it's been an emotional and financial challenge

By Danielle Ameden/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 11, 2008 @ 09:58 PM

Last update May 11, 2008 @ 10:55 PM

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When Joe and Kelly Hurley's two boys were babies, the Franklin couple brought them to the pediatrician for standard shots. Like good parents, they were trying to protect their kids from whooping cough and tetanus.

Both boys suffered bad reactions to the vaccines, coming down with 104-degree fevers and rashes with ballooned cheeks, Kelly Hurley says. Now 9 and 10, one has moderate autism; the other has a non-verbal learning disorder.

Today, the family has its eye on Washington, where a federal court takes up a hot theory in the autistic community, and one the Hurleys believe: a mercury-based preservative in vaccines can trigger the developmental disorder.

there's so much need out there

By Heather McCarron/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 11, 2008 @ 09:35 PM

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FRANKLIN —

Before the new senior center opened, there was one segment of the town's senior population that was getting left out: Elders who are homebound, isolated, frail or experiencing cognitive difficulties.

But that's all changing now that the Council on Aging has been able to expand in the ample new space off Oak Street, and also thanks to two grants from the Metrowest Community Healthcare Foundation and the state Executive Office of Elder Affairs totaling $34,000.

The Council on Aging is now offering an adult supportive day care program for seniors who might otherwise remain at homes or may be candidates for nursing-home care.

"The response has been really overwhelming," said COA Director Karen Alves. "And I think it's because there's so much need out there."

Read the full story in the Milford Daily News here.

"never become engrossed with the size of your wallet, but rather the size of your heart"

By Michelle Laczkoski/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

Posted May 10, 2008 @ 11:31 PM

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FRANKLIN —

Calling it the most "amazing and frightening day of our lives,'' Dean College graduate Jennifer Carr dared the Class of 2008 to keep dreaming during Saturday's commencement.
"Never try to be perfect ... and never become engrossed with the size of your wallet, but rather the size of your heart,'' said Carr, who received a bachelor's of arts degree in dance.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

"To receive an award for something that you do every day and that you enjoy doing just doesn't make sense"

Deborah Pellegri, Franklin Town Clerk, was quoted in the Milford Daily News as part of the article on the state recognition for "unsung heroines":

"To receive an award for something that you do every day and that you enjoy doing just doesn't make sense,'' said Pellegri, who helped to raise money for the town's statue of Benjamin Franklin.
Pellegri, who also planned the town's yearly Fourth of July activities for years, said she is excited to go to the State House for the ceremony.
"My husband and I are going to hop on the train and we'll scoot into the State House for day,'' she said.

Read the full article in the Daily News here.

"I think you can say things constructively"

"I think you can say things constructively, without the negativity," she said. "You can say 'win this,' not 'don't lose this.' It's just your wording, and I think that you can send your message positively."

This just might have something to do with the wining record for the Franklin High School Girls Softball team. The quote is from Lindsey Garfield, in her first year as coach.

Read the full article in today's Boston Globe here.

Franklin Center - opening September 2008

Franklin Center - opening September 2008, originally uploaded by shersteve.

"Single level living"

Seems to me to mean that each condo will be located within one floor as the building will be three stories tall (at least that is what it appears to be now).

That is a good advantage for a condo compared to other layouts where you have your space spread amongst a smaller foot print and you use multiple floors for your living space.

Way to go!

Franklin Center grows

Franklin Center grows, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Almost missed this as it is tucked away behind the completed buildings along Main St. They have moved aggressively and have a second floor almost complete with a third floor coming.

Way to go!

Parmenter School: Car Wash/Bottle Drive 5/17/08

Parmenter School: Car Wash/Bottle Drive 5/17/08, originally uploaded by shersteve.

On our walk today, found this to spread the good news about!

Attention Franklin Train Riders

Franklin Line Necessary Track Work ~ Bussing Monday through Friday

Beginning Thursday May 8 and continuing until further notice Monday through Friday, passengers on trains operating between the hours of 9 AM and 4 PM will be bussed between Norwood Central and Walpole and vice-versa.

All passengers at the Windsor Gardens stop will be dropped off and picked up on Route 1A in front of the Windsor Gardens complex, not at the station.

Delays of up to 30 minutes may occur to the following trains as a result of the bussing: Outbound: 707, 709 and 711 Inbound: 714, 716 and 718

We apologize for any inconvenience that may result from this necessary track work. Thank you for riding Commuter Rail.

From the MBTA web site

Note: After the work on this particular section, there will be bussing around the Norfolk and then Franklin/Dean and Franklin/Forge Park stations. This is due to the required track work and that there is only a single track between Franklin and Walpole.

This is part of the notice made back in April.

In the News - Water/Sewer rates

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 09, 2008 @ 11:36 PM

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FRANKLIN —

Residents will start paying more for water, and less on sewer this July.

Thanks to conservation, the town is not selling as much water as it has in years past, and will bump up the rate 15 percent at the start of fiscal 2009, and another 15 percent in fiscal 2010, as voted 6-2 by Town Council on May 7.

The council also agreed to lower sewer charges by 10 percent, as recommended by Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.

The dual changes will result an a net increase of about $23 for the average rate payer, Nutting estimated.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

Read my notes written during the during meeting here.

Listen to this segment of the meeting to hear what was said by whom.

DPW Open House 5/31/08 (audio)

From the Town Council meeting on 5/7/08, reminder that the water conservation restrictions will begin the Tuesday after Memorial day.

There is also an announcement of the Open House at the Dept of Public Works. Focused for the kids and families.

Time: 2 minutes, 20 seconds



MP3 File

My notes from the meeting can be found here.

Water/Sewer Rate Changes (audio)

From the Town Council meeting 5/7/08, the discussion and eventual vote approving the water rate increase of 15% and sewer rate decrease 10%. The water rate will also increase in FY 2010 another 15% to help provide the funding necessary to continue the water line repairs at about 1-2 miles per year.

Admendment moved to second reading on personnel classification adjustments.

Amendment moved to second reading on an adjustment to the water map.

Time: 10 minutes, 47 seconds



MP3 File

My notes from the meeting can be found here.

Town Common sign placement (audio)

From the Town Council meeting on 5/7/08, there was less discussion than the first time this came up (which caused it to go away for rework).

It is a sign touting the historical signifcance of the town to be positioned on the Town Common. It can be moved if necessary.

Time: 11 minutes, 34 seconds



MP3 File

Other action items (audio)

From the Town Council meeting 5/7/08, a series of resolutions were discussed briefly and voted on to approve funding for the following:

• balance the snow/ice account now that winters passed
• zoning board advertising budget
• override election funding
• veterans budget adjustment
• comptroller budget adjustment
  

Time: 5 minutes, 37 seconds

MP3 File

My notes taken during the meeting can be found here.

Ladder Truck paydown plan (audio)

From the Town Council meeting 5/7/08, the discussion and vote on the paydown plan for the new ladder truck. The truck costs $869,000. This resolution approves the payment of $169,000 this year and $175,000 for each of the next 4 years.

Time: 3 minutes, 45 seconds



MP3 File

My notes taken during the meeting can be found here.

4th of July (audio)

The new 4th of July coalition gets the same town backing (capped at $15,000) as when the town ran the recent 4th celebrations (approx 2002-2007).

There is no parade this year. The group was cautioned that this should be considered seed money. They should expect to become self-sustaining in future years as the town funds are tight.

Time: 17 minutes, 48 seconds



MP3 File

The notes from the meeting can be found here.

Franklin School Department positions lost 2003-2009

If the override does not get passed, the school department would lose 46.5 positions. The reduction this year (FY 2009) would come primarily from teachers in the classroom this year that would leave in June and not return to help Franklin's students continue their education in September.

A more complete picture of the reductions in the education budget can be found in the slide presentation found here.

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Learn all you can by visiting here frequently.

Visit the School Committee override page for the schedule of information sessions

You can find all the override related information here

Be informed to cast your vote on June 10th

Election date - June 10th

Election Date

Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Time: 6:00am - 8:00pm

Place: Franklin High School Fieldhouse

Question #1: Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to assess an additional $2,800,000.00 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of the operating budget for which monies from this assessment will be used for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008? Yes No

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Learn as much as you can by visiting here frequently.

Visit the School Committee override page for the schedule of information sessions

Be informed to cast your vote on June 10th