In the news - field lights campaign, Police union contract

GateHouse News Service

Posted Oct 31, 2008 @ 04:21 PM

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FRANKLIN —

To help raise money for field lights for youth football, Franklin Chargers Football Organization has announced NorthEast-Eagle Electrical Distributors, in conjunction with WEEI, has begun "New Friday Night Lights 2008 Sweepstakes.''

Cities and towns all over New England have the chance to enter into the sweepstakes with hopes to win a brand new installed sports lighting system for their youth football league field.

For over 5 years, Franklin's Recreation Department and the Franklin Chargers Football Organization have used the Remington Jefferson School fields to house their football programs. The facility is used six days a week by more than 400 football players. The facility does not currently have lights, so the use of portable lights has been very costly for both organizations. Between rental, gas to run the lights and set up break down, it is estimated that this expense around $3,000 per month.

You can help the kids of Franklin obtain lights for their football teams, by voting today.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

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After sometimes "frustrating" negotiations, the town and its police union signed a three-year contract this week, said Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting and Police Association President John Maloney.

"Overall, once we worked certain issues out - we definitely weren't happy with the process or sequence of events - but at the end, it's a pretty fair contract," said Maloney.

Nutting also called the contract (currently in memorandum of understanding form only) "fair" and in line with agreements other unions have with the town.

"I think it was a fair deal for everybody involved," said Nutting, adding that part of his aim was to ensure equality among public employees.

The deal is retroactive to June 2007, when the last one expired.

The new contract, which expires in June 2010, gives officers a 2 percent raise retroactive to October 2007, a 2.5 percent raise as of October 2008 and a 3 percent raise in October 2009, Nutting said.

Read the full article in the Franklin Gazette here

"cost for displaying one banner was set at $480 per year"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Oct 29, 2008 @ 11:52 PM

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FRANKLIN —

Franklin High School has begun a six-month pilot program allowing advertising on 4- by 6-foot banners in its field house.

"Despite a tight economy, you do have a captive audience," and the district should benefit from it, said School Committee member Ed Cafasso, a member of the advertising subcommittee.

The money made during the pilot program will go to Franklin High's revolving athletic account, but the School Committee may direct the money elsewhere if and when the program continues.

"We've been talking about this for quite some time," said Franklin High School Athletic Director Brad Sidwell.

"Hopefully, we'll get it done in the next month, during the busy winter season," Sidwell said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

This was part of the live reporting here on Tuesday night during the school committee meeting.

"There's a lot to do"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Oct 29, 2008 @ 12:37 AM

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FRANKLIN —

The dented, rusty lockers with missing handles, doors that don't shut and the rest of the boys' locker room was the low point on a tour for local officials of Franklin High School last night.

Some of the showers do work, said Mike D'Angelo, facilities director for the town and schools, adding, with a laugh, "though nobody uses them."

The boys' locker room is one of several places at the high school, built in 1971, that is not handicapped-accessible, said D'Angelo, who led the tour.

The girls' locker room "is just like times gone by, the '70s," D'Angelo said.

As D'Angelo showed the group an outdated general science classroom in the B wing, Town Council Chairman Christopher Feeley asked, "What's the worst thing to the eyes in this building?"

D'Angelo and Principal Pamela Gould answered unequivocally: the boys' locker room and chemistry labs.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

"Now I'm nervous"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Oct 29, 2008 @ 12:00 AM

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FRANKLIN —

Citing an amazing work ethic and knowledge of Franklin schools and the community, the School Committee last night unanimously voted to appoint Assistant Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski as the new superintendent, with the whole room clapping.

Sabolinski will take the reins from her mentor, Superintendent Wayne Ogden, when he resigns June 30.

"I wholeheartedly support and endorse your candidacy for this position," School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy said, addressing Sabolinski. "I've seen your level of dedication, I've seen the skill set you bring to the job and the wonderful working relationship between you and Wayne Ogden."

Roy also said he was "delighted" to be able to say there was a great candidate in the Franklin school system.

"I thought long and hard about whether we should go to a broad, nationwide search. Having participated in two searches, and ... judging what we've seen in the past ... Why would I spend taxpayers' money when I know in my heart, the top candidate is sitting here in our lap?" Roy said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

School Commitee Meeting - 10/28/08

• Live reporting - meeting wraps up
• Live reporting - Superintendent
• Live reporting - Action Items
• Live reporting - modular status
• Live reporting - Strategic Planning Steering Commi...
• possible field house advertising banner
• Live reporting - field house advertising approved
• Live reporting - discussion only items
• Live reporting - Horace Mann binder program
• Live reporting - School Committee 10/28/08
• School Committee Agenda - 10/28/08

Live reporting - meeting wraps up

Subcommittee reports - building use

Liaison reports - FEF casino night on 11/21/08


Motion to enter executive session and not to return - Approved 6 - 0

Live reporting - Superintendent

Wayne has a survey being sent out to the parents, eight questions about how it would be organized (start before or after Labor Day, starting time, etc.)

Survey is live today and will be closed November 24th

A separate survey will be conducted to gain input from the teachers.

Discussion on state survey for transportation out of district, i.e. someone going from Franklin to Perkins School maybe going by some students in another school district, could there be some collaboration amongst the districts. This was a pilot program and the reimbursements were just cut by the state.