Hello everyone,
I hope you enjoyed the stunning weekend weather.
As you know, Franklin voters will be asked to go to the polls on Tuesday, June 8, to decide a proposed $3 million override of Proposition 2½. If approved, approximately $300,000 will be used to restore municipal services, $1.8 million will be used to restore educational services, and $900,000 will be used to maintain roads throughout the town.
We need this money to stop the continued erosion of school and municipal services our community and to maintain our property values and quality of life.
Override votes can be a polarizing, which is not surprising when people’s money is at stake. On a pre-tax basis, the proposed override will cost the average taxpayer $254 per year, about 70 cents per day, based on the average property assessment of $368,000 in Franklin. Passage of the ballot question would add 69 cents to the tax rate, or $.69 per $1,000 of the assessed value of your home. That’s the out-of-pocket cost, but please also keep in mind that your local property tax payments are deductible federally.
I am writing today to pass along the wealth of information available to you to explain the proposed override and what’s at stake with this vote – and to offer you the opportunity to become actively involved in the effort if you wish.
Here’s what’s available to you:
An excellent brochure has been developed that attempts to answer common questions and provides a chart of what services will be affected by the outcome of the override vote. You can view and download the brochure at: http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-brochure/
Up-to-date information and links on financial and academic issues, particularly from a school perspective, are available at: http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/
Concerned citizens who support passage of the override have formed a group called “Invest in Franklin.” You can visit the Invest in Franklin web site for additional information at: http://investinfranklin.weebly.com.
You can visit and join the Invest in Franklin group page on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2265200218&ref=ts
A Facebook event page has been created as a reminder about the June 8 vote. You can view it here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=118040221563289
If you want to volunteer for the effort, please contact: Elise Nulton at lcnot@comcast.net or Deb Bartlett at bartlett.family@comcast.net. Both Elise and Deb are listed in the Franklin phone book; they would welcome your support.
Financial donations in any amount to defray the cost of the campaign are also welcome. Checks made out to “Invest in Franklin” can be mailed to the group’s treasurer, Deb Bartlett, 2 Eldon Drive, Franklin, MA, 02038.
There are a number of forums and meetings taking place throughout the community in the coming weeks to help our friends and neighbors learn more about why this vote is so important. On Monday, May 24, 2010, there will be a town-wide forum at the Mercer Auditorium at Horace Mann Middle School beginning at 7 p.m. Town officials will be on hand to present the facts and answer your questions. I plan to attend and hope to see you there.
The outcome of this override has implications for all the essential services on which you and your family rely in Franklin.
Your town and schools cannot continue to do more with less and still meet your expectations. From a public school perspective, Franklin now spends below the state average in every single category of measurement.
(See: http://finance1.doe.mass.edu/schfin/statistics/function09_sum.aspx?ID=101).
Yet our students – your children and grandchildren – enjoy one of highest performing school systems and rewarding academic experiences in Massachusetts. Every day, our schools work efficiently and well to earn your trust and support, as do our woefully under-funded police, fire and public works departments.
I hope the informational resources provided above give you an ample opportunity to learn more about the override, so you can cast an informed ballot on June 8. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
This e-mail reflects my opinion alone and is provided as a constituent service. As always, I welcome your thoughts and suggestions. If you are receiving duplicate e-mails or if you no longer wish to receive these e-mails, please let me know and I will remove you from the distribution list. If you know of someone you would like to add to the list, please send along their e-mail address.
Thank you!
Ed Cafasso, Member
Franklin School Committee
edcafasso@comcast.net
Franklin, MA
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Franklin, MA: History on display
After some expense by the Town, much effort from volunteers and significant donations from the community, the Historical Museum is now open in downtown Franklin. The building was built in 1842 as the Town Hall, repaired and restored in 1916, and given new life in 2010. It also served time as the Senior center. Today, it is a building worthy of displaying the rich and varied history of Franklin.
As you come in the front entrance, art work on the floor comes close to replicating the Town Seal. Ben Franklin's phrase "Industry need not wish" is one I have written about before.
Along both sides of the main hall, wooden base units support the glass display cases. The wooden bases were all crafted by Tri-County Regional Vocation Technical High School students. Students also built the shelving in the "library room" of the museum (not pictured here). As part of the volunteer move from the Washington Street location to downtown, many were quite pleased how ell the tops and cases fit together. They were finely crafted. In this photo Ben looks over the display cases mentioned.
When the TJ Maxx store closed in Franklin, the museum gained with the donation of several jewelry display cases. These cases are quite good for the display of many of the historical artifacts. One set of four cases forms a nice center piece display upon which a bust of Ben watches over all.
The museum is scheduled to be open on
The museum is staffed by volunteers who are all interested in preserving and sharing the unique pieces of Franklin's history. The museum is also available for special functions. It can seat about 30-40. Inquiries should be made to the Historical Commission or to one of the volunteers during the time the museum is open.
Come on down to re-discover the history of Franklin!
My thanks to Del Arnold for confirming the background information provided here.
Franklin, MA
As you come in the front entrance, art work on the floor comes close to replicating the Town Seal. Ben Franklin's phrase "Industry need not wish" is one I have written about before.
Along both sides of the main hall, wooden base units support the glass display cases. The wooden bases were all crafted by Tri-County Regional Vocation Technical High School students. Students also built the shelving in the "library room" of the museum (not pictured here). As part of the volunteer move from the Washington Street location to downtown, many were quite pleased how ell the tops and cases fit together. They were finely crafted. In this photo Ben looks over the display cases mentioned.
When the TJ Maxx store closed in Franklin, the museum gained with the donation of several jewelry display cases. These cases are quite good for the display of many of the historical artifacts. One set of four cases forms a nice center piece display upon which a bust of Ben watches over all.
The museum is scheduled to be open on
- Saturday's from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Sundays' from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Thursday's from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
The museum is staffed by volunteers who are all interested in preserving and sharing the unique pieces of Franklin's history. The museum is also available for special functions. It can seat about 30-40. Inquiries should be made to the Historical Commission or to one of the volunteers during the time the museum is open.
Come on down to re-discover the history of Franklin!
My thanks to Del Arnold for confirming the background information provided here.
Franklin, MA
Tooting the horn for books, a family day in Franklin
The combination of the Library Book Sale and the DPW Open House drew quite a crowd on Saturday.
The Friends of the Library paid for the overtime of the DPW workers. The food and drink provided at the DPW Open House was donated by Weston & Sampson.
The bucket truck authorized for purchase as part of the capital plan in 2009 was on display looking brand new. It is over ten years old. The new look comes from the paint job that was part of the purchase price. DPW Director, Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi is walking towards us in the photo.
The DPW garage had four mechanics. One just retired this year and due to the budget cuts, the position won't be filled leaving three mechanics to take care of more than 300 pieces of equipment. Which of these two units looks like it is three years old? and which looks like it is sixteen years old? (Answer at the end of this post.)
Most of the equipment that I saw on display had a sign telling the year and use for the unit. The purpose for some was easy to recognize, some were not. This batwing mower is over 10 years old and still doing duty cutting the grass on our athletic fields.
The weather cooperated for this nice family event. If your son or daughter was one of the horn tooters, they probably walked away with a smile. Your smile came from the fact that they at least stopped blowing the horn!
Iqbal Ismail is show below taking pictures of his daughter Zeba and son Faraz in the front seat of the truck.
Note: In answer to the question above: the unit on the left in the picture is 3 yrs old; the unit on the right is 16.
My thanks to Brutus Cantoreggi and Dave Allard for providing the information to share here.
Franklin, MA
The Friends of the Library paid for the overtime of the DPW workers. The food and drink provided at the DPW Open House was donated by Weston & Sampson.
The bucket truck authorized for purchase as part of the capital plan in 2009 was on display looking brand new. It is over ten years old. The new look comes from the paint job that was part of the purchase price. DPW Director, Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi is walking towards us in the photo.
The DPW garage had four mechanics. One just retired this year and due to the budget cuts, the position won't be filled leaving three mechanics to take care of more than 300 pieces of equipment. Which of these two units looks like it is three years old? and which looks like it is sixteen years old? (Answer at the end of this post.)
Most of the equipment that I saw on display had a sign telling the year and use for the unit. The purpose for some was easy to recognize, some were not. This batwing mower is over 10 years old and still doing duty cutting the grass on our athletic fields.
The weather cooperated for this nice family event. If your son or daughter was one of the horn tooters, they probably walked away with a smile. Your smile came from the fact that they at least stopped blowing the horn!
Iqbal Ismail is show below taking pictures of his daughter Zeba and son Faraz in the front seat of the truck.
Note: In answer to the question above: the unit on the left in the picture is 3 yrs old; the unit on the right is 16.
My thanks to Brutus Cantoreggi and Dave Allard for providing the information to share here.
Franklin, MA
Summer programs - Art Institute
Registration is open for the Art Institute to be held at the high school July 19- 30.
Additional information about the summer programs can be found on the Lifelong Learning webpage:
http://cfweb.smartedu.net/lll/aboutus.cfm?category=1ABOUT5
Franklin, MA
Additional information about the summer programs can be found on the Lifelong Learning webpage:
http://cfweb.smartedu.net/lll/aboutus.cfm?category=1ABOUT5
Franklin, MA
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Franklin, MA: Plenty to do today
Museum opens from 10:00 to 1:00 PM today
Bottle/Can drive options
Library Book Sale 9:00 - 4:00 PM at DPW Yard off Hayward St
DPW Open House 10:00 - 1:00 PM
Bottle/Can drive options
- Franklin High School 9:00 - 2:00 PM at high school parking lot
- JF Kennedy School 9:00 - 12:00
Library Book Sale 9:00 - 4:00 PM at DPW Yard off Hayward St
DPW Open House 10:00 - 1:00 PM
Friday, May 14, 2010
Storm water mandates
Under the proposed mandate from the EPA, which would only apply to Milford, Franklin and Bellingham, properties with two acres or more will have to manage their stormwater runoff.
Wednesday night's public information session included a presentation from the EPA about the regulations as well as time for public comment.
Rick Kaplan, owner of Kaplan Commercial Properties, recently purchased the Bellingham Plaza on Rte. 126, which has 8 acres. Kaplan, who lives in Medway, is not only concerned with the price tag of the mandate, but the fact that the actual cost is still undecided.
"It's an unknown amount of money," Kaplan said. "It's scary to me. It's not fair."Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Stormwater mandate concerns businesses
This article helps to clarify one of the questions asked during Wednesday night's meeting on the Downtown Improvement Project. If the new mandates apply to properties in excess of 2 acres, there doesn't appear to be much of an impact for the downtown project.
If you missed the Downtown Project meeting Wednesday, you can view the video here
Downtown Improvement Project - live broadcast
The EPA meeting was also broadcast but the video has not yet been posted to the Franklin website. As soon as I see the link, I share it here.
Franklin, MA
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.
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:
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
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:
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
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Special Override Election - June 8th - registration/voting details
ABSENTEE BALLOTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE.
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
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
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
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
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
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
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!
To view the Downtown Revitalization Project meeting via the web, return here to Franklin Matters to find the Ustream video.
Franklin, MA
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 PMMay 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
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
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