Friday, May 23, 2025

Franklin Letter Carriers Help “Stamp Out Hunger” with Annual Food Drive

The Franklin Food Pantry and Franklin Letter Carriers held the annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive, on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The town-wide event, led by the letter carriers, raised nearly 9,000 pounds of food and household items, which equates to approximately 7,500 meals, for individuals and families who are experiencing hunger and financial hardship in Franklin, Massachusetts. The outpouring of support comes at a critical time for The Pantry. Demand for the nonprofit’s programs and services continues to increase, and the community’s support is essential to meeting the growing need.

The Pantry began preparations for this year’s Stamp Out Hunger in October 2024. Volunteers, including youth groups, local businesses, houses of worship, and retirement communities volunteered their time to assemble Stamp Out Hunger bundles that included instructions and a paper bag, donated by Allegra Print and Marketing and Central Paper Company, Inc. 

Mary Diehl and her daughter were among the many volunteers
Mary Diehl and her daughter were among the many volunteers
A week prior to the event, letter carriers delivered the bundles to approximately 6,000 households in Franklin. On May 10, 2025, Franklin residents left donations of nonperishable food and goods by their mailboxes for letter carriers to collect along their route. Letter carriers brought the items to the Franklin Senior Center where volunteers set up stations to sort and organize the donations. The items will be distributed to clients through The Pantry’s several food assistance programs including Inside Shopping, Home Delivery, Mobile Pantries, Weekend Backpacks, Curbside Distribution, and more.

“Stamp Out Hunger plays a vital role in providing much-needed support to neighbors facing food insecurity and helps ensure The Pantry can provide nutritious food for individuals and families leading up to the summer months,” said Anne McGillis, Operations Director, Franklin Food Pantry. “We extend a heartfelt thank you to our amazing letter carriers, the Franklin Senior Center for generously providing space for the immense undertaking of receiving and sorting the donations, our dedicated volunteers who gave their time leading up to and on the day of the event, and the Franklin community for their ongoing generosity. It truly takes a village to combat food insecurity, and the overwhelming participation makes a tangible and profound difference in the lives of so many.”

Individuals, households, and businesses who did not receive a Pantry bundle or who did not have an opportunity to participate in Stamp Out Hunger can bring donations to the Franklin Food Pantry, 341 W Central St. in Franklin, and place items in the purple bin on the loading dock at the back of the building. Items can also be shipped directly through The Pantry’s Amazon Wish List.

Special thanks to the many individuals and groups who volunteered to help make this year’s Stamp Out Hunger a success including Benchmark Senior Living at Forge Hill, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Coldwell Banker Realty Franklin/Cumberland Regional Office, Dell Technologies, The Enclave of Franklin, Eversource Energy, First Universalist Society in Franklin, Franklin Federated Church, Franklin High School Boys Soccer Team, G&C Plumbing, Inc., The Language and Behavior Center (TLBC) New England, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Milford High School Football Team, Sensata Technologies, Station 117 Apartment Group, UDR Apartment Group.

Stamp Out Hunger 2026 will take place rain or shine on Saturday, May 9! 

To volunteer as an individual or group to help The Pantry with this or other upcoming events, please complete a volunteer application online: https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/get-involved/volunteer/.

About the Franklin Food Pantry, Inc. 
The Franklin Food Pantry, Inc. offers supplemental food assistance, household necessities, and resource referrals to more than 1,800 individuals per year. The Pantry relies on donations and grants to purchase items and pay for daily operations, and partnerships with The Greater Boston Food Bank, Spoonfuls, and local grocery stores to achieve greater buying power and lower costs. Programs include Inside Shopping, Walk-in Shopping, Curbside Pickup, Emergency Food Bags, Mobile Pantries, Home Delivery, Kids’ Snack Bags, Weekend Backpacks, Holiday Meals, and the SNAP match at Franklin Farmers Market. The Pantry is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in good standing in Massachusetts, recognized by Charity Navigator as a Four-Star Charity, and awarded GuideStar’s Platinum Transparency ranking. The Pantry is located at 341 W Central St. in Franklin, MA on Route 140. Please visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.

Town Council expresses frustration with ABCC regs, approved license transfer (video)

The Franklin (MA) Town Council met on Thursday, May 22 for it's second budget hearing as outlined in Town bylaws. Given that the questions on the FY 2026 budget were effectively covered on Wednesday, and with the special election scheduled for June 3, the hearing was continued to June 4 to close out the budget process.

Depending upon the results of the vote on June 3, if the override is successful, then the budget can be approved as proposed. If the override fails to pass, then the proposed cuts will need to be determined before the budget is finally approved.

7 of the Councilors were present for Thursday's session (Chandler and Pellegri absent). Dellorco left the Council Chambers during the public hearing on the alcohol license transfer and did not return.

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/KxgDYAmr-zM?&t=95

The agenda and released documentation for this session ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05222025-1753 

Quick recap:
  • Public hearing on License Modification - Change of LLC Managers & Change of Ownership (Beneficial Membership) Interest of a Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License: Franklin Shed, LLC d/b/a The Shed, Located at 340 East Central St., Franklin, MA 02038
    • After explanation, measure approved. Effectively, the 2 existing owners expanded ownership to include two of their employees.
  • 2 Public hearings were opened as the items were directly and intimately related to each other and needed to be reviewed together.
    • Transfer, Change of Location and Approval of Manager of a Section 15 Wine and Malt Beverages Package Store License: DeVitas Market, LLC d/b/a DeVita’s Market, Located at 198 East Central St
    • Transfer, Change of Location and Approval of Manager of a Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License: Table & Vine, Inc., Located at 348 East Central St
    • Attorney Cornetta carefully explained the moving parts that would effectively transfer the beer & wine license from the Big Y to DeVita's and the all alcohol license at DeVita's would transfer to Big Y. As the 2 licenses are so close to each other, the transfer was not in the realm of denying based upon the case law already established. 
    • The prior transfer Big Y attempted was successfully and legally denied as it would have changed the mix of licenses in the East Central neighborhood. This current transfer simply swapped licenses within the half mile locations and did not materially change the overall license impact.
    • Mr Halligan is establishing an LLC to purchase DeVitas, maintain operation with the beer & wine license, allowing Mr Donovan to retire from the business. He will also upgrade the building and operations including installation of a grease trap.
    • The Big Y has successfully operated other all alcohol licenses without issue in MA, including the current beer & wine license in Franklin. They will bring in a new manager for the license and rotate the current manager within their operations as they normally do.
    • Councilor Dellorco expressed his frustration with the move and acknowledged that aside from the legalities, he would vote no. He left the public hearing before the vote.
    • Councilor Cormier-Leger attempted to motion to have the transfer vote tabled to a future meeting, it did not get the majority vote (tied 3-3) so the votes proceeded as scheduled and both transfers passed 5-1-3 (5 for, 1 against (Cormier-Leger) and 3 absent)
  • The second FY 2026 Budget hearing was opened, after some discussion, it was continued to the June 4 Town Council meeting.
My notes as captured via Twitter/x during the session can be found in one PDF ->

Town Council expresses frustration with ABCC regs, approved license transfer (video)
Town Council expresses frustration with ABCC regs, approved license transfer (video)


FHS girls lacrosse rescheduled to Monday due to rain on Thursday

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Thursday, May 22, 2025


Girls Lacrosse = Franklin @ Concord-Carlisle – Postponed to Monday, 5/26 at 11:00AM


For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)
https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-05-22-25/

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

We’d love your input on community needs related to substance use & mental health

Dear SAFE community, 

We want to hear from you! 

We're collecting input on the opioid crisis in Massachusetts and how to address it. Your crucial feedback informs us on the needs of the community and helps SAFE provide direct support related to mental health and substance use—all at no cost! 

Take the survey

Any identifying information provided to SAFE on this survey will be kept confidential. 

Thank you for your time and for helping us make a difference!

Warmly,

SAFE

Franklin Library News & Events for June 2025 (part 1 of 5)

Library Hours
Summer Hours Begin June 1. The library’s hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday, 9am to 5pm. The library will be closed on Sundays until September 1. The library will be closed Thursday June 19th in recognition of Juneteenth.
The old Minuteman app will stop working on May 31st. Download the new app now in your device's app store and login with your same username and password for uninterrupted use! 

Summer Reading Sign Up Starts Now!
Adults, teens, and kids can all use this sign up form to register for our 2025 Summer Reading program. Please fill out a separate form for each person that will be participating. You can pick up your summer reading folder(s) from the library beginning on Tuesday, May 27th.  

Franklin Public Library’s 2025 Reading Challenge
June: Show your true colors
For complete details and to sign-up, visit our website! Grand prizes made possible by the Friends of the Franklin Library.

Franklin Library ESOL & Adult Literacy Program
Volunteer tutors needed! To volunteer please be at least 18 years old, have a High School diploma, and speak English clearly.  No prior teaching experience needed!  Volunteer tutors and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, please fill out the registration form on the library’s website.

Museum Passes
Now is a great time to reserve passes to the area’s most popular museums, aquariums, and more! Passes are available to be reserved up to thirty days in advance.

Franklin Library Book Sale - All books are just one dollar!
  • Friday, June 13: 1 - 5pm
  • Saturday, June 14: 9am - 12pm

Bag Sale - $5 A Bag
  • Saturday, June 14: 1 - 4pm
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!



Join One Franklin around town on Saturday to spread the word about the special election June 3!

  • 8 AM - 10 AM Keller/Sullivan driveway on Lincoln St
  • 10 AM - 12 PM 140 triangle across from the Rome
  • 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Dacey driveway on Lincoln St
  • 12 PM - 2 PM 140 across from Big Y
P.S. Early Voting available Saturday (5/24) 9 AM to 3 PM, the last day for early voting is Friday May 30th.

Save The Date! Metacomet Land Trust Annual Meeting June 26th!


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Dear Neighbor,

Please join us on Thursday, June 26th, for Metacomet's annual business meeting and program! We will gather at 6:30 p.m. at the Upton Community Center. Our program will be on the state of Massachusetts birds, including visitors such as this beautiful Yellow Breasted Chat, which was banded and released at a preserved property in Uxbridge last fall.

Prior to the meeting, please take a few moments to read our Annual Report which is now available on our website at this link:


2025-MLT-Annual-Report.pdf

Our membership meeting is an important part of our annual governance. We encourage you to attend, ask questions about our progress and recent activities, and vote on the key motions to allow the Trust to fulfill our governing by-laws.

If you would like to volunteer to serve on the Board or other committees, please contact me for more information at Lisa.Mosczynski@metacometlandtrust.org.


In Conservation,

Lisa Mosczynski
President
Board of Directors

 
Recent gifts receipt:  $25 on 03/22/2019. 
Please renew your membership if your last gift was prior to December 1st, 2024.

Membership Donations, Gifts of Land or Conservation Restrictions, or donations of items to be auctioned are deductible on the Federal 1040.

Our Federal Tax-Exempt ID is: 04-3020897. 
How Are the Birds?
 
    Metacomet will host Brandi Van Roo, Ph.D. and Beth Milke for a presentation on the health of our wild bird populations when they speak at our annual meeting on June 26th. The program will be held at the Upton Community Center at 9 Milford Street (Rt. 140) in Upton. 

    Brandi Van Roo is a professor of wildlife biology at Framingham State University. Her research includes bird breeding behavior as well as migrant bird banding for conservation purposes. She trains
undergraduate students at banding stations in Ashland, Uxbridge and Douglas. 

    Beth Milke currently serves as a Volunteer-in-Parks with the National Park Service, leading bird walks and maintaining River Bend Farm's Pollinator Garden for Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc.

    A silent auction with wild bird-focused items, refreshments and information on land preservation will also be offered. If you would like to contribute an item to our fundraiser, please write to susan.speers@metacometlandtrust.org.

On a personal note...
It's appropriate here to reflect that it is entirely due to the conservation ethic of Ann and John Hanscom, whose beautiful Foxfire Farm hosts both Brandi and Beth during their bird banding work, that so many birds have a place to stop on their fall and spring migrations....thus adding to our appreciation for the habitat, actively used by so many creatures, and for landowners such as Ann and John, who made the choice in 2020 to permanently preserve their property -- 25 years ago this fall.
-- Susan Speers, Board of Directors

 
We Love Where We Live -- And We Know You Do, Too!
Facebook
Website
MLT Instagram Feed
Our mailing address is:
Metacomet Land Trust
P.O. Box 231
Franklin, MA 02038


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Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, May 23, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fmFranklin 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
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 


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



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   


Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA
Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Franklin TV schedule for Friday, May 23, 2025

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

7:00 am Franklin Art Association: Christine West
8:30 am Frank Presents: Jay Elias Pt 2
10:00 am Riffing on Main Street: Steve Sherlock
11:00 am Senior Disability Expo
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Scones
12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Mac 'n' Cheese
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Shrimp, Tomato & Greens Pizzetta
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 7
3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1
4:00 pm Metrowest Boston Annual Meeting 2025 Pt 2
7:00 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Rod & Gun Club
8:30 pm Veterans' Call: Lauren Turner
9:30 pm PorchFest Pt 2
 
  • Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY
7:00 am Lifelong Music Spring 2025: Band and Glee
8:30 am Mental Health: Joanne Spillane
9:30 am FHS Spring Jazz 2025
11:00 am FHS Senior Awards Night 2025
1:30 pm Arts Advocacy Day: Marketing
2:30 pm Lifelong Music Spring 2025: Strings School
5:30 pm FHS Varsity Baseball v Taunton 05-12-25
9:00 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 05-08-25
2:00 pm  Zoning Board of Appeals 05-08-25
 

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
Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Thursday, May 22, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, May 22, 2025 ???

Thursday, May 22
Library & Senior Center events
Library & Senior Center events
  • Empty Bowls tickets on Sale
  • Early Voting - FY 2026 Override Special Election
5:00pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)

6:00pm 10th Annual Empty Bowls (Franklin High School)

6:00pm JFK Night of the Arts (John F. Kennedy Memorial School)

7:00pm Rising Stars Pop/Rock Cabaret (THE BLACK BOX)

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


For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   
**   Town Meetings today   **


Town Council Meeting

Thursday, May 22, 2025, 7:00 PM 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05222025-1753 


Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting (CANCELED)

Thursday,  May 22, 2025, 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05222025-1723 



------------


What's happening today in Franklin?
What's happening today in Franklin? 
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