Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Aging Agenda, a new show on Franklin TV hosted by Tony DaSilva, is a locally produced program that explores the important decisions people can make before and during retirement. In a relaxed interview format, DaSilva speaks with local experts about topics such as retirement timing, finances, taxes, wills and trusts, and ways to make the most out of life after leaving a traditional 8-to-5 career.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is excited to launch its 13thannualSafe Streets Smart Trips High School Video Contest and we look forward to your students participating!
For the 2026-2027 school year, we are inviting all enrolled Massachusetts public high school students to write and produce a 30-60 second video showcasingsafe riding behaviors for electric micromobility devices (e-bikes, e-scooters, etc.). By bringing attention to this growing safety topic, we can help students, families, and community members better understand their role in promoting safe and responsible behaviors.
The video contest will feature two entry categories – a Freshman/Sophomore category and a Junior/Senior category. A grand prize, runner-up, and honorable mention will be selected in each category. Top videos may be used in future MassDOT safety campaigns.
Prize categories:
Grand Prize package – $500 Amazon gift card & sponsor items
Runner-up package – $300 Amazon gift card & sponsor items
Honorable Mention package – Sponsor items
All winners will be announced on October 27, 2026 at MassDOT’s Moving Together Conference. The winners will be featured during one of the conference sessions and the videos will be showcased to a large audience of transportation professionals.
Please circulate the attached submission guidelines and encourage your students to have fun, be safe, and get creative! There is no limit to the number of students who can participate. All video submissions must be uploaded in the submission form no later than,
Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell and Quincy Access Television host Mark Crosby discuss Norfolk County real estate statistics, market trends, and various topics affecting Norfolk County residents.
To learn more about Registry of Deed’s events and initiatives, like us on Facebook® at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on Twitter® at twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and Instagram® at Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.
The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101 or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.
Consensus developed around three goals;, in my kitchen english wording - (1) education/awareness of the Town finances (2) alignment on the structural deficit for 3 years (3) potential solutions or strategy to resolve such deficit in that time. Additional wordsmithing being done by the committee for review at next session, no date available for next session
The Town Council met in Executive Session for more than 4 hours on Wednesday night, August 12, 2026. All 9 Councilors were present in Chambers for this session.
Motion to approve contract, second, passes 5-4
(5 = yes, LeBlanc, Morrongiello, Dellorco, Cormier-Ledger, Ojukwo and 4 = no, Callaway-Tripp, Grella, Griffith & Molloy) (Note: The TV video did not capture the hands raised.) (Note, it would also have been good for the Council to inform the community of what was in the contract that they wrestled so long with.)
"Netflix cofounder and Anthropic board member Reed Hastings joins TED's Sal Khan to give a look inside the race to build AI.
Hear his take on how the technology could accelerate education — including the possibility of an AI tutor for every student — and reshape the economy faster than anyone expects.
When a Veteran or their spouse passes away, families often need to make important arrangements quickly. The last thing they should have to worry about is navigating burial benefits on their own.
Knowing what benefits may be available and the steps to access them can help make that process easier.
The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) helps families navigate both the burial and memorial benefits Veterans have earned and the process for requesting them.
Helping Families Navigate Benefits and Next Steps
Many Veterans have earned burial benefits they may not even know about, including a place in a VA national cemetery or VA grant-funded state, territorial or tribal Veterans cemetery, a headstone or marker, a burial flag, and perpetual gravesite care, all at no cost.
Burial benefits available at VA national cemeteries
The steps families take to plan and schedule a burial at a VA national cemetery
How VA and funeral directors will help guide families through the process
Taking a few minutes to watch the video and sharing it with your family can help ensure they understand the benefits available and the steps to take when the time comes.
You can check with the Veterans Service Officer at the Franklin Senior Center
FM #1789 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1789 in the series.
This session shares my conversation with Jason Poulos, candidate for the 4th Congressional District in the September Democratic Primary.We had our discussion virtually on Monday, July 27, 2026.
We talk about
Jason’s background and reason to run
We cover issues like
AI and jobs
Data center control measures
Voting rights
Medicare for all
Increasing affordable housing
The recording runs about 36 minutes, so let’s listen in.
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"
Aging Boldfully is a regular show on Franklin TV's All Access channel hosted by Susan Rohrbach. Dr. Kymberlee O'Brien, Med, PhDwas Susan's guest for this recent show.
The show description:
"Aging Boldfully is about living your next chapter outside of your comfort zone—fully embracing the uniqueness of you.
For many of us, the idea of aging doesn’t appear on our radar until we approach our 60s, when retirement begins to loom. During this time, our attention often narrows to one critical goal: ensuring financial independence. While that focus is important, it can distract us from an equally vital question: What am I going to do with the rest of my life?
Each of our journeys is unique. Rather than clinging to the tired concept of “retirement,” we have the chance to rethink and redesign this new chapter. What will life look like now that we are the CEO of our own story?
Aging Boldfully will explore the themes that matter most as we step into this phase—purpose, relevance, resilience, physical health, mental well-being, intentional living, and mindfulness. It will showcase members of our community who are finding meaning, living with purpose, and overcoming obstacles—real examples of what it means to age not just gracefully, but boldfully."
The Design Review Commission looks at signs for a new “Fresh Monkee” food oriented business which will apparently bring “Truly Healthy Shakes” according to the sign up for review.
More importantly, the Design Review also gives us an initial view of the proposal to replace the Depot Plaza building. The site plan and architectural renderings of the proposal can be found as links in the agenda document.
Aging Agenda, a brand-new Franklin TV program offers practical conversations on life after 60.
Life after 60 does not have to mean scaling back dreams. It can be a time to choose new experiences, make thoughtful plans, and move confidently into the next chapter of life.
Aging Agenda, a brand-new show on Franklin TV hosted by Tony DaSilva, is a locally produced program that explores the important decisions people can make before and during retirement. In a relaxed interview format, DaSilva speaks with local experts about topics such as retirement timing, finances, taxes, wills and trusts, and ways to make the most out of life after leaving a traditional 8-to-5 career.
FM #1785 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1785 in the series.
This session shares my conversation with Mitzi Gousie, Programming and Outreach Librarian with the Franklin Public Library. We had our discussion virtually on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
We talk about
Reviewed the regular open hours, book sale and holiday scheduling for the month
Book sale weekend Aug 14 & Aug 15
Library events for August 2026
In calendar order rather than by category this time around
Registration for those events required should be done through the Town website, Library page. There are nefarious folks trying to convince folks otherwise via Facebook. Be safe, use the official Town and Library pages.
The show notes include links to the Library page and to the calendar of events where registration for some of the events is required/recommended.
The recording runs about 31 minutes, so let’s listen in.
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"
The MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis), the T’s operations and maintenance partner for Commuter Rail, announced today that fare gates at Ruggles Station will begin operating on Monday, August 3.
“The installation of Commuter Rail fare gates at Ruggles is just the next step by the MBTA as we follow through on our commitment to improve fare collection and reinvest back into the system that our riders depend on,” said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “With gates already in service at North and South Stations and coming soon to Back Bay, we’re demonstrating to the public that every fare makes a difference toward improving service for everyone. Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and our Legislative partners for their leadership and support of public transit, to the MBTA and Keolis project teams for their dedication in delivering the fare gates project, and to our riders at Ruggles for their patience and understanding.”
“The introduction of fare gates at Ruggles Station continues the effort to improve and modernize fare collection across the Commuter Rail system,” said Keolis CEO and General Manager John Killeen. “Our goal is to make the transition as seamless as possible for passengers. Staff will be on site at Ruggles to address any questions or concerns as the gates are activated.”
The station will feature seven fare gates, including two wider, accessible gates that provide sufficient room for wheelchairs, scooters, bicycles, luggage, and strollers.
Once the fare gates are operational, riders will notice the following fare collection changes:
Riders will be required to tap or scan their tickets or passes to enter and exit at Ruggles.
Riders will still need to show tickets to conductors on board to verify that their ticket zone matches their trip.
Riders who arrive at Ruggles without tickets will be required to purchase them through the mTicket app or from a staff member stationed at the gates.
Passengers can use the following types of tickets to exit and enter the gates: the mTicket app, CharlieCards and CharlieTickets with printed zones, $10 Weekend Pass paper tickets, Amtrak tickets, and active military IDs. Reduced fare passengers must still buy a ticket or pass (at a reduced rate). Stored value CharlieCards used for the bus and subway are not accepted at Commuter Rail fare gates.
Customer service staff at Ruggles are available to assist passengers with questions about the fare gates. Project details and more information are posted online at MBTA.com/CRgates, including a how-to video.
The use of fare gates improves fare collection, replaces platform ticket checks, and creates a more consistent fare-paying experience for passengers across transit modes. The design and configuration of the fare gates build on the lessons learned during the implementation of gates at North Station in 2022 and South Station in 2025, and incorporate global best practices in fare collection.
At South Station, mTicket activations have grown by 32% compared to this time last year, and on-board ticket sales have grown by 16% for lines serving South Station following the installation of fare gates. Passengers have tapped tickets or passes more than 19.5 million times at North Station and South Station since the gates were introduced. The next station to receive fare gates is Back Bay Station, where they are expected to begin operating in early 2027.
Economic Development Subcommittee met as scheduled on Thursday, July 23 in Council Chambers. Chair Michael LeBlanc, members Max Morrongiello and Stephen Molloy participated.
Director of Assessors Kevin Doyle read a prepared statement for the record outlining the assessment process
Questions from the committee members
the focus of the discussion on new growth is due to its impact on the financial revenue available above 2.5% (and the levy limit)
really to better understand the valuation process and how to make improvements as possible
question on a possible timeline for a permit through to the assessment and re-evaluation; response included mention of a subscription to aerial photos of the Town 3x during the year to help identify what is happening around Town, trying to get an answer on an avg time line but it is not forthcoming
the two approaches for commercial valuations come within 5-10% plus or minus of each other; course 101 from the Dept of Revenue provides the basics
2 properties in the same neighborhood should calculate to the same, based upon the tables (I.e. property card records) and MA process
is there an audit to see that we are covering what should be? Effectively, no - audits wouldn't necessarily be fair and equitable for all
question about the Senior means exemption, will get the info asked for
question on an ownership change, if the new owner transaction brings that amount into new growth, does that really overstate our assessed value? as the old owner's assessed value goes away from the total assessed value? or does it? We understand the question, we need to get back to you on the right answer
Another example - residence valued at $900k, renovation of $40k, new assessed value comes at $1M but the $100k increase is 'only' $14k of new growth and the balance is the market value; Answer: don't confuse the market value with the cost of the renovation, it is not a straight linear line
