In the News: Police get deputy chief, schools approve MOU

"Chief Stephan Semerjian and Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting announced that Lt. Thomas J. Lynch will start as deputy police chief of the Franklin Police Department on Sept. 6. 

Lynch has been a member of the department since 1996, where he began as a patrol officer. He was promoted to sergeant in 2000 and became a lieutenant in 2002. 

Throughout his career, Lynch has participated in all aspects of the department’s operations, from selecting and training employees, to budget management and strategic planning."

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150826/NEWS/150827107/1994/NEWS

Franklin Police Station, 911 Panther Way

"The Franklin School Committee approved a new agreement at its meeting this week that would have the town continue to assume maintenance responsibilities at school facilities. 

Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski told the committee, during its Tuesday-night session, that the schools and town council first adopted the arrangement in 2007. That agreement expired on June 30, according to Sabolinski. 

"We've been working with the town administrator to develop a new memorandum of agreement, " she said. 

That agreement, said Sabolinski, set down terms under which the partnership would operate. She said several changes were made from the previous agreement, including a change that the schools could request more frequent background checks of workers."

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150826/NEWS/150827082/1994/NEWS

For the full summary of the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Aug 25
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/08/live-reporting-school-committee-aug-25.html

Live Reporting: School Committee - Aug 25, 2015

Summary:

• The Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Franklin and the School Committee/School District was review, some minor changes made to the prior agreement and the whole item was approved by a 7-0 vote. It now goes to the Town Council for their approval.
• Several updates on the preparation for opening school next week were provided. Additional administration changes were made, additional enrollments are still being seen (6 families enrolled today).
• "increased complexity and rigor" is the theme for the coming school year for improvements to the instruction and curriculum.
• The transportation plan was reviewed. Links provided for the bus schedule and several forms related to bus stops.
• The reduced price lunch application form is now online (link provided)



Franklin Matters

• Security was addressed by a number of 'minor' changes. The major security review is still in process by the vendor. The full report is expected later this year with any recommendations to be included in the capital budget planning (also later this year) and then for potential decisions with the budget reviews by the Finance Committee and Town Council in an April/May 2016 time frame.

When I discovered that I was missing a few key components to my mobile reporting tools, I resorted to using Twitter to post my notes and then put together a Storify summary. 

I am getting to like this method. You'll have to let me know if it works for you.

The Franklin 5K invites the community to run on September 13

Start of the 2014 race with Team Hoyt

The YMCA is pleased to announce the return of the Franklin 5K walk/run family event, which will be held on Sunday, Sept. 13. Now in its eleventh year, this fun community event supports programs for children with disabilities at the Y.

This year, the race moves to Remington/Jefferson School and the scenic surrounding neighborhood at 628 Washington Street in Franklin. Free activities for families will take place from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Aiming to break down barriers for individuals with disabilities, it is an honor to include Team Hoyt at the event. Dick and Rick Hoyt are truly one of the world’s most inspiring stories. The race, formerly called Run for Bob, was started by Kris and Kayla Biagiotti in memory of Kayla’s dad Bob Biagiotti and his belief that no child should be left on the sidelines. Kris continues her advocacy through this event. 

Inspired by Team Hoyt, Kris and Kayla (The K Girls) achieved the incredible accomplishment of being the first mother/daughter team to finish the Boston Marathon in 2013. But it was not easy. Kris and Kayla were 50 yards from the finish line when the first bomb went off, and instead of raising their hands in victory, they were forced to shield themselves from flying shrapnel. A month later, they got to cross the finish line and receive their medals at The Franklin 5K. The race has raised more than $75,000 over the past several years to benefit children with special needs. 

Franklin 5K - Sep 13

“The Hockomock Area YMCA is to be commended for creating such a wonderful program for the youth in the communities it serves,” said Dick Hoyt upon receipt of the Legends Award in 2012 at the Y’s Legends Ball, the annual gala at the Hockomock Area YMCA raising funds for the Integration Initiative. The initiative was born 10 years ago at the Hockmomock Y out of an emerging need in our community to provide inclusive programs for children with special needs and their typically developing peers.

Register today at hockymca.org. Cost is $25, but will increase to $30 after August 31. Medals will be awarded to the top 3 men’s and women’s finishers from several age categories and all participants will receive a finisher medal. On the day of the event, walk-in registration will be offered starting at 9:00am. Pre-event bib pickup will be offered. The 5K will start at 10:00am.

Free family activities include: Kids Fun Run, inflatable obstacle course, refreshments, games, DJ entertainment, and more.

Thank you to event sponsors Ashworth Awards, Bay State Physical Therapy, Design Elements for Business, Gym Source, the Rodman Ride for Kids, and Franklin Rotary. Questions, please contact Sr. Director of Youth Programming Tim Shaw at 508-879-5746 or tims@hockymca.org. 

About The Hockomock Area YMCA
Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.

With over 31,000 members, the YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities they are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable community driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and the Mansfield Arts & Education Center. For more information, visit hockymca.org.

Franklin LIbrary: Barn Babies - Aug 25, 1:00 - 2:30 PM

Pet the animals today! The Franklin Library welcomes the traveling petting zoo today at 1:00 PM.

This is another event in the series sponsored  by the Friends of the Franklin Library.

Barn babies, Aug 25 1;00 PM

This was shared from the Franklin Library page

http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/08/traveling-petting-zoo.html

In the News: i495 accident, 2800 on bus this year

A crash between a car and a tractor-trailer on Interstate 495 sent the driver to the hospital via medical helicopter with life-threatening injuries Tuesday, state police officials say. 

The crash, which occurred sometime after 11 a.m. just prior to exit 17, shut down all three southbound lanes of the highway, reducing traffic to just the breakdown lane for about two and a half hours. 

The driver of a 2002 Toyota Echo, a 25-year-old from Brockton, was taken to a Rhode Island hospital via medical helicopter with life-threatening injuries and a 22-year-old passenger was taken by ambulance to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, state police spokesman David Procopio said. The driver of the tractor-trailer was uninjured.

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150825/NEWS/150827803/1994/NEWS

About 2,800 students will be taking the bus to school this year and nearly 70 percent of them will pay for the privilege, the School Committee was told Tuesday night. 

Business Administrator Miriam Goodman said the district will be hauling approximately 2,800 students on 31 buses. A total of 51 students are on a waiting list. 

"Twenty-one of them are at the high school level - the high school buses are pretty full," she said, noting that 19 buses travel to the high school. "We're trying to get everyone on as quickly as possible and meet everyone's needs."

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150825/NEWS/150827582/1994/NEWS

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda, Aug 25, 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."

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments

The key to learning

Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the August 11, 2015 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:

2. Guests/Presentations

a. Town School Facilities MOU
b. Transportation Update

3. Discussion Only Items

School Opening
Capital Update
Establishment of a School Store Revolving Account

4. Action Items

a. I recommend approval of the Budget Transfers as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of the Town School Facilities MOU as presented.
c. I recommend approval of the establishment of a School Store Revolving Account as discussed.

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 Matter

8. Adjourn

Franklin Public Schools: Memorandum of Understanding on the Maintenance and Repair of School Facilities (renewal)

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Town of Franklin and the Franklin Public Schools. Several years ago, the custodians were transferred from the School Dept to the DPW which resulted in the first MOU and then renewals of such. This document contains the latest renewal agreement and appears to run for 5 years.

Tune in to the School Committee meeting Tuesday, Aug 25 to hear the discussion. The meeting is broadcast via Comcast and Verizon and also available via the internet for those who can not make it to the meeting in person

grass is growing at Davis Thayer