What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, May 18, 2026 ???

Monday, May 18

For Library events ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9195/May-2026-Newsletter?bidId=

***    Town Meetings today   ***

Community Preservation Committee Meeting

Monday, May 18 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05182026-2318

Franklin Public Schools Community Relations Sub Committee Meeting

Monday, May 18 Time: 6:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05182026-2321 

Library Board of Directors Regular Meeting

Monday, May 18 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05182026-2316 

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Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Debt & Interest

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

Type and Purpose of Debt

The Town of Franklin sells General Obligation Bonds to finance capital improvements and other projects that require large amounts of cash such as schools, public works, recreational areas, public safety, and public buildings. General Obligation Bonds are supported by the full faith and credit of the Town and are repaid from property taxes from both current and future property owners or, in the case of water or sewer projects, out of their respective enterprise funds. Over the last few years, typical rates for 20 year municipal bonds have been in the 3% to 4% range. With the current situation, rates may be more variable and possibly higher as less bidders compete in the marketplace.

Debt shall be issued only for capital improvements with a useful life equal to or exceeding the term of the financing. The Town will manage its debt in a manner that maintains a high credit quality, ensures long-term affordability, and limits the impact on taxpayers.

The Town’s most recent borrowing is a one-year Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) issued to fund the replacement of Fire Engine 3, with a total authorization of $935,000.

 

A BAN offers a cost-effective short-term financing option, as issuance costs are significantly lower than those associated with long-term bonds. This approach is particularly advantageous if the Town plans to reduce the principal over time or consolidate this borrowing with other authorized projects into a future bond issuance.

The BAN was authorized by the Town Council on March 4, 2026.

After a ratings review by Standard & Poor’s in May 2025, the Town’s bond rating was affirmed at AAA with a stable outlook.

FY26 Debt Service by Category

1. School Buildings – Franklin High School and Tri-County Regional Vocational H.S

2. Public Buildings – Senior Center, Library, Municipal Building Renovation

3. Technology - improvements to school and town systems

4. Public Safety – Fire Truck, Aerial Ladder Truck

5. Water Debt – Water mains, repairs, storage, lines and the water treatment plant through the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust Loan Program (MCWT)

i. MCWT is a state agency that improves water quality throughout the Commonwealth by providing low-interest loans to municipalities.

6. Sewer Debt – Beaver Street Interceptor, through MCWT.

Debt Service Trend Chart

The Town maintains a policy of limiting annual debt service to no more than 5% of the operating budget. Current debt service represents approximately 4.5%, reflecting adherence to this policy and a prudent approach to long-term financial management. Debt service is projected to decrease from FY27 to FY28, primarily due to the following factors:

● Horace Mann Middle School debt – both excluded and non-excluded debt service will drop off in FY27

● Final payments on major capital projects – debt associated with the Senior Center, Fire Station, and School issuances will reach their final payment in FY28, resulting in significantly lower debt service compared to prior years.

 

For reference, below is a summary of excluded and non-excluded debt retiring between FY23-FY28, including issuance and sunset years:

Continue reading this section to review additional text and charts in the PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OQNtkj-72ohybKN8bt4QMSajSOflXqvG/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Employee Benefits

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

Retirement

This line item funds pensions for the Contributory (MGL Chapter 32) retirees. There are 104 contributory retirement systems for public employees in Massachusetts. A retirement board governs each system and all boards, although operating independently, are bound together under one retirement law—Chapter 32 of the Massachusetts General Laws—that establishes benefits, contribution requirements, and an accounting and funds structure for all systems. All 104 retirement systems are overseen by the Public Employee Retirement

 

Administration Commission (PERAC), which was created by Chapter 306 of the Acts of 1996. The Town of Franklin is a member of the Norfolk County Retirement System (NCRS). The Norfolk County Retirement System was established in 1911 for the purpose of providing retirement benefits for County employees. At present, the system includes not only County employees and retirees, but also nineteen (19) Norfolk County towns and twenty-three (23) authorities and special districts. The system is governed by a five-member board chaired by the County Treasurer, and the Treasurer is responsible for the management of the System's funds. PERAC (Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission) exercises general supervision of the System. The Town of Franklin receives an annual assessment from Norfolk County which covers all Municipal employees and non-teaching School Department employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week. The appropriation funds both the normal cost (the cost of current employees’ future pensions) as well as the unfunded pension liability.

Fiscal Year 2027 assessment is $8,786,849.

Health/ Life Insurance

This line item covers the cost of health and life insurance for all active Town employees and retirees from the Town. Retirees from the schools are in a different line item within the Benefits budget.

Active School employees have typically been within the School Budget. In the Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Sessions last spring, many residents had questions and concerns about this. Town and School leadership discussed whether it might make sense to transfer the budget costs of School Health Insurance from the school budget to the Town Budget in future years. It was voted on and the School Health Insurance will now be under the Town Budget. For FY27, the total appropriation amount for account 300 - Franklin Public Schools reflects their total operating budget minus health and medicare costs. To keep School Health Insurance costs isolated within the total Benefits budget, we have created two new line items; School Health Insurance and School Medicare.

The Town has been a member of the Massachusetts Strategic Health Group (MSHG) since FY23. With support from the IAC and Town Council, the Town is joining the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) for FY27. Per the GIC requirements, the Town will be with them for a minimum of 3 fiscal years. At the time of this report, we have not yet entered the Open Enrollment period for FY27, so we do not know exactly what plans employees will choose in FY27. Since we are joining the GIC, it is hard to estimate what employees will elect since they will now have the option to select from 8 different plans under 4 different vendors. The current FY27 budget model reflects our preliminary estimates of a flat 14% increase, the final appropriation is subject to change when open-enrollment begins on April 1st, giving us more accurate data on actual enrollment in health insurance plans. As of March 26, 2026, there are 1,047 benefits eligible employees between the Town and the Schools. This number changes regularly, depending on vacancies and enrollment at the time the data is collected. 536 employees are currently electing health insurance, which is about 51.19% of all employees.

.... 

Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB)

The Town provides medical, prescription drug, and life insurance to retirees and their covered dependents. These are all considered “post-employment benefits.” All active employees who retire from the town and meet eligibility criteria will receive these benefits. Retirees contribute between 30% and 50% of the cost of the health plan, as determined by the town. The Town contributes the remainder of the costs on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Many years ago, the Town implemented GASB Statement 45, Accounting and Financial Reporting by Employers for Post-Employment Benefits other than Pensions. Statement 45 requires governments to account for other post-employment benefits (OPEB), primarily healthcare, on an accrual basis rather than on a pay-as-you-go basis. The effect is the recognition of an actuarially required contribution as an expense on the financial statements when a retiree earns their post-employment benefits, rather than when they use their post-employment benefits. To the extent that an entity does not fund their actuarially required contribution, a post-employment benefit liability is recognized on the Town’s Statement of Net Assets.

The Town has financial policies which prioritize investing into OPEB each year. Current policies require increasing our contribution by $50,000 each fiscal year. The Town also dedicates 10% of free cash to OPEB each year.

The Town created an OPEB Trust and all funds were moved from the OPEB Stabilization account by a vote of Town Council. The OPEB Trust Committee voted to invest these funds with the State Pension Reserves Investment Trust (“PRIT”). These funds are overseen by the State’s Pension Reserves Investment Management Board (“PRIM”). The Trust currently has

$17,697,329 in net value as of 2/28/2026.

 

Compensation Reserve

These funds are for any wage adjustments during the fiscal year, to cover absences in individual departments where additional coverage is necessary and to cover unexpected retirement costs.

If an employee resigns or retires in the middle of the fiscal year, we are required by law to pay out all their remaining vacation or earned time and many collective bargaining agreements include payments for a portion of unused sick time. If we receive ample notice that a person intends to retire, we build the costs into departmental budgets wherever possible. The compensation reserve fund is used to supplement budgets at the end of the year to avoid budget deficits, especially in smaller departments.

Continue reading the PDF of this section. A couple of smaller text sections were skipped as well as all the tables and charts. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LKQX6XeWwv5w_szfCP8brYuU1rH1QQpY/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Liability Insurance

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

General Purpose

The Town purchases the following insurance for the Town of Franklin and the Franklin Public Schools: Automobile, General Liability, Law Enforcement Liability, Property, Public Officials Liability and School Board Liability.

The Liability Insurance includes premiums for our insurance coverage through the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA). Our initial data suggests that we will see increases ranging from 4 to 8% on each of the insurance lines.

In addition to premiums through MIIA, the Town also pays a separate carrier for a drone liability policy and a vacant building liability policy. Drones are used by the Police Department, and we anticipate insurance will cost approximately $6,000 in FY27. The vacant building policy is for the Davis Thayer Building. We expect this to cost approximately $42,000 in FY27. This coverage protects the Town from potential liabilities and damages if anything happens within the vacant buildings.

Vacant properties are generally considered riskier to insure compared to occupied ones since insurance providers view them as more susceptible to vandalism, break-ins, and other perils due to their unoccupied status. Davis Thayer School closed in July 2021, so FY26 will be our fifth year of insuring it as a vacant property. Insurance carriers often are not willing to maintain coverage for vacant buildings indefinitely since there is so much risk involved, so we may eventually struggle to get coverage for the building.

The Town has an active “Safety Committee”, which Operations Manager Julie McCann and Human Resources Director Karen Bratt co-chair. Representatives from each Town department serve on the committee. The Safety Committee strategizes best practices and policies to avoid workplace injuries and maintain a safe work environment. This, in turn, helps reduce costly insurance claims which could affect future premium costs.

The Safety Committee also participates in a great incentive program provided by our insurance company, MIIA. The “MIIA Rewards Program” incentivizes the Town to implement various training requirements, best practices and policies to maximize staff proficiency across a broad spectrum of safety related matters. Each rewards eligible task or training that staff completes reduces the Town’s insurance premium by a certain percentage the following year. For the past several years, we have maxed out our rewards and saved between $35,000 to 52,000 per year in insurance premiums. We expect to max out our savings again in Fiscal Year 2026, which will result in a discount of approximately $35,000 against our FY27 premium.

Consistently, Franklin is among the top MIIA rewards earners of participating municipalities and have won numerous awards for our employee training programs.

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PdcnVTVp-mnN3cOaIqidf0SbA_-Udc1G/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

Santa Foundation Bingo scheduled for June 17

What do Bingo and Baseball have in common? 

We’re getting excited for our Santa Foundation Bingo Fundraiser on June 17th — where every game brings fun, community, and prizes. Someone will be winning Red Sox tickets! 

Grab your lucky bingo dauber, bring your friends, and join us for a night of laughs, prizes, and giving back.

Who’s feeling lucky? Get your tickets! 

@everyone

https://www.sfjoy.org/products-and-events

Redsox luckywinner

GOOD DEEDS: A Holiday for Remembering

By William P. O’Donnell, Norfolk County Register of Deeds

As the final Monday in May approaches, our nation pauses to observe Memorial Day a solemn occasion to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces. In 2026, this remembrance carries added meaning as we prepare to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a milestone that invites us to reflect not only on the freedoms we enjoy today, but on the earliest sacrifices made to secure them.

Memorial Day’s roots trace back to the aftermath of the Civil War, a time of profound national healing. Initially known as Decoration Day, communities across the country began adorning the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers, a simple yet powerful act of remembrance. In 1971, it was officially recognized as a federal holiday, observed on the last Monday of May.

Yet the spirit of Memorial Day reaches even further back to the founding of our republic itself. More than 250 years ago, ordinary men from towns across Norfolk County answered the call to defend liberty. Farmers, tradesmen, and neighbors left their homes to stand against tyranny, many never to return. Their sacrifices laid the foundation for the independence declared in 1776.

There are many meaningful ways we can show our respect on Memorial Day. Visiting a cemetery or local memorial offers a moment to reflect among the silent rows of tribute. Placing flowers or American flags on veterans’ graves is a tangible act of remembrance. Attending a local parade or ceremony allows us to come together in shared gratitude and to consider the profound cost of freedom.

A few years back, on Memorial Day, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, Natalie Fultz, addressed a large crowd at Milton Cemetery. She was 100 years old, but with age comes wisdom. She asked the audience a simple but very profound question: “How can we best honor and best remember our nation's heroes who have fallen in service?”

Her question came with an answer. “We can and should talk about the heroism and sacrifice, ensuring that the younger generations know of their efforts.” It is estimated that approximately 1.3 million Americans have died in service to their country.

It is precisely this sacrifice that Natalie Fultz urged us not to forget. One of the most powerful ways to honor the fallen is by sharing their stories. By recounting their lives and sacrifices, we ensure their legacies endure and that future generations understand the price paid for independence and for our freedoms as Americans.

Here in Norfolk County, we can look back to the Revolutionary War and remember those from our own communities who gave their lives in the fight for American independence. Patriots from towns such as Dedham, Braintree, Milton, Needham, Walpole, and Stoughton, along with individuals from villages and communities that would later become Norfolk County towns, marched to Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, and beyond. Some fell on those very fields in 1775, among the first to give their lives in what would become a long and arduous struggle for freedom.

Among those who made that sacrifice on the very first day of the Revolution were Patriots from Dedham and Needham who answered the call and never returned home.

Elias Haven (1742–1775), a farmer from Dedham (in what is now Dover), answered the alarm on April 19, 1775, as news of the fighting at Lexington spread across the region. He joined fellow militia and marched toward Menotomy (now Arlington), where British troops were retreating. In the fierce fighting near the Jason Russell House and Arlington Meeting House, Haven was killed, becoming one of Norfolk County’s earliest casualties of the Revolution.

Elisha Mills (1735–1775), a blacksmith and farmer from East Needham, was likewise drawn into the conflict that day. Marching with Captain Robert Smith’s militia, he reached Menotomy and took part in the intense battle near Jason Russell’s farm, where he was killed. Mills was one of five Needham men who fell in the engagement, alongside Amos Mills, Nathaniel Chamberlain, Jonathan Parker, and John Bacon.

Norfolk County has patriots who made profound sacrifices at the very outset of the American Revolution. That same dedication endured. Norfolk County in the years that followed America’s independence has stories of patriots and veterans who made sure the government formed and freedoms found in the United States of America continued.

Meda Morse (1890 – 1918) was a Foxborough native and a descendant of one of the town’s founding families. She was a high school graduate and a licensed nurse. Meda became a nurse for the American Red Cross, which became integrated into the national war effort during World War I.

She worked in military hospitals, and her last assignment was at Fort Zachary Taylor in Kentucky in the fall of 1918, during the height of the influenza epidemic, which claimed the lives of 675,000 Americans. Meda's job was to assist in the medical processing of soldiers going to Europe.

While performing her duties, she contracted the flu and fell critically ill. Her family was notified, and her mother reached her bedside just hours before she passed on Christmas Eve. In recognition of her ultimate sacrifice, the grave of Meda Morse is marked with a veteran’s plaque.

Daniel Mahoney Jr. (1920–1944), a Stoughton native from a family known for giving back to the community, might never have had the chance to serve his country during World War II. At age nine, he was accidentally shot by a neighborhood boy, but thanks to the quick actions of a cabdriver—who rushed him to the hospital and donated blood—his life was saved.

Dan graduated from Stoughton High School and became an auto mechanic. In 1942, he was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Forces and trained as an aircraft mechanic. The following year, he was sent to Europe and served as a tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator bomber.

He died from friendly fire when a bomb was accidentally dropped on his plane by an Allied aircraft. His body was recovered five years later on a mountainside in Yugoslavia. Sgt. Mahoney left his parents, four sisters, and his fiancée, Dorothy Sweet, who never married.

Paying tribute to Natalie Fultz’s words there is a booklet publishing the stories of county residents and honoring their service as veterans. To explore the stories of Norfolk County’s veterans across generations, I encourage you to visit the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds’ Notable Land Records Vol. 3: “We Remember Our Veterans,” available here: https://www.norfolkdeeds.org/news-event/notable-land-records-vol-3. If you would like a hard copy of this booklet, please email me at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

This Memorial Day, as we unite as a community and as a nation to honor the sacrifices of the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces, let us also take time to reflect on the unwavering dedication of the earliest patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of American independence at the very founding of our nation some 250 years ago. May we carry forward their legacy of courage, sacrifice, and devotion to freedom, ensuring that their memory lives on here in the communities of Norfolk County and beyond.

Note: Veteran’s Day speaker Natalie Fultz died the following year after her speech at age 101 on September 26, 2020. She was buried in a private ceremony at Milton Cemetery, on the same grounds where she delivered her memorable Memorial Day speech.

The Franklin Library week is full of goodness !!!

Shared from https://www.instagram.com/p/DYafIOelRKp/

For Library events ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

Yoga on the Beach: Sundays during summer from June 14 to July 19, 2026

"Summer is right around the corner, and so is this year's session of Yoga on the Beach!

Sponsored by the Franklin Recreation Department, running each Sunday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM beginning June 14th. 

Grab your mat, a friend and sunscreen and come to the beach. It's free and accessible for all who love yoga and the outdoors!!! 

I hope to see you there!"

Shared from https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BAj4Z3USt/

Creative Corner supporting Medway Cheer, June 17

Shared from https://www.facebook.com/share/18ZjwA2eF4/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Monday, May 18, 2026

Yes, Franklin has its own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves.   

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 TV schedule for Monday, May 18, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

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

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, May 17, 2026 ???

Sunday, May 17

7:30am All You Can Eat Breakfast (Franklin Rod & Gun Club) 

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (closed today for concert)

3:00pm LiveARTS String Quartet Concert (Franklin Historical Museum)

*** NO   Town Meetings today   ***

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Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Call for Authors & Illustrators: Franklin 250th Anniversary Commemorative Children’s Book

*Please Note: This project is being conducted with funding provided through a state earmark and does not use any funds from the Town of Franklin.

Celebrate Franklin 250

The Town of Franklin is seeking qualified vendors to write and/or illustrate a commemorative children’s book in celebration of Franklin’s 250th Anniversary.

This milestone anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate Franklin’s history, community pride, and shared future. To support this town-wide celebration, we are inviting vendors to submit qualifications, product examples, pricing, and service information for a commemorative children’s book that may be sold and/or distributed as part of Franklin’s anniversary events and promotions.

Scope of Services

The Town is seeking vendors that can provide some or all of the following services:

Author a children’s book using the included narrative structure

Illustrate a children’s book according to the provided narrative

Artists may submit as an author, illustrator, or both. 

Children’s Book

The Town is seeking authors and illustrators for the production of a commemorative children’s book for early readers ages 4-8 that includes, but is not limited to:

Writing

• 800-2000 word count
• ADA compliant sans serif font
• Engaging and interactive

Art

• Whimsical
• Cover art
• Double-spread layouts with bleed
• CMYK

For additional details and application 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GBr-0yUx3RjLfgOm3wSoWqZ-AGQgwKLA2gGRHLkSh1I/edit?usp=drivesdk

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Franklin Cultural District Committee

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

General Purpose

The Franklin Cultural District Committee exists to enrich and inspire residents and visitors by fostering a diverse range of local cultural, artistic, culinary, and historical preservation activities. Working closely with partner organizations, the Committee positions Franklin as a hub for cultural and economic activity throughout the District and the town.

Designated by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), the Franklin Cultural District highlights a vibrant community full of culture, events, assets, and creative partners. The MCC’s Cultural Districts Initiative, established through a 2010 economic stimulus bill, supports arts, sciences, and humanities programming to improve quality of life across Massachusetts.

Franklin became the 46th Cultural District in the state in January 2019, following a unanimous vote by the MCC, after a multi-year effort led by the Town and a dedicated group of citizen arts advocates and cultural partners.

Today, the Cultural District is managed by the Franklin Cultural District Committee, an official Town Committee responsible for marketing the District and coordinating cross-partner programming and events.

Core Functions

● Promote the Cultural District as a Hub for Arts and Culture (especially for the World Cup in June and July 2026!)

○ Aligns with MCC requirements to increase visibility and awareness of the district within the community and region.

● Support and Facilitate Local Arts Programming

○ Encourages arts, cultural events, and public performances in compliance with MCC guidance that districts should foster vibrant cultural activity.

● Collaborate with Community Partners

○ Works with local artists, cultural organizations, schools, businesses, and municipal departments, consistent with MCC regulations requiring partnerships that strengthen the district's cultural ecosystem.

● Support Public Art and Cultural Assets

○ Maintains and promotes public art, murals, and temporary installations in alignment with MCC standards for enhancing cultural assets and public accessibility.

● Marketing and Promotion

○ Develops digital, print, and in-person outreach to showcase events, programs, and district offerings, reflecting MCC’s goal to increase engagement and visitation.

● Ensures Sustainability and Strategic Planning

○ Plans long-term programming and leverages municipal, state, and private resources, aligning with MCC regulations to create a sustainable and growing cultural district.

Staffing

● Seven (7) Volunteer Members

○ Includes: One (1) Chair

○ Includes: One (1) Vice Chair

○ Includes: One (1) Clerk

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Expanded District Programming

○ Supported town-wide events such as Strawberry Stroll, Harvest Festival and A-Wreath-of-Franklin, enhancing community engagement and downtown activity.

○ Launched Pop-Up Arts initiatives to activate public spaces and bring art to residents throughout the town.

○ Collaborated with local artists, schools, businesses, and non-profit organizations to integrate arts programming across multiple town venues.

■ Franklin Public Schools (JFK and Parmenter) Support music programs at the two schools.

■ Franklin Public Library hosted a concert by the Boston Typewriter Orchestra in April 2025.

■ Franklin Farmers’ Market Provide entertainment at the weekly Farmers Market.

■ Franklin Art Association - Creating an exhibit "Fakes and Forgeries" in June 2025.

■ Franklin HS Music Student Access to quality string Instruments

■ Franklin Public Library Funding for the Blackstone Valley quartet performing music of Taylor Swift

■ Children's Museum of Franklin, Supporting Mural Project in their new space.

■ Franklin Historical Museum - Historic Museum Ben Franklin Month celebration.

■ Franklin School for the Performing Arts - Support funds for programs.

■ LGBTQ Alliance Outdoor Festival, Celebrating Pride month.

● Coordinated with the Franklin Cultural Council to align grant programs with

district-wide initiatives. Including, a joint reception with the Franklin Cultural Council celebrating all FY25 community culture grantees across Franklin. The event was hosted at Dean College, March 2025.

● Enhanced Regional Visibility and Tourism

○ Supported initiatives to attract visitors to Franklin through cultural programming and special events, increasing foot traffic and supporting local businesses.

○ Worked with the Cultural Council and local organizations to maximize regional promotion of Franklin as a creative destination.

○ 2nd Annual Franklin Porchfest, alongside the Porchfest Subcommittee: Participation Growth 40+ bands in 2024; 50+ performers / bands in 2025 showing rapid growth year over year, Strong artist interest, Scalability of the event.

● Expanded Marketing and Outreach

○ Developed marketing campaigns, social media content, and printed materials to promote district events and programming.

● Launched with the Dept. Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, our first-in print cultural district guide to offer more of a narrative to our cultural partners.

○ Cultural District Weekly Eblasts: Open rate: Currently 66%, which is 3% higher than your average over the past 12 months and 27% above the industry average. Comparable high-performing nonprofit or community engagement campaigns often range from 50–60%, so your emails are outperforming most peers.

○ Click Rate: Your click rate is 7%; and 4% above the industry average. Interpretation: The audience is engaging with the content within your emails.

○ Comparable campaigns for arts, culture, or community newsletters usually see click rates between 3–6%, indicating your audience is more actively engaging with your content than typical peers.

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● Increased expenses by $15,000 to ensure continuity and stability of district-wide cultural programming, community events, and public arts initiatives. With Massachusetts Cultural Council direct funding ending in FY26 and the new Accelerator Grant requiring increased municipal matching, this funding maintains consistent support for local artists, businesses, and free arts experiences for residents and visitors.

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

Shared during a MCC District Update Nov./Dec. 2025:

“Mass Cultural Council Direct Funding FY26 will be the final year of annual funding for current Cultural Districts: details to come in the upcoming months. Current districts will have the opportunity to apply for a one-time, 3-year Accelerator Grant that leverages more municipal/outside funding with increasing matching requirements”

With Massachusetts Cultural Council direct funding ending in FY26 and the new Accelerator Grant program requiring increased matching, the Franklin Cultural District Committee is requesting $15,000 in FY27 to ensure continuity of district-wide cultural programming and community events.

This municipal support provides stability, sustains partnerships with local artists and businesses, and guarantees consistent, free, and accessible arts experiences for residents and visitors.

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PvfaYikYCcdvNw6GHQAkz_VpewhFyr1X/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

"Buddy the Brain" reading & book signing at Barnes & Nobles, June 13

Via Ali Rheaume

"Save the date and come have some fun with Buddy and I for an upcoming Barnes & Noble's Saturday Storytime!!

The book and associated activities are mindfully created accessibly. If any additional reasonable accommodations are needed, please reach out to me any time.

Buddy the Brain at Barnes & Noble

June 13 at 10:00 AM

Location: Barnes & Noble at Stallbrook Marketplace, 270 Hartford Avenue, Bellingham, MA

Special live author reading and signing, as well as coloring fun!!

ASL and braille available during author reading

Photo of author Ali, a white female with long curly dirty blonde hair and navy blue glasses, wearing a pink sweater and holding her book Buddy the Brain. Additional photos of Buddy the Brain coloring pages and a pink crayon.

Hashtags: #childrensauthor #author #children #braininjury #accessibility"

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Landry, Mason schedule TV show about the building at the Depot Plaza on May 20 at 1 PM

Via Joe Landry:

"Hi there! 

Scott Mason and I will be doing a presentation at the studios of Franklin TV at 23 Hutchinson Street when we will examine the three buildings that make up today's Depot Plaza on Main Street. 

This is the block where J. J. Newberry and W. T. Grant did business for many years. And there have been others too that we will discuss. We'll also look at the buildings that stood there before the plaza was developed. It is sure to bring back many memories for long-time Franklin residents.

This program will have a live studio audience and will not be broadcast live. Instead, it will be taped for future viewing on Franklin TV.

I hope you can make it! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!!!!!

Wednesday,  May 20 at 1 PM

We hope you can make it!!!"

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Creative Corner singles kick off summer event - June 11 at The Shed

Singles Kick Off Summer with a Social Event geared towards meeting new people!

Creative Corner and The Shed come together to create a fun social event !

Grab your friends and let us “Make you Smile”for a Social Night of Fun!

Registration is open on the Creative Corner Website!

www.creativecornerartstudiofranklin.com

#singlesevents 

#supportlocalartists #womanownedsmallbusiness

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Steve Ballmer explains the Federal Reserve (video)

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Just the Facts on the Fed   The newly confirmed Fed Chair Kevin Warsh is beginning his tenure as head of the Federal Reserve. The Fed is the nation's central bank, but you can’t walk into a branch to open a checking account. Instead, the Fed's decisions can make your car payments cheaper or a job harder to find.   So how does the Fed work? Glad you asked! USAFacts Founder Steve Ballmer just dropped this new video on the Fed and we couldn’t wait to share it with you.  Join Steve as he breaks down the Federal Reserve's complex role in the American economy. He'll break down complicated concepts, provide visuals to shed light on the institution, and even make a few costume changes.    This is the first Spotlight edition of the USAFacts newsletter, which we’ll send when we have a cool new way to explore data with you. You can expect to get them about once a month.    Here's a preview of what you'll find in the video, plus data to understand the Fed's role in your economic well-being:   The Federal Reserve is the most important bank you’ll never use. It’s a bank for banks. It holds cash reserves, moves money between banks, and can lend to them whenever needed. The Fed has five responsibilities. The one that affects you most directly is its mandate to conduct monetary policy to keep inflation in check and employment high. Through it, the Fed can influence interest rates across the entire economy. (Here are the other four.)   Speaking of inflation When the Fed lowers interest rates, it can lead to the running economy “hot.” It can make it cheaper for you to buy a house, get a car loan, or borrow money to open a business. But if money’s easier to borrow, it can fuel inflation. Last month’s inflation rate was 3.8%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics measures inflation through changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a metric designed to track the price of a “basket of goods and services.”  Think a dollar doesn't go as far as it used to? You're right. Track how the dollar’s value has changed with our inflation calculator! Explore the value from 1913 to now, or at any point in between. Workers’ wages aren’t keeping up with inflation. Nominal wages rose 3.6% from April 2025 to April 2026, while prices grew 3.8%. When the Fed raises interest rates, it can lead to the economy running “cold,” making things more expensive and slowing inflation. When borrowing is hard, it can slow the economy and drive up unemployment.   How the Fed influences interest rates The Fed changes the interest it charges on loans it gives and pays on other banks' cash reserves it holds, effectively setting the limits at which other banks can charge interest. The average overnight rate at which banks transact is called the federal funds rate. Get a jargon-free explanation of the federal funds rate from Steve himself. If the Fed raises the federal funds range, your bank’s costs go up. Your bank might raise interest rates on new loans. Mortgages, car loans, credit cards, and short-term business loans all get more expensive. That can ripple across the economy: people buy less, inflation can decrease as demand falls, less demand means companies may need fewer workers — causing unemployment to rise. The federal funds rate target range has changed about 30 times in the last 10 years. In 2022, inflation climbed well above the Fed’s 2% goal. In response, the Fed raised the federal funds target range seven times in a single year.  The Fed uses the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index (PCE) to measure inflation. The PCE tracks changes in the prices consumers pay across the economy. This differs somewhat from the CPI (the inflation measure most Americans are familiar with) because the two indexes use different methods and baskets of goods and services to calculate price changes. Sometimes interest rate changes aren't enough, so the Fed uses other tools. One of them is to create money. (Sounds nice, right?) Here’s how.    Thank you for joining us for this first Spotlight email! Watch the video now, then learn more about the Federal Reserve.

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