Franklin Regional Council of Governments

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!

05/12/2026

Newly passed legislation requiring “bell-to-bell” phone-free policies in all Massachusetts public schools is expected to take effect in the 2026–2027 school year. Some local schools already have these policies, while others are preparing for the transition.

To support this transition, our Healthy Youth Partnership created a new video series about how phone-free policies work in practice. School administrators we interviewed from Franklin and Hampshire counties share info about phone storage, policy development, communication with families, costs, recommendations, and the benefits for student focus and school climate.

1 - How a Phone-Free Day Works

05/11/2026

Tomorrow! Bike, walk, or ride to the 2026 Franklin County Bike Breakfast!

In celebration of Bay State Bike Month, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) will host its annual Bike Breakfast on tomorrow, May 12th, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at rear concourse of the John W. Olver Transit Center, located at 12 Olive Street in Greenfield.

Don’t let the name fool you; the bike breakfast is open to anyone who is interested! Show up on your bike, on foot, or park your car and stroll over! Attendees will enjoy coffee, juice, light breakfast fare, and some fun giveaways.

The breakfast will provide attendees the opportunity to meet other local cycling enthusiasts and preview our soon-to-be released updated Franklin County Bikeway maps. To promote the combined use of bicycling and bus transit as a mode of transportation, the Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA) will have a bus that is equipped with a bicycle carrying rack available to practice loading and unloading.

Please join us for a fun morning to fuel your commute!

For further information, contact Transportation Planner Jack Carolan, at [email protected].

05/07/2026

Bike, walk, or ride to the 2026 Franklin County Bike Breakfast.
In celebration of Bay State Bike Month, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) will host its annual Bike Breakfast on Tuesday, May 12th, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at rear concourse of the John W. Olver Transit Center, located at 12 Olive Street in Greenfield. Don’t let the name fool you; the bike breakfast is open to anyone who is interested! Show up on your bike, on foot, or park your car and stroll over! Attendees will enjoy coffee, juice, light breakfast fare, and some fun giveaways.

The breakfast will provide attendees the opportunity to meet other local cycling enthusiasts and preview our soon-to-be released updated Franklin County Bikeway maps. To promote the combined use of bicycling and bus transit as a mode of transportation, the Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA) will have a bus that is equipped with a bicycle carrying rack available to practice loading and unloading.

Please join us for a fun morning to fuel your commute!

For further information, contact Transportation Planner Jack Carolan, at [email protected].