Sunday, August 30, 2026

Voices of Franklin - the audio recording of the first session August 18, 2026 (audio)

FM #1805 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1805 in the series. 


This session shares the Voices of Franklin session held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Franklin Senior Center. Yes, there can be important conversations between the generations. This shares the first of a series of "Voices of Franklin.” 


Coordinated by Franklin Interact Club, Franklin Rotary Club, Franklin Senior Center, and Franklin Recreation. Held at the Franklin Senior Center and the audio recording was made by Franklin TV

Voices of Franklin - 1

About a dozen seniors and about 15 high school students gathered for a few games, some lunch (and conversation) then, the center piece discussion of the day.


A defining statement was provided. Participants would raise the red card or green card; if they disagreed they would raise their red card or if they agreed, their green.  


Moderator Ryan Jette would then follow up with some of the individuals who raised red or green and the conversation ensued.


Voices of Franklin - 2

The next session is scheduled for November 19 at 12:30 PM also at the Senior Center. Starting with lunch (approx. 30 minutes) then getting into a brief presentation on Public Safety with Town of Franklin Police & Fire Chiefs moderated by Ryan Jette. The next session output will be available with audio & video.


Audio link (approx. 40 minutes) - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1805-voices-of-franklin-08-18-26/



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


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"


Rock painting, diamond art destress, what a week at the Library !!! Do you have your card?

Rock painting, diamond art destress, what a week at the Library !!! Do you have your card?
"Enjoy sparkling fun and Mud kitchen magic!

Spread the word!

It's Library Card Sign up Month.

Make sure you aren't missing out on all the great things at the Library!"


Town of Franklin: Early voting tally of ballots received as of August 29, 2026

Town of Franklin: Early voting tally of ballots received as of August 29, 2026
Early voting totals and vote by mail received as of August 29, 2026

Total Registered Voters in Franklin: 25,457

Total Vote by mail and Absentee ballots mailed out: 4,666

Total Mail Ballots Received as of 8/29: 2705

Total Votes cast in person from 8/22 through 8/28: 443 (this total is also included in total ballots received)


8/22- 41 voters
8/23 - 31 voters
8/24 - 75 voters
8/25 - 59 voters
8/26 - 98 voters
8/27 - 59 voters
8/28 - 80 voters
Total: 443 votes cast in person

Grand total ballots  3,148

Yankee Quilters September Meeting and future events

Monthly Guild Meeting

Monthly meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month, September to June. Our September meeting will be a “welcome back” on Tuesday, September 8th, 6:30 for socializing with the meeting to start at 7:00, at Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, Horace Mann Plaza, East Central Street, Franklin. We will play a variation of Left, Right, Center. We will also have an Ice Breaker and light refreshments.

Fundraiser: 

We are still collecting clothing and household goods for Savers. We have a “drive up and drop-off” day on Saturday, September 12th 9:00 a.m. to 12:00, at our storage unit in Prime Storage, 302 Hartford Avenue in Bellingham. The final day for donations is Saturday, October 3rd before noon when we load trucks to deliver to Savers. For location and alternative drop-off hours, please email yankeequilters@gmail.com. We can arrange for pick-ups at your home if you request it no later than September 26th.

Upcoming meetings are: 

October 13th will be our traditional Potluck Supper and we hope to welcome back Cathy Racine for her presentation on “Speak in Stitches.” On November 10th, regular meeting with tentative speaker program. December is our Holiday Party. 

Charity Quilting: 

Our Charity quilting team meets Mondays from 10:30 am -2 pm at Emma’s Quilt Cupboard in Franklin. Volunteers are always welcome to piece, quilt, or finish lap size quilts. Fabric and kits are available if you would like to sew at home.

Get Aways: 

Yankee will hold our next “staycation” October 23-25 and we welcome all quilters, Friday to Sunday at Christ The King Lutheran Church in Holliston. Cost for 3 days of quilting space is $125 for non-members ($100 for members). Contact yankeequilters11@gmail.com, call (508) 657-4770 or mail payment in full to PO Box 53, Franklin, MA 02038.

New members are welcome! 

Annual membership for the 2026-2027 program year will be $40.00 for new members and includes an embroidered name badge.  For information about other events, please contact YankeeQuilters11@gmail.com.

Yankee Quilters Guild, PO Box 53, Franklin MA 02038   

Show your Panther pride and support FHS Girls Soccer

Show your Panther pride and support FHS Girls Soccer


"Show your Panther pride and support FHS Girls Soccer!

Players, parents, families, and fans can shop here: https://team.wegotsoccer.com/fhs"



Come out and support YOUR Tri-County Cougars in theme and in style

Come out and support YOUR Tri-County Cougars in theme and in style
"Are You Ready For Some FOOTBALL!!🏈

Come out and support YOUR Tri-County Cougars in theme and in style. 

We can’t wait to see everyone in the stands 🏟️

Work hard. Today counts. "

#tcpride tc.cougarden tri.county_athletics



Metacomet Emergency Communications Center is hiring Full-Time Public Safety Telecommunicator II positions

WE’RE HIRING! 
Metacomet Emergency Communications Center is hiring Full-Time Public Safety Telecommunicator II positions

Ready for a career where what you do matters?
 
Metacomet Emergency Communications Center is hiring Full-Time Public Safety Telecommunicator II positions!

💰 $27.45/hr during training → $28.84/hr after training
🏥 70/30 health insurance
💵 Retention bonus + $15/shift differential
🎉 12 paid holidays + double time on Thanksgiving & Christmas
🌴 Vacation & personal days

Answer the call. Make a difference. Join our team!


Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday, August 30, 2026

Yes, Franklin has its own radio station -> wfpr.fm.
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday, August 30, 2026


Franklin Public Radio
has a schedule full of 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: (see image)


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


Saturday, August 29, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, August 29, 2026 ???

Saturday, August 29
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, August 29, 2026 ???


9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9:00am SAFE flag planting (Franklin Town Common)

10:00am Arts & Crafts Sale (684 Oak St, Franklin)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am    FSPA Open House    (38 Main St)

10:30am Summer Reading Wrap Up! (Franklin Public Library)

11:00am Peach Fest (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

3:00pm Franklin Cable Access - Annual Open Meeting/Block Party (23 Hutchinson St)

5:30pm Community Cookout (Franklin United Methodist Church)

8:00pm Karaoke at The Raillery (Raillery Public House)


*** 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

24th annual Franklin Downtown Partnership Harvest Festival - Saturday, Sep 26

We are excited to announce our 24th annual Franklin Downtown Partnership Harvest Festival!

Here are some highlights:
• Live music performances by Jamie Barrett, the Padula Family Band and Critical Mass. Dance performances by Feet in Motion and Desi Swag Queens. Franklin School of Performing Arts (FSPA) will perform a medley of songs and dances on Main Street.
• Touch-a-Truck, courtesy of Franklin Fire.
24th annual Franklin Downtown Partnership Harvest Festival - Saturday, Sep 26
• Radio station MyFM 101.3 will broadcast on Main Street near the center island/bridge.
• In partnership with the FDP, Franklin TV and WFPR 102.9 FM will be located near the library, filming booth activities and interviewing event participants for later broadcasts.
• Franklin Library will have children’s activities on the lawn.
• Dean College will have a trackless train on their quad area at Awpie Way.
• The Cultural Hub will have a pumpkin-themed art project and other activities. The Cultural Hub includes the Public Library; Cultural District Committee; Cultural Council; Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy; the Historical Museum; and the Franklin Art Association.
• Enjoy great food all along Main Street. Dean Bank will be selling apple cider, donuts, popcorn, and water. Proceeds from their sales support FDP and the festival. Take a few extra steps to downtown and you can dine at more restaurants and cafes.
•  Downtown activities: the Children’s Museum of Franklin will have kid-friendly fun at their home at 157 Cottage Street.


The Harvest Festival is made possible because of generous local business sponsors. 

Franklin Downtown Partnership is very grateful to this year’s sponsors:
Platinum – Dean Bank; G&C Plumbing & Heating, Local Town Pages
Gold – Dean College; Glen Meadow Apartments; Middlesex Savings Bank; Sunrise Montessori School
Silver – Doherty, Dugan, Cannon, Raymond & Weil, P.C.; Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication, Inc.; Hockomock YMCA; Notturno Home Services; Rockland Trust Bank; The Enclave of Franklin
Bronze – ABI New England; Camford Property Group; Connell Roofing; DCU; DG Ranieri; Fenton Financial Group; Franklin Kitchen Center; Keefe Insurance; LeafFilter; MyFM; Simon’s Furniture

#franklin #franklinma #harvestfestival #shopfranklin

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee met on Thursday to share updates (video)

The  250th Anniversary Celebration Committee met as scheduled in the 3rd floor Training Room on Thursday, August 27, 2026 begnning just after 7 PM.

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee met on Thursday to share updates (video)
Franklin TV recording is available for replay herehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqGcII8ylBY


Quick recap:
  • Earmark funds spent by due date and accounted for. Funds to puchase additional clothing for sale was approved
  • For the community portion, little input other than mine to encourage posting the dates as they become firm so that everyone, other orgs, etc can start planning accordingly
  • moving the location for the next three months (Sep, Oct, Nov) to the Franklin TV studio approved via consensus
  • discussion on obtaining donations when not a 501(c3). there is language in the law...
  • Sep 3 subcmte meeting to work on finalizing the first email pitch; should also set up a separate meeting to work on the parade planning with the Police, Fire, etc.
  • motion to vote on the dates for the donor lunches, Oct 16, Nov 5, and Nov 19; vote on the motion via roll call, passes
  • Discussion on additional fund raising opportunities; need volunteers to do the additional work, it is a lot already on our plates. we spent a year spending $50k, and have 18 months to raise $750k. What is the risk if we don't reach $750K? We scale back the events; as noted earlier 2 other communities raised 400+ and 300+, the 300+ had significantly less events. What kind of celebration do we really want?
  • meeting adjourns at 8:25 PM
My full set of notes captured during the meeting


Creative Corner Art Studio Happenings for September, 2026

Creative Corner events for September, 2026

Creative Corner Art Studio Happenings for September, 2026


Additional details and registration - https://www.creativecornerartstudiofranklin.com



Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project: Construction Updates ~ Monday, August 31 through Friday September 4

West Central Street (Near BJ's) Lane Closure Alert: Monday (8/31) through Friday (9/4) 7 AM to 4 PM

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project: Construction Updates ~ Monday, August 31 through Friday September 4
Starting Monday (8/31) through Friday (9/4) between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., the contractor will work on the elevated sewer along West Central Street.  During this time there will be a lane closure on West Central Street between 99 Restaurant and BJ's.  

Traffic leaving BJ's and the Conlyn Avenue area will be detoured onto Forge Parkway to access Rt. 140.  Please use caution when traveling in this area and follow all posted detour signs.


If you haven't viewed the inner workings of the pump/lift station at Beaver St, you are missing out. This was about $8M worth of the toal $30M project



10th Annual Car Show is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026

The Franklin Rotary Club 10th Annual Car Show is scheduled for Saturday, October 3 2026.






Peach Fest at Fairmount Fruit Farm Saturday, August 29, 2026 from 11 AM to 4 PM

Peach Fest at Fairmount Fruit Farm Saturday, August 29, 2026 from 11 AM to 4 PM
"THIS SATURDAY (August 29) is our Peach Fest event with @salvage.angel! 11am-4pm enjoy unique craft vendors, custom espresso, ice cream, beer (21+) (12pm-4pm), and fresh stone fruit from the farm store!
👋Say hello to our goats and lambs!
💎Mining sluice
Orchard playground
Hayrides around our orchard
Grab and go food in our farm store
We are also offering first of the season apple picking this Saturday! For Paula Red apples only. Purchase a bag and take the hayride down to our Paula Reds. They are an early Macintosh variety, great for eating and making apple sauce.

Next weekend our apple picking season for the rest of the orchard officially begins"



School Committee gets multiple updates on summer learning, transportation, etc. in 1 hour meeting 08/11/26 (audio)

FM #1804 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1804 in the series. 


This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM. 6 members of the Committee participated, 6 in person, 1 remote. 


Quick recap

  • The Superintendent Report provides updates on multiple items; planning for Sept, transportation, hiring status (positions open, a better view to be provided next time), work on facilities progressing. Ms Melotti out on maternity leave, Dr Bob Dutch back to fill in while she is out, important school start dates on webpage - https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars/ 

  • Joint presentation and updates on summer learning from Student Services and Lifelong Learning. Slides shown were captured in one photo album https://photos.app.goo.gl/7BGZeLN2QWEezqFw7 

  • Annual report submission approved, minor formatting remains to be done by the Town as the annual report book is prepared for publication

  • The 2nd reading on the restraint policy was approved as amended by the Policy Subcmte meeting prior

  • Consent agenda was also approved. All votes, by the way, were via roll call and passed 7-0


Let’s listen (approx. 39 minutes)

audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1804-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-08-11-26/


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Franklin TV video is available - https://www.youtube.com/live/VMpYB91A8Fw?&t=27 


The Agenda document - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08112026-2448 


My notes captured during the meeting in one PDF 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hvmIVrFX0EwMzsGCAbVXWcNqeu2T-DO8/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"


Save the Date: Sep 9 - eat at Hot Table and suppor the Music Boosters

Save the Date: Sep 9 - eat at Hot Table and suppor the Music Boosters
"SAVE THE DATE!

Support the Franklin Music Boosters by eating at Hot Table on September 9 from 4-9 PM!"


Shared from - 


Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Saturday, August 29, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Saturday, August 29, 2026
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: (see image)




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