Karen Alves, Director of Franklin Senior Center
supportive day care program
Patty O'Donnell, program coordinator
two grants support this program
program should be self-supporting within 1 year
operates from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Monday to Friday, full day or half-day
provides a break for caregivers
they do bowling, bean bag toss, watched I Love Lucy show today
has a "Mary Poppins" closet to help provide activities if they need an idea
most senior centers do require their folks to be self-sufficient
this provides another level of opportunity
do chair exercises, do sing-a-longs
open door policy unless they are making too much noise
they are part of the whole building
Whalen - can't imagine a nicer end to a busier day than to hear this
Alves - had only two rooms in the old building, the new has much more plus the outside space, all the seniors are very happy
Whalen - a reflection of the community is how they care for their oldest and youngest and this is a good sign
Bartlett - agrees with Whalen, is there a maximum number we can take?
Alves - we can take a max of ten, have 7 now, but can handle more with the part-time status
Bartlett - can some insurance help?
Alves - not a medical program, does fill a crack, should be sustaining within a few thousand just on the fees being generated
Patty says this is her dream job, taught at Tri-County for 15 years. When she saw the sign at the open house, she talked with Karen and things came together
---------------
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Live reporting - Town Council 6/4/08
Mason, Doak, McGann won't be attending tonight
With Feeley, Pfeffer, Bartlett, and Vallee present they need Whalen and Zollo for quorum
stay tuned
---------------
Zollo just arrived to provide quorum, meeting begins
Whalen arrives shortly after to provide 2/3 majority of council
---------------
approval of minutes
April 2, 16, 30, 2008; May 7, 2008; Dec 5, 2007
---------------
Citizens comment
Frank Falvey
with Fiscal year completed, audit report should have been completed by now
audit should be ready for the election, in case there is something revealed that could have bearing on the vote
why hasn't this been completed?
Audit firm probably should not be renewed for next year
procedures for comments and feedback for dialog is flawed
Inappropriate and incorrect
on an unrelated matter, what is being done in Franklin with regards to the sale of cigarettes
to minors
--------------
Finance study subcommittee announced
School Committee representatives:
Roberta Trahan, Matt Kelly
Finance Committee representatives:
Jim Roche, Rebecca Cameron
Town Council representatives:
Deborah Bartlett, Steve Whalen, Shannon Zollo
Franklin citizen representatives:
Douglas Hardesty, Gwynne Willschek
Deb Bartlett to arrange for the first meeting
-------------
With Feeley, Pfeffer, Bartlett, and Vallee present they need Whalen and Zollo for quorum
stay tuned
---------------
Zollo just arrived to provide quorum, meeting begins
Whalen arrives shortly after to provide 2/3 majority of council
---------------
approval of minutes
April 2, 16, 30, 2008; May 7, 2008; Dec 5, 2007
---------------
Citizens comment
Frank Falvey
with Fiscal year completed, audit report should have been completed by now
audit should be ready for the election, in case there is something revealed that could have bearing on the vote
why hasn't this been completed?
Audit firm probably should not be renewed for next year
procedures for comments and feedback for dialog is flawed
Inappropriate and incorrect
on an unrelated matter, what is being done in Franklin with regards to the sale of cigarettes
to minors
--------------
Finance study subcommittee announced
School Committee representatives:
Roberta Trahan, Matt Kelly
Finance Committee representatives:
Jim Roche, Rebecca Cameron
Town Council representatives:
Deborah Bartlett, Steve Whalen, Shannon Zollo
Franklin citizen representatives:
Douglas Hardesty, Gwynne Willschek
Deb Bartlett to arrange for the first meeting
-------------
"not something most schools study in the fourth grade"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Dancing princesses, 3-foot-tall knights, court jesters and queens dressed in gold and purple robes temporarily claimed the town common yesterday afternoon for a medieval festival, an event whose magic descends upon the town only once a year.
They posed for pictures gripping barbecued chicken legs between their teeth, jousted with droopy foam noodles, and churned butter with the ladies of The Society for Creative Anachronism (a historical re-enactment group).
Forty-six students crowned Judy Bergesen and Susan Davis, fourth-grade history teachers at Ben Franklin Classical Charter Public School, queens of the festival before making peacock masks and playing horseshoes - perhaps a wise choice as the students finish their studies of the Middle Ages.
"It's not something most schools study in the fourth grade. We add this additional subject to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks," said Bergesen, noting students have been reading about the feudal system, royalty and the fall of Rome.
Read the full story here in the Milford Daily News
Social Media in Plain English
The fine folks at Common Craft have done it again. This time with a good explanation of Social Media. Time for ice cream.
What flavor do you like?
What flavor do you like?
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
"It's much bigger than the schools"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
A trio of mothers is mobilizing forces to get the $2.8 million Proposition 2 1/2 tax override question passed on June 10 to preserve teachers, academic programs and the late bus in Franklin schools.
Moms Janice Foley, Kaitlyn Cronin and Sarah Loiars have filed Invest in Franklin as a political action group to educate people about the override and convince as many residents as possible to vote, Foley said.
Initially, the mothers had no intention of starting a political action group, Cronin said, but quickly decided to form Invest in Franklin after learning more about town and school finances.
They had attended a Town Council meeting in May simply as interested parents to find out why the school budget was going to be reduced, Cronin said.
They assumed there had to be more money somewhere in the budget that could be allotted to schools, she said.
"We wanted to find out what was happening. ... The more we listened to the presentation, the more we could see the money just wasn't there," said Cronin. "They kind of obviously needed an override. The amount of money they had to spend wasn't as high as other towns in the area. What really blew us away was Steve Whalen's presentation, when he compared Franklin to other towns," she said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
School by School class size if the override fails
A new slideshow based upon the reductions if the override scheduled for June 10th were to fail.
This is what the $2.8 Million budget reduction would look like at each school in Franklin.
This is what the $2.8 Million budget reduction would look like at each school in Franklin.
Monday, June 2, 2008
FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL - Agenda - 6/4/08
FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL
June 4, 2008
7:00 PM
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 2, 16, 30, 2008; May 7, 2008; Dec 5, 2007
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS – Appointment of Financial Planning Committee
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
q Supportive Day Program
q Amendments to Town Code Chp 125-Peace & Good Order
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 08-39: Unnamed Private Way Off Upper Union Street: Acceptance of Covenant
2. Resolution 08-40: Local Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 71, Section 37M
3. Resolution 08-41: Consolidation of School Maintenance Functions with Town’s
4. Resolution 08-42: Amending Elected Officials’ Salaries
5. Resolution 08-43:Establishment of Traffic Signal Improvements Stabilization Fund
6. Resolution 08-44: Appropriation – Traffic Signal Improvements Stabilization Fund
7. Resolution 08-45: Grant of Utility Easement – off Panther Way
8. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-617: Amendment to Chp. 185, Town Code: Water Resource District – 1st Reading
9. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-618: Amendment to Chp. 185, Town Code: Biotechnology Uses – 1st Reading
10. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-619: Amendment to Chp. 185-5: Zoning Map - Biotechnology Use – 1st Reading
11. Bylaw Amendment 08-622: Amendment to Personnel Code, Salary Structure- 2nd Reading
12. Bylaw Amendment 08-623: Water Map Amendment: Spring Valley Estates- 2nd Reading
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
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Q & A - Music teacher from Kennedy; Trahan (Audio)
From the Franklin Override Information Forum coordinated by the Joint Parent Communication Councils and held on Wednesday, 5/28/08.
Mary MacMurray, music teacher; Roberta Trahan
Time: 2 minutes, 30 seconds
MP3 File
This was also part of the Milford Daily News coverage reported here.
Mary MacMurray, music teacher; Roberta Trahan
Time: 2 minutes, 30 seconds
MP3 File
This was also part of the Milford Daily News coverage reported here.
Q & A - get involved, Roy, Sherlock (audio)
From the Franklin Override Information Forum coordinated by the Joint Parent Communication Councils and held on Wednesday, 5/28/08.
Jeff Roy mentions the PAC committee that has been formed.
I commented about the cuts amounting the 83 positions since 2002. We need to get a good turnout on June 10th. Need all the school parents, need recent FHS graduates, need any FHS students eligible to vote.
Time: 3 minutes, 17 seconds
MP3 File
Jeff Roy mentions the PAC committee that has been formed.
I commented about the cuts amounting the 83 positions since 2002. We need to get a good turnout on June 10th. Need all the school parents, need recent FHS graduates, need any FHS students eligible to vote.
Time: 3 minutes, 17 seconds
MP3 File
Q & A - Whalen final comment (audio)
From the Franklin Override Information Forum coordinated by the Joint Parent Communication Councils and held on Wednesday, 5/28/08.
A - Whalen, it would be depressing if the turnout were less than 25% and the override lost. There is a popoulation that won't vote for an override under any circumstances.
Time: 1 minute, 18 seconds
MP3 File
A - Whalen, it would be depressing if the turnout were less than 25% and the override lost. There is a popoulation that won't vote for an override under any circumstances.
Time: 1 minute, 18 seconds
MP3 File
Q & A 10 - How do parents get a say on FHS cuts? Ogden, Cafasso respond (audio)
From the Franklin Override Information Forum coordinated by the Joint Parent Communication Councils and held on Wednesday, 5/28/08.
Q - Would students or parents have a chance to dialog with whomever on what cuts would be made?
A - The parents can always come to the School Committee meeting and voice their concerns. The students are unknowingly participating with the student cost selection data. There are 17 teachers with 85 classes to be cut, there is not much room for wiggle. The music cut is bad for the music students but there are also English teachers, Math teachers, Science teachers, physical education, etc. These are bad choices. There are no good choices with the override. Parents need to express their choices.
A - Cafasso, to re-inforce that participation is open and looked for, if you have ideas we are looking for them. The meetings are open. Citizen comments are always on the agenda. Our email addresses are available.
Time: 6 minutes, 22 seconds
MP3 File
Q - Would students or parents have a chance to dialog with whomever on what cuts would be made?
A - The parents can always come to the School Committee meeting and voice their concerns. The students are unknowingly participating with the student cost selection data. There are 17 teachers with 85 classes to be cut, there is not much room for wiggle. The music cut is bad for the music students but there are also English teachers, Math teachers, Science teachers, physical education, etc. These are bad choices. There are no good choices with the override. Parents need to express their choices.
A - Cafasso, to re-inforce that participation is open and looked for, if you have ideas we are looking for them. The meetings are open. Citizen comments are always on the agenda. Our email addresses are available.
Time: 6 minutes, 22 seconds
MP3 File
Q & A 9 - Arlington plan? Feeley responds (audio)
From the Franklin Override Information Forum coordinated by the Joint Parent Communication Councils and held on Wednesday, 5/28/08.
Q - What about something like the Arlington plan? Do you think it would be wise to do that?
A - Feeley, a committee is being formed now that would look at that process.
Time: 1 minute, 32 seconds
MP3 File
Q - What about something like the Arlington plan? Do you think it would be wise to do that?
A - Feeley, a committee is being formed now that would look at that process.
Time: 1 minute, 32 seconds
MP3 File
Q & A 8 - Ogden, Whalen also respond (audio)
From the Franklin Override Information Forum coordinated by the Joint Parent Communication Councils and held on Wednesday, 5/28/08.
A - Ogden, we are looking for other sources. The parent groups provide funding each year. The Franklin Education Foundation contributes approx. $20,000 per year. Working with a lawyer to set up an endowment. Looking at advertising revenue.
A - Whalen, he is a financial analyst by trade, it is impossible to continue to delivery high quality services at the low tax rate. Goal would be more near the median and not near the bottom.
Time: 3 minutes, 22 seconds
MP3 File
A - Ogden, we are looking for other sources. The parent groups provide funding each year. The Franklin Education Foundation contributes approx. $20,000 per year. Working with a lawyer to set up an endowment. Looking at advertising revenue.
A - Whalen, he is a financial analyst by trade, it is impossible to continue to delivery high quality services at the low tax rate. Goal would be more near the median and not near the bottom.
Time: 3 minutes, 22 seconds
MP3 File
Q & A 8 - Will there be continuous overrides? Nutting (audio)
From the Franklin Override Information Forum coordinated by the Joint Parent Communication Councils and held on Wednesday, 5/28/08.
Q - Father comes back appreciating the comment on the chorus. If there is a scale, where are we on the scale? Will there be continuous overrides? And we haven't even talked about the high school problem.
A - Nutting, Franklin gives a high quality service for a low cost. By any standard, we provide more or better service for less dollars. Overrides will not go away. Until the state and the citizens decide that there needs to be another way, it won't go away but it will not be every year. Most of the requirements are out of our control. Regionalization is an option but it will take a lot of pain.
Time: 4 minutes, 25 seconds
MP3 File
Q - Father comes back appreciating the comment on the chorus. If there is a scale, where are we on the scale? Will there be continuous overrides? And we haven't even talked about the high school problem.
A - Nutting, Franklin gives a high quality service for a low cost. By any standard, we provide more or better service for less dollars. Overrides will not go away. Until the state and the citizens decide that there needs to be another way, it won't go away but it will not be every year. Most of the requirements are out of our control. Regionalization is an option but it will take a lot of pain.
Time: 4 minutes, 25 seconds
MP3 File
Q & A - Student comment on cutting Chorus (audio)
From the Franklin Override Information Forum coordinated by the Joint Parent Communication Councils and held on Wednesday, 5/28/08.
Comment from a high school student regarding cut of chorus at the high school.
Time: 1 minute, 33 seconds
MP3 File
Comment from a high school student regarding cut of chorus at the high school.
Time: 1 minute, 33 seconds
MP3 File
Q & A 7 - How does the facility consolidation effect the school budget? Feeley (audio)
From the Franklin Override Information Forum coordinated by the Joint Parent Communication Councils and held on Wednesday, 5/28/08.
Q - Would like to ask the Council to address the consolidation of facilities? In a time when the schools are in need, taking the money away from the schools.
A - Feeley, the Council took the corresponding dollars and responsibility (associated expenses) were taken away at the same time.
Time: 1 minute, 41 seconds
MP3 File
Q - Would like to ask the Council to address the consolidation of facilities? In a time when the schools are in need, taking the money away from the schools.
A - Feeley, the Council took the corresponding dollars and responsibility (associated expenses) were taken away at the same time.
Time: 1 minute, 41 seconds
MP3 File
Q & A 6 - "emergency repair and replacement fund" Nutting, Doak, Zollo respond (audio)
From the Franklin Override Information Forum coordinated by the Joint Parent Communication Councils and held on Wednesday, 5/28/08.
Q - What about the "emergency repair and replacement fund"? Can we dip into that?
A - Nutting, there is a minimal cost to the interest. The overall factor is that 4M on an annual budget of 100M is not a lot of cushion. It is not a lot of money in a savings account for a good business. it is similar to our debt. Our debt is going down next year to less than 3%. we are looking to continually reinvest an appropriate amount over time.
A - Doak, over the years from the power plant settlement we have benefited that we did not need to use the money for which it had been set aside to mitigate the power plant.
A - Zollo, to address another myth, 4500-5000 per year in taxes, three children in school, the Zollos are receiving a subsidy for the school education. K-12, would amount to a 275,000 subsidy. You never pay the town back to pay for your children to go through the school system. The value that the average citizen receives is great.
Time: 6 minutes, 47 seconds
MP3 File
Q - What about the "emergency repair and replacement fund"? Can we dip into that?
A - Nutting, there is a minimal cost to the interest. The overall factor is that 4M on an annual budget of 100M is not a lot of cushion. It is not a lot of money in a savings account for a good business. it is similar to our debt. Our debt is going down next year to less than 3%. we are looking to continually reinvest an appropriate amount over time.
A - Doak, over the years from the power plant settlement we have benefited that we did not need to use the money for which it had been set aside to mitigate the power plant.
A - Zollo, to address another myth, 4500-5000 per year in taxes, three children in school, the Zollos are receiving a subsidy for the school education. K-12, would amount to a 275,000 subsidy. You never pay the town back to pay for your children to go through the school system. The value that the average citizen receives is great.
Time: 6 minutes, 47 seconds
MP3 File
Q & A 5 - replace older teachers with younger ones? Nutting, Ogden respond (audio)
From the Franklin Override Information Forum coordinated by the Joint Parent Communication Councils and held on Wednesday, 5/28/08.
Q - Teacher rates have a greater disparity, any chance of getting some of the older teachers to leave and replaced with younger less experienced teachers?
A - Nutting, no, that kind of program is authorized at the state level. It has been done twice in the last twenty years.
A - Ogden, new teachers are cheaper overall early on but year to year are more expensive
Time: 2 minutes, 34 seconds
MP3 File
Q - Teacher rates have a greater disparity, any chance of getting some of the older teachers to leave and replaced with younger less experienced teachers?
A - Nutting, no, that kind of program is authorized at the state level. It has been done twice in the last twenty years.
A - Ogden, new teachers are cheaper overall early on but year to year are more expensive
Time: 2 minutes, 34 seconds
MP3 File
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)