Board of Health starting discussion/process to ban sale of "mind altering" products (audio)

FM #1693 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1693 the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, March 18, 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

• 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.

Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1693-franklin-ma-board-of-health-mtg-03-18-26/

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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

FDA & Kratom - https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-and-kratom

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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

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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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FAA show and sale scheduled to open April 5 at Norfolk Public Library

FAA show and sale scheduled to open April 5 at Norfolk Public Library

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DVEDOCMlPTB/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, January 23, 2026 ???

Friday, January 23

Curbside pickup delayed one day

• If scheduled for Thursday, to be picked up Friday
• If scheduled for Friday, to be picked up Saturday

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

5:00pm Jigsaw Puzzle Sale (First Universalist Society Franklin)

6:00pm Jigsaw Puzzle Tournament (First Universalist Society Franklin)

7:30pm Steel Magnolias (THE BLACK BOX)

Library & Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

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

*** Town Meetings today   ***

Franklin School Committee Horace Mann Legacy Sub Committee Meeting

Friday, January 23 Time: 8:00 AM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01232026-2105

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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-calendar

Jigsaw Puzzle Tournament and Sale - Fri, Jan 23 & Sat, Jan 24

Team Tournament: 

Enter your team to puzzle against other teams in a friendly and fun competition on either Friday night or Saturday morning. Each team receives the same 500 piece puzzle and races to finish first. 

Prizes given for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place.  It’s only $40 per team. Each team can be up to four people and your team goes home with the completed puzzle. 

The Team Registration signup and puzzle tournament rules can be found at FUSF.org/events. For questions call Vicki @ 508-654-6740.  

Cash, check or electronic payment accepted.  

Jigsaw Puzzle Tournament

Friday, January 23, 2026 6 pm to 8 pm

OR

Saturday, January 24, 2026 10 am to Noon

Puzzle Sale:   Hundreds and hundreds of Jigsaw puzzles will be for sale both Friday and Saturday. 

You do not need to enter the tournament to shop. Most puzzles are priced between $4 and $6 - Some are brand new! 

Be sure to stock up for all those puzzlers in your life (or yourself). 

Cash, check or electronic payment accepted.  

Jigsaw Puzzle Sale

Friday, January 23, 2026 5 pm to 8 pm

OR

Saturday, January 24, 2026 9 am to Noon

Jigsaw Puzzle Tournament and Sale - Fri, Jan 23 & Sat, Jan 24

The First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) is an Unitarian Universalist Welcoming Congregation located at 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. For more information, please contact us at info@fusf.org or call 508-528-5348.  

Franklin Art Association Art Show and Sale Exhibit - Mar 31 through Apr 25, 2025

Franklin Art Association Art Show
and Sale Exhibit - Mar 31 through Apr 25, 2025

Exhibit Open: March 31 - April 25, 2025

Opening Reception: Thursday, April 10 6:30 - 8:00 PM

Hosted at the 

Norfolk Public Library 

139 Main Street

Norfolk MA

 

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K7Pat-KCetHEHXNiWI7xEk-u7gNDddz9/view?usp=drive_link

 

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, January 24, 2025 ???

Friday, January 24

• No Trash/Recycling Delay scheduled due to MLK Jr Holiday Monday
• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)

10am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

6pm Jigsaw Puzzle Tournament & Sale (First Universalist Society Franklin)

9pm It’s a J Thing (live music) (3 Restaurant)

**  NO  Town Meetings today   **

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Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

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 Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming

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

Reminder: Jigsaw Puzzle Tournament & Puzzle Sale - Jan 24 or Jan 25, 2025

Tournament - Friday, January 24, 6-8 PM OR Saturday, January 25, 10 AM - 12 PM

Enter your team to puzzle against other teams in a friendly and fun competition on either Friday night or Saturday morning. Each team receives the same 500-piece puzzle and races to finish first. Prizes given for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place.  

Jigsaw Puzzle Tournament & Puzzle Sale

It’s only $40/team for teams of up to four people and your team goes home with the completed puzzle.

Team captains should register their team (all team members do not need to register) on Sign Up Genius by clicking this link ->   https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084AAAAD23A13-53907469-jigsaw#/

Once registered, the Team Captain should pay in advance either via the Paypal link or by mailing a check to FUSF with “Puzzle Tournament” in the notation line. 

->  https://fusf.org/product/puzzle-tournament/

Only 12 teams can play at once so be sure to pay and reserve your spot early! Last year we sold out!

Tournament rules and details are accessible via this link.

Light snacks and water will be provided but feel free to bring your own snacks and beverages.

For Tournament questions contact Vicki at vicki.coates@fusf.org.

Puzzle Sale

Hundreds of jigsaw puzzles will be for sale both Friday and Saturday. We have all sizes for sale, but an especially large inventory of 1000-piece puzzles! You do not need to enter a Tournament to shop. Puzzles are priced between $3 and $5—some are brand new! Cash, check, or electronic payment accepted.  

Pour Richard's sale sale get remaining spirits at 25% off - Tuesday, Dec 17

Pour Richard's sale sale at 25% off - Tuesday, Dec 17

via Ann at Pour Richard's 

"And … that’s (nearly) a wrap! 

New owners taking over-we think-Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, help us dispose of our remaining spirits inventory with 25% off (30% if paying cash) through end of Tuesday. 

Cheers!"

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DDp1I-7tMDI

2nd Annual Cookie Walk Scheduled for Saturday, Dec 14

2nd Annual Cookie Walk Scheduled for Saturday, Dec 14

The First Universalist Society in Franklin 2nd Annual Cookie Walk is scheduled for Saturday, Dec 14, 2024 from 10 AM - 1 PM. More than 40 bakers will provide you with lots of holiday goodies at only $10/lb.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CrpEkPzZ8/

Franklin Agway: December Sale, Gifts for everyone on your list

Great Gifts on sale Gifts for Everyone on your list! $5 off Birdsnack 20 lb. 10% off All small (5 lbs. or less) birdseed 10% off Indoor growing kits 15% off Squirrel-X bird feeders 15% off All Bee's Wrap 15% off Wheelbarrows and spreaders 20% off All bird, duck and bat houses 20% off Swedish dish cloths 25% off Hummingbird feeders 25% off Flashlights till 12/23 We will be closed 12/24-12/26 and 12/31-1/1/2024 Winter store hours Mondays closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9-5 Thursdays and Fridays 9-6 Saturdays 9-4 Sundays 9-2 Sales are in store only, 12/2-12/31/23 while supplies last See you soon, The Agway Crew PS. Come in and check out our new zero waste items. Together we can make a difference. Copyright © 2023 Franklin Urban Farm Store dba Franklin Agway, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Franklin Urban Farm Store dba Franklin Agway 157 Cottage St Franklin, MA 02038-2403

Request for Expressions of Interest for the purchase or lease and redevelopment of the South Franklin Congregational Meeting House of 762 Washington Street.

Request for Expressions of Interest (REI)
for the purchase, or lease and redevelopment 

of the South Franklin Congregational Meeting House 
of 762 Washington Street

In an effort to ensure productive reuse of the building and remaining land, the Town of Franklin has released a Request for Expressions of Interest (REI) for the purchase, or lease and redevelopment of the South Franklin Congregational Meeting House of 762 Washington Street. 

Expressions of Interest are due to the Town Administrator's Office by April 29, 2022 at 10:00 AM.

Open House/Site Tours - The Town offers you the opportunity to learn more about the site through participation in one of two Open House and Site Tours scheduled for the following dates/times:

• Monday, March 14, 2022 between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM
• Monday, April 11, 2022 between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM

Those interested in submitting a proposal can access the full REI here:   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/news/2022_request_for_eoi_-_762_washington_street_-_03072022.pdf

South Franklin Congregational Meeting House

Shared from Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/request-expressions-interest-purchase-or-lease-and-redevelopment-south-franklin