Showing posts with label COVID-19. Show all posts
Showing posts with label COVID-19. Show all posts

Saturday, August 9, 2025

Annual Report of the Town of Franklin Board of Health - FY 2024

With the Biennial Election coming up November 4, 2025, the nomination papers are available beginning Aug 4, 2025 for candidates to take, obtain the appropriate number of signatures to get on the ballot. 
We are sharing the section of the Annual Report for the Town of Franklin 2024 to help explain what each role entails. The Board of Health doesn't actually have a 'report' so we include the Health Dept report as this is the activity the Board provides oversight for.
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Mission Statement
The Franklin Health Department is charged with protecting the public health and well being of the community, in accordance with federal, state and local laws and regulations. The duties of the health department cover a wide range of public health control and prevention activities, including: disease surveillance; the promotion of sanitary conditions in housing, recreational facilities, and food establishments; elimination of nuisances; the protection of the environment; and numerous other responsibilities.

Board of Health
The three-member elected Board of Health is the policy making arm for the health department. The board members assist in the drafting of public health bylaws and regulations. The board also presides over administrative hearings concerning health department licensed and permitted activities. The board members are utilized for consultation on issues relative to public health as well.
  • Chair, Bridget Sweet 
  • Vice Chair, Jeff Harris 
  • Member, Kim Mu-Chow

Staff
The current Health Department staff is as follows:
  • Cathleen Liberty, Director of Public Health Ginny McNeil, Health Agent
  • Alisha Deptula, Public Health Nurse
  • Cassia Monterio, Regional Shared Coordinator

Community Resources Provided
The Health Department continues to hold fall and spring health fairs at the library to provide health resources to the community.

The public health nurse spent countless hours attending to the occupants at the EA Emergency Shelter providing nursing and other services. A coalition of key stakeholders was created to provide community resources to the occupants at the EA Emergency Shelter and a dashboard was created to provide information regarding the EA Emergency Shelter to the community.
 
An interactive website has been created to offer the community updated information on opioid misuse data that can be found on the health department website.

The public health nurse and the fire department continue to offer hands only CPR training for the community.

Communicable Disease
As mandated by the State Department of Public Health, local health departments must report, investigate and track all communicable disease occurrences in their jurisdictions. The public health nurse investigates communicable diseases that occur in the Town of Franklin.

The following depicts the reportable illness activity from July 1, 2023 through July 1, 2024 in number of confirmed cases:

Calicivirus/Norovirus     1
Campylobacteriosis         4
Giardiasis                         1
Group A streptococcus 2
Group B streptococcus 2
Haemophilus influenzae 1
Hepatitis B                 1
Hepatitis C                 4
Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis 1
Influenza                         309
Legionellosis                 1
Novel Coronavirus         568
Pertussis                         8
Salmonellosis                 3
Tuberculosis                 19
Vibrio sp.                     1
 

Hours of Operation
The Franklin Health Department office is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 8:00AM to 4:00PM, Wednesday from 8:00AM to 6:00 PM and Friday from 8:00AM to 1:00PM.

In conclusion, I would like to thank the Board of Health members and the Town Administrator for giving me the opportunity to serve as the Director of Public Health for the Town of Franklin and for their continued support.

Respectfully submitted,

Cathleen Liberty, 
Director of Public Health


You can download as reference the Health Department section in the Annual report -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-CKuwS8WkBMPGKlKJMDFvmMdJBZQfXtP/view?usp=drive_link

or dig into the full annual report here ->

Annual Report of the Town of Franklin Board of Health - FY 2024
Annual Report of the Town of Franklin Board of Health - FY 2024

Friday, May 16, 2025

Tuhina Pal talks about her book: "They. Didn't. Know." (audio)

FM #1449 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1449 in the series. 


Tuhina Pal talks about her book:  "They. Didn't. Know." (audio)
Tuhina Pal talks about her book: 
"They. Didn't. Know." (audio)
This session shares my conversation with Franklin High School junior Tuhina Pal. Tuhina recently published a book of poems she wrote on her journey to recovery. We recorded this conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. 


We cover the following in our conversation

  • How normal anxiety worsened during the pandemic

  • How she recognized that, got help and has been on the recovery journey

  • How recovery is not a linear journey

  • Poetry was a vehicle for her to work through her issues


The recording runs about 36 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1449-tuhina-pal-they-didnt-know-04-23-25/



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FHS Active Minds Club announcement of book -> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH_IsYluNwM/ 


Follow Tuhina’s Instagram account for updates -> https://www.instagram.com/tuhinapal.poetry/ 


The book is available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Bookshop.org  -> 

https://bookshop.org/p/books/they-didn-t-know/b519f506fefb8083?ean=9798218477141&next=t 


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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 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


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"


Thursday, January 9, 2025

Board of Health gets update on successful coat drive & more in regular meeting (audio)

FM #1349 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1349 the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025. The meeting agenda listed it being conducted via Google meet and with no location shown, it was assumed to be virtual. However, the 2 members of the Board (Harris, Mu-Chow) (1 absent - Sweet) and Health Dept members apparently were present together. 


Quick Recap:

  • Discussion on new oversight board and appointment of Director Liberty as representative. Motion made and approved 2-0

  • Coat drive update: successful, collected over 600 new/used costs, distribution of 325 or so to families, some of the left over coats went to a church in Milford. Total among the distribution and collections, approx. 1,000 coats, etc. delivered to families who wanted them.

  • 427 Oakland Park update, coordinated with Attny General; owners did start work with a contractor on the roof, letter/ notification of process is underway

  • 147 Pleasant St septic exemption requested, relatively minor recommended, so moved, passes 2-0

  • Health agent report, training done. Discussion on suspected food poisoning, investigation of incident from a confirmed case, hard to confirm exact cause/location. FDA had notifications recently on cucumbers for example. COVID tests still available via Health nurse at Senior Center, call to arrange pickup. Flu season; 33 current cases (folks actually getting tested)

  • Monitoring continues on other cases that arise. Surge in cases due to home and holiday gatherings; Noro virus reports up Training for the school nurses conducted on communicable diseases, hands only CPR last month, participating in the Student Wellness committee, participated in Winter Wonderland at Senior Center

  • No citizen comments


Motion to adjourn, second, passes 2-0-1 (1 absent)


The meeting runs about 22 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting Jan 8, 2025. Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1349-tof-board-of-health-mtg-01-08-25/



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The Board of Health agenda can be found ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/1-8-25_boh_agenda.pdf 


My notes collected in a Twitter thread PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TLS4pouWCegoJ-PmqjCPItM3p_WbYgLF/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"


Board of Health gets update on successful coat drive amongst other items (audio)
Board of Health gets update on successful coat drive amongst other items (audio)

Friday, December 6, 2024

Board of Health gets update on housing condemnation in process, monthly report in short session (audio)

FM #1332 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1332 the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, Dec 4, 2024. The meeting agenda listed it being conducted via Google meet and with no location shown, it was assumed to be virtual. However, the 2 members of the Board (1 absent, Sweet) and Health Dept members were present together. 


Quick Recap:

  • The meeting audio quality improves considerably after the first minute

  • Meeting schedule for 2025, motion to approve, second, passes 2-0-1 (1 absent)

  • Oakland Pkwy condemnation discussion, unsanitary conditions, hole in roof, no working bathrooms, etc. House was placarded, owner/occupants refused to leave, multiple agencies worked with them to get them elsewhere. Fire occurred on 2nd floor, insurance provided a trailer. One permit was pulled but work has not yet been started or completed. Been over a year without movement by owner, visit being scheduled, could take track with the Attorney General's office to get movement to get a resolution. Will provide additional info next time. Hard situation as there has been lack of compliance in this case. Insurance money not being used for repairs.

  • Moving on to Kerri, health agent covers report, (hard to hear via bridge) 6 re-inspections today.

  • Alecia, health nurse report, only 10 COVID cases, test kits Available at Senior Center, is flu season but only 5 confirmed cases thus far. Food recalls, cucumbers (Sunset brand), Central Park terrace food pantry monthly, clinics, classes, etc. food board illness training for Tri-County; webinar and trainings continued.

  • No citizen comments


Motion to adjourn, second, passes 2-0-1 (1 absent)


The meeting runs about 22 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting Dec 4, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1332-franklin-ma-board-of-health-mtg-12-04-24/


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The Board of Health agenda can be found ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/december_4_2024_agenda.pdf 


My notes collected in a Twitter thread PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mTuCZJasT2c3Ys4bAzwnGNiAwP-osNLS/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"


Board of Health gets update on housing condemnation in process, monthly report in short session (audio)
Board of Health gets update on housing condemnation in process, monthly report in short session (audio)

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Free COVID-19 Test Kits - Contact the Senior Center to arrange pick-up

The Franklin Senior Center has received more COVID-19 test kits. Please call to coordinate pick-up at the Franklin Senior Center!

Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday from 8:00AM - 4:00PM

Call us: 508-615-1341

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/free-covid-19-test-kits-0

Free COVID-19 Test Kits - Contact the Senior Center to arrange pick-up
Free COVID-19 Test Kits - Contact the Senior Center to arrange pick-up

Thursday, August 22, 2024

Free COVID-19 Test Kits!

Make  sure to grab some free COVID-19 Test Kits!

Please call the Franklin Senior Center to coordinate pick-up. Call 508-613-1341

Free COVID-19 Test Kits!
Free COVID-19 Test Kits!


Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/free-covid-19-test-kits


Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Consider donating a blood sample for COVID research and earn some money

Consider donating a blood sample for COVID research and earn some money
COVID research

Via MRN Diagnostics

Read all about our COVID-19 research collection and others like it at www.mrndx.com/clinicalollections to see how you may qualify.

We talked with MRN Diagnostics CEO Dr. Greg Chiklis in October 2023 about the work his company (based here in Franklin) does. You can listen here -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/take-part-in-mrn-clinical-trial-to.html