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Officially Launching May 1st - Art Pharmacy in Franklin Massachusetts
Dear Community Partners,
We're excited to officially announce the launch of Franklin's Art Pharmacy Program, beginning May 1, 2025!
Art Pharmacyis a creative well-being initiative launched by the Town of Franklin, grounded in the belief that art can be a powerful path to healing. Backed by opioid settlement funding, this visionary program is led by the Town administration in partnership with local cultural organizations, prescribing partners, and community leaders.
It connects residents with transformative arts and cultural experiences—offering "prescriptions" for creativity that nurture mental health, reduce isolation, and restore a sense of community connection. As noted by Erik Holmgren, Manager of Advancement and Strategic Partnerships at the Massachusetts Cultural Council, 'Franklin is the first municipality in the country to invest in Arts Prescriptions as a public health response to the opioid crisis—prescribing music, dance, visual arts, and more as a new tool for care.' "Funded through the Town's opioid settlement funds, their Arts Prescriptions initiative is designed to support substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery efforts within the community.
Here's what Pete from Pete's Nerd Emporium had to say about joining:
"Signing up was super easy, especially for how much good the program can do! No cost, no risk to the business; nothing but up side for all involved. Was an absolute no-brainer to sign up."
Registration remains open on a rolling basis for cultural organizations and prescribing partners who want to join the network. Please help us spread the word to others who may want to get involved!
Thank you for helping make Franklin a more creative, connected, and compassionate place to live. We can't wait to see the positive ripple effect the Art Pharmacy will have across our community.
Click the image to go to Enrollment form.
Click the buttons below to link up cultural events in Franklin!
The Franklin, MA Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, May 1. 8 of the councilors were present, 1 absent (Dellorco) in Council Chambers for this session.
Chair Callaghan updates on SchCmte business; elementary report card changes approved, support letter for Franklin TV and cable access funding approved for Franklin.News; School budget lays out a foundation for success
Town Clerk Nancy Danello with an update on the special election, ballots received, absentee sent, vote by mail needs to be requested. Drop ballots off at the Town Hall. May 16 opens early voting during office hours
Web site updates announcements on the upcoming election. Bridge banners coming soon. Robo call coming May 7. Visited all the Senior housing locations. Mailing to all the households with notification on the election.
Police Department - Promotions
i. Sergeant John Godino
Police Department - Swearing in of New Court Prosecutor / Detective
i. Tara Lagoa
Proclamation: Franklin High School Theater Group
Proclamation: Bryan Taberner, Director, Department of Planning and Community Development
Appointments
Agricultural Commission
i. Matthew Stoltz
Disability Commission
i. Kelly Quinlan; both appointments approved via 8-0-1 (1 absent) votes
PUBLIC HEARING - a. Transfer of Section 12 Restaurant Common Victualer All Alcohol License and Approval of Dolores Costa as the Manager - Franklin Hospitality Group, LLC d/b/a The Tavern on Central
Motion to approve, second, passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)
Resolution 25-29: Transfer of Care, Custody, Management and Control of Town-owned Property Containing the Building Known as “Gerald Murdock Parmenter Elementary School” from the Franklin School Committee to the Franklin Town Council, for Municipal Purposes
Motion to approve, second, passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)
Update that for the Town Council Budget Hearings scheduled for May 21, 22 Town Administrator will propose that they continue the second hearing to June 4 to enable possible adjustments. The budget as presented assumes the override passes. If it doesn't, cuts would be forthcoming
Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided updates on Previous Requests:
300 Fisher Street - very dormant, EPA removed soil etc pre pandemic, delayed by staffing issues pre the changes in DC
Chestnut Street Apartments - The exterior is complete, the interior has not been finished, in the owners control currently There are 2 deeded apartments for local veterans
Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Wednesday, April 30, 2025
– Franklin erupted for eight runs in the fourth innings, turning a one-run game at the time into a convincing win in five innings. The Panthers grabbed the lead in the opening inning on a two-run single from freshman Patrick Luizzi while the Hawks grabbed one back in the top of the fourth to cut the deficit in half. Holding a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the fourth, Franklin put the game out of reach by plating eight runs. DJ Silverstein had an RBI single, Cole Sidwell plated a run, Matt Luccini drew a bases-loaded walk, Sean Kryzak cleared the bases with a three-run double, and Luizzi added an RBI groundout. Sidwell drove in another run in the bottom of the fifth to win the game. Silverstein gave up just one unearned run on five hits and one walk on five strikeouts, getting the win with five innings of work. Ian Carter had a single and scored a run and Nick Koch had a double for the Scarlet Hawks.
Softball = Franklin, 7 @ Milford, 1 – Final
– Early offense, a strong pitching performance, and a big night at the plate from Ciara O’Brien propelled the Panthers to a key win on the road against Milford. Franklin enjoyed a four-run first inning and then tacked on two more in the second and one more in the third to stake a 7-0 lead. All four of Franklin’s runs in the first came with two outs, including an RBI single from Ella Weston and a three-run home run from O’Brien (3-for-4, four RBI, two runs). Sarah Boozang, who collected her 100th career hit on the night, delivered an RBI double in the second and Marley Allen had an RBI groundout as the lead grew to 6-0. O’Brien capped the scoring for the visitors with a solo home run to lead off the third inning. Sophia Sacramone earned the win, giving up just one unearned run in the seventh inning, scattering four hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in a complete game effort. Sacramone, Boozang, and Josie Drucker (run) also had three hits for the Panthers. Freshman Brooke Stokes tossed five scoreless innings in relief for the Hawks with five strikeouts.
Boys Lacrosse = Stoughton, 0 @ Franklin, 19 – Final
– A dozen different Panthers scored in a big win over the visiting Black Knights. Joey Tarentino, Seamus Conlan, and Jamison Risgin each scored twice and Jordan Gaspar dished out three assists.
Girls Lacrosse = Franklin, 21 @ Stoughton, 3 – Final
– Sophomore Olivia Wrobleski scored a pair of goals to help Franklin roll to a big win on the road. Senior Hannah Blongastainer and junior Morgan Lovell each scored their first goal of the season for the Panthers.
Boys Tennis = Franklin, 2 @ Milford, 3 – Final
– In the closest match of the day, Milford took a hard-fought 3-2 verdict over visiting Franklin. The Hawks won a pair of matches in singles action and added a three-set win at first doubles to clinch the win. The team of senior Todd Ostertog and junior Drew Cahill prevailed with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win at first doubles to secure the win for Milford. Senior Corey Rattray took a tight 7-6 (1), 6-4 win at first singles and senior Connor Wong added a hard-fought 7-5, 6-3 win at second singles. Franklin senior Gabe Terry battled to a 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 win at third singles while the Panthers’ second doubles team of seniors Jack Sebell and Charlie Souza secured a 6-2, 6-4 win.
Girls Tennis = Milford, 0 @ Franklin, 5 – Final
– Franklin defended home court, taking all five matches in straight sets against visiting Milford. Senior Izzy Trull (first singles, 6-2, 6-1), junior Isabelle Simino (second singles, 6-0, 6-4), and freshman Anna Powers (6-1, 6-0) completed the singles sweep for the Panthers. Seniors Brooke Daniels and Sydney Tolonen dropped just two games in a 6-1, 6-1 first doubles win, and seniors Ashmita Boopathy and Katie Yelle secured a win at second doubles by the same score.
Tri-County Drama Club proudly presents The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood — a hilariously twisted take on the classic legend! 🏹✨ 📅Thursday May 8th & Saturday May 10th 📍 Tri-County Auditorium 🎟️ $5 Tickets at the door Gather your merry crew and join us for a theatrical experience like no other!
"Starting this week, Truax will be in Franklin conducting yearly catch basin cleaning operations. The work is expected to take 4 - 6 weeks and is a crucial component to keeping our stormwater clean and our infrastructure healthy!"
🌟Come MOVE FOR THE MUSEUM!🌟 🗓 Sunday, May 4th | 3-4:30pm 📍 Downtown Sports, Franklin
What to expect: • 45-min workout (optional) led by Body Fit Training Franklin Village • Post-workout juice samples from @mahajuicebar • Raffles + prizes from amazing local businesses • Meet the museum founders — two local moms, Erin & Meg, bringing their dream to life!
Spots are limited — grab your family, friends, & free ticket now!
Looking for Local Events to Sponsor, Set Up a Booth, and Help Promote! 🎉
My name is Philip Regan, and I'm the proud owner of the School of Rock in Franklin, MA — a rock-n-roll music school opening later this year!
I am currently looking for in-person community events where I can:
✅ Sponsor or support your event to our growing local audience
✅ Set up a booth with fun, music-themed activities for kids and families
✅ Pay for booth/vendor space (I'm not asking for freebies — I'm here to contribute!)
If you're organizing a fair, festival, concert, open market, or family-focused gathering, let’s chat. I would love to be part of what makes your event special — and bring some rock & roll energy to the day!
I've already done events at the Holliston Holiday Stroll, Hopedale Winter Stroll, Tri-County Chamber of Commerce Family Fest and Home Show, and will be doing more at the Franklin Strawberry Stroll, and the Hopedale Fairy Walk!
📩 Drop me a message or tag someone who’s planning an event in the following towns: Bellingham, Blackstone, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Medfield, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis, Millville, Northbridge, Upton, Wrentham
"Across Europe and the US, stadiums have become the great hope of urban regeneration – the prize asset that will, local officials hope, bring life and money back to stagnating cities. Superficially this seems like a perfect marriage: top clubs need the increased revenue that bigger, more sophisticated stadiums with richer facilities will bring, and cities need the boost to economic activity that should in theory follow from the construction of a major new venue. It’s true, of course, that in professional sport’s new world, revenue is king. For a football club in Europe to move, say, from a cramped and under-serviced 30,000-seater to a sleek new arena with room for 60,000 people and all the other assorted nonsense represents a massive step up in economic power, with the security to lock in chunky revenue streams for decades to come. In England, the economic incentives for stadium construction are even more powerful given that infrastructure expenses are exempt from the Premier League’s new profitability rules: for top clubs, building big has become something akin to a financial free kick."
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