Saturday, June 13, 2009

McGovern running late

The good news is that there are people out to meet and talk With Congressman Jim McGovern today.

The bad news is that this has him running vary late. He arrived Franklin Library at 10:10 (not the 9:30 he was scheduled for).

I left after talking with him about 11:10. He is due in Wrentham at 11:30. Given the number of folks remaining to talk with him in Franklin, I would estimate that he would not arrive before noon time maybe not before 12:30. Note: these are my estimates.

As for my time with the Congressman:
  • I talked with Congressman McGovern about collaborating with communications on his various issues and initiatives. You, the readers of Franklin Matters, should hear what he has to say in the matters that affect us. And given the current state of affairs, there is little that doesn't affect us. He listened, he liked to offer and claimed to follow up.
  • I also talked about No Child Left Behind and other Federal unfunded mandates upon education. I pressed him that if the government is going to require something to be done, then fund it appropriately. Or take away the requirements. There are sufficient requirements at the state and local level to provide a good quality education to all the children of Franklin.
  • After my time with the Congressman, I stayed to provide morale support for Ted McIntyre of the Franklin Area Climate Team. Ted wanted to invited the Congressman to participate in the Franklin event being put together for 350.org on October 24th. He also wanted to discuss the pending legislation on carbon trading. We were also joined by Steve Deredarian in this effort. Steve also took the opportunity to talk with the Congressman on the health care issue.

Congressman Jim McGovern - Office hours today

Friendly reminder that today, Saturday, June 13th, Congressman Jim McGovern will hold local office hours to meet and talk with us at the following places:

  • Medway: Coffee Sensations, 116 Main St, 8:00 - 9:00 AM
  • Franklin: Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St, 9:30 - 10:30 AM
  • Wrentham: Public Safety Bldg, 89 South St, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Plainville: Fire Station, 157 South St, 1:00 - 2:00 PM
  • North Attleborough: Richards Memorial Library, 2:30 - 3:30 PM

This is your chance to talk with Congressman McGovern.

Sign up for his newsletter on his web site here

teachers = "are expert learners first"

... I also wonder if we can actually make something new out of something old in this case. Without remaking the system, is it reasonable to expect that we can systemically move toward inquiry based, self-directed, networked learning spaces that focus on the learning that Carroll describes in the essay?

Thoughtful posting by Wil Richardson on the idea that if we could start over and create schools, what would we do?

I highly recommend clicking through to read the full posting here

Given the cost pressures affecting school districts here and elsewhere, how should schools operate? What do you think?

"The objective is economic development"

Milford Daily News
Posted Jun 12, 2009 @ 11:40 PM

FRANKLIN —

Even in the midst of a recession, state Rep. James E. Vallee, D-Franklin, knows how to secure money for his towns: "persistence and tenacity."

"You wear them down. Essentially, you just keep running at them, and hopefully you can convince them," said Vallee, the new House majority leader.

After five years of pushing, Vallee said Franklin has been awarded $1 million in state funds for improvements to downtown. That money is separate from a $5 million federal grant.

The $1 million, available through a public works economic development grant, will pay for improvements to Main Street, Dean Avenue, Depot Street to Ray Street, and a municipal parking lot on Depot Street, Vallee said.

Read the full article about this state grant in the Milford Daily News here

The grant will help economic development efforts downtown. It will allow Franklin to spend less of its own money to do the work required. While the grant can not be used to offset our operational budget problems, the grant will help the overall budget by avoiding the expense of additional debt. Our debt to operations ratio will remain low.


Friday, June 12, 2009

And the rainbow appears over the field

And the rainbow appears over the field at the Relay for Life, FHS Track

Franklin 2009 Relay for Life begins

Franklin 2009 Relay for Life begins here at the FHS Track $73 590 raised thus far.

All Tewksbury teachers given pink slips

TEWKSBURY -- Despite passionate pleas from teachers and parents for leniency, the School Committee voted unanimously last night to temporarily roll back the workday -- and thus the salaries -- of all school employees by 10 percent come July 1.

But the committee also left the door open for other suggestions, noting that it could not delay the controversial vote because of a contractual June 15 layoff deadline that the teachers union declined to waive.

"We're not close-minded," Chairman Richard O'Neill said after the vote. "Closing a school is off the table and we're not going to just flat lay off 40 people, but anything else we're willing to entertain."

In the meantime, though, all school employees will receive pink slips. Recall notices with a reduced, 90 percent workload will then follow. Those employees who agree to be rehired will essentially accept a temporary 10 percent pay cut and shorter work week.

Read the full story on the Tewksbury budget problem and how they are attempting to address it in the Lowell Sun here

Hmm, we have cut 28 positions in 2008, 42 positions on 2009, and could go as many as 60 for 2010.


Strawberry Festival - June 19th 1:00 - 6:00 PM

There will be over 30 crafters, artisans, community groups, vendors, free entertainment, music, crafts, balloons, give-aways and, of course, the Downtown Partnership’s Famous Strawberry Shortcakes!

The festival will be held at the parking lot on West Central Street from 1:00- 6:00 p.m. and continue down East Central Street to Summer Street this year.

The rain date will be Saturday, June 20th.



Some of the highlights include Zumba demonstrations by the YMCA, Punk jump rope, and face painting. ArtBeat will offer free balloons and a children’s “Trash to Treasure” art gallery show. Salon Sorella will offer hair braiding and color hair spraying.

According to Mary Graff, the Festival Chair, “This festival has grown over the years and we have great entertainment lined up. There will be something for every age group!” This year there will be live music at three locations including the East Central Street patio at CafĂ© Dolce and the Summer Street Patio. The popular band “Nothing To No One” will perform at the Festival at West Central. “Knuf Said” John Kinney and Jessi Fanuele will be entertaining crowds, as well as “Tunes by Tina” a festival favorite.

Garelick Farms is the Platinum sponsor for this year’s festival.
  • Silver sponsors: Dean College and Franklin Newcomers and Friends
  • Bronze sponsors: Berry Insurance, Comcast, CVS, Chestnut Dental Associates and Keefe Insurance

A grant from the Mass Cultural Council will help fund the entertainment, and “Ever So Humble” will provide the shortcakes this year! “We really could not have the festival without our generous sponsors,” commented Lisa Piana, Executive Director for the Downtown Partnership.

If it rains the Festival will be held on Saturday from 1:00-6:00. The Farmer’s Market will also be held on Friday and the Garden Club will join the market with their plant sale on the town common. There will plenty of parking available at municipal lots and at Dean College Campus Center.

Visitors this year can ride the “Strawberry Express Bus” provided by GATRA. Pick ups will be at the Town Common at High Street and the Dean College Campus Center.

Free Seminar: Saving on the cost of College

Theme: How To Save $42,000 In College Costs Before A Parent Takes Out A Single Loan

June 17 (Wed): Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Seminar presented by Paul Lloyd Hemphill.

Additional info on Paul can be found on his website


I met Paul at the recent United Regional Chamber of Commerce Open House

"Am I concerned? Yes"

Milford Daily News
Posted Jun 12, 2009 @ 12:38 AM

FRANKLIN —

Town Council last night unanimously approved an $88.1 million budget for next fiscal year, which is $500,000 less than the current year's budget.

The only line item that was discussed last night was the Police Department budget, as Councilor Robert Vallee said he was "very concerned for deteriorating salaries" within the department.

He is worried that officers will lose a significant portion of their salary if the state eliminates the Quinn Bill (an educational incentive), and officers have fewer opportunities for detail work.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

You can read the collection of live reports from the same Town Council meeting here


Milford schools consider student uniforms

Should low-rise jeans and spaghetti straps be banned and Milford students be required to all wear khakis and tucked-in polos?

Vice Chairman Jonathan Bruce asked the question under new business at last night's School Committee meeting, sparking what promises to be a hot new debate over a uniform policy for Milford schools.

Milford's dress code, which the committee made stricter two years ago, is "way too open," Bruce said. He asked that Superintendent Robert Tremblay explore the idea of uniforms as a way to make things simpler.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Would Franklin consider uniforms?

Town Council Mtg Smry 06/11/09

This is the collection of live reporting for the Town Council meeting on June 11, 2009

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Live report- closing

No New or Old Business

Councilor Comments

Bartlett - congratulations on the All-Night Party, thanks for the organizing committee for such an excellent job.

Doak - there is not a lot of debate on the budget as there is not a lot of options.

Live reporting - FY 10 Budget

F. HEARINGS – FY 2010 Budget – Public Hearing

One hold on Police Salaries by Vallee
Questioning the overall salaries and the potential decline due to the Quinn Bill issue and details

Chief Williams - We always have a concern with the Officer's salary, without Quinn they could loose 3-7,000 a year. It does concern me. I hope the state government does resolve this.

I am proud of our education record here in the department. We have a number with degrees and those all pay benefits for us. A better educated officer is better for Franklin.

Motion to close the hearing, passed 6-0


J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 09-43: Adoption of FY 2010 Budget

Motion to accept - passed 6-0

Live reporting - Town Council - 6/11/09

Attending: Mason, Vallee, Bartlett, Feeley, Pfeffer, Doak,
Missing: Whalen, McGann, Zollo,


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - none

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS - 16th Annual Relay for Life Friday June 12, 6:00 PM

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none

E. APPOINTMENTS - none

Franklin: nice new landscaping

Developer John Marini has put in some nice new landscaping on the lot where the Zeotrope cinema used to be. Much better than the fence and pile of junk that used to be there.


Town Council Mtg Smry 06/10/09

This is the collection of live reporting for the Town Council meeting including the first of two budget hearings:


"less than 1 percent "

Milford Daily News
Posted Jun 11, 2009 @ 12:20 AM

FRANKLIN —

Town councilors listened to an hour of dismal budget information from the town comptroller and administrator last night in its first public hearing on the fiscal 2010 budget.

Town Council will hold its second public hearing on the budget tonight, and is slated to vote on an $88.1 million budget, as recommended by Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting and the Finance Committee.

An additional $11.4 million is slated for the solid waste, sewer, and water budget, but that isn't included in the town budget as those expenses are covered by self-supporting enterprise funds paid for by user fees, not taxes.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Read the live reporting from the meeting last night here


Town Council - Agenda - 6/11/09

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS – FY 2010 Budget – Public Hearing

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 09-43: Adoption of FY 2010 Budget

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

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Live reporting - Closing comments

Zollo - what is status of the construction at Exit 16?
Cantoreggi - the bids are scheduled for June 26th, the work should start in the Fall.

Pfeffer - commends the DPW for preparing the High School for the graduation


motion to adjourn, passed

Live reporting - FY 10 Budget continued

Nutting - thanks to all the town employees, department heads. They have done a great job. We can see it in the Town Common and the graduation. Thanks to all.

While we are talking about the FY 10 budget, the FY 11 budget is actually worse. The Financial Planning Committee has indicated the problem with their report as well.

Clerk reads the budget.
A copy of the budget can be found on the Town website in the Town Council meeting Agendas with documents

no holds were called - public hearing closed (second hearing is scheduled for Thursday 6/11/09)

Live reporting - School Budget - FY 10

From left to right across the table are School Committee Chair Jeff Roy, Supt Wayne Ogden, Asst Supt Maureen Sabolinski, and Business Manager Miriam Goodman

TC_SchoolLeaders

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Roy: Budget out of balance by 1.5 million with the teachers decision on the deferment pending their vote this Monday June 15th. We have notified the necessary amount to account for all the contingencies.

Sabolinski: very frustrating budget cycle, have been trying to bring the transportation budget in line as a requirement per the Forensic Audit. In addition to teaching positions, there are two administrative positions at the high school, a data analyst at the central office. These positions would not be returned with any additional funds this year. Additional funds would bring teachers back.

The High School has changed their schedule to accommodate reasonable class sizes. The middle school and elementary schools will see larger class sizes.

The PE/Health requirement has been changed at the High School. It has been reduced to once per week to free up time for course classes.

Bartlett: What has happened to the fees?
Sabolinski: right now the fees are the same. We did look at increasing them and decided not to go that way this year.
Roy: we also looked at the potential revenue loss due to the increased fees.

Zollo: What reductions did we have last year? and the year before?
Ogden: Last year 45, of these 43 were teachers, the year before was 28 of which 8 were custodial and 2 were admin.

Whalen:
Ogden: we know of 6 retirements as of now, we suspect there are four more pending with no obligation for them to provide us notification until June 30th. These retirements will help us avoid some other reductions.
Sabolinski:

Whalen: music programs being cut?
Sabolinski: music programs at the middle school are being shared across the three buildings, the high school choral program teacher will not be maintain her position

Whalen: will other after school activities be cut?
Sabolinski: due to the stipend offered to teachers for the after school programs, there will be less offered. The late bus is also not funded next year which would affect participation.

Whalen:
Sabolinski: in K-8 we don't have other areas to cut, we are looking to protect the core requirements of instruction. They have been cutting for the last 3-4 years, they have no further place to make cuts.
Ogden: the perception that athletic programs are not cut is incorrect.

Bartlett: PE/Health will become an elective?
Ogden: no, it will still be required, the frequency of offering will be reduced to once per week.
Sabolinski: there will be an elective offered for other students to take

Zollo: so the retirements don't affect the 14 positions remaining if you have the 700,000 gap to cover?
Ogden: yes, we still have to get to the total salary requirement coverage of the 14 positions.

5 minute recess

Live reporting - FY 10 Budget hearing

Update on current status, the amount not balanced is about 800,000 off and is really only 1% of the total budget.

From left to right Susan Gagner, Jeff Nutting

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11 Town positions lost for FY 2010

An adjustment will be required in the fall for unemployment costs.

Tax levy increased by 2.5%
State revenue has been reduced by 1.5 million (from various sources per the Governor's numbers).
Motor vehicle receipts down driving the total of Local receipts down over 940,000.

Public facilities did increase due to the total number of buildings covered (schools, etc.)

Public Schools are level funded
Regional school has a savings due to a decrease in enrollment and their own budget reduction efforts

Debt did increase, bonding for the Senior Center, Fire truck and a couple of other items drove this increase.

Norfolk County Assessment increased by 180,000

Q&A
Doak - if we have to make additional cuts, can you give any insights as to where they would be coming from?
Nutting - I think they would be split between Town and School. We haven't had that discussion yet. There are really only 5 Town budgets that could absorb any significant amounts. How much more peril do we want to put the Schools in? I'd rather not start making assumptions, it really depends upon what the amount is. If local option tax is coming around, that would be another Council discussion on how it would be used.

Bartlett - when you go to the Capital, are they aware of the impact with layoffs, etc?
Nutting - They know how important Chapter 70 and local aid is to the cities and towns. There is such a budget dilemma, they are trying to weigh all the possibilities. We managed to get co-pay increases this year, will that happen again, can't say.

Live reporting - Action items

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
  1. Resolution 09-40: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 39, Section 23D and Specification of its General Applicability Approved - 7-0
  2. Resolution 09-41: Appropriation – Library Repairs Approved - 7-0
  3. Resolution 09-42: Establishment of Elected Officials’ Salaries- FY 10 Approved - 7-0
  4. Resolution 09-44: Appropriation – Rt. 140/King Street Construction Approved - 7-0
Notes:
#1 - currently, if a member of Conservation Commission, Planning Board, etc. misses a meeting they can not vote on the final approval. This change allows if they miss one meeting to particiapte via the meeting archives records and continue to provide a vote. If they miss more than one meeting this does not apply.

#2 - the net proceeds of the Four Corners sale could be used for any bondable item (building, roads, fire truck, etc.). It can not be used for operational expenses. The net amount from the sale would be 1.5 million, this uses approx 300,000 leaving 1.2 million still in the account to be used for some other bondable uses.

#3 - correction to amounts on pre-release copy. The amounts also include 4 days at the end of fiscal 2010 that are part of the next pay period in FY 2011 for simplicity sake for the payroll process.

#4 - this is using some monies left over from prior work efforts to re-do the corner at King Street and RT 140. The work will improve traffic flow at the corner for Walgreens.

Live reporting - 4th of July

Presentation by Michael Walker Jones, Warren Revell

An update on the fund raising status
Garelick Farms has contributed so that the fireworks will be held this year.
The Lions Club has provided support for the parade to be held on July 5th

The committee has a new website www.july4thfranklinma.com

You can contribute to the 4th of July via the donation form on the web site here

There is a mailing going to all residents asking for contributions to this effort.

The group will be accepting donations year-round to continue to maintain and support the events on the 4th this year and future years.

Live reporting - Town Council - 6/10/09

Attending: Whalen, Mason, Bartlett, Feeley, Pfeffer, Doak, Zollo
Missing: Vallee, McGann


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - none

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS - none

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - Cub Scouts
Citizenship awards presented to several Cub Scouts for showing interest in government by attending the Town Council meeting of 6/10/09

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - None

E. APPOINTMENTS
  • Zoning Board of Appeals - Phil Brunelli, as an associate member - approved 6-0, 1 abstention
  • Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - re-appointment of existing members, one vacancy remains approved 7-0

Town Council - Agenda - 6/10/09

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - Cub Scouts

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
  • Zoning Board of Appeals
  • Municipal Affordable Housing Trust

F. HEARINGS – 7:10 PM - FY 2010 Budget – Public Hearing

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - Franklin 4th of July Committee

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
  1. Resolution 09-40: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 39, Section 23D and Specification of its General Applicability
  2. Resolution 09-41: Appropriation – Library Repairs
  3. Resolution 09-42: Establishment of Elected Officials’ Salaries- FY 10
  4. Resolution 09-44: Appropriation – Rt. 140/King Street Construction


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

Updated to add two items from the revised agenda

Congresman Jim McGovern - local office hours

On Saturday, June 13th, Congressman Jim McGovern will hold local office hours to meet and talk with us at the following places:

  • Medway: Coffee Sensations, 116 Main St, 8:00 - 9:00 AM
  • Franklin: Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St, 9:30 - 10:30 AM
  • Wrentham: Public Safety Bldg, 89 South St, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Plainville: Fire Station, 157 South St, 1:00 - 2:00 PM
  • North Attleborough: Richards Memorial Library, 2:30 - 3:30 PM

This is your chance to talk with Congressman McGovern.

Sign up for his newsletter on his web site here

School Committee Mtg 06/09/09

The collection of live reporting posts from the School Committee meeting on June 9, 2009 can be found here:

Treesavers - Jan Bornstein, book signing



Jan Bornstein will be at Treesavers Books to sign on June 20th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM

For more about Jan's books visit her web site

"There is no new news"

Milford Daily News
Posted Jun 10, 2009 @ 12:21 AM

FRANKLIN —

Town Council will hold back-to-back budget hearings tonight and tomorrow, and will consider a general operating budget that is $500,000 less than last year's budget, said Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.

Nutting will advise the council to pass an $88 million budget, also recommended by the Finance Committee, and make any modifications in a few weeks, when the state is expected to have its final numbers.

He is also recommending the council use the governor's original budget numbers, excluding meals and hotels tax revenue, he said.

The Senate budget gives $875,000 less aid money than town officials were anticipating, though that shortfall is likely to drop, Nutting said.

Read the full article on the scheduled Town Council meeting in the Milford Daily News here

You can find the agenda documents on the Town website here

You should participate at the meeting


"changed her course of study"

Milford Daily News
Posted Jun 10, 2009 @ 12:09 AM

FRANKLIN —

The School Committee last night closed the public hearing on the budget, unanimously voting to adopt a $50.2 million spending plan for fiscal 2010. They will present it to Town Council tonight.

"We continued the hearing in hopes we'd have new news, but we don't," said School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy.

The Franklin Education Association will vote Monday on whether to accept a proposal to defer their wages for one year, which will save the district $800,000 - or 16 teachers' jobs, Roy said.

"Every dollar that comes back in this budget, whatever the source, will go solely to bringing back positions," Roy said.

Read the full article on the School Committee meeting in the Milford Daily News here

You can find all the live reporting posts, including pictures and a copy of the Senior Project presentation, here


Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Live reporting - closing comments

Cafasso - a good first step on the high school (as reported) to get the renovations on the State listing.

Armenio - thank you to the parents on the All Night Party committee, they did a wonderful job.

Sabolinski - the Class of 1959 was a great thing to do, Pandora Carlucci did a nice job welcoming the group. That group was a lot of fun.

Pat Slight- big thank you to all involved! The School Committee doesn't get the recognition that they deserve. It is with great pride to say that I graduated from Franklin High.

Brittany MacLeod - The teachers, even in the hard times, the passion they have, Patrick said a lot of what I would like to say.

Roy - about a half million dollars were given out at the awards night. Ms Ohearn an 8th grade teacher had the students write a letter to themselves that she held and sent to them just before their graduation. The students in some cases had forgetten that they had written the letter.

motion to adjourn

Live reporting - Information items

Ogden - it is unclear whether the modular units will be dismantled at Davis Thayer as planned due to the current financial situation. We are looking to get a final answer because if they are going to be there, we'd like to use them.

We did jump the gun to publish the pay-to-ride letter to the parent to ensure sufficient time.
Apparently the letter did go out without some language to indicate a possible change in the amount due to the budget.

Live reporting - action items

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Malone for future enrichment programs for the ECDC. approved 7-0
b. I recommend the continuation of the School Choice Program for the 2009-2010 School Year. approved 7-0
c. I recommend the request of Corine Minkle to declare damaged and outdated books at Oak Street Elementary School as surplus. approved 7-0
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,000.00 from Natalie Brunelli for the John A. Brunelli Memorial Scholarship at FHS. approved 7-0
e. I recommend adopting the FY10 Budget in the amount of $50,297,820.00. approved 7-0

Added to listing
f. I recommended approval for the FHS Girls Track Team to attend a meet on Sat JUne 13th, 2009 approved 7-0

Live reporting - school choice

Ogden - this is much influx because the budget is so influx. You have a need to vote to continue or not. We may keep the student population we have and not expand it any further.

Kelly - Can you explain how it works?

Ogden - once you vote in the affirmative, we will open up an application on the school website. Once the listing is acquired, we will see how many if any of the students could be accommodated. If there are any, there will be a blind lottery to select from amongst the applications.

About 25% of the existing students are children of school employees

Kelly - I know from conversations with school employees it is a great thing for them to have the kids here where they are working. They understand they may not be able to count on it.

Sabolinski - We'll need to look a couple of years out to see what seats could be made available.

Armenio - where are we on the kindergarten numbers?
Sabolinski - we have been flat
Ogden - I suspect that until you make the final decision on full day kindergarten, we may not see some of those that may be currently slotted with a private full day kindergarten.

Sabolinski - add backs would not change the middle school numbers

Live reporting - FY 2010

No additional news, teachers union has scheduled a vote for June 15th.
We are scheduled to go forward with the public hearing at the Town Council tomorrow night (June 10th)

motion to close the budget hearing
passed 7-0

Live reporting - Elizabeth S Fitzmaurice

Introduction to Elizabeth S Fitzmaurice (Beth)

SchCom_EFitzmaurice

17 years experience in Army Reserve, taught at West Point
Currently working in North Brookfield as Director of Pupil and Academic Services.

philosophy, high expectations for students

Cafasso - what drew you here?
Fitzmaurice - Franklin has a good reputation even in these times of stress

Cafasso - what is your number 1 priority?
Fitzmaurice - I met with Linda today, this is a well run area, I look forward to continuing her work

Live reporting - Senior Project

Sasha Warner, Judy O'Neil (names to be double checked)

survey says
100% of mentors said the project was beneficial to both the students and the teachers



proposal written during May of Junior year by students
21 students were selected
class during 3rd term
projects worked on during the 4th term

The Five P's
  1. Proposal
  2. Paper
  3. Project
  4. Portfolio
  5. Presentation
Brittany MacLeod "The trial and error and realization of how much work is required generated much pride in the final output."

Project requirements
weekly meetings with mentor, time sheets, daily reflection (written), self evaluation, evaluation by site advisor, exhibition of project

unpaid internships, minimum of 60 hours over the period

Brittany "One thing I definitely learned is that everyone in the company counts"

Lindsey Corek - Milford Hosp - nutrition; "counseling with patients... I became comfortable and confident in dealing with people in a confidential manner. This confirmed by passio for nutrition."

Alyssa Breen - Riverside Community Care - developed more of a passion for the mental health field. Offered a position scheduling at the front office for them during the summer."

Allison Negro - Norwood Hosp - "a really good opportunity to understand that this is something I may not really want to do." Heading for Univ of New Haven to study forensics.

Will O'Leary - Canaccord - worked in the Compliance Dept to ensure that the money processed complied with the existing laws and regulations. He thought he was going to have an interest in Finance but he is not so interested in that now. He will be attending Dean College and studying sports management.

Brittany MacLeod - Changed her mind from her original desire to pursue advertising.

All the students would highly recommend this project to incoming seniors.

Pat Slight - Appreciated the chance to get out of the school building and find that there is so much opportunity ahead. This program helped him avoid senioritis. This will really help him drive through college.

Armenio - this is a fabulous program, several of you realized what you don't want to do.

Rohrbach - What if anything would you do to improve this for next year?
Slight - 60 hours wasn't enough time, should increase to 70 next year. It is already in the works.
Negro - Better time management as well as the increase amount of time will avoid some of the problems a few of the students had this year.

Ogden - this project has been in the incubator for a long time, thanks to the faculty for the hours for bringing this to fruition.

Live reporting: New logo awards


c. Strategic Planning Logo Awards
Ella Reed
Ben Fretz
Cam Goldsmith
Brett vanVort
Patrick McClellan Hurd
Jillian McGrath
Madison Wendell
Lyndsey Donahoe
Pooja Agaraal
Michelle Reinertson
Samantha Fitzpatrick
Collin Berg
Ellie Mancin
Erin Lee
Kasey Lynch
Breanna Metras
Caleigh Smith
Emma Campbell
Joe Nevells
Ashley Monterotti
Kevin MacAllister
Nichole Higgins
David Joany
Anna Humphreys
Madison Hinckley
Andrew DeSignore
Jill Downing
Kristen Dumas – final selection
From 250 initial entries, whittled to thirty for the high school students to work with and create 5 logos

and the final logo is shown above

SchCom_FPS_Logo_Awards

Updated - 6/10/09: The listing of names was updated with the help of Rosanne (Gosch) Walsh

Live reporting: FEF Grants

Tim Hurdlebrink and Mike Doherty from the Franklin Education Foundation presented a check of $29,633 to Jeff Roy to cover multiple individual grant awards

SchCom_FEF_Grants


(list of awards to be provided later)

Live reporting: School Committee 6/9/09

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


1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments - None
Review of Agenda - Addition, Director of Special Education introduction; Addition of one action item, Girl's Track Team trip

Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the May 26, 2009 School Committee Meeting. Motion to approve, passed 7-0
Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly Motion to approve, passed 7-0
Payroll Ms. Armenio
FHS Student Representatives

As this is the last meeting Patrick Slight and Brittany MacLeod will be attending as Student Representatives, School Committee Chairperson Jeff Roy and Superintendent Wayne Ogden made the customary gift of books to each of them in appreciation for their work on the Committee.

SchCom_FHS_Representatives

Correspondence
1. Budget to Actual
2. Letter from Margaret Sullivan
3. SC Response to Margaret Sullivan

How would you fill the MBTA's budget hole?

Wouldn't it be cool if we had something like this to play with the budget line items for Franklin?

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

So you think you can budget? Click on the revenue or expense arrows, then on the bottom line and get a sorta spreadsheet that lets you play with detailed views of the T's budget.

Via Nathan Spencer.


Things you can do from here:

Op-Ed: Don't pay more for business as usual

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Read an Op-Ed by Governor Patrick that appeared in today's Boston Globe

Things you can do from here:

Four Corners building

I stopped by the other day to grab some photos as the site prep continues to get ready for the removal of this building. A Walgreens will replace it eventually opening for business in 2010.


Four Corners building, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Franklin: Relay for Life June 12-13

The Relay for Life will be held on the Franklin High School track (Oak Street) beginning Friday evening, June 12th and running through Saturday, June 13th.

Additional info on the relay can be found on the event website here


Franklin_RelaySign, originally uploaded by shersteve.

"It's more than enough people for us to question"

Milford Daily News
Posted Jun 08, 2009 @ 10:24 PM

FRANKLIN —

The 600 residents who got socked with late fees and interest penalties for not paying excise bills they never received do not have to pay those extra costs, Assistant Treasurer/Collector Sandra Fanning said yesterday.

The tax collector will send refunds to those who have already paid the erroneous extra charges, said Fanning.

"We're trying to be as fair as we can," Fanning said.

Those who were billed incorrectly do not need to do anything, she said.

read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

"I don't want to speculate"

Milford Daily News
Posted Jun 08, 2009 @ 10:27 PM

FRANKLIN —

Possibly facing a loss of $900,000 in state aid under the Senate budget, Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting said he is going to make every attempt to keep his promise to unions that volunteered to freeze their wages for year.

"No matter what happens, my goal is not to have those layoffs," Nutting said.

Earlier in the budget season, the Franklin Police Association and Local 1298, which consists of the police and fire dispatchers unions, custodians union, administrative union (clerical), Department of Public Works union, and facilities (tradesmen) union, all voted to take a one-year deferral on their negotiated wage increases to save their colleagues' jobs and help out the town.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


Monday, June 8, 2009

School Committee - Agenda - 6/9/09

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the May 26, 2009 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
Payroll Ms. Armenio
FHS Student Representatives

Correspondence
1. Budget to Actual
2. Letter from Margaret Sullivan
3. SC Response to Margaret Sullivan

2. Guests/Presentations
a. FEF Grant Awards

b. Senior Projects

c. Strategic Planning Logo Awards
Pooja Agaraal
Collin Berg
Erin Lee
Kasey Lynch
Emma Campbell
Dayna Comeau
Branna Metras
Kristen Dumas – final selection


d. RMS “Go Green” Service Learning Project
Laura Chiaravalloti, RMS Teacher
Tim LaRowe
Marcus Giese
Jake Garrity
Claudia Beck
Markus Bohmiller
Brian Morin
Tracy Pisani
Julianne Pisani
Abby Normandin
Justin Means
Angie Canesi
Elisabeth Salamy
Pooja Agarwal
Amanda Lin
Tim Stevens
Carolyn Foley
Jenna Gleason
David Sanches
Christine Harvey
Dan Pisani
Erin Harrington
Christina Mouradian
Erika Kucks


3. Discussion Only Items

FY2010 Budget Hearing – continued

School Choice

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Malone for future enrichment programs for the ECDC.
b. I recommend the continuation of the School Choice Program for the 2009-2010 School Year.
c. I recommend the request of Corine Minkle to declare damaged and outdated books at Oak Street Elementary School as surplus.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,000.00 from Natalie Brunelli for the John A. Brunelli Memorial Scholarship at FHS.
e. I recommend adopting the FY10 Budget in the amount of $50,297,820.00.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
a. Modulars
b. Elizabeth Fitzmaurice – Director of Special Education
c. Pay-To-Ride Program

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. Adjourn

"We're asking for $5 a house"

Milford Daily News
Posted Jun 08, 2009 @ 12:22 AM

The recession is pinching sponsorships and donations for some local Fourth of July and summer celebrations, forcing organizers to scrounge up support elsewhere or trim fireworks and other entertainment.

Still, while budget pressures have caused cancellations elsewhere, the show will go on in most MetroWest and Milford-area towns and cities that host annual Independence Day festivities and summer festivals.

"We're doing the best we can with what we have," said Warren Revell, secretary for Franklin's Fourth of July Committee.

Read the full article on the local Fourth of July fund raising efforts in the Milford Daily News here.


Events in the schools this week

Oak - Oak St. Fun Day 6/9/09 8:45 AM

JFK - Sports Day Gr. K-4 6/9/09 All Day

Oak - Oak St. Fun Day - Rain date 6/10/09 8:45 AM

Keller - 2nd Gr. End of year Performance (Gym) 6/10/09 9:00 AM

HMMS - Talent Show 6/10/09 12 Noon

Jefferson - Field Day Gr. 3-5 6/10/09 AM

Oak - 5th Gr. Talent Show (Mercer Auditorium) 6/11/09 7:00 PM

Keller - 5th Gr. Field Day (upper field) 6/11/09 8:30-11 AM

JFK - 5th Gr. Day (Assorted Activities) 6/11/09 All day

Jefferson - Field Day Gr. K-2 6/11/09 AM

ASMS - Talent Show 6/12/09 7:30 AM

JFK - All Star Reading Assembly 6/12/09 1:45 PM

Check each school website for additional information on these events

United Regional Chamber of Commerce - Open House



The United Regional Chamber of Commerce will host a Meet the Staff Open House on Monday, June 8 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Held at 3 Restaurant, 461 West Central St. in Franklin, the event will give business professionals an opportunity to learn about the only Chamber that has offices in Franklin, North Attleborough and Attleboro.

Find out about upcoming events, meet other Chamber members, and learn how the Chamber can help grow your business.

Admission is free, but reservations are required.

Please call any of The United Regional Chamber of Commerce offices to register: 508-528-2800, 508-222-0801, or 508-695-6011.


The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, business support organization serving the communities of Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone, Foxborough, Franklin, Mansfield, Medway, Medfield, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Wrentham.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Hey you can see the house now that the trees are gone!

The construction at the Four Corners building is underway. Eventually, a Walgreens will operate from this location.

I'll try to report key milestones here from time to time as the work progresses.

"mandatory arbitration that would bind municipalities"

GHS
Posted Jun 07, 2009 @ 12:13 AM

Embedded in the state Senate's budget, an insurance proposal is presenting a not-so-veiled ultimatum to municipalities: Curb your health care costs or else.

Essentially, the provision would force municipalities to reduce their health care costs to meet a state standard, lest they face an outside arbitrator coming in and settling matters with unions - to say nothing of the possible gouges to local aid.

The proposal is in Senate conference committee right now and could be tweaked, rejected, or given the go-ahead within the next month.

...

"We're very worried," said Jeff Nutting, Franklin Town Administrator and president of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. "It's a huge step backward in the worst economy of our life."
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

"some of the best habitats are already occupied"

GHS
Posted Jun 07, 2009 @ 12:17 AM

Last month, a breached beaver dam flooded Bob Szymanski's property in Milford. Several months before, it was a very intact one in Holliston that swelled the Hopping Brook so it nearly washed over a small bridge.

Beaver habitats routinely clash with those of humans in metro Boston. Other recent reports come from Westborough, Concord, Bolton and Andover, where a hasty dam breaching flooded a charity golf event.

The issue of beaver management isn't purely academic. Untimely dams can flood houses, or muck up sewer systems and roads - costly problems to repair. In Westborough, the town set aside $5,000 in this year's budget just to deal with beavers.

Beavers' ecological benefits are also substantial, as beavers, North America's largest native rodents, create wetlands that nurture other wildlife, control flooding and purify water.

Read the full article on the beaver dams in the Milford Daily News here

This is news of interest to Franklin. The condition of the dams on the DelCarte land was the subject of some discussion during the May 6th Town Council meeting. The 8-1 vote approved spending some money to get engineering estimates on how to correct the dams. A breech in one of the dams could result in down stream flooding. The estimates of damage were hard to quantify.