Attending:
Linda Huempfner
Pat Goldsmith
Craig Maire
Tina Powderly
Jim Roche
Phyllis Meserve
Jaun Rivera
Robert Texiera
Mark Cataldo
Rebecca Cameron
Brett Feldman
Action item
Bond authorization for $1 million for Franklin High School renovation process
This is the beginning phase of a long process to get the Project Manager for an initial design,
we will be back at least two times for additional money to continue the process
State reimbursement up to 31%
Town has to front the full amount for the State to do the reimbursement
estimating 3% but rates are currently 1%
Bond issue would keep us under the debt service plan develped previously
We are looking at a renovation and possible addition, not a new school.
1 - Project Manager
2 - Request for services for architect
3 - meet with the State to agree or modify the plans
4 - give and take on the schematic design
5 - with a complete schematic desgin, back before FINCOM to get authorization to hire the Project Manager and architect to complete the designs and come up with estimates
6 - return with final cost estimates
Will be some determination on what the State will pay versus what the Town will need to cover
For example, the curbing around the
Approx 10% of the total cost would be the PM and architect
How to cover will still need to be decided later (a year to 18 months)
By committing what we are doing now, what does that get us? How much more before we get the full estimate?
Round numbers, 10% of the total cost.
SBA will be managing and monitoring the process.
Yes, we want their money so we will play ball with them. If we wanted to do it on our own, we would be further along.
It is a fair and open process but they are being much more prudent about their commitments.
Let's assume the total comes out to $40 million. The SBA may say that they will exclude 5 million from what they will cover us at the 30-40% reimbursement. Franklin will need to determine if we really need the $5 million and if we will pay for it on our own.
Best case could break ground at the end of 2011.
The SBA has a timeline. Each section of each phase has a timeline. The State requires approval for each step.
We have a year once we start the OPM to get the schematic done. We would get the OPM until January.
We could use the money from the Four Corners, that's about 800,000 left in that account. But we need to front the full amount and then get the State reimbursement. Once we get the authorization of the bond, we may not need to execute the bond and use cash. But we need to do this now to be prepared for options.
Motion to approve Resolution 09-62
Passed 11-0
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
"The administration never saw it coming"
The headline is an interesting quote from Clay Shirkey in this brief (5 minute) video on the use of social media tools. He discusses this while raising the question on what should be the skills taught in the classrooms to prepare our students for the 21st Century?
50,000 school students organized in 48 hours. Now there is motivation around a purpose!
What would it take to get 10,000 Franklin residents out to the polls to vote on November 3rd?
Note: there are over 19,000 Franklin registered voters but off year elections generally turnout around 3500. Off year elections are those not associated with a national election (every four years). An override election can draw up to 8,000.
Thanks to Mr Bryne at Free Technology for Teachers for the tip to the video
50,000 school students organized in 48 hours. Now there is motivation around a purpose!
What would it take to get 10,000 Franklin residents out to the polls to vote on November 3rd?
Note: there are over 19,000 Franklin registered voters but off year elections generally turnout around 3500. Off year elections are those not associated with a national election (every four years). An override election can draw up to 8,000.
Thanks to Mr Bryne at Free Technology for Teachers for the tip to the video
FCC mandates disclosure
FCC mandates disclosure for bloggers receiving freebies/payments
from Moving at the Speed of Creativity by Wesley Fryer
My disclosure statement has been updated a couple of times since I started writing online over 5 years ago. The most recent update occurred with the short-term contract position I accepted on 9/28/09. As circumstances change, the disclosure will be updated. I intend to keep this as my public service effort to provide quality information on what matters in Franklin.
We face significant challenges.
We need informed and engaged residents to make good decisions when it comes time to go to vote.
H1N1 INFLUENZA UPDATE
From the Town web site:
As we begin a new month, the Franklin Health Department and the Board of Health continue to finalize our plans for large scale public H1N1 influenza clinics. To date the Health Department has recruited over 70 volunteer medical professionals to staff our flu clinics. At a September special meeting of the Franklin Board of Health, Dr. Dianne Daddario of Franklin was appointed as the Medical Director of our volunteer medical staff. Dr. Daddario will assist the Health Department with the planning and operation of all H1N1 flu clinics in Franklin, and will provide direct medical oversight of our medical volunteers.
The Franklin Health Department completed the H1N1 vaccine registration process with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in September. As a registered vaccine program, the Franklin Health Department is now eligible to receive H1N1 vaccine direct from a central vaccine distributor in order to supply our public clinics. What we do not know at the present time is how much vaccine we will be allocated, and when the vaccine will be delivered. What we do know is that the initial number of doses allocated for Massachusetts will be much reduced from what we originally expected. In addition, we can fully expect not to have sufficient supplies of H1N1 vaccine available for large public clinics until sometime in November. The first doses to be received in Massachusetts which is estimated to be approximately 30,000, will be sent to select physicians’ offices and other medical practices for healthcare workers, pregnant women and very young children. Again, the initial supply of vaccine will be only a small portion of the states total allocation. We have been assured that deliveries will continue each week or thereabouts, until all vaccine has been distributed.
Once the Franklin Health Department receives enough H1N1 vaccine to hold a public clinic, we will identify our target group as directed by the CDC and the MA DPH and schedule our clinics. Clinic dates and locations will be widely advertised and parents and individuals will receive important information such as consent forms and vaccine information statements well in advance of the clinics.
As always, if you have any questions regarding H1N1 influenza or the department’s vaccination plans, please contact the Franklin Health Department via our dedicated H1N1 email @ H1N1flu@franklin.ma.us, or you may call our office at 508-520-4905.
David E. McKearney, R.S.
Public Health Director
Franklin Health Department
Franklin Board of Health
Bruce Hunchard, Chair
Paul Cheli
Donald Ranieri, Jr.
Walk to School Wednesday
Yes, today is Tuesday. Tomorrow is Wednesday.
Consider walking to school as part of the International Walk to School Wednesday!
Check with your local Franklin school to see what routes are set up.
Check with the MASSRides website for state level information on this program!
Consider walking to school as part of the International Walk to School Wednesday!
Check with your local Franklin school to see what routes are set up.
Check with the MASSRides website for state level information on this program!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Fire Dept - Open House
The Franklin Fire Dept held an open house at the King Street Station on Sunday. This kicks off Fire Prevention Week.
When I arrived, they were showing how they would remove the roof to get a someone trapped in this car:
Kids could get involved and try holding the fire hose:
Kids could walk through a simulation of a fire in a school bus. The 'smoke' was safe. The demonstration reinforced the stay low and keep moving idea.
Tower 1, the newest addition to the equipment available was on hand to view.
The tool kit on the Tower is well stocked.
This looks like a top notch medical room. Actually, it rides on wheels. This is the inside of one of the EMT vehicles. Hopefully, you'll only get to see the inside on days like this Open House. If it is needed, you can rest assured that the Franklin Fire Dept is well equipped to provide good care.
Captain Frank Hagerty was at the platform end of Tower 1, letting folks climb inside and describing the equipment and tools available to them. The tower can extend up to 110 feet and from that vantage point be an effective platform to either fight a fire or rescue someone from a building.
There will be more opportunities to view the equipment and talk with the Fire Dept personnel at future Open Houses. Consider participating in the next one!
My thanks to Chief Gary B McCarraher and all the Fire Dept personnel who prepared this for us.
Additional information about the Fire Dept can be found on the Town website here
When I arrived, they were showing how they would remove the roof to get a someone trapped in this car:
Kids could get involved and try holding the fire hose:
Kids could walk through a simulation of a fire in a school bus. The 'smoke' was safe. The demonstration reinforced the stay low and keep moving idea.
Tower 1, the newest addition to the equipment available was on hand to view.
The tool kit on the Tower is well stocked.
This looks like a top notch medical room. Actually, it rides on wheels. This is the inside of one of the EMT vehicles. Hopefully, you'll only get to see the inside on days like this Open House. If it is needed, you can rest assured that the Franklin Fire Dept is well equipped to provide good care.
Captain Frank Hagerty was at the platform end of Tower 1, letting folks climb inside and describing the equipment and tools available to them. The tower can extend up to 110 feet and from that vantage point be an effective platform to either fight a fire or rescue someone from a building.
There will be more opportunities to view the equipment and talk with the Fire Dept personnel at future Open Houses. Consider participating in the next one!
My thanks to Chief Gary B McCarraher and all the Fire Dept personnel who prepared this for us.
Additional information about the Fire Dept can be found on the Town website here
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