Public Hearing To Be Continued – Proposed Depot Plaza Redevelopment
Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1BvjHhQR66/
a. Chair to identify members participating remotely.
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Board of Health cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Board of Health may ask the Director of Public Health to review the matter.
a. Regulation of the Town of Franklin Board of HealthProhibiting the Manufacturing, Sale, and Distribution of Synthetically Derived Cannabinoids, Synthetically Derived Kratom and Unregulated Novel Intoxicating Productshttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/9031/Kratom-Draft-Regulations
a. Discuss internship of a college studentb. Warming and cooling shelter discussion
a. Metacomet Shared Service Grant Health Agent Reportb. Metacomet Shared Service Grant Public Health Nurse Report
FM #1705 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1705 the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The meeting agenda was held in the 3rd floor training room as well as via Google Meet. All 3 board members were present with the full compliment of Health Dept staff.
Quick Recap:
Chair Kim Mu-Chow opens the meeting
Reads protocol statement re: Google meet
Confirms participation via roll call
No citizen comments
Motion to approve March 4 minutes, so moved, second, passes 3-0
Motion to approve Mar 18 minutes, second, passes 3-0
PFAS advisory to be posted at Chilson beach and a couple of other spots near there (300 Fisher St)
Fish for catch and release generally
Chilson water is tested weekly during summer for E.coli. Testing not done with PFAS except for water supply sources
Draft regulations for the mind altering products
Suggestion on change to the coverage of the retail shops, clarification to cover potential loop holes
Suggestion on altering the levels of fine to $300, $500, $1000. To raise the deterrent incentive
Discussion on ensuring that the retail and tobacco products, how to best accomplish this so folks have a chance to address during the public hearing, and let the board consider changes before Making the regulation official
Discussion on warming/cooling shelters, with restricted hours at Senior Center, and Library closed Sunday, what are our options?
Health director to do some research
Food safety inspection
Information shared on the inspection process, slides to be shared later
Twice a year inspection, had considered a risk based approach but the key person moved on and with current staff, doing the 2 minimum per year per establishment (over 100)
Review of reports
Clarification questions on details of the reports
Motion to adjourn, second, passes 3-0
The meeting runs about 56 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting April 1, 2026.
Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1705-franklin-ma-board-of-health-mtg-04-01-26/--------------
Board of Health page - https://www.franklinma.gov/444/Board-of-Health
Agenda doc - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04012026-2218
My full set of notes in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XYJ75c4VsxJ3-1ElSbqeR7o0M2ROuNY8/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"
FM #1693 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1693 the series.
Quick Recap:
Chair Kim Mu-Chow opens the meeting
Reads protocol statement re: Google meet
Confirms participation via roll call
No citizen comments
Discuss prohibiting the sale of mind altering products
Concerns expressed, unregulated products in most cases
Are being sold in Franklin
Draft regulation based upon Northampton part of April agenda for review/comment
Public hearing scheduled for May session
Vote targeted for June session (depending upon how the preceding meetings/conversations go)
Motion to adjourn, second, passes 3-0
The meeting runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting March 18, 2026.
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Agenda doc ->
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03182026-2191
Northampton, MA regulations on "mind altering" products - https://northamptonma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/1942
--------------
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 #1599 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1599 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. The Council held this session as scheduled beginning at 6 PM. All 9 Councilors participated for this 3 hour session.
Quick recap:
Franklin TV had trouble broadcasting the video. It was recorded and will be available later. The Zoom session was active for audio only.
Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walked the new Council though the 5 year revenue forecast and laid out what’s coming next
The Public hearing on the Tax rate was opened and ultimately closed after much discussion. The Council did vote to approve the single tax rate by an 8-1 vote. The Council indicated a strong interest for more info on the benefits of a split tax rate. They seemed wanting to go for until they understood that a split rate decision would delay the Town timeline on getting the 1st Quarter bills out
The recording runs about 3 hours
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1599-town-council-mtg-12-0325/--------------
Franklin TV video is NOT yet available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zByUmQbYP08
The agenda for this session -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12032025-2031
My notes for the full meeting in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zZoXOBk167dHuuSm3wetBhhP25WyaSRf/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 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"