JF Kennedy Elementary School Tour - October 2012

I was part of a few residents who took advantage of the first tour of the JF Kennedy School. This is the first of a series of tours. I would encourage everyone to find one or more to take advantage of. It is a great opportunity to see the school in a relaxed and informal manner.

Principal Joan Toye welcomed us. She was joined on the tour by School Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski, Asst Superintendent Sally Winslow and School Committee Chairperson Paula Mullen and Roberta Trahan.

We started in the entrance lobby



The PCC is very active



Down the corridor to the right to view a kindergarten room



another classroom (and you'll see ladybugs all over this school)



the library



the computer lab



back by the main office to the cafeteria



more classrooms



the gymnasium



do the ropes bring back any memories?



Smart boards are in most classrooms



Tile projects adorn some of the wall space



Another recent tile project



Yes, the tour got us into the maintenance room to see the furnace!



I love the tennis balls on the feet of the chairs, such a good idea




Join the next tour currently scheduled for 6:00 PM on October 25th. You get a three for one tour by visiting the ECDC, Oak St and Horace Mann as all three buildings are in the same complex.

For the remainder of the schedule check here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/09/schedule-for-school-tours.html

Debates announced for 10th Norfolk race

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Debates announce for 10th Norfolk race

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 10/5/12

Republican Richard Eustis and Democrat Jeffrey Roy, state representative candidates for the 10^th Norfolk District seat, have agreed to hold two debates before the Nov. 6 election.

The first debate will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at Medway High School, 88 Summer St. And the second is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at the Horace Mann Middle School in Franklin, 224 Oak St.

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Friends of Franklin Library - Fall 2012 Newsletter

The Friends of the Franklin Library have shared their recent newsletter with us.



Contact information on how to join the Friends of Franklin Library is present in the newsletter. Or come out to the Library Book Sale over the Oct 19-21 weekend and join in person.

2012 HOCKOMOCK YMCA LEGENDS GOLF TOURNAMENT--TPC BOSTON

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                       

LOCAL SPORTS LEGENDS TEE UP AT TPC BOSTON TO SUPPORT HOCKOMOCK AREA YMCA INTEGRATION INITIATIVE FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

What:                 For the third year in a row, the Hockomock Area YMCA is expanding the scope and impact of its efforts to provide opportunities for children with special needs with the third annual Legends Golf Classic.  This event includes an exciting afternoon of golf on the world-class TPC Boston course, followed by dinner and a live auction program.  The YMCA is proud to once again be partnering with TPC Boston, site of the PGA Tour's Deutsche Bank Championship, to create a unique and memorable experience.

                            The Legends Golf Classic kicks off the Hockomock YMCA's fall fundraising season, and is the precursor to the Legends Ball, taking place on Tuesday, November 13^th, at Luciano's at Lake Pearl in Wrentham, MA.  Former attendees Dick and Rick Hoyt, the famous father-and-son team who have completed over 1,000 races together, will be honored at the Legend's Ball next month, and will be in attendance at the Golf Classic, as well.

                           

Why:                   The proceeds from the Legends Golf Classic will provide opportunities for children with special needs to participate alongside their typically developing peers in Hockomock Area YMCA programs and services through our innovative and unique Integration Initiative. The Hockomock Area YMCA's Integration initiative was established in 2004 with a goal to provide children with special needs an opportunity to participate with their typically developing peers in all the programs, services, and activities offered at the Y. The program aims to improve social skills, build self-esteem, increase physical activity and independence, and to enhance mutual respect among people of all abilities.

When:                Tuesday, October 9, 2012

TIME: 11:00AM registration, 12:00PM shotgun start, 5:30PM dinner/auction

Golf cart transportation on TPC course is available for press.  Other special accommodations can be made for press, please inquire.

Where:                TPC Boston

                              400 Arnold Palmer Blvd., Norton, MA 02766
                               

Who:                  We currently have 26 Boston Area Sports Legends confirmed and playing golf including: current New England Patriots Zoltan Mesko and Nate Solder, former Patriots Joe Andruzzi, Steve Grogan, Tim Fox, Pete Brock, Steve Nelson, former Boston Bruins Gord Kluzak, Derek Sanderson, former Red Sox Luis Tiant, Bill Lee and Joe Morgan, Ironman triathletes Dick and Rick Hoyt, and many more.

About Hockomock Area YMCA:
The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.  With over 32,000 members, half under the age of 18, our promise is to partner and collaborate with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve.

About TPC Boston

Originally designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer, TPC Boston's award-winning layout was re-designed in 2007 by celebrated golf course architect Gil Hanse, with PGA Tour player Brad Faxon serving as a consultant. The result is a compelling par-72, 7,241-yard masterpiece named by Golf Digest the "Best Private Remodel of 2007."

Friends of Franklin Library - Book Sale - Oct 20th

The Library Book Sale sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Library is scheduled for the weekend of Oct 19-21. As part of the book sale, they will also be collecting donations for the Food Pantry.

This is one of the win-win situations that the Food Pantry loves to participate in. You get to help the Pantry and the Library at the same time as you obtain good books, videos, etc. for your family to enjoy!

Additional details on the event can be found in the flyer here:



The Friends of Franklin Library are a registered 501(c)3 organization chartered with helping the Franklin Public Library. For additional information about this group you can send an email to FOFL02038@gmail.com or join and participate in the group which meets the first Wednesday of the month at the Library.


This was originally posted to the Franklin Food Pantry webpage here
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2012/10/friends-of-franklin-library-book-sale.html

Farmers Market - Town Common - noon to 6:00 PM

Where in Franklin is the Town Common?


View Larger Map

Franklin Library: Interviewing Skills

 

 

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

 

 

Interviewing Skills

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 10/4/12

 

 

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Franklin Public Library using Google Reader
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In the News: cancer survivor, campaign finance, Vendetti Votors, fall festival

Franklin cancer survivor helps others battle the disease

by Matt Tota/Daily News staff

Finance complaints filed against candidates

by Mike Gleason and Matt Tota/Daily News staff

Vendetti Motors owner honored of employee in reserves

by Mike Gleason/Daily News staff

Franklin Children's School plans fall festival, Oct. 6

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

2012 Annual St. John’s Christmas Fair

This year St. John’s Christmas Fair will be held Saturday, December 1st from 9am - 3pm in the St. John’s Parish Hall located at 237 Pleasant Street in Franklin, MA.

There will be homemade gift baskets, Cookie Walk, pastry table, as well as hot soup and coffee to enjoy.

Pictures with Santa as well as other activities for the kids! Join us for a fun day!

"we can offer options for our citizens"

The Milford Daily News reported on the Town Council meeting in part with the following:

Councilors accepted incorporating a real estate tax deferral and two laws which let seniors defer water and sewer charges. 

In place already for seniors is a property tax deferral program. 

Town Treasurer/Collector James Dacey Jr. said currently one family is participating in that program. 

“I know they are having a very difficult time,” Dacey said. “I looked into how we could help out in other ways.” 

In 2010, 9.4 percent of Franklin’s 31,635 residents were age 65 and older, according to census data.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x738671634/Franklin-OKs-tax-deferral-options-for-seniors#ixzz28JwPJdfW

Deferral of taxes simply postpones the date for payment, they still must be paid. What was also approved is a program for veterans under 65 to work off a portion of their taxes. This program is similar to that already offered to the seniors 65 and over. The program will be limited to the first ten people now but can be expanded by the Council as demand for the program grows.

The Town Council especially Tina Powderly has been instrumental in expanding the senior outreach program the past couple of years.This is not to negate any of the good work done prior, just recognize that the opportunity for seniors via deferment and reductions has increased.

In other matters before the Council not referenced in this article, they did approve the rezoning of the parcels along King St and i495 from residential to business. Any project would still be required to go through the full Planning Board and associated permitting process. That process provides considerable input from the residents abutting the property.

DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi disclosed plans to remove another 11 trees from the Town Common. This action will improve the growth options for the remaining 97 trees.

The DPW will also do some work to remove the electrical box currently under the gazebo to a normal upright electric box along the Union St side of the common. Some concrete around the gazebo will be disturbed during this process and then returned to normal.

For the complete set of posts reported live during the meeting, visit this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/10/town-council-100312.html

Town Council - 10/03/12

The collection of posts reported while in the Town Council chambers for Wednesday's meeting can be found here:

• Live reporting - closing
• Live reporting - Action items
• Live reporting - Town Common update
• Live reporting - Town Council - Oct 3, 2012
• 
  

Live reporting - closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT 
with DaVita's Market moving to a full liquor license we will have a beer and wine license to re-assign. Likely to bring that forward after the new year

thanks to the Downtown Partnership

Condolences to Councillor Bissanti on the passing of his father

L. OLD BUSINESS 
do we have a re-application of furniture within the schools and the town?
Yes, the DPW has a storage of items available
If they are truly excess, we do have a process to go through

If it has any value we get something for it
We should have the Purchasing Director come forward for one of the meetings, it would be a good topic

M. NEW BUSINESS 

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS 
Roy - Harvest Fest was well attended despite the rain

Bissanti - Thanks to the residents for the outpouring of condolences on the passing of my father

Jones- thanks for backing the zoning changes for exist 16 to offset the ever growing budget, can bring more revenue and jobs to Town

Pfeffer - sympathy to your family on your loss

Powderly - Chapter 90 public meetings, can you give us an update on what comes out of that

Kelly - condolences to your family

Mercer - project awarded to Agostini Construction, looking forward to the ground breaking, Sat Oct 13th. Met the contractor on Monday night, looking to begin work on the site. Weds Nov 14 a public update to the community on the project, hopefully here in the Council Chambers, update on plans, budget and tax implications

Nutting - three phases, one starts in three week, traffic changes due to a reduction in parking spaces. Parents should be aware of changes until June, then it will change in Phase 2 and again in Phase 3

Vallee - we lost s good citizens, condolences Andy


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

P. ADJOURN 
motion to adjourn, passed 8-0

Live reporting - Action items

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION 
1. Resolution 12-65:Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 40, Section 42J: Deferral of Water Charges 
motion to approve, passed 8-0

recommendation to approve deferral of water charges, only have one deferral, may be another way to help folks who are struggling

2. Resolution 12-66:Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 80, Section 13B: Deferral and Recovery 
Agreements 
motion to approve, passed 8-0

this is a formality to require folks to actually pay back on deferrals

3. Resolution 12-67:Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 83, Section 16G: Deferral of Sewer Charges 
motion to approve, passed 8-0

same as the water above, this covers the sewer bill

4. Resolution 12-68:Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5N: Reduction of Property Tax 
Obligation of Veteran in Exchange for Volunteer Services 
motion to approve, passed 8-0

this is a new law that just came into effect, seniors can work to defer taxes for volunteer work. This allows veterans to do this, can't do both veterans and seniors, can only do one or the other. Currently limited to 10, can be increased as demand allows. The senior program started with 30 or so and has been increased over the years as demand required.

This is open to veterans under 65. The senior program is limited to those 65 or over

No income criteria for either program, some communities do but Franklin does not.


5. Resolution 12-69:Senior Tax Deferrals 
motion to approve, passed 8-0

Did initially charge 8% and as the rates dropped realized it wasn't fair. Could charge the MMDT rate but that is too low, so it will be the rate plus 2% to allow for coverage of the expense for managing the program


6. Bylaw Amendment 12-694:Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 1st Reading
motion to move to second reading; passed 8-0

kennel boarding fee raising from 20 to 25 per day, first rate increase in 9 years for this item

see list of other fees in the agenda document
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/100312.pdf

removing "per day" for the second reading


7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-689:Changes to Chapter 185 §5. Zoning Map: Single Family III to Business Zoning District- 2nd Reading 

This is a modified proposal and recognizes the objections of abutters from the original discussion a couple of weeks ago.

Removed one parcel from the proposal and defined a zone within that remaining parcel

National Grid commented on the height of the lines, the proposed development would still need to come through the normal planning process

"spot zoning" a special use of the zoning different from other 

Courts in MA are restrictive in applying 'spot zoning', this would not likely be something to meet the criteria

given the locality along King St and i495, this would not likely meet the case

Are you able to split zone a single parcel? Yes
Suggestion to leave the Washington St parcels as residential due to where the properties along Taft St view
The residents of the Taft St purchased knowing that their neighbors would be residential.

Planning Board is in charge of the permitting within the zone
the Town Council would not have a say any further

Thanks for the adjustment, this is a huge win
As the trees thin the noise increases. If you can increase the buffer for eyesight and noise reduction

Bissanti - you have a lot of control and say at the Planning Board process, if an when a develop ever does step forward and purchase to proceed with development

Jones - thought process on economic development behind this proposal, this is a place where could further develop the Town and offset the residential property tax base. This area has always been a potential site for this kind of use. We did put a lot of thought into how this would be place and set off from other areas. Business zone has different requirements from other zoning options. If this gets zoned for business, the Council will be watching carefully

voted to amend the proposal, 8-0
then voted to accept the amended bylaw creating the change

Live reporting - Town Common update

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS 
DPW Director – Town Common
Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi

Jeff NUtting provided an intro on the walk through held last week to look at the trees, the power and the common overall. Looking to move the power from under the gazebo.

108 trees currently on the Town Common. Good representation of some species
Did take down the 12 trees recommended by the prior consultant
11 tree proposed to be removed this time to provide better growth opportunity for the other trees.

tree 91 - large spruce surrounded by sugar and norway maples
5 conifers around the Civil War monument, proposed to take down the two in the middle to allow the others to maintain their conifer growth

Tree 103, wind storm, broke this tree and it should be removed.

would leave 97 tree on the common

a lot of the trees that would be removed are being blocked from the sun by other trees
do more pruning as time allows

As public warden did hold a hearing for the prior cutting

nothing really to say or do, just trying to make folks aware of this

the electricity would be moved from under the gazebo to a box on the Union St side 

A couple of these are fairly large, 21" diameter for some

Benches are about $2000 per, would be expensive to replace
don't have much of a budget for this, can't do it all in one year
many of the benches and lights were donated by Rotary for citizen of the year, these plaques would be moved if either the benches or lights are replaced

Live reporting - Town Council - Oct 3, 2012

Present: Mercer, Kelly, Powderly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Roy
Absent: Dellorco

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
September 5, 2012; motion to approve, passed 8-0

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none

E. APPOINTMENTS
none

F. HEARINGS
none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none

Rezoning from residential to business

Coming up for the second reading tonight is a proposal to rezone some parcels along King St at the i495 interchange.

7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-689:Changes to Chapter 185 §5. Zoning Map: Single Family III to Business Zoning District- 2nd Reading 

The last 10 pages of the agenda document for the Town Council meeting provide the map views for these parcels.

These photos were taken of the parcel frontage along King St as I ran by Sunday morning.

The power lines run right through the property being reclassified so that will be something to work around as the developers figure out how to maximize the space being rezoned.

You can find the full agenda for the Town Council meeting here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/09/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-oct-3.html

and the agenda document with the maps can be found here (the last ten pages cover this rezoning change)
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/100312.pdf

"Improving public education would be a major focus"

Continuing to mine the recent meeting the Milford Daily News arranged with the 10th Norfolk candidates, they have posted this article where the candidates agree one issue at least: education.

Roy and Eustis expressed similar views on the state of the state’s education system — K-12 to four-year and two-year colleges — during a recent meeting with the Daily News. The Nov. 6 election is 34 days away. 

In general, they both want to help the state’s education system continue to improve, and each sees a growing problem in escalating college costs. 

Democrat and Republican agreed that tuition at state colleges has to be reined in, to prevent the high cost from dissuading prospective students and to make college a realistic option for more families.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x264122712/10th-Norfolk-candidates-agree-on-education#ixzz28E8td2IV

Trail Walk Scheduled - Oct 13

In case you missed talking with the folks at the Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee tent at the Harvest Festival, here is the flyer about the Oct 13 Rail Trail walk that is scheduled.

The event is free, sponsored by the Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee and the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Please register at www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/oct13





The trail walk is scheduled for Saturday, Oct 13 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM
Rain date is Sunday, Oct 14 in the same starting time

More information on the Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee can be found on their web page
http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/