Ed Cafasso - Letter 11/2/08

Note: this is late posting. It got lost in my "things to do" box.

Hello Everyone!

I hope you had a good weekend and enjoyed that extra hour of sleep! Here’s a brief update on recent school issues in Franklin…

New Superintendent: The Franklin School Committee moved closer to appointing a new Superintendent last week, unanimously endorsing the candidacy of Deputy Supt. Maureen Sabolinski. Ms. Sabolinski has been a resident of the Franklin for 16 years, and has worked for the Franklin schools for most of that time, starting in special education and eventually working her way up to become second in command. Her children went through our schools, and Maureen has experienced just about every issue one can imagine as both a parent and as an administrator – budget challenges, redistricting, the opening of new schools, personnel evaluations, etc. The next step for the Committee is to work out a smooth transition for Ms. Sabolinski to officially take over for outgoing Supt. Wayne Ogden.

Two Milford Daily News stories are available regarding our consideration of Maureen’s candidacy: http://tinyurl.com/5wm6k8 (Oct. 29) and http://tinyurl.com/557p8b (Oct. 15)

School Calendar Survey: So many parents have expressed strong feelings about the fact that classes in Franklin begin before Labor Day that the Superintendent’s office has launched an online survey on the topic. Parents are strongly encouraged to make their views known at: http://tinyurl.com/576yjn. With only eight questions, completing the survey should be quick and easy. Please feel free to pass along the link to others in the school community. The survey will remain open until November 24.

Field House Advertising: Last week, after months of study, the School Committee voted unanimously to authorize a pilot program allowing advertising within the Field House at Franklin High School. Ads in the style of 4’ x 6’ vinyl banners (navy blue with white lettering) will be available for sale at $40/month with a minimum three-month advertising commitment. The banner ads will be hung along area where the curved roof meets the building’s long walls. By conservative estimates, some 45,000 adults attend or participate in events at the Field House each year, and potential advertisers began coming forward within hours of the Committee vote. The success of the pilot will be evaluated in six months. Local businesses and boosters can learn more about this inexpensive marketing opportunity by visiting: http://www.franklin.k12.ma.us/co/supt/FHAdvGuidelines.pdf.

School Enrollment: The total number of students enrolled in the Franklin Public Schools declined by 26 to 6,232 as of September, compared to the 6,260 students on the books when the 2007-08 school year ended in June. Elementary enrollment declined by 63 students during the period, and the number of middle school students decreased by eight. Franklin High began the 2008-09 school year with 43 more students than last year, bringing the student body at FHS to 1,617. In case you are wondering, total Franklin Public School enrollment has increased from 5,962 in May 2005 to 6,232 as of September 2008. That's an increase of 270 students (4.5 percent) during the course of the last four school years.

FEF Casino Night: The Franklin Education Foundation is holding its Third Annual Casino Night on Friday, November 21 at 7 p.m. the Elks Hall in Franklin. This has become a much-anticipated fun, adult event. As with the popular FEF Trivia Bee, proceeds from Casino Night go directly into grants for teacher initiatives at all levels of the Franklin Public Schools. This year’s event will feature Blackjack tables, Roulette, a Money Spinning Wheel, and a Silent Auction. A limited number of tickets are available at $25 each, or six tickets for the price of five. You can learn more about the FEF and Casino Night at: http://www.franklined.org/.

Commuter Rail Parking Rate Hike: As many of you know, parking fees at MBTA commuter rail stations are scheduled to double as of November 15. If you’re a daily commuter rail user like me, the proposed hike is maddening. It’s insensitive to the needs of working families during the worst economy since the Great Depression; it sends the wrong environmental message at a time when we all want to use less fossil fuels; and, it targets just one class of MBTA customers, the commuter rail riders who have already absorbed recent fares hikes and who play a big role in the capital city’s workforce.

Unless the cost of painting yellow lines on tar has dramatically skyrocketed, I feel certain the T is already making a sizable profit on commuter rail riders. You can express your opinion on this unfair rate hike at http://www.mbta.com/customer_support/write_to_top/ or by filling out the Commuter Rail Customer Comment Form at http://www.mbta.com/customer_support/feedback/. Or, you can write directly to MBTA General Manager Daniel Grabauskas, 10 Park Plaza, Suite 3910, Boston, MA 02116

These e-mails are provided as a constituent service. I try to distribute at least one e-mail update each month during the school year, as issues warrant. As always, I welcome your thoughts and suggestions. If you are receiving duplicate e-mails or if you no longer wish to receive these e-mails, please let me know and I will remove you from the distribution list. If you know of someone you would like to add to the list, please send along their e-mail address.

Don’t forget to vote Tuesday! Thanks!

Ed Cafasso, Member

Franklin School Committee

edcafasso@comcast.net

Parmenter Elementary School

From the Parmenter Elementary School sign on Sunday we find:

Davis Thayer Elementary School

The Davis Thayer sign on Sunday:

School signs

The sign view from the Franklin High School side:





The sign view from the Horace Mann / Oak St side:

GATRA "free ride" coupon

Don't forget to grab the free ride coupon from this week's home delivery of the Gazette.

If you don't think you'll get to take a ride before 12/20/08, you can give it to a neighbor or some one that will use it.

Why not take a free ride? I am looking forward to some Saturday when I can take a ride.

Mobile post sent by shersteve using Utterli. Replies.

In local TV - vandalism at Franklin Landing

Two TV stations, one from Boston, one from Providence are covering the tire slashing incident Friday night at the Franklin Landing apartment complex on Union St.

ABC Channel 6 - Providence

ABC Channel 5 - Boston

Video is available on both links

"it's walking on sacred ground"

Image by shersteve via Flickr

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Nov 09, 2008 @ 12:00 AM

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FRANKLIN —

Thursday afternoon, a group of veterans hovered over the bar at the Elks Lodge, drinking beer, teasing each other about hitting on women and badgering the manager for socializing instead of staying in the office.

But when talk turned to the reason for their gathering - their trip to Washington, D.C. to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., the men quickly became solemn, nostalgic and filled with pride.

"I had a brother, William, in the Air Force who passed. I want to see all the different memorials while I still can. I'm excited about it," said Frank DeRose, 83, a World War II vet who fought as an infantryman in the Normandy invasion.

DeRose said he was discharged with a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, "etc., etc.," after shrapnel slammed into his chest and right arm.

"I decided I wanted to see the memorial before ... any more years go by," he said, laughing.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

In addition to the Elks, there is also a group called the Honor Flight Network that pays for the travel expenses of veterans to make the trip to Washington, DC. You can read more about Honor Flight here and here.

In the News - veterans, modular classrooms

By Danielle Ameden/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Nov 08, 2008 @ 12:11 AM

Last update Nov 08, 2008 @ 12:15 AM

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FRANKLIN —

With bronze medals, citations, a proclamation and lots of applause, the town honored its war veterans yesterday, paying special tribute to "The 90s Brigade."

About 150 veterans celebrated at the eighth annual Veterans Day breakfast, a ceremony featuring two local lawmakers who are also Army National Guard lieutenant colonels as keynote speakers: Sen. Scott Brown and Rep. James Vallee.

"It's people like you that inspired me to join the military and serve our country," Vallee told the crowd, which gathered at the Senior Center.

Vallee, D-Franklin, read a proclamation from Gov. Deval Patrick, and presented House resolutions to the eight men and women sitting on the stage, a special group of World War II veterans from Franklin.

read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

---------------

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Nov 08, 2008 @ 12:07 AM

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FRANKLIN —

After touring the district's 20 modular classrooms twice, School Committee members concluded the structures are nearing the end of their useful lives.

"We jumped on the floors, etc.," said Cora Armenio, a member of a subcommittee with Ed Cafasso and School Committee Vice Chairwoman Paul Mullen.

"The larger (older) the child, the bigger the impact. They've been through the ringer," Armenio said.

All of the district's modular classrooms are about 10 years old, and their maximum life expectancy is 15 years, Superintendent Wayne Ogden has said.

Modular classrooms are used at Jefferson Elementary School, John F. Kennedy Elementary School, Gerald M. Parmenter School, Davis Thayer Elementary School and Franklin High School. The town's first modular classrooms were built in 1998 at Parmenter and Davis Thayer.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

Read about all the items that the School Committee discussed at their meeting on October 28th check here, including the live reporting on the modular status here.

Franklin WWII Veterans

FRANKLIN -

Emma Tobias was in her car, driving, in December of 1941 when the attack that launched the United States into World War II was first being reported to the public.

"I remember, I was coming home from the grocery store and I heard it on the car radio Pearl Harbor was attacked," said Tobias, sitting on Monday at a table overlooking the back yard of the Franklin home she shares with her daughter, Toby Skelly.

Details sometimes escape the recently turned 91-year-old, but she clearly remembers that moment on that day, Dec. 7, 1941.

"I don’t recall that there was any fear ... I just didn’t really know what it meant," she said.

But by the next day, she knew. The U.S. and Britain officially declared war, joining the conflict that began overseas in 1939.

And nearly two years later, Tobias was herself part of the war effort, an enlisted member of the United States Navy working at the Navy’s San Francisco headquarters.

Read the full article in the Franklin Gazette here

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FRANKLIN -

Emma Tobias was amongst the first women to enlist in the Navy in World War II, a few months after the WAVES — Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service — division was formed.

She is now among Franklin’s 11 oldest surviving WWII veterans whose service is being honored this Veterans Day.

The 91-year-old is in good company, too.

Among her fellow senior most WWII veterans, there is Zeffro Gianetti, who served in the U.S. Army under Gen. George S. Patton, from 1941-1945.

"General Patton was one of the top and most famous generals in World War II," noted Franklin veterans agent Bob Fahey.

There is also Paul Egan, who was at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked Dec. 7, 1941, launching the United States and Britain into the conflict that began in Europe in 1939.

Read the full article here

Franklin Planning Committee - meeting canceled 11/6/08

Received the word via email notification today from the Chair. Thank you, Doug! This saves a trip and time tonight.

I was also inspired to write a sherku on the train home:


Other Writing

meeting canceled; no need for
live reporting; can
catch up on other writing

What is a sherku?

"it sounds like a very good program"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Nov 06, 2008 @ 12:27 AM

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FRANKLIN —

Town Council last night looked favorably upon a proposal from the Department of Public Works to start an automated trash collection program featuring single-stream recycling.

The new program would save residents the trouble of separating recyclables, theoretically increasing recycling rates, reduce waste tonnage, and would cost residents nothing or just a small increase in their trash fee, said officials last night.

With single-stream recycling, people can put all recyclables in one container, said DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi.

"This is kind of like a no-brainer to us," said Cantoreggi.

The program would take effect when Franklin's current contract with Wheelabrator expires on June 30, 2010, said Cantoreggi.

The town would provide residents a container for trash, which would be maintained by the hauler, said Cantoreggi.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Read all that occurred during this Town Council meeting here.

Town Council Mtg Summary 11/05/08

The collection of posts from the Town Council meeting 11/5/08

• Live reporting - Councilor Comments
• Live reporting - Town Administrator's report
• live reporting - rezoning
• Live reporting - Brick lease
• Live reporting - DPW re-org
• Live reporting - DPW Solid Waste & Recycling
• Live reporting - Fire Station Bldg Committee disol...
• Recycling update
• Live reporting - Recycle committee report
• Live reporting - License transfer
• Live reporting - opening items
• Live reporting - Town Council Meeting

Phishing scams in plain english

In our continuing series on understanding Web 2.0, one of the drawbacks of free and easy email is found with multiple scams. The folks at Common Craft have come up with a video to explain phishing scams. Very well done. Be careful what you click on in email!





Note: For those subscribers to this blog, this is one link that you can trust.

Live reporting - Councilor Comments

Zollo:
Streamline recycling
property rezoning (increase tax base)
lease Brick School
consolidation of janitorial services

Town Council does look for efficiencies where possible

Pfeffer - congratulations to Maureen Sabolinski on her selection and to the School Committee for a good and timely choice

Live reporting - Town Administrator's report

Old Norfolk water issue resolved.
Story from September 2007 can be found here and here
Recent update on this - September meeting


Rock pile at Chestnut/RT 140 purchased by Sovereign Bank, Town inquiring to see what the bank plans to do with it.


Dedication of Museum and new sculpture November 19th, 9:00AM.


Some capital planning coming in future meeting, also with "free cash" being certified soon, he'll being some proposals to look at adding some funds to the Stabilization Fund.

live reporting - rezoning

Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-625: Chapter 185-5, Town Code: Zoning Map – Business to Commercial II – 2nd Reading (Tabled on 10/15/08)

Approved 7-1 (Doak no, Vallee absent)

Live reporting - Brick lease

The lease was signed with the Charter School for the Brick facility for $1 per year with the knowledge that these donations were available to offset the facility costs.

Resolution 08-72: Acceptance of Gifts for the Red Brick School

Approved 8-0

Live reporting - DPW re-org

Proposal to create a "grounds" division within the DPW.

Feeley - no vote on it tonight, open for questions

Would cost about $20,000: $10,000 to the General Fund and another $10,000 to the Water/Sewer revolving account.

The proposal adds a "real" deputy to the Director of Operations.

More efficient operations. Need to start succession planning, capturing the extensive knowledge that they have built over the years to handle things as well as they do. Uses existing folks. Eliminates assistant positions.

Live reporting - DPW Solid Waste & Recycling

Image via WikipediaRobert Cantoreggi and Denise Zambrowski presenting

Approx 1 ton of trash per household in Franklin per year.

Under the single stream proposal:
Residents would be provided a "toter", it would be maintained by the hauler. This would reduce the amount of trash imported to Franklin. Overflow options: an additional toter for a fee or purchase 33 gallon overflow bags.

Current program of one bulk burnable item with trash per week would be replaced by a small fee and a sticker with a scheduled pick up. This would avoid the importing of trash from other areas into Franklin to be disposed of here for "free".

Single Stream recycling - no limit on recyclables

Nutting - Looking to see if there is general consensus amongst the Council to move ahead with RFP for the single stream processing.

Nutting requested to handle the following resolution out of order:


Resolution 08-71: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement – Town of Blackstone

Approved 8-0

Live reporting - Fire Station Bldg Committee disolved

Resolution 08-59: Dissolution of Fire Station Building Committee (Tabled on 10/15/08)

Approved 8-0

Ken Norman representative of the committee this evening along with Fire Chief McCarraher.

Recycling update

The Recycling Committee provides an update to the Town Council

Mobile post sent by shersteve using Utterli. Replies.

Live reporting - Recycle committee report

Image by shersteve via FlickrImprovements in recycling town wide. Increased from 21% to 25% for the past quarter compared to last year.

Discussion on recycling at the high school. The Green Team is the largest group at the high school. They are active. The grade of C is meant to reflect the overall town effort/performance against the overall town recycling goals. We need to encourage their effort.

There are no recycling bins at Beaver Street. There should be waste and recycle receptacles to separate the trash and recyclables.

Town needs to set an example and model the good recycling behavior.

Proposal to audit trash and leave a door hanger notice on the results. This as a follow up to an announcement letter to everyone letting the know what the opportunities are.

(editorial note - I should talk with them about my idea of using the folks walking around town to bend and stretch to pick up recycling. The picture included here is from one of my weekend morning walks. I posted about this back in February 2008)

Single stream possible for the future. What is it? Put everything in one container and the waste handler with updated technology can do the separation at their end.

Current trash contract good through 2010. Single Stream and other enhancements could be incorporated as part of the new contract.

Franklin's Earth Day should be the Saturday closest to the official Earth Day which is always April 22. 300 volunteers picked up 6000 pounds of recyclables on that one day.

DPW did a great job helping with Earth Day. Especially on a Saturday!

Two major issues;

• Receptacles are not readily available.
• The consciousness (about recycling) it not present in the community.

Build a sense of community pride!

Councilor Pfeffer wants to deputize folks to start issuing the $50 fines to folks littering at the fields.

Franklin is recycling at 25% and most of our neighbor towns are at 50%.

The Recycling Committee web page on the new Town site can be found here.

Live reporting - License transfer

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS –
Teppanyaki Restaurant – Change of Manager

issue with new manager has not completed the bartender training as required

motion amended to make the transfer contingent upon receipt of the training completion (scheduled for Monday 11/10/08).

approved 8-0

Live reporting - opening items

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 1, 2008, October 15, 2008
approved 8-0

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

(will update later from recording)

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

(none)

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

Ken Norman raised an objection to the music being played in the background on Channel 11. He finds it difficult to try and follow what is going on with the music distracting and objectionable. Can the administrator find another alternative?

E. APPOINTMENTS
Design Review Commission
Council on Aging

(will add names from recording later)

Live reporting - Town Council Meeting

Added to agenda: motion made and approved to organize the Council for the next year.

Feeley - Chair
Bartlett - Vice-Chair
Pfeffer - Clerk

all motions made and voted 8-0 (Vallee not attending)

GATRA "free ride" coupons

Yes, it is true, there is a "free ride" coupon coming for the GATRA Franklin bus.

Where do you get a coupon?

This Friday’s (November 7, 2008) edition of The Country Gazette will have a 2” x 2” orange coupon also known as an “Ad Note” affixed to the front page of 10,000 copies of the paper. The “Ad Note” is a “peel off” good for a FREE RIDE. The “coupon” is good immediately up to and including Saturday, December 20, 2008.

If your neighbor doesn't want to use it, ask them for it?

If you can't use it, give it to some one who will use it!

That's helping someone get at least one ride free.

In the News - 2010 Budget planing starting

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Nov 05, 2008 @ 01:35 AM

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FRANKLIN —

Thanks to the sour economy, Franklin is looking at a possible shortfall of several million dollars for fiscal 2010, and a subsequent "major reduction in force ... townwide," Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting told the Finance Committee last night.

It is still too early to estimate how much the shortfall will be, said Nutting.

That figure, he said, depends on the result of Question 1 (to repeal the state income tax), and assuming there aren't any changes in revenue projections. According to last night's numbers, Massachusetts voters shot down the effort to repeal the income tax.

Nutting's projection was not discussed at length, as it was not an issue on last night's meeting agenda, but he mentioned it when he told the board he will ask department heads to submit budgets in early December.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Fall Into Art - November 8 & 9

Read more about this event put on by the Franklin Art Association here.

"the school system is going to need it"

Michael Doherty, a member of the board of directors of the Franklin Education Foundation, said he is worried about the economy's effect on the foundation. "Local businesses have been feeling the pinch for well over a year and it is harder for them to be as generous to us as they have in the past,'' he said. "We still get a lot of support but some of the small businesses have really suffered.''

The Franklin Educational Foundation will hold its third annual casino night on Nov. 21, but on a smaller scale than in the past, Doherty said. He said he thinks people are waiting until later to purchase tickets for the event.

"We hope to get a large turnout for it, the event was well supported in the last two years,'' he said. "People who are not gamblers come out and understand its just a fun event and everyone knows what they spend will benefit a great cause.''

Doherty said another casualty of the economy is that people have less and less time to volunteer for the foundation. "People are working more, but we are always accepting new members and donations for the cause,'' he said. And with state budget cuts and less revenue from other sources, the school system is going to need it, Doherty said.

"We cannot make up the entire gap but we hope to provide whatever assistance we can,'' he said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

"They're both really smart,"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GateHouse News Service

Posted Nov 03, 2008 @ 10:37 PM

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FRANKLIN —

If the voting pattern of sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders at Horace Mann Middle School is any reflection of the way the rest of the country will vote today, Barack Obama will win by a landslide.

The final tally: Barack Obama, 329; John McCain, 181; Ralph Nader, 17.

'Our motto today is: `As Horace Mann goes, so goes the nation,''' said sixth-grade math teacher Patricia Metrick, who helped organize the mock election.

"Twenty, 30 years from now, this election's going to be in our textbooks. Their children will be learning about it. It gives (today's students) a chance to participate, even though they're only young adults,'' said Metrick.

Although the school has held mock elections in the past, this was "by far the snazziest, most authentic one,'' said sixth-grade English/social studies teacher Joseph Corey, who directed the video news team yesterday with sixth-grade math and science teacher Noreen Langmeyer.

"They're very excited, they're waiting for their turn to vote,'' Langmeyer said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Voting is Patriotic (USA)

Voting is Patriotic (USA), originally uploaded by farlane.

Not just patriotic, is it a democratic society's duty.

Please get out and vote today!

Town Council Agenda - 11/5/08

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 1, 2008, October 15, 2008

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS - Design Review Commission
Council on Aging

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS – Teppanyaki Restaurant – Change of Manager

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Recycling Committee Presentation
DPW Presentation – Rubbish/Recycling
DPW Reorganization

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 08-59: Dissolution of Fire Station Building Committee (Tabled on 10/15/08)
2. Resolution 08-71: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement – Town of Blackstone
3. Resolution 08-72: Acceptance of Gifts for the Red Brick School
4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-625: Chapter 185-5, Town Code: Zoning Map – Business to Commercial II – 2nd Reading (Tabled on 10/15/08)

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

"Doc, can you help me study?"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Sun Nov 02, 2008, 06:39 PM EST

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FRANKLIN -

Don Roemer, affectionately known as "Doc" to his students and colleagues, spent 37 years in a job he loved.

"I loved it. I loved teaching," said Roemer, a Franklin resident who worked for 27 years as an English teacher at Wayland High School, and 10 years prior as an English professor at Northwestern University and Northeastern University.

Life felt a bit empty when he retired three years ago, so he decided to fill that hole by returning to his passion, he said.

For the past year, he has volunteered as a part-time teacher working alongside a few full-timers at Franklin High School, in a pilot program he proposed last October to Franklin Superintendent of Schools Wayne Ogden. Ogden is the former assistant superintendent of Wayland Public Schools.

"I really wanted very much to have something to do with education. I missed being with the kids. I may be old, but I have a lot of experience, a lot to offer," Roemer said.

"I never got tired of the teaching, I never got tired of the kids, but I did get tired of correcting papers," Roemer said.

As a volunteer, he gets the best of both worlds: giving students one-on-one academic attention, without having to pour through essays and tests, as well as a flexible, albeit, confusing rotating schedule, he said.

Read the full article in the Franklin Gazette here

A video clip by Joyce Kelly interviewing Doc can be seen here:

T-Alerts were active on the Franklin Line Monday morning

Franklin/Forge Park Nov 3, 5:41 a.m. (Inactive)

Franklin/FrgPrk #790 (5:05am ib) will not service Forge Park. #702 (5:45am ib) will run on time from Forge Park. 11/3/2008 5:31 AM This alert is no longer active at mbta.com. Likely the issue has been resolved.

Franklin/Forge Park Nov 3, 6:31 a.m. (Inactive)

Franklin/FrgPrk #790 (5:05am ib) will not service Forge Park. #702 (5:45am ib) will run 20 minutes late. 11/3/2008 5:31 AM This alert is no longer active at mbta.com. Likely the issue has been resolved.

Franklin/Forge Park Nov 3, 6:41 a.m. (Inactive) Franklin/FrgPrk #704 (6:15am ib) experiencing 20-25 min delay 11/3/2008 6:34 AM This alert is no longer active at mbta.com. Likely the issue has been resolved.

Franklin/Forge Park Nov 3, 7:21 a.m. (Inactive)

Franklin/FrgPrk #706 (6:35am ib) experiencing 15-20 min delay 11/3/2008 7:14 AM This alert is no longer active at mbta.com. Likely the issue has been resolved.

Franklin/Forge Park Nov 3, 8:21 a.m. (Inactive)

Franklin/FrgPrk #732 (7:54am ib) experiencing 20-25 min delay 11/3/2008 8:20 AM This alert is no longer active at mbta.com. Likely the issue has been resolved.

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If you haven't signed up for a T-Alert, you can do so here.

You can also join Clever Commute where the riders share the updates.

FM #19 - 4 things to know

FM #19 podcast provides the 4 things you should know about Franklin, MA this week.

Time: 8 minutes, 18 seconds



MP3 File

Session Notes:

This podcast for Franklin Matters will focus on the 4 things you should know about what happened this week.

In the prior two sessions, we spent time listening to Assistant Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski as she was interviewed by the School Committee during their meeting Tuesday Oct 14th. In podcast 17 Maureen told her life story. How she started teaching in NY City, moved to the Buffalo NY area, to Rockaway, NJ and then to Franklin. She reviews her resume detailing how she has prepared to cover all aspects of the superintendent’s role in her own development.

In podcast 18, we’ll listened to the School Committee as they asked Maureen follow-up questions and get into a discussion to clarify her goals, objectives, and vision for Franklin’s school. If you have not listened to these yet, I strongly encourage you to go back and do so at some point in time. All the podcasts can be found within the Important links section on the right hand column.

The first thing you should know about from this week’s events was that the school committee did vote unanimously 6-0 (Matt Kelley was absent) to enter into contract negotiations with Maureen. We should hear in a future meeting about the contract terms and transition with Wayne as he is scheduled to step aside on June 30th 2009.

The second thing you should know about this week is that the pilot to sell advertising banners in the field house was proposed and accepted. During the pilot period, the banner content will need to be reviewed by the Superintendent of Schools, High School Principal and the chair of the School Committee. The cost for the banner would be $480 year and available for a minimum period of three months (at a prorated cost).

The third thing you should know about this week is that if you area parent of school age children there is a survey on the Franklin Schools homepage looking for your input on how to create the calendar for the school year; for example, should the school year begin before Labor Day or after? Your input is welcomed until November 24th. The link to the survey will be available on Franklin Matters here. Jeff Roy has also created a posting at the School Committee blog with a link to the survey. Let your voice be heard.

The fourth thing you should know this week, on the contract front, the Police Department settled their contract with the Town. They had been working under an expired contract since June 2007. This one will cover through June 2010.

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.

Sergeants' pay will increase to 17 percent above the top patrol officer salary step in the first year of the contract, to 18 percent in the second year, and to 19 percent above in the third year.

This was reported in the Milford Daily News and Franklin Gazette this week.

---- ---- ----

This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow Franklin citizens and voters by Steve Sherlock

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The musical intro and closing is from the Podsafe Music Network
Jon Schmidt - Powerful Exhilarating Piano Music

Where have all the flowers gone?

It is that time of year!




To read more about "Where have all the flowers gone?" click here

In the news - redistricting, online video lectures

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Oct 31, 2008 @ 11:49 PM

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FRANKLIN —

In recent meetings, the School Committee has broached the possibility of redistricting local schools, but officials say it is a long way off, and any changes will be minor.

"The most important thing for parents to know is, neither the School Committee nor I anticipate any redistricting this year or next year," said Superintendent Wayne Ogden.

Leaders are considering redistricting because some schools, such as Sullivan Middle, are overcrowded, while others like Jefferson Elementary, have available space. The imbalance has resulted in the need to ship some kids around, said School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy.

"It's just trying to balance out the schools and make sure we're maximizing space in every building," said Roy.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

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Want a free education? A brief guide to the burgeoning world of online video lectures.

By Jeffrey MacIntyre November 2, 2008

RESERVE ANOTHER LAUREL for Edward O. Wilson, the Pellegrino University Professor emeritus at Harvard, serial Pulitzer winner, and prominent intellectual: online celebrity.

Forget Charlie Rose - Wilson has Google for a soapbox. Amid the amateur-hour piffle of YouTube "talent" and skateboarding dogs, the famed botanist stands in bold relief, with more than 500 Google video search results to his credit: Interviews ranging far afield of TV shows to a spate of appearances on several Web-only video platforms such as Meaningoflife.tv, Bigthink.com, Fora.tv, and the online home of the Technology Entertainment Design (TED) conference.

Read the full article in the Boston Globe here

Museum entrance taking shape

The entrance to the new museum is really taking shape. The brickwork appears complete. The pedestal is in place and ready for the sculpture.






This will be a nice entrance to Franklin's historical treasures.

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.

Live reporting - Action Items

Action Items

• Take action on Superintendent Candidacy. Handled earlier in the meeting

• I recommend budget transfers as detailed in the attached documentation. Approved 6 - 0
  

• I recommend approval of the request of the BICO Board of Directors to amend the preamble of the existing agreement of the BICO Collaborative to include the School Committee of the Town of Norton, MA. Approved 6 - 0

• I recommend acceptance of the annual donation of dictionaries for all third grade students from the Franklin Lodge of Elks No. 2136 in partnership with the MA Elks Association, Inc. Approved 6 - 0

• I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from the Oak Street PCC for a 3rd grade field trip to Plimoth Plantation. Approved 6 - 0

• I recommend acceptance of a check for $258.76 from the Target Take Charge of Education Program to defer the costs of a 7th grade field trip to the Krista McAuliffe Space Exploration Center for Annie Sullivan Middle School students. Approved 6 - 0

• I recommend approval of the sale of banner advertising space in the FHS Field House with all proceeds to be used in support of the FHS Athletic Program. handled earlier in the meeting

• I recommend entering into contract negotiations with the Cafeteria Workers Association. Approved 6 - 0

• I recommend entering into contract negotiations with the Van Drivers Association. Approved 6 - 0

• I recommend appointment of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee as noted during the Discussion portion of this meeting. Approved 6 - 0

Live reporting - modular status

Modulars were put into place in 1998 and are coming up on 10 years service, some of them have been used all through the year.

The high school modulars get more of an impact than those in the elementary schools

Leakage in the roofs has required replacement of full walls. A bug infestation was found and corrected. Some doors can't be opened in the winter at Parmenter (due to the temperature change).

If we removed the modulars, where would the students go?
With the reduction in staff last year, the rooms were used by art and special subjects where they were roving within the buildings before.

The high school has room to move what they have housed currently within the full building. Davis Thayer could take down the modulars and utilize two classrooms within the building.
Parmenter would have an issue if they were to loose their modulars. An OT/PT room is currently housed there. Even if the function were moved to another school, the population at Parmenter needs those services.

Replacing the roof is not an economic choice, the roof would outlast the modular.
Looking for direction from the committe before going further with the building committee.

Cafasso - there was a lot of shock and awe amongst the professionals at the FHS tour tonight. The subcommittee's report helps to fill in the needs of the district.

Armenio - This speaks to the current school population and staffing levels, with any increases,there will be additional problems in the next couple of years. It would be worthwhile to take them down. Some of the modulars are the largest classrooms in the building.

Live reporting - Strategic Planning Steering Committee

• Strategic Planning Steering Committee

R A Gosh
R Danough
S Rohrbach
A Crean
J Bassignati
S Sherlock
P Sweeney

total of 15 with 9 committed thus far, others in process of confirming

to start in November

(will check spelling of names later)

sample field house advertising banner size

sample banner size for advertising in the Franklin High School field house

this banner is 3' x 5', the proposed size would be 4' x 6'

Mobile post sent by shersteve using Utterli. Replies.

Live reporting - field house advertising approved

• Advertising in the Field House

Brad Sidwell, Athletic Director

The 3 x 5 in the committee meeting is smaller than the 4 x 6 that would be used.
Hung from the ceiling in the field house

Approx 40,000 as a rough estimate would view the banners amongst the visitors for basketball, volleyball, indoor track and the multiple other events that are held there.

Discussion on inclusion the phone number on the banner, would you loose opportunity if you exclude it?

Banner approval including the School Committee chair, to view how it works during the early days, should have a good view on it before it goes up, likely not necessarily to be done long term

Want to be flexible with minimum three months with the year a preferred period. Rates adjust downward to cover the three months.

We can reach out to the Downtown Partnership, the Chamber of Commerce, etc.

During the subcommittee meetings, we discussed that we would use the revenue to offset the costs of athletics. Should we consider putting this into a general revenue account or just for sports?

Policy KCD does not apply here as this is selling a service. The use of the revenues to supplant the budget could come under KCD if the advertiser would like to designate how the funds were to be used. By having the school committee dictate the fund allocation, we avoid the issue of the conflict with policy KCD.

The 6 month pilot would expire in early April just about budget time. The pilot would provide input to the policy and budget committee for how we would do the future.

Motion to accept recommendation of subcommittee, removing the phone number prohibition, and restricting a single advertiser to 2 banners.

Approved 6 - 0

Live reporting - discussion only items

3. Discussion Only Items

• Budget to Actual - no questions

• Discussion of Superintendent Candidacy

Roy - I will wholeheartedly endorse your candidacy. I am glad we can say that we helped to grow from within the district. Why take taxpayer dollars and go out with a nationwide search and possibly end up with as fine a candidate that we have.

Armenio - You have been here many years and over your multiple roles have grown with the district. Why not earlier? Wayne has been your mentor and groomed you for this. The times have changed. This is not the district that it was a few years ago.

Cafasso - While there has been scholastic progress, there are other problems to be faced, re-districting amongst them. Need to have someone who understands the community and the staff to help us tackle these challenges.

Mullen - I also endorse Maureen for this role. Her sense of Franklin and how much she enjoyed having her kids go through the system. Her work ethic is tremendous.

Rohrbach - not to be repetitive but I will endorse your candidacy. You have a broad knowledge of the district, the students, the community. We may not be able to get "good to great" right now but there are pockets where we can still make progress.

Trahan - Being the last in the line, not a whole lot more to add.

Motion - to enter into negotiations with Maureen Sabolinski to be the next Superintedent of the Franklin Public School District

Aproved 6 - 0

Live reporting - Horace Mann binder program

Dr Anne Bergen, Horace Mann Principal; Chandler Creedon, Guidence Counselor; Jess (student)

The binder program is being piloted. It developed from an observed problem with time management, task management, approached targeting the special ed students first, then determined that this could go across all the students, presented to the PCC to gain their input. Color coded for similar subject matter across the grades. Consistency strived for. They trained a core group of students over the summer in the use to help share the training with the other students as they came in September.

Jess - a place for everything, easy to find for each class, comes with a homework pad, do the homework and then put it into the folder. Con - breaks really easily. Rings would brake open. Top and bottom would wear. Some of the folders would tear (need reinforcements for the holes). Focus group held to get feedback on the overall concept and actual experience. Durability needs to be worked on.

Dr Anne Bergen - a team of 8th graders putting together a binder workgroup

Chandler Creedon - the team will use duct tape in colors to match the folders to reinforce the edges and then hole punch to make the folders more sturdy

Live reporting - School Committee 10/28/08

Attending: Armenio, Cafasso, Mullen, Roy, Rohrbach, Trahan
Not attending: Kelly


1. Routine Business

• Citizen’s Comments - none
  

• Review of Agenda - add discussion of space needs for modular units
  

• Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the October 14, 2008 School Committee Meeting. Approved 6 - 0
  

• Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
• Payroll Ms. Armenio
• FHS Student Representatives

Sat 11/29/08 - Jr Miss Performance at Horace Mann

School Committee Agenda - 10/28/08

1. Routine Business

• Citizen’s Comments
• Review of Agenda
• Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the October 14, 2008 School Committee Meeting.
• Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
• Payroll Ms. Armenio
• FHS Student Representatives

Correspondence

• Letter from Chandler Creedon, Jr. to open negotiations with the Cafeteria Association.
• Letter from Chandler Creedon, Jr. to open negotiations with the Van Drivers Association.
• Memo from Linda Waters regarding Transportation Pilot Program.
• Letter from NEASC to Pam Gould regarding FHS.

2. Guests/Presentations

• Horace Mann Binder Program

3. Discussion Only Items

• Budget to Actual
• Discussion of Superintendent Candidacy
• Advertising in the Field House
• Strategic Planning Steering Committee

4. Action Items

• Take action on Superintendent Candidacy.
• I recommend budget transfers as detailed in the attached documentation.
• I recommend approval of the request of the BICO Board of Directors to amend the preamble of the existing agreement of the BICO Collaborative to include the School Committee of the Town of Norton, MA.
• I recommend acceptance of the annual donation of dictionaries for all third grade students from the Franklin Lodge of Elks No. 2136 in partnership with the MA Elks Association, Inc.
• I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from the Oak Street PCC for a 3rd grade field trip to Plimoth Plantation.
• I recommend acceptance of a check for $258.76 from the Target Take Charge of Education Program to defer the costs of a 7th grade field trip to the Krista McAuliffe Space Exploration Center for Annie Sullivan Middle School students.
• I recommend approval of the sale of banner advertising space in the FHS Field House with all proceeds to be used in support of the FHS Athletic Program.
• I recommend entering into contract negotiations with the Cafeteria Workers Association.
• I recommend entering into contract negotiations with the Van Drivers Association.
• I recommend appointment of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee as noted during the Discussion portion of this meeting.

5. Information Matters

• Superintendent’s Report

a. NEASC Update
b. Field House Advertising
c. Poland Springs Water

• School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
• School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business

• To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session

• Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

feral cat video

Shelter Me has posted a video created by Ricky Ferreira who interviewed Dottie Luff to get the latest on the "famous" feral cats of Highwood Condo here in Franklin.

View the video here

In the News: Special Ed, more feral cats

By Aaron Wasserman/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Oct 26, 2008 @ 10:54 PM

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The number of schools not meeting the state's achievement standards under federal No Child Left Behind regulations is quickly mounting.

Forty-seven schools across MetroWest and the Milford area were designated as at least needing improvement as a result of 2008 test scores, including ones in districts often considered to be of high quality, such as Natick, Westborough and Franklin. Half of all schools statewide received such a label.

State education officials say they are not surprised the number of schools needing improvement is swelling - up by 156 to 828 total this year - because of the ambitious goals set under No Child Left Behind. The law requires all students reach at least proficiency by 2014 on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

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By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Oct 26, 2008 @ 10:44 PM

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FRANKLIN —

Animal rights group intervening with feral cats

By Joyce Kelly

DAILY NEWS STAFF

FRANKLIN - Franklin's Animal Control will start a trap, neuter/spay, release program for feral cats at Highwood Condominiums today, according to the head of an animal rescue society intervening with the situation.

The trapped kitten and cats will go to the Purr-fect Cat Shelter in Medway for evaluation, said Stacy LeBaron, president of the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society of Salisbury.

The board of trustees for Highwood I, the section of Highwood where the cats live and roam, had voted to trap and kill the cats, but agreed to halt the plan and discuss an alternative when a resident and LeBaron intervened earlier this month.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

indoor barn sale 10/26/08

the sign says it all

Mobile post sent by shersteve using Utterli. Replies.

Now open for business - Andro's Pizza

Yes, Andro's Pizza is now open for business.

Well, not at this very moment when I am taking this photo. It is too early this Sunday morning for pizza.

Mobile post sent by shersteve using Utterli. Replies.

In the news - Brick, ghosts, and cats

Franklin nears deal for use of closed Red Brick building

By Rachel Lebeaux Correspondent / October 26, 2008

The town of Franklin is negotiating with Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School on a lease of the historic Red Brick School building to run through next June, and possibly beyond.

Read the full article in the Boston Globe here

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Area has ghost stories aplenty dating back hundreds of years

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Oct 26, 2008 @ 12:06 AM

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Forget Salem or New Orleans. If you live in MetroWest, you probably don't have to go any further than your local library, town hall, or neighborhood for a good old-fashioned haunting.

Tales of the spirits of innkeepers, Native Americans, accused witches, librarians and servants, even a monster - the Dover Demon - abound right in your backyard.

The area's rich history, particularly its entrenchment in King Philip's War, makes old homes, buildings and entire sections of towns - such as South Natick - ripe for ghostly activity, some say.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

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Communities face tough choice on feral cats

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Oct 25, 2008 @ 11:39 PM

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Animal control officers in the area seem to agree the solution to feral cats - common in most communities - is the trap, neuter/spay and release program advocated by animal rights groups.

Dealing with the situation properly is more important now than ever, as the economic crisis has left many more cats and dogs abandoned and facing a cold winter, say area animal control officers.

An animal rescue organization from Salisbury is trying to save a colony of feral cats living in the woods near Franklin's Highwood Condominiums, the management of which plans to trap and kill them. The Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society, a nonprofit volunteer organization, promotes no-kill programs for feral cats.

Stacy LeBaron, president of the group, has said she believes it's possible to have a successful feral cat colony by using the trap, neuter/spay and release process.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Open House Saturdays and Sundays, 11AM – 3PM

For the Franklin Center Commons:

This condominium building consists of 27 single-level-living condominiums with wonderful amenities. Newly revitalized location offers walk to train, banks, post office, restaurants, shops, and only 45 minutes to Boston. Perfect for commuter, first time home buyers or downsizers. Franklin has just recently added the New GATRA bus service for easy access to shopping, senior center, etc.

If you can't make it to the open house, click through to the web site to take a virtual tour of their model.