Present: Doug Hardesty, Deb Bartlett, Craig DiMarzio, Graydon Smith, Sue Rohrbach, Steve Whalen,
Absent: Jeff Nutting, Orrin Bean, John Hogan, Ken Harvey, Tina Powderly
Approval of minutes - postponed to next meeting
Action items - none
Discussion:
Metrics and benchmarking - Steve Whalen (Vice Chair, Town Council)
background, research analyst for an investment banking firm
drawn in by a comment made by J Nutting at a meeting sometime ago; "a town's budget is a reflection of their values"
started collecting data, started with a map and filled in data for the communities around us
The DOR site is a tremendous source of info, so much data is available
came up with 30 communities
walking through the info on his comparison worksheet
color coded communities by single versus split tax rate
we have a low tax rate compared to other communities with either a split or single tax rate
we are 21st in comparison on the average tax bill (of the 30)
we are 26th on relative tax burden which is a comparison of tax rate to community wealth
we rank 28th in percent of local property tax contributing to the total community revenue
we rank 1st in the percent of state aid contributing to the total community revenue
second sheet on Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education data
rank 27th of the 30 on per pupil spending for 2009 and would be on 2010 as well, two towns are missing data for 2010
we rank 10th in the same 30 for percent of population in school, so amongst larger communities, we have more students than most
discussion on the quality of the whole educational experience and how to best represent what we get. MCAS scores are readily available, SATs offer more comparison to those outside MA, with the increase in fees, cutting of enrichment programs, protected the core curriculum (and maintained, if not increased performance).
need to show where the cuts are happening, i.e. how much of the budget is allocated to the core versus the enrichment and what does that show? are the changes in the program indicative of the budget issues? how much of a lag in the reporting is there? We are seeing the early warnings amongst the low income and English Language Learners (ELL)
The recent requirement to meet the bullying legislation within the budget restrictions, resulted more in a shifting of resources; language was removed from the elementary grades, Latin was lost in middle schools, the Spanish teachers moved from the elementary to middle and we are adding health teachers to meet the curriculum requirements for bullying
talked bout looking at the numbers, need the story to tell, how to convey the erosion that is occurring with the cut of over 100 teachers with an increase in students
Is there a community that was high and made cuts, where are they now? Randolph is one example amongst the 30 communities
can we tackle some of these things; i.e. key metrics around the school numbers are validated, define a number of meaningful metrics and a story around it (for four weeks out)
next to last sheet - Franklin was 3rd in growth amongst the 30 communities from 1990 to 2009
we are 22 of 23 on Police spending per capita (7 towns currently missing data for the current year - should be added over the next several weeks)
comparison of Fire similar, comparison of DPW more difficult to compare
we rank 14th on per capita overall town budget
in a comparison to Natick the population is similar, yet the growth of Natick since 1990 is 6% versus Franklin in same period of 45%. they have had a growth of 45% in net state aid versus 350% for Franklin in the same period
there are many takeways from this discussion, need to continue to look in the numbers, challenge them, there is a benefit to the simplicity in our peer group, do need to challenge the comparable listing
visibility creates trust so when you include the same listing, it makes it easier, when you start excluding some here and some there, it creates questions
it is not cherry picking the data, it is creating an apples to apples comparison
no matter which way we slice the data, we have a low tax, we are efficient, and we are dependent upon state aid which we have no control over
show the 30 peer communities and include the state average
need to include some value metrics, what are we getting that we are paying for?
Franklin, MA
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Student iPad orchestra
How about a student iPad orchestra?
Thanks to David Warlick who saw this group at a conference in Hong Kong
Franklin, MA
Thanks to David Warlick who saw this group at a conference in Hong Kong
Franklin, MA
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
"He took great pride in the entire athletic program"
... the school district will ensure Leone isn't forgotten by naming the away-side press box at Franklin High School in his honor. The press box above the home bleachers is named after public address announcer John Padula.
"The stories we've heard from over the years recounted what a great coach he was and how many lives he changed," School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy said. "We like to honor those types of people and thought it was tremendously appropriate to honor his name and somehow relate it with our football program."
The School Committee approved the recognition at a recent meeting and Roy said school officials hope to hold a ceremony at a home football game in the fall.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News:
Franklin to name press box for former coach Jerry Leone
Other action items from the Feb 15th School Committee meeting can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/02/live-reporting-action-items.html
The full set of notes reported live from the meeting can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/02/school-committee-021511.html
Franklin, MA
Looking for the Class of 1961
If life for the Class of 1961 has been topsy-turvy since graduation, I would not be surprised. 1961 was a special year. As wikipedia points out MAD Magazine's March 1961 issue announced that
If you know of anyone in the Class of 1961, please let them know they are welcome to join the Franklin High School Graduation of 2011 as honored guests.
June 3, 2011 will be Graduation Day.
There will be a reception at 3:00 PM at the high school. The Class of 1961 will then process into the graduation with the Class of 2011.
You can call 508-553-4814 for more information.
Franklin, MA
this was the first "upside-up" year—i.e., one in which the numerals that form the year look the same as when the numerals are rotated upside down—since 1881, and the last until 6009
If you know of anyone in the Class of 1961, please let them know they are welcome to join the Franklin High School Graduation of 2011 as honored guests.
June 3, 2011 will be Graduation Day.
There will be a reception at 3:00 PM at the high school. The Class of 1961 will then process into the graduation with the Class of 2011.
You can call 508-553-4814 for more information.
Franklin, MA
Monday, February 21, 2011
X marks the spot
Running early one morning, I was startled to see a large X marking the sky over the Parmenter School. Such an opportunity was not to be passed up. I did stop and find the best view point for a quick photo. Then resumed running.
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Dona's Tailoring
Dona's Tailoring has moved to Dean St. You might still see the sign on Cottage St where they used to be. Why the landlord won't allow a sign redirecting folks to the new location is another topic for another day.
They are now located at 19 Dean Ave. Just behind Dean Bank. A block down from the Post Office.
View Larger Map
You can visit their place page on Google for additional info here
Updated: I realized late on Sunday that I left out the prime reason for creating this post. I had taken my dry cleaning to DryClean Pros and asked if they could repair a zipper for an athletic jacket I had. They couldn't but referred me to Dona's Tailoring. I remembered having seen it along Cottage St and found where it used to be easily enough. It was no longer there. Searching on the web gave me lots of links to their old address and finally one link had a comment that said they had moved. The next Saturday, I managed to get there while it was open and leave the jacket for repair. Dona told me the story about the landlord refusing to allow the re-direction sign. A couple of weeks later (only due to my schedule) I returned to pick it up. I should also note that I did return to DryClean Pros to let them know of the address change. They appreciated the update.
Small businesses need to be aware of how they are found on the web. There are so many directory services it may seem to be a full time job to track them down and make the changes.
What is the alternative? Incorrect information will send your potential customers to the competition! Take one directory at a time, fix it, then get on to the next. Eventually, all the info will be correct and your customers will find you.
Franklin, MA
They are now located at 19 Dean Ave. Just behind Dean Bank. A block down from the Post Office.
View Larger Map
You can visit their place page on Google for additional info here
Updated: I realized late on Sunday that I left out the prime reason for creating this post. I had taken my dry cleaning to DryClean Pros and asked if they could repair a zipper for an athletic jacket I had. They couldn't but referred me to Dona's Tailoring. I remembered having seen it along Cottage St and found where it used to be easily enough. It was no longer there. Searching on the web gave me lots of links to their old address and finally one link had a comment that said they had moved. The next Saturday, I managed to get there while it was open and leave the jacket for repair. Dona told me the story about the landlord refusing to allow the re-direction sign. A couple of weeks later (only due to my schedule) I returned to pick it up. I should also note that I did return to DryClean Pros to let them know of the address change. They appreciated the update.
Small businesses need to be aware of how they are found on the web. There are so many directory services it may seem to be a full time job to track them down and make the changes.
What is the alternative? Incorrect information will send your potential customers to the competition! Take one directory at a time, fix it, then get on to the next. Eventually, all the info will be correct and your customers will find you.
Franklin, MA
Finding compassion
On the train of thought around the words we use and how we use them, this talk by Krista Trippett makes some compelling points about compassion.
Krista talks at point about this remarkable observation from Matthew Sanford:
Franklin's charter was updated recently to bring some of the language to a more appropriate usage for today. I do believe we need to remember the values and virtues that Einstein remind us to use more not less.
We are members of a commonwealth. We need to help each other, together we can do more than survive. Divided we won't stand a chance.
Franklin, MA
Krista talks at point about this remarkable observation from Matthew Sanford:
"He says that he has yet to experience someone who became more aware of their body in all its frailty and all its grace without at the same time becoming more compassionate towards all of life."Later in the talk she shares some insights from Albert Einstein including:
"... He foresaw that as we grow more modern and technologically advanced, we need the virtues our traditions carried forward in time more, not less."
Franklin's charter was updated recently to bring some of the language to a more appropriate usage for today. I do believe we need to remember the values and virtues that Einstein remind us to use more not less.
We are members of a commonwealth. We need to help each other, together we can do more than survive. Divided we won't stand a chance.
Franklin, MA
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Where you born on March 2?
If so, guess what, you share your birthday with the Town of Franklin!
Although the Town of Franklin is much older (March 2, 1778), we thought it would be fun to invite everyone that shares March 2nd as their birthday to a “Birthday Bash” at the museum. From the looks of things, we will have over 70 people that share that date from children to adults.
We are planning to have a cake, beverages and certainly balloons. Who knows, we may also have some special birthday presents for everyone.
Please RSVP as soon as possible to Deborah L. Pellegri, Town Clerk and Chairman of the Historical Commission at 508-520-4900 or email me at dpellegri@franklin.ma.us
Remember, family and friends are all invited and certainly welcomed.
We look forward to hearing from you real soon
Franklin, MA
Although the Town of Franklin is much older (March 2, 1778), we thought it would be fun to invite everyone that shares March 2nd as their birthday to a “Birthday Bash” at the museum. From the looks of things, we will have over 70 people that share that date from children to adults.
We are planning to have a cake, beverages and certainly balloons. Who knows, we may also have some special birthday presents for everyone.
Please RSVP as soon as possible to Deborah L. Pellegri, Town Clerk and Chairman of the Historical Commission at 508-520-4900 or email me at dpellegri@franklin.ma.us
Remember, family and friends are all invited and certainly welcomed.
We look forward to hearing from you real soon
Your Birthday Celebration
At the Franklin Historical Museum
Sunday, March 20th, 2011
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Invitation to all
Franklin, MA
Veterans in the snow
While running last weekend, I stopped by the Senior Center for some photos. (Yes, stopping for photos are a good excuse to catch one's breath while running.)
The figures in the snow reminded me of the real folks in the trenches in the snow; from Valley Forge, Battle of the Bulge, Inchon Peninsula, Afghanistan, to other cold and not likely to be forgotten places where the veterans served.
When you see a veteran, remember to thank them for their service. When folks come up to my father (an veteran of Iwo Jima) to thank him. It really makes his day.
Franklin, MA
The figures in the snow reminded me of the real folks in the trenches in the snow; from Valley Forge, Battle of the Bulge, Inchon Peninsula, Afghanistan, to other cold and not likely to be forgotten places where the veterans served.
When you see a veteran, remember to thank them for their service. When folks come up to my father (an veteran of Iwo Jima) to thank him. It really makes his day.
Franklin, MA
Friday, February 18, 2011
The words we use
The words we use are important. This video talk by Steven Pinker and animated by the RSA Animate series raises some good points.
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA
Where can you find Franklin Matters content?
You can subscribe to Franklin Matters to receive the daily or weekly update directly to your email, you can also find this content featured on the CNN US edition by selecting the Franklin zip code (02038).
Thanks to the feed from Outside.in!
Franklin, MA
Thanks to the feed from Outside.in!
Franklin, MA
"You can learn from your past"
"We learned we can make a difference," said Waite, who plans to participate in an internship with the Franklin Police Department later this school year. "We can help."
Former Patriots players Gino Cappelletti, Larry Garron and Roland James spoke to Waite and about 50 of his classmates at The Hall at Patriot Place. The students are participating in a leadership development class designed to prepare them for internships during the last quarter of the school year.
In addition to hearing from Patriots alumni, the students were asked to think critically about what qualities make a good leader and how to combat prejudice. They also toured the exhibits in The Hall, a museum located next to Gillette Stadium that chronicles the football team's history.Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Franklin, MA
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Town Council 02/16/11
The collection of reported posts from the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 can be found here:
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA
Snowland
Is there anything to the talk about Rockland Trust renaming itself Snowland?
Probably not, spring is around the corner!
Franklin, MA
Probably not, spring is around the corner!
Franklin, MA
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