350 Mass Response to 350.org Suspending US Programming

Franklin neighbor -- Last week, 350.org announced significant layoffs to their global staff and a pause to campaigning in the US in a letter to partners. 350 Mass is deeply saddened for everyone whose lives were impacted by these difficult decisions. To be clear, 350 Mass is an independent organization with no financial connections to 350.org. Our staff, our volunteer network, and our campaigns for climate justice aren't going anywhere. 350 Mass is one of the 16 largest independent "350 local groups" in the US and part of 350 Network Council, a group of independent affiliates who partner to strategize across state lines and support each other's work. It is the Network Council groups who lead climate actions campaigns in their respective states and cities. Together we have more than 70 staff and thousands of dedicated volunteers across the country. That's real power. That's here to stay. We have worked in partnership with 350.org, the international organzation, on campaigns and mobilizations to stop the Keystone XL Pipeline and the Dakota Access Pipeline. In recent years we marched together at Make Billionaires Pay (2025) and The March to End Fossil Fuels (2023). Our organizing and campaigning will continue. We not only need to keep making progress on climate in states like Massachusetts, but we also need to uphold climate as part of the national mass movement to resist authoritarianism.  Now is a critical time to join the movement, come to our events, take action, and donate so that we can continue to support dedicated organizers and fund projects across our network. 350 Mass and Better Future Project are charging ahead, but we need all the help we can get. Check out our calendar with upcoming events, and become a monthly donor so that we can keep on doing this work. We will only win what we fight for. - In Solidarity, Evan Bell, 350 Mass Director of Organizing 350 Mass & Better Future Project

The Franklin Downtown Partnership 2026 calendar of events

https://franklindowntownpartnership.org/

The Franklin Downtown Partnership 2026 calendar of events is here!

Mark your calendars and save the dates!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRM3icdDgbL/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, November 21, 2025

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 Friday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events 

• This segment shares the Ben4Franklin discussion with the Planning Board candidates. Yes, the election is over but this discussion is a good one  ->    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/11/planning-board-candidates-discussion.html 

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong. 2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews  Showcasing the "Blues" as a basis for and influence of Country, Jazz and Rock and Roll, here and worldwide.

11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM - “The Vibe” show plays music for everyone searching for some enjoyment, some dance, a happy or thinking mood, and most importantly, having fun.  Tune in to wfpr.fm and listen to “DJ Vibe” spin music across many genres and join this new vibing experience

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 Friday, November 21, 2025 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

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

7:00 am Franklin Art Association: Charlie Guay

8:30 am Frank's Musings: Gaza

10:00 am Aging Boldfully: Roberta Trahan

11:00 am Senior Connection: Disabilities Commission

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: French Toast

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Garlic Mashed Potatoes

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Shrimp, Tomato & Greens Pizzetta

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 8

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 5

3:30 pm Understanding Anti-Semitism in 2025

6:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith

7:00 pm Concerts on the Common: Pub Kings

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

7:00 am Middle School Winter Music 2024

8:30 am Mental Health: Kallie Montagano & Sonja Wagner

9:30 am Public School Event: FHS Chorus & Orchestra 2023

1:00 pm FHSTC - Flowers for Algernon

2:00 pm FHS Winter Music: Band 2024

3:30 pm FHS Varsity Field Hockey v Walpole 11-15-25

9:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Cinderella

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

8:00 am  Zoning Board of Appeals 11-06-25

2:00 pm  Zoning Board of Appeals 11-06-25

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: Thursday, November 20, 2025 ???

Thursday, November 20

8:30am State & Town Officials Office Hour (Franklin Senior Center)

5:00pm Ken Barney (live music) (The Red Rooster)

7:00pm 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting (First Universalist Society Franklin)

7:00pm BEN 4 Franklin Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio )

7:30pm Musical Bingo (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

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

**    Town Meetings today   **

Town Council Office Hours

Thursday, November 20 Time: 8:30 AM

No agenda for this session

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee Meeting

Thursday, November 20 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11202025-2007 

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, November 20 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11202025-1997 

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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

Town Council votes to join GIC, approves FY 2026 budget adjustment, rescinds prior vote on 40b approval (video)

The Franklin Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 beginning at 6 PM. 8 members participated in Council Chambers. One member traveling on vacation participated remotely for portion of the session.

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGGEiz-8dlM

The agenda for this session ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11192025-2010 

Note: additional docs were shared during the session, one on screen only, 2 copies available in Chambers. Those will be added here as time permits

Quick recap:

• vote to join the GIC passed 9-0
• Vote to approve the budget adjustment was approved 9-0. TA Hellen to hold on posting for the Communications role pending further discussion with the Town Council
• After much discussion, the vote to rescind the vote on the approval of the "friendly 40b" for 444 East Central St was approved by 5-1 (Morrongiello no; Grella, Malloy both recused themselves; Cormier-leger was not online at the time of the final vote)

My notes for the full meeting in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/19-3d9qq6zRWsk0GedQJ6NUm6Q425CldU/view?usp=drive_link

Scott Mason talks about the Train Town 3 exhibit to open Dec 6 (audio)

FM #1585 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1585 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Scott Mason. We had our discussion in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Monday, November 10, 2025.

 

Our conversation covers 

• Train Town 3 - the Mill Store, Franklin Paint

• Opening Dec 6, 2025 & running through Jan 2026

• What’s next? Other history bits possibly worth exploring

The recording runs about 53 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1585-scott-mason-talks-about-train-town-3-11-10-25/

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Recording for Train Town 1 - Franklin/Dean Station https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/talking-about-train-town-franklin-with.html 

Photos of Train Town 1  https://photos.app.goo.gl/63swENWgBkK4xMrh8 

Train Town 2 - Thompson Print & the railroad roundhouse  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/12/scott-mason-talks-about-train-town.html 

Photos of Train Town 2  https://photos.app.goo.gl/XmDcRiygct5kg6Vh7 

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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"

Scott Mason talks about the Train Town 3 exhibit to open Dec 3

FDP Downtown Holiday Decorating is now Sunday, Nov 23 (not Saturday, Nov 22)

FDP Downtown Holiday Decorating is
now Sunday, Nov 23 (not Saturday, Nov 22)

IMPORTANT UPDATE!

Holiday Decorating will now be on SUNDAY (not Saturday as previously announced) please share!

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DRPvK1lDvAf/

Franklin Police Dept issue "TOY DRIVE ALERT"

TOY DRIVE ALERT

Franklin Police Dept issue "TOY DRIVE ALERT"

It’s that time of the year for our annual Holiday Toy Drive! We will be collecting toys the day after Thanksgiving, November 28th, from 9am-1pm at Marshall’s and BJs in Franklin. 

We will also be collecting toys at the station in the front lobby until December 12th. You can also donate toys in the lobby for the Franklin Fire Department headquarters on West Central Street. 

All donations go to Franklin families and the Santa Foundation!

If you can’t donate in person, check out our Amazon link: 

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2NNZ6AUQ5ZY8A

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Dfp58ugfU/

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, November 20, 2025

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 Thursday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events 

• This segment shares my conversation with United Regional Chamber of Commerce Jack Lank on small business issues ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/09/jack-lank-talks-about-making.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM - first hour

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - second hour

Turntable – "Enjoy a fun experience with co-hosts The Vibe and Pauly G sharing personal discussions about a featured rock n roll vinyl record (1st hour) and the best, all music Vibe Playlist (2nd hour)"  

• The Turntable Show is featuring the 1977 hit album "Rumours" and Fleetwood Mac this week.  Rumours is one of the best selling albums of all time!  It's amazing - there are 7 hit songs on the record:  "Go Your Own Way",  "Dreams",  "Don't Stop", "The Chain",  "You Make Loving Fun",  Gold Dust Woman", and  "Second Hand News" and Vibe and Pauly G will air all of them and share their Rumours album experience!   
• The show continues with the Vibe Playlist List hour, which drops the needle on many Fleetwood Mac hits and signature songs live for listeners to enjoy the passion of this award winning band.

Find the playlist ->  https://tinyurl.com/TurntablePlaylists

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