Town Council authorizes fire truck replacement, approves goals, & hears total expenses on snow & ice now exceeds $2M (video)

The Franklin (MA) Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, March 4 and managed to conclude their session in their new 4 hour time constraint. All 9 members were present in Council Chambers.

The Franklin TV video is available for replay (approx. 30 minutes of the beginning is missing) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqBnx2pcj5U

The agenda (and released documents) can be found  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03042026-2166

My notes capture via Blusky can be found beginning with  https://bsky.app/profile/franklinmatters.bsky.social/post/3mgbn2mt4bk2u

Quick recap

• The video on YouTube is missing approx. 30 minutes of the meeting; citizen comments and then picking up in the middle of Council Comments. Likely this video link will get replaced with the full video backup.
• Council changed agenda order and jumped to Legislation for action to tackle those items before getting to the goals discussion
• Snow and Ice total at $2.1M which doesn't include the $65K from last nights double coat of salt to counter the ice. This amount will eat into the operations budget as it has already wiped out the snow/Ice stabilization amount
• Ad-hoc subcommittee with 3 Council members will report back with community input on potential charter changes was approved by 9-0 vote
• Appropriating Funds by Borrowing to Pay Costs of Purchasing a Fire Truck for the Fire Department was approved by 9-0 vote.
• $20,000 from special fund for paid parking fees was authorized to pay for the system (2 years worth) and some repairs to one of the kiosks by a 9-0 vote
• 2 zoning bylaws (Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-948 & Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-949) were approved to refer to the Planning Board. They will conduct their public hearing and send them back as is, or with comments for adjustments. The Council will then hold their public hearing (possibly in April) before voting on the measures. The new Planning Director Morena Zelaya made the presentation for her first appearance before the Council
• Then they got to the goals discussion. After a lengthy discussion with some tweaks, some cuts, but mostly approval of the goals as presented the Council was able to move to accept the goals as revised at approx. 9:58, approved to waive the reading, voted to approved, and then with seconds to spare, voted to adjourn before 10:00 PM

Town Council authorizes fire truck replacement,
approves goals, & hears total expenses on
snow & ice now exceeds $2M (video)

FHS' John Woodall one of five Hockomock Wrestlers to Earn All-State Titles

Via HockomockSports.com:

"Marcolini was one of five Hockomock grapplers to win an All-State title on Monday, joined by Franklin’s John Woodall (113), Mansfield’s Tessa Johnson (145), and Sharon’s Cyrus Jones (175) and Elsa Scott (107).

“Derek wrestled a great tournament, he was motivated all week and put in the work necessary to win All-States,” said Milford head coach PJ Boccia. “Proud of the way he has wrestled all year.”

Woodall, a sophomore, remained undefeated in his career by winning his second straight All-State title this time at 113. He needed just over 90 seconds to earn a 21-6 tech fall in the quarterfinals and then six takedowns in an impressive showing in the semifinals, a 19-6 major decision over Woburn’s Alexavier Orellana. Against the two-seed Devon Mateo (West Springfield) in the final, Woodall had two takedowns in the second period and two more in the third to earn a 12-3 major decision.

Woodall becomes just the fourth Hockomock wrestler to win All-States twice and the first in a decade, joining Foxboro’s Jack Leighton (1997 & 1998) and Matt Kelley (2015 & 2016) and Franklin’s Steve Heleniak (1999 & 2000).

Continue reading the wrestling article (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/five-hockomock-wrestlers-earn-all-state-titles/

Franklin’s John Woodall, pictured here at the 2026 Hockomock Championships, became just the fourth wrestler in league history to win All-States twice. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Get your tickets now for the Creative Corner, Fiori & Fern, KCooks collaboration at The Shed March 31

Get your tickets now for the Creative Corner, Fiori & Fern,
KCooks collaboration at The Shed March 31

​Excited to collaborate with other local businesses And invite the community to hold private events 

• Available on Tuesdays •

Bringing more fun to your weekday!

• March 31st • SIP & CREATE 

Secure your spot today • Limited seating

@creativecornerartstudio    @Fiori and Fern   @kcooks_momchef_ 

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DVbcKGhESrG/

Tickets available online - https://www.creativecornerartstudiofranklin.com/service-page/paint-and-sip-night-at-the-shed?referral=service_list_widget

Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Episode 099 - Self Publishing, Stephen King, Cinnamon Soldiers, 100 Years, and much more

In this episode, The Franklin Senior Center Writers Group shares stories, poems, and writings about self publishing, Susan shares about her upcoming book, Jesus Has Set Me Free, Faith and Peter discuss Stephen King books, love is in the air with the help of the cinnamon soldiers, and a poem about 100 years.

Audio link ->  https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episode/episode-099-self-publishing-stephen-king-cinnamon-soldiers-100-years-and-much-more

Senior Story Hour - WFPR

Senior Story Hour - WFPR = The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group

Steve Sherlock hosts The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group for a monthly reading of short stories, essays, poetry and more. 

Find more episodes here (or on your favorite podcast app) ->  https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episodes

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 ???

Wednesday, March 4

• Regular curbside trash/recycle schedule for this week
• Free overflow bags at DPW Admin building, 257 Fisher St
• Hours added at Beaver St Recycling Ctr  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/03/reminder-regular-curbside-schedule-for.html

1:00pm    Joe Landry on the Morse Opera House (Franklin Senior Center)

6:30pm Franklin Art Association Monthly Meeting  (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm Smarty Pants Trivia (Raillery Public House)

Library & Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times

*** Town Meetings today   ***

Board of Health Meeting

Wednesday, March 4 Time: 5:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03042026-2164 

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, March 4 Time: 6:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03042026-2166 

-----------

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Massachusetts AG Francis X. Belloti quote from Town of Franklin Bicentennial 1978

On this day in 1978 (March 2):

Massachusetts AG Francis X. Belloti quote
from Town of Franklin Bicentennial 1978

Statement given by Massachusetts Attorney General Francis X. Belloti during the kickoff ceremony for the Town of Franklin's Bicentennial celebrations, March 2, 1978. Belloti's remarks were followed by the opening of the centennial time capsule, sealed during the town's centennial exercises in 1878.

Explore more about the Town of Franklin's history at https://www.franklinmuseum1778.org/.

Shared from -  https://www.instagram.com/p/DVZHhnYj0Gi/

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Zoom Meeting Thursday night, March 5th, at 7 PM

Hi all!

Our 350 Mass Franklin Node meeting will be held Thursday night, March 5th, from 7-9 PM. It will be a hybrid meeting, meaning you can attend in-person or by Zoom for those who can 't personally attend.

Best to attend this in-person if at all possible as we will be brain-storming ideas for making our booth both interactive and attractive to engage more event attendees. Give some thought to possible ideas beforehand so we can share them together, links to images or other information that best puts them across appreciated.   

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node

Meeting Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81930304274?pwd=Tm9VdGxYcDFaVTVDUkwyT3YvUnlFdz09 

Meeting ID: 819 3030 4274 Passcode: 350ma

Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

Our meeting's focus will be on:

• sharing ideas on ways to make our booth interactive and attractive for the spring/summer events.

Thank you, and hoping to see you by Zoom Thursday night, March 5th, from 7-9 PM !

With gratitude,

Carolyn, Rand and Steve

508-335-0848 Carolyn cell

Platinum Transparency Award for the Franklin Food Pantry

Platinum Transparency Award for the Franklin Food Pantry

Via Franklin Food Pantry

"We’ve earned the highest level of recognition from Candid!

Transparency and accountability aren't just a buzzwords for us—they're a promise.

We strive to be open and welcoming in everything we do, so you can feel 100% confident when you invest your time, talents, or donations in our mission."

Shared from - 

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DPN6F5T17/

For more about Candid's view of The Pantry   https://app.candid.org/profile/6838299/franklin-food-pantry-incorporated-04-3272663

FHS girls basketball team playoff run ends with loss to Bishop Feehan (video)

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Girls Basketball = Division 1 = #15 Franklin, 32 @ #2 Bishop Feehan, 74 – Final

Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/jQDTIhHkSms?si=lDtBF15m2HUwGcSQ&t=180

For all the results in the Hockomock League (subscription required)  https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-03-03-26/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Fire Dept & Health Dept schedule Hands Only CPR Training - March 25

Fire Dept & Health Dept schedule
Hands Only CPR Training - March 25

Hands only CPR Training (Free)

Registration required

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ACAF2EAAF9C25-62703663-handsonly?useFullSite=true#/

Dismantling the FDIC??? What?

One if the many nightmares from Project 2025 is happening quietly in the background and we're so distracted by the insanity, we don't even realize it. 

Been down the rabbit hole and followed links to sites like https://ncua.gov/news/deregulation-project where you'll find that credit unions are in the middle of a deregulation project based off of one of Trump's executive orders. If you read the substack below, you'll see this is all from the Project 2025 playbook. 

Regulations exist to protect the consumer, you, us, we the people. And without those regulations, banks will do whatever shady shit they feel like to make sure THEIR bottom dollar increases, not yours. 

There is something we can do though. They make policy change proposals that are open to the public for comment. We can go tell them that we don't want deregulation. They have one up to remove verbiage about refunding interest to you. They say it's duplicative, well, ask yourself why? Why would they have duplicative verbiage on something like that unless it was because there were gaps or loopholes in the original verbiage which wasn't in favor of the consumer?

Do we know that 100% for sure? No. But this admin has worked for a large bank and knows they don't duplicate anything, they cover tracks. There's another proposal to remove regulations for reputational risk. 

Sounds like no big deal, but do you remember the Wells Fargo scandal, when they were caught creating accounts in people's names without permission so branch workers could meet goals? The massive loss in confidence from the public that came from that, THAT is reputational risk. So what do you think they will try to get away with if there's no regulations?

You have a voice in so much more than just calling your reps. Go read through some of these proposals and leave comments. Especially if you bank with a credit union. (We'll look into other websites for regular banks to see if there's a similar option and post if we find anything.)

https://www.regulations.gov/document/NCUA-2026-0266-0001

This is not to fear monger, this is to educate. There's history in that substack showing how these exact plays line up with previous financial collapse across the world. We can't let them slip quietly into the night and rob us blind without talking about it. This is the game plan.

"Flood the zone" with so much chaotic shit every day that stuff like this falls under the radar and people have no idea until it is too late. Well, now you know, and you know you can do something about it so they don't get away with it.

https://criticalresistance.substack.com/p/the-fdic-is-being-dismantledmost

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1NYnVyr9rk/

No Kings Franklin - March 28 on the Franklin Town Common

No Kings Franklin - March 28 on the Franklin Town Common

Here we go! This No Kings Franklin is gonna be the best yet. We are meeting on the town common this time and have live music, guest speakers, and opportunities for more action.

Register with the link below so we have an idea of expected numbers and can send you more info on what to expect.

After you register, reach out to others and encourage them to attend!

https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/901864/

Time: 10:00 to 11:30 AM

Boston Globe: "The MIAA’s revenue from state tournaments has been dropping steadily over the last several years."

"A downhill ski run best resembles the trend of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s net revenues for its tournaments over the past four years.

Massachusetts Interscholastic
Athletic Association (MIAA)

Dipping a total of 70 percent from $737,040 in fiscal year 2022 to a little less than $218,000 in 2025, the economics of the statewide tournament system implemented by the MIAA five years ago are not adding up.

“Certainly I’m not an alarmist to say that I have a huge level of concern. We have a reality that you can’t just keep slipping down to zero,” MIAA executive director Bob Baldwin said.

Administrative costs have climbed more than 50 percent over the four years while revenues from the fall, winter, and spring tournaments combined have dropped more than 20 percent."

Continue reading the article via the  'shared link'

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/03/03/sports/miaa-state-tournament-revenue/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

Franklin Elks Bingo - every Wednesday Night

Franklin Elks Bingo - every Wednesday Night

EVERY WEDNESDAY (schedule subject to change)

• Doors open @ 3 PM
• BINGO starts @ 6:30 PM

Admission games

Charity games

Special games

Non-smoking - full kitchen 4:30 to 6:30 - free coffee

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18E7SYBVNf/

Note: The Franklin Elks 

The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks (B.P.O.E.) was founded over 150 years ago in 1868 and has grown into one of the largest and most respected charity-focused fraternal organizations in the United States.

Since 1959, the Franklin Elks Lodge has been proud to be a part of this organization with 800,000 members and a network of more than 1,800 lodges throughout the U.S. A generous charitable foundation that each year gives millions in scholarships, an inspiration to youth, a friend to veterans and more.

The Guardian: "I am a 15-year-old girl. Let me show you the vile misogyny that confronts me on social media every day"

“I have even questioned whether I can find love in the future because of this.”

A 15-year-old girl living in the UK gives us a shocking insight into the abuse she has had on her Instagram and Tiktok feeds. 

“Like most teenagers I spend a fair portion of my spare time on social media. I actively try to avoid online misogyny, but I am met with it incessantly whenever I open my apps. It only takes a few minutes before there’s subtle or overt misogyny: the comment sections on a girl’s post filled with remarks about her body, videos made by men or boys captioned with a degrading joke, and even topics such as domestic violence or rape, trivialised and laughed about.”

Swipe to read part of her story – and for the full opinion piece follow the link - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/23/15-year-old-girl-misogyny-social-media-online-abuse.

Illustration by @rfressonok for the Guardian

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio introduced a brand new schedule early in 2025 for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM   Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock 

Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 2 PM)  

• This segment shares the Franklin Senior Center March 2026 highlights -    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/jillian-mary-give-us-inside-scoop-on.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone  All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points.    (repeats Saturday at 1 PM)  

• This segment features Kim & Mark in Episode 310 - Uncorking a New Way to Learn with Mistral Wine Cards  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/03/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode.html

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

Franklin TV schedule for Wednesday, March 4, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY

7:30 am     ArtWeek: Art + Music

8:30 am FUMC: Cathy Cargill Koch

10:00 am Franklin Art Association: Christine West

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Red Pepper Soup

12:00 pm Brooke'n'Cookin: Mac'n'Cheese

12:30 pm Cook with Linda: Pork Tenderloin

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Emergency Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 7

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 11

3:30 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Peter Glass

6:00 pm Franklin History: Tommaso Juglaris

8:30 pm Circle of Friends; Abbie Gardner

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = WEDNESDAY

7:00 am Lifelong Winter Music 2026

8:30 am FHS Winter Jazz 01-27-26

10:00 am Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball Tournament

11:00 am Middle School Winter Music: 2025: Band

1:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Norwood 01-24-26

4:00 pm Critical Conversations: Student Wellbeing

8:00 pm FHS Varsity Wrestling: v King Philip 01-17-24

10:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball v Lowell 02-25-26

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = WEDNESDAY

8:00 am Town Council 02-11-26

1:00 pm Town Council 02-11-26

6:00 pm Town Council  CHAMBERS  871 0412 8201

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

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