Franklin Food Pantry Served Record 2,411 Residents in Fiscal 2026
FRANKLIN — A Franklin food pantry served a record 2,411 residents in fiscal 2026, the Milford Daily News reported Friday, as the town also promoted a longtime firefighter to captain and opened applications for a preservation committee seat. Franklin Fire Department named Mike Berthiaume captain this week, and residents can tour the town's new PFAS water treatment facility later this month.
TOWN HALL
Franklin Fire Department announced this week that it has promoted Mike Berthiaume to the rank of captain, a personnel move the department highlighted in a town news release.
The town's Community Preservation Committee is seeking volunteers to fill two Citizen-at-Large seats, according to a town announcement. Residents interested in helping decide how Franklin spends its preservation funds are encouraged to apply.
The town also carried out its previously announced invasive aquatic vegetation treatment at the DelCarte Recreation and Conservation Area ponds Friday, following through on the schedule the News Flash feed first announced earlier in the week.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
Franklin Public Library's book sale and bag sale both open Saturday, August 15, according to the town's community events calendar.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Franklin MA pantry reports surge in food insecurity. What came next," reads a Milford Daily News headline published Friday. The paper reports the town's food pantry served a record 2,411 residents during fiscal 2026 as families faced mounting pressure to find food, especially over the summer months, according to reporter Beth McDermott (read it at https://www.milforddailynews.com/story/news/local/2026/08/14/franklin-ma-food-pantry-serves-record-2411-residents-during-fiscal-2026/91284999007/).
COMING UP
Franklin's community calendar shows a busy stretch ahead. Saturday, August 15 brings the library's book and bag sales along with the town's Messtival community event and Town Council open office hours. The Design Review Meeting is set for Tuesday, August 18. The town holds an open house for its new Well 7-7A PFAS Treatment Facility on Thursday, August 20, from 5 to 7 p.m., alongside Town Council's monthly office hours that same day.
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.