Representative Roy to hold public meeting in Franklin with representatives from the MBTA and Keolis - Dec 17

Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) announced today (Friday, Dec 6) that he will be hosting a public meeting with representatives from the MBTA and Keolis concerning commuter rail service in our area. The meeting will take place at the Franklin Town Council Chambers on Tuesday, December 17 at 7 PM.

The entire commuter rail system’s on-time performance took a dive in late September and October and the Franklin Line was the worst performing line, with a 79.2 percent on-time performance. Many of the delays and cancellations on the Franklin Line were due to mechanical failures of the equipment. The meeting will be an opportunity to hear more about these issues and ways that they are being addressed.

“I have seen an increase in the number of complaints from constituents about the commuter rail since the beginning of the Foxboro Pilot Program,” said Rep. Roy. “This meeting will give the community a chance to share their concerns and provide feedback. I know Keolis took steps to increase service and reliability including the hiring a “route manager” and installation of more double tracks. With the increased complaints and poor performance, this is a god time to talk about what is working and where things need improvement.”

Representative Roy recently started the “Franklin Line Working Group,” consisting of Representatives and Senators whose communities are served by the Franklin Line. The group meets periodically with officials from the MBTA and Keolis to discuss ways to improve the system, including issues such as parking, increased fares and fees, and infrastructure.

Anyone with questions or concerns about commuter rail transportation should join us on December 17.

Franklin line train pulling into Dean Station

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Dec 10, 2019

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.”

I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Citizen’s Comments

In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters 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…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH

C. FHS Student Representative Comments
D. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations
A. MCAS Presentation – Dr. Joyce Edwards

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. None

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. 2020-2021 Proposed School Year Calendar
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/20-21-proposed-calendar
 
B. Conflict of Interest Disclosure
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/coi-accept

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council)

VI. New Business
A. To discuss any future agenda items

VII. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your November 26, 2019 School Committee meeting as detailed.
B. Transfers
I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.
C. Best Buddies Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from the Franklin Lodge of Elks for in-house enrichment for the Best Buddies Program as detailed.
D. FHS Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $51.74 from Ohiopyle Prints, Inc. for supplemental supplies at FHS as detailed.
E. Recurring NY City trip
I recommend approval of the (recurring) request of Renee Hersee to take MS Chorus Students to New York City for a Broadway Show on May 9, 2020 as detailed.
F. Recurring DECA State Competition trip
I recommend approval of the request of Miguel Carmo to take FHS DECA students to Boston, MA from 2/27/20 to 2/29/20 for the State competition as detailed.

VIII. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

IX. Payroll Ms. D’Angelo

X. Adjournment


The agenda and associated documents released for this meeting can be found online
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/december-10-2019-school-committee-packet

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Dec 10, 2019

Community Outdoor Menorah Lighting and Shabbat Service - Dec 27

Please join us for our family Shabbat Hanukkah service and community menorah lighting.

Be sure to bring your menorah and candles to add to the "glow!" This is a great celebration, complete with latkes! Please consider bringing a sweet treat for the Oneg!

Celebrate Hanukkah as a community with your Temple family. This is a great event for everyone, including families with young children!

Temple Etz Chaim   https://temple-etzchaim.org/
900 Washington St, Franklin
Dec 27, 7:00 PM

Community Outdoor Menorah Lighting and Shabbat Service - Dec 27

Music 4 Kids is looking for help putting on a concert

"If you'd like to help organize a fundraising concert in Franklin for mid-February, please get in touch! 

We need performers, auction items, and sponsors. Looking for several volunteers to help December - February. 

Potential for employment with Music4Kids in the future. Perfect gig for stay at home parents, college students, or anyone who is interested in helping children have access to music!"

www.music4kids.org 

Music 4 Kids is looking for help putting on a concert

In the News: RMV analysis update, Senate District primary date not defined yet

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

"The House Transportation Committee chairman said last week that key players in the Baker administration should have noticed the Registry of Motor Vehicles was falling behind on public safety-related tasks while it focused on reducing customer wait times, but conceded that investigators may never get a clear answer on who knew what.

Rep. William Straus, who previously criticized a “war on wait times” at the RMV, told WGBH’s “Greater Boston” that extensive interview notes from an outside audit firm reveal a significant focus on customer service at the Registry before a fatal crash in June prompted re-evaluation of thousands of warnings that should have resulted in license suspensions.

Gov. Charlie Baker and his administration have denied that they shifted staff from back-end departments that manage violation notices to front-facing service tasks, but Straus alleged Wednesday that argument is “simply not true.”

“Positions were left unfilled in critical areas and vacancies were only filled, from the information we’ve developed, in these branch offices because, again, the focus was only customer service,” Straus said during the interview."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191208/straus-registry-backlog-should-have-been-known

"The confrontation over when to schedule a special election for an open Senate seat has spilled outside the Senate chamber walls.

Gov. Charlie Baker last week endorsed Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr’s plan to avoid a general election on the same day as the presidential primary, and Secretary of State William Galvin accused Republicans of attempting “voter suppression.”

For three days last week, Democratic and Republican Senate leaders were unable to broker an agreement over when voters will choose a new senator in the Plymouth and Barnstable District to replace Viriato “Vinny” deMacedo, a Republican who resigned at the end of November.

With the delay continuing, the implications of the ticking clock are unclear. Galvin said his office looks to set special elections 12 to 14 weeks in advance, but cautioned that there is no “magic number” after which the March 3 presidential primary would no longer be a viable date for the Senate."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191208/baker-backs-tarr-in-senate-election-spat

Franklin, MA: Office of Campaign and Political Finance Meeting - December 11 - 6:00 PM

December 11 - Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) Meeting


The State Office of Campaign and Political Finance will make a presentation in the Council Chambers (2nd floor of the Municipal Building).


For more about the State Office of Campaign and Political Finance  https://www.ocpf.us/

Franklin, MA: OCPF Meeting December 11 - 6:00 PM

Franklin Public Library Closed Monday, December 16 Through Wednesday, December 18

Franklin Public Library Closed Monday, December 16 Through Wednesday, December 18

The Franklin Public Library will be closed on Monday, December 16 through Wednesday, December 18, 2019 for the cleaning of its brick hallways on the first floor. 

All fines will be waived on materials returned during that week. Items on the hold shelf will be made available for pickup for an additional three days. Museum passes reserved for those dates may be picked up by Sunday, December 15th. 

For more information, please contact Library Director Felcia Oti at 508-520-4941 or foti@franklinma.gov .

brick hallway on the first floor at the entrance