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Franklin Matters
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Monday, September 21, 2026
Detailed guide to this fall's state ballot questions
FM Journal set for cable broadcast to Comcast/Verizon subscribers beginning Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026
- WEDNESDAY = 5:00 pm FM Journal Episode 1
- THURSDAY = 10:00 am FM Journal Episode 1
- FRIDAY = 5:00 pm FM Journal Episode 1
- SATURDAY = 10:00 am FM Journal Episode 1
Special events at the Franklin Public Library for October 2026
This is a free program for all 3rd-5th graders of any skill level to join supportive peers and role models using computer science to change the world. Club members explore foundational computer science concepts and practice computational thinking skills through hands-on activities that connect to their daily lives.
Beginning October 14, we'll be meeting Wednesdays from 4 -5pm. Anyone–regardless of gender identity–who wishes to support diversity in technology is encouraged to join!
*** Special Events for Kids & Teens
Slime Time, Friday, October 9 @ 1pm
Glop and gloop your way to the Library for a half-day Slime Spectacular!
Witch Academy, Saturday, October 10th @ 1pm
Calling all aspiring witches and wizards! Join us for an epic training academy and learn to tap into your magic, cast spells, stir up some potions, and more!
DIY Paper Squishy Pal, Thursday, October 15th @ 6pm
Design and create your very own stress toy with Ms. Kaitlyn at the library!
Fanfiction Club, Thursday, October 22nd @ 6pm
Join us while we discuss our favorite fanfictions and introduce each other to our favorite fandoms!
*** Special Events for Adults
Medicare for Seniors and Caregivers, Saturday, October 3 @ 2pm
Medicare is a service and safety net many retired people rely upon, but it can be so hard to navigate! Meet SHINE! These trained experts will present on enrollment, parts, coverage, and available resources for extra help. SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) is a free, unbiased health insurance information, counseling, and assistance service through the Mass. Executive Office of Aging & Independence (AGE).
Watercolor Workshop, Monday, October 5 @ 6pm
Registration Required
Relax with a Monday watercolor class with local artist Sharon Carloni!
For adults 18 and over! Project: Leaf pattern design
Learn to Mahjong! Thursday, October 15 @ 6pm
Registration Required
This intro to Mahjong session will introduce the suits, the rules, the card, and other basics of American Mahjong!
Registration Required
Are you feeling creative? Join Miss Lily and create a step-by-step painting of an Owl! All materials will be provided.
*** Special Events for All Ages
Ghost Stories of New England, Tuesday, October 13 @ 6:30pm
Explore local history through the lens of spirits and real unexplainable phenomena with a sprinkle of interactive fun! Rated PG-13 for spooky stories and descriptions of demise.
Italian Folk Concert with Fabio Pirozzolo, Saturday, October 17 @ 2pm
Celebrate the art and culture of Italy with a concert of folk music from artist Fabio Pirozzolo!
Trunk or Treat! Saturday, October 24th @ 10:30am
Dress up and join us in the library parking lot for a safe, little-kid friendly morning of trick-or-treating in the daylight. The parking lot will be full of decorated trunks and activities!!
Interactive Movie, Wednesday, October 28th @ 5pm
Families - join us for a special Interactive movie screening! Enjoy popcorn and some fun surprises!
Franklin’s Not So Scary Halloween Party! Saturday, October 31 @ 10:30am
Treats, games, and music, Oh My! Enjoy a spooky celebration for all ages. Costumes are encouraged!
*** Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, October 23: 1 - 5pm
Saturday, October 24: 9am - 12pm
All books are just one dollar!
Bag Sale - $5 Per Bag
Saturday, October 24: 1 - 4pm
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!
Register O'Donnell Warns Homeowners About Deed Scams
The Franklin Wine Club Presents: Exploring the Mastery of Malbec with Nieto Senetiner - October 8
Date: October 8thTime: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PMLocation: The Franklin Liquors Wine RoomFormat: Sit-Down Educational Tasting
Reminder: Community Closet open on Tuesdays from Noon to 2 PM
The Community Closet @FranklinUMC collects and distributes new and gently used clothing, free of charge, to anyone and everyone in the community.
The Closet is open regularly and as-needed to meet emergency needs. It is sourced and staffed by community volunteers.
Get ready for the Senior Expo at the Franklin Senior Center on October 2, 2026
Encore Music Academy schedules an Open House for Saturday, October 3, 2026
Call - 508-533-7700
web page - encoremusicacademy.net
Email - info@encoremusicacademy.net"
Tune it Out: free guitar lessons for Veterans return on Tuesdays at Franklin Senior Center
New report from Pioneer Institute proposes solutions to the permiting puzzle
- Make online permitting information clear, easily accessible, and consistent with zoning. At a minimum, towns should offer online checklists, a single page describing each stage of the process, and up-to-date fee schedules and timelines.
- Use a standardized online portal for permit application submittals. Moving submittals online reduces incomplete applications and gives both staff and applicants real-time visibility into where a project stands.
- Offer developers a pre-application meeting with municipal department heads and local board members. Meeting with officials before a formal application is filed lets both sides flag design, technical, or political issues while a project can still be adjusted cheaply.
- Have a single point of contact with the applicant throughout the process. A “permit coordinator” would save time by sequencing reviews correctly and giving applicants one person to call.
- Coordinate peer reviews early in the process. Municipal officials should anticipate which external reviews will be needed before a public hearing and sequence them to avoid redundancy, saving time and money for applicants and staff alike.
- Standardize and synchronize internal technical reviews. Codifying clear technical criteria in advance and requiring departments to comment in parallel, rather than in sequence, lets municipalities move faster without cutting corners on safety or code compliance.
- Codify objective review criteria and efficiencies in local ordinances and bylaws. Writing clear, objective thresholds—such as when a traffic study is actually required—into local bylaws locks in predictability for every future applicant, not just the well-connected ones.
- Require training for local board members. A required orientation on land use law and review procedure—already contemplated in pending state legislation—would help board members avoid costly, legally vulnerable overreach.
- Minimize the number of local officials who hold sway over subjective criteria. Consolidating project approval authority in a single body, as some communities have done for design review, gives applicants one clear source of guidance instead of conflicting direction.
- Fully implement permitting reforms from comprehensive plans. Communities that appoint a dedicated implementation body are far more likely to actually follow through on a comprehensive plan’s reforms rather than let them sit on a shelf.
Franklin TV schedule for Monday, September 21, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = MONDAY
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = MONDAY
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = MONDAY
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Monday, September 21, 2026
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
2 Fallen Hero Recognitions Monday: Garron & Mucciarone - Sep 21, 2026 at 9 AM
Lance Corporal Lawrence E. Garron was born on September 27, 1948, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence E. Garron Sr. Lawrence lived with his parents and a sister at 1295 Pond St., went to grade schools in Franklin and then went to Boston Trade High School from which he was graduated in 1967.
Corporal Garron enlisted in the Marine Corps in May of 1967 and had served overseas for 10 months. During his tour of duty in June of 1968, Cpl. Garron had been wounded and was hospitalized for eight weeks in Saigon from shrapnel wounds in the leg, for which he received the Purple Heart.
Cpl. Garron later returned to- active duty where he became a casualty on September 21, 1968 when he was one of eight marines in a platoon of 15 men killed in the explosion of a mine while on patrol in Quang Nam province, Vietnam.
Lance Corporal Lawrence Garron Jr. was 19 years old at the time of his death in Vietnam.
Posted previously -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/fallen-hero-lance-corporal-lawrence-e.html
Born in Italy, son Accenzia (Bertino) and Mariannino Mucciarone, he came to Franklin as a child. After living here for 17 years, he entered the service on September 20, 1917 and was assigned to Company F, 302 Infantry Battalion of the 76th Division, and later transferred to Company A 306th Machine Gun Battalion of the 77th Division. He went overseas on April 13, 1918With this group, he became mortally wounded, during the Ouse - Aisne Offensive, and died at Base Hospital #41.Franklin Honored this hero by naming a Town Square after him.He was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously in 1967, and the award was presented to his brother, Elio.
Posted previously -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/fallen-hero-staff-sergeant-anthony-j.html
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, September 20, 2026 ???
Agenda for the Finance Committee meeting Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026
Agenda for the Franklin School Committee meeting Tuesday, Sep 22, 2026 at 7 PM
Franklin TV: A Look Inside the First Edition of FM Journal
FHS boys soccer ties with St John's on Saturday (video)
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