Board of Assessors Regular Meeting
Monday, October 19th Time: 9:00 AM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10192026-2565
Tabulator Testing for November 3 Election - Council Chambers Room
Monday, October 19 Time: 9:00 AM
No agenda for this observation period
Franklin Housing Authority Meeting
Monday, October 19 Time: 4:30 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10192026-2567
Planning Board Meeting
Monday, October 19 Time: 7:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10192026-2564
For the chart the students offered in the Comparison Report, I
1 - added the total assessed valuation per community
2 - sorted by the CIP%
3 - highlighted the exceptions in both sections of the sort
Item 2
Content in context is important. While the research produced the chart with 17 communities, what is the view across the Commonwealth? The Dept of Local Services has a great data bank to provide the info. 2026 was chosen as the data for 2027 is not fully populated across the 351. 2022 was chosen simply as the first year before the housing crunch from COVID.
In 2026, 129 of the 351 communities had split tax rates
In 2026, 37 had a CIP% less than 20% (92 had more than 20%)
In 2022, 118 of the 351 communities had split rates
In 2022, 49 had a CIP% less than 20% (70 had more than 20%)
Why the change in 4 years? Oh, the residential valuations have increased significantly more than the commercial valuations changing the ratio between the two.
Has the residential demand (or valuations) slowed down yet? Not likely given what we are seeing in the market.
FM #1838 - This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1838 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee Policy Subcmte meeting held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. All 3 members (Dave Callaghan (Chair), Al Charles, Reis Hansen) participated in the session held in the 3rd floor training room. Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Dr Tina Rogers also participated.
Quick recap:
discussion on the school grounds, community access allowed but not during school hours; The safety of students and schools takes priority; had been in policy discussion before but unsure of what happened as it never made it to the full committee, cross refs confirmed; vote to move to full Cmte passes 3-0; discussion also on press release and map of where signs are or will be posted to inform the community of access and NOT during school hours
review of policy on field trips to create a more standard approach across the levels; links to other policies for extended and overnight field trips; recurring trips get approved by SchCmte also, some by special vote, some in Consent agenda; looking to tighten the language to make it clear; separate the exception clause to make it stand alone more appropriately and not confuse the sentence where it currently is; motion to bring to first read, second, passes 3-0
new business
possible in spring a review of the documents required for enrollment confirmation of Franklin residency and have updates periodically, as needed (life changes) with the internal documents aligned with the procedures and process as well as confirming residency
auditing the READ act to see how policies align and if any changes are needed, confirming internal procedures also align with the existing or expected policy
next up, fiscal policy resource kit as part of review of the policies, helpful for passing along info to new members of the committee; setting expectations; discussion on review of these policies, the oldest not reviewed, minor wordsmithing required; will pick up DBD next time, motion to adjourn, passes 3-0
Meeting adjourns, folks move to Chambers for full School Committee meeting
The recording runs about 53 minutes, so let’s listen in.
Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1838-school-cmte-policy-subcmte-mtg-10-13-26/--------------
The meeting agenda can be found ->
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10132026-2558
My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KQwwtCt2nwHOX2ny8ANnYDcVwCxGGsHZ/view?usp=drive_link
School Committee Policy manual - https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/policy-manual
School Committee Subcommittee assignments
https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/subcommittees-and-liaisons
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
Restaurant Week will showcase Franklin’s dining scene and encourage residents and visitors to support local restaurants throughout the holiday season. Participating restaurants and their promotional offerings will be highlighted on a dedicated Restaurant Week website.
The celebration kicks off Saturday, December 12, alongside A Wreath of Franklin, taking place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with holiday festivities, local shopping, and a pop-up arts market at The Black Box Theater.
Interested in participating? Restaurants must complete the Restaurant Week participation form by Friday, October 30, and include their finalized menu, special, deal, or other promotional offering.
Additional information is available at Restaurant Week 2026.
For questions, contact Communications Director Liz Kalaijian at ekalaijian@franklinma.gov or Franklin Downtown Partnership Executive Director Jenna Reilly at franklindowntownpartnership@
It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.
Tune in to listen to the following:
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = MONDAY
Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = MONDAY
Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = MONDAY
8:00 am Planning Board 09-28-26
11:00 am Joint Budget Subcommittee 10-07-26
2:00 pm Planning Board 09-28-26
7:00 pm Planning Board 10-19-26 CHAMBERS 846 5026 1984
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
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| Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA |
- Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Finance Committee cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Finance Committee may ask town staff to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the town staff from correcting a misstatement of fact.
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| FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com
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| with ~25,500 voters, a 60% turnout means more than 15,000 will vote |
