Saturday, April 18, 2009

Franklin's Music Options for Saturday 4/18/09

Choices?
Yes, choices.

1 - You can listen to Garnet Rogers (with Marc Douglas Berardo opening) at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse. Tickets are still available ($15 each; cash or check at the door). More info on the Circle of Friends website

2 - Cafe Dolce is featuring Phil Fox from 7:00 - 9:00 PM.

Enjoy!

the t-shirts are ready for those helping with Earth Day in Franklin

200 t-shirts were distributed in 45 minutes this morning to the early arrivals at Franklin's Earth Day. Needless to say a good crowd as many more came later to work and still did so without receiving a new t-shirt.

Let's hope the sight of so many people around town cleaning up will inspire our fellow citizens to be more mindful of where they put their trash and recycles.

Earth Day

I'll be at Beaver Pond shortly, come and join me help clean up Franklin!


Franklin's Earth Day Celebration
Saturday April 18th, 2009
Beaver Pond
Starts at 9:00 AM


Volunteer to clean up targeted areas and assist with planting flowers and shrubs around Franklin.

- Please bring your own water bottle.

- Please bring your own gloves and rakes.

- Community service certificates will be issued.

- T-shirts to the first 200 volunteers.

- Clean up goes to 1:00 PM


Get some Eco-Info at Beaver Pond:

- Water conservation kits and rain barrel display.

- Mercury thermometer exchange for digital thermometers.

- Recycling tips and composting information.

- Energy conservation tips.

- Much more ! ! !

Industry: Winchester Electronics

In our continuing series on Industry operating in Franklin, I find this press release about Winchester Electronics. HD refers to "high definition". The new parts being announced would be used by the likes of Verizon, Comcast, and carriers of the HD signal until it arrives in our homes.

Winchester Electronics introduces KINGS(R) Brand Passive Optical Fiber Video Patching System

The new EL Series(TM) provides the missing link to realizing an all fiber broadcast facility. Networks no longer have to convert HD signals into copper for patching. The optical jackfield provides the same functionality and look and feel as a full normal copper jackfield.

LAS VEGAS, Apr 16, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- At the National Association of Broadcasters Show, Winchester Electronics takes the wraps off its EL Series(TM) of optical fiber broadcast cable connectors and components.

According to Jerome Farnan, Director of Fiber Optic Technology at Winchester Electronics, the EL Series optical fiber video jacks and patch cords are based on an expanded light beam connection technology that replaces existing coaxial copper components or traditional ferrule-based fiber connectors.

In addition to lower costs, smaller diameter fibers, larger carrying capacity, lower signal degradation and lower power requirement, the new EL Series connector components eliminate reliability issues associated with dirt and scratches common with traditional fiber connectors.


The expanded beam fiber connector technology is based on a non-contact method of mating optical fibers that reduces the possibility of handling damage, as well as making blind mating of components simple to do.


In this new approach, when the light beam carrying the video/audio/data enters the connector a spherical optical lens converts the light beam into a series of parallel rays that pass through a mechanical gap. The transmitted beam is then focused down on the receiving fiber end of the connector.


"The advantage of this design is that the optical fiber ends are easily maintained and more resistant to contamination in harsh environments than standard fiber optic interfaces," said Farnan. "Also, the large diameter of the light beam at the separable interface minimizes the effect of any dirt or debris on the optic surface."


Totally signal agnostic, the EL Series is equally adept at carrying HD SDI, Ethernet IP, Analog Video or any other data format traveling along the fiber.


A key design decision made early in the development of this new family, said Farnan, was to incorporate the push/pull style of mating used in previous Winchester copper connectors to allow technicians to connect and disconnect in a simple, quick, three-step process. Because the EL Series Quickconnect scheme is similar in function to that used in Winchester's copper interconnect components, the shift to optical connections is virtually transparent.


Most HD capable professional broadcast equipment is now available with optical transceivers, so the ability to switch fiber optic signals directly eliminates the need for electrical to optical conversion for long distance runs. Using fiber frames designed for telecommunications does not fit with the workflow of the broadcast environment. When there is a problem with a live-to-air signal, the technician wants to route the signal immediately, with no concern for a scratched fiber end, or fiber cable bent too tightly. The EL system allows routing in a passive manner using a fiber jackfield with the look and feel of a copper jackfield using rugged fiber patch cords made from bend insensitive fiber with expanded beam connectors.


"Just like a copper jack, when inserted into the front of the EL Series optical fiber jack, the EL Series connector will automatically switch the optical signal being routed through the back of the video jack to the front connectors," said Farnan.


In a broadcast studio environment, the EL Series DINconnect patch cord is similar in function to the traditional BNC to BNC copper wiring terminated to the rear of a copper jackfield. The patch cord has an EL Series connector on one end and an industry standard LC, SC, FC, ST, (or any single or multi-mode) fiber connector on the other end.


The EL Series Optical Fiber Video Jack's small 1.85 by 1.62 by 0.38 form factor allows easy integration into existing patch bays, up to 32 per jackfield. It uses a rear DIN 1.0/2.3 style mechanical latching for security of the Normal path. Because it is an optical rather than copper mechanical switch, the connector components require no power and are designed for 10,000 mate/unmate cycles. Customer termination of installed fiber is possible with the splice-on version of the EL connector, where a factory terminated expanded beam insert is attached to the fiber using fusion splice technology.


The EL Series Patch Cords are made from nickel plated brass, while its optical alignment pin is made of gold-plated stainless steel capable of 10,000 cycle performance without any signal degradation. The optical insertion loss is 1.5 dB typical for either a patched or a normal connection. Return loss is 55 dB typical and 45 dB minimum. Mechanical withdrawal force on the patch cord is 0.5 pounds minimum, while the pull force on the rear side is 20 lb. minimum.


Available in sample quantities, the EL Series evaluation kits contain optical fiber video jacks with associated patch cords.


Winchester Electronics Corporation, a 68-year old Connecticut-based company, is a leader in designing and manufacturing electronic connectors and interconnect solutions. In addition to its headquarters in Wallingford, the company maintains a global manufacturing and engineering network, and operates manufacturing facilities in Wallingford, CT; Franklin, MA; Rock Hill, SC; Nogales, Mexico; Suzhou, China; and Penang, Malaysia.


SOURCE: Winchester Electronics Corporation

Winchester Electronics Corporation
Denise Johnston, 203-741-5491 d.johnston@winchesterelectronics.com
or
Howard Geltzer, 212-362-9067 hgeltzer@geltzerco.com


Copyright Business Wire 2009

Friday, April 17, 2009

Slidecast: Strategic Plan Overview (audio)

The Strategic Planning Overview is now available as a slide cast. The slide show has been synchronized with audio to create a complete listening and viewing experience.

This was the presentation to the Town Council on Wednesday, April 15th.



The slidecast without audio is available here

If you have any questions, you can contact me via email (see link on right column) or via a comment.

Updated: The survey is available here

"You will gain so much knowledge in a short period of time"

Milford Daily News
Posted Apr 17, 2009 @ 01:20 AM

FRANKLIN —

During the start of the Finance Committee's budget hearings for town departments last night, Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting said he anticipates Franklin will run a deficit of $5 million to $6 million for fiscal 2011.

"I have no doubt about it," Nutting said.

Wage and health care co-pay concessions made by all town and school staff are only a one-year stopgap, he said.

"We're building ourselves into a hole for fiscal 2011 - but the other alternative is to lay off 62 teachers and about 35 municipal employees," Nutting said.

Read the full article about the Finance Committee meeting in the Milford Daily News

Read all the live reporting posts covering the same meeting here


Finance Committee - 04/16/09

The collection of live reporting posts from the Finance Committee meeting to start the annual budget review held on Thursday 4/16/09

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Live reporting - Cultural, Animal

Cultural Council

starter funds for matching grant to provide support to local artists in the community

Animal Control

in conjunction with Bellingham, salary paid by Bellingham, we pay certain expenses and gain 24x7 coverage

been going on for 15 years, well oiled and operating

Expansion could be considered but the kennel size would need to be increased
Would cost more to add to the kennel than it would generate in revenue to offset

end of budget hearings

Reminder - Financial Planning Committee meeting being held at Horace Mann/Mercer Auditorium on Monday April 27th, 7:00 PM

Earth Day - 9:00 AM on Saturday April 18th, start at Beaver Pond

motion to adjourn

Live reporting - Historical, Memorial, CATV

Historical Commission

Jeff - keeping documents up to date, pay a few bills for the historical commission

had increased from 1,000 to 2,000 in anticipation of the new building up and running. It hasn't yet but it will be used fully once the new building is open.

Memorial Day

purchase of flags for the graves to be put on by volunteers

CATV

We have to budget a minimum amount per subscriber
used to offset the costs of the broadcasts going out over the air waves
set by the license

Live reporting - Treasurer/Collector - Debt

Jim Dacey -

Debt
FY 2010 debt peaks, debt stabilization fund set up years ago to handle this peak

(hand out to be updated/included later)

We don't have a lot of room in this part of the budget, these are legal obligations, they need to be paid.

3.5% is reserved for mortgage payment, so we always have room for capital without having to raise tax rates.

The building lasts 60 years, we'll pay it off in 17 years and maintain it.

The police station and Parmenter School are fully paid off.

15 years ago, the call provision was not written into the note at that time.

The Four Corners Building when it gets sold, the funds would be held to pay off the bond until 2014. The excess amount over the purchase price would be held in reserve for use on other capital expenses. Likely to pay off the library and look at other uses of the remainder of the funds.

Treasurer/Collector

New expense item, $35,000 for attorney's title search on foreclosures
Really moving the line from another section of the budget due to proper accounting rules

Reduced 25,000 bills down to 17,000 envelopes to mail (postage savings) with senior services.

Lockbox services handle about 80,000 pieces. Even items dropped in the box at the building or handed over the counter get sent out to the lockbox. They image and index, it makes a really good tool to use.

Live reproting - Senior Center

Karen Alves

we provide more than twice the services than you see here
shifted salary of part time bus driver to revolving account using the revenue from the trips to cover the salary
TriValley Elder services we cut this year. They are funded via other sources so it won't affect the services currently being delivered.

How many volunteer hours do we provide?
10,700 hours

The amount of services you provide for the amount you get is amazing.

Nothing has been broached with the other towns in regionalization of services.

The Senior Center benefits from the tax workoff program. Residents over 60 can work in Town departments and gain credit at minimum

The amount of grants received to support the Senior Center operations is approx. $120,000 which would effectively double the existing budget.

Live reporting - Public Health Services

David E. McKearney, R.S.

nursing services for the community, flu clinics, home visits as mandated by the Dept of Health.

It is a good deal for Franklin, we could not do this internally for less.

Live reporting - Health

David E. McKearney, R.S.

One adjustment, we will eliminate 5 vehicles assigned to staff. Jeff decided this recently. Some individuals that still need transportation will get a travel reimbursement. There would be an adjustment to add the travel expense to some of the budgets, like Health. It should still be a net savings.

May need some additional insurance coverage for business use of the personal car. The expense for that would be in the persons arena.

There is a bubble flowing through, with the freeze implemented this year, we will start 2011 in a 5-6 million hole. We have been pushing the bubble off for about 6-7 years.

Live reporting - central services

Norma Collins

copy paper, copy machines, no salaries linked to the line item
did have some savings this year with the annual report now posted on the Town website, less hard copies will be required.
postage will increase May 11th

How many actual annual reports are actually printed?
Jeff - thousands

The expense in the report is in the first copy. After that, the cost is reduced due to the volume.
We still need to do a hard caopy for the public record.

Live reporting - Finance Committee - 4/16/09

Attending:
Brett S. Feldman
Juan Rivera
Patricia Goldsmith
Phyllis Messere
Rebecca Cameron
John F. Caulfield
Mark Cataldo
Robert Teixeira
James Roche
Tina Powderly (late)

Missing:
Craig Maire


Jeff Nutting provides a brief overview, the budget is still fluid, out of balance by about $115,000-215,000.

The local option tax upon meals could yield about $600,000-800,000 for a full year. We would still need to see how DOR would calculate the collections and disbursements. All kinds of talk, the vote is the only thing that counts though.

You need to get a budget out so you might make it contingent upon the final numbers when they come out in May, June.

Jim Roche - things will be up in the air until the last minute this year.

Susan Gagner - the budget does include the wage freezes already accepted by the unions thus far. The department heads have also taken a reduction in expenses.

Jim - didn't mean to gloss over that fact. As a citizen, I appreciate the effort put in by the unions. People say the government should be run like a business and on one hand I agree, on the other hand what they are giving up they are not getting back when the times get good again.

Bob Fahey - Veterans Service Officer, Outreach coordinator at Senior Center
Over $2 million dollars come into Franklin from the Veterans Administration
1 - for a service connected disability
2 - not service connected disabled but are disabled

$1092/monthly benefits to widows of veterans currently residing in Franklin

If these benefits were not coming to the town, then these folks would be on the Town side of the budget. Likely two, three or four times

19 currently on the Town rolls for veterans

This is truly a human services benefit. What you put forward, the town is reimbursed at a 75% rate a year later.

Currently expending an average of $11,000 per month. Hard to predict exactly how the services are requested.

Town budget is currently calling for 120,000 (versus run rate of 132,000)

MA is the only state that has a local veterans administration. We don't expect changes in reimbursement. What changes may occur to the benefits for the individuals is calculated later.

The benefit allocation does include a cost of living increase already.

Difference in requested vs recommended is due to the salary and the adjustment of the 3% increase frozen. You'll see that in all the budgets.

Effort on W.A.S.T.E.D apparently wasted!

Milford Daily News
Posted Apr 16, 2009 @ 01:00 AM

FRANKLIN —

After discovering an underage drinking party at 4 Beaver Court during a "party patrol" March 27, police arrested two Franklin High School students, and applied for summonses for 27 other Franklin High students, said Deputy Chief Stephan Semerjian.

Christopher N. Puopolo, 18, of 21 Thayer St., and Maxwell J. Taylor, 17, of 6 Cooper Drive, were charged with being minors in possession of alcohol and were given eight hours of community service, according to court records at Milford District Court.

The other students went before a court clerk, and their records will remain private unless the cases proceed to arraignments.

Police came across the party when they were on patrol and noticed an unusual amount of traffic coming in and out of Beaver Court, a dead-end road, Officer Jovan Bielski wrote in the police report.

Officers noticed Puopolo and Taylor taking a 30-pack of beer out of their trunk, which they tried to cover with a sweatshirt as police approached, Bielski said.

When police checked out the party, they found hard alcohol and more beer, and learned that the homeowners were not there, Bielski reported.

Read the full disturbing article in the Milford Daily News here

Review the W.A.S.T.E.D. presentation held at Franklin High School here


"come to an agreement"

Milford Daily News
Posted Apr 16, 2009 @ 01:30 AM

FRANKLIN —

The School Committee has not yet made a decision about whether to accept the teachers union's three conditions for taking a wage freeze, said School Committee member Cora Armenio.

If accepted, the The union's proposal will save the district $1 million, which will preserve the jobs of 20 teachers, said Franklin Education Association President Chandler Creedon Jr., a psychologist at Horace Mann Middle School.

Following a three-hour meeting Monday night, the union voted to approve the a proposal put forward by the Franklin Education Association's executive board to accept a salary freeze and no course reimbursements next year in exchange for the permanent removal of five floating after-school meetings, permanent removal of the need to provide a reason for taking personal days, and the permanent requirement that no meetings be scheduled two weeks prior to the issuing of report cards.

School leaders are glad teachers agreed to freeze their pay, but they were not thrilled that the union brought those other issues into the discussion.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Read my analysis posted yesterday here

over-reliance on state aid "sounds like a ticking time bomb,"

Milford Daily News
Posted Apr 16, 2009 @ 01:34 AM

FRANKLIN —

After 10 months of meeting, researching, and creating a five-year financial outlook, the long-range financial planning committee presented its report to Town Council last night, cautioning Franklin's finances will keep spiraling into the red if all remains status quo.

In his presentation, Vice Chairman Doug Hardesty, a resident and auditor by profession, also warned that Franklin is teetering on non-compliance status with the state in regard to net school spending. The town is on track to fall below the warning level - defined as 5 percent above the minimum - next year, which means the state will intervene and force Franklin to give more money to schools.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Read the live reporting from the Town Council meeting here


Mirage Poetry Night

What:
Mirage Poetry Night to benefit the
Franklin High Literary Magazine

Competitive Youth Slam

Open Mic for All Ages


When:
5:00 - 8:00 PM
APRIL 17, 2009


Where:
Barnes & Noble
270 Hartford Avenue
Bellingham, MA 02019
Exit 18 off 495 in the Stallbrook Plaza near Staples and Market Basket


Some proceeds from purchases made at the Barnes & Noble that day (by customers who mention Mirage during the transaction) may go towards the literary magazine.


Questions?
Interested in signing up for the slam?
Contact Editor April Crehan: fhsmirage@gmail.com

Town Council Mtg Smry 04/15/09

The collection of posts from the Town Council meeting 4/15/09

Concerned about Franklin's Finances?

Concerned about Franklin's Finances?

GET THE FACTS

Long-Range Financial Planning Committee

Monday, April 27th

7 PM
Horace

Mann School

(Mercer Auditorium)


IT’S TIME WELL SPENT

"The community is making out very well in these times"

GateHouse News Service
Posted Apr 15, 2009 @ 05:11 PM
Last update Apr 15, 2009 @ 05:45 PM

Rep. James E. Vallee (D-Franklin), House Majority Leader, announced today Franklin and Medway will receive level funding for local public education, as the House Ways and Means budget was released today with Chapter 70 dollars for Franklin and Medway at heartening levels.

Franklin’s Chapter 70 allocation totals $28,726,70, consistent with its Fiscal Year 2009 apportionment. Medway was level funded, too; the town’s allocation totals $9,230,437.

Each town is also slated to receive additional funding through a federal economic stimulus package for public education under the House Ways and Means proposal, according to Vallee. Franklin’s local aid total, with the inclusion of this funding, would exceed $31 million; Medway’s total would be nearly $12 million.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Vallee office hours in Franklin - Friday 4/17/09

FRANKLIN - State Rep. James E. Vallee, D-Franklin, will hold monthly local walk-in office hours on Friday, April 17, at two locations in his legislative district.

Vallee, or a member of his staff, will be available at the Medway town administrator’s office, 155 Village St., 9 to 10 a.m., and his Franklin office, 4 West St., 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Vallee welcomes and encourages residents to visit him during these times to voice concerns or questions they may have regarding any state-related issue. He encourages constituents unable to attend the district hours to call his State House office to schedule a more convenient appointment.

Vallee and his staff may be reached at 617-722-2600 or Rep.JamesVallee@hou.state.ma.us.
This was posted on the Franklin Gazette here

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Live reporting - Remainder items

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Reminder - earth day this Saturday, the more hands the better
May 16th 8:00 - 10:00 for beautification day at the bridge downtown
June 19th - Strawberry Festival

Federal Census time, going door to door, will have identification, Police have been notified

L. OLD BUSINESS - none

M. NEW BUSINESS
Bartlett - question on the modular status, can we get that information
Feeley - yes, the Building Committee will bring that

Bartlett - I would like a vote from the Council on the endorsing the report


N. COUNCIL COMMENTS -

Zollo - thanks to the committee and others that participated, disagreements were resolved to the betterment of the report. Apr 27th meeting is critical, for as many citizens as possible to attend, If we could fill that auditorium, it doesn't matter if you come with preconceived notions or not. We need the discussion.

Doak - acknowledge that the committee did a good job with the report, we can acknowledge the problem, we have systemic structural problems, we may be able to pass an override, the regionalization, index prop 2.5%, there are no easy answers here, it will take a long time and some pain

Pfeffer - Senior Center complaining no openings in sessions in the morning, nor room to park, these are good problems

Whalen - fire station replaced building in 1902, senior center has seen an increase of 300% in utilization, those are reasons for doing the projects. One commented, "I don't remember the last time I learned so much in 90 minutes." Going forward, at least the decisions will be made in an informed basis.

Vallee - outside of regionalization I don't know what we can do.

Bartlett - for me what will come out of this, will tell our story, unbiased. As unbiased a report as could be produced. You could watch but if you have a question, it probably won't get answered unless you're there. We want your feedback. We function best when we are united.

Motion to adjourn

Live reporting - Fin'l Plng Comm - cont'd

Page 7

Peer comparison - towns listed in appendix
spent time validating the peer group, we feel as a group it is a very good peer comparison

Avg peer town - 18% State aid vs Franklin 31%
taxes 58% town contribution vs 45% in Franklin

We are #1 in receiving State Aid, we are #29 in percent of our taxes paying for what we need

6.2% of the household in the peer towns from tax support
5.3% for Franklin


We rank 27 out of 31 towns in term of per capita municipal spending

Franklin spends 22% less than the State Avg

Looking at the efficiency at the top down side, when we rank near the bottom on almost every category, we have to be. While other towns are reacting to the crisis by cutting fat, we are close to cutting to the bone.

Page 10 in the Executive Summary, key slide on school spending and state minimum

Red line - warning line, once below you could be in trouble

Once we hit the minimum, the town will bear the burden of the deficits

Capital budget addressed on Page 11
The debt service is low, Franklin amongst the 31 towns ranks 22
We are not taking on a lot of debt even in the perception of "lots of capital" spending

Forecasted Deficit in 2014 could be 7.7 M or 11.3 M depending upon the assumptions used

The numbers don't include the high school renovation. There is a placeholder for its inclusion and it will need to be once the numbers become more real.

Inflation currently at an avg of 3.3% is different from getting to a 7-8 percent rate of inflation. The deficits would grow dramatically

Recommendations are in full report, page 21

issues can be polarizing, we want to agree on the problem
solutions can be discussed

need to develop a comprehensive multi-year plan

regionalization may be a huge opportunity but in the Northeast it has not currently been successful

Influence the legislative process, whether prop 2.5, pension reform, etc. there are legal barriers to obtaining a solution

Services are people driven, the people account for 70-75 percent of the budget
they need to be paid at a market competitive rate and yet at a sustainable rate

increase tax revenue - it would be nice to find non-Franklin sources
recreation, schools offering courses over the internet
carefully and thoroughly consider property tax overrides

override is inevitable, it will have to happen
the amount and when remains to be determined
what would be the proper timing
complex issue but it needs to be considered

there can be a credibility gap, residents can make decisions upon impressions and not upon fact
can make decisions that perhaps they wouldn't have made if they were better informed

Ownership for improving the flow of information
make it more user friendly and accessible
community forum at Horace Mann
When we can just sit down and talk with folks, now that I have talked it through, I have a better understanding and trust

tried to just present the facts
deficits will continue, there is no flexibility to deal with them as we have before
we have additional risks, i.e with the level of state aid

let's focus on agreeing on the problem

we would like the Town Council to publicly endorse the report.
we would like to see a unanimous endorsement

Doak - thanks, this has been a great deal of work
It helps us get closer to addressing the problem
our reliance on State funding, is there anything that we can do?

the forumla is calculable but the discretionary part is hard to calculate

Ramsey Curdy - part of the focus group, reviewed and commented on the Executive Summary
formed an accurate picture of the issues, the document must be quickly and effectively distributed to the town residents, discussion with those who may have a different view
this is not an abstract comment, this is about where we live

Live reporting - Financial Planning Committee report

Note: Bartlett has arrived (so McGann no show, Mason left)

Jim Roche introduces the Financial Planning Committee report
Doug Hardesty will do the actual presentation

A copy of the presentation will be made available as soon as possible.

Pitch for Monday April 27th Town-wide forum at Horace Mann/Mercer Auditorium 7:30 PM

Doug had much experience within the town with coaching sports but had not much idea on the town finances or operations. Having gone through this process I am happy with what I have learned.

Doug is a professional auditor. It is fact based, not what is felt.
They have tried to keep bias out of this. Telling the pinata story.
This report can stand up to the toughest test.

The executive summary and the draft of the full report will released in the next couple of days for all to review.

The reason we call this a "draft", while we have been diligent in obtaining feedback, we want the town council and citizens to weigh in, and potentially incorporate into the document as we go forward.

We get a lot of aid from the state, have low property taxes relative to peer towns

In every measurable category, the town and schools are low

We go into a deficit and manage our way through it somehow

It is a structural deficit. It will continue unless we take action

The projected deficits are real and significant, they will continue to occur

There are a whole host of things to do so that it is most effective

There is a premise that most citizens will not allow continued cuts

Federal and state mandates are not funded but are costly and are required

Teacher compensation; a cost of living raise and commensurate with experience, masters required within first five years

It is just the way the market is for compensating teachers, we need to get to the inflection point, we need to calculate that

Cash reserves, 7.5 million used since 2005 has been a big help, we can't do that nay more

Since 2000 we have grown 1300 students and dropped over 100 personnel

-----

Live reporting - Mike D’Angelo

Presentations:

Update – Mike D’Angelo

This is a follow up visit to the Council to explain the root cause and actions taken for Horace Mann/FHS damage from the Labor Day incident previously reported

Buildings are now being alarmed to ring through to the Fire Dept. The central dispatch will be able to monitor and make phone calls if there were another occurrence.

Tim Raposa working on getting all the buildings alarmed for power failures as well. If the power goes out, there is an email sent out to a listing for action.

Zollo - what is your level of confidence that once these are all in place?
D'Angelo - there is always a probability of something going but there is an increased confidence.

Zollo - would you still do the walk throughs?
D'Angelo - design in MA doesn't really handle temps in under 10 degrees, so the walk throughs are good for checking on those circumstances.

Pfeffer - Is all overtime reported here? Is Servicemaster included in this?
D'Angelo - They haven't provided that yet. I can update this as we continue to go.

Pfeffer - what caused the problem?
D'Angelo -

Pfeffer - How come it is taking so long for the High School gym floor?
D'Angelo - We worked with Norma to get a waiver and expedited process but we still had to do design work, etc. The contract should be signed soon.
Nutting - It was just signed tonight at 5:00 PM

Doak - With the monitoring we have, will it be tested so that we know it will work?
D'Angelo - During the winter, we test these monthly.

Vallee - There are devices that hook up to the phone line that alert me to the temp being low?
D'Angelo - Although the Senior Center temp did drop, the failures were not such that it would have tripped that device.

Vallee - So it was not preventable?
D'Angelo - At that point, it was not. We have five of the six items covered with monitoring now, we'll catch it sooner and prevent the serious damage. The trip required someone to push a button.

Vallee - A forty dollar device could have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage.

Whalen - has the process for the utility to tell us been set up?
D'Angelo - we have set up the system so when there is an interruption in power, we will be notified.

Nutting - your point is why don't we have monitoring? we have the schools for 50 years and it never happened. We had insurance and we'll pay.

Feeley - Are you comfortable that we are covered at 99%?
D'Angelo - yes

Feeley - Is it also true that we may never know the exact cause of the sequence of events?
D'Angelo - yes

break for two minutes

Live reporting - Legislation - continued

Note: Mason left meeting (resuming this piece of the agenda after the Financial Planning Committee report completed)
  1. Resolution 09-21: Request for Legislation –Simple Procedure to Accept Roads Motion to approve, passed 6-0
  2. Resolution 09-22: Establishment of Forge Park Priority Development Site Motion to approve, passed 7-0
  3. Resolution 09-23: Establishment of Franklin Industrial Park Priority Development Site Motion to approve, passed 7-0
  4. Resolution 09-24: Establishment of Pond Street Economic Opportunity Area Motion to approve, passed 7-0
  5. Resolution 09-25: Binding Offer to Provide Tax Increment Financing to “Certified Projects” Motion to approve, passed 7-0
  6. Bylaw Amendment 09-631: Chapter 82 Fees, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 2nd Reading Motion to approve, passed 6-1
Note - changed the order of events to accommodate the Rep Vallee visit and councilor schedules

Brutus - we are not putting ourselves at a relative disadvantage in the implementation of these storm water fees. Our fees are lower than engineering fees, the developers will be fairly treated. Based upon the size and scope of the project.

Vallee - in view of the conditions we are in, I will not support this project

Bylaw roll call - all for except Vallee as noted.

Live reporting - Rep Vallee

Rep Jim Vallee speaking about the legislature's budget released today. It differs from the Governor's budget in that there is less revenue to be expected now than what had been expected at the time the Governor announced.

Franklin effectively, level funded for what we received last year.
If the stimulus money does come through, there could be another $400,000 coming.

"Probably certain"

Additional revenue sources being looked at to provide tools to the local communities to help.

It has been a pleasure working with Jeff Nutting for Franklin and for all the communities that Jeff represents in his new role.

A lot of folks have stepped up to the plate to forgo pay increases this year. Thanks

Nutting - we took a hundred thousand dollar hit but on a hundred million dollar budget we can take that. The budget deficit should be under a million dollars with the teachers and the other union actions.

Live reporting - Legislation for action

Resolution 09-06: Appropriation – 2009 Capital Plan
Motion approved 7-0


Mason - apology for missing and delaying this vote, speaking for the capital approval.
Doak - seconding what Councilor Mason mentioned, if we don't do it this year, it will cost more to do this next year. Thanks to the Dept Heads for performing the due diligence on their submissions.

Nutting - purchase some used vehicles to help avoid keeping the police vehicles on the road as long as they have been.

Live reporting: Franklin Schools Strategic Planning Update

The Strategic Planning Steering Committee presentation to the Town Council meeting:




Updated: The survey is available here

Live reporting - Town Council - 4/15/09

Attending: Whalen, Vallee, Feeley, Pfeffer, Doak, Zollo
Missing: Bartlett (arrived at 7:45 PM), McGann (no show), Mason (left at 7:30PM)

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 18, 2009 Regular & Executive Session
motion to approve, passed 7-0

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS none

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS none

"the only model that's going to be sustainable"

GHS
Posted Apr 14, 2009 @ 12:32 AM

MEDWAY —

Selectmen Chairman Glenn Trindade said he is "very disappointed" after learning the library trustees voted against sharing Franklin Library Director Felicia Oti.

Instead, the board voted at its April 7 meeting to recommend hiring Oti seven hours a week in fiscal 2010 only to prepare the library's long-range plan, according to an e-mail Wendy Rowe sent to selectmen.

Rowe, chairwoman of the Medway library trustees and acting library director, said the board voted to hire Oti, but did not work out any details yet.

Read the full article about this twist in the regionalization efforts for Franklin/Medway libraries in the Milford Daily News here


Long Range Financial Planning Committee reports tonight

Milford Daily News
Posted Apr 15, 2009 @ 12:49 AM

FRANKLIN —

Tonight, the Long-Range Financial Planning Committee will present its report to Town Council, which couldn't be better timing, said Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.

"The report explains why the cost of existing town services is expected to grow faster than revenue for the foreseeable future," said Douglas Hardesty, vice chairman of the long-range committee.

"It also offers recommendations for addressing this problem. The committee believes the report will help residents trust that the problem is real and recognize that Franklin's future is tied to how we respond as a community to this crisis," said Hardesty, who is going to make the presentation.

read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

For all the reporting on the Financial Planning Committee meetings check the "Meeting Summaries" section on Franklin Matters.

For a summary of the focus group feedback used to prepare this report check here


What's the cost of 5 hours?

According to a copy of the proposal, the union demanded the following conditions: the permanent removal of five floating after-school meetings, permanent removal of the need to provide a reason for personal days, and the permanent requirement that no after-school meetings be scheduled two weeks prior to the issuing of report cards.
From the Milford Daily News article on the School Committee meeting 4/14/09.


The citizens of Franklin will find out, hopefully soon, what the cost of 5 hours of meetings are. Is it worth 1 million dollars? Or is it worth more?

The teachers union in a vote to accept the 2.5 percent wage freeze for the 2009-2010 school year attached three minor conditions to the proposal.

To remove from their contract, five floating after school meetings. There already are three mandatory meetings each month for the teachers at each school. Is there really a need for these five floating meetings? I hope not.

To remove the requirement for providing a reason for taking two "personal" days. There are only two, you use them or loose them. They are already defined "personal". Does the School Dept really need to know the personal reason? I think that is too much of a controlling issue.

To add a requirement not to schedule after-school meetings in the two weeks prior to report cards. This seems reasonable. The time before report cards should be focused on preparing the accurate information for students and parents/guardians on the progress made during the marking period.

Why this was not discussed during the meeting, I can understand given the nature of the conversation that did take place between Chandler Creedon and the School Committee. They were talking about the same topic, using different words, not really answering each others questions. For me, there is a communication issue there. I hope it gets resolved quickly.

"I encourage everyone to work together"

GHS
Posted Apr 15, 2009 @ 12:30 AM

FRANKLIN —

By an overwhelming majority, the teachers union voted to accept a pay freeze and forgo course reimbursement next year, union head Chandler Creedon announced at last night's School Committee meeting.

The Franklin Education Association's sacrifice will save the School Department $1 million - $800,000 in salary increases - and $200,000 in reimbursements, said Creedon, who is also a psychologist at Horace Mann Middle School.

The vote reportedly was 210-43.

The action will save the jobs of 20 teachers, Creedon said.

Reading from a prepared statement, Creedon said, "We the teachers of Franklin are extremely concerned about the quality and direction education is currently going in Franklin."

Read the full article about the teachers proposal in the Milford Daily News here

For all the information discussed at the School Committee meeting check here


Taking Back Childhood: Helping Children Thrive in Challenging Times

Franklin Public School’s Early Childhood Programs Present

Taking Back Childhood: Helping Children Thrive in Challenging Times

Guest Speaker: Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Ed. D.

Date: May 12, 2009

Time: 7:30 PM

Place:
Horace Mann Middle School Auditorium
224 Oak Street
Franklin, MA


Nancy Carlsson-Paige is a professor of early childhood education at Lesley University and the author of Taking Back Childhood: Helping Your Kids Thrive in a Fast-Paced, Media-Saturated, Violence-Filled World. She writes and lectures about the impact of violence in the media, consumerism and its effects on children’s social development, and how adults can raise caring and compassionate kids. She is a recognized national expert and speaks extensively on these subjects. For more information see her website at www.nancycarlsson-paige.org.

Childhood has changed dramatically in just one generation. Social trends such as the influence of media, the fast pace of life, rampant consumerism, and overly structured school days are undermining some of the basic building blocks of healthy childhood. These social forces make it harder for children today to create their own play, feel safe and secure, and build positive, loving relationships with others. Come learn about how childhood has changed for young children today and how you can reclaim what kids need most to help them flourish in these challenging times.

Franklin's Earth Day Celebration

Franklin's Earth Day Celebration
Saturday April 18th, 2009
Beaver Pond
Starts at 9:00 AM


Volunteer to clean up targeted areas and assist with planting flowers and shrubs around Franklin.

- Please bring your own water bottle.

- Please bring your own gloves and rakes.

- Community service certificates will be issued.

- T-shirts to the first 200 volunteers.

- Clean up goes to 1:00 PM


Get some Eco-Info at Beaver Pond:

- Water conservation kits and rain barrel display.

- Mercury thermometer exchange for digital thermometers.

- Recycling tips and composting information.

- Energy conservation tips.

- Much more ! ! !


You can register on the Town website here

NewBCamp - Providence College - Apr 19

What:
Come to learn and share about the new technology in social media tools! Blogs, podcasting, networking, Twitter, video blogging, etc.

Where:
Providence College

When:
April 19 - 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

More Information and registration:
Click here

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Links from School Committee Mtg

During the meeting there were a couple of references to other sources of information, I have tried to collect them here:

1 - there was reference to the State requirement for 185 day calendar. You can view all the State Laws and Regulations pertaining to Education here

In particular 603 CMR 27.00: refers to Student Learning Time and contains the paragraph covering the calendar length (185 days)

2 - Prior budget cuts were summarized as of last year here

School Committee Mtg 04/14/09

The live reporting segments from the School Committee meeting on 4/14/09 can be found here:

Live reporting - New Business

Rohrbach - let's have a subcommittee look at establishing principles

Cafasso - yes, let's look at that

motion to enter Executive Session

Live reporting - subcommittee reports

Cafasso - There are ten banners, you'd recognize many of them, they are all loyal supporters of the school district. This program started just as the economy started. Some logistical issues were dealt with early on, those have been resolved. Coach Sidwell, would like the program to continue. We'll meet on a possible expansion to our athletic fields. We are reducing our budget, increasing fees, it would be good to continue.

The subcommittee would like to move it from pilot to a formal program.

Roy - Go with it.

Live reporting - superintendent report

Sabolinksi - two options for school calendar based upon the prior survey, one starting before Labor Day, one starting after Labor Day. The parents wanted to start after Labor Day, the faculty wanted the start before Labor Day. No recommendation yet. Instructionally starting before Labor Day is better, being in our buildings in June is no fun, the buildings are toasty hot.

Armenio - I am not comfortable with the June closing, if we have terrible weather, we can't go into July, we would have to take those days off the April vacation.

Cafasso - can we put these online to view given the survey results?
Sabolinski - We are poised to do so, just didn't want to post them before this discussion.

Mullen - it is a consideration to bring the kids in early when they are already dealing with the heat, as opposed to in June when it is an adjustment.

Rohrbach - consider a PDD day on Election Day?
Roy - I would go for the safety factor

Susan Collins - started a petition to do the calendar after Labor Day then saw the survey so held off, consider the day before Thanksgiving, no one else has it.

Teachers on the second floor especially it is brutal in the heat. The PCC bought us fans.

Steve Luckovitch (?) two children at ECDC, a concern about the consistency of attending (the kids attend twice a week)

There are three full professional days across the district.

Did we revisit the Feb vacation?
Sabolinski - One of the best values in town is the ECDC. Let's set up some time to go into this further.

Live reporting - Action items

  1. I recommend acceptance of the donation of $3127.00 from the DT PCC for the following field trips: Motion to accept, passed 6-0
Grade 5 - Boston “Lessons on Liberty” & “Bostonian Society”
Grade 2 - Stony Brook
Grade K - Southwick Zoo
Grade 5 - Bus fee for visit to ASMS
  1. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 20 Bose 3-2-1 GS Home Entertainment Systems (valued at $999.00 each) for the Franklin Public Schools. Motion to accept, passed 6-0
  2. I recommend acceptance of the donation of office supplies from the 3M Company as listed for the Franklin Public Schools. Motion to accept, passed 6-0
  3. I recommend acceptance of a check for $412.80 from Lifetouch for the ECDC future enrichment programs. Motion to accept, passed 6-0
  4. I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,900.00 from the Keller PCC for the following field trips: Motion to accept, passed 6-0
Grade K - Southwick Zoo plus buses
Grade 2 - Stony Brook plus buses
Grade 4 - Museum of Science plus buses
Grade 5 - Roger Williams Zoo plus buses
  1. I recommend acceptance of a check for $75.00 from the Keller PCC for an additional bus for the K field trip to Southwick Zoo. Motion to accept, passed 6-0
  2. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 12 cases of copy paper for the Oak Street Elementary School from Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Johnson. tabled to be revisited
  3. I recommend acceptance of the donation of several gently used trade books from Kristen Ramel, a 5th grade student, for the Oak Street teachers. Motion to accept, passed 6-0
  4. I recommend acceptance of a check for $250.00 from Parmenter PCC for a bus for a field trip to the Mass Hospital School in Canton, MA. Motion to accept, passed 6-0
  5. I recommend the request of Peter Light to declare the attached list of books as surplus. Motion to accept, passed 6-0
  6. I recommend approval of the FHS request for Judi O’Neil to take 8 students to Los Angeles, CA to compete in the DECA 2009 International Conference as detailed. Motion to accept, passed 6-0
  7. I recommend acceptance of the check for $200.00 from C.A.N.E. (Classical Association of New England – grant) for expenses related to HMMS field trip to the Worcester Art Museum. Motion to accept, passed 6-0
  8. I recommend acceptance of the check for $1,488.56 from the Oak St. PCC for reading materials for all students/classrooms to access. Motion to accept, passed 6-0
  9. I recommend acceptance of the donation of space at the Hampton Inn for Open Circle training in 2008-09 valued at $1200.00 (4 days @ $300/per day). Motion to accept, passed 6-0
  10. I recommend that you declare the modular classrooms at Davis Thayer Elementary School as surplus and return them to the Town. Motion to accept, passed 6-0

Live reporting - FY 2010 Budget

Wayne added some background to the presentation on the "To Kill a Mockingbird". It arose from a debate between the FHS and middle school teachers, the middle schools won out and this was the result of the first year study.

To a student, they all thought (despite the complexity) it was warmly received, challenging, and rewarding. The final chapters are available to be read.

----

Chandler Creedon, President Franklin Teachers and Nurses

Teachers did ratify the proposal to save 1 million dollars and 20 teachers
Is reluctant to discuss the details of the proposal in the public. Wants a negotiation session to meet as soon as possible.

Jeff Roy, the School Committee will take this under advisement, there is an executive session this evening

Cafasso - Can you tell us about the meeting?
Creedon - There was a meeting Monday (4/13/09) lasted 3 hours, final voting was done by secret ballot.

Cafasso - Are there conditions associated with the proposal?
Creedon - I am not sure I'd call it conditions, there are subjects that should be discussed that go along with it.

Armenio - There were multiple opportunities to discuss the budget
Creedon - There were multiple queries about negotiating and the appetite was that there was none beyond the 2.5 percent

--------

Rohrbach - update from the budget subcommittee
compiled a listing of reductions over the year, holding clipping from 2003 "Franklin begins cutting from schools".

program reductions have been significant since 2003
over the course of six or so years, tried to reduce the budget by protecting class size
last year, was the first year where class size increased
next year, if the deficit is not resolved, staff reductions will continue and class sizes will increase again
what has been cut has not come back, they are pretty permanent
it is a good exercise to go through every year.

Pat Slight - everybody is fighting for the same goal, the best education for the students

Mullen - we have cut everywhere, this is a one year deal with the teachers, we know that. It is a good chance to review what has been going on and on. The high school is still facing their accredition issues

Rohrbach - fees via advertising, pilot program at FHS, the PCC's and booster clubs raise approx $100,000 every year.

Ogden - House announces their budget Weds afternoon, significant changes predicted.

The school website has presentations that show various scenarios depending upon the budget level and what it would do to class size.

The Financial Planning Committee presents to the Town Council on Weds evening and again to a Town-wide forum on April 27th. Recommends everyone to get to the meeting or at least watch it. A lot of work has been done, it is good work, people should pay attention.

Armenio - one time revenue, it is not a school issue, it is town issue, everybody needs to step up and be part of the community. Teachers have been incredible stretching dollars to educate our children. PCC's will be providing funds for field trips and that used to be part of the budget.

Roy - Where do we go from here? Tonight was planned to be our public hearing but based upon the news we are hearing, the next meeting (Apr 28th) is also not likely for the numbers to be ready. I am happy to see that people are stepping forward to come up with creative solutions. Keep in touch, visit the website to see what the updates are.

Live reporting - "To Kill a Mockingbird"

ASMS “To Kill A Mockingbird” Presentation
Kevin Philipps
Emma Campbell
Ricky Hildebrand
Matt Golding
Zoher Ghadyali
Andrew Ayotte
Matthew Peterson
Michaela Lonati
"Could make a visual from the chapter book, to take it to the next level"

Some students wrote a last chapter, or epilogue (twenty years into the future)
some students created an artistic representation of an aspect of the book

learned more about the book this way, their attitudes and beliefs
thought this was a great project, learned a lot from it

tested their ability to understand the text even more than the classroom study

Live reporting - High School Experience

FHS Experience – Info for Summer 2009
Pandora Carlucci
Kristy Yankee
Kristin Letendre Cerce

Intended for incoming 9th graders, a social experience, to meet and connect with other students, to learn strategies for succeeding in high school

Allows students from the four feeding middle schools and others to come together at the high school

Goal to get the students ready for navigating the high school, meeting the teachers before Sept.

Adding History teacher, teachers from four disciplines will participate this summer

Scholarships available

Register: www.franklin.k12.ma.us, select Lifelong, then select Summer Program

Questions: 508-553-4814

Live reporting - Best Buddies Grant Awards

2. Guests/Presentations

Sue Streeter – Best Buddies Grant Awards
Emily Constantine – HMMS
Marilee Gleason – ASMS
Erin Miller - FHS
Best Buddies Prom - May 7th
anticipated approx 120 students, 20 chaperones

Pawtucket Red Sox game

Funway Cafe trip (tickets, transportation)

Special Olympics Field Trip to Attleboro

Live reporting - School Committee - 4/14/09

Attending: Armenio, Cafasso, Kelly, Mullen, Roy, Rohrbach,
Missing: Trahan


1. Routine Business
  • Citizen’s Comments
  • Review of Agenda
  • Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the March 24, 2009 School Committee Meeting. Motion to Approve passed 6-0
  • Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly Motion to Approve passed 6-0
  • Payroll Ms. Armenio
  • FHS Student Representatives
  • Correspondence:
  • Budget to Actual
  • Budget Transfers
  • Letter from Mark Tiede and Melissa McCann
  • Letters from the Doggett family

"a much rosier situation for the next school year"

Milford Daily News
Posted Apr 14, 2009 @ 12:27 AM

FRANKLIN —

Tonight, the teachers union will announce whether it will take a wage freeze and suspend course reimbursements to save teachers' jobs this year.

An affirmative vote would save the school district $1 million: $800,000 in salary increases, and the remainder in tuition reimbursement, said Franklin Education Association President Chandler Creedon, a psychologist at Horace Mann Middle School.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


Garnet Rogers - Circle of Friends Coffeehouse



Famed Canadian performer Garnet Rogers will be appearing at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse on Saturday, April 18th at 8:00 PM. Garnet has established himself as "one of the major talents of our time". Hailed by the Boston Globe as a "charismatic performer and singer", Garnet is a man with a powerful physical presence and a voice to match. With his "smooth. dark baritone" his incredible range, and thoughtful, dramatic phrasing, Garnet is widely considered by fans and critics alike to be one of the finest singers anywhere. His music, like the man himself, is literate, passionate, highly sensitive, with a deep purpose. An optimist at heart, Garnet sings extraordinary songs about people who are not obvious heroes and of the small victories of the everyday. As memorable as his songs, his over the top humor and lightning-quick wit moves his audience from tears to laughter and back again. Garnet suggests that you bring a non-perishable food item as a donation to the Franklin Food Pantry.
The next show
Saturday,
April 18th, 8:00PM

GARNET ROGERS
with special guest
Marc Douglas Berardo $15


You can purchase tickets in advance through the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse website

High School Experience - Summer 2009

DREAM ...
BELIEVE ...


ACHIEVE ...

Franklin High School is pleased to offer its second summer of the High School Experience. This course is designed to welcome incoming grade 9 students to Franklin High School.

Co Directors: Kristy Yankee and Kristin Letendre Cerce

Who: Entering grade 9 students

When: July 27 to July 31, Monday through Friday

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Where: Franklin High School

Cost: $100.00, includes lunch each day (Scholarships are available)


Students will address ‘surviving’ high school
  • Meet students from all four middle schools
  • Meet faculty from the freshman collaborative
  • Meet high school administrators
  • Learn how to manage academics while participating in after school activities
  • Discuss studying, note-taking, and preparing for high school exams/assessments
  • Examine • The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey

Register: www.franklin.k12.ma.us, select Lifelong, then select Summer Program

Questions: 508-553-4814

Monday, April 13, 2009

Grand Opening - Cafe Dolce

The Grand Opening of Cafe Dolce today generated more pictures to add to the photo slide shows previously published.




Enjoy!

Town Council - Agenda - 4/15/09

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 18, 2009 Regular & Executive Session

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS –
  • School Strategic Planning Committee
  • Long Range Financial Planning Committee
  • Update – Mike D’Angelo

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
  1. Resolution 09-06: Appropriation – 2009 Capital Plan
  2. Resolution 09-21: Request for Legislation –Simple Procedure to Accept Roads
  3. Resolution 09-22: Establishment of Forge Park Priority Development Site
  4. Resolution 09-23: Establishment of Franklin Industrial Park Priority Development Site
  5. Resolution 09-24: Establishment of Pond Street Economic Opportunity Area
  6. Resolution 09-25: Binding Offer to Provide Tax Increment Financing to “Certified Projects”
  7. Bylaw Amendment 09-631: Chapter 82 Fees, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 2nd Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

"It will leave the school community neglected"

Milford Daily News
Posted Apr 12, 2009 @ 10:51 PM

FRANKLIN —

All Franklin schools could be without a librarian this September, a move principals suggested as a way to fill the district's approximate $2.5 million budget gap.

"None of the cuts are palatable in any way," said Assistant Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski, who becomes superintendent July 1.

Administrators had to weigh their options, and librarians have the least impact on instruction on a day-to-day basis, she said.

Keeping class sizes to a manageable level is a top priority, School Committee members and principals have said.

"Principals at each level made the recommendation for that cut independently; each had librarians on the table," Sabolinski said.

Read the full article on the loss of the librarians in the Milford Daily News here

View the presentation outlining all the potential budget cuts here

Participate in the School Committee meeting Tuesday April 14th, 7:00 PM Town Hall.


"we need to find champions"


... what we do in education has little or nothing to do with what we know is good pedagogy for children. For example, we could significantly improve education at all levels and in all parts of the country with one change in policy—reducing class size to 18 or less at all grade levels. It is a basic truism of education that the more one-on-one time a child has with a teacher, the better the learning and educational outcome. Yet in practice educational policy is determined by political, economic, cultural, and personal ego concerns. This happens because children and adolescents do not vote, and have little or no say in their own governance. And we, who speak for children and youth, have not been able to muster the political muscle to make the educational needs of children either heard or responded to.

The data and arguments offered in this report are both powerful and compelling. But if they are to have any impact, we need to find champions in the media, in the arts, and in politics who will make the case for us. After all, what do we know? We are just the teachers of young children—who just happen to be the future of our nation.
Read the full report that David Elkind references here.

As Franklin enters into serious budget discussions which could include the change from full-day to half-day kindergarten, while increasing class size across the district, this report will be a timely read.


My thanks to Bernie DeKoven for sharing the link to this report.

School Committee - Agenda - 4/14/09

1. Routine Business
  • Citizen’s Comments
  • Review of Agenda
  • Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the March 24, 2009 School Committee Meeting.
  • Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
  • Payroll Ms. Armenio
  • FHS Student Representatives
  • Correspondence:
  1. Budget to Actual
  2. Budget Transfers
  3. Letter from Mark Tiede and Melissa McCann
  4. Letters from the Doggett family

2. Guests/Presentations

Sue Streeter – Best Buddies Grant Awards
Emily Constantine – HMMS
Marilee Gleason – ASMS
Erin Miller - FHS

FHS Experience – Info for Summer 2009
Pandora Carlucci
Kristy Yankee
Kristin Letendre Cerce

ASMS “To Kill A Mockingbird” Presentation
Kevin Philipps
Emma Campbell
Ricky Hildebrand
Matt Golding
Zoher Ghadyali
Andrew Ayotte
Matthew Peterson
Michaela Lonati

3. Discussion Only Items
FY10 Budget

4. Action Items
  1. I recommend acceptance of the donation of $3127.00 from the DT PCC for the following field trips:
Grade 5 - Boston “Lessons on Liberty” & “Bostonian Society”
Grade 2 - Stony Brook
Grade K - Southwick Zoo
Grade 5 - Bus fee for visit to ASMS
  1. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 20 Bose 3-2-1 GS Home Entertainment Systems (valued at $999.00 each) for the Franklin Public Schools.
  2. I recommend acceptance of the donation of office supplies from the 3M Company as listed for the Franklin Public Schools.
  3. I recommend acceptance of a check for $412.80 from Lifetouch for the ECDC future enrichment programs.I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,900.00 from the Keller PCC for the following field trips:
Grade K - Southwick Zoo plus buses
Grade 2 - Stony Brook plus buses
Grade 4 - Museum of Science plus buses
Grade 5 - Roger Williams Zoo plus buses
  1. I recommend acceptance of a check for $75.00 from the Keller PCC for an additional bus for the K field trip to Southwick Zoo.
  2. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 12 cases of copy paper for the Oak Street Elementary School from Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Johnson.
  3. I recommend acceptance of the donation of several gently used trade books from Kristen Ramel, a 5th grade student, for the Oak Street teachers.
  4. I recommend acceptance of a check for $250.00 from Parmenter PCC for a bus for a field trip to the Mass Hospital School in Canton, MA.
  5. I recommend the request of Peter Light to declare the attached list of books as surplus.
  6. I recommend approval of the FHS request for Judi O’Neil to take 8 students to Los Angeles, CA to compete in the DECA 2009 International Conference as detailed.
  7. I recommend acceptance of the check for $200.00 from C.A.N.E. (Classical Association of New England – grant) for expenses related to HMMS field trip to the Worcester Art Museum.
  8. I recommend acceptance of the check for $1,488.56 from the Oak St. PCC for reading materials for all students/classrooms to access.
  9. I recommend acceptance of the donation of space at the Hampton Inn for Open Circle training in 2008-09 valued at $1200.00 (4 days @ $300/per day).
  10. I recommend that you declare the modular classrooms at Davis Thayer Elementary School as surplus and return them to the Town.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
  • Enrollment Comparison
  • Draft of 2009-2010 FHS Administrative Structure
  • FY11 School Calendar Options
  • 09-10 School Committee Schedule - Draft
  • Blue Ribbon: Financial Planning Committee
  • Special Facilities Review - Confidential
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, April 12, 2009

"Football, hockey and basketball are the most expensive sports"

Milford Daily News
Posted Apr 10, 2009 @ 12:58 AM

FRANKLIN —

Athletic fees will almost certainly go up again this year at Franklin High School, thanks to the tanking economy, said Franklin High School Athletic Director Brad Sidwell.

"I would expect an increase in the fees, for sure, but I don't know the amount yet," Sidwell said.

Assistant Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski, who becomes superintendent July 1, also said a fee increase is likely, but she hopes to avert it.

"Everyone's trying to get their heads around the stimulus money and how we can use it. We'd like to minimize fees if we can - fees are just another tax on parents," Sabolinski said.

The School Committee tried to generate more revenue by allowing paid advertisements in the high school field house, but that has only brought a few thousand dollars, Sidwell said.

I almost missed this one on the possible increase in sports fees, read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


Happy Easter!


Happy Easter!, originally uploaded by shersteve.

"keeping everything on the table"

Milford Daily News
Posted Apr 11, 2009 @ 10:23 PM

FRANKLIN —

Once again, Franklin schools are facing the prospect of losing the popular late bus.

Superintendent Wayne Ogden and Assistant Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski have not included the late bus in next year's budget, which still has about a $2.5 million deficit, Sabolinski said. That budget seeks to maintain level services from this year.

The first priority is keeping teachers, School Committee members and administrators have said.

"When you look at it, $40,000, $50,000 - that's a teaching position. We tried to save every teaching position we could. Every $50,000 is a teacher, and a series of baby steps gets you where you need to be," Sabolinski said.

Read the full article about the late bus and the current budget in the Milford Daily News here

The School Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 14th at 7:00 PM

The Town Council will hear the Financial Planning Committee report on Wednesday, April 15th. at 7:00 PM.


"Nobody called a meeting"

From Scott MacLeod writing at Dangerously Irrelevant:

Here’s what I think is the money quote from the article:

The first time chlorine was used in an improvised explosive device in Iraq, someone created a wiki page asking what intelligence officers and others in the field should do to collect evidence of the usage. "Twenty-three people at 18 or 19 locations around the world chimed in on this thing, and we got a perfectly serviceable set of instructions in two days," says Tom Fingar, who headed the National Intelligence Council from 2005 to 2008. "Nobody called a meeting, there was no elaborate 'Gotta go back and check with Mom to see if this is the view of my organization.' "

Read the full post which includes a link to the TIME article from which he found this quote.