Samantha Piette talks about floral arrangements, pop ups, workshops & Valentine's Day (Video & audio)

FM #1626 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1626 in the series. 

We sat with Samantha Piette, entrepreneur creating Piette Petal Co, an artisanal florist operating on the internet and in pop up shops for now. 

We talked about her road to floral arrangements, the build up to Valentine’s Day and all that she offers. We recorded this virtually via Zoom on Monday, December 29, 2025.

The recording runs about 22 minutes

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbQHeCVhhvI

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1626-piette-petal-co-12-29-25/

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Piette Petal Co can be found -> https://piettepetalco.com/

Follow Samantha on Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/piette.petal.co.floral/ 

Taco Tuesdays at Maya Mexican Cocina (from spring to fall)  -> https://mayamexicancocina.com/

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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 Ridge audio with Jamie Hellen on MYFM 1013 (audio)

Franklin Residents — Do You Know What the Franklin Ridge Senior Housing Project Is?

Franklin Ridge audio with Jamie Hellen
on MYFM 1013 (audio)

This project represents the culmination of 10 years of hard work by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and countless others — from zoning board members to leaders like Rep. Jeff Roy and Senator Becca Rausch. What’s being built is more than housing — it’s a way to help keep generations of families in Franklin for years to come.

Learn more about the vision, the progress, and what this means for Franklin straight from the man who helped make it happen.

Listen to today’s Town Hall Highlight with Jamie Hellen:

https://soundcloud.com/myfm1013/town-hall-highlights-jamie

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DdqP6jvLt/

MyFM1013 · Town Hall Highlights - Jamie Hellen

Candlelight Vigil for Renee Nicole Good held on Thursday, January 8, 2026 (audio)

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/

Photos of the vigil can be found in one album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QmAG9vXQXY8iQkQe7

Candlelight Vigil for Renee Nicole Good held on Thursday, January 8, 2026 (audio)

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

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 (MA) Board Of Health Mtg - 01/07/26 (exclusive audio)

 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.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1623-franklin-ma-board-of-health-mtg-01-07-26/

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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"

Police Station Bldg Cmte selects Parmenter as site, recommends code review of Parmenter building to Town Council (audio)

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 recording runs about 60 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1622-police-station-bldg-cmte-mtg-01-06-26/

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urNiDr84B38 

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"