Living with Alzheimers

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via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 4/23/12

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The power of music

Spend a few minutes to see the power of music! (Video less than 7 minutes)

Actually the promo for a documentary film:

Music imprints itself on the brain deeper than any other human experience. It speaks to us in a different language and arouses every emotion. It connects us all, it is a force that ignites our souls. 

Alive Inside is a documentary film that follows Dan Cohen’s Music & Memory project, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing personalized music into the lives of the elderly and infirm, thereby vastly improving their day-to-day existence.

FinCom: FY 2013 Budget hearings

The budget hearing for FY 2013 have mostly been held now. They were scheduled for four sessions as follows

Apr 3
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_FinanceAgendas/Agenda%202012-4-3.pdf


Budget Hearing
Veterans 543   E-19
Human Resources 152 A-26
Facilities 192   A-47
Library 610   F-1
Town Council 111  A-1  
Town Administrator 121 A-2
Finance Committee 131 A-4
Comptroller 135  A-5
Treasurer/Collector 147 A-16
Legal 151   A-23
Central Services 196  A-53
Animal Control 292  B-53
Benefits 910   G-16
Liability Insurance 945 G-26

The video replay for this meeting is available on the Franklin website
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=634707088382946090&indexSessionSKU=OQs85NOhWcBJ13Ix9wlbOw%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D



Apr 10
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_FinanceAgendas/Agenda%202012-4-10.pdf


Budget Hearing
Council on Aging (COA) 541   E-9
Inspections 240   B-53
Appeals 176   A-42
Police 210   B-1
Recreation 630  F-10  
Fire 220   B-12
Norfolk Aggie School 395 C-3


There is no video replay available as this session was held in the 3rd floor training room and not broadcast via local cable.

Apr 11
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_FinanceAgendas/Agenda%202012-4-11.pdf


Budget Hearing
Health 510   E-1
Assessors 141    A-11
Planning 177   A-43
Town Clerk 161  A-36
Elections 164   A-39  
Information Systems 155 A-33
DPW 422   D-1
Enterprise   H-1

The video from this meeting is available on the Franklin website
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=634707075522074166&indexSessionSKU=sKQphCKirlrcGpOc9OakkQ%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D



Apr 25
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_FinanceAgendas/Agenda%202012-4-25


Budget Hearing
Education – Franklin Public Schools    C-1

"lower the amount of phosphorus discharged"

You may recall the EPA has proposed new standards for treating water before it gets into the Charles River. During 2011, there were public meetings and comment sections where local communities could provide input to the EPA. The new regulations were supposed to be issued during Q1 (which has come and gone) with no indication from the EPA on the new timeline.

The Milford Daily News checked on the impact of the regulations with other communities along the Charles River.

Some have taken a wait-and-see attitude, while others, such as Franklin, have been proactive by building rain gardens, reducing the size of streets and only having a sidewalk on one side of a road, she said. Improving existing infrastructure to meet the requirement is costly, and the challenge is to figure out how to do that affordably, Bowditch said. 

“Public infrastructure was built back at a time when we didn’t think much of rainwater as a resource. We just thought of it as a nuisance,” she said. “We didn’t realize as a society how many problems we were creating just simply dumping everything in the river.” 

Complying with both proposals could cost up to $111 million in Milford, $75 million in Franklin and $35 million in Bellingham, an EPA-funded study found.

One of Franklin's objections to the regulations was that the study done (referenced here) used numnbers that understated the cost of compliance. Franklin's calculations showed more in the $100 million range. Another study was just completed that confirmed Franklin's numbers.

You can get an update on this from the DPW section of the FY 2013 budget hearings held by the FinCom. This segment is available on the Franklin website in the video on demand section.

DPW section of the budget occurs towards the end of the recording.
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=634707562664708360&indexSessionSKU=sKQphCKirlrcGpOc9OakkQ%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x643676252/EPA-proposal-felt-outside-Milford-Franklin-and-Bellingham#ixzz1sr1hN9Lu

Related Posts

On the Charles River plant enhancements to treat phosphorus
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/08/there-isnt-going-to-be-option-not-to-do.html

On the EPA regulations
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/its-huge-issue-for-municipalities.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/06/costs-of-charles-river-cleanup.html

"families out gardening together"

Amy Acevedo of Franklin was happy to have her hands in the dirt at the Franklin Community Garden in Memorial Park yesterday, leading a volunteer group of gardening enthusiasts in a day of weeding, mulching and planting. 

“This is primarily a vegetable garden, but the vegetables need pollinators, so we are going to be planting some sunflowers to encourage some honey bees — plus it looks nice,” Acevedo said. 

It was Acevedo’s dream to start the organic garden, so maintaining it on Earth Day weekend made sense.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x643676114/Earth-Day-inspires-a-weekend-of-lending-nature-a-hand#ixzz1slecoNDC




Chris Clay shares a good reason for gardening via video by the MDN reporter.

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 4/24/12

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 April 10, 2012 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mrs. McIntyre
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Art / FAA Update – Jane Hogan (presentation doc can be viewed here)
b. FY2013 Budget Open Hearing (budget summary document can be found here)

3. Discussion Only Items
Collaborative Agreement

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $728.48 from the Hockomock Y (Stop & Shop mini grant) for supplies for Parmenter Elementary School.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1778.00 from the Parmenter PCC for Field Trips.
c. I recommend approval of the Budget Transfers as detailed.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $780.00 from Horace Mann PCC for field trips.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1165.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for In-House Enrichment.
f. I recommend approval of the field trip request of Nancy Schoen for middle school music students to Canobie Lake Park on June 8th as detailed.
g. I recommend approval of amendment number 1 to the Agreement with Bi-County Collaborative titled Inactive Membership as detailed.
h. I recommend approval of amendment number 2 that outlines the annual meeting schedule for the Board of Directors of the Bi-County Collaborative as outlined in the memo.

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. Adjourn


The School Budget up for discussion can be found here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/franklin-ma-fy-2013-budget-documents.html

Franklin Public Schools: Art program

An overview of the Franklin, MA Public Schools Art program as scheduled for the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Apr 24, 2012.

FPS Art SchComm April2012

Curious: There is no mention of Gallery 218. Is it still alive or did it get closed?

You can also view the file via Google docs here
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczR3ZUVHQwcmtvRmc

Related posts on Gallery 218:

The Alumni show
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2009/02/gallery-218-alumni-show.html

Summer Art program
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/10/gallery-218-works-of-summer.html

Non-art teachers show their works
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2009/09/gallery-218-new-art-show-reveals.html

Earth Day at the Community Garden Saturday instead of Sunday!

Hello to our Gardeners, Supporters, and Friends!

This weekend is Earth Day and the Town of Franklin is encouraging everyone to pitch in around town on Sunday 4/22 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

We hope that you will help us out at the Community Garden location at King Street Memorial Park!

The forecast is for Rain on Sunday, 70% probability in the morning.  Good for the planet, Bad for our workday.

So, we are moving our particular community garden Earth Day event up a day---It will be held on Saturday instead from 9-12 a.m. 

We have a big pile of fresh wood chips to spread, weeds to pull (yes, already!), rocks to pile, compost to turn, pollinator garden beds to dig (flowers!), and more.

Please come lend a hand!  Community Service Certificates will be available for those who need them.

While we have a few gloves, shovels and rakes here at the garden, there might not be enough to go around.  

Please bring your own labeled tools and heavy duty gloves if you can.

If you have extra garden tools or equipment that you would like to donate to the Garden, we'd LOVE to have them!

Thanks to our great new shed---built for us by the awesome Tri-County RVTHS students & paid for with a Franklin Rotary grant!---we now have a place to safely store them.

The water at the garden is not on yet, that will happen some time in mid-May. We will have ice water there to drink for our volunteers this Saturday morning.

How about packing a picnic? 

Thanks for your continued support & we hope to see you at the Garden on Saturday!

Need a map to find us?  The Google map link is below:

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&cid=4653072776726811227

Thank you for helping out!

The Franklin Community Garden Green Team

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." -Native American Proverb

www.franklincommunitygardens.org

Visit us on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Community-Gardens/152040424825578

Follow us on Twitter!

http://twitter.com/#!/FRKLNCommGarden

In the News - bath salts, water ban

Franklin man charged with using bath salts

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Franklin institutes water ban early this year

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

New Health Care Report and Updated Budget Browser

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Health Care Report & Updated Budget Browser  As part of our ongoing analysis of last week's House Ways and Means Budget proposal, MassBudget has produced a new health care report and updated our online budget browser.* Health Care in the House Ways and Means Budget Proposal describes the initiatives affecting MassHealth (Medicaid) and related health care programs.   Information from the House Ways & Means Committee's Budget has been added to our budget browser, allowing you to compare its proposal with state budgets going back to FY 2001. You can also track spending over that time period for any line-item or any group of line-items. READ THE HEALTH CARE REPORT EXPLORE THE BUDGET BROWSER * The report is the second in a series of budget briefs published by the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute (MMPI) and produced by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center in partnership with the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute. MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies--with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.

Forward email This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by nberger@massbudget.org |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Franklin, MA: FY 2013 budget documents

When you start a budget, you need to know what revenues you expect to have. For your household, the revenue number would be your expected annual salary (i.e. take home pay). This document walks through the sources of Franklin's expected revenue for FY 2013.

Recall that FY 2013 will begin on July 1 and run through Jun 30, 2013. We are currently operating in FY 2012 which began on July 1, 2011 and will complete on Jun 30, 2012.

The Franklin, MA expected revenue for FY 2013:

Franklin Budget Revenues FY2013


With the revenue number to work with for FY 2013, each department goes through their budget to determine what they will need to operate with for the coming year. The capital requirements are separated and were recently approved by the Town Council. This is the operational budget at a summary level for each line of the budget.

The Finance Committee will review the budget at a detail level with each department manager. This detail review occurs over the course of several meetings. The department manager makes their recommendation, the Town Administrator makes his recommendation (which may differ) and the Finance Committee approves of their version (which may be the same as the Town Administrators or differ in some aspects).

This set of recommendations is what the Town Council will review in their two budget hearings currently scheduled for May 23 and 24. The budget total is voted on and becomes effective July 1, 2012.

The Franklin, MA proposed FY 2013 budget:

Franklin Budget Voting FY2013

Note that at the time the Franklin budget was put together, the School Dept had not yet submitted their budget. The place holder that was included 52,710,000 fortunately comes out to be exactly the number the School Dept appears to be bringing forward. I say appears to be as this document is up for discussion by the School Committee and they may make some changes before it goes to the Finance Committee and Town Council.

The School Dept budget as proposed for review by the School Committee:

FPS_FY2013_ExecSummary


You can also view or download these docs from the Franklin Matters Google doc folder
FY 2013 Expected Revenues
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczQnc2a19DSk12cmM

Franklin Budget
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczMmdIMjB1NENGOEk

School Budget
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczY0JaRnlQalRkVXM

Franklin, MA: Earth Day

Prepare today for Earth Day Sunday. Very little is mentioned on the Franklin website other than the one notice about registration for Earth Day. When you follow the link you find:

Thank you for your interest in the Franklin Earth Day event on April 22nd, 2012! For over 10 years, the Town of Franklin has conducted this event in an effort to educate the public on recycling, beautification, and general clean up of the town. This year, we are taking online registration for those folks looking to lock in a location in Town that they are interested in cleaning. Please select the area in town you are interested in cleaning and let us know specifics about your planned clean up. Gloves and trash bags can be picked up ahead of time at the Recreation Dept (150 Emmons St).

In the News - men in court

Suspect in Franklin home invasion goes to court

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Man in standoff ordered held on house arrest

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

"re-bury a pair of time capsules beneath the Town Common"

The Milford Daily News reported on the Town Council meeting in part by writing:

Councilors voted on a number of bylaws, deleting a few from the town charter because they are redundant — such as a tobacco law that simply mimics a state law — and adding to others. 

Two were added to in a substantial way. Councilors approved harsher punishments for parking in a fire lane, upping to fine from $15 to $50, and allowed town departments to make people put the number of their home’s address on their residences. 

In the latter, Nutting said the town deals with a couple of people each year who are opposed to putting the number of their address on their home, which Nutting said is a public safety problem. 

Near the beginning of the meeting Jack Lank, president of the United Regional Chamber of Commerce, congratulated Franklin on its recent economic summit, and applauded the town for its willingness to help businesses hoping to settle and grow in the town.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x101301796/Franklin-time-capsules-uncovered-a-little-early#ixzz1sTdDzwro

My set of notes from the Town Council meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/town-council-apr-18-2012.html

Franklin Cub Scout Pack 126 walks a mile in other’s shoes

Shoes are something most people in our community take for granted. Ours may be a little worn, or have a broken lace, but they protect the our feet from cuts, bruises and even disease. We may not give them another thought all day once they’re on our feet, but in other parts of the world they’re a precious commodity in short supply. 

The great kids who are part of Pack 126 are learning another valuable life lesson through Scouting. This lesson is about social awareness and helping others. They’re collecting shoes for those who live in poverty and disaster stricken countries and don’t have adequate footwear.

The Scouts from Pack 126 and the other four packs across Franklin will be collecting shoes at the following locations throughout Franklin from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. until May 12th: 

Dacey Community Fields on Lincoln Street
King Street Memorial Park on King Street
Fletcher Field on Peck Street
Beaver Pond on Beaver Street
Town Common across from St. Mary’s Church 

This is just one of the many displays of altruism and community giving show by Pack 126. Others include assisting the elderly with spring yard cleaning, sprucing up the landscape at the Kennedy school and donating time and energy to helping those around them. 

Who are the boys from Pack 126? While any boy can join, Pack 126 consists mostly of kids who attend Kennedy school, or are home schooled in the neighborhoods surrounding Kennedy. They’re boys whose parents want them to learn some important life lessons in a fun and meaningful way.

What do the Cub Scouts do? Aside from helping out our community and contributing to charitable causes, the Scouts meet regularly in a social, fun and instructional atmosphere. The Scouts go to zoos, monster truck shows, build and race their own pinewood derby cars, camp out, learn about nature and so much more. 

What could possibly make Pack 126 even better? Your child! Every child brings something valuable to the pack. It’s a great place to make friends for kids and parents alike. Join us on the Franklin common on Saturday May 20th from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. and sign your kid up on the spot with a great group of kids doing amazing things.

Cub Scout Pack 126 website http://www.franklinpack126.org

Related posts on the joint effort by the Franklin Cub Scout troops
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/cub-scouts-collecting-shoes.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/cub-scouts-want-your-usable-shoes.html

2012 HMEA Independence Walk Run Team Customized tees and more

Hello everyone – new and exciting news for the 2012 HMEA Independence 5K Walk Run Roll & Stroll!! Coming up on May 20^th!!!!

Make your own personalized (name and or photo) tee shirts!!! Orders need to be placed by May 4^th to assure delivery!!

We've partnered with an innovative new company, GoodThreads, to offer personalized merchandise that tells your cause story on event day – and after! Buying customized gear is not only an exciting way for you to participate in the event, but it also helps to support 2700 children and adults with disabilities supported by 600 caring and committed staff at HMEA.

Go straight to the Event Store here  http://www.goodthreads.com/Store/HMEA/HMEA.html 

You can personalize shirts (and other gear!) with:

•  Your name

•  Name of a loved one

•  Team name

•  Photos

•  More

How does buying personalized merchandise help HMEA?

1.       Donations

Each time you – or, one of your friends and family members – buy a piece of personalized gear from our event store, HMEA receives a portion of the purchase price as a donation!

2.       Awareness

A great part of the designs in our event store is that we make sure that our logo can be seen each and every time you wear your gear. This means more and more people learn about the great work of HMEA!

3.       Engagement

We're excited to have you be part of this event and our organization! We hope that having your own customized gear is a way for you to reflect often on your personal cause story and share it with others.

We hope you're excited to get your very own personalized event gear! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the GoodThreads support team at info@goodthreads.com

The sooner you start the sooner you'll have your event tee or merchandise!!!

Take Care,

Doug MacPherson

Vice President, Development and Public Relations

8 Forge park East

Franklin, MA 02038

(508) 298-1105

"Be ashamed to die until you have achieved some victory for humanity"

Horace Mann

Franklin high summer sports clinics slated

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Franklin high summer sports clinics slated

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 4/18/12

Franklin High School Athletic Director Brad Sidwell announces high school sports-specific academies and middle school skills clinics will be offered this summer.

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Town Council - Apr 18, 2012

The collection of posts reported live from the Franklin Town Council meeting on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 can be found here

• Live reporting - closing
• live reporting - Action items
• Live reporting - Jack Lank
• Live reporting - license transfer
• Live reporting: Town Council 4/18/12
•