Yes, today is Tuesday. Tomorrow is Wednesday.
Consider walking to school as part of the International Walk to School Wednesday!
Check with your local Franklin school to see what routes are set up.
Check with the MASSRides website for state level information on this program!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Fire Dept - Open House
The Franklin Fire Dept held an open house at the King Street Station on Sunday. This kicks off Fire Prevention Week.
When I arrived, they were showing how they would remove the roof to get a someone trapped in this car:
Kids could get involved and try holding the fire hose:
Kids could walk through a simulation of a fire in a school bus. The 'smoke' was safe. The demonstration reinforced the stay low and keep moving idea.
Tower 1, the newest addition to the equipment available was on hand to view.
The tool kit on the Tower is well stocked.
This looks like a top notch medical room. Actually, it rides on wheels. This is the inside of one of the EMT vehicles. Hopefully, you'll only get to see the inside on days like this Open House. If it is needed, you can rest assured that the Franklin Fire Dept is well equipped to provide good care.
Captain Frank Hagerty was at the platform end of Tower 1, letting folks climb inside and describing the equipment and tools available to them. The tower can extend up to 110 feet and from that vantage point be an effective platform to either fight a fire or rescue someone from a building.
There will be more opportunities to view the equipment and talk with the Fire Dept personnel at future Open Houses. Consider participating in the next one!
My thanks to Chief Gary B McCarraher and all the Fire Dept personnel who prepared this for us.
Additional information about the Fire Dept can be found on the Town website here
When I arrived, they were showing how they would remove the roof to get a someone trapped in this car:
Kids could get involved and try holding the fire hose:
Kids could walk through a simulation of a fire in a school bus. The 'smoke' was safe. The demonstration reinforced the stay low and keep moving idea.
Tower 1, the newest addition to the equipment available was on hand to view.
The tool kit on the Tower is well stocked.
This looks like a top notch medical room. Actually, it rides on wheels. This is the inside of one of the EMT vehicles. Hopefully, you'll only get to see the inside on days like this Open House. If it is needed, you can rest assured that the Franklin Fire Dept is well equipped to provide good care.
Captain Frank Hagerty was at the platform end of Tower 1, letting folks climb inside and describing the equipment and tools available to them. The tower can extend up to 110 feet and from that vantage point be an effective platform to either fight a fire or rescue someone from a building.
There will be more opportunities to view the equipment and talk with the Fire Dept personnel at future Open Houses. Consider participating in the next one!
My thanks to Chief Gary B McCarraher and all the Fire Dept personnel who prepared this for us.
Additional information about the Fire Dept can be found on the Town website here
Town Council - Agenda - 10/7/09
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 16, 2009
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS - Municipal Affordable Housing Trust
F. HEARINGS - 2010 EPA Brownfields Grant Application – Public Hearing - 7:10 PM
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Applebee’s – Transfer of Stock/New Officer & Director
Alumni Restaurant & Bar – Change of D/B/A
Franklin Wine & Spirits – Transfer of License
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Bylaw Amendment 09-634: Amendment to the Franklin Conservation Bylaw Chapter 181-8D: Term of Years- 2nd t Reading
2. Bylaw Amendment 09-635: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin, Chapter 25 – Personnel Regulations – 2nd Reading
3. Bylaw Amendment 09-636: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin, Chapter 25 – Human Resource Management – 2nd Reading
4. Resolution 09-61: Appropriation – FHS Feasibility Study
5. Resolution 09-62: Human Resources Policies and Procedures
6. Resolution 09-63: Authorizing Application for EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant
7. Resolution 09-64: Acceptance of Gift – Franklin Public Library
8. Resolution 09-65: Acceptance of Gift – Franklin Public Library
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
The full set of documents for this agenda can be found on the town website here (PDF)
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS - Municipal Affordable Housing Trust
F. HEARINGS - 2010 EPA Brownfields Grant Application – Public Hearing - 7:10 PM
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Applebee’s – Transfer of Stock/New Officer & Director
Alumni Restaurant & Bar – Change of D/B/A
Franklin Wine & Spirits – Transfer of License
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Bylaw Amendment 09-634: Amendment to the Franklin Conservation Bylaw Chapter 181-8D: Term of Years- 2nd t Reading
2. Bylaw Amendment 09-635: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin, Chapter 25 – Personnel Regulations – 2nd Reading
3. Bylaw Amendment 09-636: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin, Chapter 25 – Human Resource Management – 2nd Reading
4. Resolution 09-61: Appropriation – FHS Feasibility Study
5. Resolution 09-62: Human Resources Policies and Procedures
6. Resolution 09-63: Authorizing Application for EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant
7. Resolution 09-64: Acceptance of Gift – Franklin Public Library
8. Resolution 09-65: Acceptance of Gift – Franklin Public Library
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
The full set of documents for this agenda can be found on the town website here (PDF)
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Time to engage in the conversation
You can read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.Gov. Deval Patrick yesterday said, "Although the private sector economy is beginning to recover, state government is still feeling the impact of the global economic collapse."
He said cuts to local aid were "certainly on the table."
Now more than ever, this is the time to become engaged with what is going on around you. With more local aid cuts coming, this will affect Franklin more than any other community simply because a greater percent of our total revenue comes from State aid. We can not absorb cuts without sutting services. If you don't believe that, then you need to find out the details.
You can start by talking with your neighbors. Find out what they know. If they don't know much about this, send them to Franklin Matters to become better informed.
You can talk with any of the thirteen candidates for election to the Town Council this November. You did know there was an election. Of course, you are here and informed. Talk with your neighbors, are they aware?
What will be the deciding points to select nine of the thirteen?
What are the Town Council candidates positions on the issues Franklin faces? I have a series of conversations scheduled to explore this. You can find (and share) the conversation with the following here:
Scott Mason
Judith Pond Pfeffer
Glenn Jones (in draft review)
Matt Kelly (in draft)
Tina Powderly (in draft)
If you'd like to see other Town Council candidates post their views here, please contact them and let them know. I have made the offer, the ball is in their court.
I am also scheduling time with some of the School Committee candidates. There are seven for the seven positions to be voted on so there is less competition but just as much importance in finding out who these people are that are to be responsible for more than half the Franklin budget.
My public service effort here is conducted solely to create an informed electorate for Franklin. I can't do this alone. Your help is required. Individually, we don't stand a chance. All of us together can make a difference!
Fire Station Open House - today
The members of the Franklin Fire Department wish to extend an invitation to the community to our Annual Fire Prevention Open House. This yearly event coincides with National Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme “Stay Fire Smart – Don’t get Burned” Fire Prevention Week 2009 focuses on burn awareness and prevention, as well as keeping homes safe from the leading causes of home fires.
This year’s Open House will provide demonstrations and fire safety education for all ages. The Open House will be held at Franklin’s Fire Station #2, 600 King Street on Sunday, October 4, 2009, from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Originally posted on the Town website
This year’s Open House will provide demonstrations and fire safety education for all ages. The Open House will be held at Franklin’s Fire Station #2, 600 King Street on Sunday, October 4, 2009, from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Originally posted on the Town website
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Fall Family Day - moved to Sunday, Oct 11
The New England Center for the Performing Arts posted the change to the schedule on their events calendar.The New England Center for the Performing Arts 2nd Annual Fall Family Festival will be held on Sunday, Oct. 11, 12-4 p.m., at 1350 West Central St., Rte. 140, Franklin, the site of their future new school and presentation facility.
Updated 11/4/09, due to the weather postponed again until next Sunday, the 11th
The original notice was found in my Wicked Local Franklin RSS feed.
Wrentham has a blog
As a 'placeblogger', one who blogs about the place they live, I am always on the look out for others doing this. Patricia Coleman has just started her blog, "Wrentham Times".
I plan on reaching out to meet with her to compare notes but in the meantime, I have added her to the "Franklin Area Blogs" section. This section appears along the right column. Scroll down some to find it. It will show the most recent posting for each of the area blogs listed.
When you visit here, feel free to scroll down the page to see what else is happening amongst the Franklin area blogs.
I plan on reaching out to meet with her to compare notes but in the meantime, I have added her to the "Franklin Area Blogs" section. This section appears along the right column. Scroll down some to find it. It will show the most recent posting for each of the area blogs listed.
When you visit here, feel free to scroll down the page to see what else is happening amongst the Franklin area blogs.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Senior Center - October Schedule
There are plenty of scheduled activities at the Senior Center for the month of October. With an election coming on Nov 3rd, the candidate forum on October 28th will provide an overview of the candidates.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to the web site to review the schedule.
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to the web site to review the schedule.
Farmers Market - last month of Friday's
The Farmers Market will be open today from noon to 6:00 PM on the Town Common.
This is your weekly opportunity to help the local economy and to get quality food items. Time is running out. This is the last month the market will be open on Friday's this year.
In the News - sports equipment, Run for Bob, Dean President
There will be plenty to do on Saturday!
-----
Franklin teen wants your sports equipment
from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSSThe collection will be held in the Ben Franklin Classical Charter School parking lot at 201 Main St. in Franklin tomorrow (Saturday, Oct 3) from 8 a.m. to noon.-----
Having fun for a good cause
Registration for the run and walk will begin at 9 a.m. at Putnam Investments at 400 Washington St., Franklin. The first 300 participants will get a T-shirt. The run is scheduled to start at 10 a.m., and the walk at 10:15 a.m. Awards will be given to the top finishers in each age group.
-----
Dean president to celebrate 15th year tomorrow
Tomorrow’s celebration will take place in the Dean’s Campus Center Atrium at 3 p.m.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Town Council Candidate - Judith Pond Pfeffer
Judy Pfeffer and I sat down recently as part of the series on candidates for election on November 3, 2009. We discussed the four questions I am asking of all the candidates. Judy's answers follow each question.
1 - What is Franklin's big issue? What steps should we take to resolve it?
The big issue is money, always has been and will continue to be.. We don't have enough, we've never had enough, and I don't see any way we're going to increase to raise more funds. We have some parcels of land that I know we're looking at cleaning up the titles where they might be salable. With the economy the way it is, I don't know how much we can get, if there is any market for them. We would be shooting ourselves in the foot, if we sell off land to have houses built. Any monies realized from sale of town property would not go into the operating budget – could be utilized to pay off some of our debt and reduce our debt burden. With the average property tax, we are already at a deficit in covering the cost of one child going to the schools. The high school renovation is something that we as a town need to address. If the State allocates funding for us the state will only address 31% of the total cost. The balance of cost is to be paid by the town; this will be a debt in the tens of millions of dollars. That will be a debt exclusion question in which the citizens of Franklin will make the final decision. So the issue is money!
2 - What is your position on the proposed Charter revisions?
I have been in favor of the Council being on staggered terms but after the presentation given by Paul Cheli, Larry Benedetto, and Michael Walker Jones ( the initial charter review committee appointed by the Council Chair Chris Feeley). I am reconsidering. My concern had been that if all nine were replaced, things would fall apart. Their presentation showed that the Administration would hold things together and that makes sense. I think the citizens like the fact that they can vote everyone out, even though they don't all come out and vote, they like knowing that if they wanted to, they could get rid of everybody. So I have no problem with the Council staying the way it is. I do think all the housekeeping matters need to be taken care of (that Jeff (Nutting) wanted done) to will make things smoother and easier I firmly believe that the Treasurer should be appointed – we are a 100 million dollar business and the treasurer should not be elected by a popularity contest and the most popular person running for the position.
The Town Clerk, I think that should be elected. It is a position that gets involved with all aspects of the people in the town, and is the “face” of the Town of Franklin.. It is not like you need to have a special accounting background, it is something somebody who lives in town should have. I don't think it should be a political position. If you have it appointed, then it is at the whim of every two years, or every four years. .
3 - What use do you envision for the Open Space Fund?
The Open Space Fund, I think we have close to eight million dollars available. We haven't put any money in it the past couple of years. We have used it for the museum and for the library. The money that goes into it comes from the hotel and meal tax. This year we increased that tax amount. I think we should continue to build up the fund. I think we should continue to use it, if we need it, for other capital projects. At some point in time, there is some farm property that may be offered to the Town first because of farm tax abatements which are in effect. These farm properties would be a wonderful place for the Town to purchase.
4 - What is your position on the Financial Planning Committee report?
The Financial Planning Committee has not come out with their final report yet. We have had different committee do something like this before. The difficulty with it is, you have a group of citizens who often have pre-set ideas on what the Town should do to move forward. My problem with the draft that I saw is that it seemed to be 99% focused on how not having sufficient funds would effect the schools. A financial plan needs to address all aspects of the town.
There is a Senior Outreach Committee that I am on. What we are trying to do is to keep the seniors in their homes. There are State programs in place that many seniors could utilize and it is not happening. So far we have increased by 20 people in one of the programs so they can get a reduction in their taxes. Many of these seniors have been here their whole life. If the high school renovations go through, even as a debt exclusion, that still increases taxes. Some seniors are making decisions based upon food or medicine. That shouldn't be at this point in time. We are trying to find any way possible so that it would make it easier for them.
I am also on the Housing Trust Committee. We currently have over a million dollars. We are trying to provide down payment assistance to first time home buyers, who are buying within the Town. These houses would always remain affordable by utilization of a deed rider. We hope to provide at least six down payment assistant payments. That would enable us to buy houses and turn them into homes for families.We need something for the first time home buyers. There are a number of houses now in downtown Franklin that would be good for this. We have forwarded our proposal to the state as we would like to move quickly to get this approved. .
BACKGROUND
Address: 79 Cottage Street
Age: 65
Education: Franklin High School
Framingham State College – B.S. in Education
Suffolk Law School – J. D.
Years in Franklin: 63
Positions Held:
Charter Member, Friends of Franklin Elders
Clerk, Franklin Housing Partnership, 1990 to 2009
Member, Franklin Housing Trust
Member, Town Capital Budget Committee (4 years)
Chair, Senior Outreach Committee
Former long term member, Finance Committee
Current Clerk, Town Council
Reasons for wanting to serve on the Town Council
Judy comes from a long line of family members who served the Town; her Uncle Leonard Remington was a long term member of Franklin School Committee (Remington school named after him), her Uncle Connor Pond was a long term fire chief; Mother Maybelle Pond was a long term teacher at Parmenter School; Uncle Walter Crowley was a long time Town physician; Uncle Tom Pond was a former town selectman. She believes that one should give back to their community, and work within that community to make it better for the citizens.
1 - What is Franklin's big issue? What steps should we take to resolve it?
The big issue is money, always has been and will continue to be.. We don't have enough, we've never had enough, and I don't see any way we're going to increase to raise more funds. We have some parcels of land that I know we're looking at cleaning up the titles where they might be salable. With the economy the way it is, I don't know how much we can get, if there is any market for them. We would be shooting ourselves in the foot, if we sell off land to have houses built. Any monies realized from sale of town property would not go into the operating budget – could be utilized to pay off some of our debt and reduce our debt burden. With the average property tax, we are already at a deficit in covering the cost of one child going to the schools. The high school renovation is something that we as a town need to address. If the State allocates funding for us the state will only address 31% of the total cost. The balance of cost is to be paid by the town; this will be a debt in the tens of millions of dollars. That will be a debt exclusion question in which the citizens of Franklin will make the final decision. So the issue is money!
2 - What is your position on the proposed Charter revisions?
I have been in favor of the Council being on staggered terms but after the presentation given by Paul Cheli, Larry Benedetto, and Michael Walker Jones ( the initial charter review committee appointed by the Council Chair Chris Feeley). I am reconsidering. My concern had been that if all nine were replaced, things would fall apart. Their presentation showed that the Administration would hold things together and that makes sense. I think the citizens like the fact that they can vote everyone out, even though they don't all come out and vote, they like knowing that if they wanted to, they could get rid of everybody. So I have no problem with the Council staying the way it is. I do think all the housekeeping matters need to be taken care of (that Jeff (Nutting) wanted done) to will make things smoother and easier I firmly believe that the Treasurer should be appointed – we are a 100 million dollar business and the treasurer should not be elected by a popularity contest and the most popular person running for the position.
The Town Clerk, I think that should be elected. It is a position that gets involved with all aspects of the people in the town, and is the “face” of the Town of Franklin.. It is not like you need to have a special accounting background, it is something somebody who lives in town should have. I don't think it should be a political position. If you have it appointed, then it is at the whim of every two years, or every four years. .
3 - What use do you envision for the Open Space Fund?
The Open Space Fund, I think we have close to eight million dollars available. We haven't put any money in it the past couple of years. We have used it for the museum and for the library. The money that goes into it comes from the hotel and meal tax. This year we increased that tax amount. I think we should continue to build up the fund. I think we should continue to use it, if we need it, for other capital projects. At some point in time, there is some farm property that may be offered to the Town first because of farm tax abatements which are in effect. These farm properties would be a wonderful place for the Town to purchase.
4 - What is your position on the Financial Planning Committee report?
The Financial Planning Committee has not come out with their final report yet. We have had different committee do something like this before. The difficulty with it is, you have a group of citizens who often have pre-set ideas on what the Town should do to move forward. My problem with the draft that I saw is that it seemed to be 99% focused on how not having sufficient funds would effect the schools. A financial plan needs to address all aspects of the town.
There is a Senior Outreach Committee that I am on. What we are trying to do is to keep the seniors in their homes. There are State programs in place that many seniors could utilize and it is not happening. So far we have increased by 20 people in one of the programs so they can get a reduction in their taxes. Many of these seniors have been here their whole life. If the high school renovations go through, even as a debt exclusion, that still increases taxes. Some seniors are making decisions based upon food or medicine. That shouldn't be at this point in time. We are trying to find any way possible so that it would make it easier for them.
I am also on the Housing Trust Committee. We currently have over a million dollars. We are trying to provide down payment assistance to first time home buyers, who are buying within the Town. These houses would always remain affordable by utilization of a deed rider. We hope to provide at least six down payment assistant payments. That would enable us to buy houses and turn them into homes for families.We need something for the first time home buyers. There are a number of houses now in downtown Franklin that would be good for this. We have forwarded our proposal to the state as we would like to move quickly to get this approved. .
BACKGROUND
Address: 79 Cottage Street
Age: 65
Education: Franklin High School
Framingham State College – B.S. in Education
Suffolk Law School – J. D.
Years in Franklin: 63
Positions Held:
Charter Member, Friends of Franklin Elders
Clerk, Franklin Housing Partnership, 1990 to 2009
Member, Franklin Housing Trust
Member, Town Capital Budget Committee (4 years)
Chair, Senior Outreach Committee
Former long term member, Finance Committee
Current Clerk, Town Council
Reasons for wanting to serve on the Town Council
Judy comes from a long line of family members who served the Town; her Uncle Leonard Remington was a long term member of Franklin School Committee (Remington school named after him), her Uncle Connor Pond was a long term fire chief; Mother Maybelle Pond was a long term teacher at Parmenter School; Uncle Walter Crowley was a long time Town physician; Uncle Tom Pond was a former town selectman. She believes that one should give back to their community, and work within that community to make it better for the citizens.
Digital Storytelling
The folks at Common Craft have inspired some students to create an explanation of digital story telling that is done well.
This was originally posted on the Free Technology for Teachers blog here
More on digital story telling can be found here (including a step by step process)
This was originally posted on the Free Technology for Teachers blog here
More on digital story telling can be found here (including a step by step process)
World-Record Kite Event
World-Record Kite Event: "'The New England Children’s Foundation (NE Children’s Foundation), bringing the technology community together to raise funds for grassroots charities benefiting the children of New England, today announced an officially-sanctioned attempt at breaking the Guinness world record for most kites flown simultaneously. The goal of the fundraising event is to simultaneously fly 1,000 kites, to break the current Guinness World Record of 967, established in Germany during August 2008.The family-friendly event will be held on October 11, 2009 and hosted by Patriot Place.'
http://www.patriot-place.com/article.aspx?id=2042
"
http://www.patriot-place.com/article.aspx?id=2042
golf tourney as scholarship fundraiser
For more information, please check the Wicked Local link:
Jenna Pasquino Memorial Foundation plans golf tourney scholarship fundraiser: "
Jenna Pasquino Memorial Foundation plans golf tourney scholarship fundraiser: "
The Jenna Pasquino Memorial Foundation will hold its first annual golf tournament on Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Blissful Meadows Golf Club, Chockalog Road, Uxbridge.
In the Globe - FHS Football
How big was the FHS football team victory over Mansfield last week? BIG! First time in ten years and the Globe runs a story on the team:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2009/10/01/franklin_high_ready_to_keep_rolling/
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2009/10/01/franklin_high_ready_to_keep_rolling/
In the News - hotel tax
The first non-property tax to create additional revenue for Franklin goes into effect today. Read more about this in the Milford Daily News:
Optional meals, hotel tax hikes go into effect in Franklin
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Gallery 218 - new art show reveals talents!
By now, you know that I am a practicing photographer. I take lots of pictures, some of which you see here. I get nervous about taking pictures of artist's work. I am now imposing my view, my frame of reference upon the work. It may create something other than what the artist intended.
Gallery 218 opened a new show featuring the creations of personnel throughout the District who are non-art teachers. I counted at least 28 artists with one or more pieces in this show!
This opens a new world. A math teacher does quilts. A computer technician does sculpture. The Director of Instructional Services does a head in plaster. The list goes on. Wonderful works. Here is a sample of what you can see:
I hope you are teased enough by this to visit Gallery 218 at Franklin High School.
Note: For those email subscribers, you may need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the photo slideshow.
Gallery 218 opened a new show featuring the creations of personnel throughout the District who are non-art teachers. I counted at least 28 artists with one or more pieces in this show!
This opens a new world. A math teacher does quilts. A computer technician does sculpture. The Director of Instructional Services does a head in plaster. The list goes on. Wonderful works. Here is a sample of what you can see:
I hope you are teased enough by this to visit Gallery 218 at Franklin High School.
Note: For those email subscribers, you may need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the photo slideshow.
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