Franklin Matters

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walks us through the changes to the updated FY 2027 budget (audio)

FM #1751 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1751 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We recorded our conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Thursday, May 28, 2026.

Key topics

Updates to the FY 2027 budget
Health care overview
Final stretch for budget approval

Finance Cmte Jun 3
Town Council Jun 10
Town Council Jun 17

The recording runs about 1 hour & 5 minutes. Let’s listen to our conversation.

Audio link - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4PJREAiffxNX7eUUsa18hn

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Summary memo on budget changes - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/05/town-administrator-memo-to-finance.html

Town of Franklin page - https://www.franklinma.gov/

FY 2027 budget page - https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

Community calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

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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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FHS softball gets to Sweet 16 round with a walk off win on Monday (video)

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

Softball = Division 1

#21 Haverhill, 3 @ #12 Franklin, 4 – Final

Josh Perry || HockomockSports.com Managing Editor provides the game recap:

"When junior Amelia Rakitin hauled in a hard line drive to end the top of the seventh in Monday afternoon’s Div. 1 opener against No. 21 Haverhill, stranding two runners on base, it sent Franklin (which saw a three-run lead erased) to the plate needing a run to avoid extra innings.

The Panthers had the top of the order due up, which meant another opportunity for seniors Addi Weiss and Sophia Sacramone to deliver. Through six innings, the duo had combined for four hits, two runs, and three RBI. Haverhill had only managed to get them out once in six at-bats.

Weiss (2-for-2) got things started with her second walk of the game. She was on base for the fourth time and promptly stole second and third. Freshman Phoebe O’Connor bunted for a hit, as Haverhill ignored her to keep the winning run at third. Sacramone (2-for-4) came up next and put the ball in play to the right side.

The Hillies were deep in the infield and Weiss scampered home easily with the winning run, lifting Franklin to a 4-3 victory and a spot in the Sweet Sixteen. It was Sacramone’s third RBI of the day, each time driving in her classmate and fellow captain. She also picked up the win in the circle, scattering eight hits over 6-2/3 innings."

Continue reading the recap of this game https://hockomocksports.com/sacramone-weiss-lead-franklin-to-walk-off-win-over-haverhill/

For the Photo Gallery from this game https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2025-2026/Spring-2026/Franklin-Haverhill-Softball-06-01-26

Franklin TV video for replay of the game - https://www.youtube.com/live/ui1FCIcIM3Y?&t=584

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-06-01-26/

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

Clara Blongastainer, FHS Lacrosse, selected as "Player of the Week"

"Franklin sophomore Clara Blongastainer has been selected as the HockomockSports.com Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, for May 24 through May 30. Blongastainer is the 26th athlete chosen as Player of the Week for the 2025-26 school year and the ninth in the spring season.

One of the league’s leading scorers in the regular season, Blongastainer has continued her impressive performance into the playoffs, helping the Panthers make a run to the Div. 1 quarterfinal. The reigning HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year scored six times in the opening round and helped dominate the draw on Saturday to earn a road win over Bishop Feehan.

“Clara is only a sophomore, but she is playing like a veteran on our team,” said Franklin head coach Kristin Igoe Guarino. “Not only is she a scoring machine, but she also plays a huge role in helping us gain possession at the draw circle. I am so impressed with her confidence, teamwork and improvement this season.”

Continue reading the article

https://hockomocksports.com/player-of-the-week-clara-blongastainer-franklin-lacrosse/

Reminder: Franklin Fathers schedule the Inaugural Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament - June 14

via Franklin Fathers:

"Take us out to the Ballgame!

Reminder: Franklin Fathers schedule the
Inaugural Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament - June 14

We’re thrilled to announce we’ve opened team registrations for the Inaugural Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament, a family-friendly event coming to Beaver Pond on Sunday, June 14th!

We’ll be posting more about Eddie’s incredible story, our fundraising efforts, and our wonderfully gracious community partners soon, but we’d love to have you join us.

Scan the QR code or find the registration link -> https://forms.gle/LqbaRKZz3kHYKZ9D7!"

#community

#franklinma

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

Reminder: “Embrace Your Quilty Creativity” program Tuesday, June 9 in Franklin

Yankee Quilters, a nonprofit quilt guild, will present a program by Janet Elia on inspiring quilt projects at its meeting at 7:00 PM. Tuesday, June 9th, at Emma’s Quilt Cupboard in the Horace Mann Plaza, East Central Street in Franklin. Elia is a quilter, instructor and lecturer from Taunton. Her slide show will reveal her creative process and her sources of inspiration to develop quilting motifs and designs. To see photos of Janet’s work, visit her blog. This program is open to non-members for a one-time fee of $5.00.

The June meeting will also include the organization’s annual “Strawberry Social,” which wraps up the program year, dates for summer events, and a report on the many quilts donated for charity in the past six months.

Yankee will hold a summer “staycation” open to all quilters Friday, July 31st to Sunday, August 2nd at Christ The King Lutheran Church in Holliston. Cost for 3 days of quilting space is $125 for non-members ($100 for members). Annual membership for the 2026-2027 program year will be $40.00 for new members and includes an embroidered name badge. Contact yankeequilters11@gmail.com, call (508) 657-4770 or mail payment in full to PO Box 53, Franklin, MA 02038.

For information about other events, please contact YankeeQuilters11@gmail.com.

Yankee Quilters Guild is a 501-c-3 charitable organization based in Franklin with members throughout the region. The Guild meets on the second Tuesday each month at Emma’s Quilt Cupboard in Franklin, Horace Mann Plaza, East Central Street, Franklin in space generously donated by the store. Donations to the Guild are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by current law.

The Franklin PorchFest 2026 web page has the details you need to find & listen to good music

The PorchFest page provides the schedule (time, band and location) https://franklin.porchfest.info/map/#schedule

The map is interactive. You can zoom in or out to get the level of detail you want.

Want more details on the band/musicians?

Check out the Performer Gallery

https://franklin.porchfest.info/map/#gallery

You can interact with the Performer Gallery to query "rock" or "folk".

Yes, one source - https://franklin.porchfest.info/

Save the date for the Santa Foundation Bingo Fundraiser - Weds, June 17

Save the date for the Santa Foundation Bingo Fundraiser - Weds, June 17
"BINGO... with a TWIST!

We're putting a Santa Foundation spin on a classic favorite, and trust us... this isn't your average bingo night! 

What do you think the "twist" might be? 

We'll give you a hint: there will be plenty of fun, lots of laughs, and prizes with a Santa Foundation twist!"

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19Afj7jetb/

Introducing: 250 to 250 (video)

Introducing: 250 to 250

From the time of our country’s founding 250 years ago, the story of America has been one of the constant efforts of Americans—from all races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities—to make real the belief that we are all created equal and have a right to have a say in our democracy. We will be telling their stories over the next several weeks because now, as ever, “We Are America.”

Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrzQjU560Gs

Acadians, Narrated by Jason Herbert

Dr. Jason Herbert is a historian, public scholar, and outdoorsman from Kentucky. Herbert tells us about the Acadians, French settlers expelled from British Canada, who helped to create today’s Cajun culture.

Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaDxuy31PEQ

Follow on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567541980226

View the YouTube playlist for additional videos as they are released - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrcMW9CAuiRh0a4Mv_8AuJA

Beaver St Interceptor Project: Road Closure on Saturday, June 13 – Monday, June 15

Upcoming Road Closure: Saturday, June 13 – Monday, June 15

Starting at 12:00 AM on Saturday, June 13, Beaver Street will close at the MBTA train tracks.

This area will remain closed 24 hours a day until Monday, June 15, at 4:00 PM. A detour will be in place during this time.

This is pipe that will be installed under the tracks while the road is closed on the weekend

Access Details:

- Via Rt. 140 only: Access to 242 through 290 Beaver Street, including Franklin Glass, and Franklin Recreation.

- Via Grove St. only: Access to all other locations on Beaver Street, including the Town of Franklin Recycling Center, Beaver Street Recreation Area, and businesses on Master Drive.

Shared from - https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/557/Beaver-Street-Interceptor-BSI-Project

Boston Globe: "Some parents are revolting against classroom screen time"

"How much screen time is too much? Especially at school?

Many parents fretting about the hold technology has over their kids’ every moment now say the less, the better.

In Cambridge, where debate over the merits of screens has been especially pitched this year, school officials have batted around the idea of a ban, at least until third grade.

Now a new study offers a glimpse, however limited, at the role screen time is playing in a child’s life during the hours when they’re at school, be it 6-year-olds tapping away on math games during class, or teenagers hacking their Chromebooks to text their friends.

It is just a small portion of the life of a child, who may spend hours a day engaging with a screen of one kind or another. It did not, for example, address the use of cellphones, a primary way many kids absorb screen-based content. Nor did it assess the district’s decision last year to ban the use of the phones during school days — and what impact that might be having on how kids use, or misuse, school-issued devices."

Continue reading the article online with this
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/05/28/metro/cambridge-screen-time-report/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, June 2, 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:

wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, Franklin Public Radio

Tuesday

SAFE Radio – Jim Derick and Dr. Anne Bergen Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder

Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines - An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday

Franklin TV schedule for Tuesday, June 2, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

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

7:00 am Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta

7:30 am Once Upon A Town: Post Office

9:00 am Metrowest Summit: World Cup 02-26-26

10:00 am Frank Presents: Jay Elias Pt 2

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Crescent Rolls

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

2:00 pm New England Candlepins Summer 2023 Show 3

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 6

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

5:30 pm United Methodist Church: Lola Richardson

9:00 pm Concerts on the Common: Mike Tarara

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

7:00 am FHS Spring Jazz 2026

9:00 am FHS Spring Pops 2026

10:30 am Metrowest Summit: World Cup 02-26-26

11:30 am Jazz Cafe 03-06-26

1:00 pm FHS Varsity Softball v Attleboro 05-13-26

3:00 pm FHS Senior Awards 2026

9:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage Pt1

10:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Cinderella

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

8:00 am School Committee 05-26-26

2:00 pm School Committee 05-26-26

6:00 pm Town Council 05-21-26

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

Monday, June 1, 2026

Road Closure Alert: Pine Street roadwork, Tuesday, June 2, 2026

via Franklin DPW

"Pine Street roadwork tomorrow, Tuesday, June 2."

#townoffranklin
#franklinpolice
#townofbellingham

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, June 1, 2026 ???

Monday, June 1

Restaurant Week (Day 2/7)

9:00am Fallen Hero: William G. Hosford (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

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/DocumentCenter/View/9195/May-2026-Newsletter?bidId=

*** Town Meetings today ***

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, June 1 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06012026-2341

Recreation Advisory Board

Monday, June 1 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06012026-2306

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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 Recognition Schedule for June 2026

A series of Memorial events are scheduled for 9:00 AM on the Town Common Veterans Walkway to honor those Fallen Heroes on their "killed in action" date.

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 fallen hero.

This is a way of keeping the memory of that hero alive.

June 1 – William G. Hosford – WWII
June 5 – Frank Gryzboski – WWII
June 12 – Lloyd M. Ellis – WWII
June 13 – Elijah H. Coldwell – WWI
June 14 – Timothy J. Hayes – WWII
June 20 – Edward A. Kelly – WWII
June 24 – Baldo S. Lazzerini – WWII

The schedule of Fallen Heroes for the year on one page (PDF)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tlyiAK18owM81p8aJs1vhKc3p2bIK1cv/view?usp=drive_link

Fallen Hero Recognition: Second Lieutenant William G. Hosford, U.S. Army Air Corps - June 1, 2026

Memorial event today (6/01/26) at 9 AM on the Town Common Veterans Walkway to honor Second Lieutenant William G. Hosford, U.S. Army Air Corps.

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: Second Lieutenant William G. Hosford, U.S. Army Air Corps

Second Lieutenant William G. Hosford, U.S. Army Air Corps, was born in Franklin on April 1, 1915, son of James R. and Mary Hosford. William lived with his parents and three brothers and three sisters at 22 Queen Street. William graduated from Franklin High School class of 1933 and later attended Michigan State University.

William completed his flying course of instruction at Craig Field, Alabama and received his wings and commission on December 12, 1941. Second Lieutenant Hosford was assigned to the 35th Air Pursuit Squadron, 8th Pursuit Group, Port Moresby, New Guinea. On June 1, 1942 he was shot down by Japanese machine gun fire while in aerial combat flying a Bell P-39F.

Second Lieutenant William Hosford had written in letters to family and friends of his eagerness to serve his country even to the point of giving up his life, should it be necessary. When 2nd LT Hosford was called upon to make the supreme sacrifice, those nearest to him knew that he made it willingly.

Second Lieutenant William G. Hosford was 27 years old at the time of his death and now eternally rests in the Honolulu Memorial Site on Honolulu, Hawaii.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/fallen-hero-second-lieutenant-william-g.html

Fallen Hero: 2nd L William Hosford