As announced during the Jan 4 Town Council meeting, there will be a budget workshop for Town Council, School Committee, Finance Committee and open to the Franklin public to participate.
The workshop will be held on Wednesday, Jan 11 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers and is also reported to be broadcast. Participation in the room can guarantee your input, questions and answers are addressed.
Watch as Councilor Tina Powderly mentions this workshop at the end of the Jan 4th meeting at about 39:00 minute mark
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=rXB9VmkYdGYwNuGB9%2fgS1g%3d%3d
Note: about the 27 minute mark, Councilor Tom Mercer (and School Building Committee Chair) provides an update on the increased (and final) reimbursement amount for the project at 59.52%.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
High School Building Project - new design photos
A few additional design photos showing the proposed 'model school' for Franklin High School are now available:
These were originally posted to the Franklin School Building Committee webpage
Additional information on the high school building project is all collected here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the photos or visit Franklin Matters on Facebook
These were originally posted to the Franklin School Building Committee webpage
Additional information on the high school building project is all collected here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the photos or visit Franklin Matters on Facebook
"endorsed the final site plan"
The Milford Daily News reports on the Planning Board meeting Monday night:
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1178907480/Franklin-board-backs-apartment-plans#ixzz1j3C8rGFB
D’Errico’s final site plan calls for an eight-apartment building next to his existing 10-unit building, with a parking lot between them, and access from Winter Street.
Neighbors came to nearly every meeting over the last several months, but publicly spoke at only a few of them. Their initial complaints were about whether the buildings fit with the neighborhood. Recently, neighbors have worried that under the new plan, trees will be removed and reveal a large, red, factory-like building on adjoining property. That building has been there for years. D’Errico does not own that building.
Planning Board members agreed with residents, rejecting the proposed apartment building in 2007 and again in March 2011, before D’Errico re-introduced it in June 2011.
The final site plan endorsed last night has a lower roof, slightly fewer paved parking area, and features about 75 trees and shrubs.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1178907480/Franklin-board-backs-apartment-plans#ixzz1j3C8rGFB
Franklin Public Library: eReaders and eBooks
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Franklin Public Library using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Monday, January 9, 2012
Wadsworth Diary - Jan 9, 1892
Pleasant & warmer. Aaron Canney helped me load a load of 935 lbs. hay. I carried to M.M. Daniels, then I put up a bbl. apples & carried to Mr. Finley 7 1/2 bus turnips to F. E. Hancock & got 25 lbs. candy & 10 bags grain.
In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale.
From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html
"2.3 degrees warmer than normal"
The Milford Daily News has an article about how the warmer weather and lack of snow cover is allowing the local communities to do some work that otherwise would wait.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1266412661/Warm-weather-helps-area-towns-get-work-done#ixzz1ixN01Uph
In Franklin, children can enjoy a renovated baseball field at Davis Thayer Elementary School thanks to the warm weather. Crews recently replaced a clay infield with one made of stone dust that requires less maintenance, Department of Public Works Director Robert Cantoreggi said.
“Because of the storms or lack of funding, it never got to the top of the list,” Cantoreggi said. “Now, we had some time.”
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1266412661/Warm-weather-helps-area-towns-get-work-done#ixzz1ixN01Uph
Reminder: Christmas tree pick up this week!
Natural Christmas trees will be picked up curbside the week of January 9th on your normal trash and recycling pick up day. Make sure they are within 3 feet of the curb and out the day before. Artificial trees and/or trees with decorations, tinsel, lights or other ornaments will not be picked up.
This was posted to the official Franklin page here
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda, Jan 10, 2012
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 December 13, 2011 School Committee Meeting.
• Payment of Bills - Mrs. McIntyre
• Payroll - Mrs. Douglas
• FHS Student Representatives
• Correspondence: 1. Budget to Actual
2. Guests/Presentations
a. Franklin Rotary Club President, Archie Acevedo (dictionary donations)
b. Annie Sullivan Middle School Anti-Bullying Award
c. Fall Sports Teams
d. FHS Update
e. Capital Plan FY 2012
3. Discussion Only Items
• Concussion/Head Injury Task Force Update
4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from David Kerman for in-house enrichment at Remington Middle School.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from David Gennaro, Jr. for in-house enrichment at Remington Middle School.
c. I recommend approval of the FHS Music Dept. trip to UNH, Clark Terry Jazz Music Festival on March 10, 2012 as detailed.
d. I recommend approval of the recurring FHS Music Dept. trip to NY City on April 28 & 29, 2012 as detailed.
e. I recommend approval of the FHS Wrestling team trip to Middlebury, VT on 12/27 & 28/11 for a competition as detailed.
f. I recommend approval of the FHS Wrestling team trip to Bennington, VT on 1/14/12 for a competition as detailed.
g. I recommend approval of the FHS Wrestling team trip to Easton, PA on 1/20-22/12 for a competition as detailed.
h. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,500.00 from EMC for the FHS Robotics Club.
i. I recommend acceptance of the donation of an executive desk from Maria Murphy for the Franklin Public Schools.
j. I recommend acceptance of the donation of dictionaries for all Franklin 3rd graders from the Franklin Rotary Club.
k. I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,085.00 from Vicario Studio for in-house enrichment at Franklin High School.
l. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Lueder’s Environmental, Inc. for the Franklin Public Schools.
m. I recommend acceptance of a check for $250.00 from Maura Schaeffer for the Jacqueline A. Schaeffer Theatre Arts Memorial Scholarship at FHS.
n. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from Harvard Pilgrim Heqalth Care for supplemental curriculum materials at Remington Middle School.
o. I recommend approval of the FY2012 Capital Plan as outlined.
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
Wadsworth Diary - Jan 8, 1892
Pleasant & cool. Chored about home. Elmer went up to Mr. Hunt’s & worked about home & c & c. I killed a rooster this eve.
In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale.
From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html
When you give to charities, who really gets your money?
When the Franklin Food Pantry did its first phone-a-thon during 2011, it was an all volunteer effort that resulted in a 100% yield to the Food Pantry. Dean College provided access to their phone bank and over 40 volunteers made calls to about 2400 Franklin households. The full story can be found here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/06/franklin-food-pantry-says-thanks-to-you.html
The phone rings during dinner. It's a professional solicitor, calling to raise money for the local police union. The smooth talker convinces you to donate $100. You write out a check. Here's what you might not realize: Only $37 goes to the union, which uses the money to support youth sports teams and the local food pantry. The fundraising company gets the rest — all $63 of it.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/06/franklin-food-pantry-says-thanks-to-you.html
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Danielle Ameden/Daily News staff on 1/7/12
The phone rings during dinner. It's a professional solicitor, calling to raise money for the local police union. The smooth talker convinces you to donate $100. You write out a check. Here's what you might not realize: Only $37 goes to the union, which uses the money to support youth sports teams and the local food pantry. The fundraising company gets the rest — all $63 of it.
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
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Wadsworth Diary - Jan 7, 1892
Very pleasant & cool. Ground covered with snow. Elmer is at home to day & filed saws & worked a lot we partly put in the new cellar door & c. I am a little better. Wrote to Alvah this eve.
In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale.
From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html
"it’s spurring some interest"
The site consists of three lots: Wendy’s, which occupies a building allowed to have a drive-through; one parcel on which Daddario will seek a sit-down restaurant; and a third parcel on which he will seek a tenant hoping to use an office building.
“(There) was a lot of controversy with it,” Daddario said. “There was some initial disappointment with having to lose Taco Bell.”
“Now we’re excited to get some more serious interest in the other two parcels and get it full, so we’re going to keep moving forward.”
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1266412437/Builder-making-progress-on-Knights-site-in-Franklin#ixzz1ili91oXe
Friday, January 6, 2012
Wadsworth Diary - Jan 6, 1892
Cloudy, & began to snow before 10AM. Very driving snowstorm turned to rain before night. Done my chores, & see to the trains for Willie, & went & got a passenger at Bea Whitney’s place ( the nurse there). Elmer came home to night in the cars at 4:35.
In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale.
From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html
“I think they understand it and respect it"
To those who have played for Spillane, it is no surprise that Franklin has been a perennial contender in Division 2, advancing to the state final at TD Garden last March before dropping a tough-to-swallow 2-1 loss to Tewksbury.
His rules are simple but highly respected. Younger kids are intimidated but the older ones make sure everyone sticks together.
It’s a rare day that Hall or fellow senior captain Nick Bertoni doesn’t see Spillane, dressed in his police uniform, in the high school hallway.
“During the day, you’re going to be a good kid with coach always around,’’ Hall said. “He definitely gets that respect.’’Read the full article in the Boston Globe online here
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Vera Meyer returns to the Historical Museum
The Franklin Historic Commission will celebrate Benjamin Franklin’s Birthday by welcoming back Vera Meyer and her Glass Harmonica to the Franklin Historical Museum on Sunday January22nd.29th
updated 1/18/2012 - with the realization that the Patriots playoff game would be a conflict with this event, it was postponed one week to Sunday, Jan 29th.
The public is invited to the Museum to enjoy the sounds of this unique instrument invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761. It is based on the idea of simply rubbing a wet finger around the rim of a glass. Vera Meyer plays a variety of compositions on this beautiful glass instrument, some specifically written for it, including works by Mozart and Beethoven.
Ethereal, haunting, mystical and ghostly are just some of the words used to describe the sounds of this rare instrument. Come and hear it for yourself Sunday January 22 during regular museum hours 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Light refreshments will be served in celebration of our town’s namesake’s 306th birthday. The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, Franklin.
Related posts:
Jan 24, 2011
The Franklin Historical Museum celebrated Benjamin Franklin's birthday with a musical performance by Vera Meyer on the glass harmonica (invented by Ben in 1761. I'll have a more complete write up on the afternoon during ...
Jan 30, 2011
Those who came by were able to learn from Vera Meyer about the glass harmonica that Ben invented while listening to her play. I hope she is able to come back to the museum in the future. The instrument is special and her ...
For this one, you can skip ahead to about 9:00 minutes to hear Vera play the glass harmonica
Wadsworth Diary - Jan 5, 1892
Very pleasant & cool, AM. A little better. Done the chores & c. Went up to Herman’s, & see Geo. He is about sick.
In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale.
From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html
"a significant state reimbursement"
“It’s very exciting,” Mercer said. “Certainly we weren’t expecting the increase. We thought we were set at 57.94 (percent).”
As of yesterday morning, the state has locked in its reimbursement rate at 59.52 percent.
This means that, should voters approve a debt exclusion override tentatively set for March, local taxpayers would pay about $45.5 million for an estimated $104.5 million school.
The School Building Committee began the process of getting a new high school through the state’s model school program after scrapping the idea of renovations last July. Renovations alone would have been too costly with too little reward, committee members said at the time.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x987654169/State-to-pay-more-for-new-Franklin-High#ixzz1iZzBFVcm
Related posts on the proposed new high school can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)