HMEA 5K Race/Walk - May 23rd

The Horace Mann Education Associates - HMEA, Inc. is located here in Franklin, MA but their effective service delivery is to over 100 communities in MA.

The annual fund raiser for HMEA is the 5K Race/Walk and Family Fun Day scheduled for May 23, 2010.

HMEA's 9th Annual Independence 5K Walk/Run in the Park - MARK YOUR CALENDARS and grab your sneakers to participate in this "Fun-filled Family Day fundraising event...

This event, which is hosted by our good friends at EMC2 Corporation in Franklin, MA gathers 2,000 or more people to help HMEA continue its mission to make a difference in people's lives. AND, all the money raised is returned to the many programs at HMEA, which supports 2,400 children and adults with intellectual challenges and developmental disabilities.

In addition to working the road race registration table (and providing splits at the 2 mile mark), I have decided to help HMEA do some fund raising this year.

I love the quote from Horace Mann that they use on their History page:

"Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity"

You can help the HMEA make a difference with a donation. I have a widget in the center column of this and my other blogs, should you choose to donate an amount within your means.

I will appreciate it.
The HMEA clients you help will too!

-----

If you would like to register for the race you can do so here
http://www.hmea.org/events.html

If you'd like you can contribute in one of several options directly through the HMEA website here
http://www.hmea.org/donations.html

Vallee holds office hours next week

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Vallee holds office hours next week

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 5/13/10

Rep. James Vallee, D-Franklin, invites residents of Franklin and Medway to meet with him or a member of his staff on Friday, May 21, for his monthly office hours.
The first session will be held at the Medway Town Administrator's office at 155 Village St. from 9-10 a.m.
Vallee or a staff member will be available at his Franklin office at 4 West St. from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Those unable to attend can call his State House office at 617-722-2600 to schedule an appointment.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Special Override Election - June 8th - registration/voting details

ABSENTEE BALLOTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE.

TOWN OF FRANKLIN ELECTION NOTICE

SPECIAL OVERRIDE ELECTION

DATE:  TUESDAY, June 8, 2010

TIME:   6:00a.m. – 8:00p.m.

PLACE: FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL FIELDHOUSE ON OAK STREET

ALL PRECINCTS

LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE:
May 19, 2010  at 8:00pm at the
Town Clerk’s Office,
First Floor, 355 East Central Street,
Municipal Building.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS WILL BE AVAILABLE BEGINNING May 12, 2010

Absentee Ballot Information:
Absentee ballots are now available in the Town Clerk’s office.  A registered voter who will be unable to vote at the polls on election day due to the following reasons may vote absentee up to 12:00 noon Monday, June 7th.
(1) absence from your city or town during normal polling hours; or
(2) physical disability preventing you from going to the polling place; or
(3) religious belief.


All absentee requests must be made in writing with an original signature (no faxes or e-mails are accepted).  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call Deborah L. Pellegri, Town Clerk, at 508-520-4900.



Attest: Deborah L. Pellegri, CMC, Town Clerk/Election Administrator



This was originally posted to the Franklin, MA website here:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01579C3D-000F8513

"It'll make the stretch more vibrant"

Concerned neighbors and business owners turned out for an informational session with engineering firm Weston & Sampson to talk about designs to improve downtown's appearance.

"Our goal is to restore (downtown) as the focal point for community life and create economic development," said Vice President Eugene Bolinger. "We'll upgrade the infrastructure within the public right of way, in an effort to (attract) private investment in that quarter."

Engineers walked attendees through the designs, which call for eliminating some one-way traffic, adding parking spots, raising certain crosswalks and widening sidewalks to meet standards for the disabled.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1773731500/Plans-for-downtown-Franklin-discussed

To view the video of the session you can click here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/downtown-improvement-project-live.html

Franklin, MA

"spotlight on the youth program"

The Panthers are underdogs no more; they are now the team to beat.

And this spring, with Franklin off to an 11-1 start, and unbeaten in the Hockomock League at 10-0, may be just the beginning. The town’s youth program, started in 2004, is still in its infancy, but is stocking both the girls’ and boys’ rosters at the high school. This season, the Franklin girls moved up to Division 1 from Division 2.

“I was in seventh grade when the youth program started,’’ said Franklin senior captain Gina Velluti, a defender. “Now they’re out there and they’re 8 years old. And it just is changing the game so much, it’s making us so much better. The incoming freshmen, they don’t even know how good they’re going to be."

Read the full article in the Boston Globe West section here
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2010/05/13/franklin_youth_lacrosse_program_paying_dividends_for_varsity/

Franklin, MA

In the News - weekend events

J.F. Kennedy Elementary School bottle drive is Saturday

by Staff reports

Franklin Library book sale is Saturday

by Staff reports

Parmenter 5K run slated for Sunday

by Staff reports



Franklin, MA

Mystery Dinner Show - May 22

Mystery Dinner Show
May 22nd 6:30pm

It will feature a theatrical troupe, "Whodunnit," straight from the Newport Dinner Train in
"Win or Die Trying."

Tickets are $30

Please call the church office to purchase.


Franklin, MA

Parmenter 5K Race/Walk - Sunday May 16th

The Parmenter Elementary School will be the start and finish for their 2nd Annual 5K Race/Walk on Sunday, May 16th.

You can visit the event website for detailed information here
http://parmenter5k.weebly.com/index.html

You can also register at Active.com here
http://www.active.com/running/franklin-ma/2nd-annual-parmenter-5k-for-all-ages-2010

Franklin, MA

Downtown Improvement Project - live broadcast

Live video by Ustream



Franklin, MA

Downtown Revitalization Project and EPA meetings being broadcast

With three choices tonight and new information, I will change my schedule. Talking with Chris and Bob at the Cable broadcast booth last night before the School Committee meeting, I found out that they will broadcast the EPA meeting from Tri-County and make it available on the Franklin website for on demand viewing like other town meetings.

I'll attend the Downtown Revitalization Project meeting and broadcast that one so it will also be available via video replay here on Franklin Matters.

So even with two of the three meetings being broadcast, please, get out to one of them in person. That will ensure that your voice will be heard!

EPA - Public informational meeting on Charles River Storm Water Treatments

May 12, 2010 7:00 PM

Financial Planning Committee

May 12, 2010 7:00 PM

Public Hearing Downtown Improvements - Hosted by Planning Department

May 12, 2010 7:00 PM

To view the Downtown Revitalization Project meeting via the web, return here to Franklin Matters to find the Ustream video.


Franklin, MA

"If you do nothing else, come out and vote"

Fire Chief Gary McCarraher said his department will have to cut one firefighter-paramedic, reduce training, and reduce continuing education for staff and residents.

"We believe this year's budget reductions will have a negative impact," McCarraher said, noting it's important for neighbors to realize the decreased quality service is not the fault of employees.

He said without the tenth firefighter, he will not be able to sufficiently staff a second ambulance, and will have to rely on mutual aid for some emergency responses.

Though mutual aid response is of no charge to the town, whichever town responds and transports a person will collect the ambulance fee - which can result in $200,000 to $300,000 in revenue annually

Franklin finance officials back override
by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

For the full reporting of the three Finance Committee budget hearings I attended in person:
May 4th http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/finance-committee-050410.html
May 6th http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/finance-committee-050610.html
May 10th  http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/finance-committee-051010.html

The presentation used by the Fire Dept can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/franklin-ma-fire-dept-presentation.html


Franklin, MA

In the News - Dean College, Senate election, storm water

Dean College graduates look to the future

by Staff reports

Ross wins special Senate election by more than 6,000 votes
by Staff reports

Stormwater regulation meeting tomorrow in Franklin

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin, MA

School Committee - 05/11/10

The collection of live reporting from the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 can be found here

• Live reporting - Closing items
• Live reporting - Action items
• Live reporting - Discussion only items
• Live reporting - DESE report
• Live reporting - School Committee

Franklin, MA

Museum opens May 15th and 16th

The renovated museum opens on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and again on Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Franklin, MA

DPW Open House - May 15th

DPW Open House on Saturday, May 15th from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Save File: DPW_OpenHouse_20100515.pdf

Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Closing items

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
a. Enrollment Comparison for April 2009-2010

b. Bullying Law - law did pass, we want to approach this systemically, summer will be busy

c. School Choice
already covered above

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
space needs meet before this, looking at ways to develop a capacity plan for the schools


School Committee Liaison Reports
interested firms will be touring the building this month, the MSBA has a specific process with not a lot of discretion
need to designate three representatives for the design selection process
School Committee, Superintendent, Building Committee all get one choice each


By Feb/Mar 2011 we should have a good sense of options for the high school and a good sense of what it will cost.
Sometime Sep-Nov 2011 we should have a vote to fund the project, with a 40-60 percent reimbursement by the state


Tom Mercer will be here for the June 8th meeting


6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
foreign language course to be added to future agenda

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations


no intention to return to open meeting


passed 7-0




Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Action items

4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the request of Anne Bergen for the field trip to Roger Williams Zoo on June 10, 2010 as detailed.

motion to approve, 7-0

b. I recommend acceptance of the donation of $500.00 from the Keller PCC for field trips for Keller students.  motion to approve, 7-0

c. I recommend not participating in the school choice program for the 2010-2011 school year.  motion to approve, 7-0

d. recommend acceptance of the MSBA project enrollment report
Roy - a three page letter determining appropriate enrollment, State looking for commitment to a design limiting to 1650. Conflict with prior enrollment projections showing 1800.

Sabolinski - enrollment projection, architect hired, study designed and feasibility study can then proceed. The MSBA collects data from every district.  First number from them was in the 1500's, Met with them to review the numbers, provided additional data for their evaluations, outstanding building permits, etc. this results in the increase to 1650. Any further hold up holds the whole schedule.

There might be an opportunity to get the number up as the project gets underway but that is not guaranteed. The data is updated annually.

Cafasso - the issue with MSBA is how much of a building they will create as that is where the cost is

motion to approve, 7-0



Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Discussion only items

3. Discussion Only Items

School Choice

need to let DESE know if we will continue by June 1

we have 39 currently, the question is whether to open up additional seats available

Principals have recommended not to do so given the flexible budgetary arrangements

not a prudent choice to make at this time

In 2007, we had 76 students generating $5,000 per seat

in addition to loosing teachers, we are loosing revenue

56 for 2008, 2009, and currently 39

We haven't been able to allow staff to bring their children to the district

Is it fair to say, the only way to resume this program would be to increase teachers?

Yes, you need to look at the class size and down the road for the cohort factor

Principals conducted the survey to determine no space K-12

First Reading - Policy JJFG Disposition of Student Activity Accounthow to handle the money for each class, as the seniors graduate they are no longer part of the district
the funds would need to be kept in an account with a different tax ID than part of the Franklin Schools


motion to move to second reading, passed 7-0


Further FY11 Budget Discussion
Glynn
PCC meeting at Kennedy
shortened elementary day might be in the morning as a delayed start or early dismissal

Sabolinski - the principals actually came up with the alternatives, the morning actually works a little better
Glynn - what about parents going to work, how would they be covered
Sabolinski - we could use the Solutions program



Franklin, MA