Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Looking for a summer camp in Franklin?
Are you looking for a fun program to send your kids to this summer?
Sunrise Montessori School still has room in their summer camps. Summer camp programs at Sunrise are open to all children, ages 3 to 6. Children do not need to be enrolled in our regular, school-year programs to participate. Our camp day begins at 9:00AM and finishes at 1:00PM. Children should bring a peanut free lunch. Snacks are provided by the camp.
Our programs are developmentally and socially age appropriate for younger children, and the wide variety of exciting themes appeals to their imagination and sense for adventure. We offer flexibility - Children may sign up for one week or several. The cost per week is $160.00 (there is no camp held during July 2 - 6)
Summer 2012 themes are as follows:
Earth Science - June 18 - June 22
Outer Space - June 25 - June 29
Circus - July 9 – July 13
Ancient Egypt – July 16 - July 20
Bubble Mania – July 23 - July 27
Contact Karen Roeber at 508-541-8010 for more information or see www.mysunrisemontessori.com
Sunrise Montessori School still has room in their summer camps. Summer camp programs at Sunrise are open to all children, ages 3 to 6. Children do not need to be enrolled in our regular, school-year programs to participate. Our camp day begins at 9:00AM and finishes at 1:00PM. Children should bring a peanut free lunch. Snacks are provided by the camp.
Our programs are developmentally and socially age appropriate for younger children, and the wide variety of exciting themes appeals to their imagination and sense for adventure. We offer flexibility - Children may sign up for one week or several. The cost per week is $160.00 (there is no camp held during July 2 - 6)
Summer 2012 themes are as follows:
Earth Science - June 18 - June 22
Outer Space - June 25 - June 29
Circus - July 9 – July 13
Ancient Egypt – July 16 - July 20
Bubble Mania – July 23 - July 27
Contact Karen Roeber at 508-541-8010 for more information or see www.mysunrisemontessori.com
Exciting Saturday Downtown Franklin - May 5
Two events will take place in downtown Franklin this Saturday, May 5
The Cake Bar will celebrate the opening of their new location, 17 East Central Street (formerly Cafe Dolce), on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more information about The Cake Bar check out their website, www.thecakebaronline.com.
Ian and Linda Kabat have invited all to their anniversary event on Saturday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Frankin Art Center, 5 Main Street. For more information go to their website, www.franklinartcenter.com.
- The Grand Opening of The Cake Bar
- 1-year anniversary at the Franklin Art Center
The Cake Bar will celebrate the opening of their new location, 17 East Central Street (formerly Cafe Dolce), on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more information about The Cake Bar check out their website, www.thecakebaronline.com.
Ian and Linda Kabat have invited all to their anniversary event on Saturday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Frankin Art Center, 5 Main Street. For more information go to their website, www.franklinartcenter.com.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
BBC Fundraiser for the Kelly/Lazinski Family
FUNDRAISER
FOR
The Kelly/Lazinski Family
Sunday, MAY 20th
11am to Close
10% of every FOOD item purchased at BBC Franklin (with flyer)
will be donated
to the Kelly/Lazinski Family.
**YOU MUST BRING THIS FLYER & PRESENT IT TO YOUR SERVER**
Come down to the pub and make a difference!!
Franklin shop recovering after car crashed into it
What's wrong with the drivers on Main St? This is the second store front this year to get driven into. And this is all before the traffic returns to 2-way.
A downtown quilt store which was heavily damaged by a car early Sunday morning is expected to reopen today, the shop's owner says.
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Alison McCall/Daily News staff on 4/30/12
A downtown quilt store which was heavily damaged by a car early Sunday morning is expected to reopen today, the shop's owner says.
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Judge orders Franklin teen to stay away from assault victim
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff on 4/30/12
A judge yesterday ordered a Franklin High School student who is charged with assaulting a fellow student — in an incident videotaped and posted online — to stay away from the school and the victim.
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Monday, April 30, 2012
Big Y in Franklin making progress
The construction to connect the water and sewer lines in addition to widening RT 140 is progressing. On my run Sunday morning, I went by and stopped for some photos.
Looking westbound, the road is widening:
They have started with a paving undercoat on this section:
Grading work is being done to shape the entrance
Another view of the grading work at the entrance, looking westbound on RT 140
After making my way along RT 140 heading westbound, I found this sign.
There was no sign on the other side of construction to have alerted me that the sidewalk was closed.
The BIG Y is looking to hire for positions to operate the store http://www.bigy.com/Careers#.T55i17PEXTQ
Looking westbound, the road is widening:
They have started with a paving undercoat on this section:
Grading work is being done to shape the entrance
Another view of the grading work at the entrance, looking westbound on RT 140
After making my way along RT 140 heading westbound, I found this sign.
There was no sign on the other side of construction to have alerted me that the sidewalk was closed.
The BIG Y is looking to hire for positions to operate the store http://www.bigy.com/Careers#.T55i17PEXTQ
Cub Scouts recycling shoes for you
I stopped by the Town Common on Saturday to drop off some shoes to the Cub Scouts who are recycling them.
Drew Mahoney posed proudly for a picture.
The Cub Scouts will be on the Town Common and other collection points around Franklin on Saturdays through May 19. Additional details can be found in the related posts on the Cub Scout recycling drive below.
Pack 99
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/franklin-cub-scouts-step-it-up-with.html
Pack 126
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/franklin-cub-scout-pack-126-walks-mile.html
Pack 129
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/cub-scouts-collecting-shoes.html
Drew Mahoney posed proudly for a picture.
The Cub Scouts will be on the Town Common and other collection points around Franklin on Saturdays through May 19. Additional details can be found in the related posts on the Cub Scout recycling drive below.
Pack 99
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/franklin-cub-scouts-step-it-up-with.html
Pack 126
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/franklin-cub-scout-pack-126-walks-mile.html
Pack 129
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/cub-scouts-collecting-shoes.html
Reminder: weekly summary
Coming to Franklin Matters, you get your daily dose of what is happening around Franklin. If you'd like to get a weekly summary, you can subscribe to Franklin Matters Weekly. In addition to the listing of everything published the prior week, you get an essay. The Franklin Matters view on what's up and what's coming.
You can subscribe to receive Franklin Matters Weekly via email or RSS feed. Your email address is never shared with anyone else. On the right side of the web page, under the Franklin Matters signpost, there is a frm to use to sign up for either the email subscription or the RSS Feed.
This was the summary for the week ending Apr 29th:
Like gardeners, planning the layout of the growing space, setting out the stakes, tying off the supports, the Franklin budget process is very similar. The department managers assess what they have and what they need to provide services they need to deliver. They have several discussions and present the plan to the Town Administrator who either makes an adjustment or brings it forward.
The first step is the review with the Finance Committee. Over the course of several nights, the Finance Committee reviews the budget with each of the department heads, discusses their processes, their needs, their issues and ultimately makes a decision.
Their decision goes before the Town Council who holds formal budget hearings on two consecutive nights. They are currently scheduled for May 23 and 24 to review the FY 2013 budget. During these hearings, the Council has the opportunity to discuss budget details with each of the department heads. From experience, there tends to be less discussion than in the FinCom sessions.
Given the Prop 2.5 rules for MA, there are restrictions on how much revenue that the community can raise via property taxes. The established levy can only increase 2.5%. Anything above 2.5% requires a special vote. There are two kinds of votes to approve a greater than 2.5% increase.
Franklin has passed only one operational override (in 2007) and has passed several debt exclusions for school buildings (mostly). The most recent debt exclusion was passed in March to approve the new Franklin High School. During the time that the debt exclusion amount will be building up to its maximum amount for the new high school, debt exclusion amounts for Horace Mann, Remington/Jefferson and Keller/Sullivan will be coming off the tax levy
You can see the current amount for these debt exclusions in the FY 2013 Budget Revenue document
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/franklin-ma-fy-2013-budget-documents.html
Franklin has automatically taken the 2.5% increase. It could choose to take part of it, or none of it. Given that it has taken all of it, we (as taxpayers) can expect a minimum of 2.5% increase each year.
All is well and good with this. It sets the planning horizon. Like the gardener, Franklin needs to live within its means. So when contract negotiations grant 2.5% increases in any given year then the automatic amount is already used up. If anything in operations would be needed, it would require a cut from somewhere else in order to balance the budget. If you only put up a two foot support, and your plant grows four feet, then what do you do?
To continue to review the links posted during the past week, visit the Franklin Matters Weekly summary here http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2012/04/week-ending-apr-29-2012.html
You can subscribe to receive Franklin Matters Weekly via email or RSS feed. Your email address is never shared with anyone else. On the right side of the web page, under the Franklin Matters signpost, there is a frm to use to sign up for either the email subscription or the RSS Feed.
This was the summary for the week ending Apr 29th:
Like gardeners, planning the layout of the growing space, setting out the stakes, tying off the supports, the Franklin budget process is very similar. The department managers assess what they have and what they need to provide services they need to deliver. They have several discussions and present the plan to the Town Administrator who either makes an adjustment or brings it forward.
The first step is the review with the Finance Committee. Over the course of several nights, the Finance Committee reviews the budget with each of the department heads, discusses their processes, their needs, their issues and ultimately makes a decision.
Their decision goes before the Town Council who holds formal budget hearings on two consecutive nights. They are currently scheduled for May 23 and 24 to review the FY 2013 budget. During these hearings, the Council has the opportunity to discuss budget details with each of the department heads. From experience, there tends to be less discussion than in the FinCom sessions.
Given the Prop 2.5 rules for MA, there are restrictions on how much revenue that the community can raise via property taxes. The established levy can only increase 2.5%. Anything above 2.5% requires a special vote. There are two kinds of votes to approve a greater than 2.5% increase.
- If it is for a capital item (like a new school), the vote is called a debt exclusion. The amount of increase is set for a specific number of years and then expires.
- If it is for regular operational budget, like an additional DPW worker or for the salary increases due to collective bargaining agreements, then it is an operational override. The override amount in this case becomes a permanent addition to the tax base.
Franklin has passed only one operational override (in 2007) and has passed several debt exclusions for school buildings (mostly). The most recent debt exclusion was passed in March to approve the new Franklin High School. During the time that the debt exclusion amount will be building up to its maximum amount for the new high school, debt exclusion amounts for Horace Mann, Remington/Jefferson and Keller/Sullivan will be coming off the tax levy
You can see the current amount for these debt exclusions in the FY 2013 Budget Revenue document
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/franklin-ma-fy-2013-budget-documents.html
Franklin has automatically taken the 2.5% increase. It could choose to take part of it, or none of it. Given that it has taken all of it, we (as taxpayers) can expect a minimum of 2.5% increase each year.
All is well and good with this. It sets the planning horizon. Like the gardener, Franklin needs to live within its means. So when contract negotiations grant 2.5% increases in any given year then the automatic amount is already used up. If anything in operations would be needed, it would require a cut from somewhere else in order to balance the budget. If you only put up a two foot support, and your plant grows four feet, then what do you do?
To continue to review the links posted during the past week, visit the Franklin Matters Weekly summary here http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2012/04/week-ending-apr-29-2012.html
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Contract ratifications scheduled
Four of the nine union bargaining units have reached a tentative contract agreement. The settlement for each of the four is outlined in the Town Council agenda document. Each has contract language changes in additional to the money agreement.
All four have agreed to a 1.5% increase for FY 2013, a 2% increase for FY 2014 and a 2.5% increase for FY 2015. Three of the four receive a one time cash payment of $600, the fourth (the custodians) receive a $500 cash payment.
The money for the cash payment comes from the extra $151,114 that Franklin received in Oct 2011. This amount was local aid from the State added over and above the amount previously allocated. Franklin put the money aside in a special account. They need to allocate it within FY 2012 or it will roll into the "free cash" account and not be available until the "free cash" is approved later this year.
What this does to the overall question of the teacher contract $350,000 which is scheduled to be drawn back from the Stabilization account for use in the FY 2013 budget remains to be seen. As previously reported here, the FinCom did not specifically approve this transaction although they did approve the total Town budget which requires this amount to balance it. They do have time to vote on it before the Town Council budget hearings are held on May 23-24.
One other note, while so much was made of the teacher increase and how it was communicated, almost glossed over was the increase amounts of .5% for FY 2012 and 1% for FY 2013. Both of these amounts are now equivalent to the Town contract settlements. If it was revealed what increase the is that would be scheduled beyond FY 2013, I have not been able to locate in my notes. I suspect as they are exploring the interest based bargaining approach to addressing the systemic problem with the steps and lanes that there was agreement beyond FY 2013.
Related posts:
Town Council agenda items for May 2, 2012
All four have agreed to a 1.5% increase for FY 2013, a 2% increase for FY 2014 and a 2.5% increase for FY 2015. Three of the four receive a one time cash payment of $600, the fourth (the custodians) receive a $500 cash payment.
The money for the cash payment comes from the extra $151,114 that Franklin received in Oct 2011. This amount was local aid from the State added over and above the amount previously allocated. Franklin put the money aside in a special account. They need to allocate it within FY 2012 or it will roll into the "free cash" account and not be available until the "free cash" is approved later this year.
What this does to the overall question of the teacher contract $350,000 which is scheduled to be drawn back from the Stabilization account for use in the FY 2013 budget remains to be seen. As previously reported here, the FinCom did not specifically approve this transaction although they did approve the total Town budget which requires this amount to balance it. They do have time to vote on it before the Town Council budget hearings are held on May 23-24.
One other note, while so much was made of the teacher increase and how it was communicated, almost glossed over was the increase amounts of .5% for FY 2012 and 1% for FY 2013. Both of these amounts are now equivalent to the Town contract settlements. If it was revealed what increase the is that would be scheduled beyond FY 2013, I have not been able to locate in my notes. I suspect as they are exploring the interest based bargaining approach to addressing the systemic problem with the steps and lanes that there was agreement beyond FY 2013.
Related posts:
Town Council agenda items for May 2, 2012
2. Resolution 12-26: Appropriation: FY 12 Wages (Contract Settlement)3. Resolution 12-27: Ratification of AFSCME Local 1298 Public Safety Telecommunications 4. Resolution 12-28: Ratification of AFSCME Local 1298 Public Facilities Employees5. Resolution 12-29: Ratification of AFSCME Local 1298 Municipal Building Employees 6. Resolution 12-30: Ratification of AFSCME Local 1298 Custodians
- Full agenda document with the details on the contract settlements for each bargaining unit. http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/050212.pdf
- School Committee teacher contract discussion with Town Council
- Live reporting from the Council meeting http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/live-reporting-school-committeeteacher.html
- Ed Cafasso letter summary of the issue http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/10-6-franklin-school-update.html
- Joint budget subcommittee meeting on the issue http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/live-reporting-joint-budget.html and my summary of what the outlook might be http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/what-will-happen-oct-26th-remains.html
- Council meeting of Oct 26 http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/live-reporting-school-budget-discussion.html
- The extra $151,114 arrives http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/ma-confirms-151114-coming-to-franklin.html
- The FinCom session on Weds 4/25/12 provides the insights into the use of the $151,115
- http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/live-reporting-fincom.html
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - May 2, 2012
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Special Council Meeting April 12, 2012,
Executive Session April 18, 2012
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS – This meeting is being recorded by Verizon, Comcast, and Franklin Matters
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
- Robert Russell – National Grid
- Mike D’Angelo – Facilities Director
- Procedure to Issue Package Store License
- FY 13 Local Aid
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-25:Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of Beaver Court, Mark’s Way, and J.R.’s Lane and Order of Taking (Extinguishment) of Related Right-of-Way Over Abutting Town-Owned Land – Referral to Planning Board
2. Resolution 12-26: Appropriation: FY 12 Wages (Contract Settlement)
3. Resolution 12-27: Ratification of AFSCME Local 1298 Public Safety Telecommunications
4. Resolution 12-28: Ratification of AFSCME Local 1298 Public Facilities Employees
5. Resolution 12-29: Ratification of AFSCME Local 1298 Municipal Building Employees
6. Resolution 12-30: Ratification of AFSCME Local 1298 Custodians
7. Resolution 12-31: Transfer Order for Unexpended Bond Proceeds
8. Bylaw Amendment 12-681: Amendment to Chapter 4, Administration of Government – 2nd Reading
9. Bylaw Amendment 12-682: Amendment to Chapter 110, Licenses and Permits, Designation of Issuing Authority – 2nd Reading
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
The full set of documents for the agenda can be found on the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/050212.pdf
Share your wedding gown with history!
The Franklin Historical Museum is preparing for the return of their very popular Wedding Dress Exhibit. It will include dresses representing each decade of the last century and back to the late 1800's. The exhibit will run in June and July, dresses should be received before May 19.
If you would like to loan your wedding gown, or your Mom's or grandmother's gown to the museum for this beautiful exhibit, you can contact Debbie Pellegri at Franklin Town Hall, 508-520-4900 or drop off your dress with your name and as much information as you would like to share during Museum hours: Saturday 10:00am - 1:00pm; Sunday 1:00pm to 5:00pm and Thursdays 5:00pm-8:00pm.
For more information visit our Facebook page.
Franklin Art Center 1 year anniversary and art opening
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Walk, Bike to School Day May 2
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 4/25/12
Thousands of elementary and middle school-aged children will celebrate Walk and Bicycle to School Day on Wednesday, May 2 during events promoted through MassDOT's Safe Routes to School Program. In 2011, 162 schools from across the Commonwealth participated in this event, the largest to date. The Safe Routes to School program has added more than 100 new partner schools this year.
MassDOT's Safe Routes to School program works with students, parents, school staff and local police departments across the Commonwealth to promote walking and bicycling to school.
"Massachusetts Walk and Bicycle to School Day reminds us that walking to school can be a fun, healthy and safe way to get to school," said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey. "These efforts strongly support our goals of promoting healthy transportation modes through the GreenDOT initiative and Healthy Transportation Compact."
Increasing the number of students who walk and bicycle to school helps improve students' health, reduce traffic congestion, and improve air quality in Massachusetts communities.
According to the US Department of Transportation, fewer than 16 percent of children walk or bicycle to classes. School-related traffic can contribute more than 10 percent of morning rush hour traffic volumes in some communities, as well as significant air pollution. MassDOT established the Massachusetts Walk to School Day in 2007 to encourage healthy choices.
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Saturday, April 28, 2012
Navigating school information
Realtor Warren Reynolds website 02038.com is full of good information about Franklin in addition to the homes for sale in the area. Two recent additions to his page are helpful to navigate around the school department website and the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
He points out the key entry pages for the School Dept and School Committee. He gets you to the key comparison sections for each school district within the DESE page. Warren provides some screen shots and links to help you find the pages. Once there, you are free to explore further.
Official Sites for Franklin, MA Public Schools
He points out the key entry pages for the School Dept and School Committee. He gets you to the key comparison sections for each school district within the DESE page. Warren provides some screen shots and links to help you find the pages. Once there, you are free to explore further.
Official Sites for Franklin, MA Public Schools
Freeze Warning! Be Prepared
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Growing In Franklin by Franklin Community Gardens on 4/27/12
A note to our Gardeners from King Street Garden Coordinator Chris Clay:
Hello Everyone,
Tonight is the reason we don't plant our tomatoes and other hot weather plants until May, despite the amazing weather we've been having. There is a strong chance of freeze tonight, and if you have planted tomatoes in your plot they will need protection to survive the night if the temperature dips to freezing. If you do have tomatoes planted you have a couple of options to save them.
One is to transplant them out of the garden and keep them indoors overnight. Tomato root systems are incredibly durable and can handle the transfer. This is the only fool proof way to save them that I know of.
Another would be to purchase some floating row covers to cover your plot. They will provide at least a couple of degrees of protection and may make the difference, though it will be dicey. You can add additional coverage by placing multiple 2 liter bottles filled with warm water in the plot under the row covers. This will provide a couple more degrees of protection. If you buy a light floating row cover leave the cloth as doubled up as you can while covering the bed. If you have other non-tomato warm weather plants this may be your best chance to save them.
Option three is to gamble that the weather service is wrong and see what happens. In the worst case scenario you can always replant.
Peas and other cold hardy plants should do fine tonight, though a row cover never hurts. This is primarily a warning for anyone who has planted warm weather plants.
Cheers,
Chris Clay
If you don't have any row covers, I have had luck with old towels and blankets, prop them up with sticks or pots or whatever works. Just be sure to remove them in the morning!
~ Amy
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Franklin High School Experience
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Lifelong Learning by Pandora Carlucci on 4/27/12
Registrations for the Franklin High School Experience (HSE) 2012 are arriving daily. The HSE is a one-week program that brings together students from several middle schools: Annie Sullivan Middle School, Horace Mann Middle School, Remington Middle School, the middle school from the BFCCPS, and some private middle schools.
Directed by Ms. Cerce, Director of Health and Physical Education for the Franklin Public Schools District, this program welcomes all incoming grade 9 students to FHS. During the week of August 13, students will have the opportunity to meet and to ask questions of the Principal and Assistant Principals, the Athletic Director and the Director of Music.
Students will be introduced to the technology used by the high school: Its Learning. Additionally, they will participate in Challenge by Choice Project Adventure Games, a scavenger hunt and other activities. The students begin and end the day with a large group gathering. Later, they will separated into cohorts of 12 or 14 students, which are led by a FHS faculty member. Students have lunch as a group each day ... pizza, a cook out, and more.
Each freshman student receives a Class of 2016 HSE tee-shirt and a Class of 2016 key lanyard. Last summer almost 2/3 of the incoming freshman class participated in the HSE. We hope to have 100% of incoming grade 9 students participate this summer.
You can register online: www.franklin.k12.ma.us, select Lifelong, select Summer Program, select High School Experience. If you have a question: e-mail us: lifelong@franklin.k12.ma.us telephone us: 508-553-4814 Come and be part of the fun!!
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