Five minute recess
Franklin, MA
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Live reporting - Old/New business
L. OLD BUSINESS
none
M. NEW BUSINESS
Pfeffer - regarding the new barrels, when they are put back the covers are open and if it is raining or snowing, the barrels could accumulate, can they be put back with the covers on
Nutting - It is a matter of the drivers touch, if they handle it just right, the cover should come back on. We are putting items like this together to have a monthly meeting with the vendor.
Pfeffer - I have also noticed they have been lenient in picking up the overflowing barrels
Nutting - It is still the new process, we want to get it off right. We will soon not pick up the snow cones, those barrels with an overflow on the top.
We are also expecting the smaller barrels in a couple of weeks. If you do want to switch make sure you contact the DPW.
- five minute recess -
Franklin, MA
none
M. NEW BUSINESS
Pfeffer - regarding the new barrels, when they are put back the covers are open and if it is raining or snowing, the barrels could accumulate, can they be put back with the covers on
Nutting - It is a matter of the drivers touch, if they handle it just right, the cover should come back on. We are putting items like this together to have a monthly meeting with the vendor.
Pfeffer - I have also noticed they have been lenient in picking up the overflowing barrels
Nutting - It is still the new process, we want to get it off right. We will soon not pick up the snow cones, those barrels with an overflow on the top.
We are also expecting the smaller barrels in a couple of weeks. If you do want to switch make sure you contact the DPW.
- five minute recess -
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - Administrators Report
Continuing to skip about the agenda to use time wisely before the hearings are scheduled to start at 7:10 PM
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Jeff - Thanks to all the citizens in their help with the water ban, the water levels have improved. If we get some good rain, we'll go back to once a week.
The State passed their final budget, we are set, we don't need to make any more amendments.
I want to recognize David Seal, got his heavy duty truck certificate, his personal development and other of our employees are appreciated.
Franklin, MA
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Jeff - Thanks to all the citizens in their help with the water ban, the water levels have improved. If we get some good rain, we'll go back to once a week.
The State passed their final budget, we are set, we don't need to make any more amendments.
I want to recognize David Seal, got his heavy duty truck certificate, his personal development and other of our employees are appreciated.
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - Action items
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - none
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - none
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS - none
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - none
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS - none
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
2. Resolution 10-41: Authorization to Hold Bonfire-Tri-County School
Franklin, MA
motion to approve, passed 8-0
Per Jeff Nutting, this has been a standard request every year
Per Jeff Nutting, this has been a standard request every year
(Zollo arrived after this vote)
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - Town Council
Present: Kelly, Jones, Vallee, Whalen, Mason, Pfeffer, McGann, Powderly
Absent: Zollo
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - none
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Meetings of the Town Council are Recorded
Verizon, Comcast, and Steve Sherlock for Franklin Matters
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none
E. APPOINTMENTS
Historical Commission Associate Member (Connie Lawson)
motion to approve, passed 8-0
skipping hearing items on agenda to use time before the published hearing time slot.
Franklin, MA
Absent: Zollo
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Meetings of the Town Council are Recorded
Verizon, Comcast, and Steve Sherlock for Franklin Matters
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none
E. APPOINTMENTS
Historical Commission Associate Member (Connie Lawson)
motion to approve, passed 8-0
skipping hearing items on agenda to use time before the published hearing time slot.
Franklin, MA
Ditch the standards!
The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, which is appointed by the governor but operates independently, will decide today whether to postpone the vote, state education officials said. Reville said he could not predict if board members would comply with the request.
State education officials have been exploring the possibility of adopting the national standards for more than a year, a controversial proposition for a state known to have some of the most rigorous academic standards in the nation.
The national standards, which Massachusetts officials helped to develop, specify what material should be taught in English and math at every grade level. The voluntary effort was spearheaded by associations representing the nation’s governors and state education leaders and has received the support of President Obama, who is now pushing states to adopt the standards by offering financial incentives.Read the full article in the Boston Globe here:
http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2010/07/21/education_board_urged_to_delay_vote_on_new_standards/
The Franklin School Committee blog posted on this earlier and you can read that here:
http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/2010/07/17/massachusetts-education-chief-supports-national-standards/
Picking up on the creativity idea in Jeff Roy's posting, I encourage you to read through the Newsweek article he references.
I would rather see us ditch the standards, which end up requiring schools to teach to the test and go for more creative approaches. A TED Talk video I posted here in June makes great points on this subject:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/everything-is-possible.html
Franklin, MA
School signs
A couple of the local school signs have been updated with the summer message:
and Parmenter welcomes their new Principal, Tom Morris:
Enjoy!
Franklin, MA
and Parmenter welcomes their new Principal, Tom Morris:
Enjoy!
Franklin, MA
Hopkinton Networking Group - Jul 23 meeting
I'm on LinkedIn, now what?
That will be the subject of an interactive presentation I'll lead at the Hopkinton Networking Group meeting on Friday. I did the presentation before and will update some of the photos to keep the presentation fresh. The text will remain pretty much the same. The delivery and interaction will be up to those participating.
I want to make sure that your questions will be answered. I want to make sure that you'll be able to walk away with something specific to do.
1 - If you want to attend, the meeting details are as follows:
When: Friday, July 23 from 10:00 AM - Noon
Where: St John's Evangelist Parish Center, 20 Church St, Hopkinton
Cost: $1 donation requested
2 - If you have a LinkedIn question you would like answered, please let me know.
Franklin, MA
Engage with your government
The role of government as a service for the people should be an ongoing discussion. The Franklin Charter should be coming up for a decision by the voters of Franklin this November.
Changes to government at the State level impact what happens here in Franklin. Changes to the government at the Federal level also trickle down to impact what happens here. If you want to get involved on the Federal level:
------------
More info on the Franklin charter changes can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/07/in-news-charter-changes.html
Additional info will be posted as soon as it is available.
Franklin, MA
Changes to government at the State level impact what happens here in Franklin. Changes to the government at the Federal level also trickle down to impact what happens here. If you want to get involved on the Federal level:
The Federal Communications Commission is holding two dialogs with the public:
- Future of Media Forum – Join in the discussion to help ensure that all Americans have access to vibrant, diverse sources of news and information that will enable them to enrich their families, communities and democracy.
- Reboot.FCC.gov Forum – Join the discussion to help improve the Federal Communications Commission. Your suggestions, ideas and comments will be part of a public discussion that furthers FCC reform.
You can view more dialogs with the government at USA.gov.
------------
More info on the Franklin charter changes can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/07/in-news-charter-changes.html
Additional info will be posted as soon as it is available.
Franklin, MA
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Plan
The Affordable Housing Plan document has been posted to the Franklin website. You can find it here:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/ahs
At the bottom of this page, you'll find a link to the doc and a link to provide feedback on the document.
This document is scheduled for a hearing at the Town Council on Wednesday July 21 and at the Planning Board meeting Monday, July 26.
Franklin, MA
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/ahs
At the bottom of this page, you'll find a link to the doc and a link to provide feedback on the document.
This document is scheduled for a hearing at the Town Council on Wednesday July 21 and at the Planning Board meeting Monday, July 26.
Franklin, MA
A visible budget cut
One of the budget items cut was weed control. The effects of this cut are now clearly visible along some of the main roads around Franklin.
Since Franklin voters have decided not to pull a few dollars out of their pocket to maintain services, maybe they will be to pull out their individual weed control implement and attack the portion in front of their property. Then there will need to be a "weed day" to attack the portions of the roads along the public spaces.
Franklin, MA
Since Franklin voters have decided not to pull a few dollars out of their pocket to maintain services, maybe they will be to pull out their individual weed control implement and attack the portion in front of their property. Then there will need to be a "weed day" to attack the portions of the roads along the public spaces.
Franklin, MA
In the News - rain barrels, YMCA strategy
If you missed the opportunity to buy a rain barrel or composter earlier this year, you have another chance:
CRWA partners with towns to offer discounted rain barrels, composters
from Wicked Local Franklin News RSS
The Y has been active in the community and this strategy helps to focus their efforts to help them become more effective:
YMCA unveils new brand strategy to further community impact
from The Milford Daily News News RSS
Franklin, MA
Monday, July 19, 2010
Franklin, MA: Main St flowers
Thanks to the Eileen Mason and the Franklin Downtown Partnership for their work in keeping the flowers healthy.
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - 7/21/10
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Meetings of the Town Council are Recorded
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
Historical Commission Associate Member (Connie Lawson)
F. HEARINGS
Zoning Bylaw Amend. 10-645: Site Plan Review & Design Review- 7:10 PM
Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Action Plan – Public Hearing
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 10-40: Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Action Plan
2. Resolution 10-41: Authorization to Hold Bonfire-Tri-County School
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-645: Site Plan Review & Design Review – 1st Reading
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
Franklin, MA
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Meetings of the Town Council are Recorded
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
Historical Commission Associate Member (Connie Lawson)
F. HEARINGS
Zoning Bylaw Amend. 10-645: Site Plan Review & Design Review- 7:10 PM
Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Action Plan – Public Hearing
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 10-40: Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Action Plan
2. Resolution 10-41: Authorization to Hold Bonfire-Tri-County School
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-645: Site Plan Review & Design Review – 1st Reading
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
Franklin, MA
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BTW - the flowers can still be watered even in this updated water restrictions imposed effective 7/7/10. Watering the flowers is generally done with a hand held hose.