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 *
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Live reporting - license transactions
F. HEARINGS - none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS –
. Cottage Street Pub & Grill, Inc. – Pledge of License approved 7-0
. Franklin Lodge #2136 BPOE., Inc. – Change of Manager approved 7-0 as amended
. Applebee’s Northeast, Inc. – Change of Manager approved 7-0
Live reporting - Town Council meeting 2
Absent: Mason, Vallee
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – November 19, 2008, December 3, 2008, December 10, 2008,
and December 17, 2008 Regular & Executive Session
approved - 7-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS none
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Robert Dean, Chairman of the Cable Advisory Committee, talks about the new live feed of the Town Council meetings. Chapters will be available in the archive.
Live reporting: Town Council Meeting
Go to the Town home page, and click on the first announcement to get the streaming feed.
"not all the projects can be ignored even when money is tight."
Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting is recommending spending nearly $1.5 million on capital items this fiscal year, but that number would likely shrink if the state cuts local aid.
Finance Committee members started their review of the recommendations last night with the increasing possibility of cuts in mind. Chairman Jim Roche, for example, said he wants to avoid spending on items that would sit idle should officials have to cut staff.
He said it would be "foolhardy if we spend money on things that may be sitting empty or be better spent elsewhere."
The money for the capital items comes from the town's "free cash" account, essentially comprised of higher-than-expected revenue and unspent money last fiscal year, which ended June 30.
Some of that money could be used instead to cover deficits if Gov. Deval Patrick makes midyear local aid cuts, which he has said are possible. Cuts to next fiscal year's aid are even more likely.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
"It's an opportunity to advance her career"
After a little more than a year as the principal at Franklin High School, Pamela Gould is preparing to take a step up the career ladder in another school system.
Gould has been hired as the new assistant superintendent of human resources for the Plymouth School District, a job she will begin later this month. Her last day in Franklin will be Jan. 23.
Gould said that although she is moving up, the decision to leave Franklin so soon after she arrived doesn't come without some regret.
"I feel like there are a lot of things that we started here, some good things, that I'd like to see through on the one side," Gould said, but she has "absolute faith" the colleagues she leaves behind will take up her charge and carry it forward.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Energy $ense Series - Kilowatt Ours

When:
Wednesday, January 14, 2009, 7:00 pm
Where:
Franklin Public Library Community Room
118 Main Street, Lower Level
Moderator:
Ted McIntyre, Ph.D.
Board Member
Massachusetts Climate Action Network
Description:
This film traces the path of the electricity you use in your home from the light switch, through the wires to its source. Along the way you’ll meet power companies, schools, businesses and everyday Americans finding ways to meet our energy needs using conservation and green power. “Kilowatt Ours” will teach you how to dramatically reduce your electric bill and improve the environment at the same time.
Sponsored by:
Franklin Area Climate Team (FACT), Massachusetts Climate Action Network, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Friends of the Franklin Library
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
In the News - power outage damage, Hope for Animals
About 2,240 National Grid customers lost power early Wednesday for a couple of hours when strong winds downed a power line on Oak Street, a spokesman said.
As a result, the Senior Center's heat went off and the sprinkler system froze and three ventilators at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School and 10 more in the high school broke, causing water damage in all three buildings, said Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting yesterday.
Insurance claims will cover the damage's cost, Nutting said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
About a dozen people and shelter coordinator Melissa Trottier attended last night's meeting to support Hope for Animals.
"How sad it is that this community cannot help," Tanfani said. "We have to have some place for cats. The economic conditions are hard, but if we close our doors in May, you will have the problem of unspayed and feral cats."
To help support the shelter, call 401-996-4129 or visit the Web site www.hopeforcatssanctuary.com.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here