Board of Health
Handles public health rules — food safety inspections, septic system permits, and local health regulations.
56 items across 7 meetings.
June 3, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Chair identifies any members joining remotely — routine opening.
• Status unclear
Residents may speak up to 3 minutes on any topic not on the agenda.
📋 Proposed
Board votes to approve prior meeting minutes.
💬 Discussed
Board discusses the status of designated warming and cooling shelter locations for residents during extreme weather.
💬 Discussed
Board discusses the department's social media presence on Facebook.
💬 Discussed
Board receives an update on the upcoming Women's Health Expo event.
💬 Discussed
Board discusses potentially banning Bodyworks-type establishments (body-rub/massage businesses) in Franklin.
• Status unclear
A public hearing is listed on the agenda but no subject is specified in the document.
💬 Discussed
Health Agent reports on activities funded through the Metacomet regional shared-service public health grant.
💬 Discussed
Public Health Nurse reports on grant-funded activities under the Metacomet shared-service agreement.
• Status unclear
Board identifies topics for future meetings and adjourns.
May 6, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Prior meeting minutes approved 3-0.
💬 Discussed
Public hearing on proposed regulation banning synthetic cannabinoids, kratom, and unregulated novel intoxicants; smoke shop owners argued the ban would hurt local revenue without stopping use, while Safe Coalition's CEO reported kratom is the #3 substance used by children (average age 12) in Franklin.
💰 Kratom represents 20–30% of at least one Franklin smoke shop's revenue
✅ Approved
Board voted 3-0 to expand the ban to cover all kratom products — synthetic and natural (kratom leaf, kratom leaf extract, mitragynine) — removing prior exemptions; effective May 20, 2026.
💬 Discussed
Director Liberty is in talks with the Interfaith Council about opening a church on Sundays as a warming/cooling shelter; update expected at June meeting.
💬 Discussed
Regional Health Agent gave monthly update; no specifics recorded.
💬 Discussed
Public Health Nurse gave monthly update; no specifics recorded.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 5:55 pm.
May 6, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Chair identifies any members participating remotely.
• Status unclear
Residents may address the board on non-agenda topics for up to three minutes.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Hearing on a proposed local regulation banning the manufacture, sale, and distribution of synthetic cannabinoids, synthetically derived kratom, and other unregulated novel intoxicants in Franklin.
💬 Discussed
Board will discuss hosting a college student intern in the Public Health department.
💬 Discussed
Board will discuss plans or policies for warming and cooling shelters available to residents during extreme weather.
💬 Discussed
Health Agent provides an update on activities funded through the Metacomet regional shared-services public health grant.
💬 Discussed
Public Health Nurse reports on activities funded through the Metacomet regional grant.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourned.
April 1, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
March 4 minutes approved 3-0.
✅ Approved
March 18 minutes approved 3-0.
💬 Discussed
DEP recommended posting a notice at Chilson Beach advising the public not to eat fish caught there due to PFAS contamination in the water.
📍 Chilson Beach, Franklin, MA
💬 Discussed
Board revised draft regulations: added adult smoke shops and tobacco retailers to the definition of Business Agent, set fines at $300/$500/$750/$1,000 for first through fourth offenses, and added zombie bath salts, spice/K2, psychedelic mushroom candy, Delta 8, and nitrous oxide canisters to the regulated product list.
💰 Fines: $300 (1st), $500 (2nd), $750 (3rd), $1,000 (4th offense)
🔄 Postponed
Chair Mu-Chow requested research into 24/7 public warming and cooling shelter options in Franklin; topic deferred to May agenda.
💬 Discussed
Health Agent MacKay briefed the board on food establishment inspection processes, common violations, and observed trends.
💬 Discussed
Regional Health Agent delivered routine monthly grant update.
💬 Discussed
Public Health Nurse gave routine monthly update.
April 1, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Chair identifies any members participating remotely.
• Status unclear
Residents may speak up to three minutes on topics not on the agenda; Board cannot respond under Open Meeting Law.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of two prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Board will discuss a public health advisory notice for Chilson Beach — relevant to any Franklin family planning to visit the beach.
💬 Discussed
Board discusses potential regulation of novel intoxicating products (e.g., hemp-derived THC or similar substances) available in town.
💬 Discussed
Staff provides a status update on available warming and cooling shelter locations throughout Franklin.
💬 Discussed
Presentation on the town's food establishment inspection program and findings.
• Status unclear
A public hearing is listed on the agenda but no subject or details are specified in the packet.
💬 Discussed
Health Agent reports on activities funded through the regional Metacomet Shared Service public health grant.
💬 Discussed
Public Health Nurse reports on grant-funded nursing services shared with neighboring communities.
• Status unclear
Board identifies topics for upcoming meetings, then adjourns.
March 18, 2026 · minutes
💬 Discussed
No public comments were received.
🗳️ Voted on
Board unanimously voted to draft a regulation — modeled on North Hampton's — banning 'novel intoxicating products' (e.g., Kratom, psychedelic candy bars) sold at local tobacco retailers; a public forum is planned for May.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 5:28 pm.
March 18, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Chair identifies any members participating remotely.
• Status unclear
Residents may speak for up to 3 minutes on topics not on the agenda; board cannot respond.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of prior meeting minutes.
💬 Discussed
Board will consider a potential ban on selling mind-altering products within Franklin — no further details provided in the agenda.
• Status unclear
A public hearing is listed but no subject or details are specified in the agenda.
• Status unclear
Staff or board reports listed with no details provided.
• Status unclear
Board will note items for future meetings and adjourn.