Monday, March 22, 2010

Live reporting - Planning Board

Present: John Carroll, Mark Denommee, Ronald Calabrese, Tony Padula, Joseph Halligan,
Bill Yadsernia, Beth Dahlstrom,  Brian Taberner


Request for Uncas Ave Extension, notion to approve extension for one year to April 5, 2010. passed unanimously

Approval of Planning Board meeting minutes, Feb 8, 2010, motion to approve, passed unaniously

recessed until 7:15 for hearing on 691 East Central, Van Ron Chiropractic


Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - agenda, 3/23/10

Town of Franklin
Finance Committee Agenda
Tuesday  March 23, 2010
7:00 PM
Municipal Building Third Floor Training Room
               

Balances as of January 2010

Gen Stab        4,611,121              
PW Stab           129,430
Debt Stab           379,144
Traffic Stab             21,391
Overlay Surplus         40,000      
    Free Cash                    2,173,842
          

Call to Order

Citizens Comments

Approval of Minutes

Action Items:

Appropriation:

Assessors - Triennial Property Revaluation - $19,200, Source of Funds:  Overlay Surplus
                   Personal Property Revaluation -  $12,000, Source of Funds:  Overlay Surplus

Facilities – Parmenter School Solar panels - $10,000 Source of Funds:  Free Cash

Capital Improvement Plan - $2,119,000
  

Old Business

New Business

Adjournment



Franklin, MA

"There is something wrong with it"

Do this now.
You can take 3 minutes.
More rewarding that radio
or that Facebook update in your email

Sir Ken Robinson in a short three minute video:



Attending the Finance Committee meeting doesn't mean I don't believe that the School Committee meeting isn't important.

The School Committee meeting is important.
Multiple worthy recognitions will be awarded.
Good things will occur that will reward the effort and time put into them.

I'll "follow the money" in this case to see what will happen in the Finance Committee meeting.

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view this video clip.

Franklin, MA

Busy Tuesday

There are three meetings scheduled for the same time (7:00 PM) in different rooms at the Municipal Bldg Tuesday evening.

The School Committee meeting is in the Council Chambers at 7:00 PM. This will be broadcast via cable and the internet. The agenda is available on the Schools page and here on Franklin Matters.

The Design Review Committee is also scheduled to meet at Room 205 next to the Council Chambers on the 2nd floor. This group is part of the review process for the Big Y application. The Town website provides a schedule of their meetings and when applications are due but no agenda.

The Finance Committee is also scheduled to meet in the Training Room on the 3rd floor. No agenda is currently available on the Town website to confirm what will be discussed.

Given the likelihood of the FY 2011 budget being art of the Finance Committee meeting, I'll attend that one and attempt to broadcast it via the internet. Assuming I am successful, you can return here on Tuesday night and find a link to view the broadcast. The broadcast should also be available after the meeting for review on demand.

Updated 3/22/10 - 7:35 AM
I just received a copy of the Finance Committee agenda. The Capital Budget will be the major item for Tuesday's agenda.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/franklin-ma-finance-committee-agenda.html



Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: School Committee agenda 3/23/10

Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

Mission Statement
The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.


1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the Executive and Open Sessions of the March 9, 2010 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills                    Mr. Glynn
Payroll                            Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:  none

2. Guests/Presentations

a. Awards, Recognitions:
1. Retirement – Francis Mazzola, Van Driver
2. Matt Palazini – FHS Basketball: 1,000 points
3. Kimberely Takahata – MIAA National Women in sports Day essay contest winner
4. FHS Wrestling Team – Division 1 Champs:  Dan Telhada & Eric Des Lauriers

b. Rock Band Presentation - Annie Sullivan Middle School
1. 8th Grade:  Tom Downing, Chris Rich, Drew Simon, Joe Tobin  7th Grade:  Sophie Barrow, Kate Franklin, Kaytee Vetrano

3. Discussion Only Items

Budget to Actual
DECA Trip
School Committee Packets
Email Accounts

4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the FHS Program of Study.
b. I recommend acceptance of the donation of $750.00 from the JF Kennedy PCC for a field trip to Boston on May 7, 2010.
c. I recommend acceptance of the donation of $2000.00 from the Davis Thayer PCC for Library books.
d. I recommend approval of the request of FHS for the Girls Lacrosse Team’s trip to Guilford, CT on April 2-3, 2010 for a competition.
e. I recommend acceptance of the donation of $5,000.00 from the Oak St. PCC for field trips as detailed.
f. I recommend approval of the RMS recurring field trip to the IMAX Theater in Providence, RI on April 15, 2010 as detailed.
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $64.00 from Heart of Stone for the Franklin High School.
h. I recommend acceptance of a check for $29.16 from Shaws for the Horace Mann Middle School.
i. I recommend approval to declare the attached list of books surplus for the Jefferson Elementary School.
j. I recommend approval of the FHS DECA trip to Louisville, KY for national competition as detailed.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
a. Dean College Partnership
b. MSBA
c. FHS Open House

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations
Grievance

8. Adjourn



Franklin, MA

Hope Springs Eternal

As captured on this past weekend at the Davis Thayer sign:




Franklin, MA

Sunday, March 21, 2010

"the school system has declined to come out and endorse cycling to school"

Arlington has an interesting discussion underway about cycling to school. Basically, in one community that is acknowledged as leading the cycling effort, the Arlington School Dept banned students cycling to school. There is no busing as most homes are located within one mile of their elementary school. The schools do not have bike racks. Most of the traffic the cyclists would have to navigate through is other parents dropping off kids at school.

This is an educational opportunity for better health practices (cycling vs autos) apparently being missed.


Read the full article here in the Boston Globe West edition of today's paper



Franklin, MA