Wednesday, March 4, 2026

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.)

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.


No Kings Franklin - March 28 on the Franklin Town Common

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!

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
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'


Franklin Elks Bingo - every Wednesday Night

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


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
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)  

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)  

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 

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 ???

Tuesday, March 3


12:00pm Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)
6:30pm Franklin Garden Club - monthly meeting (Franklin Senior Center)



For additional details on Library events -> 
For additional details on Senior Center events ->   


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   ***


250th Anniversary Celebration Committee Special Meeting

Tuesday, March 3 Time: 7:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03032026-2165 


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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


Join the Friends of the Franklin Library for a Friends’ Social - Tuesday, March 10

You’re Invited!
Friends’ Social - Tuesday, March 10
Friends’ Social - Tuesday, March 10

📅 Tuesday, March 10 | 🕕 6:30–7 PM | 📍 Franklin Public Library

Join us for a Friends’ Social — a chance to meet Friends and learn how you can get involved with Friends of the Franklin Library! Enjoy some refreshments, grab a free tote bag and stay afterwards for our March Board Meeting — all are welcome! 

💛 About Us
Friends of the Franklin Library is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the Library’s collections, programs, and community engagement.

If you can’t attend, please contact us at FoFL02038@gmail.com to learn more or get involved.

🙌 We’re Looking For:
Volunteers — have extra time & looking for a way to give back? Come get involved!
Board Members — step into a leadership role 
Website Helpers — especially those with Wix experience



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

FM #1679 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1679 in the series. 


This session shares the Finance Committee meeting conducted Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The Committee opened with 5 members in Chambers and 1 remote. 2 members absent and 1 had just resigned that morning (and hopefully to be replaced before April budget hearings). 


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 the 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



The recording runs just about 90 minutes, let’s listen

Audio link -  
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1679-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-02-25-26/


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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



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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. 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"


Charter School to perform High School Musical 3/6 (1 show) & 3/7 (2 shows)

Charter School to perform High School Musical 3/6 (1 show) & 3/7 (2 shows)
Charter School to perform High School
Musical 3/6 (1 show) & 3/7 (2 shows)

WELCOME TO TECH WEEK and please join us for one of three shows this weekend!

There's still time to order well wishes to the cast and crew, place business ad or order tickets in advance!


Three shows this weekend. We hope you'll join us!