Saturday's walk around Franklin (photo essay)

You may not have gotten out and around on Saturday but I put a few miles under my shoes capturing some photos along the way.

Parmenter Nature Trail

trees have fallen since I was last on the trail

I took some photos and left only foot prints in the snow

the new tot lot at Fletcher Field

the most appropriate street name for this time of year

Franklin Children's School has another registration day scheduled for Feb 8th

The entrance to Dean College in snow

the snow did not keep Ben from reading

the band stand on the Town Common during the snow

one of the pathways on the Town Common

Spruce Pond with the Creamery/Franklin Flatbread building in the distance

Franklin Library: Manage Your Stuff! - Feb 1 - 2:00 PM

Do you dream of getting organized in 2015? What about your other 2015 New Year’s Resolutions? Even if getting organized in 2015 is not on your resolution list, getting organized can be the first steps to help you with all of your New Year’s resolutions! Getting organized will free up the time and energy you need to tackle the other things on your list. Getting organized means more time to spend with your family, more energy to exercise, maybe even more money to do all the things you’ve dreamed of! 

Manage your stuff will be held at 2:00 PM at the Franklin Library on Sunday, Feb 1

More from the OrganizingBoston webpage:

So, whatever your 2015 New Year’s resolution; the first step is getting organized. And getting organized is easy with our no-fail, 5 step process to organize anything – Manage Your STUFF™! When it comes to organizing, it can be hard to know where to start and easy to get overwhelmed. But with the five steps to guide you, you’ll always know what to do next. This will help you feel in control of your organizing projects and goals. So, if you’re ready to take control of your STUFF, read on… 

What is STUFF? STUFF is the easy-to-remember acronym for our 5 step process to organize anything! Let’s summarize the 5 steps.

• Sort – Sort your stuff into like categories
• Toss – Decide what to do with each item: Keep, Sell, Donate, Toss
• Unify – Assign the keepers to their new homes by zone
• Fill – Find and fill containers for each group of items or activity
• Follow Up – Commit to a regular maintenance schedule

So remember: Sort, Toss, Unify, Fill and Follow Up – these are the steps that will get you from where you are to where you want to be!

screen grab of Kate's info on the Organizing Boston webpage

Mnaage your stuff - Feb 1 - 2:00 PM

This was shared from the Library webpage here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/01/manage-your-stuff.html

More info on OrganizingBoston can be found on their webpage
http://www.organizingboston.com/

"hopefully transform downtown Franklin into a better, safer place for shoppers and pedestrians"

Realtor Warren Reynolds writes:

A $7+ million road and streetscape improvement project in Franklin, MA will transform the downtown area later this year once warmer weather allows work to get underway.  The upgrades will include new sidewalks, crosswalks, and traffic signals on several downtown streets.  The biggest change will undoubtedly be the conversion of downtown sections of Main, West Central and Emmons Streets from one-way to two-way vehicular traffic.

Warren Reynold's photo of Main St

Continue reading Warren's summary of the Downtown Improvement project here:
http://www.02038.com/2015/01/2-way-traffic-downtown-franklin/

Warren's write up is rich with links and photos.

Blackstone Valley: Job Available

For those who may be looking for part time work

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

In the News:  Job Available at                        Blackstone Heritage Corridor Job Available Administrative Assistant for Blackstone Heritage Corridor, an equal opportunity employer. Full-time position with benefits. Qualified candidate must be well-organized and creative, have excellent communication skills, enjoy working with the public,  be familiar with basic office operations, and have knowledge of MS Office software. Salary commensurate with qualifications. Send resume and salary requirements  by close of business February 6, 2015 to: Charlene Perkins Cutler, Executive Director, Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc. One Depot Sq., Woonsocket, RI 02895 or email to  C_Cutler@blackstoneheritagecorridor.org Want to help out? To volunteer with the National Heritage Corridor,  contact Suzanne Buchanan  401-762-0250, ext. 5507  or by email at  SBuchanan@blackstoneheritagecorridor.org.   The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor is a unique cultural landscape of industrial history and immigration in the interconnected system of the Blackstone River watershed. An energetic nonprofit, the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Inc. partners with organizations, local communities and businesses, and residents to insure the long term vitality of the Corridor. Water Powered!

Forward this email Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor | One Depot Square | Woonsocket | RI | 02895

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Jan 27, 2015

Note: the meeting is scheduled to be held at Franklin Hgih School in the Lecture Hall. (Given the weather forecast for Tuesday, stay tuned for updates.)

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.

AGENDA

"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."

Franklin Public Schools - the key to learning

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments 

Review of Agenda 

Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the January 13, 2015 School Committee Meeting. 

Payment of Bills Mr. Clement 

Payroll Mrs. Douglas 

FHS Student Representatives 

Correspondence

2. Guests/Presentations

a. FHS Update – Peter Light 

b. Blended Learning – Middle Schools

The presentation documents for a and b can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/documents-scheduled-for-presentation-to.html


3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – Second Reading – For Elimination

• GCBA – Professional Staff Salary Schedule

Policy – First Readings

• KCDA – Memorial Commemorations 
• KCD-E1 – Non-Budgeted Funds Donation Form 
• KCD-E2 – Guidelines for Donations of Gifts/Memorials Non-Budgeted Funds to the Franklin Public Schools

The policy documents can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/franklin-public-schools-memorial-policy.html


4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of the 2015-2016 School Calendar as discussed.
b. I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.
c. I recommend elimination of Policy GCBA – Professional Staff Salary Schedule as discussed.
d. I recommend moving the following policies to a second reading:

1. KCDA – Memorial Commemorations
2. KCD-E1 – Non-Budgeted Funds Donation Form
3. KCD-E2 – Guidelines for Donations of Gifts/Memorials Non-Budgeted Funds to the Franklin Public Schools

e. I recommend approval of the request of Anthony Joseph to take Keller 5th graders to Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI on May 1, 2015 as detailed.
f. I recommend approval of student activities as detailed.

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
Personnel update

8. Adjourn

Documents scheduled for presentation to the School Committee meeting

The presentation documents scheduled for discussion at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Jan 27, 2105.

Franklin High School Update

Franklin High School - School Committee Update from Franklin Matters

FHS Health and Physical Education Update

Frank;in Public Schools: Health Program from Franklin Matters

Blended Learning in the Middle Schools

Franklin Public Schools: Blended Learning at the Middle Schools from Franklin Matters

community entrance to FHS

The full agenda for the School Committee meeting scheduled for Jan 27, 2015 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-jan_25.html

Franklin Public Schools: Memorial Policy documents

On the agenda for the School Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Jan 29th Feb 10th (due to the blizzard, the meeting on Jan 29th was canceled) are revisions to the policy on memorial gifts. You may recall the discussion around the Graci family memorial proposed for the new high school. During the two years in which the family had been preparing the gift, the policy had been changed restricting the gift that the family had been planning.

The old policy and the proposed policies are here for review and comparison. 

The changes to the policy require two readings and assuming they move successfully from one reading to the next, even with modifications, they can be approved at the second reading.

'Old'/current policy

File: KCDA

MEMORIAL COMMEMORATIONS

The Franklin Public Schools recognize that all life has equal value. In keeping with the mission of the school department and in recognition of the contribution of deceased faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members, donations may be made to Franklin scholarship funds.

The Franklin Public Schools do not commemorate deceased individuals in the form of assemblies, memorials, dedications, plaques, gardens, plantings, walkways or other permanent physical structures.

In the event of the death of an actively employed staff member or an enrolled student, the School Crisis Team will follow the protocol delineated in the district’s Emergency Response Manual and will determine a course of action that is appropriate to the situation and is consistent with district policy.

the proposed Kristin Graci Class of 2007 Memorial

Cross References: KCD, FF Emergency Response Manual

Proposed policy revision:

File: KCDA

Memorial Commemorations

The Franklin Public Schools recognize that all life has equal value. In keeping with the mission of the school department and in recognition of the contribution of deceased family, staff, students, alumni, and community members, donations to the Franklin scholarships are encouraged.

If an individual or group would like to make a memorial donation other than a scholarship, the person/group, must contact the Principal at the school where the donation is to be located. The Principal, in consultation with the Superintendent and the School Committee will determine the appropriateness of the gift. Franklin Public Schools do not commemorate deceased individuals in the form of assemblies, dedications, gardens, plantings or walkways.

In the event of the death of an actively employed staff member or an enrolled student, the School Crisis Team will follow the protocol delineated in the district’s Emergency Response Manual and will determined a course of action that is appropriate to the situation and is consistent with district policy

Cross References: KCD, KCD-E1, KCD-E2, FF, Emergency Response Manual


PDF Copies of the policy revisions and associated documents can be downloaded here:

Proposed policy revision
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczdXV3bTM1M0lQQTQ/view?usp=sharing

Policy donation form
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczLTZXb0dzUFRlS0U/view?usp=sharing

Policy guidelines
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczalpfSnpCaGQ1RkU/view?usp=sharing




The full agenda for the School Committee meeting scheduled for Jan 27, 2015 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-jan_25.html

Franklin Library: Genealogy Club - Jan 29th 6:30 PM

Do you know your ancestors? Have you traced your roots? 

A Genealogy Club will be holding its first meeting this Thursday, Jan 29th at 6:30 PM. Beginning and experienced researchers are welcome. This is free and open to all and will be held in the Library Meeting room on the first floor.

Franklin Library Genealogy Club

This was shared from the Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/01/genealogy-club.html

FHS basketball teams top Attleboro

From Hockomock Sports we share the results of Franklin's basketball games on Friday.

Boys Basketball

Attleboro, 39 @ Franklin, 62 - Final - Senior Markus Bohmiller dropped a career-high 23 points for the Panthers while classmate Marcus Giese added 13 points.

Find all the results from Friday's Hockomock League action here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-012315

Jillian Spolidoro (20) scored a game-high 21 points and the Franklin defense limited Attleboro to just 39 points, despite 15 from Sarah Deyo (32). (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com Managing Editor, attended the girls game against Attleboro and provides a complete write up.

Girls Basketball

In the first meeting between Attleboro and Franklin this season, the Panthers matched up with man-to-man defense and pulled out an 11-point victory. On the road looking for the season sweep of its Kelley-Rex rivals, Franklin changed things up and went to a 1-2-2 zone. 

The Panthers used their speed and length to disrupt the Bombardiers offense, while constantly rotating to Attleboro’s two leading scorers Emily Houle and Sarah Deyo. In the first half, the duo was held to just nine combined points as Attleboro managed only 13 as a team. It was a hole from which the Bombardiers could not escape. 

Senior Jillian Spolidoro knocked down a handful of three-pointers on her way to a game-high 21 points and senior point guard Julianne Pisani had eight of the Panthers 14 steals, as Franklin, which never trailed, pulled out a 56-39 road victory.

Continue reading the remainder of the article here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/panthers-stifle-bombardiers-and-sweep-season-series

“more bites at the apple”

The Milford Daily News gets around to the Pond St zoning discussion from Wednesday's Town Council meeting:

Now that a controversial zoning change for a Pond Street parcel has passed, town officials can begin efforts to sell the land. 

The amendment to an existing zoning bylaw adds residential uses at the property, located off Interstate 495, in addition to the hotels and office buildings that were already allowed. 

One of the questions town officials will consider as they draft a request for proposals will be what style of housing – and how many units – to permit.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150124/NEWS/150127787/1994/NEWS#sthash.7W40vS4v.dpuf

Note: From the Franklin Matters soapbox, you can wait for the newspaper to cover the news or you can subscribe to recieve a free daily email with what matters in Franklin. Why wait for this on Saturday when you could have had it on Thursday (or Wednesday night as it happened!). 

You can subscribe here.   http://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html
It is a two step process, enter your email address, and then respond to confirm your email address.  


Wednesday night's post
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/live-reporting-legislation.html

Wednesday night's summary
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/150-emmons-st-sold-pond-st-parcel-re.html

Snow, what snow? There's pancakes!

From BFCCPS:

The organizers of the Pancake Breakfast wants everyone to know that the event is still on tomorrow (Saturday) from 8am to noon. 

The cost is $5 per person with a $20 per family maximum. 

The event will be held at the Franklin Elks which is located at 1077 Pond Street.

Pancake Breakfast still on  today 8;00 to noon

This notice was shared from the BFCCPS page here
http://bfccps.org/event/pancake-breakfast-for-8th-grade-trip-to-washington-dc/

Peter Yarrow concert rescheduled to March 28

From the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse:

Due to the storm the

PETER YARROW

concert has been rescheduled to March 28

Peter Yarrow

Note: If you haven't been to the Circle of Friends for a concert, you are missing a real opportunity. The hall is accoustically great for the music. The deserts are all 'diet friendly' (they are soo good, they can't count against calories) (not really, but as home made goods, they are delicious!)

For other concerts on the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse schedule check here
http://circlefolk.org/sched.html

Gas pains in Massachusetts- The Climate Minute Podcast

In this week's edition of the Climate Minute podcast, they focus on what is happening in MA

The town of Wilmington rejects the pipeline. 

A couple of heavyweights opine that Governor Baker should focus on wind.It turns out that gas pipelines in Boston are really, really leaky! 

But a company wants to put yet another one in West Roxbury near a quarry. What could go wrong? Go to the rally on Sunday.

Mass Climate Action Network

You can listen to it here or click through to the MCAN page and listen there

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 1/23/15 - THU 1/29/15

FRI 1/23   4-6pm   Open House at Franklin Children’s School
FRI 1/23   6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center
FRI 1/23   7-10pm   Middle School Winter Dance for 5th-8th graders at Tri-County HS
FRI 1/23   8-9:50pm   Frozen Friday DJ Public Skate at Pirelli Arena

SAT 1/24   8am-12pm   Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser for BFCCPS
SAT 1/24   11am   FSPA Auditions for the Music Man (ages 8 and up)
SAT 1/24   3-5pm   Survivor Tails Adoption Event at Happy Tails Doggy Day Care

SUN 1/25   2-5pm   Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Fundraiser at Pour Richard’s
SUN 1/25   3:30pm   LiveARTS Concert: Kevin Owen, French horn with Asako Shibata, piano

MON 1/26   5:30-7:30pm   Community Walking: FREE Walk Track at FHS

TUE 1/27   5:30-7:30pm   Community Walking: FREE Walk Halls at FHS
TUE 1/27   6:30-8pm   Ken Gloss: Value of old and rare books, Franklin Public Library

WED 1/28   12pm-6pm   Workshop Wednesday at The Cake Bar: Hearts Cupcake
WED 1/28   3:30pm   iStories at the Franklin Public Library
WED 1/28   5:30-7:30pm   Community Walking: FREE Walk Track at Franklin High School

THU 1/29   1pm   Pre-School Open House at Franklin YMCA
THU 1/29   5:30-7:30pm   Community Walking: FREE Walk Track at Franklin High School
THU 1/29   6:30pm   Genealogy Club - First Meeting - Join the Club! at the Franklin Public Library
 
For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

150 Emmons St sold, Pond St parcel re-zoned

One building sold, another parcel moving along the sale process, more money was added to the Legal budget and Franklin agreed to join with Bellingham and Hopedale in a community building grant application.

Emmons St

After so much to do in the Town Council meeting around the proposal for the 150 Emmons St building, the actual pair of resolutions to make the land available and then to authorize the sale agreement were conducted with little fanfare and no audience participation. There was a substantial audience but they were awaiting the next action item, the re-zoning of the Pond St property.

Attorney Cornetta representing the purchaser was present and left the meeting after both resolutions passed by 8-0 votes with one Councilor recusing himself (Kelly). Members of the Franklin Downtown Partnership, which had lobbied extensively against a drive through, especially if it were to be food service related were not present.

The deal to complete the sale of the property will take approx. four months to complete. In the meantime, Franklin will be looking to relocate the Recreation Dept which is the primary occupant of the current facility. 

150 Emmons St - to be a 'gateway' to Franklin

Pond St

On the re-zoning of the Pond St property, members of the neighborhood were much better prepared than for their first exposure to this at the Jan 7th meeting. They spoke at length, in detail, and raised applause on many good points. 

Ultimately, the Council did not agree to a delay on the vote but did amend the resolution to change the 2,000 sq ft requirement to 3,000. This was clearly a compromise on their part to help provide some of the restrictions that the Pond St neighbors were asking for.

Note: As an observer of many of these meetings with public sessions, it was good that the Council apparently suspended their time keeping for each speaker. Given the poor behavior of some of the Council during the Jan 7th meeting where their inappropriate comments were broadcast and recorded, this was a good move.  

For reference the "Visitor's Orientation to Meetings" can be found herehttp://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Council/visitorsnotice.pdf 

Copies of this document are generally kept on the small table outside the door to the Council Chambers. 

Note: I also found it interesting that the Town Council did not acknowledge or apologize for their individual behavior and comments at the prior meeting. Had they done so, it could have changed the nature of the relationship. 

The Pond St propery discussion now moves to the Economic Development Committee (EDC) meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Jan 28th. It will be held in the 3rd floor training room of the Municipal Bldg beginning at 6:30 PM. With the parcel re-zoned, the RFP can be drafted to include this 'carrot' for potential developers. 

The RFP would come back to the Town Council for their approval before being advertised as available. The RFP usually would advertise for a 2-3 month period. any proposals submitted for it would first be reviewed at an EDC meeting and then brought with a recommendation to the Council for a decision. If a sale was recommended, it would follow similarly to the Emmons St property. 

The parcel would be declared surplus, an authorization for sale would be reached and eventually concluded. At such time, the developer would then begin the development process working with the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, and other bodies to obtain the necessary permits to begin.

Legal budget increased

Another $50,000 was added to the Legal budget. This line item started with about $45,000 was increased by $30,000 earlier this fiscal year. Most of this attributed to the protracted negotiations with the fire fighters union but not totally associated with it.

Community development grant

Franklin approved signing an agreement to join with Bellingham and Hopedale on this communty grant application. As reported from the Jan 7th meeting, Bellingham would be the lead community doing most of the work but Franklin would also benefit. 

What would this do for us? It would provide some grants or low interest loans for homeowners in the specified area (central Franklin) for those (if they met income requirements) to use for home improvements.

The agreement to join the application can be found on page 10 of the Council agenda here: 
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/012115.pdf




My full set of notes reported live during the meeting on Wednesday can be found here

• Live reporting: Closing
• Live reporting: Legislation
• Live reporting: Town Council - Jan 21, 2015

Chad Larivee Fundraiser/Shawn Allen Boston Marathon

Greetings, 

As many of you know, my good friend and tennis buddy's husband, Chad Larivee, had a terrible accident this summer that left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. Chad was a firefighter and is the father of three beautiful children (ages 14, 12, 9). 

After spending nearly a month in the intensive care unit, Chad was transferred to Spaulding Rehab for two months and finally came home in November. The family is adjusting to their new life and they have gotten tremendous support from the firefighter community who retro-fitted their house with ramps, elevator, and an ADA bathroom. However, life is not easy. 

The physical therapy program that Chad and the family has chosen is called Journey Forward and costs $100/hr. It is not covered by insurance. So, my friend and running partner, Shawn Allen, is running this year's Boston Marathon in order to raise funds for Chad's physical therapy. 

Shawn is an ex-marine, who is known for doing a set of pushups in the middle and at the end of his runs. He is no slouch. Last year he ran Boston, his first marathon, in 3:17, just two minutes shy of his Boston qualifying standard. This year he hopes to break 3:15 and, more importantly, raise $50,000 for Chad's treatment. 

Here is a link to Shawn and Chad's gofundme site if you are compelled to support them. Any donation goes directly to the Larivee family. 

http://www.gofundme.com/k3fp0w

Thanks for any and all you can do to help out Chad and his family. 

Love,
Kathleen

screen grab of Larivee Fund Raising page

MassBudget: FY 2016 Budget Preview

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. A Preview of the FY 2016 Budget  As the FY 2016 budget season begins, the Commonwealth continues to suffer from the effects of the three billion dollars of income tax cuts enacted over a decade ago. As a result of those tax cuts, the state has been forced to make deep cuts in funding for public higher education, local aid, public health protection, and other core state services. Even with those budget cuts, the state continues to face preliminary budget gaps at the start of each year's budget process. This year that gap is likely to be just over $1 billion - less than the gaps faced during the recent recession, but a serious challenge for budget writers. MassBudget's FY 2016 Budget Preview describes the state's fiscal condition as the budget season begins. To present everyone with a clearer picture of the state's fiscal condition and the choices that get made through the state budget, the state could release more detailed information about the projected FY 2016 costs for maintaining current services--see Opening the Process: Releasing Maintenance Budgets to the Public. While budget writers generally prepare such a document ("a maintenance budget") as the first step of crafting a budget, it is generally not released publicly. Other states do publicly release a maintenance budget. Making this public would improve transparency and allow everyone to understand more accurately the choices we face. That would allow more meaningful participation, by more people across the state, in the important debates about the priorities pursued in our state budget.   The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108