- support renewable energy in MA
- sign up for NationalGrid's GreenUp Program
cleanernergychoice.org
Look for the post card in your next bill! Should be in the October bill.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Live reporting - Energy $ense - clean power
buy clean power
cleanernergychoice.org
Look for the post card in your next bill! Should be in the October bill.
cleanernergychoice.org
Look for the post card in your next bill! Should be in the October bill.
Live reporting - Energy $ense - NationalGrid
Windows
Gerry Hanna, from NationalGrid
Masssave, a collaboration funded with the conservation charge on each of our utility bills
You can call for an energy audit. The auditor will take about 2 hours to go through the house with you. The printout will prioritize the opportunities according to the energy savings projected by the audit.
Will do less audits but more implementation work. Will pay 75% up to $2000 if qualified for thermal work
"You need to want to do something but now is the time to do so."
"Audits are already scheduled through January, call now and they will honor the request after March 2009 when the offer expires."
The education is available on the Massave website. They'll need your zipcode and primary heating method (oil, gas).
- longer payback
- standard double-glaze only R-3
- triple glaze R-5
Gerry Hanna, from NationalGrid
Masssave, a collaboration funded with the conservation charge on each of our utility bills
You can call for an energy audit. The auditor will take about 2 hours to go through the house with you. The printout will prioritize the opportunities according to the energy savings projected by the audit.
Will do less audits but more implementation work. Will pay 75% up to $2000 if qualified for thermal work
"You need to want to do something but now is the time to do so."
"Audits are already scheduled through January, call now and they will honor the request after March 2009 when the offer expires."
The education is available on the Massave website. They'll need your zipcode and primary heating method (oil, gas).
Live reporting - Energy $ense - heating, cooling tips
Electric reductions
Appliance tips
Blower door Air Leakage analysis
helps to find big leaks, assess ventilation, requires training, measure leakage before and after work, can cost $4-600 for a single household
get the neighborhood together to have the contractor come in to do several at the same time and reduce the cost
Infra-red Camera
assess current level of insulation in walls and spot gaps
check results of contractor work
windows are very expensive to replace but the energy saving payback is hard to get; about 8-13% on savings
- phantom load reduction with power strips
- determine power eaters with "Kill a watt" meter and economize use
- energy appliance purchases
Appliance tips
- don't buy a plasma TV (uses 3-4 times as much than conventional)
- gas-fired clothes dryer
- front loading washing
- programmable thermostat (rebate available from local utility)
- new furnace or heat pump
- boiler, efficient, tuned and cleaned
- insulation, windows, don't let heat escape
- sealing of air leaks (attic, basements)
- insulation installation
- air comes into the basement through the windows, cracks in the walls
- warm air rises and will go out where it can
Blower door Air Leakage analysis
helps to find big leaks, assess ventilation, requires training, measure leakage before and after work, can cost $4-600 for a single household
get the neighborhood together to have the contractor come in to do several at the same time and reduce the cost
Infra-red Camera
assess current level of insulation in walls and spot gaps
check results of contractor work
windows are very expensive to replace but the energy saving payback is hard to get; about 8-13% on savings
Live reporting - Energy $ense - behavioral, hot water, etc.
Behavioral
Hot water use
Hot water tips
buy the most efficient, don't buy more capacity than you need
put a cut off switch on your shower head, and reduce flow when water is not needed
Heating & cooling
Air sealing
- hot water use
- heating & cooling
- lighting
- electric use reductions
Hot water use
- adjusting hot water heater (recommended setting the temp at no higher than 120 degrees F)
- insulate heater (if an older heater, consider a blanket wrap)
- shorter showers (try)
- hand dish washing (do a full load whenever using the dishwasher)
- wear clothes longer (a personal decision)
- washing with cold water
Hot water tips
buy the most efficient, don't buy more capacity than you need
put a cut off switch on your shower head, and reduce flow when water is not needed
Heating & cooling
- turn down the thermostat
- change the A/C filter frequently
- regular tune up of furnace or heat pump
- seal doors and windows
Air sealing
- rope caulk
- clear plastic on windows
- weather stripping along door edges
- plug holes in ceilings, floors, walls, etc.
- use CFL bulbs, last longer, uses less electricity
- turn off lights when not in room
Live reporting - Energy $ense - intro/overview
Franklin Area Climate Team sponsored this series. On October 19th, the Global Warming Cafe will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 PM at the First Universalist Society, 262 Chestnut Street.
-----------
Fred Schlicher, Program Manager of the Mass Climate Action Network.
email address -> Fred. Schlicher @ MassClimateAction.net
representative of NationalGrid here as well
over 20% of the US energy use is from residential (vs. commercial, industrial or transportation).
60% of the individual residential BTU usage from from space heating.
Four basic approaches:
MassSave website, collaborative effort to provide information on energy efficiency
Behavior
Appliance
Weatherization
-----------
Fred Schlicher, Program Manager of the Mass Climate Action Network.
email address -> Fred. Schlicher @ MassClimateAction.net
representative of NationalGrid here as well
over 20% of the US energy use is from residential (vs. commercial, industrial or transportation).
60% of the individual residential BTU usage from from space heating.
Four basic approaches:
- behavioral (lie style changes you can make)
- appliances (items you can buy)
- weatherization investments (home improvements)
- education (reliable sources of information to help you become an educated consumer)
MassSave website, collaborative effort to provide information on energy efficiency
Behavior
Appliance
Weatherization
Live reporting - Energy $ense - before meeting
Here at the Library tonight to report on the following presentation:
“How to Cut Home Energy Bills: a home energy efficiency workshop”
head count at the end of the presentation showed almost 50 people
“How to Cut Home Energy Bills: a home energy efficiency workshop”
Fred Schlicher, Program Manager, Massachusetts Climate Action NetworkThere will be a good number of folks here, more than are usually at a regular Town Council or School Committee meeting.
Heating your home this winter is going to cost you far more than it did last year. This program will show you a variety of things you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your house and lower your energy costs. Most of the things covered will cost little or nothing and you can go home with a helpful resource handout and how-to guidance.
head count at the end of the presentation showed almost 50 people
Ed Cafasso - Letter October 5th
Hello everyone!
I hope you enjoyed the weekend. Here’s a brief update on recent school issues in Franklin…
The Late Bus is back! Late bus service for middle and high school students resumes this week after the Town Council approved a $10,000 appropriation. The money came from funds set aside for the town many years ago by a local developer. The four buses carried hundreds of riders each week during the 2007-08 academic year, helping students who stayed after school for extra help, detention, clubs or extra-curricular activities. Kudos to the Town Council for a decision that means a great deal to students and working parents throughout the community!
The School Building Committee held its inaugural meeting last week. This volunteer group includes town and school officials as well as private citizens who are experts in architecture, finance, design and engineering. Chaired by Tom Mercer, the committee’s mission is to oversee either the replacement or renovation of Franklin High School; decide the fate of the numerous modular classrooms that have surpassed their life expectancy; and, to map out renovations needed at the Davis Thayer, Parmenter and Kennedy schools, our oldest elementary facilities.
Several Franklin programs have earned accreditation from the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The latest to win this recognition for educational quality are the ECDC and the Kennedy School kindergarten. The kindergarten at Oak Street earned NAEYC accreditation last year. The kindergartens at Davis Thayer and Parmenter earned the distinction in 2005 and are currently working towards re-accreditation, which occurs every five years. Jefferson and Keller are hoping to become accredited in 2011.
Franklin High School Principal Pamela Gould has notified the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., of the impact of recent budget decisions. The Association is the accrediting body for high schools in this region. The loss of 16 high school positions, including an instructional technology slot, forced the elimination of Woodshop, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) I and II, Public Speaking, Journalism, French V, and French AP courses. Meanwhile average class sizes increased to two to nine students, depending on the subject.
The notification to the NASC came just a few weeks after Franklin High fared relatively well in a study commissioned by Boston Magazine. Based on a complex and somewhat controversial analysis conducted by Elaine Allen, research director of the Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship at Babson College, FHS ranked right in the middle of the pack in terms of cost efficiency (72nd out of 143 schools) and in the top half of the group in academic performance (62nd). You can view the rankings online at http://www.bostonmagazine.com/best_high_school_chart/index.html. The feature articles can be found at http://www.bostonmagazine.com/articles/the_best_schools_2008/.
Many parents have begun a letter-writing and e-mail campaign in an effort to have a school schedule adopted that allows classes to begin after Labor Day. Proponents of the change cite school calendars in other districts, such as Medway, in which several professional development days are scheduled in late August so that students do not start the academic year until after the holiday. Parents’ views on this topic are welcome. The School Committee typically discusses and votes on the school calendar in the spring. Stay tuned.
And finally, the School Committee hopes to name a new superintendent this month. It is likely we will discuss internal candidates for the post at our upcoming meeting on October 14. If all goes well, a final discussion and vote could occur as soon as the Committee meeting on October 28.
These e-mails are provided as a constituent service. I try to distribute at least one e-mail update each month during the school year, as issues warrant. As always, I welcome your thoughts and suggestions. If you are receiving duplicate e-mails or if you no longer wish to receive these e-mails, please let me know and I will remove you from the distribution list. If you know of someone you would like to add to the list, please send along their e-mail address.
Thanks!
Ed Cafasso, Member
Franklin School Committee
edcafasso@comcast.net
I hope you enjoyed the weekend. Here’s a brief update on recent school issues in Franklin…
The Late Bus is back! Late bus service for middle and high school students resumes this week after the Town Council approved a $10,000 appropriation. The money came from funds set aside for the town many years ago by a local developer. The four buses carried hundreds of riders each week during the 2007-08 academic year, helping students who stayed after school for extra help, detention, clubs or extra-curricular activities. Kudos to the Town Council for a decision that means a great deal to students and working parents throughout the community!
The School Building Committee held its inaugural meeting last week. This volunteer group includes town and school officials as well as private citizens who are experts in architecture, finance, design and engineering. Chaired by Tom Mercer, the committee’s mission is to oversee either the replacement or renovation of Franklin High School; decide the fate of the numerous modular classrooms that have surpassed their life expectancy; and, to map out renovations needed at the Davis Thayer, Parmenter and Kennedy schools, our oldest elementary facilities.
Several Franklin programs have earned accreditation from the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The latest to win this recognition for educational quality are the ECDC and the Kennedy School kindergarten. The kindergarten at Oak Street earned NAEYC accreditation last year. The kindergartens at Davis Thayer and Parmenter earned the distinction in 2005 and are currently working towards re-accreditation, which occurs every five years. Jefferson and Keller are hoping to become accredited in 2011.
Franklin High School Principal Pamela Gould has notified the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., of the impact of recent budget decisions. The Association is the accrediting body for high schools in this region. The loss of 16 high school positions, including an instructional technology slot, forced the elimination of Woodshop, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) I and II, Public Speaking, Journalism, French V, and French AP courses. Meanwhile average class sizes increased to two to nine students, depending on the subject.
The notification to the NASC came just a few weeks after Franklin High fared relatively well in a study commissioned by Boston Magazine. Based on a complex and somewhat controversial analysis conducted by Elaine Allen, research director of the Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship at Babson College, FHS ranked right in the middle of the pack in terms of cost efficiency (72nd out of 143 schools) and in the top half of the group in academic performance (62nd). You can view the rankings online at http://www.bostonmagazine.com/best_high_school_chart/index.html. The feature articles can be found at http://www.bostonmagazine.com/articles/the_best_schools_2008/.
Many parents have begun a letter-writing and e-mail campaign in an effort to have a school schedule adopted that allows classes to begin after Labor Day. Proponents of the change cite school calendars in other districts, such as Medway, in which several professional development days are scheduled in late August so that students do not start the academic year until after the holiday. Parents’ views on this topic are welcome. The School Committee typically discusses and votes on the school calendar in the spring. Stay tuned.
And finally, the School Committee hopes to name a new superintendent this month. It is likely we will discuss internal candidates for the post at our upcoming meeting on October 14. If all goes well, a final discussion and vote could occur as soon as the Committee meeting on October 28.
These e-mails are provided as a constituent service. I try to distribute at least one e-mail update each month during the school year, as issues warrant. As always, I welcome your thoughts and suggestions. If you are receiving duplicate e-mails or if you no longer wish to receive these e-mails, please let me know and I will remove you from the distribution list. If you know of someone you would like to add to the list, please send along their e-mail address.
Thanks!
Ed Cafasso, Member
Franklin School Committee
edcafasso@comcast.net
“ENERGY" SERIES KICK OFF
The Friends of the Franklin Public Library are pleased to sponsor The Franklin Area Climate Team’s “Energy $ense” Series for residents starting on October 6, at 7:00 p.m. The Franklin Area Climate Team has developed a four part speaker series titled “Energy $ense for Franklin Residents” that will feature energy professionals from around the state who will provide practical solutions on how to reduce your energy costs and improve the environment at the same time. The four program series schedule is:
Monday, October 6
“How to Cut Home Energy Bills: a home energy efficiency workshop”
Fred Schlicher, Program Manager, Massachusetts Climate Action Network
Heating your home this winter is going to cost you far more than it did last year. This program will show you a variety of things you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your house and lower your energy costs. Most of the things covered will cost little or nothing and you can go home with a helpful resource handout and how-to guidance.
Thursday, November 13
“How Businesses Get Help Going Green”
Jen Boudrie, Sustainable Business Leader Program Director
The Sustainable Business Leader Program offers assistance to small to medium sized businesses in Franklin to improve their current practices in energy and water conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction, transportation efficiency and sustainability management. The program provides: guidance in assessing your company’s current sustainability condition, help in developing an Action Plan to improve it and on-going assistance and monitoring.
Wednesday, December 10
“Incentives for Residential and Commercial Solar and Wind Instillations”
Tyler Leeds, Project Manager, Green Building & Infrastructure of the Mass. Technology Collaborative
If you’ve ever thought about installing a wind turbine or solar array at your home or business to cut energy costs this speaker will answer your questions and help you better understand the basic investment economics involved. The State of Massachusetts has recently developed a variety of incentives to spur the development of renewable energy in the state such as: Commonwealth Solar Rebates, Small Renewables Initiative and Business Expansion Incentives. Find out all of the details.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Showing of the Award Winning film “Kilowatt Ours” by Jeff Barrie
Ted McIntyre, Ph.D., Board Member, Massachusetts Climate Action Network - moderator
This film traces the path of the electricity you use in your home from the light switch, through the wires to its source. Along the way you’ll meet power companies, schools, businesses and everyday Americans finding ways to meet our energy needs using conservation and green power. “Kilowatt Ours” will teach you how to dramatically reduce your electric bill and improve the environment at the same time.
This informative energy series is free and open to the public. All presentations will be in the community room, lower level of the Franklin Public Library located at 118 Main Street at 7 p.m.
Monday, October 6
“How to Cut Home Energy Bills: a home energy efficiency workshop”
Fred Schlicher, Program Manager, Massachusetts Climate Action Network
Heating your home this winter is going to cost you far more than it did last year. This program will show you a variety of things you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your house and lower your energy costs. Most of the things covered will cost little or nothing and you can go home with a helpful resource handout and how-to guidance.
Thursday, November 13
“How Businesses Get Help Going Green”
Jen Boudrie, Sustainable Business Leader Program Director
The Sustainable Business Leader Program offers assistance to small to medium sized businesses in Franklin to improve their current practices in energy and water conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction, transportation efficiency and sustainability management. The program provides: guidance in assessing your company’s current sustainability condition, help in developing an Action Plan to improve it and on-going assistance and monitoring.
Wednesday, December 10
“Incentives for Residential and Commercial Solar and Wind Instillations”
Tyler Leeds, Project Manager, Green Building & Infrastructure of the Mass. Technology Collaborative
If you’ve ever thought about installing a wind turbine or solar array at your home or business to cut energy costs this speaker will answer your questions and help you better understand the basic investment economics involved. The State of Massachusetts has recently developed a variety of incentives to spur the development of renewable energy in the state such as: Commonwealth Solar Rebates, Small Renewables Initiative and Business Expansion Incentives. Find out all of the details.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Showing of the Award Winning film “Kilowatt Ours” by Jeff Barrie
Ted McIntyre, Ph.D., Board Member, Massachusetts Climate Action Network - moderator
This film traces the path of the electricity you use in your home from the light switch, through the wires to its source. Along the way you’ll meet power companies, schools, businesses and everyday Americans finding ways to meet our energy needs using conservation and green power. “Kilowatt Ours” will teach you how to dramatically reduce your electric bill and improve the environment at the same time.
This informative energy series is free and open to the public. All presentations will be in the community room, lower level of the Franklin Public Library located at 118 Main Street at 7 p.m.
My analysis of the Audit Report - updated
I went back to the Audit Report from earlier this year and updated my summary and analysis of the report.
This was originally published in February and can be found here
This was originally published in February and can be found here
Sunday, October 5, 2008
FM #16 - 5 Things you should know
#16 in the series of podcasts on what matters in Franklin, MA. This one focuses on the 5 things you should know about Franklin this week: (1) the late bus decision, (2) zoning bylaw rescheduled yet again, (3) Financial Planning Committee, (4) Energy $ense Series at the Library begins and (5) Question 1 on the ballot in November.
Time: 20 minutes, 59 seconds
MP3 File
Session notes:
Music intro
FM #16
This podcast for Franklin Matters will focus on the 5 things you need to know about what happened this week.
First, the Town Council approved funding for the Late bus. Yes, this is the Late bus that due to the override was out of service. In late July, it seemed like the bus could be provided. By the end of August, the bus was back out. As noted in the School Committee meeting of 9/23/08, the Holmes bus company had reduced the cost of the late bus for this year from 40,000 to 10,000. The middle school PCC’s got together and pledged to pay for it. The School Committee worked with the Town Council and Town Administrator and it became know that the Town Council would consider it at their meeting 10/1/08.
In this clip from the Town Council meeting on 10//1/08, we hear the full discussion and vote
- insert clip on Late bus -
I think the Late bus is a good thing but I don’t like how it is being paid for. Money was “found” in an account that could be used for public transportation. This does nothing to restore confidence in Town government. The townies who are keeping track just put another notch in their belt, ha more found money, they did it again.
Second, the bylaw to rezone some parcels along RT 140 near the Knights of Columbus and Dunkin Donuts ended up being rescheduled for yet another meeting as it was evident that the matter was not going to gain enough votes. Two councilors were absent (Bartlett, McGann) with a two thirds majority required to pass. Due to the reschedule we don’t not know of the outstanding information was provided.
Third, the working sessions for the Finance Planning Committee (FPC) continued earnest this week. The Dept of Public Works (Brutus Cantoreggio) and Facilities (Mike D’Angelo) came in to review their departmental operations, their forecast for the next several years, cost drivers for their areas and answer a number of clarifying questions from the committee. There will not be any presentations at the next FPC meeting as they begin to digest what they have learned from the first four departments. The School budget is scheduled for review at a meeting in November.
You should recall that the FPC is charted with developing a long term plan for the Town, assuming there is an override next year (very likely) what is the long term outlook, how many will there need to be, or is something like the Arlington plan going to work in Franklin. This is important work. I encourage you to keep track of what is going on here. There is a whole lot of great data and information being presented. I am doing my best to report it live but if you have a chance to attend, please do so. It will be worth your while.
Fourth,
Fifth, I still believe Question One is the most imminent danger that Franklin faces. Question One is on the ballot in November.
You can find objective information at this link:
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Massachusetts_State_Income_Tax_Repeal_%282008%29
You can find the Yes position here:
http://www.smallgovernmentact.org/
You can find the No position here:
http://votenoquestion1.com/?adtrack=education&gclid=CO2I-trz65UCFQpwGgodmkJeew
Where would you cut $11 million from the Town Budget?
Public safety is about 9 M, Central Gov’t Services is about 9 M. Public Works is about 6 M. If 2.8 million cost the town 44 teachers, what would loosing $11 million dollars cost the town?
The idea of the commonwealth is for all of us together to work and pay for the community services we need. If you think taking $11 million dollars out of the Franklin budget would bring you the community you want, I’d like to know what it would look like.
These are the five things that matter to Franklin this week:
This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow Franklin citizens and voters by Steve Sherlock
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: 20 minutes, 59 seconds
MP3 File
Session notes:
Music intro
FM #16
This podcast for Franklin Matters will focus on the 5 things you need to know about what happened this week.
First, the Town Council approved funding for the Late bus. Yes, this is the Late bus that due to the override was out of service. In late July, it seemed like the bus could be provided. By the end of August, the bus was back out. As noted in the School Committee meeting of 9/23/08, the Holmes bus company had reduced the cost of the late bus for this year from 40,000 to 10,000. The middle school PCC’s got together and pledged to pay for it. The School Committee worked with the Town Council and Town Administrator and it became know that the Town Council would consider it at their meeting 10/1/08.
In this clip from the Town Council meeting on 10//1/08, we hear the full discussion and vote
- insert clip on Late bus -
I think the Late bus is a good thing but I don’t like how it is being paid for. Money was “found” in an account that could be used for public transportation. This does nothing to restore confidence in Town government. The townies who are keeping track just put another notch in their belt, ha more found money, they did it again.
Second, the bylaw to rezone some parcels along RT 140 near the Knights of Columbus and Dunkin Donuts ended up being rescheduled for yet another meeting as it was evident that the matter was not going to gain enough votes. Two councilors were absent (Bartlett, McGann) with a two thirds majority required to pass. Due to the reschedule we don’t not know of the outstanding information was provided.
Third, the working sessions for the Finance Planning Committee (FPC) continued earnest this week. The Dept of Public Works (Brutus Cantoreggio) and Facilities (Mike D’Angelo) came in to review their departmental operations, their forecast for the next several years, cost drivers for their areas and answer a number of clarifying questions from the committee. There will not be any presentations at the next FPC meeting as they begin to digest what they have learned from the first four departments. The School budget is scheduled for review at a meeting in November.
You should recall that the FPC is charted with developing a long term plan for the Town, assuming there is an override next year (very likely) what is the long term outlook, how many will there need to be, or is something like the Arlington plan going to work in Franklin. This is important work. I encourage you to keep track of what is going on here. There is a whole lot of great data and information being presented. I am doing my best to report it live but if you have a chance to attend, please do so. It will be worth your while.
Fourth,
The Friends of the Franklin Public Library are pleased to sponsor The Franklin Area Climate Team’s “Energy $ense” Series for residents starting on October 6, at 7:00 p.m. The Franklin Area Climate Team has developed a four part speaker series titled “Energy $ense for Franklin Residents” that will feature energy professionals from around the state who will provide practical solutions on how to reduce your energy costs and improve the environment at the same time.The schedule is available on the Town website, as well as on Franklin Matters.
Fifth, I still believe Question One is the most imminent danger that Franklin faces. Question One is on the ballot in November.
The State Income Tax Repeal is also known as Massachusetts
Question 1. It is an initiated state statute that will appear on the November 4,
2008 ballot in Massachusetts.[1] If the measure passes, it will end the state's
current 5.3% income tax on wages, interest, dividends and capital gains.
You can find objective information at this link:
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Massachusetts_State_Income_Tax_Repeal_%282008%29
You can find the Yes position here:
http://www.smallgovernmentact.org/
You can find the No position here:
http://votenoquestion1.com/?adtrack=education&gclid=CO2I-trz65UCFQpwGgodmkJeew
Where would you cut $11 million from the Town Budget?
Public safety is about 9 M, Central Gov’t Services is about 9 M. Public Works is about 6 M. If 2.8 million cost the town 44 teachers, what would loosing $11 million dollars cost the town?
The idea of the commonwealth is for all of us together to work and pay for the community services we need. If you think taking $11 million dollars out of the Franklin budget would bring you the community you want, I’d like to know what it would look like.
These are the five things that matter to Franklin this week:
- Late bus back in
- zoning postponed again
- FPC meeting
- energy $ense for Franklin residents
- the imminent danger of Question 1
This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow Franklin citizens and voters by Steve Sherlock
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
Short school week this week
With a combination of events coming together on the calendar this week: Rosh Hashanah arrives on Thursday and Columbus Day on Monday. Figuring that it didn't make sense to have the students come in for one day, with parents able to take advantage of the long weekend, Friday slips in as a no-school day.
Don't worry, they still get 180 days in, just distributed a little differently this year.
To all our Jewish residents, Happy New Year!
First floor
The new foundation for the house to be numbered either 190 or 192 King Street is getting the first floor laid down.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
In the News - Dean; School Building Committee
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
The entire Dean College community yesterday celebrated the ribbon-cutting of the new Library Learning Commons, a new hub for student activity that made visiting alumni jealous.
"We didn't have anything like this,'' said Jane Dorr, a Class of '58 alumna at Dean for her 50th anniversary this Homecoming Weekend.
Following a ceremony and remarks by President Dr. Paula M. Rooney, Dorr and two girlfriends from '58 toured the officially opened, brand-new building to see a Jazzman's Cafe & Bakery, new library, learning spaces, faculty offices and central home for the college's academic support services.
"Now I know what I'm sending money for,'' Dorr said. "In fact, I'm encouraged to keep giving.''
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
-------------------
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
The Town Council-appointed, newly formed School Building Committee has elected its leaders and will meet a second time Wednesday to begin talks on renovating or rebuilding Franklin High School and prioritizing its other projects.
"It's really a great group in terms of professionals,'' said committee member Ed Cafasso, who is on the School Committee as well.
"We had more volunteers than spots, so many people in the community were willing to serve,'' he added. "It just shows how important the high school and other school buildings are to the community.''
In addition to working on the high school project, the committee will create a plan for the modular classrooms, which have gone past their life expectancy, said Cafasso. The group will also address any other school enrollment issues.
read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Saturday, October 4, 2008
"We're all affected by the war"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
When Police Chief Stephen Williams returned home from the Vietnam War, the reception he got was "terrible," he said.
"I don't want that to happen to those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, I don't want that to happen to them," said Williams.
"There's all sorts of support now we never had when we came home - and it's only right," Williams said.
Placing a war memorial honoring those who fought in the current conflicts next to the existing World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War monuments on the common "is a fitting tribute to people in our military," said Williams, a member of the veteran's monument committee.
Franklin's Veterans Agent Bob Fahey put the committee together in November 2006, at the behest of Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting, with the intention of honoring fallen troops from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
How to Cut Home Energy Bills: a Home Energy Efficiency Workshop
When: Monday, October 6, 7 p.m.
Where: Franklin Public Library
What: Heating your home this winter is going to cost you far more than it did last year. This program will show you a variety of things you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your house and lower your energy costs. Most of the things covered will cost little or nothing and you can go home with a helpful resource handout and how-to guidance.
This presentation is free and will take place in the community room, lower level of the Franklin Public Library located at 118 Main Street at 7 p.m.
Where: Franklin Public Library
What: Heating your home this winter is going to cost you far more than it did last year. This program will show you a variety of things you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your house and lower your energy costs. Most of the things covered will cost little or nothing and you can go home with a helpful resource handout and how-to guidance.
This presentation is free and will take place in the community room, lower level of the Franklin Public Library located at 118 Main Street at 7 p.m.
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