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 *
Saturday, April 12, 2008
FINCOM: Library Budget FY 09 (audio)
Time: 21 minutes, 14 seconds
MP3 File
FINCOM: Technology Budget FY 09 (audio)
Time: 12 minutes, 16 seconds
MP3 File
FINCOM: Comptroller Budget FY 09 (audio)
TIme: 12 minutes, 44 seconds
MP3 File
The proposed Town budget can be found here (PDF).
Regionalization, consolidation, two avenues to explore
Technology for technology sake is expensive. Technology implemented properly should enable the the people to execute the process more effectively and more efficiently, hence in a less costly manner. Then and only then does technology provide a return on investment in a short period. But you don't look at technology first.
Assume you have the best people, and start by looking at the process. Are they working in the most efficient and effective manner? If not, identify the steps in the process that hinder effectiveness and make changes. Goldratt's Theory of Constraints is a good model to follow.
As you work the constraints out of the process, you can look to apply technology. You may also find that the employees require additional training or that some may not be a good fit for the new process. Making those adjustments on a continuous and phased process will ensure continued improvement.
Part of the process evaluation should include an examination of the scope of work. Massachusetts is a commonwealth of 351 communities all self governed, most with their own municipal infrastructure: police, fire, library, schools, etc. It is time to look carefully at some of these areas to see where and how either regionalization or consolidation can help each local community continue to provide services but at a reasonable cost to the community.
Franklin has taken steps in this area with the consolidation of facilities, data processing and the current discussion underway on the consolidation of maintenance services. Properly done this will ensure delivery of service at the best cost. It may not guarantee a reduced cost, some cost factors will still be rising but the management of them will be done one time instead of multiple times (one department, not two or three).
The Milford Daily News last week had an article on this topic and the Marlborough Fire Chief was quoted as saying:
"Is (regionalization) possible? Absolutely," he said. "Is it feasible, able to be accomplished in a reasonable amount of time? No, not with what I'm looking at. I'm not opposed to regionalization or the concept of it, but there's a lot that goes into the makeup of trying to regionalize."It will take time but the time to start is now. This is no reason to wait.
Friday, April 11, 2008
In the News - fire station open house, blues at Cottage St Pub
Eight years after the idea was first proposed, the town has a new fire station.
To mark the occasion, the department is hosting a dedication ceremony tomorrow and inviting the public inside for a look around.
"We're thrilled," said Fire Chief Gary McCarraher. "Our employees went from the old station, which was virtually crumbling, to (13 months in) a trailer.
"It's great to get them into a professional place to conduct business," McCarraher said of the new $9.3 million building constructed on the site of the former station at 40 West Central St.
"The troops really suffered during construction. It was cramped, especially in the winter," he said.
McCarraher and Lou Allevato, chairman of the Fire Station Building Committee, Town Council Chairman Chris Feeley and other dignitaries will speak at the dedication, which begins at 11 a.m.
The station will be open for public tours until 2 p.m.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News
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A local pub owner has given the green light to the blues.
Inspired by the widely known Yard Rock Cafe in Quincy, Cottage Street Pub owner Phil Butkevich is bringing the blues to town this month.
Those who are blues fans run "from one end of the spectrum to the other - the blue collar worker to the white collar worker," Butkevich said.
"It's good sitting music, and it's good if you want to dance. Sometimes you're at a club, and the music's kind of loud. Personally, I think when you look at bands and hear the trombone, brass, bass and bugles, you're getting better quality sound," he said.
Every weekend this month, Butkevich will host at least one blues band from the Interstate 495/Rhode Island area at his 130-person-capacity pub.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Franklin School Budget Reductions (updated)
Thank you for your inputs
In the News - override, library, budget
The idea of a tax override to prevent massive school layoffs has drawn mixed reaction so far.
The School Committee plans to talk with the Town Council and Finance Committee about giving townspeople an alternative to the cuts that will be required under the budget proposed by Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.
While Nutting's budget gives $800,000 more for schools than last year's budget of $54.6 million (a 1.5 percent increase, totaling $55.4 million), the district needs $58.6 million - a 7.4 percent increase - just to maintain the same level of services and keep teachers and staff, said School Superintendent Wayne Ogden.
Ogden has outlined some of the major impacts of accepting Nutting's proposed budget of $55.4 million: 45 layoffs (mostly teachers), elimination of the late bus, a pay-to-ride fee hike, and increased class sizes.
Town Councilor Stephen Whalen said he "fully supports" putting a Proposition 2 1/2 tax override question before voters.
"It would be extremely difficult to get it passed, but in my opinion, its passage would be in the best interests of the town," Whalen said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News
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In continued budget hearings last night, the Finance Committee approved several departmental budgets including a reduction in the library budget that the library director adamantly opposed.
Franklin Public Library Director Felicia Oti requested a $976,985 budget, a figure that would allow her to fund replacing two full-time-equivalent positions in the children's department, but the committee instead approved about $800,000 as proposed by Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.
The library's budget last year was $925,196, said Finance Committee Chairman Jim Roche.
Prior to the vote, Oti argued that the library is understaffed and that morale is at "an all-time low."
"It's the lowest it's been in the 10 years I've been at the library," Oti said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
FINCOM - Facilities
Explaining the internal phone system, a private network using lease lines for all internal departmental calls. Cheaper than the phone company.
Custodial staff are part time, adding two to cover the additional buildings.
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Library only building not using compact florescent lighting (CFL).
Bids out gas and electric as commodity. Buy without huge risk, gets pretty good pricing. Saved millions of dollars over the ten years he did this with the schools and then the town buildings.
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FINCOM - Library
Franklin's library is in the Top 20% of attendance, bottom 29% of purchases for books and materials, top 14% for hours open.
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Jeff Nutting says times are tough, we need enough to get by and do more next year.
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Mike D'Angelo on the Library status: Expecting final plans for work to correct the situation in the library, going out to bid in late May so they should be able to go forward in the summer. They'll come back to get funding for those repairs.
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FINCOM approved budget as submitted.
In the News - consolidation, override talk raised
read the full article in the Milford Daily NewsAt its budget hearing tomorrow night, the Finance Committee will discuss possibly bringing the School Department's $5 million maintenance budget under the town's jurisdiction, a contentious issue between Town Council members and the School Committee.
The Finance Committee will make a recommendation on the change in its budget package to Town Council by April 18, said Finance Committee Chairman James Roche.
Roche and Town Councilor Robert R. Vallee said they support the consolidation, as proposed by Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.
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The School Committee last night decided to send Chairman Jeffrey Roy to start discussions with the Finance Committee and Town Council about presenting voters with an override ballot question this year.
The committee is not advocating for an override, but members said they want to give voters the option in a year when the School Department faces 45 layoffs and other town departments will suffer from budget cuts.
The committee unanimously voted to propose two school options, a budget that would be close to level-funded, and one which would keep the same level of services, and which would require the override.
The close to level-funded budget would have a 1.5 percent, $800,000, increase over this year's $54.6 million budget, reaching $55.4 million. The level-services budget would rise 7.4 percent, or $4.1 million, hiking the budget to $58.6 million.
Both options will be discussed with the Finance Committee at the budget hearing Monday night.
A level-service budget would enable the district to maintain its staff and programs
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News
Monday, April 7, 2008
Franklin School Committee Meeting Agenda 4/8/08
AGENDA
Call to order Mr. Roy
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence
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Routine Business
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Citizen’s Comments
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Review of Agenda
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Minutes:
I recommend approval of the minutes from the March 25, 2008 School Committee Meeting.
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Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
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Payroll Ms. Armenio
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FHS Student Representatives
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Correspondence:
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Budget to Actual
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Letter from Representative James Vallee regarding Portable Classrooms
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Guests/Presentations:
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Prudential Spirit of Community Award Honoring Remington Middle School student
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Remington 6th Grade Project Report
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Signing of the Educational Support Personnel (ESP) Contract
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Discussion Only Items
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School Choice for 2008-2009 school year
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2009-2010 School Calendar
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Second Reading of Policy JEA Entrance Age
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Second Reading of Policy JFAA-R Residency
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FY 2009 Budget – FinCom and Council presentations
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FHS Building Project & Building Committee
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Action Items:
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I recommend approval of the FY 2009 budget at the level service amount of (7.4%) $58,687,804.
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I recommend approval of continuing the School Choice Program for the 2008-2009 school year.
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I recommend approval of the 2009-2010 School Calendar
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I recommend adoption of Policy JEA Entrance Age
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I recommend adoption of Policy JFAA-R Residency
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I recommend acceptance of a check for $800.00 for a portable washing station for the Davis Thayer art teachers from the Davis Thayer PCC
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I recommend acceptance of a check for $35.72 from Follett Educational Services for surplus books for the Parmenter gift account.
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I recommend acceptance of a check for $2625.00 from the Annie Sullivan PCC for the 7th grade field trip to McAuliffe Center.
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I recommend acceptance of a check for $154.83 from Target for 8th grade field trip to YMCA in Hopkinton, MA.
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I recommend acceptance of a check for $198.00 from the Davis Thayer PCC for library books for DT.
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I recommend approval of the request of FHS for the Track Team to participate in the Penn Relays from 4/23 to 4/25/08 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Mt. Laurel New Jersey.
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I recommend approval of the request of FHS for the Football Team to participate in the Athletic Program & Retreat at Camp Cobbossee in Winthrop, ME from 8/21 to 8/24/08.
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I recommend approval of the request of Keller Elementary School for the 5th grade class trip to Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, RI on 5/2/08.
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Information Matters:
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Superintendent’s Report
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School Choice 2008-2009
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School Calendar for 2009-2010
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Enrollment Comparison for 3-30-07 and 3-28-08
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Consolidation
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Online Courses
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School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
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School Committee Liaison Reports
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New Business:
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To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
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Executive Session
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Contractual Negotiations – FEA side letters and early retirement
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Adjourn
A letter from Ed Cafasso
Hi everyone,
At this Tuesday evening’s School Committee meeting, members will discuss how to handle the massive proposed cuts your community’s schools are facing in fiscal year 2009, which begins July 1. You can expect several updates on this topic in the weeks ahead.
The Town of Franklin, on average, spends $2,200 less per pupil than the average for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The state Department of Education tracks school district spending in 11 categories, including administration, professional development, pupil services and operations and maintenance. Franklin spends above the state average in only one of the 11 categories – classroom teachers.
In fact, approximately 80 percent of our budget is driven by compensation to teachers. Over years of grappling with school budgets, the Committee has always tried to protect classroom personnel in order to maintain reasonable class sizes for our students.
But, unless we can improve school funding for the coming fiscal year, it’s unlikely that Franklin will be able to claim an advantage in that category any more.
The current school budget is $54.6 million. In order to maintain the same level of services in the new school year, a budget of $58.7 million is required to meet rising salary, healthcare, pension and utility costs. Maintaining the exact same level of services we are providing this year would mean an additional appropriation of $4 million.
Despite receiving an increase in Chapter 70 state educational aid of $2.2 million, town tax revenues are down overall, so the Town Administrator proposing to give schools only $800,000 more in fiscal 2009.
In order to fulfill our responsibility to submit a balanced budget to the Town Council, the School Committee and Supt. Ogden are considering $3.2 million in cuts, including:
15 teaching positions at elementary level
12.5 teaching positions at middle school
17 teaching positions at FHS
A $100 increase in the pay-to-ride bus fee hike, and
The end of late bus service for students who need to stay after school for academic, club and extracurricular programs.
Last year, even passage of the town’s first-ever override was not enough to help the budget keep pace with escalating costs, and the schools cut 28 positions. The vast majority of those terminations were not educational positions. This year, the 45.5 jobs slated for elimination will have a direct, negative impact on class sizes in Franklin for the first time.
At Franklin High School, where a reasonable class size range is 22 to 26 students, the class size in September will balloon to 25 to 30. Middle school class sizes will range from 25 to 30, as well. Class sizes in most of the town’s elementary schools will push well past appropriate levels, and will feature 26 to 30 students each this fall.
At our most recent meeting, school principals expressed deep concern over their ability to deliver a top quality academic experience to students if these cuts go through. One even predicted that Franklin’s test scores, which have been outstanding despite lower-than-average per pupil spending, will begin showing declines in only one year.
Members of the School Committee – as well as members of the Town Council and the Finance Committee – need to hear your concerns and recommendations on how to proceed. Everyone recognizes that these are tough economic times, but disinvesting in our schools has no good outcome. It will not help our children prepare for their own economic future. It will not maintain our quality of life. It will not stabilize home prices in Franklin.
Please let me know your thoughts on the current situation. In the meantime, the following links provide additional information on budget proposals and discussions:
School Budget Information Home Page:
http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/FPS/super1/FY06Budget/default.htm
PowerPoint Overview on Proposed FY09 School Budget:
http://www.franklin.k12.ma.us/co/supt/budget/Budget2SCFY09.pdf
Complete Proposed FY09 Budget by School:
http://www.franklin.k12.ma.us/co/supt/budget/FY09Budget.pdf
Franklin School Committee Web Site:
http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/fsc/
Franklin Town Council Web Site:
http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/town/towncouncil/
Franklin Matters Blog:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/
Franklin Town Common Discussion Site:
http://www.towncommon.net/tcma/forumdisplay.php?f=594
I hope you will use these sources, as well as newspaper reports, PCC meetings and cable broadcasts, to stay informed as budget discussions continue. As always, I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you!
Ed Cafasso, Member
Franklin School Committee
In the News - Seniors play Wii
Watch out, bingo. Wii has got seniors cheering, jumping out of their seats and swinging the "Wiimote" faster than they can stamp a square.
After reading that senior citizens are the second largest market for Nintendo Wii, Susan Bonvilar, director of enrollment for Suffolk University students at Dean College, decided to bring the video game system, to the Forge Hill Senior Living Center.
Last week, one dozen seniors offered stiff competition for six students in the Suffolk University Networking Club based at Dean, in their first Wii-bowling tournament at the center.
They rolled up in wheelchairs, put aside walkers, and grabbed hold of the Wiimote, a remote control which simulates a bowling ball.
"I love it. I love it because I like to bowl, I always used to bowl," said Janet Caton, a senior at the center who played for the second time last week.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News
Sunday, April 6, 2008
In the news - how to handle stormwater
Read the full article here."Before, the thinking was just to get the water off the road for safety reasons, and there wasn't much thought given to pollution," said Denise Zambrowski, storm-water manager for the town of Franklin. "But we have 48 miles of streams and 266 acres of ponds, and 95 percent of our watershed ends up in the Charles River. We are now giving storm water a serious look."
Zambrowski said the town recently received a $131,000 federal matching grant to pay for several projects, including installing a man-made wetland area or other technology to capture runoff from a large condominium development near Route 140. Storm water from the complex, which has approximately 200 units, flows through overflow pipes directly into Mine Brook, a tributary of the Charles.
Franklin, like a number of other area communities, is also considering redeveloping its town center to make it more pedestrian and retail-friendly, and officials are considering measures such as storm-water planters as part of the redesign, she said.
Survey says
The survey has one question. You can find it on the right column.
Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback!
Brick Classroom FY09 budget status (audio)
Time: 2 minutes, 9 seconds
MP3 File
The full segment from which this piece was taken can be found here.
The full meeting summary can be found here.
Pay to Ride or 20 Teachers? (audio)
Time: 2 minutes, 4 seconds
MP3 File
The full segment from which this piece was taken can be found here.
The full meeting summary can be found here.
Where in Franklin? #43
Hmm, where in Franklin would you find this white mill structure?
The guidelines for playing "Where in Franklin?" can be found here.
Where in Franklin? Answer #42
Yes, the giant fish netting in picture #42 can be found along RT 140 as part of the Franklin Country Club driving range.
Thanks for playing. How about someone giving ltsjs some competition? ltsjs has been on a streak!
Stay tuned for the next opportunity to discover "Where in Franklin?"
Franklin Schools Art Gallery - April 14th
From Mike Caple via the Franklin School Committee blog:
The Art Department has been working this year to open a Franklin Public Schools K-12 Art Gallery. All the teachers in the department work tremendously hard to teach the students relevant art skills and thinking strategies. We believe it is important to get the results out of the class room and share it with the greater community. The new gallery space is yet another way we can share with the community.Note: Mike Caple is the K-12 Art Director for Franklin schools. The "old bank space" in case you are not familiar with it, is located off the cafeteria at the High School.
The new gallery space, Gallery 218, is located in the old bank space at Franklin High School. I want to stress that even though the space is housed at FHS the gallery is K-12. The work that will be on display for the first show will represent all buildings in the district. We are calling it Young Artists 08! The art work is from this year’s Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards entries and work that is currently at the Worcester Art Museum as part of the Youth Art Month Program.
I would like to invite all of you to the Inaugural Exhibition Opening of Gallery 218! The opening will take place Monday April 14th from 6:30-8:30pm and is free to all. That evening we will also be running an Empty Bowls event to continue to raise money for the Franklin Food Pantry. A $5 donation will allow you to pick out your own mug or plate and fill it with hot chocolate, coffee, or sweet treats. I do hope you can join us.
In the News - still hope for Brick?
The little Red Brick School House that could just might.
Despite the School Committee's recent action banning the targeted donations on which the historic school is dependent for operation costs, the Brick School House Association remains optimistic about keeping it open, members said following their biannual meeting last Tuesday.
``As of right now, it's (funding) still in the School Committee's budget, so we're being optimistic. Until we know for sure otherwise, we're assuming it will be open'' next year, said Sandra Hunter, a Brick School House Association board member.
Brick is the least of Franklin's budget problems, loosing 45 teachers is far bigger an issue that needs to be addressed.
I provide additional editorial comment here.
Franklin Blogger: Susan Speers
Are you due to get a tax refund or an "economic stimulus rebate" this spring? Why not spend it on energy-saving improvements or other steps to reduce your carbon footprint? The Bush rebate of $1,200 for a working couple might not pay all the cost of a solar-powered hot water system but it would go a long way for less intensive, smaller-ticket items! A few ideas for the typical Massachusetts home:Click through to read if one of the dozen ideas she lists would be something you could do.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
FHS Lacrosse fund raising
Answered a knock on the front door a few minutes ago. The Franklin High School Lacrosse team is out going door-to-door selling coupon books as a fund raiser.
Good choices, good price!
Support FHS sports!
In the News - Lester Landry at 99
Lester Landry has learned a few things in his 99 years, and he doesn't keep those lessons secret.
``Money is secondary - people are number one,'' is Landry's first rule. He also advises, `If you get depressed, exercise - it clears your brain.''
Every day, Landry applies his wisdom and shares it with those around him - and he has made it a point to surround himself with people.
``I'm always very active, I like people, I like being with them,'' Landry said.
Between 7:30 to 8 a.m. each morning for the past 15 years, Landry has volunteered as a greeter at the Benjamin Franklin Bank on Main Street, lending an ear, telling stories and starting workers' days with a smile and a reminder that someone cares.
Google on Privacy
Attention Franklin Line Commuters
The Franklin Line will undergo necessary maintenance involving the installation of 24,000 ties.
Franklin Line Necessary Track Work Beginning Thursday April 10, 2008
We apologize for any inconvenience that may result from this necessary track work and thank you for riding Commuter Rail.
The work period will be between 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Mondays through Fridays. Delays of 20 to 30 minutes are anticipated during the work period.
The first phase of this work will commence at 9:00 AM on Thursday April 10, 2008.Friday, April 4, 2008
In the News - kids go green
Frightened that an "environmental catastrophe" is looming after conducting research on global warming, Remington Middle School students launched a public awareness campaign yesterday on the benefits of using compact fluorescent lights.
To combat energy waste, Team Titans, a group of 50 sixth-grade Remington students, made arrangements with Franklin stores J.D. Daddario, Stop & Shop, and Aubuchon Hardware to keep recycling bins on the premises.
Now people can drop off their used compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), which are energy-efficient but contain a small amount of mercury, at the same place they purchase replacements.
If every American household replaced one incandescent light bulb with an Energy Star-qualified compact bulb for a year, enough energy would be saved to light more than 3 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 800,000 cars, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Web site.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News
Twitter - a teaching learning tool
In my experience, and in the short time that I have used it, Twitter has grown quickly to play a major part in the way that I interact with fellow colleagues and professionals from around the world. In my classroom and with the children I teach it has been an exciting tool to utilise and support learning. However it is one of many tools that we have at our disposal. I do not see it replacing any of the others we use nor do I see the positive impact upon learning being exclusive to Twitter.Read the full posting here.
Cruise around Tom's site. He has video tutorials. He has some wikis.
Do you twitter?
Another Franklin's Goals
Visiting the Franklin, WI school department web site I find their school district goals
Their Franklin Education Foundation is prepared to accept donations online.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Franklin Industry: PLC Systems
Franklin, MA - PLC Systems Inc., a company focused on innovative cardiac and vascular medical device-based technologies, announced recently that it has entered into a 3-year exclusive agreement with Artech s.r.l., Cavezzo, Italy for distribution of its RenalGuard System into Italy. Artech is one of Italy's leading distributors of interventional cardiology-related medical devices, doing business with most of Italy's major interventional cardiology centers. Artech will target early adopters who recognize the benefits of utilizing the unique fluid balancing capabilities of RenalGuard System in a cath lab setting during cardiovascular imaging procedures for patients at higher risk of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy (CIN).
Read the full announcement here.
Read the December news here.
In the News - Water, Sewer, Rubbish rates; new development
Water, rubbish rates may rise in Franklin
By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff
Water rates and rubbish fees may be going up, while sewer rates could go down, if the Town Council goes along with a proposal by Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting. Nutting requested councilors raise trash fees $12 a year to cover a potential shortfall and to rebuild the trash reserve account that dropped below $100,000 to $61,000 this year. |
Read the full article here
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Developer reviewing cost for office park
An eight-building commercial development on land near the Bellingham line, involving a major extension and paving project for Spring Street, could start before summer - if the developer decides he can afford it, and Franklin officials approve the final plans, and the project meets state environmental measures.
Developer Paul Maggiore has proposed constructing the eight buildings on a 53.4-acre property off Spring Street, south of Route 140 and near the Forge Park industrial complex.
Read the full article in the Boston Globe hereTown Council Mtg Summary 4/2/08
- Budget Update FY09 (audio)
- Sewer and Water rate discussion (audio)
- Rubbish Rate discussion (audio)
- Citizens Comment (none) and License Transfers (aud...
- Open House - New Fire Station
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Budget Update FY09 (audio)
Time: 10 minutes, 17 seconds
MP3 File
Open House - New Fire Station
Where in Franklin? Answer #41
The correct answer to picture #41 did come in finding this building part of the Hayward Estate property.
Thanks for playing!
Stay tuned for the next opportunity.
In the News - Budget
The Finance Committee voted last night to recommend several budgets prepared by Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting, including employee benefit line items totaling $7.2 million.
The cost of benefits for town and school staff represents a $400,000 increase over last year's figure of $6.8 million, said Finance Committee Chairman Jim Roche.
Pensions, excluding teachers', will cost the town an extra $588,000 in the coming fiscal year for a total of $3,250,290, Nutting said.
read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Monday, March 31, 2008
Town Council Meeting agenda for 4/2/08
Items likely to be of interest:
- Shaw's is renovating and moving their wine/liquor area within the store
- Annie's Market, liquor license transfer
- FY09 budget is on the agenda with no details in the package
- Trash or rubbish fee proposed to be increased by $12
- Sewer fee to be reduced by about $45 dollars
- Water fee to be increased by $45 dollars so the net between water/sewer is no change
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Where in Franklin? #41
A carriage house from yesteryear. Where in Franklin would you find this one?
The guidelines for playing "Where in Franklin?" can be found here.
Where in Franklin? Answer 40
Yes, the answer to picture #40 was the Best Deli located on East Central St.
Thanks for playing.
Stay tuned for the next opportunity!
Congratulations to Franklin High School's All Stars
Girls Basketball - Kelly Merideth (All-Scholastic and Hockomock All Star); Siobhan Sullivan (Hockomock All Star)
Boys Basketball - Matt Dean, Matt Palazini, and Ryan Spencer (all Hockomock All Stars)
Boys Hockey - Jeff Kaplan (All-Scholastic and Hockomock All Star), Paul Childers, Kevin Gallagher, Nate Weber (all Hockomock All Stars)
Girls Hockey - Erin Burke, Rachel Porter, Melissa Coughlin and Maura Teehan (all Hockomock All Stars)
Boys Track - Andy Childs, John Dacey, Chris Letorneau (all Hockomock All Stars)
Girls Track - Kathleen Ryan and Leanne Swanson (all Hockomock All Stars)
Wrestling - Nick Colace (All-Scholastic and Hockomock All Star), Peter Gill, Jim Koshivas, Garrett McNeilage, Jamie O'Neil, and Dan Telhada (all Hockomock All Stars)
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Another Top10 listing
Shouldn't we tell them to stay away?
With 45 teachers potentially heading out the door in June, our high ranking on MCAS will start dropping as class size increases next year.
Of course, Franklin does have a choice.
- We can choose to pay our fair share of our children's education.
- We can wait for the Commonwealth to give us more than the 50% of our educational expenses that they do today. (p.s. - that's not likely.)
Did you know? v2.0
Did you know?
What can Franklin afford to provide an education for our youth?
New Business: The Charlebois issue (audio)
Time: 11 minutes, 5 seconds
MP3 File
Sub Committee Reports (audio)
Time: 4 minutes, 18 seconds
MP3 File
Action Items (audio)
Time: 11 minutes, 31 seconds
MP3 File
Facility Consolidation (audio)
Details remain to be worked out but in Jeff Roy's terms it was "the most productive meeting on this topic".
Time: 8 minutes, 16 seconds
MP3 File
Superintendent Wayne Ogden's goals approved (audio)
Time: 5 minutes, 52 seconds
MP3 File
Budget to Actual (audio)
Time: 2 minutes, 1 second
MP3 File
1st Reading: Residence Policy revision (audio)
Time: 9 minutes, 0 seconds
MP3 File
1st Reading: Entrance Age Policy revision (audio)
This draft will be adjusted per the discussion and moved to 2nd Reading.
Time: 11 minutes, 10 seconds
MP3 File
FY09 - Final questions (audio)
Times: 10 minutes, 45 seconds
MP3 File
FY09 - Elementary School principals (audio)
Time: 13 minutes, 14 seconds
MP3 File
FY09 - Special Ed: L Waters (Audio)
Time: 6 minutes, 34 seconds
MP3 File
FY09 - Middle school principals (audio)
Time: 26 minutes, 14 seconds
MP3 File
FY09 - High School Impact (audio)
Pam also returns at the end of the Middle School segment for an additional question.
Time: 2 minutes, 32 seconds
MP3 File
FY09 - Wayne Ogden's overview (audio)
Time: 17 minutes, 2 seconds
MP3 File
Friday, March 28, 2008
Where in Franklin? #40
Where do you find this sign proclaiming that they are open for business?
The guidelines for playing "Where in Franklin?" can be found here.
Where in Franklin? Answer #39
The answer to picture #39 is the Horace Mann Museum currently located at the Old South Meeting Church building on Washington St but being planned to move into the old Senior Center building downtown sometime this year.
Thanks for playing!
Stay tuned for the next picture.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
In the News - diesel costs for school buses
The skyrocketing price of diesel fuel is putting a squeeze on school budgets and the contractors that districts hire to bus students.
"It's impacting us tremendously," said Joseph Vendetti, owner of Vendetti Bus Co. in Franklin. "Everybody's complaining about paying $3 a gallon for gasoline, and we're paying $4 for diesel."
Most school buses run on diesel, and the cost for that fuel shot past $4 last week - up 59 cents from just five weeks ago, according to AAA of Southern New England. As of Monday, the average price for diesel in Massachusetts was $4.14 a gallon.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily news
Gee, imagine if?
“It was a very difficult choice to have to use one-time revenue, but it’s Franklin, and we have to make sure our schools work,” Nutting said. “Classroom instruction remains our top priority, and we cannot retreat on progress.”This is purely wishful thinking, at least for now, as this quote is a doctoring of what Mayor Tom Menino said when Boston came up with additional funding to help balance the city's school budget, as reported in the Boston Globe.
Tom Menino really did say:
“It was a very difficult choice to have to use one-time revenue, but it’s Boston, and we have to make sure our schools work,” Menino said. “Classroom instruction remains our top priority, and we cannot retreat on progress.”alas Jeff Nutting did not.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Contract Signings (audio)
There is also a contract signing for the School Nurses.
The committee breaks for two minutes to process the paperwork.
Time: 5 minutes, 6 seconds
MP3 File
Horace Mann School Improvement Plan (audio)
Time: 17 minutes, 7 seconds
MP3 File
Discussion on handbook revisions (audio)
Time: 7 minutes, 47 seconds
MP3 File
Routine Business items (audio)
Time: 4 minutes, 18 seconds
MP3 File
Items include:
Minutes - I recommend approval of the minutes from the February 26, 2008 and March 11, 2008 School Committee Meetings.
· Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
· Payroll Ms. Armenio
· FHS Student Representatives
· Correspondence - Letter from Jeffrey Nutting regarding consolidation of facilities.
School Committee Meeting 3/25/08
March 25, 2008 7:00 P.M.
Municipal Building – Council Chambers
AGENDA
Call to order Mr. Roy, Pledge of Allegiance, Moment of Silence (audio)
1. Routine Business · Citizen’s Comments (audio)
· Review of Agenda
· Minutes - I recommend approval of the minutes from the February 26, 2008 and March 11, 2008 School Committee Meetings.
· Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
· Payroll Ms. Armenio
· FHS Student Representatives
· Correspondence - Letter from Jeffrey Nutting regarding consolidation of facilities.
The above items can be found in this audio segment (audio)
2. Guests/Presentations:
a. 2008-09 Handbooks (all but FHS) (audio)
b. Horace Mann School Improvement Plan (audio)
c. Miriam Goodman, Business Administrator contract signing and School Nurses contract signing (audio)
· FY 2009 Budget
- Superintendent's overview (audio)
- High school (audio)
- Middle schools (audio)
- Special education (audio)
- Elementary schools (audio)
- Last questions (audio)
· Budget to Actual (audio)
· First Reading – Entrance Age Policy JEA (audio)
· First Reading – School Admission/Residency Policy JFAA-R (audio)
· Finalize Superintendent’s Goals (audio)
· Consolidation of Facilities (audio)
4. Action Items:
1. I recommend acceptance of the Horace Mann Middle School’s School Improvement Plan.
2. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,000.00 from the Best Buy Teach Award grant awarded to Laura Chiaravallotti, 6th grade English/Social Studies teacher at the Remington Middle School.
3. I recommend acceptance of a check for $35.32 from Follett Educational Services from surplus books for the Parmenter gift account.
4. I recommend approval of Leighanne Cullen’s request for an Orlando, Florida trip for the spring of 2009 for FHS music students as detailed.
5. I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,000.00 from the Keller PCC for field trips and In-house enrichment for Keller students.
6. I recommend approval of FHS Lacrosse trip to Guilford, CT on March 29-30, 2008 for Athletic Scrimmage/Jamboree.
7. I recommend approval of FHS Art trip to New York City on May 10, 2008 to the Museum of Modern Art.
8. I recommend acceptance of a check for $250.00 from the Norfolk DA’s office for the Graduation Safety Grant for the FHS.
9. I recommend acceptance of a check for $119.92 from Target for the Horace Mann Middle School.
10. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1500.00 from the Jefferson PCC for field trips for Jefferson Elementary School.
all the action items are contained in this segment (audio)
· School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
· School Committee Liaison Reports
The sub-committee and liaison reports are together in this segment (audio)
6. New Business:
· To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee. (audio)
7. Adjourn (audio)
SchCom: The Charlebois' statement (audio)
Time: 7 minutes, 18 seconds
The text of the statement is available here.
MP3 File
SchCom: Pledge (audio)
Time: 1 minute, 42 seconds
MP3 File