In the News - school use fees, copper thief caught, beautification day

Franklin may raise rates for using school facilities

by Brian Benson, Daily News staff

Franklin man caught stealing copper

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Franklin Beautification Day set

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin, MA

"Franklin would need to apply for a waiver"

With the cuts, Franklin will only be able to staff a fire engine and ambulance in one station and an engine or ambulance in its second station instead of staffing a fire engine and ambulance in both stations, McCarraher said. 

"It's like playing baseball with seven players in the field," he said. "As long as it's hit to somebody, everything is fine. ... As long as incidents occur one at a time and are moderate, we'll be fine." 

But about 50 percent of all calls - and more than 80 percent of building fires - come in while another emergency is in progress, McCarraher said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1560710680/Cuts-would-mean-fewer-firefighters-in-Franklin#ixzz1LwOoYHbJ


Franklin, MA

"Regionalization ... is going to come anyways"

Meanwhile, work is continuing on a study examining the feasibility of regionalizing dispatch services in Franklin, Wrentham, Norfolk and Plainville thanks to a $44,000 state grant. Franklin is only looking at fire dispatch while the other towns are examining police and fire dispatch. 

Employees from Pennsylvania consulting firm L.R. Kimball have gathered call volume and financial data and met with emergency officials in the four towns, Franklin Fire Chief Gary McCarraher said. 

"If it works out, fine," McCarraher said. "If it doesn't, at least we know what not to do. ... There's no downside to participating in this."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1036464755/Towns-lose-out-on-grant#ixzz1LwPo0BBq


Franklin, MA

In the News - garden lottery, blood drives

Registration open for Franklin Community Garden lottery

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Blood drives to be held in Franklin

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin, MA

Community Gardens: Build Day

Volunteers worked in teams to put the beds together:



The beds are located at the King St fields:



Some of the beds close to the entrance provide handicap access with a good stone dust surface:



Work in progress on Saturday afternoon:



More info about the Community Gardens can be found
http://www.franklincommunitygardens.org/


Franklin, MA

And then there were gardens!

The Community Gardens made great progress on Saturday, that large step from a dream to reality happened! Over 40 folks participated, overcoming some minor obstacles (re-charging handheld tools, and a hail storm) to put together the 46 garden beds.

Time lapse photos shows the progress during the course of the day (photos every 30 seconds)




Julie Balise from the Milford Daily News came back to gather info for her story:

Garden takes shape in Franklin park

by Julie Balise/Daily News staff

Master gardener, Chris Clay wrote about the success on his blog (the source of the time lapse photos)
http://thecluelessgardeners.blogspot.com/2011/05/gardening-for-greater-good.html

A longer post is on the Community Gardens website here
http://www.franklincommunitygardens.org/2011/05/build-day-success.html


What's next?
If you want to plant and garden on one of the beds, sign up for the lottery before the drawing on May 23.
http://www.franklincommunitygardens.org/2011/05/garden-registration-is-officially-open.html


Thanks to all, the hard work is done.



Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 5/10/11

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.

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the April 27, 2011 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget to Actual

2. Guests/Presentations
a. New Assistant Principals
b. Teen Angels
c. Music Department – Nancy Schoen
d. Art Department – Mike Caple

3. Discussion Only Items
Policy - First Reading – KF – Community Use of School Facilities

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of the donation from the Franklin Music Boosters as detailed to the FPS Music Department. (Total donation value: $3,628.24)
b. I recommend approval of the Middle School Music student trip to Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH on Friday, June 17, 2011 as detailed.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $294.00 from Wells Fargo for in-house enrichment at FHS.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report

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

8. Adjourn