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/

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

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 

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

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FREE Choking Emergency class Jan 28

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. 

SIGN UP LINK: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ACAF2EAAF9C25-61503087-first

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, January 7, 2026 ???

Wednesday, January 7

• Christmas trees scheduled for curbside pickup on your normal trash/recycling day

 

1:00pm Joe Landry "Depot Plaza" (Franklin Senior Center)

6:30pm Franklin Art Association Monthly Meeting (Franklin Senior Center)

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

**  Town Meetings today   **

Board of Health Meeting

Wednesday, January 7 Time: 5:00 PM

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

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, January 7 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01072026-2073 

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

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

Policies may have changed, the science hasn't

Policies may have changed, the science hasn't

"RFK Jr. has officially changed the US pediatric vaccine schedule. Let’s be very clear about what this means:

Reduced recommendations will result in confusion.

Confusion will result in fewer vaccinations.

Fewer vaccinations (specifically for rotavirus, COVID-19, influenza, RSV, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A and hepatitis B) will result in an increase in disease, disability, and death.

Please ignore this unscientific nonsense and follow the @ameracadpeds schedule alongside your pediatrician.

Comment SCHEDULE to get larger and downloadable versions of these slides*."

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DTI_5TQkijZ/

* Note: When the slides are available, I'll share them.

The Boston Globe also has an article assessing the recent changes to the vaccine policies and the impact to Massachusetts. Read via this "share link"   https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/05/metro/cdc-vaccine-kennedy-measles-polio-flu-rsv-children-shots-massachusetts/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

Franklin, MA: Agenda for Board of Health meeting Wednesday, Jan 7 at 5 PM

FRANKLIN BOARD OF HEALTH

Agenda & Meeting Packet

January 7, 2026 5:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Franklin Municipal Building

355 East Central Street - 3rd Floor, Training Room

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Board of Health cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Board of Health may ask the Director of Public Health to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Agenda for Board of Health meeting

a. December 3, 2025  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8009/December-3-2025---Minutes

4. NEW BUSINESS

a. Discussion of Blood Pressure program at the library  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8010/Blood-Pressure-Monitor-Kits

b. Rising number of flu cases discussion

5. PUBLIC HEARING

a. Voting on Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products Regulations amendments  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7457/Draft-Regulation-of-the-Franklin-Board-of-Health-6325docx---Google-Docs

6. REPORTS

a. Metacomet shared service grant regional health agent report  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8023/Regional-Health-Agent-December-2025-Report

b. Metacomet shared service grant public health nurse report  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8022/Nursing-Agenda-December-2025

7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

8. ADJOURNMENT

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->

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

Did you know that Blood Pressure Kits are now available at the Franklin Public Library ???

The Franklin Health Department and Franklin Library have partnered with the American Heart Association to bring home blood pressure kits to our library! Patrons who visit the Franklin library can now monitor their blood pressure at home as part of the American Heart Association's ongoing "Libraries with Heart" program, which allows for blood pressure kits to be borrowed, much like checking out a book.

There is also a blood pressure monitor set up at the Franklin library on the second floor for public use. In addition, there are educational materials from the American Heart Association about how to interpret results and why managing high blood pressure is essential to preventing heart disease and stroke.  

This is a great tool if an individual needs blood pressure (BP) monitoring, or cannot afford or have access to a BP monitor. Please share the attached flyer that helps explain this new program and help our community members be proactive about their heart health. 

Did you know that Blood Pressure Kits are now available at the Franklin Public Library ???

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TqJ1fMsln-1kgxsAMTL_XLrrORz-YfAw/view?usp=drive_link

Alisha Sullivan RN, BSN

Public Health Nurse | Health Department

10 Daniel McCahill Street

Franklin, Massachusetts 02038-1352

E. adeptula@franklinma.gov

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, December 10, 2025

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

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)  

• This segment shares the Board of Health meeting held on Dec 3 ->    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/board-of-health-reviews-changes-to.html

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)  

• This segment features Kim & Mark in Episode 304 - Holiday/Christmas Songs Paired With Wine  ->     https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode.html

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

Board of Health reviews changes to tobacco regulations to be voted on in January 2026 (audio)

FM #1600 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1600 the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. The meeting agenda was held in the 3rd floor training room as well as via Google Meet. All 3 board members were present. 

Quick Recap:

• Chair Kim Mu-Chow opens the meeting

• Reads protocol statement re: Google meet

• Confirms participation via roll call

• Approval of Nov minutes, moved, second, passes 3-0

• Schedule of meetings for 2026, first Wednesday except Jul, Aug. Motion to approve, Second, passes 3-0

• Motion to open hearing on tobacco regulations, moved, passes 3-0

• Local rules not up to the minimum state standards

• Adding some definitions, 2 items of interest footage from a site to a school being one

• Discussion on limit of up to 6mg, in retail for all retail not just the adult establishments

• Motion to accept amendment as discussed passes 3-0

• Amendment to be voted on at the Jan meeting with an implementation date thereafter (1000 ft, 2 establishments grandfathered, restriction to up to 6mg)

• Discussion on food inspection, how to handle a rating system like some communities have.

• Can be challenging to administer never mind harmful to the business if taken out of context.

• Inspection reports are kept by the restaurant on site and available upon request

• Health reports

• Flu cases finally starting to rise in county; Infant formula recall discussed

• Possible choking class coming, pending final review of materials to ensure coverage and deliver in an appropriate timeframe (an hour or so)

• Other items of interest

• Health office hours at Senior center on Thursday

• Coat drive underway, closes out Dec 6, giveaway coming up Dec 13

• Future item, blood pressure cuff checks

• Motion to adjourn passes, 3-0

The meeting runs about 45 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting December 3, 2025.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1600-franklin-ma-board-of-health-mtg-12-03-25/

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

The Board of Health agenda can be found ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12032025-2030 

My notes captured in one PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GgGN4uzU93d01N_wRgOyAWeCvPKxXOi8/view?usp=drive_link

Board of Health reviews changes to tobacco regulations to be voted on in January 2026 (audio)

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

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"