Town of Franklin Encourages Residents to Sign Up for Emergency Alert System for Franklin, MA

Sign Up for Emergency Alert System for Franklin, MA

The Town of Franklin is encouraging all residents to register for the Town's emergency alert notification system, powered by Regroup. This system provides timely information about severe weather, public safety incidents, road closures, and other urgent situations that may impact the community.

By enrolling in Regroup, residents can choose to receive notifications by phone call, text message, and email. Signing up ensures that important information is delivered directly and quickly when it matters most.

Town officials strongly encourage all households to register and review their contact preferences to ensure accurate and up to date information.

To sign up for Regroup emergency alerts, visit: https://embeds.regroupcloud.com/orgs/franklintown/channels/residents-channel/signup_embed

Massachusetts State Police announce the successful implementation of Safety Cloud (video)

Massachusetts State Police (@MassStatePolice) posted Tue, May 06, 2025:

Today (05/06/25), the Massachusetts State Police announced the successful implementation of Safety Cloud, an integrated notification system that alerts drivers to nearby emergency vehicles with activated lights and sirens.

Video link with summary  -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DuEiPIhWL8 

You can read more about the platform here: https://t.co/TwxLGdwVQ1

Shared from ->  https://t.co/eJqw5BUVpM

Franklin Police road closure alert for Saturday (4/29/23) morning - FRANKLIN LITTLE LEAGUE PARADE

Tomorrow (Saturday) morning (weather permitting) the Franklin Youth Baseball Organization has its annual little league parade. 

Starting around 9 AM you can expect temporary road closures on West Central St by the Davis Thayer School, Cottage St, and Peck St. 

https://t.co/ZpNQXvPIzt

Shared from Twitter ->  https://twitter.com/franklinpolice/status/1652018313042509827

Franklin Police road closure alert for Saturday (4/29/23) morning - FRANKLIN LITTLE LEAGUE PARADE

Are you subscribed to Town of Franklin alerts and notifications? It is easy to set up

Residents are encouraged to subscribe to the Town's Regroup public safety notification system! 

Visit the link to subscribe and become aware ->   https://franklintown.regroup.com/login

Public Safety alerts are used when there is some emergency situation to bring awareness to the community of part of it. The alerts are geographically targeted so a street, or your neighborhood, or the whole Town can get an alert for something happening nearby. Accidents that close roads, or a response to a fire, or street flooding are the most common uses for these type of alerts.

You create an account for your address and sign up for notification via one or more methods; phone call, text, or email. You can choose to receive the alert in more than one way. Once the account is created, you can change the method, or add an alert to the notifications.

For example, the Health Dept now uses this service for a weekly alert on a health topic. I choose to receive these via email. The public safety alerts I choose to receive via text.

Note: signing up for these alerts is separate from signing up for the newsletter or meeting notifications. Email notifications for meeting agendas can be set up here -> https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe

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

Are you subscribed to Town of Franklin alerts and notifications? It is easy to set up

Urgent: NO EMERGENCY - Franklin Public Schools Follow Up

NO EMERGENCY - FPS Follow Up

You received an email notification at 7:59AM on Wednesday, November 2nd, 2022 entitled "EMERGENCY INFORMATION". This email was sent to individuals subscribed to the Horace Mann Middle School Urgent Alerts via the official Franklin Public Schools Civic Plus website. To clarify, there is NO EMERGENCY at the Horace Mann Middle School or at any Franklin Public Schools campus location. Please disregard the previous message, as it was a result of user error, which will be readdressed during internal website training. If you would like to unsubscribe from these alerts, you may do so by clicking the "You can unsubscribe here." button on this email.

We apologize for any inconvenience or misunderstanding this may have caused.

Thank you,

Franklin Public Schools

Urgent: NO EMERGENCY - Franklin Public Schools Follow Up

Franklin Police - Missing Person Alert - party has been located. Thank you

Via Franklin Police reverse 911 alert 

Please be on the look out for Kathleen Wilcox, an 81 female last seen wearing bright green sweatpants and possibly a green t-shirt.  Last scene near her residence at Glen Meadow around 7am.  If located please contact Franklin PD 508-528-1212. 

updated: party has been located.  Thank you 

Kathleen Wilcox (FPD photo)

Community alert: be aware of "individual seeking to disable cars being operated by young females"

Via Holliston Police

"Over the past week there have been local reports of an individual seeking to disable cars being operated by young females. In these situations, the individual may let air from a tire or add a gas tank contaminant, then approach the female to offer help in the form of a battery pack, air compressor or a ride.

As in all situations, be aware that individuals offering help may have in fact been involved in orchestrating the situation. If your car becomes disabled, wait in a safe place for a friend, family member, or AAA to respond

If you feel your vehicle has been tampered with, call your local police department. Investigations are ongoing. "

Via Franklin Police

"The individual currently being investigated into this matter was spotted in town yesterday afternoon. If your vehicle is tampered with or breaks down shortly after starting, give us a call."

Shared from Franklin Police ->   https://www.facebook.com/franklinmapolice/posts/pfbid0521U2j34SBpMAG154rvWnU9eAEmSFNT4EwU65ZmiES9mWWFwp4QuZqXKFFj96vcpl

Community alert: be aware of "individual seeking to disable cars being operated by young females"

Liquor/All Alcohol licenses up for changes and/or approval for next Town Council meeting

One of the ways my informational radar works is with alerts. The Town of Franklin has a number of alerts that can be set up for you to receive an email with an update. Monday morning, was busy as three public hearings were announced for the next Town Council meeting April 6, 2022.

• Birchwood Bakery is applying for a new all alcohol license for their restaurant  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-03-21_legal_ad_-_birchwood_bakery_legal_ad_-_web.pdf
• Pour Richard's is looking to move from their current location to a suite in the building where Green Mountain Chocolate was  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-03-21_legal_ad_-_pour_richards_-_web_1.pdf
• 3 Restaurant is looking to make their outdoor dining permanent  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-03-21_legal_ad_-_3_restaurant_alteration_of_premises_-_web.pdf

To set up an alert, visit this page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe

This works for some aspects of Town business. Alerts and notifications are a work in progress and I will continue to advocate for additional alerts. 

In the meantime, you can also subscribe to the calendar so when an item gets added to the calendar you get notified. An RSS reader is needed for this however.   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar  (Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the RSS icon, click it and subscribe with your RSS Reader).

Sign up for alert notifications here -> https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe

Health Department: Weekly Wellness Update - Nutrition

March's Health Observance is Nutrition. Read nutrition labels; packaging can have misleading labels and false advertising.  

Learn more at: www.cdc.gov/nutrition

You received this message because you are subscribed to the [Town of Franklin-Health Department] group.

Replies to this email will go to the Town of Franklin-Health Department group. To reply only to Alisha Deptula, email adeptula@franklinma.gov.

Infant and Toddler Nutrition

Town of Franklin, MA: You can now set up to receive Health Department Alerts

"The Health Dept. has created a push notification system for residents interested in  public health updates info such as COVID-19,  updates from @MassDPH, vector borne diseases, wellness information and more. 

Sign up here under the Health Department Group: https://t.co/GIksgJuuA2"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1490825453879193601

When I logged in, it took me to my profile page. I verified the phone and email accounts I wanted to be used for the notifications. On the left menu, select "Groups" - and "Join" the Health Dept group.

After joining, the notification looks like this for my profile

You can now set up to receive Health Department Alerts

National Weather Service readies for the 2021 hurricane season. Are we ready?

The weather is so nice and warm, after being confined indoor for winter (and due to COVID=19) it is about time we could enjoy it. Did you know that hurricane season officially starts soon? Alerts started on May 15. The season officially opens June 1.

Sign up for alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS)  https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Additional info on service enhancements for this season as well as info on the social media accounts to track   https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/NHC_new_products_services_2021.pdf

Oops, we already missed "Hurricane preparedness week" (May 9-15)

https://www.weather.gov/wrn/hurricane-preparedness

"Today, May 15th, marks the first day of routine issuance of the
Atlantic basin Tropical Weather Outlook in 2021. This product
describes significant areas of disturbed weather and their potential for tropical cyclone formation during the next five days. The Tropical Weather Outlook is issued from May 15 through November 30 each year. The issuance times of this product are 2 AM, 8 AM, 2 AM, and 8 PM EDT. After the change to standard time in November, the issuance times are 1 AM, 7 AM, 1 PM, and 7 PM EST. 

A Special Tropical Weather Outlook will be issued to provide
updates, as necessary, in between the regularly scheduled issuances of the Tropical Weather Outlook. Special Tropical Weather Outlooks will be issued under the same WMO and AWIPS headers as the regular Tropical Weather Outlooks. 

A graphical version of the Tropical Weather Outlook is available on the web at: https://www.hurricanes.gov."

There are no tropical cyclones in the Atlantic at this time.

FTC Consumer Alerts: Avoid a season of mis-giving

Avoid a season of mis-giving by Jennifer Leach; Associate Director, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC It's the 6th day of Consumer Protection, and maybe you're in a giving spirit. 'Tis the season, right? If you like to donate to charities at the end of the year, 'tis also time to make sure your donations get to the places you mean them to go. Because this year, lots of charities could really use the help.   Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/12/avoid-season-mis-giving?utm_source=govdelivery  This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Franklin Police: Recent home breaks in area communities

Recent home breaks in area communities

The Franklin Police Department has become aware of Residential B&E's that have occurred in several other cities and towns over the last month. These breaks all appear to have targeted the Asian and Indian communities.

In 2019 the town of Franklin experienced several Residential B&E's where the Indian community was also targeted.

With the holidays upon us The Franklin Police Department would like to remind all of our residents to remain vigilant. Please don't hesitate to contact this department in regards to any suspicious persons, vehicles or activity. Please be ready to describe in as much detail as possible any suspicious persons or vehicles you see when you call. This will help us identify them if they are still in the area when officers respond. 

The Franklin Police Department wants all of our residents to have a happy and safe holiday.

Shared from  https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/news/recent-home-breaks-area-communities

Download a copy of the press release   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/news/psabes.pdf

Franklin Police: Recent home breaks in area communities

MBTA Franklin Line: Through Wednesday - Franklin Line delay due to signal problem

All outbound Franklin Line trains may experience delays up to 20 minutes between Windsor Gardens and Forge Park/495 due to a signal issue. Individual alerts will be sent as needed.

Last Updated: Sep 22 2020 10:42 PM

Up to date alerts can be found on the MBTA page  https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/alerts

 

MBTA Franklin Line: Through Wednesday - Franklin Line delay due to signal problem

FTC: Remote learning and children’s privacy

Remote learning and children's privacy by Lisa Weintraub Schifferle - Attorney, FTC, Division of Consumer and Business Education "Social distancing," "shelter-in-place," "virtual happy hour" – these are some of the new expressions on everyone's lips the past few weeks. For many kids, parents, and teachers, add "remote learning" or "distance learning" to the list.  Because of Coronavirus-related school closures, millions of students are now learning from home. For parents who are concerned about the privacy and security of their children's personal data while they're learning online, here are some things to know. Read more  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/04/remote-learning-and-childrens-privacy?  This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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"accidentally reports every student absent"

"The parents and guardians of students attending John F. Kennedy Memorial School received quite the surprise on Thursday morning - a message reporting their child as being absent.

Just after 10 a.m., an error caused by the district’s automated absentee notification system notified each family affiliated with the Pond Street elementary school that their child was not present, according to Superintendent of Schools Sara Ahern.

“We use an automated system to send out messages to parents/guardians when we are not contacted by them to notify us when a student will be absent for the day,” said Ahern. “A mistake was made and the message was sent to all Kennedy Elementary School families at approximately 10:09 a.m.”

She said the error was “caught right away and a clarifying message was sent promptly at approximately 10:14 a.m.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200130/franklin-elementary-school-accidentally-reports-every-student-absent

A message went out to the Kennedy Elementary community regarding student absences. It was sent in error and has caused some alarm in the community. We are working to correct it.

— Franklin Public Schools, MA (@FranklinPSNews) January 30, 2020

https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews

"This video is a concern and similar to past viral videos that encourage unsafe behavior"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The state fire marshal on Tuesday put all Massachusetts fire chiefs on alert that his office has already received reports of two instances in which teens trying to re-create a viral video have caused electrical system damage or fire.

Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey said a video that’s gained attention on the TikTok app has encouraged teens to partially insert the plug part of a phone charger into a wall outlet and then slide a penny down the wall to make contact with the two exposed prongs.

“The result is sparks, electrical system damage, and in some cases fire,” the fire marshal said in a memo to fire officials around the state. “This video is a concern and similar to past viral videos that encourage unsafe behavior. You might reach out to local news outlets, school officials, and parent organizations. Alert them to this challenge, advise them to, not only look for signs of fire play like scorched outlets, but to have conversations about fire and electrical safety with tweens and teenagers.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200121/viral-video-prompts-fire-marshal-to-put-chiefs-on-alert

Editor's note:

Readers may recall that the Franklin School District dealt with a video also shared via TikTok recently. This app should not be on personal phones, especially those of our youth.

The app has been banned by the US Army, US Navy and other Defense Dept organizations are likely to follow suit. It is developed by a Chinese company and determined to have "potential security risks"

Why ban the app?

"As of mid-December, the Army began advising soldiers to stop using TikToK on all government-owned phones, Ochoa said. The U.S. Navy recently put out similar guidance, prohibiting the use of TiKTok on government phones, according to reports by Gizmodo and other publications.

The policy reversal on TikTok comes after the release of a Dec. 16 Defense Department Cyber Awareness Message identifying "TikTok as having potential security risks associated with its use," according to the message.

The guidance directs all Defense Department employees to "be wary of applications you download, monitor your phones for unusual and unsolicited texts etc., and delete them immediately and uninstall TikTok to circumvent any exposure of personal information."

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/12/30/army-follows-pentagon-guidance-bans-chinese-owned-tiktok-app.html

Link to article on US Army ban of app
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50952473

NY Times article on this Defense Dept action to ban the app
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/04/us/tiktok-pentagon-military-ban.html

Franklin Police: Media Release, Missing Person

Media Release, Missing Person

January 19, 2020

23:20 hrs

Franklin, Massachusetts: The Franklin Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in locating female party reported missing on 1/18/2020. Kayla QUAGAN, age 35 of Franklin was last seen on January 17th, 2020 in the morning hours. QUAGAN's vehicle is a 2009 gray Honda bearing Massachusetts registration 8CJ415. QUAGAN also was last seen with her small dog, named Jimmy.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of QUAGAN is asked to call the Franklin Police Department at (508) 528-1212. At this time this is just a check for well being.

QUAGAN has been entered into the national missing person's database. Any agency with contact with her, or with the vehicle, is asked to contact Franklin Police.

Franklin Police: Media Release, Missing Person

FTC settlement against University of Phoenix

FTC settlement against University of Phoenix by Colleen Tressler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC Most people go to college to earn a degree and get a good job. In a competitive job market, it helps to have connections. So when a college or university claims it has relationships with well-known employers, that may convince you to attend. But beware: Claims like this may be a ploy to attract new students — and your tuition dollars.  In fact, the FTC says that's just what one for-profit university did as part of an extensive advertising campaign. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/12/ftc-settlement-against-university-phoenix?utm_source=govdelivery   This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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FTC settlement against University of Phoenix

FTC Consumer Alert: AT&T Unlimited Data Customers Getting Refunds

AT&T Unlimited Data Customers Getting Refunds by Alvaro Puig, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC You might have heard that AT&T agreed to return $60 million to customers for allegedly reducing the data speed on their unlimited data plans without telling them.  In its 2014 complaint, the FTC said that AT&T's practice of data throttling – slowing down the data speed for unlimited customers who used large amounts of data – was unfair and deceptive.  It was unfair because AT&T promised unlimited data, but didn't give customers the data they paid for. And it was deceptive because AT&T didn't tell customers it was reducing their data speed, says the FTC. Read more  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/11/att-unlimited-data-customers-getting-refunds?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission

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Additional details on settlement

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2019/11/att-pay-60-million-resolve-ftc-allegations-it-misled-consumers