Antiques Appraisal Benefit Event Scheduled for May 9 from 1 PM to 5 PM

Residents of Franklin and surrounding communities are invited to discover the history and value of their antiques at a special Antiques Appraisal Event to benefit the museum, scheduled for Saturday, May 9, in Franklin.

The event will offer local residents an opportunity to bring antiques, collectibles, heirlooms, and unusual items to be evaluated by a highly experienced appraiser, James C. Johnston. Items may include artwork, coins, jewelry, books, documents, military items (but no guns, please!), toys, advertising items, and historical memorabilia. Verbal appraisals will be provided, along with general information about the item’s age, origin, and current market interest.

This ever-popular event is designed for anyone who has ever wondered about items found in attics, basements, or inherited from family members. Organizers say many people are often surprised to learn what ordinary-looking items can be worth, while other items turn out to have fascinating historical stories even if they are not highly valuable.

Event Details:

Saturday, May 9 - 1-5 pm

Franklin Historical Museum

80 West Central St., Franklin, MA

Cost: $10 for 1 item, or 3 for $25 

Senior Citizen Discount (65+, $5 for 1 item and $10.00 for 3 items  

No appointment is necessary. 

For more information, contact alan.r.earls@gmail.com.

This event is open to the public.

FHSTC asks your help to support the capital campaign !!!

Franklin needs YOU to help us!!

We’re on a mission to fix the lights and invest in our community facilities. Better spaces don’t just look great, they help bring more events and revenue back into our town!

Every small contribution helps, and thank you so much to everyone who has already donated!! Let’s keep our town shining and give our students the best program!

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

Continue reading about the capital campaign via this link - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NNvquCDizUxJGWDUx2P2WUJcF5bU6vMR/view?usp=drive_link

Fund raising link - https://givebutter.com/FPSCaptialCampaign2026

The FBRTC 5k - Seeking Volunteers to help with the fund raising road race

Sign up to volunteer for the FBRTC 5k

View this email in your browser FBRTC 5k - Seeking Volunteers   Hello! The FBRTC is looking for volunteers to help the morning of May 16, 2026 for our annual 5k fundraiser.  Our partners at Tri-Valley Front Runners will be leading the event, but need assistance in the following areas: Parking Greeting/Direction Raffle Tent Registration / Bib Pick Up / Check In Road Crew Water Stop / Turn Around Spot Timing / Start / Finish / Results / Awards We need volunteers at different times of the morning, from setting up the event starting around 8:00 AM, to supporting the race at 9:00 AM, to breaking down the event starting at 10:00 AM. If you can help out at all, please sign up using this link. Warm regards, Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Our mailing address is: Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee PO Box 68 Franklin, Ma 02038

Stamp Out Hunger drive, Saturday, May 9

This Saturday, May 9, is the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive! We need your help to fight food insecurity:

1. Fill a bag non-perishable donations (suggestions listed below)
2. Place it by your mailbox before your mail delivery on Saturday.
3. Your letter carrier will pick up your donation during mail delivery, or may come back later in the day

Don't let the forecast dampen your generous spirit! If it looks like rain, just pop your donations into a plastic bag to keep everything dry.
________________________________

What We Need Most:

Shampoo & Conditioner
Body Wash & Bar Soap
Shaving Cream & Lotion
Feminine Hygiene Products
Laundry Detergent
Household Cleaning Supplies
Cereal
Pasta
Ketchup
Relish
Pickles
Jelly/Jam
Cake Mix
Brownie Mix
Hot Chocolate Mix (8-count boxes)

#stampouthunger

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

Protect Act passes MA Senate

"The MA Senate today voted 37 to 3 to pass the PROTECT Act, which takes important steps to protect immigrant communities in Massachusetts, such as banning new 287(g) agreements, preventing law enforcement from asking about immigration status or using resources for civil immigration enforcement, limiting information sharing with ICE, protecting courthouses and other sensitive locations, and more.

TY to all the advocates, activists, and legislators who worked on this and for everyone who has been pushing for these protections for more than a decade! 

After four efforts to weaken the bill, Republicans Patrick O'Connor (R-Weymouth) and Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) joined Democrats in voting for it.

Read our full write-up here: https://www.progressivemass.com/ma-senate-protect-act-vote/."

Shared from https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1NVpYCVQ25/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Saturday, May 9, 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:

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, May 8, 2026 ???

Friday, May 8

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

5:00pm The Little Shop | Passport to the World Tasting Series

6:00pm dayTREAT "Remarkably Bright Creatures" movie release party (Pour Richard's)

For 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   ***

----------

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

FREE Women’s Health Expo scheduled for May 20, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

The Franklin Board of Health is hosting a Women’s Health Expo on May 20, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at New England Chapel (300 E. Central St., Franklin, MA). 

Save the Date: Women’s Health Expo -
May 20, 2026 for Franklin, MA

This indoor event aims to educate, empower, and support women in taking charge of their health and overall well-being.

Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with local vendors and healthcare partners offering valuable information and resources on:

• Preventive care

• Common health conditions affecting women

• Nutrition and fitness

• Overall wellness and healthy lifestyle choices

In addition, the Dana-Farber mobile mammography van will be on-site from 7:00 AM to 3:15 PM, providing convenient access to important breast health screenings.

Please refer to the event flyers for additional details: Women's Health Expo & Mammogram Van Flyers

All are welcome to attend.

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V6UHPzYxz4J-zEheK72Y61SeecxETVvf/view?usp=drive_link

Shared from - https://www.franklinma.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/111

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Commission on Disability

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

General Purpose

The primary functions of this Commission are to educate about disability, advocate for persons with disabilities, and act as a resource for those who may require disability-related services or have concerns.

Staffing

● There are currently Seven (7) Volunteer Members which will increase to nine (9) Volunteer Members

○ Includes: One (1) Chair

○ Includes: One (1) Vice Chair

○ Includes: One (1) Clerk

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Hosting a Disability Expo for several years to provide the public with disability-related resources and services

● Advocating for important accessibility improvements and ADA compliance in the Town of Franklin, including the successful new Dean MBTA Station accessible platform

● Connecting numerous Franklin residents to much-needed disability-related resources

● Completing a “Disability-Related Services” public document and publishing it on the COD website to help guide residents to needed resources

● Developing an "Accessibility In Franklin” public document to help residents easily look up locations and events in town to determine how accessible they are for their own personal needs

● Attending town events such as the Senior Expo, and planning to attend town events such as the Strawberry Stroll, to spread awareness and education about disability and how the COD can help residents

● Establishing a consistent process for reporting, recording, and monitoring revenue received from handicap parking violations, in accordance with Chapter 40, Section 22G

● Creating an Accessibility Working Group to connect the COD with the Town Department Heads

● Supporting the municipal staff in achieving Title II digital compliance

● Advocating for and working with the Town Council and Town Administrator on accessibility goals within the town goals

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● This is a level-funded budget, which was just created two years ago.

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11oK2sD2HIZ5urkhVSXxES5Ei9o8telrz/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The complete set of FY 2027 budget information can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

Franklin, MA: Agenda for joint Town Council & School Committee meeting on Tuesday, May 12

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

May 12, 2026 = 7:00 PM

This is a joint meeting of the Franklin Town Council and Franklin School Committee.

Meeting will take place at the Franklin Municipal Building: 

355 East Central Street - 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

1. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Discussion and potential selection of bidders from the Request for Statements of Interest issued by the Franklin Town Council and School Committee for a strategic plan.

i. Request for Statement of Interest for Development of a Strategic Plan   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/9423/2026-04-17--Req-for-Information-Strategic-Plan

ii. Presentations (via Zoom) 

7:00 - 7:30: Raftelis  

 https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/9322/Raftelis

7:35 - 8:05: Capital Strategic Solutions 

 https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/9321/Capital-Strategic-Solutions

8:10 - 8:40: BME Strategies 

 https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/9320/BME-Strategies

2. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05122026-2302

Talking with Amy Adams about the Wind Phone coming soon to Franklin (Audio)

FM #1743 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1743 in the series. 

The wind phone as installed in Natick

This session shares my conversation with Franklin artist extraordinaire Amy Adams. She is a member of the Franklin Art Association. We had our discussion in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Our conversation covers Amy’s work and approach

• The Wind Phone comes to Franklin’s Sculpture Park

• Dealing with grief, healing with HeART

• Readiness to deal with grief

The recording runs about 41 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1743-talking-with-amy-adams-about-wind-phones-04-29-26/

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

Painting Venus - Amy’s art portfolio page -> https://www.paintingvenus.art/ 

US Wind phone website  (as mentioned) -> https://www.mywindphone.com/united-states-windphones 

First recording on the wind phone (and art overall) (Nov 2024)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/11/talking-art-with-amy-adams-audio.html 

Prior recording about the Natick phone installation (July 2025)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/07/amy-adams-talks-about-wind-phone.html 

Video of the welcoming remarks when the wind phone opened in Natick (July 2025)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/07/wind-phone-natick-welcoming-remarks-by.html

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

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. 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 Outdoor track results vs Taunton; 2 wins on Tuesday

Catching up to share the results of the FHS Outdoor Track results of the meet vs. Taunton on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. 

Thanks to the FHS Track Boosters

Shared from - 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ky9GTf2cV/

Spring Rising Stars scheduled at THE BLACK BOX on May 21

Spring Rising Stars scheduled at
THE BLACK BOX on May 21

"THE BLACK BOX presents a crowd favorite with its Spring Rising Stars! 

Talented young singers deliver powerful performances of pop and rock songs in a cabaret setting!"

Tickets available online - https://theblackboxonline.com/rising-stars-pop-rock-cabaret/

FBRTC Monthly meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 12

FBRTC Monthly meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 12

via Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee

"Our next meeting is on Tuesday, May 12th at Franklin.TV, located at 23 Hutchinson Street, Franklin at 7 PM.

We'd love to see you there!"

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

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, May 8, 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 Friday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events 

• This hour shares  Talking about "Celebrate with Pride" ->    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/05/fm-1737-this-is-franklin-matters-radio.html

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  Showcasing the "Blues" as a basis for and influence of Country, Jazz and Rock and Roll, here and worldwide.

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