Franklin Town MA
8-17-2025 4:49am

People, Power, and Politics

Ahead of the start of the school year, the Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism unanimously approved preliminary recommendations Thursday for K-12 education meant to strengthen classroom instruction, institute anti-bias training and reporting that incorporates antisemitism, and promote community bonding. "There has been so much reach-out on this. Folks obviously feel very strongly on this," commission co-chair Sen. John Velis said at the State House public meeting, which involved several outbursts from attendees opposing the commission's report.

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!

A midsummer dream; only a few meetings on the calendar and the weather forecast calls for mostly good (not humid) conditions.

The Board of Assessors meets on Monday. They generally spend most of their total meeting time in executive session as they review the various abatements and exemptions requested.

The Town Council holds office hours at the Senior Center during breakfast beginning at 8:30 AM. Always a good time for discussion in an informal setting.

The Conservation Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday with a full agenda including 444 East Central St. They also need to vote on their representative to the Community Preservation Committee.

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 8/15/25, 8:00 PM

Board of Assessors

Monday, August 18 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08182025-1857

Town Council Office Hours

Thursday, August 21 Time: 8:30 AM

No agenda for this open discussion

Charles River Pollution Control Meeting

Thursday, August 21 Time: 3:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08212025-1859

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, August 21 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/473?fileID=5642

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

The Finance Committee met on Monday and voted to recommend Model B to the Town Council. We all should spend some time with this meeting for the 5 Year fiscal forecast. There is more discussion here. The Town Council took up the budget adjustment and also decided on Model B, but spent little or no time discussing the forecast. Franklin TV is working on producing the video of this FinCom meeting.

The School Committee met on Tuesday to get an update on Summer Learning and the work preparing the schools for implementing redistricting this September. You can watch or listen to the meeting. You can also get the Chalkboard Chat condensed version of the meeting in conversation with Chair Dave Callaghan

The Town Council met on Wednesday with a full and varied agenda. The key decision aside from the Model B mentioned above, was the vote to not accept the private donation to fund the health and wellness nurse for the Senior Center. The good from the decision was the action to find a way to restore the position and to develop a Town policy for such circumstances in the future. The School have a policy the Town does not.

Other shareworthy news of note:

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

MEDWAY

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

STATE
HOUSE and BEYOND

Gov. Maura Healey this week gave lawmakers some summer reading to think about as they await word on when they'll need to suit up and answer the call to resume serious legislating on Beacon Hill. The Senate plans to resume formal sessions in mid-September and House leaders haven't determined when they'll return. While Congressional Republicans in Washington have for the most part given President Donald Trump what he wants, House and Senate Democrats and Healey do not appear united here around any particular fall agenda apart from continuous budgeting. The $2.5 billion supplemental budget Healey filed on Thursday to close the books on fiscal 2025 will factor into their plans and could push total supplemental spending for last fiscal year to more than $3.5 billion. That's on top of the $57.8 billion in the annual budget that Healey signed in the summer of 2024. The Department of Revenue recently reported that state tax collections surged 7.1% in fiscal 2025 and Healey assured lawmakers in her supplemental budget filing letter that "sufficient revenues are available" to cover the roughly $950 million in state costs under the bill, with the governor's team counting on federal revenues to pay for the remainder of the bill.

In a sign of how much the state's relationship with the feds has changed, the governor's bill calls for a new Economic Resiliency and Federal Response Fund to enable the state to more nimbly react to federal government actions. Healey also wants lawmakers to sign off on more than $2 billion in MassHealth appropriations at a time when the state is planning for reductions in federal health care aid. Healey attributes severe underfunding of MassHealth in last year's state budget to "rising caseloads, patient health acuity and unforeseen increases in the costs to provide care" and expressed an awareness of the changing circumstances. "We recognize the importance of continuing to manage spending in this critical safety net program and adjusting to the changing Medicaid landscape," she wrote to lawmakers on Thursday, adding that her plan includes an "important time-sensitive provision" designed to preserve federal support for the Medicaid program by updating the current managed care organization assessment to meet new federal requirements. The governor's bill also designates Sept. 1, 2026 as the date of the statewide primary elections and includes measures governing access to a person's history of motor vehicle violations, delaying the pursuit of more offshore wind energy, and decoupling immunization recommendations and requirements here from federal standards. All of those issues are on the table for this fall's spending bill debates, as well as Healey's request in a separate spending bill for authority to spread spending cuts, should they be needed in fiscal 2026, to more parts of the state budget. But until lawmakers return from break, those decisions are on hold while twice-weekly informal sessions unfold and summer is memorialized with events like outdoor groundbreakings, golf and chess tournaments, the Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon, and Tuesday's annual tomato contest.

Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025

WARREN ON KELLER: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren joins political analyst Jon Keller's weekly "Keller at Large" talk show. She's expected to discuss reforms to the housing approval process under the ROAD to Housing Act, a program approved in a unanimous bipartisan vote by a Senate committee, how the cost of living helped elect President Donald Trump and whether it will help the Democrats in the midterms, and the Democrats' image as an anti-business party. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)

DIDOMENICO ON NBC: Sen. Sal DiDomenico joins reporter Matt Prichard to discuss the Kraft Group’s proposed soccer stadium in Everett. DiDomenico recently joined a press conference held by Boston Mayor Wu, who criticized the Krafts over proposed mitigation.(Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NBC10)

TUTWILER "ON THE RECORD" | Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler joins the hosts of WCVB's weekly "On the Record" political talk show. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB)

CHESS TOURNAMENT: A free chess tournament marks the end of the "3 Days of Chess" series, funded through a grant from the Boston Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture. Last year's tournament had 75 players, with 29 in the rated section. (Sunday, 2 p.m., Civic Pavilion, City Hall Plaza, 5 Congress St., Boston | More Info)

Monday, Aug. 18, 2025

FIRE PREVENTION: Board of Fire Prevention Regulations' Administrative Code Committee meets. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., 1 State Road, Stow | More Info)

ELECTRICIAN LICENSURE: Board of State Examiners of Electricians and the Board of Electricians' Appeals hold a public hearing on proposed regulatory changes to licensure requirements. The changes aim to "remove outdated and unnecessary requirements which have become burdensome on license applicants," create new licensure pathways and clarify language that's caused confusion, according to the notice. (Monday, 9:30 a.m. | More Info and Access)

LAWRENCE SCHOOL DEDICATION: Dedication ceremony for the new Francis M. Leahy School. The project is being partially reimbursed by the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Treasurer Goldberg attends. (Monday, 10 a.m., 100 Erving Ave., Lawrence)

REAL ESTATE APPRAISERS: Board of Registration of Real Estate Appraisers meets virtually. Agenda includes reports from the Division of Occupational Licensure executive director and board counsel. (Monday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

DRISCOLL, AUGUSTUS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY: The Franklin County legislative delegation and Franklin Regional Council of Governments host a tour for Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Housing Secretary Augustus, and their staff. The presentation and tour is meant to highlight housing creation challenges in rural communities. The 2024 Franklin County Regional Housing Plan found that Franklin County has a shortage of 3,000 housing units that are affordable to existing residents. Presentation is open, tour is by invitation only. (Monday, 10 a.m., John W. Olver Transit Center, Bill Allen Meeting Room, 1st floor, 12 Olive St., Greenfield)

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

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

LITERACY LAUNCH GRANTS: Lt. Gov. Driscoll and Education Secretary Tutwiler announce the second round of Literacy Launch grant awards, part of Gov. Healey's initiative to boost literacy among those ages 3 to third grade. (Monday, 12:30 p.m., Easthampton Public School Library Annex, 52 Main St., Easthampton)

SCHOOL NUTRITION: Operational Services Division holds a bidders' conference for school nutrition product contracts, including groceries and produce. (Monday, 1 p.m. | More Info and Register)

AUTISM COMMISSION: Autism Commission's Housing Subcommittee meets. (Monday, 1 p.m. | Zoom)

VETERINARY MEDICINE "SPECIAL" MEETING: Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine holds a "special" meeting. Agenda includes a closed executive session, quasi-judicial session to discuss disciplinary decisions and investigative conference. (Monday, 5 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

HOME RULE TESTIMONY: Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government accepts written testimony only on seven home rule petitions concerning the towns of North Brookfield, Longmeadow, Hingham, Dalton, Williamstown, Norton and Rockland. The committee began accepting testimony on Aug. 14 and will continue until 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21. (Monday | More Info)

JIMMY FUND RADIO-TELETHON: The annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon spans 36 hours and benefits the Jimmy Fund. Proceeds will support adult and pediatric cancer care and research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The event has raised $74 million since 2002. It will be broadcast from Fenway Park on Monday and Tuesday from 6 a.m. to midnight on both days. On Tuesday at 7 p.m., Treasurer Goldberg presents a check from the Unclaimed Property Division totaling $479,050.63. (Monday-Tuesday | More Info)

Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025

BUILDING CODE APPEALS: Building Code Appeals Board holds virtual hearings. Dockets involve properties in Rowley, Wellesley, Nantucket and Falmouth. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

MASS CULTURAL COUNCIL: Mass Cultural Council meets. The governing council will vote on whether to approve the agency's fiscal 2026 spending plan and grant recommendations. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. | Livestream, More Info)

MERIT RATING BOARD: MassDOT's Merit Rating Board. Agenda includes an update from Director Sonja Singleton. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

TOMATO CONTEST: Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association hosts the 40th annual Massachusetts Tomato Contest. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Boston Public Market | More Info)

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: Restorative Justice Advisory Committee meets. (Tuesday, 11 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

PCA WORKFORCE: PCA Quality Workforce Council meets. Agenda includes MassHealth PCA program update, with a focus on immigration status and work authorization losses. Some 500 personal care attendants have recently lost their jobs due to immigration status changes, which is largely driven by the Trump administration ending the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan humanitarian parole program, GBH reported. An executive director's report is also the agenda, which includes an "impact bargaining" update. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

INTEGRATED ENERGY PLANNING: Massachusetts Integrated Energy Planning Stakeholder Working Group holds a virtual listening session. National Grid, Eversource and Unitil will share information and seek feedback on integrated energy planning, which organizers describe as "a way to coordinate investments across electric and gas networks to minimize cost while ensuring safe and reliable service." The approach can also help the state reach its clean energy goals, organizers say. (Tuesday, 7 p.m. | Register)

Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025

GSEP RISK ASSESSMENT: GSEP Risk Assessment Working Group holds its fourth technical session. Members are exploring risk assessment models and how to prioritize remediation of high-risk pipes. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 1 South Station, Third Floor, Boston | More Info)

MASSPORT ADVISORY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Executive Committee of the Massport Community Advisory Committee meets. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. | More Info)

HOISTING MACHINERY: Division of Occupational Licensure holds a public hearing on regulatory changes affecting hoisting machinery. The changes aim to ease pathways to licensure and remove "unnecessary requirements," according to the notice. The regulations expand the use of temporary permits, reduce continuing education requirements and recognize national certifications as an alternative path to licensure. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Division of Occupational Licensure, Room 6008, 1 Federal St., 6th Floor, Boston | More Info and Access)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Energy Efficiency Advisory Council meets. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. | Zoom)

NEW BEDFORD DTA: Department of Transitional Assistance's New Bedford Advisory Board meets. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

MWRA BOARD MEETING: Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Board of Directors meets. Agenda includes approval for the admission of the Lynnfield Center Water District to the MWRA Water System and authorization to execute a water supply agreement. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. | Agenda and Access)

HEALEY, GOLDBERG MEET: Gov. Healey and Treasurer Goldberg have their monthly meeting. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Governor's Office)

CCC SOCIAL EQUITY WEBINAR: Cannabis Control Commission hosts a support webinar on applying to the Social Equity Program. (Wednesday, 2 p.m. | Zoom, More Info)

HOLYOKE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS: MassDOT holds a public meeting on proposed safety improvements in Holyoke at the intersection of Beech Street and Resnic Boulevard. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Holyoke Council on Aging/Senior Center, Cafeteria, 291 Pine St., Holyoke | More Info)

Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025

MED REGISTRATION: Board of Registration in Medicine's Licensing Committee meets. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY: Board of Public Accountancy holds a virtual public hearing on proposed changes affecting certified public accountant licensure. There are currently 18,934 active CPAs and 792 CPA firms in Massachusetts, according to an impact statement. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | More Info)

STATE POLICE PROMOTIONS: State Police hold a public hearing on regulations for promoting troopers to the ranks of major, lieutenant and sergeants. The regulations deal with notification requirements, scoring for promotional exams and information on selecting members. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Access)

STATE CONTRACTORS: Operational Services Division holds a workshop for statewide contract vendors about how they can promote their businesses to state agencies and other public entities. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Salem State University Enterprise Center, 121 Loring Ave., Salem | Register)

DATA CENTERS REGULATORY HEARING: Executive Office of Economic Development holds a public hearing on proposed regulations for qualified data centers. State officials are implementing a program to support the construction, renovation or improvement of data center facilities. The regulations deal with protocols for owners and operators to "apply for and receive certification from EOED for the purpose exempting sales and use tax on eligible data center costs," officials say. Written testimony will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Aug. 25. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Zoom)

PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY BOARD: Board of Public Accountancy meets. Agenda includes a board counsel report and a review of public comment on proposed regulatory changes for CPA licensure. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

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

HOUSE: House meets in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)

MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY: Marblehead officials hold a ceremony celebrating the 250th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps, kicking off a week of commemorative events. It features performances, remarks from military organizations and a Marine Corps flyover. (Thursday, 4:30 p.m., Fort Sewall, 8 Fort Sewall Lane, Marblehead)

OTTER RIVER COMPLEX: Department of Conservation and Recreation holds a public meeting on draft resource management plans for 13 properties in the Otter River Complex. They include Ashburnham State Forest, J. Harry Rich State Forest, Lake Dennison Recreation Area, Lawton State Forest, Otter River State Forest, Pearl Hill State Park, Petersham State Forest, Royalston State Forest, Squannacook Brook State Forest, Templeton State Forest, Townsend State Forest, Willard Brook State Forest and Winchendon State Forest. (Thursday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Livestream)

MARION-WAREHAM BRIDGE REPLACEMENT: MassDOT holds a virtual public meeting on a project to replace two bridges on Route 6 over the Weweantic River. MassDOT says one bridge is situated on the town line of Marion and Wareham, while the other is only in Marion. (Thursday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Access)

BUS LANE, STOP VIOLATIONS: MassDOT holds a public hearing on implementing the 2024 bus lane enforcement law. It allows the MBTA and regional transit authorities to use mounted camera systems to enforce dedicated bus lanes and stops. Drivers could be fined between $25 and $100 for parking or standing in bus lines, and $100 for parking at bus stops. (Thursday, 6 p.m., 10 Park Plaza, 2nd Floor, Board Room, Boston | More Info and Livestream)

DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE: Democratic State Committee holds its summer meeting. Doors open at 6 p.m. Guests include Congressman Moulton, Beverly Mayor Cahill, Rep. Bowen, Sen Lovely and Secretary of State Galvin. Agenda includes a report on charter amendments, including a measure to streamline the convention process by "moving from four state conventions to two state conventions per four year cycle." (Thursday, 7 p.m., Beverly High School, 100 Sohier Road, Beverly | More Info)

HAMPDEN COUNTY JAIL DOCUSERIES: A docuseries set inside Hampden County jail in Ludlow is released on A&E Network. The national docuseries chronicles estranged family members who spend 48 hours living in a western Massachusetts jail as they work to reconnect with their incarcerated relatives. The series spotlights 10 families involved in the program as they navigate their relationships with and decide whether to remain in the lives of their relatives incarcerated in the Ludlow jail. (Thursday, 10 p.m., AETV.com)

Friday, Aug. 22, 2025

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RATES: Executive Office of Health and Human Services holds a remote public hearing on adjusting rates for durable medical equipment, oxygen and respiratory therapy equipment. The changes will take effect on or after Jan. 1, and officials want to "rebase certain rates to the corresponding 2024 Medicare rates," according to the hearing notice. Written testimony will be accepted through 5 p.m. (Friday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Access)

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