Inaugural Eddie Grant Classic Kickball Tournament - June 14

Inaugural Eddie Grant Classic Kickball Tournament

Presented by Franklin Fathers

Join us for the **first-ever Eddie Grant Classic Kickball Tournament**, a fun-filled community event bringing families, friends, and local businesses together for a day of friendly competition and fundraising. This double-elimination tournament will feature teams from across the community competing for bragging rights, a trophy, and prizes — all while supporting local causes and celebrating community spirit.

Who Was Eddie Grant?

Eddie Grant was a Franklin native, Major League Baseball player, Dean- and Harvard-educated attorney, and World War I soldier who exemplified leadership, service, and community spirit. After volunteering for military service during WWI, he was killed in action in 1918 while assisting wounded soldiers. His legacy reflects teamwork, sacrifice, and dedication to something greater than oneself — values we aim to honor through this community-focused event.

🗓 **Date:** June 14, 2026

⏰ **Time:** 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Tournament Details

* Double elimination format (8 teams max)

* 5-inning games

* 30-minute time limit (revert to last full inning if time expires)

* Played using official kickball rules

Team Composition

* Minimum of 10 players per team

* At least **3 kids (ages 12–17)**

* At least **3 women (age 17+)**

💲 **Registration Cost:** $200 per team

🏆 **Prize:** Trophy & prize for 1st place team

More Than Just Kickball!

This is a full community event with something for everyone:

* 🎟 Day-of raffles featuring prizes & baskets from local businesses

* 💰 50/50 raffle (proceeds benefiting the VFW)

* 🚚 Food trucks on-site

* 🏰 Kids activities including bounce house & face painting

* 🥤 Light refreshments available for purchase

Volunteers Needed

We’re also looking for volunteers to help with day-of tasks such as setup, scorekeeping, raffles, and cleanup. If you’re interested in helping, please reach out!

Bring your team, bring your family, and come enjoy a great day of community, competition, and fun. Spots are limited to **8 teams**, so register early!

More details and registration information coming soon.

Facebook event - https://www.facebook.com/events/990288313511154

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, April 10, 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 my conversation with 5 Food Pantry volunteers, how they got started and why they keep coming back ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/04/5-volunteers-talk-about-their.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 10, 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: Katie Kindilien

8:30 am Frank Presents: Jason Poulos

10:00 am Aging Boldfully: Jenn Goebel

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

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Breakfast

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Margherita Pizza

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

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 3

3:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2

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 Jazz Cafe 03-06-26

11:00 am United Methodist Church: Lola Richardson

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

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

8:30 pm Franklin Footlighters: High School Musical Jr.

• 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 9, 2026 ???

Thursday, April 9

9:00am Fallen Hero: Joseph R Paulette & Russel W. Shaw (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

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

5:30pm Family Science Night (Franklin High School)

7:30pm The Prom (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

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   ***

Pole Petition Hearing - High Street

Thursday, April 9 Time: 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04092026-2210 

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meeting

Thursday, April 9 Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04092026-2244

Finance Committee Meeting - Budget Hearing (location changed to 3rd Fl Training Rm)

Thursday, April 9 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04092026-2222 

Cultural District Committee Meeting

Thursday, April 9 Time: 6:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04092026-2234 

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School Board of Trustees Meeting 

Thursday, April 9 Time: 7:00 PM (virtual meeting)

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04092026-2232 

Conservation Commission Meeting (location changed to Council Chambers)

Thursday, April 9 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/582?fileID=8685 

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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

Fallen Hero Recognitions: Sgt. Paulette & Airman 1C Shaw (Vietnam) - April 9, 2026 - 9 AM

There are 2 Fallen Hero Recognition events today (4/09/26) at 9 AM on the Town Common Veterans Walkway to honor Sergeant Joseph Ronald Paulette, Vietnam and Airman 1C Russell W. Shaw. 

This program will include the placing of a Memorial Wreath for the day, the playing of Taps, a salute from those present, and a reading of whatever history  may be available for that veteran.  This is a way of keeping the memory of that veteran alive.

* Fallen Hero: Sergeant Joseph Ronald Paulette

Sergeant Joseph Ronald Paulette was born on October 13, 1948, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Preston Daggett, who lived in Franklin before moving their family to New Bedford. As a young man Joseph spent his summers in Franklin with his uncle and aunt, Mr. And Mrs. Roger Villiard of Brook St. Sgt. Paulette had requested that if anything happened to him while in the service, that his funeral and burial take place in Franklin. 

Sergeant Paulette enlisted late in 1965 and became a member of the 101st·Airborne Battalion. Sergeant Paulette served two years in the Army with his Vietnam tour beginning on December 13,1967. Sgt. Paulette was killed along with five other casualties by hostile small arms fire on April 9, 1968 leading a combat mission in Quang Tri province, South Vietnam. 

Sergeant Joseph R. Paulette was 19 years old at the time of his death in Vietnam.

Sergeant Joseph Ronald Paulette

 

* Fallen Hero: Airman 1C Russell W. Shaw

Airman 1C Russell W. Shaw was born on June 30, 1952, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Shaw. Russell lived with his parents and four sisters at 561 Lincoln St. A 1970 graduate of Franklin High School Russell enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in July of that year. 

Airman Shaw graduated with honors from a technical training course at Sheppard AFB, Texas. He learned to maintain and service turbo-propeller aircraft and was assigned to Clark AFB for duty with a unit of the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service. 

Airman Shaw was killed in a motoring accident while serving at Clark Air Force Base, the Philippines on April 9, 1971. 

Airman 1C Russell W. Shaw was 18 years old at the time of his death while serving during the Vietnam War.

 

Airman 1C Russell W. Shaw

For the schedule of Fallen Hero recognitions 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/03/honoring-our-franklin-veterans-who-died.html

 

For the full published series of Fallen Heroes you can visit this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-fallen-heroes-series.html

Photo album of the Fallen Hero pillars along the Veterans Walkway

https://photos.app.goo.gl/oRGdmq9krLNEBnjJ7 

Greater Boston Food Bank and Mass General Brigham report shows food insecurity rising in Mass

"As prices continue to climb on everything from gas to energy to groceries, a record 40 percent of Massachusetts households are now reporting food insecurity, according to a new study from the Greater Boston Food Bank and Mass General Brigham.

The report found that 1.12 million households didn’t have reliable access to food last year, a rate that’s up from 37 percent in 2024, and more than double pre-pandemic levels.

“It’s been a very difficult year for people across the Commonwealth,” said Catherine D’Amato, president and chief executive of the Greater Boston Food Bank, which partners with 600 agencies across 190 towns in New England and serves 600,000 people each month."

Continue reading the article - https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/04/07/business/food-insecurity-massachusetts-greater-boston-food-bank/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

Go directly to the report - https://foodaccessreport.gbfb.org/

Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSjVhJY2BjI

Finance Committee completes review of department budgets, gets ready for potential revision Thursday (video)

The Finance Committee spends about 3 hours reviewing details of the FY 2027 budget on Wednesday, April 8. This is the third of 4 sessions this week to review and question the details of the budget.

8 of the 9 members of the committee were present in Council Chambers for this session.

The Franklin TV video is available for replay -  

https://www.youtube.com/live/x8Hb_pCl64A?&t=164

Agenda doc including links to the FY 2027 budget 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04082026-2221

My full set of notes in one PDF -  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D-RumOpcYkE7SZ_czpSZzW5TKdS9SE3B/view?usp=drive_link

Quick recap:

• Gus Brown, Building Commissioner, up first
• Discussion on the accounting for and if the Maplegate solar permits are in this year or next. It was received this year but may or may not become free cash, it depends upon the budget line item and whether that amount is over or under the budgeted amount
• Gus could use another inspector, it would pay for itself but others do need the resources more; Currently have 1.5 used to have 3 clerical; inspectors have also become administrators, and it reduces some revenue opportunity
• Brutus, DPW up next, slides on his highlights captured with pictures, soon to be an album shared here - The DPW slides  https://photos.app.goo.gl/QygUrNZyWASVr6MbA
• Use of pre-buy locked in rates through Norfolk County procurement has been good. Haven't locked in for next year yet due to the recent market gyrations
• Discussion on the creation of Stormwater and the shortage for grounds (2 personnel)
• We have to change something or nothing will change It is clear now why we did ask for an override.
• Next up Police Chief Lynch, level service plus 2, looking to get the SROs back
• Took 23 years to get to the budgeted amount (54) which at that time would have successfully serviced the population at that time
• Hired 44 police officers since 2016 due to retirees and turnover, it should slow down ... The force is younger, hiring is harder, not many want to apply. It is getting more difficult. Only 9 months out of 10 years have the dept been at full staff.
• The mental health clinicians provide great value, post COVID. They see over 800 people a year. The pilot was successful, we looked to expand and with additional grant funds we did. The single best change in law enforcements I have seen in my 30 years
• Next up, Chief Allen, Fire Dept.
• 3rd ambulance still in part time, 40 hours per work
• Would need 4 more to get to 13/shift to staff the ambulance all the time
• During this meeting, there were 2 calls that were serviced by outside and transported to the hospital so those were lost revenue ... The nature of the call would determine the amount of the revenue It is not just the ambulance, it is also the ladder truck
• Definition clarification on level service, the service provided is not necessarily at the same funding required; there is also a level funded budget where the funded
• $ for one year remains the same (and usually services are cut)
• And yes, there is some funkiness with this level service budget as there are things being added back, so is it this year's level service or the desired part of some prior year's service?
• Dispatch Center or the MECC being covered
• Also skipped Tri-County and Norfolk Aggie last night with no explanation given for it
• Tri-County and Norfolk Aggie, both assessments based upon enrollment, not much of a change year to year

So Thursday night, the Finance Committee will use the 3rd Floor Training room for their discussion to be more around a table rather than spread out to help their discussion. Potential revisions coming to the budget, what they are we'll watch and see.

Wins all around on Wednesday for FHS girls & boys lacrosse, girls & boy tennis as well as softball & baseball teams

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  8, 2026

Baseball = Franklin, 3 @ North Attleboro, 2 – Final 

– In a defensive battle, Franklin held on for a tight win on the road, stranding the tying and winning run on base in the bottom of the seventh. After a scoreless first two innings, the Panthers opened up the game in the third inning off of an error. Sean Kryzak got the Panthers on the board again in the fifth inning with a two-out, two-run double to left field, plating Jack Sullivan and Owen Pennini, who had back-to-back singles. North Attleboro was able to get some momentum going in the sixth inning with Marty Rogers and Jake Ronci both scoring. North threatened in the bottom of the seventh when Tommy Manning walked and Zach Breton was hit by a pitch, but Jacoby Brown induced a ground ball for the third out. Sullivan (three hits) and Owen Pennini (two hits, two runs) led the Panther’s offensive charge. Freshman Ethan Edmunds had a great first five innings on the mound for Franklin, only surrendering four hits and striking out nine.

Softball = North Attleboro, 3 @ Franklin, 9 – Final 

– The Panthers jumped out to a lead right away with a four-run first inning and after North Attleboro cut into the deficit in the top of the third, answered with a three-spot in the bottom half to secure a win at home over the Rocketeers. Franklin’s patience at the plate in the bottom of the first turned into a 4-0 lead for the hosts. Sophomore Kate Juergens clubbed a double to score classmate Lindsey DeGirolamo (triple), and Molly Willey came through with a two-out single to plate Juergens to cut the deficit in half. But Franklin’s offense came back with a two-out rally, including a two-run double from Olivia Caruso (3-for-4, four RBI, run) and an RBI single from Sophia Sacramone to push the lead to 7-2. Caruso added an RBI single in the fifth and plated another run with a sac fly in the sixth to cap a strong day at the plate. Addi Weiss added two hits and scored two runs for Franklin. Sacramone earned the win in the circle, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits, one walk, and three strikeouts; Abby Souza tossed two scoreless innings in relief without giving up a hit.

Franklin TV video of the softball game - https://www.youtube.com/live/CCcxtb2IKkg?&t=192

Boys Lacrosse = Foxboro, 9 @ Franklin, 15 – Final 

– The Panthers built a five-goal lead by halftime and kept that advantage throughout the second half to knock off the visiting Warriors. Junior Charlie Ballarino (three assists) and freshman Kellan Taccini (one assist) each scored four goals to spearhead the attack for Franklin. Senior Thomas Quinn (two assists) scored a hat trick, senior Quinn Kielty (assist) tallied twice, and seniors Ryder Hanchett and Ben Scaccia each found the back of the net once. Senior Ethan Barnes helped anchor the defense with four takeaways and four ground balls while senior Dean Lawless made 10 saves in the cage.

Girls Lacrosse = Franklin, 12 @ Foxboro, 8 – Final

Boys Tennis = North Attleboro, 1 @ Franklin, 4 – Final

Girls Tennis = Franklin, 3 @ North Attleboro, 2 – Final

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-04-08-26/

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