Franklin Matters

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Reminder: Morning Hike at White Barn Farm, Tomorrow 8:30 AM

via Metacomet Land Trust (MLT):

Stretch your legs with MLT on an early morning walk in the woods tomorrow!

Our second in the MLT/White Barn Farm hike series is Sunday at 8:30 AM. The hike will start at the farmstand, travel through the recently protected White Barn Farm woods to adjacent town land and continue up Knuckup Hill and then a loop around Trout Pond on the way back.

The hike will be about 2-3 miles with a couple of steep sections.

Stick around after the hike to socialize at the farm and enjoy coffee or breakfast from The Kitchen | White Barn Farm. We enjoyed delicious quiche and coffee after the July hike.

We hope to see you there!

Shared from - https://mailchi.mp/89bf01479e10/thank-you-for-your-gift-to-conservation-14203947?

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, August 15, 2026 ???

Saturday, August 15

Franklin Lions Clothing Drive active through Aug 22 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/07/the-franklin-lions-conducting-clothing.html

9:00am Blood Drive (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9:00am Fallen Hero: Jules Perret & Robert R. Pirelli (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

9:00am Library Book sale (Franklin Public Library)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Revolutionaries in White: A Look Across Three Centuries of Bridal Fashion

10:00am Maloney Farm & Forest (visit, pop up shop) (90 Daniels St)

10:00am Rise Up (Franklin United Methodist Church)

10:00am Town Council Office Hours (Franklin Public Library)

10:30am Messtival! (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Library books by the bag sale (Franklin Public Library)

8:00pm Karaoke at The Raillery (Raillery Public House)

8:00pm A Starry Night (live music - ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)

*** Town Meetings today ***

Town Council Open Office Hours

Saturday, August 15 Time: 10:00 AM

No agenda for this open discussion session

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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

Fallen Hero Recognition: Jules E. Perret & Robert R. Pirelli - Aug 15, 2026 at 9 AM

Memorial event today (8/15/26) at 9 AM on the Town Common Veterans Walkway to honor Jules E. Perret & Robert R. Pirelli.

This program will include the placing of a Memorial Wreath for the day, the playing of Taps, a salute from those present, and a reading of whatever history may be available for that veteran. This is a way of keeping the memory of that veteran alive.

Fallen Hero: Private Jules E. Perret, U.S. Army

Private Jules E. Perret, U.S. Army, was born on November 12, 1907 son of Jules and Maria Perret. Jules lived with his parents and three sisters at 29 Washington Street.

Jules was a well known sportsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. For many years he was an active member and tireless worker of the Franklin Rod and Gun Club. He did much towards the construction of the then new club house at Uncas Pond. Before volunteering to go into the service, Jules worked as a weaver in Canton, MA.

Jules entered the service on October 12, 1943 and trained at Camp Croft, South Carolina. Pvt Jules E. Perret went overseas in March of 1944, first seeing action in North Africa and later serving in Italy where he met his death on August 15, 1944 in a vehicular accident.

Pvt Jules E. Perret, U.S. Army, was 36 years old at the time of his death while serving his country in World War II.

Fallen Hero: Private Perret

Fallen Hero: Staff Sgt. Robert R. Pirelli

"Pirelli, a decorated Green Beret with the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), based in Fort Carson, Colo., was killed by enemy fire in the Diyala Province of Iraq on Aug. 15, 2007.

Around 8 p.m., Vallee and Rick Sullivan, deputy commissioner of the Conservation and Recreation Department, will speak briefly and dedicate the arena to Pirelli. State Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham, Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, and Pirelli's parents, Nancy and Robert Pirelli, will also be on hand.

Pirelli, a 1996 Franklin High graduate, was one of two seniors to win a Booster Club scholarship, and graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in criminal justice.

"He grew up playing hockey and was on the varsity hockey team. He was an avid hockey player, and his dad was a hockey coach. He was an amazing guy, quite a young man," O'Conner said.

Pirelli joined the Army in December 2003.

He earned two Good Conduct Medals, a National Defense Service Medal, an Iraq Campaign Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, a Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, an Army Service Ribbon, an Overseas Service Ribbon, a Combat Infantry Badge, a Parachutist Badge, and a Special Forces Badge."

Shared from -> https://www.milforddailynews.com/story/news/2008/02/19/town-to-dedicate-rink-to/41320877007/

The schedule of Fallen Heroes for the year on one page (PDF)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tlyiAK18owM81p8aJs1vhKc3p2bIK1cv/view?usp=drive_link

Talking with a couple of "Super Kids" (audio)

FM #1798 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1798 in the series.

Two young authors came to the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 to talk about their new book, “Super Kids”. You get to meet TJ Bowser and Christopher Charles and hear their story about this book, the first of a series.

We talk about

Their goal
Their collaborative writing process
And to “not give up”

Our conversation runs about 15 minutes.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1798-talking-with-super-kids-08-04-26/

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You can buy the book on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H6CN33PZ

The book/authors website https://sites.google.com/view/superkids-book/super-kids

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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 www.franklin.news/ or www.Franklinmatters.org/

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"

Franklin Fire Department Promotes Mike Berthiaume to Captain

TOWN OF FRANKLIN | 355 East Central St., Franklin, MA 02038

Franklin Fire Department Promotes

Mike Berthiaume to Captain

The Franklin Fire Department is pleased to announce the promotion of Mike Berthiaume to captain.

Captain Berthiaume was promoted to captain in July 2026 and serves as captain of Group 3 at Station 2.

Captain Berthiaume joined the Franklin Fire Department in May 2015 as a firefighter/paramedic. He was promoted to lieutenant in July 2023 and began serving as acting captain in October 2025 before being permanently promoted to captain in July 2026.

Throughout his career with the Franklin Fire Department, Captain Berthiaume has served as a field training officer and assistant fire investigator. He is certified as a Fire Officer I/II, Incident Safety Officer and Hazardous Materials Operational Level Responder.

Prior to joining the Franklin Fire Department, Captain Berthiaume served for two years as a firefighter/paramedic with the Town of Bourne. While serving in Bourne, he was awarded the Massachusetts State Medal of Valor in 2015 for his actions during an active shooter incident. He also served as a call lieutenant with the Amherst Fire Department.

Captain Berthiaume holds a master’s degree in emergency services management from Columbia Southern University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to take on this role and for everyone who has supported me along the way,” said Captain Berthiaume. “I’m proud to continue serving the Franklin community alongside such a dedicated group of people.”

The Franklin Fire Department congratulates Captain Berthiaume on his promotion and thanks him for his continued service and leadership within the department and the Franklin community.

Visit the Town of Franklin website for news and community updates:

News and Announcements

—Stay informed and connected with the Town of Franklin—

Town of Franklin | 355 E Central St, | Franklin, MA 02038 US

Volunteers still needed to help SAFE with flag planting for International Overdose Awareness Day

On August 31, communities around the world mark International Overdose Awareness Day, remembering those we've lost to overdose and working to reduce the stigma surrounding drug-related deaths.

This year, SAFE will work with community members to place memorial flags across the county. Sign up to help: tinyurl.com/safeoad

• Place flags: Saturday, August 29, 9 to 11 a.m.
• Remove flags: Tuesday, September 1, 9 to 10 a.m.

Anyone can help, and all are welcome!

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DbY49FIDxGy/

Bike & Helmet Safety event... September 12

The Boston Foundation: "The Power of Mass ECHOS: Facing the Numbers So We Can Change Them"

via The Boston Foundation:

"Yesterday (8/12/26), the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston published Family Wealth in Massachusetts, drawn from the 2025 Massachusetts Economic Conditions and Household Opportunity Survey, known as Mass ECHOS. It gives us something unprecedented: an honest, region-specific accounting of where Massachusetts families stand today, and a shared foundation of evidence for building something more equitable tomorrow.

On our blog, TBF President and CEO Lee Pelton looks at some of the key findings from the data – the documentation of extensive disparities in wealth across race, educational attainment, and homeownership status – and why facing these numbers is so important in our work to change them, and change outcomes for the economic well-being of all Massachusetts residents.

These gaps weren’t created by accident, and they won’t be dismantled by accident either. They require the perseverance and collaboration of partners committed to advocating for change and for repair – and making philanthropy an effective vehicle for social change. This reliable, granular data on wealth by race, education, and geography provide us unprecedented insights into wealth gaps in the state to spark these informed conversations and the sustained, cross-sector work that leads to the collaborative solutions we need to shape a more equitable Massachusetts."

Download the full report: https://www.bostonfed.org/publications/one-time-pubs/mass-echos.aspx

Read The Boston Foundation announcement:

https://www.tbf.org/blog/2026/august/the-power-of-mass-echos

Boston Globe article: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/08/14/metro/racial-wealth-gap-homeownership/

Maloney Farm & Forest opens for visits & pop up shop - Aug 15

via Maloney Farm & Forest

"Come by for a visit and meet the animals.

We are opening up our home from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM to invite you to come by and meet our rescue farm animals. We currently have 4 pigs, 5 goats, 2 turkeys, 8 bunnies, 21 ducks (including 3 ducklings) and 26 chickens. 

We will also be doing a pop up shop for Kiley’s Creations and More Farm Than Fancy.

*All proceeds from the More Farm Than Fancy line go directly back to caring for the animals we rescue."

shared from https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14jTLMzxpma/

Note: If you don't get a chance to visit, we were able to take a video tour this week. Should be able to share the video visit in a couple of weeks.

Blood Drive at Teddy Gallagher's - Saturday, Aug 15 (check for open slots)

via Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub

"Teddy’s is honored to host the Boston Children’s Blood Mobile this Saturday for a very special event.

In memory of Aubrey, a very special Franklin Elementary school student, we will have the Blood Mobile here for donations.

Please check prior for openings.

Every year the slots have been completely booked. Thank you all. "

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19UyQxDQAf/

Well Informed Facts from Poynter Institute "to help you separate medical breakthroughs from marketing hype and scientific findings from viral fiction"

"When it comes to you and your family's health, you deserve the facts. 🩺 ✨️

Well Informed is a @politifact and @poynter_institute project to help you separate medical breakthroughs from marketing hype and scientific findings from viral fiction.

We dive into topics that affect daily life, from food safety to vaccine research to the fine print on vitamin supplement bottles. Our mission is simple: Provide evidence-based answers so you can make informed decisions.

🔗 Follow us at @wellinformedfacts across social media. Send us your health questions. And read our stories at the link in bio."

Linktree - https://linktr.ee/wellinformedfacts

The text based stories - https://politifact.com/well-informed/