Franklin Lands $30,000 State Grant for Hazard Planning
Franklin has been awarded a $30,000 state grant to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan in partnership with the neighboring town of Bellingham, a joint planning effort town officials say will help both communities better prepare for extreme weather and other emergencies.
TOWN HALL
The Massachusetts grant will fund a regional update to Franklin and Bellingham's Hazard Mitigation Plans, according to the town's News & Highlights page. Hazard Mitigation Plans are used by municipalities to identify natural hazard risks — flooding, severe storms, drought — and to qualify for certain state and federal disaster-relief and infrastructure funding, making the update a routine but consequential piece of long-term town planning.
Separately, Franklin officials confirmed that DelCarte Ponds will undergo aquatic vegetation treatment on Thursday, July 30, part of an ongoing effort to control nuisance vegetation in town waterways, with related water-use restrictions remaining in effect — a story the town's News Flash also covered earlier this week.
The town also continues to promote its Community Choice Power Supply Program, under which eligible Basic Service electric customers will receive enrollment and opt-out information by mail in the coming weeks.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Carol Mary Foster Obituary (2026) - Franklin, MA - Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin - Legacy": A death notice for Franklin resident Carol Mary Foster was published through Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin, according to a Legacy.com listing surfaced via Google Alerts. Full arrangement details are available through the funeral home's listing (read it at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/carol-foster-obituary?id=62079171).
COMING UP
Franklin Public Library's regular Friday programming continues July 31, including Political Discussion, Diamond Art, T.O.P.S., Simply Fit ($4), Knitting Group, and the children's Bubble Buddies! session, according to the library's community calendar.
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.