What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday,, January 4, 2026 ???

Sunday,, January 4

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free) 

1:00pm Franklin in Miniature (Train Town 3) (Franklin Historical Museum)

1:00pm Musical Bingo (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

** 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

Franklin, MA: Agenda for Town Council meeting Weds, Jan 7 at 6 PM

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

January 7, 2026 = 6:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Franklin Municipal Building

355 East Central Street - 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. 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 Council cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen

Comments. The Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing

herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. December 3, 2025

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - Mark Minnichelli   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8039/5a-Appointment---Mark-Minnichelli

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 6:00 PM - None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Town and School Facilities Presentation - Kevin Harn, Facilities Director  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8040/8a-1---MEMO---Facilities-Presentation

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 26-01 - Friendly 40B Policy (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-01 - Majority Vote)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8041/9a-MEMO---Friendly-40B

b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-946: A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Attachment 7, Part VI Use Regulation Schedule - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-946 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8043/9b-26-946

c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-947: A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements - Referral to the Planning Board

(Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-947 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8044/9c-26-947

d. Resolution 26-02: Gift Acceptance - Veterans Services Dept. ($2,470)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 26-02 - Majority Vote)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8042/9e-26-02---Gift-Acceptances

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

a. Personnel Update

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01072026-2073

Franklin, MA: Agenda for Town Council meeting Weds, Jan 7 at 6 PM

Franklin, MA: Agenda for Board of Health meeting Wednesday, Jan 7 at 5 PM

FRANKLIN BOARD OF HEALTH

Agenda & Meeting Packet

January 7, 2026 5:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Franklin Municipal Building

355 East Central Street - 3rd Floor, Training Room

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. 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 Board of Health cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Board of Health may ask the Director of Public Health to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Agenda for Board of Health meeting

a. December 3, 2025  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8009/December-3-2025---Minutes

4. NEW BUSINESS

a. Discussion of Blood Pressure program at the library  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8010/Blood-Pressure-Monitor-Kits

b. Rising number of flu cases discussion

5. PUBLIC HEARING

a. Voting on Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products Regulations amendments  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7457/Draft-Regulation-of-the-Franklin-Board-of-Health-6325docx---Google-Docs

6. REPORTS

a. Metacomet shared service grant regional health agent report  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8023/Regional-Health-Agent-December-2025-Report

b. Metacomet shared service grant public health nurse report  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8022/Nursing-Agenda-December-2025

7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

8. ADJOURNMENT

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01072026-2071

Exploring The Wonderful World of Wine Podcast with Kim & Mark (video & audio)

FM #1621 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1621 in the series. 

We sat with Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi of the award winning Wonderful World of Wine show to explore wine tasting and podcasting. We recorded this virtually via Zoom on Thursday, December 18, 2025.

While our conversation covers a broad range of topics, we start with Kim and Mark introducing themselves and their background in the wine industry.

The recording runs about 51 minutes

Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCuG5x9yLSc

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1621-exploring-the-wonderful-world-of-wine-podcast-12-18-25/

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The Wonderful World of Wine episodes can be found ->  https:thewww.wine/  

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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"

FHS sports results for Saturday, Jan 3, 2026

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Saturday, January  3, 2026

Boys Hockey = Canton, 7 @ Franklin, 0 – Final

Franklin TV video -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2lQUFHo3kE

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 0 @ Canton, 4 – Final

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-03-26/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

FHS gymnastics performance results for meet against Mansfield, Jan 2

Catching up to the FHS Gymnastics results from Friday:

"Last night Franklin went against a strong and fun Mansfield. Great gym vibes lots of great routines. 

Mansfield came out on top but I’m super proud of my girls despite some mistakes improved from the last meet by 2.6 points! 

Had a great practice today and ready to roll into tomorrow’s event supporting Dana-Farber competing in memory of Jacqui Rossini! Still time to donate!"

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DTDrIRLkR44/

Bike Bus Franklin – ONE-DAY PILOT Volunteer Poll

Bike Bus Franklin – ONE-DAY PILOT
Volunteer Poll

A civic initiative to share:

"Bike Bus Franklin – ONE-DAY PILOT Volunteer Poll (see my post from earlier this week for additional details and videos of what a bike bus is.)

This is NOT a long-term commitment.

If the pilot goes well, we may look at trying it once per week — but only if there is strong interest and support.

If you’d be willing to help for this one-day pilot, please select which school(s) you could support."

You can respond to the poll on Facebook. If not already a member of the group, you may need to join ->   https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/4217740385162622/

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AkH6PF3kK/ (thanks to Eileen Conway)

Help support FHS Cheerleading with this fundraiser Tuesday, Jan 6, 2026

 Help support FHS Cheerleading with this
fundraiser Tuesday, Jan 6, 2026 

Tuesday: Help support FHS Cheerleading!

Shared from -> https://x.com/i/status/2007119338298626547

Franklin TV: Cyber-Puttering?

PUTTER DAY goes digital.

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 01/04/2026

Cruft! (Ugh!) Digital cruft is a thing. It’s old digital stuff. Old bits of computer code and engineering REM statements (comments) that linger in software apps. It’s snippets of saved code – because, well – you just never know.

Cruft! It’s also the momentarily valued digital detritus; those random links, pix, text, files – stuff that many of us collect – usually online through our web browsers. Downloaded cyber-clutter. (I’ll just [klick] save that for later.) Taken to extremes, it can devolve into digital hoarding.

We’re all guilty in some way.

Consider that I have a desktop computer. It’s personal. It’s also business. It’s the digital home of my personal and professional life. While diligent in keeping these respective datasets separate, within these two worlds there are many folders filled with many more files. The business files are records that go back to my start at Franklin.TV in 2012. My personal files – pix, software code, art and design projects, etc. go back to 1975. Fifty years of personal computing. It’s a lot of stuff. There’s a digitized archive of extended family photos that goes back over a century.

Beyond cruft, there are assets. There is a digital discipline – asset management. The essential concept is simple:

If it’s mine, I can share it. If it’s there, I can find it.

How to optimize that glorious digital goal was my ‘to do’ on PUTTER DAY, 2026. After 2 days of file moving, copying, some deleting, and much general organizing, my digital world is more orderly – more navigable.

Now – let’s seeee… Where did I just put today’s ‘Program Guide’ file…?

(I had it just a minute ago.) Digital asset management is a challenge without end.

And – as always –

Thank you for watching.

Thanks for listening to wfpr●fm, 

and staying informed at Franklin●news.

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

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

FREE Narcan training at the Franklin Public Library Jan 10 from 2:00 to 2:30 PM

Stop by the Franklin Public Library to be trained in Narcan administration--no registration required. This training is free and open to the public!

FREE Narcan training at the Franklin Public
Library Jan 10 from 2:00 to 2:30 PM

Attendees will:

• Learn how to recognize an overdose

• Practice administering Narcan

• Develop confidence in responding to an overdose

Supported by Town of Franklin Opioid Abatement Funds

SAFE also offers training by appointment at our office in Franklin. Request training & see all upcoming classes: https://www.safecoalitionma.org/narcan-training

For more about the SAFE Coalition -> https://www.safecoalitionma.org/

Shared from -> https://fb.me/e/6nmP4Djvm

Winter hours for Pour Richard's effective January 4, 2026

Winter hours for Pour Richard's
effective January 4, 2026

via Pour Richard's Wine & Provisions:

Winter Hours are live this week!

Closed Mondays, Open Sunday 11-5 PM, every other day hours remain the same!

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

Planning for 2026? Add Identity Theft Awareness Week to your calendar

Planning for 2026? Add Identity Theft Awareness Week to your calendar By BCP Staff If you're taking stock of your finances, setting goals, and preparing for a fresh start in 2026, make protecting yourself against identity theft part of your 2026 planning. Why? Identity thieves can drain your bank account, ruin your credit, and even block access to your health benefits and tax refund.  On the bright side, there are ways to protect yourself. Identity Theft Awareness Week (IDTAW) is a great opportunity to learn more about getting started. Read more >  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/12/planning-2026-add-identity-theft-awareness-week-your-calendar?utm_source=govdelivery Planning for 2026? Add Identity Theft Awareness Week to your calendar

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday, January 4, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a schedule full of 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:

 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday

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

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, January 3, 2026 ???

Saturday, January 3

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free) 

10:00am Franklin in Miniature (Train Town 3) (Franklin Historical Museum)

10:00am Brunch with Non Scene Friends (Maks Roast Beef and Breakfast)

10:30am Rainforest Reptiles! (Franklin Public Library)

12:00pm Nerf Battlefield at the farm (ticketed event) (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

2:00pm Nerf Battlefield at the farm (ticketed event)(Fairmount Fruit Farm)

7:00pm Ken Barney (live music) (Bucatino Restaurant and Wine Bar)

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

8:00pm Sheamus McShea (live music) (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

** NO Town Meetings today   **

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

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

The 444 East Central St decision doc is final and posted

As promised during the Dec 23, 2025 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, the final decision doc was going to be finished and filed with the Town Clerk by year end. 

The 38 page decision is indeed marked with the Town Clerk seal and posted to the ZBA page dated 12/31/25.

Link to Town page for doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8024/444-E-Central-St-Record-and-Decision-with-Clerk-Stamp

As an abutter, I also received this post card in the mail on Friday:

The 444 East Central St decision doc is final and posted 

Embedded version of doc (for ease of reading):

Link to the ZBA meeting video and associated documents ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/zba-votes-is-2-1-for-444-east-central.html

Both FHS girls & boys (video) basketball teams top Taunton on Friday

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, January  2, 2026

Boys Basketball = Taunton, 50 @ Franklin, 64 – Final

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvwrGKKYm1o

By Ryan Lanigan || HockomockSports.com Editor

"First-year Franklin head coach Mike Masto preaches that experience is the best teacher.

On Friday afternoon, the Panthers – who feature a roster that’s mostly filled with players getting used to the varsity level – showed they’re starting to learn on the fly.

Franklin put it all together with a dominant third period, turning a close game at halftime into a comfortable 64-50 win over visiting Taunton.

Coming off a tough loss to Winchester in which the Panthers struggled on the offensive end in the second half, Franklin got contributions from up-and-down the lineup against the Tigers."

Continue reading the game recap -> https://hockomocksports.com/third-quarter-surge-powers-franklin-boys-basketball-past-tigers/

For a photo gallery from this game -> https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2025-2026/Winter-2025-2026/Franklin-Taunton-Boys-Basketball-01-02-26

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 64 @ Taunton, 57 – Final 

By Josh Perry || HockomockSports.com Managing Editor, provides the game recap :

"Midway through the third quarter of Friday’s matinee at the Rabouin Field House, Tessah Rodrigues drove into the lane and kicked it out to Sophia Sacramone for a wide open three on the wing. It was Sacramone’s third triple of the quarter and pushed Franklin’s lead to 46-21.

The Panthers looked home and dry and well on their way to a first league win of the season, but no one told Taunton that the game was over.

With a 25-point fourth quarter, including 10 in the first 90 seconds of the frame, Taunton clawed its way back into the game. The Tigers would trim the deficit to as few as six points in the closing seconds before Franklin finally saw out a 64-57 victory."

Continue reading the recap (subscription required) -> 

https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-girls-basketball-survives-furious-taunton-comeback-for-first-hock-win/

For a photo gallery from this game (subscription required) ->   https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2025-2026/Winter-2025-2026/Taunton-Franklin-Girls-Basketball-01-02-26

Gymnastics = Franklin, 132.30 @ Mansfield, 140.80 – Final

– Mansfield built some separation on the bars and floor and had three of the top four scores in three events in a win over Franklin. Paige Austin led the Hornets with victories on bars (9.65) and floor (9.45) and captured the all-around title with a 37.3. Ava Redding finished second on bars with a 9.5, second on beam with a 9.3, and third on floor with an 8.9, while Sophie Moore placed third on vault (9.0), third on beam (9.2), and second on floor (9.3). Franklin was paced by Alivia Hess, who won vault (9.3) and beam (9.4), placed third on bars (9.2), and finished second in the all-around with a 36.45. Ciara O’Brien added an 8.3 on vault for Franklin while Abby Robillard posted a 32.8 in the all around.

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-01-02-26/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com