Wednesday, December 3, 2008

FM #20 - WASTED 12/2/08 - Part 1

This is Franklin Matters podcast #20. The first of several podcasts to replay the information session on underage drinking. The session was organized by the group W.A.S.T."E".D and held at Franklin High School Tuesday December 2, 2008.

Time: 23 minutes, 10 seconds



MP3 File

Session Notes

This podcast for Franklin Matters will a special production capturing the information session on underage drinking sponsored by W.A.S.T."E".D and held at Franklin High School Tuesday evening, Dec 2, 2008.

If you were unable to attend, this series of podcasts will enable you to listen to the presentations and discussion that took place.

In this first part, we listen as FHS Principal Pam Gould introduces the problem, the formation of the WASTED group and outlines the presentations for the evening.

We’ll then listen to the presentation by students from Marushka Waters’ class.

The slide show that served as the backdrop for the presentation can be found here.

For me, there are two key quotes to remember. Both come from student voices at the end of this presentation. One is hard to hear as the student did not have the microphone to talk into, the second is more clearly heard. Both of which I have transcribed as follows:

1 – How come in Health class they teach us not to drink but they don’t teach us what to do in situations where people are drinking?

2 – Everyone of these stories you heard were written by someone on the stage. No one read their own monologue to protect their identities but we all wanted to share our stories because they’re real.

Listen carefully!

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This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow citizens of Franklin, MA

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

"saved the town about $25,000"

GHS
Posted Dec 02, 2008 @ 11:17 PM

FRANKLIN —

Emergency repairs to a partially collapsed culvert on Lincoln Street are slated for completion by Dec. 12, said Brutus Cantoreggi, director of the town's Department of Public Works.

The culvert was severely compromised after heavy rains in early August, Cantoreggi said.

The damaged culvert posed a potentially major hazard to cars and pedestrians on Lincoln Street, which is a main road connecting Franklin and Medway, Cantoreggi said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

"Everybody today must get a prize"

GHS
Posted Dec 03, 2008 @ 12:17 AM

FRANKLIN —

What are we teaching kids about life?

There are a few things that must be clearly understood today. The rise and fall of our economic system depends on what we teach our children.

If we do not assume our roles as adults, teachers and mentors and teach a few absolutes, we are setting ourselves up for generations of failure on the world stage. First, greed is bad. Second, the inability to defer gratification is bad. Third, in life, somebody wins and somebody loses at different times. Fourth, to win with grace is good. Fifth, to lose with grace may be better. Sixth, laziness is bad. Seventh, there is a social contract to care for all members of society and to respect their equality as members of the human race.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


Tuesday, December 2, 2008

In the News - stabilization fund, bridge closure

Town Council may set up infrastructure stabilization fund

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Tomorrow night, Town Council will likely establish a stabilization fund for municipal infrastructure and facilities improvement.

The council will also vote whether to appropriate $50,000 for the new account, money that will come from a legal settlement with Toll Brothers of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., a luxury home developer, Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting has said.



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Bridge in troubled water

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff


Based on inspections indicating drivers may not be safe, the Massachusetts Highway Department today will indefinitely close an old wooden bridge over the commuter rail line that once served Rte. 140 West, according to Klark Jessen, director of communications with the Executive Office of Transportation.

MassHighway's District 3 Bridge Maintenance team found some of the stones in the walls supporting the timbers appear to have moved, raising concerns about the stability of the walls under heavy traffic, Jessen said. The bridge has a timber deck on timber supports situated on stone abutments.

Town Council - Agenda - 12/3/08

December 3, 2008
7:00 PM

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS -
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-628: Chapter 185-Nonconforming Uses and Structures – Public Hearing 7:10

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS – Annual Alcohol License Renewals

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
  1. Resolution 08-81: 2009 Town Council Meeting Schedule
  2. Resolution 08-82: Legal Notices
  3. Resolution 08-83: Establishment of Municipal Infrastructure/Facilities Improvement Stabilization Fund
  4. Resolution 08-84: Appropriation: Municipal Infrastructure/Facilities Improvement Stabilization Fund

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

Please don't litter - Franklin matters!

Please don't litter - Franklin matters!


I have written previously of the bottles and cans I pick up on my weekend walks around Franklin here.

One possible explanation for such alcohol related litter could be the teenage drinking that appears to be prevalent in the area.

If you are concerned about the teenage alcohol problem, then come to the WASTED meeting tonight at Franklin High School, 7:00 PM.

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Monday, December 1, 2008

MBTA-Forge Pkwy Bridge Closure

TOWN OF FRANKLIN
Message sent - 12/1/2008
MBTA-Forge Pkwy Bridge Closure


Hello. This is the Franklin Police Department calling with an important message from Deputy Chief Semerjian. We want to advise the citizens and businesses in town of a significant traffic pattern change. Effective tomorrow, December 2 2008, the old wooden bridge on W Central Street, near the MBTA station, will close permanently.

Traffic to the MBTA lower lot and residences up to the bridge will flow as usual.

Traffic northbound of the bridge, including Garelick Farms and the MBTA upper lot, will be accessed using the Route 140 Bypass Bridge.