eliminate -- helps cover the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, food security programs, homelessness prevention and housing assistance programs, and early education and care programs. "Community Action Agencies and the people they assist are reaching out to their members of Congress and Senators to support Community Action and to urge that they protect the programs that protect their communities – the Community Services Block Grant at the center of them all," Massachusetts Association for Community Action said. "Its elimination would have a devastating impact on our communities." In a fact sheet about Trump's budget, the White House said the president is making "cuts to woke programs" and "is committed to eliminating radical gender and racial ideologies that poison the minds of Americans." Eliminating CSBG grants would save taxpayers $770 million, and the White House said the program has been "hijacked from true poverty reduction to things such as equity-building and green energy initiatives." (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, 305 Essex St., Lawrence)

SENATE: Senate meets in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Agenda)

OUTDOOR ADVERTISING: Department of Transportation's Office of Outdoor Advertising meets. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Transportation Building, Conference Rooms 5 and 6, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | More Info)

NUBIAN MARKETS: A community celebration is held as Nubian Markets joins the network of stores participating in Boston Double Up Food Bucks. The SNAP incentive program enables SNAP recipients to get 50% off fresh fruits and vegetables at participating stores, according to city officials. (Thursday, 4 p.m., Nubian Markets, 2565 Washington St., Roxbury | More Info)

"SUMMER SIZZLER" NETWORKING EVENT: Boston Interactive Media Association, a network of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, hosts its "Summer Sizzler" networking event, which organizers call the "preeminent summer media party of the Northeast." The evening will involve food, drinks, lawn games and music, during which attendees can connect with professionals from the digital marketing and media industry, according to organizers. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Sam Deck, Fenway Park | More Info)

HOUSE: House is expected to meet in an informal session. (Thursday, House Chamber, Time TBD)

Friday, Aug. 15, 2025

No public events scheduled on Beacon Hill. Check our daily advances during the week for updated information.

Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025

HERO SQUARE DEDICATION: Boston city officials hold a Hero Square dedication ceremony for John Scannapieco in East Boston. Born in East Boston on Jan. 18, 1923, Scannapieco joined the U.S. Army in March 1943. In 1944, his division in Belgium came under German fire. "A heavily armored German tank opened fire on Sgt. Scannapieco and the remaining men," city officials said. "In order to protect his men, he secured a bazooka and fired at the tank. He did so heroically, at the expense of his own life." Scannapieco, who was awarded a Purple Heart, is buried in Malden. (Saturday, Aug. 16, 10:30 a.m., Intersection of Decatur Street and London Street | More Info)