Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Putting for Patients - Apr 6

Need to get your mini-golf fix in? Why not help a good cause at the same time. Sunday, Apr 6 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM at the FHS Field House

Putting for Patients
Putting for Patients


note the date is wrong on this sign, it should say Apr 6
note the date is wrong on this sign, it should say Apr 6

Hockomock Area YMCA kicked off annual campaign March 27 at Gillette Stadium (photos)

Guests at the Hockomock Area YMCA's Reach Out for Youth & Families Campaign kickoff Breakfast listen to speakers sharing their Y stories
Guests at the Hockomock Area YMCA's Reach Out for Youth & Families Campaign kickoff Breakfast listen to speakers sharing their Y stories
Mimo Jaber of Wrentham, MA shows emotion as she speaks of the support that the Y's scholarship program has helped her family's life
Mimo Jaber of Wrentham, MA shows emotion as she speaks of the support that the Y's scholarship program has helped her family's life
Shelly Jacobson of Wrentham, MA was one of the morning's speakers, sharing the impact the Y has had on her own life as a summer camper.  She is now the Sports Director at the Invensys Foxboro Branch
Shelly Jacobson of Wrentham, MA was one of the morning's speakers, sharing the impact the Y has had on her own life as a summer camper.  She is now the Sports Director at the Invensys Foxboro Branch

Monday, March 31, 2014

Finance Committee - Agenda - Apr 1, 2014

The Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday night to vote on the FY 2015 budget. They completed their series of budget hearings last Thursday. With their vote, the next step would be for the notifications and schedule for the Town Council to hold their two budget hearings (likely early in May). The Council usually votes for the budget during their second meeting. The overall budget for 2015 needs to be approve before July 1, 2014 when it is needed to support the daily operations.

The agenda document can be found here:




Franklin, MA - Municipal Building
Franklin, MA - Municipal Building

Budget hearings

#1 - 
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget.html

#2 - 
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget_13.html

#3 - 
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget_20.html

#4 - 
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget_26.html

Franklin Public Schools - FY 2015 Proposed Budget


The School Committee voted to accept their proposed budget last Tuesday (Mar 25). The full budget document can be found here  http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_budget/FY15%20Budget%20Book.pdf

You need to use at least version 9 of the Adobe Reader to view the workbook format for the budget documents.

The presentation with the highlights of the budget can be found here:



new Franklin High School under construction
new Franklin High School under construction

Franklin Schools - Last day of school update


So far this year we have had 4 snow days. Also, the Keller/Sullivan Complex was closed one day for a facilities issue. The last day of school is as follows:

  • All Schools except Keller/Sullivan: Friday June 20, 2014 - half day
  • Keller/Sullivan Complex Monday June 23, 2014 - half day


pending any other snow/emergency days of course.

Keller-Sullivan sign from July 2013
Keller-Sullivan sign from July 2013



This was shared from the Franklin Schools page here
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_News/01D04D25-000F8513

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Apr 2, 2014


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– February 12, 2014 Regular and Executive Session- To be released

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Senator Spilka and Representative Roy
150 Emmons Street

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-05: Appropriation: Fire Detail Account – Continue until May

2. Resolution 14-15: Request for Special Legislation, Re: Local Sales Tax on Sale of Medical Marijuana

3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-728R: Changes to Chapter 185 – 5, Zoning Map: Industrial to Single Family III(Washington St.)-Referral to Planning Board

4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-732:Changes to Chapter 185-21, Parking, Loading, and Driveway Requirements – Referral to Planning Board

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 documents released with this agenda can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/04022014.pdf

Franklin, MA - Municipal Building
Franklin, MA - Municipal Building

Franklin Walk - Saturday, Mar 29

I did have some company for the walk Saturday morning (thank you!) and hopefully will have some more as the public walk and continues next month. The weather cooperated nicely for the walk which started on the Town Common at 8:30 AM and finished there about an hour later.

tree lined walkway on the Town Common
tree lined walkway on the Town Common
We started from the bandstand on the Common and walked by the Senior Center, Oak St/Horace Mann complex, between the new and current high school, down Panther Way to the Sculpture Park and then reversed the route to return.

bandstand on Franklin Town Common
bandstand on Franklin Town Common

About 2.5 miles in just under an hour. Conversation along the way with stops for photos here and there.

wrought iron flowers
wrought iron flowers
 One of the flowers has fallen off this work. It doesn't appear to be malicious but rather the results of a poor welding connection. The snow and wind this winter apparently loosened it.


I call this one 'five fingers'
I call this one 'five fingers'
I am curious to find out what the official name is for this piece (above).

railing shadows
railing shadows
the fence railing along the edge of the wall at the former town pool castes its shadow in the morning sun.


2 faced, or split personality?
2 faced, or split personality?
 When I was last at the park, the white of this piece against the snow was impressive. The white against the winter foliage color is stark.

the bear rages on
the bear rages on

Conversation piece: is he raging for joy or frustration/anger? I think it is for joy!


pond reflection
pond reflection
 Completing the loop around the sculpture park you come upon more pond reflections.

If you haven't been to the Sculpture Park yet, I would encourage you to stop by sometime. On Panther Way just before the Police Station. There is parking and the loop through the park is a brief and easy walk. I'd estimate about a quarter of a mile.

I'll schedule another Franklin Walk and Talk for April. We'll check the weather to see which Saturday seems most likely to provide some good weather.