Help Get Old Colony Habitat for Humanity to the Finish Line!

Your donation will get the Marmol Family in their Home by this Summer

DONATE HERE While we have come a long way in terms of fundraising, we still need to raise $40,000 to reach our goal by May 31st.  We've appreciated your volunteerism, financial donations, and gifts of talent and services. It has meant the world to us. Thank you! Sally Marmol and her three children will move into their new home in Franklin in a short two months. We all look forward to handing her keys to her home. Stay tuned for the Home Dedication announcement in the coming weeks. Please help make Sally's home possible by clicking here. Any amount helps, but at this crucial moment, we are asking those who can consider a, particularly generous contribution to ensure we reach our goal. Thank you for helping make homeownership possible for Sally and all of our Habitat families. Our Mission Dedicated to providing decent and affordable housing in partnership with families in need, Old Colony Habitat for Humanity is all of us working together, partnering with families to improve their housing, both locally and around the world. Building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Thank you for all your support; be sure to follow our social media profiles (linked below) so you can always be up to date on all things Old Colony Habitat for Humanity! Towns and Cities We Serve Assonet, Attleboro, Bellingham, Berkley, Dighton, East Freetown, Fall River, Foxboro, Franklin, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Norton, Plainville, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Swansea, Somerset, Taunton, and Wrentham

Old Colony Habitat for Humanity | PO Box 100 | Attleboro, MA 02703 US

"Congratulations to the Franklin Performing Arts Center for receiving a Destination Development Capital Grant"

via Senator Becca Rausch

"Congratulations to the Franklin Performing Arts Center for receiving a Destination Development Capital Grant. These funds will cover roof renovation costs for THE BLACK BOX, a world-class stage that spotlights talented local actors and engaging Massachusetts stories. 

Thanks to the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism for your continuing support of our vibrant creative economy. "

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B2y32iXcf/

The Secrets and Lore of the "License Plate" - March 8,. 2026 (video)

Second Sunday Speaker Series: Alan Young

"Alan Young was first introduced to license plate collecting by his father, more than 25 years ago and "never looked back." What started with an interesting plate or two has grown into a wide range of (mostly) New England license plates as well as research into who the early plates once belonged to.  

Young will share some of his collection and discuss the development of plates over the past 120 years. He has also promised to reveal the first automobile to be registered in Franklin!. "

video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e23hSRwaAaA

Sprinkler System Spruce up for Spring

Sprinkler System Spruce up for Spring

via Franklin DPW

"Turn over a new leaf this spring with a sprinkler spruce-up! 

Get your irrigation system ready for summer—inspect, connect, direct, and select your way to water savings.   - https://www.epa.gov/watersense/sprinkler-spruce-up"

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

Could that mortgage relief offer be a scam?

Could that mortgage relief offer be a scam? By BCP Staff Life happens and sometimes you end up with trouble paying your mortgage. Maybe you were affected by a natural disaster, lost your job, or got stuck with a bunch of medical bills after an illness.  Then, suddenly, you get an unexpected call offering you mortgage relief. But could it be a scam? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/04/could-mortgage-relief-offer-be-scam?utm_source=govdelivery

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, April 3, 2026

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 hour features a new Producers Series episode with Vibe, David Butler  ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/03/producers-series-talking-with-vibe.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, April 3, 2026 (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: Rachael Diamond Calow

8:30 am Frank Presents: Daniela Masters Pt 2

10:00 am Aging Boldfully: LiveStrong

11:00 am Senior Connection: Kitchen Gadgets Pt. 2

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Scones

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Pies

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: White Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 1

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Spring 2019 Show 2

3:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage Pt1

4:30 pm The Black Box: A Magical Night of Disney Classics

5:30 pm Metrowest Summit: World Cup 02-26-26

9:00 pm Circle of Friends: Garnet Rogers

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

7:00 am FHS Winter Music: Chorus and Orchestra

8:30 am Metrowest Symposium: Equity & Access in Arts & Culture

9:30 am All-Town Chorus & Orchestra 2026

11:00 am FHSTC - Flowers for Algernon

2:00 pm Lifelong Music: Strings School 01-22-25

4:00 pm FHS Varsity Baseball v Durfee 06-01-25

8:30 pm FHS Theater Company: Legally Blonde

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

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals 03-05-26

2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals 03-05-26

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, April 2, 2026 ???

Thursday, April 2

8:30am FDP General Mtg (Dean College)

3:00pm Back to Life: Youth Theater Project (SAFE Coalition)

Library & Senior Center events

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

Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times

***  Town Meetings today   ***

Franklin Commission on Disability

Thursday, April 2 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04022026-2209 

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

Thursday, April 2 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04022026-2223 

ZBA Meeting- NO Public Meeting

Thursday, April 2 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04022026-2213 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04022026-2228 

----------

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

Excerpts from Citizen Comment to Franklin Town Council, Weds, April 1, 2026

This is only my second time in over 20 years of living in Franklin coming to speak before the Town Council. I usually stick to education related matters, but I feel compelled to speak up once again on yet another potential environmental hazard that would negatively affect a large number of Franklin citizens, namely the recent proposal for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) by the town of Bellingham and the Zero Point Development Corporation.

I am *extremely* concerned about the location selected for the Battery Energy Storage System (or BESS) being proposed by the town of Bellingham. This land—previously home to the old contaminated mill on Pearl Street—is an EPS Brownfields site. It is located directly next to highly populated Franklin neighborhoods, conservation land, and the Charles River. The proposed location is highly problematic as it poses significant health risks by disturbing this contaminated site, fire risks especially given our ongoing water drought status, noise and traffic concerns, and negative environmental impacts. 

As you know Pearl street in Bellingham becomes Beech Street in Franklin when the road crosses over the Franklin town line. This is a densely packed residential neighborhood that includes all of Hawthorne Village and Dover Farms as well as Beech Street, Plain Street, Pond Street, Pine Street, and dozens of side streets that branch off of these major roads. I do not know exactly how many Franklin families live within a mile radius or even a half mile radius of this proposed site, but it is surely in the hundreds if not thousands. In fact, there is a yellow traffic sign posted right in front of the proposed site warning drivers that it is a “thickly populated area”. Another identical sign is also posted in the other side of the street. 

As you may be aware the town of Bellingham only notified people living within 300 feet of the proposed battery system, so you can only imagine how challenging it has been to get the word out to everyone who will actually be affected if this comes to fruition. 

These large batteries are going to start popping up everywhere. I understand that. However, a large densely packed residential neighborhood is NOT the place for this. It poses great disturbance and safety threats to residents of both towns, especially with regards to noise issues, traffic issues, health issues, environmental issues and potential fire hazard issues given our limited water supply. Please take a few minutes to drive by the location and see just how close this site is to many Franklin neighborhoods and the Charles River.

What are the concerns? First, there is the obvious noise issue for families living in the area. Franklin families  already can hear noise and feel vibrations from the recently built power plant in Medway. This proposed site is even closer to Franklin families. I can only imagine how loud and unpleasant the noises and vibrations will be. 

There are also significant fire risks—these Battery Energy Storage System fires are too dangerous for fire personnel to fight and are often left to burn out on their own destroying whatever is in the vicinity. A recent fire in California involved evacuating homes in a 2 mile radius. Once the fire finally extinguished, all of these homes were deemed uninhabitable because of the toxic particles and debris. Imagine this, and then also plus add in the toxicity inherent in a fire at a contaminated Brownfields site. In fact, a retired local fire department chief has already publicly spoken out against the proposal because of the significant fire and safety concerns of the location. 

In addition to fire concerns, there are many other issue, not the least of which is this is an EPA Brownfields site of the highest level of contamination. In the past, Bellingham has proposed a variety of other potential uses for this contaminated land, including senior housing, a park with bike paths, etc.  and determined the area was too contaminated to be safe for people to use. Why then would we want to disturb that land now and dig up who knows what kinds of toxicities to send into the environment and nearby neighborhoods? 

Moreover, this site directly abuts a part of the Charles River. Any contamination from this site will directly leech into our water system.

This land also directly abuts Franklin’s conservation land located on Plain Street. This is a protected habitat of endangered species and delicate ecosystems that will surely be disrupted should this large battery be built directly adjacent.

And then there’s the increased traffic. How many extra trucks will now travel from (the former) exit 17 in Franklin, down Pond Street and Beech Street to access this battery facility? We just paved Pond and Beech streets, and this increased traffic will only add to the many traffic issues in the area. 

So given the many concerns, how and why is this even being proposed in a residential neighborhood? Without going too far into the underlying politics involved, the town of Bellingham has legal and financial incentives to participate. There is a long history of legal issues, special permits, bylaw issues and more regarding this land. 

In addition, the politicians who are supposed to look out for and advocate on behalf of the interests of the residents of these towns have received money in the form of donations from the company Zero Point Development Corp. I’ll let you look into which politicians have accepted their donations, but it certainly complicates the situation significantly and calls into question the underlying conflicts of interest as to their ability to advocate effectively on behalf of the well-being of the very citizens they are elected to represent. Further muddying the water, one or more of these politicians is also personally involved with the lobbyist who lobbies on behalf of these large Battery Energy Storage Facilities.  

So what does Franklin gain from this? Nothing, except negative impacts, decreased property values, and significant risks to safety, health, fire, noise, traffic, and the environment. 

What can you the Town Council of Franklin do to advocate on behalf of the hundreds? thousands? of residents who will be significantly impacted by this proposed Battery Energy Storage System? 

1. At the very least please write a letter signed by the entire Town Council expressing your concerns about this proposed location and how it will negatively affect the citizens of Franklin.
2. Request that any such Battery Energy Storage System be built no closer than a half mile from the nearest Franklin residential homes and schools. 
3. Attend the MEETING on APRIL 2ND @ 7 PM  at BELLINGHAM TOWN HALL to show your support of Franklin residents and express your concern. 
4. For our Town Administrator and chair of Town Council, PLEASE make the time to talk to the woman who has thoroughly researched the issues and hear about the many issues and political implications of this proposal. (Contact information shared separately.) 
5. And, finally, please take the time to talk with Franklin Fire and emergency response personnel about how this would play out in Franklin should a large Battery Energy Storage System Fire occur. 

There is legislation pending that would require any BESS to be located NO CLOSER THAN 2000 FEET from the nearest residence. I am hopeful this will help in our particular situation, but also extremely concerned that some of the politicians who will be voting on this have already received money from, and/or have a serious personal conflict of interest with regards to this situation. 

In closing, these large Battery Energy Storage System facilities are going to be popping up all over the commonwealth—they offer financial incentives that financially fledgling towns will have a hard time ignoring. Franklin has always led by example—let’s continue to lead by example by demanding these batteries be placed in appropriately industrial locations located a safe distance away from neighborhoods and schools. 

Thank you for your consideration.

Selena Cousin

114 Beech Street

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

Note: Town Administrator Jamie Hellen added that the 300 ft abutter notification is MA General Law that communities do follow. He also noted that at a Town Meeting the Town of Bellingham voted to pursue a battery storage facility as a use for the site. The Town of Bellingham is actually the sponsor of this proposal.

Excerpts from Citizen Comment to Franklin Town Council, Weds, April 1, 2026

Stop the Bleed - Free Training (April 22) for Franklin, MA Community Members

Stop the Bleed - Free Training  (April 22)
for  Franklin, MA Community Members

The Franklin Fire Department and Health Department will host a free Stop the Bleed® training for community members on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM at the Franklin Fire Headquarters (EOC Classroom), 40 West Central Street.

This hands-on training is designed to teach participants how to recognize life-threatening bleeding and respond quickly and effectively in an emergency. Attendees will learn three simple, life-saving techniques that can help control bleeding and potentially save a life before first responders arrive.

Community members of all experience levels are encouraged to attend.

Sign up here: Stop the Bleed Training

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ACAF2EAAF9C25-63272812-stop#/

Town Council moves 4 zoning bylaw changes to 2nd reading and entered into Executive Session before 9 PM (video)

The Franklin (MA) Town Council meet in Council Chambers as scheduled on Wednesday, April 1. 8 members participated, 7 in Chambers, 1 remotely, hence all votes were recorded via roll call.

The Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N84cGZK_Ua4

The agenda doc - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04012026-2229 

My full set of notes in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jwviXzblwRVMwA3wkzuZcJlRE3tyZmsI/view?usp=drive_link

Quick recap:

• Multiple citizen comments; topics covered = Bellingham battery storage, PorchFest, Quatro Eroi celebration events, & School Committee update
• Councilor comments
• Recognition of Chloe Bowser, her essay was one of 12 selected for the commissioning of the new submarine USS Massachusetts
• 3 public hearings opened together for the MBTA zoning bylaw changes required to bring us to full compliance. Of note, to come into compliance while we did tweak our zoning to fit the requirements, we actually reduced the density that was already permitted for that area. All three proposals after clarification questions were answered moved to a second reading (likely April 15)
• 1 public hearing on the technical changes to the current Crossing Neighborhood District. There were multiple items underway and as the zoning changed were being updated to the town code discrepancy were noted; some sections of a table were left out, some had been updated incorrectly. The changes were approved to move to second reading (also likely for April 15)
• water & sewer extension approved for an area of Union St (actually to allow the new 5 residence development approved for part of the blueberry farm land) to update the water infrastructure to enable the extension. Funding to be provided by the developer
• Council entered into Executive Session for bargaining not to return to open meeting

Weather plays havoc with the FHS Sports schedule Wednesday, all postponed to TBD

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Wednesday, April  1, 2026

Baseball = Foxboro @ Franklin – Postponed to TBD.

Softball = Franklin @ Foxboro – Postponed to TBD.

Boys Tennis = Franklin @ Foxboro – Postponed to TBD.

Girls Tennis = Foxboro @ Franklin – Postponed to TBD.

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-04-01-26/

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