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!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
FM #1803 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1803 in the series.
This session shares my conversation with Chasity Cheng, Deputy Director and Jillian Rochat, Activities Coordinator. We had our discussion in the Franklin Senior Center on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
We talk about
All the key event highlights for Sept 2026
Change in fitness class on Tue/Thu to ensure safety of participants, limited to first 35
Senior Center Yard Sale - Saturday, Sept 12
Nominations for Stella Jeon Silver Spirit Award close Sept 22
First Senior Center Art Gallery - Sep 24
Senior Expo scheduled for Oct 2, programs canceled for the afternoon of Oct 1 to prepare for the Expo
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 41 minutes, so let’s listen in.
Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1803-franklin-senior-center-sept-2026-event-highlights-08-19-26/--------------
September 2026 newsletter ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10676/September-2026-Newsletter?bidId=
Franklin Senior Center page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/583/Franklin-Senior-Center-Council-on-Aging
The newsletter archive page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/585/Connection-Newsletter
Senior Center calendar view (just FSC events) -> https://franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false
Subscribe to the newsletter -> by calling 508-520-4945
My Active Center -> https://myactivecenter.com/
-------------
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 it!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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"