A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 20, 2010
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Meetings of the Town Council are Recorded
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
Franklin Disability Commission (Mary O'Neill)
Library Board of Trustees (Karen Gerwatowski)
Long Range Financial Planning Committee
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Cable- Creation of a Non-profit access Corporation
Proposed Changes to the Sign Bylaw, the Commercial 1 Zoning District, & Creation of a New Downtown Commercial Zoning District- Zoning Bylaw – Bryan Taberner, Department of Planning & Community Dev.
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 10-63: Acceptance of Amendment to Chapter 138, Section 33B
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
Franklin, MA
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
FM #77 - Franklin, MA: Mid-term Review
Next year, as you well know, will be a tough operational budget year with a possible high school renovation project on the horizon with a debt exclusion for a sum total uncertain at this time.
The operational and capital needs of the Town are not well understood by the general population.
You can not accept that. If you do, you give into the CAVE people What are the CAVE people? An acronym for Citizens Against Virtually Everything. This a great term that Bill Glynn took back from a conference he attended with other members of the School Committee and School Dept Administration
If we assume perception is reality, and your attendance indicates your level of effort, then there is room for improvement for some of you.
Details for the chart can be found at the following Google document
I understand that there may be very good reasons for missing meetings
You do this because Franklin matters to you for a variety of reasons
Let's assume perception is reality, I recommend you take a series of actions to really help improve the outreach to our community
1) Member of the Council meet at the Senior Center regularly; Bill Glynn held a sit/chat during the summer; need to do something for the remainder of the residents on a regular basis
2) plan for another budget workshop or series of workshops
What of the Long Term Planning Committee?
This group sort of disappeared after the override, it is good to see the group on the agenda for the meeting Wednesday. Maybe we'll find out what is going on
The Finance Committee is getting reduced from 11 members to 9 per the one question that passed on the Charter Changes. They are scheduled to meet in December. How is the change going to be handled?
3) Get out in front of the big issues, be proactive, don't let the void be filled in by others with hearsay, determine the conversation
For the School Committee in particular, I believe your normal year end meeting is scheduled to be held in the training room on the 3rd floor. It is your own review session, I would heartily recommend that you change the location, bring the meeting out into the open, broadcast it, foster the engagement with your community.
I could have done some ratings in a variety of ways. I chose not to do so. It was deliberate. I think you have been able to observe my own actions, you know I don't create screaming headlines. I am not out to sell anything. I am working to share information to create an informed voter. You can help in that effort.
Consider yourself a crew team. The crew team needs all the oars in the water swinging in synch with one another to succeed.
I think you for your service to the community.
I thank you for your time tonight.
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.
The operational and capital needs of the Town are not well understood by the general population.
You can not accept that. If you do, you give into the CAVE people What are the CAVE people? An acronym for Citizens Against Virtually Everything. This a great term that Bill Glynn took back from a conference he attended with other members of the School Committee and School Dept Administration
If we assume perception is reality, and your attendance indicates your level of effort, then there is room for improvement for some of you.
Details for the chart can be found at the following Google document
I understand that there may be very good reasons for missing meetings
You do this because Franklin matters to you for a variety of reasons
Let's assume perception is reality, I recommend you take a series of actions to really help improve the outreach to our community
1) Member of the Council meet at the Senior Center regularly; Bill Glynn held a sit/chat during the summer; need to do something for the remainder of the residents on a regular basis
2) plan for another budget workshop or series of workshops
What of the Long Term Planning Committee?
This group sort of disappeared after the override, it is good to see the group on the agenda for the meeting Wednesday. Maybe we'll find out what is going on
The Finance Committee is getting reduced from 11 members to 9 per the one question that passed on the Charter Changes. They are scheduled to meet in December. How is the change going to be handled?
3) Get out in front of the big issues, be proactive, don't let the void be filled in by others with hearsay, determine the conversation
For the School Committee in particular, I believe your normal year end meeting is scheduled to be held in the training room on the 3rd floor. It is your own review session, I would heartily recommend that you change the location, bring the meeting out into the open, broadcast it, foster the engagement with your community.
I could have done some ratings in a variety of ways. I chose not to do so. It was deliberate. I think you have been able to observe my own actions, you know I don't create screaming headlines. I am not out to sell anything. I am working to share information to create an informed voter. You can help in that effort.
Consider yourself a crew team. The crew team needs all the oars in the water swinging in synch with one another to succeed.
I think you for your service to the community.
I thank you for your time tonight.
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.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Another #1 listing for Franklin
I spoke with Nathan Beck on Saturday at the electronics, etc. recycling fund raiser for the FHS Girls Hockey Team. I had just heard about the event that morning and would have liked to be able to share the information in advance. We exchanged business cards and his father, Steve, sent along this information.
Franklin is also number 1 as a contributer to Big Brothers Big Sisters
http://www.bbbsfoundation.org/web/pagedetail.aspx?pgID=WEB-Franklin
If you missed this one, still have electronics to recycle, then mark your calendar for another event in April, 2011.
Thanks to Nathan and Steve for sharing this information!
Franklin, MA
I've been doing electronic collections since 2002, directing the net proceeds to K-12 programs. I principally target music and fine arts, but also generate funding for safe driver programs, girls athletics, community service centers and, of course, Big Brother Big Sister. I'm the director of Big Brother Big Sister Foundation and founder of the CREW (Community Recyclers of Electronic Waste). My son now runs events for CREW all over the state, in NH and soon New York and PA.
Three weeks ago, CREW hit the $3,000,000 mark in net monies donated to charities, edu and other programs through collection events
In most towns, I folded BBBS into the mix. BBBS is there for clothing, CREW for electronics. In about six towns now, we hold town wide recycling days twice a year with everything I can think of. Books, metal, cardboard, onsite document shredding, electronics, household goods, appliances and of course clothing. They work well
Falmouth High School fine arts and music program nets about $8,000 a year with these events. Norwell about $3,000, Dedham about $12,000. I am pitching them to every town and we'll start up in April.
Martha's Vineyard Community Services has netted $51,000 in the last three years. Not a bad piece of change for a much needed community center that helps 22,000 people a year.
The Franklin girls ice hockey team netted about $760. Less than I expected, but the first of these events in any given town is dicey, especially in mid November. We're going to do another in April and I am certain I can get them $2,000+. That isn't bad for the hockey team, it helps keep them on the ice.
We have only a couple left, usually I stop the first weekend in November. Charlestown is on 12/4 and a tri town event, sponsored by Congressman Ed Markey's office, is on the slate for 12/11. After that, we hibernate until April; BBBS does house to house pick ups of electronics in the winter months.Big Brothers Big Sisters website is http://www.bbbsfoundation.org/web/pageDetail.aspx?pgID=home
Franklin is also number 1 as a contributer to Big Brothers Big Sisters
http://www.bbbsfoundation.org/web/pagedetail.aspx?pgID=WEB-Franklin
If you missed this one, still have electronics to recycle, then mark your calendar for another event in April, 2011.
Thanks to Nathan and Steve for sharing this information!
Franklin, MA
Mount Saint Mary's Abbey - fund raising
Mount Saint Mary's Abbey sent a fund raising letter that I think is worthwhile sharing here:
Mount St Mary's Abbey 11/15/10
A brief video of the wind turbine in action was shared here earlier this year
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/abbey-wind-turbine.html
Franklin, MA
Mount St Mary's Abbey 11/15/10
A brief video of the wind turbine in action was shared here earlier this year
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/abbey-wind-turbine.html
Franklin, MA
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Franklin, MA: MCAS 2010 - presentation document
Take a few minutes this morning to preview the presentation on the MCAS results for the Franklin School District. This presentation is scheduled for discussion at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010.
I am looking forward to the discussion, I like the layout of the data. It covers the major points on how we are doing and provides comparisons to the DESE districts most like us as well as to the Hockomock League schools.
What questions about this data would you ask on Tuesday night?
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
Franklin, MA
I am looking forward to the discussion, I like the layout of the data. It covers the major points on how we are doing and provides comparisons to the DESE districts most like us as well as to the Hockomock League schools.
2010 MCAS Results for Franklin, MA
View more presentations from Franklin Matters.
What questions about this data would you ask on Tuesday night?
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 11/16/10
Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.
Mission Statement
The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.
"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the November 9, 2010 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none
2. Guests/Presentations
a. RMS – Paul Peri, Mary Kass, Joe O’Halloran
b. MCAS Presentation – District Leadership Team
3. Discussion Only Items
Budget to Actual
Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan
Community Outreach
Policy – First Reading
- GBEBA/JIA Staff Research Policy
- Sample MASC Policy for Facebook and Social Networking
4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $250.00 from College Board for FHS Scholarships and AP Testing.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from BJ’s Community Relations Program for Remington Middle School.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $733.40 from Remington PCC for Remington Middle School.
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports
6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations
8. Adjourn
In the New - vision for the high school
As a follow up article to the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Nov 9th, the Milford Daily News shares this:
The notes from the School Committee meting including the link to the documents associated with the visioning exercise can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/live-reporting-superintendent-report.html
Franklin, MA
Community members called to help sketch vision of Franklin High
from The Milford Daily News News RSSThe notes from the School Committee meting including the link to the documents associated with the visioning exercise can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/live-reporting-superintendent-report.html
Franklin, MA
YMCA - "The camp filled a gap"
"She came home every day so happy," Reeve said last week as Abigail happily pointed to pictures of herself at camp. "She couldn't wait to tell me who she saw or what she did."
The camp was held in August as part of the Hockomock Area YMCA's integration initiative, which helps disabled children participate in YMCA programs with their able-bodied peers. The initiative's major fundraiser, the Legends Ball, will be held Tuesday in Foxborough. The dinner will feature many current and former New England Patriotsplayers and other Boston athletes.
from The Milford Daily News News RSS
Franklin, MA
Franklin Fire Dept
In days of tight money, the Milford Daily News has an article today that reviews the purchase process for fire trucks as they are so expensive. Maintenance become important to keep the equipment in top shape and to extend the useful life.
Having participated in a number of discussions with Chief Gary McCarraher as he has presented to the Town Council, Finance Committee, or Financial Planning Committee, I can say that Franklin does very well in this area.
You can read the full article here:
I would recommend visiting the Fire Dept page on the Franklin website.
You can view the equipment housed at Station One (downtown)
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/hqeqpt
You can view the equipment housed at Station Two (King St)
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/st2equpt
Take a few minutes to explore the Fire Dept page. You can find a whole bunch of useful information there!
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/index
BTW - the Globe decided to write about the effects that budget cuts are having to Fire Departments. You can read their story online here or in the print of the Sunday Globe Magazine.
Franklin, MA
Having participated in a number of discussions with Chief Gary McCarraher as he has presented to the Town Council, Finance Committee, or Financial Planning Committee, I can say that Franklin does very well in this area.
You can read the full article here:
How old are your town's firetrucks?
from The Milford Daily News News RSSI would recommend visiting the Fire Dept page on the Franklin website.
You can view the equipment housed at Station One (downtown)
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/hqeqpt
You can view the equipment housed at Station Two (King St)
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/st2equpt
Take a few minutes to explore the Fire Dept page. You can find a whole bunch of useful information there!
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/index
BTW - the Globe decided to write about the effects that budget cuts are having to Fire Departments. You can read their story online here or in the print of the Sunday Globe Magazine.
Franklin, MA
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Bullying Plan - Presentation
The YouTube video/slideshow of the Anti-Bullying Task Force presentation can be viewed:
Updated 11/14/10
The Boston Globe West on Sunday posted an article on this
Franklin, MA
Updated 11/14/10
The Boston Globe West on Sunday posted an article on this
Antibullying policy ready for airing
Franklin, MA
Recycle to help the Panthers
ATTENTION: FRANKLIN PANTHERS FANS!
Support the Girls Ice Hockey team
at this
SPECIAL EVENT
CLEAN UP - CLEAN OUT
Electronic & Appliance Recycling Drive
Proceeds from electronics will benefit the Panthers.
Saturday, November 13
9am to 2pm
at
St. Mary's Charter School Parking lot
201 Main Street
Franklin
Big Brother Big Sister will participate by collecting used clothing. Please look for
the Big Blue Truck. Receipts available from our drivers.
Price List for Electronics/Appliances is as follows:
Large Home Appliances...............$10.00
Small Appliances............................$5.00
Televisions less than 48".............$20.00
Air Conditioners/Dehumidifiers....$10.00
Stereos/Speakers...........................$5.00
Computers, Monitors, Printers.......$5.00
Office Equipment.....................$5-10.00
Notebooks.....................................$5.00
DVD/VCR.......................................$3.00
All Fees are Tax Deductible.
Receipts given - cash only
For more information, call Franklin School at 508.520.7590
or call Big Brother Big Sister Foundation 1.800.483.5503
or contact us at: www.bbbsfoundation.org donate@bbbsfoundation.org
Thank you. We appreciate your support and participation.
Franklin, MA
Friday, November 12, 2010
Bullying Plan - Comments wanted!
You may recall that the School Committee formed an Anti-Bullying Task Force. This group has come together and developed a plan to address bullying in the Franklin School District. The plan is scheduled for discussion at the Nov 16th School Committee meeting.
The plan can be viewed below or on the School Committee page or on the Task Force page
Franklin Public Schools Bullying Plan
Don't be bashful, let your voice be heard.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
Franklin, MA
In addition to the public discussion, the committee is soliciting written comments by e-mail or letter. For e-mails, please send your comments to: millerd@franklin.k12.ma.us. For letters, please send your comments to: Franklin School Committee, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038.
The public comment period will be open through Thursday, December 9, 2010. The plan will be finalized and voted on at the December 14, 2010 school committee meeting.
The plan can be viewed below or on the School Committee page or on the Task Force page
Franklin Public Schools Bullying Plan
Don't be bashful, let your voice be heard.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
Franklin, MA
Yes, class size matters.
No surprise here:
Class size can increase with growth which Franklin has seen and Brookline is now seeing, or class size can increase due to cuts in teacher staff which Franklin has seen and is likely to continue to see until something changes.
Franklin, MA
But if the board hoped to hear that they could let class sizes creep higher without harming student development or achievement, Rivkin, who also sits on the Amherst School Committee, disappointed.
Extracting from two studies that met his criteria for reliability, the Tennessee STAR project and a 2005 study he did with colleagues on Texas schools, Rivkin told the panel that class size matters.
Moreover, he said, studies using STAR (for Student Teacher Achievement Ratio) data have found students in smaller classes were more likely to attend college, attend a good college, and earn more than peers in larger classes.You can read the full article in the Boston Globe West section of the print version or online
Class size can increase with growth which Franklin has seen and Brookline is now seeing, or class size can increase due to cuts in teacher staff which Franklin has seen and is likely to continue to see until something changes.
Franklin, MA
In the News - Franklin Food Pantry, Class of 1961, Civil War, Comedy Night tonight
'God of This City' Tour Stops at St Mary’s
The 2010 God of This City Tour stops at St. Mary’s on Thursday, December 2nd from 7:00-9:00 pm
Each night during the first week of Advent, the God of This City Tour will visit one parish in each of the five regions of the Archdiocese of Boston. It is a great honor for St. Mary’s to be chosen as the host parish of our region for one of the five awe-inspiring evenings. Cardinal Sean O’Malley will host the final night of the tour at the mother church of the Archdiocese, the Cathedral of The Holy Cross, in Boston.
The tour is organized by LIFT Ministries, whose ‘Worship for a New Generation’ format presents a fresh means for teens, young adults and people of all ages to reverently assert their Catholic faith. The tour nights will be similar to LIFT nights, providing a unique blend of contemporary music, opportunity for confession, a dynamic speaker and the occasion to bow down in Adoration before His holy presence. It is a night of both enthusiastic praise and quiet contemplation.
LIFT’s vision for the tour is to rally parishes throughout the regions to unite in prayerful support of our youth; and in the process renew their own faith and see, as it travels throughout the five regions of the Archdiocese, that the Church is alive in her young people.
Every person of every age, but especially teens and young adults, and your friends and family …come see the majesty of God up close and personal. The experience is life altering for many, faith affirming for all, and an extraordinary way to begin your Advent. As a time of preparation, Advent allows us to refocus on and make room in our lives for Christ. Eucharistic Adoration grants us time with Jesus to share our joys, troubles, gratitude, disappointments, needs, everything with Him, and listen to Him speak to our hearts. As Advent begins this year, open your heart and your over filled calendar to this amazing opportunity to spend time in conversation with the One. Prepare to receive the ultimate gift.
There is no fee to attend the God of This City Tour. For more information, including images of last year’s tour, visit http://www.godofthiscitytour.com/ or contact St Mary site coordinators, Jackie LaNeve or Jennifer Moccia, at therockyouthministry@verizon.net.
Franklin, MA
Each night during the first week of Advent, the God of This City Tour will visit one parish in each of the five regions of the Archdiocese of Boston. It is a great honor for St. Mary’s to be chosen as the host parish of our region for one of the five awe-inspiring evenings. Cardinal Sean O’Malley will host the final night of the tour at the mother church of the Archdiocese, the Cathedral of The Holy Cross, in Boston.
The tour is organized by LIFT Ministries, whose ‘Worship for a New Generation’ format presents a fresh means for teens, young adults and people of all ages to reverently assert their Catholic faith. The tour nights will be similar to LIFT nights, providing a unique blend of contemporary music, opportunity for confession, a dynamic speaker and the occasion to bow down in Adoration before His holy presence. It is a night of both enthusiastic praise and quiet contemplation.
LIFT’s vision for the tour is to rally parishes throughout the regions to unite in prayerful support of our youth; and in the process renew their own faith and see, as it travels throughout the five regions of the Archdiocese, that the Church is alive in her young people.
Every person of every age, but especially teens and young adults, and your friends and family …come see the majesty of God up close and personal. The experience is life altering for many, faith affirming for all, and an extraordinary way to begin your Advent. As a time of preparation, Advent allows us to refocus on and make room in our lives for Christ. Eucharistic Adoration grants us time with Jesus to share our joys, troubles, gratitude, disappointments, needs, everything with Him, and listen to Him speak to our hearts. As Advent begins this year, open your heart and your over filled calendar to this amazing opportunity to spend time in conversation with the One. Prepare to receive the ultimate gift.
There is no fee to attend the God of This City Tour. For more information, including images of last year’s tour, visit http://www.godofthiscitytour.com/ or contact St Mary site coordinators, Jackie LaNeve or Jennifer Moccia, at therockyouthministry@verizon.net.
Franklin, MA
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Property tax alternative
“We’ll be talking to different entities to gain support for this concept," he said. “We haven’t identified a champion yet. There’s a lot of new ground being plowed here."
The idea, Sinnot said, is to take some of the tax burden off property owners, particularly older residents who purchased their homes when values and taxes were lower, and shift it onto residents making more money. The average value of a single-family home in Concord is $835,697, with a tax bill of $10,128.
Sinnot said Pennsylvania and Maryland are among the states that allow local income taxes.
“We’re serious about dealing with particularly high property taxes and those earning a lot would have to pay a little more," he said. “House-rich people would benefit, older folks would benefit, and high earners would pick up the slack a little bit."Read the full article in the Boston Globe West print edition or online
Franklin, MA
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