Franklin Town MA
11-02-2025 3:50am

People, Power, and Politics

Chairwoman Shannon O'Brien's bid to shore up nearly all of the votes the Cannabis Control Commission took under acting chairpeople during the two years she was deposed was sunk Wednesday by the objection of the commissioner who served as acting chair for about half of that time.  With the Superior Court having ruled that Treasurer Deborah Goldberg unlawfully removed O'Brien from the CCC in 2023, the returned chairwoman has raised questions about the process by which other commissioners were named acting chair and the actions the agency took under that organizational structure. When O'Brien was first removed from the CCC, Commissioner Kimberly Roy chaired the next meeting and said she had been "designated as chair." At subsequent meetings, commissioners voted to make others the acting chair until Goldberg announced in September 2024 that she had appointed Commissioner Bruce Stebbins as acting chair.

FRANKLIN

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

We’re in the final days of the campaign for the Town of Franklin Biennial Election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

The clocks turn back an hour to give us either more sleep or time to prepare to cast our vote on Tuesday. The 2025 Election Collection is chock full of links with all the current information on the candidates and Voices of Franklin entries. Election Collection => https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/08/election-collection-2025.html

And yes, there are town meetings this week. Monday, the hearing on propane tank storage at Tri-County is continued at 3 PM and the Planning Board meets at 7 PM. The Franklin Public Schools Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee meets at 6 PM.

Tuesday is election day with voting from 6 AM to 8 PM available. The unofficial results for the non-write-in candidates are expected to be available between 8:30 and 9 PM. The write-in candidate unofficial tally will be sometime later. Unknown exactly when as it isn’t known how many write-in votes will be cast and have to be hand counted.

Franklin Matters will be there to record the audio of the announcement by Town Clerk Nancy Danello. The PDF of the results will be shared as soon as practical.

Wednesday, the Board of Health will meet and reorganize with their new member at 5 PM (assuming the write-in vote tally is resolved by then). The Finance Committee is scheduled to take their deep dive on Technology at their meeting at 7 PM.

The Commission on Disability is scheduled to meet Thursday at 4 PM, and the ZBA is scheduled to meet at 7:30 PM

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.

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 10/31/25, 9:30 PM ***

License to Store Propane Public Hearing (Continued from October 29, 2025)

Monday, November 3 Time: 3:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11032025-1987

Franklin Public Schools Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee Meeting

Monday, November 3 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11032025-1988

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, November 3 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11032025-1984

Biennial Local Election

Tuesday, November 4th Time: 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Location: All Precincts Vote @ Franklin High School

Massachusetts Strategic Health Group Meeting

Tuesday, November 4 Time: 1:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11042025-1989

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETINGS

Wednesday, November 5 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11052025-1990

Finance Committee Meeting

Wednesday, November 5 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11052025-1992

Franklin Commission on Disability Meeting

Thursday, November 6 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11062025-1985

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, November 6 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11062025-1975

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

Taking a look back at the week that was in Franklin MA from Oct 26 through Nov 1, 2025

The School Committee Budget Subcommittee met on Tuesday, Oct 28 before the full school committee meeting on Tuesday. The audio is available exclusively via Franklin Matters -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/franklin-school-committee-budget_01481115260.html

The full meeting was broadcast by Franklin TV -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtitdxM_a2A

The Economic Development Subcommittee met on Wednesday at 5:45 PM and the recap and video link can be found -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/economic-development-subcmte-catches-up.html

The Town Council met at 7 PM on Wednesday, the recap and video link can be found -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/town-council-hears-snett-and-franklin.html

The Conservation Commission met on Thursday, Oct 30. The video replay is available -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgC4W_5f_FI

From the FHS sports live streamed events we can share

Other share worthy items from the week:

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

.Impacts of the federal government shutdown are beginning to more noticeably reverberate at the state and local levels, and the shutdown driven by a partisan standoff stands on Wednesday to become the longest in U.S. history. The emerging, significant and immediate impacts include threatened access to food benefits, home heating aid and the education, health and family supports for young children and families provided through the Head Start program. Nine months into President Trump's term, the domestic policy crises are creating new challenges for state officials who are accustomed to the large federal safety net programs running without interruption. Gov. Maura Healey and legislative leaders have repeatedly said the state can't replace federal services but they also can't ignore the on-the-ground impacts being felt by their constituents. As the shutdown enters its second month, a six-member supplemental budget conference committee plans to hold its first meeting Monday. Its members are mindful of the uncertainty around food aid benefits for families in need. A federal judge in Boston on Friday said attorneys general who are pushing to keep SNAP benefits flowing are likely to succeed on their claim that suspending benefits is unlawful and required the Trump administration to report back to the court by Monday on whether they will authorize at least reduced SNAP benefits for November. That drama is unfolding while open enrollment begins Saturday for shoppers looking for health insurance, which stands to become much more expensive for people who have been relying on federal subsidies will expire unless Democrats can save them as part of a government reopening deal. On Tuesday, voters in many cities and towns across Massachusetts will head to the polls to settle mayoral and municipal council races. Joined by Gov. Healey, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority plans Wednesday to unveil new, prominent signage in the Back Bay to bring more attention to the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, which is named after a former Boston mayor. Federal funding cuts and policy shifts are formally back on the table Thursday when a House committee chaired by Rep. Kathleen LaNatra plans to hear from experts about the impacts of federal changes on municipalities and regional planning. The state's expectations for high school graduates should come into clearer view next week. Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler said the K-12 Statewide Graduation Council will release preliminary recommendations next week, which he called "a foundation around learning expectations, assessment, and civic, college and career readiness on which we will continue to build in preparation for a set of final recommendations due in June of 2026."

Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025

TURN CLOCKS BACK: Daylight Saving Time, which began in March, is slated to end at 2 a.m. on Sunday. Residents should turn their clocks back one hour to correspond to Eastern Standard Time. In 2017, a legislative commission that looked into whether Massachusetts should shift permanently to Atlantic Standard Time -- essentially the time zone that the Bay State observes between March and November -- pointed to possible benefits, but stopped short of recommending a change. (Sunday)

KELLER AT LARGE: Reporters Kelly Garrity of POLITICO and Gin Dumcius of MASSterList join political analyst Jon Keller on his weekly talk show "Keller at Large" to preview key municipal races in Lawrence, Everett, Newton, Northampton and Gloucester ahead of election day. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)

DISTRICT 7 CANDIDATES ON NBC: Boston District 7 City Council candidates Said Ahmed and Miniard Culpepper sit down with reporter Matt Prichard for NBC's weekly "@ Issue Sit Down." (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NBC10-TV)

RODRIGUES ON THE RECORD: Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues joins WCVB's weekly political talk show "On the Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV)

Monday, Nov. 3, 2025

PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE: Public Health Committee accepts written testimony on four bills, including a measure from Sen. Rodrigues and Rep. Thurber (S 2627) that would allow Somerset to ban water fluoridation. A Sen. Durant bill (S 347) looks to bolster protections for medical exemptions for required school immunizations. (Monday, 9 a.m. | More Info)

WESTERN MASS PUBLIC HEALTH: Health and Human Services Secretary Mahaniah and Department of Public Health Commissioner Goldstein visit western and north central Massachusetts as part of a public health tour. They'll meet with individuals from the Community Health Center of Franklin County and The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing at UMass Amherst. Other attendees include Sen. Comerford; Eliza Lake, director of health policy and strategic initiatives at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services; and Sam Wong, director of the Office of Local and Regional Public Health. The day starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Orange Innovation Center (131 W. Main St., Suite 211, Orange). The next stop is the Community Health Center of Franklin County at 10:30 a.m. (119 New Athol Road, Orange), and they'll head to Gill Town Hall at noon (325 Main Road, Gill). Their final stop is UMass Amherst (Skinner Hall, Room 101) at 2 p.m. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., 131 W. Main St., Suite 211)

ROAD TO 2026: Gov. Healey, Lt. Gov. Driscoll and Economic Development Secretary Paley join business and cultural leaders to announce MA250: Road to 2026, the second phase of the state's campaign commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence and Massachusetts's role in shaping the nation. The event will highlight investments driving statewide celebrations, including $3.5 million in MA250 community grants, and will also preview upcoming milestones like Evacuation Day 2026 and the 250th anniversary of July 4th. Press asked to RSVP to abigail.e.phillips@mass.gov. (Monday, 10 a.m., Revolutionary Spaces, Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St., Boston)

SPENDING BILL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE: Conference committee on the roughly $2.3 billion fiscal 2025 closeout supplemental meets for the first time. The dominant appropriation in the bill is more than $2 billion for MassHealth, the massive health insurance program that outspent its roughly $20 billion appropriation in the annual fiscal 2025 budget. Conferees include Sens. Rodrigues, Comerford and O'Connor and Reps. Michlewitz, Ferrante and Smola. The package would revise the hospital assessment program to pump more money into the Health Safety Net Fund, which faces a $300 million shortfall. Negotiators must hash out a Sen. Edwards amendment that would protect federal workers from eviction or foreclosure during a federal government shutdown. Also uncertain is funding to support FIFA World Cup matches, after the House allocated $10 million and the Senate committed no state dollars. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Ways and Means, Room 212 | More Info)

CAREGIVER COALITION AWARDS: Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Jones and Undersecretary of Labor Cutler join state and local officials, advocates, labor organizations and business leaders to recognize and honor employers, labor leaders, policymakers, workers and advocates for supporting family caregivers in the workplace. (Monday, 11 a.m., Great Hall)

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

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

MICROMOBILITY COMMISSION: Special Commission on Micromobility meets. Agenda includes a review of recommendations and breakout sessions. (Monday, 11 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

GAMING COMMISSION HEARING: Massachusetts Gaming Commission convenes an adjudicatory hearing relative to Wynn MA, LLC (Encore Boston Harbor) individual qualifier Dante Regalado, chief information officer of Wynn Resorts. (Monday, 11 a.m. | More Info & Access)

MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE AND RECOVERY COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery holds a public hearing on 15 bills dealing with parity, insurance and opioids. Legislation from Rep. Scanlon and Sen. Feeney (H 2234 / S 1397) would create pilot programs of alternative non-emergency transportation models for behavioral health patients. A Rep. Rogers proposal (H 2230) would require the Center for Health Information and Analysis to have a public database that captures the locations of overdoses, based on data provided by emergency medical service providers, emergency departments, law enforcement agencies, sheriffs' offices, fire departments and coroners. Measures from Rep. Decker and Sen. Keenan (H 2200 / S 1406) would expand the state's prescription monitoring program by including information on opioid maintenance treatment. (Monday, 1 p.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Livestream)

LEADERSHIP MEETING: Gov. Healey, Senate President Spilka and House Speaker Mariano hold a leadership meeting. Press availability follows in the Senate Reading Room. (Monday, 2 p.m., Senate president's office)

HATE CRIMES: Hate Crimes Task Force meets. Agenda includes an update on hate crime legislation, as well as updates from the Commonwealth Fusion Center and the Municipal Police Training Committee. (Monday, 2 p.m. | Agenda and Access)

PIONEER VALLEY MOSQUITO CONTROL: Pioneer Valley Mosquito Control District Commission meets. Agenda includes the fiscal year 2027 preliminary budget and discussion and approval of tentative fee increases. (Monday, 2 p.m. | Agenda and Zoom)

SITING AND PERMITTING REGS: Energy Facilities Siting Board and Department of Public Utilities hold a third public comment hearing on implementing siting and permitting regulatory changes under the 2024 clean energy reform law. (Monday, 6 p.m., One South Station, 3rd floor | More Info)

MOULTON TOWN HALL: Congressman Moulton hosts his annual Vets Town Hall, in which veterans share their personal stories of services. (Monday, 6:30 p.m., Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., Marblehead)

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025

HOMELESS YOUTH AWARENESS: In recognition of National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, lawmakers and advocates host a briefing and present a proclamation. The event will explore new research about the impact of trauma, social connectedness and substance use disorders. The event is hosted by Bridge Over Troubled Water, House Ways and Means Chair Michlewitz and the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. The event will also feature Boston Children's Hospital psychiatrist Dr. Kevin Simon and Rep. Ultrino, who's sponsored legislation (H 290) that would allow unaccompanied homeless youth who are ages 15-18 to consent to supportive services and shelter. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Grand Staircase)

MAHANIAH IN BERKSHIRE COUNTY: Health and Human Services Secretary Mahaniah tours Berkshire County and discusses the Healey administration's investments in health care access, food security and behavioral health. Mahaniah's first stop is the Pittsfield Community Food Pantry for a food security discussion at 10 a.m. He then tours the Berkshire Food Project (134 Main St., North Adams) at 12 p.m. The secretary tours the North Adams Regional Hospital (71 Hospital Ave., North Adams) at 12:20 p.m. His final stop is at 2:15 p.m. at the Brien Center (124 American Legion Dr., North Adams) for a discussion on behavioral health care. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 110 South St., Pittsfield)

FIRE PREVENTION: Board of Fire Prevention Regulations' Administrative Code Committee meets. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Livestream)

FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Financial Services holds a hearing on 25 bills related to industry matters. Sen. Feeney and Rep. Uyterhoeven bills (S 747, H 1336) up for their hearing would enable graduate student workers to have access to paid family and medical leave and unemployment insurance. Sen. Fernandes and Rep. Walsh bills (S 753, H 1345) would require that people purchasing property in a flood zone be notified of the property's flood history. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Room A-2 | Agenda & Access)

HAMPSHIRE DMH: Department of Mental Health's Hampshire Site Board meets. Agenda includes a presentation from the Cooley Dickinson emergency department in Northampton. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Star Light Center, 251 Nonotuck St., Florence)

COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND: Massachusetts Commission for the Blind's Statutory Advisory Board meets. Agenda includes a report from Commissioner John Oliveira, an update from Deputy Commissioner Justine Muir and program updates. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | Agenda and Access)

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Transportation holds a hearing on almost 50 bills related to antique vehicles, dedications, identification, impaired driving and road maintenance and late files. A Sen. R. Kennedy bill (S 2399) would establish a process for homeless youth and adults to access free standard Massachusetts IDs, and a bill (S 2444) filed by Sen. Tarr would direct the Registry of Motor Vehicles to initiate a yellow dot program for people 62 years of age and older and people with chronic illness so emergency responders have that information available. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., A-2 | Agenda & Access)

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on the Judiciary holds a hearing on more than 60 bills related to civil actions and court administration. Among them is a bill (H 10) filed by Auditor DiZoglio related to nondisclosure agreements, a Sen. Brownsberger bill would update the language of the justices of the peace statute to be gender inclusive and expand media advertising options for them, and a bill (H 1891) supported by Cape Cod lawmakers would authorize the Trial Court to conduct a study on all courts located in Barnstable, Nantucket and Dukes counties. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room A-1 | Agenda & Access)

PUBLIC MARKET COMMISSION: Department of Agriculture Resources' Public Market Commission meets. Agenda includes an update from the Boston Public Market Association and a presentation from a market vendor, Jennifer Lee's Shoppe. (Tuesday, 1 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

ELEVATOR REGS: Board of Elevator Regulations meets. Agenda includes variance petitions involving properties in Cambridge, Boston and Brookline. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 1 Federal St., 6th floor, Room 6026 | Agenda and Livestream)

HOPKINTON GROUNDBREAKING: Senate President Spilka gives remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony for Hopkinton's new Charleswood Elementary School. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Hopkinton)

'MEETING THE MOMENT' SERIES LAUNCH: Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities hosts its first "Meeting the Moment: Community Hearing and Resource Fair" in Needham, the start of a statewide series the group says is aimed at connecting "state-level policy discussions with the lived experiences of people with disabilities, their families and caregivers, as well as the work of local disability commissions, service providers, agencies and advocacy groups across Massachusetts." Commission Chair Denise Garlick, members and representatives from state agencies, local disability commissions and community organizations will be in attendance. (Tuesday, 5 p.m., Needham Town Hall, 1471 Highland Ave., Needham | More Info & Register)

GREEN LINE: MBTA Green Line service is suspended from Park Street to Union Square and Medford/Tufts through Nov. 13. The shutdown begins at 8 p.m. Workers are installing the Green Line Train Protection System, which is meant to prevent train-on-train collisions and incorporate speed enforcement. Free shuttle bus service will run between North Station and Medford/Tufts. Riders traveling between Park Street and Medford/Tufts should plan to add 45 minutes to their commute. There will be no shuttle bus service to Union Square, though riders can take bus routes including Route 109, 91 and 87. (Tuesday, 8 p.m.)

MUNI ELECTIONS: Fifty-five cities and towns are holding municipal elections, with the vast majority of polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Municipalities with uncontested mayoral ballots include Agawam, Chicopee, Fitchburg, Holyoke, Leominster, Lynn, Marlborough, Medford, Salem, Weymouth and Woburn. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu also doesn't face a challenger after Josh Kraft dropped out after securing just 23% of the votes in the preliminary election. There are contested races for the majority of Boston City Council districts. (Tuesday)

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK: Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce holds an economic outlook panel discussion, which will bring together experts in local, national and global economics, as well as retail, finance and hospitality. The discussion will explore trends that will shape 2026, plus economic opportunities and challenges facing Greater Boston and Massachusetts. Panelists include Meghan Shue of Wilmington Trust, Lizanne Kindler of KnitWell Group, René Jones of M&T Bank, Patrick Lyons of the Lyons Group and Vivian Iannotti of Stop and Compare Markets. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Seaport Hotel Boston, 1 Seaport Lane, Boston | Register)

ELEVATOR EXAMINERS: Board of Elevator Examiners meet. Members will review and approve the state elevator license exam schedule for 2026, and approve applications for an exam scheduled for Nov. 19. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

ELECTRICAL CODE: Massachusetts Electrical Code Advisory Committee meets. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Department of Fire Services, 1 State Road, Stow | More Info)

MARKEY ON TARIFFS: U.S. Sen. Markey, ranking Democrat on the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, holds a press conference with other Democrats and small business owners to condemn President Trump’s tariff policies. The press conference comes prior to the beginning of oral arguments in a U.S. Supreme Court case challenging Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs. Dahlia Rizk from Buckle Me Baby Coats and Meghann Ellis from Schylling, Inc., both in North Andover, are among small business participants. (Wednesday, 9:15 a.m., U.S. Senate Swap, Washington, D.C. | Livestream)

HYNES CONVENTION CENTER: Just ahead of Veterans Day, the Massachusetts Convention Center hosts a ceremony to unveil new exterior signage at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center. The signage will capture the facility's full name. Attendees include Gov. Healey, MCCA CEO Marcel Vernon Sr., the Hynes family and Tom Lyons of the Boston Semper Fidelis Society. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 900 Boylston St., Boston)

AGO HEARING: Office of the Attorney General holds a public hearing on proposed changes to regulations tied to the AGO's collection, maintenance and dissemination of personal data. Officials say the updates look to "better effectuate" the aim of the Fair Information Practices Act. The change clarifies that the definition of "personal data" doesn't include information that's protected by statute or protective order, or proprietary or financial records or data that the AGO has collected from corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, trusts or other business entities. Written comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Access)

FIREARMS LICENSE: Firearms License Review Board meets. Agenda includes an approval of meeting minutes from July 29 and an executive session. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Executive Committee of the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council meets. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | Zoom)

ADMINISTRATION AND REGULATORY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight holds a hearing on around 30 bills that relate to finance, ethics, lobbying, labor, land and honorary designations. A bill (H 17) sponsored by the inspector general would establish a non-budgeted special revenue fund called the Office of the Inspector General Recovery Fund, which would be credited with money payable to the inspector general from civil recoveries, settlement funds or recoupment of administrative and investigatory costs. A Sen. Feeney bill (S 2146) would establish a Massachusetts Baby Bonds Trust Fund to provide funding for education, housing and entrepreneurship opportunities to people born after July 1, 2024 who are recipients of certain state assistance. Bills (S 2666, H 4625) filed by Sen. Rausch and Rep. Badger would establish Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Treasurer Goldberg is scheduled to testify. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Hearing Room B-2 | Agenda & Access)

GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL HEARING: Governor's Council holds a hearing for attorney Mark Twombly Lee, nominated to join the Probate & Family Court. Lee has been the managing attorney of a solo practice in Worcester for the last 18 years, taking cases focused on family and domestic relations law. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)

WESTERN MASS. CONDITION OF EDUCATION: Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education and Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy host the "Condition of Education in Western Massachusetts." Education Secretary Tutwiler will give the keynote address. Other speakers include Kelley Gangi, chief of school innovation at the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership; Ed Lambert, executive director at the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education; and Modesto Montero-Forman, executive director of Libertas Academy Charter School. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., The Delaney House, Holyoke)

AUTHOR TALK: State Library of Massachusetts hosts an Author Talk with J. Cedric Woods, Allison Taylor and Phillip Granberry on their report, "To Live and Thrive in Massachusetts: Native American Perspectives on Wealth." The report, published in January, incorporates qualitative and quantitative data "to look at the wealth disparities of Native American communities and families living in Massachusetts," according to the State Library blog. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., State Library, Room 341 | More Info and Livestream)

AUTISM COMMISSION: Autism Commission's subcommittee on school-aged children meets. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Agenda and Zoom)

JUVENILE AND EMERGING ADULT JUSTICE: Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice holds an informational hearing on juvenile justice, diversion programs and services for high-risk youth. Testimony is invitation only and includes representatives from the Office of the Child Advocate, Citizens for Juvenile Justice and the Children's League of Massachusetts, as well as a panel of community-based organizations that run youth diversion programs. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Room 222 | Agenda & More Info)

CLEAN WATER TRUST: Massachusetts Clean Water Trust Board of Trustees meets virtually. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. | Zoom)

ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCES: Assisted Living Residences Commission holds a public hearing to seek input from residents, family members, advocates, stakeholders and experts. The commission is interested in input dealing with resident rights and protections, keeping residents safe in emergencies, staffing and workforce, types and levels of care, affordability and access, and transparency of information for families and residents. Written testimony will be accepted through Nov. 14. (Wednesday, 2 p.m. | Zoom)

MENTAL HEALTH DOC: Curry College and Aspire Health Alliance host the Massachusetts premiere of "No One Cares About Crazy People," a documentary exploring the crisis of severe mental illness in America. After the screening, Sen. Friedman, Beth Lucas of the Department of Mental Health, Dr. Andres Chaparro of Aspire Health Alliance, and Dr. Ann Marie Leonard-Zabel of Curry College participate in a roundtable discussion. (Wednesday, 4:30 p.m., Keith Auditorium, Curry College, 1071 Blue Hill Ave., Milton)

CUTLER PARK RESERVATION: Department of Conservation and Recreation holds a public listening session and presents findings from a Cutler Park Reservation trail master plan. Officials will also seek feedback on recreational opportunities at the 600-acre park in Needham. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | Zoom)

SITING AND PERMITTING REGS: Energy Facilities Siting Board and Department of Public Utilities hold a fourth public comment hearing on implementing siting and permitting regulatory changes under the 2024 clean energy reform law. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., 300 Broad St., Lynn | More Info)

WOMEN VETERAN BENEFITS: Massachusetts Women Veterans Network holds a virtual panel about benefits available to women veterans. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | Register)

OCTOBER REVENUES: Department of Revenue is due to report on tax collections during the month of October. The Healey administration is expecting to bring in $2.765 billion during the month, which would be $79 million more than last October. By Oct. 15, DOR says it had collected $1.042 billion, $71 million or 7.3% more than during the same period in October 2024. Through September, tax receipts were running $309 million or 3.2% ahead of last year's collections but still $64 million or 0.6% behind the year-to-date benchmarks based on what was approved as a $60.9 billion outlay for fiscal year 2026. (Wednesday)

Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025

INVESTOR CONFERENCE: The annual Massachusetts Investor Conference kicks off with welcome remarks from Deputy Treasurer Sue Perez at 8:30 a.m. Executive Office of Technology Services and Security Secretary Snyder speaks at 8:40 a.m. about cybersecurity, AI and ease of use technology for improving services and efficiency. A panel discussion at 9:10 a.m. about ensuring clean water and resilience includes Nathaniel Keenan of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust, Matt Horan of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, and Undersecretary for Decarbonization and Resilience Katherine Antos. At 9:45 a.m., a panel discussion about the impact of surtax revenue features Administration and Finance Secretary Gorzkowicz, Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation President Doug Howgate, and UMass Building Authority Executive Director Barbara Kroncke. Treasurer Goldberg speaks at 10:45 a.m., followed by Gov. Healey at 11 a.m. Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance Commissioner Adam Baacke joins a panel discussion at 11:15 a.m. about protecting and preserving assets with other DCAMM officials. Michael Goodman of UMass Dartmouth presents about the Massachusetts economy at 11:45 a.m. There's a panel discussion about leading future generations at 12:05 p.m. with MassDevelopment CEO Navjeet Bal, Assistant Secretary for Communities and Programs Juan Vega and Assistant Secretary for Business Growth Naomi Berlin. (Thursday, 7:45 a.m., Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center, 415 Summer St., Boston | More Info)

AUGUSTUS AND ARCHITECTS: Housing Secretary Augustus gives remarks at the Boston Society for Architecture’s Housing Innovation Symposium, which brings together architects, residents, policymakers, developers, students, and advocates to discuss how housing design can thrive under financial, regulatory, and social constraints. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 290 Congress St., Suite 200, Boston)

BUILDING CODE APPEALS: Building Code Appeals Board holds virtual hearings on properties in Cambridge, Tewksbury, Lee, Boston and Mashpee. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

BREAKING GROUND IN WOBURN: Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Woburn Mayor Concannon, Sen. Friedman, Rep. Haggerty, Woburn City Council Chair Dillon and Cabot, Cabot & Forbes CEO Jay Doherty give remarks as the real estate developer breaks ground on "The Bolt," a center for innovation in Woburn. The developer says the center is expected to create 300 new jobs and will be able to accommodate the needs of a variety of industries, including energy, manufacturing, life sciences and technology companies. The building is expected to be ready for occupancy in the second quarter of 2027, according to CC&F. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., 216 New Boston St., Woburn)

MATERNAL HEALTH: Boston Foundation hosts a forum on the impact of the 2024 omnibus maternal health law. Elaine Fitzgerald Lewis, director of the Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition at the Department of Public Health, will discuss progress and challenges so far, and providers will share how the law has affected patients and communities. Panelists include Awara Mendy Adeagbo of the Greater Boston Birth Equity Coalition, Emily Anesta of the Bay State Birth Coalition, Ginny Miller of Seven Sisters Midwifery and Reena Singh of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation. Sen. Miranda, who sponsored the legislation, gives closing remarks. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., 75 Arlington St., 3rd floor, Boston | Register)

CHAIN OF GIVING: Greater Boston Food Bank holds its annual Chain of Giving event, in which officials and volunteers unload a truck of turkeys to ensure eastern Massachusetts residents can enjoy a holiday meal. Treasurer Goldberg attends. (Thursday, 10 a.m., 70 South Bay Ave., Boston)

AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTERS: Executive Office of Health and Human Services holds a remote public hearing on rates for freestanding ambulatory surgery centers. Officials want to maintain current rates and expand service coverage by adding 12 procedure codes. The expansion would cost $26,000 annually. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Access)

CHIA HEARING: Center for Health Information and Analysis holds a public hearing on updating data reporting requirements for payers and providers. The changes update penalty language to align with the 2025 prescription drug reform and hospital oversight laws. Payers and providers are not expected to incur additional administrative costs, officials say. Written testimony will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Nov. 17. (Thursday, 11 a.m. | More Info and Access)

SENATE DEMOCRATS CAUCUS: Senate Democrats hold a caucus. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate President's Office and virtual)

SENATE FORMAL: Senate meets in a formal session. The chamber is expected to take up two military-related bills, one of which (S 2503) aims to increase support for military families and therefore boost the state's national defense standing. The second (S 2501) would make a technical clarification to the duty of the state's highest military official, the adjutant general, so that they have command of Massachusetts National Guard troops. (Thursday, 12 p.m., Senate Chamber | Agenda)

MASSDOT FUNDING: Massachusetts Municipal Association hosts a webinar about recently launched MassDOT grant programs, including for community culverts and unpaved roads. Attendees will also learn how municipalities can seek support through the Local Early and Actionable Planning Program. (Thursday, 12 p.m. | Register)

FINDING HEALTH CARE TALENT: Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association holds a webinar about finding health care talent by tapping into MassHire workforce boards, careers centers and the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund. Speakers include Ken Brown, assistant secretary for employer engagement and employment outcomes at the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, and Matt Hartman, assistant secretary for workforce innovation. (Thursday, 12 p.m. | Register)

COMPLETION GAPS AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES: EdTrust MA and the Hildreth Institute hold a legislative briefing called "From Access to Completion: Scaling Higher Ed SUCCESS Programs in MA." The event, sponsored by Sen. Comerford and Rep. D. Rogers, aims to bring attention to what organizers call a "completion gap" at community colleges that they say could be addressed by scaling the state's SUCCESS program, which enables community colleges to fund wraparound support services to help students graduate. Only 35.2% of students who enroll in community colleges in Massachusetts earn a degree or certificate within six years, according to EdTrust. The briefing will focus on new research on the existing SUCCESS model and feature a panel discussion. Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega is keynote speaker, and other guests include Hildreth's Andrew Ferson, Greenfield Community College President Michelle Schutt, Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges' Lutful Khan and Northern Essex Community College Student Trustee Melissa Horne. (Thursday, 12 p.m., Room 428 | More Info & Register)

FEDERAL FUNDING, POLICY AND ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE: House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability holds an informational hearing, with testimony by invite only, about the impacts of federal funding cuts and policy changes on municipalities and regional planning. The hearing comes amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, with SNAP benefits suspended in November and funding for home heating assistance running out. Rep. Kathleen LaNatra of Kingston will chair the hearing, with the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government invited as guests.(Thursday, 1 p.m., Room A-1 | More Info and Livestream)

HOUSING LISTENING SESSION: Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities convenes the first in a series of regional listening sessions about housing policies and programming to inform the state's new Office of Fair Housing. Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and Staisha Chavis, deputy division chief in the attorney general's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division, are scheduled to attend. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Newton City Hall Memorial Auditorium, 1000 Commonwealth Ave., Newton)

CUMULATIVE IMPACT ANALYSIS: Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board and the Office of Environmental Justice and Equity hold a public webinar on proposed draft guidance and regulations for cumulative impact analysis. The 2024 clean energy law calls for written reports examining the "impacts and burdens" expected from proposed clean energy infrastructure facilities. (Thursday, 2 p.m. | Register)

K-12 FUNDING HEARING: Healey administration holds a listening session on the Chapter 70 K-12 school finance formula, the primary funding program that establishes how the state distributes education aid to cities and towns. The session is part of a study included in the fiscal year 2026 budget, and will be conducted by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Department of Revenue's Division of Local Services. Many school leaders have warned state officials that due to inflation, the rising costs of special education, health care and school transportation, that their latest annual Chapter 70 increase wasn't sufficient and they're facing shortfalls leading to layoffs and service cuts. This is the third of five listening sessions. DESE and DLS expect to release a final report next summer. (Thursday, 4:30 p.m., Greenfield High School, 21 Barr Ave., Greenfield)

STATE FOREST TRAIL PLAN: Department of Conservation and Recreation holds a public listening session and presents findings from the Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest trail master plan. The forest encompasses more than 1,000 acres. (Thursday, 6 p.m. | Zoom)

Friday, Nov. 7, 2025

AG WITH CHARLES RIVER CHAMBER: Attorney General Campbell is the featured speaker and participates in a fireside chat with NBC10 Boston’s Latoyia Edwards as part of the Charles River Regional Chamber's fall business breakfast. Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller will also give her final address to the business community as mayor. (Friday, 7 a.m., Newton Marriott Hotel, 2345 Commonwealth Ave., Newton)

HOLYOKE, SPRINGFIELD DTA: Department of Transitional Assistance's Holyoke and Springfield Advisory Board meets. (Friday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

REVENUE COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Revenue holds a public hearing on nearly 50 bills dealing with property and local taxes. Gov. Maura Healey's Municipal Empowerment Act (H 56) would allow cities and towns to increase local meals and hotel taxes and levy a new surcharge on motor vehicle excise bills. The maximum local option tax on hotels, motels and rentals would rise from 6% of the price of a room to 7%, or from 6.5% to 7.5% in Boston. The legislation would also increase the maximum local option meals tax from 0.75% to 1%, and allow municipalities to add a surcharge of up to 5% on motor vehicle excise bills. A Sen. Creem bill (S 1940) would create a local-option sales tax on alcoholic beverages, with the money flowing to substance use disorder programs and other public health initiatives. Local bills on the agenda would impact Milton, Wellesley, Marblehead and Wrentham. (Friday, 10 a.m., Gardner Auditorium | Agenda and Livestream)

JUSTICE-INVOLVED WOMEN: Panel on Justice-Involved Women meets. Agenda includes the 2025 report and a review of draft recommendations. (Friday, 1 p.m. | Access)

VETERANS SERVICES: Governor's Advisory Council on Veterans Services meets. (Friday, 1 p.m. | Agenda and Access)

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