What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, February 26 2026 ???

Thursday, February 26

Curbside trash/recycling continues picking up today. 

• Those scheduled for Tuesday on Thursday
• Wednesday on Friday
• Thursday on Saturday
• and Friday on next Monday...

9:00am Fallen Hero Recognition: Richard L. Desper (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

Library & Senior Center events

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   ***

Horace Mann Legacy Sub Committee

Thursday, February 26 Time: 2:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02262026-2154

Conservation Commission Meeting. (Zoom only)

Thursday, February 26 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/559?fileID=8093 

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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: Richard L. Desper - Vietnam - Feb 26, 2026

Memorial event today (2/26/26) at 9 AM on the Veterans Walkway at the Town Common to honor Richard L. Desper.

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.

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"Lance Corporal Richard Lincoln Desper was born on February 12, 1947 the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Desper. Richard lived at 45 Coutu St. with his parents, four brothers, and 13 sisters. 

According to the war Department's official telegram Corporal Desper died five miles north of An Hoa in Quong Nan province of fragmentation wounds inflicted by mortar fire while on a search-and-clear mission with the Marine Corps in Vietnam on February 26, 1969. This was Corporal Desper's second tour of duty in the war zone having previously served in Vietnam with the Navy."

Lance Corporal Richard Lincoln Desper

Lance Corporal Richard L. Desper was 22 years old at the time of his death in Vietnam.

Lance Corporal Richard Lincoln Desper

For the full published series of Fallen Heroes you can visit this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-fallen-heroes-series.html

Photo album of the Fallen Hero pillars along the Veterans Walkway

https://photos.app.goo.gl/oRGdmq9krLNEBnjJ7

You can find all the videos for 2024 in one playlist -> 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo3eJGInVXU&list=PLbAODFjFPJ0zOqXRuHZ5-_LPf6UwmBNSA

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

The Franklin (MA) Finance Committee met on Wednesday, Feb 25, 206 as scheduled at 6 PM. 5 members were in chambers, 1 remote. It was announced 1 member had resigned that day and would hopefully be replaced before the budget hearings in April.

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

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 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

Town Council Quarterbacking with Councilor Ted Cormier-Leger (audio)

FM #1670 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1670 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Councilor Ted Cormier-Leger. We had our conversation in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studios on Friday, February 13, 2026. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

We focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

• After tabling the prior meeting minutes for a future meeting to add some questions that were asked but not reflected in the minutes, they approved a technical change for the Shaw's alcohol license

• Council comments followed Citizen Comments in this new order of agenda items

• The 5 year budget model and forecast 

• The Capital budget 

• Then as the clock turned past 10 PM during their deliberations on the amendments, the Council voted to allow extension of the meeting past their 4 hour curfew. The meeting did close approx. 20 minutes later.

The conversation runs about 70 minutes. Let’s listen in

Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1670-town-council-quarterbacking-02-13-26/

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Franklin TV video is available for replay

https://www.youtube.com/live/PGKBpPjZZTM?&t=210 

The agenda and docs released for this session

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02112026-2130  

My notes captured in one PDF file - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OUdG4Uju_rM2ro2mJCBeEIXOfSx9T8M0/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"

Get your lane for the 2nd Annual Bowling Fundraiser for the Santa Foundation - March 29, 2026

2nd Annual Bowling Fundraiser for
 the Santa Foundation - March 29, 2026

We are 10% to our goal… and we need YOU to help us hit it 

For our 2nd Annual Bowling Fundraiser for the Santa Foundation, we are aiming to fill 20 lanes — and we’re already picturing the energy, the laughter, and the friendly competition!

This isn’t just a bowling night.

It’s:

• Strikes and spares (or lots of gutter balls — no judgment!)
• Fun prizes
• Good food
• Great connection
• And most importantly — real support for local families

Every lane filled helps us continue bringing joy, relief, and hope to families in our community.

So here’s the challenge:

• Grab your friends.
• Gather your coworkers.
• Bring your family.
• Fill a lane.

Let’s make this year even bigger and better than last year!

Who’s ready to help us reach 20 lanes? Drop a 🎳 below if you’re in — or tag your team!

Register here: https://www.sfjoy.org/events

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1AuhmjKaE7/

Concert hour Thursday, Feb 26 at FHS at 7 PM

Via Franklin Music Booster:

Join us at FHS tonight, Thursday, 2/26 at 7:00 PM for Concert Hour where we will be showcasing some of our awesome musicians from Franklin!

The recital will take place in the lecture hall on the 2nd floor.

Enter through the Community entrance near the gym and proceed up to the 2nd floor and take a left. Hope to see everyone there!

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/18C6vA3yKC/

John & Abigail Adams Scholarship winners from the Tri-County class of 2026!

Congratulations to the following sixty recipients of the John & Abigail Adams Scholarship,  from the Tri-County class of 2026! Your achievements inspire us all and we look forward to seeing the amazing contributions you will make in the years to come.

John & Abigail Adams Scholarship winners from the Tri-County class of 2026!

Franklin - James Gallo, Francis Gallo, Paul Haggerty, Rebecca Hall, Lilith Kriz, Hayden Lafountaine, Grayson Lennon, Kylie MacDonald, Bernardo Martinez De Freitas, Makenzy Quigley, Lydia Raymond, Noah Salvesen, Aliyah Turbides

Medway - Jonathan Chrisom,  Joseph Gillett, Riley Heney, Luke Smith, Kyleigh Weddeke

Milford - Max Gauman

Norfolk - Rhys Beck, Thomas Lovell, Dominic Mastroianni, Zachary Mullen, Serji Nelson, Natasha Sims

North Attleboro - Brady Cox, Mackenzie Duffy, Kahlil Mateus, Damien Rodriguez, Ananya Srinivas, Gideon St. Lawrence, Declan Walker, Eric Weng

Plainville -  Chloe Albert, Loren Brundrett, Nolan Feeley, Colin Flanagan, Connor Fountain, Charles Kairouz, Jacob Kinahan, Eric McDonald, Patrick O’Neill, Emma Wallick

Seekonk - Riley Bodick, Sarah Escola, Mateusz Loqui, Melanie Quin, Alexis Rego, Cian Shaw, Keira Wagner

Walpole -  Miguelabner Dias, Shane Driscoll, Nourhane Elouannasse, James Robertson, Charlie Whelan

Wrentham - Pedro Andrade, James Dwinell, Ava Gill, Cayden Noll, Joseph Zahner

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1892gETycH/

Listening sessions for fair housing from the Mass Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC)

Listening sessions for fair housing f

What barriers to fair housing are you seeing in your region — and what would make a real difference? 

Join the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities for upcoming Fair Housing Regional Listening Sessions. We’ve added new dates, and the Cape & Islands session has been rescheduled due to the blizzard. 

✔️ Cape & Islands (rescheduled) — March 9 

✔️ Greater Boston — March 10 

✔️ Virtual (cross-regional) — March 12 

✔️ Central Mass/Worcester — March 16 

✔️ South Shore — March 18

shared from -  https://www.instagram.com/p/DVL6-XcDakX/

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, February 26, 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)

• The episode features the Board of Health meeting held Feb 4, 2026  -     https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/board-of-health-in-planning-for-womens.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)"  

• The Turntable Show features Elton John's "Madman Across the Water" album released on November 5, 1971.  The album was EJ's third album to be released in 1971 and features some  amazing hits such as: Tina Dancer, Levon, and the title track Madman Across the Water.  
• The EJ Playlist Hour airs a mix of Madman Across the Water with other studio and live recordings that together make for a wicked fun hour of EJ music. Hear songs from top EJ albums including: Yellow Brick Road, Captain Fantastic, Tumbleweed Connection, Caribou, One Night Only, and Madman Across the Water.  Turn it up!

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, February 26, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

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

9:30 am Franklin Ridge Senior Housing

11:33 am Cooking Thyme: Red Pepper Soup

12:03 pm Brooke'n'Cookin: Mac'n'Cheese

12:35 pm Cook with Linda: Chicken with Dijon

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Emergency Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 7

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 11

3:30 pm Aging Boldfully: Joanne Schaefer

4:30 pm Veterans' Call: Tune It Out

7:00 pm Frank Presents: Daniela Masters Pt 2

8:00 pm United Methodist Church: Lola Richardson

9:00 pm Circle of Friends; Abbie Gardner

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

9:30 am Lifelong Winter Music 2026

11:00 am 6th Grade Winter Music 02-10-26

2:00 pm FHSTC - Flowers for Algernon

3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith

4:00 pm FHS Varsity Wrestling: v King Philip 01-17-24

5:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Mansfield 02-14-26

9:00 pm FHSTC: Urinetown

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

8:00 am Conservation Commission 02-12-26

2:00 pm Conservation Commission 02-12-26

7:00 pm Conservation Commission  CHAMBERS  824 4644 4342

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

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