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"

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, Dec 3, 2025 ???

Wednesday, Dec 3

9:30am Busy Bee Holiday Bazaar (Franklin Senior Center)

10:00am Veterans Coffee Social (Franklin Senior Center)

12:00pm Dean College Women in Business Expo (Dean College)

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 MEETINGS

Wednesday, December 3 Time:  5:00 PM

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

Town Council Meeting / Tax Rate Hearing

Wednesday, December 3 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12032025-2031 

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

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

Agenda for the Board of Health meeting - Dec 3 at 5 PM

Franklin Board Of Health

Agenda & Meeting Packet

December 3, 2025, 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.

Agenda for the Board of Health meeting - Dec 3 at 5 PM

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. November 5, 2025

4. NEW BUSINESS

a. Discussion of oral nicotine pouches

b. Board of Health meeting dates for 2026

5. PUBLIC HEARINGS

a. Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products Regulations amendments

6. REPORTS

a. Metacomet shared service grant regional health agent report

b. Metacomet shared service grant public health nurse report

7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

8. ADJOURN

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->

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

Audio recording of the Franklin (MA) Board of Health Mtg - Nov 5, 2025 (audio)

FM #1576 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1576 the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, November 5, 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:

• Current chair Jeff Harris opens meeting

• Reads protocol statement re: Google meet

• Welcomes new member Diane Daddario

• Approval of minutes, June 4 moved, second, passes 2-0-1 (1 abstain)

• July 23 moved also by 2-0-1 (1 abstain)

• Reorganization

• Motion to make Kim as chair passes, Jeff as vice chair, passes 3-0 for both

• Tobacco control agent appt required. 

• Motion to make MHOA, second, passes 3-0

• Discussion on tobacco regulations, need to adjust the Franklin regs to along with State changes;

• C Liberty offers to provide info on neighboring communities and how they handle it

• Issue with the difference between tobacco vs other retail store opportunities, could affect their market

• Issue with menthol cigarettes prohibited in MA, folks traveling to RI to purchase

• Next meeting to review again, decision likely in Dec, public hearing to be scheduled in January

• Motion to adjourn passes, 3-0

The meeting runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting November 5, 2025.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1576-franklin-ma-board-of-health-mtg-11-05-25/

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

The Board of Health agenda can be found ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11052025-1990 

My notes captured in one PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CkWYFXT-obacJrhnXt8jOb8auxYKb0zW/view?usp=drive_link 

Audio recording of the Franklin (MA)
Board of Health Mtg - Nov 5, 2025 (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"