Boston GLobe: "With fewer students and higher costs, many Massachusetts districts weigh school closures and mergers"

Franklin has redistricted and closed schools, other communities are facing the same issues.

"As student enrollment drops across Massachusetts and expenses rise, districts are showing a willingness to take on one of the most polarizing issues in public education: closing or merging schools.

The downsizing has popped up in a wide variety of urban, rural, and suburban districts, including Acton-Boxborough and Belchertown in Hampshire County, which are both shuttering an elementary school in June. Boston is also closing three schools this summer as it strives to eliminate nearly one-fifth of its schools.

The impending shutdowns — a trend that is expected to continue in the coming years — add to more than three dozen public schools that have closed or consolidated since the pandemic disrupted classroom learning. That list includes shuttered elementary schools in Cambridge, North Middlesex, and Wellesley, and the closure or merger of several charter schools.

District leaders have pursued the closures and mergers to balance operating budgets amid declining enrollment and rising costs for special education, transportation, utilities, and other expenses, or to curb spending on replacing antiquated school buildings as construction costs have soared."

Continue reading the article in the Boston Globe with this shared link:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/03/13/metro/declining-school-enrollment-fuels-massachusetts-closures/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 ???

Digging out from the snow underway .........

Schools (Franklin Public, Tri-County, BFCCPS, etc.) closed

Library, Senior Center, Municipal & Recreation Buildings closed

Curbside trash/recycling not happening today. Those scheduled for Monday are planned for Wednesday pickup, Tuesday on Thursday, Wednesday on Friday, Thursday on Saturday, and Friday on next Monday...

Elizabeth's Bagels closed Tuesday Feb 24

The Community Closet will be closed today (February 24) as we dig out from the Blizzard of ’26. We will be open next Tuesday, March 3, from 12-2p. Sorry for any inconvenience. Appointments can be made for later in the week.

Find the storm collection - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/storm-collection-feb-22-23-2026.html

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 ???

***  Town Meetings today   ***

Massachusetts Strategic Health Group Meeting ????

Tuesday, February 24 Time: 1:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02242026-2151 

Franklin School Committee Meeting - confirmed as Remote Only

Tuesday, February 24 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02242026-2148 

 

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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

Senior Center closed Monday, Jan 26

Senior Center closed Monday, Jan 26

Due to inclement weather, the Franklin Senior Center, along with all non-emergency town departments will be closed on Monday, January 26th.

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DT8PyXvjafM/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, January 25, 2026 ???

Sunday, January 25

Storm Center Collection

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/franklin-ma-storm-center-collection-for.html

12:00pm Parking Ban takes effect until Monday, Jan 26 at noon time

12:30pm Children's Museum of Franklin (closing time due to storm)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum - CLOSED due to the Storm

2:00pm Steel Magnolias (THE BLACK BOX)

*** 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

Franklin Senior Center Closure Extended Through March 18th

Transportation Services available; Main phone line open

The Franklin Senior Center will remain closed through March 18, 2025, as we put the finishing touches on the facility. The work crew has done an outstanding job, completing the project on schedule. This brief extension reflects the town’s commitment to ensuring you return to a space that’s not just improved, but fully prepared, refreshed, and deep cleaned—better than when you left it.

“We appreciate the incredible work of our Facilities Department in completing this much-needed project,” said Sarah Amaral, Director. “Their dedication has been outstanding, and we want to take the extra time to make sure the center is in top shape when we welcome everyone back.”

The new reopening date is Wednesday March 19, 2025, and we are excited to greet our community with a warm and inviting space. To celebrate, we will still be hosting our Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner, prepared and served by the Franklin Fire Department, now scheduled for March 20th.

Franklin Senior Center Closure Extended Through Mar 18

During this extended closure, the only programs available will be our transportation services. We sincerely appreciate the patience and understanding of our seniors, families, and supporters during this time. For questions, transportation assistance, or to receive robocall updates, please call the Senior Center at 508-520-4945.

For the latest updates, visit:

• Franklin Senior Center Webpage: https://www.franklinma.gov/583/Franklin-Senior-Center-Council-on-Aging

• Franklin Senior Center Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franklinseniorcenter

Sarah & Ariel fill us in on the closure & alternate sites for events during March 2025 (audio)

FM #1394 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1394 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Sarah Amaral, Director and Ariel Doggett, Programming & Volunteer Coordinator with the Franklin Senior Center. We had our discussion virtually via Zoom on Friday, February 28, 2025.

 

We talk about 

• The Listening Session March 4 at 9:30 AM (free breakfast)

• The closure begins at 1:00 PM on March 4

• Many (but not all programs) have an alternate site beginning March 5

• Keep in touch via the newsletter, social media accounts, and if necessary, call the Center

• Key special events when the center reopens

• Fire Dept St Patrick’s lunch date to be determined

• Lunches available at Tri-County during the closure, need to call day before 

• except for March 14, which will be a box lunch picked up at the Municipal Bldg (also need to call day before)

The show notes include links to the Senior Center page, the calendar of events and to subscribe to the monthly newsletter. 

The recording runs about 23 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1394-franklin-senior-center-march-2025-highlights-02-28-25/

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Franklin Senior Center page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/583/Franklin-Senior-Center-Council-on-Aging 

March 2025 newsletter -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4503/Franklin-Newsletter-March-2025?bidId= 

Alternate site schedule

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4551/March-newsletter-insert?bidId= 

Subscribe to the newsletter -> by calling 508-520-4945

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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"

Sarah & Ariel fill us in on the closure & alternate sites for events during March 2025 (audio)

The Senior Center week of March 3 - March 7; closure for repairs begin

The Senior Center week of March 3 - March 7

**ATTENTION**. The senior center will be CLOSED starting Tuesday, March 4th at 1pm. 

We have many excellent programs running at our WONDERFUL community partners around town. 

Information is available on our website, social media pages, in our newsletter, through Franklin Matters and on the Town website. 

YOU MUST STILL REGISTER for programs!! Here’s what’s happening this week at the #franklinseniorcenter

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGs2l-9RAYF/

For details on these highlight events, or on the regular daily schedule, please visit the Senior Center online at ->    https://franklinma.gov/583/Franklin-Senior-Center-Council-on-Aging

Franklin Senior Center Closed March 5 Through March 14

Social Services, Food Services, Supportive Day Programs, Transportation, Fitness Classes, Support Groups, and select Senior Center Programs will be hosted at alternative locations.

Franklin Senior Center will be temporarily closed from March 5 through March 14, 2025 to allow for necessary building repairs.

“We appreciate the community’s patience as we make these important improvements to our facility,” said Sarah Amaral, Director. “Our goal is to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all our members, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on March 17, 2025. What better way to welcome the community back than a delicious corned beef and cabbage dinner, prepared and served by our very own Franklin Fire Department.”

We extend our gratitude to the Finance Committee, Capital Budget Subcommittee, and Town Council for approving the funds necessary for this insulation project. Town Administration, along with Senior Center staff and volunteers, is dedicated to ensuring that vital services continue during this period. Thanks to the generosity and support of our community partners, several programs will be held at off-site locations, including Franklin VFW, Pete’s Nerd Emporium, Franklin TV Studio, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, Franklin’s Historical Museum, Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), Dean College, and Franklin’s Municipal Building.

The Supportive Day Program will be held daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Municipal Building’s Training Room with the exception of Wednesday, March 12th when the program will be closed.

Tri-County Regional Vocational High School will be providing lunches on a daily basis from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, but members must arrive by 11:45 AM and call the Senior Center the day prior to register. The only exception will be on Friday March 14th, where you can pick up a boxed lunch at the municipal building, provided by Franklin Public Schools Food Services. No breakfast will be provided during the closure.

Transportation services, on the Senior Center’s Van, will run throughout the closure, providing access for errands, shopping, and medical appointments. This includes the social day trip to Lotvin Gallery of the Hopkinton Center for the Arts on March 12th.

Franklin Senior Center Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franklinseniorcenter

Daily robocalls will be sent out with the most up to date information. If you would like to be added to our robocall list, please call the senior center at 508-520-4945.

A full schedule of events, map, and location details will be included in the March Edition of our Senior Center newsletter, the Franklin Connection. This will also be available on the Senior Center’s website.

https://www.franklinma.gov/583/Franklin-Senior-Center-Council-on-Aging

Below is a schedule of other events taking place in alternative locations:

Franklin Senior Center Closed March 5 Through March 14 - Alt sites #1

Franklin Senior Center Closed March 5 Through March 14 - alt sites #2

Download the PDF as a reminder or to share ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y8aNKAxVqYXrJ5nH1zoOOblA3urfXfdm/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin Senior Center Closed March 5 Through March 14

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, February 9, 2025 ???

Sunday, February 9

• Last days to order charCUTEerie box - Food Pantry fund raiser

11:00am Sunday Brunch (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)
1:00pm CLOSED - (due to the weather) Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
1:15pm CANCELED - 2nd Sunday Speaker (Franklin Historical Museum) (to be rescheduled)
4:00pm Franklin Distinguished Young Women - Info Session (90 Hayward St)

 

 

**   NO  Town Meetings today   **

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Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

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 Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

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-calendars

Pleasant St near Country Way road closure on Thursday, Jan 2

Via the DPW:

road closure on Thursday, Jan 2 

Pleasant St near Country Way

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/15NZJx4SeA/

Town of Franklin, MA: FYI Pine Street Area Residents! - Road Closure, Dec 18

Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) posted on Tue, Dec 17, 2024:

FYI Pine Street Area Residents! https://t.co/fWvEmcgSK9

Town of Franklin, MA: FYI Pine Street Area Residents! - Road Closure, Dec 18

Town of Franklin: Municipal Building CLOSURE - October 9, 2023

The Town of Franklin Municipal Building will be CLOSED on Monday, October 9th, 2023 in observance of Columbus Day. 

We will reopen on Tuesday, October 10th, 2023.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-municipal-building-closure-october-9th-2023

Town of Franklin: Municipal Building CLOSURE - October 9, 2023