Let's take about ten minutes to review what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends May 16, 2010.
Time: 9 minutes, 22 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes:
This internet radio show or podcast
Number 68 in the series for Franklin Matters.
Let's take about 10 minutes to review what matters in Franklin, MA as this week comes to a close on Sunday May 16th.
In this session I'll cover last of the budget hearings by the Finance Committee on Monday, the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, the Downtown Revitalization Project on Wednesday, the open house at the DPW and the opening of the Historical Museum. To close, I'll do a brief outlook at the week ahead.
Beginning with the Finance Committee. They completed their set of budget hearings for fiscal year 2011. The hearings provided a detailed discussion with each department head on their budget needs. One significant outcome from the meeting was an endorsement by the FINCOM of the upcoming override. The committee voted 8-0 to recommend the override. These folks, volunteers as are other Town boards, are closest to the budget and inner workings of the Town.
The details are available
May 4th http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/finance-committee-050410.html
May 6th http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/finance-committee-050610.html
May 10th http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/finance-committee-051010.html
From the school committee meeting, the update on the dept of elementary and secondary education (DESE) visit that occurred in Dec 2009 was the most noteworthy. This visit effectively reviewed the civil rights, English language learners, and special education programs of the district. On a four point scale: commendable, implemented, partially implemented or not implemented; Franklin had 9 items in the partially implemented category and that was the focal point of the presentation. Many of these items had been discussed previously as a result of the research into the district scores from MCAS exams. Now as a result of DESE visit, there is a formal action plan being put together to address the findings. One visible effect that you can see is the new capability to translate a page on the Schools website to another language.
http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/FPS/default.htm
With so much happening last week, I realized I did not get a copy of the presentation document itself to post and that should be available shortly. Updated: the presentation can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/coordinated-program-review.html
The other note worthy item from the meeting was the decision not to enable School choice for the upcoming 2010-2011 school year. This keeps the 39 students we currently service in the district in place but does not expand to any others due to the possible class size increases if the override fails to pass. The real negative for this decision is the revenue lost from school choice. The revenue from school choice is a real plus to the district to fill in otherwise under utilized capacity within the class rooms in the district. In days where revenue is looked for, this would really be nice to have. At one point, the district received revenue from 70 students in the school choice program, that has declined to the current total of 39
The full set of notes from the meeting can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/school-committee-051110.html
The Downtown Improvement or Revitalization Project was reviewed by Bryan Taberner and the architects in a good working session on Wednesday. The meeting was broadcast and available for viewing here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/downtown-improvement-project-live.html
The DPW held their annual open house on Saturday. At the same time, the Library held it's annual book sale, Good crowds took advantage of the great weather to explore the trucks and equipment in the DPW yard as well as peruse the books for sale.
A write up on the event including pictures is available here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/tooting-horn-for-books-family-day-in.html
The Historical Museum opened this weekend. A long time in planning and lots of sweat finally came to fruition. Having personally volunteered to move items from the old Washington St location to the former Town Hall downtown, it was really nice to see the finished work.
This is a great example of the low cost approach that Franklin has taken to produce a high quality product. Donations of material (TJ Maxx – display cases), school projects (Tri-County – library shelving and display cases), volunteer help (for the move, cataloging and on-going operational support), helped to make the money the Town spent much more effective.
Additional information and pictures of the new museum can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/franklin-ma-history-on-display.html
Other items of note:
Ed Cafasso published another in his series of informational newsletters
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/letter-from-ed-cafasso.html
The EPA held a public informational meeting on the proposed storm water regulations on Wednesday. It was broadcast by the Franklin Cable group but has not yet been posted for review via the on-demand video. I do have the handout from the meeting to share at this time.
I recommend that you take advantage of the discussion opportunities as we approach the special election on June 8th. Members of the Town Council, School and Finance Committees will be available to answer questions about the budget for fiscal year 2011 and the proposal to raise an additional $3 million dollars to maintain our current services.
If you would like to discuss the budget details with me, please feel free to reach out and ask. I will make time to meet with you.
As we take a look ahead on this week's schedule.
Monday, the Planning Board opens a hearing on the new market proposal for 485 East Central St. What has commonly been seen as the rock pile.
Wednesday, the Town Council meets – agenda available
Franklin Town Budget Informational Forum sponsored by Sullivan, Keller & Davis Thayer PCC at Keller/Sullivan Middle School 7:00 PM
Franklin Town Budget Informational Forum sponsored by HMMS, Oak, ECDC, FHS PCC at Horace Mann/Thomas Mercer Auditorium 7:00 PM
What will you do this week?
As I close this session this week, let me remind you that
If you like what I am doing here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don’t like something, please tell me
Thank you for listening!
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission
I hope you enjoy!
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to listen to the audio recording
Monday, May 17, 2010
Planning Board - agenda - Franklin Market
7:15 PM
Initial Public Hearing
485 East Central St - Franklin Market
Site Plan and Special Permit
Franklin, MA
Initial Public Hearing
485 East Central St - Franklin Market
Site Plan and Special Permit
Franklin, MA
Town Council - Agenda - 5/19/10
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 28, 2010
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS – Design Review- Associate Member (Donald G. Grover)
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS –
1. Recycling Committee
2. July 4th Celebration
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION –
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-645:Site Plan Review and Design Review - Referral to Planning Board
2. Bylaw Amendment: 10-643: Chapter 105, Junk, Secondhand Goods and Antique Dealers- 2nd Reading
3. Bylaw Amendment 10-646:Request for Sewer Map Amendment: Seven Lot Subdivision Off Beech Street at #23- 1st Reading
4. Bylaw Amendment 10-647:Request for Water Map Amendment: Seven Lot Subdivision Off Beech Street at #23 – 1st Reading
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
Franklin, MA
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS – Design Review- Associate Member (Donald G. Grover)
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS –
1. Recycling Committee
2. July 4th Celebration
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION –
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-645:Site Plan Review and Design Review - Referral to Planning Board
2. Bylaw Amendment: 10-643: Chapter 105, Junk, Secondhand Goods and Antique Dealers- 2nd Reading
3. Bylaw Amendment 10-646:Request for Sewer Map Amendment: Seven Lot Subdivision Off Beech Street at #23- 1st Reading
4. Bylaw Amendment 10-647:Request for Water Map Amendment: Seven Lot Subdivision Off Beech Street at #23 – 1st Reading
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
Franklin, MA
2nd Annual Parmenter 5K
Great weather and a good sized group of runners and walkers participated in the 2nd Annual Parmenter 5K on Sunday.
Unfortunately, while the race was executed effectively, some glitch ruined the results. Without a recording of the finishers as they crossed the line, they were totally dependent upon the timing system and it failed.
The real race is to perform against yourself. I ran better than my time last year and that is what matters.
Franklin, MA
Unfortunately, while the race was executed effectively, some glitch ruined the results. Without a recording of the finishers as they crossed the line, they were totally dependent upon the timing system and it failed.
The real race is to perform against yourself. I ran better than my time last year and that is what matters.
Franklin, MA
Historical Museum (video)
Warren Reynolds, a Franklin area realtor who blogs at 02038.com put together this video of the Historical Museum opening on Friday night:
My writing on the new museum can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/franklin-ma-history-on-display.html
Franklin, MA
My writing on the new museum can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/franklin-ma-history-on-display.html
Franklin, MA
Coordinated Program Review
This is the presentation document used during the School Committee meeting on 5/11/10.
The notes that accompany this presentation can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/live-reporting-dese-report.html
Franklin, MA
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the report.
The notes that accompany this presentation can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/live-reporting-dese-report.html
Franklin, MA
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the report.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Letter from Ed Cafasso
Hello everyone,
I hope you enjoyed the stunning weekend weather.
As you know, Franklin voters will be asked to go to the polls on Tuesday, June 8, to decide a proposed $3 million override of Proposition 2½. If approved, approximately $300,000 will be used to restore municipal services, $1.8 million will be used to restore educational services, and $900,000 will be used to maintain roads throughout the town.
We need this money to stop the continued erosion of school and municipal services our community and to maintain our property values and quality of life.
Override votes can be a polarizing, which is not surprising when people’s money is at stake. On a pre-tax basis, the proposed override will cost the average taxpayer $254 per year, about 70 cents per day, based on the average property assessment of $368,000 in Franklin. Passage of the ballot question would add 69 cents to the tax rate, or $.69 per $1,000 of the assessed value of your home. That’s the out-of-pocket cost, but please also keep in mind that your local property tax payments are deductible federally.
I am writing today to pass along the wealth of information available to you to explain the proposed override and what’s at stake with this vote – and to offer you the opportunity to become actively involved in the effort if you wish.
Here’s what’s available to you:
An excellent brochure has been developed that attempts to answer common questions and provides a chart of what services will be affected by the outcome of the override vote. You can view and download the brochure at: http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-brochure/
Up-to-date information and links on financial and academic issues, particularly from a school perspective, are available at: http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/
Concerned citizens who support passage of the override have formed a group called “Invest in Franklin.” You can visit the Invest in Franklin web site for additional information at: http://investinfranklin.weebly.com.
You can visit and join the Invest in Franklin group page on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2265200218&ref=ts
A Facebook event page has been created as a reminder about the June 8 vote. You can view it here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=118040221563289
If you want to volunteer for the effort, please contact: Elise Nulton at lcnot@comcast.net or Deb Bartlett at bartlett.family@comcast.net. Both Elise and Deb are listed in the Franklin phone book; they would welcome your support.
Financial donations in any amount to defray the cost of the campaign are also welcome. Checks made out to “Invest in Franklin” can be mailed to the group’s treasurer, Deb Bartlett, 2 Eldon Drive, Franklin, MA, 02038.
There are a number of forums and meetings taking place throughout the community in the coming weeks to help our friends and neighbors learn more about why this vote is so important. On Monday, May 24, 2010, there will be a town-wide forum at the Mercer Auditorium at Horace Mann Middle School beginning at 7 p.m. Town officials will be on hand to present the facts and answer your questions. I plan to attend and hope to see you there.
The outcome of this override has implications for all the essential services on which you and your family rely in Franklin.
Your town and schools cannot continue to do more with less and still meet your expectations. From a public school perspective, Franklin now spends below the state average in every single category of measurement.
(See: http://finance1.doe.mass.edu/schfin/statistics/function09_sum.aspx?ID=101).
Yet our students – your children and grandchildren – enjoy one of highest performing school systems and rewarding academic experiences in Massachusetts. Every day, our schools work efficiently and well to earn your trust and support, as do our woefully under-funded police, fire and public works departments.
I hope the informational resources provided above give you an ample opportunity to learn more about the override, so you can cast an informed ballot on June 8. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
This e-mail reflects my opinion alone and is provided as a constituent service. As always, I welcome your thoughts and suggestions. If you are receiving duplicate e-mails or if you no longer wish to receive these e-mails, please let me know and I will remove you from the distribution list. If you know of someone you would like to add to the list, please send along their e-mail address.
Thank you!
Ed Cafasso, Member
Franklin School Committee
edcafasso@comcast.net
Franklin, MA
I hope you enjoyed the stunning weekend weather.
As you know, Franklin voters will be asked to go to the polls on Tuesday, June 8, to decide a proposed $3 million override of Proposition 2½. If approved, approximately $300,000 will be used to restore municipal services, $1.8 million will be used to restore educational services, and $900,000 will be used to maintain roads throughout the town.
We need this money to stop the continued erosion of school and municipal services our community and to maintain our property values and quality of life.
Override votes can be a polarizing, which is not surprising when people’s money is at stake. On a pre-tax basis, the proposed override will cost the average taxpayer $254 per year, about 70 cents per day, based on the average property assessment of $368,000 in Franklin. Passage of the ballot question would add 69 cents to the tax rate, or $.69 per $1,000 of the assessed value of your home. That’s the out-of-pocket cost, but please also keep in mind that your local property tax payments are deductible federally.
I am writing today to pass along the wealth of information available to you to explain the proposed override and what’s at stake with this vote – and to offer you the opportunity to become actively involved in the effort if you wish.
Here’s what’s available to you:
An excellent brochure has been developed that attempts to answer common questions and provides a chart of what services will be affected by the outcome of the override vote. You can view and download the brochure at: http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-brochure/
Up-to-date information and links on financial and academic issues, particularly from a school perspective, are available at: http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/
Concerned citizens who support passage of the override have formed a group called “Invest in Franklin.” You can visit the Invest in Franklin web site for additional information at: http://investinfranklin.weebly.com.
You can visit and join the Invest in Franklin group page on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2265200218&ref=ts
A Facebook event page has been created as a reminder about the June 8 vote. You can view it here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=118040221563289
If you want to volunteer for the effort, please contact: Elise Nulton at lcnot@comcast.net or Deb Bartlett at bartlett.family@comcast.net. Both Elise and Deb are listed in the Franklin phone book; they would welcome your support.
Financial donations in any amount to defray the cost of the campaign are also welcome. Checks made out to “Invest in Franklin” can be mailed to the group’s treasurer, Deb Bartlett, 2 Eldon Drive, Franklin, MA, 02038.
There are a number of forums and meetings taking place throughout the community in the coming weeks to help our friends and neighbors learn more about why this vote is so important. On Monday, May 24, 2010, there will be a town-wide forum at the Mercer Auditorium at Horace Mann Middle School beginning at 7 p.m. Town officials will be on hand to present the facts and answer your questions. I plan to attend and hope to see you there.
The outcome of this override has implications for all the essential services on which you and your family rely in Franklin.
Your town and schools cannot continue to do more with less and still meet your expectations. From a public school perspective, Franklin now spends below the state average in every single category of measurement.
(See: http://finance1.doe.mass.edu/schfin/statistics/function09_sum.aspx?ID=101).
Yet our students – your children and grandchildren – enjoy one of highest performing school systems and rewarding academic experiences in Massachusetts. Every day, our schools work efficiently and well to earn your trust and support, as do our woefully under-funded police, fire and public works departments.
I hope the informational resources provided above give you an ample opportunity to learn more about the override, so you can cast an informed ballot on June 8. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
This e-mail reflects my opinion alone and is provided as a constituent service. As always, I welcome your thoughts and suggestions. If you are receiving duplicate e-mails or if you no longer wish to receive these e-mails, please let me know and I will remove you from the distribution list. If you know of someone you would like to add to the list, please send along their e-mail address.
Thank you!
Ed Cafasso, Member
Franklin School Committee
edcafasso@comcast.net
Franklin, MA
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