Monday, June 22, 2015

The Town of Franklin is looking for volunteers for committees/boards

Some committees are up for their annual re-appointment and some have openings for you to step up to help!

Town of Franklin header image
Town of Franklin header image

The Town of Franklin is looking for Members for the following committees: If you are interested in becoming a member, please complete the attached form and return the Town Administrator's Office.

  • Conservation    Conservation Commission
  • Design Review Commission
  • Disabilities Commission
  • Municipal Affordable Housing Trust- Contact Maxine Kinhart 508-520-4949
  • Zoning Board of Appeal

The volunteer form to fill out when you are interested can be found here


In addition to those listed above, there is also an opening on the Finance Committee:
The Town of Franklin is looking for a new Member for the Finance Committee.  If you are interested,  please complete the attached form and send along with a resume and letter of interest to the Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting at jnutting@franklin.ma.us
You can fill out the same volunteer form (above) and contact Town Administrator Jeff Nutting


Reporting by walking around - Saturday, June 20th (photo essay)

The good weather had me out for a walk around town on Saturday morning. The camera came along and by sharing these photos, you can too.

Parmenter has their field day today, with Kindergarten  finishing on Tuesday and all grades finishing on Friday
Parmenter has their field day today, with Kindergarten
finishing on Tuesday and all grades finishing on Friday

the new tot lot was busy on Saturday, a good sign!
the new tot lot at Fletcher Field (off Peck St)
was busy on Saturday, a good sign!

softball game in progress at Pisini Field off Peck St
softball game in progress at Pisini Field off Peck St

empty lot going to be expanded parking for the Oteri Funeral Home
empty lot going to be expanded parking for the Oteri Funeral Home

Did you know Chinese Mirch has a lunch buffet now?
Did you know Chinese Mirch has a lunch buffet now?

new sidewalks being put in along Emmons and Main St
new sidewalks being put in along Emmons and Main St

top layer of asphalt removed along Main St from School St to Pleasant St
top layer of asphalt removed along Main St from School St to Pleasant St

High St is being redone by the contractor at the same time but paid for by  Town funds and not the grant that covers the other work
High St is being redone by the contractor at the same time but paid for by
Town funds and not the grant that covers the other work

Davis Thayer sign also announces K last day on 6/23 and all grades with half day on 6/26
Davis Thayer sign also announces K last day on 6/23 and all grades with half day on 6/26

What are those purple flags on the Cape for?

In case you missed the article in the Globe West Sunday edition


Dan Gilmartin placed purple flags in the Mashpee rotary. His son Cory, 32, died of a heroin overdose in January 2014. (DEBEE TLUMACKI FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE)
Dan Gilmartin placed purple flags in the Mashpee rotary. His son Cory, 32, died of a heroin overdose in January 2014. (DEBEE TLUMACKI FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE)


Gail Mahoney, 77, measures the toll of the heroin crisis here and across the country by counting the number of grandchildren she and her friends have lost to the deadly drug. 
One friend lost two grandchildren. Another friend buried one grandchild and has a grandson who is “fighting for his life.” Mahoney said her son’s stepdaughter died of a heroin overdose four years ago. 
“I’m just a little nobody, and I know seven people that have kids that have lost their lives,” Mahoney said Friday. “It’s everywhere. It’s not just on Cape Cod. It’s throughout our whole country. My question is: Why do we have so much heroin in this country?” 
Mahoney, a Mashpee resident, visited the Mashpee rotary Friday night to speak with volunteers who placed 330 purple flags to represent people who died from overdoses of heroin and other opioids on Cape Cod and the Islands between 2000 and 2014.
Continue reading the article here: (subscription may be required)
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/06/20/those-died-oid-overdoses-remembered-cape-with-purple-flags/UQgtjhD88zP3ySHDsQZ5fI/story.html


What can be done about the opioid epidemic in Franklin? Come out to the Community Coalition - June 30th - 7:00 PM.  Franklin can come out from behind closed doors to the High School Auditorium on 7:00 PM Tuesday, June 30. The meeting will introduce the formation of a Community Coalition to help with our own problem.


"Firefighters have been without a new contract since June 2011"


If the council chooses to honor the award, the cost to the town for fiscal year 2012 through fiscal year 2015 is about $525,000, with an additional $70,000 needed for fiscal year 2016, according to Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting, who sought councilors' support of the award in a memo to them last week. 
The main concern for councilors Wednesday night will be whether the town can finance the award. Union leaders say the town’s fiscal health is not an issue. 
“The union knows that this is not a big win for anybody,” said Robert Donovan, the union president. “But a neutral panel has figured out the best way to solve this four-year battle that put us at an impasse. We entered into arbitration because we wanted to solve this problem, and now we have to honor the decision. 
“The character of both parties will show in how they react to this decision,” Donovan added.
Read the full article online here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150621/NEWS/150629494/1994/NEWS

Fire Dept
Fire Dept

The full agenda document for the Town Council meeting on Wednesday can be found here.

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/062415.pdf

Pages 4 and 5 are the letter from Jeff Nutting to the Council outlining the award details and funding sources. Franklin had prudently been setting money aside each year in anticipation of an award.


Sunday, June 21, 2015

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - June 23, 2015

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.

AGENDA
"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."
Franklin Public Schools  "the key to learning"
Franklin Public Schools 
"the key to learning"

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the June 9, 2015 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills - Mr. Clement
Payroll - Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:
Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations

a. Remington Middle School Update
- Paul Peri, Brian Wildeman
b. Jefferson Elementary Update
– Linda Ashley, Sarah Klim
c. FHS Guidance Update
– Heather McVay, Josh MacCreery & Jennifer D’Amico

3. Discussion Only Items

Policy
– First Readings:

KF – Community Use of School Facilities
KF-E1 – Rules and Regulations
KF-E2 – FHS Building Use
KF-E3 – Facility Rental Fee Schedule
KF-E4 – FHS Facility Rental Fee Schedule
KF-E5 – FHS Grounds Rental Fees

- (NEW)
GCCD – Domestic Violence Leave Policy

4. Action Items

a. I recommend moving the following Policies to a second reading:
1. KF – Community Use of School Facilities
2. KF-E1 – Rules and Regulations
3. KF-E2 – FHS Building Use
4. KF-E3 – Facility Rental Fee Schedule
5. KF-E4 – FHS Facility Rental Fee Schedule
6. KF-E5 – FHS Grounds Rental Fees
7. (NEW)GCCD – Domestic Violence Leave Policy

b. I recommend the acceptance of two checks totaling $589.71 for FHS as follows:
1. $189.71 Ahold Financial Svc. – Gift Account
2. $400.00 John T. Ombelets/ Elizabeth A. John - Scholarship
c. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $2,370.16 for Keller Elementary School as follows:
1. $370.16 O’Connor Portraiture, Inc. – In-house enrichment
2. $2,000.00 IBM - supplemental curriculum materials
d. I recommend acceptance of the donation of a Maple Tree (value $150 - 250) from the JF Kennedy PCC for playground shade at JF Kennedy Elementary School.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $150.00 from the Parmenter PCC for a Field Trip.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $25.00 from Target’s Thanks a Billion Program for supplemental supplies at Davis Thayer Elementary School.

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

Personnel Update

8. Adjourn

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - June 24, 2015


A. EXECUTIVE SESSION 
– Strategy with Respect to Pending Litigation and Collective Bargaining re Fire Fighter’s Union


B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 7:00 PM

C. 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 others.

D. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

E. CITIZEN COMMENTS

F. APPOINTMENTS – 2015 Annual Committee Appointments

G. HEARINGS

H. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

I. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

J. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

K. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 15-43: Appropriation – FY15 Fire Wages (Arbitration Award)
2. Resolution 15-44: Appropriation – Other Post Employment Stabilization Fund
3. Resolution 15-45: Appropriation – Roads/Sidewalks/Drainage/Storm water/ Infrastructure

L. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

M. OLD BUSINESS

N. NEW BUSINESS

O. COUNCIL COMMENTS

P. ADJOURN

Franklin Municipal Building
Franklin Municipal Building


The documents associated with this published agenda be found on the Franklin webpage here:
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/062415.pdf

What if… we can each help turn the tide of Addiction one share at a time?

From Patricia Byrne writing at Stop The Silence

The response to Stop the Silence has been staggering. The speed at which it was shared speaks to the size of the Epidemic of Addiction slithering through our neighborhoods and stealing our loved ones. 
Many have asked how they can help, others have asked how to get help. Much needs to change for the tide of Addiction to turn. Gloucester MA is at the front of the charge. They have created an Angel Program to help addicts instead of jailing them. 
We must admit this Epidemic is hiding in our communities. We need to recognize that families from all walks of life are re-enacting the same play behind different doors in cities, suburbs and small towns alike. We plead, sob, and scream to our addicts and to each other from a battle-worn script as we live our shared nightmare. Addiction is stealing the future of so many and decimating the lives of everyone who loves them. We need to step out from behind the doors and come together to help one another.
Continue reading Patricia here
https://stopthesilencespeakthetruth.wordpress.com/2015/06/17/what-if/

You can read more about Gloucester's Angel Program here -->
http://jgpr.net/2015/05/05/gloucester-police-chief-announces-major-drug-policy-changes/

As resources become available, Patricia will be posting them to this "Resources" page --> 
https://stopthesilencespeakthetruth.wordpress.com/local-resources-by-state/

The Addict's Mom
The Addict's Mom

Community Coalition - June 30th - 7:00 PM

Franklin can come out from behind closed doors to the High School Auditorium on 7:00 PM Tuesday, June 30. The meeting will introduce the formation of a Community Coalition to help with our own problem.