St John's Annual Christmas Fair

The Annual Christmas Fair takes place this Saturday, Dec 1 at St John's on Pleasant St. Additional details can be found in this flyer:





and you might also find a sign or two around Franklin

In the News: AP courses, Youth baseball

Franklin is among those honored!

Local towns honored advanced placement course increase

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin Youth Baseball announces registration dates

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

You can register online at

http://www.sportsmanager.us/links/FranklinYouthBaseball/OnlineRegistration.asp

Franklin LIbrary: How to Select eReaders

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

How to Select eReaders

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 11/26/12

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

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Nov 28, 2012

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 21, 2012, April 4, 2012, November 7, 2012
Executive Session

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS
Tax Classification Hearing – 7:10 PM

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Citizenship Award – Stella Jeon

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-76: Appropriation – Debt – Interest
2. Resolution 12-77: Adoption of FY 2013 Budget – Revision
3. Resolution 12-78: Classification Tax Allocation – Residential Factor
4. Resolution 12-79: Classification Tax Allocation – Open Space Exemption
5. Resolution 12-80: Classification Tax Allocation – Small Business Exemption
6. Resolution 12-81: Classification Tax Allocation – Residential Property Exemption

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 meeting can be found on the Franklin web page here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/112812.pdf

Tax Rate info for FY 2013 updated

I have updated the numbers for this year based upon the info provided for the Town Council meeting agenda and the MA DOR webpages for Franklin.


Franklin FY2013 TaxRateInfo


There is some good news in all this data. The decline in valuation of Residential values is less than prior years. The Commercial category increased for the first time since 2008. Maybe, just maybe this is showing we are at the bottom of the property value decline! Time will tell.

You can view these numbers here
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ZX-GuFrcIQNnKeLDAg785q_fgYq4BBjqwArGUDfs86U/edit

Military Uniforms on display

To honor those who have served in the military, a display of military uniforms is the feature this month at the Franklin Historical Museum.

Pictures of Franklin men and women in uniform are on display

Is there someone you know or remember pictured? Stop by to look.

Where is the Historical Museum? 80 West Central St


View Larger Map

You can visit their webpage  http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/

or follow them on Facebook   http://www.facebook.com/FHM02038

Holiday Shopping - Benefits Franklin Fusion Softball

Join us on Friday November 30th for a Holiday Shopping Spree!

We have a great line up of vendors for a fun night of holiday shopping and mingling to benefit Franklin Fusion Softball

Friday November 30, 2012 from 7pm-10pm at the Franklin Elks located at 1077 Pond St, Franklin

We will provide snacks and a cash bar will be available.

Cash for Gold! Use your cash to shop!

Sure Shots Sports Memorabilia

Arbonne (Skin care, cosmetics)

Thirty-One (Purses, Tote bags)

Willow House, Sara Blaine (Exclusive home décor and jewelry collections)

Sugar Mommas Custom Cakes, Cupcakes, Cookies

Gems by Jules (Custom accessories)

Wildtree (Herbs, Spices)

Pampered Chef (Premier direct seller of high-quality kitchen tools & gadgets)

Handmade Christmas crafts

Get a Tarot card reading or get your Aura colors done!

In the News: Tri-County, chainsaw sculptor, Sandy relief

Tri-County students to launch projects for NASA

by Zachary Comeau/Daily News correspondent

Medway chainsaw sculptor has reality TV show

by Joe O'Connell/Daily News staff

Manocchio: Sandy relief drive a success

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda, Nov 27, 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.

"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 23, 2012 and November 7, 2012 School Committee Meetings.
Payment of Bills - Mrs. McIntyre
Payroll - Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget To Actual

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Franklin Girls Soccer Team – State Champions!
b. MCAS Presentation – Joyce Edwards
(The MCAS presentation can be found here)

3. Discussion Only Items
Calendar Adjustment 2012-2013 (proposed change found here)
Capital Plan (documents for the capital plan can be found here)

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $270.00 from BJ’s for district in-house enrichment.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1500.00 from the Hockomock YMCA for enrichment, yoga and field trips for ASMS.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $168.79 from PBC for in-house enrichment for the Athletics Department.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2473.39 from O’Connor Portraiture for in-house enrichment for Keller Elementary School.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $126.35 from Ohiopyle Prints, Inc. for in-house enrichment for the FHS.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $156.43 from HMMS PCC for in-house enrichment at HMMS.
g. I recommend approval of the field trip request of Allison Wroe to take Parmenter students to the Veteran’s Auditorium in Providence, RI on April 11, 2013.
h. I recommend acceptance of a check for $282.66 from Douglas Lee for in-house enrichment at FHS.
i. I recommend acceptance of a check for $5000.00 from the Jefferson PCC for field trips for Jefferson Elementary School.
j. I recommend approval of the FPS Capital Plan as detailed.
k. I recommend adjustments to the 2012-2013 School Calendar: April 12 and May 24 as elementary reduced days; and May 3 and May 31 as secondary reduced days as discussed.
l. I recommend approval of the request of Mr. Light for the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band travel to UNH for the Band Invitational on April 29, 2013 as detailed.
m. I recommend approval of the request of Mr. Light for approximately 200 Music students travel to Orlando, Florida for “Festival Disney” during April vacation 2014 as detailed.
n. I recommend approval of the request of Mr. Light for Franklin Arts Academy students to travel to Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) in Providence, RI on March 3, 2012 to see Blue Man Group.
o. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 50 passes to the premier of Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in Boston on December 10, 2012 for HMMS students.
p. I recommend acceptance of a check for $600.00 from Mass Cultural Council for Sullivan Middle, Keller and Parmenter Elementary Schools.
q. I recommend approval of the request of Beth Ackley for the HMMS Ski Club’s recurring field trip to Mt. Sunapee in Newbury, NH on January 26, 2012 as detailed.

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

Franklin Public Schools: Capital Plan FY 2014

Here are the documents outlining the proposed capital plan for FY 2014 for the Franklin Public School District. These items are scheduled for discussion at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Nov 27th and assuming they are approved will then be part of the capital planning process for the Town.

The proposed Facilities capital plan




The proposed Technology capital plan




The full agenda for the School Committee meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/11/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-nov.html

Franklin Public Schools: MCAS Report 2012

The MCAS Report for 2012 for the Franklin Public Schools. This is scheduled for discussion at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Nov 27th.


MCAS 2012




The full agenda for the School Committee meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/11/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-nov.html

Franklin Public Schools: Proposed calendar change

The proposed calendar change for this current 2012-2013 school year is shown in the file below. Effectively, it is the addition of two reduced days to both the elementary and secondary schools.

On the agenda, the action item currently reads:

k. I recommend adjustments to the 2012-2013 School Calendar: April 12 and May 24 as elementary reduced days; and May 3 and May 31 as secondary reduced days as discussed.

The full agenda for the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Nov 27th can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/11/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-nov.html

"You don’t want to see them fail"

The Milford Daily News writes about the State and Federal grants that sponsor the underage drinking stings conducted regularly by some MetroWest area community police departments. Franklin is one that conducts the stings twice a year when covered by the grant. The article includes this from one of the sting participants:

"At first, I was a little nervous," he said. "But you know you aren’t going to get in trouble: You’re helping the police. You just have to be confident and levelheaded." 

Teenagers aren’t responsible enough to drink alcohol, he said, and his peers usually never think of the tragedies that can result from binge drinking or drunk driving until one hits home. 

"People don’t see that it’s bad until they lose a friend, or it’s life changing," he said.

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x719497693/Selling-booze-to-minors-Busted#ixzz2DEjCA1El


Recent suspensions:
Franklin Wine and Spirits (in the plaza with Dunkin Dounts on King St)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/10/live-reporting-license-hearing.html

Bamboo House
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/live-reporting-license-hearing.html

And in 2011
DaVita's Market, Joe's American Bar and Grill, Tedeschi Food Shop, and Uptowne Pub
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/09/live-reporting-liquor-license-failures.html

"not counted as part of a formula"

The Milford Daily News writes about unaccepted roads. According to the MassDOT inventory in 2011 Franklin has 28.7 miles of unaccepted roads and 170.4 miles of accepted roads.

Franklin, whose Town Council accepts roads, sought help from the state Legislature. Lawmakers last year approved a simplified acceptance policy that eliminates some of the legal work. 

Department of Public Works Director Robert Cantoreggi said the town has been working in recent years to accept streets. State data shows the town has about 29 miles of unaccepted roads. 

Franklin will plow a road, fix potholes and perform other limited maintenance once it has three homes on it. 

"People kind of forget about it," Cantoreggi said. "No one really knows (it is unaccepted) until a road falls apart."

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x35743936/Unaccepted-roads-pose-challenges-for-residents-and-towns#ixzz2DEeFA7cR

The MassDOT report for 2011 can be found here
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/17/docs/RoadInventory/2011_ye_rpt.pdf

What is an unaccepted road? MassDOT defines this as "unaccepted roads consist of roads open to public travel but not formally accepted by a city or town, as well as some private ways." A road that is not legally owned by the local community. It was put in by a developer in order to complete the development of some number of residences. It may not have been built to the local community standard by the developer. The community may have a process to bring a road up to standard and then "accept" it as part of the community maintenance. Bringing roads up to standard can be a costly proposition and the question of who contributes to the delay in accepting the road.

Tickets on sale; "A Christmas Carol Times Two"

"A Christmas Carol Times Two!", a dramatic reading performance of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" combined with traditional 19th century English Christmas carols will happen on Thursday, Dec. 13 at 7:00 PM at the Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central Street in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Actor Al LePage will become "Englishman Thomas Hutchinson, Traveling Thespian" complete with English accent, clothing of the period and other accoutrements for the dramatic reading part. Organist and local minister Rev. Dr. Dianne Carpenter will weave piano music between various scenes to set the tone for what's to come and entertain.

This is a special benefit performance sponsored by the Franklin Historical Commission and hosted by the Franklin United Methodist Church with all proceeds to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. 


Tickets are on sale at the Franklin Historical Museum 

• today from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
• Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
• Thursday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM (also the Holiday Stroll - Nov 29th!)

For more about the show 
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/10/a-christmas-carol-times-two-dec-13.html

Construction update

Some of the side roads downtown are newly paved now. You may recall that they had their water and sewer mains worked on earlier this year.

What streets are they? East St, West St, Church Ave, Walnut Ave and Nason St.

A view down West St

A view up East St (from Union St)

The Google map for this area:


View Larger Map

This is one of my favorite spots because East does meet West!




Post and photos from October 2012
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/10/east-st-construction.html

From the Franklin DPW page we find this status
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_DPW/Construction_Projects/construction_projects_index

Dressing up for the holidays

Thanks to the Franklin Downtown Partnership, Franklin is now dressed up for the holidays.

Greens and wreaths were added down at the Main St/West Central St triangle

Ready for the Holiday Stroll!

For more about the Franklin Downtown Partnership, visit their web page here
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

Note: I am proud to be an individual member of the Partnership as well as a member through the Franklin Food Pantry

Foggy morning

Muted colors this foggy morning. The sun will break through the cloud cover. Have a good day!