a. MASS Academic Excellence Awards
- Samantha White
- Daniel Nulton
Franklin, MA
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Live reporting - presentation
2. Guests/Presentations
a. MASS Academic Excellence Awards
Franklin, MA
a. MASS Academic Excellence Awards
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - School Committee Meeting
Present: Douglas, Cafasso, Rohrbach, Roy, Trahan, Glynn
Absent: none
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Added Budget Workshop in Jan for discussion, added alternative learning method to discussion only items
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the open session of the November 16, 2010 School Committee Meeting and August 31, 2010 special meeting, and the following Executive Session minutes:
August 24, 2010
September 14, 2010
September 28, 2010
October 12, 2010
October 26, 2010
November 9, 2010
November 16, 2010
motion to approve the minutes, passed 7-0
Payment of Bills (11/9 & 12/14) Mr. Glynn
motion to pay the bills, passed 7-0
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence
1. Budget to Actual
2. Anti-Bullying Plan Feedback
Franklin, MA
Absent: none
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Added Budget Workshop in Jan for discussion, added alternative learning method to discussion only items
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the open session of the November 16, 2010 School Committee Meeting and August 31, 2010 special meeting, and the following Executive Session minutes:
August 24, 2010
September 14, 2010
September 28, 2010
October 12, 2010
October 26, 2010
November 9, 2010
November 16, 2010
motion to approve the minutes, passed 7-0
Payment of Bills (11/9 & 12/14) Mr. Glynn
motion to pay the bills, passed 7-0
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence
1. Budget to Actual
2. Anti-Bullying Plan Feedback
Franklin, MA
"need to think before they react"
McAfee is running a five part series on Cyberbullying and begins with a definition:
You can bookmark, favorite or subscribe to the McAfee page to get the remainder of the series.
Franklin, MA
Cyberbullying: “a situation when a child, tween or teen is repeatedly ‘tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted’ by another child or teenager using text messaging, email, instant messaging or any other type of digital technology.” (source: StopCyberbullying.org)You can find all of part 1 here, part 2 here, part 3 here.
You can bookmark, favorite or subscribe to the McAfee page to get the remainder of the series.
Franklin, MA
Monday, December 13, 2010
FM #80 - Week Ending 12/12/10
Let's take about 10 minutes to review what matters here in Franklin, MA as the week comes to a close Sunday Dec 12, 2010.
Time : 8 minutes, 43 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes
This internet radio show or podcast is number 80 in the series for Franklin Matters.
In this session, you give me about ten minutes and I'll fill you in on what matters in Franklin as this week comes to a close on Sunday Dec 12th.
This past week, the Town Council approved the smallest capital budget in recent years. While we have 2.1 M in 'free cash' the joint decision (administration and Town Council) was to keep $500,000 for snow/ice and $800,000 for unemployment insurance expense. The snow and ice budget has been growing closer to a realistic number over the years but given the variability in NE weather, and the tightness of the budget recent years, it is better to under forecast it and cover with free cash than to over forecast it. The unemployment insurance pool is being created in case an override fails come May/Jun 2011 and there are a large number of Town and School employees laid off.
The segment of the Town Council meeting covering this capital budget:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=5qFm%2baJMGjV57Fyb%2f6R%2fsg%3d%3d
As much as some folks still think that the Administration is incompetent, the actions and their results have some quite the opposite. Their performance has shown a high level of stability in the overall budget with lots of alternative planning.
Just flash back to the chart in the appendix for last week's slide cast, the one slide I think makes this point. Look at the variation in free cash over the years. The variability has narrowed in the last several years. The revenue forecasts have been closer to reality, the budget expenses have been managed very closely. Both of these combine to result in 'free cash', which is not 'free' nor really cash. Free cash should be created each year, in a tight and acceptable range, especially given the size of the operation Franklin is running.
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/12/fm-79-slidecast-tax-hearing-info-for-fy.html
Back to the Council meeting, the tax rate was set at 12.95 as calculated and expected. It also continued the single tax rate that I believe rightly should be used here in Franklin. You can disagree if you choose, but the numbers speak for themselves.
The segment of the Town Council meeting covering the Tax Hearing:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=3dwRSxWPYuVy9u0sTBN5kA%3d%3d
As another sign of good financial management, Franklin is going to fund some $2 M for school repairs with a bond issue. The bond issue will fit within the operating budget and not result in an override consideration. The Council has been operating with a policy of using up to 3.5% of the total operational budget for debt service and has been building some capacity in this area in the last year or so with more expect in the next year as debt retires. This is a good financial maneuver and you can hear more of the rational behind it during the Council discussion
The segment of the Town Council meeting covering the school bond issue:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=RcYKs%2b0J6JuGZPLL%2fsGOyg%3d%3d
Looking ahead:
School Committee meeting on Tuesday and the next Town Council meeting Wednesday
School Committee agenda is published, the Town Council is not yet available.
School Committee has the anti-bullying plan is the major item on the agenda. The plan was released a couple of weeks ago for feedback and will be voted on during the meeting Tuesday.
While the TC agenda is not available, I did receive an advance copy of the revised approach to the downtown commercial zoning changes. If you were confused by the initial plan, you were not alone. The plan has now been split into three parts, the first part will be discussed Weds. The cover memo and supporting documents were published on Franklin Matters Sunday and the link is included here.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/12/approach-revised-for-downtown.html
---- ---- ----
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can use your help.
How can you help?
If you have an interest in covering the Planning Board, Conservation Commission and or the Zoning Board of Appeals meetings, please let me know.
As always:
Thank you for listening.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to listen to this podcast
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 music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission
I hope you enjoy!
Time : 8 minutes, 43 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes
This internet radio show or podcast is number 80 in the series for Franklin Matters.
In this session, you give me about ten minutes and I'll fill you in on what matters in Franklin as this week comes to a close on Sunday Dec 12th.
This past week, the Town Council approved the smallest capital budget in recent years. While we have 2.1 M in 'free cash' the joint decision (administration and Town Council) was to keep $500,000 for snow/ice and $800,000 for unemployment insurance expense. The snow and ice budget has been growing closer to a realistic number over the years but given the variability in NE weather, and the tightness of the budget recent years, it is better to under forecast it and cover with free cash than to over forecast it. The unemployment insurance pool is being created in case an override fails come May/Jun 2011 and there are a large number of Town and School employees laid off.
The segment of the Town Council meeting covering this capital budget:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=5qFm%2baJMGjV57Fyb%2f6R%2fsg%3d%3d
As much as some folks still think that the Administration is incompetent, the actions and their results have some quite the opposite. Their performance has shown a high level of stability in the overall budget with lots of alternative planning.
Just flash back to the chart in the appendix for last week's slide cast, the one slide I think makes this point. Look at the variation in free cash over the years. The variability has narrowed in the last several years. The revenue forecasts have been closer to reality, the budget expenses have been managed very closely. Both of these combine to result in 'free cash', which is not 'free' nor really cash. Free cash should be created each year, in a tight and acceptable range, especially given the size of the operation Franklin is running.
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/12/fm-79-slidecast-tax-hearing-info-for-fy.html
Back to the Council meeting, the tax rate was set at 12.95 as calculated and expected. It also continued the single tax rate that I believe rightly should be used here in Franklin. You can disagree if you choose, but the numbers speak for themselves.
The segment of the Town Council meeting covering the Tax Hearing:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=3dwRSxWPYuVy9u0sTBN5kA%3d%3d
As another sign of good financial management, Franklin is going to fund some $2 M for school repairs with a bond issue. The bond issue will fit within the operating budget and not result in an override consideration. The Council has been operating with a policy of using up to 3.5% of the total operational budget for debt service and has been building some capacity in this area in the last year or so with more expect in the next year as debt retires. This is a good financial maneuver and you can hear more of the rational behind it during the Council discussion
The segment of the Town Council meeting covering the school bond issue:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=RcYKs%2b0J6JuGZPLL%2fsGOyg%3d%3d
Looking ahead:
School Committee meeting on Tuesday and the next Town Council meeting Wednesday
School Committee agenda is published, the Town Council is not yet available.
School Committee has the anti-bullying plan is the major item on the agenda. The plan was released a couple of weeks ago for feedback and will be voted on during the meeting Tuesday.
While the TC agenda is not available, I did receive an advance copy of the revised approach to the downtown commercial zoning changes. If you were confused by the initial plan, you were not alone. The plan has now been split into three parts, the first part will be discussed Weds. The cover memo and supporting documents were published on Franklin Matters Sunday and the link is included here.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/12/approach-revised-for-downtown.html
---- ---- ----
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can use your help.
How can you help?
If you have an interest in covering the Planning Board, Conservation Commission and or the Zoning Board of Appeals meetings, please let me know.
As always:
- If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
- If you don't like this, please tell me
Thank you for listening.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to listen to this podcast
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 music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission
I hope you enjoy!
Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee Meeting - Agenda - 12/14/10
Proposed Agenda for Dec 14, 2010
Location: Franklin YMCA 45 Forge Hill Road
Start Time: 7:30PM
I. Call to Order / Introductions of New Attendees
A. Introduction of new attendees
Can new attendees begin on committee immediately?
B. Review & approve minutes of previous meeting
C. Ask for volunteer to keep minutes of meeting
II. Presentation by Tad Staley Guest Speaker from the Needham Rail Trail Group
III. Report from our representative from DCR
Gates & Grading
Brochure box has been added to Kiosk
Volunteer is researching history of railroad
Contact made at WPI
IV. Membership Committee Report
Committee to report on membership activity
V. Report from Finance Committee
Report from Treasurer
VI. Report of Fund Raising Committee
Report on fund raising activities
Report Road Race Committee
Need Sponsors by next meeting – need to start hustling
VII. Report from Grant Writing Committee
VIII. Report on addition of Network Solutions web site
Remote monitoring
IX. Unfinished Business:
Business plan in the making
Distribute revised brochures
Recommendation to write to Town Administrator
X. New Business
A.
XI. Set Date & place for Next Meeting and Adjourn
Franklin, MA
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Approach Revised for the Downtown Commercial Zoning Proposal
If you thought the proposal to revise the downtown commercial zoning district was confusing, you were not alone. The Dept. of Planning and Community Development has incorporated the feedback and revised their proposal to split it up into three parts. The first part will be scheduled for discussion at the Town Council meeting on Weds, Dec 15. The cover memo outlining the changes is addressed to Jeff Nutting and reads in part:
For your reading pleasure, the full memo and supporting documents are attached:
Town Council - Downtown Commercial Zoning Proposal - 20101215
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to read the document.
Franklin, MA
After a recent staff meeting with you (Jeff Nutting) on November 23rd a three step approach was developed which we wish to pursue that will simplify the zoning bylaw amendment process and hopefully eliminate confusion:
1. Amend the Town’s Zoning Bylaw to include a new Downtown Commercial Zoning District;
2. Amend the Zoning Bylaw as it relates to the remainder of the Commercial I Zoning District; and
3. Amend the Town’s Sign Bylaw (185-20. Signs).
For your reading pleasure, the full memo and supporting documents are attached:
Town Council - Downtown Commercial Zoning Proposal - 20101215
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to read the document.
Franklin, MA
"feel like there's a sense of connectivity"
Foxborough architectural firm Kaestle Boos Associates is expected to present three plans to school and town officials in the spring that incorporate items from the recent three-day visioning meeting, Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski said.
"We spent a lot of time talking about what goes on in the classrooms and what is the best learning environment in a Franklin High of the future," Sabolinski said. "We understand that the scope of the project is not going to be a new high school. We were really looking at a renovation of the current space."
The group concluded that education would be more collaborative and project-based if there were many common areas for students and teachers to work together on projects, as is typically done in college settings, Sabolinski said.
Architects get to work on vision for renovated Franklin High School
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 12/14/10
Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.
Mission Statement
The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.
"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the open session of the November 16, 2010 School Committee Meeting and August 31, 2010 special meeting, and the following Executive Session minutes:
- August 24, 2010
- September 14, 2010
- September 28, 2010
- October 12, 2010
- October 26, 2010
- November 9, 2010
- November 16, 2010
Payment of Bills (11/9 & 12/14) Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence
1. Budget to Actual
2. Anti-Bullying Plan Feedback
2. Guests/Presentations
a. MASS Academic Excellence Awards
- Samantha White
- Daniel Nulton
b. Signing of Cafeteria Contract July 2010 – June 2013
3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – Second Reading
o GBEBA/JIA Staff Research Policy
Anti-Bullying Plan
Child Nutrition Bill Task Force
4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of Policy GBEBA/JIA Staff Research Policy as discussed.
b. I recommend adoption of the Anti-Bullying Plan as discussed.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,800.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for in-house enrichment at the Franklin High School.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,500.00 from Big Lots for in-house enrichment at Parmenter Elementary School.
e. I recommend approval of the trip for the FHS Cheerleaders to Indianapolis, IN for a competition on January 14-17, 2011 as detailed.
f. I recommend approval of the trip for the FHS Boy’s Ice Hockey Team to North Smithfield, RI for a competition on December 28-29, 2010 as detailed.
g. I recommend approval of the trip for the FHS Lacrosse team to Guilford, CT for a competition on April 2-3, 2011 as detailed.
h. I recommend approval of the trip for the FHS Boy’s Wrestling Team to West Babylon, NY for a competition on January 21-23, 2011 as detailed.
i. I recommend approval of the trip for the FHS Boy’s Wrestling Team to Pleasant Valley, PA for a competition on January 14-16, 2011 as detailed.
j. I recommend acceptance of a check for $294.00 from the Wells Fargo Foundation for FHS enrichment.
k. I recommend acceptance of a check for $35.51 from Olympia Sports for in-house enrichment for the Franklin High School.
l. I recommend acceptance of two checks for $10.00 each (Total: $20.00) from Barbara Peatie for RMS in-house enrichment.
m. I recommend approval of the FHS trip to New York City to see Wicked on March 12, 2011 as detailed.
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
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
Franklin, MA
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Sustainable restaurant?
Can there be a sustainable restaurant?
Arthur Potts Dawson in the UK is trying. He has one with a tree theme and one with a water theme. Fascinating!
With the news about more fast food restaurants coming to the 140 corridor, let's see how much they can do to be sustainable.
We do need tax revenues. We can have choices for food. Wendy's is either in Milford, North Attleboro or Mansfield.
How much can they do to help the environment they will be part of here in Franklin should be the focus of the discussion.
What do you think?
Franklin, MA
Arthur Potts Dawson in the UK is trying. He has one with a tree theme and one with a water theme. Fascinating!
"So nature doesn't create waste doesn't create waste as such. Everything in nature is used up in a closed continuous cycle with waste being the end of the beginning."
With the news about more fast food restaurants coming to the 140 corridor, let's see how much they can do to be sustainable.
We do need tax revenues. We can have choices for food. Wendy's is either in Milford, North Attleboro or Mansfield.
How much can they do to help the environment they will be part of here in Franklin should be the focus of the discussion.
What do you think?
Franklin, MA
Emerson Lip Dub
If you like a little Lady Gaga, a little lip dub, and a tour of Boston's Emerson College campus then spend a few minutes watching this. Maybe you know a student there!
Enjoy!
Franklin, MA
Enjoy!
Franklin, MA
In the News - kindergarten, more fast food on 140
Franklin to hold kindergarten sign up
Note: the dates posted by the paper don't agree with the dates posted on the Franklin schools website.
Franklin developer: New Taco Bell, Wendy's won't intrude
Franklin, MA
Friday, December 10, 2010
Franklin, MA: Kindergarten registration
Hold the dates to register for kindergarten:
All the details on the forms required and how to obtain them to have them filled out before arriving at registration can be found in the flyer here:
Franklin, MA - Kindergarten Registration
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
Franklin, MA
February 1st, 3rd, and 7th
4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Horace Mann Middle School – Cafeteria
224 Oak Street, Franklin, MA
All the details on the forms required and how to obtain them to have them filled out before arriving at registration can be found in the flyer here:
Franklin, MA - Kindergarten Registration
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
Franklin, MA
"They just don't want me to vote on the project"
Attorney Gary Hogan said that state laws require Mullaney to disclose the conflict with the town clerk before the first public hearing, which was held in September. But, he filed the form on Oct. 26, Hogan said, so now he wants Mullaney to recuse himself from the vote on the project.
"He did the right thing but my position is that it wasn't filed timely and I think he's tainted as a consequence of that," said Hogan, who represented Eastern Management and Development LLC.
Franklin official asked to recuse himself from voting
Franklin, MA
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