Monday, August 25, 2025

What are the Franklin school bus routes? When do they run?

The Franklin Public School bus routes were sent to parents/families on August 19. For those of us who may be driving around Franklin during the 6:30 AM to 8:15 AM time frame, the bus stops and routes are available here.


FPS bus communication memo -> 



Other bus and transportation items can be found on the PFS page ->   https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/transportation/

Good Deeds: We remember our Women - Sep 10

GOOD DEEDS: "We Remember Our Women"

By William P. O'Donnell

Norfolk County Register of Deeds

Good Deeds: We remember our Women - Sep 10
Good Deeds: We remember our Women - Sep 10


Many Americans may never fully appreciate the strength, vision, and lasting impact of the women who have shaped our country, our communities, and our lives. Some of these individuals exhibited perseverance, others bold leadership, and still others through a lifetime of dedication, intellect, courage, and love. We all have women in our lives who were impactful and make each of us who we are today. On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds will honor the impact and importance of women in our society with an open house and the release of "We Remember Our Women," the fourth volume in the Registry's Notable Land Records series.

The event will take place from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the Registry's Great Hall at 649 High Street in Dedham Center and is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served, and guests will receive copies of the notable land record publication "We Remember Our Women." Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kimberley L. Driscoll will deliver keynote remarks, adding a powerful voice to an afternoon dedicated to honoring the women of Norfolk County.

The creation of the "We Remember Our Women" booklet was made possible by the Registry's History Comes Alive Transcription Project, which has transcribed over 450,000 handwritten land records dating back to 1793. These records now allow users to see the legal cursive script and clearly readable print text, which can more easily reveal the land histories of early Norfolk County residents. This repository of land records is available to the public both at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds and online from the comfort of home via our website at www.norfolkdeeds.org.

This edition of Notable Land Records pays tribute to 44 women from the 28 communities of Norfolk County whose lives and work have left a lasting mark on society. Their stories span medicine, environmental advocacy, journalism, literature, and military service. Among those featured are the second female doctor in the United States, a conservationist from Canton, two female Army Generals, a gold medalist gymnast, and an astronaut who recently returned from space. All living women featured in the booklet have been invited to attend the event, offering guests a rare opportunity to meet and celebrate these trailblazers in person.

The article also includes a few interesting facts that help bring these stories to life. One woman from Norwood helped shape national civil rights policy through decades of advocacy and leadership. Another, from Randolph, broke barriers in broadcast journalism, becoming a trusted voice in homes across the country. A trailblazer from Canton helped launch a conservation movement that changed how Americans protect wildlife. In Quincy, one woman's legacy continues to influence the world of film and stage. These are just a few of the many inspiring stories found in the pages of "We Remember Our Women."

Abigail Adams, the second First Lady of the United States, was born in Norfolk County in 1744 in Weymouth. In 1764 she married John Adams. She was President Adams's closest confidant and took an active role in politics and what was happening in the country. Abigail Adams wrote to her husband John during the Continental Congress debate in Philadelphia, "I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors." This event carries forward her message, recognizing those whose contributions continue to shape life in our communities and beyond.

There are a number of points throughout the year that recognize the impact and importance of women in our society. Women's History Month is celebrated during the month of March. Women's Equality Day takes place on August 26 commemorating the 1920 adoption of the 19th amendment to the United States Constitution which prohibits the states and federal government from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of sex.

It is important to recognize and be mindful of the women in our contemporary society and all they have accomplished. Let us take a moment to thank all women who have made a difference in our communities and in our own lives. Our lives, our communities and our country would not be what they are today without all of you. So come down to the Registry of Deeds in Dedham Center on Wednesday, September 10th to celebrate and give thanks.

Reminder: Veterans Benefits Presentation & Discussion Sep 15 at Franklin Senior Center

Reminder: Veterans Benefits Presentation & Discussion Sep 15 at Franklin Senior Center
Reminder: Veterans Benefits Presentation
& Discussion Sep 15 at Franklin Senior Center

Join us Monday, September 15, 2025 at 9:00AM for a discussion of VA and State Survivor Benefits.

Coffee and Pastries will be provided!

The event is open to Veterans, Service Members, Spouses & their Children
.

Shared from -> https://t.co/Ux5mBRkrky



Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Monday, Aug 25, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fmFranklin 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:

wfpr.fm Schedule for Monday - Franklin Public Radio
wfpr.fm Schedule for Monday - Franklin Public Radio


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 Sunday
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule

Franklin TV schedule for Monday, Aug 25, 2025 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = MONDAY
7:00 am Riffing on Main Street: Steve Sherlock
8:00 am SAFE Coalition: Youth Sports
9:00 am 4th of July 2025: Jamie Barrett
11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Fish
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Taquitos
12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Meatballs
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Black Bean, Roasted Pepper & Garlic Pizzetta
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 4
3:02 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 11
4:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith
5:30 pm Metrowest Symposium: Equity & Access in Arts & Culture
6:30 pm Horace Mann PSA
7:00 pm Frank Presents: Daniela Masters Pt 1
8:30 pm Celebrate with Pride 2025: Queens of the South Coast

  • Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = MONDAY

8:30 am SAFE Coalition: Youth Sports
9:30 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith
10:30 am Public School Event: Remington Spring Music '22
12:00 pm Public School Concert: FHS Spring Jazz '22
1:30 pm Lifelong Music: Strings School 01-22-25
3:00 pm FHS Varsity Baseball v Oliver Ames 03-31-25
6:00 pm Rec Basketball: 6th - 8th Grade Girls Championship 2025
9:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Legally Blonde

  • Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = MONDAY


8:00 am Planning Board 07-28-25
12:00 pm Finance Committee 08-11-25
2:00 pm Planning Board 07-28-25
7:00 pm Planning Board  CHAMBERS  816 6919 3330

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

Sunday, August 24, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, August 24, 2025 ??

Sunday, August 24

11am Sunday Brunch (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)
1pm Sunday Fundays (Fairmount Fruit Farm)
1pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free) 
7pm Sunday at Sunset (St John's Episcopal Church)


** NO Town Meetings today   **


------------

What's happening in Franklin, MA
What's happening in Franklin, MA


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


Number of School Committee and Town Council candidates for Biennial Elections from 2003 to this year (as of 8/22/25)

Tabulating the total number of candidates for Town Council and School Committee via the PDF Annual Reports available from the Town of Franklin web page reveals the following information:
  • Currently the most candidates for Town Council is found this year (with nomination paper data as of 8/22/25)
  • The School Committee has the most variation in number of candidates from a negative 1 (6 for 7 spots) in 2005 to a plus 5 (12 for 7 spots) in 2021 to a current plus 3 (as of 8/22/25)
  • There were 4 elections where all you needed was to get on the ballot to get elected to the School Committee vs. the Town Council where in 2 elections there were 10 candidates and at the end one was left out
Town Council - chart of candidates plus or minus by year since 2003

Town Council - chart of candidates plus or minus by year since 2003


School Committee - chart of candidates plus or minus by year since 2003

School Committee - chart of candidates plus or minus by year since 2003
School Committee - chart of candidates plus or minus by year since 2003


The PDF Annual Reports can be found -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?AMID=39

The data table, compiled from the PDF copies, that drove the charts can be found ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jWlQaxx40GKbSTSY2-81Jgfpm6isnqXp/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin, MA: School Committee agenda for meeting August 28, 2025

Franklin School Committee 
August 26, 2025 - 7:00 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers 

Call to Order Mr. Callaghan
Announcements from the Chair
Pledge of Allegiance 
Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Payment of Bills Mr. Callaghan
C. Payroll Mr. McNeill
D. FHS Student Representative Comments
E. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/New Presentations
A. New Hires Update
B. 2025-26 Family Handbooks Presentations

III. Discussion/Action Items
A.   2025-26 ECDC Family Handbook Approval
I recommend approval of the 2025-26 ECDC Family Handbook as discussed.

B.   2025-26 Elementary Family Handbook Approval
I recommend approval of the 2025-26 Elementary Family Handbook as discussed.

C.   2025-26 Middle School Family Handbook Approval
I recommend approval of the 2025-26 Middle School Family Handbook as discussed.

D.   2025-26 FHS Family Handbook Approval
I recommend approval of the 2025-26FHS Family Handbook as discussed.

E. Horace Mann Campus Naming
I recommend that the Franklin School Committee designate the school land located on Oak Street and Panther Way encompassing the Early Childhood Development Center, Franklin Middle School, and Franklin High School as the Horace Mann Campus as discussed.

F. Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee creation
I recommend the creation of the Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee as discussed.

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. None

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
B. School Committee Liaison Reports

VI. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your August 12, 2025 School Committee meeting as detailed.
Franklin, MA: School Committee agenda for meeting August 28, 2025
School Committee agenda for
meeting August 28, 2025

VII. Citizen’s Comments

VIII. New Business
To discuss any future agenda items

IX. Executive Session

X. Adjournment




Meeting packet folder (items released for the meeting, in some cases, a day or two after the meeting) -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/august-26%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/846929

The Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) is enrolling


The Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) is enrolling
The Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) is enrolling


You can help Brielle raise money for the Franklin Food Pantry for her capstone project

You can help Brielle raise money for the Franklin Food Pantry for her capstone project
You can help Brielle raise money for the
Franklin Food Pantry for her capstone project
Brielle, a junior member of the Berry Insurance Family, needs your help!


For her 8th grade capstone project, she’s raising funds for the Franklin Food Pantry, a cause very close to her heart. Her goal is to raise $1,000 to help provide food and support to families in our community.


Thank you for helping to make a difference, Brielle, we’re so proud of you!


MBTA Update: Starting Monday (8/25/25) Note there is a Franklin/Foxboro Line schedule change

Effective Monday, August 25, further schedule adjustments will be implemented on the Franklin/Foxboro Line reflecting the progress made by Amtrak repairs.

Train service returns to Forge Park/495. View PDF Timetable on the MBTA website -> (schedule) https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/line   or PDF    https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/media/route_pdfs/2025-06-02-cr-franklin-foxboro-spring-summer-schedule_0.pdf

Train service will resume between Forge Park/495 station and Franklin Station, with inbound trains originating at Forge Park as previously scheduled.

Foxboro Line trains 1765 and 1770 will now complete their trips to Foxboro Station.
MBTA Update: Starting Monday (8/25/25) Note there is a Franklin/Foxboro Line schedule change
MBTA Update: Starting Monday (8/25/25) Note
there is a Franklin/Foxboro Line schedule change

Franklin/Foxboro outbound trains will operate closer to a regular schedule with minor adjustments to allow four trains to make an additional stop at Hyde Park Station, adding approximately three minutes to the schedule and an additional five minutes to the last stop of all outbound trains.

Franklin/Foxboro inbound trains will continue to run via the Fairmount Line and will not stop at Ruggles or Back Bay Station. An additional five minutes will be added to the last stop of some inbound evening Franklin/Foxboro trains.
Mid-day busing between Walpole and Foxboro will continue, as will the cancellation of the mid-day Foxboro trains.

Train 744 (1:59PM Readville) will have a minor schedule adjustment with a three-minute later departure time and three-minute later arrival time, as a result of the changes to the Franklin/Foxboro Line.

The Fairmount Line schedule will be adjusted to accommodate a midday Franklin/Foxboro train (train 744) running as a local via the Fairmount Line.
Shuttle buses will continue to replace service between Foxboro and Walpole on weekdays between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to allow for construction of a permanent, accessible platform at Foxboro Station. Special event trains for concerts and Patriots games at Gillette Stadium will continue to operate during construction.



Last Updated: Aug 23 2025 11:47 AM

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project: Construction Updates ~ Monday (8/25) through Friday (8/29)

BEAVER STREET ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE!!

Continuing on Monday (8/25) thru Wednesday (8/27), Beaver Street will be closed at the MBTA train tracks between 7am to 4pm.  Those needing to access 242-290 Beaver Street will be able to do so using Rt. 140 only. This includes access to Franklin Glass, Panera Fresh Dough Facility and Franklin Recreation. 

Access to all other locations on Beaver Street, including the Town of Franklin Recycling Center, Beaver Street Recreation Area, and the businesses on Master Drive will be accessed from Grove St. 

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project
Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project

Starting Thursday (8/28) thru Friday (8/29) the Construction crew will be working off the road on Fisher Street. Limited to no traffic impacts are expected.

At the Franklin Recreation Center, the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue with construction of the exterior building structure and internal building component installation. 

UPCOMING LANE CLOSURE ON RT 140 (West Central Street)

Starting Tuesday, September 2nd, the Contractor will start 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 lane closures on RT. 140. Please use caution when traveling in this area and follow all posted signs.

Help Metacomet Land Trust Observe 1,000 Species by Year's End!

Need an excuse to get outside?

Help Metacomet Observe 1,000 Species by Year's End!
Thanks to our amazing community of nature lovers, 804 different species have been spotted on Metacomet Land Trust properties using the iNaturaIist app (App Store or Google Play) — from birds and butterflies to fungi and frogs!
Now, we're setting a new goal: Help us reach 1,000 species before the end of 2025!
Help Metacomet Land Trust Observe 1,000 Species by Year's End!
Help Metacomet Land Trust Observe 1,000 Species by Year's End!
Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or just curious about what's out there, all you need is a cell phone and a pair of binoculars to join the fun. To start, visit one of our most accessible conservation areas:
  • Stevens Pond (Sutton)
  • Hop Brook Preserve (Blackstone)
  • Szerlag Farm (Northbridge)
Download the free iNaturaIist app, snap photos of what you see, and contribute to real community science that helps us steward our lands.
Together, we can learn more about the rich biodiversity protected by your local land trust!l
Want to see if you've found a new species? Head to the project page and see for yourself. -> https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/metacomet-biodiversity-adventure





Franklin Recreation: Preschool Programs Are Back! Registration is Open !!!

We’re so excited to offer a wide variety of preschool classes this fall — perfect for curious little learners, active kids, and budding artists!
  • Young Artists & Little Science Seekers – creative fun + hands-on learning
  • First Friends & More Fun with Friends – great first steps into independence and play
  • https://franklinma.myrec.com/info/activities/default.aspx
    https://franklinma.myrec.com/info/activities/default.aspx
    Themed Drop-Off Classes – crafts, songs, games, and seasonal fun each week
  • Sports for Tots (NEW!) – try a different sport every week in a supportive, active setting
  • Tykes Hikes (NEW!) – outdoor adventures, story strolls, and animal fun on the trails

Spots are limited — don’t wait!


Monthly payment plan options are available

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday, Aug 24, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fmFranklin 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 Sunday
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday


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 Sunday
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday