With some potential new members coming to the School Committee, I thought it would be a good idea to find out what the School Committee duties are. The following comes from the School Committee policy library.
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Policy BBAA
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER AUTHORITY
Authority
Because all powers of the Franklin School Committee derived from state laws are granted in terms of action as a group, members of the School Committee have authority only when acting as a committee legally in session.
The School Committee will not be bound in any way by any statement or action on the part of an individual member except when such statement or action is a result of specific instructions of the committee.
No member of the committee, by virtue of his/her office, will exercise any administrative responsibility with respect to the schools or command the services of any school employee.
The School Committee will function as a body and all policy decisions and other matters, as required by law, will be settled by an official vote of the committee sitting on formal session.
Duties
The duties and obligations of the individual committee member may be enumerated as follows:
1. To become familiar with the General Laws of the Commonwealth relating to educational and School Committee operations, regulations of the Massachusetts Board of Education, policies and procedures of this School Committee and the school department.
2. To keep abreast of new laws and the latest trends in education.
3. To have general knowledge of the goals, objectives, and programs of the town's public schools.
4. To work harmoniously with other committee members without trying either to dominate the committee or neglect his/her share of work.
5. To respect the privileged communication that exists in executive sessions by maintaining strict confidentiality on matters discussed in these sessions, except that which becomes part of the public record, once it has been approved for release.
6. To vote and act in committee impartially in the best interest of the students of the town of Franklin.
7. To accept the will of the majority vote in all cases, and to remember that he/she is one of a team and must abide by, and carry out, all committee decisions once they are made.
8. To represent the committee and the schools to the public in a way that promotes interest and support.
9. To refer questions and complaints to the proper school authorities.
10. To comply with the accepted code of ethics for School Committee members.
This policy statement can be found online with all the School Committee policies here
Monday, September 14, 2009
Secretary of Elder Affairs - visits Senior Center Thursday, Sep 17
Meet the Newly Appointed
Secretary of Elder Affairs,
Ann Hartstein
Secretary of Elder Affairs,
Ann Hartstein
at
the Franklin Senior Center
On
Thursday, Sept. 17
At 12:30 p.m.
The public is welcome to attend to ask questions
and offer feedback
about elder issues!
the Franklin Senior Center
On
Thursday, Sept. 17
At 12:30 p.m.
The public is welcome to attend to ask questions
and offer feedback
about elder issues!
Originally posted on the Town website (doc)
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The walls at Walgreens are rising
The sun hadn't broken through the clouds yet on Sunday morning but some workers were busy about the rising structure. Likely playing catch up the schedule due to the recent rainy spells we have had.
Swine flu/H1N1 updates from Franklin Public Schools
If you haven't seen the update from the School Dept, you can find the latest from Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski here (PDF)
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has published information on "Preparing for the Flu" Read More
Franklin Public Schools has also published a "Symptoms Flow Chart" for parents Read More
I think that Franklin's Emergency Management Team is going to be prepared for whatever happens.
And for a little video entertainment Bill Nye, the Science Guy, has this video on washing your hands.
Thanks to Mr Byrne at Free Technology for Teachers for the link
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video,
Town Council duties
With the potential for a number of new Town Council members, the Charter outlines in Article 2 the Town Council.
Of special interest is item 2-1-3. I guess those who have asked how much the Town Council is paid for their service are not aware of this section of the Charter.
Of special interest is item 2-1-3. I guess those who have asked how much the Town Council is paid for their service are not aware of this section of the Charter.
THE TOWN COUNCIL
Section l Composition and membership
2-1-1 The legislative body of the Town shall be a Town Council whose members shall be elected to meet, deliberate, act and vote in exercise of the corporate pokers of the Town.
2-1-2 Nine (9) council members shall be nominated and elected from the Town at large, all for two year concurrent terms of office.
2-1-3 Town Council members shall receive no compensation for service but may be allowed expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.
2-1-4 The term of office of the Town Council shall begin on the first Wednesday following the election and continuing until their successors are qualified.
Section 2 Eligibility
2-2-1 Any registered voter of the Town shall be eligible for election to Town Council membership. However, no person holding an elective office of the Town as established in general law, Article Three of this charter, or bylaw, shall take the oath or affirmation of office as a Town Councillor.
2-2-2 No town councillor shall, while a member of the town council, hold any other compensated town office or position. No former councillor shall hold any compensated appointive office or employment until one year after the expiration of service on the town council. This provision shall not prevent a town officer or employee who has taken a leave of absence from such duties in order to serve as a member of the town council from returning to such office or employment following service as a member of the town council.
Section 3 Chairman, Vice Chair-on and Clerk
2-3-1 At the first Council meeting following each regular town election, the Council shall choose from its membership a Chairman and Vice-chairman each to serve for a one-year term of office. The Chairman shall preside at meetings of the Council and perform such other duties as provided by this Charter, by-law, or Council vote. The Vice-chairman shall act as Chairman during the absence or disability of the Chairman.
2-3-2 The Council shall also appoint a Clerk of the Council, who shall give notice of all Council meetings to it's members and to the public, maintain a journal of all Council proceedings and perform such other duties as may be assigned by this Charter, bylaw or other vote of the Council.
2-3-3 Vacancies which occur in the offices of Chairman, Vice
Chairman or Clerk shall be filled at the next regular Council
meeting following the vacancy. Al1 appointments to fill vacancies
in Council offices shall be for the remainder of the original one-
year term of office.
Section 4 General powers and duties
2-4-1 Except as otherwise may be provided by this Charter, all general, corporate, legislative and appropriations powers of the Town shall be vested in the Town Council.
2-4-2 The Council may enact bylaws, rules, regulations, and other orders, not inconsistent with this Charter, governing its own proceedings, town functions, and all matters bearing on the exercise of its powers and duties.
2-4-3 The Council shall provide for a journal of its proceedings to be kept and maintained as a public record in the office of the town clerk.
2-4-4 The Council shall have the power to appoint the following:
(a) a Town Administrator, as provided in Article Four; (b) a Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council, as provided in Section 2-3-1; (c) a Clerk of the Council,. as provided in Section 2-3-2; (d) a Finance Committee, as provided in Article Six; and (e) special study committees the composition of which shall be determined by the Council.
Section 5 Procedures
2-5-1 The Town Council shall meet regularly at least twice in each month. Special meetings may be held at any time if called by the Chairman or by four (4) members of the Council, provided that for any special meeting at least twenty-four (24) hours personal notice shall be given to each Council member. A1l Council meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the open meeting provisions of general law.
2-5-2 A majority of the full Council membership shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting business.
2-5-3 Except as otherwise may be provided by general law provisions respecting closed sessions, all meetings of the Council shall be open to the public, and residents and employees of the Town shall have a reasonable opportunity to be heard at any such meeting.
Section 6 Town bylaws
2-6-1 Proposed bylaws shall deal with one (1) subject only andshall be introduced in writing and in the form necessary for finaladoption.
2-6-2 Any bylaw which amends or repeals a portion of the Town bylaws shall set out in full the portion to be so amended or repealed, by the use of strikeout type, brackets or underscoring.
2-6-3 Prior to final passage, each introduced bylaw shall be read at two (2) separate Council meetings, except in cases of special emergency involving the health or safety of the people or their property. No bylaw shall be declared an emergency unless such an emergency is defined and declared in a preamble thereto, separately voted on and receiving the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the full Council membership.
2-6-4 The affirmative vote of a majority of the full Councilmembership, except as otherwise provided by general law or thisCharter, shall be necessary for the final passage of any bylaw.
2-6-5 A1l votes on regular and emergency bylaws shall be taken byroll call and shall be recorded in the journal.
Section 7 Action requiring a bylaw
2-7-1 In addition to other acts required by statute or this Charterto be accomplished through bylaw, those acts of the Town Councilshall be through bylaw which: (a) adopt or amend administrativebylaws or establish, alter or abolish any town department, office or agency; and (b) provide for a fine or other penalty, or establish a rule or regulation for the violation of which a fine or other penalty is imposed; and (c) establish all fees which are not set by general law.
Section 8 Vacancy
2-8-1 Unless recalled in accordance with Article Five, Section 4 of this charter, a vacancy in the office of Councillor at Large shall be declared by the Town Clerk following notification of the death, permanent disability to serve, resignation, and/or failure to maintain a permanent residency within the Town of Franklin.
2-8-2 Vacancies shall be filled by special election to be called within ninety (90) days of said vacancy unless a regular or special town election shall occur within one hundred twenty (120) days.
Franklin Families with Food Allergic Children and Teens
Franklin Families with Food Allergic Children and Teens (Franklin F.A.C.T.) will hold a welcome back meeting in the conference room at
Franklin Fire Station #2,
600 King St.,
Franklin,
7-9 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14.
Visit www.franklinfact.org for complete details and contact info. Parents only, please
Yard Sale: 210 Chestnut St, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Due to the rain Saturday, the yard sale for the Charles River Chorale was postponed to Sunday, Sep 13.
The piano studio, a dining room and are two cars filled with LOTS of books for adults and children, toys, games, jewelry for little girls and big girls, luggage, beautiful canister sets, kitchen wares, stationary sets, and much more.
Where: 210 Chestnut St, Franklin
When: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Benefits: Charles River Chorale
The piano studio, a dining room and are two cars filled with LOTS of books for adults and children, toys, games, jewelry for little girls and big girls, luggage, beautiful canister sets, kitchen wares, stationary sets, and much more.
Where: 210 Chestnut St, Franklin
When: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Benefits: Charles River Chorale
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Election line up card - penultimate update
A phone call to the Town Clerk's office resulted in a number of updates as the deadline approached for drawing papers for election this November 3rd.
This is the penultimate listing as the final listing will be available after Sep 15th. All the papers draw thus far need to be returned and certified by then to provide the final candidate list for the ballot.
Prior updates can be found here, here and here
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Table below shows the positions available for election this November.
The Candidates column initially showed just the incumbents.
Those who have confirmed taking out papers are marked with a * and bold.
New candidates have their name in bold with -new.
The incumbents who have confirmed not to be running again have been marked in red text.
The existing position holders who have not yet taken out papers are listed for reference to keep track of the "line up card"
This is the penultimate listing as the final listing will be available after Sep 15th. All the papers draw thus far need to be returned and certified by then to provide the final candidate list for the ballot.
Prior updates can be found here, here and here
------
Table below shows the positions available for election this November.
The Candidates column initially showed just the incumbents.
Those who have confirmed taking out papers are marked with a * and bold.
New candidates have their name in bold with -new.
The incumbents who have confirmed not to be running again have been marked in red text.
The existing position holders who have not yet taken out papers are listed for reference to keep track of the "line up card"
| Name | # of Openings | Candidates | Term of Office |
| Board of Assessors | 1 Position (For 4 years) | Robert Avakian* | 2009 to 2013 |
| Board of Health | 1 Position (For 4 years) | Bruce Hunchard* Koren Kanadanian-new | 2009 to 2013 |
| Planning Board | 2 Position (For 4 years) | Anthony Padula* | 2009 to 2013 |
| * 1Vacant | Joseph Halligan-new | 2009 to 2013 | |
| Planning Board (Associate) | * 1 vacant position (For 4 Years) | John Carroll - new | 2009 to 2013 |
| Town Council | 9 Positions (For 2 Years) | Joseph McGann* | 2009 to 2011 |
| Deborah Bartlett - not running again | |||
| R. Scott Mason* | |||
| Christopher Feeley | |||
| Judith Pond Pfeffer* | |||
| Thomas Doak - not running again | |||
| Shannon Zollo* | |||
| Robert Vallee* | |||
| Stephen Whalen* | |||
| Glenn Jones- new Daniel Ballinger-new Bryce Kuchs - new Robert Avakian - new Matthew Kelly (switch from School Committee) Tina Powderly - new Glenna Richards - new | |||
| School Committee | 7 Positions (For 2 Years) | Cora Armenio* | 2009 to 2011 |
| Susan Rohrbach* | |||
| Paula Mullen* | |||
| Edward Cafasso* | |||
| Roberta Trahan* | |||
| Matthew Kelly - switch to Town Council | |||
| Jeffrey Roy* William Glynn - new Cynthia Douglas - new |
In the News - election races shaping up
With the last day to pull papers to run for election this November, the Milford Daily News provides the latest update.
Town Council, School Committee races shaping up in Franklin
Friday, September 11, 2009
Cafe Dolce offers catering (updated)
Cafe Dolce, the new coffee shop in downtown Franklin has expanded into catering. Open since April 2009, Cafe Dolce has established a good morning and lunch business. After 3:00 PM, though things tend to get quieter. Catering is one way to leverage the business operation that owners BJ Carlucci and Dave Purpura have established.
BJ and I reviewed the current plan. A meeting, event, or party for 10 or more is what Cafe Dolce will look to help you with. They will start with the sandwiches and salads that Cafe Dolce offers. A customized menu could include food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The menu can be extended as far and wide (within reason) as necessary to create a great experience.
Cafe Dolce wants to make the presentation appropriate for a catered event by serving in fine crafted wicker baskets in addition to trays. Call BJ and he will work out the menu together with you. What is the occasion? How many people? What special dietary requirements are there?
BJ hesitates to provide per item pricing for catering. “Say you have had the Cranberry Turkey Breast Panini and wanted to serve that at your event. You don't need to order 10 individual paninis for the group. We prefer to price for the total quantity of the food provided rather than by the piece. This method will work out better for you in the long run.” They do use a formula to determine how much food per person would be required adjusting to cover portions for any kids.
The catering package can either be delivered or picked up. Depending upon the type of drop off, or drop-off/setup, there may be a delivery charge included. You could also rent the space at Cafe Dolce to hold your event.
They have already served a party of 75, have some events scheduled on site, and others scheduled for delivery off site. When your next catering event comes up, consider contacting BJ Carlucci, at 774-248-4321 or via email at dolce dot 1 at live dot com.
Note: Cafe Dolce is also exploring social media tools to spread the word on what they do and to help communicate with their customers and fans. You can join Cafe Dolce on Facebook here
Prior writing about Cafe Dolce:
BJ and I reviewed the current plan. A meeting, event, or party for 10 or more is what Cafe Dolce will look to help you with. They will start with the sandwiches and salads that Cafe Dolce offers. A customized menu could include food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The menu can be extended as far and wide (within reason) as necessary to create a great experience.Cafe Dolce wants to make the presentation appropriate for a catered event by serving in fine crafted wicker baskets in addition to trays. Call BJ and he will work out the menu together with you. What is the occasion? How many people? What special dietary requirements are there?
BJ hesitates to provide per item pricing for catering. “Say you have had the Cranberry Turkey Breast Panini and wanted to serve that at your event. You don't need to order 10 individual paninis for the group. We prefer to price for the total quantity of the food provided rather than by the piece. This method will work out better for you in the long run.” They do use a formula to determine how much food per person would be required adjusting to cover portions for any kids.
The catering package can either be delivered or picked up. Depending upon the type of drop off, or drop-off/setup, there may be a delivery charge included. You could also rent the space at Cafe Dolce to hold your event.
They have already served a party of 75, have some events scheduled on site, and others scheduled for delivery off site. When your next catering event comes up, consider contacting BJ Carlucci, at 774-248-4321 or via email at dolce dot 1 at live dot com.
Note: Cafe Dolce is also exploring social media tools to spread the word on what they do and to help communicate with their customers and fans. You can join Cafe Dolce on Facebook here
Prior writing about Cafe Dolce:
- My talk with BJ and Dave prior to opening
- My write up about the opening
- Picture slide show from the grand opening
- The original catering article can be found here
Job Fair: Monday Workshops/Seminars: Sunday
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce Job Fair will be held Sep 13-14 at the Living Waters location in North Attleboro. The updated schedule of events looks like this:
For more information (and to register for this free event) check here
Note: newsletter subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
For more information (and to register for this free event) check here
Note: newsletter subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
Farmers Market: Smalley's Cookies
One of my visits to the Farmer's Market I stopped by the tent to talk with the folks at Smalley's Cookies. The Farmer's Market is open today from noon to 6:00 PM.
Their web site is under construction so I can't provide a link to it now. Once available, I'll update this.
In the meantime, the decadent cookies they sell can be purchased with info contained in this document. The cookies are frozen and ready to bake.
For the full menu of cookies that they provide, you can view this document.
Note: for the newsletter subscribers, you will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the documents.
Their web site is under construction so I can't provide a link to it now. Once available, I'll update this.
In the meantime, the decadent cookies they sell can be purchased with info contained in this document. The cookies are frozen and ready to bake.
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
For the full menu of cookies that they provide, you can view this document.
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
Note: for the newsletter subscribers, you will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the documents.
In the News - grant money for downtown
The Million dollar grant announced as received by the Town during the Town Council meeting on 9/2/09 is discussed in more detail here
Franklin to revamp downtown
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Kathi Meyer on teen drinking
The Taylor Meyer tragedy has lead to an increase awareness of teen drinking. Kathi Meyer is interviewed in this video from the Norfolk County District Attorney, William Keating.
Note: Email subscribers will need to click through to the web site to view the video.
Other info on teen drinking:
The W.A.S.T.E.D presentation at Franklin High School
Other videos from the Norfolk District Attorney can be found here
Note: Email subscribers will need to click through to the web site to view the video.
Other info on teen drinking:
The W.A.S.T.E.D presentation at Franklin High School
Other videos from the Norfolk District Attorney can be found here
Friday, Sep 11 - Jack Murray Performs at Cafe Dolce
Friday, September 11th
Jack Murray, a Downtown Partnership member, will be performing at Cafe Dolce, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
All donations will be given to the Dana Farber Cancer Center at Milford Regional Medical Center.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Franklin School Student Population Drops
The Franklin Public Schools start the year with 121 less students than one year ago. The totals by level of school are shown for comparison in the table below.
| 2008 | 2009 | Diff | |
| Elementary | 3091 | 2998 | -93 |
| Middle School | 1524 | 1478 | -46 |
| High School | 1622 | 1640 | 18 |
| Totals | 6237 | 6116 | -121 |
That there are less students riding the bus shouldn't be a surprise. That the 'bus loss' number is greater than the 'student loss' number likely reflects something of the economic situation and the choices that parents have made.
The Milford Daily News reports on the School Committee meeting here
Fewer students riding bus in Franklin
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