Franklin Town MA
9-20-2026 4:06am

People, Power, and Politcs

The Supreme Judicial Court affirmed Friday a lower court's decision to dismiss Marshfield's challenge of a state housing production law as an unfunded mandate imposed on municipalities by the Legislature.
 The controversial 2021 MBTA Communities zoning law is intended to spur development of housing in more than 170 cities and towns that host or are adjacent to MBTA service by requiring those communities to adopt at least one zone where multi-family housing is allowed by right. Marshfield, which sits just south of the southern end of the Greenbush commuter rail line, sued the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities arguing that adopting the zoning mandated by the law forced it to absorb significant "incurred costs and expenses in evaluating and drafting proposed zoning bylaws and presenting them to Town Meeting."

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!

7 meetings on tap this week leading to the Farmers Market (Fri) and Harvest Festival (Sat).

On Monday, the Conservation Commission does a site walk to view in person the property where proposed work would encroach on wetlands. This is prior to their discussion on the proposal for their normal scheduled Thursday meeting.

Also Monday, the Housing Authority and the Library Board of Directors conduct their regular monthly sessions.

Tuesday, the School Committee gets the school level details on the Improvement Plan that go the District view of in their prior meeting. Both the District and School Improvement plans are up for vote at this session.

On Wednesday, the Finance Committee elects their leadership (Chair, Vice-Chair, and Clerk). Michelle Monsegur, Deputy Town Administrator is formally introduced to the Committee. Word is that she will be taking the lead on the financial aspects of the Town Administrator's Office, allowing Jamie to do other items around planning and economic development.

This is the Finance Cmte’s first meeting since June. They get to review the 5 year and fiscal plan for FY 2028 that the Joint Budget subcommittee got to see in August.

The previously mentioned Conservation Commission meeting closes out the meeting week on Thursday. Friday features the Farmers Market, and Saturday is the 24th Annual Harvest Festival. Main St from the triangle/railroad bridge through to School St is closed to traffic for this event full of vendors, organizations, live entertainment, and food & refreshments.

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 9/18/26 4:00 PM ***

9/21/26 Conservation Commission Site Walk at 78 Populatic

Monday, September 21 Time: 1:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09212026-2516

Franklin Housing Authority

Monday, September 21 Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09212026-2502

Library Board of Directors Regular Meeting

Monday, September 21 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09212026-2514

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, September 22 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09222026-2519

Council on Aging Board Meeting

Wednesday, September 23 Time: 11:00 AM

No agenda at this time

Finance Committee Meeting

Wednesday, September 23 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09232026-2522

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, September 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09242026-2521

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

Town/ School meetings

  • The Town Council met for more than 4 hours on Wednesday. Zoom restarted on its own creating 2 YouTube videos. Temporarily, the Studio is working to replace them with a complete one.

Part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yU90Rl52sE

Part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v6EpsdI8dY

FHS Sports broadcasts

All Access programming

Franklin Matters

—-----------

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

By pushing major decisions deeper into the two-year session, Gov. Maura Healey's Democratic allies in the Legislature have two options in front of them: Give the governor a series of legislative wins that they can collectively promote before the Nov. 3 election or wait to hear from the voters first, and then act. Their choices likely hinge to some extent on the topics before them. Lawmakers could add a talking point to their reelection campaigns, and the governor's, by coming up with energy affordability and primary care access bills sooner rather than later. Their plans to open up access to public records of the Legislature and the governor's office, on the other hand, have received mixed reviews. Lawmakers may want to wait until after voters decide Question 1 before conference committee members decide how to proceed with the bills approved by the House and Senate (H 5469, S 3244), unless they want to make their position clear before the will of the voters is known. There are nine ballot questions this year and lawmakers have 12 major bills pending before conference committees, and together the agendas could lead to nearly two dozen important laws over the next four months. Jobs and economic development, data privacy and investments in public higher education -- all potentially popular campaign trail topics -- remain hung up in conference committees as the current Legislature has adopted new rules giving them this whole year to reach agreements. Based on their activity levels since embarking July 31 on a summer recess, lawmakers have made it clear that they are in no hurry because they gave themselves a new deadline. Fall begins Tuesday and legislators are expected back at some point to pass spending bills to close the books on fiscal 2026. It's possible they may tee up a few conference committee packages for votes at those budgeting sessions to limit the number of times legislators will need to leave their campaigns and return to the State House. They'll come back aware that everything they do and say during election season sessions can be used for and against them in the court of public opinion. House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz said he's waiting for a "definitive number" from Healey's office about how much surplus fiscal 2026 revenue will be available for closeout budget appropriations — and how much of that will derive from the income surtax. "I think a large component of it will be still surtax or cap gains, as well," Michlewitz told the News Service on Thursday. "But I do think, unlike maybe some previous years, we had stronger sales tax and non-surtax income tax numbers vis-a-vis our budget projections than we've had in the last couple of years. So it's not just going to be all surtax, from what I've been kind of led to believe."

Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026

JAMES ON KELLER: Independent candidate for governor Andrea James joins political analyst Jon Keller on his weekly talk show "Keller at Large" to discuss housing policy, government accountability and her work with formerly incarcerated women. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)

KOH ON THE RECORD: Democratic candidate for the 6th Congressional District Dan Koh joins WCVB's weekly political talk show "On the Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB)

HEALEY AT 'YES ON 9' RALLY: Gov. Healey joins elected officials, union members and campaign supporters at a "Yes on 9" campaign rally. A "yes" vote on Question 9 would preserve the state's 2024 gun reform law, which increased the regulation of firearms including ghost guns, machine guns and assault-style weapons. Proponents call the law "lifesaving." A "no" vote would repeal the law, which opposition committee Civil Rights Coalition says "was signed into law with sweeping mandates that turn law-abiding citizens into criminals overnight and force honest citizens to reapply for rights they’ve held for decades to comply with confusing, burdensome rules that violate due process and privacy." Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts President Jessica Tang, and Yes on 9 For a Safe Massachusetts Chair Ruth Zakarin will attend. Doors open at 11:15 a.m. Media is encouraged to RSVP to harry@ninetywest.com. (Sunday, 11:45 a.m., Boston Teachers Union Hall, 180 Mt Vernon Street, Dorchester)

Monday, Sept. 21, 2026

BOSTON EARLY CHILDHOOD: Paula Gaviria Villarreal, director of the Boston Mayor's Office of Early Childhood, shares an update during Strategies for Children's 9:30 Call. (Monday, 9:30 a.m. | Register)

COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENT: Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government begins accepting written testimony on nine bills affecting Danvers, Stow, Ludlow, Hopedale, Becket, Hull, Tisbury, Belmont and Dighton. A Rep. Davis proposal (H 5641) would enable Becket to impose a six-month moratorium on large-scale photovoltaic installations and battery energy storage systems. Testimony will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Sept. 28. (Monday, 10 a.m. | More Info)

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

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

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS: House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs meets and discusses the National Conference of State Legislatures' summit, which was held in Chicago at the end of July. House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz was among the attendees. (Monday, 1 p.m., Room 437 | More Info)

Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026

WATERFRONT FOR ALL SUMMIT: Boston Harbor Now and the Coalition for a Resilient and Inclusive Waterfront hold the Waterfront for All Summit. The summit will include a keynote address, new data, skill-building sessions meant to help attendees improve their work and connections and a look ahead at how communities can collaborate to ensure more residents can access the region's waterfront. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Boston Children's Museum at 308 Congress St., Boston | More Info and Registration)

MASS DIGITAL GOVERNMENT SUMMIT: The 2026 Massachusetts Digital Government Summit commences with opening remarks from Technology Services and Security Secretary Jason Snyder. The summit will bring together public sector leaders for sessions touching on topics like cybersecurity, AI and data governance. Speakers include AI Leadership Institute Founder and Chief AI Officer Noelle Russell, MassHealth COO Elizabeth LaMontagne, Microsoft State Government Affairs Director Aimee Sprung, Chief Information Officer for Judicial Information Services at the Massachusetts Trial Court Steven Duncan, and IBM Principal Product Manager Suresh Soundararajan. Registration begins at 8 a.m. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center, 415 Summer Street, Boston | More Info and Agenda)

BOARD OF EDUCATION: Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meets for the first time since its summer recess and is set to learn the 2026 MCAS results, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Education Secretary Stephen Zrike will discuss the governor's appointments to the Foundation Budget Review Commission. The board plans to vote on its vice chair and discuss the appointment of board committees for the school year. Members will also discuss the new early literacy law and a strategic plan update. Board members will also discuss and vote on a salary adjustment "consistent with state law," per the agenda. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. | Agenda | Livestream)

GREENFIELD WI-FI: Greenfield Housing Authority celebrates the launch of high-speed Wi-Fi services, which will remain free for at least two years, throughout its properties. Rep. Whipps is set to attend. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Elm Terrace Community Room at 1 Elm Terrace, Greenfield)

FIREARM CONTROL: Firearm Control Advisory Board meets. Agenda includes a discussion of pending regulations tied to the 2024 gun reform law, which is up for a repeal vote on the statewide ballot this November. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 200 Arlington St., Chelsea | More Info)

MUNI POLICE: Municipal Police Training Committee holds hearings on appeals from former student officers Tesire McClain and Sodna Jules on their dismissals from the Boston Police Academy, as well as from Lukas Horn on his revoked instructor certification. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 42 Thomas Patten Drive, Randolph | Access)

MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETS SUICIDE AWARENESS: The Executive Office of Veteran Services sponsors the first annual Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Memorial Hall)

NEWBURYPORT CROSSING PHASE III: Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana Matias gives remarks at a groundbreaking ceremony for Newburyport Crossing Phase III, a project that's expected to produce 92 mixed-income apartments in a four-story building. Newburyport Mayor Sean Reardon and others also give remarks. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 168 Route 1, Newburyport)

LOTTERY COMMISSION: Lottery Commission meets. Treasurer Goldberg chairs the meeting. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., For access contact gpolin@masslottery.com)

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB SUMMIT FOR MASSACHUSETTS YOUTH: Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs host its first Summit for Massachusetts Youth. The event is meant to give kids who are part of clubs an opportunity to interact with lawmakers. Reps. Arriaga, Ryan and Madaro and Sen. Gomez are set to participate in a panel discussion with more than 100 kids, alumni and staff. After the panel, Sen. Velis will deliver a keynote address during a luncheon in the Great Hall. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)

AI IN HEALTHCARE: Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association holds an event about navigating AI's role in healthcare. Dr. Rebecca Mishuris, chief health information officer at Mass General Brigham, is the featured speaker. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | Register)

PROTECT ACT: Office for Refugees and Immigrants and Attorney General Campbell's office host an information session about the PROTECT Act, focused on resources and policies for early education programs that are licensed and funded by the Department of Early Education and Care. "The law intends to ensure that children and families can continue to access early education and care programs without fear that those settings will be used to carry out civil immigration arrests," organizers say. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | Register)

COMPTROLLER ADVISORY BOARD: Advisory Board to the Comptroller meets. Items on the agenda include proposed changes to Comptroller regulations, and the Comptroller’s compensation. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Agenda and Access Info)

BPS FUNDRAISING: Boston City Council holds a hearing on private fundraising in Boston Public Schools, called by City Councilor Julia Mejia, to examine transparency, accountability, equity, and oversight of private fundraising, school-affiliated nonprofit organizations, and privately held funds that support BPS. Speakers include former New York City Council member Mark Treyger, a Democrat who led the council's education committee, and Pamela Leins, executive director of the Boston Education Development Fund. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., More Info)

BLUE HILL AVE: MBTA and city of Boston host an informational meeting on an updated design for the Blue Hill Avenue Transportation Action Plan. Attendees can review the project design block by block, and provide feedback on parking regulations, street lighting, green space, and support for small businesses. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Mattapan Branch Library, 1350 Blue Hill Ave., Mattapan)

HAMPSHIRE CAMPUS ZONING: Town of Amherst holds a listening session, with a presentation and discussion, on zoning options for the Hampshire College campus property, part of a town study to develop new zoning for the site. The study is examining developable land, infrastructure capacity, housing demand, and economic development opportunities, with the goal of proposing new zoning in January or February 2027. Registration is required. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Road, Amherst | Register)

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026

SALEM CLIMATE CONFERENCE: Salem and the Preservation in a Changing Climate Committee hold the sixth annual Preservation in a Changing Climate Conference. The conference focuses on strategies to help reduce climate change and make historic buildings, landscapes and neighborhoods more resilient. There will be case studies, conversations, presentations and lunch. (Wednesday, 8:15 a.m., Peabody Essex Museum's Morse Auditorium, 16 Essex St., Salem | More Info and Registration)

AG LAND: Agricultural Lands Preservation Committee meets. Members will discuss the Agricultural Preservation Restriction program, which aims to protect farmland. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE: Economic Assistance Coordinating Council meets. Agenda items include proposed Economic Development Incentive Program projects, as well as applications for a vacant storefront program. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, 1075 Main St., Waltham | Zoom)

MUNI POLICE: Municipal Police Training Committee meets. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 42 Thomas Patten Drive, Randolph | Agenda and Access)

CULTURAL DIVERSITY DAY: Rep. Jeffrey Turco sponsors Cultural Diversity Day. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Great Hall and Grand Staircase)

SPILKA AT MASS TAXPAYERS: Senate President Spilka gives closed-press remarks at a Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation Trustees meeting. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., UMass Club, 1 Beacon St., Boston)

HEALTHCARE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE: Conference committee resolving bills that aim to prevent violence against healthcare workers meets for the second time. House and Senate negotiators must decide whether to classify assaults against providers as a felony or misdemeanor offense. Rep. Michael Day of Stoneham and Sen. Cindy Friedman of Arlington are the lead negotiators. Friedman told the News Service Thursday the work is going "good" and that "we're talking with each other." (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Room 348)

GOLDBERG @ BIG E: Treasurer Goldberg visits the Massachusetts State Exposition Building at the Big E, including stops at the Massachusetts State Lottery booth and the Massachusetts Unclaimed Property booth. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield)

MASSDOT BOARD: Department of Transportation Board meets. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., State Transportation Building, 2nd Floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | Livestream)

MWRA BOARD: Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Board of Directors meets, with an update scheduled from the preliminary screening committee conducting the search for a new executive director. Board members are also set to weigh approval of a solar canopy system at the Deer Island Treatment Plant and renewal of the water supply continuation agreement with Ashland. Correspondence to the board includes a letter from a Town of Oakham assessor regarding a proposed battery storage facility and a proposal to increase the Quabbin Reservoir draw by 20 million gallons a day, along with Town of Norwood comments on the draft updated combined sewer overflow control plan. A security update is slated for executive session. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Favaloro Meeting Room, Deer Island Reception/Training Building, 33 Tafts Ave., Boston | More Info | Virtual Access)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Energy Efficiency Advisory Council meets. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. | Register)

LIFE SCIENCES: Massachusetts Life Sciences Center's Board of Directors meets. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., 1075 Main St., Suite 300, Waltham | More Info)

RTAG: Riders' Transportation Access Group meets for an advisory meeting on The RIDE. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Virtual)

WORCESTER ECONOMIC CLUB: Worcester Economic Club kicks off its new season and welcomes new president Mike Lavoie with a networking event. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., Off the Rails, 90 Commercial St., Worcester)

SOUTHAMPTON SCHOOL: MassDOT holds a design public hearing to discuss a proposed project to bolster traffic safety and make pedestrian improvements to encourage safe walking and biking for students at William E. Norris School. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., 34 Pomeroy Meadow Road, Southampton | More Info)

WOMEN IN HEALTHCARE: Three Massachusetts healthcare executives and Health Undersecretary Amy Rosenthal discuss community health and the policy issues shaping healthcare at a panel presented by the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus. Joining Rosenthal are Aimee Brewer, president and CEO of Sturdy Health; Rozanna Penney, president and CEO of Heywood Healthcare; and Cheryl Bartlett, president and CEO of the New Bedford Community Health Center. Lauren Peters, president of the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus, moderates, and a networking reception begins at 5:30 p.m. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., UMass Club, 1 Beacon St., 32nd floor, Boston | Register)

QUINCY SHORE DRIVE: Department of Conservation and Recreation presents a report with strategies for reducing flooding along Quincy Shore Drive. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Central Middle School, 875 Hancock St., Quincy | More Info)

Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026

AI IN HEALTHCARE POLICY FORUM: Massachusetts Association of Health Plans and ForHealth Consulting at UMass Chan Medical School host a policy forum titled "AI in Health Care — Innovation, Governance, and the Future of Responsible AI." Discussions will cover "the rapid pace of AI innovation, strategies for building trust through governance and transparency, the role of AI in improving health outcomes and affordability, collaboration across the health care ecosystem, and the emerging state and federal policy landscape," according to MAHP. Registration and breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m. Speaking program begins at 9 a.m. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., UMass Club - Amherst Room, 1 Beacon Street, 32nd Floor, Boston | Register)

AIM ECONOMIC OUTLOOK: Associated Industries of Massachusetts hosts its 2026 economic outlook, where more than 200 business leaders, policymakers and professionals are "expected to explore the trends shaping Massachusetts and the national economy," according to AIM. PNC Financial Chief Economist Gus Faucher will deliver the keynote address and then join a panel discussion with Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Juana Matias; Schneider Electric Research Institute Vice President Dr. Thomas Kwan; and The Berkshire Black Economic Council President & Executive Director A.J. Enchill. Program begins at 10 a.m. Press is asked to RSVP to cover the event. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Schneider Electric, 115 Federal St., Boston)

MWRA ADVISORY BOARD: Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Advisory Board holds a virtual meeting. Agenda includes discussion of priorities for fiscal 2027 from Interim MWRA Executive Director Steve Estes-Smargiassi, Advisory Board Executive Director Matthew Romero, Wastewater Advisory Committee Executive Director Andreae Downs and Water Supply Citizens Advisory Committee Executive Director Moussa Siri. Board members will also vote on the 2027 executive committee. There will be an update and discussion on the ongoing CSO planning process, updates on legislative developments, and reports from the executive, finance and operations committees. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Register)

CCC MEETING: Cannabis Control Commission holds a public meeting where commissioners are set to discuss regulatory changes required under a new law overhauling the state's cannabis industry. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Union Station at 2 Union Square, Worcester | More Info and Access)

MBTA BOARD: MBTA Board of Directors meets. (Thursday, 10 a.m., State Transportation Building, 2nd Floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston)

RETIREMENT BOARD: State Retirement Board meets. Treasurer Goldberg chairs the meeting. (Thursday, 10 a.m., For access email MSRBCommunications@tre.state.ma.us)

LATINO EXCELLENCE ON THE HILL: Rep. Andy Vargas sponsors Latino Excellence on the Hill 2026. Senate President Spilka gives remarks. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Great Hall and Grand Staircase)

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)

HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION: HPC Advisory Council will discuss current and future health planning initiatives, following a presentation from the HPC’s new Office of Health Resource Planning. (Thursday, 12 p.m., Livestream)

MASS CULTURAL COUNCIL GRANTS BRIEF: Mass Cultural Council will brief legislators, staff and interns on the available grant programs it's offering creative individuals, cultural organizations, youth arts programs and communities throughout the cultural sector during fiscal 2027. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Room 428)

FUTURE OF MOBILITY: Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce hosts "Innovation and the Future of Mobility" featuring MIT Mobility Initiative Executive Director John Moavenzadeh, who the chamber said will share "insights into the global trends reshaping transportation and what they could mean for Massachusetts the broader U.S. transportation landscape." Moavenzadeh will then join chamber CEO Jim Rooney for a fireside chat. The chamber said the conversation will also cover how innovations like autonomous vehicles, robotaxies, electrification and micromobility can be deployed at scale while earning public trust, and why public perceptions of emerging technologies may influence policy decisions, investment strategies and adoption. Media should RSVP to cbaines@bostonchamber.com and mholloway@bostonchamber.com. (Thursday, 4:30 p.m., Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, 265 Franklin Street, Suite 1701, Boston | More Info and Register)

HIGHER ED: Department of Higher Education's Student Advisory Council meets. (Thursday, 4:30 p.m. | More Info)

NORTH CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS CHAMBER RECEPTION: North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce hosts its 2026 Legislative and Candidates Reception. Among dozens of local and state officials who plan to attend are Sens. Cronin, Eldridge and Kennedy, Reps. Higgins, Kilcoyne, Kushmerek and Scarsdale, Fitchburg Mayor Squailia, and Worcester County Sheriff Evangelidis. Others who plan to attend include GOP U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton, GOP candidate for secretary of state Anne Brensley, and GOP treasurer candidate Elizabeth Dionne. (Thursday, 5 p.m., Chocksett Inn, 59 Laurelwood Road, Sterling | More Info and Register)

HAMPSHIRE ZONING WORKSHOP: Town of Amherst holds a design workshop with interactive activities to refine ideas for how new zoning of the Hampshire College campus property could support the town's housing, economic, and community goals. Organizers say no prior knowledge of zoning is needed, and registration is required. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Road, Amherst | Register)

ALLSTON MULTIMODAL PROJECT: Allston Multimodal Transportation Project Task Force meets. (Thursday, 6 p.m., MassDOT Board Room, 2nd floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | Zoom)

QUINCY SHORE DRIVE: Department of Conservation and Recreation hosts a virtual meeting on its report for reducing flooding along Quincy Shore Drive. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m. | Zoom)

Friday, Sept. 25, 2026

CONSALVO VISITS NEW MISSION SCHOOL: Rep. Consalvo visits Hyde Park's New Mission School as part of Boston Partners in Education's career exploration initiative, the Pathfinders Program. Consalvo plans to meet with eighth grade civics and history students at 9 a.m. and then join co-heads of school Loughran and Cutler for a tour and discussion about school priorities and community partnerships. (Friday, 8:45 a.m., New Mission School, Hyde Park)

HUMAN-CENTRIC AI HEALTHCARE SUMMIT: Massachusetts Health Council hosts the Human-Centric AI Summit: Shaping the Future of Equitable Healthcare as "AI technology is rapidly accelerating across health care, and 63% of healthcare organizations are operating WITHOUT an AI governance policy in place," MHC said. The summit is part of Boston AI Week, and will "explore promises and pitfalls of AI in healthcare and centering the most vulnerable patients as AI governance is shaped and developed." The event is supported by Sanofi, Johnson & Johnson, Takeda, the Massachusetts AI Hub and the Massachusetts eHealth Institute at the MassTech Collaborative, the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, New England College of Optometry and Point32Health. “AI is now the norm, not the exception. As Beacon Hill lawmakers craft AI regulation, MHC is stepping up to convene leaders for honest conversations about the role of AI and how it will impact those using the technology across healthcare," MHC CEO Angela Ortiz said. The first panel of the day covers the "Promises and Pitfalls of AI in Healthcare" and features Codman Square Health Center CMO Renee Crichlow, The Loop Lab Founder, CEO and Instructor Rev. Chris Hope, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable JD Chesloff, MIT Clinical Research Director Leo Anthony Celi, and Mass General Brigham Chief Privacy Officer Melissa Bateman Fitzgerald. A second panel covers "Addressing Human Needs in AI Implementation." (Friday, 9 a.m., MIT Media Lab, 75 Amherst Street, Cambridge | Register)

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Transportation accepts written testimony on a Rep. Soter proposal designating an Uxbridge roundabout in honor of Stephen LaPorta. The Uxbridge police officer was killed in the line of duty in January. (Friday, 9 a.m. | More Info)

HUMAN SERVICES RALLY: The Caring Force, the grassroots advocacy branch of the Providers' Council, hosts a Metro Boston rally where human services workers and advocates will gather to support the council's "pro-human services workforce agenda and spotlight the sector's ongoing workforce crisis" and "demand increased funding and fair wages for human services workers," according to the council. Sen. Nick Collins and Reps. Worrell, Livingstone, John Moran and Fluker-Reid will join a legislative panel. The force's legislative priorities include bills that would increase wages for human services workers (S 130, H 223) and create a student loan repayment program for human services workers (S 119, H 283). (Friday, 9:30 a.m., WORK Inc. Headquarters, 25 Beach Street, Dorchester | RSVP)

USS CONSTITUTION UNDERWAY: The USS Constitution will get underway and sail in honor of Gold Star Families. The ship will render a 21-gun salute off Fort Independence on Castle Island at approximately 11:30 a.m. and then a 17-gun salute as it passes U.S. Coast Guard Base Boston where the ship was built and launched in 1797. (Friday, 10 a.m., Underway will be visible from the Boston Harborwalk, Castle Island and the Charlestown Navy Yard)

SOUTH SHORE VOC-TECH: South Shore Regional Vocational Technical High School breaks ground on its new school. Treasurer Goldberg plans to attend. (Friday, 10 a.m., 476 Webster St., Hanover)

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH: Gov. Maura Healey's office sponsors a Hispanic Heritage Month event. (Friday, 4 p.m., Grand Staircase)

BMC NEGOTIATIONS: Bargaining session is held with Boston Medical Center management and nurses represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. Nearly 90% of 2,000 nurses voted to authorize a strike this month over stalled contract negotiations. A 10-day notice is required before any hospital strike. (Friday)

Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026

WARNOCK IN WORCESTER: U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat and senior pastor of Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church, delivers the keynote address at the annual meeting of the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ, a mainline Protestant denomination. In-person tickets or a livestream link are $35, and doors open at 3:30 p.m. A media availability with Warnock is scheduled for 9:45 a.m., before and during a youth meet-and-greet. Contact press@libertysquaregroup.com for credentials. (Saturday, Sept. 26, 4 p.m., DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester | Register)

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