Franklin Matters

Saturday, February 28, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, February 28, 2026 ???

Saturday, February 28

Curbside trash/recycling continues picking up today.

Those scheduled for Thursday on Saturday
and normal schedule for Monday on Monday
Tuesday on Tuesday, etc. next week

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Volunteer Income Tax Preparation with VITA (Franklin Public Library)

10:30am Weekend Wiggles! (Franklin Public Library)

7:30pm Choreographers' Concert (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

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

For additional details on Library events ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

*** NO Town Meetings today ***

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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

Town of Franklin Encourages Residents to Sign Up for Emergency Alert System for Franklin, MA

The Town of Franklin is encouraging all residents to register for the Town's emergency alert notification system, powered by Regroup. This system provides timely information about severe weather, public safety incidents, road closures, and other urgent situations that may impact the community.

By enrolling in Regroup, residents can choose to receive notifications by phone call, text message, and email. Signing up ensures that important information is delivered directly and quickly when it matters most.

Town officials strongly encourage all households to register and review their contact preferences to ensure accurate and up to date information.

To sign up for Regroup emergency alerts, visit: https://embeds.regroupcloud.com/orgs/franklintown/channels/residents-channel/signup_embed

Jillian & Mary give us the inside scoop on events at the Senior Center for March 2026 (audio)

FM #1677 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1677 in the series.

This session shares my conversation with Activities Coordinator Jillian Rochat and Executive Assistant Mary Hynes. We had our discussion in the Franklin Radio Studio on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

We talk about

All the key event highlights for March 2026
Sign up for email delivery of the monthly newsletter

The show notes include links to the Senior Center page, the calendar of events, and to subscribe to the monthly newsletter.

The recording runs about 33 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1677-franklin-senior-center-march-2026-highlights-02-18-26/

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Franklin Senior Center page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/583/Franklin-Senior-Center-Council-on-Aging

March 2026 newsletter -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8434/March-2026?bidId=

The newsletter archive page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/585/Connection-Newsletter

Senior Center calendar view (just FSC events) -> https://franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

Subscribe to the newsletter -> by calling 508-520-4945

My Active Center -> https://myactivecenter.com/

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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 it!

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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"

FPS Food Service new lunch to feature

"Yesterday (2/25/26), We served a flavor-packed lunch at Franklin Public Schools!

Our culturally-inspired meal consisting of steamed tamales with fluffy yellow rice and caramelized sweet plantains was a big hit at our Middle and High Schools."

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/18L5hzbTt4/

Franklin Fire Dept report on Peters Lane fire - Feb 27, 2026

"At 1:17 PM the Metacomet Emergency Communications Center received a call reporting a possible structure fire at 6 Peters Lane.

Franklin Fire Dept report on
Peters Lane fire - Feb 27, 2026

Franklin Fire units arrived and found a fire in the garage of the home that was quickly extinguished. Two residents were rescued from the house by Franklin Fire personnel. They were transported by Bellingham and Medway Fire Department ambulances to Rhode Island Hospital.

The Franklin Fire Department was assisted by the Bellingham, Medway, Mendon, Norfolk, Plainville, and Wrentham Fire Departments.

A special thank you to the Franklin Police Department personnel who assisted at the scene.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Franklin Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal's Office.

The Foxboro Fire Department provided station coverage during the incident."

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CPVB4NWPt/

Historic events at the Museum in March 2026

Despite the blizzards, March is quickly approaching - as is the Town of Franklin's Birthday!

Help us celebrate the founding of Franklin and so much more, at Franklin Historical Museum.

Check out new and upcoming events at www.franklinmuseum1778.org.

See the latest on our Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Franklin-Historical-Museum/61577107304816/#.

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DVMbTLgkq4r/

Beaver St. Interceptor Project: Construction Updates ~ Monday (3/2) Through Friday (3/6)

RT. 140 (West Central Street) Lane Closure Alert -

Monday Night (3/2) thru Thursday Morning (3/5) 7pm to 5am, Friday (3/6) 7am-3pm

The Contractor will continue with the installation of the sewer force main within RT. 140 (West Central Street). The work will be contained within the southbound lane from Burger King to Beaver Street. During this time there will be evening lane closures on RT. 140. Please use caution when traveling in this area and follow all posted signs.

Beaver Street Pump Station

At the Franklin Recreation Center, the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue with construction of the internal building component installation and testing of the pumps. Bypass piping equipment will be onsite and protected by barriers. Access to the recreation center will NOT be affected during this time.

Visit the project page for additional info - https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/557/Beaver-Street-Interceptor-BSI-Project

Franklin Police ready for good weather, provide a friendly reminder

"You guys… I looked ahead at the forecast and I see hope. Real, actual hope. March 10th is showing temps above 60… 61 to be exact. SIXTY-ONE. I immediately dug out my pool floatie because I am not wasting a single second of that tropical heat. If you see me floating down the street, mind your business. I’ve waited months for this moment.

But I do come with another useful tip and trick that, unfortunately, I did not think I’d have to say… yet here we are. If there’s a 5-foot snowbank on one side of the road, and a 5-foot snowbank on the other side of the road, and the road is already tight… parking on both sides is not the move. It makes the road impassable and unfortunately emergency vehicles do not have a flying feature yet.

So please don’t be that person. Help keep the roads passable so traffic (and plows, and emergency vehicles, and people trying to get to Dunkin’) can get through. Work with us so we can work with you.

Spring is coming. Don’t make us tow your car before we can all emotionally recover"

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CP6mVUYzG/

New simpler EZ Pass in future, and for some the future is now

"So long, plastic rectangles: Massachusetts is phasing in a new type of E-ZPass transponder. Beginning this Sunday, the state will no longer hand out the hard-plastic transponders that Bay Staters have been using for years to pay highway tolls. Instead, you'll get a small E-ZPass sticker to put on your windshield.

New simpler EZ Pass in future,
and for some the future is now

Why? For one, they're "much cheaper," according to Massachusetts Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. The current transponders, which MassDOT gives out to new customers for free, cost the state $6.70 each. The stickers cost just $0.55, which officials estimate will save more than $7 million a year."

Continue reading the WBUR article on the change to stickers instead of devices

https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/02/27/massachusetts-ez-pass-sticker

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Saturday, February 28, 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 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

Friday, February 27, 2026

DPW with a curbside schedule change for next week; back to normal schedule (audio)

Per the 5 PM (2/27/2026) all-call from the Department of Public Works:

"Good evening Franklin, this is Brutus Cantoreggi, your Public Works Director.

I have important information regarding trash and recycling pickup. Working with the Town Administrator, the Town Council, resident ideas, and Waste Management, this is the plan going forward.

We will continue with the plan for tomorrow, Saturday, to pick up Thursday trash and recycling.

Next week, starting Monday, we will resume the regularly scheduled trash and recycling pickup plan. Monday will be on Monday, Tuesday on Tuesday, etc.

There will be a dumpster available for those who really have a trash surplus issue. Just go to the recycling center on Beaver St. for instructions.

Once again we are just resuming normal trash and recycling pickup next week.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the 40-degree days coming our way!"

If you're interested in signing up all-calls from the Town of Franklin, please visit this link to sign up: https://embeds.regroupcloud.com/orgs/franklintown/channels/residents-channel/signup_embed

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1676-franklin-ma-dpw-curbside-schedule-change-02-27-26/

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LfHr6vr3q/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, February 27, 2026 ???

Friday, February 27

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

7:00pm FHSTC performs "Animal Farm" (Franklin High School)

7:30pm Choreographers' Concert (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

*** NO Town Meetings today ***

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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

Cars For Homes Program Helps Build Affordable Housing

Old Colony Habitat for Humanity’s Cars for Homes program is seeking donations of vehicles, including cars, trucks, vans, RV’s, SUV’s, boats, motorcycles, and more. The “Cars for Homes” program, launched by Habitat for Humanity International in 2005, turns vehicles into cash to help build affordable housing in our local communities. In the last five years, communities from across the United States have donated over $72 million.

Cars for Homes is part of Habitat’s dedication to providing families with safe, affordable housing. Vehicles need not be running but must be intact and have inflated tires to be towed by our operators. Donated vehicles are resold with all proceeds going towards supporting our communities.

Donation is quick and easy and at no cost. Individuals may qualify for a tax deduction.

As we continue our current Home Build in Franklin, MA, we encourage our service area communities to consider vehicle donations to help support the project. A recent donor, Mary Montione, and her children Jimmy and Rachel of Mansfield, MA donated a van to Old Colony Habitat in January of 2026.

Montione stated, “Our van holds many happy memories, and I was thrilled to donate it to OCHH. Although I’m on a tight budget, I believe in contributing what I can, when I can. It always saddens me to see people struggle with housing. I hope this small gift helps support someone’s journey toward the security, stability, and joy of having a home and being part of a caring community”.

Old Colony Habitat for Humanity supports families in 24 local cities and towns in Bristol and Norfolk counties. We are in the process of converting the former South Franklin Congressional Meeting House into the next Habitat home. Vehicle donations will directly support the construction costs of this project and other homes. The current Home Build is expected to be completed in June 2026.

To learn more about the Cars for Homes donation program or to donate a vehicle to Old Colony Habitat for Humanity, visit our webpage here: Cars for Homes - Old Colony Habitat for Humanity, or call our hotline at 1-877-277-4344 to begin the easy and free process of donating your car.

For more information about Old Colony Habitat for Humanity, visit https://linktr.ee/oldcolonyhabitat.

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, locally and around the world. Building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter

Town Council adds to the Tier 1 capital budget and extends their 4 hour limit on Feb 11, 2026 (audio)

FM #1673-74-75 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 1673-74-75 in the series.

This session shares part of the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. The Council held this session as scheduled beginning at 6 PM. All 9 Councilors participated for this 4 hour plus session.

1673 - covers the opening, Citizen comments, Council Comments, ABCC license change approval (approx. 45 mins)
1674 - segment from the meeting covering the full discussion on the5 Year fiscal forecast & discussion (approx. 1 hr. 33 mins)
1675 - segment from the meeting covers the Capital Budget discussion and the remainder of the meeting (approx. 2 hours and 3 mins)

Audio 1673 - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1673-town-council-mtg-02-11-26-p1-of-3/

Audio 1674 - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1674-town-council-mtg-02-11-26-p2-of-3/

Audio 1675 - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1675-town-council-mtg-02-11-26-p3-of-3/