Franklin Town MA
5-17-2026 4:04am

People, Power and Politics

Digital Advocacy group Fight for the Future Director Evan Greer stands in front of the State House steps on May 13, 2026 at a press conference. Fight for the Future is one of numerous groups opposing the proposed youth social media legislation in Massachusetts.

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!

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town pages 5/15/26, 4:30 PM ***

Community Preservation Committee Meeting

Monday, May 18 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05182026-2318

Franklin Public Schools Community Relations Sub Committee Meeting

Monday, May 18 Time: 6:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05182026-2321

Library Board of Directors Regular Meeting

Monday, May 18 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05182026-2316

Franklin School Committee Contractual Negotiations Meeting (executive session)

Tuesday, May 19 Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05192026-2255

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, May 19 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05192026-2322

250th Anniversary - Events subcommittee

Tuesday, May 19 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05192026-2297

Town Council Meeting - budget hearing #1

Wednesday, May 20 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05202026-2323

Town Council Monthly Office Hours

Thursday, May 21 Time: 8:30 AM

No agenda for this informal session

Pole Petition Hearing - Panther Way

Thursday, May 21 Time: 1:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05212026-2285

Town Council Meeting (Council Chambers)

Thursday, May 21 Time: 6:00 PM

Agenda not yet posted

Conservation Commission (3rd Floor Trng Room)

Thursday, May 21 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05212026-2320?html=true

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

Town/ School meetings

FHS/ Tri-County live streaming

Franklin TV all access shows released

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

The Senate plans next week to roar through hundreds of amendments to its $63.3 billion annual budget, with a consensus spending plan due in just six-plus weeks. The week ahead also brings a public hearing on Gov. Maura Healey's policy-heavy $305 million economic development bill (H 5386) and the governor is due to make appointments by Tuesday that will shake up and downsize the Cannabis Control Commission to a three-person body. Senators plan on Monday to make general floor speeches about their spending plan before beginning to dispense with amendments Tuesday. The fate of the vast majority of amendments is predetermined through backchannel talks and scores of proposals will likely be adopted or rejected in massive amendment bundles. Once the bill is amended and engrossed by the Senate, the branches likely after Memorial Day will name a six-person conference committee to hash out a final fiscal 2027 budget. The branches this session have each passed major bills addressing early literacy, surplus surtax appropriations and financing for higher education infrastructure improvements but those three bills remain before conference panels and there are some so-far irreconcilable differences among early literacy negotiators, led by Rep. Ken Gordon and Sen. Sal DiDomenico, who have had custody of the bills for three months. Lawmakers will form a conference committee next week to iron out a compromise version of legislation aimed at providing new protections for immigrants in Massachusetts. Rep. Dan Cahill of Lynn will lead the negotiations for the House, joined by Reps. Andy Vargas of Haverhill and Marcus Vaughn of Wrentham, according to the speaker's office. The House negotiating team will hold a "feedback session" Tuesday to hear representatives's opinions and priorities before diving into talks with the Senate. The Black and Latino Legislative Caucus recently urged "a legally-durable resolution that prioritizes the strongest protections for immigrant families ahead of the World Cup" games that start here in mid-June. The branches also need to take additional procedural and appointment steps to formally set up a conference committees on bills combining the topics of cellphone use by students in schools and access to social media by children.

Sunday, May 17, 2026

SPILKA ON KELLER: On Keller at Large, Senate President Karen Spilka discusses local aid levels, controversy over Senate proposals for a new unrestricted aid distribution formula, and the legal battle over the state auditor's push to audit the Legislature. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Channel 4)

PALEY ON @ ISSUE: Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley joins reporter Matt Prichard for NBC 10's weekly "@ Issue Sit Down." (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NBC 10)

COX ON THE RECORD: Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox joins WCVB's weekly political talk show, "On the Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB)

HEALEY COURT UNVEILING: Gov. Healey joins the U.S. Men's National Team soccer player Miles Robinson to mark the completion of a fully renovated outdoor futsal and basketball court, the first of its kind in greater Boston. Futsal is a five-a-side variant of soccer played on a hard, basketball-sized indoor court. (Sunday, 1 p.m., Ribbon cutting ceremony at 3:30 p.m., Arlington Boys & Girls Club, 60 Pond Lane, Arlington | Media RSVP)

Monday, May 18, 2026

COMPTROLLER ADVISORY BOARD: Advisory Board to the Comptroller holds a virtual meeting with plans to review a draft report of the Statewide Single Audit for Fiscal Year 2025, which is conducted by the audit firm CliftonLarsonAllen. "The Statewide Single Audit is an entity-wide audit of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that includes its financial statements and the expenditures of federal awards by all state agencies (excluding institutions of higher education)," according to the comptroller's office. "The audit reviews internal controls and compliance over financial reporting and federal programs. The focus is on the use of federal funds, which must be shown to be properly spent within program rules, with accurate accounting and controls, and administered through secure systems. The flow of federal dollars to Commonwealth programs is based on meeting these requirements." (Monday, 9:30 a.m., Access

DEATON SIGNATURES: John Deaton, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, plans to deliver more than the 10,000 signatures that are required to secure a spot on the ballot this fall to the secretary of state's office. Deaton's campaign said it "exceeded the required number of valid signatures, reflecting broad grassroots support across the Commonwealth for Deaton’s vision of fresh leadership, economic relief, and accountability in Washington." (Monday, 10:30 a.m., Elections Division, One Ashburton Place, Room 1705, Boston)

SENATE DEMOCRATS CAUCUS: A day before the Senate is slated to begin churning through fiscal 2027 budget amendments, Democrats meet in a private caucus. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate president's office and virtual)

HEALEY AND GOLDBERG: Gov. Healey meets with Treasurer Goldberg. (Monday, 11 a.m., Treasurer's office, Room 227)

SENATE SESSION: Senate meets in an informal session one day before beginning debate on the Senate Ways and Means Committee's $63.3 billion fiscal 2027 budget. Senate budget chief Rodrigues is expected to give opening remarks about the spending plan. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)

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

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES SUBCOMMITTEE: Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities Long-Term Services & Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee meets. Autistic Self Advocacy Network Executive Director Colin Killick will give a presentation. (Monday, 11 a.m., Virtual | Agenda & Access Info)

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MITIGATION: Hazardous Materials Mitigation Advisory Board of the Department of Fire Services meets virtually. Agenda includes votes on new technicians and office updates on upcoming World Cup planning, Boston Marathon 2026, 250th events and other items. (Monday, 11 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES SUBCOMMITTEE: Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities Disability Employment Subcommittee meets. MassAbility Financial Wellness Director Joseph Reale will give an update on the disability employment tax credit. (Monday, 12 p.m., Virtual | Agenda & Access Info )

GOLDBERG RETURNS BRONZE STAR: Treasurer Goldberg returns the Bronze Star Medal of Staff Sergeant Walter Frye Sr. to his son, Walter Frye Jr. during a ceremony recognizing the veteran's military service. Frye enlisted in the Army at age 20 and served during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, according to Goldberg's office. He received the medal in 1951. It was recovered and traced back to his family as part of Treasury efforts to connect military honors with their heirs. (Monday, 12:15 p.m., Treasurer's Office, Room 227)

PIONEER VALLEY MOSQUITO CONTROL: Pioneer Valley Mosquito Control District Commission meets virtually. Agenda includes a commissioner update, seasonal staffing and hiring update, district growth and funding discussion, and more. (Monday, 2 p.m. | Agenda and Access)

DNC SITE VISIT: Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Boston Mayor Wu, and MassDems Chair and Boston 2028 President Steve Kerrigan welcome Democratic National Committee leadership, including DNC Chair Ken Martin, to Boston as part of the 2028 DNC site visits. This spring, the DNC is visiting frontrunner cities of Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver and Philadelphia for site visits, according to the committee. TD Garden President Glen Thornborough, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority Executive Director John Barros, Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Chrissy Lynch, and Meet Boston President and CEO Martha Sheridan join. Officials and partner organizations host a brief press conference to launch the DNC's visit "as part of preparations for a potential 2028 Democratic National Convention to be hosted in Boston," per Boston 2028. The convention will be held from Aug. 7 through Aug. 10, 2028. (Monday, 2:15 p.m., Location available upon request: laura@boston2028.com)

SYMPHONY STATION MEETING: The MBTA and the Symphony Station Improvements Project host a pre-construction informational public meeting. The station on the Green Line's E branch will close for nearly three years starting June 6 to undergo major accessibility improvements. The station is nearly 85 years old, and the T has said it has not undergone significant modernization since its opening. Upgrades are expected to be completed by spring 2029, and include four new elevators, raised platforms for accessible boarding, accessible bathrooms and wayfinding assistance. It's part of a larger effort to make all T stations accessible. During the 35-month closure, riders who typically use Symphony Station are being encouraged to use either the Northeastern University or Prudential station, both of which are approximately 0.3 miles from Symphony. (Monday, 6 p.m., Symphony Towers West, Community Room, 333 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston)

FISHING REGS: Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife holds a public hearing on proposed changes to simplify trout fishing regulations and update American Eel regulations. (Monday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Access)

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

BOARD OF ED: The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meets. Commissioner Martinez will give an update on the K-12 Statewide Graduation Council. The council has a final report due to the governor and Legislature next month to recommend new statewide graduation standards. Gov. Healey formed the council in January 2025 to guide a new uniform high school graduation framework following the voter-approved elimination of the MCAS requirement. Preliminary recommendations released in December proposed a statewide diploma standard that includes mandatory core coursework, state-designed end-of-course assessments, capstone or portfolio projects, financial literacy education, and individualized career and academic planning. Also on the board's agenda for Tuesday is a discussion of education spending in the Senate Ways and Means Committee's fiscal 2027 budget. The board will also meet in private executive session to discuss litigation: Doe et al. v. Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Mass. Superior Court, C.A. No. 2481-CV-00994. The case, filed in Middlesex Superior Court in 2024, is a class action lawsuit alleging that the department fails to fulfill its statutory duty to provide special education services to incarcerated students with disabilities. Mass. Lawyers Weekly reported last month that the class action survived a motion to dismiss it in Superior Court, with a judge ruling DESE has a non-delegable duty to provide special education in jails. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Hudson High School , 69 Brigham St., Hudson | Agenda | Watch)

KERSHAW ON 9:30 CALL: Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw joins the "9:30 Call" hosted by Strategies for Children to provide agency updates and take questions. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Virtual | Zoom)

SENATE BUDGET DEBATE: Senate meets in a formal session to begin deliberations on the Ways and Means Committee's $63.3 budget proposal for fiscal year 2027 (S 4). Senators filed 1,158 amendments, proposing to add at least another $1.47 billion to the budget. Over the last three years the Senate typically added about $84.3 million in spending through amendments, according to the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. Last year, senators wrapped up each of their three days of budget deliberations around 8 p.m. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Senate Chamber)

BOARD OF HIGHER ED: Board of Higher Education meets. Agenda includes remarks from Board Chair Gabrieli, Education Secretary Zrike, presidents, the commissioner and Student Advisory Council. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Design and Media Center Huntington Studio, 3rd Floor, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, 621 Huntington Avenue, Boston | Agenda | Zoom Access)

UMASS ACADEMIC / STUDENT COMMITTEE: UMass Board of Trustees Committee on Academic and Student Affairs meets. The committee will appoint professors and chairs at UMass Amherst, Boston and Lowell, and discuss a new data strategy aimed at improving student outcomes. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda | Zoom)

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS: Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers hosts its annual advocacy day, sponsored by Rep. Cahill and Sen. Moore. They will provide a briefing on their legislative agenda, generally aimed at improving access to care and supporting the financial stability of community health centers and the health safety net. Some of the bills they support would require MassHealth to reimburse Federally Qualified Health Centers according to the federal prospective payment system (H 1096 / S 711), create a state-level post-graduate nurse practitioner residency program at community health centers (H 1377 / S 872), and restore Medicaid Graduate Medical Education payments to community health centers and hospitals to try to address physician shortages in primary care and behavioral health (H 1393 / S 882). Speakers include Bethany Kieley, CEO of CHP Berkshires, Maria Celli, CEO of Brockton Neighborhood Health Center, and Suie Levine, CEO of Lowell Community Health Center. Awards will go to Rep. Lawn, Sen. Cyr and MassHealth Undersecretary Mike Levine. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., House Members' Lounge)

MATTAPAN HOUSING OPENING: Boston Mayor Wu and state Housing Secretary Juana Matias join the Planning Office for Urban Affairs of the Archdiocese of Boston and Caribbean Integration Community Development to mark the opening of 150 River Street Village, a 30-unit mixed-income, age-restricted rental development in Mattapan. The project, built on a city-owned vacant lot, offers studio and one-bedroom units serving households earning between 30% and 100% of area median income.(Tuesday, 11 a.m., 150 River St., Mattapan)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BILL: Gov. Healey's $305 million response to heightened competition in some of the state's most prized industries gets its hearings before the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. Healey's bill (H 5386) proposes $305 million in capital authorizations offset by about $254 million in deauthorizations, along with more than 150 policy sections. "I guess I'd look at this bill as primarily a policy bill, making important policy changes that will make it better for business here in the state," the governor said when she filed the bill last month. Under the bill, the fee for starting a new limited liability company would drop from a highest-in-the-nation $500 to $100. The legislation would also discount the $500 fee for the first (to $200), second (to $300), and third (to $400) annual reports businesses must file. Healey also wants to make discounted utility rates available for large employers relocating to Massachusetts, which her office claimed would not increase costs for other ratepayers. The governor is also seeking to clearly define what types of venues and events are subject to the state's ticket seller licensing requirement. The bill would apply the requirement to "live events" like musical performances, sporting events, theatrical productions, comedy shows, or other in-person entertainment events. It excludes venues with fewer than 1,000 attendees, broadcast or remote-only events, and movie theaters. The bill seeks to close a loophole in the state's noncompete agreement law, aimed at ensuring employers provide fair compensation when choosing to enforce a noncompete agreement. Healey's bill also lets communities amend their zoning to allow commercial-to-residential conversion as of right on any commercially zoned lot, and it would allow mayors (not just planning boards and other officials) to propose zoning ordinance changes in their cities. The bill also proposes a $50 million seed investment, through a new GlobalMass Innovation Access Fund, to attract global capital towards Massachusetts-based companies. Another $20 million would be put toward site development and infrastructure to attract international companies to Massachusetts. It would speed up implementation of a $10 million annual internship tax credit that aims to incentivize employers to hire students from in-state colleges. Lawmakers in March slashed a different economic proposal from Healey, eliminating from her $400 million Discovery, Research and Innovation for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE) bill a $200 million outlay that would have gone toward research projects at Massachusetts hospitals, universities and independent research institutions. The slimmed-down version (H 5259) has been pending in the House Ways and Means Committee for about a month. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room A-1 | More Info and Livestream)

MASS CULTURAL COUNCIL: Mass Cultural Council holds an in-person meeting. Agenda includes reports from the chair, acting executive director, public affairs and business operations. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Emerson Paramount Center, The Jackie Liebergott Black Box Theatre, 559 Washington Street, Boston | Agenda)

IMMIGRANT PROTECTION FEEDBACK: House negotiators on immigrant protection legislation -- Reps. Cahill, Vargas and Vaughn -- meet with other representatives to gather their feedback and priorities. The most glaring distinction that House and Senate negotiators will have to resolve is where warrant requirements for civil arrests will apply. The House bill would specifically protect courthouses only. The Senate adopted language to create four additional categories of protected spaces, with detailed policy, notice, and parent-notification requirements for schools and childcare programs. The Senate bill creates a right of action letting individuals sue under state law for constitutional deprivations; the House did not. The House also included a requirement that courts consider a defendant's "likelihood of imminent deportation" when setting bail; the Senate did not. The House is expected to formally appoint its conferees Monday. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., House Members' Lounge)

ALS AWARENESS: Treasurer Goldberg presents a citation to the ALS Association in recognition of ALS Awareness Month. (Tuesday, 2:30 p.m., Treasurer's office, Room 227)

LYNNWAY MULTIMODAL MEETING: MBTA holds an open house in Nahant to discuss its ongoing project with the City of Lynn and Department of Conservation and Recreation to make the Lynnway corridor safer and more accessible to pedestrians, cyclists and bus riders. Officials will discuss their draft design and take feedback. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Nahant Town Hall, 334 Nahant Road, Nahant | More Info)

"FOCUS 2050" PUBLIC MEETING: MBTA hosts a public meeting about "Focus 2050," the T's long-range plan for transit investments that will help guide decisions for its five-year Capital Investment Plan, and identify investment priorities, per the agency. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Community Room at McGovern Transportation Center, 211 Merrimack St., Lawrence | More Info)

FISHING LIMITS: Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife holds a public hearing on emergency regulations for recreational fishing limits for black sea bass and Gulf of Maine haddock, as well as commercial and recreational limits for Atlantic mackerel. (Tuesday, 6 p.m. | Register)

CCC APPOINTING DEADLINE: Gov. Maura Healey has until Tuesday to reappoint the Cannabis Control Commission under a recently enacted law overhauling the state’s marijuana regulations. The CCC, which has been riddled with internal conflicts, is set to be downsized from five commissioners to three. This offers a fresh start for the commission, which has a reputation among lawmakers as being ineffective and overrun with personnel conflicts. The CCC’s most recent chair, Shannon O’Brien, was shunned from the commission for two years after Treasurer Goldberg fired her partly because of spats with the former executive director. O’Brien was reinstated to her position last September after a Superior Court judge ruled her firing was unlawful. After returning, O’Brien engaged in fresh conflicts with the CCC’s Executive Director Travis Ahern. The most recent commission consisted of O’Brien and commissioners Bruce Stebbins, Kim Roy and Carrie Benedon. Asked last week whether she would reappoint any of the previous commissioners, the governor said, “We’ll have more on that shortly.”(Tuesday)

MGB HOME CARE STRIKE VOTE: Mass General Brigham Home Care clinicians plan to vote on whether to authorize a strike while their bargaining with the state’s largest health system has stalled. If a strike is authorized, the bargaining committee can call a strike of up to seven days. It doesn’t mean a strike will definitely be scheduled or held. MGB Home Care clinicians voted in June 2024 to join the Massachusetts Nurses Association. They say they have participated in 26 bargaining sessions on their first contract with the health system since March 2025. Mass General Brigham said the health system remains "committed to bargaining in good faith on a first contract for the Home Care bargaining unit” and more bargaining sessions are scheduled. (Tuesday, voting at multiple sites scheduled to conclude by 7 p.m.)

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

BRISTOL COUNTY MOSQUITO CONTROL: Bristol County Mosquito Control Commission meets virtually. Agenda includes a fiscal 2026 budget review and a spring aerial and hand larvicide update, among other items. (Wednesday, 7 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

PROBLEM GAMING PREVENTION: Department of Public Health's Office of Problem Gambling Services hosts its third annual Massachusetts Problem Gambling Conference, featuring two athletes who have spoken publicly about their own gambling problems: former Boston Celtics forward Antoine Walker and New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte. In the three years since the legalization of online sports betting in Massachusetts, treatment referrals to the Problem Gambling Helpline for residents in their 20s and 30s have increased from 140 in fiscal year 2022 to 300 in fiscal year 2024, DPH said. In 2025, 44% of high school students and 49% of middle school students reported engaging in some form of gambling over the last 12 months, according to the Massachusetts Youth Health Survey. DPH Commissioner Goldstein, Sen. Gomez and Rep. Gonzalez are among the other participants. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., MassMutual Center, 1277 Main St., Springfield)

UMASS AUDIT COMMITTEE: UMass Board of Trustees Audit and Risk Committee meets. They plan to discuss an internal audit report, an audit plan for fiscal year 2027, an enterprise risk management report and an independent external auditor report. (Wednesday, 8 a.m. | Agenda | Zoom)

MAIN STREET MATTERS: National Federation of Independent Business, Retailers Association of Massachusetts and Massachusetts Restaurant Association host the fourth event on their Main Street Matters Tour, focusing on high energy costs, health insurance premiums and the state's tax climate. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, 860 South St., Fitchburg)

WORCESTER FLAG DAY PLACEMENT: More than 165 volunteers from the Worcester County Sheriff's Office, Worcester County Reserve Deputy Sheriff's Association, East Side Post 201 of the American Legion, Main South Post 341, Civil Air Patrol and Blue Star Mothers of America gather to place over 5,000 American flags on veterans' graves ahead of Memorial Day. Programming will include a Memorial Day observance ceremony featuring the national anthem, posting of the colors, a blessing of the flags, and remarks from local leaders. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., St. John's Cemetery, 260 Cambridge Street, Worcester)

SENATE BUDGET DEBATE: Senate is expected to continue debate on the Ways and Means Committee's $63.3 budget plan for fiscal year 2027 and the 1,158 amendments filed to it. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Senate Chamber)

OB/GYN LOBBY DAY: Massachusetts Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists hosts an advocacy day to support bills to protect women's health and reproductive care, including access to abortions and data privacy. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Room 428)

UMASS ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE: UMass Board of Trustees' Administration and Finance Committee meets. The chair and president will both give reports, and the committee will vote to approve the university's fiscal year 2027 operating budget and allocate its state appropriation. The committee will also vote on approval of changes to the university's list of capital projects, related to the Worcester VA Outpatient Clinic on the UMass Chan Medical School campus. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda | Zoom)

NEWTON DEVELOPMENT: A topping-off ceremony is held at the first building of the Northland Newton Development, which organizers say is transforming 23 acres of "outdated" retail and industrial space. The development is poised to create 822 rental homes, including 145 affordable units, plus 96,000 square feet of retail space across nine buildings. Speakers include Newton Mayor Marc Lardo and Deputy Housing Secretary Jennifer Maddox. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., 285 Needham St., Newton Upper Falls)

HOUSE SESSION: House meets in a formal session. Roll calls are scheduled for 1 p.m. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)

MASSDOT INDUSTRIAL RAIL: MassDOT hosts an informational webinar for fiscal 2027 applications of the Industrial Rail Access competitive grant program. IRAP is a public/private partnership created by the Legislature in 2012 that combines funding to help eligible applicants invest in industry-based freight rail infrastructure improvement projects. The department will review program eligibility, the rolling application process and submission requirements during the webinar. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., Pre-registration is required at least 24 hours in advance to MassDOTIRAPProgram@dot.state.ma.us | More Info)

MASSDOT BOARD: MassDOT Board of Directors meets. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., 10 Park Plaza, MassDOT Board Room, Boston | More Info | Watch)

GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: Governor's Council meets and could take action on Gov. Healey's controversial nomination of Vincent DeMore to the Parole Board. More than 400 people signed onto a letter to the council opposing DeMore's professional background, while Healey says she's sticking with her nomination. The council could also confirm Thomas Trilla as clerk magistrate of the Northeast Housing Court. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)

MWRA BOARD: Mass. Water Resources Authority Board meets. Meeting begins with a convening of a committee of the whole for hearings on the draft fiscal 2027 capital improvement program and the agency's current budget. Regular board meeting follows, with an agenda that calls for a fiscal 2026 financial update, approval of an insurance renewal, and a vote on a sludge, scum and grit removal contract. (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., Deer Island reception/training building, 1st floor, 33 Tafts Ave., Boston | Agenda and Access Info)

LOBSTER WITH ASPARAGUS: Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight holds a hearing that includes two bills that aren't the Legislature's usual fare: H 5088 / S 3073 designating asparagus as the official vegetable of Massachusetts, and H 5335 establishing the American lobster as the state's official crustacean. The asparagus bill is an effort by students of Hadley Elementary School, where the vegetable is known as "Hadley grass" in recognition of the global reputation the Hampshire County farm town has gained for its crop. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room B-1 | More Info and Livestream)

NEW BEDFORD DTA ADVISORY BOARD: New Bedford Advisory Board of the Department of Transitional Assistance meets virtually. Agenda includes local updates from the DTA director and statewide updates from the DTA Advisory Board. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. | Agenda and Access)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY COUNCIL: Energy Efficiency Advisory Council holds a meeting. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. | Webinar Registration | More Info)

LYNNWAY MULTIMODAL MEETING: MBTA holds an open house in Marlblehead to discuss its ongoing project with the City of Lynn and Department of Conservation and Recreation to make the Lynnway corridor safer and more accessible to pedestrians, cyclists and bus riders. Officials will discuss their draft design and take feedback. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Marblehead Senior Center, 10 Humphrey St., Marblehead | More Info)

MIRA GALA: Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition hosts its annual "Give Liberty a Hand" gala. Attorney General Campbell, UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco and student immigration advocate Marcelo Gomes Da Silva will receive awards. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., BCA Cyclorama, 539 Tremont St., Boston)

ALLSTON MULTIMODAL TASK FORCE: Allston Multimodal Transportation Project Task Force meets. Following the rescission of a $327 million federal grant, MassDOT and the task force are reevaluating the project's scope and costs. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., MassDOT board Room, 2nd Floor, 10 Park Plaza, boston | More Info)

ALEWIFE BROOK PARKWAY MEETING: MassDOT holds a virtual public meeting about the bridge replacement project that carries the Alewife Brook Parkway over the MBTA Red Line tunnel. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. | More Info & Registration)

SHARON ROAD PROJECT: MassDOT holds a virtual hearing about proposed changes to Cottage Street in Sharon as part of the Safe Route to School project. (Wednesday, 7 p.m. | More Info & Registration)

Thursday, May 21, 2026

GROUP INSURANCE COMMISSION: Group Insurance Commission meets. Agenda TBA. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

MBTA AUDIT AND FINANCE: MBTA Audit and Finance Subcommittee meets. (Thursday, 9 a.m., State Transportation Building, 2nd Floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | More Info)

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

PRIM BOARD: Treasurer Goldberg chairs a meeting of the Massachusetts Pension Reserve Investment Board. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., More Info and Access)

PRENATAL SUBSTANCE EXPOSURE: Department of Public Health holds a public hearing on setting requirements for providers who deliver or care for infants with prenatal substance exposure. The regulations deal with perinatal screenings, identifying treatment and service needs, and reporting and data collection requirements. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m. | More Info and Access)

SENATE BUDGET DEBATE: Senate is expected to continue debate on the Ways and Means Committee's $63.3 budget plan for fiscal year 2027 and the 1,158 amendments filed to it. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Senate Chamber)

CCC MEETING: Cannabis Control Commission meets two days after Gov. Maura Healey’s deadline to appoint commission members. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Union Station at 2 Washington Square, Worcester | More Info and Access)

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

MBTA SAFETY, HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT: MBTA Safety, Health and Environment Subcommittee meets. (Thursday, 11 a.m., State Transportation Building, 2nd Floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | More Info)

LOTTERY COMMISSION: State Lottery Commission holds a public hearing on allowing products to be sold online through iLottery. After delays, the platform is expected to launch this summer, with revenues slated to fund early childhood education grants. Treasurer Deb Goldberg has said iLottery is expected to bring in $70 million net profits in the first year of operations and climb to nearly $360 million after a decade. (Thursday, 11 a.m. | More Info and Access)

YOUTH SPORTS: The special working group created in a 2024 economic development law to investigate the health impacts and financial challenges around youth sports holds a hearing to accept testimony. Among the topics the group is charged with investigating are: maximum participation hours per youth sport in a defined period of time; licensing of businesses and coaches, including licensing fees and the conditions under which any such licensing fee may be waived to promote access to participation; and standards for player safety, including concussion protocols and athletic trainer requirements. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Room 437 | More Info and Livestream | Working Group Roster)

EMBRACE BOSTON: Sen. Howard of Lowell is among a group of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander leaders being honored at an event held by Embrace Boston and Everyone250. The first Cambodian-American state senator in the U.S., Howard is being honored alongside Suzanne Lee, who led the 1975 Chinatown school boycott, and Helen Chin Schlichte, a public administrator who has served under 13 secretaries and 12 governors on Beacon Hill. (Thursday, 5 p.m., Embrace monument, Boston Common)

ELM EARTH NIGHT: Environmental League of Massachusetts hosts its annual Earth Night 2026 event, which organizers say is typically attended by more than 500 government officials, business leaders and environmental advocates. Recipients of Commonwealth Environmental Leadership Awards this year are Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Chrissy Lynch, who founded and leads Climate Jobs MA; Barr Foundation President Ali Noorani; and Vineyard Offshore CEO Alicia Barton. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Fenway Park | Register)

Friday, May 22, 2026

HOLY CROSS COMMENCEMENT: NCAA President Charlie Baker is the featured speaker as the College of the Holy Cross graduates its 180th class. Baker and Tim Garvin, president and CEO of the United Way of Central Massachusetts, will receive honola rary degrees during the commencement ceremony. (Friday, 10 a.m., DCU Center, Foster Street, Worcester)

COMMONWEALTH BUILDERS: Gov. Healey, Boston Mayor Wu and Housing Secretary Matias announce nearly $25 million in CommonWealth Builder awards for four projects that will create more than 100 affordable homes for first-time homebuyers in historically underserved communities. (Friday, 1:30 p.m., Outside of 27-29 Hancock St., Boston)

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