W.A.S.T."E."D. will be hosting a panel discussion on Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 7:00 PM in the Franklin High School Lecture Hall to share information and strategies for identifying and dealing with the problem of underage alcohol use among our children. A distinguished panel of experts in this and related fields will be presenting information for all of us to help with this very dangerous and prevalent issue. The panel members assembled include:
Dr Nicole Danforth ,MD….Dr. Danforth is a staff psychiatrist for the Addiction and Recovery Management Service (ARMS) at Massachusetts General Hospital and will be giving a presentation on adolescent brain and personality development, emphasizing the ways in which normal development can predispose to risky behaviors.
Darin Haig, EdM, LHMC….Mr. Haig is program coordinator for the Family Partnership Program at Riverside Community Care. His practice and experience is working on family-based strategies to deal with various mental health and substance use issues. He has greater than 12 years of experience in his field, and is a resource for parenting strategies in these areas.
Christopher Bates Parkinson, JD….Mr Parkinson is an attorney with expertise in the area of social host liability. He is an associate with the firm of Campbell, Campbell, Edwards &Conroy. This firm has a long history of dedication to educating students/teachers/parents regarding the Social Host Law.
Mike Jackman…Mr. Jackman is the Director of School Programs for the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office. He is dedicated to the coordination of all programs and presentations offered by the staff of the District Attorney’s Office to schools and communities.
Dan McLean…Officer McLean is a Resource Officer for Franklin High School. He is a member of the Franklin Police Department, and has a regular presence at the high school with integral knowledge of student life within the school. As a result of his role as resource officer, he also has first-hand experience with the social pressures that our children face on a regular basis, and the consequences of risky behaviors. He is a graduate of Franklin High School, and a proud Head Football Coach who is celebrating the championship season at Tri-County Vocational Technical School.
Tom Hermanowski…Mr. Hermanowski has a 37-year career of dedication to the issue of underage substance use. He has earned many awards for his involvement, including the 2008 Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Partner in Prevention of the Year Award. He will serve as the evening’s moderator.
All of the panel members will be involved in presentation of information, and available for an extended Q&A session with the audience.
This is a follow up to the W.A.S.T."E."D. Presentation in December 2008
This information was originally posted on Peter Light's page here
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Seth asks: What are schools for?
Seth Godin asks an interesting question and then proposes a starter listing for the answer:
What would you add to or subtract from this listing?
Read the full posting Seth makes on his blog hereSeems like a simple question, but given how much time and money we spend on it, it has a wide range of answers, many unexplored, some contradictory. I have a few thoughts about education, how we use it to market ourselves and compete, and I realized that without a common place to start, it's hard to figure out what to do.
So, a starter list. The purpose of school is to:
- Become an informed citizen
- Be able to read for pleasure
- Be trained in the rudimentary skills necessary for employment
- Do well on standardized tests
- Homogenize society, at least a bit
- Pasteurize out the dangerous ideas
- Give kids something to do while parents work
- Teach future citizens how to conform
- Teach future consumers how to desire
- Build a social fabric
- Create leaders who help us compete on a world stage
- Generate future scientists who will advance medicine and technology
- Learn for the sake of learning
- Help people become interesting and productive
- Defang the proletariat
- Establish a floor below which a typical person is unlikely to fall
- Find and celebrate prodigies, geniuses and the gifted
- Make sure kids learn to exercise, eat right and avoid common health problems
- Teach future citizens to obey authority
- Teach future employees to do the same
- Increase appreciation for art and culture
- Teach creativity and problem solving
- Minimize public spelling mistakes
- Increase emotional intelligence
- Decrease crime by teaching civics and ethics
- Increase understanding of a life well lived
- Make sure the sports teams have enough players
What would you add to or subtract from this listing?
The Green Reel: "Everything's Cool"
The Green Reel: a series of films for sustainable living will be shown on Sunday evenings this winter.
What: "Everything's Cool"
When: 7:00 PM on February 8, 2009
Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here
read more about the file "Everything's Cool" here
Sponsors:
What: "Everything's Cool"
When: 7:00 PM on February 8, 2009
Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here
Free and open to the public.
For more info: 508-695-2389
For more info: 508-695-2389
read more about the file "Everything's Cool" here
Sponsors:
Agudas Achim
Crystal Spring Center
Simply Keep It Local
Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Committee of First Universalist Society of Franklin
New Dawn Earth Center
Oake Knoll Ayrshires
Franklin Area Climate Team
White Barn Farm
St Mark's Episcopal Church-Foxboro
Monday, February 2, 2009
Uncle Nick’s Happy Fun Hour III
FRANKLIN - The Franklin Performing Arts Company will present its second free concert in the 2009 Family Concert Series, "Uncle Nick’s Happy Fun Hour III," on Feb. 8, at 300 PM.This was originally posted online here
The musical event, open to the public, offers children the opportunity to enjoy folk classics, blues, early rock and roll, sing-alongs, dance-alongs and special guests. Guests are invited to bring their love of music and join Uncle Nick for an afternoon of fun.
Uncle Nick played to a standing-room-only crowd for the past two years.
Call 508-528-8668 by Friday, Feb. 6, to make a reservation.
The third concert in FPAC’s Family Concert Series will conclude with Opera for Children on Sunday, April 5, at 3 p.m. Visit www.FPAConline.com for details.
FPAC’s Family Concert Series is sponsored in part by Berry Insurance and the Franklin Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Town Council - Agenda - 2/4/09
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS -Alcoholic Beverage Licensees
– for Failure to Pass Compliance Check - 7:10 PM
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS –
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
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
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS -Alcoholic Beverage Licensees
– for Failure to Pass Compliance Check - 7:10 PM
- Cottage Street Pub & Grill – 1st Offense
- Pepper Terrace Restaurant – 2nd Offense
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS –
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
- Charles River Pollution Control District
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
- Resolution 09-04: Onset Circle, A Private Way: Acceptance of Covenant with Developer
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
Defibrillators coming to Franklin Line
Automated external defibrillators will soon be available to passengers on the commuter rail system, which includes stations in Attleboro, South Attleboro, Mansfield, Norfolk and Franklin, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail Co. were expected to announce today.
Read the full article in the Attleboro Sun here
Failure to pay attention
Pay attention to what you ask?
There were approx. 30 in the Attleboro hall to view the movie “Escape from Suburbia” and the discussion that followed versus millions in front of their TV to watch the Super Bowl.
How much oil/coal was consumed to power the Super Bowl and all the TVs to watch the spectacle?
Oil that a short while ago had risen to historic prices generating lots of talk but now that the prices have returned to lower levels, the issue seems to have passed.
It hasn’t.
What can I do? The problem is so huge.
“Conservation is one answer… conservation is economically more sustainable.”
Reduce your household energy use. Change out regular light bulbs for the energy saving kind. Take one small step at a time but keep at it.
“Action encourages optimism”
Take the 2 Mile Challenge!
Walk or use a bike (in the warmer New England weather) to the store for those small item errands rather than take the family vehicle.
“Community is our solution. We need to help one another.”
Get active in your community. There are a number of groups in the area that are working to address this issue. The Franklin Area Climate Team is one. Check out the sponsor listing for the Green Reel series for other groups in our area.
Talk with your neighbors, share the tips and tricks you pick up with each other.
Do something today!
Note: this was also posted today at Steve's 2 Cents
Note: The quotations in Bold were from the movie "Escape from Suburbia" as I took notes Sunday night.
Both measures would only affect sewer fees
For the first override, Medway's share of next fiscal year's budget would rise 23 percent to about $327,000, for example, according to information provided by the control district. The override, which would be the district's first since 1988, is mainly needed because the state has required two more people be hired at the treatment plant, and to pay for higher maintenance and chemical costs.
The debt exclusion override would raise Franklin's capital payments in 2015 from $102,000 annually to $1 million a year for the next 20 years. In Medway, the increase would be from $25,000 to $260,000 per year.
The Charles River Pollution Control District's treatment plant mainly serves Franklin and Medway, but also handles Bellingham's and Millis' sewer systems and septage tanks from Dover, Sherborn, Norfolk and Wrentham.
Only Franklin and Medway have votes on the increases. Their representatives on the district's commission unanimously approved them last month. District officials presented the plan to Medway selectmen last week, though they have not yet voted on it. The Franklin Town Council will hear a similar presentation in the next few weeks, said Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.
Read the full article on the proposed Charles River fee increases in the Milford Daily News here
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Early word on Franklin local aid cut
Officials in Franklin, which lost $299,676 in the local aid reductions, don't yet know where they will make cuts, said Council Chairman Christopher Feeley, "but we know it should not affect schools."
The news was not as painful as Feeley anticipated, he said.
"I thought it was going to be more dramatic. We've known this was coming, so there are some municipal positions that haven't been filled. Three hundred thousand dollars is a lot of money, but it's not a lot of out a billion," Feeley said.
Read the full article about the effects of state aid cuts on local communities in the Milford Daily News here.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Energy Sense Series
This is the collection of posts covering the Energy Sense Series sponsored by the Franklin Area Climate Team:
Dazzling mathemagic
How about a little bit of dazzling math today?
How does he do it?
Does Franklin prepare their students to do math like this?
How does he do it?
Does Franklin prepare their students to do math like this?
Friday, January 30, 2009
"why they would mean something to people 50 years from now"
GHS
FITCHBURG —
When the curtain rose on the set of "Public Speech, Private Thought," student actors slowly, silently crossed the stage, while overhead, electronic voices sang, "What are we? What the hell is going on?"
Justin Perry, the "rebel" college student played by Dean College student Joe Firicano, was the first to speak, the entire cast motionless around him. "Nobody is right all the time - nobody - not even if you know everything," Firicano said, preparing listeners for one of the play's star players, a narcissistic, dictatorial professor.
Read more about the performance by these Dean students and their chance for another performance later this year in the Milford Daily News here
Building Committee suggestion
As the Building Committee looks into either renovating or building a new high school, as well as what work should be done on the other three older school buildings (Davis-Thayer, Parmenter, and Kennedy), this slideshow should be something to keep in mind.
What kind of design will foster the education environment to prepare our children for a future that is unknown?
What do you think?
What kind of design will foster the education environment to prepare our children for a future that is unknown?
What do you think?
What questions would you ask?
If you wanted to know about social media, or Twitter, or blogging, what question(s) would you ask?
I am looking to solicit some input to tune up my presentation on Blogging 101 for the NewBCamp 2009.
Add a comment or send me an email (shersteve at gmail dot com).
Thanks!
BTW - Info about NewBCamp 2009 can be found here.
I am looking to solicit some input to tune up my presentation on Blogging 101 for the NewBCamp 2009.
Add a comment or send me an email (shersteve at gmail dot com).
Thanks!
BTW - Info about NewBCamp 2009 can be found here.
Meeting Presentations - Updated
Two quick notes on the presentations from the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, January 27.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_su3I5-kz7iZek5SD8pPouGC5dOcuUNfMqILMEnSzcaMI3NeSdNGmsq-EoE-8FVPdgk4hGxnnIFkF4srnCSuilTLDHRHXlp5q1evecZ2lUd3qcsnHA7nk9A0kJThdLccZhgXKZDwEBVzgkv0nTVaGdH=s0-d)
- The presentation overview for the Strategic Plan was really slow loading from Slideshare, so I have removed the presentation and provided a link to the Slideshare site to view it there. At least until I figure out why such a small presentation (only 5 pages, no significant graphics) is doing what it is doing.
- The Life Long Learning presentation was added to that segment of the meeting. You can view that presentation here.
The Green Reel: "Escape from Suburbia"
The Green Reel: a series of films for sustainable living will be shown on Sunday evenings this winter.
What: "Escape from Suburbia"
When: 7:00 PM on February 1, 2009
Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here
read more about the file "Escape from Suburbia" here
Sponsors:
What: "Escape from Suburbia"
When: 7:00 PM on February 1, 2009
Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here
Free and open to the public. For more info: 508-695-2389
read more about the file "Escape from Suburbia" here
Sponsors:
Agudas Achim
Crystal Spring Center
Simply Keep It Local
Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Committee of First Universalist Society of Franklin
New Dawn Earth Center
Oake Knoll Ayrshires
Franklin Area Climate Team
White Barn Farm
St Mark's Episcopal Church-Foxboro
Thursday, January 29, 2009
"if Obama fails, we all fail"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
In 1992, Rush Limbaugh was a supporter of Pat Buchanan's bid for the Republican Party's nomination for president of the United States. Buchanan was taking on sitting president George Herbert Walker Bush, and did a number on him in the voting booth in the New Hampshire primary election that winter.
Bush saw that Limbaugh's influence with the Republican Party's base was quite strong and had to be neutralized. To that end, President Bush invited Limbaugh to the White House for a nice little dinner and a sleep-over in the Lincoln Bedroom.
After his night in the White House, Rush dropped Buchanan and climbed aboard the doomed Bush presidential bandwagon and rode it to defeat in the election.
Bill Clinton won, and this really upset poor old Rush for the next eight years. This may likely be why he took all of those drugs. In October 2003, he started his five weeks of drug rehabilitation, and then he returned to the airways in November proclaiming himself "cured." The state of Florida wasn't quite sure or convinced that this was the case. Authorities in Florida engaged in a three-year investigation of Limbaugh, and in 2006, Rush was arrested for his abuse of prescription drugs.
Read James Johnston's full article about Rush Limbaugh in the Milford Daily News here
Storm wrap up
Franklin Police assisted with three minor accidents on East Central Street, on Lincoln Street near Daniels Street, and on Upper Union Street by Independence Way, said Deputy Chief Stephan Semerjian.
No one was injured, he said.
"Whenever there's no school, there's always less traffic, few pedestrians and no buses, which makes it easier for us," said Semerjian.
The roads were getting slippery mid-afternoon, he said, which is when they're most dangerous.
"The DPW's trying to keep up with it, but it's not easy," Semerjian said.
Read the full article on how the area fared with Wednesday's storm in the Milford Daily News here.
"better way, a less expensive way"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
For years, Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting has sung the praises of regionalizing services, updating archaic laws and making reforms on the state level to save towns like Franklin big bucks.
Now that the Massachusetts Municipal Association has elected him its new president, Nutting gets to advocate for such changes directly to the governor, six times a year.
The MMA elected Nutting on Saturday.
The MMA is an organization of town officials that advocates for municipal policies before the Legislature, the executive branch, regulatory bodies, and the courts. The association's board of directors meets with the governor six times a year to discuss issues facing cities and towns, according to the MMA Web site, www.mma.org.
Read the full article about Jeff and the MMA's efforts in the Milford Daily News here
quarterbacks and teachers
... effective mentoring of a new teacher can make an enormous difference in that person's ability to become a "star" teacher. But the problem, he argues, is that the process of mentorship is much too haphazard. As he says, "It's like training NFL quarterbacks by randomly sending them out to teams - some CFL teams, some Division III teams, some Division I College teams, some community teams, and a few to NFL teams."I would go further and ask "What can school districts learn from this?" Teacher development will even tougher in times of lean budgets when mentoring stipends are not allocated. Teacher development is tough already with much of the community not appreciating or fully understanding "professional development days". These "professional development days" are looked for by many parents as "get-away days" for long weekends.
...
If Matt Cassell can thrive in the NFL, after essentially zero college quarterback experience, what exactly is New England doing right? And what can the rest of the league learn from them?
You should be involved in the discussion on the cost benefit analysis of each school budget dollar. With budget cuts looming, what stays in the budget will be critical to maintaining a healthy learning environment.
Read more of this article about "teachers and quarterbacks" by Malcolm Gladwell here.
Be active in the school budget process.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Franklin - Total Cuts 9C
Total 9C Reduction to Additional Assistance & Lottery = $-299,676.00
Per the listing provided by the Governor today
Per the listing provided by the Governor today
robbers operating in Franklin
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Police are warning the community and retailers to beware of robbers in the area.
Four Franklin stores were hit on four different occasions: Dec. 11, at the East Central Shell Station; Dec. 21, at Olymia Sports Store at the Franklin Village Mall; Jan. 22, at the Xxtra Mart on East Central Street; and on Jan. 24, at the Sprint phone store on West Central Street, according to a press release issued by Deputy Chief Stephan Semerjian.
Read the full story in the Milford Daily News here
School Committee Mtg 01/27/09
The collection of posts covering the School Committee meeting on 1/27/09
"What was a 'conservative' budget then is now 'overly ambitious' "
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Once again, the School Department is looking at serious cuts thanks to both the recession and rising costs of mandatory services.
Administrators last night told the School Committee that just to maintain the same level of school services, teachers and staff next year, the district would need about $3.5 million more than its current budget.
Superintendent Wayne Ogden was quick to state the School Department does not expect to get that much, but, he explained, he wanted to propose a level-service budget for the community.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Creativity should be a priority
TED always has interesting and thought provoking talks. This one is entertaining as well as thought provoking.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Live reporting - meeting closes
Jazz night (mentioned earlier) is only time to see the middle and high school jazz bands perform together. The Remington cafeteria is set up like a night club for this event.
Franklin Education Foundation - Trivia Bee coming up Thursday, March 19th
Franklin Education Foundation - Trivia Bee coming up Thursday, March 19th
Live reporting - Superintendent
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports - none
School Committee Liaison Reports
Cafasso - Building Committee did accept and appreciated the School Committee recommendations on priorities
Superintendent’s Report
- Make Up Day – School Calendar Change (covered earlier)
- Neglect and Abuse
- Special Education Educational Assistant (covered earlier)
- Peanut Butter (covered earlier)
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports - none
School Committee Liaison Reports
Cafasso - Building Committee did accept and appreciated the School Committee recommendations on priorities
Live reporting - Action items
4. Action Items
- I recommend the approval of budget transfers as detailed on the attached list. Approved 7-0
- I recommend acceptance of the donation of $2,500.00 from the Helen Keller PCC for a field trip and buses to the Museum of Fine Arts for Keller’s 4th grade students. Approved 7-0
- I recommend approval of the field trip to Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI for Keller’s 5th graders on May 1, 2009. Approved 7-0
- I recommend the hiring an Educational Assistant for the ALP that has not been budgeted for. Approved 7-0
- I recommend acceptance of a check for $350.00 from B & B Framers and B.F. Kushner of Franklin for mat boards for art for the Jefferson Elementary School. Approved 7-0
- I recommend approval of the FHS Cheerleading field trip to Atlantic City, NJ for a competition from 2/13 – 2/15/09 as detailed. Approved 7-0
- I recommend signing and ratifying the contract between Maureen Sabolinski and the Franklin School Committee for the position of Superintendent of Schools. Approved 7-0
Live reporting - Discussion only items
3. Discussion Only Items
Two possible solutions
- Make Up Day for HMMS/Oak/ECDC Complex
Two possible solutions
- half day on Good Friday
- appending another day at the end of the year
- Peanut Butter in our Schools
- First Reading of Policy KCDB - School Based Advertising Content
Live reporting - FY 2010 Budget
Approach to provide the same level of services as this year.
$3.8 million or 6.9% increase would be required
What the state budget does will drive what our numbers come out as
Budget will be posted to the School's website tomorrow for a more detail review
a "level service" budget
the individual schools got the same allocation as last year. The individual schools may have chosen to distribute within differently.
Dollars allocated on a per pupil basis, will account for the major differences in the overviews for each line item
Teacher reimbursements to individual teachers and hence to the schools were centralized.
Increases for health benefits are projected to be about 10-15%
Armenio - This budget year will not be pleasant, not that any of the recent ones were too pleasant. This assumes School Choice would be continued at the same level as this year?
Ogden - Yes
Armenio - So if the reductions are such that people choose to bring the students back to their home district, that would be revenue we would loose.
Cafasso - On the transportation, can you give us a little more what is behind that?
Goodman - We are expecting an increase, there is an offset for the pay-to-ride, but there is also an increase in special ed out of district transportation.
Slight - What is included in the cost per pupil?
Ogden - the material and expenses associated with each level of the schools
Ogden - Chapter 70 formula possibly to be re-done for the FY 2011 year.
Rohrbach - some relief in spec ed transportation cost would be appropriate
Ogden - Rep Deleo did not think that was possible this year
Roy - Per Nutting, he is expecting Franklin to be short approx 4.5 to $5 million for FY 2010.
We have to be cautious, none of the reductions already made will not be considered for being back next year. It is more likely to see further cuts.
Ogden - what we may get is more like a level funded budget
$3.8 million or 6.9% increase would be required
What the state budget does will drive what our numbers come out as
Budget will be posted to the School's website tomorrow for a more detail review
a "level service" budget
the individual schools got the same allocation as last year. The individual schools may have chosen to distribute within differently.
Dollars allocated on a per pupil basis, will account for the major differences in the overviews for each line item
Teacher reimbursements to individual teachers and hence to the schools were centralized.
Increases for health benefits are projected to be about 10-15%
Armenio - This budget year will not be pleasant, not that any of the recent ones were too pleasant. This assumes School Choice would be continued at the same level as this year?
Ogden - Yes
Armenio - So if the reductions are such that people choose to bring the students back to their home district, that would be revenue we would loose.
Cafasso - On the transportation, can you give us a little more what is behind that?
Goodman - We are expecting an increase, there is an offset for the pay-to-ride, but there is also an increase in special ed out of district transportation.
Slight - What is included in the cost per pupil?
Ogden - the material and expenses associated with each level of the schools
Ogden - Chapter 70 formula possibly to be re-done for the FY 2011 year.
Rohrbach - some relief in spec ed transportation cost would be appropriate
Ogden - Rep Deleo did not think that was possible this year
Roy - Per Nutting, he is expecting Franklin to be short approx 4.5 to $5 million for FY 2010.
We have to be cautious, none of the reductions already made will not be considered for being back next year. It is more likely to see further cuts.
Ogden - what we may get is more like a level funded budget
Live reporting - Steering Committee for Strategic Plan
Strategic Plan Update
The slides can be viewed here
The PR Statement as read by April Crehan:
The Steering Committee:
- Maureen Sabolinski
- Strategic Planning Team Member(s)
The slides can be viewed here
The PR Statement as read by April Crehan:
The Franklin (MA) Public Schools’ Strategic Plan allows the district to respond to emerging trends, events, challenges, and opportunities within the framework of the district's core values, vision, and mission. The School Committee has started the process to review and update the Plan adopted by the district in 2004. In conjunction with the Superintendent, the School Committee has appointed a Strategic Plan Steering Committee to manage this process. The Steering Committee will solicit input from all interested parties in the community with regard to the core values, vision, and mission of the Franklin Public Schools.
Strategic planning in education is a complex process. The Steering Committee recognizes that there are many parties interested in the education of the children of Franklin. Because the core values, vision, and mission articulated in the Strategic Plan will guide decisions regarding our children’s education for the next five years, it is vital that the interests of the community are represented. Opportunities for periodic review and feedback to and from the community will be included in the development and implementation of this Strategic Plan.
The Steering Committee:
Co-Chair:
- Judi Bassignani - Principal, Parmenter Elementary
- Miriam Goodman -Director, Franklin Public Schools Finance
Members:
- Colleen Ahern - Teacher, Sullivan Middle School
- April Crehan - Student, Franklin High School
- Renee Danho - Community, Dean College
- Ted McIntire - Parent
- Susan Rohrbach - School Committee
- Steve Sherlock - Community
- Peg Sweeney - Parent
- Rosanne Walsh - Teacher, Remington Middle School
Administration Liaisons
- Wayne Ogden - Current Superintendent of Schools
- Maureen Sabolinski - Incoming Superintendent of Schools
Live reporting - Life long learning
2. Guests/Presentations
Lifelong Learning Update
Approx 5500 participants in all the offerings from Life Long Learning
Survey after every session, utilize the feedback for the next round of programs
Approx. 244 faculty and staff to run the program
$1.3 million revenue generated last year. All equipment become part of the Franklin School District inventory.
Private music lessons - trained and active performers as musicians
2300 students in the Summer program. Catalogs are at the Post Office ready for delivery.
Jeanne Hummel does the brochures and the website and does a marvelous job doing this.
Second summer of the High School Experience coming up. Added a Social Studies teacher to the course.
Nancy Schoen working with the music mentors has been taking the program to a new level.
Cafasso - You are doing a stellar job! I appreciate your hard work.
Kelly - I think it is very important to stress that this is self-funded.
Lifelong Learning Update
- Pandora Carlucci
The programs under the aegis of the Lifelong Learning Institute endeavor to contribute to the development of the Town of Franklin as a knowledge community.
Approx 5500 participants in all the offerings from Life Long Learning
Survey after every session, utilize the feedback for the next round of programs
Approx. 244 faculty and staff to run the program
$1.3 million revenue generated last year. All equipment become part of the Franklin School District inventory.
Private music lessons - trained and active performers as musicians
2300 students in the Summer program. Catalogs are at the Post Office ready for delivery.
Jeanne Hummel does the brochures and the website and does a marvelous job doing this.
Second summer of the High School Experience coming up. Added a Social Studies teacher to the course.
Nancy Schoen working with the music mentors has been taking the program to a new level.
"We are all teachers and learners."
Cafasso - You are doing a stellar job! I appreciate your hard work.
Kelly - I think it is very important to stress that this is self-funded.
Live reporting - School Committee
Attending: Armenio, Cafasso, Kelly, Mullen, Roy, Rohrbach, Trahan
Call to order Mr. Roy
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence
1. Routine Business
Mr Light - has launched a blog and podcast off the FHS website, click on Mr Light's name
Jazz Cafe - Feb 4, 7:00 PM - at Remington-Jefferson
Call to order Mr. Roy
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence
1. Routine Business
- Citizen’s Comments - none
- Review of Agenda - no executive session needed
- Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the January 13, 2009 School Committee Meeting. approved 7-0
- Payment of Bills - Mr. Kelly approved 7-0
- Payroll - Ms. Armenio
- FHS Student Representatives
Mr Light - has launched a blog and podcast off the FHS website, click on Mr Light's name
Jazz Cafe - Feb 4, 7:00 PM - at Remington-Jefferson
- Correspondence: Letter from Bethany Trainor
NewBCamp - find out about blogging, podcasting, Twitter, etc.
It's been almost one year since the inaugural NewBCamp took place and there's another one coming up in Providence.
What is NewBCamp?
It is a gathering of people interesting in learning and sharing about the new social media tools; blogs, podcasts, video blogs, Twitter, etc.
What is in it for me?
If you are interested in learning about these tools, then this is the place for you. The focus is on the new user (i.e. newbie or NewB). You won't feel lost, you will be amongst those who are learning from those who are willing to share.
What does it cost?
It is very reasonably priced at only $10. Less than a movie!
What are the details?
When:
February 8, 2009 - 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where:
Johnson & WalesPepsi Forum
8 Abbott Park Place
Providence, RI 02903
NewBCamp is brought to you by two organizations - Free Geek Providence and SofT ICE at Johnson & Wales.
If you would like additional information, please feel free to contact me. I will be there at the Welcome/Registration Desk.
If you would like additional information, please feel free to contact me. I will be there at the Welcome/Registration Desk.
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The Green Reel: "Escape from Suburbia"
The Green Reel: a series of films for sustainable living will be shown on Sunday evenings this winter.
What: "Escape from Suburbia"
When: 7:00 PM on February 1, 2009
Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here
read more about the file "Escape from Suburbia" here
Sponsors:
What: "Escape from Suburbia"
When: 7:00 PM on February 1, 2009
Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here
Free and open to the public. For more info: 508-695-2389
read more about the file "Escape from Suburbia" here
Sponsors:
Agudas Achim
Crystal Spring Center
Simply Keep It Local
Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Committee of First Universalist Society of Franklin
New Dawn Earth Center
Oake Knoll Ayrshires
Franklin Area Climate Team
White Barn Farm
St Mark's Episcopal Church-Foxboro
Monday, January 26, 2009
Live reporting - Planning Board/Walgreens
The Planning Board is in the public hearing for the proposed Walgreens at Four Corners. To alleviate traffic concerns, the Town working with Walgreens will add a right turn only lane (north bound on King) to turn onto East Central St (heading east). The second lane will be a combined straight-through traffic (to Chestnut) and left turn (westbound on East Central heading into town).
Jeff Nutting committed that if the applicant provides the design plans by April 1, the town will have enough time to do the work before Walgreens would be scheduled to open (in October).
The public hearing has now been closed. The decision on the special permits required will be scheduled.
Jeff Nutting committed that if the applicant provides the design plans by April 1, the town will have enough time to do the work before Walgreens would be scheduled to open (in October).
The public hearing has now been closed. The decision on the special permits required will be scheduled.
School Committee - Agenda - 1/27/09
AGENDA
Call to order Mr. Roy
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence
1. Routine Business
2. Guests/Presentations
Lifelong Learning Update
Strategic Plan Update
FY10 Budget Overview
3. Discussion Only Items
4. Action Items
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
Contractual Negotiations
8. Adjourn
Call to order Mr. Roy
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence
1. Routine Business
- Citizen’s Comments
- Review of Agenda
- Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the January 13, 2009 School Committee Meeting.
- Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
- Payroll Ms. Armenio
- FHS Student Representatives
- Correspondence: Letter from Bethany Trainor
2. Guests/Presentations
Lifelong Learning Update
- Pandora Carlucci
Strategic Plan Update
- Maureen Sabolinski
- Strategic Planning Team Member(s)
FY10 Budget Overview
- Maureen Sabolinski
- Miriam Goodman
- Wayne Ogden
3. Discussion Only Items
- Make Up Day for HMMS/Oak/ECDC Complex
- Peanut Butter in our Schools
- First Reading of Policy KCDB - School Based Advertising Content
4. Action Items
- I recommend the approval of budget transfers as detailed on the attached list.
- I recommend acceptance of the donation of $2,500.00 from the Helen Keller PCC for a field trip and buses to the Museum of Fine Arts for Keller’s 4th grade students.
- I recommend approval of the field trip to Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI for Keller’s 5th graders on May 1, 2009.
- I recommend the hiring an Educational Assistant for the ALP that has not been budgeted for.
- I recommend acceptance of a check for $350.00 from B & B Framers and B.F. Kushner of Franklin for mat boards for art for the Jefferson Elementary School.
- I recommend approval of the FHS Cheerleading field trip to Atlantic City, NJ for a competition from 2/13 – 2/15/09 as detailed.
- I recommend signing and ratifying the contract between Maureen Sabolinski and the Franklin School Committee for the position of Superintendent of Schools.
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
- Make Up Day – School Calendar Change
- Neglect and Abuse
- Special Education Educational Assistant
- Peanut Butter
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
Contractual Negotiations
8. Adjourn
Sunday, January 25, 2009
FM #29 - This week in Franklin, MA
This is the 29th in a series of podcasts on what is happening in Franklin, MA. In this session, I talk about how much snow removal we should do and about the teen substance abuse problem that Bill Phillips and his New Beginnings Program addresses.
Time: 9 minutes, 20 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes
Music intro
My intro
FM #29
This podcast for Franklin Matters is number 29 in the series. In this session, I’ll focus on what you should know about what is happening this week in Franklin, MA.
From the Town Council meeting 1/21/09, there was a very good presentation on the DPW and their snow removal efforts. Robert Cantoreggi, DPW Director was accompanied by Jim Estabrook, Graphical Information Systems Manager, to make the presentation. The video of the Town Council meeting is available on the town website. The presentation itself is also available on Franklin Matters.
You should note that the town website has added a link in the left column to allow you to go directly to the live video feeds and to the video archives. This is a simple navigation aid that will have lasting benefits. Thanks very much for putting this link in place. I have also added a link in the meetings for 2009 section.
In these days of cost cutting, one discussion we should have is how much should we spend on the snow removal? If you travel into some of the upstate Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont communities, they do not always plow their roads down to the pavement like we do here. There are other examples in state as well as out of state. You can travel on them. It is not a safety issue from a passageway point of view. You would need to travel slower as they remain snow covered and hence would tend to be slippery.
The money for salt and labor is effective only for as a short term benefit. Since a million dollars provides the salary and benefits for about 20 employees in the town. I would rather spend the money to keep people on the payroll rather than toss it away on road salt and snow removal.
What do you think?
Should we continue to pay whatever it takes to plow and sand our roads as we are today or should we consider cutting back, especially to save the money for other priorities? I’d be interested in hearing what you have to say on this.
The Town Council has asked the DPW Director to come back with some alternatives of reducing cost by 10 or 20 percent. Stay tuned into this discussion to see what happens.
A second item from the Town Council meeting will be worth watching, The Police Dept conducted a sting operation with 28 establishments in town that serve liquor and apparently caught two serving minors. I am not a lawyer but based upon what was reported in the Milford Daily News, they may not have a solid case on one of the two establishments. The hearing on the 4th should be interesting.
Let me be clear, the sting was a good thing. We do need to monitor how our teenagers get access to alcohol. The drinking and substance abuse amongst our teens is a problem that needs to be addressed. Bill Phillips has stated that you can get alcohol, drugs and weapons in any high school. In one school, there was a cooler in the student’s vehicle in the school parking lot to serve the beer cold. Bill referenced these and other stories during the WASTED presentation at Franklin High School in December. If you have not yet listened to that, I do recommend it. It is powerful material.
Bill’s program, New Beginnings, is in jeopardy. He had been funded by the MA Dept of Public Health. Unfortunately, his grant has been cut in this recent round of state budget cuts. The program has addressed over 200,000 teenagers since it was established in 1985. He currently is providing services to over 150 teenagers.
On the night he presented at Franklin High, he acknowledged receiving 19 emails from Franklin students after talking with them during the assemblies that day. 19 students by 4:00 PM that day had already reached out to Bill for help. How many of those are in jeopardy of losing Bill’s support right now? I don’t know but the odds are that some from Franklin are in the bunch.
I have started to help Bill in raising additional funds for his program. You may have noticed the Virgin Atlantic contest posting on Franklin Matters. This is just one step in the process of raising awareness for his program. I think his program is effective. I think it is valuable. I think it needs to raise additional funds to keep operating.
If you can help in anyway, I would appreciate it. Making a contribution is one way. You can contribute directly via his web site.
If you know of any company or foundation that Bill could appeal to for a contribution, please let me know. Or contact Bill directly.
If you would like to help spread the word on keeping the program alive, please let Bill or I know.
And to close this session, let’s look at what is coming up this week: there is a
Check them out.
Keep informed
and stay warm!
----- -----
This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow citizens of Franklin, MA
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The musical intro and closing is from the Podsafe Music Network
Jon Schmidt - Powerful Exhilarating Piano Music
Time: 9 minutes, 20 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes
Music intro
My intro
FM #29
This podcast for Franklin Matters is number 29 in the series. In this session, I’ll focus on what you should know about what is happening this week in Franklin, MA.
From the Town Council meeting 1/21/09, there was a very good presentation on the DPW and their snow removal efforts. Robert Cantoreggi, DPW Director was accompanied by Jim Estabrook, Graphical Information Systems Manager, to make the presentation. The video of the Town Council meeting is available on the town website. The presentation itself is also available on Franklin Matters.
You should note that the town website has added a link in the left column to allow you to go directly to the live video feeds and to the video archives. This is a simple navigation aid that will have lasting benefits. Thanks very much for putting this link in place. I have also added a link in the meetings for 2009 section.
In these days of cost cutting, one discussion we should have is how much should we spend on the snow removal? If you travel into some of the upstate Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont communities, they do not always plow their roads down to the pavement like we do here. There are other examples in state as well as out of state. You can travel on them. It is not a safety issue from a passageway point of view. You would need to travel slower as they remain snow covered and hence would tend to be slippery.
The money for salt and labor is effective only for as a short term benefit. Since a million dollars provides the salary and benefits for about 20 employees in the town. I would rather spend the money to keep people on the payroll rather than toss it away on road salt and snow removal.
What do you think?
Should we continue to pay whatever it takes to plow and sand our roads as we are today or should we consider cutting back, especially to save the money for other priorities? I’d be interested in hearing what you have to say on this.
The Town Council has asked the DPW Director to come back with some alternatives of reducing cost by 10 or 20 percent. Stay tuned into this discussion to see what happens.
A second item from the Town Council meeting will be worth watching, The Police Dept conducted a sting operation with 28 establishments in town that serve liquor and apparently caught two serving minors. I am not a lawyer but based upon what was reported in the Milford Daily News, they may not have a solid case on one of the two establishments. The hearing on the 4th should be interesting.
Let me be clear, the sting was a good thing. We do need to monitor how our teenagers get access to alcohol. The drinking and substance abuse amongst our teens is a problem that needs to be addressed. Bill Phillips has stated that you can get alcohol, drugs and weapons in any high school. In one school, there was a cooler in the student’s vehicle in the school parking lot to serve the beer cold. Bill referenced these and other stories during the WASTED presentation at Franklin High School in December. If you have not yet listened to that, I do recommend it. It is powerful material.
Bill’s program, New Beginnings, is in jeopardy. He had been funded by the MA Dept of Public Health. Unfortunately, his grant has been cut in this recent round of state budget cuts. The program has addressed over 200,000 teenagers since it was established in 1985. He currently is providing services to over 150 teenagers.
On the night he presented at Franklin High, he acknowledged receiving 19 emails from Franklin students after talking with them during the assemblies that day. 19 students by 4:00 PM that day had already reached out to Bill for help. How many of those are in jeopardy of losing Bill’s support right now? I don’t know but the odds are that some from Franklin are in the bunch.
I have started to help Bill in raising additional funds for his program. You may have noticed the Virgin Atlantic contest posting on Franklin Matters. This is just one step in the process of raising awareness for his program. I think his program is effective. I think it is valuable. I think it needs to raise additional funds to keep operating.
If you can help in anyway, I would appreciate it. Making a contribution is one way. You can contribute directly via his web site.
If you know of any company or foundation that Bill could appeal to for a contribution, please let me know. Or contact Bill directly.
If you would like to help spread the word on keeping the program alive, please let Bill or I know.
And to close this session, let’s look at what is coming up this week: there is a
- Planning Board meeting on Monday
- School Committee meeting on Tuesday
- Financial Planning Committee is scheduled for Thursday
Check them out.
Keep informed
and stay warm!
----- -----
This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow citizens of Franklin, MA
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The musical intro and closing is from the Podsafe Music Network
Jon Schmidt - Powerful Exhilarating Piano Music
"I like the sting, it's good"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Two bars in town may temporarily lose their liquor licenses after allegedly serving alcohol to teens working with Franklin Police in an age compliance check, police said.
Workers at the Pepper Terrace Restaurant, at 400 Franklin Village Drive, and Cottage Street Pub & Grill, at 158 Cottage St., allegedly sold the teens beer on Saturday, Jan. 17, said Lt. Thomas Lynch.
"Do they look like they're 21? No they don't," Lynch said, explaining that police specifically instructed the teens not to wear make-up, jewelry, or dress up to appear older.
The goal, he said, was to check whether the establishments would serve people who were clearly younger than 21 years old.
Read the full article on the results of this sting operation in the Milford Daily News here
Circle of Friends - Vance Gilbert, Ann Heaton
Circle of Friends Coffeehouse
Saturday,- January 31st, 8:00 PM
Saturday,- January 31st, 8:00 PM
"Gilbert's burnished voice poured over one purling, liquid melody after another, over an accompaniment of tender arpeggios and supple chord progressions. "
-The Chicago Tribune
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Our teens need your help
Since 1985, the New Beginnings Program (NBP) has provided a comprehensive wellness initiative for schools, parents and communities for hundreds of youth involved in drug and alcohol addiction. The presentations, classes, one-to-one education, and true life testimonies have made a substantial impact. As a result of the recent cuts in funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, NBP has cut its staff, supplies and other expenditures jeopardizing the support for over 120 youth currently in the program.
The New Beginnings Program faces a critical need for financial resources to sustain the counseling services that our youth at risk require.
Please visit the NBP website to find information regarding its services, successes, and to make a contribution.
Bill Phillips, the founder of New Beginnings, was a central part of the WASTED presentation at Franklin High School in December, 2008.
You can help by casting your vote in support of this program here:
http://revolutiontakesflight.com/items/Help_Teens_with_Substance_Abuse?c=0
Free registration will be required to cast your vote.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF MA, 21 YEARS AND OLDER. VOID OUTSIDE OF MA AND WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes ends: 2/6/09.
For Official Rules and prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit http://www.revolutiontakesflight.com. Sponsor: Virgin America, 555 Airport Blvd., 4th Floor, Burlingame, CA 94010.
DPW Presentation on Snow Removal
Thanks to Brutus and Jim for providing this copy of the DPW slides presented during the Town Council meeting Wednesday evening.
Live reports from the Town Council meeting can be found here
Live reports from the Town Council meeting can be found here
"for children ages 4 months to 9 years of age"
JW Tumbles to open first Mass. location
|
"you have to live with that for the rest of your life"
GHS
NO DATA —
In any police department, reconstructing a fatal accident requires using technical gadgets, solving complex mathematical equations, capturing hundreds of images from the accident scene, and "good old-fashioned" practices like taking measurements and gathering witness testimony.
Their detective works yields minute details - such as how many seconds it takes a pedestrian to cross the street, a car's speed, objects the drivers perceived, response time, whether someone used their brakes or cut around a corner too quickly.
Yesterday afternoon, Lt. Thomas Lynch and Officers Rick Grover and David Gove explained the ABC's of reconstructing fatal and serious car wrecks, as they completed the final leg of investigating the accident that killed beloved teacher Palma Johnson Dec. 12.
Read the full article to understand the attention to detail that is involved in accident reconstruction.
Friday, January 23, 2009
The Green Reel: "King Corn"
The Green Reel: a series of films for sustainable living will be shown on Sunday evenings this winter beginning January 25th.
What: King Corn
When: 7:00 PM on January 25, 2009
Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here
read more about the film King Corn here
Sponsors:
What: King Corn
When: 7:00 PM on January 25, 2009
Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here
Free and open to the public. For more info: 508-695-2389
read more about the film King Corn here
Sponsors:
Agudas Achim
Crystal Spring Center
Simply Keep It Local
Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Committee of First Universalist Society of Franklin
New Dawn Earth Center
Oake Knoll Ayrshires
Franklin Area Climate Team
White Barn Farm
St Mark's Episcopal Church-Foxboro
Saving Money in Plain English
In our continuing series on learning, the folks at Common Craft have come up with a new video on saving money. They explain the difference between putting money in your piggy bank or into a savings bank.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Cafe Dolce - coming soon
yea, a coffee shop is coming soon to downtown Franklin.
This posting has updated information here
Mobile post sent by shersteve using Utterli.
Replies."Franklin does not have "any more or less" drugs than any other community"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
In what police say is likely the biggest heroin bust in Franklin's history, Franklin Police and the Norfolk County Police Anti-Crime Task Force seized 324 grams of heroin from a Providence man who sold $150 worth of cocaine to an undercover officer.
In addition to the $32,000 worth of heroin, police also seized 12 grams of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $500 to $1,000, and $4,339 in cash during the arrest at 599 Old West Central St. (Rte. 140), police said.
"It's a very significant bust. Most people involved in the investigation and arrest, even the narcotics guys, they'd never seen that much heroin in any one place before this," said Franklin Lt. Thomas Lynch.
"That was the most (heroin seized) in one incident for one individual Franklin has ever had. In the 12 years I've been in law enforcement, I've never seen that much heroin in one place," said Lynch.
Read the full article on the heroin bust in the Milford Daily News here
Our teens have admitted struggling with substance abuse. You can check out the WASTED presentation here.
Town Council Mtg Summary 1/21/09
The following are the collection of posts for the Town Council meeting of 1/21/09
- Live reporting - Administrator's update, to meetin...
- Live reporting - Nutting - performance review
- Live reporting - action items
- Live reporting - the DPW story on snow
- Live reporting - Town Council 1/21/09
"Are we doing too good of a job?"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi shed light last night on a few of the mysteries of snow removal, like how much more contractors cost than town employees, why the town needs them, and why salt is ultimately cheaper than sand.
In a presentation to Town Council, Cantoreggi noted the town has already used up its snow removal budget for the year. He said the DPW is trying to cut costs and outlined the price of snow removal, reviewed the kinds of road treatments used by his department, as well as reimbursements for mailboxes smashed by plows, and described a cost-cutting measure he implemented this year.
Is it time?
Other than being an ad for Kaplan University, a company trying to re-invent itself, the subject raises some good questions. Is it time to re-think the educational process?
What do you think?
What do you think?
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Live reporting - Administrator's update, to meeting close
Common Cause has awarded the town an award for information on the town web site. An informed electorate is the best way to survive tough times. Thanks to the town employees for providing the updates.
We should hear soon what the state funding status will be. It will be tough times.
Bartlett - What about the stimulation funding?
Nutting - The expectation that everyone will get something is incorrect. By the time you get down to the local level, where things need to be shovel ready, there won't be a lot of opportunity. Some of this will be done via block grants. The Congress has not yet voted on this. Governor Patrick is preparing the state well to react when it happens. We could use $500 billion on MA alone.
Bartlett - How will the process work when the Governor balances the budget?
Nutting - We need to look at the 2010 budget as well as the cuts for the 09 budget to make a smart choice. They ought to be parallel. I don't think it is practical to cut a school budget during the year. Can you just say no more math, or cuts spring sports? I think it will fall to the town to absorb the 09 cuts.
Old business -
Pfeffer - someone must know what the cause of the power and water damage was?
Nutting - I will get you information on what we are submitting.
Nutting - We go out to bid health insurance and property/casualty periodically. We are actually out to bid right now. We should get the bids in March.
New business -
Whalen - I thought we were getting a more comprehensive package on what happened and what the plan is to avoid this in the future.
Nutting - We will resolve that will tying the alerts into the Fire Station so when the heat goes out, there will be calls made.
Whalen - we should have a full accounting
Nutting - You probably won't see it until later February and March.
Pfeffer - we were promised a fuller report
Nutting - yes, you will get it, just not now.
Councilor Comments -
Mason -
Vallee - I heard from two people who are upset that they received a 34-38% increase in their taxes. I would like to hear from my constituents.
Nutting - Any one aggrieved by a tax increase, you need to file by Feb 1. If you don't file by Feb 1, you won't be able to get any adjustment.
We should hear soon what the state funding status will be. It will be tough times.
Bartlett - What about the stimulation funding?
Nutting - The expectation that everyone will get something is incorrect. By the time you get down to the local level, where things need to be shovel ready, there won't be a lot of opportunity. Some of this will be done via block grants. The Congress has not yet voted on this. Governor Patrick is preparing the state well to react when it happens. We could use $500 billion on MA alone.
Bartlett - How will the process work when the Governor balances the budget?
Nutting - We need to look at the 2010 budget as well as the cuts for the 09 budget to make a smart choice. They ought to be parallel. I don't think it is practical to cut a school budget during the year. Can you just say no more math, or cuts spring sports? I think it will fall to the town to absorb the 09 cuts.
Old business -
Pfeffer - someone must know what the cause of the power and water damage was?
Nutting - I will get you information on what we are submitting.
Nutting - We go out to bid health insurance and property/casualty periodically. We are actually out to bid right now. We should get the bids in March.
New business -
Whalen - I thought we were getting a more comprehensive package on what happened and what the plan is to avoid this in the future.
Nutting - We will resolve that will tying the alerts into the Fire Station so when the heat goes out, there will be calls made.
Whalen - we should have a full accounting
Nutting - You probably won't see it until later February and March.
Pfeffer - we were promised a fuller report
Nutting - yes, you will get it, just not now.
Councilor Comments -
Mason -
Vallee - I heard from two people who are upset that they received a 34-38% increase in their taxes. I would like to hear from my constituents.
Nutting - Any one aggrieved by a tax increase, you need to file by Feb 1. If you don't file by Feb 1, you won't be able to get any adjustment.
Live reporting - Nutting - performance review
Although differences of opinion may occur, Jeff executes the wish of the council.
Jeff drives around town
1 - to monitor the status of what's going on
2 - ensure that operations are current
continued development of town department heads and employees
maintain cost effective and efficient operations
Council should establish goals, Nutting should do likewise
more periodic updates from town dept heads to better educate the town and average citizens
recommendation for 2.5% pay increase retro active to October 2008
Zollo, (chair) McGann, Pfeffer (members)
raise was already budgeted, will not be seeking a raise for this budget year.
Vallee will not support any increase for any employee at this time
Doak - Jeff is the only employee in the town who has not gotten the increase this year. We should have done this sooner rather than later. I will support the recommended increase.
Chris - Jeff is the CEO of the town, normally is the highest pay of the town, normally would be getting the highest increase. Jeff's leadership in declining the increase for the coming year is good.
Approved 6-1
Jeff drives around town
1 - to monitor the status of what's going on
2 - ensure that operations are current
continued development of town department heads and employees
maintain cost effective and efficient operations
Council should establish goals, Nutting should do likewise
more periodic updates from town dept heads to better educate the town and average citizens
recommendation for 2.5% pay increase retro active to October 2008
Zollo, (chair) McGann, Pfeffer (members)
raise was already budgeted, will not be seeking a raise for this budget year.
Vallee will not support any increase for any employee at this time
Doak - Jeff is the only employee in the town who has not gotten the increase this year. We should have done this sooner rather than later. I will support the recommended increase.
Chris - Jeff is the CEO of the town, normally is the highest pay of the town, normally would be getting the highest increase. Jeff's leadership in declining the increase for the coming year is good.
Approved 6-1
Live reporting - action items
LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Discussion on reducing costs, the major expense on salting/sanding will occur later this year. Brutus to come back with some alternatives to cut costs what would it look like.
- Resolution 09-02: Declaration as Surplus and Available for Disposition (Leasing) and Authorization therefore of a Portion of Town-Owned Land at 40 West Central Street
- Resolution 09-03: Authorization to Expend Funds in Excess of Available Appropriations – Snow & Ice
Discussion on reducing costs, the major expense on salting/sanding will occur later this year. Brutus to come back with some alternatives to cut costs what would it look like.
Live reporting - the DPW story on snow
Robert (Brutus) Cantorregi
Jim Estabrook, GIS specialist
Thanks to Brutus and Jim for providing this copy of the full presentation:
only $2,010 left in snow budget right now
Citizens can help by:
Nutting - They have been cutting back on the routes and materials but nothing else.
Brutus - Maybe instead of getting to a subdivision within four hours after a storm, we do eight? Then heaven forbid, we don't get there and there is a tragedy due to a safety issue.
Whalen - what are the costs associated with a slower clearing of the snow? Maybe a few more school cancellations?
Nutting - the wear and tear of our DPW employees, just the safety of the employees alone, never mind the wear on the equipment.
Whalen - I am surprised that citizens with snow blowers just don't do more sidewalks.
Jim Estabrook, GIS specialist
Thanks to Brutus and Jim for providing this copy of the full presentation:
only $2,010 left in snow budget right now
Citizens can help by:
Don't put snow back into the streetDoak - the DPW is a victim of their own success. Is it a consideration to do less?
Clear the fire hydrants
Nutting - They have been cutting back on the routes and materials but nothing else.
Brutus - Maybe instead of getting to a subdivision within four hours after a storm, we do eight? Then heaven forbid, we don't get there and there is a tragedy due to a safety issue.
Whalen - what are the costs associated with a slower clearing of the snow? Maybe a few more school cancellations?
Nutting - the wear and tear of our DPW employees, just the safety of the employees alone, never mind the wear on the equipment.
Whalen - I am surprised that citizens with snow blowers just don't do more sidewalks.
Live reporting - Town Council 1/21/09
Attending: Whalen, Mason, Vallee, Bartlett, Feeley, Pfeffer, Doak
Absent: McGann, Zollo
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - none tonight
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS - none tonight
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none tonight
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS - School Building Committee
Approved 7-0
Absent: McGann, Zollo
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - none tonight
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS - none tonight
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none tonight
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Fire Chief McCarraher asked for the citizens to help with clearing the fire hydrants near their residences. The DPW is getting around to clear them but the citizens can help create a safer environment.
E. APPOINTMENTS - School Building Committee
Peter Light, new Principal at Franklin High School, was appointed to replace Pam Gould on the School Building Committee. Pam is leaving for another position in Plymouth.
Approved 7-0
History of the internet
Thanks to the folks at Common Craft for pointing out this cool video history of the interent by PICOL. The foks at PICOL are developing a common picture library to help make communications easier and simpler to understand.
Watch this history video and see if they are successful:
History of the Internet from PICOL on Vimeo.
Did this make sense to you?
Did you like this?
Watch this history video and see if they are successful:
History of the Internet from PICOL on Vimeo.
Did this make sense to you?
Did you like this?
"Our vested interest is two-fold"
GHS
MEDWAY —
Looking to offer a neighbor a hand, Franklin is poised to start running its recreation programs in Medway, starting possibly with flag football for kids this spring.
Based on selectmen's enthusiastic reception at their meeting last night, the idea, while relatively modest, could open the towns' services to broader regionalization. The concept is mentioned often by local officials, but always proves hard to realize.
Medway has few recreation programs, while Franklin offers a full slate from cooking classes for pre-schoolers to an adult baseball league.
Recreation officials from both towns said yesterday they see the arrangement benefiting their kids and their finances: Medway would start having regular activities in town, while collecting user fees for its fields, and Franklin would bring in more money for a recreation department that essentially already pays for itself.
Read the full article on this collaboration effort in the Milford Daily News here
The American Form of Government
A good ten minute explanation of the American form of government:
Enjoy!
Thanks to WXPNews for the link.
Enjoy!
Thanks to WXPNews for the link.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Be remarkable
Seth Godin's talk at the TED conference a couple of years ago has been viewed many times. It can stand alone as a great piece of practical business advice. Seth delivers the message in a humorous and attention maintaining manner.
Put the video in Nibipedia, a new utilization of the wiki format, and the video becomes more powerful. While viewing, there is a screen below the video that changes as Seth is talking. It sequences the video with "nibs", a deeper explanation of that specific point in the video.
This is fascinating stuff. As it is a wiki, you can create another "nib". If one section of the video reminds you of something, you can create an account and add a new nib.
This is not the only video that has been "nibbed" on Nibipedia. This one just happens to be one I like and is a great example of what is needed to be remarkable today.
You can view the video here.
Once you have, continue to explore
Put the video in Nibipedia, a new utilization of the wiki format, and the video becomes more powerful. While viewing, there is a screen below the video that changes as Seth is talking. It sequences the video with "nibs", a deeper explanation of that specific point in the video.
This is fascinating stuff. As it is a wiki, you can create another "nib". If one section of the video reminds you of something, you can create an account and add a new nib.
This is not the only video that has been "nibbed" on Nibipedia. This one just happens to be one I like and is a great example of what is needed to be remarkable today.
You can view the video here.
Once you have, continue to explore
Town Council - Agenda - 1/21/09
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS - School Building Committee
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS –
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - Snow & Ice Budget - DPW
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
This agenda can also be found on the Town web page here
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS - School Building Committee
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS –
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - Snow & Ice Budget - DPW
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
- Resolution 09-02: Declaration as Surplus and Available for Disposition (Leasing) and Authorization therefore of a Portion of Town-Owned Land at 40 West Central Street
- Resolution 09-03: Authorization to Expend Funds in Excess of Available Appropriations – Snow & Ice
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
This agenda can also be found on the Town web page here
The Green Reel: "King Corn"
The Green Reel: a series of films for sustainable living will be shown on Sunday evenings this winter beginning January 25th.
What: King Corn
When: 7:00 PM on January 25, 2009
Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here
read more about the film King Corn here
Sponsors:
What: King Corn
When: 7:00 PM on January 25, 2009
Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here
Free and open to the public. For more info: 508-695-2389
read more about the film King Corn here
Sponsors:
Agudas Achim
Crystal Spring Center
Simply Keep It Local
Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Committee of First Universalist Society of Franklin
New Dawn Earth Center
Oake Knoll Ayrshires
Franklin Area Climate Team
White Barn Farm
St Mark's Episcopal Church-Foxboro
Monday, January 19, 2009
"we encourage their interest"
According to CNN exit polls, of the 18- to 29-year-old voters, 66 percent of them cast their ballots for Barack Obama in November. And although a majority of students at Franklin High School are not of legal voting age, that minor detail has not stopped some from taking a sincere interest.
"Even though you can't vote, you can still make a difference," said junior Zachary Woodward.
He and classmate Sara LaFlamme recently started up a Young Democrats club at the school and held their first meeting last Thursday.
"I've always considered myself a Democrat," said LaFlamme. "But this election really caught my attention because the two (Democratic) candidates were a woman and a black man. Those are huge steps right there."
She and Woodward went through a number of issues at the meeting, ranging from the economy to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and presented the Democratic standpoint of each.
"I really see this club as a portal through which we can channel our ideas," Woodward told the 11 students present. "Just because we can't vote, we still know what's important."
Tina Leardi, a U.S. history teacher and the club's adviser, stressed that a person doesn't have to agree with all Democratic policies to identify with the party.
"I think (the club) is a really good idea," she said. "Kids should be reading the papers, watching the news, and forming their own opinions."
Read the full article on how the interest in politics has risen amongst high school students in the Milford Daily News here
Schools - capital priority list
GHS
FRANKLIN —
While the townwide Building Committee assesses which buildings are in most need of repair, the School Committee wants to send a strong message that renovating Franklin High School should take precedence.
Facilities Manager Michael D'Angelo made a list of 25 capital projects that need to be done in the school district, with a total cost of $4.9 million.
"The number one priority is not on this list, and that's Franklin High School. Everything on this list should take a backseat to moving forward with Franklin High School," said Chairman Jeffrey Roy.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily New here.
This was part of the live reporting from the School Committee meeting on 1/13/09
You can view the video of this discussion on the town website
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