What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, September 1, 2026 ???

Tuesday, September 1

6:00 AM to 8:00 PM State Primary Election (Franklin High School)

Town Clerk's Office at Municipal Bldg is closed today

12:00pm Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

5:00pm Tuesday Night Cruise (Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub)

6:00pm Franklin Garden Club: A program on “Bitters, The Missing Ingredient” (Franklin Senior Center)

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/10676/September-2026-Newsletter?bidId=

***  Town Meetings today ***

250th Anniversary Celebration Communications Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, September 1 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09012026-2475 

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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 Achieves Formal Compliance with MBTA Communities Law

The Town of Franklin is pleased to announce that it has achieved formal compliance with the Commonwealth’s MBTA Communities law, also known as Section 3A of the Zoning Act. As of June 2026, Franklin is the 157th municipality in Massachusetts to comply with the law.

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) recently completed its review of Franklin’s compliance application and confirmed that the Town’s designated General Residential V, Commercial I, Crossing Neighborhood and Downtown Commercial districts meet the requirements of Section 3A and the state’s implementing regulations.

Franklin is designated as a Commuter Rail community under the law. The Town’s compliance district includes approximately 103.6 acres and provides for an estimated 1,955 multifamily housing units, with at least 75% of the required land area and unit capacity located within one-half mile of a transit station.

EOHLC recognized the Town’s work to meet the requirements of the MBTA Communities law and formally determined that Franklin’s district satisfies the state’s compliance requirements.

“This is an important milestone for Franklin and reflects a great deal of work by Town staff, boards and committees,” said Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. “The Town has worked to meet the requirements of the MBTA Communities law while taking a thoughtful approach to planning for Franklin’s future and the housing needs of our community.”

Franklin’s formal compliance also makes the Town eligible to apply for funding through the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund, part of the Commonwealth’s Community One Stop for Growth program.

The Town will continue to consider housing, infrastructure, sustainability and long-term planning as it works to support Franklin’s future.

Come along as we walk through the custom build process at Franklin Kitchen Center (video)

Steve Sherlock visits with Bryan Felton as we follow the build process for their custom kitchen cabinets made here in Franklin in the former bakery building on Ruggles St.

If interested in a cabinet upgrade, visit their showroom downtown at 22 East Central St to start the process. They offer complimentary on-site design consultations.

Franklin Kitchen Center
22 East Central Street
Franklin, MA
Phone: (508) 528-5022
Email: info@franklinkitchencenter.com
Website: franklinkitchencenter.com

Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc3ss_wlgpE

The August edition of Franklin First is available for your reading pleasure

The Franklin First newsletter can be found on the Town page 

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10837/Franklin-First-Newsletter-August-2026-PDF?bidId=

You can sign up to receive your own copy of the newsletter via email - 

https://www.franklinma.gov/list.aspx  Scroll to the bottom of the Notify Me page to find the checkbox for the Franklin First newsletter

Or read the embedded copy here

Eagle eye challenge: In how many pictures do I appear? 

Reminder: The Sculpture Park is adding art !! Come and view the new art - Sep 10

We’re excited to share that the Franklin Sculpture Park is entering a new chapter as we refresh and expand our digital presence on the Town of Franklin’s website. As we prepare to welcome two new public art installations to the park, we’re updating our online resources to better showcase the artwork, artists, educational opportunities, and community stories that make the Sculpture Park such a special place.

The refreshed webpages will provide visitors with an easier way to explore the park’s collection, learn about current and upcoming installations, discover the artists behind the work, and find information about accessibility, programming, and the park’s connection to the surrounding natural environment.

As we continue to grow the Sculpture Park’s collection, we remain committed to creating a space where art, nature, education, and community come together. We invite you to explore the updated website and follow along as we prepare to welcome these exciting new additions.

Take a peek at the updated Franklin Sculpture Park webpage here!

https://www.franklinma.gov/1000/The-Franklin-Sculpture-Park

A Silent Auction scheduled for Franklin Federated Church Friday, Sep 11 from 2 to 6 PM

A Silent Auction will be held on the lawn of Franklin Federated Church 171 Main Street, Friday, September 11 from 2-6 PM. 

On the auction block: 4 tickets to the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Winner chooses the date - any Saturday or Sunday in the remainder of this season or next season. Top shelf seating is guaranteed. 

The fundraiser is organized by the Franklin Federated Church Board of Deacons to help cover repairs to our organ. 

A donation jar will be available and donations are appreciated.

Franklin SEPAC shares "Wings for Autism event at Worcester Regional Airport (October 3, 2026)"

"A great program!

(This is not a Franklin SEPAC sponsored event)"

Registration required -

https://www.charlesrivercenter.org/news-events/major-events/wings-for-autism/

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/14o1pV5VzSg/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, September 1, 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:

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 Tuesday, September 1, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

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

7:30 am     Aging Agenda: Arthur Vigeant

9:00 am Arts Advocacy Day: Marketing

10:00 am Frank Presents: Djuna Perkins

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Taquitos

12:30 pm Learn to Cook with Linda: Sticky Buns

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 1

2:00 pm New England Candlepins Summer 2023 Show 1

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 1

3:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1

4:30 pm Franklin Matters: Kitchen Center

5:30 pm The Black Box: Newsies

6:30 pm Jon Mitchell & Randy LaRosa: 12-Tone Music

7:30 pm Once Upon A Town: Schools

9:00 pm Franklin 4th: George Cross Project

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

7:00 am FHS Winter Music: Band and Wind Ensemble

10:30 am Historical Museum: Randy LaRosa and Krishna Swain

11:30 am Middle School Spring Band 06-04-26

1:00 pm FHS Varsity Softball v Hopkinton 04-25-26

3:00 pm Critical Conversations: Social Media

7:00 pm Cultural Council: BT ALC Big Band

9:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 2

10:00 pm FHSTC: Curious Case of the Cottingley Fairies

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

8:00 am School Committee 08-25-26

12:00 pm 250th Anniversary Committee 08-27-26

2:00 pm School Committee 08-25-26

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

Franklin Police Department advice for Lincoln St parents (and those who use Lincoln St during school start and end time frames)

"First things first… yes, we used a picture of Ben to get your attention. 

It worked. You’re here. Mission accomplished. 

Now for the important part:

📚 Student Drop-Off: Please do NOT arrive at Lincoln Street School before 8:10 AM.

🏫 Student Pick-Up: Please do NOT arrive before 2:35 PM.

When vehicles begin lining up well before the designated times, the line can quickly stretch several hundred feet onto Lincoln Street and come to a complete standstill.

And when traffic stops moving, we start seeing vehicles attempting to pass the line by entering the oncoming traffic lane. That creates a significant safety concern for students, families, pedestrians, and everyone else using Lincoln Street.

⏰ The goal is simple: Please arrive at 8:10 AM for arrival and 2:35 PM for dismissal — and not before.

Doing so should help keep the line moving continuously, even if that movement occasionally resembles a very slow-moving parade.

For everyone traveling through the Lincoln Street area during arrival and dismissal, we also ask for a little patience during the first few weeks of school.

Consider this your official invitation to:

🎧 Start that audiobook you’ve been meaning to listen to

🎶 Enjoy your favorite playlist

☕ Take a deep breath and finish your coffee

🧘 Practice some mindful meditation

📱 Or simply remind yourself that you, too, were once responsible for getting to school on time.

Most importantly, please do not pass stopped traffic in the oncoming lane. A few extra minutes of patience is worth keeping everyone safe.

Thank you for helping us keep Lincoln Street School traffic safe, predictable, and moving!

And remember… Ben is watching. 

Franklin Public School District MA

Town of Franklin"

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1HEwz1pttQ/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, August 31, 2026 ???

Monday, August 31

10:00am Move Along Franklin Public Library

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/10676/September-2026-Newsletter?bidId=

***  Town Meetings today ***

Franklin Cultural Council Meeting

Monday, August 31 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08312026-2476 

Franklin Agricultural Committee Meeting

Monday, August 31 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08312026-2472 

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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

State Primary Election Day is Tuesday, September 1

"Election Day is Tuesday, September 1.

Polls will be open 6AM – 8PM at Franklin High School, 218 Oak St.

Make your plan to vote!"

Additional Info on the election can be found on the Town Clerk page

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/333/Town-Clerk-Elections-Division

School Committee welcomes new administrators, approves handbook changes, gets updates on hiring, transportation & facility projects (audio)

FM #1807 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1807 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 7:00 PM. 6 of the 7 members were present; 1 participated remotely (O'Sullivan) (hence all votes were via roll call), 1 member absent (Callaghan).

Quick recap

• New administrators and Central office personnel were introduced and photos taken to share with the community

• Human Resources provided a hiring update, in a better position now with 17 openings than the prior 3 years, some of the openings are in the process of being fulfilled

• Review of the changes to the school handbooks for the high school, middle school, elementary and ECDC. Mostly minor changes at the lower levels, some key changes for the upper grades

• Later in the meeting, the handbooks were approved so they will be distributed electronically to all the parents and families

• Update on Transportation, only 40 on the waitlist, approx 280 had been on the waitlist, some having moved within the district or into the district but the majority simply missed the registration deadline in June

• bus schedules and routes are posted to the Schools page  https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/transportation/

• bus passes will be distributed by the schools when they open, elementary students will get a tag for their backpacks, middle and high school will get the standard pass

• Update on facility projects, some completed across the district some still in process, some funded but scheduled for later in the school year or next summer due to potential disruption of the school operations

• Committee entered Executive Session not to return to open meeting

Let’s listen (approx. 2 hours & 30 minutes)

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1807-school-cmte-mtg-08-25-26/

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Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOqCiAbY_s4 

The agenda doc - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08252026-2467

My complete set of notes captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HWfAJ6oObFg475FYzqh8NS-TjQ3poSit/view?usp=drive_link 

Photo album of the handbook updates  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ggp9R1C5182HgZY58 

Photo album of the Transportation update

https://photos.app.goo.gl/HwiGhfnd4DcgfNQn8 

Photo album of the Facility updates

https://photos.app.goo.gl/8RnTJnVhvbCK9oMt6 

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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"