Franklin Matters

"As you may have heard, earlier today (01/07/26) a woman named Renee Nicole Good was acting as a legal witness to ICE in Minneapolis and was shot and killed by ICE agents. While the facts continue to come out, from what we have seen in the video provided by other witnesses, this certainly seems like the ICE agents were in the wrong and an innocent person was killed.

Franklin Town Common

There will be a candlelight vigil Thursday January 8 at 6 PM on the Franklin Town Common to mourn this loss. We will have candles but may not have enough for everyone, so if you have one handy, please bring it. We will also have some handwarmers for those who need them.

I hope you can join us for this peaceful vigil."

Facebook event -> https://www.facebook.com/events/1592867858535292/

Boston Globe coverage of the shooting in Minneapolis -> https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/07/nation/ice-minnesota-shooting/

Franklin (MA) Board Of Health Mtg - 01/07/26 (exclusive audio)

FM #1623 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1623 the series.

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The meeting agenda was held in the 3rd floor training room as well as via Google Meet. 2 board members were present (Daddario absent).

Quick Recap:

Chair Kim Mu-Chow opens the meeting

Reads protocol statement re: Google meet
Confirms participation via roll call
Approval of Dec minutes, moved, second, passes 2-0-1 (1 absent)

Blood pressure kits available at Library

Discussion around the additional communications to spread the word, possible audio opportunity too

Flu cases

Mass Dept Public Health numbers on respiratory health, 16% emergency visits due to respiratory illnesses, flu and others in the category
Actual #s would be higher than reported, ie story of one test for a family of 4; largest group reported 5-19... What % of Franklin is vaccinated? DPH has the #s could query for
29 adult and 4 pediatric fatalities from flu this season across Mass

Discussion on setting up another flu vaccine sooner than later (before Feb vacation) COVID is still around but not as high as the flu
Moving to tobacco regulations

Motion to approve, new regulations with a couple of grandfather circumstances (500' for existing, 1000' for new locations) , max 6 mg per pouch
Second, vote on the motion, 2-0-1 (1 absent)

Regional health agent reports

Biannual inspections underway
2 residential kitchens, In operation, one last month, one this month starting now

Quarterly trend on health issues forthcoming

Explanation on food borne illness and inspection process upon alert

The meeting runs about 36 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting January 7, 2026.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1623-franklin-ma-board-of-health-mtg-01-07-26/

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Agenda doc ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01072026-2071

My notes in one PDF file ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nTgbKGgRO0z1GV2qqqNFwBpqaaqF590D/view?usp=drive_link

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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"

FHS winter sports results for Wednesday, Jan 7

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, January 7, 2026

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 0 @ North Attleboro, 4 – Final

By Josh Perry || HockomockSports.com Managing Editor

"Going into the third period of Wednesday’s league opener at the New England Sports Village, North Attleboro had a one-goal lead over Franklin. Rocketeers coach Anthony Sarno, who coached the Panthers for two seasons, knew that his team couldn’t rest on that slim margin.

“Don’t take your foot off the gas because they’re not going to quit,” Sarno explained, when asked about his message to the team in the second intermission. “To play with a team like that, they’re hard, they’re physical, you’ve got to play through it. I’m proud, they all worked hard.”

The Rocketeers kept pushing and only 18 seconds into the third, Shaun Colonna managed to keep his balance after nearly falling under heavy pressure and he roofed a shot into the far corner to double North’s advantage.

North would score three times in the third and skate away with a comfortable 4-0 victory. It was North’s first win over Franklin since 2019, it’s third win in a row, and its second consecutive shutout."

Continue reading the game recap (subscription required) ->

https://hockomocksports.com/north-attleboro-boys-hockey-kicks-off-league-play-with-shutout-of-franklin/

For a photo gallery from this game (subscription required) -> https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2025-2026/Winter-2025-2026/North-Attleboro-Franklin-Boys-Hockey-01-07-26

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 1 @ Mansfield/Oliver Ames, 7 – Final

– Locked in a tie game late in the second period, the Warriors erupted for three goals in the last four minutes and added three more goals in the third period to get a big league win. Ella Cohen scored twice to lead the offense as the team generated sustained pressure and a steady stream of scoring chances. Annabelle Fanjoy, Ashleigh Cromack, Kayla Isleib, Kara Martin, and Georgia Hulbig also found the back of the net in a balanced scoring effort. Defenders Charlotte Ricketts and Ellie Lloyd anchored the blue line with a strong defensive performance, helping limit chances the other way. Forward Sophia Keach-DaRossa was effective around the net, creating traffic and contributing to the offensive zone presence throughout the game.

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-8FxtAbw18

Wrestling = Franklin, 34 @ Xaverian, 47 – Final

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-07-26/

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

FREE Choking Emergency class Jan 28

The Franklin Fire and Health Department's are hosting a FREE class that focuses on choking emergencies for our community members this month on January 28 from 3 PM - 4:30 PM at the Franklin Fire Station on 40 West Central St.

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/13x5W_sTOVbMxHL43X5XkIst8TiHMf377/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin gets MassTrails Grant for the SNETT

via Senator Becca Rausch:

"Trails connect our Commonwealth in beautiful and unexpected ways, bringing people closer to neighborhoods, parks and downtowns. Congratulations to Town of Bellingham MA, Town of Franklin MA, and Town of Wrentham, Massachusetts for receiving MassTrails Grants to help develop and improve the Charles Headwater Greenway, the SNETT Rail Trail, and many more outdoor spaces. "

From MassTrails Award listing (spreadsheet)

"This project will provide benches periodically along the 2.8 mile section of the SNETT and offer a convenient place to rest and enjoy the outdoors. These benches will be similar to the DCR benches already in place on the SNETT Trail located from Center St out to the Rt 126 tunnel. $16,263"

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

Gov Healey press release -> https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-awards-75-million-in-grants-for-trail-improvements-across-the-state

Police Station Bldg Cmte selects Parmenter as site, recommends code review of Parmenter building to Town Council (audio)

FM #1622 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1622 in the series.

This session shares the Police Station Building Cmte Mtg held on Wednesday, January 6, 2026. 2 members (K Alexander, G Premo) were absent.

Quick recap:

Refresh on membership: "The Town Administrator shall nominate all eleven members of the committee membership, to be ratified by the Town Council. The Chair of the Town Council shall select the Chair, Vice-Chair and Clerk. Terms of the committee shall be through substantial completion of the project." from the Committee charge document -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1146/Police-Station-Building-Committee-Charge-PDF
Chief TJ Lynch provides an update on the open house/tours held in Sept/Oct 2025 and poorly attended. Virtual tour available on project webpage -> https://www.franklinmapoliceproject.com/existing-conditions or the YouTube playlist -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJjVX3ZOe9o&list=PLL2XKlvMgLAlZpjphLCLuJbyvu3tKxMOF
Joe Lynch, OPM provides an update then the remainder of the team walk through the process and findings to date. Tonight's presentation doc to be added to the project page in meantime, much of it restates that shared in August 2025 https://a8db3785-aec1-40c7-8a6f-6e79d6737676.filesusr.com/ugd/c81e0f_c6d6a290752446faa622810cfb358ba1.pdf
Discussion around site options, decided to make a recommendation for project site as Parmenter (passed unanimously).
Also determined to recommend a Code review of the existing facility at the quoted cost of $62.5K (passed 6-1; Woodward no)
No meeting scheduled at this time, pending direction from Town Council

The recording runs about 60 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1622-police-station-bldg-cmte-mtg-01-06-26/

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urNiDr84B38

The agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01062026-2064

My notes in one PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16_dc-Zg0yH5eRlDEfImxNUAiiK92JX3q/view?usp=drive_link

Photo album of some of the slide alternatives for the Parmenter site

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2UZWJD1m68WCkYZB6

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potential placement of new station keeping all of Parmenter building

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

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"

Spot the scams when fixing your credit

Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

Spot the scams when fixing your credit

By BCP Staff

If there's information on your credit report that's correct but not so great, it can make it harder to get credit with good terms. But there are things you can do yourself for free to help fix your credit. Credit repair companies also charge to do the same things. Before you consider paying, though, know the rules these companies have to follow — rules dishonest companies and scammers often break.

Franklin Matters

Thursday, January 8, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, January 8, 2026 ???

Peaceful candlelight vigil Thursday, January 8 at 6 PM on the Franklin Town Common

Franklin (MA) Board Of Health Mtg - 01/07/26 (exclusive audio)

FHS winter sports results for Wednesday, Jan 7

FREE Choking Emergency class Jan 28

Franklin gets MassTrails Grant for the SNETT

Police Station Bldg Cmte selects Parmenter as site, recommends code review of Parmenter building to Town Council (audio)

Spot the scams when fixing your credit

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