Franklin Town MA
2-01-2026 4:10am

People, Power, and Politics

Just like the winter storm that walloped Massachusetts, this week on Beacon Hill was a doozy. For those looking for exact numbers like snowfall tallies, Gov. Maura Healey released a fiscal year 2027 budget proposal that comes out to $63.36 billion. But like the slush obscuring crosswalks, the true number was hard to discern at a press conference as Healey and her team boasted the bill represents only 1.1% spending growth. Plow a little more — and that's only true if you set aside $2.7 billion in surtax revenue spending and a $548 million transfer to the Medical Assistance Trust Fund, and then compare it to the administration's calculation of all projected spending this year."

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!

Yes, it is cold outside.

Inside, in the warmth of the public meeting places, volunteers will be working with the appropriate Town and School staff planning to deliver services with improvements where possible for life here in Franklin in the short term and longer term.

For example, the Franklin 250 Celebration comes along in 2028 but the planning is starting now. The budget & fundraising subcommittee is scheduled to meet Sunday evening to conduct their work."

The School Committee has added a special meeting to vote on the proposal to realign their health care costs with the Town budget line 910. This will ensure continued focus at the Town level on minimizing health care costs, won’t change the coverage provided, but will enable a better apples to apples comparison for each of the Town Department budgets. Schools were the only department to have to account for these health care costs within their own budget.

This step continues the efforts the Town started years ago with taking over the custodians, and then facilities, to enable the schools to focus on education as it is their primary mission. However much the Town does to support the Schools it all ends up getting sorted out financially with the reporting to DESE resulting in the per pupil cost and Net School Spending calculations done at the State level to ensure consistent accounting across the 351 Mass communities.

The Cultural Council and Board of Health are scheduled to meet on Wednesday respectively addressing their arenas.

The Town Council meets on Wednesday to set up goals for their term of office; what they can, should, and might be possible to accomplish this year and next. “They” doesn’t refer to the Council alone. As a policy making body, they approve of the goals and budget accordingly (we hope) but don’t do the detailed work required. That work is done by the many departments and talented personnel across the Town and Schools.

Another item on their agenda is an attempt to put a closing time on their regular meetings through a revision of their operating rules. Meeting length is generally determined by the items on the agenda. Given an inexperienced Council, meetings generally will take longer as each item is going to be their ‘first’ time around, requiring extra explanation. As their term of office progresses, the cyclical nature of their work could become more evident and hence respectfully more ‘routine’. Until then, it will take time, and forcing a closing time is ‘one’ way to address it. We’ll all see how that works.

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 1/30/26, 5:30 PM ***

250th Anniversary Celebration Budget and Fundraising Subcommittee Meeting

Sunday, February 1 Time: 7:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02012026-2114

Franklin School Committee- Special Meeting

Tuesday, February 3 Time: 6:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02032026-2116

Franklin Cultural Council Meeting

Wednesday, February 4 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02042026-2117

Board of Health Meeting

Wednesday, February 4 Time: 5:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02042026-2115

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, February 4 Time: 6:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02042026-2120

Franklin Commission on Disability

Thursday, February 5 Time: 4:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02052026-2110

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting - NO Meeting

Thursday, February 5 Time: 7:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02052026-2112

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

As a result of the major snow storm last week, schedules were changed. School cancellations happened on Monday and Tuesday. Town meetings on Monday were also canceled.

The School Committee did meet on Tuesday and got their first look at the Superintendent’s Recommended budget for FY 2027. Excluding health care, the schools come in with a 2.5% increase.

There is a proposal to move the health care costs to the Town budget item, line 910. This step continues the efforts the Town started years ago with taking over the custodians, and facilities, to enable the school to focus on education as it is their primary mission. This will also enable a better apples to apples comparison of the Town Dept budgets. Schools were the only department to have to account for these health care costs within their own budget.

Meeting recap and video -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/school-committee-get-preview-of-fy-2027.html

The Conservation Commission met on Thursday. The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8r0Lbg2a1M

On the FHS sports live streaming front

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

Groups of lawmakers and advocacy organizations for years have been prodding the Legislature to take steps to protect people in Massachusetts from federal immigration law enforcement. Recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in Minnesota appear to have pushed Democratic legislative leaders and Gov. Maura Healey to finally wade into that debate. On the heels of private House meetings to brainstorm ways to bring down energy costs, state representatives are set to hold four more meetings in the week ahead on immigration proposals, including new ones that Healey has attached to a $411 million supplemental spending bill (HD 5610) that the governor wants to see passed before April 30 to avoid service disruptions. Lawmakers also have their eyes on the fallout from the scheduled expiration Tuesday of temporary protected status for Haitian residents who fled that country and have established roots in Massachusetts. It's unclear whether an energy bill or an immigration bill might emerge first in the House, where top Democrats are about to dive in with their Senate counterparts on a weeks-long review of the supplemental spending bill, a $1.15 billion Healey bill (H 5033) spending fiscal 2025 income surtax revenue, and Healey's $63.4 billion fiscal 2027 annual budget bill (H 2). Branch leaders in the week ahead could send early literacy reform bills to a six-person conference committee for resolution. Competing cannabis regulation bills are already in conference. Both branches plan only informal sessions next week. In a year that will end with big elections and feature World Cup matches in Massachusetts, other signature events are coming up quickly. The Winter Olympics are launching Friday in Italy and the New England Patriots are preparing to face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California. With a nor'easter bearing down for possible landfall here Sunday, architects of the offshore wind farm south of Nantucket have just one last turbine to install, Healey said Friday, although the grid here is relying on dirtier fuel sources to power through the current cold snap at a time when offshore wind energy development is largely frozen. And in a needed affirmation that spring truly is getting closer, the Boston Red Sox plan Monday morning to load up their equipment truck at Fenway Park and send it on its nearly 1,500-mile trip to Florida. Will the federal government be operating next week? Even the governor wasn't sure Friday. "Hopefully we won't see another shutdown," she said during a radio appearance.

Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026

PATRIOTS SEND-OFF: WCVB's weekly political talk show "On the Record" is preempted this week due to the channel's special live presentation of “SportsCenter 5: Countdown to Kickoff - Patriots Send-Off.” One week from Sunday the New England Patriots will appear in Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California. (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., WCVB-TV)

BLACK HISTORY MONTH: City of Boston holds a flag-raising ceremony and event to mark the start of Black History Month. There will be speakers, cultural performances and raising of the Black Liberation Flag. Organizers say there are more details to come. (Sunday, 12 p.m., 1 City Hall Square, Boston)

IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ON CITYLINE: WCVB's weekly urban magazine program CityLine focuses on immigration enforcement operations in communities. Todd McGhee, a law enforcement use of force expert, and professor Deborah Ramirez, co-director of the Center for Law, Equity and Race at Northeastern University School of Law, weigh in on law enforcement procedure and jurisdiction, and how the cases of the two U.S. citizens killed in Minneapolis by federal agents should be investigated. ACLU of Massachusetts Executive Director Carol Rose speaks about the work the ACLU has been doing "from Minnesota to Massachusetts." Chief of consultation-liaison psychiatry and emergency services at Tufts Medical Center, Dr. Cristina Montalvo, "offers ways people can cope with the secondary trauma of news consumption and negative images on social media," according to WCVB. (Sunday, 12 a.m., WCVB-TV)

Monday, Feb. 2, 2026

SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT: Supreme Judicial Court hears arguments in five cases, including the long-running land use dispute between Nahant and Northeastern University. (Monday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Room 1, 1 Pemberton Sq., Boston | More Info)

HBCU ALUMNI BREAKFAST: Rep. Russell Holmes hosts the annual HBCU alumni breakfast. (Monday, 10 a.m., Grand Staircase)

GAMING COMMISSION ADJUDICATORY HEARING: Massachusetts Gaming Commission holds an adjudicatory hearing relative to Aaron LaBerge. According to his LinkedIn page, LaBerge is chief technology officer and head of interactive for PENN Entertainment. Penn operates Plainridge Park Casino and the commission says LaBerge is an individual qualifier for the casino. Commissioners are required to hold hearings to assess the suitability of individual qualifiers, according to spokesperson Thomas Mills. (Monday, 10 a.m. | Access and More Info)

HEALEY-GOLDBERG MEETING: Gov. Healey has her monthly meeting with Treasurer Goldberg. (Monday, 11 a.m., Room 360)

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

SENATE SESSION: Senate meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)

HATE CRIMES TASK FORCE: Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's Task Force on Hate Crimes meet. Agenda includes an update on hate crime bills, an update from the legislative subcommittee, a vote on the 2025 annual report and 2026 goals and objectives. (Monday, 2 p.m. | Agenda and Access)

CABO VERDEAN CULTURAL CENTER: Special Commission on Cabo Verdean Cultural Center meets virtually. (Monday, 3:30 p.m., Agenda and Access Info)

HEALTH INFO TECH COUNCIL: Massachusetts Health Information Technology Council meets virtually. (Monday, 3:30 p.m. | More Info)

QUABBIN WATERSHED PONDS: Department of Conservation and Recreation holds a public meeting during which its aquatic biologist explains the public boat fishing issue surrounding Pottapaug and O'Loughlin ponds in the Quabbin watershed. The ponds since 2023 have been closed to public boat fishing as DCR, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and private contractors work to control swollen bladderwort, an aquatic invasive species, according to DCR's Office of Watershed Management. The public will be able to ask questions, get clarifications and provide input to DCR before it makes a decision on recreational boat fishing access to both water bodies. (Monday, 6:30 p.m., 2 Jabish St., Belchertown | More Info)

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026

SPEED CAMERA ADVOCACY: Transportation for Massachusetts joins MassBike, Families for Safe Streets, Safe Roads Alliance and others for a briefing in support of bills (H 3754 / S 2344) aimed at making roads safer. The bills would allow cities and towns to install safety cameras for red lights, work zones, school zones and speeding. The House version, sponsored by Reps. Steven Owens and Manny Cruz are before the Transportation Committee. The Senate version, sponsored by Sen. Will Brownsberger, has cleared the Senate side of the same committee 6-0 and is awaiting action in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Speakers include Brownsberger, Owens, Somerville Mayor Jake Wilson and Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier. Gov. Healey’s fiscal 2027 budget recommends allowing MassDOT and municipalities to use speed cameras in construction and school zones. Transportation For Massachusetts Senior Policy Director Pete Wilson has said that 25 states use automated enforcement technology. Camera speed enforcement systems can reduce crashes by 30% to 40%, according to organizers who cited a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Room 428 | RSVP and More Info )

SICKLE CELL DAY: American Red Cross and Rep. Andy Vargas host Sickle Cell Day. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Great Hall)

PAWS AND POLICY: MSPCA and Rep. Ted Phillips host MSPCA's Paws and Policy day. MSPCA said the bills it will feature include some that would prevent the sale of puppies from large-scale commercial breeders, increase pet-inclusive housing to keep people and their pets together, and improve the animal cruelty laws, and more.(Tuesday, 10 a.m., Nurses Hall)

HOMELESSNESS BRIEFING: Coalition for Homeless Individuals hosts a legislative and budget briefing on the state of individual homelessness in Massachusetts, how it differs from family shelter, and how the need is shifting due to demand, demographics and federal funding changes. Speakers include Housing Committee Chair Rep. Richard Haggerty, Rep. John Moran, Clinical & Support Options Vice President of Housing & Homeless Services Jane Banks, and Somerville Homeless Coalition Executive Director Michael Libby. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Room 222)

MCB ADVISORY BOARD: Massachusetts Commission for the Blind’s Advisory Board meets. The agenda includes a commissioner report, deputy commissioner update and program updates. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | Access and More Info)

CORI TRAINING: Department of Criminal Justice Information Services holds Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) training virtually, which includes a brief overview of the state's CORI laws and regulations for non-criminal justice agencies using CORI for various purposes. (Tuesday, 11 a.m. | Access)

ORAL HEALTH COMMISSION: Special Commission on Oral Health meets virtually. Agenda includes an "updated approach and timeline for the completion of deliverables" and approval of past meeting minutes. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | Access and Agenda)

DOI BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Division of Insurance holds an information session on behavioral health intermediate care. Insurers are required to cover inpatient, intermediate and outpatient mental health services, with the aim that care is delivered in the "least restrictive clinically appropriate setting," according to a 2009 DOI bulletin. An evening session on the topic is held at 6 p.m. (Tuesday, 1 p.m. | Register)

"LEGALIZE STARTER HOMES" PRESSER: The "Legalize Starter Home" coalition holds a press conference to outline how the proposed ballot measure would make an impact on the housing crisis. The measure would allow for single-family homes to be constructed in any residentially zoned area if the land has at least 5,000 square feet, access to public sewer and water services, and at least 50 feet of land bordering the road it faces. Attendees include chair of the campaign Andrew Mikula, Abundant Housing Massachusetts Executive Director Jesse Kanson-Benanav, Barrett Planning Group LLC President Judi Barrett and Sen. Jamie Eldridge. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Outside of the State House | RSVP)

SENATE POST AUDIT AND OVERSIGHT: Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight holds a hearing. Commissioners will hear testimony from invited guests on MassDOT’s Request for Proposals for a service plaza operator. The MassDOT board awarded a contract to redevelop and run 18 services plazas across the state to Irish retailer Applegreen in June, but the company backed out of contract talks as rival bidder Global Partners waged media, legal and public relations offensives to block the MassDOT-Applegreen deal. The committee has put pressure on MassDOT to put the contract back out to bid. (Tuesday, 2:30 p.m., Room B-1 | Virtual Access and More Info)

LAMPSON BROOK FARM BOARD: Lampson Brook Farm Board of Directors holds a virtual meeting. The Belchertown farm is the largest unprotected single parcel that the state owns, and the board is responsible for leading the farm's transition to permanent protection while maintaining its role as a model demonstration and teaching farm, according to the Division of Conservation Services. Agenda includes board updates and an executive session. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. | More Info and Access)

IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT: Harvard Kennedy School's Institute of Politics hosts a talk on immigration enforcement policy and the unrest in Minnesota with former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and former Department of Homeland Security official Juliette Kayyem. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., JFK Jr. Forum, 79 JFK St., Cambridge | RSVP | Livestream)

SENATE SPECIAL 1ST MIDDLESEX PRIMARY: Voters in Lowell and towns of Dracut, Dunstable, Pepperell and Tyngsborough head to the polls to cast ballots in the special election primary for the 1st Middlesex District Senate seat. The seat had been held since 2018 by the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, who died Oct. 1 at the age of 74. Reps. Rodney Elliott and Vanna Howard face off in the Democratic primary, and the two recently participated in a candidate forum, according to the Lowell Sun. The general election will take place Tuesday, March 3, but there are no Republicans running at this point. (Tuesday)

HAITI TPS DEADLINE: Temporary Protected Status for Haitian communities is scheduled to expire, placing about 4,700 Massachusetts residents and roughly 350,000 across the U.S. at risk of deportation. TPS is granted to those from countries facing conflict, natural disaster or other extraordinary conditions. U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Seth Moulton have criticized the Trump administration's move to end the protections and 69 state lawmakers sent a letter Jan. 27 urging federal leaders to extend TPS. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it "determined that there are no extraordinary and temporary conditions in Haiti that prevent Haitian nationals (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Haiti) from returning in safety." A federal judge is scheduled to rule on the expiration of the status by Feb. 2. (Tuesday)

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026

SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT: Supreme Judicial Court hears arguments in four cases, including one that concerns the purported transfer of a 21-acre one-time cranberry bog in Centerville. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Room 1, 1 Pemberton Sq., Boston | More Info)

GREAT BOSTON LEGAL SERVICES: Greater Boston Legal Services hosts a lobby day. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Great Hall)

DTA BOSTON AND QUINCY ADVISORY BOARD: Department of Transitional Assistance's Boston and Quincy Advisory Board meets virtually. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. | More Info)

CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE: Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure holds a hybrid hearing on 12 bills and home rule petitions. Several bills relate to local liquor licenses, and one bill (H 4597) would ban issuing off-premise liquor licenses within 500 feet of any establishment with a liquor license after 2026. The bill includes an exception if a local licensing authority holds a hearing and finds that issuing the license is not detrimental to public health, safety or general welfare. Another bill, (S 2636) would establish a cosmetology licensure compact, allowing cosmetology licensees to move their work freely among member states. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Room B-1 | Virtual Access and More Info)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY COUNCIL: Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources holds an Energy Efficiency Advisory Council Executive Committee meeting. Public comment will be accepted at the beginning of the meeting. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Register)

GAMING COMMISSION AGENDA SETTING: Massachusetts Gaming Commission holds an agenda-setting meeting. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. |Access and More Info)

HOUSE IMMIGRATION POLICY MEETING: House Democrats with last names starting with A–L will meet with House leadership to discuss immigration policy. Gov. Healey last week filed both legislation and an executive order aimed at protecting immigrants from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Her bill would “keep ICE out of courthouses, schools, child care programs, hospitals and churches,” ban other states from deploying their National Guard into Massachusetts without the governor’s approval, and allow parents to pre-arrange guardianship for their children in the event of deportation. The executive order limits new 287(g) agreements between local law enforcement and ICE and bans the use of state property as a base for immigration enforcement operations. The Black and Latino Legislative Caucus also unveiled legislation known as the PROTECT Act, which would provide safeguards from federal immigration officials related to court proceedings and due process. In a statement, House Speaker Ron Mariano’s office said, "House Leadership has had productive conversations with the Black and Latino Caucus the last few months and appreciates the Caucus’s work to reach consensus on their recently filed bill. At the same time, we understand the deep nuance of this issue and the limitations of what the Commonwealth can do on immigration policy. We therefore ask that you join House Leadership, led by Chair Dan Cahill and Leader Carlos González, for a candid discussion on recently filed proposals and wider immigration policy." Mariano said he supports the governor’s executive order. The governor’s ICE ban, National Guard restrictions, and guardianship provisions are attached to a larger supplemental budget that also includes hundreds of millions of dollars for public workers’ insurance, increasing the urgency for lawmakers to take up the bill. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., House Members' Lounge)

SENATE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs holds a hearing. Members will hear informational presentations and testimony from experts on the effects of federal funding disruptions on state fiscal policy. Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation and the Center for State Policy at Tufts University are set to provide testimony. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Room B-2)

CHAPA HOUSING VOUCHER WEBINAR: Citizens’ Housing & Planning Association’s Housing Policy Action Center hosts a webinar titled “Shaping Action: Findings on Use of Housing Choice Vouchers.” The group plans to present new research findings on patterns of voucher use across the state as well as program insights and implications for lawmakers, advocates and service providers. CHAPA’s Housing Policy Action Center will also have a live Q&A. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. |Zoom registration)

HEALTH CONNECTOR: Massachusetts Health Connector holds an information session about insurance options for individuals and families. While open enrollment is now over, the Connector still allows people to enroll during "special" periods, including after losing coverage through work or a spouse. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Register)

INCLUSIONARY ZONING: Barrett Planning Group hosts a webinar on inclusionary zoning, including how effective policies could expand the supply of affordable housing. Organizers say the event is tied to a recent lawsuit challenging Cambridge's inclusionary zoning ordinance. Pioneer New England Legal Foundation sued the city on behalf of developer Columbia St, LLC last month. "The ordinance requires property owners to surrender fundamental property rights protected by the U.S. and Massachusetts Constitutions," said Pioneer New England attorney Paul Johnson. "These requirements constitute unlawful land-use conditions under settled U.S. Supreme Court precedent." Cambridge's ordinance requires 20% of the residential floor area in new developments with 10 or more units be affordable, according to the city. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Register)

FAMILY ADVISORY COUNCIL INFO SESSION: Department of Early Education and Care's Family Advisory Council hosts an information session for the public to learn more about applying to join the council. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | More Info and Register)

CLEAN WATER TRUST BOARD: Massachusetts Clean Water Trust Board meets. Treasurer Goldberg chairs the meeting. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. | Zoom)

ELECTED COMMITTEE OF BLIND VENDORS: Massachusetts Elected Committee of Blind Vendors meets. Agenda includes a discussion about fiscal year 2027 budget planning and an update on the quarterly budget. (Wednesday, 5 p.m. | Agenda and Access)

MASSDOT UPTON ROUNDABOUT: MassDOT holds a public informational meeting to discuss a project along Route 140 in Upton extending from Williams Street to Brook and Elm streets. The project includes resurfacing and construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Grove, Church and Warren streets. A path for pedestrians and cyclists is also proposed near the roundabout. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Upton Community Center at 9 Milford St, Upton | More Info)

BELLE ISLE MARSH: Department of Conservation and Recreation holds a virtual meeting meant for the public to provide comments about a draft resource management plan for Bell Isle Marsh Reservation, located in East Boston, Revere and Winthrop. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Registration)

TAX SEASON MONEY AVAILABLE: Department of Early Education and Care hosts an information session to walk through how to apply for the Child and Family Tax Credit and other money available for people with low incomes. The state now offers the tax credit, according to the department, which can be accessed by filing a state tax return and provides $440 for each child under 13 years old, disabled dependent or spouse, and dependent aged 65 years old or older. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Register)

BERKSHIRE GAS RATE CASE: Department of Public Utilities hosts its second public hearing for commentary on the petition from the Berkshire Gas Company for an increase in gas base distribution rates. (Wednesday, 7 p.m. | Filing and Public Hearing Notice | More Info and Access)

JANUARY REVENUES: Department of Revenue is due to report on January tax collections, a "significant month for revenues" that generally produces about 10% of annual state tax revenue. The Healey administration expects to rake in $3.826 billion during the month, which would be $273 million less than last January. Through Jan. 15, DOR had collected $2.019 billion, $148 million or 7.9% more than during the same period in January 2025. The state collected about $19.636 billion through the first half of the fiscal year -- $375 million or 1.9% higher than collections in the same period last year. The haul was roughly on par with the year-to-date benchmark, landing 0.1% or $23 million higher. (Wednesday)

Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026

MACP COMPETITIVENESS CONVERSATION: Massachusetts Competitive Partnership and the Mass Mobility Hub co-host a discussion “Lead or Follow: Keeping Massachusetts Competitive in Mobility Innovation: Why Leadership in Autonomy and Emerging Mobility Technologies Matters.” The discussion among industry leaders, experts and policymakers focuses on the urgency of preserving Massachusetts foothold as a technology leader while mobility technologies advance from research to real-world development. Speakers include Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, MACP CEO Jay Ash, executive director of the Mass Mobility Hub Jamey Tesler, COO of MACP and vice chair of Mass Mobility Hub Rebecca Davis as well as executive director of MIT Mobility Initiative John Moavenzadeh. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., UMass Club, 32nd floor, 1 Beacon St., Boston | Registration)

EMPLOYMENT GRANTS: Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones announces grants for the Employment Program for Young Adults. She's joined by Commonwealth Corporation President Molly Jacobson, local officials and grant recipients. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Northeast Arc, Center for Linking Lives inside Liberty Tree Mall, 100 Independence Way, Danvers)

HOUSE IMMIGRATION POLICY MEETING: House Democrats with last names starting with M-Z will meet with House leadership to discuss immigration policy, on the heels of introduction of policy proposals from Gov. Healey and the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus aiming to protect immigrants from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Thursday, 10 a.m., House Members' Lounge)

FIRE PREVENTION REGULATIONS: Department of Fire Services' Fire Prevention Regulations Appeals Board meets. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

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

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

HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION: Health Policy Commission board meets. Commissioners will discuss Gov. Healey's recently launched Health Care Affordability Working Group. Healey wants the group, which has not met yet, to produce recommendations by June as Massachusetts struggles to rein in surging health cost pressures that are exacerbated by the loss of federal funding. It's co-led by former Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. "I've asked your friend and mine, former secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh, who thought she was off to retirement as grandma back in the game, which she gladly is," Healey said at the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association conference. Healey's newly filed supplemental budget looks to invest $500,000 into the group. The agenda also includes new research on insurance claims denials and proposed regulations tied to the 2024 prescription drug reform and health care market oversight laws. HPC staff will give updates on recent market transactions, and Executive Director David Seltz will share agency updates. (Thursday, 12 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

HOUSE IMMIGRATION POLICY MEETING: House Republicans will meet with House Democratic leaders to discuss immigration policy, on the heels of introduction of policy proposals from Gov. Healey and the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus aiming to protect immigrants from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Room 348)

COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMISSION: Community Behavioral Health Promotion and Prevention Commission meets virtually. (Thursday, 3 p.m. | Access and More Info)

COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMISSION: Health and Human Service's Community Behavioral Health Promotion and Prevention Commission meets. (Thursday, 3 p.m. | More Info and Access)

HIGHER ED STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL: Department of Higher Education holds a Student Advisory Council meeting. (Thursday, 4:30 p.m. | Agenda TBA)

MASSDOT NOISE BARRIERS: MassDOT holds an open house to discuss proposed noise barriers along Lincoln Street and I-90 in Allston. The noise barriers will be built in two parts: one will extend from the Castle Leaf dispensary to the Public Storage building and the other will stretch from the toll gantry building area to Franklin Street. (Thursday, 5 p.m., Josephine Fiorentino Community Center, 123 Antwerp St., Brighton | More Info)

USS CONSTITUTION MUSEUM LEADERSHIP FORUM: NCAA President Charlie Baker joins Meet Boston CEO Martha Sheridan to headline the USS Constitution Museum Leadership Forum. Baker and Sheridan are set to discuss what it takes to lead through complexity, how to create a community across broad networks and driving change within organizations that have established cultures. “Charlie Baker and Martha Sheridan are leading some of the most complex and collaborative systems in American life,” said Jeff Draeger, President and CEO of the USS Constitution Museum. “From college athletics to Boston’s visitor economy, they are navigating complex environments while guiding organizations that are decentralized by design and rooted in strong culture and tradition. This conversation will give Greater Boston’s civic and business leaders a rare chance to hear how they think about change, community, and responsibility in real time.” The speaking program will begin at 6:30 p.m., cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be available at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are required to attend. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Intercontinental Hotel, 510 Atlantic Ave., Boston |Tickets)

MEMORIAL DRIVE PHASE III: Department of Conservation and Recreation's project team will provide updates for the Memorial Drive Phase III construction, relating to landscape maintenance and access to Riverbend Park in Cambridge. (Thursday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Registration)

BERKSHIRE GAS RATE CASE: Department of Public Utilities hosts its third public hearing for commentary on the petition from the Berkshire Gas Company for an increase in gas base distribution rates. (Thursday, 7 p.m. | Filing and Public Hearing Notice | More Info and Access)

Friday, Feb. 6, 2026

SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT: Supreme Judicial Court hears arguments in two cases, both appeals related to first-degree murder cases. (Friday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Room 1, 1 Pemberton Sq., Boston | More Info)

TECHNICAL NET CREDITING CONFERENCE: Department of Public Utilities convenes a technical session to discuss the specifics of net crediting models it has proposed and the alternative net crediting structure proposed by Eversource Energy. Discussion is also expected to surround the transfer of accrued net metering credit balances. Stakeholders requested the session, according to DPU. Conference will be hybrid, with the in-person session held at the DPU's office at One South Station, Boston. (Friday, 9 a.m. | More Info)

FORENSIC SCIENCE OVERSIGHT: Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's Forensic Science Oversight Board meets. The board provides oversight and auditing for Massachusetts' forensic service providers. (Friday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Access)

DATA CENTERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Massachusetts Climate Action Network and Mass Power Forward host a webinar discussing the effects of AI and data centers on environmental justice. Speakers are Vick Mohanka, director of the Massachusetts Sierra Club Chapter, and Tristan Thomas, vice president of the MCAN Board and director of policy at Alternatives for Community & Environment. The first hour of the program will include a presentation and Q&A session, followed by an open discussion. (Friday, 12 p.m. | Registration and More Info)

JUSTICE-INVOLVED WOMEN: Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's Panel on Justice-Involved Women meets. Agenda includes a 2025 report, goals and priorities for 2026, and defining data needs and strategy. (Friday, 1 p.m. | Agenda and Access)

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

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: Deadline to submit public comment on a proposed regulatory change from the Department of Children and Families dealing with standards for licensure as a foster/pre-adoptive parent. Officials want to strike the requirement for affirming a child's "sexual orientation or gender identity," and replace it with a new requirement to affirm a child's "individual identity and needs." The change is tied to promoting the physical, mental and emotional well-being of children. (Friday, 5 p.m. |More Info)

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