What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, February 14, 2026 ???

Saturday, February 14 = Valentine's Day

9:00am     Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Train Town 3 (Franklin in Miniature) (Franklin Historical Museum)

10:00am    Bake Sale to support the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance! (outside Stop & Shop)

10:30am Weekend Wiggles! (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm Craftalong for Adults (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Laura May Band (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

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

For additional details on Library events -> 

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

*** 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

Get Ready to Rock at Franklin Food Pantry’s "Party for The Pantry" Fundraiser

The Franklin Food Pantry is set to bring the house down with the return of the annual fundraiser, Party for The Pantry, on Saturday, March 28, 2026. 

Get Ready to Rock at Franklin Food Pantry’s
"Party for The Pantry" Fundraiser

This 21+ event transforms THE BLACK BOX into a rock-and-roll venue for a night of live music with local bands Fab 3, Karate Show, and South Street Six. 

The evening also features door prizes, an online auction, and silent auction including exclusive luxury travel packages from AmFund to the Amalfi Coast, Ireland, the Greek Islands, Alaska, and more. 

All proceeds from Party for The Pantry directly benefit the Franklin Food Pantry, which provides food assistance to Franklin and surrounding communities. 

What: Party for The Pantry

When: Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 7 PM 

Where: THE BLACK BOX 15 W. Central St. Franklin, MA 02038

Tickets: Available online www.franklinfoodpantry.org

Interested in sponsoring this event and gaining name recognition while supporting the Franklin Food Pantry? Please contact Jen Johnson, Fund Development Associate, at Jjohnson@franklinfoodpantry.org.

School Committee hear the details on "level service" budget that comes in at 2.5% increase (audio)

FM #1658 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1658 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. All 7 members of the committee were present. 

Quick recap:

• The committee conducted the budget hearing for the FY 2027 school budget. Excluding the health care costs ($8.8M), they presented a 'level service' budget that stays within a 2.5% increase. Multiple questions to clarify amounts, rational, and sometimes accounting moves were raised and discussed. Many compliments on the layout and clarity of the budget were provided to Supt Lucas Giguere and to Business Administrator Jana Melotti

• The next step on the budget will be the School Committee vote on Feb 24. The complete timeline is provided in the budget folder

The recording runs about 2 hours and 45 minutes

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1658-school-cmte-mtg-fy-27-budget-hearing-02-10-26/

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Additional links to the meeting recap, Franklin TV video, and key documents for this session

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/school-committee-hear-details-on-level.html    

the school budget for FY 2027 

All the docs associated with the budget for FY 2027 

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/about-us/school-district-budget(2)/fy2027-budget/860340 

Budget timeline https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/37787646-f072-494b-b560-903c09ba25be/UPDATED_-_Budget_Calendar_FY27.pdf?disposition=inline

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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!

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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"

FHS girls & boys basketball teams top Sharon on Friday

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, February 13, 2026

Boys basketball = Franklin, 62 @ Sharon, 37 – Final 

– Franklin jumped out to an early advantage, built a comfortable lead by halftime, and ran away with it in the third to sweep the season series against Sharon. Five different Panthers chipped in in the scoring column to take a 12-5 lead after one, and then senior Jack Sullivan took over for the visitors. Sullivan scored 11 of his 21 points (tying a career-high) in the second while senior Justice Samuels and sophomore Danny Santos each had five points as Franklin’s lead ballooned to 33-12 by halftime. The Panthers’ defense continued to slow Sharon, holding the Eagles to single digits again in the third to carry a 51-19 lead into the final eight minutes. Sophomores Gio Carlucci (12 points) and Cam Lambert (10 points) also scored in double figures for Franklin.

Girls basketball = Sharon, 44 @ Franklin, 53 – Final 

– Franklin celebrated senior night with a win over Sharon that clinched the outright Kelley-Rex division title. The Panthers knocked down four threes in the first (one each from Liz Dumais, Sophia Sacramone, Kaylee Fernandes, and Ava Bonney) to take a 14-11 lead after one. Freshman Lila McCarty scored six of Sharon’s 11 in the quarter. The lead bloomed to double digits in the second, as Franklin outscored the Eagles 17-9. Dumais added six points and Bonney and Sacramone each hit their second threes of the night. Anaisha Sharma scored five points for Sharon to keep the Eagles within 11 (31-20). The teams went back and forth in the third, as Brielle Nicholls scored five of Franklin’s 14 points with Sacramone and Tessah Rodrigues each hit threes. Dharma Trivedi had half of Sharon’s 12 in the quarter. The Eagles kept pushing, as Mccarty scored six and Sharma chipped in with four points in the fourth. Nicholls scored five more and Rodrigues hit another three to keep the Panthers in front. Nicholls led the hosts with 12, Dumais scored 10, Sacramone had nine, and Rodrigues and Bonney each finished with eight points. McCarty led all scorers with 14, while Sharma and Trivedo each had nine, and Taylor Bien-Aime chipped in with seven points.

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-02-13-26/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

FREE Empty Bowls Open Studio bowl-making - February 26

FREE Empty Bowls Open Studio bowl-making - February 26

Looking for a fun, creative way to give back? Join us for a FREE Empty Bowls Open Studio bowl-making on Thursday, February 26th from 5:30pm to 7pm at Franklin High School.

Whether you’re a pro or have never touched clay, we’ll provide everything you need to create a ceramic bowl that will be given to attendees at the 11th Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser on May 14th.

This free event is open to individuals ages 8+ (kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult).

Space is limited so please sign up only if you can make it, and remember to cancel if plans change so someone else can join! Sign-up link.

Questions? Reach out to Jen Johnson at jjohnson@franklinfoodpantry.org

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DUqX1NKDOSH/

Congressional Update and Q&A with Congressman Jake Auchincloss - Feb 22 in Foxborough

Hi neighbor, On Sunday, February 22, I'll be hosting a Congressional Update and Q&A in Foxborough. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions and hear updates on how I'm working to represent the district's values and priorities. Congressional Update and Q&A with Congressman Jake Auchincloss   Sunday, February 22 3:00pm – 4:00pm Foxborough, MA Doors will open at 2:30pm.  Location provided upon RSVP HERE. *By registering for this event, you grant our office permission to send you future communications and updates. Sincerely, Jake Auchincloss

Franklin Welcomes The World - June 25 & June 26

The Town of Franklin will host two days of festivities celebrating the international soccer games playing at neighboring Gillette Stadium. These events will take place on June 25 and June 26 on the Franklin Town Common and at one of our community partner locations, Haywood Manor.

The festivities will include live streamed games on a large screen; enabling viewing from the Town Common and the Haywood lawn; as well as community vendors, food trucks and live music. These free, community-centered days are designed to create a welcoming, festive atmosphere for residents and visitors while supporting downtown activity and cultural tourism.

Programming is also part of the broader ‘Franklin Welcomes the World’ marketing campaign, reinforcing Franklin’s role as a regional gathering place during a global event.

Viewing party & Community Engagement Primary Location:

Franklin Town Common & Hayward Manor

LED screen viewing area with open lawn seating at Haywood Manor; will host outdoor viewing, including a beer garden component (pending licensing and approvals).

Watch Party/Festivity Timeline: 3-9pm June 25th+26th Streamed games:

Thursday, June 25

•   4pm Ecuador v Germany
•   7pm Tunisia v Netherlands
•   10pm USA - Go watch elsewhere!   

Friday, June 26

•   3pm Norway v France
•   8pm Uruguay v Spain

Community Engagement Elements | Vendors & Community Partners

Presented on the Town Common and Haywood Manor. Note that the beer garden is at Haywood Manor only, and no alcohol is permitted on the Town Common.

• Live music performances before and/or after matches
• Community Partners/Vendors on the Town Common
• Food trucks
• Wayfinding and signage connecting the Common, downtown, and partner locations + ‘Franklin Welcomes the World’ marketing campaign

Estimated Attendance

Projected total attendance: 1,000–1,500 visitors over two days, Audience includes: Franklin residents, Regional visitors attending Gillette matches,

Families, young adults, and soccer fans.

Safe online standards introduced by the Mental Health Coalition

Safe online standards introduced by the Mental Health Coalition

From the Mental Health Coalition comes:

Introducing Safe Online Standards (S.O.S.), a first-of-its-kind framework to ensure safer digital spaces for young people.

Learn more: safeonlinestandards.org

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DUlOZN1imkS/

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI): Project Construction Updates ~ Monday (2/16) Through Friday (2/20)

RT. 140 (West Central Street) Lane Closure Alert  

-  Monday Night (2/16) thru Thursday Morning (2/19) 7pm to 5am, Friday (2/20) 7am-3pm

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI)

The Contractor will continue with the installation of the sewer force main within RT. 140 (West Central Street). The work will be contained within the southbound lane from Burger King to Beaver Street. During this time there will be evening lane closures on RT. 140. Please use caution when traveling in this area and follow all posted signs.

Beaver Street Pump Station

At the Franklin Recreation Center, the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue with construction of the internal building component installation and testing of the pumps.  Bypass piping equipment will be onsite and protected by barriers.  Access to the recreation center will NOT be affected during this time.

For additional details on the project -

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/557/Beaver-Street-Interceptor-BSI-Project

Why can’t that new love interest meet in person?

Why can't that new love interest meet in person? By BCP Staff Met someone new online…but you still haven't met in person? With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's a great time to make sure you know how to recognize a romance scam. Romance scams can happen to anyone. And with the help of AI and other tech, they might not be so easy to spot. AI or not, here are some signs you're dealing with a scammer: Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/02/why-cant-new-love-interest-meet-person?utm_source=govdelivery      Why can’t that new love interest meet in person?

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Saturday, February 14, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Saturday

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Saturday

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, February 13, 2026 ???

Friday, February 13

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

7:30pm Little Lies     (THE BLACK BOX)

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

*** 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

Reflections on the 8th Grade Winter 2026 Capstone Project Presentations

I had the opportunity to witness some of the 8th grade Capstone Project presentations at Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School recently. 49 presentations in about 4 hours over 2 sessions. 

Some of the 8th graders were nervous about speaking to the large gathering of parents, teachers, guests, and fellow students. Some spoke rapidly to get it over with. Some proceeded more calmly presenting on their project.

Their project topics ranged across a large variety of topics. Some close to home 

• Picnic tables for the teachers

• Flowers at the school entrances

• Animal crossing signs on a local road

• Air filters for classrooms

 

BFCCPS Capstone Project Presentation Schedule

Some issues with a broader reach

• Food insecurity

• Comfort kits for hospital patients, including children

• Support for the homeless

• Support for animal rescue

And some with an even broader reach

• Light pollution

• Marine animal health

• Genetic disorders

• Teen suicide

This selection can only highlight the breadth of the issues their projects researched.

Unlike the diversity of the projects, the student project experiences were similar. Many faced procrastination issues, and were hindered by a lack of response from key contacts at the subject organizations. Many adjusted their scope to complete the project, many learned better time management, and many built confidence from repeating the explanation of what their project was about.

A common theme I found was that a small effort can have a big impact. Some learned that better messaging could get the attention of the adults in authority at the organizations. Students also learned that while it is unfortunate, some political views do hinder making progress on really human issues.

Given that many of the students faced constraints with lack of resource time (much of it their own), a future consideration might be to enable collaboration among 2 or 3 students. Working together on their similar interests, they could perhaps accomplish more, and learn the keys to successful collaboration. This alone would be a good skill for life beyond 8th grade.

The students were not bashful in thanking all those who helped them along the way, teachers, family members, and friends. It does take a village.

Franklin Town Councilor Stephen Malloy was in one session with me and shared his reflection:

“Congratulations to the BFCCPS eight graders for completing their Capstone projects.  I was able to attend three sessions and was very impressed at the range of organizations that were helped, the resiliency shown by the students during their year plus long efforts, and the quality of the public presentations.  This is a fantastic program.  Great job everyone.”

Town Councilor Max Morrongiello shared his reflection:

"I'm impressed by Benjamin Franklin Charter Schools commitment to educating well rounded citizens. I was also impressed with the amount of students who prioritized self- improvement and self-care, which is critically important in these trying times."

State Representative Jeff Roy shared his reflection:

"It was a profound honor to witness the dignity and professionalism displayed by the 8th graders at Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School during their superb Capstone presentations," said Rep. Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin). "From tackling the complexities of cancer research and suicide awareness to advocating for animal protection, food insecurity and so much more, these students addressed our world’s most pressing challenges with remarkable maturity. The depth of research and the poise with which these students presented their findings reflect the high standards of the BFCCPS community and left no doubt that they are not just future leaders, but powerful voices for change today."

Additional info on the Capstone projects was shared earlier

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/benjamin-franklin-classical-charter.html

Josh Shearer and I had a conversation about his project in November 2025. You can listen to it here

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/11/joshua-talks-about-his-capstone-project.html

While we are at it, another project is conducting a circus show on Sunday Feb 22. More info from Nora Clement can be found here

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/bfccps-capstone-project-conducts-circus.html