Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 3/15/11

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 Open and Executive Session minutes from the February 15, 2011 School Committee Meeting, and the Budget Workshop minutes from January 29, 2011.
• Payment of Bills - Mr. Glynn
• Payroll - Mrs. Douglas
• FHS Student Representatives
• Correspondence
1. Budget to Actual

2. Guests/Presentations
a. FHS Visioning Committee – Peter Light, Team
b. FHS Program of Study – Peter Light
c. FHS Summer Reading – Peter Light, Chris Schmidt

3. Discussion Only Items
• Policy – First Reading: JICFB - Bullying

4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the RMS trip to the Providence Place Mall IMAX Theater on April 15, 2011 as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2666.00 from the Parmenter PCC for Field Trips.


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

FRANKLIN RAIL TRAIL COMMITTEE MEETING - Agenda - 3/15/11

FRANKLIN RAIL TRAIL COMMITTEE MEETING

Meeting # 26

Proposed Agenda for March 15, 2011

Location: Franklin YMCA 45 Forge Hill Road

Start Time: 7:30PM

I. Call to Order
A. Ask for volunteer to keep minutes of meeting
B. Introduction of new attendees
C. Review & approve minutes of previous meeting

II. Report from our representative from DCR
A. Need for signage disallowing motorized vehicles on trail
B. History of railroad for kiosk in progress

III. Membership Committee Report
A. Committee to report on membership activity

IV. Report from Finance Committee
A. Report from Treasurer

V. Report of Fund Raising Committee
A. Report of progress on the Road Race
B. Fundraising Activity
C. Ken to report on EMC connection
D. General preparations for the Road Race

VI. Report from Grant Writing Committee
A.

VII. Engineering Requirements of this project
A. Updates

VIII. Unfinished Business
A. Business plan status?
B. Bellingham connection – progress with the Lions Club – follow up needed
C. Kiosk possibility at Center St

IX. New Business

X. Set Date and place for Next Meeting and Adjourn


The website for the Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee can be found here http://franklinrailtrail.org/

Franklin, MA

"something that puts Franklin on the map"

"The vision that the Conservation Commission has for the property is that it becomes a public place for passive recreation and hiking trails," Livingstone said. "Fixing the dams and stabilizing water levels is the first step." 

Resident Ernest DelCarte donated the 130-acre property on Pleasant Street to the town after he died seven years ago. There are seven dams on the property, which was once used as a fish hatchery. 

Some of the smaller dams, where water sometimes flows over and around the structures, will probably be removed. They were built to create small ponds for the fish hatchery that is no longer operating, Livingstone said. 

The commission initially feared the project would cost several million dollars, but they have received proposals for as low as $1.2 million, Livingstone said, adding he hopes the commission will discuss plans with the Town Council in the coming months.

Read more: Franklin commission may seek grants to fix dams

Prior posts on the DelCarte property

Photo tour of the property
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/franklin-ma-delcarte-tour.html

Where is it located?
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/where-is-delcarte-property.html

Town Council discussion in October 2010
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/live-reporting-delcarte-proposal.html






Franklin, MA

"most can be reimbursed by the mile when driving for town business"

Some towns reuse retired police cruisers and other vehicles as take-home cars, but others, such as Ashland and Franklin, said repair bills and the cost of converting cars for civilian use can be high. 

"They're just not cost-efficient," Franklin Town Administrator Jeff Nutting said.
Towns otherwise often buy vehicles through a state bidding process or at auction, including at Adesa in Framingham. 

In Franklin, Nutting said he has phased out several take-home vehicles as employees with that benefit retired or otherwise left the town payroll. 

"Some of those jobs we never filled, or as (new) people come in, they have to bring their own vehicle back and forth for work," Nutting said. 

The town plans to cut two more next fiscal year, when the town engineer and deputy public works director are expected to retire. 

But there are few cases left where take-home vehicles could be eliminated, Nutting said, echoing many managers who saw most arrangements as necessary. 

"I'm running out of folks to scale back on at this point," he said.

Read more: How many public employees take their work car home?

More about Sunshine Week - a national initiative to highlight open government, freedom of information, and transparency can be found here.

Franklin's vehicle listing as of June 2010 can be found here. (I'll get an update this week.)



Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Mar 16, 2011

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - February 16, 2011

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS - Conservation Commission

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Longhorn Steakhouse – Alteration of Premises
Joe’s American Bar & Grill – Transfer of License

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS – Auditor’s Report

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION:
1. Resolution 11-08: Report of Franklin Town Council, Re: Advisability of Requiring Removal of Poles and Overhead Structures Along Main Street From its Intersection with East Central Street to Its Intersection with Depot Street

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

Let the sun shine!

We have one entry thus far with multiple questions around substitute pay:

How much total pay is made to substitute techers. I was surprised to see the number of substitue people and some of the amounts are pretty high. Are teachers paid straight salary? How is leave handled? Is excessive teachers absence accounted for?

This query was sent to School Administration late Friday. With the School Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, I would expect to have an answer posted no later than Wednesday.


If you have a question on how Franklin spends its money, ask and we'll find out. The form to ask your question can be found at the top of the center column or by following this link.


More about Sunshine Week - a national initiative to highlight open government, freedom of information, and transparency can be found here.


Franklin, MA

"ensure greater transparency in government"

To ensure a continued and consistent focus on the Open Meeting Law, Coakley created the Division of Open Government to educate individuals about the law, enforce the law, and act as a readily accessible resource for members of public bodies, members of the public, municipal officials, and the press. The division has focused its efforts on educating members of public bodies and the public at large about the revisions to the OML, establishing a complaint process, and resolving Open Meeting Law complaints. 

“The goal of the new law is to promote uniform interpretation of the Open Meeting Law and ensure greater transparency in government,” said Coakley. “As we move forward, we will continue to work with these governmental bodies, news media, and the public to ensure that we reach this shared goal of good governance.”

Read more: In first year, AG's office handled Open Meeting Law complaints, conducted training sessions 


Franklin provides a "Visitor's Orientation to Meetings" focused on the Town Council but generally applicable to other committee meetings.


The Pew Internet and American Life Project released a report that showed:

"... government transparency is associated with residents’ feelings of efficacy and empowerment: Those who think their government shares information well are more likely to say that people like them can have an impact on government. It might be the case that signals from government that “we want to be open about what we do” make people think they can take advantage of that openness and influence the way the government operates."

This report helps foster the activities that you and I have been taking here. Our engagement on the website, through the weekly and daily newsletters, and on Facebook are helping to encourage Franklin to do more in these areas. Franklin regularly wins an award for for government information sharing but it can still do better. One of the major issues with the budget crisis we face is the lack of trust in the information provided. Increasing the transparency will foster trust.

The full report can be found here:
http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/08-Community-Information-Systems.aspx 



Franklin, MA

In the News - Fenway, VFW

Franklin men's group hosts program about Fenway

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin VFW to celebrate 75 years

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

"I think for the VFW to succeed we're going to have to take in new members," said member Howard Crawford, 87, who served in the U.S. Army in World War II and Korea. He said he is confident soldiers from the Gulf War and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan will become active as they get older. 

"When people are returning from war (today), they are consumed with their family and want nothing to do with us. They just want to forget it."

Franklin, MA

Reach Out for Youth and Families

The Bernon Family Branch of the Hockomock Area YMCA will be holding a fund raising event at 3 Restaurant on March 22, 2011.

Reach Out for Youth and Families

Details can be found in the flyer below. Please RSVP by March 15, 2011.

YMCA Invitation


Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.

Franklin, MA

In the News - unpaid taxes, Trivia Bee

Franklin seeks unpaid taxes

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Franklin trivia bee raises funds, and provides fun

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

Citizens against waste

There are folks who complain about the money Franklin spends. This form will enable those Franklin residents identify an item where the expense is questioned.

You ask the question. I'll facilitate to get an answer.
(The collection of questions and answers can be found here)

This should at least get the discussion respectfully focused on facts and details.

The 2010 Annual Report can be found here (PDF)

Other reference links for the FY 2012 Budget can be found here





Franklin, MA

Attention: knitters, crocheters, weavers, spinners, dyers, and anyone curious about fiber crafts

For the fiber crafters amongst us, a good event this weekend at MIT.

FiberCamp Boston is a PodCamp like community un-conference for fiber craft enthusiasts including knitters, crocheters, weavers, spinners, dyers, and anyone curious about fiber crafts. Fibercamp is based on the fact that everyone has something to share and teach. Connect with the community by sharing your passion.

More about FiberCamp on their website


You can register via Eventbrite here


The FiberCamp blog with information from last year's event can be found here




Franklin, MA

"It's misinformation that makes barriers to good decisions"

"There are very well-educated, insightful people who say I don't have enough information, so I'm always going to vote no," Chairman Doug Hardesty said. "To me if we can define what the questions are that will really provide a roadmap ... I think Franklin will be better off because you will have a bigger group of people more confident about decision they will make." 

In 2009, the committee, which was then composed of members of the Town Council, School Committee and Finance Committee, produced a 45-page report that explained how the town was facing a structural budget deficit where annual revenue growth was less than what was required to maintain town services. They projected that, through 2014, expenses would grow faster than revenue by $7 million to $10 million. 

The following year, voters rejected a $3 million property tax override. 

Graydon Smith, one of the seven residents who comprise this year's committee, noted many residents may assume the town has direct control over costs such as pensions and benefits provided to part-time employees. Instead, those are mostly determined at the state level and are difficult to change.

Read more: Franklin financial planners at work again

My notes from the meeting can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/live-reporting-long-range-financial.html


Franklin, MA

Facts At A Glance: Impact of Proposed Federal Budget Cuts on Massachusetts' Residents

Explore our online budget database Is our research helpful to you? Support our work Contact Info   Noah Berger   President   nberger@massbudget.org   (617) 426-1228 x102   Tom Benner   Communications Director   tbenner@massbudget.org   (617) 426-1228 x100 Facts At A Glance: Impact of Proposed Federal Budget Cuts on Massachusetts' Residents  March 9, 2011 Proposed legislation (H.R. 1) that funds the federal government through the final six months of Fiscal Year 2011 cuts funding for non-security discretionary programs by $66 billion, or an average of 14.3 percent. Economists warn that these reductions in federal spending, including grants to states, could increase unemployment and weaken the national economy in the short-term. They will also significantly decrease funding for programs that invest in our state's long-term economic health and in the well-being of our residents.  Facts At A Glance: Impact of Proposed Federal Budget Cuts on Massachusetts' Residents provides a brief description of how some of these cuts could affect Massachusetts residents.    The fact sheet is available at www.massbudget.org or by clicking here. See MassBudget's Budget Browser to explore Massachusetts state budgets from Fiscal Year 2001 to the present, as well as budget proposals for the next fiscal year as they are offered by the Governor and the Legislature.     MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies, as well as economic issues, with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.

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In the News - winter carnival, kickball teams

Franklin High holds Winter Carnival

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin YMCA seeking teams for kickball tournament

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin, MA