What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, August 5, 2026 ???

Wednesday, August 5

Franklin Lions Clothing Drive active through Aug 22   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/07/the-franklin-lions-conducting-clothing.htmlcloth

10:00am Veterans Coffee Social (Franklin Senior Center)

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

5:30pm Bluegrass & Country Jam Circle (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

***   NO  Town Meetings today ***

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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 Small Business Spotlight: The Rome Restaurant

This month, we're highlighting The Rome Restaurant, which has proudly served the Franklin community for 61 years.

"We are a family run Italian restaurant in the heart of downtown, known for its comforting homemade dishes, welcoming atmosphere, and long standing commitment to the community. For generations, our family has taken pride in serving classic Italian favorites, made from scratch with care, to all who walk through our doors."

When asked why they chose Franklin to grow their business, they shared: 

"We love being surrounded by people who value connection, history, and hometown pride."

When asked why supporting small businesses matters, they shared:

"Small businesses are the heart of our community; they keep Franklin strong and connected and help neighbors thrive." 

👉️ Follow along as we continue to highlight the local businesses that make Franklin a great place to live and work.

🔗 Learn more about Franklin's Small Business Spotlight Series at the link https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/1337/Small-Business-Spotlight-Series

Franklin Performing Arts Comppany announces their 2026-27 Season

For the first time in forever, experience the musical phenomenon that has taken the world by storm: Disney’s Frozen directed by FPAC Artistic Director Raye Lynn Mercer with choreography by Chaz Wolcott (Newsies, So You Think You Can Dance, CATS)!

FPAC presents the hilarious adult comedy “POTUS Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive” directed by Ali Funkhouser.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, FPAC presents the two-person drama ’Night, Mother directed by Nick Paone. 

The Secret Garden is a compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal directed by Raye Lynn Mercer and Ali Funkhouser.

Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, Once Upon a Mattress is a rollicking spin on the classic tale The Princess and the Pea provides some side-splitting shenanigans. Directed by Raye Lynn Mercer with choreography by Broadway’s Clay Rice-Thomson! 

Mark your calendar for these events! Tickets will be available at theblackboxonline.com/ or fpaconline.com/

Econommic Development covers a variety of topics in 2.5 hour session (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee met as scheduled on Wednesday, August 4. All four members of the committee were present in Council Chambers

The Franklin TV video can be viewed here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ8h5WC8rP0

The agenda and released docs can be found - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08042026-2434 

Quick recap:

• Discussion and update on the UMass study of downtown to be conducted over 2 semesters of the college year. Final number of students involved to be determined when classes begin in September. Coordinate to have them meet the Committee (either in person, or virtually) early one (Sept or October).
• update: the Depot Plaza hearing at the Planning Board has changed from 8/10 to 8/24. the application was withdrawn for a technical change and resubmitted, hence the date change
• Next up the 40b policy revision
• revision would effectively removes the prohibition of apartment proposals and provides a set of 9 criteria of which 3 could be chosen to qualify the project for consideration by Town Council.
• consideration for a weight factor for small apartments or owned units to ensure that is the desired proposal to enable but make it harder for larger apartments to make it through the process (check list)
• agreement on a great starting point, maybe something from this section, and something from that section
• likely for Morrongiello and LeBlanc to meet with Jamie and Morena to review theitems in more detail to bring back a version for further discussion
• next up, Sustainability Committee
• need volunteers, have a track record as a green community have not done a great job telling the story of the successes some of these items are not practical (I.e. fire truck as an electric vehicle is not available)national politics haven't helped drive green
• doesn't need to be so pessimistic on the approach, there are things that can be done, via the committee and folks interested in that to do the work 
• you will get passionate folks 2 apply 
• Jamie and staff can draft a charter for the committee to review before bringing to the Council
• next up, GATRA update
• World Cup was big for them, transported a bunch of folksfunded by State, so we didn't lose anything from other servers to compensate 38,385 riders in Franklin during the past year (demand response) approx 3,000/month
• GATRA had a fixed route once upon a time   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/on-this-date-mar-5-2010-franklin-area.html
• What would a study for the GATRA fixed route cost? what would it cost for GATRA to do so. we can't finance the route on our own. 
• I recall someone had numbers on the potential route based upon GATRA demand ridership
• the pipeline to the Planning Board is minimal, they are cancelling meetings as they don't have work to review

Mar 5, 2010: The Franklin Area Bus (from the archives, link broken on the GATRA page today)

My full set of notes captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cKNSbTXGpP-s3395o_i52zDkPXuPn4tJ/view?usp=drive_link

Post 75 captures the Junior Legion State baseball Championship

via Tim McDonald Jr (many thanks for this timely contribution!)

"Massachusetts is sending two teams to the NE Regionals (Junior Dept). With the Regionals starting in NH Friday, Franklin has been awarded the Jr Legion State Champion by going 3-0. 

To figure out who the second team is they will finish the MA State tournament tomorrow. 

If Franklin wins at 4 PM the winner of the other 4 PM game will advance with them to the Regionals. 

If Franklin loses the 4 PM game then both winners will play at 7 PM to see who will be the 2nd team to advance to NE Regionals.

Wednesday 8/5 4 PM

G1 2-1 Plymouth Post 40 Vs 2-1 Lowell Post 87

G2 2-1 Braintree Post 86 Vs 3-0 Franklin 75

Wednesday 8/5 7pm Finals

Winner of G1 vs Winner of G2."

Additional info on the American Legion baseball page - https://www.masslegionbb.org/home

Senior Legion Regionals also include Post 75 - Aug 6

"19U Senior Legion starts back up Thursday"

The tournament bracket for Region 1 https://americanlegion.sportngin.com/page/show/9342694-region-1-northeast

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbn7PjVSitV/

2026 Massachusetts American Legion Softball Playoffs and Championship - August 5

The 2026 Massachusetts American Legion Softball Playoffs and Championship are taking place Tuesday, August 4, and Wednesday, August 5, at Ruel Fields, 29 Locust Street, Oxford, Massachusetts.

Now in just its third season, the league has grown from four teams in 2024 to eight teams and more than 120 student-athletes representing communities across Central Massachusetts and MetroWest.

This year's championship week features much more than postseason softball.

Wednesday, August 5

6:00 PM

• Semifinal Games

7:45 PM

• Massachusetts American Legion Softball Championship Game

Immediately following the championship game:

• Championship Trophy Presentation
• Team and championship photos

The complete tournament bracket and standings are available here:

https://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=MASSACHUSETTSAMERICA&s=softball&p=bracketmanager&tournamentID=2026MALEGIONSOFTBALLCHAMPIONSHIP

This championship represents another milestone in the continued growth of Massachusetts American Legion Softball and showcases many of the region's top high school softball players competing for a state championship while celebrating leadership, sportsmanship, teamwork and community service.

Media are welcome to attend. Interviews with league officials, coaches and student-athletes can be arranged before or after games. High-resolution photos and additional background information are available upon request.

We hope you will join us in Oxford as we crown the 2026 Massachusetts American Legion Softball Champion.

Thank you for your consideration.

Massachusetts American Legion Softball Committee

Have you signed up for the FREE Choking Response Training for the Franklin, MA community - August 20 ??

The Franklin Health Department is offering a FREE Choking Response Training for our community, and we'd appreciate your help spreading the word!

This 1-hour educational class will teach participants how to recognize and respond to choking emergencies involving adults, children, and infants. Attendees will also have the opportunity to practice back blows and abdominal/chest thrusts.

Training Details:

📅 Thursday, August 20, 2026

🕒 3:00–4:00 PM

📍 EOC Classroom

Franklin Fire Headquarters

40 West Central St.

Franklin, MA

Registration:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ACAF2EAAF9C25-64838129-first

This class is FREE to attend. 

Please note that it is for educational purposes only and does not include First Aid or CPR certification.

You're Invited to the Franklin Kitchen Center Summer Showcase & Open House - Sat, Aug 8

You're Invited! ✨

Join us this Saturday from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM for the

Franklin Kitchen Center Summer Showcase & Open House!

Step inside our showroom, explore beautiful custom cabinetry and enjoy an afternoon filled with delicious food, refreshments, raffles, and great conversation.

Whether you're planning a future renovation, looking for design inspiration, or simply want to support local businesses, we'd love to welcome you!

🍓Complementary Wine & Beer
🧀 Delicious hors d'oeuvres
🏡 Explore our custom cabinetry showroom
🎁 Raffle prizes from local businesses
🤝 Meet local professionals and community members


🎟️ This is a FREE event! While not required, RSVPs are appreciated so we can plan accordingly.

👉 RSVP Here: https://buytickets.at/franklinkitchencenter/2274413

📍 Franklin Kitchen Center
🗓️ Saturday
⏰ 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Bring a friend, family member, or neighbor—we can't wait to see you!

Fairmount Fruit Farm: Touch a Truck event Saturday, Aug 8

August 8, 10 AM - 5 PM is our Touch a Truck event! Lots of trucks and tractors for you to climb and take pictures with. We will also have two calves visiting from Oake Knoll Farm and alpacas from Angel Hair Alpaca Farm(MA)! 

$5 per person for entry, kids under 2 free. 

This includes…

🛻Time with the tractors and trucks 

🚜A hayride around the orchard

🛝Access to our orchard playground 

11am-3pm

🍦 Food trucks & Ice cream 

☕️ Coffee & lemonade 

🧵 Pop-up vendors 

🎶 Live Music 

12pm-3pm

🍻 Rushford & Sons Brewhouse (21+)

Our farmstore is full of fresh produce and local goods. We will also have our mining sluice running and our goats and sheep out for you to feed.

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19bEM124QP/

BankNewport Appoints Christina Hacsunda as Vice President, BSA Manager

BankNewport is pleased to announce that Christina Hacsunda has joined the Bank as vice president, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) manager.

In this role, Hacsunda is responsible for overseeing compliance with the federally-mandated Bank Secrecy Act, Anti-Money Laundering and Office of Foreign Assets Control program, as well as related regulatory requirements.

Prior to joining BankNewport, Hacsunda served as vice president, Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) officer at The Village Bank in Newton, Massachusetts.

Christina studied paralegal studies at Massachusetts Bay Community College and holds a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) certification through the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS).  

She resides in Franklin, Massachusetts.

About BankNewport:

Founded in 1819 and headquartered in Newport, BankNewport offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Rhode Island. BankNewport is one of the oldest banks in the United States and, as a mutual organization, is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees, and the community for 206 years. BankNewport has nineteen branch locations, a community lending center in Central Falls, and a commercial lending office in Providence.

BankNewport is committed to supporting nonprofits with areas of impact focused on basic human needs, arts & culture, education success, and healthy lives, thriving communities.  BankNewport has awarded over $12 million in grants, sponsorships, and donations over the past ten years to a wide range of nonprofits to help strengthen and enrich lives and communities throughout Rhode Island. Financial education and community service performed by employees totals 10,000 hours annually. For more information, please visit www.BankNewport.com.

Have you lost money to a scam? Watch for scammers who say they can help

By Federal Trade Commission: BCP Staff


They’re the worst of the absolute worst: scams that target people who have already lost money to a scam. If you or someone you know paid a scammer, here’s what to know to avoid scammers who pretend to be helpers.

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/08/have-you-lost-money-scam-watch-scammers-who-say-they-can-help?utm_source=govdelivery

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio introduced a brand new schedule early in 2025 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 Wednesday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM   Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock 

Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 2 PM)  

• This hour features the 300 Fisher St Discussion at the July 22, 2026 Town Council meeting   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/07/the-300-fisher-st-segment-of-town.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone  All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points.    (repeats Saturday at 1 PM)  

• This segment features Episode 321 - Crushin’ It in Boston: Redefining Wine Culture with Gabrielle Malina (audio)
    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/08/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode.html
   

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 Wednesday, August 5, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

 

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

7:30 am     Arts Advocacy: How-Tos

8:30 am Franklin Art Association: Charlie Guay

10:00 am Metrowest FanZone: Electric Youth

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Fish

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Waffles

12:30 pm Learn to Cook with Linda: Brunch Bake

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

2:00 pm New England Candlepins Summer 2023 Show 7

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 10

3:30 pm ArtWeek: Theater in the Open

4:00 pm Aging Agenda: Brian Maxfield

5:00 pm Vera Meyer: Glass Armonica

6:00 pm Franklin 4th: Garden of Hedon

8:30 pm Circle of Friends: Tracy Grammer

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

8:30 am FHS Spring Pops 2026

10:00 am SAFE Coalition: Overdose Awareness Vigil 08-31-25

11:00 am FHS Concert Hour 02-26-26

3:30 pm U. S. Army: Jazz Ambassadors 04-01-19

5:15 pm All-Town Band Showcase 2026

7:00 pm FHS Varsity Baseball v Catholic Memorial 04-21-26

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

8:00 am  Town Council 07-22-26

1:00 pm  Town Council 07-22-26

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, August 4, 2026 ???

Tuesday, August 4

Franklin Lions Clothing Drive active through Aug 22   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/07/the-franklin-lions-conducting-clothing.htmlcloth

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

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

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 ***

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, August 4 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08042026-2434 

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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

Jason Poulos Meet & Greet scheduled for Thursday, Aug 6 at Franklin TV

The Community is invited to come meet Jason Poulos, Democratic Primary challenger for election to the US Congress representing the Fourth Congressional District. 

Listen, ask questions, and see if you don’t agree that Jason is the person we need to Work for us, not for corporate billionaires!

 

Event hosted by the Committee to Protect Our Democracy (CPOD) and will be held at the 

Frankin TV & Radio Studio

23 Hutchinson St, Franklin, MA

Thursday, August 6th from 6 PM to 7 PM

RSVP requested: actionnetwork.org/events/franklin-meet-greet/

The Committee to Protect Our Democracy, an Indivisible affiliate, has publicly and officially endorsed Jason Poulos’ campaign to represent the people of the Fourth Congressional District.