Ed Cafasso Letter - 1/11/09

Hello Everyone!

I hope you had a good weekend and a safe holiday break! Here’s a brief update on recent school issues in Franklin…

Spring 2008 MCAS Results: Franklin students continued to perform far above their peers statewide on MCAS tests for Reading, Mathematics, English Language Arts, and Science & Technology. For example, the percentage of Franklin students scoring at “advanced” levels on English and Math set new records in Grade 3, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 8, and Grade 10. Overall, Franklin schools were ranked in the “high performing” or “very high performing” categories by federal standards as well. However, we are beginning to hear concerns from administrators and teachers as to whether the Franklin schools will be able to sustain this kind of outstanding academic performance with the staff cutbacks and increased class sizes we are experiencing this academic year. You can view various aspects of our latest MCAS data at:

http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/mcas/mcascharts2.aspx?linkid=33&orgcode=01010000&fycode=2008&orgtypecode=5&

School Calendar Survey: More than 2,100 parents and guardians replied to the survey regarding the school calendar. Here are they top line results:

• Seven out of 10 said they did not prefer the school year starting the week before Labor Day.
• Seven out of 10 said they would favor scheduling all full day teacher professional development days during the summer months.
• Two-thirds said they preferred the calendar model that places time off in December, February and April.
• More than 56% said they did not want to experiment with the private school model that eliminate the vacation weeks in February and April in exchange for a longer vacation in March.
• Six out of 10 disagreed with the practice of scheduling two full teacher professional development days and three half days during the first half of the school year.
• More than 57 percent favored the new practice of scheduling the day before Thanksgiving as a day off.
• More than 63 percent said they prefer that there not be school on religious holidays.
• And, better than 93 percent said they favor scheduling the two full day professional development days that occur during the school year on a Monday or Friday.

Thanks to those who took the time to respond to the survey. Your views will be front and center when the school calendar comes up for consideration and a vote this spring.

Franklin High School Leadership: As you likely heard, FHS Principal Pam Gould has chosen to move on and will be taking an Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources position in Plymouth later this month. Peter J. Light, who has held teaching and administrative posts at FHS since 1998, has been named interim principal. Even before Ms. Gould informed of us of her decision in late December, the School Committee had directed Superintendent Ogden to make the high school a top priority during his remaining months here, including improvements to the guidance department, the FHS administrative model, its health education programs, parent-teacher communication, summer reading and other steps that will strengthen the ability of our high school to maintain a high level of modern, academic performance. That analysis and planning process will continue in the months ahead. I hope current and incoming FHS parents will offer their support and feedback to this effort and to Mr. Light. Even though we are facing tough budget decisions again this spring, I think it safe to say that the high school will be at the center of Franklin’s educational vision.

Mr. Light, a Walpole resident, will discuss his priorities for FHS at this Tuesday’s School Committee meeting. He has been assistant principal at the high school since July 2005; served as FHS music director from 2001 to June 2005; and, began at the high school as a music teacher in 1998.

Franklin High School Building: A professional inspection team from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) toured the building in mid-December as part of Franklin’s application for state funding to address various issues at the facility. We hope to have an indication from state officials soon about the likelihood of state support for the renovation of the school or the construction of a new building. You can expect school and town officials to move quickly once we are able to secure some clarity from the MSBA.

Our Meetings Go Digital: Starting this year, citizens with sufficient Internet connections in Franklin – or anywhere in the world, for that matter -- can view Franklin School Committee meetings online, either live or in an archived format. To access this streaming capability, visit the town web site at: http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0146C49B-000F8513

The School Committee typically meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at 7 p.m. Our next meeting is scheduled for this Tuesday, January 13^th.

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.

Thank you!

Ed Cafasso, Member

Franklin School Committee

edcafasso@comcast.net

Streaming Video - Historic event

There was a significant historical event this week. The first Town Council meeting was streamed live over the web on Wednesday evening.

What does that mean?
Instead of being in your home with a cable subscription, you can now view a town meeting via your computer. This means that anyone with interest to find the meeting can view it anywhere in the world via the internet and their computer.

Since only 90+% of the town has access to cable, how much this will enable those who don't have cable access is open for discussion.

What will this streaming live change?
I think it will be interesting to see how this will change the meetings, if anything changes at all.

• Will the various board and committee members improve their personal behavior and conduct now that they can be viewed around the world?
• Will the nature and presentations of the meetings themselves be modified now that there is a worldwide audience?
• Will there be an increase in viewing amongst the people in the town?
  

The one drawback I see is that the availability of the meeting via the internet may reduce the actual physical attendance in the room. Only those who actually need to be there to participate in the meeting will continue to be present. On the other hand, the worldwide audience may actually increase the participation due to the exposure.

How do you view the meeting?

1. On your computer, open your favorite browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.)
2. Navigate to the Franklin website home page
3. Follow the link on the notice for the live streaming (I have not yet found another way to get to this live streaming or archive. I assume there will be an additional path put on the site at some time.)
4. The first time you view a meeting, Microsoft Silverlight will require to be installed. Once installed, you'll need to close your browser and restart the browser. After this installation, you should be able to go direct to view either the live or an archived program.
5. You can view the meeting from beginning to end or skip to sections according to the published agenda.

Have you viewed a meeting yet?

What do you think of this?

Northborough pursues wind power

"This could cut taxes, eliminate the electric bill of the regional high school, and decrease our dependence on the Middle East," said town resident Bob Giles, a retired engineer who has spearheaded support for the proposal. He said the turbine, once up and running, could save the town up to $600,000 annually.

.....

As Giles and selectmen move ahead with their plans, they are looking to Hull for guidance. Since 2001, the seaside community has set up two wind turbines that provide about 11 percent of Hull's electricity, according to Town Manager Philip Lemnios, and is looking to build four more turbines offshore, which could potentially meet 100 percent of the town's electricity needs.

Read the full article in the Boston Globe West edition here

Can green jobs solve poverty?

There is an interesting conversation about

Can green-collar jobs clean the "dirty-energy economy" and lift people out of poverty?

The discussion revolves around education in California where the drop out rate from public schools is now 25%. 41% for Blacks and 31% for Latinos.

Van Jones and California State Senator Darrell Steinberg discuss a unique solution for our economy and environment. Together they offer a clear vision for green economic development and its potential.

Click through to listen here.

Well worth listening to!

Peter Light will serve as acting principal

By Michelle Laczkoski/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Jan 07, 2009 @ 09:12 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

Peter Light will serve as acting principal of Franklin High School for the remainder of the school year, Superintendent Wayne Ogden announced yesterday.

Light, an assistant principal at the school, has worked in the district for 12 years. He will replace Pamela Gould, who has been hired as the new assistant superintendent of human resources for the Plymouth School Department.

One of four assistant principals at the high school, Light began his tenure in the district as a teacher. His academic background is in music and educational administration.

Gould announced her departure just before Christmas break, giving administrators time to talk with students and faculty about the upcoming change.

"Peter let me and (assistant superintendent) Maureen Sabolinski know if called, he would serve. He became the logical choice," Ogden said. "Plus he's a talented young administrator and we thought he had the skills to do what we need done."

Students shared their desire for consistency in the remaining school months, Ogden said.

"To bring somebody in midyear who doesn't know the school, students or faculty ... it's a terribly awkward situation," Ogden said. "When (we) talked to students in focus groups, they were talking about stability and a need to continue the improvement projects they were working on."

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

"I apologize for this happening"

An apologetic Michael P. D'Angelo, director of public facilities, explained what happened over the New Year's holiday to councilors. His recap revealed staff did not realize until a day later that electricity had been lost in spots throughout town for about an hour. The high school's and Senior Center's backup generators did not restart heating pumps, which contributed to the damage, D'Angelo said.

The Senior Center will reopen today, after being closed this week because of the damage. The John F. Kennedy Elementary School and high school never had to close, though some classrooms were shifted around and the smaller gym's floor at the high school needs to be replaced.

Insurance will cover all but $5,000 of the damage, said Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting. Most of the repairs are already done.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

My live reporting from the same meeting is available here.

Town Council Mtg Summary 01/07/09

This is the collection of posts for the Town Council meeting on Wednesday 1/7/09

• Incident Summary Water loss 1/1/09
• Live reporting - Legislation for action
• Live reporting
• Live reporting - Incident summary 1/1/09
• Live reporting - license transactions
• Live reporting - Town Council meeting 2
• Live reporting: Town Council Meeting
• Town Council - Agenda 1/7/09

Incident Summary Water loss 1/1/09

This was the handout provided and reviewed by Mike D'Angelo

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

Incident Summary Water loss 1/1/09
Apparent power loss between 3:00 and 4:00AM


KENNEDY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Custodian shoveling reported school cold at about 10:00 AM
• Sent heating company to investigate
• ATC (heating contractor) found problem and got heat back on

Damage: Broken coils in two rooms and the cafeteria, food loss in the cafeteria fridge and freezer. Rooms soaked with water

Status: Coils all repaired, Carpets shampooed, Fridge fixed


FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL

• Athletic director reported a big water spill on gym floor and it being very cold in the High School about 5 :00 PM
• Checked school on computer and called people to investigate pump problem
• Custodian found pumps down
• Called heating company and they isolated gym coil and got heat back on approximately 10:00 PM
• Custodian cleaned up water in gym and one room

1/2/09

• Heating company on site as coils started to unfreeze and leak. Isolated coils and removed 3 for repair. Problems with 5 areas. Cleaned up water spills

1/3/09

• Heating company and I on site to work more on heat after building still cold
• Returned full heat to building and 7 more coils unfroze and leaked, isolated and custodians cleaned up water. Building secure with full heat.

Damage: 10 classrooms heating coils, gym coil, greenhouse heat, floors damaged in 8 rooms and gym floor buckled.

Status: Heat repaired in all 10 rooms and greenhouse. All rooms cleaned. Starting tile removal tomorrow and possibly replacement next week. Start to work on procuring gym floor replacement next week.


FRANKLIN SENIOR CENTER

1/2/08

• Received call from fire that senior center had problem fire alarm going off, checked on computer and saw no heat. Sent heating company
• Restored heat but sprinkler piping had froze and broken flooding multipurpose room
• Sent Compton sprinkler and custodians to clean up water
• Custodians returned Saturday and Sunday to do more cleanup

1/6/09

• Sprinklers repaired
• Pressure valve in dishwasher replaced, heat in attic repaired

1/7/09

• Affected rugs in 3 rooms re-shampooed
• Drying system set up in multipurpose room

Damage: Sprinkler system heads and piping including outside heads, dishwasher valve, fill tube in attic, wet sheetrock in multipurpose, $3,000 in computers, multipurpose flooded, 3 rooms flooded.

Status: Sprinkler interior repairs complete, rooms cleaned and shampooed, dishwasher valve and fIn tube repaired/replaced.

Open: Outside sprinkler heads on order, multipurpose drying, misc. ceiling tiles to replace


GENERAL

• Insurance claim proceeding after meeting with adjuster on Tuesday. Approval given by MEGA to complete items and forward bills
• Norma Collins got verbal approval from State DCAM Department of Asset Management Attorney George Matthews office to expedite all repairs with reduced procurement requirements
• No school time lost from incidents in schools
  
• Senior center will open tomorrow for all areas excluding multipurpose room
  
• Investigating monitoring system for heating system points. Approximate cost for 16 properties is $25,000 to install and $5,000 per year in monitoring costs

Live reporting - Legislation for action

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS - none

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 09-01: Acceptance of Grant of Easement and Water Booster Pump Station

approved 7-0

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

$371,000 of our $700,000 snow/ice budget had been spent before today.

Thanks to Jim Vallee for another grant of $7,000 for Fire Dept student education

No hiring to replace vacancies, in anticipation of 9C cuts (Mid year cuts per legislature that are provided to the Governor). It might happen just about the time that the Governors' budget is due out. With reduced state funding and reduced local revenues, this will be as bad as it has been in a long, long time. We are not the Federal government, we can not go a trillion dollars in the hole.

Whalen - there has been a lot of talk abot Obama's stimulus package for local "shovel ready" projects. Where are we with this? What have you heard?

Nutting - The high school is 3-4 years away from being shovel ready. I am on a task force to deal with these proposals. We will submit some projects, what will get selected remains to be determined. Sewer work, water work, maybe the small school projects, would be candidates. They are working hard to collect a lot of information to be prepared. They can't give us anything definitive.

• Old Business - none

• New Business - none

Council Comments
Zollo - happy birthday to Connor for his 7th birthday

McGann -

Doak - happy New Year, this year will be a big challenge.


Executive session
roll call 7-0

Live reporting - 2 minute recess

two minute recess

Live reporting - Incident summary 1/1/09

(A copy of the incident report will be added later)

Mike D'Angelo, Facilities manager
provided a brief overview of the incident over New Year's weekend

Kennedy School

McGann - questioning the presence of a sensor that could have caught the problem.
D'Angelo - yes, the sensor would be valuable, it would not have tripped due to the temperature level in 2 of the 3 buildings as the temp had not dropped enough

Bartlett - I lost power and when it came back, the heat kicked in as well, why not here?
D'Angelo - These motors are protected by circuits and code to protect it from severe spikes in power. Normally, when the power returns, they would have come back. When the power did return, it only came back with 2 of 3 phases. Sensing that, the motor required a manual restart.
Nutting - The motor is about the size of a full keg of beer.

Doak - clarification on what the problem really was, temperature monitors are not going to solve this problem. Why couldn't we get notification from the power company?

Whalen - I am focused on how we can try and avoid this going forward. Anytime the power goes out we have to be notified?
D'Angelo - yes, we should. The boilers were sitting with hot water but it wasn't circulating.

High School

McGann - generator at the high school?
D'Angelo - generator was on and ran all the time

McGann - with the generator on, how did we get the freeze up?
D'Angelo - motor starters did trip, likely because of the 2 of 3 phase power return

McGann - with the money we paid for those generators at the high school and senior center, we should not have had this
D'Angelo - they were in the trip position when we arrived. The heating contractor reset the trips.

Doak - is there a test we can do to see if everything is running properly?
D'Angelo - I think if there is one leg off, this would happen.

McGann - on the power side yes, on the generator side, that is three phase power, this should have come right back on

Zollo - 2 high level principles that I am looking at here. There are experts in these areas, yourself and others, let's get a plan to solve the problem for these extreme contingency events. There will be capital required, and I understand that.

There needs to be monitoring with call outs to multiple points so that when something else comes up, we'll at least have been alerted to address something sooner rather than later.

Pfeffer - if it seems like you are being picked on, you are. You are the Director of Facilities. People are not happy with what happened. The Senior Center was 38 degrees on Friday. Some seniors are dependent upon the center for their food. That is unacceptable.

D'Angelo - getting to the actual root of the problem will help us prevent this in the future. The eyes and ears of a person walking in to check a building will be done over long weekend and other periods going forward.

Doak - will we get a break from the insurance company for putting these other monitoring devices in?
Nutting - Not sure, our out of pocket is $5,000. The insurance will cover the repairs.

Senior Center

Heard about it first on Friday with the Fire Department picking up an alarm.

McGann - Do you have the generators on a cycle?
D'Angelo - yes, they are run once a week, I don't remember the day of the week.

McGann - When all things are back and ready, I would suggest that some time, off hours, we do a test. Make sure that all things are working as they are supposed to be. It doesn't seem right to me.

Pfeffer - Do we have to worry about mold?
D'Angelo - with what we are doing, I don't expect to but if necessary we will.

Feeley - would it be reasonable to come back in 2 weeks with a plan?
D'Angelo - It would be better to do it a little later. Early in February would be better.

Gym floor will be a big one to replace. It really crimps the high school to ahve the gym out. All the recreation programs are already taking space in the other gyms in town.

Live reporting - license transactions

E. APPOINTMENTS - none

F. HEARINGS - none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS –
. Cottage Street Pub & Grill, Inc. – Pledge of License approved 7-0
. Franklin Lodge #2136 BPOE., Inc. – Change of Manager approved 7-0 as amended
. Applebee’s Northeast, Inc. – Change of Manager approved 7-0

Live reporting - Town Council meeting 2

Attending: Whalen, Bartlett, Feeley, Pfeffer, Doak, McGann, Zollo

Absent: Mason, Vallee


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – November 19, 2008, December 3, 2008, December 10, 2008,
and December 17, 2008 Regular & Executive Session

approved - 7-0


B. ANNOUNCEMENTS none

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

Robert Dean, Chairman of the Cable Advisory Committee, talks about the new live feed of the Town Council meetings. Chapters will be available in the archive.

Live reporting: Town Council Meeting

The Town Council meeting is being streamed live on the internet this evening.

Go to the Town home page, and click on the first announcement to get the streaming feed.

"not all the projects can be ignored even when money is tight."

By Aaron Wasserman/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Jan 06, 2009 @ 10:37 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting is recommending spending nearly $1.5 million on capital items this fiscal year, but that number would likely shrink if the state cuts local aid.

Finance Committee members started their review of the recommendations last night with the increasing possibility of cuts in mind. Chairman Jim Roche, for example, said he wants to avoid spending on items that would sit idle should officials have to cut staff.

He said it would be "foolhardy if we spend money on things that may be sitting empty or be better spent elsewhere."

The money for the capital items comes from the town's "free cash" account, essentially comprised of higher-than-expected revenue and unspent money last fiscal year, which ended June 30.

Some of that money could be used instead to cover deficits if Gov. Deval Patrick makes midyear local aid cuts, which he has said are possible. Cuts to next fiscal year's aid are even more likely.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

"It's an opportunity to advance her career"

By Heather McCarron/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Jan 06, 2009 @ 11:32 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

After a little more than a year as the principal at Franklin High School, Pamela Gould is preparing to take a step up the career ladder in another school system.

Gould has been hired as the new assistant superintendent of human resources for the Plymouth School District, a job she will begin later this month. Her last day in Franklin will be Jan. 23.

Gould said that although she is moving up, the decision to leave Franklin so soon after she arrived doesn't come without some regret.

"I feel like there are a lot of things that we started here, some good things, that I'd like to see through on the one side," Gould said, but she has "absolute faith" the colleagues she leaves behind will take up her charge and carry it forward.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Energy $ense Series - Kilowatt Ours

When:
Wednesday, January 14, 2009, 7:00 pm


Where:
Franklin Public Library Community Room
118 Main Street, Lower Level



Moderator:
Ted McIntyre, Ph.D.
Board Member
Massachusetts Climate Action Network


Description:
This film traces the path of the electricity you use in your home from the light switch, through the wires to its source. Along the way you’ll meet power companies, schools, businesses and everyday Americans finding ways to meet our energy needs using conservation and green power. “Kilowatt Ours” will teach you how to dramatically reduce your electric bill and improve the environment at the same time.


Sponsored by:
Franklin Area Climate Team (FACT), Massachusetts Climate Action Network, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Friends of the Franklin Library

In the News - power outage damage, Hope for Animals

About 2,240 National Grid customers lost power early Wednesday for a couple of hours when strong winds downed a power line on Oak Street, a spokesman said.

As a result, the Senior Center's heat went off and the sprinkler system froze and three ventilators at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School and 10 more in the high school broke, causing water damage in all three buildings, said Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting yesterday.

Insurance claims will cover the damage's cost, Nutting said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

About a dozen people and shelter coordinator Melissa Trottier attended last night's meeting to support Hope for Animals.

"How sad it is that this community cannot help," Tanfani said. "We have to have some place for cats. The economic conditions are hard, but if we close our doors in May, you will have the problem of unspayed and feral cats."

To help support the shelter, call 401-996-4129 or visit the Web site www.hopeforcatssanctuary.com.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Conspiracy found

Yes, really, there is a conspiracy revealed within the Franklin Town web site. But no, it is not the kind you were thinking of!

Continuing to explore the 2008 Annual Report I find information on the Human Resources Department.

Welcome To Human Resources

We are partners in building the Town of Franklin by aligning the skills and assignments of our employees with Town initiatives, values, strategies and the needs of all our citizens. We serve as a source of information and expertise that provides quality customer service for employees and citizens and their ever changing needs. We help make Franklin a great place to work and live -- professionally and personally. To do this we work to:

1. Develop an attitude of teamwork and quality in our day to day operations.
2. Create an atmosphere which fosters challenges, fun, safety, and excellence
3. Seize opportunities which demonstrate excellence execution, caring attitude and a sense of urgency.
4. Communicate in a candid and fair manner with the diverse work force from whom our Town derives its strength.
5. Commit to acting openly, equitably and consistently in our pursuit of uncompromising quality.
6. Increase participation in Town and community activities while seeking knowledge, enthusiasm and an improved quality of life for ourselves, co-workers, and the community.
7. Respect team member values which may be different from our own.
8. Accept responsibility for promoting ethical and legal conduct in personal and Town business practices.

You can find this and more information on the Town website. From the Home page, scroll over the Departments link and select More. Scroll down to find the Human Resources Department in alphabetical order.


Check out the "Conspiracy of Kindness" and "Tale of the Goose" here


If you have not picked up your hard copy of the report at Town Hall, you can try to view it online here: http://www.town.franklin.ma.us/pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/2008arpt.pdf

Coverage of the Human Resources Department begins on Page 96.

Second annual town-wide reading program

FRANKLIN -

Join the Franklin Library for its second annual town-wide reading program designed to have everyone in the community read the same book and share ideas expressed in the book by participating in discussions, a film series and author event.

This year’s selection is "Manhunt: The twelve day chase for Lincoln’s killer," by James Swanson.

This nonfiction book tells the story of the plot to assassinate not only Lincoln but other members of his cabinet, and the hunt for the conspirators and their eventual capture. This is a story appropriate for teens as well as adults.

Copies of "Manhunt" are available at the Franklin Library.

Read the full article in the Franklin Gazette here

Senior Center closed until 1/8/09

FRANKLIN —

The town’s senior center will be closed until Thursday, Jan. 8, after it lost power last week, leading to a burst pipe and sprinkler system and water damage. All of the center’s activities are suspended until then.

Damage to the center is minimal, but some computers were covered in water, said the center’s director, Karen Alves. The water largely collected on the multi-purpose room’s floor, which is linoleum, making the clean-up easier.

"Everything looks quite good," Alves said Monday. "The custodial staff was here over the weekend and did a good job, with the exception of the computer lab. We don’t know how many were damaged and are trying to determine that now."

The Dial-A-Ride service in town, operated by the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority, is running as usual this week.

This was originally posted online at the Milford Daily News here.

In the News: repair shops, 2010 budget, space heaters

Car shops and parts places are among the few businesses experiencing growth in the recession, as consumers try to save money by keeping their cars longer, said Jon Hurst, president of the Massachusetts Retailers Association.

"I will vouch for that!" said Adam Dauley, assistant manager at AutoZone on Rte. 140 in Franklin.

"We've had a good 50 percent increase in sales in the last few months. Sales have been unbelievable," he said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

"If it doesn't go up, never mind being cut, we're in trouble," Nutting said.

Franklin gets 37.5 percent of its revenue from state aid; this year, that is $33 million of the town's general fund, he said.

"We're vulnerable to fluctuations in state aid. Other communities are too, but not nearly (as much)," Nutting said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

"They can be very innocuous, but as we saw Dec. 12, it can be fatal," said Franklin Fire Chief Gary McCarraher.

On Dec. 12, Franklin resident Bruce Barck, 62, was killed in a fire ignited in his kitchen by a space heater placed too close to "tons of combustible materials," McCarraher said.

Keeping combustible materials away from space heaters is "vastly important," he said.

The number one recommendation from McCarraher and fire officials in Milford and Bellingham: read, follow and keep the manufacturer's instructions. "Like everything, you've got to read the instructions and use (space heaters) judiciously," said McCarraher.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Town Council - Agenda 1/7/09

January 7, 2009 7:00 PM

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – November 19, 2008, December 3, 2008, December 10, 2008,
and December 17, 2008 Regular & Executive Session

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS –
. Cottage Street Pub & Grill, Inc. – Pledge of License
. Franklin Lodge #2136 BPOE., Inc. – Change of Manager
. Applebee’s Northeast, Inc. – Change of Manager

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 09-01: Acceptance of Grant of Easement and Water Booster Pump Station

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

As posted on the Town website

Long term planning

Two area communities that saw voters turn down requests for tax increases last year are crafting long-term plans that, officials hope, will clearly lay out their town's financial future.

Franklin and Ashland have both created committees with the task of developing three-year budget forecasts, and assessing ways to reduce expenses and increase revenues.

Read the full article in the Boston Globe West section here

The meeting notes and live reports for the Financial Planning Committee can be found in the 2008 Meeting Summary along the right column of Franklin Matters

"The solar-powered spotlight will save the town"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Jan 02, 2009 @ 11:24 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

Driving past the King Street ball field one afternoon, Army Airborne veteran and DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi noticed something awry - a flagpole missing its American flag.

Not only was the flag missing, but so were the lights that should be illuminating it at night, he said.

"When you display an American flag, it's supposed to be lit at all times" though the town couldn't afford to pay for a lighting system at the field, Cantoreggi said.

"As a veteran, I do like to see all American flags illuminated," Cantoreggi said.

So he secured a U.S. flag and a $6,000 grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative for a solar-powered light, which the Department of Public Works installed last week, he said.

Franklin was one of the first 20 communities in the state to apply for and receive such a grant, he added.

"We get the best of both worlds. We get to light the flag, which is the right thing to do, and it doesn't cost anything," Cantoreggi said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

"It's not as difficult as I thought it would be"

FRANKLIN - Joyce Walsh, 77, never took an interest in art, though her daughter, Roseanne Walsh, is an art teacher at Remington Middle School.

She said she was just too busy to ever experiment with it.

"I took a lot of comfort in the fact (Roseanne) was so creative," said Walsh.

But this fall, when high school students offered a special course in watercolor painting at the Senior Center, Walsh decided to give it a go, she said.

"This is my first attempt at any kind of painting. I wanted to see if maybe I did have some talent that didn't emerge after 77 years, maybe I could still make it grow," she said, chuckling.

Read the full article in the Franklin Gazette here

In the news: libraries are busy, regionalization to save costs

Libraries have also become hubs for public internet access, as they provide Web service and the computers needed to use it.

And the most attractive part about libraries in a rotten economy: They're cheap, if not outright free.

Celeste Bruno, a spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, said about 2 million more books and other materials were borrowed from libraries in the 2007-2008 fiscal year than in the previous year. About 54 million items were borrowed that year, she said, plus about 2.2 million people participated in library programs during that time.

"This is a big surge," said Bruno.

Circulation rates are up in local towns in the past few months: Milford is up 30 percent, Franklin by 21 percent, Medway by 16 percent and Millis by 18 percent, she said. But as the demand rises, already thin library budgets could get strained even more with the likelihood of more than $2 billion in state budget cuts.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

The two towns are talking about sharing some services, such as merging transfer stations each community operates in the area. Sudbury capped its dump years ago, and Wayland recently began that process for its own landfill.

But if the two towns worked together, O'Brien said there's a possibility of other projects, such as erecting a solar power panel farm on that wide-open space.

It could generate electricity for municipal buildings in both communities, plus the towns could tap the landfills for methane gas as another energy source, he said. Such a project could save on energy costs and set a standard for the future.

"There is a tremendous savings opportunity for the community. But if we do it right, it's a potential model site for the rest of the commonwealth," said O'Brien.

As cities and towns face ever-tightening local budgets, municipal officials are looking across town lines at the potential of sharing services and splitting the costs with neighboring communities.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Franklin Housing Authority

Amongst the information provided in the 2008 Annual Report is that the Franklin Housing Authority manages 161 units of State Aided Elderly/Disabled Housing, 33 units of low income Family Housing and an 8 unit Group Home. Additionally, the Housing Authority is responsble for an four bedroom congregate facility. This program provides a shared living environment for its residents who maintain private bedrooms. Congragate housing was established for residents who are self-reliant, however may need limited support.

The Franklin Housing Authority owns two single family homes. These properties are reserved for lease to low-income families and affords these families the opporotunity to reside in a residential neigborhood.

The Housing Authority was awarded $1.2 million for the development of an additional Chapter 689 housing facility. Chapter 689 housing is reserved for mentally challenged adults and will be overseen by the Department of Mental Retardation. A suitable site for this development has been secured on Plain Street. Construction was expected to begin in late 2008 according to the Annual Report.

The Franklin Housing Authority can be found on the Town website here or by navigating from the Boards & Commissions link on the Home page.

If you have not picked up your hard copy of the report at Town Hall, you can try to view it online here: http://www.town.franklin.ma.us/pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/2008arpt.pdf

Coverage of the Franklin Housing Authority begins on Page 93.

Franklin Recreation registrations

Register for children’s programs in Franklin
By GateHouse Media, Inc.

The Franklin Recreation Department is taking registrations for Sports For
Tots, SQUISH, Jumping Gymnastics, Tumbling Two’s, and Get that Body Movin’ with
Ms. Susie.

Sports For Tots Program, Carpe Diem turf field at Aubuchon Hardware,
Cottage Street, for ages 3 ½-5 years, Tuesdays, Jan. 6 to Feb. 10, 1 to 2 p.m.;
$80.

SQUISH, a sensory exploration class for toddlers, for children ages 30
months to 4 years old, Fridays, Jan. 9 to Feb. 6, 9 to 10 a.m.; $55.

Jumping Gymnastics, for children ages 30 months to 4 years old, Wednesdays,
Jan. 7 to Feb. 4, 10 to 10:45 a.m.; $55.

Tumbling Two’s, for children mobile to 2 ½ years old, Wednesdays, Jan. 7 to
Feb. 4, 9 to 9:45 a.m.; $55.

Get That Body Movin’ with Ms. Susie, for 18 months to 4 years old, Mondays,
Jan. 5 to Feb. 2, 9 to 9:45 a.m.; $55.

Register in the recreation department, 150 Emmons St., or online at
www.franklin.ma.us/recreation and click on the link that says "Online
Registration." Call the office at 508-520-4909 for information.

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

Franklin Recreation offers winter programs

By GateHouse Media, Inc.

The Franklin Recreation Department is still taking registrations for winter programs, some of which include Bon A Petite, Boston Top Secret Science for preschoolers and Ms. Amy’s Art classes.

Bon A Petite — Call all budding chefs! This drop off cooking class, especially designed for 3 1/2- to 5-year-olds, is an opportunity to create delicious snacks and recipes. Participants will stir, measure, bake and cook a different project every class. Taught by two certified teachers, a book and craft will compliment each food activity. The class will be held Mondays, Jan. 5 to Feb. 2, from 1 to 2 p.m. The cost is $75.

Boston Top Secret Science (Preschoolers) — The students enrolled in this course will be exposed to a variety of scientific topics through exciting experiments and beautiful children’s literature. Children will examine the effects of water on polymers, sun’s heat and light by making our own kaleidoscopes. Dive into a new topic each week with these thrilling experiments that will be sure to mold the minds of these young learners into future scientists.

Make and take home projects and experience three to five different hands-on science experiments each week. All materials are included in course fee. The class will be held Thursdays, Jan. 8 to 29, from 10 to 10:45 a.m. The cost is $50.

Ms. Amy’s Art classes — Ms. Amy brings her art classes to Franklin Recreation. It’s time to get messy! Come and explore the many different ways to paint. Your child will get a painter’s education on how to use a paintbrush, create color, and make their paintings come to life with shape and texture. Bring a smock or wear paint clothes. The class will be held Wednesdays, Jan. 28 to March 11, (there will be no class Feb. 18) and Thursdays, Jan. 29 to March 12, (there will be no class Feb. 20) from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $55.

Drawing From Life — If your child has an interest in drawing then come and join us for some fun. Each week we will look at a real object and learn how to draw it. Your child will learn about how shapes create drawings and will use shading and color to bring their drawings to life. This class will be held Tuesdays, Jan. 27 to March 10, from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. There will be no class held on Feb. 17. The class is for children 7 to 12 years old. The cost is $55.

Register in the recreation department, 150 Emmons St., or online at www.franklin.ma.us/recreation and click on the link that says "Online Registration." Call the office at 508-520-4909 for information.

Franklin Historical Commission

Amongst the information provided in the 2008 Annual Report is one and a half pages on the Historical Commission. Did you know

A web page on the Town's newly redesigned web site describes the purpose and functions of the Historical Commission. You can find that page here or navigate from the Boards & Commissions link on the Town home page.

The most exciting business the Historical Commision has underway is the move of the museum to the renovated Senior Center/old Town Hall. Moving the museum downtown will make it more accessible to all. The larger space will enable display of key artifacts such as

• 1912 pump organ
• 1890 Trowbridge piano
• Red Brick School scrapbooks
• a hand crank Victrola
• Horace Mann documentation
• items from the Civil War, World War I and World War II

Students at Tri-County Vocational built some display cabinets for the museum artifacts.

Work remains to continue the renovation of the 150+ year old building to bring it into compliance with current museum standards for appropriate heat, light and humidity exposure.

Once opened sometime later in 2009, the museum should continue to operate with free admission and due to the generous volunteer support offer extended visiting hours.

If you have not picked up your hard copy of the report at Town Hall, you can try to view it online here: http://www.town.franklin.ma.us/pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/2008arpt.pdf

Coverage of the Franklin Historical Commission begin on page 91.

Happy New Year!

To all Franklin Matters readers, thank you.

Have a happy new year!

"We've got a tough road ahead of us"

Aid to towns and cities could be on the chopping block in a second round of midyear state budget cuts that local officials were grimly expecting, but have little capacity to absorb.

Gov. Deval Patrick announced yesterday he will ask the Legislature for expanded authority to cut the state budget because tax collections may drop another $1 billion below projections.

This comes just two months after declining tax revenues triggered $1.4 billion in cuts that included state layoffs, but steered clear of the local aid that fuels municipal departments and schools.

Patrick said yesterday, however, local aid is now on the table.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Meeting notes archive for 2008

 

2008

The collection of meeting notes for calendar year 2008 (scroll down to find 2009)

• Financial Planning Comm Minutes
• Financial Plng Comm 09/04/08
• Financial Plng Comm 09/18/08
• Financial Plng Comm 10/02/08
• Financial Plng Comm 10/16/08
• Financial Plng Comm 11/20/08
• Financial Plng Comm 12/04/08
• FINCOM Meeting Summary 4/09/08
• FINCOM Meeting Summary 4/14/08
• FINCOM Meeting Summary 5/6/08
• Joint Council School Meeting 1/9/08
• Override Information Forum 5/28/08
• School Committee Meeting 01/8/08
• School Committee Meeting 02/26/08
• School Committee Meeting 03/11/08
• School Committee Meeting 03/25/08
• School Committee Meeting 04/29/08
• School Committee Meeting 05/13/08
• School Committee Meeting 06/24/08
• School Committee Meeting 07/15/08
• School Committee Meeting 08/26/08
• School Committee Meeting 09/09/08
• School Committee Meeting 10/14/08
• School Committee Meeting 10/28/08
• School Committee Meeting 11/18/08
• School Committee Meeting 12/09/08
• Town Council Mtg Smry 02/06/08
• Town Council Mtg Smry 02/13/08
• Town Council Mtg Smry 03/05/08
• Town Council Mtg Smry 03/19/08
• Town Council Mtg Smry 04/02/08
• Town Council Mtg Smry 04/16/08
• Town Council Mtg Smry 04/30/08
• Town Council Mtg Smry 05/07/08
• Town Council Mtg Smry 06/04/08
• Town Council Mtg Smry 06/18/08
• Town Council Mtg Smry 07/23/08
• Town Council Mtg Smry 09/03/08
• Town Council Mtg Smry 09/17/08
• Town Council Mtg Smry 10/01/08
• Town Council Mtg Smry 10/15/08
• Town Council Mtg Smry 11/05/08
• Town Council Mtg Smry 11/19/08
• Town Council Mtg Smry 12/03/08

"being respectful and kind to others"

By Julia Spitz/Daily News staff

The MetroWest Daily News

Posted Dec 29, 2008 @ 11:04 PM

---

It's all about relationships. And rising to a challenge.

As a community resource officer in Franklin, Patrolman Dan MacLean's job includes talking to senior citizens about identity theft, and helping students stay on the straight and narrow.

"The most rewarding aspects of my job are the relationships that I have developed within these groups."

MacLean has another role in the community. The former assistant coach for the Franklin High School football and wrestling teams became head football coach at Tri-County three years ago.

"I believe being a police officer and coach is an advantage on a number of fronts. While acting in the capacity of a coach, I have the ability to challenge the students on and off the fields, both in athletics and academically. This also allows me to develop relationships and a degree of trust with the student population."

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

"They're losing a lot on their investments"

By David Riley/Daily News Staff

GHS

Posted Dec 29, 2008 @ 10:57 PM

---

Winter weather is causing a soggy new headache for towns and cities working to keep foreclosed homes from becoming safety hazards: water pipes that freeze and burst in empty houses.

In Franklin, burst pipes damaged two foreclosed condominiums in the Forge Hill area, Building Commissioner David Roche said.

"This house had about six inches of water in the basement," Roche said. "Unless you get that stuff out of there - the wet sheet rock, the wet rugs and everything - mold will start growing."

Municipal officials say when these problems spring up, they usually happen in homes partway through the foreclosure process, or taken over by far-away or financially troubled mortgage companies.

The residents have left, and power and heat are shut off. But the water is still on, and pipes and water heaters have not been drained. They freeze when temperatures drop, sometimes bursting the pipes as the ice expands, and the water flows out freely when they thaw.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Mercury Thermometer Exchange

Did you know that you could use the Mercury Thermometer Exchange at Town Hall?

The program takes place daily in the Board of Health office. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Wednesday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Your glass mercury fever thermometer will be exchanged for a new digital thermometer.

Mercury is a metallic element commonly found in glass fever thermometers. Mercury is a neurotoxin in low doses and is released into the environment can potentially cause harm to the environment and to human health.

You can confirm this on the Town Board of Health web page here

Board of Health facts - part 2

Amongst the statistics provided in the 2008 Annual Report is the communicable diseases that the Board of Health is required to track. In the two dozen odd listed in the Annual Report the top three were:

• Lyme disease -> 61
• Chicken pox - > 44
• Dog bites - 17

If you have not picked up your hard copy of the report at Town Hall, you can try to view it online here: http://www.town.franklin.ma.us/pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/2008arpt.pdf

Coverage of the Board of Health begins on Page 89.

Board of Health facts

Local Boards of Health are required by State Statutes and regulations to perform many important and crucial duties relative to the protection of public health. The following is a small list of duties the local Board of Health has concerning sanitation and environment problems.


A. Record Keeping. Administrative: Permits, Licenses, Plan review maintain records for the minimum time period, process death certificates.

B. Health and Disease control communicable disease tracking and reporting 105 CMR 300.100. Report listed diseases to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Receive track, inspect and report to the state DPH cases of food poisoning.

C. Housing and dwellings: Enforce chapter II of the State Sanitary Code. 105 CMR 410.000 (Minimum Standards For Human Habitation). Inspections, Condemnation and demolition orders. Hearings on associated issues.

D. Hazardous Waste controls 310 CMR. Hazardous waste management. Oil and hazardous material spills Permits for waste haulers. Contact DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) for approved waste sites and spill incidences. Approve waste sites and transfer stations.

E. Solid waste: landfills 310 CMR. Approve sanitary landfills and transfer stations.

F. Sewage and garbage: Enforce Title V of the State Environmental Code 310 CMR( Minimum Requirements For The Subsurface Disposal of Sewage). Inspections of new and existing systems. Review of engineered septic plans. Investigate complaints. Process permits

G. Nuisances: Judged a public health risk.

H. Food Establishment Inspections: 105 CMR 590. Inspection. Follow up on complaints. Investigate food borne illness. Address deficiencies and bring food establishments up to code. Assure the proper/sanitary preparation of foods (temperature and storage conditions). Monitor labeling requirements for food products.

I. Pool and Beaches Inspections: Chapter V of the State sanitary Code.

J. Camps, Motels and Mobile Home Parks: 105 CMR 440.000.

K. Miscellaneous Health Complaints: Day care, Pesticides etc.

L. Permitting and inspecting. This includes biotechnology facilities with rDNA and or Infectious agents classification under Town Bylaw Ch. 198-1.

You can find this information on the Franklin Town page here

The top level Board of Health page can be found here

Franklin History - percolator patent

1865 - James H. Mason of Franklin, MA patented the coffee percolator that makes coffee good to the last drop!

Fire Dept - Reports

In addition to the statistics provided in the 2008 Annual Report, the Fire Department publishes their performance statistics monthly to their section of the Town web site.

You can find the Fire Department page here

You can find the report section here

You can find the monthly response statistics here




If you have not picked up your hard copy of the report at Town Hall, you can try to view it online here: http://www.town.franklin.ma.us/pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/2008arpt.pdf

Coverage of the Fire Department begins on Page 82.

Merry Christmas to all!

in the news: pre-school, kindergarten

First Friends drop-off preschool class offered

By GateHouse Media, Inc.

The Franklin Recreation Department isoffering a drop-off preschool class starting on Monday, Jan. 5 or Tuesday, Jan. 6, 9:30-11 a.m. Do you have a 2-3 year old who wishes they could go to school? Let your preschooler enjoy some independence and socialization with peers in this preschool curriculum based drop off class taught by two certified teachers. Each week we will explore a different theme and have related activities such as stories, songs, fingerplays, art activities, and games as well as gross motor play. This 1 1/2 hour class is a great transitioning first step before preschool and longer drop off activities. Snack is provided, however if your child has allergies we ask that you provide their snack. Also, send a labeled sippy cup for your child. This class will be held at the Franklin Recreation Department, 150 Emmons St. Call to register.

This article was originally posted here

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Kindergarten registration set for 2009-2010 in Franklin

By GateHouse Media, Inc.

Kindergarten Registration for the Franklin Public Schools will be held in the Horace Mann School Cafeteria, 224 Oak St., Feb. 2 and 3, 4 to 6 p.m., and Feb. 4 and 5, 3 to 5 p.m. All children born on or before Aug. 31, 2004, are eligible to register for kindergarten. Bring the following along for registration: 1. Original birth certificate — Original and a copy for school files. 2. Immunization Record — You will not be able to register your child without a physician’s copy of the immunization record. 3. Proof of residence — All applicants for kindergarten enrollment must bring at least one document each from the following categories: Category A: Record of recent mortgage payment or tax bill, copy of a lease and a record of a recent rental payment, landlord affidavit (notarized letter) and a recent rental payment, Section 8 agreement, or a signed HUD settlement statement. Category B: valid driver’s license, valid Massachusetts photo ID card, passport, or other government-issued photo ID. Franklin preschools and day cares will be sending kindergarten registration folders home with your child. If your child does not attend a Franklin preschool or daycare, folders will be available at registration and also at the F.X.O’Regan Early Childhood Development Center, located at 224 Oak Street (rear). Call 508-541-8166, ext. 2938, for assistance.

This was originally posted here

"wearing all black and using a black umbrella"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Dec 23, 2008 @ 11:25 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

Police will likely not charge the 29-year-old driver whose dump truck struck and killed 90-year-old Palma A. Johnson while she was walking to morning Mass on Dec. 11, said Deputy Police Chief Stephan Semerjian.

Accident reconstructionists advised against charging the driver, Norwood resident Derek Hamlin, who was operating a 10-wheel dump truck for Joe Woodall & Son Construction of Franklin after concluding he was driving in a "reasonable manner" and reacted properly, he said.

Johnson was walking on a crosswalk on Pleasant Street at 6:56 a.m., coming from the charter school area, when Hamelin's truck hit her, he said.

"It was a very rainy, dark morning," Semerjian said.

Police reports also stated Johnson was wearing all black and using a black umbrella to shield herself from the rain, said Lt. Thomas Lynch. There have been a number of accidents at Church Square, Semerjian said, speculating that many drivers are coming from the Norfolk direction toward St. Mary's and are probably focused on the traffic lights rather than the crosswalk 40 or 50 feet past the lights.

The accident reconstruction was "pretty exhaustive," Semerjian said.

Police conducted a test of the ambient light.

"At no time did it reach a point where the light measure would have allowed him (Hamlin) to see. (He) was operating in a safe manner in regards to the road conditions," Semerjian said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Fire Dept -

Did you know that the 2008 Annual Report provides the Mission Statement for the Fire Department?

The mission of the Franklin Fire Department is to …

• Have a positive impact in the lives of citizens and visitors of Franklin in their time of crisis by providing compassionate, contemporary, community driven services.
• Safeguard human life from the perils of fire, sudden illness, injury or other emergency medical condition, natural and man-made disasters as well as preserve the environment and property from ensuing destruction.
• Be responsible for a safe, productive and pleasant work environment for our employees, and provide them opportunities to gain new skills and advance their personal career goals.

----------

The operational objectives the department uses to measure its success in meeting our mission are:

1. Initiating advanced life support to patients within 8 minutes of receiving the telephone call at our communications center.
2. To access, extricate, treat and transport and transport trauma patients to a level one trauma medical facility within one hour of the occurrence of the injury.
3. Interrupt the progression of fires in structures within 8 minutes of open flame ignition.
4. Maintain overall emergency response readiness above 70%.
5. Provide safety and survival skills for all school students in grade K through 5 consistent with the Student Awareness Fire Education (SAFE) initiative of the Commonwealth.
6. Provide educational opportunities for department members to insure optimal performance and safety.
7. To develop and maintain “best practice” to insure personnel and citizen safety.
8. Insure fire safety through timely, consistent code compliance services to all external customers.
9. Provide all department services in a manner that satisfies the needs of our customers.

If you have not picked up your hard copy of the report at Town Hall, you can try to view it online here: http://www.town.franklin.ma.us/pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/2008arpt.pdf

"start being more aware of their role (in the community)"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GateHouse News Service

Posted Dec 22, 2008 @ 10:17 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

Rather than Girl Scouts or the other clubs they would normally join, seven students at Annie Sullivan Middle School signed up to spend their time after school helping people and saving the environment.

In their first few months with the school's new service club, Communiteen, the young women have already collected more than 250 coats for kids, a roomful of presents and donations for needy families to open up on Christmas and started researching a new community project.

``I grew up always knowing it's important to feel responsible for other people and to help out other people,'' said Mariel Calnan, an eighth-grade special education teacher at Annie Sullivan who started and runs the group.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Safe Party Guide from MADD

If you are going to be hosting a party during this holiday season, please check out the Safe Party Guide from MADD here.

It may help to prevent something that would spoil the party or the season!

Financial Planning Committee Minutes - 11/20/08

FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
November 20,2008

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm

Members present: Finance Committee members James Roche, and Rebecca Cameron, Councilors Deborah Bartlett and Steve Whalen. School Committee Members, Roberta Trahan and Matt Kelley. Residents, Doug Hardesty and Gwynne Wilschek.

Also present were Town Administrator Jeff Nutting, School Superintendent Wayne Ogden and School Finance Director Miriam Goodman.

Motion to accept the minutes of October 16, 2008 by Councilor Bartlett.
Second by Roberta Trahan
Vote: Yes all

The Superintendent of Schools gave an in depth review of the FY 10 budget requests.
The Schools will need a 6.45% increase or $3.2 million to maintain the level of service.
They would also need an additional $600,000 for the next five-years to restore the reductions in force over the last several years.

The School budget is 83% personnel costs, while SPED and health insurance make up a large portion of the remaining budget.

The Committee asks questions in attempts to understand the barriers and any potential ideas.

The meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm

Respectfully,

Jeff Nutting

"There's really been a culture change"

Over the past decade, Revere has seen significant statistical drops in the percentage of middle school and high school students who use and abuse alcohol, coinciding with what local officials, parents, and students themselves say has been a shift in attitudes about drinking.

That's no accident. Since 1997, Massachusetts General Hospital and Partners HealthCare have spent $4.4 million to fund a program called Revere CARES, designed to reduce teen drinking and substance abuse in a community where adults themselves abused alcohol and drugs at considerably higher rates than the state as a whole.

....

The data show particular improvement among middle schoolers' behavior in the five years since Revere CARES launched a campaign called the "Power of Know," which included getting more than 1,000 parents of adolescents to sign cards pledging to talk with their children about alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, listen to their kids, and get to know their children's friends and their parents.

Bold for my emphasis

Read the full article in the Boston Globe here

Teacher Resources - Lab Out Loud

For science teachers and those interested in science, Lab Out Loud is a wonderful resource.

Why?
It highlights other good resources within the world of science.

For example: The Periodic Table of Videos hosted by the University of Nottingham



Enjoy!

stone tree in snow

stone tree in snow, originally uploaded by shersteve.

It is good to walk your route in reverse.

As many times as I have passed this tree, I was always coming the other way and never noticed the fine stone work where a limb once was.

Go the other way for a change.

Enjoy!