FHS boys hockey top Mansfield; their 2nd win in 24 hours (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 Thursday, February 12, 2026

Boys Hockey = Mansfield, 0 @ Franklin, 9 – Final 

Franklin TV video for replay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWj9yQcKJLw

– Thomas Quinn (assist) and Drake McAlpine (three assists) each scored twice, as Franklin picked up its second win in less than 24 hours. It was a physical game to start with more hits in the first period than shots on goal. With 3:18 left in the first, Rocco Lampasona’s shot from the right-wing circle was tipped in by Quinn to put the Panthers in front. Franklin broke the game wide open in the second, scoring on five of its 12 shots. Just 34 seconds into the period, McAlpine made a perfect pass across the crease to Quinn or a tap in. It was Quinn’s fifth goal in the last two games. Less than two minutes later, Nathan Dennett slipped a pass through a defenseman’s skates into the path of Collin Canavan, who buried the breakaway chance. McAlpine would get his first when he cut across the zone from the left-wing boards and lifted a backhand from the slot. He would then get another assist with an angled pass across the zone to Lampasona, who fired his shot just under the bar. On a two-on-one, Canavan saucered a pass over to Dennett, who went bar-down for a 6-0 lead. In the third, McAlpine added his second, Dylan Parmenter capped senior night by scoring his first varsity goal, and Ayden Doyle tacked on a ninth for the Panthers (their 14th goal in the past two days). Thomas Rovani made 24 saves to earn the shutout.

For a Photo Gallery from this game (subscription required) 

https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2025-2026/Winter-2025-2026/Franklin-Mansfield-Boys-Hockey-02-12-26

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-12-26/

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

Middle School 6th Grade Orchestra & Band 02-10-26 (video)

The Franklin Middle School 6th Grade Orchestra & Band performed in concert on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Franklin TV recorded the performance and it is available for replay.

Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9Gwctl1bsA

School Committee hear the details on "level service" budget that comes in at 2.5% increase (video)

The Franklin (MA) School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, Feb 10, 2026. All 7 members were present for this session in Council Chambers.

Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/gzeG61qJFfU?&t=361

The agenda doc - https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02102026-2129 

The 4 page budget summary used for the discussion can be found - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SpeLx7Zov0jH5Q-0P8FNjaLN3g3q1hlL/view?usp=drive_link

(This was made into a PDF from the hard copy available in Council Chambers. The formal posting is supposed to happen Wednesday along with the "budget book")

Quick recap

• While level service there are 7 positions cut and 7 positions added so it washes out as no net change to head count.
• The budget comes in at a 2.5% increase over last year. The health care costs are being transferred to the Town line 910 so an apples to apples comparison can be made for all budgets.

The slides shared were captured in one photo album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FW6xHYa4NKXhUFSx5

My notes are captured in one PDF doc

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AMbYGabU6gUDQPqK0ZnMBxTD-o77R0FI/view?usp=drive_link

Another First for Franklin: blood pressure kits can be checked out at the Library (video/audio)

FM #1656 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1656 in the series. 

This episode shares my conversation with Town of Franklin’s public health nurse Alisha Sullivan. We talked virtually on Monday, February 9, 2026 about the blood pressure kits available at the Library. 

Did you know high blood pressure is the #2 killer of MA residents?

            Right behind the collection of illnesses called cancer

Did you know you can check your own blood pressure at the Library?

A station is set up to take your blood pressure. You can even check out a device like you would a book or a video, or anything else in their Library of things.

Another First for Franklin: blood pressure
kits can be checked out at the Library

Did you realize this also happens to be another “First of Many” for the Town of Franklin? 

Yup, the Health, Dept, Library and American Heart Assoc have collaborated on this program. The first library in MA to have the test kit station and kits for check out

You can watch or listen to my conversation with Alisha. Approx. 17 minutes

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1656-another-first-blood-pressure-kits-at-the-library-02-09-26/

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Health Dept page - https://www.franklinma.gov/444/Board-of-Health 

Metacomet Public Health Alliance health resources - https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/7a79d8f9979f4709ad5b7311c91c8258 

Video link - https://youtu.be/ChoyQZEc3Xk 

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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!

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

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

FHS boys basketball tops Milford on Tuesday (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, February 10, 2026

Milford, 57 @ Franklin, 64 – Final – 

The game recap By Ryan Lanigan || Hockomock Sports .com Editor

"The Panthers are one step closer to the state tournament.

Franklin turned defensive pressure into offensive production, building enough of a lead in the second half to withstand a late comeback bid from Milford for a 64-57 win.

With the win, Franklin moves within one win of automatically qualifying for the postseason with four games left.

“Our defense creates our offense,” said first-year Franklin head coach Mike Masto. “We feel like we do a really good job on the defensive end of the floor. Credit to Milford, they run really good stuff but we lost a little bit of focus at times in the third and fourth quarters. But we locked back in and did what we had to do to come out with the win at home.”

Franklin TV video available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/t8wR1dmpqNU?&t=1096

Continue with the recap - (subscription required) - 

https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-boys-basketball-converts-defense-into-win-over-milford/

For a photo gallery from this game - https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2025-2026/Winter-2025-2026/Franklin-Milford-Boys-Basketball-02-10-26

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-10-26/

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

Franklin Public Library: Symposium on the work of Tommaso Juglaris - Oct 2025 (video)

The Franklin Public Library was proud to host a symposium on the work of Tommaso Juglaris back in October of 2025. Juglaris was an Italian painter who contributed two murals to the FPL during his career. 

Art historian Dr. Geoffrey Drutchas provides a biographical presentation, and art conservator Gianfranco Pocobene gives us an inside look at the ongoing restoration of these murals.

Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7heZtFtT9GQ

Joe Landry Taping a Session about the Stewart Block (Clark Sq) at Franklin TV

Joe Landry & Scott Mason will be taping a Session about the
Stewart Block (Clark Sq) at Franklin TV

via Joe Landry

"Hi there! Scott Mason and I will be doing a presentation at the studios of Franklin TV at 23 Hutchinson Street when we will examine the James Stewart Block, which is at Clark Square at the town bridge. We'll look back at the buildings that stood here over the years and how the block has evolved.

This program is part of a series of programs that will take a close look at the downtown area of Franklin. This will not be a live broadcast. It will be taped for future viewing on Franklin TV.

I hope you can make it! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!!!!!"

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/17W9HB5eWr/

Mitzi shares insights on the happenings at the Franklin Public Library during Feb 2026 (video & audio)

FM #1654 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1654 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Mitzi Gousie, Programming and Outreach Librarian with the Franklin Public Library. We had our discussion virtually on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

 

We talk about 

• Reviewed the regular open hours, book sale and holiday scheduling for the month

• Closed on Sundays due to budget reduction

• Closed all day on Monday, Feb 16 for President’s Day

• Library events for February 2026

• In calendar order rather than by category this time around

Registration for those events required should be done through the Town website, Library page. There are nefarious folks trying to convince folks otherwise via Facebook. Be safe, use the official Town and Library pages.

The show notes include links to the Library page and to the calendar of events where registration for some of the events is required/recommended.

The recording runs about 17 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Video link - https://youtu.be/cg5Rs0jBIZw

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1654-franklin-public-library-feb-2026-highlights-02-04-26/

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Mitzi Gousie’s email -> mgousie@minlib.net 

Franklin Public Library page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/233/Franklin-Public-Library 

Library event calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events 

February 2026 newsletter -> https://www.franklinma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/92 

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

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"

FHS girls basketball top Attleboro on Friday

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, February 6, 2026

Boys Basketball = Attleboro, 66 @ Franklin, 42 – Final

– Franklin hung around for the first half on Friday night but Attleboro dominated the third and ran away with a big win to sweep the regular season series. Franklin sophomore Danny Santos hit a trio of threes and had 11 points in the second quarter as the Panthers were within striking distance, down 33-24, at half. But it was all Attleboro in the third as senior Ladainian Rodrigues sparked a 17-0 run that spanned the first seven minutes of the quarter, getting a steal for a three-point play to ignite the Bombardiers. Rodrigues scored 12 of his team-high 20 points in the third as Attleboro pushed the lead to 52-28 going into the final quarter. Rodrigues also had nine rebounds, classmate Connor Houle added 11 points and four assists, and junior Ben Lally splashed in a trio of threes for nine points. Santos led the Panthers with 11 points and Ben Scaccia chipped in with nine points.

Franklin TV video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMotZm6amyE

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 73 @ Attleboro, 57 – Final

– Franklin dominated the third quarter, outscoring Attleboro 23-6, to pull away and secure a road win that clinches at least a share of a second straight Kelley-Rex title. It was a shootout in the first half, with both team’s offenses clicking from the start. Tessah Rodrigues scored seven and Liz Dumais hit a pair of threes for the Panthers, who scored 20. Attleboro went one better in the opening eight minutes, as Jenna Callahan hit a pair of threes, Tia Williamson scored six points, and Lola Ronayne and Lily Didick were also on target from deep. Franklin grabbed the lead going into halftime with a 24-16 second quarter. Freshman Brielle Nicholls sparked the Panthers with all 11 of her points (including a pair from deep) coming in the second. Kaylee Fernandes added seven and Ava Bonney scored six points in the frame. Callahan hit two more threes but Attleboro went into the break down 44-37. Franklin took over in the third. Bonney hit a couple threes and scored seven points and Sophia Sacramone added five, while the Panthers held Attleboro to just six points. The Bombardiers flipped it in the fourth, holding Franklin to just six, and getting six points from Williamson but the Panthers comfortably held on for the win. Bonney led Franklin with 16 points, Rodrigues finished with a dozen, and Fernandes added 11. Williamson was the game’s top scorer with 19 and Callahan scored 12 points.

Gymnastics = Hockomock Championships, 

Franklin finished 8th

Below are the results from the 2026 Hockomock League Gymnastics championship meet held at Starland Sportsplex in Hanover.

Team Results

1. Mansfield – 142.40

2. Attleboro – 140.85

3. Oliver Ames – 136.25

4. Foxboro – 133.65

5. King Philip

6. Taunton

7. North Attleboro

8. Franklin

9. Canton

All-Around Events

All-Around

1. Paige Austin, Mansfield – 38.0

T5. Alivia Hess, Franklin – 35.25

T5. Sophia Hall, Taunton – 35.25

All-Around Beam

1. Paige Austin, Mansfield – 9.50

2. Alivia Hess, Franklin – 9.40

All-Around Bars

1. Paige Austin, Mansfield – 9.75

2. Alivia Hess, Franklin – 8.90

Complete results for the gymnastics championship

https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-league-gymnastics-championships-2026/

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-02-06-26/

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

Unboxing books from the wishlist at Franklin Middle School (video)

via Erin O'Leary

"Thank you to all of our friends in Franklin who have purchased new books for our middle school! Let's see what's in box #1

To support our wishlist, visit:    https://bookshop.org/wishlists/79f98bd86f715dae8789b3296edd63ebd92ef1ea"

video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAusFTMmnzc

Town Council discusses goals, hears last storm cost $325,000, enters Executive Session (video)

The Franklin (MA) Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, Feb 4, 2026 for their shortest public session of this term of office completing public business in under 2 hours. They did go to Executive Session so who know how long that took. We'll find out later.

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51MAacjd_XU

The agenda and released documents ->  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02042026-2120 

Quick recap:

• Citizen comments:
• P Griffith, SchCmte Chair provides an update on budget, encourages budget hearing participation Tuesday, Feb 10
• K Mu Chow informs on the Franklin Ridge presentation on Friday, 1:30 at Senior Center
• DPW Director Cantoreggi, almost at total snow/ice budget for year, last storm cost $325,000
• G Carlucci announces Quattro Eroi Lodge 1414 Order Sons and Daughters of Italy In America celebrating 100th Anniversary this year. Steve Puleo presenting April 12 at Historical Museum
• Goals discussion, wrapped around terminology and strategic planning, could have chosen a subcommittee to help with prioritization, ended up not, will send adjustments, ideas, etc. to Jamie to consolidate for next discussion at the March 4 meeting. Consultants planned to be there to present on strategic plan option
• Adoption of Amendment to the Procedures Manual of the Franklin Town Council 
• LeBlanc poses adjusted language, second,
• P5, sec 2, regular meetings may not begin earlier than 6, provided that an agenda items is not already under discussion, the meeting may continue with a majority vote, vote on amendment Passes 9-0
• Vote on the motion as amended, Passes 9-0
• Moved to enter Executive session; Exemption #6: Considering the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Public Body:
  • i. Former Davis-Thayer Elementary School
  • ii. Former Parmenter Elementary School
  • iii. “Other Property” potentially available for Town purchase/acquisition

My notes captured in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pW9ckTDCmx-SwZL9VTtWqe9WzGOyUGTN/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin (MA) Town Council

School Committee votes to move health care costs to Town budget line 910 (video)

The Franklin (MA) School Committee met briefly (approx. 30 mins) in a remote only session on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. All 7 members participated along with key members of the School District Central office.

Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/IrOomkcGoyU?&t=62

Agenda for this session -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02032026-2116 

Recap:

• Supt Giguere talks of the health care accounting change, there is no impact to the employees on either Town or School, purely an accounting change. Food service and lifelong learning employees are paid from those revolving funds and charges would also go to the revolving funds for those associated health care cost for those employees. Coordinating with Town Finance to confirm minimum impact.
• "I recommend approval to move the School Health Insurance, Medicare, and Long-Term Disability expenses and associated funding from the School Department 300 to the Town Benefits Department 910 as detailed."
• So moved, seconded Discussion
• This move allows for an apples to apples comparison with all of the Town departments
• Jana explains the accounting for Lifelong learning and Food services, process very similar today and with this move.
• MOA currently set for a five year term, could be a re-evaluation if required at time, not likely to revert, shared interest between Schools and Town to keep going forward
• Ruthann comments on hope for future that the allocation for schools would be more predictable
• Question on if the Town needs to add personnel to do this? No.
• There are constant shifts among the individual personnel on both sides, Town and School...Moving forward with the GIC we should have more info sooner to help with the planning for future budgets to help with planning
• Midyear retirement and other health care moves would be handled as normal (as done today on both sides)
• Shift of costs that are not health care directly related are prohibited by both sides; the account 910 should be only health care period. Covers the revolving accounts which may have some 'excess' (by design, there should be a year's worth) those excess amounts can't move
• Vote on the motion via roll call Passes 7-0, Motion carries
• Motion to adjourn, so moved, second Passes via roll call, 7-0

My notes taken during the meeting in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mitbhEmUXwhXRlMnpOxL28kB4QqI6B5e/view?usp=drive_link

School Committee votes to move health care costs to Town budget line 910 (video)