Franklin Matters Radio

Steve Sherlock
  • 3.0 (2)
  • NEWS

What matters in Franklin MA - we follow the money sharing Town & School meetings, community events, and interviews to enable an informed resident & voter

  1. 2D AGO

    FM #1659 - FM Weekly Outlook & Lookback Combo - 02/15/26

    This episode combines the Franklin Public Radio news briefing spots for the week of February 15, 2026. The outlook for the week ahead Feb 15 through Feb 21, 2026The look back at the week that was Feb 8 through Feb 14, 2026 -------------- The text and links referenced can be found at Franklin Matters Weekly https://www.franklinmattersweekly.org/2026/02/school-vacation-brings-light-meeting.html -------------- 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 neighborsIf you don't like something here, please let me knowAnd 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"

    5 min

  2. 2D AGO

    FM #1658 - School Cmte Mtg - FY 27 Budget Hearing - 02/10/26

    This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. All 7 members of the committee were present. Quick recap: The committee conducted the budget hearing for the FY 2027 school budget. Excluding the health care costs ($8.8M), they presented a 'level service' budget that stays within a 2.5% increase. Multiple questions to clarify amounts, rational, and sometimes accounting moves were raised and discussed. Many compliments on the layout and clarity of the budget were provided to Supt Lucas Giguere and to Business Administrator Jana MelottiThe next step on the budget will be the School Committee vote on Feb 24. The complete timeline is provided in the budget folder The recording runs about 2 hours and 45 minutes -------------- Additional links to the meeting recap, Franklin TV video, and key documents for this session https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/school-committee-hear-details-on-level.html All the docs associated with the budget for FY 2027 https://www.franklinps.net/documents/about-us/school-district-budget(2)/fy2027-budget/860340 Budget timeline https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/37787646-f072-494b-b560-903c09ba25be/UPDATED_-_Budget_Calendar_FY27.pdf?disposition=inline ------------- 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 neighborsIf you don't like something here, please let me knowAnd 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...

    2h 46m

  3. 3D AGO

    FM #1657 - SchCmte - Community Relations Subcmte Mtg - 2/09/26

    This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee meeting held on Monday, February 9, 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. The agenda topics: • Finalize Mission Statement • JGPR Overview • Website Usage Metrics • Quarterly Community Engagement Update • Newsletter Planning The recording runs about 40 minutes, so let’s listen to the Community Relations Subcommittee meeting of February 9, 2026. -------------- School Committee Subcommittee assignments https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/subcommittees-and-liaisons Subcommittee agenda https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02092026-2123 -------------- 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 neighborsIf you don't like something here, please let me knowAnd 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"

    42 min

  4. 5D AGO

    FM #1656 - Another First: Blood Pressure Kits at the Library - 02/09/26

    This episode shares my conversation with Town of Franklin’s public health nurse Alisha Sullivan. We talked virtually on Monday, February 9, 2026 about the blood pressure kits available at the Library. Did you know high blood pressure is the #2 killer of MA residents? Did you know you can check your own blood pressure at the Library? A station is set up to take your blood pressure. You can even check out a device like you would a book or a video, or anything else in their Library of things. Did you realize this also happens to be another “First of Many” for the Town of Franklin? Yup, the Health, Dept, Library and American Heart Assoc have collaborated on this program. The first library in MA to have the test kit station and kits for check out Listen to my conversation with Alisha. Approx. 17 minutes -------------- Health Dept page - https://www.franklinma.gov/444/Board-of-Health Metacomet Public Health Alliance health resources - https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/7a79d8f9979f4709ad5b7311c91c8258 -------------- 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 neighborsIf you don't like something here, please let me knowAnd 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"

    23 min

  5. FEB 7

    FM #1655 - FM Weekly Outlook & Lookback Combo - 02/08/26

    This episode combines the Franklin Public Radio news briefing spots for the week of February 8, 2026. The outlook for the week ahead Feb 8 through Feb 14, 2026The look back at the week that was Feb 1 through Feb 7, 2026 -------------- The text and links referenced can be found at Franklin Matters Weekly https://www.franklinmattersweekly.org/2026/02/more-snow-more-cold-more-budget-winter.html -------------- 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 neighborsIf you don't like something here, please let me knowAnd 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"

    4 min

  6. FEB 7

    FM #1654 - Franklin Public Library - Feb 2026 Highlights - 02/04/26

    This session shares my conversation with Mitzi Gousie, Programming and Outreach Librarian with the Franklin Public Library. We had our discussion virtually on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. We talk about Reviewed the regular open hours, book sale and holiday scheduling for the monthClosed on Sundays due to budget reductionClosed all day on Monday, Feb 16 for President’s DayLibrary events for February 2026In calendar order rather than by category this time around Registration for those events required should be done through the Town website, Library page. There are nefarious folks trying to convince folks otherwise via Facebook. Be safe, use the official Town and Library pages. The show notes include links to the Library page and to the calendar of events where registration for some of the events is required/recommended. The recording runs about 17 minutes, so let’s listen in. -------------- Mitzi Gousie’s email -> mgousie@minlib.net Franklin Public Library page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/233/Franklin-Public-Library Library event calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events February 2026 newsletter -> https://www.franklinma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/92 ------------- 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 neighborsIf you don't like something here, please let me knowAnd 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...

    17 min

  7. FEB 6

    FM #1653 - Franklin (MA) Board Of Health Mtg - 02/04/26

    This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. The meeting agenda was held in the 3rd floor training room as well as via Google Meet. 2 board members were present (Harris absent). Quick Recap: Chair Kim Mu-Chow opens the meetingReads protocol statement re: Google meetConfirms participation via roll callApproval of Dec minutes, moved, second, passes 2-0-1 (1 absent)No citizen commentsPlanning for a women's health fairLikely at New England Chapel, all women's health issues to be covered with vendors and info tablesAwaiting confirmation on a mobile mammogram vehicle to set a date and begin planning on earnestPossible time frame in afternoon but van dependentPediatric vaccine guidelines potentially conflict between state, federal, and medical orgs. State advising to follow the American Pediatric Society vs CDC advises to consult physicianDiscussion on moves of temp sensitive items (food, vaccines)Discussion on uninformed comments around supposed connection between pregnant women and acetaminophen; no study makes the connection,Acetaminophen can be dangerous if taken in high doses regularly by anyoneThere has historically been only a short list of approved drugs for pregnant women.When the doses available became 500, and folks still took 2, it can become very impactful quicklyReport on food inspection and trends coming in future meeting COVID in Jan, 19 vs 13 in prior monthFlu activity still high; 64 flu cases vs over 160 prior month Also va 170 last Jan (2025); 33% affected in 5-19 age groupBrain games a big hit at Central Park TerraceSenior Center training for staff on CPR in planning stageDiscussion on a hoarding issue, actually ended in a good place but did take emergency action coordination with Police, Fire etc.Motion to adjourn, second, passes 2-0-1 The meeting runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting February 4, 2026. -------------- Agenda doc -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02042026-2115 My notes in one PDF file ->...

    41 min

  8. FEB 4

    FM #1652 - Chalkboard Chat - 02/02/26

    This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chair Paul Griffith. We had our discussion via Zoom on Monday, February 2, 2026. We condense and get into the explanations behind the key items from the recent School Committee meeting January 27, 2026. Our conversation covered the following topics: Budget, and budget implications Budget hearing Feb 10, budget vote Feb 24 Health care costs proposed to move to Town Account 910 Simplification, ensure all depts now have apples to apples budget comparison Hold harmless, Chap 70 local contribution under re-evaluation Special education reimbursement, cost advantages of in house programs Policy updates Remote participation Middle school awareness of pathways ECDC tuition re-voted to correct an oversight Our conversation runs about 49 minutes. Let’s listen -------------- School Committee page (with contact info) - https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-committee School Committee subcommittee assignments - https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/subcommittees-and-liaisons Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-UxhayAn6s The agenda can be found - https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/8d6ca562-53e6-4ea4-a1af-54dc11571527/SCAGENDA-1-27-26.pdf?disposition=inline FY 2027 budget presentation doc - https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/f0eb6e5e-b914-4650-9811-892c46570b5f/FINAL---FY27-Superintendents-Recommended-Budget-%282%29.pdf?disposition=inline Released documents will be posted to the 'packet folder' - https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/january-27%2C-2026-sc-meeting-packet/24906664 My notes in one PDF file - https://drive.google.com/file/d/140kTZI5bmwVFlufRsU54cNneJ2BytZ-c/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...

    49 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

What matters in Franklin MA - we follow the money sharing Town & School meetings, community events, and interviews to enable an informed resident & voter

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Sherlock
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    219
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License
  • Show Website
    Franklin Matters Radio