Conspiracy found

Yes, really, there is a conspiracy revealed within the Franklin Town web site. But no, it is not the kind you were thinking of!

Continuing to explore the 2008 Annual Report I find information on the Human Resources Department.

Welcome To Human Resources

We are partners in building the Town of Franklin by aligning the skills and assignments of our employees with Town initiatives, values, strategies and the needs of all our citizens. We serve as a source of information and expertise that provides quality customer service for employees and citizens and their ever changing needs. We help make Franklin a great place to work and live -- professionally and personally. To do this we work to:

1. Develop an attitude of teamwork and quality in our day to day operations.
2. Create an atmosphere which fosters challenges, fun, safety, and excellence
3. Seize opportunities which demonstrate excellence execution, caring attitude and a sense of urgency.
4. Communicate in a candid and fair manner with the diverse work force from whom our Town derives its strength.
5. Commit to acting openly, equitably and consistently in our pursuit of uncompromising quality.
6. Increase participation in Town and community activities while seeking knowledge, enthusiasm and an improved quality of life for ourselves, co-workers, and the community.
7. Respect team member values which may be different from our own.
8. Accept responsibility for promoting ethical and legal conduct in personal and Town business practices.

You can find this and more information on the Town website. From the Home page, scroll over the Departments link and select More. Scroll down to find the Human Resources Department in alphabetical order.


Check out the "Conspiracy of Kindness" and "Tale of the Goose" here


If you have not picked up your hard copy of the report at Town Hall, you can try to view it online here: http://www.town.franklin.ma.us/pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/2008arpt.pdf

Coverage of the Human Resources Department begins on Page 96.

Second annual town-wide reading program

FRANKLIN -

Join the Franklin Library for its second annual town-wide reading program designed to have everyone in the community read the same book and share ideas expressed in the book by participating in discussions, a film series and author event.

This year’s selection is "Manhunt: The twelve day chase for Lincoln’s killer," by James Swanson.

This nonfiction book tells the story of the plot to assassinate not only Lincoln but other members of his cabinet, and the hunt for the conspirators and their eventual capture. This is a story appropriate for teens as well as adults.

Copies of "Manhunt" are available at the Franklin Library.

Read the full article in the Franklin Gazette here

Senior Center closed until 1/8/09

FRANKLIN —

The town’s senior center will be closed until Thursday, Jan. 8, after it lost power last week, leading to a burst pipe and sprinkler system and water damage. All of the center’s activities are suspended until then.

Damage to the center is minimal, but some computers were covered in water, said the center’s director, Karen Alves. The water largely collected on the multi-purpose room’s floor, which is linoleum, making the clean-up easier.

"Everything looks quite good," Alves said Monday. "The custodial staff was here over the weekend and did a good job, with the exception of the computer lab. We don’t know how many were damaged and are trying to determine that now."

The Dial-A-Ride service in town, operated by the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority, is running as usual this week.

This was originally posted online at the Milford Daily News here.

In the News: repair shops, 2010 budget, space heaters

Car shops and parts places are among the few businesses experiencing growth in the recession, as consumers try to save money by keeping their cars longer, said Jon Hurst, president of the Massachusetts Retailers Association.

"I will vouch for that!" said Adam Dauley, assistant manager at AutoZone on Rte. 140 in Franklin.

"We've had a good 50 percent increase in sales in the last few months. Sales have been unbelievable," he said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

"If it doesn't go up, never mind being cut, we're in trouble," Nutting said.

Franklin gets 37.5 percent of its revenue from state aid; this year, that is $33 million of the town's general fund, he said.

"We're vulnerable to fluctuations in state aid. Other communities are too, but not nearly (as much)," Nutting said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

"They can be very innocuous, but as we saw Dec. 12, it can be fatal," said Franklin Fire Chief Gary McCarraher.

On Dec. 12, Franklin resident Bruce Barck, 62, was killed in a fire ignited in his kitchen by a space heater placed too close to "tons of combustible materials," McCarraher said.

Keeping combustible materials away from space heaters is "vastly important," he said.

The number one recommendation from McCarraher and fire officials in Milford and Bellingham: read, follow and keep the manufacturer's instructions. "Like everything, you've got to read the instructions and use (space heaters) judiciously," said McCarraher.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Town Council - Agenda 1/7/09

January 7, 2009 7:00 PM

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – November 19, 2008, December 3, 2008, December 10, 2008,
and December 17, 2008 Regular & Executive Session

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS –
. Cottage Street Pub & Grill, Inc. – Pledge of License
. Franklin Lodge #2136 BPOE., Inc. – Change of Manager
. Applebee’s Northeast, Inc. – Change of Manager

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 09-01: Acceptance of Grant of Easement and Water Booster Pump Station

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

As posted on the Town website

Long term planning

Two area communities that saw voters turn down requests for tax increases last year are crafting long-term plans that, officials hope, will clearly lay out their town's financial future.

Franklin and Ashland have both created committees with the task of developing three-year budget forecasts, and assessing ways to reduce expenses and increase revenues.

Read the full article in the Boston Globe West section here

The meeting notes and live reports for the Financial Planning Committee can be found in the 2008 Meeting Summary along the right column of Franklin Matters

"The solar-powered spotlight will save the town"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Jan 02, 2009 @ 11:24 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

Driving past the King Street ball field one afternoon, Army Airborne veteran and DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi noticed something awry - a flagpole missing its American flag.

Not only was the flag missing, but so were the lights that should be illuminating it at night, he said.

"When you display an American flag, it's supposed to be lit at all times" though the town couldn't afford to pay for a lighting system at the field, Cantoreggi said.

"As a veteran, I do like to see all American flags illuminated," Cantoreggi said.

So he secured a U.S. flag and a $6,000 grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative for a solar-powered light, which the Department of Public Works installed last week, he said.

Franklin was one of the first 20 communities in the state to apply for and receive such a grant, he added.

"We get the best of both worlds. We get to light the flag, which is the right thing to do, and it doesn't cost anything," Cantoreggi said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here