"It's a lot easier to get 40 people to agree"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

Posted May 14, 2009 @ 12:49 AM

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FRANKLIN —

The heads of Local 1298, which represents five town unions, say the teachers union should "step up" and take a wage concession to save their colleagues' jobs.

"My belief is, when (Town Administrator) Jeff Nutting came to us with an offer to save jobs with a wage freeze, it was not an issue of negotiating a contract," said Patrick Farrell, Local 1298 chairman.

"We did it, the Police Department went for it, and the Fire Department is still in contract negotiations, so my opinion is, they should step up to the plate and they should take the deal," Farrell said.

Teachers instead asked for concessions on other matters in exchange for the pay freeze. That's led to an ongoing stalemate with the School Committee.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

The Story of Stuff

Annie Leonard spent time doing some research and then managed to produce this video that tells the story of stuff.



I plan on reading the annotated script which you can find here.

You can find other resources on their web site

You can follow the updates on their blog

What do you think of the Story of Stuff?

New England Sports Celebration - 5/31/09

From the Facebook page for the New England Sports Celebration

Come down and help us raise funds for the F.X. O’Regan Early Childhood Development Center PCC. We are planning a fun-filled family day celebrating the proud tradition of New England sports!!

Currently, we have Boston hockey legend TERRY O'REILLY coming down to sign autographs from 2PM-4PM.

Signatures are $15 each with no charge for inscriptions. You are welcome to bring your own items, and we will have a great selection of pictures, pucks and other items available for sale!

Also from 2PM - 4PM, Wally the Green Monster will be visiting to take pictures and sign autographs for his fans for FREE!!!

AND JUST ANNOUNCED - Football Legend STEVE GROGAN will also be available from 2PM-4PM!!! Signatures are $15 each with no charge for inscriptions.

There will be lots of other fun activities for the kids, as well. Cash bar and concessions will be available. did we mention....ADMISSION IS FREE!!!

This is a public event and we want to pack the place - so please feel free to invite anyone you would like!!! A lot more to come on this...

SAVE THE DATE!!

FREE SOLAR ENERGY PRESENTATIONS

FREE SOLAR ENERGY PRESENTATIONS FOR MA HOMEOWNERS

• May 16^th in Natick
  
• May 19^th in Newton

Hosted by Alteris Renewables, the Northeast’s leading solar energy company (www.alterisinc.com)

Come find out how solar power can affordably and effectively power your home. Photovoltaic (solar electric) technology is going mainstream as it continually becomes less expensive.

To learn about the myths and realities of solar power, including system cost and return on investment, attend a free seminar in Natick or Newton:

• May 16, 9:30am Crowne Plaza Hotel 1360 Worcester Street, Natick, MA 01760 (Rte 9, across from Natick Mall)
• May 19, 7:00pm Marriott Hotel 2345 Commonwealth Ave., Newton, MA 02466 (Near intersection of Rt. 30 & I-95)
  

Advance registration is requested by calling 800-955-1548

You can save money and the environment at the same time. Come learn how!

"agreed to preserve full-day kindergarten"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

Posted May 13, 2009 @ 12:24 AM

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FRANKLIN —

Hoping to preserve as many teaching jobs as possible, School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy last night announced the committee and teachers union are continuing to negotiate wage concessions into the 11th hour.

Representatives from both groups met Monday night and made "significant progress" toward a resolution in the best interest of students, Roy said.

Reading from a statement he and new union President Robert McLaughlin prepared, Roy said, "The School Committee and (union) are engaged in fruitful talks regarding a temporary wage concession for (next) year."

Roy said he is optimistic.

"I was encouraged by the respectful and collaborative tone of the discussions and I'm hopeful this will lead to a solution," he said.

Read the full article on the School Committee meeting in the Milford Daily News here

Read all the live reporting posts from the same School Committee meeting here

School Committee Mtg 05/12/09

The collection of live reporting from the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, May 12th can be found here

• Live reporting - end
• Live reporting - Superintendent's report
• Live reporting - Action items
• Live reporting - FY 2010 budget continued
• Live reporting - Joint Statement (full text)
• Live reporting - FY 2010 budget Q and A
• Live reporting - joint statement SchCom and FEA
• Live reporting - budget FY 2010
• Live reproting - FHS MSBA Draft report
• Live reporting - Moodle Facilitated Courses
• Live reporting - School Committee 5/12/09

• School Committee Meeting May 12, 2009 - Agenda

Internet Safety - 5/19/09 - 7:00 PM

The Franklin Community Health Council

Presents Worldwide leader in the area of online safety and parent and child Internet Education

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

7:00 PM

Horace Mann Middle School Auditorium

Parry Aftab is a security, privacy and cyberspace lawyer, as well as an author and child advocate. Ms. Aftab is Executive Director of WiredSafety.org, the largest online safety and educational program in cyberspace that provides important information and programs for children and teens, educators, law enforcement, parents and librarians for all matters related to children online, including online safety and privacy.

Parry Aftab is frequently called as an on‐air expert by all major news services, including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, ABC News, The O'Riley Factor and CBS News. She has been used as a resource for 20/20, Dateline, Oprah, Inside Edition and 48 Hours. She has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, and the CBS Morning Show.

For more information please a contact: Lisa Keohane at lkeohane@dean.edu or call 508‐553‐4821