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Monday, August 13, 2012
Franklin Public Library: Star Wars Symposium
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Parmenter - Modular Units
Walked by the Parmenter School on Saturday to get pictures of the modular units before they get removed. According to the update at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday (8/7/12), the propane tank is scheduled to be removed first, then the units will come down. During the last week of August, the DPW will return the space below the modulars to useful land, seeding grass, etc.
What do the modulars look like?
From the outside, a walk around them produces the following views.
The tech department would probably not be happy to find that one of their computer cables was being used to hold the door open from time to time.
What do the modulars look like?
From the outside, a walk around them produces the following views.
The tech department would probably not be happy to find that one of their computer cables was being used to hold the door open from time to time.
Closing Day for St Rocco's
Today marks the closing of the Olympics in London and St Rocco's Festival here in Franklin.
Yes, the major reason for St Rocco's Festival is a fund raiser for St Mary's Church
Annual fun at St. Rocco's in Franklin
Yes, the major reason for St Rocco's Festival is a fund raiser for St Mary's Church
"considered high quality by all standards"
Towns with a higher bond rating are more likely to be able to pay off their loans, and as such are often given a lower rate of interest on their bonds.
"On smaller projects, a few (percentage) points isn’t going to matter too much," said Ballantine. "But if you’re building a high school, it can make a significant difference."
Much like there are three main credit bureaus for personal credit scores, there are three main bond rating agencies — Moody’s Investors Service, Standard and Poor’s, and Fitch Group.
Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x521655892/Despite-recession-area-municipal-bond-rates-in-good-shape#ixzz23KDAVE3B
Franklin has been able to maintain a very good bond rating with its overall budget management. This will be a major factor as the new high project goes out to bid for the bonds to finance the building. Of course, the timing for the actual construction bids will hopefully produce the lowest overall cost for the project as well.
Franklin is also aggressive in managing its debt to take advantage of the lowest ratings available. It was able to perform two refinancing exercises that substantially reduced the amount of interest that would be paid over the life of the bond. The most recent of these efforts was reported on during the FinCom meeting in April
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/live-reporting-fincom.html
Saturday, August 11, 2012
The Parkinson's Voice Initiative
Do you know someone with Parkinson's? or maybe they are not sure they have Parkinson's?
There is a new service available that with a short phone call to record your voice, the analysis of the recording can determine and track progress of Parkinson's.
How do they do that? In this TED video, Max Little explains:
What is the phone number to call?
In the US, the phone number is 1-857-284-8035
You can visit the Parkinson's Voice Initiative web page for more information http://www.parkinsonsvoice.org/
What is Parkinson's Disease?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_disease
https://www.michaeljfox.org/understanding-parkinsons/i-have-got-what.php
There is a new service available that with a short phone call to record your voice, the analysis of the recording can determine and track progress of Parkinson's.
How do they do that? In this TED video, Max Little explains:
What is the phone number to call?
In the US, the phone number is 1-857-284-8035
You can visit the Parkinson's Voice Initiative web page for more information http://www.parkinsonsvoice.org/
What is Parkinson's Disease?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_disease
https://www.michaeljfox.org/understanding-parkinsons/i-have-got-what.php
Friday, August 10, 2012
Franklin Food Pantry
If you want to get to the Franklin Food Pantry website, use this link
Note: we are having problems with the redirection of our domain but the information on the website is available. So for the short term, you can use the above link and still get information about the Food Pantry.
St Rocco Festival
The 34th Annual St Rocco Festival is underway in Franklin this weekend. The Milford Daily News writes:
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1602170505/Franklins-fantastic-festival#ixzz238dz1gqk
St. Mary Parish’s biggest fundraiser, the four-day festival raised $59,000 last year, with thousands attending. Father Michael Guerino started it in 1979 to honor St. Rocco, the patron saint of healing.
Since then, a tight-knit group of church volunteers, old and young, have made sure the feast pushes on, August after August. They have managed it for so long, the setup has become a reflex.
Indeed, their hard work was on display on the sprawling festival grounds.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1602170505/Franklins-fantastic-festival#ixzz238dz1gqk
Free Soccer Camp
From the Yahoo Group for Franklin Area Parents come this posting worthy of sharing here
Do you know a child with an intellectual or physical disability that would enjoying playing soccer? We are hosting a free soccer camp in Franklin this August and are asking for your help to spread the word.
The camp will be held from August 27th through August 30th, 5:00pm to 6:00pm each day at Carpe Diem Field on 34 Saxon Street. The camp is held indoors out of the sun and heat, in an air-conditioned facility.
Many thanks to Franklin Soccer School and Carpe Diem Technologies for their generous donations allowing us to host this special and unique camp.
Participants can be from any town, are asked to pre-register for the camp, and can find more information at: http://franklinsoccerschool.com/challengerform
Thank you,
Aaron Frongillo and Michael Katinas
8th Grade Students
Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School
Franklin Public Library: Animal World
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Thursday, August 9, 2012
Franklin Public Schools: Class sizes by school
August, preparing for schools to open this September. What will be the class sizes around the Franklin school district? The information as presented to the School Committee on Tuesday is shown here.
These numbers can also be found on the Franklin Schools web page here
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_News/019309C3-000F8513
You can also view the School Committee meeting from Tuesday where these numbers were discussed.
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=634800882920015000&indexSessionSKU=9nH/HANkgO8EKZ7iG4dGYQ%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D
These numbers can also be found on the Franklin Schools web page here
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_News/019309C3-000F8513
You can also view the School Committee meeting from Tuesday where these numbers were discussed.
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=634800882920015000&indexSessionSKU=9nH/HANkgO8EKZ7iG4dGYQ%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D
"$100 fine for first offenders, up from $25"
If there is trouble with enforcement of the existing dog feces law, how will increasing the fine help? I missed the Town Council meeting last night but wish I had been able to ask that question (if no one else did).
And for all the items that were on the agenda, the dog bylaw is what gets into the paper first? Not the new contract for Town Administrator? Or the report from the Citizens Committee?
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x866122448/Franklin-council-takes-up-dog-bylaw-proposal#ixzz232Wwod1l
The full agenda for Wednesday's Town Council meeting and accompanying document can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/08/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-aug-8.html
And for all the items that were on the agenda, the dog bylaw is what gets into the paper first? Not the new contract for Town Administrator? Or the report from the Citizens Committee?
The town intends to strike the previous leashing bylaw and replace it with a longer one titled, "Regulation of Conduct." The section on leashing was largely unchanged.
The bylaw proposal, presented to Town Council for the first time on Wednesday night, states that the chief of police will have the authority to order a dog muzzled or confined for a period of time if it bites a person or another pet or chases a vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian in a public setting. Council was expected to vote on the measure Wednesday night after discussion.
"We are trying to be proactive," said Town Attorney Mark Cerel, who rewrote the bylaw proposal with help from former Police Chief Steve Williams and Cindy Souza, the animal control officer for Franklin and Bellingham. "We don’t want to have any issues in the future with vicious dogs."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x866122448/Franklin-council-takes-up-dog-bylaw-proposal#ixzz232Wwod1l
The full agenda for Wednesday's Town Council meeting and accompanying document can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/08/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-aug-8.html
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Aug 8, 2012
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– March 7, 2012
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Verizon, Comcast, and Franklin Matters
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
Design Review Commission - Doug Newton
Zoning Board of Appeals - Sean P. Slater
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
- Citizens Committee
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-42(Amended):Authorization for DPW Garage/Storage Building
2. Resolution 12-63: Town Administrator’s Employment Agreement
3. Bylaw Amendment 12-686:Amendment to Chapter 165, Transient Vendors- 1st Reading
4. Bylaw Amendment 12-690: Amendment to Chapter 8, Council on Aging – 1st Reading
5. Bylaw Amendment 12-691:Amendment to Chapter 75, Dogs – 1st Reading
6. Bylaw Amendment 12-692: Amendment to Water System Map – 1st Reading
7. Bylaw Amendment 12-693: Amendment to Sewer System Map – 1st 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 set of documents for this agenda were posted to the Franklin, MA web page here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/080812.pdf
Business Tax Breaks in Massachusetts
Tax breaks are a form of spending. Money that the state spends on tax breaks is money that it can't spend on education, infrastructure, or other forms of economic development.
Our new report, Business Tax Breaks in Massachusetts, describes the various types of business tax breaks in Massachusetts and shows how much the state spends on each. It focuses most directly on what we call special business tax breaks, meaning those tax breaks which: 1) apply to businesses, and 2) have as their most basic rationale the effort to bolster economic development.*
We find that:
To accompany this report, we are also releasing a two-page Factsheet which describes the major findings.
* Other kinds of business tax breaks include those designed to minimize double-taxation and those which mirror the federal tax code.
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Wedding dresses weren't always white
The Milford Daily News has an article on the wedding dress exhibit currently showing at Franklin's Historical Museum. Wedding dress through the ages are displayed so you can see the changes and development.
Franklin's Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central St.
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/location-and-hours.html
Read more of the article here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x866121845/Franklin-exhibit-traces-gowns-through-the-years#ixzz22weB6k19
"In Victorian times, everything was covered, whereas now — how do I put this diplomatically — everything is exposed," she said.
In contrast to the symbolic bride of the present, who practically glows as she walks down the aisle in her milky white gown, Ferguson said gowns for much of the 1900s were beige or off-colored.
Pure white gowns did not emerge until the 1960s, she said.
Franklin's Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central St.
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/location-and-hours.html
Read more of the article here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x866121845/Franklin-exhibit-traces-gowns-through-the-years#ixzz22weB6k19
Singleton Gains Endorsements
FRANKLIN—Matt Kelly and Glenn Jones, two members of Franklin's Town Council, have announced their official endorsement of Stolle Singleton for State Representative in the 10th Norfolk District. Stolle, a Franklin resident, is running in the Republican Primary on Thursday, September 6th.
"I am deeply honored to have the support of Matt and Glenn, who have both given so much to Franklin in their roles as Town Councilors," said Stolle Singleton. "It is a privilege to call these gentlemen my friends and their expertise regarding the needs of the Franklin community, as public servants, engaged citizens, and family-men, will be invaluable throughout my campaign and beyond."
On the endorsement, Matt Kelly said, "Stolle has a proven track record at the State House as a policy advisor and will continue to keep Franklin and Medway moving forward as our next State Representative. She is dedicated to Franklin, Medway and the Commonwealth and I believe she is the best candidate in this race because she will ensure that our communities have an experienced voice to represent the interests of our residents in the Massachusetts House."
"I am happy to endorse Stolle Singleton as she is by far the best choice for Franklin and Medway," said Glenn Jones. "Stolle is a dedicated, energetic, and flexible advocate who has first-hand experience on Beacon Hill and will work tirelessly as a full-time legislator to secure the many needs of our communities."
Stolle Singleton has spent the past two years working as a policy analyst for the 33-member Republican Caucus in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. During her time at the State House, she authored over 17 pieces of legislation and numerous amendments to state budgets and bills, some of which were signed into law. Previously, she interned in former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown's Office and the Office of Legislative Education.
Stolle's legislative experience will enable her, from day one, to be an effective leader in crafting policies to restore our economy, maintain our local aid, and bring accountability to State Government.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
School Committee: Action items
4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of the donation of a $100.00 Office Depot gift card and 5 large one-topping pizza’s from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for the HMMS for raising $2,067.47 for Pennies for Patients. motion to accept, passed 6-0
b. I recommend acceptance of the donation of a Selmer Liberty Tenor Sax from the McLean Family valued at $1200.00 for the Remington Middle School. motion to accept, passed 6-0
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $282.66 from Wells Fargo (Douglas Lee) for the FHS. motion to accept, passed 6-0
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Stephanie & Michael Quinn for the FHS Schaeffer memorial scholarship. motion to accept, passed 6-0
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $25.00 from Judi Hershman for the FHS Schaeffer memorial scholarship. motion to accept, passed 6-0
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $10.00 via Just Give as an anonymous donation from Capella University for FHS scholarships. motion to accept, passed 6-0
g. I recommend acceptance of the donation of CPR Mannequins valued at 1109.00 from Roberta Trahan for the District. motion to accept, passed 6-0
h. I recommend acceptance of a check for $20.00 from Sheila Hooper for the FHS Schaeffer memorial scholarship. motion to accept, passed 6-0
i. I recommend approval of the Elementary and Middle School’s Handbooks as presented. motion to accept, passed 6-0
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