This picks up from Part 1 of the meeting reported here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget_26.html
Technology
Jeff covered an overview, mostly contracts to provide support
one time bump for new technology at the high school, then it would end up in the salary budget for the Schools
School have total control on personnel costs for employees supporting town wide
individual departments pay their technical expenses
COA/Senior Center
Karen Alves
we used to have a 4,000 and we are growing out of a 15,000 sq ft facility
in the capital budget we are looking to build out the 2nd floor
more programs and more customers
a lot more goes into the Senior Center than what is shown here
grants, the Friends of the Elderly, etc and lots of volunteer help
Senior Center has seen two homeless people in the last month
Friends group funds the chef for the cafe
MetroWest provides a significant grant
Outreach person going from 19 hours to 30 hours
costs shifting between grants and Friends
$9,000 increase overall as a result of moving things around
Tri-County
simple assessment based upon enrollment in October of prior year
have not yet received the full budget breakdown
have not received the Agricultural budget either
also dependent upon student enrollment
budget adjustments since last meeting
workers compensation number received today
add $5,000 for Fire Dept, recurring for medical equipment an ongoing expense and not a capital budget where it was originally
Purchasing Director unable to keep up
needs 6-8 hours of clerical support to help her through the new high school processing
adjusted the revenue numbers from the State and House joint resolution
Q - should we keep rather than reduce the heating budget based upon the new high school?
A - we know the high school will be more efficient, it was based upon usage of gas across the schools, not just the high school
Q - fire budget, flat salary?
A - yes, there is no contract yet. There is a wage settlement amount in the budget but not in the fire budget. If the contract does get agreed to, then the money would move to the Fire Dept
discussion on holding off the final budget vote to meeting next week
capital budget also ready for discussion
capital budget still waiting on the final storms of winter to pass so we'll know the snow budget
still no final recommendations from the capital subcommittee
state looking at funding a spray park, down at Fletcher field
grant available, awaiting info from the state to; if we apply we'll get approved.
you have to front the money and then get reimbursed
$2.4M with some left over accounts to be closed out and used for capital along with 'free cash'
Sally Winslow and Miriam Goodman return to talk about the School capital needs
aligning curriculum to common core, the math program Chicago Everyday math doesn't meet and is not ready to go to common core
committee put together to evaluate the common core math program options
full program of evaluation
initially costed by the vendor at $450,000 negotiated to go for $150,000 in the capital budget
covers K-5 math instruction, books to go along with the online (software) component
a number (54) of smart board at the current high school are being re-deployed around the district. the capital cost is for the movement to the new location and wired properly for the new location
it is a one time expense to move these
not purely a capital expense but a one time expense from the capital funds available
POS terminal for the nutra-kids meals, free or reduced priced lunch tracked better without raising an issue for the student inline; replaces 19 terminals throughout the schools, the older ones can be used as spares
picture verification, validation of purchases within allergies
Keller-Sullivan computer labs have been used in the 9 years since the school was opened, equipment being replaced
discussion on one night or two, preference for one night, ideally next Tuesday to finish the capital and vote on the final budget recommendation
motion to adjourn, passed
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Live reporting - Finance Committee - Budget Hearing - Mar 25, 2014
Present: Dowd, Conley, Fleming, Smith, Dewsnap, Dufour, Aparo, Heumpher, Quinn
Absent: none
Nutting, Gagner, Dacey
Starting with Town Clerk budget
adjustment in salary for competitive reasons
transfer of passport processing from Town Clerk to Town Administrators office; no change in hours, just shift from one account to another
Q - do we still microfilm?
A - yes, for storage
Q -what elections this year?
A - two, primary and secondary
Q - room in new high school for the election?
A - yes, we'll be there in Sep for the primary election. more may come out to see the school, also be fore the open house
Q - where do we store all the election stuff?
A - we have space set up outside the new school for tat, also in the capital budget is new election booths that would be on rollers
Historical Commission
more stuff going on with the museum, getting small already, looking for additional shelving in the capital budget
Q - volunteers are staffing?
A - Yes, and you can join the Friends of the Mueseum, a non-profit
School Dept
Paula Mullen, Sally Winslow, Miriam Goodman
school budget starts with the foundation budget
state determines the foundation and then the local amount to be supported, the difference is covered by Chap 70
$87M from all sources
28.5% of our population under 18
11,131 per pupil state official number of expense
if you are spending at the minimum, it is not a good education
grants and revolving accounts also provide some income
$4.3M in this budget is being used from these revolving accounts
$55,600,000 is targeted amount
$1.2M over FY 2014 a 2.32% increase
FHS 6
ASMS 2
RMS 2
total of 10 new teachers
potential traffic issues once school opens (as the old school gets demolished)
professional development for Common Core, particularly for elementary math program funded in the capital budget (hopefully)
pilot testing PARCC next week, preliminary to help make the decision on adopting the PARCC standard to replace MCAS, DESE has not made a decision yet
difference between what we spend and what the state average is has been widening
while we are spending less, the test scores are very good
(hopefully we can get a copy of the presentation to add)
Q - on line item
A - educational assistance, movement of teachers out of grant funding and into regular budget, the intent of the grant is to supplement the education; EA's came out and teachers went in
Q - what is the difference between the net school spending and the total
A - the capital budget for one is the major, the 11,000 average is only the major 11 categories counted in the State number.
Q - on discretionary funding to the schools
A - the principals agreed to reduce the 120,000 from the line item to other after school activities and substitutes (for common planning time)
Q - medical health services, up by 7.8% but up by 13%
A - those are nurses and LPNs in the schools, contractual obligations account for the increase
Q - re: enrollment, what assumptions did yo make for 2015?
A - anticipating an increase in high school, incoming freshman class may be larger than the 8th grade class we have; additional classes proposed at middle school, anticipated that K going down based upon births from 5 years ago
Q - influx from private to public?
A - yes, due to the new high school
Q - 1.6M in grants, what is our success rate in seeing those continue
A - detail on the grants in special notes in the budget; tied to enrollment data in certain categories; i.e. special education pupils = 1.1M for IDEA. Those are expected to continue, there are reductions from time to time, anticipating to be level funding next year. State K grant is unknown at this time.
Q - moving teachers from middle to elementary?
A - positions would move, the teachers may or not move depending upon the requirements; retirements expected to help provide the shift
Q - I'd like to echo that this presentation is a great package. is the presentation up on the website.
A - If it is not, it will be
Part 2 of the meeting notes continues here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-budget-hearing-contd.html
Absent: none
Nutting, Gagner, Dacey
Starting with Town Clerk budget
adjustment in salary for competitive reasons
transfer of passport processing from Town Clerk to Town Administrators office; no change in hours, just shift from one account to another
Q - do we still microfilm?
A - yes, for storage
Q -what elections this year?
A - two, primary and secondary
Q - room in new high school for the election?
A - yes, we'll be there in Sep for the primary election. more may come out to see the school, also be fore the open house
Q - where do we store all the election stuff?
A - we have space set up outside the new school for tat, also in the capital budget is new election booths that would be on rollers
Historical Commission
more stuff going on with the museum, getting small already, looking for additional shelving in the capital budget
Q - volunteers are staffing?
A - Yes, and you can join the Friends of the Mueseum, a non-profit
School Dept
Paula Mullen, Sally Winslow, Miriam Goodman
school budget starts with the foundation budget
state determines the foundation and then the local amount to be supported, the difference is covered by Chap 70
$87M from all sources
28.5% of our population under 18
11,131 per pupil state official number of expense
if you are spending at the minimum, it is not a good education
grants and revolving accounts also provide some income
$4.3M in this budget is being used from these revolving accounts
$55,600,000 is targeted amount
$1.2M over FY 2014 a 2.32% increase
FHS 6
ASMS 2
RMS 2
total of 10 new teachers
potential traffic issues once school opens (as the old school gets demolished)
professional development for Common Core, particularly for elementary math program funded in the capital budget (hopefully)
pilot testing PARCC next week, preliminary to help make the decision on adopting the PARCC standard to replace MCAS, DESE has not made a decision yet
difference between what we spend and what the state average is has been widening
while we are spending less, the test scores are very good
(hopefully we can get a copy of the presentation to add)
Q - on line item
A - educational assistance, movement of teachers out of grant funding and into regular budget, the intent of the grant is to supplement the education; EA's came out and teachers went in
Q - what is the difference between the net school spending and the total
A - the capital budget for one is the major, the 11,000 average is only the major 11 categories counted in the State number.
Q - on discretionary funding to the schools
A - the principals agreed to reduce the 120,000 from the line item to other after school activities and substitutes (for common planning time)
Q - medical health services, up by 7.8% but up by 13%
A - those are nurses and LPNs in the schools, contractual obligations account for the increase
Q - re: enrollment, what assumptions did yo make for 2015?
A - anticipating an increase in high school, incoming freshman class may be larger than the 8th grade class we have; additional classes proposed at middle school, anticipated that K going down based upon births from 5 years ago
Q - influx from private to public?
A - yes, due to the new high school
Q - 1.6M in grants, what is our success rate in seeing those continue
A - detail on the grants in special notes in the budget; tied to enrollment data in certain categories; i.e. special education pupils = 1.1M for IDEA. Those are expected to continue, there are reductions from time to time, anticipating to be level funding next year. State K grant is unknown at this time.
Q - moving teachers from middle to elementary?
A - positions would move, the teachers may or not move depending upon the requirements; retirements expected to help provide the shift
Q - I'd like to echo that this presentation is a great package. is the presentation up on the website.
A - If it is not, it will be
Part 2 of the meeting notes continues here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-budget-hearing-contd.html
Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #4
The Finance Committee is scheduled to hold its fourth and maybe last budget hearing Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM.
The budget items scheduled for discussion are as follows
Dept - Budget - Page
Town Clerk 161 - A-31
Elections 164 - A-34
Historical Commission 691 - F-10
School 300 - C-1
IT 155 - A-28
COA 541 - E-8
Tri-County 390 - C-2
Norfolk Aggie 395 - C-3
Budget hearing #3
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget_20.html
Budget hearing #2
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget_13.html
Budget hearing #1
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget.html
audio version (was not recorded by Franklin TV)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/fincom-budget-hearing-mar-11-audio.html
The budget items scheduled for discussion are as follows
Dept - Budget - Page
Town Clerk 161 - A-31
Elections 164 - A-34
Historical Commission 691 - F-10
School 300 - C-1
IT 155 - A-28
COA 541 - E-8
Tri-County 390 - C-2
Norfolk Aggie 395 - C-3
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Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central St |
Budget hearing #3
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget_20.html
Budget hearing #2
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget_13.html
Budget hearing #1
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget.html
audio version (was not recorded by Franklin TV)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/fincom-budget-hearing-mar-11-audio.html
Franklin Downtown Partnership: Emmons Street Property Update
Dear FDP Members:
Thank you for your e-mails and phone calls regarding the Emmons Street property. After talking with so many of our members the FDP Board of Directors sent the attached letter to the Town Council asking them to please give the community time to continue to develop their ideas and concepts that were presented at the March 4th town workshop.
Franklin Downtown Partnership
The Emmons Street property is on the agenda for the April 2nd Town Council meeting at 7:00 pm and the Economic Development meeting at 5:30 pm. We encourage our members to attend and voice their opinions. If you are unable to attend, please send us your thoughts and ideas and we would be happy to present them to the Council next week.
Please e-mail or call the FDP office if you have any additional questions. The FDP Board always likes to hear from members on these important downtown decisions.
Link to the letter to the Town Council as referenced above
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/downtown-partnership-letter-to-town.htmlOpen letter and current petition to postpone the decision on Emmons St
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/franklin-voices-open-letter-to-franklin.html
Local veteran to receive high honors at Charity Gala for Huntington’s Disease
On Thursday, The Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) and the Massachusetts State House will honor local veteran, Jose Valdivieso, for his brave military service and courageous struggle with Huntington's Disease (HD). A 2003 Medway High School Graduate, Jose retired honorably from the U.S. Army shortly after being diagnosed with the disease in 2011. Jose will receive the HDSA Person of the Year Award and State Representatives Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin), John Fernandes (D-Milford) and James Cantwell (D-Marshfield) will present Jose with a joint citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
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Huntington's Disease Society of America |
"I am honored to represent Jose and his family in the House of Representatives and delighted that the Huntington's Disease Society is recognizing him as its person of the year," said Representative Jeffrey Roy (Franklin – D). "It's the dedicated and noble service of individuals like Jose who answered the call of duty and served in harm's way so that we could be free. Jose is a local hero who carried on that tradition of service and set himself apart through meritorious achievement. While he's living with an impossible disease he perseveres with a smile on his face and enriches the lives of others."
Joining the military promptly after high school, Jose completed a 15 month tour in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan totaling 18 months. He received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained as a gunner when his Humvee was struck by an explosive device. Jose was also awarded the Army Commendation Medal for heroism and meritorious achievement, and honored with other veterans from the Wounded Warriors Project on a segment of Good Morning America in 2011.
HD is a devastating, hereditary, degenerative brain disorder that results in a loss of cognitive, behavioral, and physical control. The disease was passed down to Jose from his father, who died from the disease when Jose was 10 years old. Jose's older brother, Patricio, also suffers from HD. Along with the physical injuries and post traumatic stress from combat service, Jose copes with HD symptoms like loss of balance and coordination, sleep disorder, and speech impairment. Slowly diminishing his ability to walk, think, talk, and reason, Jose will eventually become totally dependent upon others for his care. More than 30,000 people in the United States are currently diagnosed with HD. Each of their siblings and children has a 50 percent risk of developing the disease, therefore 250,000 are at risk. "I join Representative Roy in expressing the honor it is to represent a person of such courage," stated Representative Fernandes. "Jose's dedication to service on behalf of our country and his strength in taking a lead in the effort to show others how to live through and with Huntington's is inspirational."
Jose often turns to laughter to cope with the challenges of Huntington's. As he says, "joking and laughing helps in staying positive. You just have to keep on smiling." Like any good soldier, Jose perseveres, and his courage serves as a model for those who cross his path. He currently lives in Medway with Patricio and his younger brother, Javier, a local Police Officer and member of the Coast Guard.
The Huntington's Disease Society of America is the largest 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by Huntington's Disease. Founded in 1968 by Marjorie Guthrie, wife of folk legend Woody Guthrie who lost his battle with HD, the Society works tirelessly to provide help for today and hope for tomorrow. HDSA supports 21 Centers of Excellence at major medical facilities including Massachusetts General Hospital, funds research into the biology of the disease to facilitate the development of treatments and cures, hosts more than 170 support groups for people with HD, their families, caregivers and people at-risk, and is the premiere resource on Huntington's disease for medical professionals and the general public. To learn more, about Huntington's disease and to get involved in HDSA, please visit www.hdsa.org or call 1-800-345-HDSA.
MassBudget: Unlocking Potential: The Cost and Availability of Juvenile Detention and its Alternatives in MA
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In the News: Emmons St
A majority of Town Council members consider the idea of cultural or green space at 150 Emmons St. unrealistic, and the consensus has always been to lease or sell the property for new revenue.
Chairman Robert Vallee said on Tuesday that the council — apart from a few members — has all but decided to issue a request for proposals to develop the property, the former home of the Town Hall.
"We want to see what's out there," Vallee said.Read the full article here (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140326/NEWS/140327456/1994/NEWS
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150 Emmons St - the building that is under discussion |
If you want to add your name to the petition to have the decision to sell postponed, you can find the link here http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/franklin-voices-open-letter-to-franklin.html
Medway Middle School - Do You Know What Common Core Is?
Concerned about the common core standards and the move to go to PARCC to replace MCAS? This meeting is for you
The Milford Daily New has an article today on the Medway parent group that is active in this exploring this issue http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140325/NEWS/140328000/1994/NEWS (subscription required)
The Milford Daily New has an article today on the Medway parent group that is active in this exploring this issue http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140325/NEWS/140328000/1994/NEWS (subscription required)
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Soak it up Franklin!
Collaboration is a wonderful thing! A new website touting the benefits of water conservation for Franklin is now online.
This is a collaboration among the Franklin DPW and the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA).
Training on how to build a residential rain garden - May 3
There is additional info on the site about the other ways Franklin is working to conserve water and reduce pollutants reaching the water supply. Tree wells, road narrowing are covered in addition to the rain gardens.
Be sure to visit "Soak it up Franklin"! http://www.soakitupfranklinma.org/
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Soak it up Franklin |
This is a collaboration among the Franklin DPW and the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA).
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screen shot of new website with info on rain gardens |
Training on how to build a residential rain garden - May 3
The Town of Franklin and Charles River Watershed Association will hold two rain garden demonstration and training sessions for Franklin homeowners conducted by groundSwell Designs, LLC. Attendees will learn how to design, plant, and maintain rain gardens. Each training participant will be entered to win a $100 gift certificate to purchase rain garden plants.
Both trainings are free for Franklin residents. Space is limited and advanced registration is required. Please register below or call Kate Sjoberg at 508-553-5500.
There is additional info on the site about the other ways Franklin is working to conserve water and reduce pollutants reaching the water supply. Tree wells, road narrowing are covered in addition to the rain gardens.
Be sure to visit "Soak it up Franklin"! http://www.soakitupfranklinma.org/
Walking Upper Union to the solar farm
Once to the top of Mount St, I decided to walk down to the solar farm. The road was quiet. The fields lie fallow and brown.
I turned around here to head for home. Stay tuned for the next segment from the Saturday walk.
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brown and waiting for spring |
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The new poles lined this section of Upper Union |
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The sun tried its hardest to burn through the clouds |
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The new poles lined the solar farm |
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solar panels working but you'd hardly notice |
Solar farm photos from June 2013
from July 2013
from Oct 2013
FPAC - Opera for Kids - Sunday, April 6
Franklin Performing Arts Company’s annual Family Concert Series concludes this season with “Opera for Kids: Dr. Seuss’s Gertrude McFuzz and Green Eggs and Ham” on Sunday, April 6 at 3 p.m. at 38 Main Street in Franklin. The performance is offered free to the community. An FPAC tradition for more than two decades, Family Concert Series events are especially geared to children in length and presentation, and provide young audiences with a fun introduction to the world of live music. The performances expose audiences of all ages to music of many genres and feature talented, professional musicians in an entertaining and interactive format.
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Franklin Performing Arts Company |
Opera for Kids features performances of two classic Dr. Seuss stories. Set to music by Robert Kapilow, Green Eggs and Ham brings to life the beloved children’s tale with iconic character Sam-I-Am. A great companion piece to Green Eggs and Ham, Gertrude McFuzz introduces the memorable “girl-bird” who learns to like herself just as she is, with her one-feathered tail. Engaging audiences of all ages, each opera is about 20 minutes in length and in rhymed verse. The performance features two members of the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) voice faculty, Shauna Martin and Mariko Matsumura, along with three FSPA students, Madison Asgeirsson of Franklin as Gertrude McFuzz, Lily Barney of Franklin as Sam, and Sara Weissinger of Hopkinton as Lolla Lee Lou. Bryan Eyberg will accompany the vocalists.
A member of the FSPA Music Faculty since 2006, Shauna Martin received her master’s degree in Opera from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Music degree from Brandon University. Her performances include a wide variety of operatic and musical theater roles in works by classical as well as contemporary composers. A native of Winnipeg, Canada, Martin is a founding member of the popular children's show Opera Night in Canada and has performed with Canada’s regional orchestras and on CBC Radio.
A native of Tokyo, Japan, Mariko Matsumura received her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance with high honors from the University of Montana and a master’s degree in Vocal Performance from Longy School of Music. Mariko's performance credits include Messiah, Aida, Hansel and Gretl, Der Rosenkavalier, The Magic Flute and numerous premiere performances throughout the Boston area. Mariko has been a member of the FSPA faculty since 2002.
FPAC’s 2014 Family Concert Series is sponsored by Berry Insurance and the Franklin Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. For more information, call (508) 528-8668 or visit www.fpaconline.com.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Franklin, MA: Planning Board - Agenda - Mar 24, 2014
Mount St - new poles, renovated barn
On my reporting by walking around excursion on Saturday, I took my Summer St, Mount St to Upper Union St loop back to King St. A good walk, plenty of hills with Summer and Mount St and a nice long decline coming down Upper Union.
Mount St residents were upset a few months ago with the tree cuts and new utility poles being put in to carry the power from the new solar farm at the Abbey. While the solar farm at the Abbey had been in the news, nothing had been mentioned about how the power was going to run from the Abbey to get to the power grid.
A few trees were cut down on Mount St and new utility poles were put in to raise the power lines up further from street level than the existing lines.
In this first photo, the new poles are standing at the beginning for the incline
A close up of the renovated barn. Nicely done!
Related posts:
Solar farm at Mount St Mary's Abbey
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/mount-st-marys-solar-farm.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/solar-farm-update.html
Trees cut on Mount St
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/why-mount-st-where-did-this-come-from.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/mount-st-trees-and-new-utility-poles.html
Mount St residents were upset a few months ago with the tree cuts and new utility poles being put in to carry the power from the new solar farm at the Abbey. While the solar farm at the Abbey had been in the news, nothing had been mentioned about how the power was going to run from the Abbey to get to the power grid.
A few trees were cut down on Mount St and new utility poles were put in to raise the power lines up further from street level than the existing lines.
In this first photo, the new poles are standing at the beginning for the incline
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new utility poles on Mount St |
A close up of the renovated barn. Nicely done!
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renovated barn on Mount St |
Related posts:
Solar farm at Mount St Mary's Abbey
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/mount-st-marys-solar-farm.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/solar-farm-update.html
Trees cut on Mount St
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/why-mount-st-where-did-this-come-from.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/mount-st-trees-and-new-utility-poles.html
Franklin Library: Music & Movement with Ms. Marsha
For the young children "Music and Movement with Ms. Marsha" is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25th at 10:30 AM.
for additional information on events at the Franklin Library, follow their webpage here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/03/music-movement-with-ms-marsha.html
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Celebrate through music and movement |
for additional information on events at the Franklin Library, follow their webpage here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/03/music-movement-with-ms-marsha.html
In the News: urgent care
Dismayed by the time it takes to transport patients in need of immediate care to area hospitals, Town Council members have asked a subcommittee to research outpatient options, such as a satellite emergency room.
The council's chairman, Robert Vallee, has made the matter a priority this year, instructing the Citizens Committee to pursue the problem.
You can read the remainder of the article here (subscription required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140324/NEWS/140328364/1994/NEWS
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