Saturday, January 31, 2009
Energy Sense Series
This is the collection of posts covering the Energy Sense Series sponsored by the Franklin Area Climate Team:
Dazzling mathemagic
How about a little bit of dazzling math today?
How does he do it?
Does Franklin prepare their students to do math like this?
How does he do it?
Does Franklin prepare their students to do math like this?
Friday, January 30, 2009
"why they would mean something to people 50 years from now"
GHS
FITCHBURG —
When the curtain rose on the set of "Public Speech, Private Thought," student actors slowly, silently crossed the stage, while overhead, electronic voices sang, "What are we? What the hell is going on?"
Justin Perry, the "rebel" college student played by Dean College student Joe Firicano, was the first to speak, the entire cast motionless around him. "Nobody is right all the time - nobody - not even if you know everything," Firicano said, preparing listeners for one of the play's star players, a narcissistic, dictatorial professor.
Read more about the performance by these Dean students and their chance for another performance later this year in the Milford Daily News here
Building Committee suggestion
As the Building Committee looks into either renovating or building a new high school, as well as what work should be done on the other three older school buildings (Davis-Thayer, Parmenter, and Kennedy), this slideshow should be something to keep in mind.
What kind of design will foster the education environment to prepare our children for a future that is unknown?
What do you think?
What kind of design will foster the education environment to prepare our children for a future that is unknown?
What do you think?
What questions would you ask?
If you wanted to know about social media, or Twitter, or blogging, what question(s) would you ask?
I am looking to solicit some input to tune up my presentation on Blogging 101 for the NewBCamp 2009.
Add a comment or send me an email (shersteve at gmail dot com).
Thanks!
BTW - Info about NewBCamp 2009 can be found here.
I am looking to solicit some input to tune up my presentation on Blogging 101 for the NewBCamp 2009.
Add a comment or send me an email (shersteve at gmail dot com).
Thanks!
BTW - Info about NewBCamp 2009 can be found here.
Meeting Presentations - Updated
Two quick notes on the presentations from the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, January 27.
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- The presentation overview for the Strategic Plan was really slow loading from Slideshare, so I have removed the presentation and provided a link to the Slideshare site to view it there. At least until I figure out why such a small presentation (only 5 pages, no significant graphics) is doing what it is doing.
- The Life Long Learning presentation was added to that segment of the meeting. You can view that presentation here.
The Green Reel: "Escape from Suburbia"
The Green Reel: a series of films for sustainable living will be shown on Sunday evenings this winter.
What: "Escape from Suburbia"
When: 7:00 PM on February 1, 2009
Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here
read more about the file "Escape from Suburbia" here
Sponsors:
What: "Escape from Suburbia"
When: 7:00 PM on February 1, 2009
Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here
Free and open to the public. For more info: 508-695-2389
read more about the file "Escape from Suburbia" here
Sponsors:
Agudas Achim
Crystal Spring Center
Simply Keep It Local
Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Committee of First Universalist Society of Franklin
New Dawn Earth Center
Oake Knoll Ayrshires
Franklin Area Climate Team
White Barn Farm
St Mark's Episcopal Church-Foxboro
Thursday, January 29, 2009
"if Obama fails, we all fail"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
In 1992, Rush Limbaugh was a supporter of Pat Buchanan's bid for the Republican Party's nomination for president of the United States. Buchanan was taking on sitting president George Herbert Walker Bush, and did a number on him in the voting booth in the New Hampshire primary election that winter.
Bush saw that Limbaugh's influence with the Republican Party's base was quite strong and had to be neutralized. To that end, President Bush invited Limbaugh to the White House for a nice little dinner and a sleep-over in the Lincoln Bedroom.
After his night in the White House, Rush dropped Buchanan and climbed aboard the doomed Bush presidential bandwagon and rode it to defeat in the election.
Bill Clinton won, and this really upset poor old Rush for the next eight years. This may likely be why he took all of those drugs. In October 2003, he started his five weeks of drug rehabilitation, and then he returned to the airways in November proclaiming himself "cured." The state of Florida wasn't quite sure or convinced that this was the case. Authorities in Florida engaged in a three-year investigation of Limbaugh, and in 2006, Rush was arrested for his abuse of prescription drugs.
Read James Johnston's full article about Rush Limbaugh in the Milford Daily News here
Storm wrap up
Franklin Police assisted with three minor accidents on East Central Street, on Lincoln Street near Daniels Street, and on Upper Union Street by Independence Way, said Deputy Chief Stephan Semerjian.
No one was injured, he said.
"Whenever there's no school, there's always less traffic, few pedestrians and no buses, which makes it easier for us," said Semerjian.
The roads were getting slippery mid-afternoon, he said, which is when they're most dangerous.
"The DPW's trying to keep up with it, but it's not easy," Semerjian said.
Read the full article on how the area fared with Wednesday's storm in the Milford Daily News here.
"better way, a less expensive way"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
For years, Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting has sung the praises of regionalizing services, updating archaic laws and making reforms on the state level to save towns like Franklin big bucks.
Now that the Massachusetts Municipal Association has elected him its new president, Nutting gets to advocate for such changes directly to the governor, six times a year.
The MMA elected Nutting on Saturday.
The MMA is an organization of town officials that advocates for municipal policies before the Legislature, the executive branch, regulatory bodies, and the courts. The association's board of directors meets with the governor six times a year to discuss issues facing cities and towns, according to the MMA Web site, www.mma.org.
Read the full article about Jeff and the MMA's efforts in the Milford Daily News here
quarterbacks and teachers
... effective mentoring of a new teacher can make an enormous difference in that person's ability to become a "star" teacher. But the problem, he argues, is that the process of mentorship is much too haphazard. As he says, "It's like training NFL quarterbacks by randomly sending them out to teams - some CFL teams, some Division III teams, some Division I College teams, some community teams, and a few to NFL teams."I would go further and ask "What can school districts learn from this?" Teacher development will even tougher in times of lean budgets when mentoring stipends are not allocated. Teacher development is tough already with much of the community not appreciating or fully understanding "professional development days". These "professional development days" are looked for by many parents as "get-away days" for long weekends.
...
If Matt Cassell can thrive in the NFL, after essentially zero college quarterback experience, what exactly is New England doing right? And what can the rest of the league learn from them?
You should be involved in the discussion on the cost benefit analysis of each school budget dollar. With budget cuts looming, what stays in the budget will be critical to maintaining a healthy learning environment.
Read more of this article about "teachers and quarterbacks" by Malcolm Gladwell here.
Be active in the school budget process.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Franklin - Total Cuts 9C
Total 9C Reduction to Additional Assistance & Lottery = $-299,676.00
Per the listing provided by the Governor today
Per the listing provided by the Governor today
robbers operating in Franklin
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Police are warning the community and retailers to beware of robbers in the area.
Four Franklin stores were hit on four different occasions: Dec. 11, at the East Central Shell Station; Dec. 21, at Olymia Sports Store at the Franklin Village Mall; Jan. 22, at the Xxtra Mart on East Central Street; and on Jan. 24, at the Sprint phone store on West Central Street, according to a press release issued by Deputy Chief Stephan Semerjian.
Read the full story in the Milford Daily News here
School Committee Mtg 01/27/09
The collection of posts covering the School Committee meeting on 1/27/09
"What was a 'conservative' budget then is now 'overly ambitious' "
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Once again, the School Department is looking at serious cuts thanks to both the recession and rising costs of mandatory services.
Administrators last night told the School Committee that just to maintain the same level of school services, teachers and staff next year, the district would need about $3.5 million more than its current budget.
Superintendent Wayne Ogden was quick to state the School Department does not expect to get that much, but, he explained, he wanted to propose a level-service budget for the community.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Creativity should be a priority
TED always has interesting and thought provoking talks. This one is entertaining as well as thought provoking.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Live reporting - meeting closes
Jazz night (mentioned earlier) is only time to see the middle and high school jazz bands perform together. The Remington cafeteria is set up like a night club for this event.
Franklin Education Foundation - Trivia Bee coming up Thursday, March 19th
Franklin Education Foundation - Trivia Bee coming up Thursday, March 19th
Live reporting - Superintendent
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports - none
School Committee Liaison Reports
Cafasso - Building Committee did accept and appreciated the School Committee recommendations on priorities
Superintendent’s Report
- Make Up Day – School Calendar Change (covered earlier)
- Neglect and Abuse
- Special Education Educational Assistant (covered earlier)
- Peanut Butter (covered earlier)
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports - none
School Committee Liaison Reports
Cafasso - Building Committee did accept and appreciated the School Committee recommendations on priorities
Live reporting - Action items
4. Action Items
- I recommend the approval of budget transfers as detailed on the attached list. Approved 7-0
- I recommend acceptance of the donation of $2,500.00 from the Helen Keller PCC for a field trip and buses to the Museum of Fine Arts for Keller’s 4th grade students. Approved 7-0
- I recommend approval of the field trip to Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI for Keller’s 5th graders on May 1, 2009. Approved 7-0
- I recommend the hiring an Educational Assistant for the ALP that has not been budgeted for. Approved 7-0
- I recommend acceptance of a check for $350.00 from B & B Framers and B.F. Kushner of Franklin for mat boards for art for the Jefferson Elementary School. Approved 7-0
- I recommend approval of the FHS Cheerleading field trip to Atlantic City, NJ for a competition from 2/13 – 2/15/09 as detailed. Approved 7-0
- I recommend signing and ratifying the contract between Maureen Sabolinski and the Franklin School Committee for the position of Superintendent of Schools. Approved 7-0
Live reporting - Discussion only items
3. Discussion Only Items
Two possible solutions
- Make Up Day for HMMS/Oak/ECDC Complex
Two possible solutions
- half day on Good Friday
- appending another day at the end of the year
- Peanut Butter in our Schools
- First Reading of Policy KCDB - School Based Advertising Content
Live reporting - FY 2010 Budget
Approach to provide the same level of services as this year.
$3.8 million or 6.9% increase would be required
What the state budget does will drive what our numbers come out as
Budget will be posted to the School's website tomorrow for a more detail review
a "level service" budget
the individual schools got the same allocation as last year. The individual schools may have chosen to distribute within differently.
Dollars allocated on a per pupil basis, will account for the major differences in the overviews for each line item
Teacher reimbursements to individual teachers and hence to the schools were centralized.
Increases for health benefits are projected to be about 10-15%
Armenio - This budget year will not be pleasant, not that any of the recent ones were too pleasant. This assumes School Choice would be continued at the same level as this year?
Ogden - Yes
Armenio - So if the reductions are such that people choose to bring the students back to their home district, that would be revenue we would loose.
Cafasso - On the transportation, can you give us a little more what is behind that?
Goodman - We are expecting an increase, there is an offset for the pay-to-ride, but there is also an increase in special ed out of district transportation.
Slight - What is included in the cost per pupil?
Ogden - the material and expenses associated with each level of the schools
Ogden - Chapter 70 formula possibly to be re-done for the FY 2011 year.
Rohrbach - some relief in spec ed transportation cost would be appropriate
Ogden - Rep Deleo did not think that was possible this year
Roy - Per Nutting, he is expecting Franklin to be short approx 4.5 to $5 million for FY 2010.
We have to be cautious, none of the reductions already made will not be considered for being back next year. It is more likely to see further cuts.
Ogden - what we may get is more like a level funded budget
$3.8 million or 6.9% increase would be required
What the state budget does will drive what our numbers come out as
Budget will be posted to the School's website tomorrow for a more detail review
a "level service" budget
the individual schools got the same allocation as last year. The individual schools may have chosen to distribute within differently.
Dollars allocated on a per pupil basis, will account for the major differences in the overviews for each line item
Teacher reimbursements to individual teachers and hence to the schools were centralized.
Increases for health benefits are projected to be about 10-15%
Armenio - This budget year will not be pleasant, not that any of the recent ones were too pleasant. This assumes School Choice would be continued at the same level as this year?
Ogden - Yes
Armenio - So if the reductions are such that people choose to bring the students back to their home district, that would be revenue we would loose.
Cafasso - On the transportation, can you give us a little more what is behind that?
Goodman - We are expecting an increase, there is an offset for the pay-to-ride, but there is also an increase in special ed out of district transportation.
Slight - What is included in the cost per pupil?
Ogden - the material and expenses associated with each level of the schools
Ogden - Chapter 70 formula possibly to be re-done for the FY 2011 year.
Rohrbach - some relief in spec ed transportation cost would be appropriate
Ogden - Rep Deleo did not think that was possible this year
Roy - Per Nutting, he is expecting Franklin to be short approx 4.5 to $5 million for FY 2010.
We have to be cautious, none of the reductions already made will not be considered for being back next year. It is more likely to see further cuts.
Ogden - what we may get is more like a level funded budget
Live reporting - Steering Committee for Strategic Plan
Strategic Plan Update
The slides can be viewed here
The PR Statement as read by April Crehan:
The Steering Committee:
- Maureen Sabolinski
- Strategic Planning Team Member(s)
The slides can be viewed here
The PR Statement as read by April Crehan:
The Franklin (MA) Public Schools’ Strategic Plan allows the district to respond to emerging trends, events, challenges, and opportunities within the framework of the district's core values, vision, and mission. The School Committee has started the process to review and update the Plan adopted by the district in 2004. In conjunction with the Superintendent, the School Committee has appointed a Strategic Plan Steering Committee to manage this process. The Steering Committee will solicit input from all interested parties in the community with regard to the core values, vision, and mission of the Franklin Public Schools.
Strategic planning in education is a complex process. The Steering Committee recognizes that there are many parties interested in the education of the children of Franklin. Because the core values, vision, and mission articulated in the Strategic Plan will guide decisions regarding our children’s education for the next five years, it is vital that the interests of the community are represented. Opportunities for periodic review and feedback to and from the community will be included in the development and implementation of this Strategic Plan.
The Steering Committee:
Co-Chair:
- Judi Bassignani - Principal, Parmenter Elementary
- Miriam Goodman -Director, Franklin Public Schools Finance
Members:
- Colleen Ahern - Teacher, Sullivan Middle School
- April Crehan - Student, Franklin High School
- Renee Danho - Community, Dean College
- Ted McIntire - Parent
- Susan Rohrbach - School Committee
- Steve Sherlock - Community
- Peg Sweeney - Parent
- Rosanne Walsh - Teacher, Remington Middle School
Administration Liaisons
- Wayne Ogden - Current Superintendent of Schools
- Maureen Sabolinski - Incoming Superintendent of Schools
Live reporting - Life long learning
2. Guests/Presentations
Lifelong Learning Update
Approx 5500 participants in all the offerings from Life Long Learning
Survey after every session, utilize the feedback for the next round of programs
Approx. 244 faculty and staff to run the program
$1.3 million revenue generated last year. All equipment become part of the Franklin School District inventory.
Private music lessons - trained and active performers as musicians
2300 students in the Summer program. Catalogs are at the Post Office ready for delivery.
Jeanne Hummel does the brochures and the website and does a marvelous job doing this.
Second summer of the High School Experience coming up. Added a Social Studies teacher to the course.
Nancy Schoen working with the music mentors has been taking the program to a new level.
Cafasso - You are doing a stellar job! I appreciate your hard work.
Kelly - I think it is very important to stress that this is self-funded.
Lifelong Learning Update
- Pandora Carlucci
The programs under the aegis of the Lifelong Learning Institute endeavor to contribute to the development of the Town of Franklin as a knowledge community.
Approx 5500 participants in all the offerings from Life Long Learning
Survey after every session, utilize the feedback for the next round of programs
Approx. 244 faculty and staff to run the program
$1.3 million revenue generated last year. All equipment become part of the Franklin School District inventory.
Private music lessons - trained and active performers as musicians
2300 students in the Summer program. Catalogs are at the Post Office ready for delivery.
Jeanne Hummel does the brochures and the website and does a marvelous job doing this.
Second summer of the High School Experience coming up. Added a Social Studies teacher to the course.
Nancy Schoen working with the music mentors has been taking the program to a new level.
"We are all teachers and learners."
Cafasso - You are doing a stellar job! I appreciate your hard work.
Kelly - I think it is very important to stress that this is self-funded.
Live reporting - School Committee
Attending: Armenio, Cafasso, Kelly, Mullen, Roy, Rohrbach, Trahan
Call to order Mr. Roy
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence
1. Routine Business
Mr Light - has launched a blog and podcast off the FHS website, click on Mr Light's name
Jazz Cafe - Feb 4, 7:00 PM - at Remington-Jefferson
Call to order Mr. Roy
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence
1. Routine Business
- Citizen’s Comments - none
- Review of Agenda - no executive session needed
- Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the January 13, 2009 School Committee Meeting. approved 7-0
- Payment of Bills - Mr. Kelly approved 7-0
- Payroll - Ms. Armenio
- FHS Student Representatives
Mr Light - has launched a blog and podcast off the FHS website, click on Mr Light's name
Jazz Cafe - Feb 4, 7:00 PM - at Remington-Jefferson
- Correspondence: Letter from Bethany Trainor
NewBCamp - find out about blogging, podcasting, Twitter, etc.
It's been almost one year since the inaugural NewBCamp took place and there's another one coming up in Providence.
What is NewBCamp?
It is a gathering of people interesting in learning and sharing about the new social media tools; blogs, podcasts, video blogs, Twitter, etc.
What is in it for me?
If you are interested in learning about these tools, then this is the place for you. The focus is on the new user (i.e. newbie or NewB). You won't feel lost, you will be amongst those who are learning from those who are willing to share.
What does it cost?
It is very reasonably priced at only $10. Less than a movie!
What are the details?
When:
February 8, 2009 - 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where:
Johnson & WalesPepsi Forum
8 Abbott Park Place
Providence, RI 02903
NewBCamp is brought to you by two organizations - Free Geek Providence and SofT ICE at Johnson & Wales.
If you would like additional information, please feel free to contact me. I will be there at the Welcome/Registration Desk.
If you would like additional information, please feel free to contact me. I will be there at the Welcome/Registration Desk.
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The Green Reel: "Escape from Suburbia"
The Green Reel: a series of films for sustainable living will be shown on Sunday evenings this winter.
What: "Escape from Suburbia"
When: 7:00 PM on February 1, 2009
Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here
read more about the file "Escape from Suburbia" here
Sponsors:
What: "Escape from Suburbia"
When: 7:00 PM on February 1, 2009
Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here
Free and open to the public. For more info: 508-695-2389
read more about the file "Escape from Suburbia" here
Sponsors:
Agudas Achim
Crystal Spring Center
Simply Keep It Local
Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Committee of First Universalist Society of Franklin
New Dawn Earth Center
Oake Knoll Ayrshires
Franklin Area Climate Team
White Barn Farm
St Mark's Episcopal Church-Foxboro
Monday, January 26, 2009
Live reporting - Planning Board/Walgreens
The Planning Board is in the public hearing for the proposed Walgreens at Four Corners. To alleviate traffic concerns, the Town working with Walgreens will add a right turn only lane (north bound on King) to turn onto East Central St (heading east). The second lane will be a combined straight-through traffic (to Chestnut) and left turn (westbound on East Central heading into town).
Jeff Nutting committed that if the applicant provides the design plans by April 1, the town will have enough time to do the work before Walgreens would be scheduled to open (in October).
The public hearing has now been closed. The decision on the special permits required will be scheduled.
Jeff Nutting committed that if the applicant provides the design plans by April 1, the town will have enough time to do the work before Walgreens would be scheduled to open (in October).
The public hearing has now been closed. The decision on the special permits required will be scheduled.
School Committee - Agenda - 1/27/09
AGENDA
Call to order Mr. Roy
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence
1. Routine Business
2. Guests/Presentations
Lifelong Learning Update
Strategic Plan Update
FY10 Budget Overview
3. Discussion Only Items
4. Action Items
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
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 January 13, 2009 School Committee Meeting.
- Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
- Payroll Ms. Armenio
- FHS Student Representatives
- Correspondence: Letter from Bethany Trainor
2. Guests/Presentations
Lifelong Learning Update
- Pandora Carlucci
Strategic Plan Update
- Maureen Sabolinski
- Strategic Planning Team Member(s)
FY10 Budget Overview
- Maureen Sabolinski
- Miriam Goodman
- Wayne Ogden
3. Discussion Only Items
- Make Up Day for HMMS/Oak/ECDC Complex
- Peanut Butter in our Schools
- First Reading of Policy KCDB - School Based Advertising Content
4. Action Items
- I recommend the approval of budget transfers as detailed on the attached list.
- I recommend acceptance of the donation of $2,500.00 from the Helen Keller PCC for a field trip and buses to the Museum of Fine Arts for Keller’s 4th grade students.
- I recommend approval of the field trip to Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI for Keller’s 5th graders on May 1, 2009.
- I recommend the hiring an Educational Assistant for the ALP that has not been budgeted for.
- I recommend acceptance of a check for $350.00 from B & B Framers and B.F. Kushner of Franklin for mat boards for art for the Jefferson Elementary School.
- I recommend approval of the FHS Cheerleading field trip to Atlantic City, NJ for a competition from 2/13 – 2/15/09 as detailed.
- I recommend signing and ratifying the contract between Maureen Sabolinski and the Franklin School Committee for the position of Superintendent of Schools.
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
- Make Up Day – School Calendar Change
- Neglect and Abuse
- Special Education Educational Assistant
- Peanut Butter
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
Sunday, January 25, 2009
FM #29 - This week in Franklin, MA
This is the 29th in a series of podcasts on what is happening in Franklin, MA. In this session, I talk about how much snow removal we should do and about the teen substance abuse problem that Bill Phillips and his New Beginnings Program addresses.
Time: 9 minutes, 20 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes
Music intro
My intro
FM #29
This podcast for Franklin Matters is number 29 in the series. In this session, I’ll focus on what you should know about what is happening this week in Franklin, MA.
From the Town Council meeting 1/21/09, there was a very good presentation on the DPW and their snow removal efforts. Robert Cantoreggi, DPW Director was accompanied by Jim Estabrook, Graphical Information Systems Manager, to make the presentation. The video of the Town Council meeting is available on the town website. The presentation itself is also available on Franklin Matters.
You should note that the town website has added a link in the left column to allow you to go directly to the live video feeds and to the video archives. This is a simple navigation aid that will have lasting benefits. Thanks very much for putting this link in place. I have also added a link in the meetings for 2009 section.
In these days of cost cutting, one discussion we should have is how much should we spend on the snow removal? If you travel into some of the upstate Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont communities, they do not always plow their roads down to the pavement like we do here. There are other examples in state as well as out of state. You can travel on them. It is not a safety issue from a passageway point of view. You would need to travel slower as they remain snow covered and hence would tend to be slippery.
The money for salt and labor is effective only for as a short term benefit. Since a million dollars provides the salary and benefits for about 20 employees in the town. I would rather spend the money to keep people on the payroll rather than toss it away on road salt and snow removal.
What do you think?
Should we continue to pay whatever it takes to plow and sand our roads as we are today or should we consider cutting back, especially to save the money for other priorities? I’d be interested in hearing what you have to say on this.
The Town Council has asked the DPW Director to come back with some alternatives of reducing cost by 10 or 20 percent. Stay tuned into this discussion to see what happens.
A second item from the Town Council meeting will be worth watching, The Police Dept conducted a sting operation with 28 establishments in town that serve liquor and apparently caught two serving minors. I am not a lawyer but based upon what was reported in the Milford Daily News, they may not have a solid case on one of the two establishments. The hearing on the 4th should be interesting.
Let me be clear, the sting was a good thing. We do need to monitor how our teenagers get access to alcohol. The drinking and substance abuse amongst our teens is a problem that needs to be addressed. Bill Phillips has stated that you can get alcohol, drugs and weapons in any high school. In one school, there was a cooler in the student’s vehicle in the school parking lot to serve the beer cold. Bill referenced these and other stories during the WASTED presentation at Franklin High School in December. If you have not yet listened to that, I do recommend it. It is powerful material.
Bill’s program, New Beginnings, is in jeopardy. He had been funded by the MA Dept of Public Health. Unfortunately, his grant has been cut in this recent round of state budget cuts. The program has addressed over 200,000 teenagers since it was established in 1985. He currently is providing services to over 150 teenagers.
On the night he presented at Franklin High, he acknowledged receiving 19 emails from Franklin students after talking with them during the assemblies that day. 19 students by 4:00 PM that day had already reached out to Bill for help. How many of those are in jeopardy of losing Bill’s support right now? I don’t know but the odds are that some from Franklin are in the bunch.
I have started to help Bill in raising additional funds for his program. You may have noticed the Virgin Atlantic contest posting on Franklin Matters. This is just one step in the process of raising awareness for his program. I think his program is effective. I think it is valuable. I think it needs to raise additional funds to keep operating.
If you can help in anyway, I would appreciate it. Making a contribution is one way. You can contribute directly via his web site.
If you know of any company or foundation that Bill could appeal to for a contribution, please let me know. Or contact Bill directly.
If you would like to help spread the word on keeping the program alive, please let Bill or I know.
And to close this session, let’s look at what is coming up this week: there is a
Check them out.
Keep informed
and stay warm!
----- -----
This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow citizens of Franklin, MA
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
Time: 9 minutes, 20 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes
Music intro
My intro
FM #29
This podcast for Franklin Matters is number 29 in the series. In this session, I’ll focus on what you should know about what is happening this week in Franklin, MA.
From the Town Council meeting 1/21/09, there was a very good presentation on the DPW and their snow removal efforts. Robert Cantoreggi, DPW Director was accompanied by Jim Estabrook, Graphical Information Systems Manager, to make the presentation. The video of the Town Council meeting is available on the town website. The presentation itself is also available on Franklin Matters.
You should note that the town website has added a link in the left column to allow you to go directly to the live video feeds and to the video archives. This is a simple navigation aid that will have lasting benefits. Thanks very much for putting this link in place. I have also added a link in the meetings for 2009 section.
In these days of cost cutting, one discussion we should have is how much should we spend on the snow removal? If you travel into some of the upstate Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont communities, they do not always plow their roads down to the pavement like we do here. There are other examples in state as well as out of state. You can travel on them. It is not a safety issue from a passageway point of view. You would need to travel slower as they remain snow covered and hence would tend to be slippery.
The money for salt and labor is effective only for as a short term benefit. Since a million dollars provides the salary and benefits for about 20 employees in the town. I would rather spend the money to keep people on the payroll rather than toss it away on road salt and snow removal.
What do you think?
Should we continue to pay whatever it takes to plow and sand our roads as we are today or should we consider cutting back, especially to save the money for other priorities? I’d be interested in hearing what you have to say on this.
The Town Council has asked the DPW Director to come back with some alternatives of reducing cost by 10 or 20 percent. Stay tuned into this discussion to see what happens.
A second item from the Town Council meeting will be worth watching, The Police Dept conducted a sting operation with 28 establishments in town that serve liquor and apparently caught two serving minors. I am not a lawyer but based upon what was reported in the Milford Daily News, they may not have a solid case on one of the two establishments. The hearing on the 4th should be interesting.
Let me be clear, the sting was a good thing. We do need to monitor how our teenagers get access to alcohol. The drinking and substance abuse amongst our teens is a problem that needs to be addressed. Bill Phillips has stated that you can get alcohol, drugs and weapons in any high school. In one school, there was a cooler in the student’s vehicle in the school parking lot to serve the beer cold. Bill referenced these and other stories during the WASTED presentation at Franklin High School in December. If you have not yet listened to that, I do recommend it. It is powerful material.
Bill’s program, New Beginnings, is in jeopardy. He had been funded by the MA Dept of Public Health. Unfortunately, his grant has been cut in this recent round of state budget cuts. The program has addressed over 200,000 teenagers since it was established in 1985. He currently is providing services to over 150 teenagers.
On the night he presented at Franklin High, he acknowledged receiving 19 emails from Franklin students after talking with them during the assemblies that day. 19 students by 4:00 PM that day had already reached out to Bill for help. How many of those are in jeopardy of losing Bill’s support right now? I don’t know but the odds are that some from Franklin are in the bunch.
I have started to help Bill in raising additional funds for his program. You may have noticed the Virgin Atlantic contest posting on Franklin Matters. This is just one step in the process of raising awareness for his program. I think his program is effective. I think it is valuable. I think it needs to raise additional funds to keep operating.
If you can help in anyway, I would appreciate it. Making a contribution is one way. You can contribute directly via his web site.
If you know of any company or foundation that Bill could appeal to for a contribution, please let me know. Or contact Bill directly.
If you would like to help spread the word on keeping the program alive, please let Bill or I know.
And to close this session, let’s look at what is coming up this week: there is a
- Planning Board meeting on Monday
- School Committee meeting on Tuesday
- Financial Planning Committee is scheduled for Thursday
Check them out.
Keep informed
and stay warm!
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This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow citizens of Franklin, MA
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
"I like the sting, it's good"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Two bars in town may temporarily lose their liquor licenses after allegedly serving alcohol to teens working with Franklin Police in an age compliance check, police said.
Workers at the Pepper Terrace Restaurant, at 400 Franklin Village Drive, and Cottage Street Pub & Grill, at 158 Cottage St., allegedly sold the teens beer on Saturday, Jan. 17, said Lt. Thomas Lynch.
"Do they look like they're 21? No they don't," Lynch said, explaining that police specifically instructed the teens not to wear make-up, jewelry, or dress up to appear older.
The goal, he said, was to check whether the establishments would serve people who were clearly younger than 21 years old.
Read the full article on the results of this sting operation in the Milford Daily News here
Circle of Friends - Vance Gilbert, Ann Heaton
Circle of Friends Coffeehouse
Saturday,- January 31st, 8:00 PM
Saturday,- January 31st, 8:00 PM
"Gilbert's burnished voice poured over one purling, liquid melody after another, over an accompaniment of tender arpeggios and supple chord progressions. "
-The Chicago Tribune
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