No "scheduled" trash delay due to MLK Day on Monday

I appreciate the confidence in the posted calendar however, given recent history, as you know life happens; I prefer to classify this as "No Scheduled Trash Delay"

No "scheduled" trash delay due to MLK Day on Monday

Shared from -> https://x.com/i/status/2011809621887930653

If you misplaced the Curbside Recycling flyer, you can find a copy on the Town page to download and print for reference.  Link to Town page for flyer -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1279/Waste-Management-Trash-and-Recycling-Collection-Services-2025-to-2026-PDF

Governor Healey Takes Nation-Leading Action to Make It Easier, More Affordable for People to Get Health Care

Eliminates prior authorizations for essential care; announces Health Care Affordability Working Group to Further Lower Costs 

Continue reading the details in the full press release

Today (1/14/26), Governor Maura Healey announced nation-leading action to make it easier and more affordable for Massachusetts residents to get the health care they need. The Division of Insurance (DOI) is issuing updated regulations to streamline prior authorization practices in the state, including eliminating prior authorization for many routine and essential services. These changes will reduce unnecessary delays and cut administrative burdens to make it easier, cheaper and faster for people to get the medications and care they need. Governor Healey also announced the creation of a Health Care Affordability Working Group charged with advancing proposals to reduce health care costs across the system, ultimately reducing costs for people and businesses across the state.

“Health care is too difficult and too expensive for far too many people,” said Governor Healey. “So we are taking the most comprehensive action in the country to make it faster, cheaper and easier to get the care you need. This is a moment of urgency, and today we are bringing together leaders from across health care, business and labor to find every possible step we can take to lower costs and improve health care in Massachusetts.” 

“This initiative is cutting unnecessary red tape that has delayed care for too many patients and drives up costs for our families and businesses,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “If we are serious about lowering costs, we have to take on the waste and unnecessary barriers that are driving up the cost of health care.”

Prior authorization requires doctors to get approval from a patient's health insurance plan before providing a service or medication, which often causes long delays and increases administrative costs, which can be passed down to patients. DOI’s updated regulations streamline and standardize prior authorization practices across the health care system, reducing red tape and unnecessary barriers to care. The changes will eliminate prior authorization requirements for a wide range of services, such as emergency and urgent care services, primary care, chronic care, occupational and physical therapy and certain prescription drugs. The regulations also eliminate duplicative claims submissions and simplify approval processes, reducing administrative costs and burdens on doctors, hospitals and insurers and helping the system operate more efficiently while keeping the focus on delivering care.

For patients, these reforms mean faster, more reliable access to care and fewer delays caused by insurance paperwork. By eliminating prior authorization for many routine and essential services, requiring insurers to respond to urgent requests within 24 hours, and ensuring continuity of care when patients switch plans, the regulations reduce disruptions that can delay treatment or send patients unnecessarily to emergency rooms. Greater transparency and fewer administrative errors will also ease the burden on providers, allowing more time to focus on patient care, helping ensure people receive timely treatment when they need it most.

Some examples of how these updated regulations will impact patients include: 

• A patient with diabetes will no longer need a prior authorization for any services, devices and drugs associated with their chronic disease.
• A patient with rheumatoid arthritis who has an existing authorization for his treatment but recently switched to a new insurer will have that prior authorization honored for at least 3 months.  
• An insurer will be required to respond to a prior authorization request from a multiple sclerosis patient experiencing a relapse and needing steroid injections to prevent permanent nerve damage within 24 hours.
• A provider who recently diagnosed their patient with a new condition will more easily be able to identify if a prior authorization is required for a particular course of treatment.

Continue reading the details in the full press release -> https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-takes-nation-leading-action-to-make-it-easier-more-affordable-for-people-to-get-health-care

Business Networking Event - Jan 22, 2026 - FDP members only (Why not consider joining?)

The page once had a listing of the
prices for each membership level

Attention Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP) members!!!

Please join us for a fun, social and informal after hours networking event on January 22nd, from 5 PM to 7 PM at the Franklin Historical Museum. If you have NOT been to the museum, you are in for a real treat! It has a fantastic display of so many wonderful artifacts that are unique to Franklin - PLUS you will have the opportunity to see the miniature train exhibit that will be leaving the museum at the end of the month.

Light refreshments will be served!

Open to members only

Note: Check out the membership options. Individuals can join for $25, students & seniors for $15/year. 

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DTixtQRAUHq/

Audio recording for the School Cmte - Policy Subcmte Mtg - Jan 13, 2026

FM #1630 - This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1630 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee Policy Subcmte meeting held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. All 3 members (Dave Callaghan (Chair), Al Charles, Reis Hansen) participated in the session held in the 3rd floor training room. Supt Lucas Giguere and Dr Tina Rogers also participated.

Quick recap:

• Opening discussion on an update to the remote participation policy which dated from pre-COVID. This brings it up to current authorized practice per State law. 

• Added clarification on a remotely only session where remote for the public goes down. (Note there is also a Backchannel process being put together to enable communication among the meeting conductors and organizers). 

• Motion to bring as modified to School Committee as a first reading, second, passes 3-0

• Discussion on crowd funding to help provide materials, is there a policy? 

• Yes, there is a policy and process, can review at the building level to ensure coverage

• Discussion on the state championship signage, inconsistent in appearance and there is no policy. Complicated by State ownership of the existing sign (and land) and process around it. How do we create something equitable, consistent and sustainable?

• Need to determine the equivalence of the title achieved; MIAA, MSAA, METG, DECA, etc.

• Consideration for digital, the cost is coming down and it will make it easier to maintain going forward

• Additional research to be done to bring together something as a 'strawman' for a policy for further review and discussion

• Motion to adjourn, passes 3-0 




The recording runs about 54 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1630-school-cmte-policy-subcmte-mtg-01-13-26/






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Audio recording for the School Cmte - Policy Subcmte Mtg - Jan 13, 2026



School Committee Subcommittee assignments
https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/subcommittees-and-liaisons 


The meeting agenda can be found -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01132026-2087 


My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18KUiY-44063oivzPxMnuFbhDnwrRdlCS/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 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"

School Committee: Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting Jan 12, 2026 (audio)

FM #1629 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1629 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee meeting held on Monday, January 12, 2026. The meeting was conducted via remote only. 

Al Charles (Chair), and members Stephen Karunakaran and Nadia Mausolf participated. Operations Director Colin Boisvert also participated, representing the Central Office. 

• Discussion around Mission Statement / 2026 Goals

• Potential 2026 Engagements & Activity Brainstorming

• Discussion around newsletter planning

The recording runs about 55 minutes, so let’s listen to the Community Relations Subcommittee meeting of January 12, 2026.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1629-schcmte-community-relations-subcmte-mtg-01-12-26/

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School Committee: Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting Jan 12, 2026 (audio)

School Committee Subcommittee assignments

https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/subcommittees-and-liaisons 

Subcommittee agenda

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01122026-2082 

Unable to locate my notes for this session (odd, and a first)

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

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/

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"

The Grid and The Scam (video short)

Video link -> https://youtube.com/shorts/-rR2gGzTQGA

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has a video short on "The Grid & The Scam" to explain what the current administration is after all the lower cost energy sources; wind, solar, etc.

Video link -> https://youtube.com/shorts/-rR2gGzTQGA

Note 'video shorts' can't be embedded like regular videos.

This Identity Theft Awareness Week, find tools and events just for you

This Identity Theft Awareness Week, find tools and events just for you By BCP Staff Identity theft can happen anytime, to anyone. In fact, last year, more than a million people reported identity theft to the FTC. So, being ready to spot identity theft — and deal with it if it happens — can make a big difference. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/01/identity-theft-awareness-week-find-tools-and-events-just-you?utm_source=govdelivery

Identity Theft Awareness Week (IDTAW), January 26-30, 2026

    

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday, January 18, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a schedule full of the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, January 17, 2026 ???

Saturday, January 17

8:00am St. Mary Men's Faith Formation Group (St. Mary's Parish)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9:00am Library Book Sale (Franklin Public Library)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Franklin in Miniature (Train Town 3) (Franklin Historical Museum)

10:00am Rise Up (Franklin United Methodist Church)

11:00am Franklin as Composer with The Metro-West Symphony Orchestra (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Library books by the bag sale (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Bacchus Busters (Pour Richard's wine & Provisions)

1:00pm Ken Barney (live music) (AJ's Pub, Wrentham)

7:00pm The Padula Family (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

8:00pm Rowboat (live music) (Jimmy D's Bar and Grill)

For additional details on Library events -> 

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

** NO Town Meetings today   **

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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

Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee looking for interested community members

To all members of the Franklin, MA community,

I am writing to share with you an exciting new opportunity for civic engagement in Franklin via a role on the Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee.

Horace Mann

Horace Mann was a Franklin native who is now considered the Father of Public Education due to his commitment to education reform, promoting universal public education and establishing the public education system in Massachusetts that was then adopted by most other states.

In August, the School Committee voted to create the Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee as a means to guide the development of initiatives that honor the life, legacy, and enduring influence of Horace Mann. This work will focus on the following primary areas:

Horace Mann Campus Identity & Physical Recognition – Establishing a clear, consistent, and historically grounded identity for the Horace Mann Campus through visible but restrained physical and digital markers.

Community Awareness & Storytelling – Increasing public understanding of Horace Mann’s life, legacy, and connection to Franklin through educational and interpretive efforts.

Public Education Advocacy (Informational) – Supporting historical education and awareness related to public education, without engaging in lobbying or political advocacy.

We are seeking interested community members to serve as voting members of this committee! Specifically, we are seeking:

• 4 community members at-large

• 1 Franklin Middle School student representative

• 1 Franklin High School student representative

to serve alongside members from the Franklin School Committee, Historical Commission, Cultural Council, and Town Council on this 12-person subcommittee.

The subcommittee will meet monthly and is scheduled to serve until May 4, 2027 unless extended by School Committee vote.

If you are interested, please communicate your interest through the following Google Form: https://forms.gle/NjuLBgHVfQsREvRv7

All submissions will be reviewed at the next subcommittee meeting, currently scheduled for Friday, January 23, and interested parties will be contacted following this review.

If you have any questions, you can reach me at reish@franklinps.net.

• Submitted Respectfully by Reis Hansen on behalf of the Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee