"Unprecedented changes in all aspects of society will be required to avoid the worst effects of climate change"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Massachusetts is trending toward its long-term greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, but the effort to reduce global emissions is failing, according to a new United Nations report.

“The summary findings are bleak,” the UN reported in the 10th edition of its emissions gap report. “Countries collectively failed to stop the growth in global GHG emissions, meaning that deeper and faster cuts are now required.”

The report, prepared by scientists who assessed “all available information,” concluded that greenhouse gas emissions have risen at a rate of 1.5% per year in the last decade, and total greenhouse gas emissions reached a record high in 2018. Emissions from energy use and industry grew 2% in 2018.

The UN said there’s a growing political focus on “the climate crisis” in several countries, driven in part by protests, and that “technologies for rapid and cost-effective emission reductions have improved significantly.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191201/un-reports-bleak-findings-on-global-greenhouse-gas-emissions

"The annual Sustainable Development Goals Report provides an overview of the world’s implementation efforts to date, highlighting areas of progress and areas where more action needs to be taken to ensure no one is left behind.

Four years since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, the 2019 Report notes progress in some areas, such as on extreme poverty reduction, widespread immunization, decrease in child mortality rates and increase in people’s access to electricity, but warns that global response has not been ambitious enough, leaving the most vulnerable people and countries to suffer the most."

From the UN page on the SDG Report 2019 
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/progress-report/

The report itself can be found in sections or downloaded as a PDF from here
https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2019/

"Unprecedented changes in all aspects of society will be required to avoid the worst effects of climate change"

School Committee Actions Taken/Superintendent's Report from meeting held 11/26/19

School Committee Actions Taken 11/26/19

From the School Committee "Actions Taken" document we share:

The Chair announced subcommittee/liaison assignments as follows:

• Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation – Anne Bergen (chair), Elise Stokes, Jennifer D’Angelo 
• Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis – Elise Stokes (chair), Judith Pond-Pfeffer, MJ Scofield
• Budget – Anne Bergen (chair), Tim Keenan, Denise Spencer
• Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy – Denise Spencer (chair), Judith Pond-Pfeffer, Anne Bergen
• Policy – MJ Scofield (chair), Elise Stokes, Denise Spencer
• Transportation – Tim Keenan
• Joint PCC – Judith Pond-Pfeffer (Anne Bergen –alternate)
• Substance Abuse Task Force – Anne Bergen (Jennifer D’Angelo –alternate)
• School Wellness Advisory Council – Denise Spencer, Elise Stokes

The full doc can be found here
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/news/scagenda_11-26-19_actions_taken.pdf

Superintendent’s Report to School Committee

The full contents of the Superintendents Report can be found
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/superintendents_report_to_school_committee_novmeber_26_2019.pdf

School Committee Actions Taken/Superintendent's Report from meeting held 11/26/19

Note: I was out of town and missed this meeting. Will try and catch up to it when the video replay is available.

Who’s reporting robocalls?

Who's reporting robocalls? by Paul Witt, Lead Data Analyst, Division of Consumer Response & Operations Have you ever reported an unwanted call to the FTC, whether it's a robocall (where you hear a recorded message) or call from a live person? If so, thank you.  Reporting, I'm sorry to say, won't end these annoying calls, but it helps the FTC and other law enforcement agencies investigate and bring cases against scammers and businesses that aren't following the law. In fact, the FTC's recent actions against robocallers show what your report can do.  Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/07/whos-reporting-robocalls?utm_source=govdelivery  This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

---

Live Reporting: Town Council - March 20, 2019

Present: Hamblen, Casey, Dellorco, Kelly, Padula, Earls
Absent: Mercer, Pellegri

Agenda Item	Summary
Town Council Meeting Agenda	Meeting of March 20, 2019
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS	a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
2. CITIZENS COMMENTS	a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda.  The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES	None
4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS	None
5. APPOINTMENTS	None
6. HEARINGS	None
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS	None

Citizen comments - 

Alan Earls

Charles River Meadowlands Initiative - better access to the area, Apr 11 input schedule to review findings - location at King St Fire Station 

6:30 PM 

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
8a. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS	a. Auditors- Independent Auditors Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2018

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/franklin_ma_sa18_final_1.pdf

Zack Bentros, Auditor
Chris and Kerry

page 1 (after table of contents)
clean opinion, best opinion

narrative summary, page 14 state of net position
library project as completed moved from a project to an asset accounted for as depreciation

Norfolk Retirement changed assumption rate
increase in liability offset by an increase in investment revenue
$4.4M decrease in liability

Net OPEB liability
big change for town and all communities
change in accounting statements reflected in the changes here
full liability required to be presented in full, as opposed to spread of 30 years
users of statements won't be shocked by the change

P 16
$1.3M current taxes or liened, good job on tax collections
$11.9M an increase over the prior year; starting point of DOR amount of free cash
a little over 10%, and an increase over the prior year, favorable

P  20
highlights the unassigned fund balances
$1.9M more revenue than expected
$1.3M less expenses than budget

used $2.2M in free cash but then gave back more than used

amount set aside for OPEB is about average for other communities

the Town is in a very strong financial position, there are no items in a management letter to be addressed, only about 20% of the communities don't get a letter

thanks to Kerri and Chris, Audit is a cumbersome process and they did very well

School; Committee - partial recap - Dec 11, 2018

I reported on the School Committee meeting Tuesday evening for about 45 minutes before tuning out to conduct a meeting for work. 

The agenda was posted here
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/agenda/school-committee-meeting-agenda-12112018

The Superintendent's report is posted online
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/superintendents_report_to_school_committee_december_11_2018.pdf

The presentation document used for the Report Card discussion
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/report_cards_presentation_to_the_franklin_school_committee.pdf

Report Card Presentation - Dec 11, 2018 from Franklin Matters

Other documents released for the meeting can be found in the meeting packet folder
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/december-11-2018-school-committee-packet-documents


My notes from the meeting were recorded via Twitter:

Reporting remotely - #SchComm1211 Superintendent Ahern and Dr Edwards presenting on report cards pic.twitter.com/IyqkMh0ZWN

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) December 12, 2018

Remotely reporting: #SchComm1211 ECDC is covered with a report to parents on trimester pic.twitter.com/kB1ccW1OLO

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) December 12, 2018

Remotely reporting: #SchComm1211 standards based report cards used for elementary schools pic.twitter.com/lJSgae619D

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) December 12, 2018

Remotely reporting - #SchComm1211 questions on the letter grading, what does the P, M, N really mean when they are given pic.twitter.com/nJLtrYxxyh

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) December 12, 2018

Remotely reporting- #SchComm1211 one of the hidden expenses is translation of the materials going home; report cards and notices, etc. pic.twitter.com/n5bHhKN0M5

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) December 12, 2018

Remotely reporting - #SchComm1211 - other items covered by report cards and the process to ensure consistency across the District pic.twitter.com/w8EhGXd6pX

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) December 12, 2018

Remotely reporting - #SchComm1211 - middle schools get reports at same time but Maybe different from elementary schools pic.twitter.com/2pzRgMC4p6

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) December 12, 2018

Remotely reporting - #SchComm1211 - factoring a zero with a value of 50 created a pause and question for discussion pic.twitter.com/piBvN47O3f

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) December 12, 2018

Remotely reporting coming to end as I have a work meeting to conduct. Tune in to cable or via the live web feed to continue the meeting #SchComm1211

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) December 12, 2018

School; Committee - partial recap - Dec 11, 2018

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Dec 11, 2018

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

A G E N D A

“The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.”

1. Routine Business
a. Review of Agenda
b. Citizen’s Comments

i. In the spirit of open communication, “the School Committee will hear public comment not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee Meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment” – from Policy BEDH

c. FHS Student Representative Comments
d. Superintendent’s Report

2. Guests / Presentations
a. Report Cards – Dr. Sara Ahern and Dr. Joyce Edwards

3. Discussion / Action Items
none

4. Discussion Only Items
a. BICO FY18 Annual Report

5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Budget; Community Relations; Policy; Transportation; Public Schools Advocacy; Ad Hoc Superintendent’s
Evaluation)
b. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC; Substance Abuse Task Force; School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC]; School Start Times Advisory
Committee [SSTAC], MASC)

6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items

7. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your November 27, 2018 School Committee Meeting.
b. Chamber Chorus Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Olivia Goliger for the recurring trip to Providence College on February 1, 2019 to participate in an invitational HS Choral Festival as detailed.
c. Boys Ice Hockey Team Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Chris Spillane to take the Boys Ice Hockey Team to Barnstable, MA from February 21 – 22, 2019 for a Hockey Tournament as detailed.
d. Parmenter Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $900.00 from the Parmenter PCC for field trips as detailed.
e. JF Kennedy Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $675.00 from the JFK PCC for field trips as detailed.

8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll Mrs. Douglas

10. Correspondence 
– Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

11. Executive Session
a. Strategy with respect to collective bargaining

12. Adjournment

The agenda for the Dec 11 meeting
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/agendas/scagenda_12-11-18.pdf

Documents released for the Dec 11 meeting
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/december-11-2018-school-committee-packet-documents

a view of FHS

Recommended Reading: Climate Change Report

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"A massive new federal report warns that extreme weather disasters, like California’s wildfires and this year’s hurricanes, are worsening in the United States. 

The White House report quietly issued Friday also frequently contradicts President Donald Trump. 

The National Climate Assessment was written long before the California fires and the hurricanes. It warns of more, stronger and longer disasters triggered at least in part by global warming. 

Report co-author Katharine Hayhoe says it shows the dangerous weather that scientists said will happen in the United States is already happening."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20181123/government-climate-report-warns-of-worsening-us-disasters

For the full report  https://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report

"Heat waves, heavy downpours, and sea level rise pose growing challenges to many aspects of life in the Northeast. Infrastructure, agriculture, fisheries, and ecosystems will be increasingly compromised. Many states and cities are beginning to incorporate climate change into their planning. 

Explore how climate change is affecting the Northeast.

Key Message 1: Climate Risks to People
Heat waves, coastal flooding, and river flooding will pose a growing challenge to the region’s environmental, social, and economic systems. This will increase the vulnerability of the region’s residents, especially its most disadvantaged populations. 

Key Message 2: Stressed Infrastructure
Infrastructure will be increasingly compromised by climate-related hazards, including sea level rise, coastal flooding, and intense precipitation events. 

Key Message 3: Agricultural and Ecosystem Impacts
Agriculture, fisheries, and ecosystems will be increasingly compromised over the next century by climate change impacts. Farmers can explore new crop options, but these adaptations are not cost- or risk-free. Moreover, adaptive capacity, which varies throughout the region, could be overwhelmed by a changing climate. 

Key Message 4: Planning and Adaptation
While a majority of states and a rapidly growing number of municipalities have begun to incorporate the risk of climate change into their planning activities, implementation of adaptation measures is still at early stages."

Read the Northeast section here
https://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/regions/northeast

Recommended Reading: Climate Change Report

"Students get targeted support in areas where they struggle"

"Calling for a personalized, student-centered approach to reforms, state education leaders gathered Thursday to mark the release of an annual report on the state of education in Massachusetts. 

"Unless we change the rules of operations in our state and give more schools the types of freedoms we allow charters, we will not see that type of personalization, and we will see a continuation of a top-down approach," said Board of Higher Education Chairman Chris Gabrieli, who advocated for empowering individual schools to lead the way on reforms.

A crowd of approximately 300 filled the ballroom at the Omni Parker House Hotel, where the Boston-based Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy released its annual "Condition of Education in the Commonwealth Report." While Massachusetts is a national leader in education, there are still deficiencies in the system that need to be addressed, Rennie Center Executive Director Chad d'Entremont said. 

"Even as a leader, if we stand pat, we will fall behind," d'Entremont said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170119/education-leaders-call-for-student-centered-reforms

Download the full PDF for the Rennie Center report
http://www.renniecenter.org/sites/default/files/2017-01/ConditionOfEducation%202017%20ActionGuide.pdf

screen grab of Rennie Center data dashboard

Unrepaired Gas Leaks in Franklin

Each year consumers spend billions on thousands of natural gas leaks. Currently Franklin has 41 unrepaired gas leaks dating back to 2009. This is not only a financial issue for consumers but it is also a safety and environmental issue. I've provided two links concerning gas leaks. Please consider publishing this in Franklin Matters. 

Thank you, 

Jim Hill

#1

City Maps of Gas Leaks | HEET

this is a screen capture of  the interactive webpage marking known gas leaks for Franklin, MA

#2

America Pays for Gas Leaks: Natural Gas Pipeline Leaks Cost Consumers Billions
A report prepared for Sen. Edward J. Markey; Released: August 1, 2013

http://www.markey.senate.gov/documents/markey_lost_gas_report.pdf

Or read the embedded document here:

"the state recommends “common sense” to minimize exposure"

While the decision to continue to build a new turf field at the high school won't be changed, the New England Center for Investigative Reporting is looking into the safety issue.

Via @HuffPostPol: The movement against #syntheticturf is growing http://t.co/1PgScDgsET @SHPFC @FranklinMatters @jeffroy @KarenSpilka

— Turf Grass Forum (@turfgrassforum) May 10, 2015

Part of the article published at Huffinton Post:

As opposition mounts, some consider the fields a solid waste problem, and question what towns would do with the thousands of pounds of crushed tires if the issue reaches a tipping point. The momentum of concern has pushed the California legislature to consider legislation prohibiting the use of state funds to build new fields with recycled tires and that would require towns and cities to examine cleaner alternatives before launching a new project. The Los Angeles Unified School District and the New York City Parks Departments already have stopped construction of new fields with crumb rubber following past concern about lead content. 

Artificial turf advocates say there are multiple studies that show fields are safe, while critics argue that there are no conclusive tests to prove such claims and that waiting for definitive evidence of a health hazard leaves children unprotected. 

More than 300 such fields have been built in Massachusetts during the past decade and they are becoming a coveted sports alternative for student athletes in towns from Boston to Attleboro, New Bedford to Springfield, according to a survey of field construction companies carried out by the New England Center for Investigative Reporting. Athletes who play on the fields are well acquainted with the black pellets – a spray of which is often kicked up by bouncing balls and running children, and gets into cleats and tracked into homes and mixed with laundry after practice.

FHS girls soccer team kicks off a home game on the turf field at FHS in October

Continue reading the full article here
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/09/toxic-turf_n_7218728.html?ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000016

For more information about the New England Center for Investigative Reporting, you can visit their webpage here  http://necir.org/

The MA Dept of Health letter on the topic can be found here
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2071976-dphturf.html




Updated: from the Sun Chronicle
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/local-officials-confident-turf-fields-are-safe/article_6348fdfa-f6c4-11e4-8774-9fe08004b4cf.html

Report card changes coming to elementary schools

Report card changes that were supposed to implemented this school year have been moved out to next year. So parents should be aware that the report card format currently used does not align with the standards being taught in the classrooms. Parents should participate in one of the forums being scheduled to review the proposed changes to the report card.




Parent Meeting Schedule
Oak and Kennedy = Jan 22, 6:30 PM (at Oak St Library)
Keller and Davis Thayer = Jan 30, 6:30 PM (at Keller Library)
Jefferson and Parmenter = Feb 6, 6:30 PM (at Parmenter Library)
Weather date (if needed) = Feb 12, 6:30 PM (TBD)


The letter to the parents was posted to the Franklin Schools webpage here
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_News/01C5CCDE-000F8513

Franklin Library: 2013 Annual Report

The Franklin Public Library entry for the 2013 Annual Report has already been posted to the Library webpage.

You may recall that the Annual Report is produced each year and generally available for the election in November. As a cost reduction, fewer paper versions have been printed and more 'soft copies' via the web have been made available. The Annual Report for 2013 covers all business during the fiscal year for 2013 which began on July 1, 2012 and ended on June 30, 2013.

Rather than waiting for the release of the full Annual Report, you can read the section on the Library here:






This was posted to the Franklin Library webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Library/2013Annual%20Report.pdf

Rep Roy: State House Report

Hi Franklin Matters, Steve Sherlock thought you'd be interested in this: http://us6.forward-to-friend2.com/forward/show?u=a03272e278ec395d5f164106a&id=2259d7813e Did you find the link interesting? You can forward it on to your friends, too: http://us6.forward-to-friend2.com/forward?u=a03272e278ec395d5f164106a&id=2259d7813e You can subscribe for more emails at: http://jeffreyroy.us6.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=a03272e278ec395d5f164106a&id=43d5611856 * Note: if any of the URLs above are not clickable, you can copy/paste them into your web browser.

Franklin Police: Crash Reports Online

The Franklin Police Department is pleased to announce that we have partnered with Police Reports.US to provide a service that allows our crash reports to be purchased on line.  PoliceReports.US is now the industry leader in Massachusetts for on line accident report distribution.

All parties benefit when a police department puts their crash reports online with Police Reports.US:

• It reduces the cost to the insurance company who wants to process the claim faster
• Citizens have the convenience of access to reports 24/7 and no longer need to drive to the Police Department for a copy of the report
  

Citizens can purchase reports using a credit card at:
http://franklinma.policereports.us/ 

Reports are available for crashes from January 1, 2012 to present date.  Any reports older than January 1, 2012 must be requested at the police station.



Additional information can be found on the Franklin Police page
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Police/index

Franklin, MA: MCAS 2010 - presentation document

Take a few minutes this morning to preview the presentation on the MCAS results for the Franklin School District. This presentation is scheduled for discussion at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010.

I am looking forward to the discussion, I like the layout of the data. It covers the major points on how we are doing and provides comparisons to the DESE districts most like us as well as to the Hockomock League schools.

2010 MCAS Results for Franklin, MA

View more presentations from Franklin Matters.

What questions about this data would you ask on Tuesday night?

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.

Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: summer reading

Looking for some summer reading?
Something more than a paperback novel or a magazine from the grocery store check out line?


Try the Financial Audit Reports for 2008 and 2009. You can obtain both reports from the town website here:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Admin/Audits/


If you find a term you are not familiar with, look it up with your favorite search engine. The results should include one or two dictionary references, an entry for wikipedia and perhaps some professional references including higher education institutions.


By the time you finish reading and studying, the summer will be over!


Enjoy!






By the way - if you are interested in the Town budget documents, you can find the prior years here:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Admin/previous

You can find the current Fiscal Year 2011 budget here:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Admin/FY%2011%20Budget/



Franklin, MA

Franklin, Medway - Library opportunities

A very good read on the opportunity to further combine the operations of the Franklin and Medway Libraries.

Franklin Medway Library Report - 5/04/10

"It's often very hard to find information like that"

Hoping to inform and encourage awareness among Massachusetts residents, a nonpartisan research group has launched a Web site where people can click around and see specific line items in the state budget, track overall spending and gather other related information.

"The idea is to improve transparency so that anyone in the state can see clearly what we're doing through government," said Noah Berger, executive director of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center.

Visitors to browser.massbudget.org can study how much money lawmakers have decided to spend on roads, bridges, education, public safety and other areas of government over the past 10 years.

"People really should have the ability to see how much is being spent on each of those things and be involved in debates about the quality of services that they want and that they're getting in their communities," Berger said

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Gee, wouldn't it be nice to be able to do this with the Franklin budget? The Financial Planning Committee report provides the numbers and trends on some specific areas. You can view the report here.


Franklin, MA

Parmenter School notice on half days this week

Parmenter School notice on half days this week reports cards come out Tuesday, originally uploaded by shersteve.

I believe report cards come out Tuesday.

The elementary schools will have half-days to provide time for parent conferences on the Thursday (3/19) and Friday (3/20).

Fire Dept - Reports

In addition to the statistics provided in the 2008 Annual Report, the Fire Department publishes their performance statistics monthly to their section of the Town web site.

You can find the Fire Department page here

You can find the report section here

You can find the monthly response statistics here




If you have not picked up your hard copy of the report at Town Hall, you can try to view it online here: http://www.town.franklin.ma.us/pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/2008arpt.pdf

Coverage of the Fire Department begins on Page 82.