This is good to know!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
oh no, the start of a sink hole! and King Street was just recently redone
oh no, the start of a sink hole! and the street was just recently redone, originally uploaded by shersteve.
Found on King St heading towards RT 140, between Summer St and Summer St.
I'll come back later to try and measure how deep it is.
Updated 3/8/09 - I did measure it and it is 8" deep, deceiving but potentially dangerous.
"they were very brave"
GHS
FRANKLIN - Standing tall with her flashcards, fourth-grader Beatrice Riley told Clara Barton's life story 12 times yesterday.Read the full article about the living wax museum in the Milford Daily News hereWearing a white dress and signature giant red cross to portray Barton, delivered Barton's story six times to second and third-graders and another six times to parents by day's end.
"I was shy and I overcame my shyness ... I was intelligent and curious, and most important, I founded the Red Cross in the United States," she explained again and again, tirelessly retelling the highlights of Barton's life.
Riley and 22 other students transformed Davis Thayer Elementary School's cafeteria to a living wax museum of historical figures, including Mozart, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Neil Armstrong, Anne Frank, Marie Curie and more modern icons such as Bill Gates and Elvis.
Harlem Wizards vs. Sullivan Rockets
Anxious to get out of the house? Looking for a fun, affordable, local family activity? Want to get in the mood for March Madness?
The Harlem Wizards are coming to Franklin!
The Harlem Wizards, one of the greatest basketball show-team organizations to ever “lace it up and let’em fly”, will play our own Sullivan Rockets. This will be an entertaining night for kids of all ages (and adults too)!
Date:
Location:
Tickets:
Contacts:
Sponsored By:
You may also order tickets online for a minimum fee:
www.harlemwizards.com
The Harlem Wizards are coming to Franklin!
The Harlem Wizards, one of the greatest basketball show-team organizations to ever “lace it up and let’em fly”, will play our own Sullivan Rockets. This will be an entertaining night for kids of all ages (and adults too)!
Date:
Friday, March 13th, 2009, 7:00 PM
Doors Open 6:30, Game Time 7:00
Location:
Tri-County Regional High School
147 Pond St, Franklin MA
Tickets:
Click through to order form here on the Annie Sullivan PCC website
Contacts:
ayotte_k at verizon.net or erinclong at comcast.net
Sponsored By:
Annie Sullivan Middle School PCC
www.franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/sullivan/pcc
You may also order tickets online for a minimum fee:
www.harlemwizards.com
"invest accordingly"
Dr Scott McLeod writes:
One benefit that the Franklin school district has is with it's leadership. The School Committee is a good bunch of folks exploring the new media web, willing to go paperless (and go green in the process). They have had the foresight to bring in Superintendent Wayne Ogden. He was great for Franklin. What hurt him and caused him to tender his resignation for the end of this school year was our budget problems.
They were fortunate to backfill Wayne with Asst Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski. She has years of experience in Franklin and will be able to step right in so the district won't miss a beat. The administration and School Committee are making good progress on a suitable replacement for Maureen. They have been doing this at other levels within the district getting good relacements for principals and other key personnel. This is a hallmark of a good organization.
The one area that remains is the budget. Franklin as a whole needs to step up to the plate and properly fund the schools. We have been living off the largesse from the state and that won't last.
It is time that Franklin paid a fair share for the education of their own children.
Leadership is absolutely critical to the success of any organization. Whether it be a school, corporation, government, faith institution, non-profit agency, or local community group, every organization lives and dies by its leadership. Organizations with effective, visionary leaders thrive. Organizations with lackluster, ineffective leaders muddle along or decline.This is the 4th in his continuing series on education in Iowa. I have already referenced his earlier posts here, here and here.
One benefit that the Franklin school district has is with it's leadership. The School Committee is a good bunch of folks exploring the new media web, willing to go paperless (and go green in the process). They have had the foresight to bring in Superintendent Wayne Ogden. He was great for Franklin. What hurt him and caused him to tender his resignation for the end of this school year was our budget problems.
They were fortunate to backfill Wayne with Asst Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski. She has years of experience in Franklin and will be able to step right in so the district won't miss a beat. The administration and School Committee are making good progress on a suitable replacement for Maureen. They have been doing this at other levels within the district getting good relacements for principals and other key personnel. This is a hallmark of a good organization.
The one area that remains is the budget. Franklin as a whole needs to step up to the plate and properly fund the schools. We have been living off the largesse from the state and that won't last.
It is time that Franklin paid a fair share for the education of their own children.
Friday, March 6, 2009
T, can you hear me?
Facebook has a group collecting membership to help direct the MBTA to use Google Transit and improve the information available on the T operations.
If you don't have a Facebook account but would still like to join the group, click through and you can create an account quickly.
To view the info on Google Transit, click here
If you have a Facebook account and would like to join the group, click through here
Google has a site called Google Transit, that acts as a Google Maps of sorts for buses and trains in rural and urban areas of the United States. If you've never seen it before, go check it out on the link posted below. The program has been adopted by the New York City transit authority (Metro), among many others. More importantly, for those of you with iPhones, if you go to the maps application, you can get transit (bus, train) directions to your destinations. This feature uses Google Transit data and maps.
Unfortunately, for some reason the MBTA is still not on the program. All that needs to happen is for the MBTA to get in touch with Google to list their buses and trains on the website.
I've created this group to raise support, interest, and awareness for the fact that people want the MBTA on Google Transit. It seems so simple and frankly, the Boston area as a whole looks a little silly for not having their transit authority's buses and trains listed on the website.
So... invite all your friends, anyone who rides the T, or simply someone who feels that this is a logical and simple step to more accessibility for the MBTA and Boston.
If you don't have a Facebook account but would still like to join the group, click through and you can create an account quickly.
To view the info on Google Transit, click here
A student's view
We shared the viewpoint of several key educators and thinkers yesterday. Today, let's share the view of a student:
Thanks to Dr Scott McLeod for the link
Thanks to Dr Scott McLeod for the link
Financial Plng Comm 03/05/09
The collection of live reporting for the Financial Planning Committee meeting on 3/5/09:
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Live reporting - FPC continued
Teacher compensation needs to be understood to develop the assumptions. A percent makes a difference when the schools account for 33% of the overall budget.
Big discussion on how to present the data to create the proper conversation.
Jeff will look at the revenue and expense assumptions to see if there would be any changes.
The assumptions will be critical as these numbers will be what will drive the model.
Meeting next week on the 12th
Doug will update the changes and we'll pick up from there.
Big discussion on how to present the data to create the proper conversation.
Jeff will look at the revenue and expense assumptions to see if there would be any changes.
The assumptions will be critical as these numbers will be what will drive the model.
Meeting next week on the 12th
Doug will update the changes and we'll pick up from there.
Live reporting - Financial Planning (continued)
When doing the benchmarks with other communities, need to define why which towns are used for which categories. For school comparisons, the number of students needs to be similar. When you get to Police, Fire, and DPW, they get problematic as they are not an apples to apples comparison.
Discussion on the teacher salary percent increases, mixing the cost of living and the step/lane changes is confusing, need to be more clear.
Discussion on the teacher salary percent increases, mixing the cost of living and the step/lane changes is confusing, need to be more clear.
Live reporting - Financial Planning Committee
Attending: Roche, Cameron, Hardesty, Ogden, Trahan, Whalen, Wilschek (late), Bartlett (late), Nutting (late)
Absent: Kelly, Zollo,
Review of Steve Whalen's charts/tables. He updated the numbers he has prepared for the past two years. He has two new charts, one that shows Franklin is third from the bottom in percent of revenue from property taxes (~46%). Another shows Franklin at the top of the listing in terms of the percent of revenue from the state (~30%)
Need to look at the past history across the state for operational vs. debt override results, what does that show, would be good to have.
Reviewing the draft compiled by Doug Hardesty: Working through the draft, page by page, looking carefully for the wording and what it conveys to try and get the message tight and accurate.
Absent: Kelly, Zollo,
Review of Steve Whalen's charts/tables. He updated the numbers he has prepared for the past two years. He has two new charts, one that shows Franklin is third from the bottom in percent of revenue from property taxes (~46%). Another shows Franklin at the top of the listing in terms of the percent of revenue from the state (~30%)
Need to look at the past history across the state for operational vs. debt override results, what does that show, would be good to have.
Reviewing the draft compiled by Doug Hardesty: Working through the draft, page by page, looking carefully for the wording and what it conveys to try and get the message tight and accurate.
"Take a deep breath; you can do this"
Well said!
The world is changing because of social web technologies. Our kids are using them. No one is teaching them how to use them to their full learning potential, and ultimately, as teachers and learners, that’s our responsibility. To do that, we need to be able to learn in these contexts for ourselves.
This is Wil Richardson writing about a new report from the Harvard Graduate School Of Education. You can find Wil's complete posting here. He also has the link to the Harvard report or you go directly to the report here, and then go to Wil's page.
Recommended viewing
Technology has created a world where learning takes place here and now.
How do we want to prepare our children for the future?
one laptop per student
Dr Scott McLeod is continuing his series on recommendations for the Iowa schools. In part 3, he writes:
In addition to funding, numerous other challenges exist as well. One of the biggest is the current predisposition of schools to invest in teacher-centric technologies like televisions, DVD/VCR players, projectors, electronic whiteboards, and document cameras. They’re important and useful but they’re also primarily used as yet another way for teachers to push out information to students. In contrast, laptops, netbooks, digital cameras, small high-definition camcorders, digital voice recorders, webcams, digital scientific probes or sensors, and other devices are primarily used by students to facilitate their own academic learning. If we want Iowa students to gain the technology skills they will need to be productive citizens and workers, schools should be making as many investments in these latter, student-centric devices as possible. There also are a number of free or low-cost online software and tools that students and teachers can use in creative and productive ways.You can read the full article here. It is rich with links and additional media (pictures and video).
Interesting court case in CT on schools
A court case from Connecticut is stirring a debate over where to draw the line on what schools can or should do about things students say online. High school student Avery Doninger railed online against the “douchebags” in her school district and urged her classmates to bombard the superintendent with complaints to “piss her off more.” When the school said that this was inappropriate for a student government leader and told her she couldn’t run for senior class secretary, she sued.
The lawsuit has gone up and down in the courts, but so far the student has lost. All the legal nitty-gritty on the Doninger case is available starting here, courtesy of NSBA’s Legal Clips e-newsletter.
You can read the full posting on the National School Board Association website here
"town helps create favorable conditions for business expansion"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
In its ongoing efforts to reel in some extra cash, Town Council last night voted unanimously to establish Forge Park and Franklin Industrial Park as economic opportunity areas.
Designating the two parks as economic opportunity areas will provide significant incentives for businesses and property owners wishing to sell, lease, develop or redevelop their properties, said Bryan Taberner, director of the Department of Planning and Community Development.
In turn, the business expansions and developments will bring more tax revenue, he said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.
For everything that occurred during the Town Council meeting on 3/4/09, check my live reporting here
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Town Council Mtg 03/04/09
Here is the summary of live reporting posts for the meeting 3/4/09
Live reporting - Administrator, and closing
Thanks to the DPW for the never-ending winter we are having.
Thanks to Jim Dacey and Susan Gagner for their work to gain us an upgrade on our bond rating which saves us $100,000 in interest.
Compliment Allen Earl's new book on Franklin, available in local bookstores
Group working to make the rail trail a reality as an other recreation use in Franklin, contact Jeff Nutting if interested in helping out.
Food Pantry met with Chris Feeley, a pretty positive meeting. We are looking for a new location.
Old business - none
New business -
Vallee - are delinquencies up in this economy?
Nutting - actually no, the banks are tending to pay to protect their property
Councilor Comments
Bartlett - TV Trivia is the theme for the next FEF Trivia Bee is coming March 19th
Move to executive session
roll call - unanimous
Thanks to Jim Dacey and Susan Gagner for their work to gain us an upgrade on our bond rating which saves us $100,000 in interest.
Compliment Allen Earl's new book on Franklin, available in local bookstores
Group working to make the rail trail a reality as an other recreation use in Franklin, contact Jeff Nutting if interested in helping out.
Food Pantry met with Chris Feeley, a pretty positive meeting. We are looking for a new location.
Old business - none
New business -
Vallee - are delinquencies up in this economy?
Nutting - actually no, the banks are tending to pay to protect their property
Councilor Comments
Bartlett - TV Trivia is the theme for the next FEF Trivia Bee is coming March 19th
Move to executive session
roll call - unanimous
Live reporting - action items
2. Resolution 09-10: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with Town of Medway
Motion to approve 7-0
A joint agreement that Franklin will administer the program and gain the fees from Medway to offset the overall administration overhead. A win-win move to trial until Dec 2010. Will come back with status updates.
3. Resolution 09-11: Appropriation – Capital – Fire Dept Ladder Truck
Motion to approve 7-0
4. Resolution 09-12: Appropriation – Capital – DPW Lawn mower
Motion to approve 7-0
The new one is $75K, a used one is $35K, this is a good buy to save the town money
This is a wider cut machine replacing a 15 year old unit
7. Bylaw Amendment 09-630:Amendment to Chapter 37, Town Properties - 1st Reading
Motion to move to second reading 7-0
Motion to approve 7-0
A joint agreement that Franklin will administer the program and gain the fees from Medway to offset the overall administration overhead. A win-win move to trial until Dec 2010. Will come back with status updates.
3. Resolution 09-11: Appropriation – Capital – Fire Dept Ladder Truck
Motion to approve 7-0
4. Resolution 09-12: Appropriation – Capital – DPW Lawn mower
Motion to approve 7-0
The new one is $75K, a used one is $35K, this is a good buy to save the town money
This is a wider cut machine replacing a 15 year old unit
7. Bylaw Amendment 09-630:Amendment to Chapter 37, Town Properties - 1st Reading
Motion to move to second reading 7-0
live reporting - action items
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 09-09: Appropriation – Survey on 30+ Acres on Pond Street
discussion on the survey details
Motion approved 7-0
1. Resolution 09-09: Appropriation – Survey on 30+ Acres on Pond Street
discussion on the survey details
Motion approved 7-0
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