Monday, February 7, 2011

A study in snow

How much snow have we had?

Enough to show the layers or strata! Hopefully, it won't be around so long that archeologists will do some studies on the depth, type, timing, etc.


This sample of the snow layers was taken on Cottage St.


In the morning light, with the shadows on an unbroken surface, it is pretty!


This photo was taken along Milliken Ave.


Franklin, MA

"It's been a crazy winter"

... the same goes for Franklin, which has had four-and-a-half snow days this year. Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski said starting the school year earlier allows for more learning time. 
Of course, not having one full week of school in January has made it difficult for teachers to maintain momentum with their curriculum and get kids ready for Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests. 
"The staff has expressed concerns with the disruption to the instructional program," said Sabolinski. "It impacts teachers' plans, their curriculum, and preparation for MCAS." 
She said that while teachers may not be happy, students are most likely cheering every time the School Department calls their homes announcing school is canceled. 
"I think the kids enjoy it tremendously," said Sabolinski.
Read the full article on snow days in the Milford Daily News here




Franklin, MA

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Help for senior citizens struggling to pay their property taxes?

If Sudbury can do this, why not Franklin?

“Some people will pay a little more and another group will pay less, so the total amount we raise will be just like it was before,’’ he said. 
Tyler said the plan calls for increasing the tax burden on residential taxpayers by 0.5 percent, or about $50 a year for the average taxpayer. The additional money would be used to reduce the taxes of about 300 homeowners who pay more than 10 percent of their income on property taxes, Tyler said. He said if the town raises about $300,000 from the shift, each qualifying senior would get a break of about $1,000. 
“This is a really caring community in Sudbury, and it was a proposal people could really buy into,’’ Tyler said.

Read the full article in the Boston Globe West edition here


Franklin, MA


Are we born to run?

As a life long runner, a lover of cross country (where to be successful you need to run in a pack), Christopher McDougal's TED Talk strikes a resounding bell for me. Will I ditch my shoes and start running longer? I don't think so. Ditching shoes to run in an urban environment is too risky. Nevermind the kind of weather we are having, running wouldn't be practical at all.

You do need to walk before you run. And in this weather, if you don't want to venture outside as the sidewalks are not cleared enough, go to the High School. Tue-Wed-Thu evenings beginning about 5:30 (as I recall) there is an indoor walking club. You can walk the halls of the school in the relative comfort of the indoor space and get the healthy exercise your body craves.



As the weather improves, move the walk outside. Walk through your neighborhood, walk to downtown and back, explore side roads in Franklin. There are lots of good opportunities for walking.

When you can walk 4-5 miles comfortably, when you can walk and talk the whole way without breathing heavy, then, and only then, should you consider bringing your walk to a faster pace. After being comfortable at a faster pace for some time (perhaps several weeks), then you can consider taking your faster walking pace into a jog or easy running pace.

What kind of pace is that? Covering the 5 miles in close to an hour. If you can do the 5 miles in under an hour, you should be ready.

Should everyone run? Maybe not, but most everyone should be able to walk.


Franklin, MA

Leadership in Action: Dominic Orr

Three business leaders will continue the year-long series of presentations at Dean College’s “Leadership in Action” program in February and March.
The first speaker this month is Dominic Orr, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aruba Networks will speak on Wednesday, February 9, 2011, Campus Center Atrium, 4:00 pm.
Mr. Orr was named President and CEO of Aruba Networks in April 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Orr served as the company’s Chairman of the Board, and previously he was the president of Nortel Networks, Intelligent Internet Web Systems. He previously served as the president and chief executive of Alteon WebSystems which merged with Nortel Networks in October, 2000.
Mr. Orr has more than 20 years of experience in the computer systems and communication networking industry and has held senior positions at Bay Networks, Hewlett-Packard and Hughes Aircraft. Mr. Orr is a member of the Sciences Board of Visitors at UCLA. He holds a BS in physics from City University of New York and a MS and PhD from California Institute of Technology.
Two more speakers will be featured in this series: choreographer, dancer and Dean alum Jay T Jenkins, (stet), on February 22, and James A. Anderson, Jr., DPM, podiatrist on March 21.
These program are free of charge and open to the public. 
Please RSVP to alumni@dean.edu or call 888-711-3326.



Franklin, MA

In the New - rollover


Three taken to hospital after rollover on I-495 near Franklin




Franklin, MA

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Dean College - "Think Pink"

The Dean College Women’s Basketball team, in conjunction with the Sisterhood and the Student Government Association are sponsoring the second annual “Think Pink” night to raise awareness about breast cancer. The groups will be selling “Think Pink” tee shirts to raise money for the College’s Relay for Life team later this Spring.
The shirts are available at the basketball team’s 6 p.m. game on Thursday, February 10 at the Pieri Gym on School Street, on the College’s campus in Franklin.
Admission to the basketball game is free, but a suggested donation of $3 per person will go to the “Relay for Life” team. Tee shirts are available in white, pink or black and range in price from $8 to $12.
Attendees are encouraged to wear pink. Refreshments, activities and drawings will be available during the basketball game.



Franklin, MA

MA sales tax less than national average

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue by Robert Bliss on 2/4/11


The non-partisan, non-profit Tax Foundation has released its latest ranking of state sales taxes and Massachusetts ranks 31st (with No. 1 having the highest rate).

Unlike many other states, Massachusetts , which has a sales tax of 6.25 percent, does not allow municipalities to levy their own sales taxes.

The highest combined rate is 9.44 percent in Tennessee, which has a 7 percent state tax and an average local rate of 2.44 percent. California, Arizona, Louisiana and Washington are at the top just below Tennessee.

Things you can do from here:

Friday, February 4, 2011

Changing Education Paradigms - Sir Ken Robinson

I have shared Sir Ken Robinson here before but this animated delivery is I think stunning!



What do you think?


Franklin, MA

MA Local Property Tax Exemption Fact Sheet

From the MA DLS email comes info on a fact sheet about local property tax exemptions for religious and charitable organizations:


This fact sheet is to provide general information to taxpayers about local property tax exemptions for religious and charitable organizations. It is not designed to address all questions or issues and does not change any provision of the Massachusetts General Laws.
If the link above does not work, please copy and paste the following in to your browser: www.mass.gov/Ador/docs/dls/publ/brochures/charity.pdf
For more Forms & Brochures please click here; for more Municipal Law Publications please click here.




Franklin, MA

In the News - sledding, regionalization

Huge sledding run created by Franklin family

by 


Medway, Franklin discuss end of library director sharing deal




Franklin, MA

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Quick updates

I have updated both the Welcome page and the "Why Franklin Matters" page.

  • The Welcome page update removed the prior slidecast and replaced that with subscription forms.

And as always - 

  • If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
  • If you don't like this, please tell me
Without this feedback loop, I can not improve this service.


Thank you!


Franklin, MA

In the News - mailboxes, Dean dance showcase


Mailboxes getting smacked by snow from plows




Dean College dancers critiqued by well-known choreographers




Franklin, MA

Snow update - School Calendar - Now when do we get out?

Note: as this was updated School web page as of Jan 31st, and we used another day (2/2/11), the last day would be June 22. For ease of reading, I used strike through in the beginning then made the update for the day used there after.

---------


Snow Day Update/January 31, 2011
Estimated last day of school June 21 22  (based on use of 4.5 student snow days)

Per MA General Law students must be in school for 180 days and the school year cannot go beyond the fiscal year -June 30. Please be advised the Commissioner of Education will not approve any waiver of this requirement. This situation is not unique to Franklin as most districts in the Commonwealth have used at least three or more snow days to date.
We have used three and one half days to this point- current last day is 6/22 and it would be a student half day- we have 6 additional days for inclement weather- if we use all 6 days we need to make up days during April vacation or have students attend school on the weekend- As Saturday/Sunday is impacted by religious traditions this may prove challenging. Any change in the calendar (using April vacation or scheduling weekend school) will require the School Committee to vote on any decision after soliciting feedback from the community. It is premature to speculate that we will have to explore this decision.
Other Weather Related Concerns
Some parents have requested we keep schools closed until all sidewalks and access paths are clear. Due to school attendance requirements we will not be able to honor this request. The town has used its resources to clear roads, parking lots, sidewalk, access paths and bus stops. The amount of snow has created a number of hazards such as limited visibility due to the snow banks. We ask parents and students driving to use caution when driving. As getting to school is the purview of parents/guardians the parent has the right to keep children home if they feel conditions are not safe. If buses see children walking we have requested that they stop and pick children up.
In some communities and neighborhoods, residents have been chipping in to help shovel sidewalks. A JFK parent was out shoveling a path last week as were some parents from the Keller district. Thanks to all who have helped out. Thank you to all the community members who have been patient with school and town personnel during this unprecedented streak of winter weather. We appreciate your kindness and patience!
School Closing - Information for inclement weather, etc. will be disseminated through the Connect Ed system as well as local TV and radio stations. Please keep your contact information current at each school.
You can find the original post on the Franklin School web page



Franklin, MA


Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Town Council meeting 2/2/11

Present: Mason, Kelly (clerk), Jones, Zollo, Powderly
Absent: Vallee, Whalen, Pfeffer, McGann

(tuned in late to meeting via cable feed)

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
1. Updates:

Snow Budget - getting eaten up quickly with the weather we have had, exhausted the $750,000 initially budgeted, authorization to exceed budget on for approval later, do have $1.3 M set aside in anticipation of this.

Meeting with Recreation Advisory Board -
postponed due to emergency health problems, won't happen immediately
looking to investigate the option of implementing this

Handicap Parking - please don't park in a handicap spot unless you are authorized to do so

High School Feasibility Study - under way

FY 2012 Budget - numbers will be more solid for the beginning middle of Mar, level service budgets loaded from each Dept. School Dept hasn't had their hearing yet (canceled meeting Tue due to weather). Not sure about using the Governors numbers, wanting to see what the House and Senate for with the revenue numbers before proceeding.

Jeff Nutting added that the Library is collecting books, that there will be a book sale.

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 11-05: Authorization to Expend Funds in Excess of Available Appropriations
Passed 5-0

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
not tonight, see above updates

L. OLD BUSINESS
none

M. NEW BUSINESS
none

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Jones - congratulations to Simon's Furniture on 100's years of business here in Franklin

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
Motion to enter executive session for collective bargaining, not to return to open meeting
Passed 5-0 via roll call


Note: The meeting went into Executive Session about 7:15 PM


--------

from the video feed:

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – January 12, 2011
motion to accept, passed 5-0

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The meeting is recorded by Verizon and Comcast, usually by Franklin Matters (but not present for the meeting that evening).

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none

E. APPOINTMENTS
Design Review - Chris Baryluk as member
motion to approve - passed 5-0

Len Rafuse as Associate member
motion to approve - passed 5-0

F. HEARINGS - none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Maguro House – Change of Manager
motion to approve - passed 5-0


Franklin, MA

Change, one laugh at a time

Cartoonist Liza Donnelly spends a few minutes (about 7 actually) sharing some thoughts about humor and change.




Have a good laugh today!


Franklin, MA

LinkedIn Event: Small Business Marketing Strategies

For the small business owners in the area, this would be a good event to participate in to see how you can incorporate the social media tools into your business.


LinkedIn

Tricia White; MSBDC Advisor has sent you a message.
Date: 2/01/2011
Subject: LinkedIn Event: Small Business Marketing Strategies
Tricia White; MSBDC Advisor found Small Business Marketing Strategies on LinkedIn Events and thought you might be interested in going!

http://events.linkedin.com/Small-Business-Marketing-Strategies/pub/549670

Small Business Marketing Strategies Thu, Feb 10 Ames Free Library, North Easton, MA, US Keywords: social media, small business, small business training, SEO, Facebook, LinkedIN, Blogs, E-newsletters, social networking

Sponsored by Ames Free Library, Easton Chamber of Commerce, Patch.com. Marketing Strategies using Social Media – We touch upon basic SEO and what drives search engines, social networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, You Tube and My Space), Blogs and E-Newsletters.

If you already know this seminar, please share it with others who could use some help in social media!

Trish

In the News - snow on roof

Snow crushes Upton barn, damages Franklin building

by 



Franklin, MA

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

FYI - Trash and recycling cancellation for Wednesday


For safety concerns, the trash and recycling will not be picked up Wednesday and will be delayed one day from your normal pick up day. Friday pick up schedule will be Saturday.

We apologize for the inconvenience, safety is the first priority.

So Weds becomes Thu, Thu becomes Fri, Fri becomes Sat for the trash pick up this week

test post

Test post

post to test new Facebook like function

Updated: I like the looks of it. It is only visible on the individual post, not on the full page which would be overkill.

We'll leave it here for a bit and see (1) if more Facebook likes occur and or (2) someone complains (3) or it breaks something else or ???



Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: School Budget Book - FY 2012

The full and complete budget book for the FY 2012 school budget. This is scheduled for discussion Tuesday at the School Committee meeting beginning at 7:00 PM.

- The Budget Book is not available yet. Due to the way it was packaged with Adobe, it is not viewable via my normal sources - I'll correct it as soon as possible.

You can view the presentation from Saturday
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/01/budget-workshop-preliminary-school.html

and the document handout (which is the intro to the Budget Book)
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/01/school-budget-workshop-hand-out-from.html


Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.

Franklin, MA


Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 2/1/11

Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

Mission Statement
The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.


"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."


1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the Open and Executive Sessions of the January 25, 2011 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll - none for this meeting Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives

Correspondence
1. Budget to Actual

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Lifelong Learning – Pandora Carlucci
b. Preliminary Budget Overview

3. Discussion Only Items
Proposed School Committee Schedule for 2011-2012

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $921.60 from the Remington PCC for in-house enrichment.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $125.00 from the Kennedy PCC for field trips.
c. I recommend the naming of the FHS away-side press box in memory of FHS football coach, Gerry Leone.
d. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip to Hartford, CT for the FHS Cheerleaders for a competition as detailed.
e. I recommend adoption of the School Committee Schedule for 2011-2012 as discussed.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report

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


Franklin, MA

Sound in the Hall Records

They hope to sell 500,000 downloads in the month of February of Copathetic, an independent music album featuring Virginia singer/songwriter Kate Herndon and Jessi Fanuele, a Franklin High School history teacher who plays acoustic guitar.
The students are part of Sound in the Hall Records, a student-run record company launched five years ago to supplement music recording and performance classes at the high school. About 30 students participate in the group, which has recorded local bands and school concerts and broadcasts radio shows on the Internet.
If they are successful, they would earn a Gold record, awarded by the Recording Industry Association of America for albums that sell 500,000 copies, Peacock said, adding they would probably become the first independent record company to reach this goal.
"We'd be making history," Peacock said. "And, we'll be pioneering a new way of marketing an album."
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

You can visit Sound in the Hall records website here



Franklin, MA

Medway Library trustees meet about agreement with Franklin

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Julie Balise/Daily News staff on 1/31/11

Medway Public Library supporters have been invited to a meeting tomorrow to discuss the Board of Trustees decision to end their inter-municipal agreement with Franklin.

Things you can do from here:

In the News - registration postponed, fire, Dean seminar


Franklin kindergarten registration postponed




Two cats die in Franklin fire




Dean College Children's Center sponsors Early Childhood seminar



Franklin, MA