Franklin Matters

This morning, while reading of the new high school building project and construction phases, there is also an article touting research on the cost of high school dropouts. An interesting combination of articles!

In a push for more programs to re-enroll students who have dropped out, the education research group the Rennie Center Tuesday released a report on the statewide impact of dropouts.

The average Bay State dropout costs taxpayers $122,000 over the course of his or her lifetime, the report said, through cash assistance and benefits including food stamps, health care and housing subsidies.

Read more: With dropouts, taxpayers also pay a price - Franklin, MA - Wicked Local Franklin http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x35739381/With-dropouts-taxpayers-also-pay-a-price#ixzz2CHrFSrb1

Additional information on the study released can be found here
http://www.renniecenter.org/events/121113_event.html

The Complete presentation by the Rennie Center can be viewed here:

Downtown Holiday Decorating Day-Sunday-9:00

Decorating Day is this Sunday-9:00 am

Please remember to clean out your flower barrels this week!

Sponsors are needed to help cover the costs of Decorating the Downtown Center-Please see attached form

For more information about the Holiday and Winter Decorating Day contact Eileen Mason at emason11@verizon.net.

Downtown Partnership, Garden Club to Decorate for Holidays

Anyone who would like to volunteer for the annual Holiday and Winter Decorating Day will meet Eileen Mason, chairperson of the event, at 9:00 a.m. on the center island downtown. Community service hours are available for students, and groups and teams are encouraged to participate.

"We need volunteers and sponsors to help support our efforts to spruce up downtown Franklin," says Mason. "We are always happy to have volunteer labor, and donations help us offset the cost of our materials. We would love to have a major sponsor step in to help with our plans."

According to Mason, beautification is an on-going effort and materials for the year can add up to $5,000. The group plants in the spring, weeds and waters all summer, cleans up in the fall, decorates for the holidays and plans during the winter.

Franklin Library: Family Storytime and Craft, Nov 21

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Family Storytime and Craft

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 11/13/12

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Intercession Registration Open

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

November 13, 2012

via Lifelong Learning by Pandora Carlucci on 11/13/12

Looking for something to do in 2013?

Lifelong Learning Adult Education is registering for its intercession classes. There are classes in dancing, fitness and sports. Some of the classes are: Bollywood Dancing, Bollywood Dancing for Moms, and Line Dancing. Fitness classes include: Booty Barre, Hatha Yoga, Tai Chi, Zumba Gold, Zumba Monday, Zumba Wednesday and Zumba Toning. Athletic classes include: Men's Full Court Basketball Tuesday and Men's Full Court Basketball Thursday, as well as Advanced Volleyball (coed) Intermediate Volleyball(coed).

Visit our website and begin the new year with Lifelong Learning! www.franklin.k12.ma.us. Lifelong Learning is located under the Department drop down menu.

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New Road Anti-Icing: Better for the Environment

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New Road Anti-Icing: Better for the Environment

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 11/14/12

MassDOT Secretary & CEO Richard A. Davey and Highway Administrator Frank DePaola today unveiled the Department's new salt brine production plant in Sagamore Beach.

For the first time, MassDOT will blend its own anti-icing liquid for use on roadways in Highway District 5 during the snow and ice season, saving money and improving environmental conditions.

"MassDOT works diligently to find cost-effective and environmentally friendly ways to our improve operations," said Secretary Davey. "This plant allows us to trim costs and treat our roads in a smarter, innovative way."

MassDOT will make, store, and apply its own anti-icer for approximately $.07/gallon. Currently, MassDOT purchases large amounts of magnesium chloride at $.89/gallon. The mix produced at the plant will be 85% salt brine and 15% magnesium chloride. MassDOT purchased brine last winter for treatment on certain bridges and frost prone areas in Highway District 1 at a cost of $.55/gallon.

"With salt brine we are able to pre-treat our roads up to 48-hours in advance of a storm. We can be more proactive and reduce overtime costs by closely monitoring the forecast," said Administrator DePaola. "Magnesium chloride has a much shorter window; it must be applied 2-3 hours prior to the snow and ice event."

The location was chosen because salt brine works best in the average winter temperatures found in this region. Construction of the plant, including equipment and infrastructure, cost approximately $250,000. Based on weather conditions, MassDOT anticipates the plant paying for itself in 2-3 years.

More on the benefits of reducing salt and sand use are available after the break.

Environmental Benefits of Salt Brine

Benefits of Reducing Salt Use
Cost Savings;
Less impact to soils and vegetation;
Reduces impact to rivers, streams, wetlands and water supplies;
Reduces deterioration of concrete and steel structures;
Reduction in vehicle corrosion.

Benefits of Reducing Sand Use
Traction benefits of sand are limited and temporary;
Sand accumulates on roadside edges, catch basins, and drainage pipes which can lead to flow restrictions and blockages in the storm-water drainage systems. The collection and disposal of sand adds considerable cost to the operation;
Sand contributes to the sedimentation in streams, impacting fish species and aquatic ecosystems;
Suspended in water sand increases turbidity and can result in the death of fish and invertebrates, and reduces photosynthesis in aquatic plants;
Siltation and sediment deposits have been cited as one of the leading causes of water quality impairments in various regions around the country.