In the News: Franklin looking for snow contractors; cause of house fire not found yet

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Snow and ice is on the way and Franklin needs help getting rid of it. 

During the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, members will be discussing the lack of contractors available to help plow streets during winter storms. 

Without proper help, according to Deputy Town Administrator Jaime Hellen, there could be more school delays, unplowed sidewalks and icier roads.
“The impacts that people need to know about the expectation of the roads is going to be really important to know,” Hellen said. 

The town had 71 signed contractors to plow snow last winter. So far this year, only 32 have signed up. Hellen said that with more than a 50-percent decline in helping hands, there could be trouble."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181126/franklin-seeks-snow-plow-contractors-for-winter

You can find the full set of documents for the Town Council meeting agenda in one PDF

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/town_council_meeting_agenda_for_november_28_2018.pdf

Municipal Building, 355 East Central St, Franklin, MA

"The fire chief said smoke detectors likely limited a Saturday-morning blaze on Hawthorne Drive to the basement, allowing the occupants to escape unharmed. 

The fire started about 11:44 a.m. at 19 Hawthorne Drive and was fought by outfits in Wrentham, Plainville, Norfolk, Bellingham and Milford. There were two adults in the house at the time, both of which made it out safely. 

“We arrived and we found smoke coming from the front door,” Franklin Police Fire Chief Gary McCarraher said. “We searched the building and the fire ended up being a sort of sub-basement area.” 

Though the house did suffer smoke damage, the fire was contained to the basement. McCarraher emphasized that due to working smoke detectors, the fire was contained before anyone was harmed.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181126/no-cause-found-for-franklin-fire

Recycling Center: Closed Tuesday, re-opens Friday

Unfortunately due to the continued repairs at the Recycling Center, the facility will be closed until Friday, November 30, 2018. 

The Recycling Center will reopen for regular business hours on Friday.

Recycling Center Closed until Friday, November 30

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Meeting - Nov 28, 2018

The published agenda and documents for the Franklin Town Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 28, 2018. This meeting sets the tax rate for the fiscal year 2019, effectively completing the budget cycle that started a year ago and officially funds the Town's operation for July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. 

(Note: where there are active links in the agenda item, it will take you to the associated document)

You can also find the full set of documents in one PDF

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/town_council_meeting_agenda_for_november_28_2018.pdf

Agenda Item	Summary
Town Council Meeting Agenda	Meeting of November 28, 2018 - 7:00PM
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS	a. 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.
2. CITIZENS COMMENTS	a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda.  The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments.  The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES	None
4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS	a. Swearing in of Firefighters
5. APPOINTMENTS	None
6. HEARINGS
6a. HEARINGS	Tax Classification Hearing
6b. HEARINGS	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 18-821: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Plain Street, Pond Street, and Palomino Drive
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS	None
8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS	a. Snow Update
9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS	a. Capital Budget Subcommittee b. Budget Subcommittee c. Economic Development Subcommittee d. Town Administrator Search Committee
10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Resolution 18-65: Conditional Offer of Town Administartor Position to Current Deputy Town Administartor (Motion to Approve Resolution 18-65- Majority Vote (5))
10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Resolution 18-66: Classification Tax Allocation - Residential Factor (Motion to Approve Resolution 18-66 - Majority Vote (5))
10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Resolution 18-67: Classification Tax Allocation- Open Space Exemption (Motion To Approve Resolution 18-67- Majority Vote (5))
10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Resolution 18-68: Classification Tax Allocation- Small Business Exemption (Motion to Approve Resolution 18-68 - Majority Vote (5))
10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Resolution 18-69: Classification Tax Allocation- Residential Property Exemption (Motion to Approve Resolution 18-69 - Majority Vote (5))
10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 18-821: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Plain Street, Pond Street, and Palomino Drive - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 18-821 to a 2nd Reading-Majority Vote (5))
10g. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 18-822: Changes to §185-20. Signs - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 18-822 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote (5))
10h. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 18-823: Changes To Sign District Regulations - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 18-823 to the Planning Board- Majority Vote (5))
10i. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 18-824: Changes to Sign District Overlay Map- Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 18-824 to the Planning Board- Majority Vote (5))
10j. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Bylaw Amendment 18-825: Chapter 47, Alcoholic Beveralges- 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 18-825 to a 2nd Reading - Majority Vote (5))
10k. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Bylaw Amendment 18-828: Fees Bylaw Changes- 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 18-828 to a 2nd Reading- Majority Vote (5))
11. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
13. COUNCIL COMMENTS
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION	None Scheduled
15. ADJOURN

Municipal Building, 355 East Central St, Franklin, MA

Franklin Newcomers: Yankee Swap and Holiday Party - Dec 12

Come join your Franklin friends and neighbors at the Franklin Newcomers and Friends annual Yankee Swap and Holiday Party. Meet us upstairs at "3" Restaurant on Wednesday, December 12th at 7:30. 

To participate in the swap, bring a wrapped gift ($20 limit) and get one in return during the swap - you never know what you'll get! No need to RSVP, just join us!

We invite any resident of Franklin, or a surrounding town that doesn't have a Newcomers Club, to join us at "3" Restaurant, 461 West Central Street, Franklin. Complimentary appetizers and beverages are provided and a cash bar is available. 

We meet upstairs at 7:30 PM on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. We run our meetings September through May. Additionally, we hold many fun and varied events to stay connected throughout the year.

For more information, please visit our website www.franklinnewcomers.com or our Facebook page, Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club.

Franklin Newcomers: Yankee Swap and Holiday Party - Dec 12

FHS Baseball 2018 MIAA Division 1A ‘Super 8” State Champions - Champ Rings Video

"Final Video with Highlights from Championship Game, Fenway Park and Ring Ceremony Pictures. Extra Post-Championship clips included"

Sharing this find via Twitter  https://twitter.com/FranklinHS/status/1066705994972127232

In the News: civics education bill signed; teenagers don't see doctors alone

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Massachusetts lawmakers are hopeful civics-based education will improve civic engagement among young people. 

The challenge for administration, schools and teachers, however, will be whether they can check politics at the door when encouraging young people to participate in American democracy. 

“The last thing we need in a school or district is to create something that seems partisan-based,” said Thomas Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents in Lexington. 

Civics education, the study of the rights and duties of citizenship, was once an integral facet of American education. But it started disappearing from schools in the 1960s, and the trend accelerated when more standardized testing was required under the No Child Left Behind Act, according to the National Education Association."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181125/how-to-separate-politics-from-civics-in-massachusetts-schools

Governor Baker's press release on the bill signing
https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-signs-bill-to-promote-civic-education-for-students

"About half of American teenagers have never visited doctors without a parent or guardian present, despite recommendations that such visits begin about age 13, a study led by a Chicago researcher shows. 

Dr. Jon Klein wanted find whether the American Medical Association’s 1992 recommendation had any effect on teenagers taking an active role in their health care. The study showed that little has changed in 25 years. 

“When we launched, we really were going back to that question of has it gotten any better,” said Klein, head of pediatrics at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center. “It’s still only about half who have had private one-on-ones with a clinician.” 

The study, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, surveyed adolescents and their parents, exploring at what age they think children and teenagers should begin to meet privately with doctors. He realized early on that key to a parent’s understanding of why doctors want to speak with teenagers alone is explaining that it’s so teenagers can take some ownership of their health."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20181124/about-half-of-teenagers-have-never-talked-to-doctor-alone-study-finds

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Nov 27, 2018

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.

A G E N D A

“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
a. Review of Agenda
b. Citizen’s Comments

i. In the spirit of open communication, “the School Committee will hear public comment not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee Meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment” – from Policy BEDH

c. FHS Student Representative Comments
d. Superintendent’s Report

2. Guests / Presentations
a. MCAS Presentation – Dr. Joyce Edwards

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. Superintendent’s Goals
I recommend approval of the Superintendent’s Goals as discussed.
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/discussion-action-supt-goals

b. Policy – First Read
I recommend moving Policy INJDD – Social Media Policy to a second reading as
discussed.
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/discussion-action-b-policy

c. Capital FY19 Approval
I recommend approval of the FY19 Capital as discussed.
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/discussion-action-c-capital-requests

4. Discussion Only Items
a. FEA – Donna Grady, President

b. Class Size Information – FHS and Middle Schools

5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Budget; Community Relations;
Policy; Transportation; Public Schools Advocacy; Ad Hoc Superintendent’s
Evaluation)
b. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC; Substance Abuse Task
Force; School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC]; School Start Times Advisory
Committee [SSTAC], MASC)

6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items

7. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes of your November 13, 2018 School Committee meeting as detailed.
b. Music Department Surplus
I recommend the request of Diane Plouffe to declare the attached list of antiquated or broken music equipment as surplus.
c. Athletic Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $960.75 from All American Publishing for the FHS Athletic Dept. in-house enrichment as detailed.
d. FHS Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $37.48 from Ohiopyle Prints for in-house enrichment at FHS as detailed.
e. Davis Thayer Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $968.32 from O’Connor Studios for inhouse enrichment at Davis Thayer as detailed.
f. FHS Donation
I recommend acceptance of the donation of a synthesizer/controller/workstation with powered speakers and a studio worktable valued at approximately $2,500.00 from Alan and Donna Adams for the Franklin High School as detailed.
g. Oak Street Gift
I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $1,300.00 from the Oak St. PCC for field trips as detailed.
h. HMMS Music Dept. Donation
I recommend acceptance of the donation of a flute from Sharon Whalen for the HMMS Music Department.
i. RMS Trip
I recommend approval of the recurring request of the Remington Adventure Club to travel to Rock Spot in Lincoln, RI on December 13, 2018 as detailed
j. DECA Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Miguel Carmo to take the FHS DECA Club to Boston from March 7, 2019 to March 9, 2019 for the DECA State Competition as detailed.

8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll Mrs. Douglas

10. Correspondence

11. Executive Session
a. Strategy with respect to collective bargaining.

12. Adjournment

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-27-2018-school-committee-packet-documents

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/sc-agenda-11-27-18

new sign at Parmenter School