Franklin Town MA
4-19-2026 5:13am

People, Power and Politics

Massachusetts' four-month streak of job gains ended in February. Preliminary February jobs numbers released Friday by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development show jobs fell 7,200 for the month and 17,000 over last year. That’s after Massachusetts touted an increase of 14,700 payroll jobs from the start of October through January. But the new data also show a revision to January's jobs gain -- 2,000, down from the previous estimate of 3,700.

FRANKLIN
New Town Website Does Not Support “Cut and Paste” of calendar entries. Go to https://franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx to view directly. Steve Sherlock from Franklin Matters has kindly compiled and and shared the below information. Thanks Steve!

School break, Patriots Day, marathon Monday…

And a relatively quiet meeting week in Franklin, MA for April 19 through April 25, 2026.

Even with the holiday Monday, there is no scheduled delay in the trash and recycling pick up for the week.

The hydrant flushing project continues. The DPW updates their webpage daily to let folks know what streets they will be working on. The work is briefly opening a hydrant to let the water flow for a period. This clears the water (may cause some temporary discoloring) but also confirms the water pressure for fire suppression at that point.

The Board of Assessors, Franklin Housing Authority, and Design Review Committee are all scheduled for regular settings on Tuesday.

The Council on Aging, effectively the oversight board for the Senior Center, is scheduled to meet on Wednesday.

On Thursday, GATRA conducts one of their virtual feedback sessions via the Senior Center. The Conservation Commission also meets in the evening.

The week closes out with the Annual Ladybug Trail Walk on Saturday, April 25. Multiple events and retail opportunities are being set up. Stay tuned during the week for updates.

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.

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town pages 4/17/26, 9:00 PM ***

Board of Assessors Meeting

Tuesday, April 21 Time: 8:30 AM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04212026-2261

Franklin Housing Authority Meeting

Tuesday, April 21 Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04212026-2259

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, April 21 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04212026-2260

Council on Aging Board Meeting

Wednesday, April 22 Time: 11:00 AM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04222026-2264

GATRA Regional Public Meeting

Thursday, April 23 Time: 2:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04232026-2243

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, April 23 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/589?fileID=8914

*** Looking back at the week that was ***

Town & School meetings

From FHS live streaming

From All Access

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

School vacation week tends to drain the urgency from Beacon Hill, and at first glance the coming days fit that familiar mold: informal sessions, lighter public schedules, and a calendar dotted with more community events than consequential votes. But behind closed doors within the State House, the gears of budget season are already grinding. Lawmakers have filed more than 1,735 amendments to the House Ways and Means fiscal 2027 budget (H 5500), setting off a quiet but consequential stretch where clerks begin the process of sorting, grouping and preparing the proposals for debate. This year's amendment volume surpasses the 1,650 riders proposed a year ago – which the Mass. Taxpayers Foundation said was the highest number of budget amendments in at least the last 13 years. At the same time, rank-and-file representatives are preparing for the annual ritual of making their case to leadership — pitching earmarks and local priorities for inclusion in the session's largest bill. Those conversations, largely invisible to the public, will shape what emerges on the House floor once budget debate begins Monday, April 27. The relative calm of next week may be the last breather before the Legislature's busiest stretch. Once the House takes up its budget, attention quickly turns to the Senate's version in May, followed by negotiations to reconcile differences by the July 1 start of the fiscal year and a fast-approaching July 31 deadline to move major legislation. Simultaneously, discussions continue out of view on a separate track: efforts to broker compromises on potential ballot questions headed to voters in November. Outside the building, the week's biggest draw comes Monday with the 130th running of the Boston Marathon, a signature Patriots' Day event expected to bring more than 30,000 athletes and hundreds of thousands of spectators to the streets from Hopkinton to Copley Square. The race, along with extensive MBTA service adjustments, will dominate the public-facing calendar and provide a sharp contrast to the slower pace inside the State House. Other highlights include the GOP's nominating convention next Saturday, April 25, for candidates for state office during what's shaping up to be a busy election year. Republican candidates Mike Minogue, Mike Kennealy and Brian Shortsleeve each have speaking slots and will make a pitch to delegates as to why they are the best Republican candidate to beat Gov. Maura Healey for the corner office in November. This week functions as a staging ground, a final exhale before Beacon Hill plunges into the high-stakes budget debate and sprint toward the end of the legislative session.

Sunday, April 19, 2026

ROMNEY ON KELLER: Former Massachusetts Gov. and U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney joins political analyst Jon Keller on his weekly talk segment "Keller at Large" to discuss the 20th anniversary of Romneycare in Massachusetts, his experiences in Washington and the future of the Republican Party. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)

RAUSCH SITS DOWN: Sen. Becca Rausch joins NBC 10 reporter Matt Prichard on the network’s weekly show, “@ Issue.” Rausch will talk about the national conversation around sexual assault and protections she’s pushing in Massachusetts, per NBC. (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NBC 10)

MAYNARD ON THE RECORD: Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chair Jordan Maynard joins WCVB's weekly "On the Record" political talk show. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV)

CITYLINE: Weekly urban magazine program CityLine presents a marathon-related program ahead of the 130th Boston Marathon, including HoodFit and the Road to Wellness Founder Thaddeus Miles, executive director of the 26.2 Foundation Kimberly Chisolm, and Sidney Baptista, founder of Pioneers Run Crew and PYNRS Performance Streetwear. Jetola Anderson-Blair, Nicole Casimir and Akeem Lloyd discuss the importance of connections among BIPOC runners at the Boston Marathon. (Sunday, 11:30 a.m., WCVB-TV)

Monday, April 20, 2026

BOSTON MARATHON: More than 30,000 athletes are expected to race in Boston Athletic Association’s 130th annual Boston Marathon held on Patriots’ Day. The race kicks off in Hopkinton then athletes will follow a route through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton – home of the infamous “Heartbreak Hill” – and Brookline before finishing on Boylston Street in Boston. The race usually draws 500,000 spectators to the 26.2 mile course, according to the BAA’s Facebook page. Gov. Maura Healey is set to crown the winner of the men’s open division at the finish line. (Monday, 9:06 a.m., East Main Street, Hopkinton | More Info)

HEALEY MARATHON: Gov. Maura Healey attends the 130th Boston Marathon and crowns the men’s open division winner. (Monday, late morning, Boston Marathon finish line, 655 Boylston St., Boston)

HOOP UP SPRINGFIELD: Hampden district attorney's office hosts the 10th annual Hoop Up Springfield job fair and basketball tournament, a free, day-long event open to youth aged 11 to 18 years old. The event aims to connect young people with "summer job opportunities, educational resources and positive activities," per the DA's office. Participants will be able to apply for summer jobs, tour the American International College campus and sports complex, participate in skills and drills led by student athletes, take part in a cheerleading clinic, and compete in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Media availability begins at 10:30 a.m., during which District Attorney Gulluni and AIC President Nicolle Cestero will be available. (Monday, 9 a.m., Butova Gymnasium, American International College, 1000 State St., Springfield | More Info and Register)

MBTA MARATHON SERVICE: MBTA is implementing service changes to accommodate athletes and spectators of the Boston Marathon. The Green, Red, Orange, Blue and Silver lines as well as all Commuter Rail lines will operate on a regular weekday schedule. From around 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., above-ground Green Line stops at South Street, Kent Street and St. Mary’s Street will be closed. The Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line will offer more inbound and outbound trips on race day and more coaches will be added to Worcester Line trains. There will also be more train crews and customer service staff on duty at “key locations,” according to the MBTA. All ferry and RIDE paratransit services will operate on a weekday schedule. The RIDE may be detoured to accommodate race day events. Bus routes 1, 7, 354, 501 and 501 will offer increased services and routes 55 and 65 are suspended for the day. Routes 47, 59 and 66 are split on each side of the marathon and several others are detoured or shortened for the day. The MBTA is prohibiting bikes on subways for the day. Also, bikes and scooters will not be allowed on the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail lines beginning 5 p.m. Sunday.(Monday | More Info)

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

BUILDING CODE APPEALS: Building Code Appeals Board holds virtual hearings on properties in Greenfield, Salisbury, North Attleborough, Southborough and Belmont. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

PESTICIDE BOARD: Pesticide Board subcommittee meets. Agenda includes votes on registering pesticide products and approving an experimental use permit. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Zoom)

GAMING COMMISSION REGS: Gaming Commission holds a public hearing on proposed regulatory changes dealing with placement on the self-exclusion list and a new reference to a "player health resource and information center." (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. | More Info and Access)

REAL ESTATE BROKERS, SALESPERSONS: Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons meets. Agenda includes executive director and board counsel reports, and a review of a broker application. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

LOWELL DTA: Department of Transitional Assistance's Lowell Advisory Board meets. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

HOUSE: House meets in an informal session. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., House Chamber | Livestream)

SENATE: Senate meets without a calendar. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)

MERIT RATING BOARD: Merit Rating Board of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles holds an open meeting. Agenda includes an update from Director Sonja Singleton. (Tuesday, 11 a.m. | Agenda and Register)

DAIRY PROMOTION: Dairy Promotion Board meets. Agenda includes an update on the MA Cheese Festival in Barre this June. Members will also vote on a grant proposal from the Franklin County Fairgrounds. (Tuesday, 2 p.m. | Agenda and Access)

FALL RIVER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT: MassDOT holds a virtual public hearing to present the design for the proposed project that would address a structurally deficient bridge located from Jefferson Street over Sucker Brook in Fall River. The project proposes to replace the existing one-lane bridge with a two-lane bridge and to replace the failing retaining wall, while adding a new sidewalk and reconstructing the roadway approaches, per MassDOT. (Tuesday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Register)

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

POLICE STANDARDS SUBCOMMITTEE: Municipal Police Training Committee's Police Standards Subcommittee holds an open meeting. Agenda includes going over requests for waivers or exemptions from basic recruit training requirements, an update on disciplinary dismissal appeals, and an update on instructor certification revocation appeals. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 42 Thomas Patten Dr., Randolph | More Info and Access)

AFT ADVOCACY DAY: American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts hosts its second annual statewide advocacy day. Sen. DiDomenico, Rep. Cahill and AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang are slated to speak. AFT members and leadership are expected to speak about issues in the fiscal 2027 budget and legislative priorities heading into the end of the legislative session. According to AFT, key topics of discussion will include "Ice Impact Stabilization Funding" for districts experiencing disruptions in multilingual learner enrollment; support for paraprofessionals and school staff; reforming how the state funds construction and infrastructure investment at public schools; and "stronger overall investment in the state’s public schools, libraries, and universities to help mitigate the devastating cuts to funding and support from the federal government." The teachers' union represents more than 25,000 educators and staff working in public schools, libraries, health offices and universities across the state. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Room 437)

GUV'S COUNCIL HEARING: Governor's Council holds a hearing for attorney Kristin Michaud, nominated to the Juvenile Court. Michaud has been an assistant clerk magistrate at Somerville District Court since July 2021 and is chair of the Somerville District Court Education Committee. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Council Chamber, Room 360)

GUV'S COUNCIL HEARING: Governor's Council holds a hearing for attorney Vincent DeMore, who was nominated to the Parole Board on April 15. DeMore is a co-founder of the legal and strategic communications firm Henning Strategies LLC. A captain in the U.S. Army Reserve, DeMore worked in the Suffolk County district attorney's office for more than a decade. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Council Chamber, Room 360)

MEDICARE ATTESTATIONS: Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association holds a webinar on new federal requirements that will take effect at the end of 2027. Hospitals could face payment rejections if they do not comply with Medicare attestation requirements and secure unique national provider identifiers for off-campus outpatient departments. "What was once voluntary is now mandatory, and hospitals may be unprepared to become compliant within such a short timetable," organizers say. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Register)

GUV'S COUNCIL: Governor's Council meets with the potential to confirm any pending nominees, including attorney Michelle Licciardi to the Boston Municipal Court. The council held Licciardi's hearing April 1. The council could also confirm either of the two individuals they held hearings for earlier in the day: attorney Kristin Michaud, who has been nominated to the Juvenile Court, and attorney Vincent DeMore, who has been nominated to the Parole Board. (Wednesday, 12:45 p.m., Council Chamber, Room 360)

SPRINGFIELD TECH: Committee of the Board of Higher Education holds an interview for the next president of Springfield Technical Community College. President John Cook is stepping down this summer. The school earlier this month said it had three finalists for the job: Jennifer Cournoyer of River Valley Community College in New Hampshire, Albert Lewis Jr. of Northwest State Community College in Ohio, and Irene Rios for SUNY Suffolk County Community College in New York. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. | Zoom)

VETERAN WOMEN WELLNESS WEDNESDAY: Massachusetts Women Veterans Network hosts a webinar as part of its Veteran Women Wellness Wednesdays series titled "Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder in Women: Exploring Risk Factors and the Interplay with Mental Health, Plus Treatment Options Overview." (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Register)

B BRANCH CLOSURE: Green Line B Branch will be suspended between Kenmore and Boston College for nine days between April 22 and April 30 to work on infrastructure improvements, including the installation of the Green Line Protection System and the replacement of the 130-year old wooden overhead catenary wire "trough" near the Green Line portals, as well as other maintenance. Free shuttle buses will replace service, but will not stop at Griggs Street, Allston Street and Packards Corner. The service suspension will be extended to Copley during the weekend of April 25 - 26. (Wednesday)

Thursday, April 23, 2026

ELDRIDGE SENIOR CONFERENCE: Sen. Eldridge hosts an annual conference for seniors, featuring resources, entertainment, food, art, fitness and raffle prizes. Sessions will deal with cyber tech training, planning for aging in place, and the impact of Alzheimer's and dementia. The event runs through 2 p.m. (Thursday, 8 a.m., Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, 215 Fitchburg St., Marlborough | More Info)

MED LICENSING: Board of Registration in Medicine's Licensing Committee meets. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

MASSPORT BOARD: Massport Board meets. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | More Info)

MED BOARD: Board of Registration in Medicine meets in executive session for two sanction hearings. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

SENATE: Senate meets in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)

HOUSE: House meets in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)

ADVERTISING, MARKETING: Operational Services Division holds a webinar about a contract for advertising, marketing and event planning services. (Thursday, 11:30 a.m. | Register)

LARGE BUILDING ENERGY REPORTING: Department of Energy Resources and Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships hold a webinar on the large building energy reporting requirement included in the 2022 clean energy and offshore wind law. DOER must disclose the energy usage of buildings that are over 20,000 square feet. DOER published its "covered buildings list" at the end of March, and building owners must report certain energy usage by June 30. (Thursday, 12:30 p.m. | Register)

MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED: Sens. Brownsberger and Jehlen, Rep. D. Rogers, Somerville Mayor Wilson, Everett Mayor Van Campen, Woburn Mayor Concannon, Boston Climate Chief Brian Swett and Cambridge Climate Chief Julie Wormser participate in a legislative briefing with the Mystic River Watershed Association. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Room 428)

SPRINGFIELD TECH: Committee of the Board of Higher Education holds another interview as part of the hiring process for the next president of Springfield Technical Community College. (Thursday, 2 p.m. | Zoom)

GREENFIELD DTA: Department of Transitional Assistance's Greenfield Advisory Board meets. (Thursday, 2 p.m. | Agenda and Access)

MIDWIFERY LICENSURE: Department of Public Health's Midwifery Board holds a public hearing on establishing licensure requirements for certified professional midwives. The regulations stem from the 2024 maternal health law, with an eye toward growing the workforce and expanding access to care options like independent birth centers. Eligible licensees must be at least 18 years old, have completed a formal midwifery education and training program, and hold a professional midwife credential, among other criteria. The regulations also outline a pathway for licensure by reciprocity if midwives are licensed in other jurisdictions. Maternal health advocates have called on state leaders to provide reimbursement parity for midwives to ensure the workforce is sustainable. (Thursday, 2 p.m. |More Info and Access)

SOUTH HADLEY MAIN STREET RECONSTRUCTION: MassDOT holds a public hearing to present the design for a proposed project that consists of milling, resurfacing, full depth reconstruction, and pavement widening on Main Street in South Hadley from the Chicopee city line to Canal Street. (Thursday, 6 p.m., South Hadley Public Library Community Room, 2 Canal St., South Hadley | More Info)

LOWER NEPONSET RIVER SUPERFUND SITE: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hosts a public meeting to update communities about the progress and work planned at the Lower Neponset River Superfund Site. The site includes a 3.7-mile section of the river and its floodplains that have been contaminated with elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, and other hazardous substances, according to the EPA. The Lower Neponset River includes 40 acres within or bordering Hyde Park, Mattapan and Dorchester as well as Milton. The site is bordered by residential, commercial and public spaces, including the Neponset River Greenway. (Thursday, 6 p.m., 59 Harvard Ave., Hyde Park |Access | More Info)

GAMING COMMISSION: Massachusetts Gaming Commission is expected to hold a public meeting. (Thursday, Time TBD | Access and More Info)

Friday, April 24, 2026

RIGHT WHALE DAY: New England Aquarium marks the fourth annual Massachusetts Right Whale Day, which it uses to "educate and inspire" the public about the importance of the critically endangered species. The celebration this year is set to focus on "the power of community in right whale conservation," according to the aquarium. A speaking program with state leaders will kick it off at 10 a.m. in the Harbor Terrace Tent, and will include remarks from Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Massachusetts Environmental Trust and aquarium representatives. Activities on the aquarium's front plaza and Harbor Terrace Tent are free of charge and open to the public. Scientists from the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life will partake in educational programming throughout the day on the property, and from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., visitors can go to the aquarium's dockside beer garden to learn about on-demand fishing gear, which the aquarium says is "an environmentally responsible method that protects right whales from accidental entanglements." Calvin, a 42-foot-long inflatable right whale that was recently at the State House, will be on display on Central Wharf Plaza from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The North Atlantic right whale is the state's official marine mammal. (Friday, 10 a.m., New England Aquarium, 1 Central Wharf, Boston)

BOSTON CHARTER 400 ANNIVERSARY: Boston City Council holds a hearing on examining and modernizing the Boston City Charter in advance of the city's 400th anniversary. The 400th anniversary of the city's founding will take place in 2030, marking four centuries since English settlers arrived on the Shawmut Peninsula in 1630. Councilor Julia Mejia is sponsoring the hearing to reexamine the city's charter. (Friday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Livestream)

CAPE AND ISLANDS DTA: Department of Transitional Assistance's Cape and Islands Advisory Board meets. (Friday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

ELEVATOR REGS: Board of Elevator Regulations meets. (Friday, 10:30 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

DESE REGS: Department of Elementary and Secondary Education accepts written public comment through 5 p.m. on proposed regulatory changes dealing with the definition of "individualized education program," and disciplinary procedures for students with disabilities. (Friday, 5 p.m. | More Info)

DESE REGS: Department of Elementary and Secondary Education accepts written public comment through 5 p.m. on proposed regulations for interpretation and translation services in schools. The changes deal with qualifications for interpreters and translators, including bilingualism, knowledge of specialized terms and concepts, training and ethics. (Friday, 5 p.m. | More Info)

Saturday, April 25, 2026

GOP CONVENTION: MassGOP holds its nominating convention for statewide elections including governor and lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer and U.S. Senate. This year there are three Republican gubernatorial candidates vying for delegates' votes: Mike Kennealy, former secretary of housing and economic development under former Gov. Charlie Baker; Mike Minogue, former CEO of Abiomed; and Brian Shortsleeve, former MBTA chief administrator and acting general manager. Kennealy has selected Peabody City Councilor Anne Manning Martin as his running mate and Shortsleeve is running alongside New Bedford City Councilor Shawn Oliver. Minogue has not selected a lieutenant governor, though he has endorsed candidate Anne Brensley, a Wayland selectwoman and business executive. Candidates must receive at least 15% of the delegate vote at the convention to appear on September’s primary ballot. Notably, the party officially endorsed John Deaton, who is running for U.S. Senate seat currently occupied by Sen. Ed Markey, in November. Attorney Michael Walsh is running to unseat Attorney General Andrea Campbell. Elizabeth Dionne is campaigning for treasurer against incumbent Deb Goldberg. (Saturday, 8 a.m., DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester)

AUTISM GALA: Teamsters Local 25 holds its annual gala for autism. Treasurer Goldberg attends. (Saturday, April 25, 7 p.m., Encore Boston Harbor, Picasso Ballroom, 1 Broadway, Everett | Tickets)

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