Inflation and operating costs have far outpaced state spending on education

Inflation and operating costs have far outpaced state spending on education, putting intense financial pressure on a broad spectrum of school districts across the state, according to a preliminary report released yesterday.

The report, by the Massachusetts Department of Education, found that while healthcare, salaries, and special education program costs have escalated sharply, state funding has remained stagnant since 2003. As a result, cities and towns have had to shoulder a greater portion of the burden, raising property taxes and instituting fees for once-standard services, such as bus transportation and athletics, in order to make ends meet.

The increased costs also mean that school districts are spending a smaller percentage of their budgets on student instruction and salaries for teachers, guidance counselors, and other employees who have direct contact with students, according to the report. On average, districts spent just 51 percent of their budgets on instruction, a decrease of 6 percentage points since 2002.

Read the full article in today's Boston Globe

Town Council Agenda 1/23/08

The agenda for the Town Council meeting today is available here.

Donation policy - first reading

Targeted donations under review

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - The School Committee took the first step last night toward restricting what donations it will accept, potentially cutting off a future funding source for running the Red Brick School.

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School Committee Meeting Agenda

The School Committee is meeting Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM.

The agenda for the meeting can be found here (doc).

The Hat Lady - Susan Johnson

Hats off to having fun

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - The Hat Lady has a confession: There was a time when she didn't like hats, even ones with flying pigs on them.

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The article includes a YouTube video clip of Susan and some of her many hats.

Dam, another expense to consider

Earthen dam poses risk to development

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - A dam at the DelCarte conservation area is at risk of collapsing, according to a report released last week, a development that could threaten downstream homes.

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Franklin Commuter Update

No Amtrak strike!

The worries about the Amtrak strike disrupting the commute into Boston can relax now, Amtrak has a reached deal. The new Associated Press article with the details can be found here.


Now, the MBTA/MBCR need to concentrate on running on schedule.

Where in Franklin? Answer #27

Where in Franklin? Answer #27, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Ken Norman correctly identified the location of the odd looking devices in photo #27 as the vacuum cleaners at the East Central Street Car Wash located between McDonald's and the Town Municipal Building.

Thanks for playing "Where in Franklin?", Ken!

Stay tuned for the next photo.

Closing Comments (audio)

The Town Council makes the round for Councilors to make closing comments. Whalen, Vallee, Zollo, McGann, Doak, and Feeley speak.

Time: 4 minutes, 35 seconds



MP3 File

Old & New Business (audio)

The Town Council makes the rounds on Old and New Business.

Time: 2 minutes, 57 seconds



MP3 File

Exemptions, Snow budget, Fire station (audio)

A resolution is passed to allow three police officers to also work part time for the School Dept as coaches at FHS. The snow budget is almost used up. The new Fire Station is ahead of schedule and could open early but there is currently not a budget for it. An update will come in a month or so as the options are explored.

Time: 3 minutes, 54 seconds



MP3 File

Four Corners RFP Discussion (audio)

Jeff Nutting previews the proposed changes to the RFP for the Four Corners Building so that it will generate some offers. This item will be back on the agenda for the 1/23/08 meeting.

Time: 8 minutes, 39 seconds

Nutting, Pfeffer, McGann, Feeley, Doak, Bartlett, and Zollo speak



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Tax & Title Discussion (audio)

In the continuation of the Town Council meeting (after the Forensic Report and discussion), Administrator Jeff Nutting lead a discussion on Tax Title properties and what the town will do with them.

Time: 4 minutes, 13 seconds

Feeley, Pfeffer, Whalen



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Industry: Air & Vacuum Technologies (AVT)

Recent news item found that reveals:

Schneeberger adds New England rep to linear motion control product distribution channel

Schneeberger, a provider of linear motion control technology, has added Air & Vacuum Technologies (AVT) in Franklin, MA, to its North American product distribution network. AVT is a distributor of pneumatic, electrical and mechanical automation products.

• AVT will offer Schneeberger's motion control solutions to air and vacuum technology manufacturers and users in the New England region.
• Motion control solutions include: linear bearings and recirculating units, linear slides, tables and stages, linear guideways with integrated measurements, linear and rotary modules and precision ball screws.
• AVT will support the product offering with installation, project management and electronic documentation services.

For more info on AVT you can visit their web site.

Recommendations: Q&A 9 (audio)

Frank Falvey speaks for the second time and not as long as he would like. The meeting breaks for two minutes.

Time: 1 minute, 15 seconds



MP3 File