Today's Sunday Globe covers a number of the same home energy saving tips covered in the presentation at the Franklin Public Library this past Monday evening. The graphical depiction of the savings in the online edition is not the same as the graphic that appears in the print version. It leaves off the dollar savings and payback periods. You'll need to read the full article to find that info.
Read the full article in the Boston Globe here
The presentation from the Library session earlier this week can be found here.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
"We ask them virtually to perform miracles"
The Framingham and Franklin school systems face a common problem - the need to hire a new superintendent - but they're looking to solve it in different ways.
They're among at least 11 school systems in the region that have either hired new district leaders in the past year or are in the process of doing so. Some, like Franklin, have sought to nurture internal talent and hire from within the school district. Others, like Framingham, have put out a nationwide call for applications.
Both approaches reflect a desire to hire the best leaders from what area school officials say is a shrinking pool of candidates for a growing number of openings.
Just last week, Shrewsbury's longtime superintendent, Anthony Bent, announced he will be retiring at the end of the academic year.
Bent, who has headed Shrewsbury's system for 15 years, said the School Committee will search for his successor both inside and outside the district, casting a broad net in order to "have the best potential pool to choose from."
Thomas Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, said there have been between 50 and 60 superintendent vacancies in each of the last five years, up from fewer than 10 annual openings a decade ago. Each open slot used to draw 75 or more applications, whereas school districts are now lucky to get 20 applications, he said.
Read the full article in the Boston Sunday Globe West section here
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Parking fees increase at MBTA
Read the full article here in the Boston GlobeThe MBTA's oversight board voted yesterday to raise parking rates by $2 at all of its lots and garages beginning Nov. 15 as part of a plan to pay back wages owed to union employees.
For many daily riders, the increase will have the same effect as a $10-per-week fare increase, or about $500 per year. Rates currently vary, from $1 per day at ferry yards, to $2 at commuter rail station lots, up to as much as $5 at the four most expensive garages.
"That's doubling it," said Margie Katz, a record supervisor at the University of Massachusetts at Boston who takes the commuter rail to work from the Campello station in Brockton, where daily rates had been $2. "It will be an extreme hardship."
"It's really depressing"
GHS
MILFORD —
Calling the global economic crisis and financial pressure "the perfect storm" for taxpayers to pass Question 1, which repeals the state income tax on Nov. 4, legislators implored local politicians to rally against it.
"If it passes, we can pretty much shut our doors and go home," said Rep. John V. Fernandes, D-Milford, during a legislative breakfast with the Massachusetts Municipal Association at the Milford Senior Center yesterday.
"We can't sit back on such an important question. The cynicism that drives this means we have to explain to people the seriousness of the consequences. I know people who tend to vote for this who work for local government," Fernandes said.
Fernandes, state Sen. Richard Moore, D-Uxbridge, Ashland Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Mark Purple, and Douglas Executive Director Michael Guzinski, along with others at the forum, believe the question has a very good chance of passing, and it scares them.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
"some people are just self-centered and narrow-minded"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Neighbors are rallying to save a nearby colony of feral cats, contacting national animal rights organizations after learning Highwood Condominiums' board of trustees plans to trap and euthanize them.
Animal Control officers Cindy Souza and Tracey Holmes say the feral cats' feeding station, which they set up with Purr-fect Cat Shelter of Medway in nearby woods is on state land where trapping is prohibited.
"We've kind of stepped back ... It's really up to the people to stand up to the association at this point," Holmes said.
And they are.
Resident Leslie McShane contacted Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah, to bring attention to the situation.
"I thought they should know what goes on in small towns that want to euthanize their problems ... instead of reaching out to the community to try and find homes for the feral cats or try to relocate the colony to a friendlier area that they can all survive in," McShane said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Friday, October 10, 2008
Question 1 effect on Franklin
Check out these editorials from around the state.
- Tax repeal would result in chaos The Springfield Republican
- Income tax repeal would create chaos Worcester Telegram and Gazette
- For fiscal sanity, no on Question 1 The Boston Herald
- This question is not the answer The Boston Globe
- Reality of Question 1 The Berkshire Eagle
- A ridiculous idea The Cape Cod Times
- Taxes and tactics South Coast Today
- Eliminating income tax is madness The Patriot Ledger
Check out the facts provided here for the effects on Franklin
Or click here to make your own navigation amongst the communities in our Commonwealth of Massachusetts to see the effect if Question 1 passes.
Please don't be swayed by something that sounds too good to be true. You know what happens then, something bad!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
"We plan for the worst, hoping it never happens"
GHS
MILFORD —
Just outside Milford Regional Medical Center, men covered from head to toe in protective suits, gloves, rubber boots and breathing apparatus had already decontaminated several victims of a mock terrorist attack when Fire. Lt. Patrick Salmon got a message over his walkie-talkie.
A voice on the other end said the state was reporting: "It may be a terror attack with sarin gas," a nerve agent used in chemical warfare.
Around 7:35 p.m., 55 minutes into a drill mimicking a terrorist incident on a commuter train arriving in Franklin, emergency workers were prepping the third and final victim to bring to the hospital.
"So far, it's good. It's dark out, so we had some issues until we got the lights set up, but now we can keep taking patients" if necessary, Salmon said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
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