Franklin Regional Council of Governments

06/19/2026

Know your ticks!
Different ticks spread different diseases. Know what kind of tick bit you to understand your risk of disease. The Public Health Nurses suggest this website to identify the type and stage of ticks -- and can even ID yours for you when you send a photograph!

Tick Finder Tool Find a tick? Or just curious about tick activity in your region? Maybe you want to discover tick encounter risk across the country before your next trip? Pick a date and pick a region, then use our tool to get started. Additional Resources Dig a little deeper

06/17/2026

The Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) seeks a prepared, accurate, and reliable individual to provide administrative support and front desk reception services. A typical day will include general agency-wide administrative and receptionist duties, as well as project- and program-specific support. Occasional evening meeting attendance and minute-taking required. Learn more about the position and how to apply at:

The FRCOG is an equal opportunity employer and is particularly interested in candidates from a diverse range of cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds, and who are well-suited to understanding and addressing the needs of the diverse population we serve. Open job postings and descriptions can be fo...

06/16/2026

Did you know Franklin County has a regional Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)? The latest one represents the work of dozens of organizations and hundreds of people.. and it is getting a check-up on Thursday morning!

Drop in anytimebetween 9 and 11 Thursday to review progress in the first two years of this five-year plan -- and have some breakfast snacks! More info and RSVP here: https://frcog.org/event/chip-network-meeting-06-18-2026/

05/28/2026

https://recorder.com/2026/05/27/franklin-county-bike-breakfast/

Cyclists in Franklin County enjoy free breakfast and discuss FRCOG's progress on new bikeway maps at MassBike's annual event.

05/27/2026

You're invited to explore the new Davis Mine Climate Adaptation Trail at Pelham Lake Park in Rowe on Saturday, June 6 at 1 pm and discover how the Parks Commission is protecting ash trees from an invasive beetle, planting for the next generation, and using tools like resilience harvests and slash walls (pictured here) to support a healthier, more diverse forest.

Walk this new educational trail to explore the connections between this landscape and the plants, birds, and wildlife that depend on it, learn about the park’s climate-smart forestry practices, and enjoy project-based art created by Rowe Elementary students inspired by the forest.

RSVP here: https://bit.ly/4f9f77I

This work has been made possible by funding from EEA’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Grant and is a collaboration between Mass Audubon, the town of Rowe, the executive office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Chagwas Cultural Resource Consulting, LLC and the Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts.

05/23/2026

Wildfire season is coming and this year there are resources to help you check local air quality!

Join us to learn from state and regional experts how air quality impacts health and what air quality monitoring resources are available at this online workshop on June 23 from 1-2. Register at: bit.ly/4tSUYqx

Can't be there? The video will be posted to our YouTube channel.

05/20/2026

We're proud to serve as the fiduciary for the Western Region Homeland Security Council, which provided the funds for both the Sea Lion ROV (Underwater drone) and the gear and training for the Western Mass Regional Dive team that helped make this extraction possible. WRHSAC Program Manager Raine Brown was featured in this 22 News story about the extraction. Learn more about WRHSAC at https://frcog.org/project/western-region-homeland-security-advisory-council-wrhsac/.

https://www.wwlp.com/video/vehicle-submerged-in-southwick-lake-recovered/11803080

Crews worked to recover a vehicle from Congamond Lakes in Southwick on Monday that fell through the ice in January.

05/20/2026

FRCOG's Public Health Nurses want you to prevent tick bites:
Treat your clothes and shoes with permethrin. Permethrin is a safe, effective way to kill ticks that end up on your clothing. See the FRCOG tick safety page for more information about safety and use. It can be purchased at most hardware and garden stores.
https://frcog.org/tick-safety-2/

Whether your family life includes highly active kids playing in your own backyard, regular hiking or camping trips, or family golf outings that include the inevitable slice or hook into the woods; You should spray all your families shoes with tick repellent! Ticks crawl up from the leaf litter, in w...

05/18/2026

Congratulations, Linda!

Linda Dunlavy, executive director of FRCOG, was honored as a Public Service Champion for her contributions to local government in western Massachusetts.

05/13/2026

Thanks to all who joined us for yesterday’s Bike Breakfast to celebrate all things cycling during Massachusetts Bike Month (coordinated by MassBike), and thanks as well to the Franklin Regional Transit Authority who joined us to promote the combined use of bicycling and bus transit as a mode of transportation. We had a great time speaking with attendees, and appreciated the chance to preview our soon-to-be released updated Franklin County Bikeway maps!