Sunday, October 23, 2011
Deborah Bartlett answers 3 questions
One of the more interesting races in the Franklin election November 8th will be that of Deborah Pellegri and Deborah Bartlett running for Town Clerk. I spent some time with Deb Bartlett to find out how this came about. It turns out that Deb did not ‘just’ decide to run for Town Clerk. Deb has been planning to run for this office since she stepped down from her Town Council position two years ago.
FM - Tell me a bit about yourself, your family and your life here in Franklin?
DB - I moved to Boston from New York to attend to college and stayed in the area. I have volunteered extensively as my kids moved through the Franklin schools. I was part of the Kennedy PCC, then Horace Mann, and eventually Franklin High School I volunteer for the Franklin Education Foundation (FEF). I was on the building committee for both the West Central Fire Station and the Horace Mann Complex renovations. In addition, I served three terms (six years) on the Town Council and am currently on the Long Range Financial Planning Committee. (FM - This committee, you may recall, was revamped two years ago and is now comprised of all citizen representatives.)
While I was part of the Town Council, the charter changes came through for discussion and to be voted on. At that time, there was discussion that Deb Pellegri would be stepping down some time soon. I was aware of bylaw that you can’t work for the town within a year of holding an elected office. So during these past two years, I have taken several steps to prepare myself for Town Clerk. I recently completed getting certified as a notary public. I scheduled time and met with two other town clerks to review their operations. I have also met with many of the department heads to get their insights on their interaction with the Clerk’s office.
FM - What experience or background will help you to serve in this role? or What do you think makes you a good candidate to fulfill this role?
DB - Effectively I have been preparing for this role all my life. I believe there are three main areas that have prepared me to serve as Town Clerk.
1 - My professional work as an office manager in a physicians office and in information technology
2 - My various volunteer positions where I had frequent contact with the Town Clerk’s office
3 - My customer service skills
My ability to build relationships and my desire to help people will serve me well in this position.
FM - What do you see as your role’s biggest challenge and do you have any suggestions on how we can resolve it?
DB - There will be a learning curve, no doubt about it. The office staff is phenomenal so I will learn from them and there shouldn’t be any negative difference in service. I’ll spend some time observing the operations before making any changes. I think we can do better on the communications front. Two quick examples; one, the verbiage in the annual report hasn’t changed much in years and two, the announcement that candidate papers were available for the November election came out after the period had started. I want to explore what technology improvements we can make.
I am not running against Deb Pellegri (she has a wealth of experience) as much as I am running for the Town Clerk role. At some point in time, Deb will be stepping aside. I want to provide a choice to the Franklin voters. I want to bring a different view to the Town Clerk’s office. We’ll see what the voters want.
For additional info on Deborah Bartlett you can visit her campaign website
https://sites.google.com/site/debbartlettfranklinma/
**** Note: you can find all the information for the Nov 8th Election collected here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/08/election-2011-summary.html
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Oct 25
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 October 11, 2011 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Letter from FEA
2. Guests/Presentations
a. School Improvement Plans
- Parmenter Elementary
- Jefferson Elementary
- JF Kennedy Elementary
3. Discussion Only Items
School Committee Calendar Change
Superintendent’s Goals
4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the field trip for JFKennedy 3rd and 5th graders to the Veterans Auditorium in Providence, RI on April 12, 2012 as detailed.
b. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip for the FHS Drama Club to travel to NY City to see “Rent” on November 19, 2011 as detailed.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $443.53 from Target for in-house enrichment for the Franklin High School.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $5000.00 from the Jefferson PCC for field trips.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1750.00 from the Oak Street PCC for in-house enrichment at Oak Street Elementary School.
f. I recommend acceptance of the donation of $530.50 from the Oak Street PCC for a field trip.
g. I recommend approval of the FHS Field trip to France & Spain in June 2012 as detailed.
h. I recommend changing the School Committee meeting Calendar to reflect a regularly scheduled meeting on November 15th and November 29th as training / workshop with FEA as discussed.
i. I recommend approval of the Superintendent’s goals as discussed.
j. I recommend acceptance of a check for $242.28 from Wells Fargo/Douglas Lee for in-house enrichment.
k. I recommend acceptance of a check for $700.00 from the Kennedy PCC for a 3rd grade field trip.
l. I recommend acceptance of a check for $125.00 from the Kennedy PCC for Nurse fees for a 3rd grade field trip.
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
Candidate night, Oct 24 - 7:00 PM
Yes, there will be a candidates night Monday, Oct 24, 2011. The event will be held and broadcast from the Council Chambers on the 2nd Floor of the Municipal Bldg, 355 East central St, Franklin, MA.
Only candidates for contested elections will be featured. This means that the Town Council, School Committee, Board of Health, Town Clerk, Treasurer will be participating. Did I miss someone? Please let me know.
FranklinCandidatesNight_111024
Only candidates for contested elections will be featured. This means that the Town Council, School Committee, Board of Health, Town Clerk, Treasurer will be participating. Did I miss someone? Please let me know.
FranklinCandidatesNight_111024
High School project: FAQ
Published by the School Building Committee, this set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) provides a good deal of info.
FranklinSchBuildingComm FAQ 111020
The committee has scheduled an information night, Thursday Nov 17, beginning at 7:00 PM at the Mercer Auditorium, Horace Mann Middle School. A presentation and discussion on the high school building project will get into the details around these FAQs.
FranklinSchBuildingComm FAQ 111020
The committee has scheduled an information night, Thursday Nov 17, beginning at 7:00 PM at the Mercer Auditorium, Horace Mann Middle School. A presentation and discussion on the high school building project will get into the details around these FAQs.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Recycle electronics and bikes today
Where:
In the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School parking lot, or as many would refer to to it, the former St Mary's School parking lot. Off Pleasant St, near the corner of Man St in Franklin.
Price listing
Bicycles too!
And the map!
View Larger Map
In the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School parking lot, or as many would refer to to it, the former St Mary's School parking lot. Off Pleasant St, near the corner of Man St in Franklin.
Price listing
Bicycles too!
And the map!
View Larger Map
In the News - Powderly, flu clinics, fair, library, 5K run/walk
Meet the Franklin Candidate: Tina Powderly, Town Council
New state money means clinics can once again give all adults flu vaccine
Note: a search on 02038 in the http://flu.masspro.org/clinic/ website suggested by the article returned:No Clinics found for Franklin (02038). Please refine your search Criteria.
But the results are based upon the database and schedule as of today. Check back in the future, there may be updates
Franklin MOMS plan preschool fair
News from the Franklin Library
Ladybug 5K Run/Walk planned
Boston Foundation report examines new framework for collaboration on school ...
When you and I can put aside the School Committee's current tiff with the Town Council, there is good news and a real development on the interest based bargaining front. That is real news. Interest based bargaining can bring a possible solution to some of the long term and systemic budget issues Franklin faces.
At a time when fiscal crises in states and municipalities throughout the country have put collective bargaining agreements with public sector unions under the spotlight and under fire, , a new Boston Foundation report lays out an alternative framework for contract talks that could provide a "win-win-win" for labor, management and taxpayers. This report is [...]
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Franklin (MA) School Committee Blog by Jeffrey Roy on 10/21/11
At a time when fiscal crises in states and municipalities throughout the country have put collective bargaining agreements with public sector unions under the spotlight and under fire, , a new Boston Foundation report lays out an alternative framework for contract talks that could provide a "win-win-win" for labor, management and taxpayers. This report is [...]
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Sewage Backup Floods Girls Locker Room
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Pantherbook on 10/21/11
The girls' locker room suffered a severe septic failure Monday afternoon that resulted in raw sewage being excreted onto the ground. A total of 8 to 10 students who had left belongings on the floor or on the bottom shelf of lockers underwent terminal damage of property which had to be thrown out during the clean [...]
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Partridge St - closure notice
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Thriller Dance
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Lifelong Learning by Pandora Carlucci on 10/21/11
Thursday, October 27, is the night of the second annual Thriller Dance Workshop. Held at Franklin High School and taught by Denise Weaver, this iconic dance is certain to be fun. Register online at www.franklin.k12.ma.us select lifelong select adult education and finally select Dance. Come and be part of the fun!!
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Friday, October 21, 2011
A "free cash" battle?
Ed Cafasso wrote a letter to the editor that was titled "Free cash is Franklin's best-kept secret" and opened with:
Read the full letter here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1876835722/Cafasso-Free-cash-is-Franklins-best-kept-secret#ixzz1bPMiRqyp
The Town Council has responded with their letter titled "'Bewildered' by free cash concern in Franklin"
Each of the past two years as part of the tax rate hearing, I have published my analysis of "free cash". You can view the slides and hear the audio from Dec 2010 here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/12/fm-79-slidecast-tax-hearing-info-for-fy.html
and from Dec 2009 here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2009/11/fm-50-slidecast.html
I add my two cents on this matter over here:
http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2011/10/words-carry-price.html
It's time for Franklin to become more transparent with its taxpayers about the annual financial windfall inappropriately known as "free cash."
Free cash is the extra money left over after the city balances its budget every June 30. It's revenue that Franklin collected from taxpayers but didn't spend. The free cash amount for the fiscal year that just ended is rumored to be nearly $3 million, although whether the official figure will be disclosed and discussed before the Nov. 8 municipal election remains to be seen.
Read the full letter here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1876835722/Cafasso-Free-cash-is-Franklins-best-kept-secret#ixzz1bPMiRqyp
The Town Council has responded with their letter titled "'Bewildered' by free cash concern in Franklin"
We are somewhat bewildered by Ed Cafasso's recent Letter to the Editor (Oct. 14) titled "Free cash: Franklin's best-kept secret." Let's start with the title of his letter and the use of the word "secret." Franklin's free cash policy is anything but secret. Anyone can go to franklin.ma.us, enter "free cash" in the search string and be delivered a trove of information about Franklin's free cash, including the policy itself, historical amounts, etc. Further, each and every Finance Committee meeting cites the current amount of free cash as part of its publicly posted agenda.Read the rest of the Council's letter here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x804699069/Bewildered-by-free-cash-concern-in-Franklin#ixzz1bPNclpbo
Each of the past two years as part of the tax rate hearing, I have published my analysis of "free cash". You can view the slides and hear the audio from Dec 2010 here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/12/fm-79-slidecast-tax-hearing-info-for-fy.html
and from Dec 2009 here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2009/11/fm-50-slidecast.html
I add my two cents on this matter over here:
http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2011/10/words-carry-price.html
Jen Bal Fun Runs set
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 10/20/11
Random Smile Project will host the Jen Bal 5K and Mount Street Madness 5 Miler Halloween "Fun Runs" on Sunday Oct. 30, at 10 a.m., at ElemenTree House, 838 Upper Union St.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Wicked Local Franklin News RSS using Google Reader
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Thursday, October 20, 2011
Insight on how Google brings you here
A good number of folks type "Franklin Matters" in Google (and other search engines) and end up coming here.
A screen shot of what I saw with "Franklin Matters" in Google today:
How does Google do this? Google engineer Matt Cutts explains in this brief video.
You can also use Google search to focus within Franklin Matters by using the search box on the top right corner of the this page.
I'll continue to create good content on what matters to me and you about Franklin so you can find what you need here.
PS - My thanks to Geoffrey Zub for giving Franklin Matters a Google+
PPS - Try typing in "school business administrator interview questions" and you also will likely end up on Franklin Matters. That was posted on March 12, 2008 and has been the #1 search term to bring folks here since. Folks from all around the English speaking world arrive here looking for those results. The interview questions were used by the School Committee when they did the interview process that resulted in bringing on Miriam Goodman to the Finance Director position.
In the News - Kelly, fun run, pantry donations, Metacomet, concert, Nutcracker
Meet the Franklin Candidate: Matt Kelly, Town Council
Franklin smile project hosting Fun Runs
Franklin Interfaith Council helping with pantry donations
Metacomet Land Trust slates meeting, presentation on bats
Franklin Houseconcerts show set
Box office open for Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center’s ‘Nutcracker’
Road Closure: Partridge St
An email alert arrived to confirm that the culvert on Partridge St is being repaired as planned.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/live-reporting-action-items.html
Road Closure Alert ..... Partridge St, between Dover and Harborwood, will be closed to through traffic for construction from Monday October 24 through Thursday November 10.
The Town Council had voted approval of the funds to do the work at their meeting on October 5th. Notes from that part of the meeting were reported live and can be found here
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Escape the Cold! Free Community Indoor Walking Program
For the second year, Franklin High School will open its doors to adult walkers in the community who wish to escape the impending cold and slippery sidewalks. Walkers will be able to accumulate mileage despite inclement weather or dark sidewalks.
The Community Walking Partners program is offered through Lifelong Learning and begins on Monday, November 7, 2011 and ends on Wednesday, April, 11, 2012. The program is free.
Walking will be available on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM, except when school is closed for holidays or snow events.
For safety reasons, no bikes, skates, skateboards are allowed in the school.
Interested walkers should enter the Franklin High School through the H-wing door and stop at the Lifelong Learning/Adult Education office, sign in, and receive a lanyard, which will identify the walker to school personnel.
For more information, please contact the Franklin Adult Education office at 508-541-2100 x 3178 or email adulted@franklin.k12.ma.us.
Via the Life Long Learning Program. For additional offerings check out their schedule and register at the Life Long Learning website
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