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

• 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/

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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The Franklin Recreation Fall Brochure 2026 is now available !!!

Dear Franklin Recreation Participants,

We are excited to announce that the Franklin Recreation Fall Brochure 2026 is now available !

Our team has put together a fantastic lineup of fall activities, sports, and programs for all ages—from preschool fun and youth sports to adult leagues and creative arts workshops .

Key Registration Details

Registration Opens: Monday, August 3, 2026, at 8:30 AM

How to Register Online: Visit our website at franklinma.myrec.com 

 Program Highlights

Sports & Athletics: Recreation Basketball (Grades K–8), Kids to 5K!, Volleyball, USTA Tennis, Youth Fitness Boxing, and Adult Flag Football

Pickleball Programs: Beginner, Drill & Play, Open Social Play, and Intermediate sessions 

Youth & STEM Programs: Chess Wizards, GameBots Robotics, Snapology Robotics Extravaganza, and Red Cross Babysitting Training

Art Workshops: Painting with Annie (Pop Art Dino, Halloween, Abstract Flower Power, Crescent Owl Moon) .

Preschool Activities: Young Artists, Sports for Tots, Open Play, First Friends, and seasonal themed drop-off classes .

Contact Us

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our team:

Phone: (508) 613-1666

Email: franklinrecreation@franklinma.gov

Website: www.franklinma.gov/331/recreation

Fall Brochure - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10419/Fall-Brochure-2026?bidId=

We look forward to seeing you and your family this fall!

Mike Tarara and Fourplay are scheduled to perform Friday, July 10 at the Franklin Farmers Market

Mike Tarara and Fourplay are performing at the Franklin Farmers Market this week!

Thank you @franklin_recreation, @@franklinculturalcouncil02038, and @masscultural for sponsoring!

Farmers Market vendors, performers & food trucks today, June 26, 2026

https://www.instagram.com/p/DaBpPK5jBS_/

"Vendors, performers, and food trucks at the Franklin Farmers Market this week!

Thank you @franklinculturalcouncil02038, @masscultural, and Franklin Recreation Department for sponsoring!"

Franklin Youth Open Track & Field Meets return July 7, 14, & 21, 2026

Lace up those sneakers—the Franklin Youth Open Track & Field Meets are back this July! ☀️🏅

Looking for a fun, active way for the kids to spend their summer evenings? Whether they want to sprint, jump, throw, or just run around with friends, we’ve got an event for them! Hosted by the Franklin Recreation Department and organized by FHS and TCRVTHS coaches, these meets are the perfect way to get moving and have some friendly competition.

📅 When: Tuesdays – July 7, 14, & 21

⏰ Timeline:

5:00 PM – Check-In & Field Events begin

6:00 PM – Running Events kick off

📍 Where: Franklin High School Track

💵 Cost: Just $5 admission for UNLIMITED events!

Events Include:

Field Events: Shot Put, Turbo Javelin, Long Jump

Running Events: Mini Hurdle (5 & under), 100M Dash, 200M Dash, 400M Dash, 800M, Mile, and Relays!

From our tiniest sprinters (5 & under hurdles!) to seasoned young athletes, there is something for everyone. Come for one night or join us for all three!

Tag a friend who needs to bring their kids out to the track this summer! 

Girls Lacrosse Summer Series - Thursday evenings in July

Don’t put your stick away just yet!!

Girls Lacrosse Summer Series - Thursday evenings in July

There is still time to sign up for girls summer series skills this summer.

Thursday evenings in July on the front turf 5:30-6:30.

Registration is still open at the below link and link in bio!! When registering please register with your CURRENT GRADE.

https://franklinma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29971

Yoga on the Beach: Sundays from June 14 to July 19, 2026

"Summer is right around the corner, and so is this year's session of Yoga on the Beach!

Sponsored by the Franklin Recreation Department, running each Sunday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM beginning June 14th. 

Grab your mat, a friend and sunscreen and come to the beach. It's free and accessible for all who love yoga and the outdoors!!! 

I hope to see you there!"

Shared from https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BAj4Z3USt/

Yoga on the Beach: Sundays during summer from June 14 to July 19, 2026

"Summer is right around the corner, and so is this year's session of Yoga on the Beach!

Sponsored by the Franklin Recreation Department, running each Sunday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM beginning June 14th. 

Grab your mat, a friend and sunscreen and come to the beach. It's free and accessible for all who love yoga and the outdoors!!! 

I hope to see you there!"

Shared from https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BAj4Z3USt/

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Recreation Department

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

General Purpose

The Recreation Department is responsible for delivering exceptional recreational programs and facilities that enhance the quality of life for our residents. Through a steadfast commitment to consistency, dependability, and a deep sense of obligation to our community, we strive to elevate the well-being of all those we serve. As a self-supporting department, we rely on program fees to sustain operations while fostering partnerships with local sports organizations, the Franklin Public School Department, residents, private groups, and other town departments. Our impact is far-reaching, with over 12,000 individuals benefiting from our programs, parks, and playgrounds annually. This year alone, our registration numbers exceeded 7,200 participants, reflecting our ongoing growth and success.

Core Functions

● Coordinating recreation activities with youth and adult sports organizations (e.g., youth baseball, youth and adult soccer, youth and adult lacrosse, youth softball, youth football, youth and adult cricket, adult pickleball, and youth and adult street hockey).

● Expanding partnerships with public schools, nonprofits, and citizen groups.

● Trail maintenance efforts led by Eagle Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts.

● Enhancing resident participation in program development and park planning.

● Developing new self-supporting programs and securing additional funding through grants, donations, and sponsorships.

Staffing

● One (1) Recreation Director

● One (1) Deputy Director

● One (1) Program Coordinator

● Three (3) part-time Program Coordinators

● One (1) part-time Administrative Assistant

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Revenue Overview

○ In FY25, our revenues were $844,702, marking a 6.5% increase from the

$793,230 generated in FY24. This growth is driven by:

■ Increased participation, rising from 7,136 in FY24 up slightly to 7,179 in FY25.

■ So far in FY26, we have seen higher monthly revenue peaks, with August 2025 reaching $131,000, February 2026 hitting $82,000, and March 2026 reaching a record high $156,000.

■ Expansion of programs and facilities, attracting more participants and broadening our offerings by moving to the Gerald F. Parmenter complex in June 2025.

■ Anticipated revenue growth in FY26, with a projected total of

$868,000.

■ As we grow, we are committed to reinvesting in our programs, staff, and facilities to enhance community engagement and accessibility

● Facility & Infrastructure Improvements

○ King Street Memorial Park Master Plan: Seeking Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding for new electrical service, additional parking near the pickleball/basketball courts and community garden, restroom/concession building for summer camp, 4 additional pickleball courts, improved field lighting, and security enhancements.

○ New 70’ baseball batting cage at Fletcher Field with synthetic turf surface.

○ Construction of a press box at Beaver Pond turf field.

 

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● Budget realignment: increasing our Other Contractual Services line by $1,000 due to expenses related to basketball referees and concerts on the common. However, we have decreased our Printing and Meetings/Conference line item by $1,000 to match.

● Increasing our Recreation Programs line by $10,000 due to expenses related to programs offered by our department. These expenses will be recouped by revenues.

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

We remain committed to fiscal responsibility, ensuring that revenue growth aligns with strategic reinvestments. Through careful budgeting and diversified funding, we continue to strengthen our self-sustaining model while enhancing the quality of our offerings. With projected revenue of $875,000 in FY27, we aim to:

● Expand recreational programs to meet rising demand.

● Improve accessibility and inclusion across all facilities.

● Pursue additional grant opportunities to reduce financial barriers for residents.

● Continue infrastructure enhancements to maximize community benefit. Our consistent growth in participants and revenue reflects the Recreation Department’s commitment to delivering exceptional services and enriching the lives of Franklin’s residents. We expect to see further growth in FY27 and anticipate our revenues to surpass the $875,000 mark.

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p36YcnY5Uf7g7ePV_tMvwb98a3pIjDvJ/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

Grab Your Gear: Learn to Fish at Beaver Pond! - June 8

Grab Your Gear: Learn to Fish
at Beaver Pond! - June 8

Grab Your Gear: Learn to Fish at Beaver Pond!

Looking for a reason to get outdoors? We’re hosting a Learn to Fish session at Beaver Pond on Monday, June 8th.

This is a great, low-pressure way for beginners to get comfortable with a rod and reel. Whether you're looking for a new hobby or just want to spend an hour by the water, we’d love to see you there.

Event Info:

• When: Monday, June 8th
• Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
• Where: Beaver Pond
• Ages: 7 and up

How to Join:

Pre-registration is required. You can sign up quickly at the link below:

Franklinma.myrec.com

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

Boston Globe: "US reclassifies state-licensed medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug"

Via the Boston Globe:

Boston Globe: "US reclassifies state-licensed medical
marijuana as a less-dangerous drug"

"President Donald Trump’s acting attorney general on Thursday signed an order reclassifying state-licensed medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug, a major policy shift long sought by advocates who said cannabis should never have been treated like heroin by the federal government.

The order signed by Todd Blanche does not legalize marijuana for medical or recreational use under federal law. But it does change the way it’s regulated, shifting licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I — reserved for drugs without medical use and with high potential for abuse — to the less strictly regulated Schedule III. It also gives licensed medical marijuana operators a major tax break and eases some barriers to researching cannabis.

The Trump administration also said it was jump-starting the process for reclassifying marijuana more broadly, setting a hearing to begin in late June."

Continue reading the article with this shared link - 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/04/23/nation/medical-marijuana-reclassified-schedule-iii/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

Earth Day opportunities - April 18

at least three opportunities to choose from to help with Earth Day 

1 - Recreation Dept clean up start point at Beaver Pond - 9 AM to Noon -  https://www.facebook.com/share/18UM9o5DZG/

2 - Pack 92 Earth Day Clean up - 9:30 AM to 11 AM

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/04/join-earth-day-clean-up-with-pack-92.html

3 - The Franklin Agriculture Commission, the Conservation Commission and Fairmount Fruit Farm activities - 10 AM to 2 PM    https://www.facebook.com/share/1FJkMUFJhw/

Franklin Recreation has shared their 2026 Summer Brochure

"Good Afternoon,

We are excited to announce that the Franklin Recreation Summer 2026 Brochure is now available! (CLICK HERE)

Franklin Recreation has shared their 2026 Summer Brochure

Our summer lineup is packed with programs for all ages, including youth sports leagues, fitness programs, preschool activities, instructional classes, summer camp, and family-friendly opportunities designed to keep everyone active and engaged throughout the summer months.

Registration Information

• Walk-in and online registration for select summer programs begins Monday, April 6 at 8:30 AM.
• Online registration is available at franklinma.myrec.com.
• In-person registration can be completed at the Franklin Recreation Department, located at 235 Wachusett Street.

Programs are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and many programs reach capacity quickly. We strongly encourage early registration to secure your spot.

We look forward to another great summer and hope you and your family will join us for a season full of fun, learning, and community connection.

If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation Department at (508) 613-1666 or email franklinrecreation@franklinma.gov.

Thank you for your continued support of Franklin Recreation.

Sincerely,

Franklin Recreation Department

235 Wachusett Street

Franklin, MA 02038"

Brochure link -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8890/SUMMER-BROCHURE-2026?bidId=

Your Brain Is Your Superpower! - Franklin Recreation offers series of Chess Classes

Your Brain Is Your Superpower! - Franklin
Recreation offers series of Chess Classes

Join us this spring for Chess Wizards at the Franklin Recreation Department! Whether your child is brand new to chess or already loves the game, this program makes learning fun with engaging lessons, group activities, and exciting challenges. Kids will build strategy, confidence, and critical thinking skills while making new friends along the way. 

Wednesdays: 

• 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13 (No class 4/22)
• 4:30 – 5:30 PM
• Franklin Rec Department – Art Room (235 Wachusett St.)
• Grades K–5

$150 Residents | $160 Non-Residents

Seats are limited, so be sure to sign up soon! 

Register at franklinma.myrec.com

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/18WcMqBtrv/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, March 2, 2026 ???

Monday, March 2 = Town of Franklin (birthday)

• Regular curbside trash/recycle schedule for this week
• Free overflow bags at DPW Admin building, 257 Fisher St
• Hours added at Beaver St Recycling Ctr  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/03/reminder-regular-curbside-schedule-for.html

Library & Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times

*** Town Meetings today   ***

Library Board of Directors Regular Meeting

Monday, March 2 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03022026-2157 

Recreation Department Meeting

Monday, March 2 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03022026-2158 

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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

2 new Spring Flag Football leagues coming to Remington Right Grass Field

2 new Spring Flag Football leagues
coming to Remington Right Grass Field 

We’re excited to introduce two new Spring Flag Football leagues coming to Remington Right Grass Field this spring!

Men’s Flag Football

High School Flag Football League

Both leagues run Sundays from April 12th – May 31st and are perfect for players looking for fast-paced, competitive fun.

Registration opens February 2nd

Register online at franklinma.myrec.com

Recreation 3v3 Basketball Tournament is Back - Weds, Feb 18

3v3 Basketball Tournament is Back! 

Recreation 3v3 Basketball Tournament is Back - Weds, Feb 18

Looking for something fun to do on a day off from school? Join us for our Co-Ed 3v3 Basketball Tournament for Grades 6–8! Changed to 6-7 grades

Wednesday, February 18th

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Lincoln Street School

This is an all-day, drop-off tournament featuring:

• Morning pool play
• Lunch break (players are encouraged to bring their own lunch!)
• Afternoon single-elimination playoffs

Our 3v3 tournaments have become a favorite over the past few years — fast-paced games, tons of touches, and a great competitive atmosphere for all skill levels!

Register online at: franklinma.myrec.com Spots are limited — don’t wait!