What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, April 10, 2026 ???

Friday, April 10

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

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   ***

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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

The LiveARTS String Quartet returns to Franklin to perform a program of beloved classical masterworks - May 17

The Franklin-based LiveARTS String Quartet is pleased to announce that it will appear in concert on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 3:00 at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St. in Franklin. Tickets may be purchased at liveartsstringquartet.org. A sold-out house is anticipated, so patrons are encouraged to reserve their tickets early to be guaranteed a seat. The program will include masterworks by Haydn, Mendelssohn, and Schumann.

Founded in 2009 by violist Donald Krishnaswami, the LiveARTS String Quartet features some of the Boston area's finest professional string players. 

The members of the Quartet include Gregory Vitale and Katherine Winterstein, violins, Donald Krishnaswami, viola, and Jan Müller-Szeraws, cello. The Quartet is funded in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and by donations from individuals and local businesses.

Born of Franklin’s popular LiveARTS concert series, the group served as the organization's string quartet-in-residence from 2009 until LiveARTS' dissolution in 2025. For twenty-five years, LiveARTS brought world-class classical chamber music performances to the Franklin community. Now operating independently, the LiveARTS String Quartet is working to bring a regular season of exceptional live performances to audiences in Franklin and other southwestern suburbs of Boston, maintaining the high artistic standards established during its time with LiveARTS.

Join the LiveARTS String Quartet in concert on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 3:00 PM at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, Franklin. Tickets may be purchased at liveartsstringquartet.org.

Read your Favorite Poem at the Franklin Public Library, Saturday, April 18

You can read your Favorite Poem at the Franklin Public Library, Saturday, April 18 at 1:30 PM

Come celebrate National Poetry Month at the Franklin Public Library with a Favorite Poem Reading!

Joy Harjo (US Poet Lauriat from 2019 - 2022)

“When I began to listen to poetry, it’s when I began to listen to the stones, and I began to listen to what the clouds had to say, and I began to listen to others. And I think, most importantly for all of us, then you begin to learn to listen to the soul, the soul of yourself in here, which is also the soul of everyone else.”

Favorite Poem Reading hosted by Steve Sherlock 

Choose a favorite published poem that you have long treasured or recently discovered. Share it by reading it to those gathered for this event.

Use the form to sign up to read your favorite poem -> 

https://forms.gle/YvfTLzxTYYtQDDDE6 

Note: Poems may not be ones you or family members, or friends have written.  

Limit: Five minutes reading time.

Note: We’ll be in the Friends Room, in the ‘new’ section of the building. The Book Sale is running in the other section.

Note: The audio of the readings will be recorded for future broadcast by Franklin Public Radio. You can choose to have your reading part of the recording or not.

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y1jgOLx-t9EwxY6suC_7rLOC7B0IGPVK/view?usp=drive_link

Finance Committee closes out 16+ hours of budget hearings with proposed adjustments (video)

The Franklin Finance Committee completed a record setting set of 4 budget hearings covering every line item in the FY 2027 budget in almost 17 hours over 4 nights. 

The start of this last session was delayed by about 20 minutes to fix the Zoom link and get it reposted for the agenda, calendar, and appropriate social channels.

Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/3oIsBHQ73Ts?&t=1170

The amended agenda doc - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04092026-2222

My full set of notes in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NzSDXoQxk7P0ztXRKjPpcPTPrZgBNE78/view?usp=drive_link

Dept of Arts, Culture & Creative Economy metrics as referenced by Cory Shea during the budget hearing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zQV7NQTLRSy1UnPKxad0wtW8Q-76YqOc/view?usp=drive_link

Quick recap:

• This session was time well spent by the Committee to review the potential adjustments to the budget and come to a consensus on them. They started with a set of goals and a process to work through the listing of the items for discussion based upon what had occurred over the prior three nights.
• They wanted to minimize use of free cash. The end proposal recommends 1.8M of free cash rather than $2M
• They wanted to move some of the regular recurring 'capital items' to the ops budget where they belong. They took a step in that direction with less than $100K of police gear putting that in the Ops budget. Next cycle those items won't need to come before the Capital budget as a request
• They made a strategic investment in a couple of positions. One already in the budget for a part time clerk in the Assessors office, and additional hybrid inspector/admin help for the Building Commissioner's team. This should help the assessors and inspectors to do the work they need to do while providing some additional administrative help to help the work flow and improve our permit and tax base (both revenue generators)
• They proposed reducing the Facilities expense budget
• They confirmed the need for restoration of the Deputy Town Administrator and the School Resource officers (SROs)
• They will request that the Schools look as possibly using more of their revolving funds to help balance their budget and in turn free up more free cash on the Town side to not be used for the overall budget
• The complete set of the adjustments will be written up, presented by the FinCom to the Town Council and Joint Budget Subcommittee. The line item adjustments will be made and incorporate some other updates for the Town Administrator to issue a revised budget proposal before the Council gets to finalize their vote at the June 10th meeting. It may not be ready for the May 20-21 Council budget hearings, the key item that still might be outstanding before those hearings is the FY 2027 health costs as the annual enrollment completes April 30

last view of the working doc used in the FinCom session

FinCom set up in the 3rd floor training room

Catching UP: Town Council Quarterbacking - April 1 session (audio)

FM #1711 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1711 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Councilor Max Morrongiello. We had our conversation in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studios on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

We focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

• Multiple citizen comments; topics covered = Bellingham battery storage, PorchFest, Quatro Eroi celebration events, & School Committee update

• Councilor comments

• Recognition of Chloe Bowser, her essay was one of 12 selected for the commissioning of the new submarine USS Massachusetts 

• 3 public hearings opened together for the MBTA zoning bylaw changes required to bring us to full compliance. Of note, to come into compliance while we did tweak our zoning to fit the requirements, we actually reduced the density that was already permitted for that area. All three proposals after clarification questions were answered moved to a second reading (likely April 15)

• 1 public hearing on the technical changes to the current Crossing Neighborhood District. There were multiple items underway and as the zoning changed were being updated to the town code discrepancy were noted; some sections of a table were left out, some had been updated incorrectly. The changes were approved to move to second reading (also likely for April 15)

• Water & sewer extension approved for an area of Union St (actually to allow the new 5 residence development approved for part of the blueberry farm land) to update the water infrastructure to enable the extension. Funding to be provided by the developer

• Council entered into Executive Session for bargaining not to return to open meeting

The conversation runs about 15 minutes. Let’s listen in

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1711-town-council-quarterbacking-april-1-session-04-02-26/

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N84cGZK_Ua4 

The agenda doc - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04012026-2229  

My full set of notes in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jwviXzblwRVMwA3wkzuZcJlRE3tyZmsI/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!

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

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

Catching up: Town Council Quarterbacking for the Joint Session March 17, 2026 (audio)

 FM #1710 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1710 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Councilor Max Morrongiello. We had our conversation in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studios on Monday, March 30, 2026. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of Wednesday, March 17, 2026.

We focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

• Presentation on the Chapter 70 Program - Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)

• Appointment to the Finance Committee: Tom Sullivan, Passes 8-0-1

• Legislation for Action (all votes passed by 8-0-1)

• Resolution 26-16: Approval for Request for Statements of Interest for Development of a Strategic Plan 

• Resolution 26-17: Town Council’s Support of FY27 State Budget Priorities 

• Resolution 26-18: Town Council Support for H. 4297, An Act relative to the Lowell Mason Act to mandate a percentage of Chapter 70 funds for Arts Education Programs 

• Resolution 26-19: Request for Special Legislation Re: Increase in Local (Hotel) Excise Tax

The conversation runs about 25 minutes. Let’s listen in

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1710-town-council-quarterbacking-march-17-session-03-30-26/

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Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/vMw9RSzLJGI?&t=70 

The agenda doc - https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03182026-2193  

Photos of the slides presented in one album - https://photos.app.goo.gl/WrHjvm6PcK5z2SPq6 

The DESE presentation is available - 

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ZXyBdwq4EvQANLOM5qceeoId0ssrKQPU/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=101938843903614700481&rtpof=true&sd=true

My notes in one PDF document - https://drive.google.com/file/d/17c0hL9XH3aIn4vXRq8daYRfGFS3HPriQ/view?usp=drive_link 

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

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!

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

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

FHS baseball tops Foxboro on Thursday

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Thursday, April  9, 2026

Baseball = Foxboro, 4 @ Franklin, 5 – Final 

– Foxboro rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh inning but the tying run was tagged out at home for the final out of the game as Franklin held on for the win. A bloop single from senior Sean Kryzak brought in a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to break a tie game and put the Panthers ahead 4-2. An inning later, sophomore Ethan Herndon came through with a two-out RBI single to left to plate Drake McAlpine (2-for-3) to push the Panthers’ lead to 5-2 going into the seventh. Nick Hardiman (HBP) and Keegan O’Driscoll (single) reached with one out in the top of the seventh, and a base hit from Harrison Lamson scored the former to make it 5-3. Aidan Stow reached on a two-out error to bring O’Driscoll home and put the tying run on second, but right fielder Owen Pennini took a base hit from Brayden Jones and fired one to catcher Joey Goguen for the tag at home to secure the win. Senior Brady Short picked up the win in relief, giving up just one hit in 2.1 scoreless innings, striking out one. Owen Lewis also tossed a scoreless inning in relief and Jacoby Brown, who took over with one out in the seventh, got the save. Matt O’Keefe went 2-for-2 with a run scored for Foxboro.

For a photo gallery of this game  https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2025-2026/Spring-2026/Franklin-Foxboro-Baseball-04-09-26

Softball = Franklin, 8 @ Foxboro, 14 – Final 

– Foxboro scored seven runs in the bottom of the first before recording an out, then added three more in each of the next two innings to secure a bounce-back win over Franklin. In the first, Ruby Klos led off with a single and Mackenzie Crockford bunted for a hit. An error allowed one run to score and Mia Flanagan plated two with a single to center. Freshman Anna Patterson followed with a hit and Olivia Jaworski’s bunt hit scored another run. Sydney Lamson added an RBI with a bunt and another error made it 7-0. With two outs in the second, Patterson lined a double to left center and stole third. Jaworski walked and Lamson singled in a run before Emma Fisler brought in two with a triple to right. Franklin scored three in the third, as Sophia Sacramone singled in freshman Phoebe O’Connor and senior Addi Weiss before scoring on a wild pitch. The Warriors answered right back in the bottom half, scoring a pair of unearned runs and getting a third on a double by Jaworski. Franklin kept hanging around. Brooke Bonetti walked and stole second and home. Weiss reached on an infield hit and scored on a single from Sacramone. Brooke Gatewood drove in a pair with a double to cut the deficit to 13-7. In the fifth, Bonetti doubled, moved to third on a hit by O’Connor, and scored on an RBI-groundout from Weiss, but Foxboro got the run right back when Jaworski reached on an error, stole third, and scored on a passed ball. Patterson went the distance to get the win, striking out seven.

For a Photo Gallery from this game https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2025-2026/Spring-2026/Foxboro-Franklin-Softball-04-09-26

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-04-09-26/

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