The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization made up of more than 350 business owners, residents, and community leaders working to revitalize downtown Franklin. Residents can join the Downtown Partnership for only $25. The Partnership manages events like the Strawberry Stroll and the Harvest Festival, and initiatives such as beautification, streetscape design, green space, alley murals, and sculpture projects. For more information go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org.
The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization made up of more than 350 business owners, residents, and community leaders working to revitalize downtown Franklin. Residents can join the Downtown Partnership for only $25. The Partnership manages events like the Strawberry Stroll and the Harvest Festival, and initiatives such as beautification, streetscape design, green space, alley murals, and sculpture projects. For more information go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org.
The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization made up of more than 350 business owners, residents, and community leaders working to revitalize downtown Franklin. Residents can join the Downtown Partnership for only $25. The Partnership manages events like the Strawberry Stroll and the Harvest Festival, and initiatives such as beautification, streetscape design, green space, alley murals, and sculpture projects. For more information go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org.
FM #1811 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1811 in the series.
This episode shares the Franklin Commission on Disability Meeting held on Sep 3, 2026 at the Franklin Senior Center. The meeting was interrupted by a fire alarm at the Senior Center. The group managed to practice a safe exit and added planning for disability accommodations (as needed) for Town facilities and public events to their list of topics.
Quick recap:
Discussion on a backup clerk for this session, initially John, then Julie took notes.
Update on the accessibility working down at the Town level, becoming more formal, coordinating multiple departments as needed, likely meeting quarterly to work on a long range (10-year) plan. Potential covering areas like infrastructure and digital access
Disability commissions to gather for a roundtable discussion Oct 14, John and Randy volunteered to participate for this session
Issue raised with no audio signal for the Shaw’s traffic crossing; also with a homeowner on Mill St that needs handicap ramp put in
Minutes moved to approve for prior meeting, seconded
Interrupted by fire alarm, all clear received approx 20 minutes later
Discussion on planning for the Harvest Festival
Discussion on having or changing the October meeting date as it currently conflicts with the Senior Expo on October 2
Ultimately resolved to cancel the October session
Continued discussion on planning for the Senior Expo
ASL interpreter being set up for the Expo, vote to authorize the expense (approx $500)
Reminder for commission members to wear their t-shirts for the Festival and Expo
Motion to move a couple of agenda items out to the November session (advocacy letter to SNETT, and social media guidelines), seconded
Motion to adjourn, seconded
The meeting recording runs about 43 minutes (shorter due to the fire alarm interruption).
Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1811-commission-on-disability-mtg-09-03-26/--------------
The meeting agenda - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09032026-2474
Commission on Disability page - https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/496/Franklin-Commission-on-Disability
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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"
Platinum – Dean Bank; G&C Plumbing & Heating, Local Town PagesGold – Dean College; Glen Meadow Apartments; Middlesex Savings Bank; Sunrise Montessori SchoolSilver – Doherty, Dugan, Cannon, Raymond & Weil, P.C.; Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication, Inc.; Hockomock YMCA; Notturno Home Services; Rockland Trust Bank; The Enclave of FranklinBronze – ABI New England; Camford Property Group; Connell Roofing; DCU; DG Ranieri; Fenton Financial Group; Franklin Kitchen Center; Keefe Insurance; LeafFilter; MyFM; Simon’s Furniture
"Thank you to everyone who has registered for a booth. At this time we are at capacity for the Harvest Festival.
To be added to the waitlist, login to the member portal of our website and fill out the waitlist form.
See you there!!!"
shared from - https://www.facebook.com/
FM #1793 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1793 in the series.
This episode shares the Franklin Commission on Disability Meeting held on August 6, 2026 at the Franklin Senior Center. 8 of the 9 members were present, (M Furilla absent).
Quick recap:
Discussion brainstorming ideas for potential use of their annual budget along with the use of the fees accumulated from parking fines paid by those violating accessibility spaces.
Approved use of funds ($100) to obtain membership in Downtown Partnership to gain booth space for the Harvest Festival
Discussion on purchase of Disability Pride Flag, would also need to adjust the current flag bylaw (https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/1107/2024-Town-Council-Flag-Policy-PDF?bidId=)
Discussion on participation for the Harvest Festival
Discussion on participation for the Senior Expo (Oct 2)
Discussion on potential for creating a virtual option for meeting participation. Via Zoom and use of an Owl camera. Decision potentially to be made at the October regular meeting for implementation TBD there after
The meeting recording runs just over 1 hour
Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1793-franklin-commission-on-disability-mtg-08-06-26/
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The meeting agenda - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08062026-2427
Commission on Disability page - https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/496/Franklin-Commission-on-Disability
--------------
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!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
FM #1762 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1762 in the series.
The Economic Development Subcommittee met on Thursday, June 4, 2026 as scheduled. Committee Vice-Chair Morrongiello, Griffith & Malloy were present for this session, Chair LeBlanc was away.
Quick recap:
Cory Shea to talk about the events,
Restaurant Week underway, good social interactions, PorchFest on Saturday June 6, about 50 performers and 30+porches; after the music you can also visit a restaurant as the week ends on Saturday.
Tricky trying to put the pieces together from a regional aspect for an international event, lots of connections made, lessons learned
Main St will be closed between St Mary's and the Franklin Federated Church. The jumbotron will be at Hayward Manor; Live performances scheduled; Info on schedule details, parking etc will be posted on June 22
After the watch parties, Pride on June 27, then into the 4th of July Celebration… Farmers Market and Concerts on the Common during the summer, then Harvest Festival in Sept and wreath of Franklin date TBD Nov, Dec
MetroWest guide for the watch parties coming out , Town has an ad placed in it as it will be spreading quite a bit.
Discussion on goals vs work plan, should it be 2 or one.
Why is there a distinction?
Solid waste master plan required for the town dump, consent order from DEP so it is already being worked
The meeting runs about 71 minutes.
Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1762-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-06-04-26/—-----------
The agenda here -
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06042026-2343
My full set of notes taken during the meeting -
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WMctKdP3zMR8fJSIsIDFplpBCbQdfBhd/view?usp=drive_link
--------------
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 www.franklin.news/ or www.Franklinmatters.org/
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"