Water Main Break on Pine Street = THURSDAY, JULY 16 10:45AM

THURSDAY, JULY 16 10:45AM ~ WATER MAIN BREAK

Location: Pine St. from Beech St. to the Bellingham line including Sunken Meadow Road and Stanwood Drive.

Crews are currently mobilizing and heading to the location for repairs. Please expect interruptions in water service.

Thank you for your understanding and patience while we work to resolve this issue as quickly as possible!

Shared from - https://www.franklinma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/167

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, July 16, 2026 ???

Thursday, July 16

8:30am      Town Council Office Hours    (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm BEN 4 Franklin Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio Studio)

7:00pm Boots & Bottles - Line Dancing Class (La Cantina Winery)

8:00pm Boots & Bottles - Open Dance (La Cantina Winery)

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

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9890

***  Town Meetings today ***

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, July 16 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07162026-2410 

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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

Light Up the Park for Oliver - Aug 22 at King St Memorial Park

Next Wednesday, July 22nd, after our High School Summer League basketball games at King Street Park—a league Oliver was a proud participant in—we will be spending the rest of the evening celebrating Oliver at the place he loved. 🏀✨

Oliver loved spending his days playing basketball with his friends at King Street Park. We want to gather to honor his life, so please come join us and share your favorite memories of Oliver.

Come as you are to shoot some hoops, hang out, and remember him together.

📍 Where: King Street Memorial Park

⏰ When: Wednesday, July 22nd from 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM (right after the summer league games)

🧺 What to bring: A blanket/something soft to sit on, a candle or lantern to light up the park, and a story about him you’d like to share.

There will be a snack stand and the C&C Ice Cream Truck on-site, with proceeds from the night going directly to the scholarship fund in Oliver’s name. 🍦❤️

Held with love, for Oliver—and for everyone who misses him. Please share and help us spread the word!

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/Da0qUoSx1OI/

Please Consider Lending a Hand: Volunteers Needed at the Franklin Food Pantry

Demand for food assistance in the Franklin community is at an all-time high. As the need grows, so does The Pantry’s reliance on dedicated volunteers to keep operations running smoothly. 

The Franklin Food Pantry is currently seeking energetic individuals to support weekday operations. Volunteers must be comfortable with physical tasks, including lifting and moving heavy boxes, and possess the stamina and strength required for an active, fast-paced shift.

Volunteering at The Pantry is incredibly rewarding. You’ll see the immediate impact of your hard work on your neighbors' lives and connect with your community. 

To join our volunteer team, please visit our website (www.franklinfoodpantry.org/volunteer) and complete an application, or email Laura Doherty, Associate Director, at Ldoherty@franklinfoodpantry.org

Communications Subcommittee sends email response and social media guidelines to full Council (video)

The Communication Subcommittee of the Franklin Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, July 15 in Council Chambers. All 4 members were present.

The Franklin TV video is available https://www.youtube.com/live/waSCPZX58RM?&t=247

The agenda and released documents for this session

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07152026-2412

Quick recap:

• The joint email response policy was approved by the subcommittee to bring to the full Council as amended (4-0 vote)
• The vote on social media guidelines for elected & appointed officials as amended was also approved to send to the full Council by a 4-0 vote
• Discussion on the work plan, Max raised some items discussed in prior meetings that did not make it to this listing
• Discussion on the scope of the committee, is it for Town Council communications or for communications on all of Town business?

My notes in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QjT_rM8lx14IKucFaXsUAC26x6f-k6wk/view?usp=drive_link

Old Colony Habitat For Humanity Seeking New Homeowners For Upcoming Project In Norton, MA

Old Colony Habitat for Humanity is pleased to announce that it will soon break ground on its next homebuilding project in Norton, Massachusetts. Applications for families seeking affordable homeownership open July 15, 2026. 

Eligible first-time homebuyers are encouraged to review the qualifications on our website at https://oldcolonyhabitat.org/own-a-home/ and sign up to receive application information. The application period closes on September 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

“As we prepare to break ground in Norton, we are reminded that affordable homeownership is a critical foundation for long-term stability and opportunity,” said Kim Thomas, CEO of Old Colony Habitat for Humanity. “This project reflects the strength of community partnership and the shared commitment of our volunteers, donors, and supporters to helping local families build brighter futures.”

“Every Habitat home is the result of a community coming together with a shared belief that everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home,” said Brenda McDonough, President of the Board of Directors for Old Colony Habitat for Humanity. “We are grateful to all of our supporters whose generosity makes projects like our Norton build possible.”

Habitat for Humanity partners with local families on the path to affordable homeownership, making the dream of owning a home possible for many first-time buyers. To be considered, applicants must live and/or work within Old Colony Habitat for Humanity’s 24 cities and towns in Bristol and Norfolk County for at least one year and meet additional program qualifications. 

As Habitat Partner Families, selected homeowners work alongside volunteers by completing at least 250 hours of sweat equity—helping build their own home, supporting other Habitat projects, and participating in homeownership education. This hands-on partnership helps prepare families for successful homeownership while strengthening connections within the community. A down payment is also required.

Complete eligibility requirements are available on the Own a Home page of our website

Interested families can find more information on our website or contact us directly at family@oldcolonyhabitat.org. We look forward to beginning our next home build with a new Partner Family and seeing our community continue to flourish.

To learn how to support Old Colony Habitat for Humanity, visit https://oldcolonyhabitat.org/0-island-road-in-norton/

For more information about Old Colony Habitat for Humanity, visit https://linktr.ee/oldcolonyhabitat 

Mission: Old Colony Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to providing decent, affordable housing in partnership with families in need. Together, we help families improve their housing locally and around the world while building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.

Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Episode 104 - Haiku, Book Review, Social Experiments, Family Stories, Technology, and Danny's Old Car Mystery

In this episode, the Franklin Senior Center Writers Group shares stories, poems, and writings about a senior citizen haiku, a book review of Reading the Times: A Literary and Theological Inquiry into the News by Jeffrey Bilbro, social experiments involving busking, a family story about a bike, a short teaser into The Last Sunrise about a super computer, and Helen shares the next part of her childen's story Danny's Old Car Mystery

Audio link - https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episode/episode-104-haiku-book-review-social-expirments-family-stories-technology-and-dannys-old-car-mystery

Senior Story Hour - WFPR = The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group

Steve Sherlock hosts The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group for a monthly reading of short stories, essays, poetry and more. 

Find more episodes here (or on your favorite podcast app) ->  https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episodes

Did you know the Nick Strong Athletics Girls Basketball Clinic for grades 4-7 is scheduled for Aug 3-5, 2026 ??

LAST FEW DAYS TO REGISTER! 🏀

Calling all girls entering grades 4–7! Join us for the Nick Strong Athletics Girls Basketball Clinic at Franklin High School.

📅 August 3–5

⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Train with Franklin Girls Basketball alumna Stefany Padula and Franklin Varsity Boys Head Coach Mike Masto as you build your skills through drills, games, competitions, and plenty of fun!

💙 3-Day Clinic: $150

🏀 Single-Day Option: $60

⏳ Registration closes soon—don't miss out!

🔗 Registration link is in our bio (or visit the link below):

https://nickstrongathletics.leagueapps.com/camps/5043445-girls-basketball-clinics-open-to-girls-entering-grades-47-our-clinic-runs-august

Tag a basketball family who should see this! 

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/Da0FO67kRj5/

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, July 16, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's 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:

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events  (Repeats Saturday at 3:00 PM)

• This hour features Senior Center Outlook for July events with Jillian Rochet  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/06/jillian-talks-about-july-2026.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM - first hour

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - second hour

Turntable – "Enjoy a fun experience with co-hosts The Vibe and Pauly G sharing personal discussions about a featured rock n roll vinyl record (1st hour) and the best, all music Vibe Playlist (2nd hour)"  

• This week The Vibe and Pauly G feature Prince and the Revolution's "Purple Rain" album released June 25, 1984.  The album includes major hits:  "When Doves Cry"
, "Let's Go Crazy",  "Purple Rain", and "I Would Die 4 U".  
• The Vibe Playlist hour delivers top Prince and the Revolution hits from Live recordings to experience the real passion and energy from this unique and talented artist.  Get your purple ready!

Find the playlist ->  https://tinyurl.com/TurntablePlaylists

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 Thursday, July 16, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = THURSDAY

8:30 am Strawberry Stroll 2026

9:30 am FSPA Spring Concerts Show 1 05-16-26

11:33 am Cooking Thyme: Lobstah

12:03 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers

12:35 pm Learn to Cook with Linda: Broccoli Salad

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Black Bean, Roasted Pepper & Garlic Pizzetta

2:00 pm New England Candlepins Summer 2023 Show 6

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 9

3:30 pm Aging Boldfully: Fyzical

4:30 pm Veterans' Call: Tom Marcone

7:00 pm Roots & Branches: History of Soccer

8:00 pm Aging Agenda Episode 1

9:00 pm Franklin Cultural Council: Pamela Means

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = THURSDAY

7:30 am     Winning Ways with the MIAA: Student Athletes Ep 2 06-11-26

8:30 am Lincoln Street 5th Grade Graduation 2026

10:30 am Tri County Graduation 05-28-26

12:30 pm 25th Anniversary Lions All-State Band

2:00 pm FHSTC - Flowers for Algernon

3:00 pm FHS Varsity Softball v Sharon 05-04-26

9:00 pm FHSTC: Mean Girls

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = THURSDAY

8:00 am Conservation Commission 07-02-26

2:00 pm Conservation Commission 07-02-26

7:00 pm Conservation Commission  REMOTE  897 8846 7620

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 ???

Wednesday, July 15

11:00am Franklin Q&A (Franklin Senior Center & remote)

12:00pm Adolescent Wellness Summer Drop-In Hours (SAFE Coalition)

1:00pm "Where's the Toast?" Memory Cafe (Franklin Senior Center)

6:30pm Bingo night (Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub)

6:30pm Franklin Elks Bingo Night (Franklin Elks Lodge #2136)

7:00pm Smarty Pants Trivia (Raillery Public House)

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

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9890

***  Town Meetings today ***

Communication Subcommittee Meeting

Wednesday, July 15 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07152026-2412 

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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

The Rotary Club of Franklin MA awards scholarships to 4 local students with a Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Conference held on June 26-28, 2026

The Rotary Club of Franklin MA is proud to announce that they have awarded four scholarships to this year’s Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Conference held on June 26th -28th. The lucky scholarship winners are Chloe Bowser, Sunny Yuan, Shreedhar Rao and Saanvi Reddy.

“We selected these candidates based on their good citizenship characteristics, and their powerful desire to attend and benefit from the Rotary RYLA conference.” said Diane Padula, Rotary President, RYLA Committee Chairperson and RYLA Volunteer. 

The chosen students were among the almost two hundred Massachusetts high school sophomores who attended this year’s RYLA Conference. RYLA is an intensive 3-day, 2-overnight leadership training program, designed to foster personal growth and team building through seminars and outdoor activities, at Fitchburg State, with a Family Reception, and Closing Ceremony.

Rotary also congratulates Syed Azhar, one of last year’s RYLA scholarship recipients, who was invited back this year to serve as a Group Facilitator. The Rotary District 7910 RYLA Committee selected him for his leadership skills, dedication to RYLA, and service as current president of Rotary Interact. His application stood out among many from former RYLA attendees across Massachusetts. During the weekend, Azhar led a group of five to seven RYLA participants.

RYLA concentrates on developing the leadership potential of young men and women, and features thought-provoking events including interactive Leadership Labs, exciting guest speakers, and challenging mental and physical activities that provided the participants with a chance to excel amongst and with their peers. Topics included decision-making, critical thinking, communicating effectively, ethics, and public service.

Congratulations from the Rotary Club of Franklin MA to this year’s scholarship winners and their families! 

We will be seeking rising Junior’s and notifying school counselors in January 2027. If anyone interested in learning more about how their student can become a RYLAn 2027, reach out to: RotaryClubfranklinmarotary.org or RYLA 2027, visit http://www.ryla7910.org/ or contact: Diane Padula, RYLA Chair at rotarycluboffranklinma@gmail.com . 

Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee begins to coalesce around their work plan

FM #1778 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1778 in the series. 

This session shares the exclusive audio from the Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee Meeting held on Monday, July 13, 2026. The meeting was held in the 3rd floor training room. 

 

The recording runs about 62 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1778-horace-mann-legacy-mtg-07-13-26/

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Meeting agenda 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07132026-2401 

My notes in one PDF 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11J-yJbzxMfv9e7G0IOUHFQ_Ouj6Q5xY9/view?usp=drive_link 

Horace Mann trifold used beginning at Strawberry Stroll

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KfKvOLhuXlzlor53vvErcTONj-6FFk24/view?usp=drive_link

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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"