1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the Open and Executive Session minutes from the August 10, 2010 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence
2. Guests/Presentations
a. Middle School’s School Improvement Plans
3. Discussion Only Items
4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of the Franklin High School’s Handbook as presented at the last meeting.
b. I recommend acceptance of the District Improvement Plan as presented at the last meeting.
c. I recommend acceptance of the Horace Mann, Remington and Annie Sullivan Middle School’s School Improvement Plans as presented.
d. I recommend approval of the Budget Transfers as detailed.
e. I recommend acceptance of the Middle Schools Handbooks as presented at the last meeting.
f. I recommend acceptance of the Elementary Schools Handbooks as presented at the last meeting.
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
a. Parmenter – Wachusett Street Construction
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, August 22, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Statewide Trend: Tax Bills
The property tax is by far the largest and most reliable component of revenue for cities and towns. Data collected by DLS makes it clear that whether property values are moving up or down, property taxes will increase, except in rare instances, given the need to provide ever more costly services. This is particularly true during times when there is less state aid, stagnant local receipts, and little new growth. Over each of the past ten years, the statewide average single-family tax bill has increased in both actual and constant dollars. The weighted average tax bill increased in 2010 by $140, or 3.3 percent, to $4,390, the smallest percentage increase of any year in the past decade. The percentage increase during this time ranged from the current low to a high of 6.7 percent in 2002. The cumulative percentage increase over this period is 55.3 percent, an average of 5.5 percent each year. Generally speaking, the average bill has recently increased at a slower pace suggesting a few factors are at play, such as leaner budgets, reduced excess levy capacity and Proposition 2 ½ override fatigue.bold added for my own emphasis
Read the full article here:
Updated 8/22/10 - The Boston Globe headlines for the Sunday paper referenced this same report.
Franklin, MA
DEA: prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative
The Drug Enforcement Administration and government, community, public health and law enforcement partners today announced a nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft. DEA will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at sites nationwide o n Saturday, September 25 th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.For locations near you, check on the DEA website here. You can search by zip code and within a radius of that zip code. Currently there are not locations close to Franklin. However, the website claims additional locations will be added and to check back often.
The top page on the DEA website is here: http://www.justice.gov/dea/index.shtml
Franklin, MA
Friday, August 20, 2010
Downtown Improvement Project - collection
The collection of information on the Franklin, MA Downtown Improvement Project can be found here. Note the project has also been called or referred to as 'street-scape' or 'revitalization'.
The collection will be added to as the project and discussions continue.
Franklin, MA website links ---------------------
The Franklin Planing and Community Development project page
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/dtimprovement
July 2010 Drawings
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/downtowndocs/july2010drawings.pdf
June 2010 Design update
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/downtowndocs/designupdatejune.pdf
Proposed Pedestrian Improvements May 2010
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/downtowndocs/pedestrianimprovements.pdf
Proposed Intersection Improvements May 2010
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/downtowndocs/intersectionimprovements.pdf
Franklin Matters website links ----------------------------
The May 12 presentation document
http://franklinmatters.blo
The May 12 meeting video recording
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/downtown-improvement-project-live.html
Underground Utility - survey
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/franklin-ma-underground-utilities.html
Survey results
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/underground-utilities-survey-results.html
Underground Utility - clarifications
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/franklin-ma-utility-wires-to-go.html
Underground Utility - 'the rest of the story'
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/underground-utilities-rest-of-story.html
Improvement Project Presentation to Town Council and Downtown Partnership from Jan 2010
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/downtown-improvement-project.html
The collection will be added to as the project and discussions continue.
Franklin, MA website links ---------------------
The Franklin Planing and Community Development project page
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/dtimprovement
July 2010 Drawings
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/downtowndocs/july2010drawings.pdf
June 2010 Design update
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/downtowndocs/designupdatejune.pdf
Proposed Pedestrian Improvements May 2010
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/downtowndocs/pedestrianimprovements.pdf
Proposed Intersection Improvements May 2010
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/downtowndocs/intersectionimprovements.pdf
Franklin Matters website links ----------------------------
The May 12 presentation document
http://franklinmatters.blo
The May 12 meeting video recording
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/downtown-improvement-project-live.html
Underground Utility - survey
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/franklin-ma-underground-utilities.html
Survey results
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/underground-utilities-survey-results.html
Underground Utility - clarifications
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/franklin-ma-utility-wires-to-go.html
Underground Utility - 'the rest of the story'
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/underground-utilities-rest-of-story.html
Improvement Project Presentation to Town Council and Downtown Partnership from Jan 2010
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/downtown-improvement-project.html
Road construction to cause detours this fall
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff on 8/19/10
Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting last night asked drivers to be aware of potential detours this fall due to reconstruction of Wachusett Street.
He said the road work could affect school traffic by Parmenter Elementary.
"School will be in session, and we're working with the school department to let citizens know there's a potential for detours," Nutting told the Town Council.
He said the project, which includes drainage and sidewalk improvements, will not be finished until next year.
"There will be a lot of shuffling around," he said.
Nutting said detour routes will likely be announced in the next few weeks.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Constitution Day Lessons from Sunnylands Classroom
Recalling the recent handbook discussion at the School Committee meeting on 8/11/10, this article caught my eye.
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/freetech4teachers/cGEY/~3/MCnM0jf26Fw/constitution-day-lessons-from.html
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/freetech4teachers/cGEY/~3/MCnM0jf26Fw/constitution-day-lessons-from.html
Thursday, August 19, 2010
YPO COOKOFF POSTPONED
The United Regional Chamber’s Young Professional Organization (YPO) has postponed its Chowder & Chili Cookoff scheduled for Sept.1 at the Boston Sports Club in Franklin. The rescheduled date will be announced later.
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA
Underground Utilities - the rest of the story
With homage to the late Paul Harvey, whose signature line is quite appropriate here. For those watching the Town Council meeting on Wednesday evening, we were able to find out the "rest of the story" on putting the utilities underground.
1 - What was presented earlier is still valid.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/franklin-ma-underground-utilities.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/franklin-ma-utility-wires-to-go.html
2 - The section of W Central between the bridge and Emmons, and Emmons between W Central and Main St were originally considered for underground utilities. The estimate for these sections would be 4-5 million dollars. Due to the estimate, these sections have been excluded from the current planning.
3 - Once the utilities go underground, the electric service is delivered to within 2 feet of the property line. The property owner would then either connect to the service there or need to run the service to where his power box is currently. This cost would be paid for the property owner. The utilities have thus far refused to estimate this cost. The cost estimates would be better obtained from electrical contractors. The property owners would have to pay for the work from their business income. In cases where the property is rental units, this cost would likely result in higher rental rates.
4 - Franklin would need to front the money for the work to be done due to the way the utilities would do it. NationalGrid would be 'easy' as its work and funding could be accomplished within a year. Both Verizon and Comcast, due to the expense involved, would require a longer period to obtain the funds and therefore would spread the work out over a longer period. This is not acceptable as all the work needs to be done when the street construction is done. Franklin can arrange to borrow the money for the work. The utilities would then through the customer surcharges reimburse Franklin.
5 - To go through this borrowing process, Franklin needs to hold a public hearing. The public hearing was agreed to by all the councilors present as they did not feel comfortable to make the decision on their own. The date for the public hearing was not determined during the Council meeting.
The agenda document for the Town Council meeting has supporting information (memos from Jeff Nutting) on this matter here. Look to pages 6, 7 and 8.
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2010tc/08182010Agenda.pdf
Franklin, MA
1 - What was presented earlier is still valid.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/franklin-ma-underground-utilities.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/franklin-ma-utility-wires-to-go.html
2 - The section of W Central between the bridge and Emmons, and Emmons between W Central and Main St were originally considered for underground utilities. The estimate for these sections would be 4-5 million dollars. Due to the estimate, these sections have been excluded from the current planning.
3 - Once the utilities go underground, the electric service is delivered to within 2 feet of the property line. The property owner would then either connect to the service there or need to run the service to where his power box is currently. This cost would be paid for the property owner. The utilities have thus far refused to estimate this cost. The cost estimates would be better obtained from electrical contractors. The property owners would have to pay for the work from their business income. In cases where the property is rental units, this cost would likely result in higher rental rates.
4 - Franklin would need to front the money for the work to be done due to the way the utilities would do it. NationalGrid would be 'easy' as its work and funding could be accomplished within a year. Both Verizon and Comcast, due to the expense involved, would require a longer period to obtain the funds and therefore would spread the work out over a longer period. This is not acceptable as all the work needs to be done when the street construction is done. Franklin can arrange to borrow the money for the work. The utilities would then through the customer surcharges reimburse Franklin.
5 - To go through this borrowing process, Franklin needs to hold a public hearing. The public hearing was agreed to by all the councilors present as they did not feel comfortable to make the decision on their own. The date for the public hearing was not determined during the Council meeting.
The agenda document for the Town Council meeting has supporting information (memos from Jeff Nutting) on this matter here. Look to pages 6, 7 and 8.
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2010tc/08182010Agenda.pdf
Franklin, MA
Town Council - 08/18/10
The collection of live reported posts from the Town Council meeting Wednesday, August 18th can be found here:
Franklin, MA
- Live reporting - Closing
- Live reporting - Action items
- Live reporting - Underground utilities
- live reporting: Town Council
Franklin, MA
Dean College: Information session August 26
Dean College School of Professional and Continuing Studies hosts information session August 26
The School of Professional and Continuing Studies (SPCS) at Dean College will be holding an information session regarding fall programs on Thursday, August 26, 2010. The event will run from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the Green Family Library Learning Commons, located on the Dean College campus.
“At these information sessions we will provide program overviews and the opportunity for potential students to schedule advising appointments,” said Renee Vachon Danho, Dean of SPCS. “Now that we are offering part-time baccalaureate degrees in Business and Liberal Arts and, this is a great opportunity to learn more about the options available to past, current and prospective part-time students.”
This event is free and open to the public. For more information regarding the School of Professional and Continuing Studies at Dean College, please call (508) 541-1624 or email spcsweb@dean.edu. Visit us online at www.dean.edu.
Franklin, MA
The School of Professional and Continuing Studies (SPCS) at Dean College will be holding an information session regarding fall programs on Thursday, August 26, 2010. The event will run from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the Green Family Library Learning Commons, located on the Dean College campus.
“At these information sessions we will provide program overviews and the opportunity for potential students to schedule advising appointments,” said Renee Vachon Danho, Dean of SPCS. “Now that we are offering part-time baccalaureate degrees in Business and Liberal Arts and, this is a great opportunity to learn more about the options available to past, current and prospective part-time students.”
This event is free and open to the public. For more information regarding the School of Professional and Continuing Studies at Dean College, please call (508) 541-1624 or email spcsweb@dean.edu. Visit us online at www.dean.edu.
Franklin, MA
Do you have electronics to recycle?
I am posting this here for two reasons, one to help the Blackstone Valley area and two, if you have electronics to recycle, Cranston is not a bad drive from here.
Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful, a program of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and in partnership with REI Cranston and Indie Cycle, LCC will hold an electronics recycling drive on Saturday, September 4th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at REI, located at 22 Chapel View Boulevard in Cranston.
“This electronics recycling drive is being held in conjunction with REI’s annual Labor Day sale,” said Mathhew DeMello, Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful program coordinator and AmeriCorps*VISTA member. .
Residents are encouraged to recycle the following items, all free of charge: computers, servers, printers, televisions, CRT monitors, LCD monitors, laptops, UPS battery back-ups, and stereo equipment. No other items will be accepted.
Donations benefit the environmental programs of Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful. For more information, call 724-2200 or visit www.KeepBlackstoneValleyBeautiful.com.
Indie Cycle, LLC, a Providence-based company, recycles the electronic items. Their zero-waste policy means that everything is reused, resold, reclaimed or recycled.
About the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
Established in 1985, the agency’s mission is to create positive change with regard to community values by developing and promoting coordinated, responsible and sustainable tourism in Rhode Island’s Blackstone Valley communities. To plan and collaborate with intrastate, state, regional, national and international organizations to sustain and enhance the character of our destination, and to develop the public and private natural, historic, cultural, ethnic, industrial, recreational, educational, special events, artistic and commercial resources in Pawtucket, Central Falls, Cumberland, Lincoln, Woonsocket, Smithfield, North Smithfield, Burrillville and Glocester.
About Keep America Beautiful
Keep America Beautiful is a national nonprofit public education organization dedicated since 1953 to engaging individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their local community environments. For half a century, Keep America Beautiful has been the nation’s leading community improvement organization successfully implementing an effective, systematic strategy for reducing waste, preventing litter and beautifying communities nationwide.
About Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful
Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful serves as the environmental education and awareness program of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. We are focusing on preventing litter, reducing waste and beautifying our communities by working with government, business and civic groups in Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, Glocester, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Smithfield and Woonsocket. We work with these cities and towns to understand their specific needs and to create programs that will enhance their landscapes. Emily Soergel, the program coordinator, is sponsored by AmeriCorps*VISTA.
Visit the event's Facebook page
Franklin, MA
Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful, a program of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and in partnership with REI Cranston and Indie Cycle, LCC will hold an electronics recycling drive on Saturday, September 4th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at REI, located at 22 Chapel View Boulevard in Cranston.
“This electronics recycling drive is being held in conjunction with REI’s annual Labor Day sale,” said Mathhew DeMello, Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful program coordinator and AmeriCorps*VISTA member. .
Residents are encouraged to recycle the following items, all free of charge: computers, servers, printers, televisions, CRT monitors, LCD monitors, laptops, UPS battery back-ups, and stereo equipment. No other items will be accepted.
Donations benefit the environmental programs of Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful. For more information, call 724-2200 or visit www.KeepBlackstoneValleyBeautiful.com.
Indie Cycle, LLC, a Providence-based company, recycles the electronic items. Their zero-waste policy means that everything is reused, resold, reclaimed or recycled.
About the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
Established in 1985, the agency’s mission is to create positive change with regard to community values by developing and promoting coordinated, responsible and sustainable tourism in Rhode Island’s Blackstone Valley communities. To plan and collaborate with intrastate, state, regional, national and international organizations to sustain and enhance the character of our destination, and to develop the public and private natural, historic, cultural, ethnic, industrial, recreational, educational, special events, artistic and commercial resources in Pawtucket, Central Falls, Cumberland, Lincoln, Woonsocket, Smithfield, North Smithfield, Burrillville and Glocester.
About Keep America Beautiful
Keep America Beautiful is a national nonprofit public education organization dedicated since 1953 to engaging individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their local community environments. For half a century, Keep America Beautiful has been the nation’s leading community improvement organization successfully implementing an effective, systematic strategy for reducing waste, preventing litter and beautifying communities nationwide.
About Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful
Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful serves as the environmental education and awareness program of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. We are focusing on preventing litter, reducing waste and beautifying our communities by working with government, business and civic groups in Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, Glocester, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Smithfield and Woonsocket. We work with these cities and towns to understand their specific needs and to create programs that will enhance their landscapes. Emily Soergel, the program coordinator, is sponsored by AmeriCorps*VISTA.
Visit the event's Facebook page
Franklin, MA
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Live reporting - Closing
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Construction on Wachusetts St to start soon, will be completed next year
L. OLD BUSINESS
Pfeffer - program for road repair?
M. NEW BUSINESS
Franklin, MA
Construction on Wachusetts St to start soon, will be completed next year
L. OLD BUSINESS
Pfeffer - program for road repair?
Nutting - I am ready to meet when you are
M. NEW BUSINESS
Zollo - status of work on Main St
Nutting - work has not yet been completed, the service needs to be cut to each property
the plates need to be held open until testing etc is done
I have to say at least another month
Will the road be repaved complete?
In 2012 when the full project is done
the plates will be done before the winter
McGann - requesting Brutus for a presentation on Water Treatment
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Vallee - congratulations to School For Performing Arts
Vallee - congratulations to School For Performing Arts
Pfeffer - Chilson Beach closing this week
only beech around that doesn't have the tall lifeguard chairs
can we get Tri-County to collaborate with us to get them before next summer season
Mason - Jeff could you address the citizens comment?
Nutting - given personnel issues and threatened legal action I have no comment
McGann - based upon what I have heard tonight, there is no reason for this gentleman to be harrassed.
Vallee - motion to adjourn
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - Action items
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS - none
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION –
1. Resolution 10-46: Appropriation – Repaving a Portion of Washington Street
McGann recused himself from this vote
Developer put the funds aside for this, this is moving the funds from one account to another to actually do the paving.
motion to approve, passed 5-0 (McGann recused)
2. Resolution 10-47: Appropriation – Spring Street Culvert
Nutting - during the spring rains, the culvert collapsed, by the time the bids came in, we still need to get it done before the winter
Pfeffer - where about is the culvert?
Nutting - description to be added
Motion to approve, passed via roll call 6-0
Franklin, MA
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION –
1. Resolution 10-46: Appropriation – Repaving a Portion of Washington Street
McGann recused himself from this vote
Developer put the funds aside for this, this is moving the funds from one account to another to actually do the paving.
motion to approve, passed 5-0 (McGann recused)
2. Resolution 10-47: Appropriation – Spring Street Culvert
Nutting - during the spring rains, the culvert collapsed, by the time the bids came in, we still need to get it done before the winter
Pfeffer - where about is the culvert?
Nutting - description to be added
Motion to approve, passed via roll call 6-0
Franklin, MA
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