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Scofflaws take notice: The MBTA announced Thursday it will launch a renewed effort to collect subway fares with written warnings and fines of up to $150 early next month. Surprisingly, the perpetually bankrupt organization hasn't done anything like this in some time. A wide-ranging transportation bond law in January 2021 spurred the restructuring of fare evasion penalties, and the T has not issued a warning or citation for the offense since at least that year, according to its annual reports. The T put 16 "fare engagement representatives" to work around the subway system starting in October and saw fare collection increases of up to 35% at stations where the representatives were on-site. Imagine that.
FRANKLIN
New
Town Website Does Not Support “Cut and Paste” of calendar
entries. Go to https://franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
However, Steve Sherlock from Franklin Matters has compiled and and
shared the below information. Thanks Steve!
“Hot August night
And the leaves hanging down
And the grass on the ground smellin' sweet”
You can get into the spirit with this golden oldie from Neil Diamond.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K398Q4DYCW8
The summer nights are rapidly coming to a close. Labor day is around the corner. Nomination papers are still available for the Biennial Town Election coming November 4. While there are just enough candidates for most roles, the Board of Health and the Planning Board (Associate) are both lacking candidates for their open positions.
Potential candidates are gathering signatures at the Farmers Market and elsewhere around town. Some are knocking on doors or having conversations in person, or on the social webs.
Some may be touting they will be the next savior for the Town. Listen, and listen well. What are they saying? What are they not saying?
We’ll try and gather a set of information for the residents and voters to make their decisions. We try to get more than a sound bite. What is the candidate's story? What are they looking to do? And importantly, how do they think they’ll do it?
These are not questions with yes or no answers. Nor are they trick questions. So listen and listen well to be able to cast an informed decision on November 4. These folks are stepping up to volunteer to help our town provide services to the community. We are all in this together.
On the meeting front, the Planning Board meets Monday, School Committee Tuesday, Police Station Building Committee & Agricultural Committee are both scheduled for Wednesday, and Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday. Important meetings on key topics for town and school business.
Meeting agendas where available are here to help prepare and understand what each group is doing on our behalf. Watch, listen, and listen well.
*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 8/22/25, 7:00 PM
Planning Board Meeting
Monday, August 25 Time: 7:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08252025-1869
Design Review Meeting
Tuesday. August 26 Time: 7:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08262025-1870
Franklin School Committee Meeting
Tuesday, August 26 Time: 7:00 PM
Franklin Agricultural Committee Meeting
Wednesday, August 27 Time: 7:00 PM
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08272025-1873
Police Station Building Committee
Wednesday, August 27 Time: 7:00 PM
No agenda posted at this time
Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting
Thursday, August 28 Time: 7:30 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08282025-1855
*** Looking back at the week that was ***
The only meeting broadcast by Franklin TV in the short week of meetings was the Conservation Commission meeting on Thursday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpuG9wRB0mg
For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendar at Franklin.news where each day, that day's events are posted on the top of the page, the TV and radio schedules are on the bottom, and all the other goodness falls in-between.
Town calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
Community calendar -> https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar
Subscribe for the daily dose of information -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html
Subscribe for the weekly dose of information -> https://www.franklinmattersweekly.org/p/subscribe-for-email.html
MEDWAY
Medway’s
new website, likewise, does not readily support cut and paste. Go to
medwayma.gov.
STATE
HOUSE and BEYOND
Public school students across Massachusetts next week will begin to phase out flexible summer schedules and settle back into the structured days associated with K-12 education. While adults in the Legislature look forward to a few more weeks away from Beacon Hill, students will begin piling into classrooms. They'll bring into the schools a combination of awareness, appreciation and trepidation over the growing role technology is playing in society and the efforts to ward off too much screen time and help young learners think critically for themselves. Many states have adopted laws designed to keep students off electronic devices during the school day. In Massachusetts, lawmakers are inching toward such a law but appear content to let local school districts adopt their own standards. The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education this week did tackle another tricky topic, sending schools guidance that urges the integration of artificial intelligence into learning while reiterating concerns over its shortcomings and dangers. The school year is getting underway without a successor policy to the MCAS graduation requirement that voters erased with a 2024 ballot question. A council convened in January by Gov. Maura Healey has until July 2026 to issue a final report on a new statewide high school graduation standard, which will then likely have to go through a legislative process. Until then, the de facto standard is one that is familiar to older residents who attended public schools in Massachusetts: Under interim regulations adopted by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in May, students beginning with the class of 2026 must complete specific coursework in English language arts, math and science through grade 10. Other education storylines for the coming school year: Will the string of teacher strikes continue? Facing a lawsuit, will the MIAA be more forthcoming with public records and its policies to enforce anti-discrimination rules at sporting events? And what kind of changes will lawmakers come up with now that the 2019 Student Opportunity Act is winding down? That law steered substantial funds to lower-income districts, but COVID, inflation, and growing student needs require that elected leaders "recognize that virtually every school is making cuts, threatening to undermine the advances we have made," Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page said this year. "Across the Commonwealth, unionized educators are witnessing firsthand the devastating impact of budget shortfalls – larger class sizes, cuts to essential programs, inadequate mental health support, and growing barriers to delivering the best-in-the-nation public education that our students deserve."
Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025
TUTWILER ON KELLER: Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler joins political analyst Jon Keller on his weekly "Keller at Large" talk show. They discuss the debate over in-school cellphone bans, the potential for teacher strikes this year and conflict over literacy education. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)
CANADIAN CONSUL GENERAL ON NBC: Consul General of Canada in Boston Bernadette Jordan sits down with reporter Matt Prichard. (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NBC 10)
LOUIJEUNE "ON THE RECORD" | Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune joins NewsCenter 5 anchors Ed Harding and Erika Tarantal on WCVB's weekly political talk show "On the Record." Democratic political analyst Mary Anne Marsh and Republican political analyst Ginny Buckingham will join after for the roundtable discussion. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB)
MBTA SERVICE CHANGES: A new fall schedule takes effect on the MBTA, bringing later service every day on several bus routes and more frequency on several subway lines. Starting Sunday, bus trips will extend about an hour later into the night every night on the Route 23 from Ashmont to Ruggles, the Route 28 from Mattapan to Ruggles, the Route 57 from Watertown to Kenmore, the Route 111 from Woodlawn to Haymarket, and the Route 116 from Wonderland to Maverick. Other routes will run more frequently during the day, as will the Red, Orange and Blue Lines. The fall schedule will also bring later weekend hours on the subway and other bus lines starting Friday, Aug. 29. (Sunday, More Info)
Monday, Aug. 25, 2025
FREE FURNITURE PICKUP: City of Boston and Household Goods host a free furniture pickup program for eligible households in Brighton. Household Goods is a nonprofit that supports people who are referred by social services agencies and furnishes more than 3,000 homes annually. (Monday, 8 a.m., Brighton | More Info)
MOULTON TALKS FEMA: Congressman Moulton convenes a roundtable with emergency management directors and municipal leaders from the 6th congressional district to discuss federal policy shifts involving FEMA, preparedness grants and disaster assistance, according to his office. A press availability with officials from Essex, Salisbury and Gloucester will follow. Media is asked to RSVP to Tom Arsenault at Tom.Arsenault@mail.house.gov to confirm attendance. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., 155 Conomo Point Rd, Essex)
SENATE: Senate meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream | Agenda
HOUSE: House meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., House Chamber | Livestream)
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee meets. It's part of the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities. Agenda includes a presentation on community living research from the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University. (Monday, 11 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
HEALEY, AUGUSTUS TALK HDIP: Gov. Healey and Housing Secretary Augustus tour the Amaya Building in Revere and announce a new round of Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) awards. Revere Mayor Keefe, Rep. Giannino and local leaders join. (Monday, 11:15 a.m., The Yard, 10 Suffolk Downs Boulevard, Revere)
DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT: Disability Employment Subcommittee of the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities meets. Agenda includes a workshop discussion with the Massachusetts Association of People Supporting Employment First. (Monday, 12 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
VETERANS QUALITY OF LIFE: Veterans Quality of Life Commission meets. Agenda includes discussing next steps on education, suicide prevention, transportation and access to health care. (Monday, 1 p.m. | Agenda and Access)
STATE REHAB COUNCIL: State Rehabilitation Council's Statewide Comprehensive Needs Assessment and Consumer Satisfaction committees meet. (Monday, 5 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025
HAZMAT WORK GROUP: Department of Fire Services' Hazmat Work Group meets. Agenda includes a discussion on permits. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
SALISBURY BEACH LIFEGUARD STATION: Ceremony to rename the lifeguard station at the Department of Conservation and Recreation's Salisbury Beach in honor of World War II veteran Robert "Boots" Chouinard. The 101-year-old was born in and still lives in Salisbury, according to Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr's office. Tarr sponsored legislation for the renaming, at the request of the Salisbury Board of Selectmen. Chouinard was a schoolteacher and local newspaper columnist, and he served as a lifeguard after graduating high school in 1943. Attendees include Gov. Healey, DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Tepper, Tarr, Rep. Shand and Salisbury Town Manager Neil Harrington, among other local officials. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Salisbury Beach State Reservation, 1 State Reservation Road, Salisbury)
LOTTERY COMMISSION: Massachusetts State Lottery Commission meets remotely. Treasurer Goldberg chairs. For access, contact gpolin@masslottery.com. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.)
CENSUS COUNT BRIEFING: The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and Census Counts holds a briefing about President Trump's efforts to call for a mid-decade census and exclude non-citizens from the count. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., RSVP for Zoom link)
POSTAGE, MAIL PROCESSING: Operational Services Division holds a bidders' conference for a statewide contract on postage and mail processing equipment, accessories, services and supplies. (Tuesday, 1 p.m. | Register)
GALVIN IN THE BERKSHIRES: Secretary of State William Galvin holds a meeting with Berkshire County officials to discuss preparations for the 2030 U.S. Census and strategies to ensure a complete count of residents. "Berkshire County faces unique challenges in conducting a census, including rural mail delivery issues, unoccupied seasonal residences, and a transient student population," according to Galvin's office. The meeting comes as the bureau prepares to begin preliminary census activities before U.S. Census Day arrives on April 1, 2030. Galvin's remarks will be followed by a presentation from the UMass Donahue Institute, which runs the state's Population Estimates Program. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., Berkshire Innovation Center Main Event Space)
IPSWICH ROADWORK: MassDOT holds a public meeting on proposed roadway and intersection improvements, focused on "Central Street and South Main Street, from Mineral Street to County Street" in Ipswich. The design calls for pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, plus an intersection reconfiguration. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. | More Info and Register)
Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025
HURRICANE KATRINA ANNIVERSARY: Anna Maria College holds a summit to mark the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Attendees include Massachusetts National Guard Brigadier Gen. Lisa Ahaesy, former MEMA director Cristine McCombs, Anna Maria College President Sean Ryan, emergency management professor and Katrina responder Jennifer Carlson, and other MEMA and Red Cross responders. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Anna Maria College Zecco Auditorium, 50 Sunset Lane, Paxton | More Info)
SCHOOL BUILDING AUTHORITY BOARD: Massachusetts School Building Authority Board of Directors meets. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | More Info)
UMASS LABOR RALLY: Members of the Professional Staff Union at UMass Amherst host a rally "to protest low pay, unfair working conditions and underinvestment in the university," according to organizers. Dubbed "Stand Up for UMass," the rally is being held the same day as campus move-in for first-year students and will involve a procession from the campus Student Union to the intersection of Massachusetts and Commonwealth Avenues. The contract between UMass and PSU Unit A, which includes members at the UMass Amherst and Boston campuses, expired on July 1, 2024. Bargaining began that spring, per the union, which is calling for a new wage scale, an overhaul of the way workloads are managed, and anti-discrimination protections. The union is still covered by its prior contract. UMass said that the administration "has been bargaining in good faith on a successor contract since 6/24/24. Since then, the university has met with the PSU bargaining team 29 times to make every effort to reach a fair agreement." (Wednesday, 12 p.m., UMass Amherst Student Union)
WORKFORCE AI BRIEFING: Massachusetts High Technology Council hosts a virtual briefing focused on its MassVision2050 report called "Strategic Impacts of AI on Massachusetts' Workforce: Sector insights and Policy Implications." The session will discuss key findings of the report, including AI disruption, talent evolution and strategies needed to maintain Massachusetts' competitiveness, per the organization. (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. | RSVP)
PALESTINE LETTER TO LYNCH: Constituents of Congressman Lynch, Massachusetts Peace Action, Jewish Voice for Peace Boston, Boston Democratic Socialists of America, IfNotNow Boston, Doctors Against Genocide, Alliance for Water Justice in Palestine, Veterans for Peace, Massachusetts Teachers Association Rank and File for Palestine, Pax Christi, Quincy for Palestine and other groups deliver a letter to Congressman Lynch's office "demanding that he cosponsor the Block the Bombs Act, HR 3565, which would prohibit the export or transfer of seven classes of weapons to Israel." The event will start with a march from the Quincy Hall fountain to the congressman's office. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Quincy City Hall to Congressman Lynch's Quincy office)
LOUIJEUNE CHAT: Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune joins the final installment of the SPARK Chat series, and she'll share her leadership story. SPARK Boston aims to boost civic engagement among 20- to 35-year-olds. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Northeastern University Columbus Place & Alumni Center, 716 Columbus Ave., Boston | More Info)
NEW BEDFORD INTERCHANGE: MassDOT holds a public meeting on the New Bedford I-95/Route 18 interchange rehabilitation project. The project involves "replacing the structurally deficient 15-span viaduct carrying I-195 over County Street, State Street, Purchase Street, Mass Coastal Railroad, and Route 18 Northbound and Southbound," plus replacing "the multi-span structures carrying Ramps C and F." (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Register)
NEXTGEN ACELA: Federal transportation officials and representatives from Amtrak plan a press conference at South Station to cap off a day of events about the launch of the new "NextGen" Acela train from Washington, D.C. to Boston. Officials including U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Amtrak President Roger Harris plan to host a press conference in the nation's capital before taking the new Acela's inaugural ride to New York City, where they'll host a second press conference. Some of the group will then continue to Boston's South Station, where Deputy Transportation Secretary Steven Bradbury will keynote the final press conference of the day joined by Harris and Anthony Coscia, chair of Amtrak's board. Press are invited to join either leg of the Acela ride by emailing Danna.Almeida@dot.gov. (Wednesday, 6:50 p.m., South Station, Boston)
GLOUCESTER SCHOONER FESTIVAL: Maritime Gloucester's 41st annual Gloucester Schooner Festival runs Wednesday through Sunday. The festival kicks off with a concert on Wednesday night, followed by a Thursday "Community Day" and Friday "Greet the Fleet Day," which signals the annual pilgrimage of wooden vessels returning to Gloucester Harbor. Saturday will be the festival's biggest spectator day, "Maritime Heritage Day," according to organizers. Sunday features the Parade of Schooners and offshore races. (Wednesday, 7 p.m. | More Info and Schedule)
Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025
RETIREMENT BOARD: Massachusetts State Retirement Board meets remotely. For access, contact MSRBCommunications@tre.state.ma.us. (Thursday, 10 a.m.)
SENATE: Senate meets in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Agenda)
HOUSE: House is expected to meet in an informal session. (Thursday, House Chamber)
LOTTERY CASH BASH: Massachusetts State Lottery hosts a Summer Cash Bash. Treasurer Goldberg attends. (Thursday, 11 a.m., 135 Gold Star Blvd., Worcester)
DISABILITY WORKFORCE SUPPORTS: Workforce Supports Subcommittee of the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities meets. Agenda includes updates from Executive Office of Health and Human Services Workforce Development Manager Gina Frey, and a discussion on fiscal 2026 goals. (Thursday, 11 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
GREENFIELD DTA: Department of Transitional Assistance's Greenfield Advisory Board meets. (Thursday, 2 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
SEAL, FLAG, MOTTO COMMISSION: Massachusetts Seal, Flag, and Motto Advisory Commission meets. Agenda includes an update from co-chairs and a review of finalists. (Thursday, 2 p.m. | Agenda and Zoom)
BOSTON ARTS RECEPTION: Opening reception is held for the National Art Program's Boston edition. It will feature 73 works from city employees and their families. (Thursday, 5 p.m., Boston City Hall, 1 City Hall Square | Register
ORANGE PEDESTRIAN, BIKE IMPROVEMENTS: MassDOT holds a public meeting about proposed pedestrian and bicycle improvements in Orange along Route 2A from Whitney Street to East Main Street. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m. | More Info and Register)
Friday, Aug. 29, 2025
WEALTH-BUILDING DISCUSSIONS: City of Boston hosts "WorthWealthCon," which involves panels and discussions about wealth-building. The event will offer strategies "for young people and families to build a better future," officials say. It's held as part of Boston's "For The Culture Week," which celebrates the legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and R&B legends from Roxbury, New Edition. (Friday, 9 a.m., Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center, 1350 Tremont St., Roxbury)
CANNABIS ADVISORY BOARD: Cannabis Advisory Board of the Cannabis Control Commission meets. (Friday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access)
CITY HALL PEP RALLY: A pep rally at City Hall will celebrate The Essence HBCU Classic, with Morehouse College and Johnson C. Smith University slated to face off the following day at Harvard Stadium. Boston Mayor Wu attends, along with university representatives and the City of Boston Marching Band. (Friday, 4 p.m., Boston City Hall Plaza, 1 City Hall Square)
LATE-NIGHT T SERVICE: Friday marks the first day with extended MBTA nighttime service on the core subway system and several bus routes. On Fridays and Saturdays, every subway line, Silver Line routes 1, 3 and 5, and bus routes 1, 22, 39, 66 and 110 will run about an hour later into the night, pushing back the last trip that traditionally takes place between midnight and 1 a.m. Officials say they want to ensure the T provides a "public service" for all riders, including those socializing at night and those commuting to and from work with late hours. (Friday)
Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025
NEW EDITION STREET NAMING: Boston holds a street naming ceremony to honor R&B legends New Edition, as Mayor Wu designates Dearborn Street as New Edition Way. Wu will also declare Aug. 30 as "New Edition Day." The ceremony will be held in Roxbury where the band's founding members grew up. (Saturday, Aug. 30, 10 a.m., Corner Ambrose and Albany streets, Roxbury)
NEW EDITION BLOCK PARTY: A community block party will celebrate "New Edition Day," featuring a special appearance by New Edition. There will also be a backpack giveaway, free food and other activities. (Saturday, Aug. 30, 11 a.m., Orchard Gardens Boys & Girls Club, 2 Dearborn St., Roxbury)
HBCU CLASSIC: Johnson C. Smith University and Morehouse College play each other in The Essence HBCU Classic. Cash App, VISA and Meet Boston are sponsoring the game. Ahead of the kickoff, the Greater Boston National Pan-Hellenic Council has organized a "Stroll Off" at 1 p.m. at Harvard Stadium, where fans can explore food trucks and Black-owned businesses. (Saturday, Aug. 30, 4 p.m., Harvard Stadium, 79 N. Harvard St., Allston)
