Another First for Franklin: blood pressure kits can be checked out at the Library (video/audio)

FM #1656 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1656 in the series. 

This episode shares my conversation with Town of Franklin’s public health nurse Alisha Sullivan. We talked virtually on Monday, February 9, 2026 about the blood pressure kits available at the Library. 

Did you know high blood pressure is the #2 killer of MA residents?

            Right behind the collection of illnesses called cancer

Did you know you can check your own blood pressure at the Library?

A station is set up to take your blood pressure. You can even check out a device like you would a book or a video, or anything else in their Library of things.

Another First for Franklin: blood pressure
kits can be checked out at the Library

Did you realize this also happens to be another “First of Many” for the Town of Franklin? 

Yup, the Health, Dept, Library and American Heart Assoc have collaborated on this program. The first library in MA to have the test kit station and kits for check out

You can watch or listen to my conversation with Alisha. Approx. 17 minutes

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1656-another-first-blood-pressure-kits-at-the-library-02-09-26/

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Health Dept page - https://www.franklinma.gov/444/Board-of-Health 

Metacomet Public Health Alliance health resources - https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/7a79d8f9979f4709ad5b7311c91c8258 

Video link - https://youtu.be/ChoyQZEc3Xk 

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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"

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, February 11, 2026

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 Franklin Public Library Feb 2026 highlights ->    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/mitzi-shares-insights-on-happenings-at.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 308 - Talking Whiskey With Colonel Craig Duncan (audio)  -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/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

Mitzi shares insights on the happenings at the Franklin Public Library during Feb 2026 (video & audio)

FM #1654 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1654 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Mitzi Gousie, Programming and Outreach Librarian with the Franklin Public Library. We had our discussion virtually on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

 

We talk about 

• Reviewed the regular open hours, book sale and holiday scheduling for the month

• Closed on Sundays due to budget reduction

• Closed all day on Monday, Feb 16 for President’s Day

• Library events for February 2026

• In calendar order rather than by category this time around

Registration for those events required should be done through the Town website, Library page. There are nefarious folks trying to convince folks otherwise via Facebook. Be safe, use the official Town and Library pages.

The show notes include links to the Library page and to the calendar of events where registration for some of the events is required/recommended.

The recording runs about 17 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Video link - https://youtu.be/cg5Rs0jBIZw

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1654-franklin-public-library-feb-2026-highlights-02-04-26/

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Mitzi Gousie’s email -> mgousie@minlib.net 

Franklin Public Library page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/233/Franklin-Public-Library 

Library event calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events 

February 2026 newsletter -> https://www.franklinma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/92 

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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!

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

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 in planning for a women's health fair (audio exclusive)

FM #1653 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1653 the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. The meeting agenda was held in the 3rd floor training room as well as via Google Meet. 2 board members were present (Harris 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)

• No citizen comments

• Planning for a women's health fair

• Likely at New England Chapel, all women's health issues to be covered with vendors and info tables

• Awaiting confirmation on a mobile mammogram vehicle to set a date and begin planning on earnest

• Possible time frame in afternoon but van dependent

• Pediatric vaccine guidelines potentially conflict between state, federal, and medical orgs. State advising to follow the American Pediatric Society vs CDC advises to consult physician

• Discussion on moves of temp sensitive items (food, vaccines)

• Discussion on uninformed comments around supposed connection between pregnant women and acetaminophen; no study makes the connection,

• Acetaminophen can be dangerous if taken in high doses regularly by anyone

• There has historically been only a short list of approved drugs for pregnant women.

• When the doses available became 500, and folks still took 2, it can become very impactful quickly

• Report on food inspection and trends coming in future meeting COVID in Jan, 19 vs 13 in prior month

• Flu activity still high; 64 flu cases vs over 160 prior month Also va 170 last Jan (2025); 33% affected in 5-19 age group

• Brain games a big hit at Central Park Terrace

• Senior Center training for staff on CPR in planning stage

• Discussion on a hoarding issue, actually ended in a good place but did take emergency action coordination with Police, Fire etc.

• Motion to adjourn, second, passes 2-0-1

The meeting runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting February 4, 2026.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1653-franklin-ma-board-of-health-mtg-02-04-26/

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Agenda doc ->

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02042026-2115 

My notes in one PDF file -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oVNA0sE71gIgshLF-W9tKQ-HQgxNPQG6/view?usp=drive_link 

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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!

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

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

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, February 6, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule 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 Friday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events 

• This hour features the recent Chalkboard Chat with School Committee Chair Paul Griffith as we recap the recent meeting and talk budget for FY 2027 ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/this-chalkboard-chat-shares-insights.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong. 2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews  Showcasing the "Blues" as a basis for and influence of Country, Jazz and Rock and Roll, here and worldwide.

11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM - “The Vibe” show plays music for everyone searching for some enjoyment, some dance, a happy or thinking mood, and most importantly, having fun.  Tune in to wfpr.fm and listen to “DJ Vibe” spin music across many genres and join this new vibing experience

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf