Miss the No Kings Rally on the Town Common? Listen in (audio)

FM #1701 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1701 in the series. 

This session shares the audio of the No Kings Rally on the Town Common in Franklin, MA on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

 

The audio lets you be there to hear the multiple speakers and the two musical performances by Sioo and Toby.

Rachel Plukas welcomed the group

Michael Walker-Jones took over as master of ceremonies introducing the bands and the remaining speakers:

• Town Councilor Max Morrongiello

• Senator Becca Rausch

• Veronica

• State Rep Jeff Roy

The recording runs about 1 hour and 20 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1701-no-kings-rally-in-franklin-ma-03-28-26/

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Shared album of photos of the event  https://photos.app.goo.gl/xYCz8suYGpaiYmaU7

Miss the No Kings Rally on the Town Common? Listen in (audio)

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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 it!

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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"

Executive Summary to the Town of Franklin FY 2027 Budget

From Town Administrator Jamie Hellen

"I present a balanced budget model for FY27. This budget is submitted as my formal budget proposal under Town Charter requirements in 6-3-1, 6-4-1, and 6-5-1 and mirrors what was presented in February. A revised model will be presented in mid-to-late May after staff receive actual employee health insurance numbers.

FY 2027 Budget

This model provides the most updated revenue assumptions, the requested budget model by the Superintendent of Schools & School Committee, all municipal department requests, and the proposed restoration of some critical municipal positions (which also impacts the schools).

I propose using free cash to patch the overall structural budget deficit and prevent additional cuts to town and school departments. However, I am not specifically using the free cash to support one service or another, nor have I stated free cash is being used to restore specific municipal positions or any department. Rather, the use of free cash is to support the overall requests from all departments and the Schools. In my opinion, this budget provides a roadmap for the desired service level required to run our organization to the standards outlined by the public, especially based on the feedback received in the wake of two failed overrides in 2024 and 2025."

Continue reading the Executive Summary to the FY 2027 budget

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YhYy4_hSjXhXaOqfw5ZgFFYiOXOfxHFY/view?usp=drive_link

Full release of the FY 2027 Town of Franklin Budget

https://www.franklinma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/115

FPS Food Service Video on hake fish bake (video)

"Check out our video:

https://youtube.com/shorts/0ysIkncx0tU?feature=share

On March 17th, we served a local hake fish bake district-wide, featuring fresh catch from the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Students at Lincoln St. School also enjoyed a hands-on seafood learning table, where they could see and touch local species harvested right here in Massachusetts."

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/16SEpF41dK/

Franklin TV: MASSachusetts MEDIA - Should we charge for streaming sports?

Sports – & Tech – & Us

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 03/29/2026

Mass communication became a reality with the rise of radio after The Great War. Since then, sports coverage and technology have enjoyed a long, mutually beneficial relationship. Radio brought us the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, and the booth announcer’s excitement. After WW 2 we embraced TV. We could hear and see the action unfolding – live – as it happened.

Note: A baseball game was first ‘televised’ as early as 1926 by Hollis Baird via an experimental, 32 line TV system– from Fenway Park. The fact that you couldn’t see the ball at that low image resolution? Hey, he tried.

The de facto formation of a sports & media complex brought more energy and money to major leagues and major networks. The tech march continued with color TV in the late fifties, and eventually HDTV in 1997. (Now you could see the hockey puck.)

Along the way instant replays became common, and these days, even mission critical in validating the play action. From the batter’s box to the 1st down line, inches matter. Now computer graphics underscore details of the play action. During half-time NFL coaches use video to analyze the opposing team’s play and make adjustments.

Today, the only significant regular programming that remains truly live is sports. Almost everything else is recorded in advance. We at Franklin.TV know the power of sports at the local level. School sports is becoming part of the sports & media complex with licensing deals between schools, regional, state and national distributors – and as local community TV studios, we are slowly being forced off the field. First, for the big season playoff games – and eventually, the day may arrive where we can no longer carry school sports.

Where money is involved, what we’ve offered for years – for free – for everyone – may be constrained to those who can afford to subscribe to streaming services. Our own sports streams remain free – for now. Viewers who drop cable and ‘cut the cord’ can see our games, but we see no revenue as our annual budget continues to erode. Should we charge for streaming sports?

And – as always –

Thank you for watching.

Thanks for listening to wfpr●fm, 

and staying informed at Franklin●news. 

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

Rausch Report: Celebrating Women’s History Month and More - 03/27/26

Dear Neighbor,

March always brings both warmth and renewal outdoors, with spring finally here, and a similar burst of activity on Beacon Hill and in our district. As we have done for several years now, my team and I have so enjoyed celebrating Women’s History Month by highlighting amazing women leaders across our district. I also spoke with a group of young girls at a leadership program that teaches resilience, confidence, and inclusivity – values the world needs deeply these days.  

Rausch Report

Heading outside, I had the awesome privilege and absolute pleasure as Senate Chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee to buckle up snowshoes, trek out into the woods with MassWildlife scientists, and snuggle a bear cub! Don’t try this without the scientists, folks. (Scroll down for more details and some can’t-miss photos!) Monitoring the health of our native black bear population is part of our state government’s ongoing conservation and wildlife protection efforts, work that my Committee oversees. 

Relatedly, and back inside, the Senate took steps to further support animal welfare, passing an omnibus bill that protects animals from abuse and neglect while also supporting responsible pet owners. As a pet owner myself, I’m glad this bill will end the puppy mill to pet store pipeline in the Commonwealth and further restrict animal testing for consumer products. (We had some special Senate guests the day of the debate!) 

Amid these and other things to celebrate are the ever-present and very real fears and concerns about the state of our country, ongoing wars, and geopolitics. These are difficult times, and the impacts of global and national decisions are felt by so many in our communities. My colleagues and I at the state government level continue to push back on the treacheries of Trump as much as we can, within the scopes of our roles and the limits of our state and federal constitutions. To that end, many of my pro-democracy bills are now under consideration in Ways and Means, and I late-filed a suite of five anti-ICE bills earlier this year. One day at a time, we keep going, and keep trying our best do the next right thing.

Read on in this month’s Rausch Report to learn more about recent legislation passed by the Senate, a recap of Women’s History Month recognitions, details on my upcoming annual Youth Summit and April events in the district, and more.

For real-time updates, please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky. If you are a constituent and need assistance, please don’t hesitate to call me and my team at (617) 722-1555, email me at becca.rausch@masenate.gov, or attend upcoming office hours. We are here to help.     

Yours in service, 

 
Senator Becca Rausch  

Continue reading the full set of content in this Rausch Report   https://mailchi.mp/masenate/monthlynewsletter-18252427

Tri-County Track & Field fund raiser - Wednesday, April 1 at Uno's Bellingham

Fuel the Fast!

Tri-County Track & Field fund raiser -
Wednesday, April 1 at Uno's Bellingham

Track & Field is teaming up with Uno’s in Bellingham for a fundraiser on Wednesday, April 1st.

Show this ticket when you order (phone or paper works!) and a portion of your meal supports the team.

Let’s make it a great night!

#WorkHardTodayCounts

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Hw7dn6h3A/

Summer Youth Open Track & Field meets set for July 2026, set your calendar!

Save the date(s) and Spread the word!

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/181KHnv8EJ/

Voices of Franklin: KP Sompally shares his resilient journey

Against All Odds: A Resilient Journey from Hyderabad, India to Boston  

What was meant to be a routine international journey turned into an extraordinary experience of endurance, uncertainty, and human connection. Traveling from Hyderabad, India to Boston, USA, I expected a fairly direct trip covering approximately 7,500 miles within 21 hours. Instead, the journey unfolded into a 20,000-mile, 38-hour odyssey across multiple countries and cultures.

Singapore Airport

The trip began in Hyderabad with high hopes and a simple itinerary. However, like many international travelers returning from vacation in recent times, I encountered unexpected disruptions that reshaped my entire travel route. Instead of a straightforward path, airlines rerouted the travel at nearly triple the one-way ticket price. My travel rerouted through Singapore, Taiwan, and Seattle before finally reaching Boston, Massachusetts.

Airports that once symbolized efficiency and connectivity are now witnessing unprecedented levels of congestion and unpredictability. Long layovers, sudden rescheduling, and extended waiting periods have become the new normal. What should have been a seamless transit became a test of patience and adaptability.

Despite the chaos, this journey offered a unique perspective on humanity. During extended layovers, I met fellow travelers from diverse backgrounds—students, families, professionals, and tourists—each carrying their own stories of delays, missed connections, and resilience. Conversations in crowded terminals turned strangers into companions, sharing not just travel updates but also encouragement and empathy.

Taipei Airport

The experience highlighted a broader reality: international travel today is no longer just about reaching a destination, but about navigating uncertainty. For travelers, especially those returning from vacations, preparation is key—staying informed, remaining flexible, and expecting the unexpected.

After 38 long hours, I finally arrived in Boston. Exhausted but grateful, the journey was a reminder that even in chaos, there are moments of connection, learning, and perseverance.

This is not just my story—it reflects the reality faced by countless international travelers today.

Sincerely,

KP Sompally

Franklin long time resident 

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: KP Sompally shares his resilient journey

The Infrastructure of Trust: How Local Civic Hubs Are Rebuilding Democracy Across Rural America - Ford Foundation

"Across rural America, democracy is upheld from the community level up—and when organizers lack infrastructure and support, the effects are wide-ranging. In towns where Main Streets have gone dark, grocery stores have closed, and residents are moving away, communities need spaces and structures that allow people to come together, work through differences, and solve shared problems.

The Trust for Civic Life, a Ford grantee, invests in local efforts that help people connect and create their community’s future together, strengthening civic life and democracy for all residents. The organization’s grantmaking model is built around the core belief: that national problems are solved in local communities. Central to that is a structure the Trust calls “Civic Hubs”: locally based, locally led organizations that create the culture and conditions for people to discuss the decisions that affect them most and act together toward meaningful change. Here, Charlie Brown, executive director of the Trust for Civic Life, discusses their approach and the lessons they’ve learned from communities across the Heartland."

Continue reading about "civic hubs"

https://www.fordfoundation.org/news-and-stories/stories/the-infrastructure-of-trust-how-local-civic-hubs-are-rebuilding-democracy-across-rural-america/

Looking for debt relief? Here’s how to avoid a scam

Looking for debt relief? Here's how to avoid a scam By BCP Staff If you're dealing with a lot of debt, you might be looking for help. Some companies offer a range of free and paid services, like budget counseling and debt management classes. But others are dishonest and will take your money for the promise of getting rid of your debt — just to leave you even worse off. So, how can you avoid scams while you're trying to pay off your debt? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/03/looking-debt-relief-heres-how-avoid-scam?utm_source=govdelivery

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday, March 29, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a schedule full of 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

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

No Kings Franklin collected photos

For those participating today, feel free to add your picture or pictures here

Anything unrelated to today will be removed when found

Shared album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xYCz8suYGpaiYmaU7

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, March 28, 2026 ???

Saturday, March 28

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am    Volunteer Income Tax Preparation with VITA (Franklin Public Library)

10:00am No Kings Rally (Franklin Town Common)

10:30am Buddy The Brain - reading, book signing (Tatnuck Bookseller)

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

11:00am Community Open House (762 Washington St)

11:30am No Kings Rally (i495 & RT 140, Franklin)

1:00pm Painting for Adults! (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Party for The Pantry (THE BLACK BOX)

7:30pm James Keelaghan (ticketed concert) (Circle of Friends Coffeehouse)

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

 

*** 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

Town of Franklin releases the proposed FY 2027 Budget

View this in your browser

FY27 Budget Now Available Friday, March 27, 2026 The Town of Franklin's Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Budget has been submitted by the Town Administrator and is now available for public review. Residents are encouraged to explore the proposed budget to better understand how Town resources are allocated to support core municipal services, infrastructure, and community priorities. View Budget Materials: FY27 Operating Budget FY27 Operating Budget Materials Budget Timeline Printed copies of the FY27 Budget are also available for public review at the Franklin Senior Center, Municipal Building (Town Clerk's Office and Town Administrator's Office), and the Franklin Public Library. Budget Hearing Schedule: Finance Committee Meeting - Budget Hearing Dates Monday, April 6, 2026 at 6 p.m. | Council Chambers Topic: General Government Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 6 p.m. | Council Chambers Topic: Schools Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 6 p.m. | Council Chambers Topic: Public Safety and Department of Public Works Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 6 p.m. | Council Chambers (if necessary)  Town Council Meeting - Budget Hearing Dates (agendas to be posted) Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 6 p.m. | Council Chambers Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 6 p.m. | Council Chambers All residents are welcome to attend budget hearings in person. Meetings may also be viewed live on the Franklin Town Hall TV YouTube channel, Comcast Channel 9, or Verizon Channel 29, or accessed by phone or Zoom. Meetings are recorded and available for replay on Franklin TV. Learn About the Budget Process The Town has provided additional resources on the budget development process: Budget Process Budget Process Flowchart Residents can also tune in to two episodes of the Franklin MAtters Podcast with Town staff members, which provide an overview of the Town's budget cycle and explain the process in greater detail: Listen: Podcast Episodes Community participation is an important part of the budget process. Residents are encouraged to review the materials, attend public hearings, and share feedback to help inform decision-making and shape the Town's priorities for the coming fiscal year. View it on website