What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, January 15, 2026 ???

Thursday, January 15

• Senior Center closed all day

8:30am State & Town Officials Office Hour - CANCELED (Senior Center Closed today)

10:00am Traffic Advisory (St. Mary's Parish & Town Common area)

7:00pm 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting (First Universalist Society Franklin)

7:00pm BEN 4 Franklin Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio)

Senior Center closed all day

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

**  Town Meetings today   **

Cultural District Committee Meeting

Thursday, January 15 Time: 6:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01152026-2088 

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, January 15th Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/545?fileID=7509 

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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 Police share info on road closures & timing for Weds/Thurs wake & funeral at St Mary's

The following information pertains to the upcoming wake and funeral services for Officer Stephen A. LaPorta. A significant police presence is expected in the vicinity of St. Mary’s Church and the Franklin Town Common during these services. Road closures and traffic detours will be in effect.

Residents and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes and avoid the area if possible. We recognize that these disruptions may be inconvenient, particularly for those who live nearby, and we sincerely appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation.

Your understanding and support will help ensure a dignified and respectful farewell for Officer LaPorta and his family.

Franklin Police share info on road closures & timing for Weds/Thurs wake & funeral at St Mary's

Wake:

• St. Mary’s Church, 1 Church Square, Franklin, MA, Wednesday, January 14th, from 2p-6p.  
• Church square and surrounding streets will be closed from approximately 11am - 7pm.  

Funeral:

• St. Mary’s Church, 1 Church Square, Franklin, MA, Thursday, January 15 at 11am.  
• Church square and surrounding streets will be closed from approximately 9am - 2pm.  

Road Closures:

• Church Square

• Beaver St from West Central St to Church Square

• Union St from School St to Church Square

• Daniel McCahill St. from Church Square to Senior Center

• Main St from School St to Highland St

• Pleasant St from Moore Ave/Hillside Rd to Church Square

• Crescent St, Garfield, Martin, and Queen will be limited access

Parking / Staging Areas:

• Public Parking: 

o Davis Thayer School, 109 W. Central Street, Franklin;

o Dean College Campus Center lot (located next to Davis Thayer on W. Central Street);

o Dean College Jones Lot off of School Street;

o Dean Hall Lot off of Emmons Street

Shuttle buses will be provided for those with difficulty walking.

• Police Staging (Officers will be bused to church):

o 55 Constitution Blvd, Franklin

o Wake staging opens at 10am.  Busing starts at 11am.  Police walk through is at 1:45 pm.

o Funeral staging opens at 7am.  Busing starts at 8 am.  

• Media Parking:

o Franklin Federated Church, 171 Main Street, Franklin

Download a copy of the Police press release as a reminder or to share

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fLbrc8XFVc-2rgphjId7PENwAGK6k0MW/view?usp=drive_link

Traffic alert for St Mary's/Town Common area on Wednesday & Thursday

Be aware:

"Uxbridge Police Officer Stephen A. LaPorta will be laid to rest Thursday after he was killed when he was struck by a tractor-trailer while assisting a driver at the site of a crash last week, officials said.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at St. Mary Parish in Franklin followed by a private burial, State Police said in a statement. A wake is scheduled for Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. also at St. Mary Parish, according to State Police."

What does this means for Franklin?

• 

  Traffic alert for St Mary's/Town Common
  area on Wednesday & Thursday

  Franklin Public Schools have early dismissal on Wednesday

• Franklin Senior Center closes at noon on Wednesday, AND all day Thursday.

• Traffic will be stopped from using the Town Common area in front of St Mary's Church

Continue the Globe article -> https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/11/metro/uxbridge-police-officer-funeral/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

Candlelight Vigil for Renee Nicole Good held on Thursday, January 8, 2026 (audio)

FM #1624 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1624 the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Candlelight Vigil for Renee Nicole Good held on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The vigil was held on the Franklin Town Common. 

Each of the speakers are introduced by master of ceremonies Rachel Plukas

• Erin Ferguson

• Ron Tibbetts

• Rev Beverly Waring

• State Rep Jeff Roy

• Michael Walker Jones

The recording runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen to the candlelight vigil held January 8, 2026. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1624-vigil-for-renee-nicole-good-01-08-26/

Photos of the vigil can be found in one album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QmAG9vXQXY8iQkQe7

Candlelight Vigil for Renee Nicole Good held on Thursday, January 8, 2026 (audio)

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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"

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, January 8, 2026 ???

Thursday, January 8

• Christmas trees scheduled for curbside pickup on your normal trash/recycling day

6:00pm Candlelight vigil (Franklin Town Common)

7:30pm Musical Bingo (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

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

**  Town Meetings today   **

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meeting

Thursday, January 8 Time: 2:00 PM 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01082026-2081

Franklin Commission on Disability Meeting

Thursday, January 8 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01082026-2070 

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School (updated 1/05/26)

Thursday, January 8 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01082026-2078

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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

Peaceful candlelight vigil Thursday, January 8 at 6 PM on the Franklin Town Common

Via The Franklin Democrat Town Committee

"As you may have heard, earlier today (01/07/26) a woman named Renee Nicole Good was acting as a legal witness to ICE in Minneapolis and was shot and killed by ICE agents. While the facts continue to come out, from what we have seen in the video provided by other witnesses, this certainly seems like the ICE agents were in the wrong and an innocent person was killed.

Franklin Town Common

There will be a candlelight vigil Thursday January 8 at 6 PM on the Franklin Town Common to mourn this loss. We will have candles but may not have enough for everyone, so if you have one handy, please bring it. We will also have some handwarmers for those who need them.

I hope you can join us for this peaceful vigil."

Facebook event -> https://www.facebook.com/events/1592867858535292/

Boston Globe coverage of the shooting in Minneapolis ->   https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/07/nation/ice-minnesota-shooting/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, December 28, 2025 ???

Sunday, December 28

9am Fallen Hero: Charles E. Mason (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

1pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1pm Franklin in Miniature (Train Town 3) (Franklin Historical Museum)

1pm Musical Bingo (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

** 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

Fallen Hero Recognition: Charles E. Mason - Dec 28, 2025 - 9:00 AM

Memorial event today (12/28/25) at 9 AM on the Town Common Veterans Walkway to honor Private Charles E. Mason.

This program will include the placing of a Memorial Wreath for the day, the playing of Taps, a salute from those present, and a reading of whatever history  may be available for that veteran.  This is a way of keeping the memory of that veteran alive.

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Fallen Hero: Private Charles E. Mason, U.S. Army 

Private Charles E. Mason, U.S. Army Signal Corps, was born on February 24, 1916, son of Fred and Minta Mason. Charles lived at 62 Pleasant Street with his parents and sister. Charles attended the Franklin Public Schools graduating from Franklin High School in 1934. During his high school years, he participated in the Memorial Day ceremonies on the Common by reciting the Gettysburg Address.  

Prior to entering the army, Charles was a member of a Naval Reserve Unit located here in Franklin and served under the command of Fred Cook. David Bullukian, another one of our Fallen 23, also served in this Franklin unit.  

Charles attended Boston Radio and Television School prior to his induction in July of 1941. PVT Charles Mason used this special interest in ham radios and used this skill to converse with people in the area while in the army.  

Private Charles E. Mason died of injuries received in an automobile accident at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey on December 28, 1941 at the age of 25.

Fallen Hero: Private Mason

For the full published series of Fallen Heroes you can visit this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-fallen-heroes-series.html

Photo album of the Fallen Hero pillars along the Veterans Walkway

https://photos.app.goo.gl/oRGdmq9krLNEBnjJ7

The video series of recognition ceremonies for 2024 (YTD) 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/07/fallen-hero-recognition-ceremonies-for.html

Tree map for the Town Common available

One of the information stands on the Town Common got updated recently with an info graphic and description of the trees located around the Town Common

Tree map for the Town Common available 1

Actually there are at least 2 of these, one at each end of the Common

The QR code as part of the display takes you to -> 

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/fa9f10c834634866a2c73b52755d2682

Tree map for the Town Common available 2

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, December 6, 2025 ???

Saturday, December 6

8:30am Girl Scout Cookie Sale (United States Postal Service)

9:00am Christmas Fair & more (St John's Episcopal Church)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9:00am Fallen Hero: Harry R. Bean (Veteran Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

9:30am Wreath and Holiday Arrangement Sale (Daddario’s Hardware Store) 

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Train Town Franklin #3 - opens (Franklin Historical Museum)

10:30am Mike Bent's Ho Ho Hocus Pocus Magic Show! (Franklin Public Library)

3:00pm Maker Moment Silk Scarf Painting (Franklin Public Library)

7:30pm Ellis Paul, Alice Peacock opening (ticketed concert) (Circle of Friends Coffeehouse)

7:30pm Faculty Dance Works  (ticketed event) (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

7:30pm The Nutcracker (ticketed event)(FPAC, Franklin High School)

8:00pm Karaoke at The Raillery (Raillery Public House)

** 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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, November 30, 2025 ???

Sunday, November 30

9:00am Fallen Hero: Robert L. Cummings (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

10:00am Raydio Holiday Toy Drive (DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston - Milford)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:00pm Musical Bingo (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

4:00pm Christmas on the Common (Franklin Town Common)

**  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