Franklin Matters

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 ???

Tuesday, June 23

12:00pm Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

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 ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9195/May-2026-Newsletter?bidId=

*** Town Meetings today ***

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, June 23 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06232026-2374

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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 Cultural Council announces A-Wreath-of-Franklin 2026 has a theme! “The Magic We Make”

Are you ready to make magic?

Hiran Jani of Franklin submitted the idea and the Franklin Cultural Council enthusiastically selected it.

Why did Hiran submit this theme idea? In her submission Hiran noted that she submitted “The Magic We Make” because it captures "how the magic of the season is something we create together as a community.”

The dates for this year’s events are still be determined. Stay tuned for more details.

Hiran Jani was present on Friday at the Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Strawberry Stroll when John Ristaino, Franklin Cultural Council Chairperson, made the announcement and unveiled this year’s logo.

THANK YOU HIRAN!

Get ready to “make magic” and come together as community!

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1E9C4SZikP/

Town Charter Ad Hoc Committee scheduled for Wednesday, June 24 at 6 PM

Town Charter Ad Hoc Committee

Agenda & Meeting Packet

June 24, 2026 = 6:00 PM

Agenda:

1. Call to Order

2. Town Charter Ad Hoc Committee Charge https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/9904/26-11---Establishment-of-Ad-Hoc-Subcommittee-to-Review-Town-Charter---Committee-Charge

3. Discussion on the process to amend a Town Charter

a. Town Administrator Slideshow https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7848/2023-11-01-Town-Charter-Presentation?bidId=

4. Discussion on the Franklin Town Charter History

a. Previous Charter Reports: 1984, 1995, 2010, 2013 (links provided below)

b. Massachusetts communities with Council-Manager Forms of Government

i. Town proﬁle comparable data

5. General discussion on goals, next steps, priorities, and questions

a. Starter list of issues in the Franklin Town Charter https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9913/Town-Charter-List-of-Potential-Changes

6. Adjourn

1984 - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9792/1984-Town-of-Franklin-Charter-Report

1995 - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9793/1995-Town-of-Franklin-Charter-Report

2010 - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9794/2010-Town-of-Franklin-Charter-Report?bidId=

2013 - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9795/2013-Town-of-Franklin-Charter-Report?bidId=

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info -

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06242026-2382

Town Council witnesses backfill new hires sworn in & approves committee appointments (audio)

FM #1772 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 172 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The Council held this session as scheduled beginning at 6 PM. All 9 members participated in Chambers.

The meeting recording runs about 1 hours and 40 minutes

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1772-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-06-17-26/

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Town Council poses with backfill new hires

Franklin TV video available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/7ofs1YHsfj8?&t=66

The agenda and documents released for this session - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06172026-2368

My notes in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RUd2GRsw73fPm4FS9hC690X-hR_aIM4s/view?usp=drive_link

Photos of the swearing in's - https://photos.app.goo.gl/U8E77Df5E6pp41iBA

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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"

Franklin Youth Open Track & Field Meets return July 7, 14, & 21, 2026

Lace up those sneakers—the Franklin Youth Open Track & Field Meets are back this July! ☀️🏅

Looking for a fun, active way for the kids to spend their summer evenings? Whether they want to sprint, jump, throw, or just run around with friends, we’ve got an event for them! Hosted by the Franklin Recreation Department and organized by FHS and TCRVTHS coaches, these meets are the perfect way to get moving and have some friendly competition.

📅 When: Tuesdays – July 7, 14, & 21

⏰ Timeline:

5:00 PM – Check-In & Field Events begin

6:00 PM – Running Events kick off

📍 Where: Franklin High School Track

💵 Cost: Just $5 admission for UNLIMITED events!

Events Include:

Field Events: Shot Put, Turbo Javelin, Long Jump

Running Events: Mini Hurdle (5 & under), 100M Dash, 200M Dash, 400M Dash, 800M, Mile, and Relays!

From our tiniest sprinters (5 & under hurdles!) to seasoned young athletes, there is something for everyone. Come for one night or join us for all three!

Tag a friend who needs to bring their kids out to the track this summer!

Jake Auchincloss schedules a Congressional Update and Q&A Sunday - June 28

Hi neighbor,

On Sunday, June 28, I'll be hosting a Congressional Update and Q&A in Needham. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions and hear updates on how I’m working to represent the district’s values and priorities.

Congressional Update and Q&A with Congressman Jake Auchincloss

Sunday, June 28
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Needham, MA

Doors will open at 1:30pm.

Location provided upon RSVP HERE.

*By registering for this event, you grant our office permission to send you future communications and updates.

Sincerely,

Jake Auchincloss

The Franklin 250 Team to Help Out at MetroWest Regional Fan Zone

The MetroWest Regional Fan Zone is hosting major FIFA World Cup watch parties right in Franklin on Wednesday June 24 and Thursday June 25 at the Franklin Town Common and adjacent Hayward Manor (195 Main St) and volunteers from the town’s Franklin 250th Celebration Committee will be helping out!

The free, family-friendly events feature a giant jumbotron, food trucks, a beer garden, and live entertainment but tickets (free) are required.

● June 24: The Festival opens 2pm – 9pm Showing: Switzerland vs Canada at 3pm and Scotland vs Brazil at 6pm

● June 25: The Festival opens 3pm – 9pm Showing: Ecuador vs. Germany at 4pm and Tunisia vs Netherlands at 7pm

In addition to helping out at the event, the Franklin 250th Celebration Committee will have a booth selling the same kinds of merchandise that made a big hit at Franklin’s Strawberry Stroll on June 12.

This week, come for the FIFA World Cup Watch event but stay to pick up cool new town-themed merchandise and learn about how to participate in this special town event from now through 2028!

Watch for Franklin 250 volunteers at other upcoming events including Farmers Market and at the town's Independence Day festivities on the Common, July 1-5.

About

The Franklin 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee builds on the work of townspeople who came together in 1878, 1928, and 1978 (and 2003) to commemorate important milestones in the town's life, to honor the leadership and accomplishments of the past, and to point the way toward a vibrant future for the state's 221st town. Activities and events for all ages are being planned. The seed funds for the Committee came from a state legislative earmark. All other funding will be by voluntary contributions from citizens and organizations who share a commitment to honor the past and build for the future.

Franklin High School: Class of 2026 graduates - "Oh, the places they'll start to go"

With apologies to Dr Suess and his wonderful work "Oh, the places you'll go", thanks to the administration of Franklin High School, and to the Central Office of the school district, we can share the following:

The 331 graduates of the Class of 2026 will end up in 138 different places; 72 of the places will see 1 graduate,  the other 66 places will see from at least one other graduate up to 29 others.

The listing in PDF format can be downloaded here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z_5chbc6eWd0KvvIIjamJDOASyrY1FzM/view?usp=sharing

or viewed in the embedded version here

Coincidentally, 10 years ago I happened to to do the same pivot table on the Class of 2016 - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/06/where-will-fhs-class-of-2016-go-next.html

Frank Presents: Shane J. Hopkins (video)

Frank Falvey interviews local author Shane J. Hopkins. Shane's author page can be found - https://www.shanejhopkins.com/

Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khBjXuWhv1A

From the Archives: Frank Falvey & I talk about possible charter changes (2021)

With the current Town Council expressing interest in possible charter changes, I bring this up from the archives.

The 3 part series began in Dec 2021, continued in Jan 2022 and concluded in Feb 2022.

"This shares my conversation with Frank Falvey, of Frank Presents, a long time Franklin resident and cable show host. This is the first of a 3 part series on the Town Charter, the process to change it, and some of the possible revisions that Frank and I discuss. We start our discussion by painting the picture of the development of cable and radio broadcasting in Franklin and our individual show expansion.

Links to the current Town charter (modified in 2013) and the charter report for 1995 (prior changes) are included in the show notes. "

Falvey and Sherlock in FHS for the first live broadcast on wfpr.fm Nov 2019

Falvey and Sherlock in FHS for the first c
live broadcast on wfpr.fm Nov 2019

Current Town Charter -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/revised_2013_1.pdf

Charter Commission Report - 1995

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczeUlRYUpQeFd0QXc/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-afykQfGLjmP3-DNzc-H-uA

MA General Law Chapter 34 https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVI/Chapter34A/Section4

Division of Local Services (DLS) - newsletter summarizing change change process https://www.mass.gov/doc/october4thpdf/download

part 1 of 3 - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/falvey-and-sherlock-talk-about-town.html

part 2 of 3 - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/franklin-town-charter-discussion-frank.html

part 3 of 3 - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/franklin-charter-discussion-frank-steve.html

Reminder: The Nautilus Center for Mental Health -. Grand Opening/Open House event on Thursday, June 25

The Nautilus Center for Mental Health provides adolescents ages 13-18 with intensive outpatient treatment programs and wellness support to address mental health and/or substance use disorders. We invite you to attend our Grand Opening/Open House event on Thursday, June 25, between 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM. We are located on the second floor of the Middlesex Bank building, at 1000 Franklin Village Drive, Suite 201.

www.thenautiluscenter.com

This informal, drop-in event is for anyone interested in seeing our space, meeting our administrative and clinical leaders, and building connections in our community. Whether you are a referral partner, educator, community or business leader, or parent/caregiver exploring resources for struggling teens, you’ll make new connections, reconnect with old friends and share resources with local colleagues dedicated to improving the mental health and wellness of adolescents & families.

Highlights of the evening include:

The Nautilus program in action: including mini mindfulness and movement sessions & group creative arts activities
A resource table for local providers to share information
Light bites & refreshments
An opportunity to meet two very good boys, Arlo & Taeo, Nautilus’ own therapy dogs

We are thrilled to be a part of this dynamic and collaborative community and look forward to serving and supporting adolescents and families on their path to healing and wellness. We hope you will join us!

Please use the Eventbrite link to let us know you are coming!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-nautilus-center-grand-opening-open-house-tickets-1991325566374?aff=oddtdtcreator

For more information, please contact Leah Valente at 508-954-4076 or visit our website at www.thenautiluscenter.com

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, June 23, 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: