A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – November 17, 2010
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS - Annual Tax Classification Hearing – 7:10 PM
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 10-70:Classification Tax Allocation– Residential Factor
2. Resolution 10-71:Classification Tax Allocation – Open Space Exemption
3. Resolution 10-72:Classification Tax Allocation – Small Businesses Exemption
4. Resolution 10-73: Classification Tax Allocation – Residential Property Exemption
5. Resolution 10-74: Appropriation – Capital 2011
6. Resolution 10-75: Appropriation – Fire Truck
7. Resolution 10-76: Authorization to Borrow – Repairs & Remodeling to Various School Buildings
8. Resolution 10-77: Appropriation – Demolition of House on DelCarte Property
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
Sunday, December 5, 2010
"new systems to control the runoff"
"This (meeting) is to keep the information flowing," Bellingham Town Administrator Denis Fraine said. "The proposed regulations are going to be costly, and the more we understand what our limitations are, the better it will be in the long run from a financial perspective."
Milford Selectman Brian Murray said the presentation is important for town officials and business owners, but efforts to fight the regulations need to continue.
"This is almost like the tail wagging the dog," Murray said. "It means we buy into these regulations, and I refuse to buy into the science of it and the unfairness of targeting three towns."
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News:
Three meetings set to review stormwater mandate for Bellingham, Milford, Franklin
Prior posts on the proposed EPA regulations about storm water
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/epa-storm-water-proposal-information.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/epa-storm-water-proposal-information.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/epa-storm-water-proposal-information.html
Franklin, MA
Saturday, December 4, 2010
A warm welcome for the Franklin Town News!
The arrival this week of the new Franklin Town News is a good development for Franklin. You should already be aware that while at one time many years ago Franklin did have its own newspaper (The Sentinel), we get coverage by the Milford Daily News and the occasionally from the Boston Globe West edition.
The current reporter for the Milford Daily News, Brian Benson, I think is doing very well. He is covering a lot of Franklin and covering it well. He is also publishing information in advance of a meeting which prior reporters had not done.
Franklin also is covered by the Wicked Local or Franklin Gazette. Covered is an appropriate term as this is the paper tossed in the driveway weekly. As I walk around town, I find a lot of them simply left there. The news contained inside is all re-purposed from what has been published in the Milford Daily News.
Hence, the need for Franklin MAtters. I publish here all the information from the town meetings (Town Council, School Committee, etc.) that I can participate in. This information is meant to be accurate and timely. You help me if you find I make a mistake so the accuracy is good. I provide links to documents and the documents themselves to make the information that may be on the Franklin website, easier to get at and use.
Now, the Franklin Town News comes along and will provide a new communication channel to the residents of Franklin. Supported by ad revenue and mailed directly to residents, this ensures a better chance of getting to everyone than the news or websites can do today. I welcome the Franklin Town News.
Why?
An informed community will make good decisions on election day.
Note:
I have no formal business relationship with Franklin Town News. I have and anticipate continuing to submit an article or two for each issue on behalf of Franklin MAtters or the Franklin Food Pantry.
If your business or non-profit would like advice on how to leverage Franklin Town News (or other communication channels) to spread your information, please reach out and contact me. I am open to sharing what I know and have learned.
Franklin, MA
The current reporter for the Milford Daily News, Brian Benson, I think is doing very well. He is covering a lot of Franklin and covering it well. He is also publishing information in advance of a meeting which prior reporters had not done.
Franklin also is covered by the Wicked Local or Franklin Gazette. Covered is an appropriate term as this is the paper tossed in the driveway weekly. As I walk around town, I find a lot of them simply left there. The news contained inside is all re-purposed from what has been published in the Milford Daily News.
Hence, the need for Franklin MAtters. I publish here all the information from the town meetings (Town Council, School Committee, etc.) that I can participate in. This information is meant to be accurate and timely. You help me if you find I make a mistake so the accuracy is good. I provide links to documents and the documents themselves to make the information that may be on the Franklin website, easier to get at and use.
Now, the Franklin Town News comes along and will provide a new communication channel to the residents of Franklin. Supported by ad revenue and mailed directly to residents, this ensures a better chance of getting to everyone than the news or websites can do today. I welcome the Franklin Town News.
- Any Franklin business can benefit from advertising in this publication. The target market is what you are always looking for. If you are doing business in Franklin, the target market is provided for you.
- Any Franklin organization can benefit from publishing an information article. The monthly timing is the only hindrance but with proper planning, the mailing at the beginning of the month can announce your event during the coming month or set the stage for a future month. There is also a website where you can read the paper online, as well as a calendar which can be updated more frequently than monthly. As the awareness grows, these should be more useful in getting the word out.
Why?
An informed community will make good decisions on election day.
Note:
I have no formal business relationship with Franklin Town News. I have and anticipate continuing to submit an article or two for each issue on behalf of Franklin MAtters or the Franklin Food Pantry.
If your business or non-profit would like advice on how to leverage Franklin Town News (or other communication channels) to spread your information, please reach out and contact me. I am open to sharing what I know and have learned.
Franklin, MA
Jon Stewart: The Food, the bad and the ugly
Jon Stewart does his thing with the recent food safety legislation passed by the Senate. Humor is a good way to tackle tough issues.
Food safety is no laughing matter.
Food security (having enough healthy food for your family) is no laughing matter either.
Please take a moment today to support your local food pantry or food bank. They are different operations but have one goal to provide necessary food for those in need. The Franklin Food Pantry has a Google Checkout button to enable an easy monetary donation. Scroll all the way down to the base of the home page to find it. http://franklinfoodpantry.org/
Note: I am on the Board of Directors for the Food Pantry and will be revising the website to make it easier to use for those we serve as well as those who would like to help (like you).
Franklin, MA
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| The Food, the Bad and the Ugly | ||||
| ||||
Food safety is no laughing matter.
Food security (having enough healthy food for your family) is no laughing matter either.
Please take a moment today to support your local food pantry or food bank. They are different operations but have one goal to provide necessary food for those in need. The Franklin Food Pantry has a Google Checkout button to enable an easy monetary donation. Scroll all the way down to the base of the home page to find it. http://franklinfoodpantry.org/
Note: I am on the Board of Directors for the Food Pantry and will be revising the website to make it easier to use for those we serve as well as those who would like to help (like you).
Franklin, MA
Friday, December 3, 2010
Holiday Stroll
I got to Downtown Franklin after 6:00 PM and apparently missed the big crowds. There was a good group at Simon's to watch the dancers perform.
Quite a few folks stopped by the Open House at the Franklin Food Pantry and some dropped off donations:
Thank you!
Downtown Consignment reported good visits. Jane's Frames did as well. We stopped by the new Printsmart Office Products. Dolores picked up a couple of stocking stuffers while there.
The Museum had some crafts for sale as well as one of the Stanley Chilson films showing.
The triangle looks good with the trees lit up now.
All in all, a good evening. I wish I had been able to get there earlier. I also heard that the gingerbread cookies were a big hit at Dean College!
Spend some time downtown Franklin, shop local!
Updated 5/17/11 - sometime in the past couple of months, Downtown Consignment moved to an unknown location in Plainville. The Franklin Art Association now has a gallery in this location.
Franklin, MA
Quite a few folks stopped by the Open House at the Franklin Food Pantry and some dropped off donations:
Thank you!
Downtown Consignment reported good visits. Jane's Frames did as well. We stopped by the new Printsmart Office Products. Dolores picked up a couple of stocking stuffers while there.
The Museum had some crafts for sale as well as one of the Stanley Chilson films showing.
The triangle looks good with the trees lit up now.
All in all, a good evening. I wish I had been able to get there earlier. I also heard that the gingerbread cookies were a big hit at Dean College!
Spend some time downtown Franklin, shop local!
Updated 5/17/11 - sometime in the past couple of months, Downtown Consignment moved to an unknown location in Plainville. The Franklin Art Association now has a gallery in this location.
Franklin, MA
Winter Parking Ban changed!
One of the good things to happen during the Town Council meeting on Wednesday was the passage of the change to the overnight parking bylaw for winter. It used to be, there was NO parking overnight from November through May. Now, overnight parking is permitted unless the weather forecast calls for snow.
A nice change, parking in the downtown areas primarily, should be easier. As New Englanders, we are always aware of the weather. After all Mark Twain is often quoted as saying, "if you don't like the weather, stick around five minutes, it will change."
Details of the bylaw can be viewed in the document here:
FranklinMA_OvernightParking_BylawChanged
All the notes on what occurred during the Town Council meeting on Wednesday can be found here
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document
Franklin, MA
A nice change, parking in the downtown areas primarily, should be easier. As New Englanders, we are always aware of the weather. After all Mark Twain is often quoted as saying, "if you don't like the weather, stick around five minutes, it will change."
Details of the bylaw can be viewed in the document here:
FranklinMA_OvernightParking_BylawChanged
All the notes on what occurred during the Town Council meeting on Wednesday can be found here
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document
Franklin, MA
Isarithmic History of the Two-Party Vote
For the history buffs, this is a wonderful presentation of data over time. It would good to have an on screen tip sheet to show the candidates for each election as it was held to help really tell the story.
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA
In the News - holiday stroll, Temple Etz Chaim, recycling center
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Berry Ins helps the Franklin Food Pantry
From the Berry Insurance blog:
Note: I am on the Board of Directors of the Food Pantry, volunteering some of my time as Community Information Director to help tell the good work that they do.
Franklin, MA
Donations are taken year-around and especially appreciated during the holiday season. Berry Insurance has donated to the Franklin Food Pantry for ten years and this year will be no exception! For each new Facebook Fan acquired on the Berry Insurance page over the months of November and December, the agency will donate $2 to the Franklin Food Pantry!
Don’t allow anyone visiting the Franklin Food Pantry to go hungry this holiday season! You can donate time, money or food to help this worthy cause. So please, help us today in ending hunger and help support the Franklin Food Pantry!If you have a Facebook account and have not yet become a Fan of Berry Insurance, please do so and help the Food Pantry!
Note: I am on the Board of Directors of the Food Pantry, volunteering some of my time as Community Information Director to help tell the good work that they do.
Franklin, MA
Franklin Town News
The new Franklin Town News arrived in my mailbox today. I think it looks pretty good for a first edition. I look forward to seeing next month's issue already.
What do you think of it?
Franklin, MA
What do you think of it?
Franklin, MA
"Let’s Talk about Cyberbullying"
Thursday, December 9, 2010
7:00PM – 8:30PM
Dean College
Campus Center Multi-Purpose Room
We are all reading about cyberbullying in the news. Now Franklin’s own home-grown expert Teenangels and their founder, cybersafety expert and head of StopCyberbullying.org, will help the Franklin community understand how it works, how big a problem it is and what we can do about it. The Teenangels are teens who train under Dr. Aftab for 2 years to become cybersafety experts in their own right. They are sought after by the media, governmental agencies and Congress for what they know and their practical approach to addressing cyber-risks.
Parry Aftab is Executive Director of WiredSafety.org, the largest online safety and educational program and the cybersafety contributor to the Today Show, Good Morning America, Dr. Phil, CNN and MSNBC. She is best known for empowering families to use digital technologies more safely and responsibly. She is a member of Facebook’s five member international safety advisory board and MTV’s advisory board.
This event is sponsored by: Franklin WiredTeens Club, Franklin Community Health Council, and the Franklin Anti-Bullying Task Force.
The flyer for the event can be found here:
Aftab Cyber Bullying Event 12-9-10
Related posts on Cyberbullying
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/bullying-plan-presentation.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/bullying-plan-comments-wanted.html
Franklin, MA
Town Council - 12/01/10
The collection of live reported posts from the Town Council Meeting on Weds Dec 1, 2010 can be found here:
Franklin, MA
- Live reporting - Closing
- Live reporting - Legislation for Action
- Live reporting - license transfer
- Live reporting - Town Council
Franklin, MA
Old News: No "Race to the Top" for Franklin
Massachusetts was one of 11 states plus the District of Columbia to win the competitive funding, designed to promote statewide education reform. States vying for a share of the $4.3 billion fund had to pledge to pursue reforms in four areas: adopting standards and assessments aimed at increasing student success in college and the workplace; recruiting and rewarding effective teachers; building state data systems to measure student growth; and turning around the state's lowest performing schools.
Districts had to secure the support of the superintendent, the school committee, and the local teachers union to participate and be eligible for the federal funding. In Milford, as with many districts that opted out of the effort, union opposition was the stumbling block.You can read the full article in the Milford Daily News
Franklin is also one of the districts that opted out of "Race to the Top" because it already is at the top and would not gain via this program.
The Race to the Topic decision was made in Franklin in January. Details on the discussion from the School Committee meeting can be found here
Franklin, MA
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)