GATRA Fixed Route and ADA Complementary Paratransit Services will continue to be Fare Free through June 30, 2027

FARE FREE SERVICE

GATRA Fixed Route and ADA Complementary Paratransit Services will continue to be Fare Free through June 30, 2027.*

Fare Free Transit Service is made possible through funding awarded in the governor's FY27 budget.

More information and answers to frequently asked questions can be found on GATRA's website. www.GATRA.org

*This date may be extended due to future funding availability. Changes to the planned date will be posted on Fixed Route buses and on GATRA's website.

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BzL17uA3w/

Tip of the hat to Ali Rheaume

Note: Franklin does not have a GATRA Fixed Route service. It used to. Maybe someday it will comeback.

Audio recording of the Franklin Commission on Disability Mtg Nov 6, 2025 (audio)

FM #1578 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1578 the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Commission on Disability Meeting held on Thursday, November 6, 2025. The meeting was held at the Senior Center. The meeting opened with a welcome by Chair Ali Rheaume.  

Quick Recap:

• Motion to approve previous meeting minutes, made, passed unanimously

• Discussion on local reports of access issues, process around them, property owner vs. business owner. Gus Brown, Building Commissioner, also the ADA compliance officer, complaints can be filed directly with him, or with the State. Pre-existing conditions is a challenge

• 

  Franklin Commission on Disability

  Rich list of resources across multiple categories being developed, will eventually be public with a public input for future updates option

• Another resource in development is a listing of locations, with accessibility information as to where they are accessible or issues where they are not; Update via online or paper form (public, and commission members)

• Discussion on next meeting, decoration of tree for Winter Wonderland, likely to hold a separate meeting just to discuss the decoration concept, then use time at the Dec session to do the decorations

• Motion to adjourn, made, second and approved

The meeting runs just over 1 hour. Let’s listen to the Commission on Disability meeting held November 6, 2025.

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1578-franklin-ma-commission-on-disability-mtg-11-06-25/

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The Commission on Disability agenda can be found ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11062025-1985 

My notes captured in one PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wfj1PNsBG-jRh1EodMpE6oEMW6DKh4F4/view?usp=drive_link 

State info on ADA access requirements can be found 

https://www.mass.gov/lists/521-cmr-2006-edition

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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"

Talking accessibility enhancements with Ali Rheaume - 07/25/24 (audio)

FM #1253 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1253 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Franklin resident, artist, and disability advocate Ali Rheaume. We had our conversation via the Zoom conference bridge on Thursday, July 25, 2023. 

Our conversation covers the accessibility enhancements 

• to the MBTA Franklin/Dean Station

• other Franklin Projects (parks, trails, etc.)

• American Disability Act signing anniversary, July 26

We also talk about the Rise Up group meeting monthly on the 3rd Saturday for those navigating life with disability. The group is also open to advocates and community members.

The recording runs about 30 minutes so let’s listen to my conversation with Ali Rheaume. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1253-ali-rheaume-disability-enhancements-07-25-24/

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MBTA press release on Franklin/Dean raised platform

https://www.mass.gov/news/mbta-wins-67-million-federal-grant-to-improve-green-line-accessibility-for-people-with-disabilities 

Rise Up group page -> https://alirheaume.com/rise-up 

--------------

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

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!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Ali awaiting a train at the MBTA Franklin/Dean Station

The fenced area pending the new high rise platform at Franklin/Dean Station

Mass Cultural Council launches d/Deaf & Disability Equity Plan

Mass Cultural Council’s first-ever d/Deaf & Disability Equity Plan (FY25-28) went into effect on July 1. This marks the culmination of an inclusive planning process leading us to this key moment in the Agency’s work.

Endorsed by a vote of our governing Council, the d/Deaf and Disability Equity Plan joins a suite of plans developed by the Agency and its stakeholders to center equity as a guiding principle and a strategic practice; directing Agency advancement and investment.

Rooted not only in compliance, the plan incorporates the experiences, responses, and perspectives of people with disabilities. It has been developed in response to the recommendations of people with disabilities at every juncture. People with disabilities were leaders in the research and development of surveys, evaluations, audits, and site visits. People with disabilities were on both sides of the data gathering process.

Shared from -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/planning-for-access-announcing-our-d-deaf-disability-equity-plan/

Direct link to the actual plan (Word doc) -> 

https://massculturalcouncil.org/documents/dDeaf_Disability_Equity_Plan.docx

Part of the plan includes a guidebook for organizations to use in planning their event for accessibility (from the National Endowment for the Arts) ->   https://www.arts.gov/about/publications/design-accessibility-cultural-administrators-handbook

Elson Fortes paints in his studio at Humphreys Street Studio during Dorchester Open Studios. Photo: Annielly Camargo.

Social Security Matters: Celebrate the ADA and Ticket to Work During Disability Pride Month

July is Disability Pride Month, a month-long celebration to commemorate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The landmark legislation was signed into law on July 26, 1990. It guarantees that people with disabilities can enjoy the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

The law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in schools, workplaces, transportation, and other spaces and places open to the public.

Our Ticket to Work program relates to the employment piece of the ADA. It celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. President Bill Clinton signed the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 that created the program. The goal is to help more people with disabilities go to work, reach financial independence, and reduce or eliminate their need for benefits.

Continue reading the article at the Social Security Matters blog -> 

https://blog.ssa.gov/celebrate-the-ada-and-ticket-to-work-during-disability-pride-month/?

Social Security Matters: Celebrate the ADA and Ticket to Work During Disability Pride Month

 

SSA: The ADA Benefits All People, Not Just “Americans with Disabilities”

"July 26, 2023, marks the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

This landmark civil rights law protects millions of people with disabilities across the country.

The Access Board is celebrating accessible design features encountered in everyday life that benefit everyone, not just those with disabilities. Read on to learn more!"

Continue reading how the Americans with Disabilities Act benefits all of us

https://blog.ssa.gov/the-ada-benefits-all-people-not-just-americans-with-disabilities/ 

SSA: The ADA Benefits All People, Not Just “Americans with Disabilities”

Watch or listen to the Open Space & Recreation Plan - Public Hearing #1 - 02/21/23 (audio & video)

The Open Space Recreation Plan Public Hearing #1 Agenda was updated on Tuesday to more clearly outline the discussion for the session Feb 21, 2023.

There was public participation in person at the Council Chambers and online in the Zoom session.

Quick recap:

• Member of a mountain biking group looking to help in ways they can
• Bleachers have wide spaces at the top that could allow a small child to slip through
• Suggestion on signage to remind folks (i.e. drivers) to share the road with bikers
• Discussion on kayak access for the Charles, there is access at Beaver Pond, may also eventually be at DelCarte, also evaluation of a kiosk to help with rental of kayaks
• Comment on citizen awareness of open space, AgCom (Agriculture Commission) also working on that awareness,; the amount of salt in the water supply is increasing, we need to look at that...
• from Mark (last name?), thanks for whomever did successfully make the open space purchases
• A question to be addressed is how to balance maintaining the forest area at Maple Hill and yet provide access to the trail network there in a minimalist manner
• ADA self assessment being planned for all Town and School facilities
• Rec Dept had reached out to scouting groups pre-COVID to see if some trail maintenance could be organized, would like to bring that back to the forefront!
• Remember to respond to the survey, approx. 250+ so far
• Next public hearing scheduled for Apr 25 will review objectives for the plan draft

The presentation copy shared during the meeting ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/osrp_public_hearing_1_-_presentation_pdf.pdf

The video of the public hearing can be found ->  https://youtu.be/nTt6r_Ix0yM

The audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-948-osrp-public-hearing-1-02-21-23

My notes captured via Twitter and found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14Z-VKfzLXdjXSeYp5OQUJhhv6eQZtMhR/view?usp=share_link

Watch or listen to the Open Space & Recreation Plan - Public Hearing #1 - 02/21/23 (audio & video)

Town of Franklin - School Recreation Facilities and Parks (ADA Compliance Included) - 2023 OSRP Update

Happy Tuesday All,

It's that time again - another OSRP focus group meeting! 

As a recap, the FCC held a meeting about "Municipal Recreation Facilities and Parks (ADA Compliance Included)" on January 26. In case you missed it, the recording of this meeting can be found here. Have ideas and suggestions for the Town about municipal recreation facilities and parks? All feedback, comments, and suggestions can be submitted through this Google Form at any point throughout the OSRP process; so it's definitely encouraged to utilize this platform to communicate your thoughts. Responses are routinely checked and we have been connecting with many residents about their feedback. We'd love to connect with you, too!

February 9 Focus Group 

The next OSRP focus group meeting (Topic: School Recreation Facilities and Parks (ADA Compliance Included) is this upcoming Thursday, February 9 from 6-7pm in Council Chambers at Town Hall. Can't attend this Thursday? Not a problem! A separate OSRP Office Hour meeting is available this Friday, February 10 from 10-11a in Room 326A at Town Hall. You are encouraged to attend either (or both!) meetings, ask questions, and provide feedback on your thoughts and ideas about School Recreation Facilities and Parks (ADA Compliance Included). Don't forget to sign the Communitree poster when participating at Town Hall, too! We'd love to fill every leaf on this tree with the name of your group or organization.

A recording of the meetings will be posted next week for additional viewing on the OSRP webpage. In an effort to promote engagement, all focus group meetings can be accessed remotely on Franklin TV and via Zoom. Please visit the Conservation webpage for the focus group meeting agendas and updated Zoom login information.

Community Survey

Be on the lookout for the OSRP survey postcard (example shown below) available next Monday, February 13 on all digital platforms, at various locations around Town, and in your email inbox. The survey will be available for two months or until mid-April. Once the survey is launched, please feel free to share with your organization and surrounding community. Participation in this survey will help Town staff create the vision for the OSRP that is reflective of resident priorities. In other words, "help us, help you" create the Franklin you want to see.

Public Hearing 1

Our first OSRP public hearing is scheduled for February 21, 2023 from 6-8 pm at the Franklin Senior Center, Multi-Purpose Room. Attendees will learn more about the OSRP and review progress from the previous 2016 OSRP. We've accomplished a lot together and are excited to celebrate the progress with you. 

Other Ways to Get Involved

Don't have time to attend a focus group or office hour meeting? Not a problem! You and your organization are encouraged to still provide feedback regarding the 2023 OSRP update at any time throughout the OSRP process. Here's how...

• Visit the OSRP webpage to stay current
• Sign up for Conservation news alerts to stay current
• Add the 2023 OSRP Update Calendar to your digital calendar to stay current on events
• Provide ideas and feedback for the 2023 OSRP by Google Form or email
• Schedule a 2023 OSRP presentation for your group or organization
• Share this email with other groups such as sibling Scout Troops, Recreation clubs, your mountain bike club, etc!

Additionally, all public engagement opportunities can be found on the OSRP webpage here and are available in person, via Zoom, and on Franklin TV. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved, so please don't hesitate to connect!

The next focus group meeting is on Schmidt's Farm on February 23. We know this is a big ticket item for the community so start brainstorming ideas now. In the meantime, feel free to utilize this OSRP map to become familiar with Schmidt's Farm digitally.