Why aren't retail prices coming down ?

"Walmart found a creative, illegal way to make sure they have the lowest prices.

They're forcing companies to raise prices on any competitor who dares to sell items at a lower price than Walmart.

They're using their size and reach to squeeze out stores across America."

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

For more about the team at More Perfect Union*  - https://perfectunion.us/about/

* Not related to the Franklin TV/Public Radio show "Toward a More Perfect Union"

FHS girls basketball top Arlington to advance in playoffs on Thursday

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 26, 2026

Girls Basketball = Division 1 #18 Arlington, 39 @ #15 Franklin, 62 – Final

Franklin TV available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/m3bvo8AS7Pw?&t=1592

Franklin looked a little sluggish in the first couple minutes of Thursday night’s Div. 1 opening round game against No. 18 seed Arlington. Then junior guard Ava Bonney stepped off the bench, started firing away, and sparked a game-changing 13-0 run that put the Panthers in front to stay.

Bonney scored 10 points in the first, eight more in the third, and finished with a career-high 22 to lead Franklin to a dominant 62-39 victory over the Spy Ponders and another trip to the Sweet Sixteen.

“That’s the game we want her to play,” Franklin coach John Leighton said of Bonney’s performance. “I thought her confidence to get into the paint was the biggest part of the game. It wasn’t the threes, which are great, but it was her ability to break them down off the dribble.”

“Arlington knows we shoot a lot of threes, they extended, and we took advantage of that. I thought Ava had an outstanding game.”

 (subscription required)  https://hockomocksports.com/bonneys-career-night-sparks-franklin-to-big-win-over-arlington/

For a photo gallery from this game  (subscription required) https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2025-2026/Winter-2025-2026/Franklin-Arlington-Girls-Basketball-02-26-26

Catching up to Wednesday's results

Boys Basketball = Division 1 = #36 Franklin, 47 @ #29 Lowell, 64 – Final 

– Franklin rallied with a big third quarter to pull within striking distance to start the fourth but Lowell opened the frame with a game-clinching run to pull off the win. The Red Raiders controlled the first half and carried a 35-20 led into the locker room at halftime but the Panthers found a rhythm in the third and outscored their entire first half output with 21 minutes, closing the gap to 47-41 heading into the fourth. Lowell’s defense clamped down in the fourth, holding the Panthers to just two points over the first five minutes, and the hosts pulled away from there. Senior Jack Sullivan helped spark the third quarter comeback, scoring eight of his team-high 14 points in that frame. Senior Justice Samuels and sophomore Gio Carlucci each chipped in with nine points apiece for the Panthers.

Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xamybg7phjo

Boys Hockey =  Division 1 #30 Franklin, 0 @ #3 St. John’s Prep, 7 – Final

Thursday  (subscription required) https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-26-26/

 

Wednesday  (subscription required)  https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-25-26/

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

FHS Concert Hour 02-26-26 (video)

The Franklin TV video of the FHS Concert hour on Feb 26, 2026 is available for replay.

Video link -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-USQsFy9hc

Finance Committee approves funding recommendation for fire truck replacement (video)

The Franklin (MA) Finance Committee met on Wednesday, Feb 25, 206 as scheduled at 6 PM. 5 members were in chambers, 1 remote. It was announced 1 member had resigned that day and would hopefully be replaced before the budget hearings in April.

Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/sM7NUUmqKlw?&t=245

The agenda and released doc can be found - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02252026-2152 

My notes were captured via the Bluesky app, the top of the thread can be found here - https://bsky.app/profile/franklinmatters.bsky.social/post/3mfpsbpk6us2o

Quick recap

• Motion to approve the prior meeting notes, so moved, second, passes via roll call (1 remote) was 6-0-3 (2 absent, 1 resigned this AM)
• Discussion on need to replace a fire engine which has frame corrosion and was taken offline.
• Discussion on an undercarriage wash to help prolong the life of the trucks and rest of the fleet with other issues of corrosion
• Consider other alternatives for prevention of corrosion, maybe look to a cost analysis on the sand vs. salt/brine solution. What are the pros, cons?
• Multiple options available for financing, ultimately resolved to recommend authorization of a BAN (a short term borrowing instrument) for the full $935K.
• This keeps the stabilization account intact for now and can still be used to pay down the principal when the BAN is converted to a longer term finance deal
• Vote passed 5-1 via roll call
• Q2 report 
• Snow and ice was gradually increased to be fully funded from ops instead of free cash
• Lack of FEMA money for 'disaster' events like the major storms
• Local receipts are not at the level that Kerri would like
• Library is only $25k over the State minimum
• Discussion on adding to a May meeting reconsidering the OPEB contribution to relook at the recommendation before the Council votes in June
• Discussion on the Council handling of the capital budget and suggestion of having FinCom representative at the Council meeting to support any recommendations. A great idea

Franklin Ridge Senior Housing - Presentation with Q&A (video)

The video of the presentation and discussion held at the Franklin Senior Center Feb 6 is now available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sD2t0uiwSY

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 

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

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/

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

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