Friday, February 6, 2026

Board of Health in planning for a women's health fair (audio exclusive)

FM #1653 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1653 the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. The meeting agenda was held in the 3rd floor training room as well as via Google Meet. 2 board members were present (Harris 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)

  • No citizen comments

  • Planning for a women's health fair

    • Likely at New England Chapel, all women's health issues to be covered with vendors and info tables

    • Awaiting confirmation on a mobile mammogram vehicle to set a date and begin planning on earnest

    • Possible time frame in afternoon but van dependent

  • Pediatric vaccine guidelines potentially conflict between state, federal, and medical orgs. State advising to follow the American Pediatric Society vs CDC advises to consult physician

  • Discussion on moves of temp sensitive items (food, vaccines)

  • Discussion on uninformed comments around supposed connection between pregnant women and acetaminophen; no study makes the connection,

    • Acetaminophen can be dangerous if taken in high doses regularly by anyone

    • There has historically been only a short list of approved drugs for pregnant women.

    • When the doses available became 500, and folks still took 2, it can become very impactful quickly

  • Report on food inspection and trends coming in future meeting COVID in Jan, 19 vs 13 in prior month

  • Flu activity still high; 64 flu cases vs over 160 prior month Also va 170 last Jan (2025); 33% affected in 5-19 age group

    • Brain games a big hit at Central Park Terrace

    • Senior Center training for staff on CPR in planning stage

  • Discussion on a hoarding issue, actually ended in a good place but did take emergency action coordination with Police, Fire etc.

  • Motion to adjourn, second, passes 2-0-1


The meeting runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting February 4, 2026.


Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1653-franklin-ma-board-of-health-mtg-02-04-26/



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Agenda doc ->

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02042026-2115 


My notes in one PDF file -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oVNA0sE71gIgshLF-W9tKQ-HQgxNPQG6/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"

Old Colony Habit shares a build day at the Franklin house (reel)

Yesterday was pure magic.

Old Colony Habit shares a build day at the Franklin house (reel)
Old Colony Habit shares a build day
at the Franklin house (reel)
We’re so grateful to Jeff at StoryPulse Media for beautifully capturing the energy, teamwork, and heart of our build day with Plansee - Strong Metals.

This is what community looks like! A huge thank you to everyone who made it so special.

Looking for ways to help out? Be sure to check out our site, which lists different ways you can make a difference! 





Rausch Report: New Year, Renewed Energy

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you and your families, friends, neighbors, and loved ones are safe and warm amid all the snow and these frigid temperatures.  

Read more in this month’s Rausch Report
Read more in this month’s Rausch Report
This month been an emotional time for many of us. ICE agents in Minnesota, Maine, and throughout the country have detained small children, ripped parents out of their children’s arms, dragged people from their homes, and killed Renée Good, Alex Pretti, and others this month, after they made 2025 ICE’s deadliest year in decades. ICE’s recklessness defies both democracy and safety; their actions are a gut punch to American values and human decency.  

I have spoken out about this several times, including on the Senate floor. This moment requires more. 


Yesterday, I filed a comprehensive suite of anti-ICE legislation:  
  • An Act to get ICE out of families 
  • An Act to de-ICE Massachusetts law enforcement 
  • An Act supporting the pursuit of justice against ICE 
  • An Act to melt ICE defenses 
  • An Act to uncover ICE 
These bills bolster the continuing work across multiple state government branches to address this horrible and heartbreaking reality, to the greatest extent we can. Yesterday, Governor Maura Healey issued an Executive Order to prohibit the state from entering into any new 287(g) agreements with ICE and exclude ICE from using state property as staging areas. She also introduced robust legislation to prohibit ICE activity in schools, childcare centers, hospitals, and places of worship. Additionally, several of my legislative colleagues recently filed anti-ICE legislation, all of which I have cosponsored, including an anti-mask bill that incorporates language I first filed back in October.

Meanwhile, the natural gas companies tried to charge you interest on the heating payment deferrals designed to provide some cost relief during these frigid months. My colleagues and I said “no way” to that; I co-led a bipartisan letter from more than half the Senate membership to the Department of Public Utilities, urging the administration to reject that outrageous proposal. Hours later, and after pushback not only from the Senate but also the House and the Governor herself, the utility companies backed away from their attempted money-grab. I also cosponsored a resolution in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and had the privilege of welcoming championship-winning student athletes and award-winning educators to the State House. Plus, the Senate passed several bills to support students, seniors, and our communities.

Read on in this month’s Rausch Report for more details about my newly filed legislation, a welcome to our new spring interns, information about upcoming events in the district, and more.

For real-time updates, please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky. If you are a constituent and need assistance, please don’t hesitate to call me and my team at (617) 722-1555, email me at becca.rausch@masenate.gov, or attend upcoming office hours. We are here to help.     

Yours in service,

Senator Becca Rausch 

Continue reading Senator Rausch's January recap ->

Trust Fall Writing workshop scheduled for Feb 22, 2026

Trust Fall Writing workshop scheduled for Feb 22, 2026
Trust Fall Writing workshop scheduled for Feb 22, 2026



In our recent recording session, Brittany talked about her "trust fall writing" method  - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/brittany-capozzi-talks-of-her-journey.html


Laura May Band at La Cantina on Valentine's Day

Laura May Band at La Cantina on Valentine's Day
Laura May Band at La Cantina on Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is just around the corner!

We are now taking reservations at La Cantina Winery.

Please note that dinner reservations have a 2-hour time limit. After dinner, you're welcome to move over to our live music area and keep the celebration going! 

Call us to reserve your table: (978)450-1111

We can't wait to celebrate with you!




MBTA community progress report

"Adopted in 2021, the MBTA Communities Act required cities and towns served by the MBTA to allow multifamily housing "as of right" in reasonably sized districts, near transit where feasible, and without restrictions that exclude families with children.

An Early Look at the MBTA Communities Permitting Pipeline
An Early Look at the MBTA
Communities Permitting Pipeline
After five years of planning, discussion, local meetings and implementation, "An Early Look at the MBTA Communities Permitting Pipeline", examines a state-compiled list of more than 100 developments, totaling almost 7,000 homes, that have entered the permitting pipeline in these new zones. One potentially surprising finding - despite its transit-oriented name, the majority of housing inspired by the Act is happening outside of walking distance from transit stations. 

The report looks at how many of these projects are likely to move from permitting into construction and eventual occupancy; where housing is being built relative to transit and walkable centers; how effectively as-of-right zoning is reducing permitting risk and delay; and what these early signals imply about the law’s likely long-term contribution to housing production in Massachusetts.

The report page on Boston Indicators also features an interactive map of MBTA Communities-related projects to date."



Mass Senate now on Substack

Mass Senate now on Substack
Mass Senate now on Substack
"The Massachusetts State Senate is now on Substack! The first four posts from “The Gavel Drop” are now online, and more stories, news, and perspectives will be coming soon.

This is one more way the Senate is making our work more accessible, more transparent, and more connected to our constituents.

Subscribe to stay in the loop: https://masenate.substack.com "




Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, February 6, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fmFranklin 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
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 


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 6, 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: Katie Kindilien
8:30 am Frank Presents: Daniela Masters Pt 1
9:30 am Martin Luther King: Music and Spoken Word
10:00 am Aging Boldfully: Look Back then Move Forward
11:00 am Senior Connection: Disabilities Commission
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs
12:30 pm Cook with Linda: Broccoli Salad
1:30 pm      Pizzapalooza: White 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 U. S. Army: Jazz Ambassadors 04-01-19
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 Middle School Winter Music: 2025: Band
11:00 am FHS Theater Company: Lord of the Flies
2:00 pm FHS Winter Jazz 01-27-26
4:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball v Mansfield 01-27-26
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
Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Thursday, February 5, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, February 5, 2026 ???

Thursday, February 5



Library & Senior Center events
Library & Senior Center events

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   ***


Bi-County Collaborative Joint Board of Directors & Operating Comm. Mtg. (Walpole)
Thursday, February 5 Time: 9:00 AM

Franklin Commission on Disability

Thursday, February 5 Time: 4:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02052026-2110 


Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting  - NO Meeting

Thursday, February 5 Time: 7:30 PM


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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