Young Professionals Organization Hosts North Bowl Event

United Regional Young Professionals Organization invites you to a night of fun and Cosmic Bowling at North Bowl, 71 E. Washington St., North Attleborough, on Nov. 9, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. $20 per bowler includes two hours of bowling, shoes, pizza and soda. Please bring a non-perishable food item for donation to a local food pantry. Reservations required. Contact Vicky Faunce at 508-223-5218 or vicky.faunce@bcsbmail.com.

The YPO is a branch of The United Regional Chamber of Commerce and is comprised of 20- and 30-something business professionals who have an interest in social and business networking, community involvement, and professional development. YPO participants must be at least 21 years old. For more information, visit the YPO's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/unitedregionalypo.

Dean Fall II accelerated undergraduate program offered in October

Franklin, MA  – Dean College is once again offering its innovative "Dean Fall II" program giving students who were unable to start college in September, or who were unhappy with their college choice the opportunity to take classes at an accelerated rate without falling behind a semester.

"Based on the needs of many young adults and the success of last year's program, we are again offering this program," said John Marcus, Vice President of Enrollment Services and Marketing.  "Dean Fall II is affordable and accessible and allows students to earn 9 credit hours before the start of the spring semester either as a commuter or as a resident student."

Students enroll in three courses taught in an accelerated format and classes begin October 26, 2010 and run through December 16, 2010.  The courses include core academic classes in humanities and social sciences designed to keep them on track towards a degree.

Federal Financial Assistance is available to qualified students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA.)

For more information about the Dean Fall II program, please call 508-541-1508 or go to admissions.dean.edu/fall2 to download an application.

Franklin, MA is looking to do business

In its continued efforts to attract and retain businesses the Town of Franklin is holding an economic development related event at 8:30 a.m. on October 27, 2010 at 431 Washington Street in Franklin. The primary purpose of the event is to inform property owners and commercial real estate companies with available property within the Town’s Economic Opportunity Areas that there are resources available to assist them. The secondary purpose is to assist with marketing of these properties and our business friendly community in general. We want the commercial/industrial site selection world to look to the Town of Franklin first when looking to site a facility.

This gathering of property owners, business owners and managers, State officials, commercial property realtors, and others in the site selection field, will discuss ways in which available incentives can be used to stimulate economic activity within the Town of Franklin’s six Economic Opportunity Areas and Town’s other industrial and commercial areas. Property owners and realtors attempting to lease or sell a commercial or industrial property within the Town of Franklin are being asked to bring marketing materials to display and distribute at the event.

As part of the event (Resources for Massachusetts Business Development) representatives from state agencies and other economic development related organizations will introduce themselves and discuss potential resources that they may have available. These organizations include Massachusetts Office of Business Development, MassDevelopment, Massachusetts Alliance for Economic Development, and Massachusetts Biotechnology Council.

With the sluggish economy the Town of Franklin needs to utilize all economic development incentives available to it in order to assist companies looking to settle or expand in the region. One of the most attractive incentives that a Massachusetts city or town can offer businesses looking to locate or expand in their community is a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) agreement. To qualify for tax increment financing a business must propose an expansion project within an Economic Opportunity Area.

As a member of the I-495/95 South Regional Economic Target Area, the Town of Franklin can designate specific parcels as economic opportunity areas. During 2009 the Town of Franklin created three large economic opportunity areas, which were approved by the State’s Economic Assistance Coordinating Council in April 2009. Earlier this year Franklin Town Council approved creation of three additional economic opportunity areas; the Town expects approval from the Economic Assistance Coordinating Council during November 2010. The six economic opportunity areas consist of 100 parcels totaling over 945 acres.

Currently there are at least 1,000,000 square feet of vacant or underutilized buildings in Franklin’s commercially and industrially zoned areas, most of which are within the Town’s six economic opportunity areas. This vacant property includes the majority of the 242,000+ square feet of floor space at 431 Washington Street, which is the former home of the Investor Services Division of Putnam Investments. The property’s management company, Marsh and McLennan Companies, has graciously agreed to host the Town’s 2010 Economic Development Summit at their 431 Washington Street facility.

The community’s industrially zoned areas are home to dozens of research and development and manufacturing companies, and Franklin has attracted innovative technology companies in a wide range of industries, including nanotechnology, robotics, logistics, data storage, medical devices, biotechnology, and specialty materials. Franklin hopes to use the economic opportunity area designation as an incentive to encourage these existing businesses to expand, as well as to attract new businesses, promote a higher level of investment in the Town’s commercial and industrial areas, increase employment options for the Town of Franklin’s residents, and increase the Town’s commercial and industrial tax base.

The potential benefits resulting from the formation of these economic opportunity areas are substantial not only for property owners and businesses within the economic opportunity areas, but also for the Town of Franklin and the region in general. A tax increment finance agreement is a 5 to 20 year property tax exemption based on the increased value of the property due to new construction or significant improvements.

The municipality supports the use of Tax Increment Financing agreements, especially for development projects that create livable wage jobs, support innovative technologies, and result in redevelopment of empty or underutilized industrially zoned properties or development of new facilities. In addition to the possibility of negotiating a tax increment finance agreement with the Town of Franklin, potential economic benefits for companies within economic opportunity areas can be significant, including an investment tax credit for qualifying tangible depreciable assets, as well as a ten-percent abandoned building tax deduction for costs associated with the renovation of a building that has been at least seventy-five percent vacant for two or more years.

Franklin is continually looking for ways to create conditions favorable for business expansion, and assist property owners fill the Town’s currently empty or underutilized industrially zoned manufacturing, warehouse and office space. The Town is hopeful expanding businesses will take advantage of these opportunities.

Please contact Planning and Community Development Director, Bryan Taberner, if you have questions or require additional information regarding the Town of Franklin’s economic opportunity area initiative, or the Economic Development Summit being held on October 27th.




Franklin MA PR 20101027 Economic Summit


Franklin, MA

Business to Business Expo Oct. 28

STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR BUSINESS TO BUSINESS EXPO

The Business to Business Expo, a collaboration of four local chambers of commerce, will be held at the Taunton Holiday Inn, 700 Myles Standish Dr., Taunton, on Oct. 28 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is taking part in this event that highlights some of the most vibrant companies in the region. The Expo features businesses from throughout the region served by The United Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce, the Cranberry Country Chamber of Commerce and the Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce.

The Expo will be held with a Business After Hours from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and will feature two free seminars: the ABCs of E-Tools by Trish White from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Uncovering the Hidden Profit in Productivity by Ed McDonough from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Exhibitors have two choices of display space. Companies can choose an 8' x 6' booth which includes a 6' skirted table, two chairs and a company sign or a 3' x 6' skirted table. The cost is $349 for a booth and $249 for a table top for participating Chamber members, and $599 and $499 respectively for non-members.

Admission to the event for visitors is free.

For more information, call The United Regional Chamber of Commerce at 508-222-0810 or 508-528-2800.

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, business support organization serving the communities of Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone, Foxborough, Franklin, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Wrentham.

Dean College to host College Fair October 26 - more than 60 colleges participating

Dean College Hosts College Fair

Franklin, MA -- Admissions counselors from more than 60 Colleges and Universities will visit with prospective students at Dean College's annual College Fair on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 from 5-7  p.m. in the Atrium of the College's Campus Center.

"All local high school students are encouraged to attend," said Tracy Nowak, Academic Advisor and Transfer Services Coordinator at Dean.  "Admissions counselors will be on hand to answer questions about their institutions. It is a great opportunity to learn about the academic programs offered by the various colleges as well as the activities, services, financial aid, and housing options they have available.

The College Fair will be held in the Campus Center Atrium, 135 Emmons Street. For more information contact Tracy Nowak at (508) 541-1536.

Community Gardeners To Meet - Oct 25th

When: Monday, October 25, 2010 - 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.


Where: Franklin YMCA Bernon Family Branch, 45 Forge Hill Road, Franklin


Agenda items: Mission Statement, Land updates, and committee sign-ups

We are going write our Mission Statement and elect steering committee chairs.

Our steering committee will be comprised of:

1) a Chairperson

2) a Co-Chair

3) Treasurer

4) Recording Secretary

5) Garden Site Coordinators, 1 for Giving Garden, 1 for Community Garden (and hopefully 1 for a Youth Garden!)

6) Committe Chairs, tbd

We will work as a group determine what our committee structure should be, list them, and enlist chairpersons and co-chairs for them.

Some committees will go to work right away, and some will get busy in the near future.

We listed our visions for a community garden at our first meetings.  A mission statement will be very important as we begin to source funding for our garden(s) and to educate the community at large about what we are doing and why.

Hope to see you there!

Contact persons:

Lauren Marciszyn - laurenm@hockymca.org

Amy Acevedo - amyacevedo1@verizon.net

--
franklincommunitygardens@gmail.com

--

Subscribe to the blog!

www.franklincommunitygardens.org
--

Yes, we are on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Community-Gardens/152040424825578

Franklin, MA: Library Book Sale

The Book Sale to raise money for the Franklin Public Library will be held at the DPW garage on Hayward St this weekend.

• Saturday, Oct 16th, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  
• Sunday, Oct. 17th, from 9AM to Noon - 'bag sale' 

The Book Sale is coordinated by the Friends of the Franklin Public Library.


Did you know the library has a blog? Check it out here:  http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/



Franklin, MA

School Committee - 10/12/10

The collection of live reported posts from the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Oct 12th can be found here:

• Live reporting - Closing
• Live reporting - Action items
• Live reporting - Discussion only items
• Live reporting - high school improvement plan
• Live reporting - FHS Update
• live reporting - Senior Project
• Live reporting - School Committee Meeting

Franklin, MA

Question 3

Question 3 is on the ballot for November's election.

We all want good schools, police and fire protection, safe roads and bridges, clean water and quality health care. Cutting the sales tax by more than half would deprive our communities of the revenue to pay for them.

Franklin already is too dependent upon state aid, to lose additional money would devastate the town. How much would we lose? The website calculates the amount each community would lose if Question 3 is approved.


http://votenoquestion3.com/towns.php?town_code=101

The fact sheet is shown below:

Question 3 Fact Sheet


When you go to the polls in November, make a choice you will be prepared to live with for more than one day.


Franklin, MA

In the News - students, flu, rides, race

Franklin students are more well-behaved

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Franklin flu clinic tomorrow

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin residents offered 'Ride to the Polls'

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Second annual Jen Ballarino 5K Race set

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Closing

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
a. Enrollment Comparison

down 48 students and verifying some home eligibility requirements

b. FHS Feasibility

architects work underway

scheduled for an Oct 27th presentation at the Building Committee, approx 7:15 PM that evening, although meeting starts at 6:00/6:30? (check to confirm)

will come before the School Committee at a meeting to be scheduled

c. HMMS Principal Search

ad ran in Sunday's paper

wanted to look at the responses before setting up the process

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

Joint Budget Subcommittee, started discussion on initial budget

Space needs subcommittee met and would like to be on the agenda for November

School Committee Liaison Reports
Joint PCC meeting initial meeting for the year, well attended

They provide over $150,000 to support school programs

(This does not include the athletic boosters, music boosters)

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
FEF Casino night Friday, Nov 19th at the Elks 

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

motion to enter executive session, via roll call passed 7-0



Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Action items

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,500.00 from the YMCA/Stop & Shop Healthy Futures Grant for field trips, supplies and supplemental curriculum materials for the Annie Sullivan Middle School.

motion to accept, passed 7-0

b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $200.00 from the ASMS PCC for field trips.

motion to accept, passed 7-0

c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,000.00 from the Jefferson PCC for Field Trips for Jefferson Elementary School students.

motion to accept, passed 7-0

d. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip for Middle School Chorus students to New York City to see a Broadway show on May 7, 2011 as detailed.
motion to accept, passed 7-0


e. I recommend approval of the FHS School Improvement Plan as detailed.
motion to accept, passed 7-0






Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Discussion only items

3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – First Reading
IHBG Homeschooling


The policy itself was published previously and can be viewed here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/fps-homeschooling-policy-proposed.html

based upon discussion, the revisions seem to be in the area of school sports and activities (i.e  prom, etc.)

probably 20-30 children in the district, some families have multiple students

Doug Hardesty - home schooling their 9th grader
where can I get a copy of the policy?

Roy - it is published on the web as well as on Franklin Matters

motion to move policy to second reading as amended by Jeff Roy (references to MIAA policy signed)




Franklin, MA

Live reporting - high school improvement plan

c. Franklin High School’s School Improvement Plan – Peter Light

The presentation for this section was posted to Franklin Matters earlier Tuesday. You can view it here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/franklin-high-school-improvement-plan.html


10% target, actually increased 48% on advanced placement courses taken

MCAS is all about Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) in the subgroups (special education in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math)

Principals Council (see members listed in presentation above)

teacher goals being tied into 2 of the 3 goals of the improvement plan (the first three are multi-year goals and school wide)

Mullen - have you considered not doing summer reading?
Light - how do you increase the passion for reading with students who are reluctant to read? We want students to learn, that excites them over the summer and are going that way.

Sabolinski - we need to define the purpose for summer reading? Having a hiatus year is good to provide the time to sit back and reflect on what we are doing and what we should do.



Franklin, MA

Live reporting - FHS Update

b. Franklin High School Update – Peter Light
DiLorenzo, Folan

reconfigured office personnel and responsibilities

reduced overall infractions from 4907 (07-08) to 4228 (08-09) to 3580 (09-10)
disruptive behavior dropped from 614 to 563 to 239 for same periods
cutting class only area of concern 157 to 140 to 277 showing an increase in the same periods
Possession of a controlled substance 3 to 2 to 2 (for a population of 1600 students)

out of school suspensions
07-08   187
08-09   190
09-10   114

team effort in the building, keeping students in the classrooms
The Alternative Discipline Program, an eight session program, part counseling part academics
Social suspensions - if a student is suspended for a period of time, can't participate in school activities or functions while on suspension

continuous improvement
focus on school culture - Rachel's Challenge (continuing as Friends of Rachel)
bullying and peer interaction, respectful relationships

instructional support teams - being put into place for the second half of the year

(need to add audio of the Peter Light re-telling of the Rachel Challenge presenter story)

on Athletic front, impact concussion testing is underway, started with the spring to establish a baseline in event that a student athlete did get a concussion, we would have some data to work with

looking to add five instructional support teams, to be implemented in the second half of the year
targeting 50-60 students in danger of failing a single subject for the year
an advance form of Response To Intervention (RTI) being implemented in the elementary and middle schools

Special Education Services Assessment being planned for Sp 2011

Arts Academy functioning for grade 11 with plans for that class to move up next year in grade 12 and then expand downward to grade 10 to cover three grades

Alternative Learning Program now located in H wing and by being integrated into the building provide greater access to the programs being offered in the school for the students

Robert Lima - Data Dashboard

"a vehicle to access state-wide and national test summaries for FHS"
sound of motorcycle revving up

• convenient one stop shopping
• click and view
• provide lens into the data

comparison to Hockomock League as well as the DESE 'comparable' schools

wonderful comparison to the schools with the click of a link, chart and table data available

can't wait to see this in production, especially the cost per student comparisons are staggering
Franklin does get a big bang for the dollars we spend and the results the students get

benefits

1. centralized in-house source for data
2. data being incorporated into strategic planning
3. online delivery of testing reports, moving further to a paperless system

access to the data will be available next Weds, Oct 20th

Cafasso - are you going to take this to the middle schools and PCC's?
Light - yes, we did this last year and plan on doing so this year. I think it was beneficial but the real ipact would be for the parents, if it helped them make a decision. At the end of the day, our students do compete with others for seats in the college class.

You won't need to have an Edline account to access the data, the data dashboard will be available on the FHS homepage and available to all

The reports are prepared secure PDF files, other interactive options can be requested, other data sets can be requested, it would take time to prepare and would be available in a later version.

Sabolinski - we are changing the culture on how we are using the data, the K-8 data will be available, both for transparency and analysis for program improvement

Roy - I do want to echo Roberta's comment on opening this to the greater community. Imagine if you only gave us a little more resources, look were we could go. We did try to go from good to great and have had to put that aside



Franklin, MA