What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, August 16, 2025 ??

Saturday, August 16

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9:00am Library Book sale (Franklin Public Library)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Rise Up (Franklin United Methodist Church)

10:00am Walking Group (St John's Episcopal Church)

10:30am The Poop Museum! (Franklin Public Library)

12:00pm Mad Science Minis!(Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Library bag sale (books by the bag) (Franklin Public Library)

3:00pm Music and Comedy of Don White (Franklin Public Library)

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

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->        

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

** NO Town Meetings today   **

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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

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

Police issue Fraud alert on fraudulent invoice from Town of Franklin department

Police issue Fraud alert on fraudulent
invoice from Town of Franklin department

***FRAUD ALERT***

This week an organization in Franklin received an invoice from the “Planning & Development Department” requesting a wire payment. The fraudulent invoice even used the new Town of Franklin logo. Now it could be argued this is one of the worst photoshop attempts of all time but that’s a conversation for another time.

If you receive one of these please please please do not wire money.

If you have questions about any bill you receive from the Town of Franklin we implore you to call Town Hall and confirm the invoice with the respective department before paying it.

If you think you’ve been scammed or have questions about a potential scam you can always call the station at 508-528-1212 or stop by the station.

Thank you!

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

You can listen to Rydio talk with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen about this scam going around MA. Skip ahead to about 25 minutes for the scam section, or just listen through the 28 minutes.  -> https://soundcloud.com/localraydio/ray-in-the-morning-frankln?si=c46a9254ecd444f289d0757276b71461

Dave condenses the School Committee meeting of Aug 12 in this Chalkboard Chat (audio)

FM #1494 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1494 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion via Zoom on Thursday, August 14, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap both the School Committee meeting of August  12, 2025. 

 

We cover 

• Summer Learning Review - Paula Marano & Patty Gay, updates on lifelong learning, as well as extended school - 

• link to album which captured the slides shared found https://photos.app.goo.gl/WwFUYqSSqCrzx6gH8 

• Summer Move Update - Colin Boisvert - great detail, well organized, there is a whole lot happening across the redistricting move efforts, getting rooms and building ready, signs completed (shared here earlier), transportation updates due next week via bus routes, bus stops, additional drop off, pick up info also scheduled from principals. 

• Photo album of the slides https://photos.app.goo.gl/JRbK3Ez1K9yxjCAX9  

• 2024 Annual Report Draft Review - discussed verbally, no doc shared, feedback due back to Supt Giguere soon

• Engagement, budget, candidates

The recording runs about 26 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1494-chalkboard-chat-08-14-25/

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net   

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RElB5OknJg 

Meeting agenda doc ->

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08122025-1851 

Meeting packet folder contains the docs released before and after the meeting ->

https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/august-12%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/842818 

My notes in one PDF doc ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CsjvTsjM0u3b3Qs_pJUcNlGr8falxQ03/view?usp=drive_link

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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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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Dave condenses the School Committee meeting of Aug 12 in this Chalkboard Chat (audio)

Events starting up for Yankee Quilters

Yankee Quilters, a nonprofit guild of quilters which meets in Franklin, welcomes members new and old to its first meeting of the year on Tuesday, September 9th at Emma's Quilt Cupboard and Sewing Center, Horace Mann Plaza, 319 E. Central St., Franklin, MA. 

Events starting up for Yankee Quilters

The Guild meets the second Tuesday of the month, September through June. Members have a  social gathering at 6:30 followed by the meeting at 7:00 p.m. With this being our first meeting, we are planning a short business meeting, followed by a Meet and Greet. 

New people can receive information about our guild, and this year's calendar. Returning members can catch up with friends they haven't seen over the summer and make new friends. We will have a Show and Tell of projects completed over the summer. For more information, write to yankeequilters11@gmail.com.

***

Yankee Quilters is holding a Savers Fundraiser as a benefit for our programs and outreach to those facing challenges. We are collecting 'softlines' (men's, women's, and children's clothes, coats, shoes, scarves, handbags, wallets, fashion accessories, belts, backpacks, etc. bedding, comforters, blankets, sheets, towels, linens, tablecloths, curtains, pillows, etc.) Books and Media (paperback, hard covers of all genres except encyclopedias or textbooks). Any media items need to be boxed separately.

We will be holding 2 drop-off dates for donations: September 6th from 9:00 to 12:00 and October 4th from 9:00 to 12:00. October 4th is our Savers drop-off date, so we will be loading a truck and leaving promptly at 12:00. The drop-off location is Prime Storage, 302 Hartford Ave., Bellingham, MA 02019. If people need assistance with donations, please email yankeequilters11@gmail.com we will do our best to either pick up donations or schedule other drop-off times.

***

Tuesday, October 14th, Yankee Quilters monthly meeting at Emma's Quilt Cupboard, Horace Mann Plaza: Yankee member Sandie Husby, of Franklin, who sells her work as the "Lone Quilter," will presenting a program on "Quilting During the Great Depression." Sandie will be discussing the Depression, how it affected quilting and the quilts of that era. For more information, write to yankeequilters11@gmail.com

***

Yankee Quilters has three Staycation sewing events planned. The dates are October 24 - 26, 2025; February 27 - March 1, 2026; and April 10 - 12, 2026. All weekends take place in Holliston. The Staycations include a 6-foot table per person, cutting table, sandwiching table, design walls, 3 ironing stations. 

We also provide dinner on Friday night, lunch and dinner on Saturday, bagels and leftovers on Sunday. The cost for the weekend is $100.00 for members and $125.00 for non-members, with a daily rate of $40.00 for members and $45.00 for non-members. If you are interested in participating in any of these Staycations, please reach out to yankeequilters11@gmail.com or attend one of our meetings.

Biennial Election Candidate Nomination Papers Filing as of Aug 15, 2025

The local ballot is filling in. Town Clerk Nancy Danello posted an updated report as of August 15, 2025 showing candidate nomination papers have been taken for Town Council, School Committee, Town Clerk, Board of Assessors and Planning Board at this point.

There is/are 

1 candidate for the Board of Assessors

2 candidates for 2 spots on the Planning Board

8 candidates for 7 spots on the School Committee

1 candidate for 1 spot for the Town Clerk

14 candidates for 9 spots on the Town Council

Only the Board of Health, and Planning Board (Associate Member) remain without at least a candidate for each open position at this time. 

Biennial election Candidate Nomination Papers Filing

This will likely be fairly dynamic until September 15 when the signatures required are returned and validate. The Ballot doesn't get finalized until Sep 22.

The PDF download -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Tnb1peAAmI9NSv9muSO8PTGUM7DGUvYT/view?usp=drive_link

The PDF display:

Lifelong learning is hiring - Join the FPS Solutions Extended Day team!

Lifelong learning is hiring - Join
the FPS Solutions Extended Day team! 

Join the FPS Solutions Extended Day team!

Learn about the program at bit.ly/3WteQ5y.

Send your resume to Jennifer Maitland, maitlandj@franklinps.net.

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DNTrU87tI4x/

NY Times: "For Some Patients, the ‘Inner Voice’ May Soon Be Audible"

"For decades, neuroengineers have dreamed of helping people who have been cut off from the world of language.

A disease like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or A.L.S., weakens the muscles in the airway. A stroke can kill neurons that normally relay commands for speaking. Perhaps, by implanting electrodes, scientists could instead record the brain’s electric activity and translate that into spoken words.

NY Times: "For Some Patients, the ‘Inner Voice’ May Soon Be Audible"

Now a team of researchers has made an important advance toward that goal. Previously they succeeded in decoding the signals produced when people tried to speak. In the new study, published on Thursday in the journal Cell, their computer often made correct guesses when the subjects simply imagined saying words.

Christian Herff, a neuroscientist at Maastricht University in the Netherlands who was not involved in the research, said the result went beyond the merely technological and shed light on the mystery of language. “It’s a fantastic advance,” Dr. Herff said."

Shared from -> https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/14/science/brain-neuroscience-computers-speech.html?smid=url-share

How to spot and avoid task scams

How to spot and avoid task scams By BCP Staff You get an unexpected message on WhatsApp, Telegram, text, or social media. The person says you can make quick money online doing tasks.  It sounds simple, and the message says you'll get paid right away. But this could be a scam.  Read on to find out how to spot and avoid them. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/08/how-spot-and-avoid-task-scams?utm_source=govdelivery

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Saturday, August 16, 2025

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 Saturday

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 Saturday

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, August 15, 2025 ??

Friday, August 15

What's happening in Franklin, MA:
Friday, August 15, 2025 ??

9:00am Fallen Hero: Jules Perret & Robert R. Pirelli (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Library book sale (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

2:00pm Farmers Market (Franklin Town Common)

3:00pm Matt Zajac (live music) (Franklin Town Common)

5:30pm The Pub Kings (live music) (Franklin Town Common)

6:00pm Sip & Shop (Pour Richard's Wine & Provisions)

6:30pm Jennifer Tefft (live music) (Quarterdeck)

8:00pm Uncle Spiny (live music) (THE BLACK BOX)

9:00pm Michael Rivelis (live music) (3 Restaurant)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->        

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

** NO Town Meetings today   **

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

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

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: Jules E. Perret & Robert R. Pirelli - Aug 15, 2025 at 9 AM

Memorial event today (8/15/25) at 9 AM on the Town Common Veterans Walkway to honor Jules E. Perret  &  Robert R. Pirelli. 

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: Private Jules E. Perret, U.S. Army

Private Jules E. Perret, U.S. Army, was born on November 12, 1907 son of Jules and Maria Perret. Jules lived with his parents and three sisters at 29 Washington Street. 

Jules was a well known sportsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. For many years he was an active member and tireless worker of the Franklin Rod and Gun Club. He did much towards the construction of the then new club house at Uncas Pond. Before volunteering to go into the service, Jules worked as a weaver in Canton, MA. 

Jules entered the service on October 12, 1943 and trained at Camp Croft, South Carolina. Pvt Jules E. Perret went overseas in March of 1944, first seeing action in North Africa and later serving in Italy where he met his death on August 15, 1944 in a vehicular accident. 

Pvt Jules E. Perret, U.S. Army, was 36 years old at the time of his death while serving his country in World War II.

Fallen Hero: Private Perret

Fallen Hero: Staff Sgt. Robert R. Pirelli

"Pirelli, a decorated Green Beret with the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), based in Fort Carson, Colo., was killed by enemy fire in the Diyala Province of Iraq on Aug. 15, 2007.

Around 8 p.m., Vallee and Rick Sullivan, deputy commissioner of the Conservation and Recreation Department, will speak briefly and dedicate the arena to Pirelli. State Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham, Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, and Pirelli's parents, Nancy and Robert Pirelli, will also be on hand.

Pirelli, a 1996 Franklin High graduate, was one of two seniors to win a Booster Club scholarship, and graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in criminal justice.

"He grew up playing hockey and was on the varsity hockey team. He was an avid hockey player, and his dad was a hockey coach. He was an amazing guy, quite a young man," O'Conner said.

Pirelli joined the Army in December 2003.

He earned two Good Conduct Medals, a National Defense Service Medal, an Iraq Campaign Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, a Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, an Army Service Ribbon, an Overseas Service Ribbon, a Combat Infantry Badge, a Parachutist Badge, and a Special Forces Badge."

Shared from ->   https://www.milforddailynews.com/story/news/2008/02/19/town-to-dedicate-rink-to/41320877007/

The current schedule (note as additional info is gathered and confirmed this schedule may be updated)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/114IR6REsc-Ts_GLlfmgynjyD5IS595RA/view?usp=drive_link

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