Be a garden blogger, get free seeds
Dean College hip hop team to perform Friday
Rain barrels, composter available to Franklin residents at discount
Franklin, MA
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Earth Day - April 16 - volunteers needed
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FORTOWN-WIDE CLEAN UP AND ENVIRONMENTAL EXHIBITS AT BEAVER POND
Franklin will celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 16th with a roadside clean up, spring plantings, and new environmental activities for all ages with activities based at Beaver Pond.
Earth Day kicks off "rain or shine" at 9:00 a.m. when volunteers start a town-wide roadside clean up of litter and set out plants and flowers. After this winter's snowfall, many of the town's most scenic streets can be quickly restored to an attractive roadside with just a few hours of time. Please bring gloves for each person and rakes.
All volunteers are asked to sign in at Beaver Pond between 9:00am-11:00am, so that the areas most in need of a spring clean up get attention. To nominate a town road which needs a cleanup, please call or email the DPW as soon as possible.
This year, volunteers will be given a trash bags for collecting cans, glass bottles, trash and litter. Volunteers simply leave the bags along the roadside by 12:00 p.m., after which Franklin DPW trucks will pick up the bagged trash.
Last year's clean up brought out about 200 volunteers and the trash picked up filled one 40 yard dumpster. Over one ton of litter was collected.
Community service certificates are issued to youths and adults who need them. Earth Day t-shirts are given to the first 300 volunteers and there will be free pizza and beverages starting at 12:00 p.m. for returning clean up crews.
Volunteers are also needed to help pick up donated goods, help run events at Beaver Pond.
Also on site will be Waste Management recycling demo, environmental booths, and demonstrations. Dean Radio WGAO, will be on site to broadcast live from the event.
Sponsoring groups and businesses this year so far include: Waste Management, Comprehensive Environmental, Inc., CDM, Malcolm-Pirnie, Garelick Farms, Aubuchon Hardware, State Forest Advisory Council, Metcalf Materials, Hillside Nurseries, Domino's Pizza, Bimbo Bakeries, Dunkin Donuts, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Various boys and girls scouts, Hillside Nurseries, Franklin Garden Club, Franklin Citizen's Rail Trail Committee, Green at Dean College, Dean Community Outreach program, Coles Tavern, and Metacomet Land Trust.
For information on how you can get involved, visit the DPW webpage at:
This notice was also posted to the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/016E42E9-000F8513
To subscribe and receive your own copy of this notice, go to the Franklin website and sign up for "Recycling News" http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/subscriber-news
Franklin, MA
STAR Plus -- Just for Middle School Students
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Lifelong Learning by Pandora Carlucci on 4/12/11
Middle school is the domain of students in grades 6, 7 & 8. STAR Plus, our middle school summer program, has been designed specifically for these students. Directed by Ms. Orfalea and Ms. Leazott, STAR Plus offers four, 1-week sessions with a variety of themes and activities focused on the interests of middle school students.Each week students enroll in 2 early morning classes and 1 longer mid-morning class. Students choose 2 themes from the following:
Visual Arts, Cooking and Design - Potential activities include Cooking, Drawing & painting, recycled art, screen printing, T-shirt design.
Computer Lab, Games, Science & Technology - Potential activities include Photoshop. Internet games, Movie making, Experimental fun and games, games, games.
Music, Performing Arts - Potential activities include Creating music, Introduction to guitar, Music history, Play production, Musical production and Dance.
Sports, Recreation, and Fitness - Potential activities include Fall sports, Winter sports, Spring sports, Team and individual games, Fitness challenges, and Sports history.
For the longer, mid-morning class, the students select their favorite theme from among the following themes:
Performing Arts - Theatre- Students will write, rehearse & perform a musical or play or Dance Students will learn a variety of dance techniques.
Science & technology/Outdoor Fitness
Experimental Fun - Students will use their senses to experiment with a variety of materials.
Outdoor Fitness - Students will explore a variety of outdoor fitness activities.
Sports & Recreation
Sports - Students will play a variety of fall, winter & summer sports
Recreation - Students will play a variety of team and individual games; exercises & athletic activities will be explored.
Visual Art
Painting - Students will use watercolors or acrylics to paint still-life, landscapes and figures.
Recycled Art - Students will use a variety of recycled materials to form sculptures
Clay/Pottery - Students will use many types of materials: clay, model magic & modeling clay to sculpt pieces of art.
Register: www.franklin.k12.ma.us select Summer Program from middle of page, select STAR Plus
Questions: lifelong@franklin.k12.ma.us or 508-553-4814
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Lifelong Learning using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Changes afoot
Scene script:
Queue Dylan's "The times they are a changing" as background music
Focus on a cross roads with multiple options:
Announcement: I will switch the focus of my efforts from live reporting on Franklin's meetings to spending more time on the Franklin Food Pantry. I will not be live reporting on the meetings Tue and Wed this week. A more formal announcement will be made later.
Thank you for your readership. Thank you for your interest in Franklin.
Queue Pete Seeger singing "Turn, Turn, Turn" in the background.
Fade picture slowly, diminish music slowly
Franklin, MA
Queue Dylan's "The times they are a changing" as background music
Focus on a cross roads with multiple options:
Announcement: I will switch the focus of my efforts from live reporting on Franklin's meetings to spending more time on the Franklin Food Pantry. I will not be live reporting on the meetings Tue and Wed this week. A more formal announcement will be made later.
Thank you for your readership. Thank you for your interest in Franklin.
Queue Pete Seeger singing "Turn, Turn, Turn" in the background.
Fade picture slowly, diminish music slowly
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 4/12/11
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 minutes from the March 29, 2011 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:
1. Budget to Actual
2. Guests/Presentations
a. Project Able/Blended online learning
b. LIFT2 – Brenda Redding
c. Annual Financial Audit
3. Discussion Only Items
School Choice
Policy – Second Readings:
1. KBE – School/Parent Organizations Relationships
2. KBE-E – School Committee/Administration Participation in PCC/Boosters Meetings Guidelines
3. KDD – News Media Relations/News Releases
4. Action Items
a. I recommend the Franklin Public Schools not participate in the School Choice Program for the 2011-2012 school year.
b. I recommend acceptance of a 2 checks, one from the Jefferson PCC for $3500.00 and one from Follett for $4.80 for field trips for Jefferson Elementary School.
c. I recommend adoption of Policy KBE – School/Parent Organizations Relationships as detailed.
d. I recommend adoption of Policy KBE-E – School Committee/Administration Participation in PCC/Boosters Meetings Guidelines as detailed.
e. I recommend adoption of Policy KDD – News Media Relations/News Releases as detailed.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $7316.00 from Davis Thayer PCC for field trips and buses as detailed.
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $330.00 from Parmenter PCC for field trips.
h. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2665.75 from 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
Parmenter 5K - May 15th
The Parmenter 2011 Race flyer:
Parmenter 2011 Race Flyer
The registration form:
parmenter_Regform_2011
You can also visit the race website to register online http://parmenter5k.weebly.com/
Franklin, MA
Parmenter 2011 Race Flyer
The registration form:
parmenter_Regform_2011
You can also visit the race website to register online http://parmenter5k.weebly.com/
Franklin, MA
FRANKLIN RAIL TRAIL COMMITTEE MEETING - Agenda - 4/12/11
Proposed Agenda for April 12, 2011
Location: Franklin YMCA 45 Forge Hill Road
Start Time: 7:30PM
I. Call to Order / Introductions of New Attendees
A. Review & approve minutes of previous meeting
B. Make sure we have a volunteer to keep minutes of meeting
II. Report from Finance Committee
Report from Treasurer
III. Report from Grant Writing Committee
Meeting on March 31st and begin Strategic Plan
Proposed meeting on April 14th
C. We have an Eagle Scout lined up for proposed work in Forest
D. Need to Meet with EMC and Rockland Trust soon
IV. Earth Day Preparations for Beaver St. Location on April 16th
Tent, Table, Banner, Coffee, Brochures, sign up sheets, etc.
Get to Ron Clough list of volunteers
V. Report of April 23rd Road Race Committee
Discussion on progress to date and of Publicity
Agree on date and time to meet with M & M for final preps
VI. Report on Bellingham
Bellingham Lions – Ken
Politics and Fatman
Kiosk
VII. Unfinished Business:
VIII. New Business:
A.
IX. Set Date & place for Next Meeting and Adjourn
Franklin, MA
Location: Franklin YMCA 45 Forge Hill Road
Start Time: 7:30PM
I. Call to Order / Introductions of New Attendees
A. Review & approve minutes of previous meeting
B. Make sure we have a volunteer to keep minutes of meeting
II. Report from Finance Committee
Report from Treasurer
III. Report from Grant Writing Committee
Meeting on March 31st and begin Strategic Plan
Proposed meeting on April 14th
C. We have an Eagle Scout lined up for proposed work in Forest
D. Need to Meet with EMC and Rockland Trust soon
IV. Earth Day Preparations for Beaver St. Location on April 16th
Tent, Table, Banner, Coffee, Brochures, sign up sheets, etc.
Get to Ron Clough list of volunteers
V. Report of April 23rd Road Race Committee
Discussion on progress to date and of Publicity
Agree on date and time to meet with M & M for final preps
VI. Report on Bellingham
Bellingham Lions – Ken
Politics and Fatman
Kiosk
VII. Unfinished Business:
VIII. New Business:
A.
IX. Set Date & place for Next Meeting and Adjourn
Franklin, MA
Downtown Partnership Networking Luncheon - Apr 29th
Franklin Downtown Partnership
Networking Luncheon
Friday, April 29th-1:00
Dean College Campus Center-Dining Hall
Cost $5.50
Please RSVP Joel Carrara
Enjoy great food while networking with other Downtown Partnership members!
Monday, April 11, 2011
FM #92 - Week ending Apr 10, 2011
Let's spend a few minutes reviewing what matters in Franklin, MA as the week comes to a close April 10th.
Time: 5 minutes, 58 seconds
MP3 File
Show Notes:
This internet radio show or podcast is number 92 in the series for Franklin Matters.
We'll look back at the week that was as it comes to a close Sunday Apr 10 before getting to the outlook on the week ahead.
As we mentioned last week, the Finance Committee was scheduled to meet on Tuesday. With the budget book not scheduled to be ready until the end of April, the meeting was canceled. The FINCOM budget hearings have been scheduled for May 2, 3, 5, 9 and 10. The calendar on Franklin Matters has been updated accordingly.
The Milford Daily News ran an article on this updated schedule and in the article stated:
So be it.
The Town Council met this week and spent time on the public hearing for the Nu-Style building which is getting closer to demolition and clean up than ever before. Several of the councilors created great sound bites on how long it is taken to do this. Jeff Nutting has the best comment in response:
My notes showed he said something like
http://www.franklincommunitygardens.org/
My full set of notes from the Council meeting can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/04/town-council-040611.html
As for town meetings this week
The School Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, Apr 12. As we record this on Sunday, the agenda has not yet been posted.
The Long Range Financial Planning Committee is scheduled to meet on Weds. They are likely to pick up the discussion on the questions that they drafted as ones to be answered.
Earth Day comes Saturday. The DPW will set up at Beaver Pond to coordinate the clean up efforts of as many want to volunteer.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/2011-earth-day-april-16th-at-beaver.html
---- ---- ----
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help.
How can you help, you ask?
If you have an interest in writing about something that matters in Franklin, please let me know.
As always -
This feedback loop is important. Thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visitFranklinmatters.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 & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission
I hope you enjoy!
Franklin, MA
Time: 5 minutes, 58 seconds
MP3 File
Show Notes:
This internet radio show or podcast is number 92 in the series for Franklin Matters.
We'll look back at the week that was as it comes to a close Sunday Apr 10 before getting to the outlook on the week ahead.
As we mentioned last week, the Finance Committee was scheduled to meet on Tuesday. With the budget book not scheduled to be ready until the end of April, the meeting was canceled. The FINCOM budget hearings have been scheduled for May 2, 3, 5, 9 and 10. The calendar on Franklin Matters has been updated accordingly.
The Milford Daily News ran an article on this updated schedule and in the article stated:
Town Council Chairman Scott Mason said the budget deficit probably will not be as bad as the $4 million to $6 million councilors predicted last year. He said he does not expect the council to seek an override this year.http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/04/does-not-expect-council-to-seek.html
So be it.
The Town Council met this week and spent time on the public hearing for the Nu-Style building which is getting closer to demolition and clean up than ever before. Several of the councilors created great sound bites on how long it is taken to do this. Jeff Nutting has the best comment in response:
My notes showed he said something like
”We have been trying to take care of the environment and minimize the Franklin tax dollars in the process.“The good news from the Council meeting was their action to create a “Community Gardens Committee.” Five members were appointed all from the group that has been working on this for the past several months. This is a great step forward. The King St Memorial Fields will be the site for about 40 raised bed gardens to be set up in May. You can follow the events on the website
http://www.franklincommunitygardens.org/
My full set of notes from the Council meeting can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/04/town-council-040611.html
As for town meetings this week
The School Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, Apr 12. As we record this on Sunday, the agenda has not yet been posted.
The Long Range Financial Planning Committee is scheduled to meet on Weds. They are likely to pick up the discussion on the questions that they drafted as ones to be answered.
Earth Day comes Saturday. The DPW will set up at Beaver Pond to coordinate the clean up efforts of as many want to volunteer.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/2011-earth-day-april-16th-at-beaver.html
---- ---- ----
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help.
How can you help, you ask?
If you have an interest in writing about something that matters in Franklin, 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.
This feedback loop is important. Thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visitFranklinmatters.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 & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission
I hope you enjoy!
Franklin, MA
Mick Ebeling: The invention that unlocked a locked-in artist
After making electrical circuit connections with play dough, what do you do? Try solving an impossible problem.
Mick asks himself these questions everyday:
More on the Eye writer can be found here
Franklin, MA
Mick asks himself these questions everyday:
if not now, then when?
if not me, then who?
if not now, then when?
if not me, then who?
More on the Eye writer can be found here
Franklin, MA
"These students want to deal with the problem"
"When teachers or adults talk to students, it seems like they're talking down to them," Loureiro said. "We're talking to them as peers."
The program, which begins at 7 p.m. in the Dean College Campus Center, is targeted to college and high school juniors and seniors. But it is open to the community at large, organizers said.
Speakers will educate attendees about the causes of distracted driving, stress the importance of keeping two hands on the wheel and discuss ways technology - often at the root of the cause - could play a role in the solution, organizers said.
"The answer isn't turn off the technology," said Parry Aftab, a lawyer who founded the Teenangels initiative in 1999 and runs the Internet safety website WiredSafety.org. "It's let's make the technology safer, smarter and better. You're not going to drive in a quiet car all by yourself."Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1302185156/Teenangels-in-Franklin-driving-young-motorists-to-safety#ixzz1JCsBF9Lr
Related posts on the teenangels
Testifying before MA Attorney General Martha Coakley
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/02/teenangels.html
Cyberbulling presentation to the School Committee
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/live-reporting-teen-angels.html
Text bullying Pledge
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/teen-angels-pledge-text-think-send.html
Franklin, MA
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Downtown walk around
Our Saturday morning walk to and around downtown Franklin presented a few photo opportunities.
First up was the line up of the ark and occupants at the First Federated Church
Acapulcos has a new sign on their window. Free wifi with a catch; it is only good from 11:00 AM through 3:00 PM.
Heading for Cafe Dolce I noticed that the flower boxes have been removed. Must be getting fixed up in time for the Spring installation of flowers in May by the Downtown Partnership.
What have you noticed around Franklin, now that we can all get out and around a bit with the better weather?
Franklin, MA
First up was the line up of the ark and occupants at the First Federated Church
Acapulcos has a new sign on their window. Free wifi with a catch; it is only good from 11:00 AM through 3:00 PM.
Heading for Cafe Dolce I noticed that the flower boxes have been removed. Must be getting fixed up in time for the Spring installation of flowers in May by the Downtown Partnership.
What have you noticed around Franklin, now that we can all get out and around a bit with the better weather?
Franklin, MA
How does New Hampshire do it?
New Hampshire is noted for its state liquor stores and no personal income tax. Yet they also have the highest property tax in New England. You have probably been part of a discussion on the pros and cons of what they do versus other states.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston has just published their analysis with interesting results. New Hampshire is able to do what it does "in part because of favorable circumstances. States with needier populations or higher costs will likely spend more to provide the same level of services." The report shows ways in which MA and other New England states have needier populations and higher costs.
The report acknowledges that New Hampshire "has also made some policy choices to keep spending low and avoid broad based taxes." So can we do what they did? The report goes on to say that "some choices may be infeasible in the current environment or inappropriate in states with different preferences for public services."
So the bottom line works out to be, if you like MA stay here. If you think you like NH and the way they do things, go there. How NH does what they do doesn't translate well to other states.
FedResBkBoston_neppcrr1101-nhbriefing
This is the report summary. You can find the full report and accompanying tables of supporting figures on the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston website: http://www.bostonfed.org/news/press/2011/pr040711.htm
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
Franklin, MA
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston has just published their analysis with interesting results. New Hampshire is able to do what it does "in part because of favorable circumstances. States with needier populations or higher costs will likely spend more to provide the same level of services." The report shows ways in which MA and other New England states have needier populations and higher costs.
The report acknowledges that New Hampshire "has also made some policy choices to keep spending low and avoid broad based taxes." So can we do what they did? The report goes on to say that "some choices may be infeasible in the current environment or inappropriate in states with different preferences for public services."
So the bottom line works out to be, if you like MA stay here. If you think you like NH and the way they do things, go there. How NH does what they do doesn't translate well to other states.
FedResBkBoston_neppcrr1101-nhbriefing
This is the report summary. You can find the full report and accompanying tables of supporting figures on the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston website: http://www.bostonfed.org/news/press/2011/pr040711.htm
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
Franklin, MA
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)