Senate President Karen Spilka: An invite to my 2025 Health and Wellness Fair - Oct 18

An exciting day at Keefe Tech on October 18

Dear friends —   My annual 55+ Health and Wellness Fair for active agers and those who love them is quickly approaching, and I'm inviting you, your loved ones, and your neighbors to join us for an exciting and informative day.   This year's event will be on October 18, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Keefe Regional Technical School in Framingham.    It is one of my favorite days of the year, and I hope you'll join us. Like in years past, this fun and free event will include more than 80 exhibitors, who will be sharing information and resources on ways to stay active, be mentally healthy, and plan for the years to come, no matter your age. This year I'm also happy to offer free health screenings, flu and COVID vaccines, workshops on fitness, healthy cooking, navigating social security, and much more.  Attendees can look forward to free breakfast and lunch, live music, free prize drawings from local MetroWest exhibitors, and exciting, interactive workshops.  Our event is free and open to everyone, including residents 55 and older and their family members.  Please RSVP to join us on October 18. If you've already registered, we look forward to seeing you there! Interested in being an exhibitor? We welcome all exhibitors who are interested in setting up a table that will help educate and inform aging members of the MetroWest community and their loved ones. Contact karen.spilka@masenate.gov for more information or register here. Visit karenspilka.com/fair2025 to learn more about the exciting day we have planned, and I can't wait to see you there.  Sincerely,   Karen E. Spilka  Senate President    karenspilka.com

Senate President Karen E. Spilka | Massachusetts State House Room 332 | Boston, MA 02133 US

FREE "Stop the Bleed" class - September 11 at the Franklin Fire Station #1

FREE "Stop the Bleed" class - September 11
at the Franklin Fire Station #1

The Franklin Health and Fire Department is having another FREE "Stop the Bleed" class for community members on September 11 from 3 PM - 4 PM at the Franklin Fire station.

Sign up link -> https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ACAF2EAAF9C25-58076617-911

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dthFs44PgqF5xmsvQeeG-JOvAhbPQ3aB/view?usp=drive_link

Seniors Helping Seniors opens for business to serve Franklin

"We change people’s lives®

What We Do

Seniors Helping Seniors opens
for business to serve Franklin

At Seniors Helping Seniors® Franklin-Brockton in-home care services, we understand and appreciate the unique challenges that come with age. That’s why our companionship and daily assistance offerings exclusively focus on the specific needs of seniors. We’re devoted to supporting you or your loved one, while enhancing your total quality of life. Whether you’re looking for an extra set of hands around the house, personal care support or a friend to lean on, we’ll be by your side. Discover the difference a dedicated senior caregiver can make!

Love is in our Care®

Our mature, friendly caregivers lead with compassion, offering comprehensive home assistance and companionship. We take time to get to know our clients and senior caregivers – that way, we can find a perfect match. Through our exclusive pairing process, you’ll connect with a relatable friend who will always be there to support you. From light housekeeping and cooking meals to running errands around town, your caregiver will handle needed tasks, bringing ease into each day."

Find out more about this new service ->    https://locations.seniorshelpingseniors.com/ma/norfolk/care-services-235.html

Looking for health insurance? Make sure that’s what you’re getting

Looking for health insurance? Make sure that's what you're getting By BCP Staff Are you looking to get or switch your health insurance? Know that some dishonest marketers might lie about what your plan would cover, make it seem like they're selling health insurance when you're really just getting a discount plan, or try to sell you something else entirely. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/08/looking-health-insurance-make-sure-thats-what-youre-getting?utm_source=govdelivery

Annual Report of the Town of Franklin Board of Health - FY 2024

With the Biennial Election coming up November 4, 2025, the nomination papers are available beginning Aug 4, 2025 for candidates to take, obtain the appropriate number of signatures to get on the ballot. 

We are sharing the section of the Annual Report for the Town of Franklin 2024 to help explain what each role entails. The Board of Health doesn't actually have a 'report' so we include the Health Dept report as this is the activity the Board provides oversight for.

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

Mission Statement

The Franklin Health Department is charged with protecting the public health and well being of the community, in accordance with federal, state and local laws and regulations. The duties of the health department cover a wide range of public health control and prevention activities, including: disease surveillance; the promotion of sanitary conditions in housing, recreational facilities, and food establishments; elimination of nuisances; the protection of the environment; and numerous other responsibilities.

Board of Health

The three-member elected Board of Health is the policy making arm for the health department. The board members assist in the drafting of public health bylaws and regulations. The board also presides over administrative hearings concerning health department licensed and permitted activities. The board members are utilized for consultation on issues relative to public health as well.

• Chair, Bridget Sweet 
• Vice Chair, Jeff Harris 
• Member, Kim Mu-Chow

Staff

The current Health Department staff is as follows:

• Cathleen Liberty, Director of Public Health Ginny McNeil, Health Agent
• Alisha Deptula, Public Health Nurse
• Cassia Monterio, Regional Shared Coordinator

Community Resources Provided

The Health Department continues to hold fall and spring health fairs at the library to provide health resources to the community.

The public health nurse spent countless hours attending to the occupants at the EA Emergency Shelter providing nursing and other services. A coalition of key stakeholders was created to provide community resources to the occupants at the EA Emergency Shelter and a dashboard was created to provide information regarding the EA Emergency Shelter to the community.

 

An interactive website has been created to offer the community updated information on opioid misuse data that can be found on the health department website.

The public health nurse and the fire department continue to offer hands only CPR training for the community.

Communicable Disease

As mandated by the State Department of Public Health, local health departments must report, investigate and track all communicable disease occurrences in their jurisdictions. The public health nurse investigates communicable diseases that occur in the Town of Franklin.

The following depicts the reportable illness activity from July 1, 2023 through July 1, 2024 in number of confirmed cases:

Calicivirus/Norovirus     1

Campylobacteriosis         4

Giardiasis                         1

Group A streptococcus 2

Group B streptococcus 2

Haemophilus influenzae 1

Hepatitis B                 1

Hepatitis C                 4

Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis 1

Influenza                         309

Legionellosis                 1

Novel Coronavirus         568

Pertussis                         8

Salmonellosis                 3

Tuberculosis                 19

Vibrio sp.                     1

 

Hours of Operation

The Franklin Health Department office is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 8:00AM to 4:00PM, Wednesday from 8:00AM to 6:00 PM and Friday from 8:00AM to 1:00PM.

In conclusion, I would like to thank the Board of Health members and the Town Administrator for giving me the opportunity to serve as the Director of Public Health for the Town of Franklin and for their continued support.

Respectfully submitted,

Cathleen Liberty, 

Director of Public Health

You can download as reference the Health Department section in the Annual report -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-CKuwS8WkBMPGKlKJMDFvmMdJBZQfXtP/view?usp=drive_link

or dig into the full annual report here ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JGxfeanVhITZ9jSTGf6tgDMtVlI000Ju/view?usp=drive_link

Annual Report of the Town of Franklin Board of Health - FY 2024

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 ???

Wednesday, April 9

Library & Senior Center events 

Franklin Art Association Art Show and Sale Exhibit (Norfolk Public Library)

9:00am Fallen Hero: Joseph R Paulette & Russel W. Shaw (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

1:00pm Writer's Group (Franklin Senior Center)

3:30pm Health Fair (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Tour the Franklin Food Pantry (sign up in advance) (Franklin Food Pantry)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->  

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  Town Meetings today   **

Historical Commission Meeting

April 9, 2025, 6:00 PM = No agenda posted

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

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Franklin Health Department's Spring Fair - Apr 9

Franklin Health Department's Spring Fair - Apr 9

Join us on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, for the Franklin Health Department's Spring Fair!

Entry is free at the Franklin Public Library from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Enjoy refreshments, local vendors, painting, and much more!

Shared from -> https://t.co/Vgaj4sF1SW

State Officials Suspect HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) Outbreak Impacting Geese and Other Wildlife

PUBLIC INFORMATION

State Officials Suspect HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) Outbreak Impacting Geese and Other Wildlife

January 23, 2025

Massachusetts State environmental and health officials are informing the public that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which very rarely infects humans, has already affected up to five counties in Massachusetts and resulted in the deaths of geese and swans in the Plymouth area. The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health

(DPH) are advising the public to refrain from handling birds or other animals that are dead or appear sick.

• Reporting wild birds: The public should report observations of sick or deceased birds if 5 or more birds are found at a single location using this simple form at mass.gov/reportbirds.
• Reporting domestic birds: The public should report sick or dead poultry or other domestic birds by calling MDAR's Division of Animal Health at (617) 626-1795.
• Handling birds and other wildlife: The public should strictly avoid handling any sick or dead birds or other animals. Report sightings as indicated above or call the local Animal Control Officer. 
• Keeping pets safe: Pets should always be kept away from wildlife. Cats are highly susceptible to HPAI and may die from an infection. Cat owners in affected areas should keep their pets indoors to prevent them from being exposed to infected wildlife.
• Hunting geese: While eating wild game meat is generally considered safe, licensed hunters can minimize risk from wildlife diseases by following best practices when handling and processing game.

avian influenza update 1/23/25

The recent outbreak in Plymouth has impacted over 60 Canada geese, swans, and ducks. Smaller outbreaks of suspected HPAI impacting fewer than 15 geese at each location have been reported in recent weeks in other parts of the state.

Officials responded quickly and are collecting, testing, and safely disposing of dead birds. Prompt reporting of sick and dead birds by the public will expedite testing and diagnosis in cooperation with state and federal partners who have been monitoring HPAI for several years.

Both wild and domesticated birds can become infected with HPAI. Raptors, waterfowl and other aquatic birds are most at risk for infection, although any bird species should be considered susceptible. Birds may be infected with HPAI without showing any signs of illness. Wild mammals, especially those that scavenge on birds such as foxes, can also become infected.

Humans are rarely infected with avian influenza viruses. Humans that have prolonged close contact with sick or dead birds infected with HPAI are the most at risk of becoming infected.

People with questions about the public health impact of HPAI can visit  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/avian-flu, call the Division of Epidemiology (available 24/7) at 617-983-6800, or visit https: www.mass.gov/info-details/avian-influenza.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18C6Xk959P/ 

Congressman Auchincloss Appointed to Energy & Commerce

Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D, MA-04) has been appointed to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for the 119th Congress. The Committee is at the forefront of health care, technology, and energy policy. Rep. Auchincloss will serve on the Health, Energy, and Environment subcommittees. 

In particular, the committee has responsibility for matters including telecommunications, consumer protection, food and drug safety, public health and research, environmental quality, energy policy, and interstate and foreign commerce. 

 

Congressman Auchincloss Appointed to Energy & Commerce

“I am focused on lowering the cost of health care. Energy & Commerce is the prime committee for policy that can reduce co-pays and premiums, empower patients and doctors, and rein in the middlemen of corporate healthcare. I am excited to get working on legislation,” said Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D, MA-04)

 

A photo from Congressman Auchincloss’ first full-committee meeting can be viewed here -> 

Board of Health gets update on successful coat drive & more in regular meeting (audio)

FM #1349 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1349 the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025. The meeting agenda listed it being conducted via Google meet and with no location shown, it was assumed to be virtual. However, the 2 members of the Board (Harris, Mu-Chow) (1 absent - Sweet) and Health Dept members apparently were present together. 

Quick Recap:

• Discussion on new oversight board and appointment of Director Liberty as representative. Motion made and approved 2-0

• Coat drive update: successful, collected over 600 new/used costs, distribution of 325 or so to families, some of the left over coats went to a church in Milford. Total among the distribution and collections, approx. 1,000 coats, etc. delivered to families who wanted them.

• 427 Oakland Park update, coordinated with Attny General; owners did start work with a contractor on the roof, letter/ notification of process is underway

• 147 Pleasant St septic exemption requested, relatively minor recommended, so moved, passes 2-0

• Health agent report, training done. Discussion on suspected food poisoning, investigation of incident from a confirmed case, hard to confirm exact cause/location. FDA had notifications recently on cucumbers for example. COVID tests still available via Health nurse at Senior Center, call to arrange pickup. Flu season; 33 current cases (folks actually getting tested)

• Monitoring continues on other cases that arise. Surge in cases due to home and holiday gatherings; Noro virus reports up Training for the school nurses conducted on communicable diseases, hands only CPR last month, participating in the Student Wellness committee, participated in Winter Wonderland at Senior Center

• No citizen comments

Motion to adjourn, second, passes 2-0-1 (1 absent)

The meeting runs about 22 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting Jan 8, 2025. Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1349-tof-board-of-health-mtg-01-08-25/

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

The Board of Health agenda can be found ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/1-8-25_boh_agenda.pdf 

My notes collected in a Twitter thread PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TLS4pouWCegoJ-PmqjCPItM3p_WbYgLF/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"

Board of Health gets update on successful coat drive amongst other items (audio)

The low-down on health insurance ads during open season

The low-down on health insurance ads during open season By Christopher E. Brown During open season for the Health Insurance Marketplace, you might have seen an increase — maybe a flood — of ads for health plans. The ads might promise comprehensive health insurance…but the plan turns out to have limited benefits.  Or it's a medical discount card and not insurance at all. Some ads might promise rewards or rebates to anyone who signs up for a plan.  Or they might say they're from the government – or government-endorsed, hoping to gain your trust. How to make heads or tails of it all? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/12/low-down-health-insurance-ads-during-open-season? The low-down on health insurance ads during open season