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Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
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FHS Panthers |
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Library Book Sale weekend |
"Calling for a personalized, student-centered approach to reforms, state education leaders gathered Thursday to mark the release of an annual report on the state of education in Massachusetts.
"Unless we change the rules of operations in our state and give more schools the types of freedoms we allow charters, we will not see that type of personalization, and we will see a continuation of a top-down approach," said Board of Higher Education Chairman Chris Gabrieli, who advocated for empowering individual schools to lead the way on reforms.
A crowd of approximately 300 filled the ballroom at the Omni Parker House Hotel, where the Boston-based Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy released its annual "Condition of Education in the Commonwealth Report." While Massachusetts is a national leader in education, there are still deficiencies in the system that need to be addressed, Rennie Center Executive Director Chad d'Entremont said.
"Even as a leader, if we stand pat, we will fall behind," d'Entremont said."
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screen grab of Rennie Center data dashboard |
"In daytime work session Thursday, a special town committee narrowed its list of candidates for school superintendent to three.
Making the cut following a series of meetings are Blackstone-Millville Assistant Superintendent David Thomson, Chelmsford Assistant Superintendent Linda Hirsch and Weymouth Assistant Superintendent Susan Kustka. The committee did not advance Wareham Superintendent Kimberly Shaver-Hood.
The committee - which includes the Franklin School Committee as well as Town Councilor Thomas Mercer, high school Principal Paul Peri, teachers association President Donna Grady and parent Sarah Mulcahy - will now visit the home districts of the candidates. The group also scheduled a public forum with the candidates for Feb. 1."
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Spruce Pond sunrise |
"A website has named Franklin the fourth-safest city in America, continuing a multi-year streak in which the community's safety has been lauded.
The site - location-based analytics search engine NeighborhoodScout - released its lists of both the top 100 safest cities and top 100 most dangerous cities on Jan. 9. A company spokeswoman said the list is based on the latest FBI crime data - in this case, from 2015 - as well as the population of each city.
This is not the first year NeighborhoodScout's list has recognized Franklin. In 2012, the community ranked as the second safest city in the U.S., and since then has been ranked first in 2013, first in 2014 and seventh in 2015."
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NeighborhoodScout screen grab |
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The northern pond at DelCarte in winter |
"A controversial proposal to rezone a parcel on Summer Street to allow for denser residential development failed to pass at Wednesday's Town Council meeting.
A full audience of residents applauded as the measure did not garner the needed two-thirds majority to pass, with only five of the needed six "yes" votes.
The change would have affected the 11-acre parcel at 496 Summer St., altering its zoning from rural residential to a zone that would allow more residential units. Medway-based developer Grandis Homes indicated that they wished to put 34 single-family townhouses on the land. Developer representatives said the project would generate $270,000 in one-time permit fees, and about $250,000 per year."
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snow covered trail in the Franklin Town Forest along Summer St |
Outstanding 44-12 win against Oliver Ames with pins from Carlucci, Racca, MacLean, and Polito including a tech from Remillard #FHSWrestle— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) January 19, 2017
– Taunton battled to take a 3-2 lead through two periods and then finished off the Panthers in the third period. The Tigers scored an early third period goal to go up 4-2 before Franklin cut the deficit to one with 2:11 to play. However, Taunton scored an empty netter from its defensive zone with 34 seconds to go to ice the game. Zack Albert had four points, registering three assists and scored the game-winning goal. Nick Terry scored twice and had one assist while Jordan Hoey and Mike Volkmann each scored once. Justin Chappell made 24 saves to earn the win.
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getting ready FHS girls hockey vs. Medfield photo via @CoachMac |
Girls put up a GREAT fight tonight, season bests all around & so much enthusiasm! Let's put this energy towards KP next week! #roadtohocks pic.twitter.com/V1njeaTxFH— FHS Girls Swim (@FHSGVSWIM) January 18, 2017
8-3 win against Archbishop Williams at their own rink, coon hat to Tasker for a big game and 2 goals. 2nd big win over Archie's this season. pic.twitter.com/MTmPwHCPsF— FHS Panthers JV Puck (@PanthersJvPuck) January 19, 2017
[Boys Winter Varsity Ice Hockey] Taunton HS defeats Franklin HS, 5 to 3.— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) January 19, 2017
[Boys Winter Varsity Swimming] Taunton HS defeats Franklin HS, 49 to 45.— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) January 19, 2017
[Boys Winter Varsity Wrestling] Franklin HS defeats Oliver Ames HS, 44 to 12.— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) January 19, 2017
Medfield comes away w/ 3 goals in the 3P to put this one away. Final from the Vet: Medfield 4-0 over FHS. @HockomockSports @FHSSports— CoachMac (@CoachMacCreery) January 19, 2017
Getting ready to start 2P here at the Vet with Franklin girls trailing Medfield 1-0. @FHSSports @HockomockSports pic.twitter.com/LeTFgEGWIx— CoachMac (@CoachMacCreery) January 18, 2017
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K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT | difficult budgets coming state numbers due soon but don't look good |
L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS | Pfeffer - shoudl re-look at zoning VII a workshop is coming Old museum - to discuss use for it |
M. COUNCIL COMMENTS | Mercer Senior Center elevator approved today Dellorco condolences to long time Franklin people they will be missed |
N. EXECUTIVE SESSION | (if required) |
O. ADJOURN |