Franklin Matters

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Override History Updated

Thanks to Judy Pfeffer for providing an update to the spreadsheet with the override history as there was one missing. The General Election in Nov 2004 included an override question and the details have been updated.

If you haven't viewed the spreadsheet it is a 'public' document and available here

The total operational overrides Franklin has voted on is 8, only one of which passed (2007).

There were 10 debt exclusions (primarily for school buildings) 7 of the 10 passed. (In the details, at least one of these had a couple of tries.)

There were 9 capital exclusions and all failed.

Franklin, MA

In the News - Old Catholic Church

Franklin church offers Mass to those who feel left out

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

Friday, January 28, 2011

Clear Snow Away From Furnace Pipes (video)

A public service contribution from Bill Glynn on the need to keep your furnace pipes clear of snow.

Thanks for sharing this Bill!

Note: For email subscribers, you will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view this video.

Franklin, MA

"a tough budget season for the town of Franklin"

Under Patrick's plan, local aid to Franklin would be cut by $228,753.

In fiscal 2011, the town's aid from the state was reduced by more than $1 million, according to state Department of Revenue figures.

Patrick's plan, unveiled this week, would cut the fiscal 2012 budget by $570 million. Aid to cities and towns would be reduced by $65 million, but Chapter 70 funding for public schools would rise by $140 million.

"It sounds like the governor wants to preserve school funding," Town Council Vice Chairman Stephen Whalen said. "If that helps us not have as big a deficit with the schools, then that's great."

School budgeting is always challenging because it involves special education and other costs that are difficult to control, Whalen said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Additional information on the FY 2012 budget can be found here

Friendly reminder: the School budget workshop is Saturday, Jan 29th beginning at 8:30 AM in the Municipal Bldg, 3rd floor Training Room.

Franklin, MA

Thursday, January 27, 2011

"Specific costs have yet to be determined"

The plan creates eight clusters which each have four classrooms, a group project room, science lab and space for teachers to provide individual instruction, said Michael McKeon, of Foxborough-based Kaestle Boos Associates.

"These clusters or teams actually have all the services they need within the cluster to support that learning group, which is actually a very advanced or modern way to organize a school," he said.

Two clusters would be reserved for freshmen, who are already grouped for most classes, and one would be for a pre-existing arts academy. The remaining clusters would be for sophomores, juniors and seniors who would be grouped by interests with faculty who share those interests, Principal Peter Light said.

"What you're trying to do is make the school a little smaller for students," Light said. "When you provide them a home base and smaller learning community you actually boost student achievement."

You can read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Franklin, MA

"You can't be a best plant and not be a safe plant"

"The success is driven by a great work force," plant manager Jim Clark said yesterday at an event celebrating the recognition.

In 2005, when General Cable purchased the plant, it was on the verge of closing. But plant officials, attracted to Franklin by its proximity to regional highways, improved efficiency without laying off any workers, Clark said.

The magazine noted plant leaders have transitioned to a flexible work force which has employees shift among several jobs and who are encouraged to come up with their own ideas for improvements.

The magazine praised the plant for developing charts at each workstation that provide step-by-step instructions for how to resolve common issues that may affect quality, such as properly measuring each cable to make sure it is the correct diameter.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

You can find the Industry Week article here with additional details on the recognition for General Cable's Franklin facility.

The General Cable website can be found here

Franklin, MA