Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Monday, March 17, 2008
Franklin bus schedule
yes, there is a bus that runs through Franklin from the Municipal Building to the Village Plaza. The bus runs six days (Mon-Sat) and the schedule can be found here (PDF).
Sunday, March 16, 2008
MA Best Zip Codes
Did you see the Globe Magazine on Sunday? They had this special feature on housing, real estate, etc. One article in particular summarized their choices for the top 25 zip codes to live in Massachusetts.
Best part of the article?
Franklin's zip code was NOT in the top 25!
Do you think some folks will stay away?
We only want businesses to come here. Not families with kids!
Best part of the article?
Franklin's zip code was NOT in the top 25!
Do you think some folks will stay away?
We only want businesses to come here. Not families with kids!
Boston Globe gets to the high school renovation
The Boston Globe Sunday edition of Globe West caught up to the FHS renovation or build a new school question, both of which are rather pricing. Yet, with a warning already we could loose the accreditation and jeopardize the plans for our students unless we do something.
The question is what? and for how much?
Read the Globe article here
The question is what? and for how much?
Read the Globe article here
Where in Franklin? #37
Can you identify "Where in Frankin?" this picture was taken?
The guidelines for playing "Where in Franklin?" can be found here.
Where in Franklin? Answer #36
The correct answer to #36 was the Ben Franklin Bank branch office located on East Central Street next to Honey Dew Donuts.
Thanks to ljsts for providing their third correct answer (I had miscounted last time).
Thanks to all for playing!
Stay tuned for the next chance to find "Where in Franklin?"
A process to reach agreement on joint maintenance
Following up on the issue and need to reach an agreement raised earlier, I have the following as a process to achieve this. There are other ways but we just need to execute on one that will allow the key stake holders a say in the process.
Using the talking stick concept, the stake holders should come together in a circle.
Stakeholders:
Several white boards or flip charts to record the key points
Volunteers solicited to assist in the recording of the key points
First round records all the objectives, or goals, or constraints of each group that they feel need to be part of the ultimate agreement. Let's get all the issues on the table.
For example:
Third Round entertains proposals from each stake holder group on how they would meet the overall goals as outlined in Round One and prioritized in Round Two
Fourth Round works to build consensus on the proposals from Round Three
There should be a break between the second and third rounds to provide time for the individual stake holder groups to prepare their proposals
There may need to be more than four rounds but that will depend upon the openness of the discussion and how well the group is able to come to a consensus
It may be required to review the current maintenance agreement which the town believes is working and at least from the point of view as expressed by one custodian, clearly isn't. We will need to address any and all issues with this process. We need a working process, not a broken process. If the current process has some flaws, let's address them, agree to fix them and then agree to move on. If we don't fix them, we will not be able to make significant progress on a new process for the custodians.
Using the talking stick concept, the stake holders should come together in a circle.
Stakeholders:
- Town Council
- School Committee
- School Administration
- Dept of Public Works
- Town Administration
- parents
- principals
- custodians
- tax payers
- are any left out?
Several white boards or flip charts to record the key points
Volunteers solicited to assist in the recording of the key points
First round records all the objectives, or goals, or constraints of each group that they feel need to be part of the ultimate agreement. Let's get all the issues on the table.
For example:
- cost savings
- principals control people working within their school
- education reform act requirements
- labor contracts
- etc.
Third Round entertains proposals from each stake holder group on how they would meet the overall goals as outlined in Round One and prioritized in Round Two
Fourth Round works to build consensus on the proposals from Round Three
There should be a break between the second and third rounds to provide time for the individual stake holder groups to prepare their proposals
There may need to be more than four rounds but that will depend upon the openness of the discussion and how well the group is able to come to a consensus
It may be required to review the current maintenance agreement which the town believes is working and at least from the point of view as expressed by one custodian, clearly isn't. We will need to address any and all issues with this process. We need a working process, not a broken process. If the current process has some flaws, let's address them, agree to fix them and then agree to move on. If we don't fix them, we will not be able to make significant progress on a new process for the custodians.
Cost savings or power struggle?
By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff
FRANKLIN —
School and town officials battling for control of the School Department's $5 million maintenance account will continue to duke it out this month, according to Town Councilor Robert Vallee.
The account has traditionally been managed by schools, but Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting has proposed the town's Department of Public Works take it over for to eliminate duplication of jobs and maximize cost-efficiency, Vallee said.
Nutting, Vallee, Town Councilor Shannon Zollo, Councilor Deborah Bartlett,
Chairman Chris Feeley, School Superintendent Wayne Ogden, and several other town officials debated the issue at a joint budget subcommittee meeting last week, Vallee said.
``Nothing was accomplished, but we exchanged thoughts,'' said Vallee.
School officials still need to ``clearly understand'' why Nutting is seeking the change, said Ogden. Nutting could not be reached for comment on Friday.
Read the remainder of the article at the Milford Daily News here
If Franklin is going to make any significant progress on the growth of costs, tight cooperation needs to take place amongst the Town functional organizations.
This may be "low hanging fruit" but it needs to be handled properly. The Town does not need to split over issues that could save money. It is incumbent upon the Town to clearly explain what it would look like to have the two departments combined. This future vision would help to focus the discussion properly on who would do what, how school building issues would be handled, how the school and their important daily functions would operate so that the most important function of delivering a safe, efficient and highly qualified education to our children.
The current education reform act requirement that the school principals are responsible for everyone who works in their building is a potential road block. If properly addressed, it should be a key reason for crafting an agreement that will satisfy all parties.
Communication and open discussion are critical. Let's get all the parties to the table, not just a few. Include the custodians in this discussion. Include some parents. Bring in a moderator to facilitate the discussion and agreement if necessary.
Above all avoid the negatives. Avoid name calling. This is not an 'us' vs. 'them' situation. This affects all of us.
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