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With lawmakers miles away from their unfinished work on Beacon Hill, Gov. Maura Healey commanded the spotlight this week between bill signings and press conferences that more or less doubled as campaign events. With the gubernatorial race and down-ballot contests heating up, the governor on Monday left her mark on reproductive care access in the commonwealth. Healey signed a law, which legislators unexpectedly fast-tracked in the waning days of July, that removes barriers to abortion after 24 weeks of gestation.
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!
A less busy meeting week down to 5 from 14 meetings on the calendar. Like the humidity that seems to have gone for now, we can enjoy the lack thereof and the less busy week while they last.
The Cultural Council meets on Monday and among other things starts to discuss priorities for the next grant cycle, how would the funding be allocated?
The Design Review Commission is scheduled to meet virtually on Tuesday. Recall the hot item on the calendar was the Depot Plaza proposal which is being withdrawn and resubmitted to better align with the Planning Board timeline.
The Town Council holds their monthly office hours at the Senior Center on Thursday morning. Recall they expanded this option with a session at the Library, Saturday, August 15. They plan to add other locations and days/time of day to try and meet folks.
The 250th Celebration Events subcommittee meets on Thursday. The Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee has a meeting scheduled for Friday afternoon to allow for participation of as many members of the committee as possible at the Farmers Market table. Stop by and find out what they are planning!
On Wednesday, the monthly Conversation and Q&A I conduct at the Senior Center comes around at 11:00 AM. You can participate in person, or remotely, I provide an update on what has happened the past month and take your questions on what is on your mind.
Also of note: 2 Fallen Hero recognitions are scheduled for 9 AM on the 20th and 22th This approx. 5 minute 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.
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.
*** Event & Meeting schedule (with agendas) as of Town pages 8/14/26 7:30 PM ***
Franklin Cultural Council
Monday, August 17 Time: 7:00 PM
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08172026-2456
Design Review Meeting
Tuesday, August 18 Time: 7:00 PM
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08182026-2461
Town Council Monthly Office Hours
Thursday, August 20 Time: 8:30 AM
No agenda for this informal discussion
250th Anniversary Celebration Events Subcommittee Meeting
Thursday, August 20 Time: 7:00 PM
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08202026-2462
ZBA Meeting - No Meeting
Thursday, August 20
Franklin Public Schools Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee Meeting (Farmers Market)
Friday, August 21 Time: 2:00 PM
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08212026-2458
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*** Looking back at the week that was ***
Steve, looking back at 8/09 to 08/15
Town/ School meetings
The School Cmte Horace Mann Legacy Subcmte met on Mon Aug 10. The recap & exclusive audio - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/08/audio-recording-of-horace-mann-legacy.html
The Planning Board met on Monday, Aug 10. YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U5X9j_ytEs
The School Cmte Policy Subcmte met on Tuesday, Aug 11. the recap & exclusive audio is available
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/08/school-cmte-policy-subcommittee-reviews.html
The School Committee met on Tuesday, Aug 11
Recap and video link - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/08/school-committee-gets-multiple-updates.html
Town Council met in Executive Session for 4 hours and public meeting for about 10 minutes to vote on the updated contract for the Town Administrator
The recap including audio & video links as well as links to the current and prior contract https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/08/town-council-votes-to-approve-town_01711482811.html
The Joint Budget Subcmte met on Thursday. The recap and video link -
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/08/joint-budget-subcmte-in-healthy.html
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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
A voting reform that the Legislature did embrace and another one that lawmakers have left on the sidelines both come into play across Massachusetts in the days ahead. Saturday, Aug. 22 marks the beginning of early voting leading up to the Sept. 1 statewide primary elections. Early voting got underway here ten years ago after the Legislature and Gov. Deval Patrick agreed to the reform in 2014 as a way to boost turnout and make voting more convenient. It has worked in tandem with mail-in voting to give people more options. The Legislature over several sessions now has also declined to embrace another reform that supporters say would get more people involved and put a dent in low turnout elections. As a result, Saturday the 22nd is also the deadline to register to vote in the Sept. 1 primaries. Proposals to let potential voters register and vote during the early voting period or on Election Day itself have failed repeatedly. Reformers this election cycle opted to force the issue by advancing a ballot question and Question 4 will decide whether future voters will be able to register and cast their ballots in one fell swoop on Election Day. The week ahead means more waves of debates, TV and social media ads, and campaign mailers mixed in with the daily mail. Voters are already making primary election choices with mail-in ballots that will help determine the Republican gubernatorial nominee (Mike Minogue or Brian Shortsleeve), the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee (Ed Markey or Seth Moulton), and six contested Congressional primaries including the six-candidate field of Democrats in the open 6th Congressional District. While voters have few choices in some districts, there are also several bitterly contested district attorney primaries approaching and some tight down-ballot legislative primaries.
Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026
GOLDBERG AT FALMOUTH ROAD RACE: Treasurer Deb Goldberg attends the 54th ASICS Falmouth Road Race and presents prizes to the elite American runner winners. (Sunday, 8 a.m., The finish line is at 24 Central Park Ave., Falmouth)
CIVIC PARTICIPATION ON KELLER: Endicott College Center for Civic Participation Director Jason Galui and student Alexandra Pintone join political analyst Jon Keller's weekly talk show "Keller at Large" to discuss the program's efforts to boost voting and other forms of civic activism in a time of apathy and division. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)
MOULTON ON @ ISSUE: Congressman Seth Moulton joins NBC 10's weekly segment "@ Issue Sit Down." (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NBC 10)
WU ON THE RECORD: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joins WCVB's political talk show "On the Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB)
DRISCOLL IN WORCESTER: Lt. Gov. Driscoll attends the Worcester Puerto Rican Festival during a busy weekend of campaigning for herself and Gov. Healey. (Sunday, 2 p.m., Worcester Common, Worcester)
MERRIMACK VALLEY TOWN HALL: Merrimack Valley Project holds a People's Agenda Regional Town Hall. The event brings together residents, candidates and elected officials to discuss regional priorities. Among those attending are U.S. Senate candidates Democratic Congressman Seth Moulton, Republican John Deaton and Party for Socialism and Libertarian contender Joe Tache. Theodore Semesnyei, a Republican state Senate candidate, is also set to be there along with Democratic House candidates: attorney Stephen Roth; Lawrence City Councilor Celina Reyes; community organizer and former legislative aide Lorena Betts; scientist and biotech salesperson Harini Aiyer; former Lowell City Councilor John Drinkwater; and Rep. Tara Hong. (Sunday, 4 p.m. with doors opening at 3:30 p.m., Lawrence Elks Lodge #65 at 652 Andover St., Lawrence)
Monday, Aug. 17, 2026
JIMMY FUND RADIO-TELETHON: WEEI 93.7 FM and New England Sports Network, or NESN, begin a 36-hour broadcast of the Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon. The event is meant to raise funds for research and care provided by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. (Monday, 6 a.m., Fenway at 4 Jersey St., Boston | More Info)
POST COMMISSION: Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission holds a pre-conference hearing concerning Jacob Marini. (Monday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Zoom)
ICE "SHADOW HEARING": Congresswoman Katherine Clark and other Democrats hold a "shadow hearing" concerning the killing of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero by a federal immigration last month in Biddeford, Maine. Witnesses include Mayor Liam LaFountain and Ben Gideon, the legal representation for the Durán Guerrero family. (Monday, 11 a.m., Biddeford High School, 18 Maplewood Ave., Biddeford, Maine | Livestream)
SENATE: Senate meets. No formal session plans have been announced. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)
HOUSE: House meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., House Chamber | Livestream)
CADET PROGRAM INFO SESSION: Massachusetts State Police hosts a Cadet Program information session where people can meet current cadets, learn about the program and application process, and how to prepare for the Cadet Exam. (Monday, 1 p.m., 65 Boys & Girls Club Way, Worcester | More Info and Register)
SHEY PEDDY AT STATE HOUSE: Roxbury-born WNBA veteran Sheylani "Shey" Peddy joins state and local officials for an event honoring her "basketball accomplishments, perseverance, and strong ties to Massachusetts." After becoming Melrose High School's all-time leading scorer and playing at Wright State University and Temple University, Peddy was selected in the 2012 WNBA Draft. She made her WNBA debut in 2019 after playing professionally overseas. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Reps. Chris Worrell and Chyna Tyler, Boston City Councilor Brian Worrell, young women basketball players and youth basketball organizations from across Boston join. The city is slated to declare Aug. 18 "Shey Peddy Day" in recognition of her accomplishments, per Rep. Worrell's office. (Monday, 3 p.m., Grand Staircase)
CABO VERDEAN CULTURAL CENTER: Commission on Cabo Verdean Cultural Center meets virtually. Agenda includes a debrief of a site visit to the Cape Verdean Museum in Pawtucket, R.I. and updates from subcommittees including communications and outreach, survey and data collection tools, organizational development and history of culture. (Monday, 4 p.m. | Livestream)
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026
PRIM BOARD: Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management Board meets. The agenda includes reports from the executive director and chief investment officer. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Email boardmeeting@mapension.com for access | More Info)
MERIT RATING BOARD: Merit Rating Board of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles meets. Agenda includes an update from the board's director. (Tuesday, 11 a.m. | More Info and Register)
FAIRHAVEN REPUBLICANS: Fairhaven Republican Town Committee meets. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Fairhaven Council on Aging at 229 Huddleston Ave., Fairhaven)
DIZOGLIO IN LAWRENCE: Auditor Diana DiZoglio speaks at a meeting of the Lawrence City Council. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., 200 Common St #106, Lawrence)
THE SUN RETURN: The WNBA's Connecticut Sun return to TD Garden for the third consecutive season, where the team will play the Los Angeles Sparks. The Sun sold out the arena in 2024 and 2025 for their now-annual regular season game in Boston. Gov. Healey reiterated in early August that she is "not giving up" on helping get a WNBA franchise for Massachusetts after lots of support and unsuccessful efforts last year to relocate the Sun — which will move to Houston next year — to the Bay State. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., TD Garden)
GOLDBERG AT JIMMY FUND TELETHON: Treasurer Deb Goldberg presents a more than $176,000 check from the Unclaimed Property Division to The Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber during the second and final day of the 36-hour Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon. The telethon will be broadcast on WEEI 93.7 FM and New England Sports Network, or NESN. (Tuesday, 7:10 p.m., Fenway Park at 4 Jersey St., Boston)
DIZOGLIO IN SALISBURY: Auditor Diana DiZoglio speaks at a meeting of the Salisbury Beach Citizens for Change. (Tuesday, 7:45 p.m., Blue Ocean Music Hall, 4 Ocean Front N, Salisbury)
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026
GAMING COMMISSION: Massachusetts Gaming Commission holds an agenda setting meeting. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Livestream)
DIZOGLIO AT COCCHI'S COOKOUT: Auditor Diana DiZoglio attends Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi's annual cookout. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Springfield Elks Lodge #61, 440 Tiffany St, Springfield)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Energy Efficiency Advisory Council meets. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. | More Info and Register)
WESTMINSTER DEMOCRATS: Westminster Democratic Town Committee meets. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Community Senior Center at 69 W Main St., Westminster)
NEW BEDFORD REPUBLICANS: New Bedford Republican City Committee meets. GOP lieutenant governor candidate Shawn Oliver chairs the committee. The committee has invited all Republicans running for statewide office and those seeking a state representative seat covering the city, according to a Facebook post. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Whaler Inn & Suites at 500 Hathaway Rd, New Bedford)
BILLERICA REPUBLICANS: Billerica Republican Town Committee meets. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., 1st floor conference room of Billerica Town Hall at 365 Boston Rd., Billerica)
Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026
DPU TRANSPORTATION OVERSIGHT: Department of Public Utilities' Transportation Oversight Division holds hearings on applications for carrier certification. (Thursday, 9 a.m., One South Station, Third floor | More Info and Zoom)
HOUSE: The House is expected to meet in an informal session. (Thursday, Time TBD, House Chamber)
SENATE: The Senate is expected to meet. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING: MassDOT Office of Outdoor Advertising meets. (Thursday, 11 a.m. | More Info and Register)
BROWNSBERGER-LANDER DEBATE: Sen. Brownsberger debates primary challenger Daniel Lander, hosted by the Charles River Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber said the debate will focus on economic development, housing, workforce and nonprofit issues, and more general topics may also be discussed. Brownsberger is the highest-ranked incumbent in the Legislature facing a primary challenge this cycle, and the race has drawn a lot of attention, in part because Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is backing Lander. The race is seen as a referendum on whether voters in the Suffolk and Middlesex District share the mayor's frustration with the Legislature's status quo. The debate was scheduled for earlier this month but was postponed. (Thursday, 1 p.m. | Zoom Registration)
GAMING COMMISSION HEARING: Massachusetts Gaming Commission convenes an adjudicatory hearing relative to individual qualifier Erik Bradbury. (Thursday, 1 p.m. | More Info and Livestream)
PROVINCETOWN CARNIVAL: Gov. Healey serves as the Honorary Grand Marshal for the Provincetown Carnival parade, the first time a sitting governor has received the honor. It will be the largest parade in its 48-year history, according to the Provincetown Business Guild. Healey is being honored alongside the Provincetown-based nonprofit Center For Coastal Studies. The 2026 "Deep Sea Disco"-themed parade will begin at 3 p.m. and travel west down the town's Commercial Street. (Thursday, 3 p.m., Provincetown)
HANSON REPUBLICANS: Hanson Republican Town Committee meets. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Olde Hitching Post at 48 Spring St., Hanson)
BROCKTON REPUBLICANS: Brockton Republican Town Committee meets. There will be an executive board meeting at 6 p.m., followed by ward meetings at 6:30 p.m. where attendees can discuss happenings in their wards and an information session at 7 p.m. (Thursday, 6 p.m., 235 East Ashland St., Brockton)
HAMILTON AND WENHAM DEMOCRATS: Hamilton and Wenham Democratic Town Committees meet to discuss how to enable more remote participation for open town meetings. Wayland Town Clerk Trudy Cross Reid and chair of Wayland's Select Board Dave Bernstein are set to attend. Other local town officials have been invited, according to organizers. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Hamilton-Wenham Public Library at 14 Union St., Hamilton | More Info and Sign-up)
MARSHFIELD DEMOCRATS: Marshfield Democratic Town Committee meets. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Phillips Conference Room in Ventress Memorial Library at 15 Library Plaza, Marshfield)
ORANGE LINE TRAIN SERVICE SUSPENSION: In another major service disruption, an 11-day suspension of MBTA Orange Line service begins between Oak Grove and Back Bay, a span of 13 stations. Regular service is set to resume Aug. 31. The MBTA said free shuttle buses will run between Oak Grove and North Station during the service suspension along with express shuttle bus service available at Oak Grove, Malden Center, Wellington and North Station. All shuttle buses are accessible for riders with disabilities. The MBTA is advising riders using shuttle buses to budget extra travel time, for example, someone traveling to Downtown Crossing from Oak Grove should expect to add at least another 70 minutes to their normal commute. During the service suspension, MBTA plans to conduct regular and planned upgrades to tracks and signals. (Thursday | More Info)
Friday, Aug. 21, 2026
USS CONSTITUTION UNDERWAY: USS Constitution gets underway from the Charlestown Navy Yard. While underway, the Constitution will perform a 21-gun salute off Fort Independence on Castle Island around 11:30 a.m. This will be followed by a 17-gun salute as the ship passes the U.S. Coast Guard Base Boston, which is the former site of Edmund Hartt's Shipyard where the USS Constitution was built and launched in 1797. The Constitution, which is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and served from 1797 to 1855, played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812. The underway will be visible from the Boston Harborwalk, Castle Island and Charlestown Navy Yard. The ship will reopen for public tours at 3 p.m. after returning to port. (Friday, 10 a.m., Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston)
UNEMPLOYMENT, JOBS DATA: July unemployment and job estimates are scheduled to be released. Payroll jobs increased by 8,400 in June and the unemployment rate in Massachusetts stands at 4.4%. (Friday)
Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026
VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Deadline to register to vote in the Sept. 1 primary elections. The deadline to register is the same day early voting begins. The deadline is 10 days before the primary election. Former Gov. Baker signed a law in 2022 reducing the voter registration deadline prior to an election from 20 days to 10, in an effort to expand access to the ballot. A question on the Nov. 3 general election ballot would change that further — enabling people to register and vote on election day. The main proponent is Secretary of State William Galvin, who pushed the petition onto the ballot after lawmakers repeatedly declined to take it up over multiple sessions. The Legislature had the option to pass the same-day registration law, which would have allowed people to register right up through the primary election this year on Sept. 1, including at the polls, but since they didn't act, the registration blackout periods will remain in place for the 2026 elections. It's now up to the voters in November instead. (Saturday, Aug. 22)
EARLY VOTING BEGINS: Early voting for the Sept. 1 Primary Election begins across Massachusetts and continues through Friday, Aug. 28. Voters can cast their ballots at any early voting location in the city or town where they're registered to vote, per Secretary of State William Galvin's website. At least one early voting site will be provided in each community. (Saturday, Aug. 22 | Early Voting Dates and Locations)
