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| Franklin Ridge audio with Jamie Hellen on MYFM 1013 (audio) |
Listen to today’s Town Hall Highlight with Jamie Hellen:
FM #1624 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1624 the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Candlelight Vigil for Renee Nicole Good held on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The vigil was held on the Franklin Town Common.
Each of the speakers are introduced by master of ceremonies Rachel Plukas
Erin Ferguson
Ron Tibbetts
Rev Beverly Waring
State Rep Jeff Roy
Michael Walker Jones
The recording runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen to the candlelight vigil held January 8, 2026. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1624-vigil-for-renee-nicole-good-01-08-26/
Candlelight Vigil for Renee Nicole Good held on Thursday, January 8, 2026 (audio)
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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. 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"
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.
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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"
FM #1622 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1622 in the series.
This session shares the Police Station Building Cmte Mtg held on Wednesday, January 6, 2026. 2 members (K Alexander, G Premo) were absent.
Quick recap:
Refresh on membership: "The Town Administrator shall nominate all eleven members of the committee membership, to be ratified by the Town Council. The Chair of the Town Council shall select the Chair, Vice-Chair and Clerk. Terms of the committee shall be through substantial completion of the project." from the Committee charge document -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1146/Police-Station-Building-Committee-Charge-PDF
Chief TJ Lynch provides an update on the open house/tours held in Sept/Oct 2025 and poorly attended. Virtual tour available on project webpage -> https://www.franklinmapoliceproject.com/existing-conditions or the YouTube playlist -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJjVX3ZOe9o&list=PLL2XKlvMgLAlZpjphLCLuJbyvu3tKxMOF
Joe Lynch, OPM provides an update then the remainder of the team walk through the process and findings to date. Tonight's presentation doc to be added to the project page in meantime, much of it restates that shared in August 2025 https://a8db3785-aec1-40c7-8a6f-6e79d6737676.filesusr.com/ugd/c81e0f_c6d6a290752446faa622810cfb358ba1.pdf
Discussion around site options, decided to make a recommendation for project site as Parmenter (passed unanimously).
Also determined to recommend a Code review of the existing facility at the quoted cost of $62.5K (passed 6-1; Woodward no)
No meeting scheduled at this time, pending direction from Town Council
The agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01062026-2064
My notes in one PDF
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16_dc-Zg0yH5eRlDEfImxNUAiiK92JX3q/view?usp=drive_link
Photo album of some of the slide alternatives for the Parmenter site
https://photos.app.goo.gl/2UZWJD1m68WCkYZB6
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| potential placement of new station keeping all of Parmenter building |
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!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
Technology, Dec 2025
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/finance-committee-gets-answer-on-how.html
Capital budget FY 2024
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/01/finance-committee-reviews-and-approves.html
Facilities, Dec 2023
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/12/finance-committee-takes-deep-dive-sorta_01138495076.html
Permitting & storm water credits Feb 2023
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/finance-committee-hears-from-town.html
Schools, Dec 2022 (audio)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/finance-committee-gets-some-financial.html
Schools, Dec 2022 (Video)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/finance-committee-gets-to-better.html
Storm water utility fee March 2022
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/your-time-is-needed-now-to-pay.html
"Talk Franklin" series on individual departments/services
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| Town of Franklin: Government 101 series - what does Franklin do & how do they do it? |