d. Technology Presentation
Tim Raposa
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Live reporting: Technology Presentation
2. Guests / Presentations
d. Technology Presentation
Tim Raposa
(presentation to be added when published)
d. Technology Presentation
Tim Raposa
Live Reporting: School Start Times
2. Guests / Presentations
b. Robert Seide – Art Scholarship
died recently from pancreatic cancer
scholarship being created in her honor
she always believed in art and art scholarship
application along with 3 images of work to be submitted for consideration
c. School Start Times Advisory Committee Presentation
https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/school-start-time-recommendation
work on sleep and research formed the basis for the other subcommittees
looked at implication for before and after school care
a subcommittee was focused on busing and traffic
what other districts have or are considering start times
implications for employees
lots of work by lots of folks
research on sleep drove the work
sleep patterns change over the course of adolescence
survey reporting differences between what the students say vs the parents on how much sleep is actually achieved
survey results compare with MetroWest survey
take away = parent perceptions of sleep don't agree with reality
American Academy of Pediatrics making recommendations on start times
Center for Disease Control = CDC also made similar recommendations
if you want to know how not to do it, do it like Boston did (via computer)
Seattle High Schools did a longitudinal study
sleep duration increased; tardiness and absentees decreased
looked at transportation next
using 31 buses and $1.5M cost
proposing to transport each level separately, uses only 20 buses (and a cost savings)
requires a minimum of 30 minutes between runs to make it work
did talk with other districts, did implement similar changes; given enough time before starting, it can work
communication is key
it was imperative to delay implementation by at least a year
survey results from parents and employees
46% survey return rate and that is pretty good (usually anything above 10% is good)
with implementation at least a year away, there would be changes on the parents as the kids age; not the same for the staff
homework was a major concern, coincidentally a homework project is underway that pre-dated the School Start Times
teacher work life balance, technology (as in student use of tech)
other major concern is after school activities; i.e sports
scenario A would involve more frequent early release for athletics; hence Scenario B
swim and gymnastics are issues with pool and facility times;
What about Solutions? early start may minimize need for early times; and would also increase need for afternoon time
would require additional planning and adjustments
recommendation to move to Scenario B
13-2 was the vote (3 absent)
charter school would be served by the high school run of the buses
still an item for contract negotiation although length of day doesn't change
MJ - quite the experience, got to know folks over the year, thanks for the presentation, well done - any additional cost? how much will it cost?
Sara - with busing a net savings of approx $350K, it shouldn't cost the district more
maybe an increase cost for swim (due to pool rental)
Feeley - I have a lot of questions, I appreciate what you did, one of the Standard Univ articles - kids have activities, building resumes, etc. kids are ready to go to bed at 11, but then they get on their phone and are in communications during the night. How are we going to fix that? We need to help them. I am not convinced that this is the solution.
Sara - one of the issues from the parent guardian night was just this, it is a bigger and broader conversation, including homework etc.
Feeley - what time do kids arrive?
Klement - I have 1800 different answers
buses will get there as early as 7, vast majority arriving just before or just after the schedule start times
Feeley - what would happen if the rides still deliver the students?
(consider the dominoes, there will be parent adjustments to the schedules)
Linden - for some of us, this was a process that was very thorough, and just what we wanted it to be. Found interesting on how much research there is; some many correlations with research and the impacts; less sports injuries, better sports performance
Douglas - parents may need to do some busing that had not been needed before; should consider students at middle and high school; concerned about early dismissal;
Klement - the most common sport for early dismissal at Sharon was golf, minimal matches but daylight and course time were requirements;
Schultz - if the other town in the Hockomock would it make it easier?
Sara - it would make it easier but we also play some non-league games
Lifelong learning would need to do more research but based upon a specific set of info to get valid feedback
Sara - did make several attempts to resolve the student survey issues, we had a draft it was not approved as the questions were troublesome getting phrased properly. We did have 4 students actively as part of the process
Zub - it was a great experience, I have middle schoolers and would be freshman if we did go with this; at the end of the day, if this helps them for their social emotional learning; are we not doing a bad job, we need to work through the challenges, the reward is worth us working through this. this really helps our children, that is what we are here for
Feeley - I am very worried about the elementary school kids, when I heard the principals talking about their needs, that is not sitting well with me
Bergen - i had similar concerns, there is anecdotal evidence that it is a benefit
planning for an event in October for what social media is doing for kids
Donna Grady - President of the FEA
on committee, Franklin is the only committee that asked the faculty and staff of the impact; it can be a dividing issue; we have to weigh the pros/cons; the members are equally divided; most districts have looked at it for 3-5 years, Franklin did it for one
questions on what happens to ECDC?
what about work after school for students? home work, jobs, sports, staff is concerned about being available later
what about professional development? Many courses start at 3:30. A lot of work was done in the past year, and there are so many other items to review
Jessie Fanuele - high school teacher, and resident
I don't know whether to support this or not, I have heard but am not yet convinced
I appreciate the transparency of the committee; parents and students will adjust
I do like the idea of 11 less buses, great for the carbon footprint
there is a 20 minute guarantee of warm up time for every team/sport
teachers don't do this for the money, we are always for the students
may limit opportunity for a second job
I am nervous for those who do need a second job, health care is increasing, nervous about that
teachers will come to school to provide extra help with no extra pay
research is there, I can't say that it outweighs
Jamie Barrett - 2 kids one in middle school; simple question but it is not; where the elementary students considered? we talk about the impact for the teachers, the high school students, the middle school students, but where is the impact for the elementary?
instrumental music was cut in 2005, Spanish was cut year later; friends want to go to Charter and why, they offer French. You talk about SEL, those young minds, that is where the problem starts. I am speaking for the children, the elementary students
- it is really an depth survey and research, I wished the high school students had stayed to tell us what they think; I think a lt was done but all you said was what wasn't going to work. (addressing Donna G). Parents need to adjust, and it is in our control. There is no research on elementary; yes. we will all get through the challenges together. We need more sleep, we need more recess. we need to put our kids first
Jim D'Entremont - middle school teacher and resident, wondering why your choosing 8 when the research on this says 8.5 and up?
Bergen - state representatives coming to Town Council on May 8th; before we take a vote we will be getting more information
Sara - 8 was CDC recommendation, APA said 8.5
b. Robert Seide – Art Scholarship
died recently from pancreatic cancer
scholarship being created in her honor
she always believed in art and art scholarship
application along with 3 images of work to be submitted for consideration
c. School Start Times Advisory Committee Presentation
https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/school-start-time-recommendation
work on sleep and research formed the basis for the other subcommittees
looked at implication for before and after school care
a subcommittee was focused on busing and traffic
what other districts have or are considering start times
implications for employees
lots of work by lots of folks
research on sleep drove the work
sleep patterns change over the course of adolescence
survey reporting differences between what the students say vs the parents on how much sleep is actually achieved
survey results compare with MetroWest survey
take away = parent perceptions of sleep don't agree with reality
American Academy of Pediatrics making recommendations on start times
Center for Disease Control = CDC also made similar recommendations
if you want to know how not to do it, do it like Boston did (via computer)
Seattle High Schools did a longitudinal study
sleep duration increased; tardiness and absentees decreased
looked at transportation next
using 31 buses and $1.5M cost
proposing to transport each level separately, uses only 20 buses (and a cost savings)
requires a minimum of 30 minutes between runs to make it work
did talk with other districts, did implement similar changes; given enough time before starting, it can work
communication is key
it was imperative to delay implementation by at least a year
survey results from parents and employees
46% survey return rate and that is pretty good (usually anything above 10% is good)
with implementation at least a year away, there would be changes on the parents as the kids age; not the same for the staff
homework was a major concern, coincidentally a homework project is underway that pre-dated the School Start Times
teacher work life balance, technology (as in student use of tech)
other major concern is after school activities; i.e sports
scenario A would involve more frequent early release for athletics; hence Scenario B
swim and gymnastics are issues with pool and facility times;
What about Solutions? early start may minimize need for early times; and would also increase need for afternoon time
would require additional planning and adjustments
recommendation to move to Scenario B
13-2 was the vote (3 absent)
charter school would be served by the high school run of the buses
still an item for contract negotiation although length of day doesn't change
MJ - quite the experience, got to know folks over the year, thanks for the presentation, well done - any additional cost? how much will it cost?
Sara - with busing a net savings of approx $350K, it shouldn't cost the district more
maybe an increase cost for swim (due to pool rental)
Feeley - I have a lot of questions, I appreciate what you did, one of the Standard Univ articles - kids have activities, building resumes, etc. kids are ready to go to bed at 11, but then they get on their phone and are in communications during the night. How are we going to fix that? We need to help them. I am not convinced that this is the solution.
Sara - one of the issues from the parent guardian night was just this, it is a bigger and broader conversation, including homework etc.
Feeley - what time do kids arrive?
Klement - I have 1800 different answers
buses will get there as early as 7, vast majority arriving just before or just after the schedule start times
Feeley - what would happen if the rides still deliver the students?
(consider the dominoes, there will be parent adjustments to the schedules)
Linden - for some of us, this was a process that was very thorough, and just what we wanted it to be. Found interesting on how much research there is; some many correlations with research and the impacts; less sports injuries, better sports performance
Douglas - parents may need to do some busing that had not been needed before; should consider students at middle and high school; concerned about early dismissal;
Klement - the most common sport for early dismissal at Sharon was golf, minimal matches but daylight and course time were requirements;
Schultz - if the other town in the Hockomock would it make it easier?
Sara - it would make it easier but we also play some non-league games
Lifelong learning would need to do more research but based upon a specific set of info to get valid feedback
Sara - did make several attempts to resolve the student survey issues, we had a draft it was not approved as the questions were troublesome getting phrased properly. We did have 4 students actively as part of the process
Zub - it was a great experience, I have middle schoolers and would be freshman if we did go with this; at the end of the day, if this helps them for their social emotional learning; are we not doing a bad job, we need to work through the challenges, the reward is worth us working through this. this really helps our children, that is what we are here for
Feeley - I am very worried about the elementary school kids, when I heard the principals talking about their needs, that is not sitting well with me
Bergen - i had similar concerns, there is anecdotal evidence that it is a benefit
planning for an event in October for what social media is doing for kids
Donna Grady - President of the FEA
on committee, Franklin is the only committee that asked the faculty and staff of the impact; it can be a dividing issue; we have to weigh the pros/cons; the members are equally divided; most districts have looked at it for 3-5 years, Franklin did it for one
questions on what happens to ECDC?
what about work after school for students? home work, jobs, sports, staff is concerned about being available later
what about professional development? Many courses start at 3:30. A lot of work was done in the past year, and there are so many other items to review
Jessie Fanuele - high school teacher, and resident
I don't know whether to support this or not, I have heard but am not yet convinced
I appreciate the transparency of the committee; parents and students will adjust
I do like the idea of 11 less buses, great for the carbon footprint
there is a 20 minute guarantee of warm up time for every team/sport
teachers don't do this for the money, we are always for the students
may limit opportunity for a second job
I am nervous for those who do need a second job, health care is increasing, nervous about that
teachers will come to school to provide extra help with no extra pay
research is there, I can't say that it outweighs
Jamie Barrett - 2 kids one in middle school; simple question but it is not; where the elementary students considered? we talk about the impact for the teachers, the high school students, the middle school students, but where is the impact for the elementary?
instrumental music was cut in 2005, Spanish was cut year later; friends want to go to Charter and why, they offer French. You talk about SEL, those young minds, that is where the problem starts. I am speaking for the children, the elementary students
- it is really an depth survey and research, I wished the high school students had stayed to tell us what they think; I think a lt was done but all you said was what wasn't going to work. (addressing Donna G). Parents need to adjust, and it is in our control. There is no research on elementary; yes. we will all get through the challenges together. We need more sleep, we need more recess. we need to put our kids first
Jim D'Entremont - middle school teacher and resident, wondering why your choosing 8 when the research on this says 8.5 and up?
Bergen - state representatives coming to Town Council on May 8th; before we take a vote we will be getting more information
Sara - 8 was CDC recommendation, APA said 8.5
Live Reporting: School Committee - Meeting - Mar 26, 2019
Present: Feeley, Linden, Douglas, Scofield, Bergen, Schultz, Zub
Absent: none
1. Routine Business
a. Review of Agenda
b. Citizen’s Comments
Term 3 ending Apr 5th
approx 100 student doing senior projects
this Friday is senior banquet
Mock Trial finished 2nd in state meet
Seussical at FHS this weekend
SADD presenter coming Apr 8
Dynamic Influence, open to 8th grade and up - on substance abuse
Monday also on vaping
d. Superintendent’s Report
exciting visioning process happening around the "portrait of a graduate"
focus group Apr 4 and Apr 8
more in memo (available Weds)
"Leap into Kindergarten" thanks for the presentation
to welcome kindergarten families and all things with the schools
another registration night coming Apr 3
school specific evenings to be scheduled and announced
2. Guests / Presentations
a. Special Guest – Ben Franklin
special visit, only 5 months old
Absent: none
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 BEDHc. FHS Student Representative Comments
Term 3 ending Apr 5th
approx 100 student doing senior projects
this Friday is senior banquet
Mock Trial finished 2nd in state meet
Seussical at FHS this weekend
SADD presenter coming Apr 8
Dynamic Influence, open to 8th grade and up - on substance abuse
Monday also on vaping
d. Superintendent’s Report
exciting visioning process happening around the "portrait of a graduate"
focus group Apr 4 and Apr 8
more in memo (available Weds)
"Leap into Kindergarten" thanks for the presentation
to welcome kindergarten families and all things with the schools
another registration night coming Apr 3
school specific evenings to be scheduled and announced
2. Guests / Presentations
a. Special Guest – Ben Franklin
special visit, only 5 months old
Community Garden Meeting - April 1
Monday, April 1 at 6:30 PM there will be a meeting for all Franklin community garden members.
Director of Recreation; Ryan Jette will go over the community garden rules and regulations, bed renewals/membership, volunteering opportunities, be here to answer any questions you may have and much more.
We will also have AGWAY owner Melanie Hamblen there to provide gardening insight and input.
The Meeting will be held at the Recreation Department (275 Beaver Street).
If you have any questions, please call our office (508) 613-1666.
Thanks,
Franklin Recreation
Director of Recreation; Ryan Jette will go over the community garden rules and regulations, bed renewals/membership, volunteering opportunities, be here to answer any questions you may have and much more.
We will also have AGWAY owner Melanie Hamblen there to provide gardening insight and input.
The Meeting will be held at the Recreation Department (275 Beaver Street).
If you have any questions, please call our office (508) 613-1666.
Thanks,
Franklin Recreation
 |
| Community Garden Meeting - April 1 |
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group Kicks Off in Franklin
A new support group for grandparents raising grandchildren is launching in Franklin this April. A collaboration with the SAFE Coalition and the Hockomock Area YMCA, the group provides information, resources, and support for grandparents and kinship caregivers. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren begins on Wednesday, April 10 from 6:30 – 7:30 PM and the group will meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month moving forward.
The program is being offered at the Bernon Family Branch of the Hockomock Area YMCA at 45 Forge Hill Road in Franklin. It will be an ideal forum for a group of people with common experiences or concerns to provide support, compassion, comfort and understanding, encouragement, and advice to each other on issues affecting grandparents and all relatives raising grandchildren. All area residents from surrounding communities are welcome to participate in this free program.
“In meeting and talking with constituents throughout the district, I have encountered many grandparents who have taken on the role as the primary caregiver for their grandchildren and who are looking for additional support and encouragement,” noted Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin). “This group will show them that they are not alone and that there are many families in our area that share their experience. It’s great to once again have the SAFE Coalition and the Hockomock Area YMCA as partners in dealing with the fallout from the disease of addiction, and we are grateful for the fact that they are providing a forum for help, compassion, and guidance.”
The group will be facilitated by Meredith Poulten, a school counselor, social worker and member of the SAFE Coalition Board of Directors. “I am proud that the SAFE Coalition is able to partner with the Hockomock Area YMCA in providing a new approach to aiding those effected by substance use disorder,” said Jennifer Knight, President of the SAFE Coalition. “Grandparents raising grandchildren has been an underserved population and this style of community collaboration only enhances options for healing and for families as a whole to gain support.”
Light refreshments will be provided and child care at the Y is available for the meeting. Please contact the Y in advance if child care is needed 508-528-8708. For more information on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, email Meredith Poulten at mpoulten@verizon.net.
About the Hockomock Area YMCA:
The program is being offered at the Bernon Family Branch of the Hockomock Area YMCA at 45 Forge Hill Road in Franklin. It will be an ideal forum for a group of people with common experiences or concerns to provide support, compassion, comfort and understanding, encouragement, and advice to each other on issues affecting grandparents and all relatives raising grandchildren. All area residents from surrounding communities are welcome to participate in this free program.
“In meeting and talking with constituents throughout the district, I have encountered many grandparents who have taken on the role as the primary caregiver for their grandchildren and who are looking for additional support and encouragement,” noted Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin). “This group will show them that they are not alone and that there are many families in our area that share their experience. It’s great to once again have the SAFE Coalition and the Hockomock Area YMCA as partners in dealing with the fallout from the disease of addiction, and we are grateful for the fact that they are providing a forum for help, compassion, and guidance.”
The group will be facilitated by Meredith Poulten, a school counselor, social worker and member of the SAFE Coalition Board of Directors. “I am proud that the SAFE Coalition is able to partner with the Hockomock Area YMCA in providing a new approach to aiding those effected by substance use disorder,” said Jennifer Knight, President of the SAFE Coalition. “Grandparents raising grandchildren has been an underserved population and this style of community collaboration only enhances options for healing and for families as a whole to gain support.”
Light refreshments will be provided and child care at the Y is available for the meeting. Please contact the Y in advance if child care is needed 508-528-8708. For more information on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, email Meredith Poulten at mpoulten@verizon.net.
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.
The Hockomock Area 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 cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.
 |
| A collaboration with the SAFE Coalition and the Hockomock Area YMCA |
Tri-County Regional Senior Wins First Ever Girls’ All State Wrestling Championship
What an amazing season it has been for the Tri-County wrestling team. One shining star is Ashley Barrett, a senior from Bellingham in the Legal and Protective Services program, who has won the first-ever Girls’ All State Wrestling Championship for all divisions in Massachusetts in the 120-pound weight class.
An estimated 70 girls from Massachusetts participated in the inaugural tournament. Ashley won her title by defeating three girls; in fact, she won all of her matches by pin. Massachusetts is only the 10th state in the country to offer a girls’ state wrestling tournament.
Ashley is one of two girls on the roster of the Tri-County wrestling team. During the 2018-2019 wrestling season, Ashley wrestled in many mixed-sex tournaments. She earned second place at the State Vocational Tournament. She placed fifth at the Cohasset Tournament and she won first place at the Martin Luther King: All Girls Tournament in Mahar. For her stellar season, the Mayflower League has acknowledged Ashley as a League All-Star and both the Boston Herald and Boston Globe have appointed her an All-Scholastics All-Star.
Ashley started wrestling just two years ago. During her first year of wrestling, her combined varsity and junior varsity record was 13-3. This year, as a senior, Ashley has a combined varsity and junior varsity record of 34-6. Her career record, including all of her varsity and junior varsity matches, is an impressive 46-9.
“Ashley’s hard work has made her extremely coachable and confident,” says Coach Steve LaPlante. “She knew she was going to be a state champion before her finals match even started. She has instilled this confidence in her teammates and coaches.” Not only did Ashley work hard on the mat every day during the wrestling season, she also put in the work during the offseason. After her junior year, Ashley began attending the Blackstone Wrestling Club in Cumberland, RI.
How does a girl get into wrestling in the first place? At six years old, Ashley went to a Taekwondo birthday party and instantly fell in love with mixed martial arts. Though she did not know what it was at the time, she began her training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Ashley currently trains six days a week at USMMA in Bellingham, MA, where she trains with professional fighter and Tri-County alumni, Hillary Rose. “My training in mixed martial arts has given me an edge over many who’ve never done it because it gives you fluid motion and flexibility,” explains Barrett.
Girls may feel apprehensive about joining a traditionally all-boys team. They can struggle to feel fully accepted. However, Ashley did not experience that with the Tri-County team. “Once I made the decision to become a part of the wrestling team at Tri-County, I wasn’t treated any differently because I was a girl,” said Barrett. “Coach LaPlante tells everyone who joins the team that they’re now a part of a wrestling family that will make sacrifices for, and rely on, each other. He tells us it’s larger than just being a member of a team. It’s about being part of something greater than yourself.”
Ashley is now training for her MMA debut in May when she turns 18 years old. She hopes to become a professional mixed martial artist in the future.
When not working out at the gym, the busy senior works at the Holliston Police Department as a part of her cooperative education at Tri-County. After graduation, Ashley will attend Bridgewater State University to study Psychology.
 |
| Tri-County Regional Senior Wins First Ever Girls’ All State Wrestling |
An estimated 70 girls from Massachusetts participated in the inaugural tournament. Ashley won her title by defeating three girls; in fact, she won all of her matches by pin. Massachusetts is only the 10th state in the country to offer a girls’ state wrestling tournament.
Ashley is one of two girls on the roster of the Tri-County wrestling team. During the 2018-2019 wrestling season, Ashley wrestled in many mixed-sex tournaments. She earned second place at the State Vocational Tournament. She placed fifth at the Cohasset Tournament and she won first place at the Martin Luther King: All Girls Tournament in Mahar. For her stellar season, the Mayflower League has acknowledged Ashley as a League All-Star and both the Boston Herald and Boston Globe have appointed her an All-Scholastics All-Star.
Ashley started wrestling just two years ago. During her first year of wrestling, her combined varsity and junior varsity record was 13-3. This year, as a senior, Ashley has a combined varsity and junior varsity record of 34-6. Her career record, including all of her varsity and junior varsity matches, is an impressive 46-9.
 |
| Ashley Barrett |
“Ashley’s hard work has made her extremely coachable and confident,” says Coach Steve LaPlante. “She knew she was going to be a state champion before her finals match even started. She has instilled this confidence in her teammates and coaches.” Not only did Ashley work hard on the mat every day during the wrestling season, she also put in the work during the offseason. After her junior year, Ashley began attending the Blackstone Wrestling Club in Cumberland, RI.
How does a girl get into wrestling in the first place? At six years old, Ashley went to a Taekwondo birthday party and instantly fell in love with mixed martial arts. Though she did not know what it was at the time, she began her training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Ashley currently trains six days a week at USMMA in Bellingham, MA, where she trains with professional fighter and Tri-County alumni, Hillary Rose. “My training in mixed martial arts has given me an edge over many who’ve never done it because it gives you fluid motion and flexibility,” explains Barrett.
Girls may feel apprehensive about joining a traditionally all-boys team. They can struggle to feel fully accepted. However, Ashley did not experience that with the Tri-County team. “Once I made the decision to become a part of the wrestling team at Tri-County, I wasn’t treated any differently because I was a girl,” said Barrett. “Coach LaPlante tells everyone who joins the team that they’re now a part of a wrestling family that will make sacrifices for, and rely on, each other. He tells us it’s larger than just being a member of a team. It’s about being part of something greater than yourself.”
Ashley is now training for her MMA debut in May when she turns 18 years old. She hopes to become a professional mixed martial artist in the future.
When not working out at the gym, the busy senior works at the Holliston Police Department as a part of her cooperative education at Tri-County. After graduation, Ashley will attend Bridgewater State University to study Psychology.
Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.
In the News: Franklin curbside pickup fees to rise; Fall construction alert - Rtes. 16 and 140 near Milford Regional Medical
Franklin curbside pickup fees to rise
"Trash and recycling fees are going up due to international struggles with plastic disposal.
Town councilors approved a rate hike of $32 on March 20, raising the average annual cost for curbside trash and recycle pickup to $240. The council also voted to raise the price of stickers in 2020 from $25 to $35 for the transfer station on Beaver Street.
Franklin recycles about 3,600 tons of waste a year. The cost will rise to $55 a ton in 2020, $20 more a ton than the town currently pays. The town sold around 240 stickers last year, but is considering either eliminating the option or increasing the 10-day fee to $25.
In the last year, China has been sent massive amounts of plastic waste for recycling purposes. According to NPR, about 106 million metric tons, or roughly 45 percent of the world’s plastic ready for recycling, was exported to China. Inundated with the waste, the country decided at the start of last year to decline any more shipments."Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190326/franklin-trash-recycling-fees-increasing
Note: The first of two votes to approve the rate increase was held on March 20. The second vote is scheduled for a future Town Council meeting before becoming effective July 1. While the fee is increasing, we are still below where the fee was in 2005.
 |
| Due to global market issues for recycling, proposal to increase curbside fee |
Construction alert: Rtes. 16 and 140 near Milford Regional Medical Center
"The planned facelift for one of Milford’s most heavily traveled roads remains on track to begin this fall.
The half-mile stretch of Rte. 16 from just past the Milford police headquarters to the Hopedale town border will receive a long-awaited upgrade. The project will focus on the intersection of Rtes. 16 and 140 near Milford Regional Medical Center. The intersection is a regular spot for traffic backups and will be widened to make way for dedicated turning lanes, which should ease the turning radius for large trucks and tractor-trailers.
“You cannot get through that intersection if someone is taking a left turn,” said Highway Surveyor Scott Crisafulli. “It’s too small.”
New modern traffic signals with preemptive control for emergency vehicles approaching the intersection are part of the project."Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190325/milford-rte-16140-intersection-project-includes-new-signals-bike-lanes
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)