Franklin Interact coordinating with Franklin Rec & Senior Center schedule "Voices of Franklin" event - Aug 18

FM #1791 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1791 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Syed Azhar of the Franklin Interact Club on Monday, August 3, 2026. Our conversation was conducted in the Franklin TV & Radio studios.

Franklin Interact Club

The Franklin Interact Club is a service club for teens (high school & middle school) in the Franklin area sponsored by the Franklin Rotary. You must be a Franklin resident and between the ages of 12 to 18 to be a member.

The show notes provide links to their web page, social accounts, email, etc.

Special event at the Senior Center, Tuesday, August 18

• Coordinated with Franklin Recreation and the Senior Center

• “Voices of Franklin”

• Starts at 11:00 runs to 1:30 PM

• Games, lunch, then a cross generational discussion

Let’s listen to my conversation with Syed and find out how you participate in the “Voices of Franklin” discussion August 18.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1791-franklin-interact-08-03-26/

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Interact webpage   https://sites.google.com/view/franklinmainteractclub/home 

The Interact Club GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-franklin-interact-club-make-a-difference/donate?

Application for new members https://forms.gle/qALcp6beLc9Zs6Ef7 

Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/franklin.ma.interact 

Facebook page -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580646612868 

Email for additional questions franklinmainteract@gmail.com 

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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

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Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

 

For additional information, please visit 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!

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Voices of Franklin: Open Letter to the Parents of E-biking Children in Franklin

Dear Parents of an E-biking kid,

I write this short letter today out of concern for the safety of your children. During the past few days, I have observed groups of kids riding their E-bikes together on the sidewalks of Chestnut Street. I have noticed they are moving at a relative high rate of speed, and going both with and against the direction of car traffic. 

My main concern is this: the leaders of the group seem to be older kids who are more skilled and comfortable on the bike, while the followers seem to be less experienced and less confident, but still moving fast trying to keep up! These less experienced followers are moving faster than they probably should be, and I doubt they are able to pay attention to turning cars and the bikes around them.

I have also seen a group of kid e-bikers moving pedestrians off the sidewalk to let them pass; not the way it should be, and more opportunities for accidents.

When we lived in New Jersey, I belonged to an organization called the David D. Hammar Foundation, which organized annual bike rides to raise attention and funding around bike safety for kids and adults. David Hammar was killed by a motor vehicle while riding his bike during early morning hours in September 2006. His death is a solemn reminder of how serious the consequences of sharing a road with bikes and cars can be.

Parents, please pay attention to your kids cycling skills, abilities, and learn who they are cycling with. Talk to them about good, safe and fun biking practices. And of course, make sure they are riding with helmets on! Let's keep the summer fun and free from tragedy!

Mark Minnichelli

Franklin

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voice of Franklin: Should Norfolk County be continued as a government agency?

May 21, 2026

Dear Norfolk County Residents,

It is that time of the year when local budgets in the 28 communities that make up Norfolk County get voted on.  If your town is like my town these are tough budget times.  Communities are trying to wrestle with funding budget priorities.

The 28 towns and city that make up Norfolk County are paying almost 8 million dollars to the Norfolk County Commissioners and Norfolk County Government in a yearly tax assessment sent from Norfolk County.  It is time for the communities of Norfolk County to examine whether this 8 million dollar county tax is better kept in the local towns to fund their budget priorities.

There has been wasteful costs to the taxpayers as these elected and appointed Norfolk County officials try to justify and defend their illegal and unlawful actions in a number of Massachusetts courts.  In Fiscal Year 2024 over $200,000.00 was spent by the Norfolk County Commissioners on legal fees.  Just this Fiscal Year 2026 over $159,913.00 has been spent by the Norfolk County Commissioners in legal fees through March 31, 2026 with 3 months to go in the fiscal year.  County Director John J. Cronin and the Norfolk County Commissioners have voted and received an additional $50,000.00 for legal monies with their vote on December 10, 2025 and another separate $50,000.00 for legal monies on top of this with their vote on May 6, 2026.  Is it time the 28 communities investigate wasteful spending and see what the Norfolk County Commissioners are doing and spending the taxpayers’ money on?  After all each of the 28 towns and city of Norfolk County are potentially liable for the debts and liabilities of this Norfolk County Government.

The Norfolk County Commissioners accepted in 2023 10 million dollars for selling the Quincy District Court House.  Could your community use any of this 10 (ten) million dollars?  After all it was the communities of Norfolk County that built this court house and maintained all these years this court house.  Yet the Norfolk County Government did not even ask or offer the local communities to share in this 10 million dollars.

There have been negative findings by independent auditors who have examined Norfolk County’s financial books.  On December 15, 2021 Lynch Marini & Associates Inc. Certified Public Accountants wrote “…the County funded mandate was deficient in the range of $197,000.00 to $282,000.00 for fiscal year 2020”.  Would your town allow such deficiencies? 

The independent auditor Lynch Marini & Associates Inc. Certified Public Accountants reported another audit finding on August 21, 2023 “For the current fiscal year this leaves a potential range of misstatements within the County’s financial statements between $645,000.00 and $2.3 million between respective fund balances (General Fund and Deeds Excise Fund).”  Would your town tolerate any such misstatements within your town’s financial statements?

Norfolk County did not like what the certified public accountants Lynch Marini found and reported.  However, even the new auditor brought in by the Norfolk County Commissioners, Powers and Sullivan LLC CPAs and Advisors on May 3, 2024 reported a material weakness when they wrote “These large fluctuations indicate that this is a systemic problem in how the accounts are being used and not a one-time error”.  Would your town tolerate systemic problems in town financial accounts as well as a material weakness audit finding?

It is well documented the various poor decisions the Norfolk County Commissioners and their County Director John J. Cronin have made when it comes to interfering with the Registry of Deeds and its operations. There has been unsound management by Norfolk County General Government that in this day and age should be striving to be efficient, effective and relevant.

The Norfolk County Commissioners and the County Director John J. Cronin have lost in a number of different courts in litigation involving the Registry of Deeds including a loss in the highest state court in Massachusetts, the Supreme Judicial Court.  Norfolk County Government has violated a number of Massachusetts state laws by unlawfully interfering with Registry operations and misappropriating taxpayer public monies designated by state law for Registry use.  When elected and appointed officials that run Norfolk County General Government make poor decisions, abuse their power and break the law that should be a signal to the people who live in the communities of Norfolk County to take a closer look at this layer of government.

Sincerely yours,

Bill O’Donnell
Norfolk County Register of Deeds

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: "New Arts Equipment? That’s Music to My Ears!"

Hello Franklin Community, 

As a Franklin High School student who has been active in our town's music and theater programs since middle school, I have seen the impact that budget cuts have had on these important programs throughout my time in the Franklin Public School system. But just as consistently, I have seen my classmates resiliently rise to the occasion. 

Over the years, Franklin music and theater students have been recognised across the state with awards and certificates, often while using equipment that is in desperate need of repair, or even replacement. Just imagine what they could accomplish if we joined together as a community to help them get the equipment they deserve! 

The Franklin High School Theater Company Boosters and Franklin Music Boosters have partnered together to launch a joint Capital Campaign with a goal of raising $100,000 to upgrade Franklin Middle School and Franklin High School performing arts equipment. In a community with over 30,000 residents, even a small contribution can add up and help give our students the devices they need to create memorable theater and music productions the whole town can enjoy. 

Both the Franklin Middle School (FMS) and Franklin High School (FHS) auditoriums are high-traffic locations, used for assemblies, concerts, recitals, and even rented by outside organizations for large performances. In past years, the FMS auditorium has also been the home of the Franklin Middle School Footlighters, an after-school theater club. I have seen from first hand experience that Footlighters is about more than just performing - it offers an opportunity for kids to experience the magic of theater, connect with peers, embrace creativity in an inclusive environment, and make friends and memories that will last a lifetime. 

However, without a performance space that has functioning audio, lighting, and the basic necessities to bring a show to life, the theater programs at the Middle and High Schools face an uncertain future. 

I believe in our community. Even if someone you know is not currently involved in the music or theater departments, I believe that the residents and businesses of our great town understand the importance of these organizations - and that, if supported, they become assets that benefit the overall community. 

In fact, if just 5,000 of our friends and neighbors contributed $20 to our Capital Campaign, we would meet our goal! I encourage you to learn more about the fundraising initiative, and contribute if you are able by visiting our Give Butter donation link: https://givebutter.com/FPSCaptialCampaign2026

The current and future artists, actors, and musicians of Franklin appreciate your support!

Evangeline King, 

FHS Class of 2029

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Jim Downs on "5 Days of Action for Child Abuse Prevention"

As adults, one of our most important responsibilities is to protect our children, something that feels more urgent than ever in today’s world.

In support of that responsibility, the Hockomock Area YMCA, alongside YMCAs across Massachusetts and the nation, will participate in the Five Days of Action for Child Abuse Prevention, April 13–17. This campaign raises awareness and empowers adults to take an active role in protecting children from sexual abuse, with a focus this year on Keeping Kids Safe in the Digital Space. We invite community members to visit any of our branches and pledge to act year-round.

Throughout the week, our YMCA will share resources to help adults prevent, recognize, and respond to child sexual abuse. The need is real: according to Praesidium and the CDC, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 20 boys in the United States experience sexual abuse—most often by someone they know and trust. These are not just statistics; they represent children whose lives are forever changed.

Prevention starts with awareness. Through the Know. See. Respond. framework, adults can better understand how abuse occurs, recognize warning signs, and take action. By working together, we can foster safer environments and stronger, more informed communities.

We are proud to partner with schools, municipalities, and human service organizations across our region to advance this work. In 2024, our YMCA earned Praesidium Accreditation®, becoming the first YMCA in Massachusetts to achieve this distinction, reflecting our commitment to the highest standards in child safety.

Every child deserves a safe, healthy childhood. Protecting that future is a shared responsibility—one we must all embrace.

Jim Downs

CEO, Hockomock Area YMCA

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Jim Downs on "5 Days of Action for Child Abuse Prevention"

Voices of Franklin: KP Sompally shares his resilient journey

Against All Odds: A Resilient Journey from Hyderabad, India to Boston  

What was meant to be a routine international journey turned into an extraordinary experience of endurance, uncertainty, and human connection. Traveling from Hyderabad, India to Boston, USA, I expected a fairly direct trip covering approximately 7,500 miles within 21 hours. Instead, the journey unfolded into a 20,000-mile, 38-hour odyssey across multiple countries and cultures.

Singapore Airport

The trip began in Hyderabad with high hopes and a simple itinerary. However, like many international travelers returning from vacation in recent times, I encountered unexpected disruptions that reshaped my entire travel route. Instead of a straightforward path, airlines rerouted the travel at nearly triple the one-way ticket price. My travel rerouted through Singapore, Taiwan, and Seattle before finally reaching Boston, Massachusetts.

Airports that once symbolized efficiency and connectivity are now witnessing unprecedented levels of congestion and unpredictability. Long layovers, sudden rescheduling, and extended waiting periods have become the new normal. What should have been a seamless transit became a test of patience and adaptability.

Despite the chaos, this journey offered a unique perspective on humanity. During extended layovers, I met fellow travelers from diverse backgrounds—students, families, professionals, and tourists—each carrying their own stories of delays, missed connections, and resilience. Conversations in crowded terminals turned strangers into companions, sharing not just travel updates but also encouragement and empathy.

Taipei Airport

The experience highlighted a broader reality: international travel today is no longer just about reaching a destination, but about navigating uncertainty. For travelers, especially those returning from vacations, preparation is key—staying informed, remaining flexible, and expecting the unexpected.

After 38 long hours, I finally arrived in Boston. Exhausted but grateful, the journey was a reminder that even in chaos, there are moments of connection, learning, and perseverance.

This is not just my story—it reflects the reality faced by countless international travelers today.

Sincerely,

KP Sompally

Franklin long time resident 

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: KP Sompally shares his resilient journey

Voices of Franklin: Rich McNeil - Thanking Franklin DPW for Snow Safety

I am deeply grateful to Franklin DPW for their tireless efforts in snow removal and maintaining safe roadways.

As a longtime Franklin resident and MSW graduate student at Bridgewater State University, I want to sincerely thank the Franklin DPW for their tireless, around-the-clock snow removal efforts during recent storms; their work is often underappreciated. My purpose in writing is to express appreciation for their commitment to public safety work and highlight its equity impact.

On February 2, around 3:00 PM, at the new construction site on Alpine Place and Alpine Row, I observed a worker using a snowblower to clear snow from the new construction. I assumed the snow would stay on-site. At 5:00 PM, I headed out to do an errand. As it was getting dark, I was driving slowly. I unexpectedly encountered a 1–2-foot-high snowbank about 20 feet long and nearly got stuck. As this was creating a hazard at the intersection, I reported it to Franklin Police and DPW (after hours). By 8:00 AM the next day, I saw the DPW on its way to clear this hazard.

From a social work perspective, the DPW's efforts ensure public safety and equity for older adults, disabled residents, and low-income families who rely on clear roads for work, school, and medical care. Franklin's Town Bylaws (Chapter 155-21) prohibit snow deposits on roadways and support our community's perseverance.

Construction firms and residents must comply with bylaws prohibiting snow deposits in streets (up to $300/day fine) to ease DPW burden. I urge readers to contact the Franklin Town Council to strengthen enforcement—this promotes social justice by safeguarding vulnerable groups most affected by hazards, regardless of income or ability.

Sincerely, 

Rich McNeill

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Thanking Franklin DPW for Snow Safety

Voices of Franklin: Reflections upon a gift of conversations received from a friend called necessity*

*With apologies to John Tobias

During that autumn 

As the leaves started to 

Change color and fall

Creating a carpet of crunches

While the temperature remained summer like 

But without the thunder storms to 

Roll thru and break the heat

Even if momentarily 

While the drought monitors crept higher

And higher, inducing restrictions 

On outdoor water use

During that autumn

Which definitely was 

Created by the biennial election

There were multiple conversations 

And the conversations ruled

Schedules to coordinate

Times to agree upon,

Zoom info shared, then connecting

Sound check, 

Background check,

Lighting check,

Find the button and we're on

How to get at the questions

Folks wanted answers to

Without being so direct,

Abrupt, or unfriendly

We created the context,

The setting, neighbors 

Meeting neighbors

Some closer than others

Some we'd met before

Some we hadn't yet

Until there, virtually, we were

Together to get their story

Their point of view 

Recorded to share

Wind down to a close, 

Then editing, Cut this, 

Queue this, upload that, 

Send this, wait for their response

And when the recording 

Was approved, it was

Shared, some more widely than

Others, somehow that is always

The case, some candidates generated

More interest by being new

Less familiar than the

Incumbents whom folks seem

To know enough of

To not need anymore

When the recorded conversations 

Came to a close

Other conversations began

Folks following up with candidates

Candidates following up with

Each other, making the meet &

Greet circuit, making the rounds, 

To address all the questions,

Provide all the answers

On the website, the pages 

Are rich with links

To the conversations, 

Video and audio, 

Along with historical data, 

Info on what was done before

And may need to begin again

To further the conversation

And become closer neighbors

Than we were when 

The conversation started

When the biennial election is

Over, the results tallied,

Perhaps they'll be a new set

Of folks at the table

Now with the task of

Providing oversight

To our Town, our services

Which we need, some of which

Some of us

More than others

And so by necessity 

This autumn the conversations 

Continue, neighbors with neighbors 

To find the solutions

That can be possible

Steve Sherlock

Franklin resident

originally shared with the Senior Center Writers Group and posted to

https://www.quietpoet.com/2025/10/reflections-upon-gift-of-conversations.html

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Reflections upon a gift of conversations received from a friend called necessity*