"favorable to other available options"

The charter school on Main Street has finalized plans to construct a new building with some of the land it owns on Washington Street, part of a $22 million expansion that will see its enrollment double over the next decade. 

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School (BFCCPS) is looking to hire an architect to design the new 90,000 square-foot school, including recreation fields, said Donald Tappin, president of the school’s 10-member Board of Trustees. 

“Much of this work will take place over the summer,” he said in a blog post last week. “Our timeline remains aggressive but we currently expect that we will be able to welcome students into BFCCPS’s new facility in September of 2017.” 

The school owns three parcels off Washington Street – a total of about 8 acres. All together, the land is worth more than $600,000, according to the Franklin assessor’s database.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150610/NEWS/150619652/1994/NEWS

Related post:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/06/bfccps-expansion-update.html

Live reporting: Action Items to Closing

4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the request for ASMS 8th graders to travel to Pawtucket, RI to see a PawSox game on June 10, 2015 as detailed.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0

b. I recommend acceptance of a check for 287.66 from O’Connor Studios for supplemental supplies at Davis Thayer Elementary School.motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0

c. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $2.500.00 for FHS Scholarships:
1. Whitson’s Food Service $1,500.00
2. Steven M. Coppola $1,000.00motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0

d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,200.00 from the Oak St. PCC for Supplemental Curriculum Materials.motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0


added approval of Girls Track team to Saco, ME
motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0


5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
congratulations to the 4x 800 for winning the State and now going to the New England meet

congratulations

acknowledge the number of people who made graduation and the All Night Party successful; thanks to all (long listing of groups, folks)

Pandora and Patty Clay for working with the Class of 1965 for their inclusion in the evening

Trahan - graduation never gets old (like the Globe article), all a fabulous job

Sabolinski
debriefed today and already started planning for next year
for some it may be the only graduation they attend



School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
none

School Committee Liaison Reports
none

Harlem Wizards coming in Novmeber

motion to go into executive session

Live reporting: Team Horace Mann Middle School

c. Horace Mann Update – Shawn Fortin, Kaitlyn Demers

HMMS STEM Presentation 6/09/15 from Franklin Matters

(note the slide set needs to be updated as it doesn't include all the photos from the trips)

STEM is not putting students in front of computers

we do love technology, but we do not loose the 'forest for the trees'

challenged the Science Dept to create three small field trips

actually did 5 with a couple of more coming before the year end

several small field trip - single class

secret is to get students excited about science

nurture STEM, provide opportunities that could not be achieved in the classroom

Museum of Science brought a program on heat to the classroom

MIT, actually at Mass General Hospital - beefed up the background on genetics before the trip, looking for signs of life

Mystic Aquarium - biology focused

Harvard Museum of Natural History

Signal Rock Farm - sheep farm, further into genetics

trips were made based upon the interests of the children

kids made the choice

used a simplified application process

the students took turns explaining what they learned from each of the trips

one of the activities was to dissect a squid at Mystic

O'Malley - 

outstanding student presenters, not easy to sit and present to the School Committee

a science trip is important, we live in a culturally diverse area and it is easy to do and well worth it, connecting the schools and community. I also believe in bringing the experts into the school house

Jewell - 

applaud the kids for the presentation, it was great

my father had raised sheep and breed one of his own

DNA is on file for each soldier to help with their identification

it is exciting for you to see that

• heard about Dr Carr via the network and worked to make the connection
• Mystic Aquarium is a convenient and good location with manageable traffic
• Museum of Science, if they could do what they do at the museum, here, it would be worthwhile; did provide some pre-planning to ensure a good fit and interaction
• a lot of it was trial, if it works, we'll do it again

Live reporting: ECDC update

2. Guests/Presentations

b. ECDC Update – Kelty Kelley

ECDC Strengthening Community Improving Quality 2015 from Franklin Matters

historically had two start times but needed to change to one start time

now really one school

pilot program last summer expanded this summer

families looking for longer school days, school has been meeting the needs by expanding

worked on curriculum last summer to synchronize the themes across the program, working on a common vocabulary to help all involved talk with the same words

"Big Idea" - posted at the beginning of each unit to help center the idea and activities

Open House to showcase the learning and engage the parents

created a passport to get checked off for each activity in each classroom, a change from the prior open house where the parents would go to the one classroom, visit and leave for the night

literacy tied in to the lessons

problem solving, how to fit ten apples on top, an engineering challenge

art theme, inspired by Eric Carle

increasing communications and connections, via email, also started a blog

You can find the Principal's Page here http://ecdcprincipalpage.blogspot.com/

(It is also found on the right column of the Franklin Matters home page where the Franklin Area blogs are located)

parent workshop to help them engage their children with STEM learning (a good way is by cooking)

a networking group for parents of children with special needs that don't already have an IEP

looking to make a long term partnership with the Franklin Public Schools, working with a collaborative advocate

working to include the children from sub-separate classrooms to spend time with regular classrooms, part of the long term transition

worked to streamline the registration process, eliminate one step in the process (already registered with the district for proof of residence)

special transition program with each of the receiving schools, enabling connections and meetings

the children makes the connections easily, facilitated the parent connections

Rohrbach

nice work, did well unifying the school

Mullen

some were fairly simple things and I don't mean to minimize it, do the foundational things and it helps

enrollment is currently above 160 children

Live reporting: School Committee - June 9, 2015

Present: Douglas, O'Malley, Rohrbach, Mullen, Trahan, Jewell
Absent: Clement


1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
one action item to be added

Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the May 26, 2015 School Committee Meeting.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0

Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
motion to pay the bills, seconded, passed 6-0

Payroll Mrs. Douglas

FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations:
a. Retirees

(photos, names to be added later)

Community Coalition on Opiate Addiction to meet June 30

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Jeffrey Roy

Community Coalition preliminary meeting

A few weeks ago, the Franklin Town Council hosted a thoughtful discussion on the opioid epidemic. While I was pleased to be a part of that discussion, it was unsettling to see the damage that is wreaking havoc on people and their families; those who struggle daily with the disease of addiction.

No community is immune from this crisis, but there are multi-faceted ways to address it. The Legislature has taken a number of steps through laws and budget appropriations to get in front of the problem. And it has been supportive of efforts to establish community coalitions to confront opioid abuse. Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey has taken the lead in establishing coalitions throughout Norfolk County and he is happy to add Franklin to the list.

Plans for a Franklin Coalition are well under way and we will meet for the first time on Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at 7 p.m. in the Franklin High School Auditorium. At the first meeting, we will have an opportunity to discuss the mission and objectives of the coalition, hear from Community Coalition members from other towns, and hear from some experts in the field about how to address the opioid epidemic which is plaguing Massachusetts communities. We will also have a chance to talk about what we would like to see in Franklin.

On June 3, in preparation for our first coalition meeting, we met with Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey and his Coalition Leaders in Canton (see photo above). Jenn Rowe and Ryan Walker from his office have been spearheading this effort for Norfolk County. Franklin Town Councilor Robert Dellorco, Franklin Detective John Ryan, student Ben Waters, counselor Jennifer Knight, and legislative aide Chris Yancich joined us for this briefing and discussion on the ways that we can combat the opioid epidemic in our community. The information will prove helpful in the formation of our community coalition.

In preparation for our first coalition meeting, please watch the Franklin Town Council meeting from May 20, 2015. You can view it by clicking here. You can also view the Milford Daily News report on the meeting by clicking here. In addition, you are urged to read the the Massachusetts Health Council's report entitled Local Approaches to the Opioid Overdose Epidemic:How Massachusetts Communities Are Responding Today. You can view that report by clicking here.

Finally, you are urged to view Dr. Anne Bergen's TV show "It Takes a Village" on Franklin.TV where the topic is discussed. I was honored to join the Police Chief, Town Administrator, and Superintendent of Schools on that show to discuss the opiate problem. It was a fascinating discussion as we explored the things that are happening at the state and local level to improve and save lives tarnished by addiction. To see when the show will be aired, click here for Franklin.TV's directory. You can also find the Milford Daily News report on the show by clicking here.

If you know anyone who is interested in being a part of the coalition, tell them they can sign up to be on the email distribution list by clicking here. And you should feel free to forward this email to your friends and colleagues and urge them to sign up for this effort.

It will take a team effort to take on this epidemic, but together we can save lives and heal fractured families. I look forward to working with you.

#ShopFranklin: Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits

Via Kiernan Reed:

For this week’s ‪#‎ShopFranklin‬ Spotlight, I sat down with Ann Williams of Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits! 

Since opening Pour Richard’s in 2012, Ann and her partner, John Wass, have been helping the Franklin area to “never drink ordinary.” The store’s slogan is a direct reference to what Ann calls the “community of extraordinary people” that shop at Pour Richard’s; “we don’t think our customers are ordinary,” says Ann.Pour Richard’s grew out of Ann’s 22 years in the wine import and distribution business, and John’s appreciation of wine.

Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits

The concept for Pour Richard’s stemmed from Ann’s conversations with colleagues in the wine business; according to Ann, “wherever any of us worked, there were the wines that the staff loved, and then there were other things that we had to sell in order to keep our jobs, and they were mostly never the same thing.” At Pour Richard’s, Ann and John can now sell those wines that everyone loved, and they focus on small, independent, often family-owned producers who grow organically whenever possible. 

These wines are often higher quality than major brand names, and they can also be less expensive than what you’d find in a typical liquor store. Not just a place for wine, Pour Richard’s also presents a well-edited selection of beer, cider, and spirits. “Too much choice is just as crippling as not enough,” Ann says, and that philosophy of careful selection applies to everything Pour Richard’s sells. 

Personal assistance is the cornerstone of Pour Richard’s business model, and as you can imagine, tasting is a major part of that. Having a variety of stock open for tasting every day not only helps Pour Richard’s customers to figure out their own tastes, but also helps Ann and John decide what else to recommend. One of Ann’s biggest joys in this business is helping a customer expand his or her palate; Ann says it’s not uncommon for someone to come in and tell her that they don’t like wine because it’s sour. Ann will start them off with sweeter wines such as Moscato and Riesling, then have them try a drier Riesling, “and pretty soon they’re drinking Sauvignon Blanc.” 

Once you’re a regular at Pour Richard’s, don’t be surprised if Ann or John catches you when you walk in and tells you they just got something brand new that they’re sure you’ll love. Even the customers get into the action; when the store is busy, Ann and John often find that customers end up talking to each other, sharing information, and even “selling each other things,” as a direct result of the store’s open feel and layout. 

Pour Richard’s also regularly hosts community events and fundraisers. Events range from monthly education and tasting classes, to quarterly craft beer extravaganzas focusing on seasonal brews, to the Pennywise sale. Before a Pennywise, Ann and John contact their distributors to find out if they have any wines they forgot to sell this year (which sounds funny to those of us not in the business, but Ann assures me it happens all the time!). 

Distributors pour samples at the event, and whatever you taste and love, you can order in any quantity and pick it up at Pour Richard’s a couple of days later. The store also hosts community fundraisers such as Drink Pink for the Cure, which focuses on rosé wine and donates all ticket sales to the American Cancer Society. Pour Richard’s also donates a portion of sales to the ACS. “It’s a way of contributing to our community and showing our customers that we care about what they care about,” Ann says. 

Ann and John chose Franklin as the ideal spot for their store based on the town’s demographics and its easy access to highways. Ann “feels like a Franklin native” because of her daughter’s attendance at Franklin schools and her involvement with the Franklin School for the Performing Arts, and as a business owner, she’s found Franklin to be a great town with a friendly business community. 

To connect their store even more to the Town of Franklin, Ann and John named Pour Richard’s after Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanack; the Pour Richard’s logo even features Ben’s famous spectacles. Ann manages all of the social media marketing for the store herself and tells me that “we’ve placed one [print] ad in the entire time we’ve been in business.” The social media push is working, and Pour Richard’s is starting to pull in customers from all over the area to join that “community of extraordinary people.” 

Check out Pour Richard's on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pour-Richards-Wine-Spirits/289432037843639 or on the web at   https://pourrichardswine.com/

This was shared from the posting on #ShopFranklin and Living in Franklin

FHS baseball wins to advance

The FHS baseball team continues its payoff run with a win over Brookline. The girls tennis team dropped their match to #2 Sharon to end their playoff run. The results are provided via Hockomock Sports.

FHS Panthers

Baseball

#4 Franklin, 7 vs #5 Brookline, 6 - Final

- Reliever Kyle Wardrop got the win for the Panthers, throwing 2.2 innings of hitless baseball and striking out four. Junior Nick Santucci went 2-4 with two RBI, a double and a run scored, Anthony Chaiton went 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored, Zane Byrne had a pair of hits and a pair of RBI, Ben Chaffee and Andrew Parent (3-3) each scored two runs and Nick Burgos had an RBI and a run scored.

Girls Tennis

#7 Franklin, 1 @ #2 Sharon, 4 - Final


For all the results from Monday's action around the Hockomock League
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-060815

Register O’Donnell Outreaches to Franklin Residents

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell and his outreach team held office hours this past Thursday, June 4th, at the Franklin Municipal Building. The Registry is the principal office for the recording and storing of property records in Norfolk County.

@NorfolkDeeds

O’Donnell and his team were able to provide Franklin residents proof of property ownership by providing a copy of their deed. In addition, Registry personnel were able to answer a variety of questions including but not limited to mortgage discharges and the benefits of the Homestead Act. A Homestead provides limited protection against the forced sale of a property owner’s primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000.

“It was my pleasure to visit Franklin and answer questions regarding Registry of Deeds’ issues. A core objective of my office is to provide quality customer service to the residents of Norfolk County. These office hours are a convenient and cost effective way to bring the Registry and its services directly to the citizens of Norfolk County. In addition to answering questions, we were also able to bring land documents back to the Registry central office for recording. As a result, residents were spared the time and expense of traveling to the Registry’s Dedham location,” noted Register O’Donnell.

In conclusion, O’Donnell stated, “I want to thank the members of the Town Council, Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting and all the staff at the Franklin Municipal Building for their generosity in allowing us to bring the Registry directly to the citizens of Franklin.”

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com @NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, Dedham is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org.

ECDC and HMMS Presentation Documents for School Committee meeting June 9

Both the ECDC and HMMS have presentations scheduled for the School Committee meeting Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM.

The documents scheduled for the meeting can be viewed here:


ECDC

ECDC Strengthening Community Improving Quality 2015 from Franklin Matters

ECDC entrance

HMMS

HMMS STEM Presentation 6/09/15 from Franklin Matters

The full agenda for the meeting can be found here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/06/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda.html

Parmenter Art Show - June 10

Parmenter art show on June 10 at 5:00 PM

Franklin Library: Marjorie Turner Hollman - June 10

Marjorie Turner Hollman writes:

Everybody who knows Massachusetts knows that western Mass has mountains, Cape Cod has wonderful beaches, and Metro West has shopping. 

Far fewer people know that MetroWest and Central Mass also offer some of the best strolling spaces in all of New England! At each of these outdoor destinations, you’ll find something of interest along the way: picturesque stone walls, waterside views, birds, beavers, and more. 

Spend a morning or afternoon, and be sure to return as the seasons change.

Continue reading her article "5 Top Spots for Easy Walks in Massachusetts" online. The DelCarte Open Space is one of the 5 spots featured.
http://www.massvacation.com/blog/2015/06/5-top-spots-for-easy-walks-in-massachusetts/

You can talk with Marjorie on Wednesday, June 10 when she appears at the Franklin Library. She has just published her second book on 'easy walks' in our area and has lots of stories to share.

Marjorie Turner Hollman appears  June 10 at the Franklin Library

FHS 2015 - All Night Party - Video Walk

I shared photos Saturday of the All Night Party and on Facebook here. 

Harry Potter's room recreated for the All Night Party

I can share a video of the walk through the hallways to capture the look and feel of the transformation. Roberta Trahan, Vice Chair of the School Committee, says it well:

I was absolutely amazed at what was accomplished at HMMS, the quality of the decorations, the unique way they incorporated the outdoor area, the spaciousness of the site. When I think back to the early discussions when the ANP team was told that the new FHS would not be used for at least this year I honestly wasn’t sure how ANP 2015 would play out. 

I have to give kudos to the ANP decorators/organizers and all who worked to make this one of the best I have seen; for their ability to see this new space, work with it and embrace the change that was brought to them. 

Also, to the staff at OAK/Mann complex, especially Sean Fortin and Corrine Minkle as I am told they were welcoming, cooperative and bent over backwards to help. 26 years and going strong!

Enjoy the video walk through!



Note: yes, I do slip at the end of the video and call this the Horace Man High School, it is the Horace Mann Middle School set up for the Franklin High School All Night Party. I also call Hagrid 'Hagar', I have no idea where that came from. I know he is Hagrid.

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - June 11, 2015

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS 
– 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.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS 
– 7:10 PM Budget: FY 2016 Budget Hearing – 2nd Reading

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution15-37:Adoption of the FY 2016 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

Franklin Municipal Building

The one page agenda for this meeting can be found here:
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/06112015.pdf

The FY 2016 Budget voting document was included in the agenda for the 1st session on Wednesday, June 10th. All the individual FY 2016 budget documents can be found here   http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Admin/budgets/FY%2016%20Budget/

The agenda for the Wednesday session can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/06/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-june-10.html

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - June 9, 2015

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.

AGENDA

"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."

Franklin Public Schools
"the key to learning"

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the May 26, 2015 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations:
a. Retirees
b. ECDC Update – Kelty Kelley
c. Horace Mann Update – Shawn Fortin, Kaitlyn Demers

3. Discussion Only Items
None

4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the request for ASMS 8th graders to travel to Pawtucket, RI to see a PawSox game on June 10, 2015 as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for 287.66 from O’Connor Studios for supplemental supplies at Davis Thayer Elementary School.
c. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $2.500.00 for FHS Scholarships:
1. Whitson’s Food Service $1,500.00
2. Steven M. Coppola $1,000.00
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,200.00 from the Oak St. PCC for Supplemental Curriculum Materials.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
Personnel Update

8. Adjourn


The agenda was shared from the School Committee webpage here
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Agendas/V20142015/SCAgenda%206-9-15.pdf