Historic Happenings at the Franklin Historical Museum for February 2026

RESCHEDULED: – The ‘Second Sunday Speaker Series’-- Looking back at 115 Years of Scouting – Will be Held on the THIRD SUNDAY of the MONTH, Feb. 15

Franklin Historical Museum

Peter Glass, Curator at the Casoni Museum, a part of the Camp Squanto Alumni Association on the South Shore, and the only Scouting museum in New England, will come to the Franklin Historical Museum to share some slices of Scouting history as well as to display some items and objects related to the generations of Scouting in the region. 

Notably Feb. 8 (which was the originally scheduled date for this presentation) is when the Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910. Glass serves Scouts America as a Territorial Commissioner. He is also a retired Music teacher and Band Director. The museum opens at 1 and closes at 4. Admission is free but donations are always appreciated.

Saturday, February 14 and continuing thereafter – Revolutionary Franklin on the “KiASK”

The Franklin Historical Museum’s ‘KiASK’ touch-screen terminal is being updated with stories drawn from the Revolutionary War period in and around our town. Come and explore the concise stories and intriguing images...

The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, Franklin. The museum is open Saturday mornings from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (except as noted above), Sunday afternoons from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM 

  Questions? Contact Alan Earls at 508 560 3786.   

Visit us online at https://www.franklinmuseum1778.org

School Committee get preview of FY 2027 school budget with 2.5% increase, assuming health costs transfer to Town account (audio)

FM #1650 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1650 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. All 7 members of the committee were present. 

Quick recap:

• The committee and community got a preview of the FY 2027 school budget. Excluding the health care costs ($8.8M), they presented a 'level service' budget that stays within a 2.5% increase

• The discussions with the Town to transfer the health care costs to the Town account 910 are in process. A Memo of Agreement (MOA) is being prepared to cover the details of the transfer. The Committee will schedule a special meeting to vote to approve the transfer next week

The recording runs about 3 hours and 49 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1650-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-01-27-26/

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preview of FY 2027 school budget

Additional links to the meeting recap, Franklin TV video, and key documents for this session   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/school-committee-get-preview-of-fy-2027.html 

Superintendent’s Recommended budget for FY 2027 https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/f0eb6e5e-b914-4650-9811-892c46570b5f/FINAL---FY27-Superintendents-Recommended-Budget-%282%29.pdf?disposition=inline 

Memo on the health care account transfer

https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/b1bd78ca-d7a9-4f42-a1b3-15fdce87d449/REVISED---Healthcare-memo-for-SC-discussion.pdf?disposition=inline 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FHS girls swim takes home Hockomock League Championship for 6th Straight Season (video)

Franklin took home the team title at the annual Hockomock Girls Swim Championships for the sixth straight season.

Team Results

1. Franklin – 340

2. Sharon – 258

3. Oliver Ames – 224

4. Attleboro – 222

5. Mansfield – 188

6. Taunton – 177

7. Milford – 153

8. King Philip – 141

9. Canton – 138

10. Stoughton – 123

11. Foxboro – 95

12. North Attleboro – 41

Race Results

200 Yard Free

1. Feining Huang, Sharon – 1:53.83**

2. Ava Pecora, Franklin – 2:02.46

4. Elyse Ferreira, Franklin – 2:15.28

6. Elliana Boudreau, Franklin – 2:18.71

 

200 Yard IM

1. Cora Shea, Sharon – 2:12.76

3. Molly McKinnon, Franklin – 2:25.20

4. Sophie Fracassa, Franklin – 2:30.36

50 Yard Free

1. Wilma Zeng, Sharon – 26.29

2. Sasha Baghdasaryan, Franklin – 26.32

100 Yard Butterfly

1. Feining Huang, Sharon – 56.55**

3. Molly McKinnon, Franklin – 103.33

5. Sophie Fracassa, Franklin – 106.95

100 Yard Free

1. Samantha Provost, Attleboro – 56.31

3. Elyse Ferreira, Franklin – 59.69

500 Yard Free

1. Ava Pecora, Franklin – 5:30.53

2. Bridget Travers, Franklin – 5:57.58

5. Elliana Boudreau, Franklin – 6:12.34

200 Yard Free Relay

1. Sharon (Cora Shea, Wilma Zeng, Daisy Ryu, Feining Huang) – 1:48.24

3. Franklin (Elyse Ferreira, Gianna Musilli, Caroline Gurge, Bridget Travers) – 1:53.97

100 Yard Backstroke

1. Cora Shea, Sharon – 1:00.12

2. Sasha Baghdasaryan, Franklin – 1:04.58

400 Yard Free Relay

1. Franklin (Sasha Baghdasaryan, Ava Pecora, Molly McKinnon, Elyse Ferreira) – 3:51.19

Franklin TV video ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjJLApGFBj8

Complete meet results from Hockomock Sports (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-girls-swim-championships-2026-results/

Photo gallery from Hockomock Sports (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2025-2026/Winter-2025-2026/Hockomock-League-Girls-Swim-Championships-01-31-26

FHS girls hockey fall in OT on Saturday

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Saturday, January 31, 2026

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 2 @ Stoughton/Sharon, 3 – Final (OT) 

– Sophomore Kayla Monaghan tied the game with three minutes to go and then buried a rebound 37 seconds into overtime to deliver Stoughton/Sharon a comeback win over Franklin. The Panthers took the first lead of the game five minutes in on a snipe from senior Jenny McLaughlin but Stoughton eighth grader Sophie Kirkwood answered five minutes into the second period to make it 1-1. Just three minutes later, Franklin sophomore Reese Beaulieu lit the lamp to put the Panthers back ahead. Monaghan collected the puck in the neutral zone and carried it in before her shot deflected off the glove and in with 2:57 to go. In overtime, sophomore Raegan Costello set up senior Addison Strunk for a shot on goal that bounced around in front before Monaghan cleaned it up for the game-winner.

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-31-26/

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

FHS wrestling finishes 4th at Hockomock League Championships

Team Results

1. Milford – 222

2. Taunton – 156.5

3. Foxboro – 142

4. Franklin – 128

5. North Attleboro – 121

T6. Canton – 120.5

T6. Sharon – 120.5

8. Oliver Ames – 88.5

9. Mansfield – 72

10. King Philip – 64.5

11. Stoughton – 3.5

Finals Weight Matchup Result

106 Calvin Quinn (Canton) vs. Jowell Quinones (Taunton) Quinn (Fall, 0:59)

113 John Woodall (Franklin) vs. Sam Katz (Sharon) Woodall (Fall, 1:28)

120 Ryan Gill (North Attleboro) vs. Ben Dandurand (Franklin) Gill (Fall, 1:12)

126 Brayden Boccia (Milford) vs. Michael Canova (North Attleboro) Boccia (Fall, 3:13)

132 Derek Marcolini (Milford) vs. Max Thaler (Sharon) Marcolini (Fall, 0:31)

138 Jack Sauer (Franklin) vs. Dylan Wright (Milford) Sauer (Dec, 13-1)

144 Ryan Flis (Milford) vs. Abdullah Peterson (North Attleboro) Peterson (Fall, 3:13)

150 Josiah Carney (Milford) vs. Anthony Vieira (Taunton) Carney (Fall, 1:34)

157 Joshua Millerick (Taunton) vs. Kaua Reis (Milford) Millerick (Dec, 9-6)

165 Kingston DaCosta (Taunton) vs. Sawyer Fernandes (Oliver Ames) DaCosta (Fall, 1:58)

175 Griffin McCreedy (King Philip) vs. Wanderson Dos Santos (Milford) McCreedy (Dec, 2-1)

190 Josh Hindin (Foxboro) vs. Adam Loebl (Sharon) Hindin (Fall, 1:37)

215 William Buffington (Taunton) vs. JJ Blanchard (Foxboro) Buffington (Dec, 12-8)

285 Nathan Pailler (Mansfield) vs. Luca Angelucci (King Philip) Pailler (Fall, 1:06)

Fina additional details on the wrestling championships (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-wrestling-championships-2026/

Talkin' TC! New Episode Alert! (video)

Talkin' TC! New Episode Alert!

(L-R) Congressman Jake Auchincloss with Kahlil Mateus

Hosted by Kahlil Mateus, we sat down with Congressman Jake Auchincloss for a powerful conversation about the future of vocational‑technical education and why it matters for today’s students and communities. He also gives a behind‑the‑scenes look at life as a member of Congress and shares meaningful advice for students planning their next steps.

An inspiring, insightful episode you won’t want to miss.

Watch the full conversation at the link below!

Video link -> https://youtu.be/lzI3AikHXU8

#WorkHardTodayCounts #JakeAuchincloss

@repauchincloss

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1Fiym9L4aX/

Stickman Blue & Kaye Kelly schedule a gig in Chelmsford March 14

"Fun gig coming up y’all! Hope to see some of you up in Chelmsford, Ma:)"

Chelmsford  March 14   https://www.instagram.com/p/DUGh2XOkW-g/

Town Council spends 2 hours to ultimately & unanimously approve appointments of 2 to the ZBA (audio)

FM #1647-48-49 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 1647-48-49 in the series. 

This session shares part of the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. The Council held this session as scheduled beginning at 6 PM. All 9 Councilors participated for this 4 hour plus session. 

 

• 1647 - covers the opening, Citizen comments, and 2 appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals  (approx. 2 hour 16 mins) 

• 1648 - segment from the meeting covering the full discussion on the DPW infrastructure update & discussion  (approx. 1 hr. 40 mins)  

• 1634 - segment from the meeting covers remainder of the meeting  (approx. 52 mins)

  

Audio 1647 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1647-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-20260121-p1-of-3/

Audio 1648 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1648-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-01-21-26-p2-of-3/

Audio 1649 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1649-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-01-21-26/

Town Council spends 2 hours to ultimately & unanimously approve appointments of 2 to the ZBA (audio)

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Additional notes on the meeting recap can be found (including link to Franklin TV video) ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/town-council-spends-almost-2-hours-to.html 

-------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Get your photo with Elsa at the next Winter Farmers Market Feb 7

Get your photo with Elsa at the
next Winter Farmers Market Feb 7

At the next Winter Farmers Market on February 7, Elsa will be visiting from 10 AM - 1:00 PM!

Every season Fairmount Fruit Farm schedules different events; you can check them out on their website www.fairmountfruit.com/events

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DU9SFzvMW/

The Guardian: "What to know about the jury trials of Meta, Snap, TikTok and YouTube"

"Social media companies will have to answer to a jury – for the first time – for allegations that their products are intentionally addictive and harmful to young users’ mental health. Hundreds of parents, teens and school districts sued Meta, Snap, TikTok and YouTube, leading to a series of landmark trials that began this week. Jury selection in the first case started on Tuesday in Los Angeles court.

Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg is among the big tech CEOs who are expected to testify. Both sides are likely to bring in experts to hash out the science behind alleged addiction to social media.

Social media companies
will have to answer to a jury

The initial trial involves a 20-year-old, identified by the initials KGM, who alleges she experienced physical and emotional harm after becoming addicted to social media at age 10. This case is expected to last six to eight weeks, and will be the first of about 22 “bellwether” trials. The outcome can signal, and influence, how courts and juries may handle similar lawsuits in the future. Snap and TikTok have settled with the plaintiff in the first case, leaving Meta and YouTube to stand trial.

“Everybody’s looking at it as a data point,” said Benjamin Zipursky, a law professor at Fordham University."

Continue reading the article with this 'share' link

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jan/31/what-to-know-trials-meta-snap-tiktok-youtube?CMP=share_btn_url 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday, February 1, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a schedule full of 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 Sunday

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

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday