Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RepDJD1j44s
Thanks to the Department of Planning and Community Development for sharing the video.
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Design Review Commission meeting - July 21, 2026 (video)
The Design Review Commission looks at signs for a new “Fresh Monkee” food oriented business which will apparently bring “Truly Healthy Shakes” according to the sign up for review.
More importantly, the Design Review also gives us an initial view of the proposal to replace the Depot Plaza building. The site plan and architectural renderings of the proposal can be found as links in the agenda document.
Its A "J" Thing & Frank Padula Band scheduled to enterain at the Farmers Market (and until 7:30 PM)
- Its A "J" Thing | 3:00 - 5:00 pm
- Frank Padula Band | 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Spend the afternoon downtown with local vendors, fresh food, and great music.
Current Zoning for Downtown Commercial District does NOT require parking for Commercial in a "mixed use" development
Current Town Code: § 185-21Parking, loading and driveway requirements.
“Parking schedule. The number of parking spaces required for a particular use shall be as follows:
[Amended 7-13-2011 Bylaw Amendment 18-805; 8-8-2018 by Bylaw Amendment 18-805]
(1) In the Downtown Commercial Zoning District:
[Amended 8-14-2024 by Bylaw Amendment 24-907R]
(a) Residential dwelling units: one parking space per residential unit in a mixed use development.
(b) Nonresidential uses are exempt from this section (§ 185-21B).
(2) In the Commercial I Zoning District:
(a) Residential dwelling units: 1.5 parking spaces per residential unit.
(b) Nonresidential uses: one space per 500 square feet of gross floor area.”
Background:
Zoning was changed in 2024 for Downtown Commercial for mixed use buildings to remove parking requirements for “commercial use” and retain for “residential use”
Economic Development Cmte meeting - recommends change to Town Council - April 10, 2024
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/economic-development-moves-proposal-to_0742567348.html
Town Council
- August 14, 2024 agenda
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/08/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-for.html
- August 14, 2024 - meeting recap
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/08/august-14-town-council-meeting-audio-in.html
MBTA Compliance
MBTA zoning status update July, 2024
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/07/mbta-communities-update-71-communities.html
MBTA Zoning Summary - April 1, 2026
You can listen to the podcast series for background on many of the topics still coming around regarding development:
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/franklin-for-all-housing-zoning-podcast.html
Additional info can be found on the Town page - https://www.franklinma.gov/292/Franklin-for-All
Additional info can be found on the Town page - https://www.franklinma.gov/292/Franklin-for-All
Senator Rausch Creates, Funds Reproductive Care Training Pilot Program
As states restrict access to abortion and other reproductive care, Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham) secured $250,000 in the FY27 state budget to create and implement a reproductive care training
“Abortion restrictions harm patients,” said Senator Becca Rausch. “They also impact would-be
Medical students’ limited licensure is tied to the state in which they complete their residencies. A student completing residency in Texas, for example, cannot get comprehensive reproductive care training there due to its abortion ban, nor could they in Massachusetts, because they do not have Massachusetts licensure or residency. The new law will
Senator Rausch’s successful amendment
Aging Agenda: Brian Maxfield, CFP (video)
Aging Agenda, a brand-new Franklin TV program offers practical conversations on life after 60.
Life after 60 does not have to mean scaling back dreams. It can be a time to choose new experiences, make thoughtful plans, and move confidently into the next chapter of life.
Tony talks with Brian Maxfield, CFP
Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXTYChTbE-c
South Street Six scheduled to perform at The Gavel Public House, Aug 8, 2026
We're headed back to The Gavel Public House in Wrentham on Saturday, August 8!
From Journey to Tom Petty, ABBA to Maren Morris, The Black Crowes to Zac Brown Band—and plenty in between—we're bringing a night full of songs you'll know, harmonies you'll sing along with, and the energy you expect from South Street Six.
📍 The Gavel Public House
🗓️ Saturday, August 8, 2026
🕖 7:00–10:00 PM
🍻 Great food • Cold drinks • Live music
Grab your friends, come early for dinner, and spend your Saturday night with us!
Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DbYNTtRjjry/
Charles River Jazz Festival - August 8
We’re looking for local cafés, restaurants, shops, breweries, studios, and other businesses willing to hang a 2026 Charles River Jazz Festival flyer in your window or on your community board.
It’s an easy way to support the artists and help spread the word about one of Boston’s largest free art centered events!
Interested?
• Tag your business in the comments.
• Send us a DM with your address and good time.
• We’ll stop by and drop off a flyer.
Every flyer helps us reach more people and keeps this community event thriving. Thank you for supporting local music, we couldn’t do it without you!
More about the Charles River Jazz Festival - https://blacksoulsummer.com/events/charlesriverjazzfestival-aug8/
Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DavSJqezcA4/?
Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, July 30, 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 Thursday |
8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events (Repeats Saturday at 3:00 PM)
- This hour features Senior Center Outlook for August events with Jillian Rochet https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/07/jillian-lets-us-in-on-whats-happening.html
9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM - first hour
10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - second hour
Turntable – "Enjoy a fun experience with co-hosts The Vibe and Pauly G sharing personal discussions about a featured rock n roll vinyl record (1st hour) and the best, all music Vibe Playlist (2nd hour)"
- The Turntable Show features Earth, Wind & Fire's "All 'n All" album and many popular EWF hits recorded live on the Playlist Hour. The All 'n All album includes many hits: Serpentine Fire, Fantasy, Jupiter, and Magic Mind.
- Get your dancing party shoes ready for a fun two hour Turntable Show.
Find the playlist -> https://tinyurl.com/TurntablePlaylists
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
Franklin TV schedule for Thursday, July 30, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = THURSDAY
9:00 am Aging Agenda: Brian Maxfield, CFP
10:00 am Vera Meyer: Glass Armonica
11:33 am Cooking Thyme: Lobstah
12:03 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Chicken Salad
12:35 pm Learn to Cook with Linda: Chicken Piccata Meatballs
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Black Bean, Roasted Pepper & Garlic Pizzetta
2:00 pm New England Candlepins Summer 2023 Show 7
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 10
3:30 pm Aging Boldfully: Fyzical
4:30 pm Veterans' Call: Tom Marcone
5:30 pm FSPA Spring Concerts Show 2 05-16-26
8:00 pm Celebrate with Pride 2026
9:00 pm Franklin Cultural Council: Pamela Means
Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = THURSDAY
7:30 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith
8:30 am FHS Concert Hour 02-25-26
10:30 am U. S. Army: Jazz Ambassadors 04-01-19
12:30 pm All-Town Chorus & Orchestra 2026
2:00 pm FHSTC - Flowers for Algernon
3:00 pm FHS Varsity Softball v Sharon 05-04-26
9:00 pm FHSTC: Peter and the Starcatcher
Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = THURSDAY
8:00 am Conservation Commission 07-16-26
11:00 am Communications Subcommittee 07-15-26
2:00 pm Conservation Commission 07-16-26
7:00 pm Conservation Commission CHAMBERS 897 8846 7620
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, July 29, 2026 ???
Wednesday, July 29
Franklin Lions Clothing Drive active through Aug 22 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/07/the-franklin-lions-conducting-clothing.html
12:00pm SAFE Coalition's Adolescent Wellness Summer Drop-In Hours (SAFE Coalition)
1:00pm Scribblers Writing Group (recording session) (Franklin Senior Center)
6:30pm Bingo night (Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub)
6:30pm Franklin Elks Bingo Night (Franklin Elks Lodge #2136)
7:00pm Smarty Pants Trivia (Raillery Public House)
?? David French Music Training Night to benefit Franklin Music Boosters
For additional details on Senior Center 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
The Excess Sewer Capacity segment of the July 22, 2026 Town Council meeting (audio)
This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. The Council held this session as scheduled beginning at 6 PM. All 9 members participated in Chambers. The Council voted to extend the meeting 1 hour and fortunately finished before that time.
The full meeting can be viewed on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mliO20lR8Cc
The three key sections of presentation & discussion are shared via audio here:
1786 - The FY 25 Audit report presentation and discussion. The recording runs about 25 minutes.
1787 - The 300 Fisher St presentation by the EPA and resulting discussion. The recording runs about 54 minutes
1788 - Excess Sewer Capacity presentation from Charles River, including Medway & Millis representatives as well as the extended discussion to be continued Sept 2. The recording runs about 97 minutes.
c. Charles River Pollution Control District
i. Charles River Pollution Control District Overview Presentation https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/10236/11c-i---PRESENTATION-SLIDES---PDF--CRPCD-Town-Council-Meeting-July-22-2026pdf & Website https://www.charlesriverpcd.org/
ii. Town Administrator Memo on Sewer Transfers https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/10237/11c-ii---MEMO---Millis-Sewer-Transfer
● See Legislation for Action #12b. (Millis)
● See Legislation for action #12c. (Medway)
● See Legislation for action #12d. (District Amendment)
Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1788-excess-sewer-capcity-segment-at-the-town-council-mtg-07-22-26/
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The full agenda and documents released for this session - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07222026-2421
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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"
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