In response to COVID-19, FRCOG offices are closed. Staff are working remotely. Email is likely the most efficient way to reach us. You can find our contact information on the Staff page under the About link below.

Building, plumbing and wiring inspectors are responding to emergencies only.

All meetings, workshops and forums are cancelled or have been changed to a call-in or video format.  Please look for emails from FRCOG staff about specific meetings or on our calendar at the Meetings and Events link below.

Archive | December, 2016

Climate Change Survey Open

The FRCOG is in the beginning stages of developing a Climate Change Adaptation Plan for Franklin County and is seeking responses to their Climate Change Adaptation and Resiliency for Franklin County Survey. This survey focuses on Franklin Town towns and how flooding impacts their infrastructure and natural resources.

CLICK HERE to take the survey. And check back for more information on the Climate Change Adaptation Plan, getting underway in 2017!

Trust for America’s Health Names Massachusetts as the Most Prepared State

Though the majority of states scored a 6 out of 10 or lower in the Trust for America’s Health’s report on Health Emergency Preparedness, Massachusetts scored 10 out of 10! Massachusetts has been recognized by the Trust as the most prepared state in the nation when it comes to preventing, responding to, and recovering from public health emergencies such as disease outbreaks, bioterrorism, and natural and manmade disasters.

According to Mary Clark, Director of Preparedness & Emergency Management at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, “Massachusetts’ score reflects work across the Department on health security preparedness, flu vaccination, climate change readiness, food safety, healthcare associated infections, and state public health laboratory biosafety measures. The score also reflects our collaboration with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency which has put in place a system to support emergency access for healthcare staff and supplies during emergencies.”

To see what part the COG’s Emergency Preparedness Program plays in keeping western Mass. safe and healthy, check out our Program page, the Mohawk Area Public Health Coalition’s page, the Franklin County Citizen Corps page, and the Western MA Health & Medical Coordinating Coalition page.

FY18 Budget under development

The FRCOG Finance Committee will be developing the FRCOG’s FY18 budget through the months of December and January.  The budget will be presented to the full Council at the end of January and, once endorsed, sent to all member towns in early February for municipal budgeting purposes.   Early identification of issues to be addressed during the development of the FY18 budget include:

  • Expected staff retirements in FY17, 18 and 19 that will potentially result in increased retiree health insurance costs and transition funding.
  • Potential increase to health insurance costs, especially with the current ambiguity of National Health Care (Obama Care) and possible reverberating costs to all health care systems.
  • Transition to new accounting software that could result in one-time technical support or IT costs.
  • Need to diversify grant sources to be less reliant on federal funding.

As always, the need to create a budget so far in advance results in some uncertainties, perhaps more true this year, but the Finance Committee has become adept at projecting conditions and developing budgets that maintain quality services at the most affordable cost to member towns.  To learn more about the FRCOG budget, refer to the FRCOG Budget Development Workbook.