Saturday, May 3, 2008

In the News - talking about the override

GHS
Posted May 02, 2008 @ 11:54 PM

FRANKLIN —

Just as they did last year, town and school leaders are inviting the public to host neighborhood forums at their homes to answer questions about the $2.8 million Proposition 2 1/2 tax override, School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy said Friday.

The vote will be June 10.

The funds would go directly to schools to prevent about 15 layoffs in elementary schools, 12.5 teaching positions at middle schools, 17 teacher jobs at Franklin High School, elimination of the late bus, and an increase of $100 (to $325) for pay-to-ride busing.

"We will go any time, any place, to answer any questions," Roy said. "That means bringing members of the School Committee, Finance Committee, Town Council, as well as the Town Administrator (Jeffrey D. Nutting) and school superintendent (Wayne Ogden) out to people's homes - we show up as a group." Last year, town leaders spoke to audiences of about 10 to 30 people at neighborhood forums, Roy said.

Having face-to-face conversations with people was "extremely effective" last year, he said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


Friday, May 2, 2008

In the News - voter comments

GHS
Posted May 02, 2008 @ 12:21 AM

FRANKLIN —

Not every parent wants another tax increase this year to protect schools from massive layoffs, and some childless homeowners say they will vote for the $2.8 Proposition 2 1/2 tax override question that will go before voters June 10.

Residents interviewed at random yesterday had mixed feelings about the override Town Council recently voted to put on a ballot.

"I say, for the schools, for the kids, I would be for it. I don't have kids, but I've been in town my whole life," resident Mike Ficco said yesterday.

"I've watched the town succeed since I was a little kid. Franklin is going in the right direction," said Ficco, adding that he is willing to pay more in taxes to ensure it doesn't go in the wrong direction, as he has noticed in other towns.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


Thursday, May 1, 2008

In the News - $2.8 Million is override total on 6/10/08

GHS
Posted May 01, 2008 @ 12:56 AM

FRANKLIN —

Town Council voted 7-1 last night to place a $2.8 million Proposition 2 1/2 tax override question on a June 10 ballot.

All of the money would be directed toward schools, which officials reported will have about 45 layoffs (mostly teachers), program cuts, increased class sizes, elimination of the late bus, and a $100 fee increase for pay-to-ride busing without a tax override.

The override would not enable the School Department to add staff, but merely maintain teachers in a growing district, Superintendent Wayne Ogden has said. Schools need more money every year because of mandatory expenses such as contract obligations (salaries), stipends, health insurance, special education and utilities, Ogden has said.

The override would cost the average homeowner $243 a year, according to Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting's estimate.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Final Councilor comments (audio)

Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08

Feeley, Nutting, et al

Time: 4 minutes, 24 seconds



MP3 File

Councilor Pfeffer (audio)

Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08

Time: 45 seconds



MP3 File

Councilor Doak (audio)

Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08

TIme: 2 minutes, 10 seconds



MP3 File

Councilor Zollo (Audio)

Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08

Time: 2 minutes, 33 seconds



MP3 File

Councilor Vallee (audio)

Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08

Time: 54 seconds




MP3 File

Councilor Whalen (audio)

Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08

Time: 1 minute, 56 seconds




MP3 File

Other Action Items (audio)

From the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08, acceptence of $5,000 from the Friends of Franklin Public Library, discussion and vote on veterans benefits, discussion and move to second reading the utility rate change

Time: 6 minutes, 42 seconds



MP3 File

Override Date 6/10/08 (audio)

From the Franklin Town Council meeting on 4/30/08, the discussion on the override date (6/10/08), Tuesday vs. Saturday, and absentee ballot information.

Councilors Whalen and Mason questioned Town Clerk Debbie Pellegri on Tuesday/Saturday

Time: 5 minutes, 11 seconds



MP3 File

Town Council Mtg Summary 4/30/08

The listing here is in the reverse chronological order of how the segments occured during the course of the meeting.

Final Councilor comments (audio)

Councilor Pfeffer (audio)

Councilor Doak (audio)

Councilor Zollo (Audio)

Councilor Vallee (audio)

Councilor Whalen (audio)

Other Action Items (audio)

Override Date 6/10/08 (audio)

Override Amount (audio)

Citizen Comments - Chandler Creedon (audio)

June 10th - $2.8 Million - Yes/No for Franklin's s...

Live at the Town Council meeting 4/30/08

Town Council Agenda for April 30th 6:00 PM

Override Amount (audio)

From the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08, the council spent all of one minute reading and voting on the override amount with NO discussion.

Override passed with a 7-1 vote. Pfeffer voted no, McGann was absent.

Time: 1 minute, 7 seconds




MP3 File

Citizen Comments - Chandler Creedon (audio)

From the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08, Chandler Creedon, President of the Franklin Education Association (fondly referred to as the teacher's union) speaks to clarify some misinformation.

Time: 1 minute, 31 seconds



MP3 File

June 10th - $2.8 Million - Yes/No for Franklin's schools

The choice is now in the hands of the voters.

Make it an informed vote:
  • Visit here often for informational updates
  • Read the news papers
  • Talk with your neighbors
If you are not registered to vote, visit the Town Clerk's office and register.

If you will be out of town on the 10th, apply for an absentee ballot.

There is no reason why you should not vote.

How you vote is up to you!

Live at the Town Council meeting 4/30/08

6:00 PM and a few folks are not here yet
------------

Started at 6:05
Proclamation for municipal clerk's week

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

Chandler Creedon, statement repeated from School Committee Citizen Comment
(recording to be posted when time permits)
clarification on teacher health insurance information that had been printed and circulated erroneously

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

Updated 6:11

override question -> $2.8M
no discussion, 7-1 passed

override date - 6/10/08, Tuesday
discussion on choice of Tuesday vs. Saturday

only once in last 24 years have there been an election on a Saturday
per Debbie Pellegri

absentee ballot process
available by request, can vote at the office once the ballots
or via mail

registration required 20 days prior to the 10th

approved unanimously
--------------

Approved donation from Friends of Franklin Library
unanimous

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

updated 6:20

discussion on veterans benefits
town obligated to pay, reimbursed by state at 75% in following year
money being switched from town health insurance due to health coverage changes

unanimously approved

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

updated 6:25

moving amendment to second reading
passed unanimously

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

4 corners building status on next week's council agenda for discussion

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

Councilor Comments

Whalen encourage to spread word, need to get the vote out

Vallee claims the Town Council has not sponsored the override

Zollo put the vote to the people, respect the vote of the people
regardless of the outcome, the voter turnout should be 80-90%
before voting, be informed, ask the right questions

Doak now it is up to the residents, everybody gets one vote
it is no secret that costs are rising faster than revenues
it is no one's fault, it is not that no one did their job
it costs more to provide quality services
why is the amount so high? we have been tapping the stabilization fund
we can no longer do that

Pfeffer does not support the override, but will not work against it

Nutting will refresh to elected officials the guidelines around their conduct during the election

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

motion to adjourn at 6:35

In the News - School Committee override options

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff
GHS
Posted Apr 30, 2008 @ 12:29 AM
FRANKLIN —

The School Committee last night agreed to present the town with two override scenarios - one for $3.1 million, the other for $2.8 million plus Medicaid reimbursement money. Both would enable the board to keep teachers, staff and programs intact next year, Superintendent Wayne Ogden said.

The School Committee's budget subcommittee had planned to seek a $3.3
million override question to be placed on a June ballot, but Paul Funk, the
interim finance director for schools, announced last night the district has
$180,000 more in its budget than he previously calculated.

The money was undetected because of a Microsoft Excel error in which the software did not subtract athletic revenues, Funk said.


Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Live from the school committee meeting 4/29/08

meeting resumes from a brief break with a discussion on the override amount

options from budget subcommittee
1 - $3.1 M
2 - $2.8 M if the town restores the Medicaid funding

discussion on Medicaid data capture

discussion on Arlington plan, the 3-5 year plan upon which an override would be based and then not to come back during that period

decision to go forward with the larger level service amount

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

1. I recommend FY2008 Budget Transfers as detailed. (approved in meeting earlier)
2. I recommend acceptance of two checks ($5286.00 and $200.00) for field trips for Davis Thayer Elementary School.
3. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1500.00 from the Oak Street PCC for the Oak Street Gift account for 2 field trips.
4. I recommend acceptance of the donations totaling $5,030.00 for the Friends and Family of Katie Streeter Best Buddies Scholarship to be awarded to a FHS senior who has participated in the Best Buddies Program.
5. I recommend approval of the Annie Sullivan Middle School’s 8th Grade Washington, DC Trip planned for May 23 – 25, 2008.
6. I recommend approval of the Remington Middle School 8th Grade math trip to Providence Place Mall on May 2, 2008.

action items were approved unanimously. The Remington vote had one abstention.

--------------------
Wayne talking talking about some discussion in town about closing the Davis Thayer school. The space subcommittee is still working. The 19 portables will require replacement shortly. Closing that building would be a mistake. The 19 portable classrooms have more capacity than the Davis Thayer building. Putting 300 Davis Thayer students and putting them elsewhere would be a major mess to re-district. Can not do so right now.

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

subcommittee reports
(see recordings)

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

July 8th
August 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

------------------
motion to adjourn at 10:35 PM

Live from the School Committee meeting - facility consolidation

Jeff Nutting opening comments
proposal made last year but put on hold last year due to override and other items
reiterates the proposal points made previously

bigger the pool, the more flexibility
trades re-assigned to Mike D'Angelo

focus on school and education not the facilities
coordination of safety training

can't say we will save any money
in long run will be looking to add folks to the facilities department
should move forward, trial basis for three years
all involved in Memo of Understanding

work well together on a wide variety of issues


-----------------------
Jeff Roy

principals need to maintain control and autonomy over their buildings
referenced an appellate case in MA that the School Committee does not have right in this area, the state has defined that to be for the principals
13 page memo
-----------------------

Jeff Nutting
original draft was 4 page memo
not a lawyer, not interested in really changing things
is interested in making this work

-----------------------
Jeff Nutting
principle are the same intent
need to wordsmith to ensure that the principals will maintain control
he agrees to disagree with some of Jeff Roy's points

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

Rich GilDeRubio
makes his statement as President of the custodial union

----------------------
Jeff Nutting
building custodians would be under Mike D'Angelo
the ground positions would be transferred to the DPW

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

Don Gilboy
raised question on agreement that Jeff Nutting had signed several years ago

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

would remove facilities from the school budget to the tune of approx $5.5M

--------------------
Mike D'Angelo
does not see any real benefit for the school or the town to make this change
about 5 towns have done this, Danvers on the north shore
not an impressive organization, top heavy with supervisors
and outsourced to a contractor who actually did the cleaning
does all the facilities work for the town
without an agreement yet the schools pay his salary
if you need an agreement that is 13 pages long to get something done

------------------
Jeff Nutting
see an opportunity for Mike to spend some time on the educational side
good timing with other than the library and the museum, nothing much will be done

------------------
Roberta Trahan
does not see the benefit but is looking for one

-----------------
Sue Rohrbach
if there is a loss of responsibility, there is a loss of control

----------------
Mike D'Angelo
the three trades do their work well, it is not their fault that there have been problems with things not getting done, until we complained things did not get done
there were two people eliminated in the move

---------------
Jeff Roy
the agreement I drafted ensure that it will stay the same
the goals are the same, how are we going to get there?
there are concerns, if you and Wayne can come to terms on the agreement
we're on the same page but we are about 9 pages apart

----------------
Deb Bartlett
not speaking for all the town council but this is how she came to this
revenue side - takes revenues from various resources, only $1.8M net new revenue
both budgets get an increase but not an enough to provide what both sides should
technology departments combined for savings and efficiencies
combine like departments and regionalize with other local towns to force the state to reconsider
yes it is change, and some won't like it but it is necessary

----------------
Mike D'Angelo
school department had already been bidding utility costs ahead of the town
schools are such a large portion of the town purchase they can work with vendors to get good pricing

---------------
Wayne Ogden
what ever you and the town council decide I will work with Jeff and make it happen
I am opposed and just in the last several days I have managed to figure it out
"I feel I'm going to loose something"
both opponents and proponents are talking about data
no one is talking about the data as to why this makes sense
take the town's best data people and do a financial analysis on what makes sense
library, food services, there are opportunities
lets see what the data says, so we can take the feelings out of the argument and go with the data

feelings and turf are so embedded in this, we need a clear set of guidelines

--------------
Jeff Roy
it is my hope that you work together to draft an agreement

--------------
Ed Cafasso
if the law gives the principals that much authority, if you can come to an agreement on language that satisfies that responsibility, then we should do so

Live reporting from School Committee meeting - FY 09 budget hearing

There is a slight change in the overall amounts due to a miscalculation where $180,000 of athletic revenue was not offset against the expenses reducing the overall totals by $180,000. This could reduce the pay to ride from $100 per student to $50 per student.

----------------------
Updated - 8:00 PM

Average wage increase, negotiated settlement plus step and lane changes an educated guess would be about 5% for all teachers - per Wayne in response to question from Jim Roche

--------------------
Updated - 8:03 PM

Deb Bartlett question on athletic fees that were not calculated properly was really the result of a spreadsheet calculation error. The formula was in the sheet but it did not subtract properly.

Due to efforts covering the audit shortfall during FY08, there really is a 15% difference in that those funds will not be provided during FY09. So the level service year to year is not perfectly providing the same services due to this 15% amount.

--------------------
Updated - 8:12 PM

Linda Waters answering some questions on special education and providing appropriate services. Could you use contracted services to provide the services instead of hiring a school psychologist? You would not save much if any money nor would you always be sure of meeting the service needs of the students.

-------------------
Updated - 8:17 PM

Mike D'Angelo answering question on custodial salaries. Due to the layoff of the 8 custodians from last year, they came from the least senior employees in the department but where they ended up was not equitably distributed per the budget and the buildings for an effective operation. The budget changes are mostly to correct this and reflect an accurate picture of the operations. For example, ECDC is 10% of the Horace Mann/Oak Street complex with Horace Mann and Oak Street picking up 45% to account for the staff supporting the buildings.

--------------------
Updated - 8:20 PM

In response to Ms Armenio: It is fair to say that there will be less text books in schools next year due to the attempts to keep the teachers and maintain class size numbers.

-------------------
Updated - 8:25 PM

Overall sense of micromanaging the budget probably due to the lack of trust in the process and numbers from prior years. Spending an awful lot of time on piddling items when the real big issues remain unaddressed at this point. My 2 cents.

-------------------
Updated - 8:30 PM

Ed Cafasso on the High School budget. Paul Funk speculating that the amounts were added in and not subtracted properly leaving $180,000 plus on the Athletic side.

This budget goes to fix a number of items that the auditor found as well as other items that were found in the process of the forensic audit. This budget with all the scrutiny provided is really a much more accurate budget.

Wayne provides an example to use the $180,000 to offset the pay-to-ride and therefore the fees would increase to $50 instead of $100 (in a no override, level funded budget).

Could use the $180,000 for 2 teachers and retain the late bus also.

--------------------
Updated - 8:40 PM

Discussion on substitutes and ESPs at the high school, takes a best guess, amount should really be more to reflect actuals but that would mean additional cuts elsewhere.

Snow removal varies, 07 had only one storm to plow.
Security guards cut operationally a couple of years ago but really cut from the budget this year. Small amount.

-------------------
Updated - 8:45 PM

Created separate line items for lane changes and other salary related items so that they could be tracked easily. These had been "buried" in other accounts. These are projections based upon the people and their degrees.

-------------------
Updated - 8:50 PM

Level funding reduces the amount of professional development for teachers, nurses and others in the school community (approx. $57,000). No funding for building based initiatives on professional development days. Reading specialists were able to go to some state programs for training this year, next year with level funding this would be cut. The cut in the curriculum teams (no math, science, social studies) under level funding would significantly affect the MCAS action plans for next year.

--------------------
Updated - 8:55 PM

Ed Cafasso struggling with the transportation items.

-------------------
Updated - 9:00 PM

Ed drilling in a the technology spending. Software fees moved from each individual school into the central fund. 25% maintenance of the computers.

-------------------
Updated - 9:00 PM

Jim Roche - what are the expected revenues, where are they in the budget? Is there a spot that lists all the revenue that comes in that either offsets or like Medicaid this year is not coming in and accounts for some of the increases.

Paul Funk - previous budget did have those items summed and accounted for after the budget but that also contributed to the forensic issue due to the mishandling.

--------------------
recommendation from Wayne to obtain the hold questions in advance so the answers can be provided more crisply.

This concludes public hearing on FY 09 budget

Town Council Agenda for April 30th 6:00 PM

The agenda for the Town Council for Wednesday's meeting at 6:00 PM can be found here

--- Note that the starting time is 6:00 PM not the normal 7:00 PM

Items for interest on this agenda:

  1. there is an open space on the amount for the override
  2. there is an open date on the approval for holding an override
What number would you put in for the override amount?
I would go for a minimum of $3.3 million (to cover the school shortfall).
I would consider additional amounts for the Fire, Police, DPW and Library but probably not to exceed $5 million.

I would also endorse a 3 or 5 year plan similar to Arlington. We need to put the plan together to provide for the future without coming back late to the plate asking for more.

The best summary of the Town problem was made by Shannon Zollo at the 4/16/08 meeting.
Listen to this if you have not already.

In the News - School Committee override numbers

GHS
Posted Apr 28, 2008 @ 10:53 PM

FRANKLIN —

School officials will likely make a dual request of Town Council tomorrow: a $2.8 million override question and the return of Medicaid reimbursement money, said School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy.

The School Committee's budget subcommittee yesterday morning agreed to seek enough funding to "keep everything status quo" (meaning no teacher layoffs or program cuts), which amounts to a $4.1 million increase over last year's budget, Roy said. Tonight, the School Committee will vote definitively on how much to seek in a June Proposition 2 1/2 tax override question.

Tomorrow night, Town Council will vote on putting an override question on the ballot (though it unofficially agreed to do so April 16), and how much they will seek based on feedback from representatives of the Finance Committee and schools.

Medicaid revenue this year would give schools about $475,000, so if Town Council denies the committee's request, representatives will seek a $3.3 million override question to go before voters in June, said Roy.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Reminder the School Committee meeting is Tuesday at 7:00, the Town Council meeting is Wednesday at 7:00 PM.


Monday, April 28, 2008

Franklin School Committee Meeting

April 29, 2008


Municipal Building – Council Chambers


7:00 PM


OPEN HEARING – FY09 BUDGET



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 March 18 and March 25, 2008 School Committee Meetings.

  • Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly

  • Payroll Ms. Armenio

  • FHS Student Representatives

  • Correspondence:

  1. Guests/Presentations:

    1. Annie Sullivan Middle School -CSI Presentation (Colleen Ahern)

    2. Annie Sullivan Middle School –Latin Exam Awards

    3. Annie Sullivan Middle School –Boston College Science Poetry Contest winners

    4. FY2008 Budget Transfers

  1. Discussion Only Items

  • Open Hearing – FY2009 Budget

  • Facilities Consolidation

  1. Action Items:

  1. I recommend FY2008 Budget Transfers as detailed.

  2. I recommend acceptance of two checks ($5286.00 and $200.00) for field trips for Davis Thayer Elementary School.

  3. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1500.00 from the Oak Street PCC for the Oak Street Gift account for 2 field trips.

  4. I recommend acceptance of the donations totaling $5,030.00 for the Friends and Family of Katie Streeter Best Buddies Scholarship to be awarded to a FHS senior who has participated in the Best Buddies Program.

  5. I recommend approval of the Annie Sullivan Middle School’s 8th Grade Washington, DC Trip planned for May 23 – 25, 2008.

  6. I recommend approval of the Remington Middle School 8th Grade math trip to Providence Place Mall on May 2, 2008.

  1. Information Matters:

  • Superintendent’s Report

    1. End of Year Events

  • School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

  • School Committee Liaison Reports

  1. New Business:

  • To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

  1. Adjourn

In the News - Dean renovation, empty homes

GHS
Posted Apr 27, 2008 @ 09:37 PM

FRANKLIN —

Instead of lamenting the lack of library use on campus, Dean College President Paula M. Rooney is capitalizing on the Internet-driven trend.

By the time students return to classes Sept. 8, $8 million worth of construction will have converted the E. Ross Anderson Library to "The Library Learning Commons," home to more than 60 staff members, a new cafe, and a more efficient library, Rooney said.

"This is a big deal for us," said Rooney. "It's terrific for our students - it'll be the hub of activities in the center of campus. It is a very strategic decision on our part," bringing faculty, learning support, and knowledge together in one place, she said.

"It will pay off day 1, because both students and faculty will have a much better learning environment and (extra) space. When they need to come together, they will be able to," Rooney said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

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

GHS
Posted Apr 27, 2008 @ 09:42 PM

FRANKLIN —

In the 24 years Deborah Pellegri has served as town clerk, she has never seen as many vacant homes as this year: 805, she said.

On every street in Franklin, there are houses that are vacant or for sale, Pellegri said.

"A lot of people come in and say, 'We're moving down south.' The costs are less and they (don't) have the heating costs there," Pellegri said.

Pellegri doesn't necessarily view the record high number of vacant houses, apartments and condominiums as a problem for the town, per se, she said, but the statistic begs a few questions.

"You ask yourself, 'Why is this so high this year?' and I think the answer is, the way the economy is today," Pellegri said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


Franklin recognized for open government

WEBSITE SUPERSTAR - Franklin is one of only 24 communities in the state whose website has been designated a "superstar" by the Massachusetts Campaign for Open Government. The organization recognized municipal websites that make it easy for citizens to obtain access to key government records online. Franklin was honored for making its Town Council agenda and minutes, budget information, and general bylaws available to visitors at franklin.ma.us. - Rachel Lebeaux

A small piece in the Boston Globe, so small I won't make you go find it, but if you wish the article is here.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Where in Franklin? #47


Where in Franklin? #47, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Hmm, where you see this in Franklin?

The guidelines for playing "Where in Franklin?" can be found here.

Where in Franklin? Answer #46


Franklin_80322 036, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Yes, the white bubble shown in picture #46 does belong to the Adirondack Club on Chestnut St here in Franklin.

I see twin bubbles during the winter from the train as it passes the Adirondack. Then around the middle or end of May (depending upon the weather), the bubbles come down for the summer only to go up again come September.

Thanks for playing.

Stay tuned for the next opportunity to play "Where in Franklin?"

Vallee has budget amendment for Brick School

Rep. Vallee did file a budget amendment for the Brick School. It reads as follows:

Mr. Vallee of Franklin moves to amend the bill in section 2, in item 7007-0900, in line 16 by inserting after the word “commonwealth” the following: -“provided further that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the Red Brick School in the Town of Franklin;” and in said item by striking out the figure “$12,352,414” and inserting in place thereof the figure “$12,377,414”.
The full listing of Rep. Vallee's amendments can be found here

Section 7007-0900 reads as follows:

7007-0900 For the operation and administration of the office of travel and tourism; provided, that performance-based standards shall be incorporated in all contracts executed by said office for the procurement of tourism marketing and advertising services; provided further, that the organizations shall be required, as a condition of receiving a grant, to submit a total operating budget which identifies each source and use of operating and capital funds; provided further, that not less than $1,250,000 of the amount appropriated herein shall be expended for the operation and administration of the Massachusetts Sports and Entertainment Commission, provided, however, that the Massachusetts Sports and Entertainment Commission shall be the official and lead agency to facilitate and attract major sports events and championships to the commonwealth and provided further, that the Massachusetts Sports and Entertainment Commission shall establish a division within the Commission which shall be the official and lead agency to facilitate motion picture production and development within the commonwealth............................................................................................ $12,352,414

Tourism Fund........................................................... 100.0%

---------

So as I understand this, the amendment would modify the section to read as follows:

7007-0900 For the operation and administration of the office of travel and tourism; provided, that performance-based standards shall be incorporated in all contracts executed by said office for the procurement of tourism marketing and advertising services; provided further, that the organizations shall be required, as a condition of receiving a grant, to submit a total operating budget which identifies each source and use of operating and capital funds; provided further, that not less than $1,250,000 of the amount appropriated herein shall be expended for the operation and administration of the Massachusetts Sports and Entertainment Commission, provided, however, that the Massachusetts Sports and Entertainment Commission shall be the official and lead agency to facilitate and attract major sports events and championships to the commonwealth and provided further, that the Massachusetts Sports and Entertainment Commission shall establish a division within the Commission which shall be the official and lead agency to facilitate motion picture production and development within the commonwealth provided further that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the Red Brick School in the Town of Franklin; ................................................................... $$12,377,414

Tourism Fund........................................................... 100.0%

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

If this amendment passes, what does this mean for Franklin and the Brick School?

In the News: artificial turf, wood carving, Vallee, earmarks

GHS
Posted Apr 26, 2008 @ 11:46 PM

When synthetic turf fields soak up sunlight and reach high temperatures, some area officials and local residents believe there is a danger the fields can release chemicals into the air.

Weston Public Health Director Wendy Diotalevi said she has measured temperatures on the surface of Weston's artificial turf field on Wellesley Street at 122 degrees.

Last fall, Wayland resident Tom Sciacca said he measured a temperature of 142 degrees at the Wayland turf field surface.

Those reports prompted officials like Diotalevi, Franklin Facilities Director Mike D'Angelo and Wayland Health Director Steve Calichman to post warning signs at turf fields or consider running more tests on synthetic fields in their towns to see if chemicals are released when the turf heats.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

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

GateHouse News Service
Posted Apr 26, 2008 @ 07:42 PM

Franklin —

In the eyes of Basil LeBlanc, a piece of wood is never simply a piece of wood.

It’s a native warrior sitting with proud posture atop a strong horse.

It’s a majestic buck standing sentinel.

It’s a graceful bird, or a walking cane with butterflies fluttering about the staff.

For LeBlanc, wood is like a blank canvas that requires only his vision, and application of his various hand tools, to realize its artistic potential.

For more than 50 years, says the Franklin resident, woodcarving has been a passion.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

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

GHS
Posted Apr 26, 2008 @ 10:00 AM

BOSTON —

One local legislator is campaigning on Beacon Hill to bring money back to his district that would lead to new technology for a fire department, the completion of a senior center addition, and a memorial for veterans who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The items are among the nine earmarks state Rep. James Vallee, D-Franklin, filed to the House's budget proposal last week. Earmarks are a common way for legislators to bring state money back to their districts to pay for local projects.

"This is money that cities and towns don't have when they are struggling to meet expenses," he said. "These aren't things that I come up with, they're things that the towns have come up with."

Vallee has put in an earmark of $100,000 to bring new digital and wireless technology to the Franklin Fire Department. Fire Chief Gary McCarraher said it would allow the department to enter the modern era.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here