Live reporting - Treasurer/Collector

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS 
Jim Dacey, Treasurer Collector
overview of the duties of the office
showed the ledger used in 1877 and used in 2000 when he first came into the office

(will post presentation copy later)

lock box implemented in 2003
online bill pay started in 2009
collection rate over 99% consistently

electronic bill pay hopefully within the next several months, potential postage savings

multiple retirements coming over the next 5 years
opportunities for new staff
currently, a resident of Franklin and 18 years old is minimum requirement to win the election
time to put the measure on the ballot again in November to move it to an appointed position

"the position is really too important for politics"

Moddy's rating comes every year, important to have a strong team, helps the bond ratings

Jeff Nutting adds that Jim left out the transition to an electronic payment for all the employees, moved from a paper weekly system to an every two week, electronic deposit, web based payroll statement

Powderly - this doesn't question the integrity of any voter, it recognizes the specific tasks that are required

Cerel - as long it has been at least a year, it can come back to vote, it is considered a minor change, the council can take the vote to propose it, would go to the Attorney General for review and then to the ballot

Dellorco - who would appoint and approve?
Nutting - If we were consistent with other positions, I would say appoint by Town Administrator and review by Town Council. The Council can decide how to put it together on the ballot but it needs to be defined.

Bissanti - Do folks really check out the resumes of the candidates?
Dacey - I can't speak for all the voters, some do, based upon some of the comments I think the prior vote was misunderstood. This isn't about appointing me as the Treasurer/Collector, it is about appointing the next person.

Roy - one of the other things you didn't mention, you provided some input to the new Representative on some bills, I wan to publicly thank you for that

Live reporting - Town Council - Jan 23, 2013

Present: Mercer, Dellorco, Kelly, Powderly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Roy
Absent:   none


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
November 7, 2012
approved 8-0 (Roy arrived right after the vote)

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

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Steve Sherlock - Franklin resident on Lawrence Dr, I am usually here reporting for Franklin Matters but for this evening I'd like to spend a couple of minutes wearing another hat.

I am the Chair for the Board of Directors for the Franklin Food Pantry and our 3rd annual phone-a-thon is approaching. We are getting the word out through the newspaper and other outlets and wanted to use this time as well.

This is an all volunteer effort. We are looking for volunteers to help on Sat Feb 9th and Sat Feb 16th. Looking for 2 hour time slots, if your schedule permits, we will welcome your help.

Additional information can be found on the Food Pantry webpage
You can send an email to Bob at Franklinfoodpantry.org or call the Pantry, option 5 for the Phone-a-thon

We are grateful to Dean College for letting us use their facilities for this effort and for providing for lunch for our volunteers on both days.

http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2013/01/franklin-food-pantry-phone-thon.html


E. APPOINTMENTS 
Appointment to the Historical Commission - Connie Lawson
approved 9-0

F. HEARINGS 

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS 

The Glass Harmonica

Vera Meyer returned to the Franklin Historical Museum to help celebrates Benjamin Franklin's birthday on Sunday. His birthday actually is Jan 17th.

The standing room only crowd listened, made suggestions, and asked good questions about the glass harmonica.



The instrument is turned by hand or in this case with an electric motor. It is played by holding ones fingers along the edge of the glass. Both the glass and the fingers need to be wet to make good sounds.



When trying to play a piece with high notes, Vera remarked after that she usually brings her own water with her. The instrument plays better with hard water than soft water.



The instrument is more likely to play music with slower tempos like church hymns or waltzes. She did have a request for a polka and that type of music is too much uptempo to do well with this.



For Vera's prior visits to the Historical Museum for Ben's Birthday visit this link for 2012 and this for 2011

For additional info on Ben visit this wikipedia page

For additional information on the glass harmonica this page on wikipedia can get you started

And if you missed stopping by, but would like to hear what the glass harmonica sounds like, skip ahead in this recording to about the 9 minute mark to listen and enjoy  (of course, if you want to step back in time to 2011, don't skip just listen).

Franklin Matters: FM #84 - Week Ending Jan 30, 2011Jan 30, 2011
Those who came by were able to learn from Vera Meyer about the glass harmonica that Ben invented while listening to her play. I hope she is able to come back to the museum in the future. The instrument is special and her ...http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/

Franklin High School Construction

Lots of trucks have been in and out of the new high school construction site. As I walked by on Monday, there was a series of cement trucks making deliveries too!



Not much to see just yet. Once the foundation is all poured and set, the steel frame will start to rise and then it will begin to look like something more than an organized mess.

Voices of Franklin: What to do about the conditions on Ledge St?

Rob Crummet lives on Ledge St. Yes Ledge St, you might recognize it if you have seen the recently published road condition report. It is #2 on the list.

Scroll through his letter and view the pictures of the #2 road in Franklin.





When will Ledge St be fixed? Rob would like to know.

Franklin Senior Center: AARP Drivers Safety Class - Jan 26

Reporting by walking around Franklin, I found this and several other photos worth sharing.




For additional info visit the Senior Center webpage  http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index


To register, call the Senior Center  508-520-4945

Sam Adams Beer Dinner at 3

Good beer, good food, and likely to be a gathering of folks who like those things as well; sounds like a great combination!

An Exceptional Evening of 3's Great Food Paired with Samuel Adams Beer Please join 3 for an evening of delicious food and beer. We will be featuring a four course dinner specially prepared by Sous Chef Danielle Sargent - each course paired with a beer from the Samuel Adams Brewery. Thursday, January 31, 7:00pm; $55/pp:  includes four course dinner, four beer tastings, tax and gratuity. Plus, some great Samuel Adams Brewery giveaways!    Reservations are required, and can be made by calling 508.528.6333. 3  461 West Central Street, Franklin, MA  508.528.6333  3-restaurant.com Visit our other Let's Eat, Inc. restaurant in Norwood: SKY

Forward email Let's Eat, Inc. | 461 Central Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

Franklin Food Pantry Phone-A-Thon slated

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Franklin Food Pantry Phone-A-Thon slated

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 1/21/13

The Franklin Food Pantry will conduct it's annual Phone-A-Thon on Saturdays, Feb. 9 and 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Wicked Local Franklin News RSS using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Dr Martin Luther King: "I have a dream"

In a world where injustice still exists, where inequality still thrives, we must remember why this day is a holiday.

"To save man from the morass of propaganda, in my opinion, is one of the chief aims of education. Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction."

Dr Martin Luther King, Jr., The Purpose of Education


Spend less than 20 minutes to listen (or listen again) to "I have a dream"





The text of this speech can also be found here
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/17/i-have-a-dream-speech-text_n_809993.html

Franklin Library: Make Your Own Journal

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Make Your Own Journal

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 1/20/13

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

"18-acre community-supported farm off Daniels Street"

The Milford Daily News reports on the Planning Board approval for the Hoffman Farm:

Hoffmann’s first was in New Braintree, a farming town northwest of Worcester where he and his family currently reside. He had 40 acres, tended to 40 dairy goats and grew 40,000 pounds of butternut squash a year. 

He’s working with a considerably smaller plot this time. Still, the farm will yield a wide-variety of vegetables. And he’ll keep cows and goats. (For now, his animals are staying at a friend’s farm.) 

"We will be in full operation vegetable-wise this summer," Hoffmann said. "We have to - that’s how I make my living. If I don’t do that, I don’t go to work." 

Hoffmann’s Farm is exempt from most of the town’s zoning bylaws. However, the Planning Board pushed Hoffmann to create a subdivision for his house, forcing him to build a private road leading to where the home will go.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1084485419/After-getting-OK-from-town-Franklin-farmer-ready-to-grow#ixzz2IbvyjFaO

Special Education Speaker in Medway

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What the Dracut decision taught us about the importance of social skills and language pragmatics in an IEP.       Date: January 22nd, 2013 Where: MHS - 88 Summer Street Medway, MA 02053    Time: 7pm    Open and free to the public.  Please RSVP to medwayspedpac@gmail.com    Discussions lead by Elsa Abele MS CCC/SLP and clinical assistant professor at Boston University and professor at the Center For Autism Disorders at Antioch University and Attorney's Janine A. Solomon and Pamela J. Coveney, from the Disability Law Center of Massachusetts.    Funded by the Medway SEPAC 2013       Have you heard the words social skills or language pragmatics but don't really know what it means? Have you observed or know a child or adolescent who: Doesn't say hello, goodbye or greet with a smile unless they are told? Rarely says please or thank you? Doesn't take turns when talking or interrupts often? Say inappropriate or unrelated things during conversation? Doesn't make small talk or show interest on others topics? Not able to understand sarcasm. Tell stories in a disorganized way? Has difficulty understanding another viewpoint or feelings. Doesn't notice others feelings? Unable to build friendships or keep friends? Doesn't think ahead about something nice that could be done for friend or family? Always to get their own way? Has difficulty discussing conflict calmly and rationally and come to an agreement about a solution? Has difficulty managing their emotions? Sometimes seems like they just don't get it? Doesn't comprehend the impact of nonverbal communication on others and/or can't interpret the nonverbal communication that others communicate Body language Fidgeting/twirling/jumping Eye contact or lack of eye contact Facial gestures            Who is on an IEP, 504 or has a learning disability? If you answered yes to any of these questions, continue reading. What are social skills? Social Skills, Language pragmatics (social language) refers to the verbal and nonverbal rules that dictate our social interactions. Social skills are critical to function in society and maintain a healthy, happy, successful life. Ability to control emotions, anxiety, attention and impulses. Meet Greet, Acknowledge, and Communicate and interact with others. Engage in a back and forth conversation AND showing interest by nodding or smiling. Joint decision making, negotiation, ability to discuss conflict calmly and rationally and come to an agreement about the solution. Being able to say what you are feeling without aggression or getting personal. Noticing, understanding, acknowledging others feelings and perspectives. Recognizing and interpreting correctly nonverbal communication (body position, eyes, tone, volume, gestures) 7% communication is verbal 93% communication is non-verbal If one does not understand nonverbal cues it will significantly impact all aspects of life such as self-esteem, relationships, school, employment, stress/anxiety, overall health, wellbeing and quality of life. Consequences of Poor Social Skills Experience difficulties in interpersonal relationships with parents, peers, and teachers. Evoke highly negative responses from others that lead to high level peer rejection. Peer rejection has been linked with school violence. Show signs of depression, anxiety, aggression or withdrawal. Demonstrate poor academic performance as an indirect consequence. Show a higher incidence of involvement in the criminal justice system as adults. Consequences of Good Social Skills Strengthen relationships and facilitate success at school/work. Ability to problem solves, manage stress and emotions, ask for assistance when needed, respectfully and appropriately and deal with conflict lead to resiliency of future events. Students make healthy, safe choices. Students take personal responsibility for self-discipline and actions.    What happened in Dracut??? In violation: the Dracut Public Schools failed to provide adequate transition services for the student, as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Massachusetts state law. As such will need to : This effectively denied the student a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), and Mr. Crane has ordered Dracut to provide two years of Compensatory services for the student and his family. The Hearing Officer agreed with the family, noting that Dracut had declined to evaluate the student properly, plan proper community-based transition services for him or accept recommendations from highly credentialed experts who had suggested modifications to his Individual Education Program (IEP). He credited testimony offered on behalf of the student, both as to the severity of his deficits, and what was needed to address them. Accordingly, he awarded two years of compensatory transition services specifically ordering Dracut to: · extend the student's special education eligibility for an additional two years; · convene a team meeting in 30 days to develop a new transition plan; · start providing new transition services within 60 days; and · hire two of the student's testifying experts as consultants (or accept their recommendations for other appropriate consultants, if they are unavailable). The decision carefully enumerates the required elements of the student's new IEP transition plan, mandating that it include: · systematic, step-by-step pragmatic language instruction; · development of organizational skills; · vocational training; · travel instruction; · a comprehensive social skills assessment; and · training in social skills. The decision has important implications for the rights of young people with disabilities approaching transition age. It carefully enumerates several legally required elements of the transition process. First, it underscores the need for IEP teams to work collaboratively, to identify students' deficits while they are still eligible for special education services, and to listen to recommendations from properly credentialed experts. The decision also highlights the underlying purpose of transition services, and why Congress added them to the IDEA. It cites Congress's finding that, "when individuals are not prepared to make the transition into the post-school environment'[years of special education will be wasted while these individuals languish at home.   It further notes that "transition services are part of, and not separate from, a school district's responsibility to provide FAPE." In this case, the student's Asperger's Syndrome limits his ability to apply learned skills from one environment to another. Therefore, he needs to experience employment situations within three or four community settings, to develop usable vocational skills. To determine what additional services are necessary, there must be appropriate transition assessments. Without them, the team has insufficient information to devise an appropriate program, and plans need to be individualized for each student. The decision then underscores that mere academic success is not enough, when other deficits will likely preclude a student from functioning effectively in a post-secondary environment, whether in the community, in college, or when interacting with social and workplace peers. STAY CONNECTED

Forward this email WMRC Daily News | 258 Main Street | Milford | MA | 01757

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 23, 2012

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
November 7, 2012

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

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Appointment to the Historical Commission - Connie Lawson

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Jim Dacey, Treasurer Collector
Brutus Cantoreggi, Director Public Works

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-01: Appropriation – Capital FY 13
2. Resolution 13-02: Appropriation – Sewer Enterprise Capital FY 13
3. Resolution 13-03: Appropriation – Water Enterprise Capital FY 13
4. Resolution 13-04: Appropriation – Water Enterprise Water Lines FY 13
5. Bylaw Amendment 13-699:Amendment of Service Fee Rates: Administration- 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 as published for this agenda can be found on the Franklin webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/012313.pdf

Change to Beaver St Recycling Center stickers

From the Franklin, MA webpage, comes this notice of a policy change to the stickers needed for Beaver St which is effective immediately.

Attached is the new policy for Recycling Center stickers effective immediately. When a sticker is purchased it is to be paper clipped to this 3 page form with instructions on putting the sticker on the vehicle along with the center rules, regulations and fees. Town employees are not required to put stickers on the vehicle. The sticker must be on the vehicle prior to entering the Recycling Center or will be denied access. When a sticker is purchased at the center it must be on subsequent visits.

The policy referenced above as "attached" is located here for your convenience:

Friendly Reminder - Curbside collection delayed this week

From the official Franklin, MA webpage

MONDAY JANUARY 21 IS A HOLIDAY

NO CURBSIDE COLLECTION

COLLECTION WILL BE ONE DAY

LATER THAN USUAL FOR THE WEEK

With the Martin Luther King Holiday on Monday, there is no school!

Parmenter School, Wachusett St, Franklin, MA 02038

Livy's Hope - The Cake Bar

While I was on my errands Saturday afternoon, Tracie Turinese sent me an email about a fund raiser at her place, The Cake Bar. Hmm, I was going to drive right by on my way home, might as well stop in and see what's up.

The Cake Bar was busy. As I was in line, watching for an opportunity to take a picture of the luscious cupcakes in the display case, the tray marked "Livy's Hope" was pulled out. The last of that batch had just been sold. Any cupcake purchase qualifies for a contribution to this cause so I did make a choice. There are so many decadent ones to choose from!


Here is the flyer with the full story on the fund raising effort for Livy




Here is a view of the special Livy cupcakes. Yes, more are being made. You might be able to get one or more when you go there this weekend.

The Cake Bar - Livy's Hope

For more about Livy's Hope you can visit their webpage   www.livyshope.com

If you don't make it to the Cake Bar, you can donate through the Livy's Hope website

http://www.livyshope.com/index.php/fundraising/donate

BTW - The Cake Bar now is selling gluten free cupcakes made by Twist Bakery from Millis

If it is hard to get to the links in the flyer, you can try these

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtgzYA-HNnM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgo_CN1w25Y

And if course, The Cake Bar can also be found online  www.thecakebaronline.com

Food Pantry: Volunteers needed for Phone-a-thon

Franklin Food Pantry Volunteers,

On Saturday(s), February 9th and February 16th the Franklin Food Pantry will be holding its biggest fundraiser, The Annual Phone-A-Thon.

Last year, through the help of generous folks like you, we were able to raise over $12,500.00 to feed our Franklin neighbors in need.

This year, it is our goal to exceed that number by 20% to support the 40% increase in the number of clients seeking our assistance.

Will you join us?

Volunteers are asked to sign on for two-hour call shifts at Dean College:

February 9th       February 16th

10:00-Noon

Noon-2:00

2:00-4:00

Can we count you in?

Please call the Phone-A-Thon hotline @ (508) 528-3115 (option 5 on voicemail), or contact me via email bob@franklinfoodpantry.org.

Please be sure to leave the following information
· First name, Last name
· Best phone number to reach you
· Email address
· Preference of day and shift/time(s)

Your response by January 26th would be appreciated.

As always, it is neighbors like you that keep us going!

Thanks,

Bob Hamilton
Fundraising Committee Chair


Note: this was also posted to the Franklin Food Pantry web page here
Disclosure: I am one of the volunteers on the Board of Directors for the Food Pantry and proud to lead this effort to help our neighbors.

MassBudget: Analyzing the Governor's Proposals on Education, Transportation, and Revenue

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Analyzing the Governor's Proposals Over the past week, the Governor has introduced a series of important policy proposals, including: 1) new investments in education; 2) a commitment to fix and improve the state's transportation system; and 3) a detailed plan to pay for these investments with new revenue. MassBudget's "First Look at the Governor's Proposals" analyzes each of these initiatives, including the impact they would have on Early Education & Care, K-12, Higher Ed., Transportation, the Sales Tax, and the Income Tax. Among other things, the Governor's proposals include: Significantly more funding for Early Education & Care, to help ensure that lower-income families have access to the kind of high-quality child care that helps prepare young children for success in school and in life. A combination of sales taxes decreases and income tax increases that would help fund these investments in education and transportation with $1.9 billion in new revenues--while also making the state's tax system more fair. Read A FIRST LOOK AT THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS Other MassBudget Updates A new factsheet, "The Regional Impact of a Minimum Wage Increase" provides a regional breakdown of the workers and families who would benefit from a minimum wage increase. In addition, we have also updated and expanded our previous minimum wage reports and our interactive tools. Looking for a primer on Local Aid before the Governor releases his full budget next week? Senior Policy Analyst Luc Schuster explains what Local Aid is for--and how deeply it has been cut--in a new MassBudget video. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

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