Sunday, August 31, 2008

"I would say the response has been very positive"

MetroWest Daily News
Posted Aug 30, 2008 @ 11:06 PM

From the outside, they looked like any other assortment of little old ladies.

Moments after I walked into the Sunshine Club at Franklin's Senior Center, Lena Vitti filled me in on the rules: "You have to smile to come in the door."

Little did I know I was stepping into the lion's den.

I'd gone to Franklin to take on Vitti and a handful of other seniors in a game of what's become the hottest must-have item at area senior centers - Wii bowling.

Sure, I was a Wii newbie - the closest I'd come to using the video game system was a display at Best Buy, but being in my early 30s, and part of the generation that grew up with video games, I went in feeling pretty confident.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


In the Globe - Ogden resigns

By Rachel Lebeaux Globe Correspondent / August 31, 2008

Franklin's superintendent of schools submitted his resignation Tuesday night, citing layoffs in the wake of voters turning down a tax increase as the deciding factor.

"I came to Franklin in May 2006 to help move the public schools from good to great. Instead, we are beginning another academic year moving in the opposite direction," Superintendent Wayne Ogden wrote in his resignation letter to the School Committee. "We will start the 2008-2009 school year with 180 more students than when I arrived, and a budget that is several million dollars short of keeping pace with this growth."

Read the full article in the Globe West section of Sunday's Boston Globe here

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Do you believe?

This is quite an inspirational performance from a student in Dallas; Dalton Sherman.




As you review this, translate the questions he asks to put Franklin in place of Dallas.

Do you believe in Franklin?
Do you believe in getting the best for Franklin's students?

If you do, then the time for action has never been more so than now. Don't just wait for an election.

  • Show up in person at School Committee meetings
  • Show up in person at Town Council meetings
  • Get the Financial Planning Committee to get the plan together to figure out how we are going to sufficiently afford supporting our beliefs

Supt Ogden's resignation should be a wake up call for Franklin.
Let's stop being so immature and grow up.
We can not continue to live with a small town mentality.
The world has changed enormously in the last 30 years.

The choice is before us. Do you believe in Franklin?

What are you going to do about it?

It 's official - "It’s the perfect combination"

GateHouse News Service
Posted Aug 29, 2008 @ 08:28 PM

FRANKLIN —

Community Web site specialist AmericanTowns.com and government Web site provider Virtual Town Hall has announced that the town of Franklin, Massachusetts has contracted with them to serve as its principal source of community information and to host its municipal Web site, respectively.

AmericanTowns.com will now provide a hyper-local platform where residents and organizations of Franklin can find and share the best local information about their community, including a unified calendar of events; announcements by and links to local organizations; and local services and resources. Virtual Town Hall, one of the major national providers of online services to city, town and county municipalitie, is now host to Franklin’s Web site.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

Listen to the podcast where I discovered the local site had moved to AmericanTowns here.


Friday, August 29, 2008

an average of $65,000 to $135,000 annually per prisoner

GHS
Posted Aug 28, 2008 @ 09:45 PM

FRANKLIN —

News of School Superintendent Wayne Ogden's resignation "devastated" a lot of teachers and school officials across the district, said Chandler Creedon, president of the Franklin Teachers' Association and a school psychologist.

Creedon said he is "terribly saddened" by Ogden's resignation.

"I think there are a lot of people who are devastated by this. He had a lot to offer Franklin. He had some great insight into what we could do with the students, and I'm sad that, for whatever reason, he didn't get a chance to (realize his visions)," Creedon said.

Ogden was always fair and very good to work with, Creedon said.

"He was really just pretty wonderful," he said.

Many teachers and staff are "very sad" and shocked over the news, he said.

Everyone was hoping for a great year, Creedon said.

Creedon said he doesn't blame Ogden for resigning, and lauded his bravery in making a statement.

"It was a very courageous statement that he made. Basically, he's saying he doesn't think he can work in an environment where people aren't really concerned about education," Creedon said.

"I'm not sure the community will get that message," he said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


Thursday, August 28, 2008

"We're entering some tough times"

GHS
Posted Aug 27, 2008 @ 11:34 PM

FRANKLIN —

School Superintendent Wayne Ogden formally gave his resignation Tuesday, saying in a press release that restrictive budgets and massive layoffs preclude him from moving the schools "from good to great."

"I have no desire to continue to dismantle our school system and, as such, I no longer feel I offer the right fit to lead the Franklin schools," Ogden said in a statement released by his office yesterday.

Ogden, who came to Franklin in May 2006 after serving as assistant superintendent for Wayland public schools, will end his tenure June 30, 2009, fulfilling three years of a five-year contract.

"I came to Franklin ... to help move the public schools from good to great. Instead, we are beginning another academic year moving in the opposite direction," he said in the statement.

Franklin starts the 2008-2009 school year with 180 more students than when Ogden first arrived, and a budget that is several million dollars short of keeping pace with that growth, he said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


Wednesday, August 27, 2008

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT TO RESIGN EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2009

FRANKLIN, MA (August 27, 2008) – Superintendent of Schools Wayne R. Ogden today announced his decision to resign his position effective June 30, 2009. Ogden formally tendered his resignation to the Franklin School Committee Chairman, Jeffrey N. Roy following last night’s committee meeting.

Ogden issued the following statement:
“I came to Franklin in May 2006 to help move the public schools from good to great.
Instead, we are beginning another academic year moving in the opposite direction. We will start the 2008-09 school year with 180 more students than when I arrived and a budget that is several million dollars short of keeping pace with this growth. In the last two budget cycles, I have been forced to reduce school staff by more than 70 employees, the vast majority of them teachers, and to abandon plans to bring our schools to the next level academically. Our investment in the education of our students is now below average in every single category.

“This retreat has occurred despite the best efforts of the school community. The School Committee has an ambitious vision for the students of Franklin that deserves passionate and thoughtful support, but the Committee cannot sustain the academic performance that the community expects when it is not given the funding required to keep pace with basic educational needs. I have no desire to continue to dismantle our school system and, as such, I no longer feel I offer the right fit to lead the Franklin schools.”

School Committee Chairman Roy said:
“The Committee regrets the superintendent’s decision to leave his post after three years of a five-year contract. Our schools are at a crossroads and the challenges we face are serious, but the School Committee intends to do everything we can to prevent a slide toward mediocrity. With the support of our dedicated staff and our hardworking parents and students, our collective goal is to return Franklin schools to the path of greatness.

“School districts throughout the Commonwealth are struggling to recruit superintendents. We know it will be difficult to find a leader willing to come to a community that has begun to step back from supporting its educational mission. The School Committee will begin discussions regarding a successor as quickly as possible in the hopes of finding a highly qualified individual who can help us overcome the challenges ahead. ”

Supt. Ogden resigns

Superintendent Wayne Ogden submitted his resignation to the School Committee yesterday and notified the teachers today.
Updated:
I'll provide a link to the School Committee press release on this matter later. The resignation is effective June 2009.

Mobile post sent by shersteve using Utterz. reply-count Replies.

In the News - late bus eliminated

GHS
Posted Aug 27, 2008 @ 12:36 AM

FRANKLIN —

At the superintendent's recommendation, the School Committee decided not to have a late bus, despite earlier assurances that it would be saved.

In nearly a 180-degree turnaround from his previous announcement, Superintendent Wayne Ogden last night recommended the School Committee not offer the popular late bus this year, and members did not search for a way to fund it, saying they could not afford it.

Ogden said the board did not need to take any action, because it wasn't in the budget to begin with. He had thought he found the funds for it, but now says they won't have the money.

"I'm sorry to say this, because I really felt a month ago we were going to be able to do that (keep the late bus)," Ogden said, explaining that earlier revenue projections from pay-to-ride bus fees did not materialize as expected.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.


Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Live reporting - Action Items

4. Action Items:
  • I recommend acceptance of the donation of various scientific supplies, glassware, equipment, safety and storage resources by Spherics, Incorporated for the Franklin High School. Accepted - 6-0
  • I recommend approval of the FPS Handbooks Accepted - 6-0
  • I recommend adoption of Policy KF – Building Use Accepted - 6-0
  • I recommend adoption of Policy Manual Review:
o Policy BCG – Policy Revision & Review
o Policy BCG-E – Policy Manual Review Procedure
o Policy BGB – Policy Adoption
o Policy BGF – Suspension of Policies
o Policy BIBA – School Committee Conferences, Conventions & Workshops
as detailed above (paperwork in discussion section).

All policies Accepted - 6-0

  • I recommend acceptance of a check for $400.00 from the JFK PCC for bus fee for a Kindergarten field trip to Southwick Zoo on May 16, 2008. Accepted - 6-0

Live reporting - high school scheduling problem

Last run of students revealed about 200 students with an opening on the schedule. Can't have study hall by law. Uncapped science to increase enrollment and that took some of the pressure off.

Still had 160-170 left to cover. One English teacher left for an other opportunity. We could replace that person but it wouldn't solve the problem. A social study teacher would not solve the problem.

Increasing a music person (using the English person slot) would solve the problem. By adding back this music, choral position we can solve the scheduling problem.

Matt:
Why can't we stick them in study halls.

Wayne:
Since 1996, study halls have been banned by the Department of Education.

Paula:
What did this do to the English class sizes?

Pam:
It did bump it up a little. The issue is with this electives and English is not generally taken as an elective, it is required and taken then. It is a public perception. This is a transfer of a position, not an add back in.

Bottom line:
Some choral programs are back with the hiring of a music teacher to backfill for an English teacher who recently resigned.

Live reporting - bus update, no late bus

Maureen Sabolinski - Central Office had only received one call about cross walks not being painted. They referred the call to the Town Administrator. Most of the calls to the schools were minor and overall this was one of the best openings.

If you hear of problems, please let us know. One crowded bus so far, at Annie Sullivan that will be addressed tomorrow.

Amount of transaction in the last couple of days has been busy with new enrollments.

Will need to provide an FY 09 bus update later. The most recent registrations have not yet been processed into the system to provide some output and look at what the impact would be.

Making bus adjustments, adding some spots for where folks moved into the area over the summer.

One of the most striking numbers is that what we budget for transportation is not what it costs. There is a gap for actual cost of transportation and what we budget.

Miriam Goodman:
Not all late enrollments are going to be pay-to-ride

Explains that some of the pay-to-ride money received in June was booked into FY 08. It is properly accounted for but will help to explain why the top line won't balance to the bottom line.

What extraordinary expenses can we face? How do we forecast that? Loss of power, i.e. Kennedy has experienced that. Those are generally separate charges for additional expenses. Holmes has been good and not charged in all instances.

Cora:
Fuel escalation?

Miriam:
First year of new contract. Only eight payments against the total seen.

Ed:
Contract started in 06-07 school year with options to extend. What was the price?

Miriam:
The fuel escalation does both ways, up and down. It is possible that we will see some decrease with the recent decreases. I would be happy if we don't have to pay that and I am sure you would be also. Would need to renew sometime before 2010.

Ed:
Clarification on which students go into which category? By virtue of who we have to pay for, where would we see them?

Miriam:
This is only pay-to-ride students. Students who are already riding are not included in this.

Maureen:
We can try to include the full ridership numbers in the next update.

Ed:
Shortfall of revenue to cost increasing each year.

Maureen:
Choice to cut other areas of the budget to subsidize this less or to increase the pay-to-ride to be more self-sufficient. No way to adjust re-routing to reduce buses. Could look at the start time to adjust as most high schools are not bus eligible but are pay-to-ride. Changing the start time has not been a palatable solution.

Ed:
Thanks for taking care of the Lincoln/Maple bend in the route.

Matt:
Can we ask the advertising subcommittee to look at the advertising option on the Holmes buses.

Ed:
We can add that to our agenda.

Jeff:
We had looked at funding the late bus, do we have an update?

Wayne:
The projections made in prior meetings were optimistic. The fuel escalation costs have increased. Due to some other factors, four in total. It would be unwise financially to do so (i.e. continue the late bus).

Ed:
All the parents I have talked with were glad to have saved to the late bus, to do otherwise now would not be good. I would strongly suggest to the committee to direct the administration to reconsider.

Cora:
Clubs start in Sep not Oct. I can't see keeping it considering the other reductions we have made.

Maureen:
We looked at that and the fee could be upwards of $300/student.

Wayne:
GATRA can provide some service to the high school and to those middle school students who walk over, at $.50 per student.

Ed:
Given the amount of adjustments we have made with the budget, moving funds around to balance, I can't see that we can't find something to continue this.

Jeff:
We had a long discussion on the budget subcommittee. We have some additional expenses coming at us, special education ($100,000 just for the transportation, doesn't include the actual special ed expense).

I would love to have it stay. The message was clear that the override failure would lead to this.

Ed:
It wasn't only parents that voted in the override. They would thank you for saving the late bus. It is not that we can't fund the clubs. It is just for the few tens of thousands that we should be able to fund this.

Jeff:
I hear you. If we don't identify this cut, then we would have to identify another cut to fund the late bus. I appreciate the need for the late bus. It is not something we can afford. Over 40 teachers, class sizes increased, how many over 30 per class.

Sue:
There has been sensitivity to the increase of the $100 fee. This is a difficult descision.

Live reporting - Land easement

Mike D'Angelo providing an update on the easement that the Town Council started action on in their meeting 8/20. This is too clear up title search and clean up the records to allow for the development to the senior assisted living facility being planned for Eaton Place.

The electric easement is on the left side about 40 foot before the end of Panther Way. Across the way, there is a drainage easement required.

On the agenda tonight for discussion only. Action will come in a future meeting.

Cora:
Clarification on location of easement, does it interfere with the new drop off?

Mike:
No.

Cora:
Would this intefere with any of our future plans for renovations to the high school.

Mike:
Not really. Should be far enough away. If there was any impact, this would be a minor cost if required.

Matt:
The water easement, and issue for flooding on the fields.

Mike:
No, the section they are talking about is a low volume area. Further down, there are a couple of drains coming together and from that point forward there is good volume of water.

Ed:
Who needs this?

Mike:
The developers of the site. It is to our advantage that they do this and do it properly. We don't want any runoff from the hill or the springs up there coming our way. They have one permit for 50 units. There could be more later but only this one is permitted thus far. They have been trying since 1999 to get this thing going. I have net with the developer a number of times to review and plan this.

Ed:
This is a small easement? I have trouble with it going to a for-profit corporation with nothing in return. This is already set into motion.

Mike:
There is already too much water up on the property. Really shouldn't use any of the existing piping.

Ed:
When does construction start?

Mike:
Next month assuming things all work out.

Sue:

Mike:
The water needs to come down in a direct route. It will end up recharging the wet lands. It is desirable to do so. All the roof drains in Horace Mann and the High School go back into the ground to replenish the aquifer.

Matt:
With so much water over there is there something we can do to re-use it?

Mike:
Something to think about. A lot of initial cost for separate piping to use the water through the flushes rather than fresh water. Some work is being done in that area but not a lot yet.

Jeff:
Would like to get clarification from the FHS renovation architect on the placement of the water easement and the position of the FHS renovations. Has anyone put their seal on this to really signed off on this?

Mike:
No one has definitively looked at the wet lands. There is no real drainage on the fields themselves. The fields sheet drain into the wet lands.

Jeff:
Just looking to make sure than the runoff won't cause problems come spring.

Mike:
That site is really tough I wouldn't want to develop that site. We did some test drills and there was water really close to the surface of the ledge. Their engineer could comment on the wet lands and volume. They have to commit to not putting more into the wet lands than currently is.

Live reporting - school handbooks

Cora:
first tardy an automatic, added phrasing for unexcused absences to be reviewed with Principal

Pam Gould, FHS Principal
review of changes to handbook, included in the agenda book based upon Covey's 7 Habits. This year will be the second year Covey will be incorporated. Handbook rules laid out in simple format; if you do this, this will happen.

Drug and alcohol policy, adds a 45 day social probation and random drug and alcohol testing. MIAA rules and procedures will govern athletes.

Matt:
Nothing mentioned in there about lockdowns.

Pam:
Yes, we want to get it in. It is too cumbersome right now.

Asst Supt. Maureen Sabolinski:
A lot of the information does need to be kept confidential.

Pam:
Need to review some of the details to determine what will be kept in and what can be left out.

Paula:
How was this overed in the budget?

Pam:
This is an expense but it was already included in the supply amount originally accounted for.

Karen Seyfried:
No room in budget to accommodate scholarships. Reviewed options with local agencies to provide assistance. She also showcased the revised "Family Public Pre-school Handbook"

Asst Supt Maureen offered to stand in for Dr Burgin and answer some questions on the Horace Mann handbook. Page one error being corrected. Updates will made to the online version of the handbook. This saves approx. $7-800 cost.

Cora:
If someone doesn't have one, or doesn't have online access?

Maureen:
There are some available in the office.

Susan:
Good to have highlighted the new sections vs. the unchanged, saves reading all the way through.

Live reporting - School Committee meeting

1. Routine Business
  • Citizen’s Comments - none present to make a comment
  • Review of Agenda
  • Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the August 5, 2008 School Committee Meeting. approved yes, 5; abstain, 1
  • Payment of Bills - Mr. Kelly
  • Payroll - Ms. Armenio
  • FHS Student Representatives
  • Correspondence: none

Note: Roberta Trahan stuck flying back from Baltimore, should have been here in time but due to the delays in the air traffic today.

School Committee Agenda - 8/26/08

Franklin School Committee Meeting
August 26, 2008
Municipal Building – Council Chambers
7:00 P.M.

AGENDA

Call to order Mr. Roy
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence

1. Routine Business
• Citizen’s Comments
• Review of Agenda
• Minutes:
I recommend approval of the minutes from the August 5, 2008 School Committee Meeting.
• Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
• Payroll Ms. Armenio
• FHS Student Representatives
• Correspondence:
none

2. Guests/Presentations:
• Handbooks

3. Discussion Only Items
• Surplus land behind High School to Town for Senior Housing Project
• Pay to Ride Update
• Update on a scheduling problem at FHS
• Policy KF – Building Use – Second Reading
• Policy Manual Review – Second Reading
o Policy BCG – Policy Revision & Review
o Policy BCG-E – Policy Manual Review Procedure
o Policy BGB – Policy Adoption
o Policy BGF – Suspension of Policies
o Policy BIBA – School Committee Conferences, Conventions & Workshops


4. Action Items:
1. I recommend acceptance of the donation of various scientific supplies, glassware, equipment, safety and storage resources by Spherics, Incorporated for the Franklin High School.
2. I recommend approval of the FPS Handbooks
3. I recommend adoption of Policy KF – Building Use
4. I recommend adoption of Policy Manual Review:
o Policy BCG – Policy Revision & Review
o Policy BCG-E – Policy Manual Review Procedure
o Policy BGB – Policy Adoption
o Policy BGF – Suspension of Policies
o Policy BIBA – School Committee Conferences, Conventions & Workshops
as detailed above (paperwork in discussion section).
5. I recommend acceptance of a check for $400.00 from the JFK PCC for bus fee for a Kindergarten field trip to Southwick Zoo on May 16, 2008.

5. Information Matters:
• Superintendent’s Report
a. Easement
b. FHS Scheduling Problem
c. Pay to Ride
d. Opening of School
e. NEASC
• School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
• School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business:
• To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
• Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

Parmenter Nature Trail

The G M Parmenter Elementary School has a very nice nature trail located in the woods behind the school on Wachusett Street here in Franklin.

The trail is about one quarter mile long, mostly along a dirt path with pine needle carpeting. There is a slight decline at the beginning and some stairs to help on the incline at the end.

Dolores and I took a walk there on a recent weekend and these photos will take you along with us on the walk. Click to view the 16 picture slide show.


View slideshow


Enjoy!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Sign restrictions

The chain link fence along the bridge over the railroad tracks has been a frequent posting spot of announcements for local activities. No longer to be used this way according to the notice there now:

Franklin: Sign restriction
There is a Creative Commons license attached to this image. AttributionNoncommercialShare Alike

Since this is a state sponsored sign, I guess this is allowed:

Franklin: Sign exception?
There is a Creative Commons license attached to this image. AttributionNoncommercialShare Alike

Sunday, August 24, 2008

FM #10 - 5 things from the week ending 8/24/08

Another in a series of podcasts on what matters in Franklin, MA. This one reviews the four key items from the Town Council Meeting of 8/20/08 and the lack of a quorum for the Financial Planning Committee on 8/21/08.

Time: 18 minutes, 20 seconds



MP3 File

Session Notes:

Music intro

My intro

From the Town Council meeting this past Wednesday, there are four things I think you should be aware of. However, the most important item from the week is the lack of a quorum at the Financial Planning Committee meeting on the 21st.

From the Town Council meeting of 8/20/08

1 - Bylaw Amendment 08-627: Chapter 4, Public Notice and Advertising of Public Hearings – 2nd Reading

As discussed in the 7/23/08 meeting, the Council moved to adjust the notifications. Jeff Nutting references 2 of the three questions from that meeting. The third question, to provide examples of such that would be covered by this, if it was answered, it does not appear during the discussion nor in the council meeting package.

The Town Council meeting package for 8/20/08 can be found here: http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2008tc/082008agenda.pdf

listen here

2 - Resolution 05-55 – Transfer of Care, Custody, Management and Control of Red Brick School From Franklin School Committee to Franklin Town Council

The Benjamin Franklin Charter School inquiry is discussed but the inquiry by the Franklin School for Modern Art is not referenced although the Milford Daily News and the Boston Globe cover both this interests.

Milford Daily News:
http://www.milforddailynews.com/homepage/x169545726/Brick-School-issues-still-need-resolution

Boston Globe:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/08/24/potential_tenants_study_franklins_historic_brick_school/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Globe+West

listen here

3 - Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-625: Chapter 185-5, Town Code: Zoning Map – Business to Commercial II – 7:10 PM - covers the land of the Knights of Columbus, and along that row of Tedeschi’s, Dunkin Donuts. The hearing was closed and this item was moved to first reading

4 - Town Administrator, Jeff Nutting presented on an update on the Town's efforts to reduce auto fuel used. A "No idling" policy was issued, Jeff will come back to Council with a request to balance the fuel budget. With increase in gas prices, they are projecting they will be about $100,000 short. Jeff talked of coming back in a future meeting with some actions to handle this. Apparently there was a change in our revenue forecast due to the MBTA and GATRA assessments. This change will result in an increase in revenues of about 160,000. Stay tuned to see what happens on this front.

5 - The most important thing this week, I think was the lack of a quorum at the Financial Planning Committee meeting on 8/21/08.

The group is chartered with defining our future financial needs and then coming up with a plan to get the town to agree to. One, their own internal communications appear to be lacking. Of the nine official members, two were present, only one other was acknowledged having a prior notification of absence. What happened to the other 6?

If they can’t communicate within the group, will they be able to communicate out to us?

-----------

This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow Franklin citizens and voters by Steve Sherlock

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The musical intro and closing is from the Podsafe Music Network
Jon Schmidt - Powerful Exhilarating Piano Music

Franklin: Schools open Tuesday


Franklin: Schools open Tuesday, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Yes, the summer is coming to an end.

Dolores has her classroom ready to welcome her new set of friends at Oak Street.

Check to see what time your kindergarten orientation is on Tuesday.

Drive with alertness to keep all the Franklin students safe!

Franklin: Andro's Pizza


Franklin: Andro's Pizza, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Yes, this used to be Aroma's Caffe.

Soon it will be Andro's Pizza.

BTW - also on the food front, noticed a sign that says Nonni Roses' is now offering a full breakfast Thu-Fri-Sat.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Reminder: Beaver St closed beginning 8/25/08

Reminder that due to construction Beaver Street will be closed for approx. three weeks.

The section of Beaver Street from West Central Street to Grove Street will be closed to through traffic from August 25, 2008 to approximately September 12, 2008. The purpose of the road closing is to reconstruct the Mine Brook drainage culvert.

Access up to and including Master Drive will be from West Central Street. Access to the Beaver Street Recycling Center and the Beaver Pond recreational facilities will be from Grove Street.

The original stories appeared here

Wind turbine success

How is this related to Franklin? You may recall that the Sisters of St Mary's Abbey are preparing a wind turbine of their own. It won't be quite as tall as this one. Their wind turbine is reported to be approx. 130 foot tall. This is 253 foot.

Jiminy Peak, a western Mass. mountain resort, marked the one year anniversary on August 15 of flipping the switch and connecting its 1.5 megawatt GE wind turbine to the grid. The turbine, nicknamed Zephyr, is now generating a full third of the ski resort's power. But getting there wasn't exactly a breeze.

Nestled in the Berkshires, Jiminy Peak claims to be the first privately held company in the nation to have installed a megawatt class turbine. Its Zephyr (named after the Greek god of wind) sits on a 253-ft. tower, with each of its three blades reaching approximately 123 feet into the air, making the wind turbine taller than the Statue of Liberty.

The turbine generates 4.6 million kWh (kilowatt hours) of energy or enough to light up the TVs, DVDs, microwaves and refrigerators in 613 homes for a year. Most of the power is generated in winter, when mountain winds peak, and demand at the resort is at its highest, due to the demands of snowmaking equipment.

Read the full article in InformationWeek here

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Financial Planning Committee Meeting - live reporting

There is an insufficient quorum for the meeting this evening. Hence, no meeting.


Updated:
Two members present: Rebecca Cameron and Roberta Trahan
Two unofficial members present: Jeff Nutting and Wayne Ogden
One other member was acknowledged as being heard from, he was leaving town for family vacation (Steve Whalen).

In the News - Brick, 704 Washington

GHS
Posted Aug 21, 2008 @ 12:14 AM

FRANKLIN —

Town councilors voted yesterday to accept the Red Brick School from the School Department, with some saying they still hope to have it be used for education by another group.

The school was declared a surplus earlier this month by the School Committee, which sought to transfer ownership of the building to the town.

The motion passed 6-1, with Councilor Robert Vallee casting the opposing vote.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

------------------

GHS
Posted Aug 20, 2008 @ 10:33 PM

FRANKLIN —

The company owned by Councilor Joseph E. McGann and former Police Chief Lawrence Benedetto wants to withdraw its application for a retail development on Washington Street.

Their lawyer, Richard R. Cornetta Jr., made the request in a letter this week to the Zoning Board of Appeals, which votes on the matter tonight at 7:30.

McGann and Benedetto's proposal for a two-story 20,000-square-foot retail building met strong opposition from people living nearby. Mark Seifert, one of the leaders of a group called "It Does Not Fit, Do Not Permit," said he is pleased with the decision.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


704 Washington St Update

To those who have indicated to be notified about updates on the public hearings regarding the development at 704 Washington Street:

On August 18, 2008, Lajero LLC withdrew their application for variances. The application for variances were scheduled to be heard at a public hearing before the Town of Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals on August 21st . That hearing is cancelled. No other hearings are scheduled at this time. You will be notified (via email or by standard mail) in the future of any subsequent developments. Thank you for your interest in the matter. Refer to the website www.home.comcast.net/~doesnotfit for details and future communications.

Thank you for your continued interest.

--
Mark and Julie Seifert
7 Jefferson Rd, Franklin, MA 02038
508.440.5561
www.home.comcast.net/~doesnotfit

Monday, August 18, 2008

FM #9 - Quiet Week & Look ahead

Another in a series of podcast on what matters in Franklin (MA). This looks back at the summer week that was and ahead to the Town Council and the Financial Planning Committee meetings.

Time: 9 minutes, 18 seconds



MP3 File

Session Notes:

Music intro

My intro

This was a relatively quiet week in Franklin. Many folks out of town enjoying summer vacation. No Town Council meeting. No School Committee meeting.

So what did happen this past week?
• King St/I495 construction announced
• Repairs on the library have started

What do we have coming up this week?
• Town Council meeting on Wednesday the 20th - Agenda posted.

I think the most interesting items on the agenda:

Hearing
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-625: Chapter 185-5, Town Code: Zoning Map – Business to Commercial II – 7:10 PM - Knights of Columbus building and land

Presentations
• Fuel Efficiency –Jeff Nutting, Town Administrator
• Disaster Mitigation Plan- Gary McCarraher

Legislation for action
  1. Resolution 08-53 – Order of Layout, Acceptance and Taking Newell Drive, Dover Circle, Cohasset Way, Sherborn Lane and Related Easements
  2. Resolution 08-54 – Order of Layout, Acceptance and Taking of Hancock Road, Winthrop Road, Corey Way and Lantern Road and Related Easements
  3. Resolution 05-55 – Transfer of Care, Custody, Management and Control of Red Brick School From Franklin School Committee to Franklin Town Council
  4. Bylaw Amendment 08-627: Chapter 4, Public Notice and Advertising of Public Hearings – 2nd Reading

Financial Planning Committee is scheduled to meet on 8/21/08

This committee has their meeting schedule available on the new town web site but I don’t find anything else for them, meeting agendas, meeting minutes, etc.

Community section takes you off the new virtual Town Hall pages to a new portal provided by American Towns. Nice layout, seems to have all the prior community links moved over. In a future podcast, I’ll spend some time looking through those pages. In the meantime, go exploring. If you find something there of interest, let me know. If you find something missing, that should be there, let me know

Ben Franklin would say: "Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today."

-----------
This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow Franklin citizens and voters by Steve Sherlock

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The musical intro and closing is from the Podsafe Music Network
Jon Schmidt - Powerful Exhilarating Piano Music

in the News - Center Commons, Sgt Pirelli

Franklin Center Commons moves forward

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Developer John Marini isn't letting today's economy drag down his part of Franklin's $28 million downtown revitalization project.

"He's got a large amount of his own personal money involved in this," said Eileen Mason, a sales agent with Costello Realty representing the Marini property.

When Marini finished constructing the first of four buildings at 9 Summer St., last May, financial advisers, consultants, and a pain management company, among others, moved quickly to rent the professional offices on the second and third floors. Mason said retailers like Pretty is Pink and ARTBEAT moved in at the street level.

"It did not take long to fill out that professional office space," Mason said, noting the dual draw of the commuter rail and the high traffic. Every day, 22,000 cars travel downtown, she said.



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Pirelli scholarship fundraiser to be held in September

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff


Just like his "old man," Staff Sgt. Robert Ryan Pirelli loved kids, recalled his father, Robert Pirelli, a long-time TV announcer for Franklin Youth Hockey, coach and ice cream man.

While serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Pirelli played football and baseball with Iraqi kids, Robert Pirelli said, remembering with amusement how his son gave the children baseball mitts, but they didn't understand they were for catching the ball.

"He threw the ball to one kid, and the kid didn't use the glove, it just hit his chest," he said, so Pirelli taught them all what the glove was for and other baseball basics.

"He just loved working with kids over there. He saw the appreciation they had," Pirelli said. One child's mother made a bracelet and sent it to Rob's sister, Stacey, to thank him, his father said.



----------------

Father reflects on fallen Green Beret

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff


For Robert Pirelli, the memories come one after the other, as time seems to collapse into vignettes of the moments he shared with his son, Staff Sgt. Robert Ryan Pirelli.

Rob's post office tree-house he ran with his brother, Shawn, and sister, "Postmaster Stacey," inspired by their father, a postal worker.

Rob on the ice, "accidentally" blasting a puck at the glass protecting the Franklin Youth Hockey commentator - his dad.

One of the first father and son bonding moments: little Rob walking out of the house, looking at his dad's ice cream truck and back at his dad, realizing, "My dad's the ice cream man!" Robert Pirelli remembers, breaking into a smile.

Town Council - Agenda - 8/20/08

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

August 20, 2008
7:00 PM

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS – Historical Commission –Regular Member
Associate Member

F. HEARINGS – Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-625: Chapter 185-5, Town Code: Zoning Map – Business to Commercial II – 7:10 PM

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS – Franklin Country Club- Change or manager/directors

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
  • Fuel Efficiency –Town Administrator
  • Disaster Mitigation Plan- Gary McCarraher

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
  1. Resolution 08-53 – Order of Layout, Acceptance and Taking Newell Drive, Dover Circle, Cohasset Way, Sherborn Lane and Related Easements
  2. Resolution 08-54 – Order of Layout, Acceptance and Taking of Hancock Road, Winthrop Road, Corey Way and Lantern Road and Related Easements
  3. Resolution 05-55 – Transfer of Care, Custody, Management and Control of Red Brick School From Franklin School Committee to Franklin Town Council
  4. Bylaw Amendment 08-627: Chapter 4, Public Notice and Advertising of Public Hearings – 2nd Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

Sunday, August 17, 2008

In the news - King St/I495 construction, storyteller at library

King Street work slated at long last
By Rachel Lebeaux
Globe Correspondent / August 17, 2008

A long-awaited overhaul for busy King Street in Franklin has received an injection of state funds that will allow the project - offering improved traffic flow, better signals, and enhanced vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle safety - to move forward next spring.

The state Transportation Improvement Program has allotted $3.8 million in state and federal funds toward the project, which focuses on upgrades to the Interstate 495 ramps at King Street. Work will extend along King Street from Union Street to Upper Union Street, and include construction on Upper Union Street from King Street to Constitution Boulevard.

The project is slated to go out for bid this fall, with construction starting next spring. Robert "Brutus" Cantoreggi, director of Franklin's Department of Public Works, said he expects construction will last 18 months. While there are likely to be delays, the roads involved in the project will remain open, he said.

The project is aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving safety measures at several bustling intersections along King Street and at Interstate 495.

Read the full article in the Boston Globe here

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FRANKLIN -

On Tuesday, Aug. 26, the Franklin Public Library is hosting Carolyn Martino, professional storyteller, actress, writer and educator at 7 p.m. in the Meeting Room.

"Enjoy the musical rhythms and joyous logic of all that is Italian in a Bella Notte of Italian storytelling as Martino captures you with her humor, warmth and style,'' says Margaret Ellis, the library's literacy coordinator.

This program is funded by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners with funds from the LSTA, a Federal source of library funding provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Originally published in the Franklin Gazette on Friday August 15, 2008.


Solar powered?

Solar powered?

There is a Creative Commons license attached to this image. AttributionNoncommercialShare Alike

I remember hearing about these new solar powered recycle devices at one of the Town Council meetings.

Great idea. Green all over. Solar powered compaction, reduces the number of times the container would need to be emptied.

Why position this device in the shade of a tree?
Will it get enough sunlight?

Saturday, August 16, 2008

What would Ben say?


What would Ben say?, originally uploaded by shersteve.

"Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today."

Benjamin Franklin

Hence, having missed prior opportunities for regular maintenance on the library, the scaffolding is up now for repairs before the situation gets any worse.

Red flag

utterz-image
is this a warning to birds to keep away?

found this pole near the corner of Wachusetts and Arlington streets

Mobile post sent by shersteve using Utterz. reply-count Replies.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

In the News - attempted arson, Brick future

GHS
Posted Aug 14, 2008 @ 01:03 AM

FRANKLIN —

Leading up to the McDonough family's 200-year-old barn, a blotchy trail of gasoline still darkens Partridge Street, a trace of an attempted arson during the early hours of Aug. 4.

"They started at the barn, went down the driveway, down the street," said Bill Tavia, who found matches next to a five-gallon gas can between the McDonough home at 430 Partridge St., and 443 Partridge St., a group home for people with developmental disabilities.

"They thought they could light it and it would fire up like they saw in the movies. Thank God it didn't," said Tavia, a former Bellingham Police officer and neighbor who had just finished renovating and painting the McDonough's post-and-beam barn two days earlier.

Read the full story in the Milford Daily News here

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GHS
Posted Aug 14, 2008 @ 12:50 AM

FRANKLIN —

Town Council will decide Wednesday whether to accept ownership of the historic Red Brick School from the School Department, which declared the property as surplus at its last meeting.

A future tenant could keep the building's historic integrity intact and keep the building on the National Historic Register by using it for educational purposes, officials have said.

Two such entities - the Benjamin Charter Classical Public Charter School, and artist/art instructor Don Carlucci - have expressed interest in renting the building, which is about 500 to 600 square feet, said Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.

Yesterday morning, Nutting gave a tour of the Brick School to Carlucci, the owner of the Franklin School of Modern Art, he said.

read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


Wednesday, August 13, 2008

FM #8 - Storm Water Presentation

Another in a series of podcasts on Franklin(MA) Matters, this one focusing on the DPW presentation on storm water and how they propose to handle it including a possible new fee. This presentation is from the July 23, 2008 Town Council meeting.

Time: 21 minutes, 53 seconds



MP3 File

Session Notes:

Music intro

My intro

I was on vacation last week and missed both the School Committee and Town Council meetings on August 5th and 6th.

I tried to obtain a DVD copy of the meetings from the Library and was surprised that they only have meetings from April on hand currently. Maybe you knew this already. It was the first time I tried to get this copy. Apparently, the cable company brings over 3 months of meetings at a time. So the next delivery would bring over May, June and July but the first week of August meetings would not be available until November.

Anyway, from the Town Council meeting on 7/23/08 there was the full DPW presentation on storm water handling that was too long to include in the last session.

This segment is about 18 minutes. It includes the full DPW resentation but not the Q&A with the councilors after the presentation.

------------

This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow Franklin citizens and voters by Steve Sherlock

For additional textual information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The musical intro and closing is from the Podsafe Music Network
Jon Schmidt - Powerful Exhilarating Piano Music

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

In the News - more on cats, zoning issue, by-law emergency

GHS
Posted Aug 12, 2008 @ 01:28 AM

FRANKLIN —

A feral cat colony living behind Highwood Condominiums is the pride and joy of elderly resident Dorothy "Dottie" Luff, but other residents living closest to the cats' feeding station say the felines are just a nuisance.

"No one wants to hurt the cat people or send (Dottie) into distress," resident Madelyn McAneny said yesterday. "But these cats are using my yard as their litter box."

A group of neighbors gathered yesterday to dispel public perceptions surrounding the controversy over these cats.

"It's not that we don't like animals," Highwood Road resident Ruth Bayer said. "We're just concerned with the health issues, the smell and our property values."

"This is not us against Dorothy," McAneny added.

Last month, Pioneer Property Management responded to heightened complaints and notified residents the cats would be trapped and removed from the site. But pleas from officials and caretakers, including Luff, have halted the trapping.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

GHS
Posted Aug 12, 2008 @ 01:06 AM

FRANKLIN —

Planners recommended the town adopt a zoning change to allow a wider variety of development near the Knights of Columbus on Rte. 140.

The Planning Board last night voted in favor of recommending Town Council rezone a portion of West Central Street (Rte. 140) from Business/Single Family III to Commercial II.

Town Planner Beth Dahlstrom and Town Engineer William Yadisernia also supported the change.

"The Knights of Columbus is selling the property, and we want to increase the redevelopment potential of the lots in that area. The Knights of Columbus is in need of substantial redevelopment," Yadisernia said.

Neither he nor Dahlstrom knew the prospective buyer of the Knights' property, which they estimated to be between 7 and 10 acres.

The proposal involves seven adjacent parcels of land (on the zoning maps, parcels 270-024-000 through 270-030-000), including the Knights of Columbus property, a Dunkin' Donuts, a gas station, and single-family homes, Dahlstrom said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

GHS
Posted Aug 12, 2008 @ 01:25 AM

FRANKLIN —

Anticipating vast increases in the price of home heating oil this winter, Councilor Stephen Whalen is proposing the town suspend a prohibitive bylaw to enable more residents to convert from oil to natural gas.

"One of my fears is, a lot of people are going to be caught off-guard by the huge increase in heating oil," said Whalen, who is a senior financial analyst with Liberty Mutual Group.

He had just read a report projecting oil will cost homeowners 70 percent more than last year, and gas, 25 percent to 30 percent more, when he received an e-mail from Maple Street resident Joshua Phillips objecting to a bylaw that prevents him from tapping into natural gas, said Whalen.

"I'm not an expert, but there is a consensus in the financial community that oil will go up more than gas," said Whalen.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Sunday, August 10, 2008

In the News - cookies, St Rocco's, vacant houses

The St Rocco's Festival cookie contest recap with winner Donna Copponi

Donna's winning recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies

Plenty of good food at St Rocco's

And on the vacant house front:

Pellegri, who has been Franklin's town clerk for 24 years, said she finds the number of vacancies listed - 778 - alarming.

That figure is down slightly from April, when the listing was 805, she said, but in past years, it is typically in the high 400s or low 500s, Pellegri said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Franklin changes

Go away for a few days and upon return to Franklin you can find some changes.

A new foundation is being put together for a house in an empty lot on King St:

Franklin: Foundation on King St

There is a Creative Commons license attached to this image. AttributionNoncommercialShare Alike


Work on the columns at the old Town Hall, new museum resumes downtown:

Franklin: Column work resumes

There is a Creative Commons license attached to this image. AttributionNoncommercialShare Alike


And quite a stir is being raised over some feral cats. The article appeared yesterday in the Milford Daily News and got picked up by the Boston Globe today.

Friday, August 8, 2008

"most people just don't get it "

GHS
Posted Aug 08, 2008 @ 12:36 AM

FRANKLIN —

The Financial Planning Committee last night outlined its mission, putting public education and communication in budgetary matters as top priorities, along with creating a three-year fiscal forecast.

The group was created by Town Council in response to citizens' calls for a long-term financial plan as frustration grew over repeated Proposition 2 1/2 tax override requests. The group was meant to serve as a proactive solution to the recurring fiscal deficits.

"I think education and communication are 95 percent of what our task is," said Councilor Stephen Whalen, a committee member.

"It's a reasonable goal to have a really strong educational component," Whalen said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Thursday, August 7, 2008

"they have all the school buses"

GHS
Posted Aug 06, 2008 @ 10:00 AM

FRANKLIN —

They may be nearly impossible for law enforcement officials to prevent, but if anthrax attacks like those following the 9/11 terrorist attacks happened today, state and local officials say they could deal with the aftermath.

While every city and town in the state has an emergency plan which details information like shelter locations and evacuation routes, in the weeks following the mailing of anthrax to more than a half-dozen news agencies and members of Congress, there was a flurry of activity as plans were updated to include the possibility of a biological attack. At that time, millions of dollars in grants were handed out to improve detection of dangerous agents, including anthrax.

"The protocol we had pre-2001 - we thought this was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime event," said Martin Greene, deputy director of the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services' Hazardous Materials Response program.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


"It will be a great addition"

GHS
Posted Aug 06, 2008 @ 10:47 PM

FRANKLIN —

Town Council last night unanimously endorsed the Franklin Veterans Iraq/Afghanistan Monument Committee's proposal to erect a memorial on the Town Common.

The endorsement is subject to the council's final approval of the monument layout, which Veterans Agent Robert Fahey said will not displace existing war monuments.

The names of Lance Cpl. Shayne Cabino, a Franklin youth killed in action Oct. 6, 2005, and Staff Sgt. Robert Pirelli, a Franklin resident killed in action Aug. 15, 2007, will be engraved on a bronze plaque with a statement honoring all those who have served in Iraq.

On the monument's rear face, another bronze plaque will honor those who served in Afghanistan. It would include names of anyone from Franklin killed in action there if that were to happen.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

"There is no money"

GHS
Posted Aug 05, 2008 @ 11:44 PM

FRANKLIN —

Despite impassioned pleas to keep the Red Brick School open as a kindergarten, the School Committee last night voted to give the town ownership of the historic building.

Matthew Kelly was the only School Committee member to vote against declaring the school surplus and giving it to the town, and member Ed Cafasso was absent.

This year marked the 175-year anniversary of the Red Brick School, which is one of the oldest one-room brick schools in continuous operation and is on the National Historic Register.

The building may still be used for education under the town's authority, said School Committee member Roberta Trahan. She said two educators have already expressed interest in using it: the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School, and art instructor Don Carlucci, who runs the Franklin School of Modern Art.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


Monday, August 4, 2008

Town Council Agenda - 8/6/08

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

August 6, 2008
7:00 PM

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - June 18, 2008
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS – Design Review Commission
F. HEARINGS -
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
- Town Common Memorial – Bob Fahey, Veterans’ Agent
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS


J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION


1. Resolution 08-51: Authorization to Hold Bonfire- Tri-County School
2. Resolution 08-52: Authorizing Submission of Financing Application
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-616: Adult Entertainment Establishment Districts-2nd Reading
4. Bylaw Amendment 08-626: Chapter 125, Town Code: Peace & Good Order – 2nd Reading


K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN


This agenda can also be found on the Town website here

The information package for this meeting can be found here (PDF)

School Committee meeting 8/5/08

Contrary to what the new Town website says, Jeff Roy did confirm via email that the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, 8/5/08 is in the Council Chambers in the Town Hall at 7:00PM.

If you want to attend the meeting don't go to the Horace Mann Auditorium.

School Committee Agenda 8/5/08

Franklin School Committee Meeting
August 5, 2008
Municipal Building – Council Chambers
7:00 P.M.

AGENDA

Call to order Mr. Roy
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence

1. Routine Business
• Citizen’s Comments
• Review of Agenda
• Minutes:
I recommend approval of the minutes from the July 15, 2008 Regular School Committee Meeting, and the June 11, 2008 Executive Session.
• Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
• Payroll Ms. Armenio
• FHS Student Representatives

• Correspondence:
  1. Letter from Senator Karen Spilka
  2. Budget to Actual

2. Guests/Presentations:
  • None

3. Discussion Only Items
• Policy KF – Building Use – First Reading

• Policy Manual Review – First Reading
  • Policy BCG – Policy Revision & Review
  • Policy BCG-E – Policy Manual Review Procedure
  • Policy BGB – Policy Adoption
  • Policy BGF – Suspension of Policies
  • Policy BIBA – School Committee Conferences, Conventions & Workshops
  • Policy BID – School Committee Member Compensation & Expenses
• Strategic Plan Discussion

• Superintendent’s Goals for 2008-2009

• GATRA Report Submission

• Brick School



4. Action Items:
  1. Take action on Brick School as recommended by Building Use Subcommittee.
  2. I recommend acceptance of the donation of various scientific supplies, glassware, equipment, safety and storage resources by Spherics, Incorporated for the Franklin High School.
  3. I recommend the approval of an additional ESP at Franklin High School (see attached e-mail from Linda Waters).
  4. I recommend that you accept my report on Superintendent’s goals for 2007-2008.
  5. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,000. from the Parmenter PCC for field trips as detailed.
  6. Re-votes from last meeting as listed

5. Information Matters:
Superintendent’s Report
  • a. Strategic Plan
  • b. Superintendent’s Goals
  • c. GATRA
  • d. ESP for Franklin High School
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business:
  • To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
  • Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn


You can also view this agenda on the School Committee page here

Sunday, August 3, 2008

"We are still hoping"

By Rachel Lebeaux Globe Correspondent / August 3, 2008

Franklin's 175-year-old one-room schoolhouse is in line to close this year because of budget cuts, despite fund-raising efforts by supporters.

The School Committee may vote as early as Tuesday on the Brick School's fate, during its 7 p.m. meeting in the town's Municipal Building. The session would immediately follow a 5:30 p.m. meeting of the school district's building use subcommittee, which will assess the feasibility of continuing to use the facility as a school.

Jeffrey Roy, the School Committee chairman, who also chairs the subcommittee, said closing the Brick School this fall "is a likely scenario."

Read the full article in the Boston Globe West Section here

In the News - perfect match, Shakespeare on the Common

Perfect match found for Franklin woman

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Day after day, for the past three months, 19-year-old Kristin Graci waited to hear whether her bone marrow team at Dana Farber Hospital found a perfect DNA match for her bone marrow transplant.

She needs the procedure to increase her odds - by about 60 percent - of never having to suffer from rare type AML leukemia again, she said.
Doctors told Kristin a bone marrow transplant gives her an 80 percent chance at a permanent cure, compared to 20 percent without it, she said.

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Franklin will make Shakespeare Common

By Tanya Girgenrath/Daily News correspondent

What do Boston Common and Franklin Town Common have in, well, common? The fact that both will be playing host to free summer productions of Shakespeare in the park.

Our local show, directed by Nick Paone and put on by the Franklin School of Performing Arts, will be the opening act in a weeklong event called the Whatever Theater Festival.
The festivities will kick off Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. with a free showing of Shakespeare's comedy ``A Midsummer Night's Dream'' on Franklin Common. There will be a repeat performance Saturday at 2 p.m. The show will star many local actors of all different ages.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

"We don't want anything sneaky going on"

GHS
Posted Aug 01, 2008 @ 11:29 PM

FRANKLIN —

Leaders of the citizens' group, "It Does Not Fit, Do Not Permit" say they will remain vigilant in opposing "irresponsible development" and keeping a watchful eye on developers.

About 50 members of the group descended upon the Zoning Board of Appeals July 24, to fight a commercial development plan Councilor Joseph McGann and former police chief Lawrence Benedetto proposed in January for 704 Washington St. The members expressed frustration that the two sought a second continuance and did not appear.

Following the meeting, McGann said, in a phone interview, that a sale of the property was in progress, and attorneys were ironing out a few formalities. McGann declined to name the prospective buyer or how they intend to use the property and said he and Benedetto would not provide any more details about the project. Benedetto has an unlisted phone number and could not be reached for comment.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Previous postings here include:

Friday, August 1, 2008

In the News - vandal, car thiefs, DCU

Cops say kids trespassing at site

By Michelle Laczkoski/Daily News staff

Police arrested two teenage boys Wednesday night after a passerby saw them trespassing on a construction site on Summer Street.

The boys, ages 16 and 14, were arrested just before 9 p.m. Both face charges of trespassing, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace, Deputy Chief Stephan Semerjian said.

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Rash of car break-ins prompts warning

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Responding to several dozen reported car break-ins recently, including 11 Wednesday night, Deputy Police Chief Stephan H. Semerjian is warning residents to lock their cars and secure valuables like GPS devices and laptop computers.

Downtown residents have been reporting the break-ins for the past five weeks, Semerjian said.


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DCU expands

By Aaron Wasserman/Daily News staff

Digital Federal Credit Union expects to open in Franklin later this month, its first branch in the Milford area and Norfolk County.

Tim Garner, the credit union's vice president of marketing and strategic planning, said this week the company has been scouting several locations along Interstate 495 for new branches and this is the first to materialize. It has been working on the project for nearly two years.

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