The Strawberry Stroll is Thursday, June 16, 2011. Sponsored by the Franklin Downtown Partnership many of the businesses downtown will be participating.
FDP Strawberry Festival 2011
Note: Email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Struggle and Strength
Inspirational sign from the recent Relay for Life in Franklin:
"Where there is no struggle, there is no strength" Oprah Winfrey
"Where there is no struggle, there is no strength" Oprah Winfrey
"Prospect Street residents have not objected to the work"
After a hearing before the Planning Board last month, Cantoreggi looked at the trees and determined an oak near 324 Prospect St. did not need to be cut, he said.
"I think they wanted the tree down because it was in their way," Cantoreggi said. "I was more of the stance that the tree hadn't failed and I didn't see an immediate safety concern. It's a large beautiful tree. I didn't want to see it cut down."
National Grid had initially wanted to cut 10 trees but scaled back the plan after touring the area with Cantoreggi, company representatives said at the hearing.
The work is part of a program in which the company identifies areas with frequent outages caused by falling trees or branches and trims or cuts trees to reduce the problem, company representatives said at the hearing.
"Tree-related outages are among the leading cause of service interruptions for our customers," National Grid spokeswoman Deborah Drew said in an interview.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1166553320/Franklin-agrees-to-a-little-tree-trimming-off-Prospect-Street#ixzz1P9BiGuWF
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Town Council agenda document - Jun 15
After the public hearing on the zoning changes proposed for the Downtown District, the agenda gets into an interim contract with the fire fighters union. The fire fighters have been working without a contract for several years. The details on an interim agreement are contained here.
The Town Council is also scheduled to ratify the employment contract with Town Administrator Jeff Nutting. The details of the contract are contained here.
Town Council - Agenda - 6/15/2011
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document online.
The Town Council is also scheduled to ratify the employment contract with Town Administrator Jeff Nutting. The details of the contract are contained here.
Town Council - Agenda - 6/15/2011
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document online.
"serve food that is safe for students with allergies"
The board will consider allowing administrators to negotiate with Whitsons Culinary Group at the Tuesday meeting.
The committee gave administrators authorization in April to seek proposals, hoping that a private company could better meet new federal nutrition requirements and have greater purchasing power than the current district-run food system.
Whitsons, Sodexo, Aramark and Chartwells submitted proposals, Chief Procurement Officer Norma Collins said.
School officials toured a district that already uses Whitsons and gave a subcommittee studying the issue positive comments on the company's proposal, Roy said.
"They're going to retain our current (cafeteria workers)," Roy said of the proposal. "They're going to offer meals that comply in every way with the federal regulations. They have a great track record in the industry. ... I hope they can come up with a financial package that makes sense for Franklin."
New nutrition requirements included in federal legislation will require school districts to add more fruits and vegetables, reduce sodium and serve whole grain breads, among other changes. Legislation also strengthens requirements for nutrition education in schools, cafeteria worker training and food sold from vending machines and school stores.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1166553264/Franklin-school-board-to-vote-on-private-food-service#ixzz1P3rFlnMN
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jun 15, 2011
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
- 2011 Annual Committee Appointments
F. HEARINGS - 7:10 PM
Zoning Bylaw 11-652: Amendment to Chapter 185 §4. Districts Enumerated
Zoning Bylaw 11-653: Amendment to Chapter 185 §7. Compliance Required
Zoning Bylaw 11-654: Amendment to Chapter 185 §12. Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard & Height Requirements
Zoning Bylaw 11-655: Amendment to Chapter 185 §2. Parking, Loading, and Driveway Requirements, Subsection B
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 11-660: Amendment to Chapter 185 §45. L. (1) Administration and Enforcement
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Precincts – Debbie Pellegri, Town Clerk
Franklin 4th of July Committee
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION:
1. Resolution 11-28R: Public Works Stabilization Account
2. Resolution 11-31: Grant of Utility Easement - Off Wachusett Street
3. Resolution 11-32: Ratification of Local 2637, I.A.F.F. Contract
4. Resolution 11-33: Ratification of Town Administrator’s Contract
5. Resolution 11-34: Authorization to Join State - Wide Public Works Municipal Mutual Aid Agreement
6. Resolution 11-35: Authorization to Join State - Wide Public Safety Mutual Aid Agreement
7. Zoning Bylaw 11-652: Amendment to Chapter 185 §4. Districts Enumerated Zoning- 1st Reading
8. Bylaw 11-653: Amendment to Chapter 185 §7. Compliance Required Zoning 1st Reading
9. Bylaw 11-654: Amendment to Chapter 185 §12. Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard & Height Requirements. – 1st Reading
10. Zoning Bylaw 11-655: Amendment to Chapter 185 §2. Parking, Loading, and Driveway Requirements, Subsection B - 1st Reading
11. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 11-660: Amendment to Chapter 185 §45. L. (1) Administration and Enforcement – 1st Reading
12. Bylaw Amendment 11-661: Chapter 151, Solid Waste and Recycling - 2nd Reading
13. Bylaw Amendment 11-662: Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates- 2nd Reading
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
Note: the full set of documents for this agenda including the compensation details on the Fire Dept contract and Town Administrator Jeff Nutting's contract can be found here
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
- 2011 Annual Committee Appointments
F. HEARINGS - 7:10 PM
Zoning Bylaw 11-652: Amendment to Chapter 185 §4. Districts Enumerated
Zoning Bylaw 11-653: Amendment to Chapter 185 §7. Compliance Required
Zoning Bylaw 11-654: Amendment to Chapter 185 §12. Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard & Height Requirements
Zoning Bylaw 11-655: Amendment to Chapter 185 §2. Parking, Loading, and Driveway Requirements, Subsection B
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 11-660: Amendment to Chapter 185 §45. L. (1) Administration and Enforcement
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Precincts – Debbie Pellegri, Town Clerk
Franklin 4th of July Committee
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION:
1. Resolution 11-28R: Public Works Stabilization Account
2. Resolution 11-31: Grant of Utility Easement - Off Wachusett Street
3. Resolution 11-32: Ratification of Local 2637, I.A.F.F. Contract
4. Resolution 11-33: Ratification of Town Administrator’s Contract
5. Resolution 11-34: Authorization to Join State - Wide Public Works Municipal Mutual Aid Agreement
6. Resolution 11-35: Authorization to Join State - Wide Public Safety Mutual Aid Agreement
7. Zoning Bylaw 11-652: Amendment to Chapter 185 §4. Districts Enumerated Zoning- 1st Reading
8. Bylaw 11-653: Amendment to Chapter 185 §7. Compliance Required Zoning 1st Reading
9. Bylaw 11-654: Amendment to Chapter 185 §12. Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard & Height Requirements. – 1st Reading
10. Zoning Bylaw 11-655: Amendment to Chapter 185 §2. Parking, Loading, and Driveway Requirements, Subsection B - 1st Reading
11. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 11-660: Amendment to Chapter 185 §45. L. (1) Administration and Enforcement – 1st Reading
12. Bylaw Amendment 11-661: Chapter 151, Solid Waste and Recycling - 2nd Reading
13. Bylaw Amendment 11-662: Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates- 2nd Reading
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
Note: the full set of documents for this agenda including the compensation details on the Fire Dept contract and Town Administrator Jeff Nutting's contract can be found here
"friends who are willing to do anything to help"
"I can remember at my husband's first diagnosis, the doctor came up to me," she said. "He touched my shoulder and said, 'This will be harder for you than it is for him.' "
The doctor was right, Frieda Schwartz said, since it was difficult to complete household chores and care for her husband while worrying about his months of treatments.
"We were so lucky to have had the support of friends and family," she said.Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1166553262/Franklin-Relays-For-Life-cares-for-cancer-helpers#ixzz1P3m69EmX
That's why Schwartz, a longtime participant in Franklin's Relay for Life, was excited to learn that this year's event would feature a breakfast recognizing caregivers of cancer patients who bake meals, watch their children and stay with them in the hospital.
Additional photos from the Relay for Life can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/06/relay-for-life-slideshow.html
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Relay for Life - slideshow
I was at the Relay for Life opening Friday evening. Here is a collections of photos:
Hopefully the rain today won't hinder the walkers effort too much!
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view all the photos.
Hopefully the rain today won't hinder the walkers effort too much!
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view all the photos.
"We're playing Russian roulette"
"This was my sixth budget year and in each of those six years we've made cuts," Town Council Chairman Scott Mason said. "The budget that we just approved (Thursday) night stinks, just like the others before it. It's like we're crawling down a well and it's going to be very difficult for us to climb back out."
The fiscal 2012 budget represents a 1.3 percent increase over this year's $88.1 million budget. It cuts about 31 positions, including two firefighters, two police officers, 5.5 library jobs and four Public Works jobs.
Mason worried the cuts will make it harder to fix roads, could lead to a reactive police force and may increase firefighters' reaction time and reliance on mutual aid.
"There's only so much we can do with less people," Town Councilor Tina Powderly said, noting the budget has remained relatively flat since fiscal 2009 despite rising energy, salt and insurance costs. "I think the budget was the best we could do but I don't sleep well at night. ... I'm very concerned about this town."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1166553176/Franklin-finances-tight-and-may-be-worse-next-year#ixzz1Oxy9kz4P
Friday, June 10, 2011
Go beyond the headline
Two headlines appeared in my RSS Reader at the same time, at first glance they seemed to be polar opposites. Reading beyond the headline, yes into the details of both articles one realizes that they were effectively saying the same thing.
What should you take away from this?
Don't depend on the headline to tell you what is in the article. The headlines are designed to catch your attention.
Feel free to click through to read Kathy Standard's article showing the amount of change in prices recently (and all prices heading down) and then Warren Reynolds' article referencing research predicting the downward trend in prices this year and recovery next year.
Franklin, MA
Price Changes & Temperatures Soar in Franklin, MA
Consensus: MA home prices will fall in 2011, rise in 2012
What should you take away from this?
Don't depend on the headline to tell you what is in the article. The headlines are designed to catch your attention.
Feel free to click through to read Kathy Standard's article showing the amount of change in prices recently (and all prices heading down) and then Warren Reynolds' article referencing research predicting the downward trend in prices this year and recovery next year.
Franklin, MA
Farmers Market: noon to 6:00 PM
Reminder, the Farmers Market opens today on the Town Common from noon to 6:00 PM.
Relay for Life starts 6:00 PM Friday 6/10/11
The Relay for Life starts on the Franklin High School track at 6:00 PM Friday, June 10.
According to the website this morning, there are 35 team registered to walk. About 400 people will take part in this event that has already raised over $72,000.
For more information and to donate online, visit the Relay for Life website here
For more information and to donate online, visit the Relay for Life website here
"the ability of the town to respond to emergencies"
The budget cuts about 31 positions, including two firefighters, two police officers, 5.5 library jobs, four Public Works jobs and more than 14 school positions. It represents a 1.3 percent increase over this year's $88.1 million budget.
Cuts are needed because of decreased state aid, local revenue and $2 million less in federal school stimulus money. Increased contractual obligations and health insurance costs have led to a rise in the school budget, administrators have said.
Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said on Wednesday that there would be three to four layoffs on the town hall side. The rest of the positions are already vacant or will be by the start of the fiscal year next month.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1125485939/Franklin-OKs-89M-budget#ixzz1OrbdjsOl
FHS and HMMS students visit the US Army Natick Labs
“This is the U.S. Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center. I know it’s a long name, but the most important word here is Soldier,” said Bulger, NSRDEC workforce development manager. “Everything we do here is to support the Soldier.”
That is how Bulger greeted the 65 students assembled May 16 in Hunter Auditorium from Franklin (Mass.) High School and Franklin’s Horace Mann Middle School. About 40 high school students and 25 middle school students, accompanied by nine chaperones, divided into small groups to tour facilities on the installation.
At each destination, an expert walked them through the lab, explained the basics of his or her job, answered questions, and provided a demonstration. Middle school children visited the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Lab, Sensory Lab, and Prototype Shop while high school students saw the Thermal Test Facility, Doriot Climatic Chambers, and Fiber Facility.
The middle school kids really enjoyed the science experiments; one seventh grade student in particular was amazed by the MREs: “We had three-year-old cake! But it tasted the same as the other fresh cakes!” A fellow student commented: “The food stuff was really cool. I had never thought of doing this kind of job, but this visit definitely sparked my interest.”
That’s what STEM visits are designed to do. Students are afforded the opportunity to glimpse what they could do in the future should they choose to pursue degrees in science, mathematics, education or technology. Students became scientists when they experimented here, while at the STEM Lab, students created mini bottle rockets, tested fabrics that repelled water, made silly putty, and performed chromatography tests.
Continue reading the remainder of the article on the US Army website here
Thursday, June 9, 2011
"it shows fairness, concern and sensitivity"
The Finance Committee has recommended an $89.3 million fiscal 2012 budget that cuts about 31 positions, including two firefighters, two police officers, 5.5 library jobs, four Public Works jobs and more than 14 school positions. It represents a 1.3 percent increase over this year's $88.1 million budget.
Cuts are needed because of decreased state aid, local revenue and $2 million less in federal school stimulus money. Increased contractual obligations and health insurance costs have led to a rise in the school budget, administrators have said.
Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting told the council there would be three to four layoffs on the town side.
"That is very regrettable ... but is necessary to make ends meet," Nutting said. "I think we will be able to provide critical services with this budget because we have great employees and great department heads."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1166552892/Franklin-council-worried-about-cuts#ixzz1OlqiqB18
Note: there would be more layoffs on the Town side if the Town had not already chosen to NOT fill positions as people left. Leaving the positions open in anticipation of these cuts was a wise move under the circumstances.
The FY 2012 budget page can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/01/fiscal-year-2012-budget-information.html
Budget Monitor: The Senate Fiscal Year 2012 Budget
|
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108 |
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Franklin Arts Academy Arts Celebration - Jun 15
Franklin Arts Academy Arts Celebration, opens to the public June 15th.
The initiative to teach students with, by, and through the arts has exceeded expectations evidenced by the self motivation and vigor of the students. The night is to allow the public to see, and celebrate with us, the successful first year of this small learning community dedicated to fostering engagement a fully developed art based academic education. Please come, bring your friends and your camera!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
at Franklin High School on Oak St
Franklin, MA
The initiative to teach students with, by, and through the arts has exceeded expectations evidenced by the self motivation and vigor of the students. The night is to allow the public to see, and celebrate with us, the successful first year of this small learning community dedicated to fostering engagement a fully developed art based academic education. Please come, bring your friends and your camera!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
at Franklin High School on Oak St
Franklin, MA
SENATOR KAREN SPILKA RECEPTION - Jun 20, 2011
From an email:
SENATOR KAREN SPILKA RECEPTION
If you would like to support STATE SENATOR KAREN SPILKA
Senate Chair Economic Development & Emerging Technologies Committee
Monday, June 20th – 5:30-7:00 PM
Ken’s Steak House, 95 Worcester Road (Route 9 West), Framingham
Great conversation, great food and great company!
Suggested Contribution: $50 - $100 - $200- but all are welcome!
Contribute online: ElectKarenSpilka.com
Contribute by mail: Committee to Elect Karen Spilka, PO Box 2323, Framingham, MA 01703
Hope to see you Monday, June 20th!
Franklin, MA
SENATOR KAREN SPILKA RECEPTION
If you would like to support STATE SENATOR KAREN SPILKA
Senate Chair Economic Development & Emerging Technologies Committee
Monday, June 20th – 5:30-7:00 PM
Ken’s Steak House, 95 Worcester Road (Route 9 West), Framingham
Great conversation, great food and great company!
Suggested Contribution: $50 - $100 - $200- but all are welcome!
Contribute online: ElectKarenSpilka.com
Contribute by mail: Committee to Elect Karen Spilka, PO Box 2323, Framingham, MA 01703
Hope to see you Monday, June 20th!
Franklin, MA
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