I. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Senator Richard Ross
There was a lot of change that took place in the election yesterday
The Scott Brown factor is alive and well, did pick up 16 seats in the House
Economic projections
Have a good relationship with the Governor
I recognize the piece that I think that is missing
Everybody needs to preserve their positions
The stimulus money was used to preserve public sector jobs
valid jobs but the funds could have been used for job creation
$2-2.5 billion budget deficit is coming
we have to face the hard facts with the couple of years coming down the pike
Did have an opportunity to participate in the Economic Development Summit last week
Well done, this is fascinating to see what you have taken advantage of
You should be acknowledged for supporting the service men, national guard and others for their service
When I have a community, I will treat it as a whole
Oliver Deans great grand nephew
BTW- I was impressed, in all my meeting experience, Sen Richard Ross is the first one who came, spoke and then stayed for the whole meeting.
Franklin, MA
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Live reporting - Town Council
Present: Kelly, Jones, Vallee, Whalen, Mason, Pfeffer, Zollo, Powderly
Absent: none
A. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Executive Sessions September 29, 2010 and October 6, 2010
C. ANNOUNCEMENTS - Meetings of the Town Council are Recorded by Verizon and Comcast and the Franklin Matters website
D. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none
E. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none
F. APPOINTMENTS
Recreation Advisory Board - Kinjal Patel
motion to approve, passed 9-0
G. HEARINGS - none
H. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - none
Franklin, MA
Absent: none
A. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Executive Sessions September 29, 2010 and October 6, 2010
C. ANNOUNCEMENTS - Meetings of the Town Council are Recorded by Verizon and Comcast and the Franklin Matters website
Recognized as Gold status for Bio-Tech
Recognized as an employer of support for military service
D. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none
E. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none
F. APPOINTMENTS
Recreation Advisory Board - Kinjal Patel
motion to approve, passed 9-0
G. HEARINGS - none
H. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - none
Franklin, MA
Parmenter School: Story Walk - photos
Dolores and I got to take in the Story Walk on Sunday morning.
Enjoy the Story Walk!
Prior posts about the Nature Trail and Story Walk:
The back story on the Nature Trail at Parmenter was published on Monday
The guide to the Nature Trail was published on Tuesday
Franklin, MA
Enjoy the Story Walk!
Prior posts about the Nature Trail and Story Walk:
The back story on the Nature Trail at Parmenter was published on Monday
The guide to the Nature Trail was published on Tuesday
Franklin, MA
In the News - Treasurer to remained elected, voice heard
"It was nice to see (the questions) on there, giving us the choice. In the case of treasurer, it's right to make it an appointed position," Tierney said.
Others were left feeling confused by the questions.
"I didn't really understand it," said Clare Flynn.
"I couldn't make heads or tails of it," said Merrell Mastin.Read the article in the Milford Daily News:
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x370073945/Franklin-treasurer-to-remain-an-elected-post
In an election that embodied several local and statewide races, James Lacroix yesterday said it was Question 3 that lured him to the polls.
The Franklin resident said he voted to reduce the sales tax to 3 percent.
"We need to learn how to use the money more efficiently and do what we need to do instead of spending it wastefully," Lacroix said.
Read the article in the Milford Daily News
Franklin, MA
Fund raising weekend for Franklin Food Pantry
The Franklin Food Pantry is fortunate to participate in two, yes, two exciting fund raising events on one weekend.
Saturday, Nov 13 - Bigelow Station plays at the 3 Restaurant
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/fund-raiser-for-franklin-food-pantry.html
Sunday, Nov 14 - Fund Raising at Legacy Place
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/fund-raiser-for-franklin-food-pantry_23.html
How does the Legacy Place fund raiser work?
You buy a ticket for $10. This gets your name on the listing at Legacy Place. When you arrive on Sunday, Nov 14th. Check in to get a bracelet. You wear the bracelet during your shopping trip. The bracelet is an easy sign for the merchants to see that your part of the fund raising "Legacy of Giving" and you obtain the appropriate discount.
The $10 goes entirely to the Franklin Food Pantry. You gain by getting discounts on your purchases at participating vendors. A win-win!
Franklin, MA
Saturday, Nov 13 - Bigelow Station plays at the 3 Restaurant
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/fund-raiser-for-franklin-food-pantry.html
Sunday, Nov 14 - Fund Raising at Legacy Place
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/fund-raiser-for-franklin-food-pantry_23.html
How does the Legacy Place fund raiser work?
You buy a ticket for $10. This gets your name on the listing at Legacy Place. When you arrive on Sunday, Nov 14th. Check in to get a bracelet. You wear the bracelet during your shopping trip. The bracelet is an easy sign for the merchants to see that your part of the fund raising "Legacy of Giving" and you obtain the appropriate discount.
The $10 goes entirely to the Franklin Food Pantry. You gain by getting discounts on your purchases at participating vendors. A win-win!
Franklin, MA
Comedy Night at 3, November 19th
Thanksgiving Reservations Being Accepted
Thanksgiving at 3 will include our regular dinner menu as well as house-roasted turkey and all the favorite trimmings! For your reservation, please call 508.528.6333. 11:00am - 6:00pm.
3, 461 W. Central Street Franklin, MA 02038 508.528.6333 3-restaurant.com
Visit our other Let's Eat, Inc. restaurant in Norwood: SKY
This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by hrc@sky-restaurant.com.Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.
Let's Eat, Inc. | 461 Central Street | Franklin | MA | 02038
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Charter Question 4 - Yes, Question 5 - No
12,829 voters casted their ballots on Tuesday, Nov 2, 2010 in Franklin. This accounts for 63.8% of the 20,106 registered voters.
Of particular importance were the two questions on the proposed Charter Changes, Question 4 covering the technical details passed. Question 5 attempting to shift the elected position of Treasurer/Collector to appointment failed.
Question 4 - technical changes to the charter
Yes - 8443
No - 2596
Blanks - 1790
Question 5 - switch to appointment of Treasurer/Collector
Yes - 4339
No - 7421
Blanks - 1069
The full set of results for all the candidates and questions, precinct by precinct:
Franklin, MA: General Election Results 11/02/2010
Thanks to Debbie Pellegri and all the election workers who did a wonderful job helping everyone today!
Franklin, MA
Of particular importance were the two questions on the proposed Charter Changes, Question 4 covering the technical details passed. Question 5 attempting to shift the elected position of Treasurer/Collector to appointment failed.
Question 4 - technical changes to the charter
Yes - 8443
No - 2596
Blanks - 1790
Question 5 - switch to appointment of Treasurer/Collector
Yes - 4339
No - 7421
Blanks - 1069
The full set of results for all the candidates and questions, precinct by precinct:
Franklin, MA: General Election Results 11/02/2010
Thanks to Debbie Pellegri and all the election workers who did a wonderful job helping everyone today!
Franklin, MA
Wachusett St Construction
On the run home from voting at the high school today, I see that there is preparation for paving in front of the Parmenter School on Wachusett St.
This is GOOD timing. No school today, kids, cars and buses won't be around!
PS - you will get out to vote today won't you!
Franklin, MA
This is GOOD timing. No school today, kids, cars and buses won't be around!
PS - you will get out to vote today won't you!
Franklin, MA
Parmenter School: Nature Trail Guide
The trail guide for the Nature Trail at the Parmenter Elementary School on Wachusett St in Franklin, MA.
Parmenter Nature Trail Guide 2010
Enjoy!
Franklin, MA
Parmenter Nature Trail Guide 2010
Enjoy!
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA: Express Line - v2 #2
Franklin's newsletter - The Express Line is now published and available:
Franklin, MA: Express Line_Nov 1, 2010
You can subscribe to receive your own copy directly to your inbox:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/subscriber-news
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA: Express Line_Nov 1, 2010
You can subscribe to receive your own copy directly to your inbox:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/subscriber-news
Franklin, MA
Monday, November 1, 2010
Letter from Theresa D'Amato
How did the nature trail at the Parmenter School come to be?
This letter from Theresa D'Amato, a teacher at Parmenter (now retired), tells the story.
I managed to catch Theresa when I stopped by Saturday to check out the Story Walk. The Story Walk is placed along the nature trail.
The Story Walk was born in Vermont. I'll have pictures of the walk later this week.
Franklin, MA
This letter from Theresa D'Amato, a teacher at Parmenter (now retired), tells the story.
Dear Parmenter Parents/Guardians,
Franklin, like many other communities, has lost much of its forested areas to development thus limiting the opportunities for children to experience the natural environment and to have outdoor educational experiences. It was for this reason that grant proposals were written to fund a project designed to meet this critical need for the students at Parmenter School.
In 1999, a Franklin Education Foundation grant provided the funds to create a habitat to attract birds and butterflies at Parmenter. At that time, Parmenter students designed and planted the garden. In addition, Franklin High School football players moved rocks to border it. Today, Parmenter students maintain the garden, fill the bird feeders, and create nature-friendly crafts for the birds.
In 2001, The Massachusetts Audubon Society, in partnership with Parmenter School, received an Eisenhower grant to create a nature trail on the school property and to provide all teachers with the information needed to integrate environmental sciences into their curricula. To complement and improve this resource, a grant from Lowe’s was obtained in 2006. Using these funds in conjunction with the service of former Parmenter students, guideposts, a wetland boardwalk, trailhead sign, and erosion timbers were installed on the G. M. Parmenter Nature Trail. Future projects are planned to continue to enhance the trail.
At this time I would like to thank all of the parents—too numerous to mention—who since 1999 have helped with the habitat and the trail; I-Jen Chen who created the GPS map, and Anthony D’Amato who created the trail guide. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Robert Young, Colin Young, and Jeremy Harmon who chose to conduct their Eagle Scout projects at their former elementary school.
The completion of the trail required several years of work and was funded by grants and maintained by hundreds of hours of volunteer labor. Importantly, the trail is a resource to be enjoyed by the entire Parmenter School Community and I invite you to utilize this nature trail and to inform your extended family and friends of its existence. Moreover, it is my hope that the G.M. Parmenter School Nature Trail will provide a resource for environmental education experiences that create a sense of stewardship for the Earth’s natural resources. Please use the enclosed trail guide to enrich your walk as you enjoy the beauty of nature that exists right out our backyard.
Sincerely,
Theresa F. D’Amato
I managed to catch Theresa when I stopped by Saturday to check out the Story Walk. The Story Walk is placed along the nature trail.
The Story Walk was born in Vermont. I'll have pictures of the walk later this week.
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA: Change to Winter Parking Ban proposed
The agenda and associated documents for the Town Council meeting on Nov 3.
Of interest is the proposed change to the winter parking ban. The ban would change from a set parking ban for 150 days, to one triggered by storms. The penalties for compliance would remain the same but folks could park overnight on the 100 or so winter nights that there isn't a storm.
Town Council 11/03/10 Agenda
Franklin, MA
Of interest is the proposed change to the winter parking ban. The ban would change from a set parking ban for 150 days, to one triggered by storms. The penalties for compliance would remain the same but folks could park overnight on the 100 or so winter nights that there isn't a storm.
Town Council 11/03/10 Agenda
Franklin, MA
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Franklin, MA: Election Day, Nov 2, 2010 - Information
What will my ballot in Franklin ask me to vote on?
You can find the complete set of candidates for office on the Secretary of the Commonwealth's web site: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php
You can put your Franklin address into this form and receive a full set of the candidates and ballot questions (3 state wide and 2 specific to Franklin).
What are the ballot questions for this election?
You can find the complete set of questions as published by the Secretary of the Commonwealth here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/franklin-ma-election-2010-ballot.html
Question 1
http://www.ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Massachusetts_No_Sales_Tax_for_Alcohol_Initiative,_Question_1_(2010)
Question 2
http://www.ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Massachusetts_Comprehensive_Permits_and_Regional_Planning_Initiative,_Question_2_(2010)
Question 3
http://www.ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Massachusetts_Sales_Tax_Relief_Act,_Question_3_(2010)
Where is Franklin High School?
The high school can be found at 218 Oak St. The map below can provide directions from your address.
View Larger Map
Quick Facts:
Franklin, MA
You can find the complete set of candidates for office on the Secretary of the Commonwealth's web site: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php
You can put your Franklin address into this form and receive a full set of the candidates and ballot questions (3 state wide and 2 specific to Franklin).
What are the ballot questions for this election?
You can find the complete set of questions as published by the Secretary of the Commonwealth here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/franklin-ma-election-2010-ballot.html
Ballotpedia entries for each Question 1, 2, and 3 can be found in the links below. Each entry provides background on the issue as well as information on both sides of the question.
Question 1
http://www.ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Massachusetts_No_Sales_Tax_for_Alcohol_Initiative,_Question_1_(2010)
Question 2
http://www.ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Massachusetts_Comprehensive_Permits_and_Regional_Planning_Initiative,_Question_2_(2010)
Question 3
http://www.ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Massachusetts_Sales_Tax_Relief_Act,_Question_3_(2010)
Information on the Franklin Charter Changes can be found in this posting
Where is Franklin High School?
The high school can be found at 218 Oak St. The map below can provide directions from your address.
View Larger Map
Quick Facts:
- The polls will open at 6:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM.
- Absentee ballots can be applied for at the Town Clerk's office up until noon on Monday, Nov 1
- All absentee ballots need to be received by the Town Clerk by 8:00 PM on Tuesday, Nov 2 to be counted.
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - 11/3/10
A. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Executive Sessions September 29, 2010 and October 6, 2010
C. ANNOUNCEMENTS - Meetings of the Town Council are Recorded
D. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
E. CITIZEN COMMENTS
F. APPOINTMENTS
Recreation Advisory Board - Kinjal Patel
G. HEARINGS
H. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
I. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Senator Richard Ross
2012 Budget Discussion� 2012 Budget Discussion2012 Budget Discussi2012 Budget Discussion
J. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
K. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Bylaw Amendment 10-651: Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic – 1st Reading
L. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
M. OLD BUSINESS
N. NEW BUSINESS
O. COUNCIL COMMENTS
P. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
Q. ADJOURN
Franklin, MA
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Executive Sessions September 29, 2010 and October 6, 2010
C. ANNOUNCEMENTS - Meetings of the Town Council are Recorded
D. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
E. CITIZEN COMMENTS
F. APPOINTMENTS
Recreation Advisory Board - Kinjal Patel
G. HEARINGS
H. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
I. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Senator Richard Ross
2012 Budget Discussion� 2012 Budget Discussion2012 Budget Discussi2012 Budget Discussion
J. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
K. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Bylaw Amendment 10-651: Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic – 1st Reading
L. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
M. OLD BUSINESS
N. NEW BUSINESS
O. COUNCIL COMMENTS
P. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
Q. ADJOURN
Franklin, MA
Have a good laugh!
Franklin's Let's Laugh Today group meets
The Let's Laugh Today laughter club will meet on Monday, Nov. 22, from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. at the First Universalist Society in Franklin Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St.Franklin, MA
Saturday, October 30, 2010
FM #75 - Charter Changes - Vote Nov 2
Let's take a few minutes to prepare for the election, Tuesday, Nov 2, 2010. There are five ballot questions for Franklin voters, 3 are statewide questions and two unique to Franklin.
Time: 11 minutes, 55 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes:
Let's take a few minutes to prepare for November 2, election day here in Franklin, across MA and the US.
The leadership positions of the commonwealth of MA are open, some are contested campaigns some are not. I won't spend any more time on reiterating who is running for what. By now, you have probably been inundated with campaign messages, phone calls, signs in public places, etc.
Amongst the five ballot questions Franklin voters will see on Tuesday are three for the commonwealth and two specifically and uniquely Franklin's.
These two questions are the end step in the process that began a few years ago with the Charter Committee co-chaired by Paul Cheli and Larry Benedetto . The proposed charter changes have been covered extensively here in the past year as the committee made their presentation to the Town Council in July of 2009, the Council formed a special subcommittee and their presentations and discussions lead to the vote in April where the changes were approved by a 6-2 vote. Zollo and Jones voted against, Vallee was absent for the vote.
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/04/fm-64-week-ending-41110.html
The changes went to the Legislature and received final approval with Gov Patrick's signature in September to put the question on the ballot for us to have our say this Tuesday.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/charter-changes-approved-by-governor.html
There are two questions – the first basically cleans up some technical language. The second approves the change of the Treasurer/Collector from an elected position to an appointed position.
I won't spend time reviewing the arguments for an against. I will include the clip from the Town Council meeting Oct 20th when Cheli and Benedetto took a few minutes during the citizens comments to speak on the changes. You can listen to there comments here:
(inserted clip)
They were followed by Jim Dacey, the current Treasurer/Collector who spoke for the charter change and in his words answered some of the questions around the change. Jim summarizes it very well:
(inserted clip)
The posting with the ballot questions, candidates and positions to be filled is attached and will be re-posted on Tuesday.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/franklin-ma-election-nov-2-franklin.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/franklin-ma-election-nov-2-franklin_22.html
I encourage everyone to get out and exercise your civic duty to cast an informed ballot. If there is a question that you think I might be able to answer, please feel free to reach out and ask me.
I will do what I can to help.
As I close this session this week, let me remind you that
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission
I hope you enjoy!
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to listen to the audio podcast.
Franklin, MA
Time: 11 minutes, 55 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes:
Let's take a few minutes to prepare for November 2, election day here in Franklin, across MA and the US.
The leadership positions of the commonwealth of MA are open, some are contested campaigns some are not. I won't spend any more time on reiterating who is running for what. By now, you have probably been inundated with campaign messages, phone calls, signs in public places, etc.
Amongst the five ballot questions Franklin voters will see on Tuesday are three for the commonwealth and two specifically and uniquely Franklin's.
These two questions are the end step in the process that began a few years ago with the Charter Committee co-chaired by Paul Cheli and Larry Benedetto . The proposed charter changes have been covered extensively here in the past year as the committee made their presentation to the Town Council in July of 2009, the Council formed a special subcommittee and their presentations and discussions lead to the vote in April where the changes were approved by a 6-2 vote. Zollo and Jones voted against, Vallee was absent for the vote.
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/04/fm-64-week-ending-41110.html
The changes went to the Legislature and received final approval with Gov Patrick's signature in September to put the question on the ballot for us to have our say this Tuesday.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/charter-changes-approved-by-governor.html
There are two questions – the first basically cleans up some technical language. The second approves the change of the Treasurer/Collector from an elected position to an appointed position.
I won't spend time reviewing the arguments for an against. I will include the clip from the Town Council meeting Oct 20th when Cheli and Benedetto took a few minutes during the citizens comments to speak on the changes. You can listen to there comments here:
(inserted clip)
They were followed by Jim Dacey, the current Treasurer/Collector who spoke for the charter change and in his words answered some of the questions around the change. Jim summarizes it very well:
(inserted clip)
The posting with the ballot questions, candidates and positions to be filled is attached and will be re-posted on Tuesday.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/franklin-ma-election-nov-2-franklin.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/franklin-ma-election-nov-2-franklin_22.html
I encourage everyone to get out and exercise your civic duty to cast an informed ballot. If there is a question that you think I might be able to answer, please feel free to reach out and ask me.
I will do what I can to help.
As I close this session this week, let me remind you that
- If you like what I am doing here, please tell your friends and neighbors
- If you don’t like something, please tell me
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission
I hope you enjoy!
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to listen to the audio podcast.
Franklin, MA
Vote Nov 2 - 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, absentee ballots available
... Franklin Town Clerk Deborah Pellegri said her office has received more than 400 requests since she advertised the ballots were available.
"So many people have said they will be out of town and won't be able to make it back in time to vote," said Pellegri. "There has been a steady stream of people."
Town residents who are registered voters that plan to vote via absentee ballot have until noon on Monday to request a ballot from their local town clerk's office. In order to be counted, the ballot must be returned to the clerk's office no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News:
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1673647778/Many-have-taken-out-absentee-ballots
Note: the article says that the voting booths will be open from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM on Tuesday, November 2. That may be true for other communities but Franklin's voting hours are 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
This can be checked by Debbie Pellegri's notice on the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/2010%20absentee%20notice.pdf
Franklin, MA
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