Campaign starting for a new Franklin High School

Hi everyone,

I hope you are enjoying the long weekend. I wanted to pass along the email (below) I received from the citizens group formed to win approval of the debt exclusion for the new high school building. It contains information if you wish to support the effort. If you have any questions or if you wish to be added to the mailing list, please feel free to contact the campaign committee at voteyesforfhs@gmail.com, or just shoot me an email.

_________

Thank you for volunteering to help Citizens for a New Franklin High School. Together we will bring the community a modern new facility that serves our children, strengthens our great community and school system, and makes us all proud. Also, thank you to those of you who joined us Thursday night for the organizational meeting of the Citizens for a New Franklin High School. The energy in the room was amazing! There is a lot of work ahead of us to get the 5,000 - 6,000 votes we need, and we have a great plan to get there.

In case you did not sign up that evening, couldn't make the meeting or are just learning about the group, there are a lot of ways to get involved:

Donate - We have a lot of great ideas -- lawn signs, handouts, mailings, get-out-the vote efforts -- but these ideas need money to be implemented. Checks can be made out to "Citizens for a New Franklin High School" and mailed to Mary Jo Peterson, 10 Juniper Road, Franklin, MA 02038.

Register to Vote - Confirm that you are registered to vote by contacting the Town Clerk's office at 508-520-4900. Encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same. Once the vote date is determined, a deadline for registration will be set.

Volunteer - If you are interested in helping with the get-out-the-vote effort -- planting a sign, helping our friends and neighbors get registered, obtaining an absentee ballot or voting on Election Day or many other opportunities, contact Craig or LeAnne Haba at clhaba@comcast.net.

Host - Tom Mercer, chairman of the Building Committee, as well as other committee members, have agreed to speak to various civic organizations in Franklin, and at gatherings hosted in people's homes. If you are interested in hosting a gathering in your home, please contact Laura Brand at Brandfam4@gmail.com to schedule it.

Follow Us - Follow us on Facebook on the page "Vote Yes for the New Franklin High School Building " on Twitter with the handle @sayYEStoFHS. When our website goes live next week we will circulate that as well. When in doubt, please check these resources for accurate, timely information. Feel free to ask questions on these sites. To be added to our mailing list, please email Tina Powderly at ttpowderly@gmail.com.

Please share this email with your friends, neighbors, family members and coworkers who live here in Franklin. It is important that all of us - homeowners and renters, parents or those with no connection to the school system - have the information we need to make a good decision for the vote.

Thank you!

Citizens for a New Franklin High School

_____________

Ed Cafasso
edcafasso@comcast.net
Cell: 508.259.1833
Twitter: @edcafasso
http://www.linkedin.com/in/edcafasso
Blog: http://edcafasso.blogspot.com

Wadsworth Diary - Jan 16, 1892

Pleasant & cold. Have done but little besides the chores & looked over some papers & c & c. E. Simonds here to night. Took ?_ of buggy & put on express.

In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale. 


From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html 

"70 percent of school systems have such charges"

The Milford Daily News covers the increase in fees being charged by school districts for sports and other activities. This is one key reason that drew my attention to the Franklin budget problem as my daughters were going through the Franklin schools.

Hawkins’ survey shows a range of approaches to fees in Massachusetts. While some districts charge flat fees, some vary charges depending on the cost of a particular activity or sport. 

“Some communities have family caps on fees, others do not,” Hawkins said. 

Franklin charges $200 per sport, $175 for track and $450 for hockey with no family cap, and a $325 bus fee with a $975 family cap for that per year.

The fees were much less back when my girls were going to school here. They graduated from FHS in 2004 and 2006. The forecast is for a continued and gradual increase.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x255285967/Area-schools-trying-to-rein-in-student-fees#ixzz1jcpcPSc0

Did you get a Kindle?

The Milford Daily News reports a jump in e-book users across the Minuteman Library Network:

Susan McAlister, the executive director of the Minuteman Library Network, said the consortium that serves 42 libraries in 35 communities saw a huge jump in subscriptions to the network’s OverDrive e-book service after Christmas. From Dec. 25-29 the network saw 1,292 subscribers, with 316 joining on Christmas Day. She said an average day sees 80 new subscribers. 

“There were a lot of people looking to get content, even on Christmas Day,” she said.
McAlister said the consortium has a committee that is tasked with growing the network’s library, which currently stands at 4,553 unique titles and 7,962 total copies.

While Franklin's Library is not referenced in the article, there is a class scheduled at the Library on Monday, Jan 23 to help you understand how to take advantage of your new e-reader/e-book.

Details on the class can be found here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/01/franklin-public-library-ereaders-and.html

The remainder of the MDN article can be found here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1987746710/Area-libraries-trying-to-keep-up-with-e-reader-explosion#ixzz1jcnlQ0oX

Wadsworth Diary - Jan 15, 1892

Foggy & rained most of AM, than snowed a little the rest of the day. Have been in house most the day, except when doing chores & seeing to trains for Willie. Think my cold’s a little better, or looser to day.

In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale. 


From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html 

"I’ll take the pay reduction"

“It was a calculated (risk),” Cropper said. “I thought I had a good chance. The athletic director, the department heads were recommending me. But they’re not the ones who make the decisions.” 

Cropper, 48, didn’t get the job, because, she says, her 15 years of experience required her to receive more money than the school was willing to pay. 

“Teaching seems to be the only profession where if you move, you’re screwed,” she said. “I thought all this experience would help me, but it hasn’t.”

Actually it is more this age group of workers, 40-60, that have the issue across all professions. How do I know? I spent the better part of two years looking for work after being let go from Fidelity Investments in 2008.

Some can call it a 'union' problem but it is bigger than that. The financial sector was largely devoid of unions and yet significant cuts were made across the board to reduce costs. Entire levels of management were let go, coincidentally in the 40-60 age category, and in a way to avoid age discrimination law suits.

Everybody loves a bargain so the low cost sellers of goods are driving down prices. Low price competition is making it tough to compete on delivering 'value'. This is one of the major reason why this recession has lasted so long. Prior ones could make a quick upturn when one of the Fortune 500 expanded a product line or opened a new plant. That is not going to happen within the Fortune 500 nor the Fortune 1000! Growth when it comes will be driven by the small and medium businesses, and entrepreneurs who are looking to serve gaps in the market. It will be a slow up turn.

As a result of the slow up turn and continued price pressures, the salaries that were available before should be considered gone. The odds are we won't see those again.

So what do we do in the face of all this?

Those looking for work need to network, expanding their connections, building relationships, practicing their elevator pitch and being ready to identify an opportunity where they can add value for the right position.

There are likely networking groups in the area that can help. The Hopkinton Networking group meets on the first and third Fridays of the month and they have a good program. If there is interest to get something like that for Franklin, let me know and we can collaborate to get one started here.

You can find more information about the job search at http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/

Read more about Lisa Cropper: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x2062851256/High-School-Notebook-Cropped-out-of-a-job#ixzz1jWuVsLgA

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 18, 2012

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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 – Discussion of Remote Participation

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-03:Master Plan Committee
2. Resolution 12-04:Creation of A Citizen Committee
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-669:Amendment to Chapter 185-45Administration and
Enforcement - Referral to Planning Board
4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-670: Amendment to Chapter 185-3. Definitions – Referral to Planning Board
5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-671: Amendment to Chapter 185-4. Districts Enumerated – Referral to Planning Board
6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-672: Amendment to Chapter 185-20. Signs – Referral to Planning Board

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 this meeting can be found on the Franklin website (PDF)
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/011812.pdf

Wadsworth Diary - Jan 14, 1892

Foggy & damp, some rain. Warm, snow most gone, muddy.
Done but little besides the chores & housework. Have bad cough. E. Simonds came to night, but,  went to stay at G. W. Foster’s.

In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale. 


From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html 

MBTA Fares, Service Public Meetings Set

The closest hearing on the fare increase seems to be in Attleboro

January 24, Tuesday

Attleboro

4:30-8:00 PM

Attleboro High School

100 Rathbun Willard Drive

The full schedule can be found on the MBTA website here

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

MBTA Fares, Service Public Meetings Set

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 1/13/12

The MBTA recently proposed fare and service changes to help close the MBTA's $161 budget deficit for FY2013.  Over the coming weeks, the MBTA will be holding more than 20 public meetings so T riders can make their voices heard about these proposed changes.
The public discussion kicks off next week with the first four public meetings:
Tuesday, January 17, 5:30-7:30 pm, Newton City Hall, War Memorial Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue
Tuesday, January 17, 6:00-8:00 pm, Worcester Public Library, Saxe Room, 3 Salem Square
Wednesday, January 18, 6:00-8:00 pm, Chelsea Public Library Auditorium, 569 Broadway
Thursday, January 19, 6:00-8:00 pm, Roxbury Community College Auditorium, 1234 Columbus Avenue
In the coming weeks, there will be more than 15 additional meetings throughout greater Boston and the MBTA service area.  For a full list of meetings and information, please visit MBTA.com/join the discussion.

The purpose of these meetings is to solicit your ideas and suggestions to improve the recommendations.  You know your communities best and we are counting on you for smart solutions.

Can't make one of the meetings?  Have your voice heard by sending an email with your questions, comments, and ideas to fareproposal@mbta.com.
The MBTA has proposed two possible scenarios to handle the budget deficit. Scenario 1 includes a larger fare increase but smaller service cut, protecting 98% of bus passengers.  Scenario 2 is a smaller increase but a larger service cut, protecting 76% of bus route customers. Under both proposals, the MBTA will continue to have some of the lowest fares in the country. 

In recent years, the MBTA has worked to keep the system moving forward despite facing numerous financial challenges.  For example, the MBTA released real-time bus, subway, and commuter data that is now available through more than 40 smartphone apps.  The T also put into service new Blue Line trains, upgraded stations, and made other improvements.
The MBTA's public outreach process continues with the acceptance of public comment through March 1, 2012 electronically at mbta.com, by email at fareproposal@mbta.com, via mail to MBTA, Ten Park Plaza, Boston, Ma  02116, Attention: Fare Proposal Committee, and by phone at 617-222-3200/ TTY (617) 222-5146.
A final fare increase and service reduction recommendation will be made to the MBTA's Board of Directors this spring and changes will be implemented on July 1, 2012.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Two charged with bat beating in Franklin

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Two charged with bat beating in Franklin

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Alison McCall/Daily News staff on 1/13/12

 Two Medway men were arrested Thursday night after police say they beat up a third man with a bat for his drugs.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Piano prodigy to perform in Franklin

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Piano prodigy to perform in Franklin

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 1/13/12

LiveARTS Sunday Concert Series will present 16-year-old piano prodigy George Li in recital on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 3:30 p.m. at the meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut St.

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

Wadsworth Diary - Jan 13, 1892

Foggy & stormed a little most the day & this eve. Thawy. About house most the day.

In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale. 


From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html 

Long weekend ahead

With Martin Luther King Day on Monday, we have a long weekend ahead of us.



If you are going to be traveling, be safe. Enjoy!

In the News - Franklin students, burning permits

Franklin students get lesson in political activism

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Franklin kids take heat for taking up space

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Franklin burning permits available

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Budget Workshop - School presentation

From the Budget Workshop held on Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 - this is the School Budget presentation.

FPS_Budget_workshop_20120111

View more presentations from Franklin Matters

You can view the budget workshop via the on-demand feature from the Franklin webpage. The meeting ran just under an hour and was reported to be quite informative (I haven't caught up to view it myself yet, hopefully this long weekend will provide some time to do so).

What's a GMO?

Do you know?

Food for thought:

Live reporting - Organizational meeting - "Citizens for a New Franklin High School"

Over 60 Almost 80 people have gathered here in the library in the middle of Franklin High School to start the committee to promote and advocate for the new high school proposal.

School Building Committee Chair Tom Mercer is providing an overview of the work performed to date. The various proposal put together, what was rated and ranked, pros and cons, then ultimately the MSBA invited Franklin into the "Model School" program.

Participating were at least one representative from the Finance Committee, many of the School Committee and Town Council members.

Among the items shared:

The Whitman-Hanson model school has been replicated 8 times around the state. One other model school has been replicated once. The other two model schools have not yet been replicated.

The foot print of the new building is two-thirds of the size of the existing building. It goes up three stories to reduce the foot print over the existing space.

There is 850 seat auditorium/theater in the new design.

MSBA will vote on Jan 25th to approve or deny our proposal. The School Building Committee will then come to the Town Council asking for a debt exclusion with a target date for the vote - March 27. The Town Council has final say on the debt exclusion and date for the vote.

If all goes well, ground will be broken this fall and the new building should be open in the fall of 2014.

The total cost of the project is projected to be $104.5 M
Franklin's share would be $47 M. The State will pick up 59.52% of the cost (the balance).
When the project started the expected reimbursement was expected to be 30-34%

The debt exclusion is for a twenty year period. It will be an increasing cost and then flat for the remainder of the twenty year term. Compared to an override, the debt exclusion increase in taxes will expire at twenty years. The override never expires (unless there is an 'underride' - and yes, it does happen but not frequently in MA).

Tom is doing this 'road show' several times and the schedule will continue to develop.

The group has a Facebook page
There is a Twitter account created:  https://twitter.com/#!/sayYEStoFHS
There will likely be a website (link to be added when available)

The other model schools being built with the Whitman-Hanson model are coming in on or under budget and schedule.

One of the major items bringing the current high school to warning status is the lack of handicap access. The cost to provide accessibility to the current facility still wouldn't address other issues affecting the warning status.

The current facility is experiencing a rash of electric shorts causing fire alarms. This is part of the overall infrastructure problem.

Important dates
Jan 31 - Finance Committee meeting to preview the proposal and make their vote
Feb 1 - Town Council meeting
Feb 28 - School Committee meeting

The model school is a take it or leave it proposal Franklin can get a 104.5 million facility for $47M.

"Citizens for a New Franklin High School"

Wadsworth Diary - Jan 12, 1892

Damp & foggy most the day & is this eve. Thawy. Chored about home. Cleared up a little in the house & c & c.

In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale. 


From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html 

In the News - budget balancing, Hamilton digs, Daddario awards, patent law, puppy training

Franklin leaders begin budget-balancing act

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Hamilton digs in at Forge Park in Franklin

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Daddario Hardware awards $1,000 Shopping Giveaway

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin resident named Boston Patent Law Assoc. president

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

NEADS seeking help training puppies

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin SEPAC: Workshop - Jan 18th

From the Franklin Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC):

Please join us on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 for Assistive Technology: Increasing Your Child's Independence presented by assistive technology and augmentative device specialists from the Integrated Center for Child Development. 

Children with developmental and learning challenges sometimes need assistive technology devices or services in order to benefit fully from social and academic placements and programs, and to participate with the greatest success and independence. This workshop will: explore a variety of new and well known assistive technology solutions; preview the framework and components of an Assistive Technology evaluation; discuss how assistive technology is addressed by IDEA legislation; describe how to access assistive technology services and resources; highlight how assistive technology is integrated into the IEP; and answer questions about how families can access assistive technology resources. 

Presentation will take place at 7:00pm in the 3rd floow training room of the Franklin Municipal Muilding, 355 East Central Street. Free and open to the public.