Monday, April 4, 2011

In the News - public hearing, fund raising


Franklin considers demolishing old Nu-Style building



For the complete agenda for Wednesday's Town Council meeting and all of the associated documents:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/04/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-apr-6.html



Franklin boy inspires martial arts fundraiser




Franklin, MA

FISCAL FALLOUT: The Great Recession, Policy Choices, & State Budget Cuts - An Update for Fiscal Year 2012





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Fiscal Fallout: The Great Recession, Policy Choices, & State Budget Cuts
-- An Update for Fiscal Year 2012  


April 3, 2011


When Fiscal Year 2012 begins, Massachusetts will enter the fourth budget year shaped by the worst national recession since the Great Depression. Communities and families across the Commonwealth have been feeling the effects of deep cuts in government funding for education, health care, public safety, safety net programs, and other services that people count on.   

A new MassBudget report examines the budget cuts already enacted since the onset of the current economic downturn, and those proposed in the Governor's FY 2012 budget.





See MassBudget's Budget Browser to explore Massachusetts state budgets from Fiscal Year 2001 to the present, as well as budget proposals for the next fiscal year as they are offered by the Governor and the Legislature.    

MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies, as well as economic issues, with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.


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Sunday, April 3, 2011

Patricia Ryan: Don't insist on English!

Patricia Ryan has been teaching English in the Middle East for 30 years. She has seen great changes during that time and shares some insights on the dominance of the English language.

What has this got to do with Franklin?
Due to the school budget cuts, the foreign language program offered by Franklin's schools is reduced. When my daughters went to middle school, they spent time with Spanish, Latin and French in 6th grade before choosing one of the three to continue with in 7th and 8th. That choice and program is not available to Franklin's students today.

The School Committee and Administration faced with a reduced budget are forced to make choices amongst ever tougher options.

Patricia's talk presents arguments for maintaining other languages. The cultural value of other languages is hard to calculate but should be considered.





What do you think?
Leave a comment, send an email or join the conversation on Facebook!


Related posts on the foreign language program in Franklin

1 - From the budget workshop Jan 29, 2011
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/01/live-reporting-school-budget-workshop_29.html

2 - Foreign language update to School Committee Sep 2010
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/live-reporting-foreign-language-update.html

3 - Discussion in Jun 2010 on the middle school Latin decision
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/live-reporting-foreign-language-latin.html


Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Apr 6, 2011

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 2, 2011 regular minutes, February 16, 2011
Executive Session Minutes

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Community Garden Committee
Amy Acevedo
Christopher Clay
Nicole Harter
Deb Schwab
Teresa Triana

Zoning Board of Appeals
Timothy C. Twardowski

F. HEARINGS
Public Hearing to solicit comments on a draft Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives for the Town

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION:
1. Resolution 11-09: Creation of Franklin Community Garden Committee
2. Resolution 11-11: Transfer of Tax Title Possession Parcels to Different Municipal Purposes
3. Bylaw Amendment 11-659 Chapter 135, Removal and Undergrounding of Utility Poles and Overhead Wires and Structures

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


The complete agenda document is included as the Brownfields information was good to share.

Franklin, MA - Town Council Agenda 4/06/11



Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Street sweeping to begin April 11

The Department of Public Works will commence street sweeping operations on Monday, April 11th. Sweeping will start downtown and will be followed by primary roadways. Secondary roadways and subdivisions will be swept based upon the order for the 2011 street sweeping zones. A map indicating the zones is located here. Street sweeping is expected to take up to 3 months and is weather dependent. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact the Department of Public Works.

The street sweeping zone map can be found at the link on the Franklin website or right here:

Franklin Ma Street Sweeping Letter Size 2011



Franklin, MA

HYDRANT FLUSHING

HYDRANT FLUSHING
PUBLIC NOTICE
TO
FRANKLIN RESIDENTS

The Franklin Department of Public Works, Water Division will begin its hydrant-flushing program on Monday, April 11, 2011. This program is conducted annually to improve Franklin’s water quality and fire flows. Some hydrants will be flushed between the hours of 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM, while others will be completed during the day. 
Hydrant flushing will continue depending on water availability and system pressures. Residents may experience discolored water during this process. 
Residents may also experience, temporary water loss or discolored water while hydrants are being flushed in their area. Even though the water may be discolored, it is still safe for human consumption. 
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and we apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the DPW office at 508-520-4910/4915. 
Department of Public Works
Deacon Perrotta
Water/Sewer Superintendent




Franklin, MA

"The idea is to get people involved"

For its annual One Book, One Community program, the library has selected "When We Were Strangers," a book by first-time novelist Pamela Schoenewaldt that chronicles the story of an Italian woman who emigrates to the United States. 
"I think all of us in some way have a connection to immigrants," said Monique Doyle, vice chairwoman of the library board of directors who also went to high school with Schoenewaldt. "We're very close to immigrant ancestors. It's kind of a universal thing." 
The One Book, One Community movement, which started in Seattle in 1998, is a community read-a-thon where librarians encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to read the same book and join up for a series of programs relating to the title. Several area communities, including Framingham, Bellingham and Wayland, have started similar programs. 
Franklin began four years ago with a $7,500 grant from the state Board of Library Commissioners. After the first year, the program has been funded mostly by the Friends of the Franklin Library, Library Director Felicia Oti said.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x816840317/Library-program-gets-the-whole-town-on-the-same-page#ixzz1ISKhYkGP

Related posts

1 - The Library One Book, One Community program announcement for 2011
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/one-book-one-community-2011.html

2 - From the budget hearing in May 2010
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/live-reporting-library.html

3 - "Dark Tide' was the selection in 2008
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/07/if-youve-already-read-dark-tide.html


Franklin, MA