Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
📺 The meeting will be streamed live on Franklin Town Hall TV for Comcast (Channel 9) & Verizon (Channel 29) subscribers as well as YouTube https://bit.ly/FTV-TownHall
Agenda:
1. Call to Order
2. Discussion/Action: Umass Boston Downtown Planning Studio
FM #1791 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1791 in the series.
This session shares my conversation with Syed Azhar of the Franklin Interact Club on Monday, August 3, 2026. Our conversation was conducted in the Franklin TV & Radio studios.
The Franklin Interact Club is a service club for teens (high school & middle school) in the Franklin area sponsored by the Franklin Rotary. You must be a Franklin resident and between the ages of 12 to 18 to be a member.
The show notes provide links to their web page, social accounts, email, etc.
Special event at the Senior Center, Tuesday, August 18
Coordinated with Franklin Recreation and the Senior Center
“Voices of Franklin”
Starts at 11:00 runs to 1:30 PM
Games, lunch, then a cross generational discussion
Let’s listen to my conversation with Syed and find out how you participate in the “Voices of Franklin” discussion August 18.
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/
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"
A cast of Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) favorites led by Brendan Jacob Smith (The Simon and Garfunkel Story, America’s Got Talent, T.3), Maria Sylvia Norris (Beetlejuice, Sister Act, Disney Cruise Line), and Paige Martins (Band Vocalist with Holland America & Seabourn Cruise Lines) will pay tribute to the legendary vocalist. Table seating and general seating are available. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside.
(L-R) Brendan Jacob Smith, Maria Sylvia Norris & Paige Martins
Joining the tribute show cast are Hayley Driscoll, Ali Funkhouser, and Hallie Wetzell alongside six FPAC Student Apprentices: Ani Corkran, Helena Cornwell, Aida DiChiara, Baree Frigon, Hailey Hulbig, and Alina Kanakry.
Dion went on to release twelve English-language albums, including the best-selling albums The Colour of My Love (1993), Falling into You (1996), and Let’s Talk About Love (1997), as well as A New Day Has Come (2002), her 21st-century bestseller. She also became known for performing cinematic theme songs, such as “Beauty and the Beast” for the Disney film of the same name (1991), “Because You Loved Me” for Up Close & Personal (1996), and “My Heart Will Go On” for Titanic (1997), which became one of the best-selling singles.
Dion’s accolades include 5 Grammy Awards, 20 Juno Awards, seven American Music Awards, nine Billboard Music Awards, and stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Canada’s Walk of Fame. Seven of her albums have sold at least 10 million copies worldwide, the second most among women. Dion was conferred with the Legion of Honor, the highest French order of merit, and was elevated to the Companion of the Order of Canada.
Later in August, THE BLACK BOX will pay tribute to the songs of Finding Nemoand Disney with THE BLACK BOX Sings… Finding Nemo on August 21 and 22. Tickets for the August 8th concert are available at THEBLACKBOXonline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370.
I-495 Southbound Traffic Shift Rescheduled to August 4
What is Happening?
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing overnight ramp closures at the I-495/I-90 interchange to facilitate construction operations.
The I-90 eastbound ramp to I-495 northbound (Exit 106) will be closed nightly on Tuesday, August 4, through Friday, August 7 from 11:00 PM each night to 5:00 AM the following morning. During these overnight closures, the following detour will be in place:
Take I-495 southbound to Exit 54A (West Main Street, Hopkinton) toreverse direction back to I-495 northbound.
Additionally, the I-495 northbound ramp to I-90 East and West (Exit 58) will be closed nightly on Tuesday, August 4, through Friday, August 7 from 11:00 PM each night to 5:00 AM the following morning. During these overnight closures, the following detour will be in place:
Take I-495 northbound to Exit 59B (Route 9 westbound) to reverse direction onto I-495 southbound to access I-90 East and West.
Next, the I-90 westbound ramp to I-495 northbound (Exit 106B) will be closed nightly on Wednesday, August 5 through Friday, August 7 from 11:00 PM each night to 5:00 AM the following morning. During the overnight closure, the following detour will be in place:
Take I-90 westbound to Exit 106A (I-485 southbound), then take Exit 54A to reverse direction onto I-495 northbound.
Lastly, traffic on I-495 southbound will be shifted from the median into the final alignment beginning the evening of Tuesday, August 4. This work was initially scheduled to take place the evening of Monday, August 3, but has been postponed due to weather.
This work will take place from 8:00 PM until 5:00 AM the following morning. During this time, one or more travel lanes may be temporarily closed to allow for these construction activities. At least one lane on I-495 southbound will remain open while the work occurs. Additionally, the connection to the I-90 eastbound and westbound on-ramp (Exit 58) from I-495 southbound will be moved approximately 1,000 feet south to its permanent location. You can view a map of the new traffic alignment here.
Appropriate signage, law enforcement details, and messaging will be in place to guide drivers through the work area.
Drivers traveling through the affected areas should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution.
All scheduled work is weather dependent and/or may be impacted due to an emergency.
About the Project
The purpose of the I-495/I-90 Interchange Improvements Project is to provide a safe and efficient interchange of the interstate highways I-495 & I-90. The project will replace the interchange, eliminate the old toll booth area and weaving areas, improve ramp spacing, acceleration, and deceleration lanes, and add an auxiliary lane from I-495 Northbound to Route 9. New bridges will be constructed on I-495 over I-90, on I-495 and I-90 over the MBTA/CSX/Amtrak lines, on I-495 Northbound over Flanders Road, and on Fruit Street.
Stay Informed
If someone you know would like to subscribe to receive project updates, meeting notices, and traffic impact advisories, they can do so here.
To report a noise complaint, please call the project hotline: (508) 676-3551
"There’s no better time than next weekend to shop local!!!! During the sales tax holiday for 2026 the state’s 6.25 per cent sales tax will be suspended for most retail items priced under $2,500.
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:
wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, Franklin Public Radio
Tuesday
SAFE Radio – Jim Derick and Dr. Anne Bergen Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder
Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines - An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era
Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday
A scheduled water shutdown is planned for tomorrow, Tuesday August 4 from 8 AM to 4PM affecting Union St. from Loretta Rd. to Arlington St. including Zachary Lane.
A contractor will be installing new valves and piping for a development off of Union St.
Affected homes have been notified via door hangers.
