What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 ???

Tuesday, March 3

• Regular curbside trash/recycle schedule for this week
• Free overflow bags at DPW Admin building, 257 Fisher St
• Hours added at Beaver St Recycling Ctr  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/03/reminder-regular-curbside-schedule-for.html

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

6:30pm Franklin Garden Club - monthly meeting (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/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times

*** Town Meetings today   ***

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee Special Meeting

Tuesday, March 3 Time: 7:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03032026-2165 

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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

Join the Friends of the Franklin Library for a Friends’ Social - Tuesday, March 10

You’re Invited!

Friends’ Social - Tuesday, March 10

📅 Tuesday, March 10 | 🕕 6:30–7 PM | 📍 Franklin Public Library

Join us for a Friends’ Social — a chance to meet Friends and learn how you can get involved with Friends of the Franklin Library! Enjoy some refreshments, grab a free tote bag and stay afterwards for our March Board Meeting — all are welcome! 

💛 About Us

Friends of the Franklin Library is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the Library’s collections, programs, and community engagement.

If you can’t attend, please contact us at FoFL02038@gmail.com to learn more or get involved.

🙌 We’re Looking For:

● Volunteers — have extra time & looking for a way to give back? Come get involved!

● Board Members — step into a leadership role 

● Website Helpers — especially those with Wix experience

Finance Committee approves funding recommendation for fire truck replacement (audio)

FM #1679 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1679 in the series. 

This session shares the Finance Committee meeting conducted Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The Committee opened with 5 members in Chambers and 1 remote. 2 members absent and 1 had just resigned that morning (and hopefully to be replaced before April budget hearings). 

Quick recap:

• Motion to approve the prior meeting notes, so moved, second, passes via roll call (1 remote) was 6-0-3 (2 absent, 1 resigned this AM)

• Discussion on the need to replace a fire engine which has frame corrosion and was taken offline. 

• Discussion on an undercarriage wash to help prolong the life of the trucks and rest of the fleet with other issues of corrosion

• Consider other alternatives for prevention of corrosion, maybe look to a cost analysis on the sand vs. salt/brine solution. What are the pros, cons?

• Multiple options available for financing, ultimately resolved to recommend authorization of a BAN (a short term borrowing instrument) for the full $935K. 

• This keeps the stabilization account intact for now and can still be used to pay down the principal when the BAN is converted to a longer term finance deal

• Vote passed 5-1 via roll call 

• Q2 report 

• Snow and ice was gradually increased to be fully funded from ops instead of free cash

• Lack of FEMA money for 'disaster' events like the major storms

• Local receipts are not at the level that Kerri would like

• Library is only $25k over the State minimum

• Discussion on adding to a May meeting reconsidering the OPEB contribution to relook at the recommendation before the Council votes in June

• Discussion on the Council handling of the capital budget and suggestion of having FinCom representative at the Council meeting to support any recommendations. A great idea

The recording runs just about 90 minutes, let’s listen

Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1679-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-02-25-26/

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Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/sM7NUUmqKlw?&t=245 

The agenda and released doc can be found - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02252026-2152  

My notes were captured via the Bluesky app, the top of the thread can be found here - https://bsky.app/profile/franklinmatters.bsky.social/post/3mfpsbpk6us2o

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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 favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Charter School to perform High School Musical 3/6 (1 show) & 3/7 (2 shows)

Charter School to perform High School
Musical 3/6 (1 show) & 3/7 (2 shows)

WELCOME TO TECH WEEK and please join us for one of three shows this weekend!

There's still time to order well wishes to the cast and crew, place business ad or order tickets in advance!

Three shows this weekend. We hope you'll join us!

Tickets - https://www.bfccps.org/apps/s/?s=12777

8 FHS Sophomores looked for to take part in a leadership event

What is RYLA? It is the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. 

"ATTENTION FHS SOPHOMORES! 

We need 8 candidates to attend RYLA!! 

See your advisor for more info!"

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1F2xoH76uu/

What is RYLA? It is the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. 

Listen to my conversation with Syed Azhar and Harsini Vijai of the Franklin Interact Club. They talk about their experience at RYLA -

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/franklin-interact-club-wants-to-unite.html

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance: Join us March 5 at 6:30 PM

We are meeting at Franklin TV

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance In this newsletter we include an invitation to our next meeting and community events, including our next book club discussion, and include more opportunities to get involved.   Want more information or need to contact us? Visit our website here! You Are Invited To Our March Monthly Meeting!   When: March 5th  at 6:30pm   What: Join us for some origami making! (no experience needed, just come and join us for some crafting and conversation)  Where: 23 Hutchinson Street in Franklin Fundraiser Update! Thank you to everyone who supported our Pride and Popcorn and Bake Sale fundraisers! We are so appreciative of all the generous donations we received that will go towards putting on Celebrate With Pride this year. We also hope everyone enjoys their yummy popcorn and baked goods :)  FLA Events Announcing...    2025 Celebrate With Pride will be on June 27th from 12-4 on the Franklin Town Common!! (with a rain date of June 28th)    If you are a vendor, nonprofit, or food vendor looking to have a booth, please click HERE to use our exhibitor sign-up!   If you are interested in performing please email us at franklincwp@gmail.com    If you are looking to volunteer, we will be sending out volunteer sign-up forms when it gets closer to the event!   Please help us spread the word about 2025 Franklin Celebrate With Pride and we look forward to welcoming you to the common soon!  Any questions please email franklincwp@gmail.com If you are not on our email list, sign up to receive future emails with this form.  Note this newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full set of content, please visit this link ->  View this email in your browser

Community Closet Open Tuesdays Noon to 2 PM

Community Closet Open Tuesdays Noon to 2 PM

Need clothes? Come visit the Community Closet

We’re open this Tuesday from 12–2 PM at 82 West Central Street, Franklin MA — and everything is FREE. 

We offer new and gently used clothing for all ages and sizes, no questions asked. Whether you’re looking for a warm coat, school clothes, or just something new-to-you, we’re here for you.

Learn more or sign up to volunteer: https://franklinUMC.org/community/closet

Powered by community generosity. Staffed by volunteers. Open to all.

Chicken Tending Workshop scheduled by Night Owl Farm - March 7

Our annual chicken workshop is back!

Night Owl Farm       Franklin, MA

Learn everything you need to know about chickens.

Let me answer all your questions!! 

Shared from - 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DhY3KCCbx/

Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Episode 098 - Monsters Under My Bed, Old Love, Oh Snap, First Car, Positivity, Baseball, The Thousand Hour Lesson, and much more

In this episode, The Franklin Senior Center Writers Group shares stories, poems, and writings about the monsters under a child's bed, an old love poem made up of love songs, the weather, a story about a first car, positivity, reading a poem from Helen DeWitt, Scott shares a chapter from his upcoming baseball book, and Bob shares the latest chapter in The Thousand Hour Lesson.

Audio link -> https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episode/episode-098-monsters-under-my-bed-old-love-oh-snap-first-car-positivity-baseball-the-thousand-hour-lesson-and-much-more

Senior Story Hour - WFPR

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