Franklin Matters

Friday, February 13, 2026

Disability-Related Resources in or around Franklin, MA

The Franklin Commission on Disability is excited to share a wonderful new resource: "Disability-Related Resources in or around Franklin, MA", now available on the Town website! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VYPlMEk8-gQ706ckntDjjvqdx-4NaFjBA4lJMbYvP8o/edit?tab=t.0

Questions?

Contact Chair Alison Rheaume: COD.FranklinMA@gmail.com/508-455-5687.

https://www.franklinma.gov/496/Franklin-Commission-on-Disability

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DUqxQR2koFM/

Capitalism, a story of wolves & sheep

"We can move beyond the capitalist model and save the climate – here are the first three steps" | Jason Hickel and Yanis Varoufakis

"We have an urgent responsibility. Our existing economic system is incapable of addressing the social and ecological crises we face in the 21st century. When we look around we see an extraordinary paradox. On the one hand, we have access to remarkable new technologies and a collective capacity to produce more food, more stuff than we need or that the planet can afford. Yet at the same time, millions of people suffer in conditions of severe deprivation.

"Capitalism cares about our species’ prospects as much
as a wolf cares about a lamb’s.
But democratise our economy
and a better world is within our grasp"

What explains this paradox? Capitalism. By capitalism we do not mean markets, trade and entrepreneurship, which have been around for thousands of years before the rise of capitalism. By capitalism we mean something very odd and very specific: an economic system that boils down to a dictatorship run by the tiny minority who control capital – the big banks, the major corporations and the 1% who own the majority of investible assets. Even if we live in a democracy and have a choice in our political system, our choices never seem to change the economic system. Capitalists are the ones who determine what to produce, how to use our labour and who gets to benefit. The rest of us – the people who are actually doing the production – do not get a say.

And for capital, the purpose of production is not primarily to meet human needs or to achieve social progress, much less to deliver on any ecological goals. The purpose is to maximise and accumulate profit. That is the overriding objective. This is the capitalist law of value. And to maximise profits, capital requires perpetual growth – ever increasing aggregate production, regardless of whether it is necessary or harmful."

Continue reading the article with this 'shared' link https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2026/feb/12/capitalist-model-climate-growth-capitalism-species-humanity?CMP=share_btn_url

Community Relations Subcommittee - 2/09/26 meeting recording (exclusive audio)

The Community Relations subcommittee of the Franklin School Committee met on Monday, February 9, 2026 via remotely only. Participating were Al Charles, Chair, Nadia Mausolf, Stephen Karunakaran, and Colin Boisvert, Operations Director. Yours truly participated and shares this recording.

The agenda topics:

• Finalize Mission Statement

• JGPR Overview

• Website Usage Metrics

• Quarterly Community Engagement Update

• Newsletter Planning

Link to agenda doc

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02092026-2123

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1657-schcmte-community-relations-subcmte-mtg-2-09-26/

End to homelessness possible but not with this administration

"'Deeply illogical': this man's life work could end homelessness – and Trump is doing all he can to stop it "

After four decades of research and over a
decade of federal support, Housing First’s
Sam Tsemberis is ‘back to being an outlaw’ in the US

"Now in his fourth decade of spreading the word across most of the world’s continents about “Housing First”, an approach to helping homeless people that has convinced governments and non-profits alike to see housing as a human right, Sam Tsemberis experienced a first.

He was censored by the US government.

In the 1990s, Tsemberis began developing a simple idea: people living on the street want, and should have, safe housing with no strings attached. When you add accessible mental health and addiction services and caring, consistent case management, most stay housed. His research would bear out the idea, showing that Housing First results in at least 85% of people staying housed 12 or 24 months later, depending on the study. These are higher rates than any other approach that’s been studied.

The idea was and still is not easy to implement because it depends on all the components being present: the apartments, the services and the committed case workers. It also requires believing that unhoused people “deserve” a place to live – a belief abhorrent to the Trump administration and most Maga conservatives."

Continue reading the article with this 'shared' link -

https://www.theguardian.com/society/ng-interactive/2026/feb/12/sam-tsemberis-homelessness?CMP=share_btn_url

Debt collection: Know your rights, avoid scams

Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

Debt collection: Know your rights, avoid scams

By BCP Staff

If a debt collector calls, do you know what to do? You have rights. Debt collectors can't harass, lie, or treat you unfairly — even if you owe the debt.

Before you pay, confirm a debt is actually yours — not someone else's or a scam to get your money.

Consider talking to the collector at least once to find out, even if you don't think you owe the money. To help you avoid a scam, here's what to do next.

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, February 13, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule 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 Friday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events

This hour features my discussion with our Town nurse Alisha Sullivan about the Blood Pressure Kits at Library -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/another-first-for-franklin-blood.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong. 2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews Showcasing the "Blues" as a basis for and influence of Country, Jazz and Rock and Roll, here and worldwide.

11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM - “The Vibe” show plays music for everyone searching for some enjoyment, some dance, a happy or thinking mood, and most importantly, having fun. Tune in to wfpr.fm and listen to “DJ Vibe” spin music across many genres and join this new vibing experience

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 Friday, February 13, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

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

7:00 am Franklin Art Association: Charlie Guay

8:30 am Frank Presents: Daniela Masters Pt 1

9:30 am Martin Luther King: Music and Spoken Word

10:00 am Aging Boldfully: Livestrong

11:00 am Senior Connection: Spaghetti Bolognese

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Stromboli

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Chicken Divan

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Game Day Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 5

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 11

3:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 2

5:30 pm ArtWeek: Airmen of Note

9:00 pm Circle of Friends: Kim Moberg & Jenna Nicholls

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

7:00 am Lifelong Winter Music 2026

8:30 am ArtWeek: Ed Iannuccilli

9:30 am FHS Winter Music: Chorus and Orchestra

11:00 am FHS Theater Company: Lord of the Flies

2:00 pm FHS Winter Jazz 2026

4:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball v Attleboro 02-06-26

8:30 pm FHSTC: Peter and the Starcatcher

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

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals 01-22-26

2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals 01-22-26

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

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Thursday, February 12, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, February 12, 2026 ???

Thursday, February 12

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 ***

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meeting

Thursday, February 12 Time: 2:00 PM

No agenda posted at this time

Charles River Pollution Control District Meeting

Thursday, February 12 Time: 4:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02122026-2131

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, February 12 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/553?fileID=7915

Cultural District Committee Meeting

Thursday, February 12 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02122026-2125

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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

Community Open House scheduled for March 28

You may recall that Old Colony Habitat for Humanity had scheduled an Open House for one of our snowy weekends.

The new date is March 28.
Same time frame; 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate this time!

You can use this link to RSVP for the event https://bit.ly/4qrf9cR

Attention High School Students Graduating in 2026: Applications for Knights Of Columbus Scholarship Program are open

The Knights of Columbus 1847 St Mary Parish Franklin is accepting applications for The Robert Simmler PGK, Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council Scholarships. They are offering two scholarships, one in the sum of $3000 and the second $1500 scholarship.

The applicants must be a registered member of St Mary’s Parish in Franklin and must be graduating from High School in Spring 2026 and progressing onto their first year of study at a 2- or 4-year college/university.

All interested applicants please submit a completed scholarship application postmarked on or before the application deadline of March 27, 2026

The application form is available from the banner on the St Mary parish website www.stmarysfranklin.org or on the Knights of Columbus website https://www.kofc1847.org/ .

Knights Of Columbus Scholarship Program opens for 2026

Please fill in ALL information accurately and clearly, and then submit the completed application to

Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Council 1847,
St Mary’s Parish c/o Michael Swan
38 Madison Ave.
Franklin MA 02038

The scholarship recipients will receive payment upon completion of their 1st semester of studies and upon proof of enrollment in the 2nd semester.

If more information is needed, please contact Mike Swan: 508-404-4792

FHS boys hockey tops Bishop Feehan on Wednesday

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 29 @ Wachusett, 74 – Final

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 5 vs. Bishop Feehan, 2

– Franklin secured a massive win in its quest to earn a playoff berth, beating a Feehan team that went into the game nine places above the Panthers in the Div. 1 rankings. Thomas Quinn had a hat trick and an assist to power the Franklin offense. Rocco Lampasona also found the back of the net and dished out a pair of assists, while Drake McAlpine had a goal and an assist. Drew Stolller also had a helper in the win.

Girls Hockey = Canton, 5 @ Franklin, 1 – Final

– Franklin took a shock lead early in the second period but Canton answered with five straight goals to secure the league win and a sweep of the season series. The Bulldogs dominated the opening period but couldn’t find a way past Franklin junior goalie Abby Trevino, who made 17 saves in the first to keep the game scoreless. Franklin had only one shot from outside the blue line in the first, but a minute into the second it was the Panthers who found the back of the net first. Freshman Cade Taccini slipped a pass across the crease and Chiara Pecci was able to slide it under the pads for Franklin’s 10th goal of the season. The lead only lasted 38 seconds before Canton tied it. Grace Donahue’s shot from the point went through a crowd of bodies and was knocked down in the crease. Abby Stock pounced on the loose puck and knocked it in. Midway through the second, Canton took the lead. Freshman Stella DiLorenzo collected a loose puck on the right side and snapped off a shot that beat Trevino from a tight angle. Trevino made a nice save to deny Rori Sasin, but the sophomore forward stuck with the rebound and flicked it into the net for a 3-1 lead. With 1:04 left in the period, Shannon Lane made a nifty pass to Sasin in the slot and Sasin smashed a one-timer into the top corner. Both teams hit the post in the third and Canton added a fifth with 5:25 to play. Cassidy Lyons carried the puck behind the net and slid a pass in front for DiLorenzo to add her second. Trevino finished with 40 saves for the Panthers.

For a Photo Gallery from this game (subscription required) - https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2025-2026/Winter-2025-2026/Franklin-Canton-Girls-Hockey-02-11-26

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-11-26/

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

Boston Globe: "The budgets for the bus go up and up"

"Massachusetts is set for another year of statewide municipal budget strain. With high inflation pushing up costs, and Prop 2½ constraining how much cities and towns can raise taxes, this spring will likely lead to tense town hall meetings across the state.

One budgetary strain stands out in particular: the skyrocketing cost of transporting schoolchildren. There are steps the state could take to ease this growing burden, and as more towns renegotiate their bus contracts and face massive jumps in costs, lawmakers should take a closer look at remedying this fiscal land mine.

FPS buses in the Holmes yard on Panther Way

In Fall River, school bus transportation costs ballooned from $8 million a year in 2021 to nearly $16 million in 2025. In 2024, Dartmouth was hit with a 26 percent increase in school transportation costs, with only one company bidding for the work. Last year, despite cutting eight buses from its fleet, Marlborough paid 8 percent more in the first year of its new transportation contract.

First: The industry of school bus transportation has changed dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Rich LaBrie, a consultant at Alliance Education Associates who specializes in school transportation. Pre-pandemic school bus drivers were, on average, older than other trucking professionals, rarely afforded health benefits, and generally worked only part-time."

Continue reading with this "shared" link - https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/10/opinion/school-bus-costs/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view