Board of Health schedules meeting for one agenda item - July 23, 2025 - 5 PM

Board of Health Agenda

July 23, 2025 - 5 PM

Board of Health schedules meeting for
one agenda item - July 23, 2025 - 5 PM

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

NEW BUSINESS

● Local upgrade approval for 31 Greystone Road

CITIZENS COMMENTARY

ADJOURNMENT

The agenda doc also has the remote participation info ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07232025-1828

Nomination papers for Town of Franklin Election available Aug 4, 2025

Monday, August 4 – Nomination papers available (by appointment only) in the Town Clerk's Office. Please check our website for hours.

Monday, September 15 by 4:00 PM – Signed Nomination papers must be submitted to the Town Clerk's Office for certification

Monday, September 22 by 4:00 PM- Last day to withdraw your candidacy

Nomination papers for Town of Franklin
Election available Aug 4, 2025

Saturday, October 25 – Last day to register to vote from 9 AM to 5 PM in the Town Clerk's Office by appointment only or register online at http://www.sec.state.ma.us

Please visit our website www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk or call the Town Clerk's Office at 508-520-4900 for any questions.

Download the list of available positions ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/18_OEf8M8YNVj4iCTeaPXo8bLnXZ2UuUn/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin Public Library: "the first library in Mass to team with the American Heart Association on a self-monitoring blood pressure station"

The oldest public lending library in the country is embracing a thoroughly modern mission: protecting the heart health of its community.  

The Franklin Public Library — founded in 1790 with books donated by Benjamin Franklin — has become the first library in Massachusetts to team with the American Heart Association on a self-monitoring blood pressure station, a new initiative aimed at expanding access to preventative health care in trusted community spaces.  

Located on the second floor of the library at 118 Main Street, the station features an automated blood pressure monitor available for public use, along with 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.   

Franklin Library Director Felicia Oti takes her blood pressure

The Association’s vice president of community impact in Greater Boston, Adriene Worthington, recently helped set up the station alongside library and town officials. But this isn’t just a DIY health kiosk. Franklin’s public health nurse, Alisha Sullivan, will periodically staff the station to answer questions, assist with readings, and guide residents who may need medical follow-up.  

“Knowing your blood pressure is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health,” said Sullivan. “Not everyone owns a reliable monitor at home or knows how to use one. This gives people another option—one that’s free, walk-in friendly, and located in a place they already visit for other reasons.”  

Library officials say the initiative aligns perfectly with their vision of the library as a “third space”—a place that isn’t home or work, but is open to everyone without any expectation to spend money.  

“We still offer books and DVDs, of course,” said Allison Smith, the library’s assistant director. “But we’re also expanding the idea of what a library can be. This is a space for community connection, lifelong learning, and now even preventative health.”  

The Franklin Public Library serves residents of all ages, from young families and high schoolers to older adults. Smith hopes that the sight of a blood pressure cuff nestled among the stacks will encourage people to take a quick health check, even if it wasn’t on their to-do list when they walked in.  

“You might come to pick up a book or use the computer, and as you’re walking by, you think, ‘I’ve been meaning to check my blood pressure,’” she said. “It’s a subtle, accessible reminder to take care of yourself.”  

For Franklin’s director of public health, Cathleen Liberty, the initiative is personal. She lost her father to heart disease and has long championed early detection and community education as pillars of prevention.  

“I’ve seen programs like this in other states, and I immediately thought: We need to bring this to Massachusetts,” Liberty said. “We’re so proud to be the first town in the state to partner with the American Heart Association on a library-based station.”  

Liberty said the program fills a critical gap in Massachusetts, where public health departments often operate with limited resources.  

“Not everyone has easy access to a doctor, and not everyone understands what their numbers mean,” she said. “This station makes it easier to know your health status and take action if needed.”  

From the American Heart Association’s perspective, the program is all about meeting people where they are.  

“The path of least resistance is our strategy,” said Worthington. “We want to make it as easy as possible for someone to check their blood pressure. And where better than a library, which people already trust, already visit, and feel comfortable in?”  

In addition to the in-library station, the American Heart Association is donating three portable blood pressure monitors that library patrons will be able to check out and bring home. Each monitor will come with easy-to-follow instructions, educational materials, and a multi-week blood pressure tracking log that users can keep, helping them monitor their readings over time and share results with their health care providers if needed. 

The Association is supporting this initiative through a gift from a local philanthropist. Over the next year, the organization plans to expand the program to additional libraries across Massachusetts, with the next self-monitoring blood pressure station set to launch in Brockton later this summer.  

The Association has used a similar model in Boston-area churches, training faith leaders and volunteers to run monthly blood pressure screenings. Worthington sees libraries as the next logical step in bringing hypertension education into the everyday lives of residents. 

“Whether it’s a house of worship or a public library, it’s about building a culture of health in spaces where people feel they belong,” she said. 

About the American Heart Association  

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. The organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   

Shared from the American Heart Association press release ->   https://newsroom.heart.org/local-news/massachusetts-library-expands-role-as-community-hub-with-blood-pressure-station

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 ???

Library & Senior Center events

Wednesday, June 4

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

6:00pm HMMS Concert (Horace Mann School)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  Town Meetings today   **

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETINGS

Wednesday, June 4 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06042025-1765 

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, June 4 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06042025-1769 

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What's happening today in Franklin? 

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

TheTopic: 007 - Conversation on Domestic Violence and services offered by New Hope, Inc. (audio)

A conversation with Lily Bufalino and Franklin (MA) Health Director Cathleen Liberty

New Hope web page -  https://www.new-hope.org/ 

Toll-Free, 24-Hour Hotline at 800-323-HOPE (4673)

Audio link -> https://the-topic.captivate.fm/episode/thetopic-007-new-hope-services-on-domestic-violence/

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 

For additional information, please visit  the Health Dept page at www.Franklinma.gov   

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at  cliberty@franklinma.gov 

The music for the intro and exit is called “Positive and Fun” by Scott Holmes Music and is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License  

Scott Holmes Music => https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes

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

Stop the Bleed Class scheduled for June 18

Good afternoon,

The Franklin Fire and Health Department is having another free Stop the Bleed class for the community. The class will be on Wednesday June 18th from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm. 

Stop the Bleed Class scheduled for June 18 

Location: EOC classroom at the Franklin Fire Headquarters. Please share the attached flyer and link below, so individuals are able to sign up. 

Thank you for your help!

SIGN UP LINK: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ACAF2EAAF9C25-57085363-stop

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mlhXzCcxlnGMweK2TfFa-yJE24AmZLkF/view?usp=drive_link

Healthy Brain Event scheduled for June 11, 2025

Good morning,

I wanted to share the details about an upcoming event The Franklin Health Department and Senior Center are having on June 11th.  

Healthy Brain Event scheduled for June 11, 2025

The Franklin Health Department is working on a Healthy Brain Initiative to focus on brain health and the "10 ways to love your brain" to decrease the risk of dementia and cognitive decline. 

There will be many local vendors to represent the 10 healthy habits to improve brain health. There will also be health screenings, giveaways, snacks, an exercise demonstration and dementia risk reduction presentation. 

All ages are welcome; it's never too late or too early to incorporate healthy habits!

Please share the attached flyer to help promote our newest event, thank you for your help!  

Franklin's Healthy Brain Initiative

LOCATION: Franklin Senior Center

WHEN: Wednesday June 11^th, 2025

TIME: 3:00PM – 5:00PM

 

Alisha Sullivan RN, BSN

Public Health Nurse | Health Department

10 Daniel McCahill Street

Franklin, Massachusetts 02038-1352

Download the Flyer as a reminder or to share ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/14S6QtDdgfamxK4sQ9cEU8E1h-DRfy4np/view?usp=drive_link

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, May 19, 2025 ???

Monday, May 19

• Empty Bowls tickets on Sale
• Early Voting - FY 2026 Override Special Election

6:30pm Franklin Q&A  (Library & remote)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**   Town Meetings today   **

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING

Monday, May 19, 2025 9:00 AM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05192025-1743

Library Board of Directors Regular Meeting

Monday, May 19, 2025 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/Library-Board-of-Directors-20/? 

Franklin Agricultural Committee Agenda

May 19, 2025 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05192025-1734

Recreation Advisory Board Meeting

Monday, May 19, 2025 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05192025-1750

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What's happening today in Franklin? 

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

Board of Health meeting scheduled for Monday, May 19 at 9 AM

The monthly Board of Health meeting usually held on the first Wednesday, had been scheduled for this past Wednesday, May 14 and I missed the update changing it to this Monday, May 19. The normal agenda was also shortened to one item.

BOARD OF HEALTH AGENDA

May 19, 2025 - 9 AM

NEW BUSINESS

● Residential commercial kitchen discussion

CITIZENS COMMENTARY

ADJOURNMENT

Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05192025-1743

Board of Health meeting scheduled for Monday, May 19 at 9 AM

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 ???

Library & Senior Center events 

Wednesday, May 14

1:00pm Writer's Group (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm Tour the Franklin Food Pantry (sign up in advance) (Franklin Food Pantry)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**   Town Meetings today   **

Board of Health (missed an update that moved the meeting to Monday, May 19 at 9 AM)

May 14, 2025, 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05072025-1722 

Franklin Cultural Council Meeting

May 14, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05142025-1731 

Historical Commission Meeting

May 14, 2025, 6:00 PM 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05142025-1740

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What's happening today in Franklin? 

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