Spooky season will be here before we know it! Our Scary Scurry 5K & Kids Fun Run returns this October 18 with a certified 5K course, costumes, a kids fun run, and private Museum play for race participants and their families."
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Scary Scurry 5K & Kids Fun Run returns October 18, 2026
Community Crafters Pop up - August 29
Send email to joshuamarlotti2003@gmail.com
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio introduced a brand new schedule early in 2025 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:
8:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 2 PM)
- This hour features Town Administrator Jamie Hellen with a mid-summer recap and outlook to September https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/08/in-this-talk-franklin-episode-ta-jamie.html
9:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points. (repeats Saturday at 1 PM)
- This segment features Episode 322 - A Masterclass With Deborah Parker Wong https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/08/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode_01540314501.html
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 Wednesday, August 19, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY
7:30 am Arts Advocacy Day: Marketing
8:30 am Franklin Art Association: Kristin Parone
10:00 am Metrowest FanZone: Electric Youth
11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Grillin'
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Tai Salad
12:30 pm Learn to Cook with Linda: Mexican Corn Dip
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Margherita Pizza
2:00 pm New England Candlepins Summer 2023 Show 8
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 11
4:00 pm Aging Agenda: Arthur Vigeant
5:00 pm Franklin Matters: Nautilus
6:00 pm Franklin 4th: 2 Guys Who Like Sharks
8:30 pm Circle of Friends: Vance Gilbert
Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = WEDNESDAY
8:30 am Middle School Spring Band 06-04-26
10:00 am SAFE Coalition: Overdose Awareness Vigil 08-31-25
11:00 am FHS Winter Music: Band and Wind Ensemble
3:30 pm Mary Anning: Fossil Hunter
5:15 pm Cultural Council: BT ALC Big Band
7:00 pm Legion Baseball: Franklin v Greenfield 08-01-26
Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = WEDNESDAY
8:00 am Town Council 08-12-26
1:00 pm Town Council 08-12-26
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, August 18, 2026 ???
Tuesday, August 18
Franklin Lions Clothing Drive active through Aug 22 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/07/the-franklin-lions-conducting-clothing.html
12:00pm Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)
4:00pm Community Baby Shower (Wrentham Senior Center)
5:00pm Tuesday Night Cruise (Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub)
For additional details on Library events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events
For additional details on Senior Center events ->
*** Town Meetings today ***
Design Review Meeting
Tuesday, August 18 Time: 7:00 PM
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08182026-2461
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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
Franklin Public Schools: 2026-27 Community Back to School Letter
"Dear FPS Community,
Welcome to the 2026–27 school year! I hope your summer has offered rest, time outdoors, and moments with the people who matter most to you. Whether your child is returning to a familiar classroom or starting at a new school, we are looking forward to welcoming every student back for a year of learning and growth.
Last year, we asked a great deal of this community. We opened new grade-level complexes, formed new teams, and learned new routines together. Those structures have held. Our staffing has remained remarkably stable, our relationships have deepened, and we begin this year on a foundation we built together.
KEY BACK-TO-SCHOOL DATES · FPS Calendar
● First Day for Students, Grades 1–12 and Age 22 Programs Wednesday, September 2
● First Day for Kindergarten Thursday, September 3
● No School, Labor Day Monday, September 7
● First Day for PreK, ECDC Oak Street Tuesday, September 8
● First Day for PreK, ECDC Pond Street Wednesday, September 9
Please note that Friday, September 4, and Monday, September 7 (Labor Day) are no-school days.
OUR PURPOSE AND PRIORITIES
Our theme this year is Anchored in Purpose, Shared Vision, Stronger Schools. Last year we built. This year, we plan to strengthen what we built. We stay anchored in purpose because our structures exist to serve students, and every goal we set traces back to a student outcome. We hold a shared vision because our schools are stronger when our work is connected rather than siloed. And we build stronger schools by holding high expectations for ourselves while giving one another the support to meet them.
Our work is guided by the Franklin Public Schools District Improvement Plan, anchored in four strategic objectives:
1. Strengthen School Community and Team Collaboration — Create environments where everyone feels they belong, trust is built, and people work together toward shared goals.
2. Build Coherent Systems and Structures — Establish predictable, transparent, streamlined systems that promote efficiency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
3. Align Instructional Practices — Ensure high-quality, inclusive, universally designed instruction, using data to inform teaching and calibrate expectations.
4. Enhance Communication — Share clear, timely, transparent communication district-wide to foster trust and support decision-making at every level.
Our administrative team spent three days together in early August turning these objectives into school improvement goals with real action steps, owners, and measures. Your child’s principal will share those goals with you this fall. These are not words on paper. They are the everyday commitments that shape how we connect, teach, and learn.
SUPPORTING A SMOOTH START
Families can help students begin the year with confidence by:
1. Re-establishing bedtime, morning, and homework routines before the first day.
2. Reviewing bus stops, pickup times, and expectations for safety and respect on all routes. Routes will be published the week of August 17.
3. Discussing school expectations, found in each school handbook.
4. Staying informed through your school’s newsletters, teacher updates, and the FPS and FHS Panther mobile apps."
Continue reading the back to school letter - (full PDF version)
FHS back to school letter - (Google doc)
Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee at the Farmers Market this Friday, Aug 21, 2026
And there's some Franklin Easter eggs hidden in the picture.
Drop a comment (on the Instagram post) with any you find!"
Shared from - (Instagram post) - https://www.instagram.com/p/DcHjjIWRxoM/
In this Talk Franklin episode TA Jamie Hellen let's us in on what's happening beginning in September (audio)
FM #1800 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1800 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We recorded our conversation virtually via Zoom on Monday, August 17, 2026.
Key topics
Mid-summer status
Town Council & contract extension
A validated budget for FY 2027
Joint Budget working on a strategy
More topics coming
Sept 2
Town available land and facilities
Sept 16
Legislative update with Senator Rausch & Rep Roy
Presentations by Food Pantry, SAFE Coalition, 250th Celebration
Sept 3
Police station building committee
Economic Development
Split tax workshops
UMass students study on downtown
The recording runs about 37 minutes. Let’s listen to our conversation.
Audio link - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Talk-Franklin--A-Podcast-from-the-Town-Administrators-Office---August-17--2026-e3nih1r/a-acr33iq--------------
Town of Franklin page - https://www.franklinma.gov/
Notify Me - sign up for notification on meetings and agendas https://www.franklinma.gov/list.aspx
Subscribe to Franklin First newsletter https://www.franklinma.gov/m/newsflash
Community calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar
Town Administrator contract press release https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/08/franklin-town-council-approves-town.html
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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"
Save the Date - Sept 26, 2026 - St Vicent DePaul Friends of the Poor Walk
The Franklin Town Common is the place.
Those in need are the cause. Fun and Community happen!
Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1BfQDG5f1q/
Save the Date – Electronics Recycling Event in Walpole, September 19, 2026
Sharing this for anyone doing some cleaning and decluttering…
Follow the Facebook event - https://www.facebook.com/events/1040728818818586/
I-495 Northbound Lane Closure Began Saturday, August 15
I-495/I-90 Interchange Improvements Project
Advisory: Hopkinton, Westborough
I-495 Northbound Lane Closure Began Saturday, August 15
What is Happening?
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing a right lane closure on I-495 northbound at the I-495/I-90 interchange to facilitate construction operations.
I-495 Northbound Lane Closure
The right lane closure on I-495 northbound, which began on Saturday, August 15 will remain in place for approximately three weeks. This traffic management change is required in preparation for upcoming construction staging for the I-495/I-90 Interchange Improvements Project. The right lane will remain open until the ramp to I-90 westbound and eastbound (Exit 58). Traffic traveling on I-495 north of the I-495/I-90 interchange should utilize the two left lanes.
As a reminder, there will be overnight ramp closures the I-495/I-90 interchange this week. See the traffic and construction updates page on the project website for details on which ramps are closed which nights, as well as detour routes.
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
Project email: 495-90Improvements@state.ma.us
Spier Family 5K & Family Day - Sept 12, 2026
Join us for a great race and family day!
Sponsored by the Spier Family and in support of our Hockomock Area YMCA Food Access Initiative, the annual 5K that hundreds have come to love is taking place at our Invensys Foxboro Branch. Join us!
This course and the entire morning of activities will make memories for years to come for all ages and abilities. All proceeds will go to feeding our community and our Food Access Program.
Saturday, September 12, 2026 at our Invensys Foxboro Branch
67 Mechanic Street in Foxboro, Massachusetts
»» 5K Race begins at 8:00 a.m. on the streets surrounding the Y. Announcements and greetings will begin at 7:50 a.m.
»» Registration available online or on race day (starting at 7:00 a.m.)
»» Kids Fun Run will start at 9:00 a.m. (ages 12 and under) on the field, immediately following the Awards.
»» Parking will be at Schneider Electric, directly across the street from our YMCA entrance. Please park there and walk over to the YMCA.
The Y will be open normal hours with programs running as scheduled. Our Y parking lot will be closed in the morning until approximately 10:30am. for the safety of our race participants.
»» Cost: $25 for the 5K
»» Cost: Free for the Kids Fun Run (but must be registered)
»» Strollers are also welcome as part of the race.
»» Don’t miss the YMCA’s free activities! Family Day will be happening 8:00am-10:30am
ABOUT THE DAY
Our excellent 5K race will kick off the Hockomock Y’s Spier Family Kindness for Kids Family Day.
What a better way to encourage healthy patterns for the young ones in your life than this:
a) arrive early and run or walk the Kindness for Kids 5K,b) check out fun, interactive and educational vendor booths, and thenc) cheer on kids in the Kids Fun Run!
For information about becoming a vendor for the family fun day, please email patrickm@hockymca.org.
Questions about the 5K or the overall event, please email nicoleb@hockymca.org.
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, August 18, 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:
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