Franklin Matters: 2026-03-22

Sunday, March 22, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, March 22, 2026 ???

Sunday, March 22

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm Into the Woods (THE BLACK BOX)

2:00pm Circus Show to benefit Circus Up (Eastern Acrobatics and Circus, Natick)

*** 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

Michael Walker-Jones highlighted in "What's Happening in the District" newsletter from Rep Jeff Roy

State Rep Jeff Roy was honored to nominate Franklin’s Michael Walker-Jones for a 2026 Black Excellence Award. Michael, along with 100 nominees from across Massachusetts, was celebrated at the State House by the Black & Latino Legislative Caucus.

An educator, advocate, and community leader, Michael has built a life defined by public service and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of education. Beyond the classroom, he has been a tireless champion for systemic change. His decades of leadership include active membership in the NAACP dating back to the 1960s and service as Executive Director of the Louisiana Association of Educators. Here at home, he chaired the Franklin Democratic Town Committee for ten years and continues to elevate civic dialogue as co-host of the Towards a More Perfect Union podcast.

(L-R) Michael Walker-Jones, Rep Jeff Roy

A devoted family man who raised four accomplished children, Michael embodies the principle that strong communities are built through connection, engagement, and service. Whether through broadcasting, advocacy, or one-on-one conversation, he remains an accessible and trusted voice working toward a more informed and equitable society.

The “Black Excellence on the Hill” is an annual event hosted by the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus to recognize “community leaders and trailblazers who are moving the needle forward in cities and towns across the Commonwealth.” The “Latino Excellence Awards” are celebrated in the fall.

Congratulations to Michael and all the other awardees.

Continue reading other updates from Rep Roy's newsletter -

https://mailchi.mp/8794830c17ab/march-2021-newsletter-10615259

Board of Health starting discussion/process to ban sale of "mind altering" products (audio)

FM #1693 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1693 the series.

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The meeting agenda was held in the 3rd floor training room as well as via Google Meet. All 3 board members were present with the full compliment of Health Dept staff.

Quick Recap:

Chair Kim Mu-Chow opens the meeting

Reads protocol statement re: Google meet
Confirms participation via roll call

No citizen comments
Discuss prohibiting the sale of mind altering products

Concerns expressed, unregulated products in most cases
Are being sold in Franklin
Draft regulation based upon Northampton part of April agenda for review/comment
Public hearing scheduled for May session
Vote targeted for June session (depending upon how the preceding meetings/conversations go)

Motion to adjourn, second, passes 3-0

The meeting runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting March 18, 2026.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1693-franklin-ma-board-of-health-mtg-03-18-26/

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Agenda doc ->

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03182026-2191

Northampton, MA regulations on "mind altering" products - https://northamptonma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/1942

FDA & Kratom - https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-and-kratom

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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"

Franklin's F.X. O'Regan Early Childhood Education Center Celebrates Read Across America Week

F.X. O’Regan Early Childhood Education Center is pleased to share that students recently celebrated Read Across America Week with a visit from guest readers.

On March 6, special guests from across Franklin Public Schools and the community visited the Pond Street and Oak Street Early Childhood Education Center locations to continue the annual tradition of reading to Franklin’s youngest learners during Read Across America Week. This yearly event is a memorable experience for students that fosters a love of reading through shared stories across the Franklin community.

Students gathered on classroom rugs as educators, administrators and community members read their favorite children’s books. Students met different members of the Franklin Public Schools community and connected over stories. Read alongs and conversations about favorite books reinforced the importance of early literacy in an engaging and exciting way.

The list of guest readers included the following school and community role models:

Craig Williams, Franklin Middle School (FMS) Principal
Paula Marano, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services
Evan Chelman, Washington St. 3-5 Elementary School Principal
Matt LaFleur, Franklin Fire Department Firefighter/Paramedic
Beckie Motte, FMS Associate Principal
Keri Busavage, Lincoln St. K-2 Elementary Principal
Eric Stark, PreK-12 STEM Coordinator
Tina Rogers, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning
Lizzie Morrison, PreK-12 Humanities Coordinator
Lucas Giguere, Franklin Public Schools Superintendent
Becky Lavergne, Administrative Assistant
Caleigh Keating, Franklin Public Library
Officer Amanda Ayer, Franklin Police Department

Read Across America Week, held March 2 through 6 this year, is an annual nationwide celebration organized by the National Education Association that celebrates literacy and encourages children to develop a lifelong love of reading.

Franklin community members, including a four-legged friend,
shared their love of reading with the EarlyChildhood
Education Center. (Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

“Read Across America Week offers a special opportunity for the Franklin Public Schools community to come together and connect over a love of books,” said Superintendent Lucas Giguere. “Thank you to all of the guest readers who visited the Early Childhood Education Center. This tradition is a fun day for both the students and adults who participate, and it is always wonderful to see the excitement it brings to our schools.”

Shared from - https://www.franklinps.net/live-feed#11766457

Franklin TV: Trigger Day

Return of the Re-Diet

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 03/22/2026

Spring happened – oh-fishlyon Friday 3/10 at 10:46 AM EDT. The start of Spring is a useful trigger day – a day that tells you to change the HVAC filters. Same in fall. It’s also a good time to check oil, change batteries in some devices, etc.

The first day of Spring is also a good trigger to honestly assess where my weight is. How much of that past lost weight has found its way back to me. Pernicious. It’s well timed, given the end of Winter and ‘The Eating Season’ – with all those holidays and gatherings through those chilly months.

Welp – that honest assessment is in. ( Ugh!) Time once again to buckle down on weight loss. (Sigh!) That said, the means and methods of engagement for successful dieting that I’ve cobbled over time are simple. I take it one step at a time.

And so it begins…

On Friday I launched my tried and true ‘on ramp’ – make it through Just One Day.

I start my slow weight loss march in March by dieting for just that first Spring day. This is about restarting some good (yet recently neglected) dietary habits.

My Re-Diet effort is now in play. Time to get serious – for Just – One – Day.

With Friday in the rear view – as I write this on Saturday I will not go food-crazy. It’s about combining reasonable pacing between those dedicated diet Days.

I must now atone for my small (but many) gustatorial excesses. Therein lies another key concept. What we eat on any given day may appear reasonable enough, but a paltry 100 – or even 50 – additional calories over many days – more days than not – is how that weight gain gradually yet inexorably creeps in.

So, beyond Saturday, there will be other Just – One – Day; events – diet Days that will gradually yet inexorably get me to back to my goal weight. Patience is key.

And – as always –

Thank you for watching.
Thanks for listening to wfpr●fm,
and staying informed at Franklin●news.

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

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) guide -> http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

April 2026 Franklin Library News & Events (part 1 of 3)

Library Hours

The library’s hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday, 9am to 5pm. The Library will be closed Monday, April 20 for Patriots’ Day.

Library Survey

We want to hear from you! Franklin Public Library is looking ahead and planning for the future, and your input will help shape how the library looks, feels, and serves the community in the years to come. This 5 question survey helps us understand what’s working well, what could be improved, and what matters most to you. Thank you for your input!

2026 Reading Challenge

April: A Short Story or Essay Collection

Looking for a way to expand your reading habits this year? Join the Massachusetts Center for the Book 2026 Reading Challenge for adults and the library will reward your reading with a coupon for a free book from our book sale! Check out the details on our Reading Challenges page.

VITA: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Saturdays, 10am - 4pm; Last day April 11

It's tax season and volunteers at Franklin Public Library are here to help! If you made $67k or less as a household in 2025, have a disability, or limited English, our volunteers are prepared to work with you to file your federal and state taxes for free. Be sure to bring all of your tax documents (such as W-2, 1099s, 1099HC, etc.), valid government issued photo ID, and social security cards (photocopies and previous returns accepted). Learn more about the VITA program and what documents you need at www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-tax-volunteers or email site coordinator Mitzi Gousie at mgousie@minlib.net.

ESOL Tutoring Program

The library is looking for more volunteer tutors for our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. If you want to make a difference right in your own community, this is a great opportunity! To volunteer please be at least 18 years old, have a High School diploma, & speak English clearly. No prior teaching experience needed and volunteers and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, please fill out the volunteer form.

Homebound Delivery Program

Can’t make it to the library? Let us bring the library to your door! Franklin Public Library is excited to begin offering Home Delivery Service for Franklin residents who are unable to visit the library due to aging-related limitations, illness, disability, or temporary mobility limitations. Items will be delivered to and picked up from a homebound patron’s home by staff members approximately every three weeks. For eligibility requirements, registration, and more information, please visit the library website.

Museum Passes

Now is a great time to reserve passes to the area’s most popular museums, aquariums, and more! Passes are available to be reserved up to thirty days in advance.

Franklin Library Book Sale

Friday, April 17: 1 - 5pm
Saturday, April 18: 9am - 12pm

All books are just one dollar!

Bag Sale - $5 Per Bag
Saturday, April 18: 1 - 4pm

Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!

Shared from - https://www.franklinma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/109

Look for leaky trouble

Take five minutes to track down leaks around your home.

Look for drips and puddles under sinks and tub spouts indoors and hose bibbs outdoors—all indicate a leak that might just need tightening at the pipe joint.

#FixALeak #fixaleakweek2026

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GBX5DvAFq/

For additional leak fixes - https://www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week