This session shares my conversation with Franklin artist extraordinaire Amy Adams. We had our discussion in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Monday, July 21, 2025.

Our conversation covers some of Amy’s work and approach

• The Wind Phone comes to Natick
• Dealing with grief
• Healing with HeART
• Mural and other projects

The recording runs about 51 minutes, so let’s listen in.

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Painting Venus - Amy’s art portfolio page -> https://www.paintingvenus.art/

the Andrea Gibson quote we opened with:

“I have never met a heavy heart that wasn’t a phone booth with a red cape inside

Some people will never understand the kind of superpower it takes for some people to just walk outside

Some days I know my smile looks like the gutter of a killing house

But my hands are always holding tight to the ripchord of believing”

Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DMK1OK8ofa2/

The Wind Phone is located to the right of the entrance for the Common Street Spiritual Center. You do not have to enter the center. The Wind Phone is combined with art through Project Healing with HeART. It is dedicated to the community, for all that have been lost. 13 Common St, Natick, MA 01760, USA

• US Wind phone website -> https://www.mywindphone.com/united-states-windphones
• Food Pantry storage project -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/NjvmBZKtsqLpDPvF6

While traditionally we think of 5 senses, the 6th sense came to my mind during my conversation and it turns out there are many more https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sense

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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. 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...

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Chris Flynn, Studio Manager at Franklin TV. We met at the Franklin TV studios on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

Key topics

• Horace Mann project
• Conceptually four episodes to retell the life of Mann
• Uses virtual technology to film real time with a green screen
• Looking for actors interested in participating in the production

Reach out to Chris via email to CFLYNN@franklin.tv

The recording runs about 33 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Chris on his Horace Mann project

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Louise Hall Tharp -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louise_Hall_Tharp

** The Peabody Sisters of Salem (Little, Brown and Company: Boston, 1950). 1968 pbk reprint. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UY3FFA

** Until Victory: Horace Mann and Mary Peabody (Boston: Little, Brown, 1953)

Jonathan MESSERLI (Author)

** Horace Mann: A Biography Hardcover – January 1, 1972

Horace Mann burial site in Providence RI, info and a site map

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/664/horace-mann

John Adams mini series on HBO https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Adams_(miniseries)

--------------

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. 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!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

This session shares my conversation with Ariel Doggett, Programming & Volunteer Coordinator of the Franklin Senior Center. We had our discussion in the Franklin Radio Studio on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.

We talk about

• All the key event highlights for August
• Possible Great Gatsby themed future event(s)

The show notes include links to the Senior Center page, the calendar of events, and to subscribe to the monthly newsletter.

The recording runs about 40 minutes, so let’s listen in.

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Franklin Senior Center page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/583/Franklin-Senior-Center-Council-on-Aging

August 2025 newsletter -> Link to be added when available

The newsletter archive page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/585/Connection-Newsletter

Senior Center calendar view (just FSC events) -> https://franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

Subscribe to the newsletter -> by calling 508-520-4945

My Active Center -> https://myactivecenter.com/

The Great Gatsby was published in April 1925. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Gatsby

The rewrite as a whodunit is Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56922665-beautiful-little-fools

-------------

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. 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 it!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 in the 3rd Floor Training Room.

3 members were present and participated in the first agenda item. Once that was complete, the 4th member, Cobi Frongillo joined them for the remainder of the session. He had recused himself from the Crossing Neighborhood District discussion to avoid a conflict of interest. His father's business is located in that potential district.

Quick recap:

Item 1 - Crossing Neighborhood

• TA Jamie Hellen provides the overview of the background on the proposal for the Crossing Neighborhood. Multiple zoning bylaws make up the "package" to work together. Direct link to the memo providing the overview https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6226/1a-DPCD-Memo---Crossing-Neighborhood-Zoning-District---71625
• Hamblen looks at this as a "mini downtown commercial". She raises an issue on 3 family by right, J Halligan notes that the current bylaw actually includes the proper language; apparently in the draft, the section language got left out. It can be included (and should) without vote to modify this. An oversight on version control. This identifies a couple of updates to the online zoning codes as they were changed just not reflected in the current versions
• After much discussion
• Motion to amend 2.3 8a from no to planning board special permit Passes 3-0
• Motion to move to Town council as amended, second passes 3-0

Item 2 - Use Variances

• Discussion on Recommendation on eliminating “Use Variances” from the authority within the Zoning Board of Appeals
• Discussion on elimination of use variance from approval by the ZBA, which in those cases tend to overstep their authority; the restriction was intentionally made by the zoning bylaws with PB and Council approval and then the ZBA can act on their own...
• After much discussion, Motion to move to council for further discussion (Jones)
• Not seconded, hence the move does not take place. There will be some discussion overall on this topic in a positive manner per Hamblen

Item 3 - update on World Cup

• FIFA requirements will host the fan center in Boston. We arestill figuring out what we can do. Artificial Turf fields are not used by international games (Gilletteis redone with real grass for international games)
• Lots of other events at the same time; Highland games, Tall Ships, etc
• Marketing via MetroWest on the benefits of Franklin. Hotel outreach, transportation planning needed; Porchfest, 4th of July also in similar time frames... Found in Franklin market for goods, crafts

Item 4 - EDC goals

• On the one hand, given the length of the meeting and discussions there seemed little interest in this item; only one member Frongillo was prepared with a short list of priorities
• Recognition from TA Hellen that until B Taberner's replacement is hired, there is very little staff to do the additional work

Motion to adjourn, passes 4-0

The recording of the meeting runs about 3 hours.

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Franklin TV video replay is available -> https://www.youtube.com/live/6hKdQIw9rpQ

The EDC agenda and supporting documents

This session of the radio show shares our conversation with Raye Lynn Mercer & Electric Youth in the Franklin TV studios on Tuesday, June 4, 2025.

Key topics

• Performance of their new acapella number
• Their European tour

After Electric Youth returns from Europe, they are scheduled for a performance at the Farmers Market/Concerts on the Common on August 1. Be sure to stop by and catch their performance.

The recording runs about 24 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Raye Lynn & Electric Youth 2025

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Franklin School for Performing Arts -> https://www.fspaonline.com/

You can also check out Electric Youth's webpage -> https://www.electricyouth.com/

The "38 Years at 38 Main" audio interview mentioned can be found here

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/09/raye-lynn-mercer-shares-some-stories-of.html

Community calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

--------------

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. 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!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Superintendent Lucas Giguere in the Municipal Building on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

Key topics

• After the FY 2026 budget discussion, what’s next
• Town business
• School’s redistricting
• Survey and engagement
• Music playlists, concerts, & time away

The recording runs about 55 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie & Lucas.

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Town of Franklin page https://www.franklinma.gov/

Franklin Public Schools page -> https://www.franklinps.net/

Community calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

-------------

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. 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!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

This session shares my conversation with Chasity Cheng, Senior Center Deputy Director and Ariel Doggett, Programing & Volunteer Coordinator, both with the Franklin Senior Center. We had our discussion in the Franklin Radio Studio on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

We talk about

• All the key event highlights for July
• Reminder on fee increases effective in July
• “Franklin First” for special event registrations
• Reminder on use myactivecenter.com/ for online Senior Center registration
• Teasers for vans trips in the future

The show notes include links to the Senior Center page, the calendar of events, and to subscribe to the monthly newsletter.

The recording runs about 40 minutes, so let’s listen in.

--------------

Franklin Senior Center page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/583/Franklin-Senior-Center-Council-on-Aging

July 2025 newsletter -> Link to be added when available

The newsletter archive page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/585/Connection-Newsletter

Senior Center calendar view (just FSC events) -> https://franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

Subscribe to the newsletter -> by calling 508-520-4945

My Active Center -> https://myactivecenter.com/

-------------

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 it!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. 5 members participated in this virtual session, 2 were absent (Gallagher, Griffith).

Quick recap:

Superintendent’s report, end of school year officially June 18, schools closed out in memorable ways, thanks to PCC 's et al for making it possible.

Boxes labeled, classrooms cleared… Summer relocation work underway, all packing was completed, walkthrough underway to confirm readiness for transition, thanks to Colin for all the effort in this. The preparation and communication was organized

Transportation registration closed, 16 already on waitlist, routes scheduled for posting in August; special education van can be purchased via earmark along with local funding to keep fleet current

Question: On the waitlist, when would they find out? During route creation over the next couple of weeks. The SchCmte will get an update on the routes before the initial routes are posted

SPED vans backstory; had 3 in trouble and were adjusting to cover with reallocations, the next in line is now covered with the earmark, etc. to bring us more current on cycle

Discussion/ action items

• DECA trip to VA - I recommend approval of the request of Emily Rosborough to take DECA students to Arlington, VA from November 21 - 23, 2025 as detailed. Moved, second, passes 5-0-2 (2 absent) via roll call
• Girls Basketball Trip to ME - I recommend approval of the request of John Leighton to take the Girls Basketball team to Augusta and Portland, ME from December 26 - 27, 2025 as detailed. Moved, second, passes 5-0-2 (2 absent) via roll call
• Disposition of Student Activity Accounts - I recommend approval of disposition of student activity accounts as discussed Moved, second, passes 5-0-2 (2 absent) via roll call
• Recommendation to open FMS Student Activity Accounts and close Existing MS Activity Accounts - I recommend opening of Franklin Middle School Student activity accounts and closing the existing middle school student activity accounts as discussed. Moved, second, discussion - Lots of details involved in the reorganization. Vote on the motion, passes 5-0-2 (2 absent) via roll call
• User Fees -I recommend approval of the FY25-26 User Fees as discussed - Policy Subcmte met earlier tonight. Athletic fees remain at 3 tier structure with one sport changing tier (wrestling) to tier 2 at $600. Transportation fees, $387 with a 3 student cap per family. Unfortunate consequences of failed override User fees also have an escalation clause built in; an attempt to maintain cost control Modeling fee structure planned as part of the new budget cycle in the fall. Moved, second, passes 5-0-2 (2 absent) via roll call

Consent Agenda

Moved, second, passes via roll call 5-0-2 (2 absent) No citizen comments

New business

July 22, Aug 12, Aug 26

New hire updates, reorg progress Handbooks schd for 26th

Cautiously optimistic about where they are

Motion to adjourn, passes via roll call same 5-0-2 vote as others

The exclusive recording runs about 35 minutes

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Agenda doc -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5789326/SCAGENDA_6-24-25.pdf

Meeting packet folder ->