Massachusetts Says "No Kings" in Protests Across State March 28 (2 locations in Franklin)

Massachusetts Says "No Kings" in Protests Across State March 28

People in 130 Massachusetts cities and towns will rally against Trump administration abuses

On Saturday, March 28, Massachusetts residents will mobilize in Boston and more than 120 other cities and towns across the Commonwealth, joining millions around the nation and abroad in rallies against the Trump administration's authoritarian takeover of the United States. The events will be part of the nation's third and largest "No Kings Day," demonstrating an unequivocal belief by "we the people" that in a democracy, there is no king. 

The No Kings Boston rally is set for 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM on Saturday, March 28. It is organized by a coalition of Indivisible Mass Coalition, ACLU of Massachusetts, and Mass 50501.

In Franklin:

• 10:00 AM - Franklin Town Common
• 11:30 AM - i495/RT 140 Bridge Overpass

Massachusetts Says "No Kings" in Protests Across State March 28 (2 locations in Franklin)

Dozens of other local Indivisible groups and allies – from Pittsfield, Northampton, Lancaster, and Worcester to Framingham, Methuen, Lexington, and towns in southeastern Mass and the Cape – have also scheduled No Kings events during the morning and early afternoon of March 28. 

The nonviolent protests will range from major gatherings in town and city centers to standouts on highway overpasses.

Information on the growing list of No Kings events throughout the Commonwealth can be found on the map HERE and in list form HERE.

***

Why the NoKings Protests? History has shown that mass mobilization is vital to block authoritarianism from taking hold. The Trump administration is trying to shred the Constitution; the No Kings movement is an unequivocal statement that we, the people, will not let that happen. This will be the third global No Kings Day, and it's not just about protesting what's wrong—it's about building something better. We intend to show our power, build our power, and power a democracy that advances freedom, equality, justice, and dignity for all.

 All No Kings events adhere to a shared commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety. Organizers are trained in de-escalation and are working closely with local partners to ensure peaceful and powerful actions nationwide.      

Indivisible Mass Coalition (IMC) consists of more than 120 Indivisible groups and their allies across Massachusetts, working to improve democracy and support policies and legislation that improve equity and justice for everyone and that eliminate institutional racism. IMC helps to build, support, and amplify the network of Indivisible groups throughout Massachusetts and is committed to ensuring that people are informed, organized, motivated and have the necessary tools to engage in our democracy. IMC coordinates with Indivisible National to work on our shared goals for democracy in our country.

Doug & Jake provide updates on the sewer & water projects underway (audio)

FM #1557 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 1557 in the series

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Doug Martin, Franklin’s Water and Sewer Superintendent and Jake Standly, the Assistant Water/Sewer Superintendent. 

We had our conversation in the Franklin Public Radio studios on Hutchinson St on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Our conversation covered updates on Water & Sewer projects previously discussed in each their own three-part series. 

The show notes include links to the Franklin water & sewer division page 

Let’s listen to this part of my conversation with Doug and Jake and learn about the updates to Franklin’s sewer and water projects. 

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1557-dpw-water-sewer-project-updates-10-21-25/

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

monitor your water usage

Water Sewer Division - https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division

The main page contains links to the both of the 3-part series on water and sewer.

Beaver Street interceptor project -> https://www.franklinma.gov/557/Beaver-Street-Interceptor-BSI-Project

Charles River Pollution Control (sewerage processor) https://www.franklinma.gov/charles-river-pollution-control   and https://www.charlesriverpcd.org/ 

Leak or Blockage diagram of lines of responsibility between Town and property owners for water and sewer service  https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/have-leak-or-blockage

Water service line inventory page (looking for lead pipes and connections) -> https://www.franklinma.gov/637/Water-Service-Line-Inventory 

Water Smart program ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/1221/WaterSmart

Consumer Confidence Reports (on water quality)  ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/consumer-confidence-reports

The Energy and Environmental Affairs Drinking Water Data Portal.

https://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/portal#!/search/drinking-water/results?PWSId=2101000

We did forget to cover the wholesale water program. It was suspended once the drought alerts from the State were issued. When not in drought, it does generate some additional revenue (more per gallon than residents pay)  https://www.franklinma.gov/1109/Wholesale-Water 

-----------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 

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"

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project Construction Updates ~ Sunday Night (10/5) through Thursday Morning (10/9)

RT. 140 (West Central Street) Lane Closure Alert 7 PM to 5 AM:

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI)
Project Construction Updates

Sunday night, October 5, the Contractor will continue with the installation of the sewer force main within RT. 140 (West Central Street). The work will be contained within the southbound lane from Burger King to Beaver Street. In addition, the Contractor will be conducting pipe fusing operations on Old West Central from Tri-County to Franklin Crossing.

During this time there will be evening lane closures on RT. 140 from 7pm to 5am. Please use caution when traveling in this area and follow all posted signs. Note that this work is expected to continue from Sunday night through Thursday morning for the next 6 to 8 weeks. 

In addition, on either Tuesday (10/7) or Wednesday (10/8) night it is anticipated that access to the Taco Bell will be blocked starting at 8pm to allow for the laydown of pipe across their driveway. 

Beaver Street Pump Station:

On Tuesday 10/7, Eversource Gas will be digging across Beaver Street into the Pump Station Site. There will be a lane closure during this time. Please use caution when traveling in this area and follow all posted signs.

During the week the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue with work on the exterior building structure and internal building component installation. In addition, the contractor will start the final site work of paving and grading.

Shared from -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/557/Beaver-Street-Interceptor-BSI-Project

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project Construction Updates ~ Sunday Night (9/14) through Friday Morning (9/19)

RT. 140 (West Central Street) Night Time Work and Lane Closure Alert!

Due to MassDOT regulations, the Construction crew is being forced to work at night.  Starting Sunday, September 14th through the morning of Friday September 19th the construction crew will be working from 9 PM to 5 AM. 

During this time the Contractor will continue with the installation of the sewer force main within RT. 140 (West Central Street). The work will be contained within the southbound lane from Burger King to Beaver Street. During this time there will be daily lane closures on RT. 140 from 9 PM to 5 AM. Please use caution when traveling in this area and follow all posted signs.  

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI)
Project Construction Updates

Beaver Street Pump Station:

At the Franklin Recreation Center, the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue with construction of the exterior building structure and internal building component installation.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/557/Beaver-Street-Interceptor-BSI-Project

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project: Construction Updates ~ Monday (9/8) through Friday (9/12)

RT. 140 (West Central Street) Lane Closure Alert!

Monday, September 8th, the Contractor will continue with the installation of the sewer force main within RT. 140 (West Central Street). The work will be contained within the southbound lane from Burger King to Beaver Street. During this time there will be daily lane closures on RT. 140 from 7am to 4pm. Please use caution when traveling in this area and follow all posted signs.  

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project:
Construction Updates

Beaver Street Pump Station:

At the Franklin Recreation Center, the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue with construction of the exterior building structure and internal building component installation.

Keep Franklin Flowing - Beaver Street Interceptor Project

Please reference the interactive map and posted signs for details and updates.

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/557/Beaver-Street-Interceptor-BSI-Project

We appreciate the public's continued support and understanding and will continue to communicate regularly via social media, our dedicated email list, and the construction map as work progresses.

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project: Construction Updates ~ Monday (8/25) through Friday (8/29)

BEAVER STREET ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE!!

Continuing on Monday (8/25) thru Wednesday (8/27), Beaver Street will be closed at the MBTA train tracks between 7am to 4pm.  Those needing to access 242-290 Beaver Street will be able to do so using Rt. 140 only. This includes access to Franklin Glass, Panera Fresh Dough Facility and Franklin Recreation. 

Access to all other locations on Beaver Street, including the Town of Franklin Recycling Center, Beaver Street Recreation Area, and the businesses on Master Drive will be accessed from Grove St. 

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project

Starting Thursday (8/28) thru Friday (8/29) the Construction crew will be working off the road on Fisher Street. Limited to no traffic impacts are expected.

At the Franklin Recreation Center, the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue with construction of the exterior building structure and internal building component installation. 

UPCOMING LANE CLOSURE ON RT 140 (West Central Street)

Starting Tuesday, September 2nd, the Contractor will start the installation of the sewer force main within RT. 140 (West Central Street). The work will be contained within the southbound lane from Burger King to Beaver Street. During this time there will be lane closures on RT. 140. Please use caution when traveling in this area and follow all posted signs.

For additional information -> https://www.franklinma.gov/557/Beaver-Street-Interceptor-BSI-Project

Beaver St. Interceptor Project: Construction Updates ~ Monday (8/4) through Friday (8/8) -> Beaver Street will be closed at the MBTA train tracks

Monday (8/4) thru Tuesday (8/5) the contractor will be performing test pit excavations on Rt. 140 in the southbound lane from Burger King to Beaver Street.

During this time there will be a rolling lane closure. Please use caution when traveling in this area and follow all posted signs.

BEAVER STREET ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE!!

Starting Wednesday (8/6) thru Friday (8/8)  Beaver Street will be closed at the MBTA train tracks during the day between 7 AM to 4 PM.  

Those needed to access 242 to 290 Beaver Street will be able to use Rt. 140 only.  This includes access to Franklin Glass, Panera Fresh Dough Facility and Franklin Recreation. Access to all other locations on Beaver Street, including the Town of Franklin Recycling Center, Beaver Street Recreation Area, and the businesses on Master Drive will be accessed from Grove St.

 

At the Franklin Recreation Center, the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue with construction of the exterior building structure and internal building component installation.

Shared from -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/557/Beaver-Street-Interceptor-BSI-Project

Beaver St. Interceptor Project: Construction Updates ~ Monday (7/28) through Friday (8/1)

The construction crew will be working off the road on Fisher Street adjacent to the MBTA Tracks. Limited to no traffic impacts are expected.

Starting Wednesday (7/30) the contractor will be performing test pit excavations on Rt. 140 in the southbound lane from Burger King to Beaver Street. During this time there will be a rolling lane closure. Please use caution when traveling in this area and follow all posted signs.

Beaver St. Interceptor Project: Construction Updates

NO WORK on Beaver Street - On either side of the MBTA tracks Beaver Street will have steel plates to allow for traffic to pass over.  Please use caution when traveling in this area.  

At the Franklin Recreation Center, the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue with construction of the exterior building structure and internal building component installation.

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/557/Beaver-Street-Interceptor-BSI-Project

Franklin Glass is Open via RT 140 this week due to sewer construction

Please note: the week of May 19th - May 23rd, our showroom and shop will only be accessible from Route 140. ⁠

⁠

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience during construction in the area.

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DJzzXWTTy7-/

Additional info on the Beaver St construction updates ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/557/Beaver-Street-Interceptor-BSI-Project

Franklin Glass is Open via RT 140 this week due to sewer construction

Update to Beaver St. Interceptor Project for week of Feb 24 to Feb 28, 2025

Monday (2/24) through Friday (2/28): The construction crew will be conducting the jack and bore trenchless installation of the new sewer under Rte. 140. The work will be occurring off the road at 38 Pond St. and within the Franklin Village Mall area. No traffic impacts are expected.

Update for week of Feb 24 to Feb 28, 2025

At the Franklin Recreation Center, the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue with removal of formwork, damp proofing of the concrete and backfilling of the structure.

Please reference the interactive map and posted signs for details and updates.

Shared from -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/557/Beaver-Street-Interceptor-BSI-Project

This Town Council Quarterbacking session recaps the 4 hour Council meeting in about 25 minutes (audio)

FM #1229 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1229 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. The Council met on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 for the first of their 2 normal meetings for June.  Our schedules coordinated to talk on Thursday morning to recap the long 4 hour session the night before..

We look to focus on 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session:

• Electric Youth high point of session

• Verizon cable contract renewal

• Farmers Market licenses for La Cantina, Blisspoint Meadery

• Public Hearing on King St business zoning proposal

• Moved to second reading by 5-4 vote

• Final approval requires 6 Yes votes

• Friendly 40b approved by 5-4 vote

• Still needs to work through the permit process, etc.

• Zoning bylaws referral to Planning Board

• 3 measures regarding MBTA compliance

• Mixed use zoning definition

• EDC recommendation changed on parking minimums

• Still to come back to Council for discussion & vote

• TA Emergency shelter update

• No town funds spent for anything

• Schools reimbursed from State for their additional support costs

The recording runs about 26 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Tom.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1230-town-council-quarterbacking-06-06-24

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

The Franklin TV broadcast 06/05/24  ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps1PnsDuPwE 

Agenda and supporting documents -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/june_5_2024_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf 

My notes for this meeting  captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/190oyby8h5rC5ivDqN4lKAOV5PBP2UCM4/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 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"

This Town Council Quarterbacking session recaps the 4 hour Council meeting in about 25 minutes (audio)

Town Council approves 2 license transactions, listens to friendly 40b proposal & postpones vote to enable further work on proposal (video)

The Franklin Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. 8 members were present in Chambers, 1 participated remotely. The Council Chambers were over capacity with residents present for one or more of the topics for discussion on the agenda.

The Franklin TV broadcast of the 4 hour session is available for replay on YouTube ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4WPC4cB_S4

Agenda and supporting documents for this session -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/april_10_2024_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf

Quick recap:

• Approved license transaction for Table & Vine, mostly paperwork and ownership changes due to the family estate planning with no impact on the daily operations of the beer & wine license in operation at the Big Y
• Approved the all alcohol license transfer for Dacey's Market with restrictions to maintain current operation. 
• Long discussion on the proposed friendly 40b to be built in the land currently held by the Stobbart's Nursery. Multiple issues and questions were raised, many were not yet answered so in light of that the Council chose to have the administration and departments work with the developer and neighbors to work on the items in question before coming back to the Council
• As this is the second friendly 40b, and there are multiple issues raised, the process could be revised to better address some of the process issues (notification to abutters, clarification on what the Council vote really means, etc.)
• Resolution 24-17: Local Acceptance of GL Chapter 166 Section 32A was approved. Apparently this resolves a potential conflict where a part-time inspector is also prohibited from doing work in the Town. Whatever electrical work would be performed would still require inspection by another individual to avoid conflict of interest
• Another happy occasion for the Council to thank the individuals/businesses for their contribution to Resolution 24-18: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($2,250), Senior Center ($1,500), Franklin Historical Museum (~$600)
• During the Town Administrator's report, Jamie revealed he was reinstating suspended Director Robert "Brutus" Cantoreggi effective Thursday, April 11. A web page would be published with all the information involved in reaching this decision

My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1labnvYVykW4HGk01mHIQDk7d725ikuLn/view?usp=drive_link

Photo album with the slides as captured during the presentation on Wednesday

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WC1n843rA3AQwjTg7

listens to friendly 40b proposal & postpones vote to enable further work on proposal