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 *
Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times
There are 2 Fallen Hero Recognition events today (4/09/26) at 9 AM on the Town Common Veterans Walkway to honor Sergeant Joseph Ronald Paulette, Vietnam and Airman 1C Russell W. Shaw.
This program will include the placing of a Memorial Wreath for the day, the playing of Taps, a salute from those present, and a reading of whatever history may be available for that veteran. This is a way of keeping the memory of that veteran alive.
* Fallen Hero: Sergeant Joseph Ronald Paulette
Sergeant Joseph Ronald Paulette was born on October 13, 1948, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Preston Daggett, who lived in Franklin before moving their family to New Bedford. As a young man Joseph spent his summers in Franklin with his uncle and aunt, Mr. And Mrs. Roger Villiard of Brook St. Sgt. Paulette had requested that if anything happened to him while in the service, that his funeral and burial take place in Franklin.
Sergeant Paulette enlisted late in 1965 and became a member of the 101st·Airborne Battalion. Sergeant Paulette served two years in the Army with his Vietnam tour beginning on December 13,1967. Sgt. Paulette was killed along with five other casualties by hostile small arms fire on April 9, 1968 leading a combat mission in Quang Tri province, South Vietnam.
Sergeant Joseph R. Paulette was 19 years old at the time of his death in Vietnam.
Sergeant Joseph Ronald Paulette
* Fallen Hero: Airman 1C Russell W. Shaw
Airman 1C Russell W. Shaw was born on June 30, 1952, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Shaw. Russell lived with his parents and four sisters at 561 Lincoln St. A 1970 graduate of Franklin High School Russell enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in July of that year.
Airman Shaw graduated with honors from a technical training course at Sheppard AFB, Texas. He learned to maintain and service turbo-propeller aircraft and was assigned to Clark AFB for duty with a unit of the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service.
Airman Shaw was killed in a motoring accident while serving at Clark Air Force Base, the Philippines on April 9, 1971.
Airman 1C Russell W. Shaw was 18 years old at the time of his death while serving during the Vietnam War.
"As prices continue to climb on everything from gas to energy to groceries, a record 40 percent of Massachusetts households are now reporting food insecurity, according to a new study from the Greater Boston Food Bank and Mass General Brigham.
The report found that 1.12 million households didn’t have reliable access to food last year, a rate that’s up from 37 percent in 2024, and more than double pre-pandemic levels.
“It’s been a very difficult year for people across the Commonwealth,” said Catherine D’Amato, president and chief executive of the Greater Boston Food Bank, which partners with 600 agencies across 190 towns in New England and serves 600,000 people each month."
The Finance Committee spends about 3 hours reviewing details of the FY 2027 budget on Wednesday, April 8. This is the third of 4 sessions this week to review and question the details of the budget.
8 of the 9 members of the committee were present in Council Chambers for this session.
Discussion on the accounting for and if the Maplegate solar permits are in this year or next. It was received this year but may or may not become free cash, it depends upon the budget line item and whether that amount is over or under the budgeted amount
Gus could use another inspector, it would pay for itself but others do need the resources more; Currently have 1.5 used to have 3 clerical; inspectors have also become administrators, and it reduces some revenue opportunity
Use of pre-buy locked in rates through Norfolk County procurement has been good. Haven't locked in for next year yet due to the recent market gyrations
Discussion on the creation of Stormwater and the shortage for grounds (2 personnel)
We have to change something or nothing will change It is clear now why we did ask for an override.
Next up PoliceChief Lynch, level service plus 2, looking to get the SROs back
Took 23 years to get to the budgeted amount (54) which at that time would have successfully serviced the population at that time
Hired 44 police officers since 2016 due to retirees and turnover, it should slow down ... The force is younger, hiring is harder, not many want to apply. It is getting more difficult. Only 9 months out of 10 years have the dept been at full staff.
The mental health clinicians provide great value, post COVID. They see over 800 people a year. The pilot was successful, we looked to expand and with additional grant funds we did. The single best change in law enforcements I have seen in my 30 years
Next up, Chief Allen, Fire Dept.
3rd ambulance still in part time, 40 hours per work
Would need 4 more to get to 13/shift to staff the ambulance all the time
During this meeting, there were 2 calls that were serviced by outside and transported to the hospital so those were lost revenue ... The nature of the call would determine the amount of the revenue It is not just the ambulance, it is also the ladder truck
Definition clarification on level service, the service provided is not necessarily at the same funding required; there is also a level funded budget where the funded
$ for one year remains the same (and usually services are cut)
And yes, there is some funkiness with this level service budget as there are things being added back, so is it this year's level service or the desired part of some prior year's service?
Dispatch Center or the MECC being covered
Also skipped Tri-County and Norfolk Aggie last night with no explanation given for it
Tri-County and Norfolk Aggie, both assessments based upon enrollment, not much of a change year to year
So Thursday night, the Finance Committee will use the 3rd Floor Training room for their discussion to be more around a table rather than spread out to help their discussion. Potential revisions coming to the budget, what they are we'll watch and see.
Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Baseball = Franklin, 3 @ North Attleboro, 2 – Final
– In a defensive battle, Franklin held on for a tight win on the road, stranding the tying and winning run on base in the bottom of the seventh. After a scoreless first two innings, the Panthers opened up the game in the third inning off of an error. Sean Kryzak got the Panthers on the board again in the fifth inning with a two-out, two-run double to left field, plating Jack Sullivan and Owen Pennini, who had back-to-back singles. North Attleboro was able to get some momentum going in the sixth inning with Marty Rogers and Jake Ronci both scoring. North threatened in the bottom of the seventh when Tommy Manning walked and Zach Breton was hit by a pitch, but Jacoby Brown induced a ground ball for the third out. Sullivan (three hits) and Owen Pennini (two hits, two runs) led the Panther’s offensive charge. Freshman Ethan Edmunds had a great first five innings on the mound for Franklin, only surrendering four hits and striking out nine.
Softball = North Attleboro, 3 @ Franklin, 9 – Final
– The Panthers jumped out to a lead right away with a four-run first inning and after North Attleboro cut into the deficit in the top of the third, answered with a three-spot in the bottom half to secure a win at home over the Rocketeers. Franklin’s patience at the plate in the bottom of the first turned into a 4-0 lead for the hosts. Sophomore Kate Juergens clubbed a double to score classmate Lindsey DeGirolamo (triple), and Molly Willey came through with a two-out single to plate Juergens to cut the deficit in half. But Franklin’s offense came back with a two-out rally, including a two-run double from Olivia Caruso (3-for-4, four RBI, run) and an RBI single from Sophia Sacramone to push the lead to 7-2. Caruso added an RBI single in the fifth and plated another run with a sac fly in the sixth to cap a strong day at the plate. Addi Weiss added two hits and scored two runs for Franklin. Sacramone earned the win in the circle, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits, one walk, and three strikeouts; Abby Souza tossed two scoreless innings in relief without giving up a hit.
– The Panthers built a five-goal lead by halftime and kept that advantage throughout the second half to knock off the visiting Warriors. Junior Charlie Ballarino (three assists) and freshman Kellan Taccini (one assist) each scored four goals to spearhead the attack for Franklin. Senior Thomas Quinn (two assists) scored a hat trick, senior Quinn Kielty (assist) tallied twice, and seniors Ryder Hanchett and Ben Scaccia each found the back of the net once. Senior Ethan Barnes helped anchor the defense with four takeaways and four ground balls while senior Dean Lawless made 10 saves in the cage.
Girls Lacrosse = Franklin, 12 @ Foxboro, 8 – Final
Boys Tennis = North Attleboro, 1 @ Franklin, 4 – Final
Girls Tennis = Franklin, 3 @ North Attleboro, 2 – Final
For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)
FHS Boys Lacrosse is excited to announce our first annual April Break Youth Clinic!
Open to boys grades 1-8 in Franklin and the surrounding towns, we are looking forward to a morning of skills, drills, and fun with the FHS Boys Lacrosse Team!
$45 gets you a spot on the turf and a free Panthers tee but only if you register by 4/1 so don't delay!
Oh and our friends at the Attleboro Chic-fil-A will be there 11:30-12:30 selling food so we've got your lunch plans taken care of too!
Spread the word, sign up via the QR code on our flyer or the link in this post!
"Stop by Santa Fe Burrito in Franklin anytime on Wed, April 15th and show this ad (print or digital) or type “BFCCPS scholarship fundraiser” in the comments when ordering online, and they will donate 30% of sales to the BFCCPS Alumni Scholarship Fund."
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)
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)"
This week the Turntable Show Album Hour features "Closer to Home" by Grand Funk Railroad (GFR) released June 15 1970. "Closer to Home" is the third studio album by GFR.
The Vibe Playlist Hour features Live GFR songs from the Bosnia live concert recording. The concert was a benefit performance for the nation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was recorded live 20 April 1997 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan including guest performers Peter Frampton, Alto Reed, Paul Shaffer, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Turn it up and feel Grand Funk!
