Franklin Walk - Tree'd

The walk Saturday was somewhat warmer than other Saturday's but not as sunny.

There were many clouds but no rain (fortunately - at least by the time I went out).

I found a bear but not a fierce one

outside 1776 Financial Services, East Central St

I began to notice the trees. Yes, really notice them. They are standing. Bare. Bending with the breeze.

tree at Rockland Trust, East Central St

While a common conversation recently was that we had had enough of winter, the trees did not complain.

leaning trees along King St

They may have leaned with the wind, or bent with the snow, maybe even lost a branch when the snow was too heavy.

large and old tree on King St near Peck

Some trees are really big and old. Some stand in groups. Some stand in rows.

Evergreen tree on King St

When trees get together, their fingers seem to hold up or reach for the clouds in the sky

tree skyline in Franklin

There may be a couple more weekends to observe the trees around us before the bud and break out in leaves. Take a walk and see what trees are in your neighborhood.

"there is not an opt-out option"

On Sunday, the Boston Globe MetroWest section had an article on the growing discussion around standardized testing. PARCC is being piloted here in Franklin as well as other communities around the state. Some communities are trying to get out of the piloting and the article quotes Franklin's Joyce Edwards:

Joyce Edwards, director of instructional services for the Franklin school system, said every step had been taken to ensure that the testing, which will be conducted this week and in May in eight schools across the district, will have as minimal an impact on daily instruction as possible. 

“There is always an extra burden when there is extra testing,” Edwards said. “We took every exemption available to avoid double-testing. Beyond that the state has been quite clear there is not an opt-out option.” 

PARCC

Franklin’s schools obtained MCAS exemptions from the state for students who take the PARCC pilot test. If students take a PARCC test in English or math, they won’t have to take the same section in MCAS. 

Edwards said if an opt-out was allowed by the state, the district probably would have offered it. 

“We absolutely would have considered that,” she said. “We don’t believe in double-testing and the loss in instructional time.”

You can find the full article online here (subscription required)
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2014/04/05/some-school-districts-less-than-excited-about-new-standardized-test/yLaSdLSF26svfASDhAmYHO/story.html

Stations of Cross Broadcast

The Franciscans of Divine Mercy/ Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus of the Independent Old Catholic Church of the Americas will have a special televised Stations of the Cross often called Via Dolorosa @ 2:00 PM on Good Friday April 18th. 

The Franciscans of Divine Mercy's weekly televisions show REFLECTIONS and the special Good Friday Stations is broadcast through the Franklin Community Cable Access TV Studio on Comcast Channel 8 and on Verizon Channel 26. 

The REFLECTIONS television show airs every Sunday at 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM on Franklin Community Cable Access TV Studio. 

The show is available to all local Cable Access stations in New England in accordance with Massachusetts law simply by a resident of station manager requesting it. 

All the REFLECTIONS Shows are also available on YouTube by going to: https://www.youtube.com/user/RevBobJohn 

For more information contact Rev. Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD @ 508-520-0992 or by email @ Divinemercyparish@msn.com

Pax et Bonum

Peace & All God's Goodness be with you
Rev. Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD

Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus
Divine Mercy Old Catholic Parish
Independent Catholic Church of the Americas

Link to Fr. Bob's Weekly TV show
http://www.youtube.com/user/RevBobJohn

Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FriarBobJohn
Mission Web Site www.missionstsergius.org
Franciscan Web Site www.franciscansdivinemercy.org
ICCA Seminary Link http://www.iccamericas.org/seminary/
Diocese Office: http://stjosephcupertino.com/index.html

Hydrant Flushing - begins Apr 7

While visiting the Franklin Historical Museum for the Cultural Council open house on Sunday, I found a photo opportunity announcing water flushing begins Monday, Apr 7.

hydrant flushing - starts Apr 7

hydrant flushing - starts Apr 7

Updated 4/8/14 to include this message from the DPW

The Franklin Department of Public Works, Water Division will begin its hydrant flushing program on Monday, April 7, 2014. This program is conducted annually to improve Franklin’s water quality and fire flows. Some hydrants will be flushed in the evening hours, while others will be completed during the day. Hydrant flushing will continue depending on water availability and system pressures.  

Residents may 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.  

Check the DPW Home Page to find out which streets we are working on today.  

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 508-553-5500. 

As the sign board was located at the 'gateway' to Franklin, it raises a question related to the future of this building and land. Would the town include an easement in the land deal so they could continue to use this location for such notifications?

FM# 104 - 150 Emmons St discussion at the Town Council meeting

Franklin.tv recorded the Town Council meeting on Wednesday Apr 2 but has not yet posted the video to the Franklin web page. As the 150 Emmons St discussion is important, I am sharing my audio recording of the meeting. 

Without further ado, here is the segment of the Town Council meeting Apr 2 that covered the discussion. (It runs approx 90 minutes)

Updated 2/6/20 = If you need the audio, please contact me directly.... thanks

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This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help. 

How can you help, you ask? 
If you have an interest in writing about something that matters in Franklin, please let me know. If you have interest and time to cover the Planning Board, or Zoning Board of Appeals, or Conservation Commission, or School Committee meetings I would be most interested.

As always - 

• If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like this, please tell me.

This feedback loop is important. Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ where you can subscribe to the daily email that will deliver to you all that is posted once a day

You can find us on Facebook as "Franklin Matters" as well

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission
I hope you enjoy!


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My published notes for this meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/04/this-is-just-discussion.html

Lawrence Lessig's wish

Lawrence Lessig's wish appeals to all citizens

Here's my wish. May one. May the ideals of one boy unite one nation behind one critical idea that we are one people, we are the people who were promised a government, a government that was promised to be dependent upon the people alone, the people, who, as Madison told us, meant not the rich more than the poor. May one. And then may you, may you join this movement, not because you're a politician, not because you're an expert, not because this is your field, but because if you are, you are a citizen. Aaron asked me that. Now I've asked you.

http://www.ted.com/talks/lawrence_lessig_the_unstoppable_walk_to_political_reform

Find out more about the wish here http://www.rootstrikers.org/

Franklin Public Schools: Feedback Opportunity

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT 

Hello

All our stakeholders have a voice in Franklin Public Schools' ongoing pursuit of educational excellence.  

Beginning on Monday, April 7 we will be asking for your feedback about the individual school your child attends or where you are assigned as a staff member. We are focusing on critical school issues such as academic preparation, student support, parent engagement, diversity, school operations and accessibility of school leaders.  

This survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. All responses are strictly confidential. 

After the survey closes, we will report the findings publicly sharing what we have learned and what specific changes you may anticipate as a result of your feedback.  The survey will open on Monday at 4:00 pm and you will receive an email with the link. We thank you for your support and we value your feedback. 

Respectfully, 

Maureen Sabolinski

Franklin Public Schools

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at 508-613-1777.