High School Project - Updated pictures and November's monthly report

The news of the total cost of the high school project is now public. $104.5 million of which Franklin taxpayers would be responsible for $47 million. Assuming the MSBA approves the proposal and Franklin voters pass the debt exclusion to authorize the increase in taxes to pay for our share.

Updated photos depicting the architectural design of the model school for Franklin High School:

2011 11 FHS Monthly Report


Thanks to the Building Committee for sharing this information!

The informational forum held by the Building Committee on Nov 17th was recorded and is available for your listening pleasure here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/high-school-project-nov-17-2011-audio.html


Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.

Kennedy Elementary 4th Grades help the Franklin Food Pantry

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Franklin Food Pantry, I want to send a great big" thank you" to the Kennedy 4th Graders! Your effort will help us feed our Franklin neighbors.

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

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via The Shiny Red Apple by Mrs. Williams-the big "A"pple on 12/15/11

Thanks to everyone who participated in the food drive for the Franklin FoodPantry. As a grade we collected 480 pounds of food and supplies, and a check for $20.00 which will provide 100 meals! Great job 4th graders

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In the News - Charles River Trail

For the bicyclists who may use the Upper Charles River Trail in Milford, there is a section closed due to some contamination cleanup. The section will be closed through January, 2012.

Contamination cleanup to close Charles River Trail in Milford

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

"The cost to the town is expected to be $47 million"

The School Building Committee has come up with a pricetag for the proposed new high school: $104.5 million. 

The committee submitted one of its final drafts of the school plan to the Massachusetts School Building Authority more than a week ago, and the authority is expected to accept or deny the plans by Jan. 25. 

After that date, Franklin has 120 days to pass a debt exclusion to pay for the project.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/education/x1386885683/Estimate-for-new-Franklin-high-school-put-at-104-5-million#ixzz1gbFU6lPe


Related information from Open Forum about the High School Project held on Nov 17
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/high-school-project-nov-17-2011-audio.html

"Attendance last night was sparse"

Nutting said Public Works is short 12 positions from being fully staffed. 

“It’s all about money,” Nutting said. “As far as limbs, you know what, we have no tree budget.”The workshop discussed ways to either save or bring in money, including using high school and college students for summer DPW work, which Nutting said the town does already, requiring user fees for publicly-owned fields, re-examining public employee benefits, and trying to attract more and higher-end businesses. “I am curious as to why we don’t have medium and above-grade restaurants here,” Whalen said. “The answer can’t be that we’re doomed by Taco Bells and Wendy’s.” 

Benedetto suggested re-examining the development by-laws to see if businesses are being deterred either by town rules or the process the town imposes to develop land.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x2140449791/Franklin-residents-councilors-air-concerns#ixzz1gbD3RR9G

I am disappointed in the poor participation. I was hoping there would be a better turn out. There may have been others like myself who had a work commitment that prevented their attendance.

With the Master Plan review coming up, this would be a good time to get involved and review the current bylaws affecting development. If you are interested, you can get in touch with the Town Administrators office to apply.

Related posts on the Master Plan
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/what-is-franklins-master-plan.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/live-reporting-license-renewals.html

Town Council: Workshop - Weds, Dec 14

“It’s really a workshop to try and brainstorm about the community, get input from community members as to where their ideas are,” Town Council Vice Chairwoman Tina Powderly said. “It’s sort of an open session, a way to encourage and facilitate citizen participation.”

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1386885317/Franklin-Town-Council-wants-to-hear-from-residents#ixzz1gVRGXMdw


Details on tonight's session:

When: 7:00 PM Wednesday, Dec 14
Where: 3rd Floor Training Room, Municipal Bldg
What: Town Council to gather input from residents
Who: all Franklin residents

Open Meeting Law Workshop

The Open Meeting Law presentation document used to prepare the School Committee on the MA regulations.

Franklin School Committee: Open Meeting Law Training - 2011

View more presentations from Franklin Matters.

If you have trouble viewing the slideshow with this tool, you can also view a Google Docs version here
https://docs.google.com/open?id=1yWTROFORNeEo_Dn8xLTFNnpgba6_WBmzq4dpgmUceSHBBRfsCLGVSRE2mSru


Note: Email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document