WBZ NewsRadio reports on the Franklin/Dean Station ribbon cutting Monday (audio)

(WBZ NewsRadio) — The MBTA unveiled new upgrades Monday at its Franklin Station it says will improve accessibility.

The upgrades include the completed construction of a mini-high platform which provides stair-free, level boarding for all passengers, including those with disabilities as well as those using strollers and luggage with rollers.

Franklin's Commission on Disability Chairperson Alison Rheaume said the upgrades are game changers. "So many residents in this very neighborhood were told to just go to another station," she said. "However, for those navigating disability, nothing is ever just that easy."

Now, Rheaume said better access to the station is improving people's lives. "There's one lady who lives just down the street, and for the first time, she was able to go into the city independently."

Along with upgraded station accessibility, artist Kayla Jean Nisbet was commissioned to create a mural on the station wall of a vacant coffee shop.

She said not only does the painting bring new life to the empty store front, it also celebrates the town's history. "As the story goes, the donation of 116 books that Benjamin Franklin gave to our town went on to establish America's first public library."

Town officials said they are hoping the upgrades will also attract a new tenant to the building.

WBZ NewsRadio's Jared Brosnan (@JaredBrosnanWBZ) reports

Audio link (audio embedded below)  ->  https://wbznewsradio.iheart.com/content/upgrades-improve-mbtas-franklin-station-accessibility/

Franklin Matters photo album (left off the initial post on Tuesday) Photo album of the ribbon cutting in the rain -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/F7jWAnmrb3fnHm5UA

Franklin Public Library shares the events scheduled for November 2025

Library Hours

The Library’s hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Library will be closed November 11^th for Veterans Day, close early at 2:00 PM on the 26^th, and closed on the 27^th for Thanksgiving.

Franklin Public Library’s 2025 Reading Challenge!

November: Cultivate Kindness!
Welcome to the Franklin Public Library's second Annual Reading Challenge! For each monthly prompt that you complete and submit on time you will receive a Free Book Coupon that's good at the library's Book Sale. Submissions MUST be submitted by the last day of each month in order to qualify for that month's Free Book Coupon. For complete details and to sign-up, visit our website! Grand prizes made possible by the Friends of the Franklin Library!

Franklin Public Library VITA: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

We Need You! for the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs… better known as VITA and TCE.
Many volunteer roles are available. You can help as a greeter, an interpreter, and many other roles, but most of all, we need tax preparers. Training for certification is provided!

Franklin Public Library shares the
events scheduled for November 2025

Learn more at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-tax-volunteers or email site coordinator Mitzi Gousie at mgousie@minlib.net

ESL & Adult Literacy Program

The Franklin Public Library has started an English as a Second Language and Adult Literacy Program to serve Franklin and its surrounding communities.  Volunteers and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, fill out the registration form on the library’s website.

Special Events for Kids

DINO-vember Party Saturday November 15 10:30 AM

Families! Celebrate DINOVEMBER at the library with an epic dinosaur themed party! We'll have games, crafts, snacks, and a few surprises!

Petite Picassos Monday November 17 4:00 PM

Registration Required.

Join Miss Lily and create a step-by-step painting of some silly stacked pumpkins! This paint party is a great fit for children ages 6 through 12! All materials will be provided.

Fairytale Fun Saturday November 22 10:30 AM

Join us for a special visit from a special royal guest!

There will be singing, dancing, interactive storytelling and a photo opportunity with each guest!

Special Events for Teens

FHSTC November Musical Teaser! Saturday, November 15 @ 1:00PM

Join the Franklin High School Theatre Company for a special sneak preview of their upcoming November Musical! Enjoy songs, dancing, and a few surprises from Mean Girls: the Musical!

Teensgiving Wednesday November 19 5:00 PM

Teens! Join us in the teen room for a potluck celebration of thanksgiving! Bring along your favorite snack and your appetite and kick off the thanksgiving holiday with friends!

Special Events for Adults

Painting for Adults Saturday November 1 1:00 PM

Registration Required.

Grown-ups! Are you feeling creative? Join Miss Lily and create a step-by-step painting! All materials will be provided.

Watercolors Workshop Monday November 3 & 24 6:00 PM

Registration Required

Relax with a Monday watercolor class with local artist Sharon Carloni for adults 18 and over!

Restoring the Promise: A Discussion About Immigration Policy & the Path Forward Tuesday November 4 6:30 PM

Immigration Attorney <> speaks on the immigration process and answers questions on the path to citizenship.

Craftalong for Adults Saturday November 8 2:00 PM

Registration Required.

Get crafty at the library! Adults of all ages and craft ability levels are welcome to join us for this new program. One Saturday each month, we'll complete a new DIY, creative craft. All supplies provided. Because adults deserve arts & crafts fun, too!

Special Events for All Ages

Chess Club Saturday November 1 2:30 PM

Chess - The Game of Kings has resumed play! All ages and ability levels are welcomed. If you would like to learn how to play chess, you are welcome as well! Learn an opening, develop strategic & tactic abilities, improve endgame skills. Sets will be available.

Slime Time November 12 1:00 PM

Make your very own slime at the library! No registration required!

Holiday Heroes! An Interactive Adventure! November 13 1:00 PM

Join our local heroes from the Franklin Fire Department for an interactive adventure to prepare for a safe and healthy holiday season! Grown ups and kids can learn basic safety skills, and explore ways to keep ourselves safe, healthy, and merry over the next few months! Kids can enjoy interactive activities, and the Franklin Fire Department will be on hand to teach grown-ups the basics of infant CPR and more!

Science Chefs Make Butter Saturday November 22 2:00 PM

Wiggle and Shake! Dance and Make for SCIENCE! Join us for an active experiment to make your own butter! Participants will learn how butter is made and will get to take home some of their own butter for the dinner table!

Santa Story Walk Saturday November 29 10:30 AM

Families! Join us at the library for a special indoor version of a beloved tradition! Follow the pages of a cozy winter story, enjoy crafts and activities as you move through our winding line of holiday fun, and make your way up to meet the big guy himself!

Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, November 14^th, 1:00-5:00pm.  Saturday, November 15^th, 9:00am to 12:00 Noon
All books are just one dollar!

Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—Saturday, November 15^th, from 1:00-4:00pm
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!

Support Tri-County's SkillsUSA with a Bite at Panera on Friday, October 24

"Support SkillsUSA with a Bite! 

Support Tri-County's SkillsUSA

Join us ALL DAY on October 24th at Panera Bread – Franklin location for a delicious way to give back! 

📍 Panera Bread, Franklin, MA

📅 Friday, October 24th

🕗 All Day Long!

✨ 20% of your purchase will go directly to support our SkillsUSA chapter — just mention SkillsUSA when you order!

Bring your friends, grab your favorite meal, and help us reach our goals one bite at a time. "

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DQB-0MsDCpO/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio introduced a brand new schedule early in 2025 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:

 

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM   Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock 

Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 2 PM)  

• This segment shares my conversation with Taryn Barlow and her work for The Well Brain ->    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/taryn-barlow-cognitive-health-coach.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone  All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points.    (repeats Saturday at 1 PM)  

• This segment features Kim & Mark celebrating their 300th Episode With Len Presutti -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode.html

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

Franklin TV schedule for Wednesday, October 22, 2025 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY

7:30 am     Mental Health: Mithun Pasham

8:30 am Arts and Culture Symposium 2025

10:00 am Franklin Art Association: Charlie Guay

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Candy Apples

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Stromboli

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Salmon

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 2

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 6

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 3

3:30 pm More Perfect Union: Teachers Unions

5:30 pm Election 2025: Town Council - Michael LeBlanc

6:08 pm Election 2025: Town Council - Max Morrongiello

6:30 pm Election 2025: School Committee - Al Charles

7:00 pm Concerts on the Common: Matt Zajac

9:00 pm Circle of Friends: Joe Jencks

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

7:00 am FHS Winter Band 2022

8:30 am Middle School Winter Music 2024

10:00 am Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball Tournament

11:00 am Public School Event: FHS Chorus & Orchestra 2023

12:30 pm FHS Varsity Volleyball: v Taunton 09-18-23

2:30 pm Rec Basketball: 6th - 8th Grade Girls Championship 2025

4:30 pm FHS Varsity Field Hockey v King Philip 10-09-25

8:30 pm FHS Varsity Football v Attleboro 10-17-25

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

8:00 am Town Council 09-17-25

2:00 pm Town Council 09-17-25

5:30 pm Finance Committee  CHAMBERS  850 9426 5516 

7:00 pm Town Council  CHAMBERS  835 2598 5662 

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

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 ??

What's happening in Franklin, MA

Tuesday, October 21

8:00am In Person Early Voting (Town Clerk's Office) 

12:00pm Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

4:00pm Pumpkin Patch (St John's Episcopal Church)

Library & Senior Center events

6:00pm Table Top (Franklin Public Library)

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

** NO Town Meetings today   **

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

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

Ribbon cutting at Franklin/Dean station acknowledges handicap ramp & new mural (photo album)

In the downpour on Monday morning, multiple local officials and supporters braved the rain to participate.

Photo album of the ribbon cutting in the rain -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/F7jWAnmrb3fnHm5UA

Photo album of the Station mural -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/CwEybFxRWgA4h5Ac7

And the ribbon got cut !!!

Franklin Garden Club Offers Program on Mushrooms

“Identifying and Growing Your Own Mushrooms” will be the featured program at the November meeting of the Franklin Garden Club.   The meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, from 6:00– 8:30 PM.   

Franklin Garden Club Offers Program on Mushrooms

An informal social get-together will take place from 6:00 – 6:30 PM followed by a business meeting and the program. Lauren Schmitt, a horticulturist at Weston Nurseries in Hopkinton, will present the program. The meeting is open to the public at no charge, including those interested in becoming a member. 

Schmitt graduated in 2010 from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Plant and Soil Science.  Her career began in environmental chemistry, before transitioning to indoor farming and hydroponics.  She now works as a Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist at Weston Nurseries, and an Orchard Consultant for Peas, Love and Parsley.  

Schmitt has always had a personal passion for growing her own food, whether it’s vegetables outside in the summer, or mushrooms, herbs and microgreens indoors year-round.  She started a small culinary mushroom farm prior to moving back to Massachusetts, and now enjoys teaching classes to people who want to grow more of their own food.

The Franklin Garden Club is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts. 

Frank Presents: Joe McGann, Ken Ojukwu (video)

Frank Falvey interviews two Town Council candidates; Joe McGann and Ken Ojukwu.

McGann video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myZo-PINi8Y

Ojukwu video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuO3FmgS5IM

2025 Town of Franklin Biennial Election

HockomockSports.com: "Franklin Names Masto As New Boys Basketball Coach"

By Ryan Lanigan || HockomockSports.com Editor

"Mike Masto is returning to the bench where his high school coaching career started.

The 37-year-old has been hired as the new Franklin boys basketball coach, replacing CJ Neely who stepped down last month after a decade at the helm that culminated in the program’s first ever state championship in March.

Masto has been a physical education teacher in the Franklin Public Schools for nearly 20 years, and spent three years as the program’s freshman coach under Dean O’Connor, and then three years as the JV coach under Neely.

HockomockSports.com: "Franklin Names
Masto As New Boys Basketball Coach"

“Obviously I’m really excited for the opportunity,” Masto told HockomockSports.com. “It’s an incredible opportunity to build on the relationships I already have with the kids I teach and to be part of such a strong program. It just felt like the right fit for me and my family. Leaving Natick wasn’t easy — I loved the players and people there, and it was definitely a tough decision.

“I’ve been really fortunate to work under two amazing head coaches, and I want to carry on that tradition. I’m looking forward to continuing what’s been built here.”

Continue reading  (subscription required)  https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-names-mike-masto-as-new-boys-basketball-coach/

FHS field hockey and volleyball teams post wins on Monday

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Fall sports competition for Franklin High School  on  Monday, October 20, 2025

Field Hockey = Franklin, 3 vs. Bishop Feehan, 2 – Final 

– Addi Weiss scored midway through the fourth quarter to lead the Panthers to a big win over fellow D1 contender Feehan. The Shamrocks grabbed the lead in the first quarter with a goal by Jordi Higgins. Franklin responded with a pair of goals in the second. Ella Marzullo tied the game off an assist by Lily Aparo and Clara Blongastainer made it 2-1 off a feed from Caydence Canavan with 1:19 left in the quarter. Higgins got the lone goal of the third to tie the game, but Weiss finished off an assist by Marzullo to lift the Panthers to the win. Devon Barry made four saves to secure the victory.

Volleyball = Franklin, 3 @ Milford, 0 – Final 

– Franklin swept Milford to go into the final league match of the season knowing that a win clinches at least a share of the Kelley-Rex title. The Panthers dominated the first two sets, winning 25-12 and 25-11, but were pushed hard in the third before ending the match with a 25-23 set. Makayla Kuykendall had another impressive all-around game, recording 15 kills, 12 digs, and a pair of aces. Emerson Delleo added 10 kills, 15 digs, and two aces and freshman setter Phoebe O’Connor had 23 assists and two aces.

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-10-20-25/

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

Voices of Franklin: "elect a Council that will lead Franklin toward a more stable and prosperous future"

Dear my Franklin neighbors,

As we are now a couple weeks away from our biennial election, we are, collectively and individually, faced with the task of choosing who will be taking on the serious responsibility of making decisions about the direction of our town via the Town Council and School Committee. We are fortunate to have choices in our representation on both of these bodies.

At the same time, our town faces financial instability and rising costs that threaten to further destabilize us. While cuts to spending may provide temporary relief in the form of balanced budgets, this is not a long-term solution for stability: costs will continue to rise regardless of the number of cuts made.

Therefore, I encourage everyone to take advantage of what resources are available to look into the candidates for Town Council and carefully consider what each would bring to the table for the future of our town. Watch the candidate interviews through the town's YouTube channel. Read the interviews that have been published in the Observer. Reach out to the candidates directly – all candidate phone numbers and emails are public, and though I cannot speak for anyone but myself, I expect most would be eager to speak with voters.

As you investigate the candidates, I urge you to pay careful attention to what each candidate offers in the form of ideas that could lead Franklin to a more stable future. For me, I am encouraged by the candidates that openly share ideas and opportunities for finding new revenue. I am concerned by candidates that focus primarily on what they stand against but offer no ideas for financial stability other than more cuts to increasingly necessary services. I feel hopeful about candidates who demonstrate that they understand the challenges our town and home faces and a commitment to addressing these challenges head on. I am troubled by candidates that make statements that reveal a fundamental lack of understanding about the work that has already been done to address our financial issues, or worse, blatant falsehoods that seem intended to elicit fear.

Thank you for reading my plea and I trust that we can elect a Council that will lead Franklin toward a more stable and prosperous future. For my part, other than casting my own votes, I hope to have the privilege of providing thoughtful and committed service to Franklin if I am elected to the School Committee. If you'd like to connect, please drop me a line at schools@reishansen.com.

Sincerely and respectfully, 

(Henry) Reis Hansen

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: "elect a Council that will lead Franklin toward a more stable and prosperous future"

Franklin High School Unified Sports Fundraiser ends Oct 22, 2025

Franklin High School Unified
Sports Fundraiser ends Oct 22, 2025

"Hello everyone! We are in need of donations for our Franklin unified basketball team. We are a program that combines athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to play on the same team. 

The goal is to foster social inclusion, build friendships, and promote a shared experience through sports. This inclusive model ensures that players of different abilities can train and compete together, focusing on connection, confidence, and sportsmanship over competition. 

If you would like to make a donation here is the link 

https://raise.snap.app/donate/franklin-high-school-unified-sports-re-sign-2025/17481574"

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/19JQbRuLyX/

Have you ordered your Thanksgiving pies yet ???

The pies are back and better than evah!

Apple, Pumpkin, Blueberry, Pecan, Cherry!!

Order Pies for your Thanksgiving table or donate pies to benefit the Franklin Senior Center and/or the Franklin Food Pantry for the Thanksgiving tables of those they serve.

You can order pies in the front entrance of the St. Mary Church after all Masses on the weekends of October 26 & 26 as well as November 1 & 2.

Save time and order online now:

Have you ordered your Thanksgiving pies yet ???

https://kofc1847.org/payments-thanksgiving-pie-sale

A couple of changes this year:

Cherry pie is a new choice to complement the delicious Apple, Pumpkin, and Blueberry pies.

The price this year is $20 per pie except for Pecan which is priced at $25 per pie.

Pie orders can be picked up at the St. Mary Family Faith Formation Office on Tuesday, November 25 from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.

For more information, contact Mike Swan at 508-404-4792 or mbswan@comcast.net or Jim Lane at 774-571-9804.

Proceeds to support the ongoing charitable efforts of the Knight

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1DnDmA2wYZ/