Franklin Town MA
2-15-2026 4:05am

People, Power, and Politics

The MBTA is emerging from years of underinvestment, officials said Thursday, but only because of a surge in state support that leaves the T more reliant than ever on Beacon Hill to hold on to its service gains and make further improvements. In a presentation to the MBTA's Audit and Finance Subcommittee, Chief Financial Officer Mary Ann O'Hara said the agency's outlook hinges on unprecedented state support proposed for fiscal 2027, as structural deficits persist and final budget numbers remain uncertain until lawmakers act. She outlined plans to taper recent spending growth to a more sustainable pace as the system shifts from recovery to long-term stability.

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!

School vacation is here and thereby a very light meeting week.

Hopefully, the time away will help to settle some things for folks. I had a great deal of hope coming out of the School Committee meeting Tuesday. Many Councilors were viewing the meeting in the Zoom session, one actively participated asking several clarification questions. All that is goodness.

Given the Council had previously seemed to come to consensus on the need for a strategic plan, we could be on the right road. The strategic plan will take some work to put into place and it needs to start with appropriately funding and staffing the Town Administrator’s office. Without resources there, other normal work will be delayed at best or not happen, key among them is that the Town Council subcommittees won’t be able to meet without additional resources.

Unfortunately, Wednesday night saw some of that hope dissipate during the Town Council meeting which discussed the 5 year fiscal forecast and the Capital budget. The discussion on the forecast revealed issues with how to handle the proposed FY 2027 budget. The Capital plan which had already been approved by the Finance Committee saw some heated words expressed by multiple parties.

The prioritization of $100K for chromebook replacements over $75k for camera and related server replacements was not accepted by some. Ultimately, the vote to take out the $100K failed and the vote to add the 75K passed. So much time spent over so little money in the scheme of the $1.8 Million capital authorization was truly making “a mountain out of a mole hill.“

The major concern is still with the lack of trust in accepting recommendations made by the people who are charged with the daily operations and who should know better. The Council position of oversight provides them with opportunity to question and to vet proposals but the nature of the challenge became more than it should have.

Hence, hopefully, the time away for school vacation (no School or Town Council meetings this week) will enable a reconciliation and a return to the hopeful progress that does need to be made to solve our structural deficit. Angry words create problems, they do not resolve them.

WE can only solve our problem with thoughtful civil discourse. The conversations will be difficult but the capability to come up with reasonable solutions is with us.

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 2/13/26, 7:00 PM ***

Charles River Pollution Control Meeting

Tuesday, February 17 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02172026-2134

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, February 17 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02172026-2139

Town Council Monthly Office Hours

Thursday, February 19 Time: 8:30 AM

No agenda for this informal discussion

ZBA Meeting

Thursday, February 19 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02192026-2113

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

A full week of Town/School meetings occurred with something every night of the week

Monday, Feb 9 - The Community Relations subcommittee of the School Committee met. The exclusive audio is available

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/community-relations-subcommittee-20926.html

Monday, Feb 9 - The Planning Board meeting. The Franklin TV video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMTWLdaCHic

Tuesday, Feb 10 - The School Committee met at 6 PM to provide enough time for their public hearing on their FY 2027 budget. The recap and video of the session can be found

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/school-committee-hear-details-on-level.html

Wednesday, Feb 11 - The Town Council also started at 6 PM with a time limit of 4 hours for this their first session in the new arrangement, and they needed to vote to extend the meeting in order to complete it. The Council got a preview of the updated 5 year fiscal forecast and ultimately approved the first pass on the Capital budget. The recap and video is available

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/town-council-adds-to-tier-1-capital.html

Thursday, Feb 12 - The Conservation Commission. The Franklin TV video link -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7914hOHIlLM

On the school front

On the All Access 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.htm

MEDWAY

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

STATE HOUSE and BEYOND

Any momentum the legislative session might have gained this year will likely stall out for a few days as lawmakers over the years have taken their foot off the gas during school vacation weeks. The state budget, which the Legislature usually delivers late each year, is resting before the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, which kicked off annual budget hearings Wednesday but will go into a siesta of sorts before budget hearings resume in March. The committee hasn't finalized its hearing schedule but a working document points to the resumption of hearings on March 9. House Democrats are working behind the scenes on major energy affordability and immigration bills and a conference committee charged with coming up with a single cannabis reform bill could present its compromise in the weeks before the House holds its annual budget debate in April. The House this week appointed Reps. Ken Gordon, Simon Cataldo and John Marsi, who joined the Legislature in March 2024, as conference committee members to work with the Senate on a consensus early literacy reform bill. Senate appointees could be named during informal sessions, which are expected in both branches on Tuesday and Thursday. Joint committees this session have been making recommendations on bills in accordance with new rules intended to get bills moving earlier in the session, but sponsors of bills that received favorable recommendations face a significant obstacle: getting the attention of leaders of the House and Senate Ways and Means committees. Bills of any significance generally pass through those panels to reach the House and Senate floors and both committees are just now getting deeply involved in a series of complex spending bills, including the annual budget. As fiscal decisions occupy their time, bills are piling up in Ways and Means by the hundreds. As of Friday, there were 864 bills in House Ways and Means and 1,001 in Senate Ways and Means. Gov. Maura Healey, who is trying to move her own agenda through the Legislature, plans to host a Boston town hall Sunday in connection with her reelection effort and later in the week plans to visit Washington D.C. for the National Governors Association's winter meeting.

Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026

HEALEY ON THE RECORD: Gov. Healey joins WCVB's weekly political talk show "On the Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV)

DIZOGLIO PERFORMS: Auditor Diana DiZoglio performs at the Boston Lunar New Year Festival Gala. (Sunday, 1:30 p.m., Boston City Hall, 1 City Hall Sq., Boston)

HEALEY BOSTON TOWN HALL: Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll host a two-hour town hall. Organizers say attendees can ask Healey and Driscoll questions. "From lowering costs and building more housing to strengthening schools and protecting health care, they want to hear what’s on your mind," the Massachusetts Democratic Party said. "Your voice matters in this conversation." The governor and lieutenant governor are running for a second term this year, with three Republicans vying for the nomination to oppose Healey, who has not drawn a Democratic opponent. (Sunday, 3 p.m., location provided after registration | Registration)

Monday, Feb. 16, 2026

JFK LIBRARY PRESIDENTS’ DAY: The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum hosts its Presidents’ Day Festival. The event kicks off with actors portraying presidents John Adams and Calvin Coolidge as well as First Lady Abigail Adams and Alice Roosevelt, daughter of Theodore Roosevelt. Visitors can sign their names to a copy of the Declaration of Independence or write their aspirations for the next 250 years as part of a Wish Tree for the country in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the United States. Other activities will highlight the history of White House pets. Visitors can also make items like Kennedy campaign hats and personalized campaign posters. The festival will close with a free concert from the Harvard Din & Tonics who will perform Kennedy campaign songs and popular music from the 1960s and today.(Monday, 10 a.m., JFK Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston)

POST COMMISSION PUBLIC COMMENT: The deadline to submit public comments to Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission on two officers' applications for voluntary relinquishment of their law enforcement officer certification. The officers are: Erik Loiko, formerly with Southhampton Police, and Paul Oliveira, formerly with New Bedford Police. Comments should be emailed to POSTC-comments@mass.gov. (Monday, 4 p.m.)

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

BUILDING CODE APPEALS: Building Code Appeals Board meets. Agenda includes cases in Gloucester, Chicopee, Yarmouth, Boston and Greenfield. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

PESTICIDE SUBCOMMITTEE: Massachusetts Pesticide Board Subcommittee meets. Members plan to vote on registrations for pesticide products, and vote on a new policy for handling voting "on agenda items that require substantial review and evaluation." (Tuesday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Zoom)

ARCHITECTS BOARD: Board of Registration of Architects meets. Agenda includes a licensee report. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

REAL ESTATE BROKERS, SALESPERSONS: Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons meets. Agenda includes executive director and board counsel reports. There will also be a closed-session adjudicatory conference. The five-member board includes two public members (Robert Jones and Kathleen Condon), and three real estate brokers: Linda Koy (chair), Cliff Ponte and Donna Davids. The last meeting minutes posted by the board on its website are from an Aug. 20, 2025 meeting. (Tuesday, 10 a.m.| Agenda and Access)

END HUNGER TOUR - GARDNER: U.S. Reps. McGovern and Trahan visit Growing Places, an organization that runs farms and markets to connect people to local produce, for the fourth stop of McGovern's End Hunger Now tour. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 62 Waterford St., Gardner)

LOTTERY COMMISSION: State Lottery Commission meets. Treasurer Goldberg chairs the meeting. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. | For access contact (781) 917-6057 or email gpolin@masslottery.com)

LGBTQ AGING: Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Aging holds a listening session at the Salem Council on Aging. Listening sessions are meant to allow residents to share stories and what isn’t working well for LGBTQ+ older adults and their caregivers across the state. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Salem Council on Aging at 401 Bridge St., Salem)

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

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

INSURANCE CLAIMS: Division of Insurance holds an information session focused on claims payment processes. A DOI bulletin outlines that commercial insurers with preferred provider plans must respond within 45 days after receiving reimbursement forms. An evening session will also be held at 6 p.m. (Tuesday, 1 p.m. | Register)

FOXBOROUGH SELECT BOARD: Foxborough Select Board meets and reviews the FIFA World Cup 2026 entertainment license. The board has threatened to withhold a license for the games unless the town receives its upfront funding request of $7.8 million. "This is a national, international event, and it's not up to the town of Foxborough to support or pay for any of this," Select Board Chair Bill Yukna said this month. "As our chiefs are the ones responsible for the security and safety of the facilities, their needs need to be met, or this cannot be an event that moves forward." Gov. Healey told reporters this week that Foxborough will "get their money to execute the leases, no doubt." Seven FIFA matches are slated to be held at Gillette Stadium this summer. "We have every interest in making sure that we have a tremendous event here in Massachusetts and down in Foxborough, and I know that the state will continue to work closely with local officials," Healey said. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Foxborough Town Hall, 40 South St., Foxborough | More Info)

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

SHEET METAL WORKERS: Board of Examiners of Sheet Metal Workers meets. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

MUNI POLICE: Municipal Police Training Committee's Standards Subcommittee meets and reviews the February agenda. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 42 Thomas Patten Drive, Randolph | Agenda and Access)

HEALTH, NUTRITION CENTER: Greater Boston Food Bank launches its Center for Community Health and Nutrition, which will aim to promote "food as health" initiatives and improve access to "nutritious, culturally responsive, and medically tailored food," organizers say. Attendees included retiring GBFB President Catherine D'Amato and Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. The center's corporate sponsor, which organizers describe as a global life sciences leader, will be revealed at the event. The sponsor is funding the center through a four-year, $4 million grant. The center will also provide SNAP application assistance and support research on hunger-relief strategies. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Greater Boston Food Bank Warehouse, 70 South Bay, Boston)

MUNI POLICE: Municipal Police Training Committee meets. Agenda includes updates on disciplinary dismissal appeals and instructor certification revocation appeals. There's also an executive director's report, which includes a fiscal 2026 budget update and a recruit training update. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 42 Thomas Patten Drive, Randolph | Agenda and Access)

PIPEFITTERS, REFRIGERATION TECHS: Bureau of Pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians and Sprinkler Fitters meets. Agenda includes an executive director report, a discussion on apprentice license renewals, and review and approval of an updated education framework. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

BLOOD DRIVE: The State Lottery hosts a blood drive at its Braintree regional office for the patients of Boston Children's Hospital. Donations take less than an hour and can help up to four patients, according to organizers. Appointments are required and can be scheduled online or by calling 617-355-6677. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. ,1515 Washington St., Braintree, To schedule an appointment visit www.bostonchildrens.org/halfpints Use code MALOTTBR)

EDUCATOR ROUNDTABLE: Educators for Excellence hosts a discussion on the challenges facing Massachusetts students and what could turn the tide. Participants include classroom teachers from around the state, Boston Public Schools principal Antonelli Mejia, and National Council on Teacher Quality President Heather Peske. Panelists will discuss the literacy legislation that has passed the House and Senate in different forms, as well as what it will take to get the most out of that bill, should it become law. (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., Room 428)

DIZOGLIO AT CHINESE NEW YEAR: Auditor Diana DiZoglio attends the CCBA Chinese New Year Banquet. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., Empire Garden Restaurant, 690 Washington St., Boston)

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

EMBODIED CARBON STUDY: Massachusetts Climate Action Network hosts a virtual presentation about their embodied carbon study. The authors, Mélanie Trottier of Builders for Climate Action and Chris Magwood of Rocky Mountain Institute, will discuss carbon impact from a range of recent residential construction. Among the key findings, researchers concluded that embodied carbon emissions can account for as much as 32% of a building's overall carbon emissions over a 25-year period, and that single-family detached homes with two or more stories had a higher average net embodied carbon emissions than other types of homes. Researchers recommend creating embodied carbon reduction incentives for utilities program administrators, like Mass Save. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Register)

POST COMMISSION: Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission meets. Agenda includes an executive director report and a legal update focused on a use-of-force model policy. There will also be a performance evaluation of Executive Director Enrique Zuniga. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Zoom

PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY: Board of Public Accountancy meets. Agenda includes executive director and board counsel reports, and a legislative update. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

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

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

IWO JIMA DAY: Marine Corps League hosts its annual Iwo Jima Day services at the State House, marking the 81st anniversary of the bloody World War II Pacific Theatre battle that claimed thousands of lives. The Marine Corps League had said that 2025's ceremony could be its last since it was not sure if any Iwo Jima veterans would be able to make last year's ceremony. But 99-year-old veteran Joe Cappuccio, who fought at Iwo Jima, showed up and encouraged those in attendance to stay active. This year's honorees include Rep. Joe McGonagle, David Porter of the U.S. Marine Corps, and Sarah Sweeney from the Military Friends Foundation. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Memorial Hall)

BANKER MERGER: Division of Banks holds a public hearing on Mutual Bancorp's petition to acquire Bluestone Bank. Mutual Bancorp is the mutual holding company of the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank and Fidelity Co-operative Bank. "In determining whether or not to approve this petition the Board must decide whether competition among banking institutions will be unreasonably affected and whether public convenience and advantage will be promoted by this proposal," officials said. (Thursday, 11 a.m. | More Info and Access)

WHITINSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER: U.S. Rep. McGovern attends and speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Whitin Community Center, for which the congressman secured a $1 million federal earmark. (Thursday, 11 a.m., 60 Main St., Whitinsville)

POST COMMISSION: Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission holds a suspension hearing before the full commission dealing with Sean Flaherty. Flaherty was arrested in 2024 on assault and battery charges. The hearing is closed to the public. (Thursday, 11:45 a.m. | More Info)

PRIOR AUTHORIZATION REGULATIONS HEARING: Division of Insurance holds a public hearing on proposed prior authorization regulatory reforms. Gov. Healey on Jan. 14 unveiled plans to scrap prior authorization requirements for most routine and essential services, simplify approval processes and standardize practices across the health care system. The changes would also require insurers to respond to urgent requests within 24 hours. "Prior authorization requirements have grown in complexity over time, confusing patients and doctors and delaying important care," Insurance Commissioner Michael Caljouw said. "Similarly, insurers and patients are too often forced to deal with duplicative bills that create additional complexity and cost for the health care system." The regulatory overhaul is happening in parallel with Healey's new Health Care Affordability Working Group that's expected to produce recommendations by June. (Thursday, 1 p.m. | More Info and Access)

END HUNGER TOUR - LYNN: U.S. Reps. McGovern and Moulton visit Lynn Senior Services for the fifth stop on McGovern's End Hunger Now tour. (Thursday, 3 p.m., 8 Silsbee St., Lynn)

CHELSEA MASSDOT: MassDOT holds a public hearing on a proposed project to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety near the Mary C. Burke School in Chelsea. (Thursday, 6 p.m., 300 Crescent Ave., Chelsea | More Info)

NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION: National Governors Association holds its winter meeting from Thursday through Saturday. Gov. Healey plans to attend. The winter meet-up is the most well-attended annual gathering of governors, according to the NGA, and conversations will focus on national issues such as education, energy, economic growth and artificial intelligence. (Thursday, Washington, D.C.)

Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

QUINSIGAMOND LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST: Quinsigamond Community College hosts its annual legislative breakfast. U.S. Rep. McGovern, who lives right up the street, attends and speaks. (Friday, 8 a.m., 670 West Boylston St., Worcester)

FAMILY STABILIZATION SERVICES: Executive Office of Health and Human Services holds a public hearing on increasing rates for family stabilization services. The new rates come with an annualized cost of nearly $38 million, officials say. (Friday, 9 a.m. | More Info and Access)

MENTAL HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES: Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions meets. Agenda includes a discussion on the Unified Recovery and Monitoring Program and a vote on a URAMP quarterly report. URAMP is a voluntary program for health care professions dealing with mental health or substance use issues. (Friday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

DIALYSIS TREATMENT, SUPPLIES: Executive Office of Health and Human Services hold a public hearing on proposed regulations dealing with dialysis treatment and home dialysis supplies. Officials want to establish fixed rates for certain drug codes. The changes are intended to ensure payment rates are "consistent with efficiency, economy, and quality of care," according to the hearing notice. (Friday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Access)

END HUNGER TOUR - TAUNTON: U.S. Reps. McGovern and Auchincloss visit the Boys & Girls Club in Taunton for the sixth stop on McGovern's End Hunger Now tour. (Friday, 1 p.m., 19 Court St., Taunton)

DCR STEWARDSHIP: DCR Stewardship Council's Conservation Committee meets. Agenda includes a discussion on DCR'S biodiversity goals with Deputy Commissioner Priscilla Geigis. (Friday, 3 p.m. | Agenda and Access)

MAIR CAMPAIGN KICKOFF: Republican Lisa Mair hosts her campaign kickoff to represent the 12th Worcester District in the House. The district, currently represented by Rep. Kilcoyne, includes Clinton, Berlin, Lancaster, Boylston, Sterling and parts of Northborough. Mair is a nutritionist and health coach who lives in Berlin, she's a member of the Berlin-Boylston Regional School Committee and the District Wellness Committee and unsuccessfully ran for state Senate in 2022 and Republican State Committee in 2024. Her website says her key priorities include prioritizing transparency, increasing unrestricted state aid to cities and towns, and addressing chemicals in the environment. (Friday, 6 p.m., Coffeelands, 50 High St., Clinton)

FISHERMEN'S STRIKE DOCUMENTARY: New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center and New Bedford National Historical Park host a screening of "I Hope Those People Sink," with Ian Coss, host of GBH’s The Big Dig podcast. It's a documentary about the New Bedford fishermen's strike of 1985-1986. (Friday, 7 p.m., National Park's auditorium, 33 William St., New Bedford | Register)

Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026

BOSTON YOUTH SUMMIT: City of Boston hosts the 2026 Mayor's Youth Summit, with 600 attendees expected. The event features live performances from local organizations, and the new youth poet laureate also participates. Boston Mayor Wu is the keynote speaker. "This event gives young people a stage to perform and share their art while building meaningful connections with peers from every neighborhood," said Pedro Cruz, executive director of the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement. "We are proud to create a space where youth are seen, heard, and empowered to shape the cultural and civic life of our city." (Saturday, Feb. 21, 3 p.m., 1481 Tremont St., Boston | More Info and Register)

DIZOGLIO IN METHUEN: Auditor Diana DiZoglio attends the annual George Washington Birthday Dinner in Methuen. (Saturday, Feb. 21, 4 p.m., First Church Congregational, 26 Pleasant St., Methuen)

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