FM #1658 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1658 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. All 7 members of the committee were present.
Quick recap:
The committee conducted the budget hearing for the FY 2027 school budget. Excluding the health care costs ($8.8M), they presented a 'level service' budget that stays within a 2.5% increase. Multiple questions to clarify amounts, rational, and sometimes accounting moves were raised and discussed. Many compliments on the layout and clarity of the budget were provided to Supt Lucas Giguere and to Business Administrator Jana Melotti
The next step on the budget will be the School Committee vote on Feb 24. The complete timeline is provided in the budget folder
The recording runs about 2 hours and 45 minutes
Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1658-school-cmte-mtg-fy-27-budget-hearing-02-10-26/--------------
Additional links to the meeting recap, Franklin TV video, and key documents for this session
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/school-committee-hear-details-on-level.html
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| the school budget for FY 2027 |
https://www.franklinps.net/documents/about-us/school-district-budget(2)/fy2027-budget/860340
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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"
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 cancerDid 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.
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| Another First for Franklin: blood pressure kits can be checked out at the Library |
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
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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
--------------
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"
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.
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| Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday |
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
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--------------
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
-------------
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"
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.
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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
--------------
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"
