Saturday, December 15, 2007

Where are the drains?


Where are the drains?, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Union Street was newly rebuilt this year. Nice sidewalks. Curbed road. New storm drains.

Oh, where are they?

Yes, they are there. Covered under the snow. The plows just did not get that last foot or so on each side of the road to reveal the drains.

In the entire rebuilt section from the Common to Cottage, I found only one visible drain cover. (Yes, the rebuilt section extends up passed Cottage to Washington Street, but we didn't walk that way this morning.)

Library Hangover


Library Hangover, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Pretty? maybe.

Pretty harmful to the insides? quite possibly, based upon what we have heard about the leaks.

youths take charity into their own hands


Franklin youths take charity into their own hands

By Michelle Laczkoski/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - Twelve-year-old Kayla O'Brien doesn't have a long wish list this Christmas.

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Friday, December 14, 2007

The Web 2.0 thing explained (video)

I posted this to the Joyful Jubilant Learning blog last year when I found it. It is still relevant today. Dr Michael Wesch prepared this. It moves quickly but can be replayed if you need to catch specific parts again.

Franklin in the news

Franklin community mourns teen killed in crash
By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - Following a fatal rollover accident that took his life a week before he turned 17, Tobacco Road resident Matthew Blagdon is to be remembered at a wake today for his generosity and dedication to friends and family.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

climate change a top priority

The state Department of Environmental Protection is making climate change a top priority, a senior official said yesterday.

Martin Suuberg, central region director for the state agency, outlined a handful of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He spoke before local business and municipal officials at a breakfast forum cohosted by the United Chamber of Commerce and the Norfolk County Commissioners' Office.

"Climate change is the central environmental challenge of our times," Suuberg said, adding the state will seek solutions to reduce emissions. "We've been waiting too long for a national solution."

Read the remainder of the article here

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Superintendent's Evaluation

Chairman Jeffrey Roy reads the summary statement on the evaluation of Superintendent Wayne Ogden.

Time: 3 minutes, 0 seconds



MP3 File

My written notes from this portion of the meeting:

3 page summary, goals and major points
8 goals evaluated

(the evaluation) “needs to be more specific in quantitative and qualitative measures next time”
3% increase effective July 1, 2007

Brick Task Force Update

Sue Rohrbach provides an update on the Brick Task Force and asks for guidence on the report conclusion. The School Committee members comment on the conclusion and what they are looking for.

Time: 7 minutes, 43 seconds



MP3 File

For reference: the Brick Task Force charge can be seen here on the School Committee page

My written notes from this portion of the meeting:

Sue Rohrbach
Brick task force
5 of 6 tasks accomplished thus far, future use topic remains
Looking for guidance in terms of conclusion
Meeting this Saturday for three hours to complete and meet Jan 8th deadline

Roberta - Waiting for the data
Cora - Answer all the charges set forth, decision left to committee and superintendent
Matt – looking for a decision from the committee
Ed – not expecting a formal outcome, address the six issues, will expect that members are not going to be shy about saying what they think
Jeff – don’t get bogged down over any question, gather data and report back with answers to those six questions
Majority/minority report concept okay
Will get all the info, all the data, get all the backup

Franklin in the News

Senior center's glow a little too much for some

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - While seasonal lighting displays spread good tidings, neighbors say the permanent lampposts at the senior center are doing anything but.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Where in Franklin? #23


Where in Franklin? #23, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Not even stumps of trees are left in this pit. Where is it located in Franklin?

The guidelines to play "Where in Franklin?" are found here.

Where in Franklin? Answer #22


Where in Franklin? Answer #22, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Picture #22 apparently was a stumper. A couple of guesses but no one had the Montessori Sunrise School located on Upper Union. The Fenway-like wall is on the right side in this view protected by the chain link fence.

As you come down Upper Union, with the Franklin Industrial Park on your left, the Montessori Sunrise School is located on the right with the Fenway wall visible.

Thanks for playing. Stay tuned for #23.

Franklin in the News

A family of performers

By Heather McCarron/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - For the Hancock family, Franklin Performing Arts Company's holiday production of ''Tis the Season' is becoming a family tradition. But not as members of the audience.

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Tax money from new growth lacking

By Aaron Wasserman, Daily News staff

The taxes area towns are collecting from new growth have declined substantially in the past three fiscal years, creating concern among some local officials about future budgets.

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