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"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Mar 05, 2009 @ 12:43 AM

---

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

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
• Live reporting - action items
• live reporting - action items
• Live reporting - Planning update
• Live reporting - Town Council 3/4/09

• Town Council - Agenda - 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

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

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

Live reporting - Town Council 3/4/09

Attending: Whalen, Mason, Vallee, Bartlett, Feeley, Pfeffer, Doak
Missing: McGann, Zollo


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 4, 11, 2009
Motion approved - 7-0

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chris Feeley read an announcement formally acknowledging the state's interest in purchasing land to expand the Franklin Forest as reported earlier.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - None

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - None

E. APPOINTMENTS - Public Land Use Committee

• Timothy Twardowski
• James Estabrook

Motion approved 7-0


F. HEARINGS - None

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None

Live reporting - Planning update

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS –

1. Update – Mike D’Angelo
postponed until 3/18/09 meeting so McGann can participate

2. Update – Bryan Taberner, Director of Planning

NewStyle building - working underway

Priority development sites and economic opportunity areas
will raise attention to the area for development
two resolutions before you to take action in this area
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) proposed as part of these areas

Pond Street parcel approved for priority development as requested earlier
Should hear next week on the grant application for up to $60K
This would help streamline the processing of permits, etc within the town
as well as to help market the parcel itself

Now that the parcel is a priority development site, the State will help us to market the site

What we have to do is to develop the process, stick to it, and guarantee a 180 approval process
We are already well within 180 days for most approvals today

Difference between the priority development and economic opportunity is that the owners need to sign off on the priority development individually, they do not need to sign off on the economic opportunity proposal

Skipping ahead to those resolutions in the agenda

5. Resolution 09-13: Creation of Forge Park Economic Opportunity Area
This enables the possibility of a TIF agreement but does not guarantee it. The Council still has final say on the TIF.

Motion to approve 7-0


6. Resolution 09-14: Creation of Franklin Industrial Park Economic Opportunity Area

Motion to approve 7-0

"online coursework can be an excellent option"

When most people think about online learning, they think about adults taking online university classes. Or they might think about the online training that occurs in many workplaces. But online learning opportunities occur in the K-12 sector as well and are increasingly popular with students and their families.

The Sloan Consortium estimates that at least 1 million K-12 public school students took an online course last year. This represents approximately 2% of the national K-12 public school student population and is a 22–fold increase since 2000. About 20 states have statewide virtual high schools that deliver online courses to students across the state.

Dr. Scott McLeod writes on his blog, Dangerously Irrelevant, this post about online learning opportunities.

As you read the following, do a simple replacement exercise, substitute "Franklin, MA" in place of Iowa.

A robust online learning infrastructure for students makes a lot of sense for the state of Iowa (and I’m glad there’s a bill in the Iowa House to consider it). If we’re honest with ourselves, we will recognize that most of our school districts will NEVER be able to provide the curricular diversity that most of our graduates need to be effective digital, global workers and citizens. If we’re truly honest, we also will recognize that the Iowa Communications Network (ICN) is not a viable future option. The ICN is a closed, aging network and the course offerings (and monies) there, like everything else in the world, must move to the Web. Whether it’s a statewide virtual school or some other model, we must significantly increase the number of online courses available to Iowa students if we are to provide them access to the high-quality learning opportunities envisioned in the Iowa Core Curriculum.

You can click through to read the full article here.

Franklin has started exploring this option and should continue to do so. It is not a silver bullet to save money. There will likely be some contractual and procedural changes required to implement appropriately. It will be some work but it should be worthwhile to develop our children for life and learning in this new world.

"This one had the least impact on education"

We know that for students to learn, educators must also be afforded the same opportunity. When Congress was developing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, we asked a sample of superintendents about their school systems' greatest funding needs. The education leaders identified professional development as a top priority even during this financial crisis. Let us hope that before cutting back on professional development, elected officials and school administrators will carefully consider its importance in supporting the success of our students and our educators. Even in these difficult times, professional growth opportunities are a worthy investment for the long-term benefit of our students.

This is the summary of the article written by Gene R Carter, Executive Director, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).

The quotation is from this article and in direct reference to Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri's recommendation to eliminate his state's teacher professional development funding for the year.

In a year full of tough choices, the toughest choices we will face will affect our children. If the proper education of our children is not a priority, what is?

"Very strong household income factors"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Mar 03, 2009 @ 10:56 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

Thanks to its slightly improved bond rating and good timing, Franklin saved about $100,000 last week, said Treasurer/Collector James Dacey.

The town was due to award a bid for a 19-year note in a few weeks, but seeing that the bond market was "perfect," Dacey acted last week to secure a $17.89 million bond issue.

The town received seven bids on the bond, and awarded it to Morgan Keegan & Co. Inc., with an average interest rate of 3.49 percent, Dacey said, adding that interest rates have been as high as 7.25 percent in the past.

"We got a great rate on that - probably the best rate we've ever had," Dacey said.

"We planned on 4 percent, or 4.25 percent, but by getting 3.49 percent, we saved about $100,000 in interest costs for fiscal year 2010 - a huge savings," Dacey said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Bill Glynn - Abraham Bolden

Bill Glynn and Abraham Bolden at the Thomas Mercer Auditorium talking about the JFK assassination on Wednesday 2/25/09






Abraham Bolden, the first African American member of the Secret Service.





You can listen to the recording of his talk here.

SchCom: Asst Supt Candidate

SchCom_90224_AsstSupt, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Sally Winslow talks with the School Committee at their meeting 2/24/09 as reported here earlier

Dalai Lama coming to Gillette

By Heather McCarron/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Mar 01, 2009 @ 11:17 PM

---

FOXBOROUGH —

From the New England Patriots to the Rolling Stones, a long list of famous figures have moved through Gillette Stadium.

In May, the Foxborough venue will add yet another name to the list: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso.

Recognized by many as the rightful head of state and the spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama will give two public talks on Saturday, May 2, at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., one on the "Four Noble Truths of Buddhism" and the other a reflection on "The Path to Peace and Happiness." Each talk will last about two hours.

----------

Tickets for the Dalai Lama's talks go on sale March 6 for $37.50, $75.50 and $117.50. Tickets will be available at TicketMaster.com or by phone at 866-448-7849. Parking is free.

For more information, visit www.bostontibet.org. To learn more about the Dalai Lama, visit www.dalailama.com.

read the full story about the Dalai Lama's visit to Gillette Stadium this May in the Milford Daily News here

"the loggers will create a fire road"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Mar 01, 2009 @ 11:19 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

For the first time since the town commissioned its long-term forestation program study in 2000, officials will step into the woods with paintguns and begin marking up ill-fated trees, said Conservation Commission member Paul Boncek.

Barring unforeseen weather problems, Boncek will accompany registered forester Philip Benjamin of Easton on Wednesday to examine the town's open space. Benjamin conducted the study and "is intimately familiar" with the property, just off Summer Street.

Using a remote camera, Boncek will record their walk through the woods, stopping at various trees to explain why they are choosing to knock down each particular one, he said. He plans to put the recording on cable access television so people have a better understanding of the process and the purpose of the forestation program, he said.

"It's a unique thing and people often don't understand it," Boncek said. "After we mark up all these trees, sunlight makes the young trees grow up and older ones get more sunlight and become healthier."

read the full story about the reforestation planning in the Milford Daily News here

"We're certainly willing to sit down"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Mar 01, 2009 @ 11:28 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

Just as President Barack Obama has called for sacrifices to be made in the midst of the country's economic turmoil, many town workers are also considering what cuts they are willing to make for the greater good.

Last Wednesday, School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy announced that 51 school administrators, including every principal and assistant principal, the superintendent, and all non-union secretaries, offered to freeze their salaries next year.

That will save an estimated $50,000 to $70,000, and two teaching positions, said Assistant Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski, who becomes superintendent July 1.

"We felt good about that," she said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Town Council - Agenda - 3/4/09

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 4, 11, 2009

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS - Public Land Use Committee

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS –

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS –
1. Update – Mike D’Angelo
2. Update – Bryan Taberner, Director of Planning

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 09-09: Appropriation – Survey on 30+ Acres on Pond Street
2. Resolution 09-10: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with Town of Medway
3. Resolution 09-11: Appropriation – Capital – Fire Dept Ladder Truck
4. Resolution 09-12: Appropriation – Capital – DPW Lawn mower
5. Resolution 09-13: Creation of Forge Park Economic Opportunity Area
6. Resolution 09-14: Creation of Franklin Industrial Park Economic Opportunity Area
7. Bylaw Amendment 09-630:Amendment to Chapter 37, Town Properties - 1st Reading


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

"If you don't take care of it, you won't have it"

"We're trying to chip away, slowly but surely, to make ourselves greener and reduce our carbon footprint," Kane said.

Solar panels, as well as electrical inverters that change the direct current from the roof to alternating current that can be fed into his NStar electrical system, cost Kane $149,817.

But a $67,568 rebate from the Mass. Technology Collaborative, a $44,945 federal tax credit, a $7,221 state tax credit and other incentives brought the price down to $45,312, he said.

He will pay that amount off over six to seven years.

The solar power system is expected to generate about 18,900 kilowatt/hours a year, which should add up to an annual savings of about $3,800 on utility bills at today's rates, he said.

Kane also shopped locally, getting the Devens-manufactured panels from Marlborough-based Evergreen Solar. His electrical inverters were built by Solectria Renewables of Lawrence.

Kane, who lives in Framingham, said he is now researching whether it would make financial sense to expand his solar array and sell electricity back to his utility company. If so, he sees bigger potential in his industry.

"There are millions of square feet of storage roofs around the country," he said.

Read more about the solar electric installation in the Milford Daily News here

For additional information on solar energy, check out the series held by the Franklin Area Climate Team here

Ed Cafasso's Letter

Hello Everyone!

I apologize for falling slightly behind in my monthly updates… The first eight weeks of the year have flown by! Here’s a brief update on recent school issues in Franklin…

Fiscal Year 2010 Budget: Intensive work is underway in an effort to figure out the best financial plan for the Franklin schools given the difficult financial climate we are all facing.

Costs continue to outpace revenues and, in the current economy, revenues are shrinking. The big drivers of school cost increases in the coming fiscal year are teacher salary hikes and step changes; healthcare prices, special education, and transportation. Normally, given the budget cuts the schools sustained in the current fiscal year, one would hope for at least a level-service budget in the new fiscal year that begins July 1, a budget that meets cost increases and preserves current personnel and programs. Instead, the net effect of declining state and local revenues means that the Franklin schools will be fortunate to secure a level-funded FY10 budget. “Level funded” means operating the schools with the same amount of money as the previous year, despite increasing costs.

Under a level-funded scenario, cuts imposed last July will be not be reversed. To balance the FY10 budget, the schools will need to trim nearly $3 million in costs – the equivalent of 60 classrooms positions. Given that 45 professional teaching positions were eliminated at the start of this school year (and 14 were cut the year prior), School Committee members, administrators, principals and staff are working together to explore and discuss every possible option in an effort to avert another dramatic teaching cutback and even larger class sizes.

Everything is on the table. In recent weeks, for example, all 51 of our non-union school personnel – administrators and secretaries – decided to freeze their salaries and give up any increases in FY10. It remains to be seen whether unionized school workers will adopt a similar approach. Also unclear are the details of how the Franklin schools might benefit from the Obama administration’s stimulus package. Keep in mind, however, that the stimulus money is not recurring revenue – once it is spent, the personnel or programs it supports will be without funding.

I urge everyone to stay close to the budget process this year by paying attention to School Committee, Town Council and Finance Committee meetings; and by seeking a frank discussion of these issues with your principals and your school PCCs. As a reminder of the budget cuts your schools have sustained in the past six years, I encourage you to visit this web link: http://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/franklin-ma-school-budget-reductions-updated-presentation?type=powerpoint

School Calendar: As Oak Street and Horace Mann parents may have heard, the state Education Commissioner has refused to grant a waiver from the 180-day requirement for the single day that classes were cancelled when the facility closed due to a September water pipe break. The result is that an additional day of school will be tacked onto the end of the academic year for Oak Street and Horace Mann students.

As of this afternoon, classes in Franklin are scheduled to end Friday, June 19, which means that the extra day of school for Oak Street and Horace Mann students would fall on Monday, June 22. But another major snowstorm is being forecast for tonight and tomorrow. Additional cancellations will push the school calendar further into the week of June 21.

Franklin High School: There has been no news on the district’s application for funding assistance from the Massachusetts School Building Authority. A professional inspectional team from the MSBA toured the building in mid-December as part of Franklin’s application for state funding assistance. 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.

The next meeting of the School Committee is scheduled for 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 10th.

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

the new House majority leader

Chris Feeley, Franklin's town council chairman, is also a fan, citing Vallee's work ethic.

"He has his job as a state representative, he has his law practice, he serves in the military, and he is a very family-oriented guy and somehow balances all of that very well," Feeley said. "Most important for him, he doesn't make his family sacrifice, which is what I respect most."

Read the full article on Rep Jim Vallee's rise to the House majority leader role in the Milford Daily News here

"The cost is often greater than anticipated"

Franklin School Superintendent Wayne Ogden said layoffs could leave the town with a wider budget gap.

"The liability for the town overall could be huge," Ogden said, if anticipated layoffs become a reality. "In a worst case scenario, the unemployment benefits for the town of Franklin could get into the millions."

Read the full article on how layoffs affect the budget in the Milford Daily News here

"We should have plenty of time to adjust rates"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Feb 27, 2009 @ 11:28 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

As part of its plan to make $19.4 million worth of upgrades to the district's sewer plant, the Charles River Pollution Control District is asking Franklin - its largest contributor - to pay the bulk of the cost.

Based on flow going into the plant, Franklin owns 67 percent of the plant's capacity, and is expected to pay $2.52 million in fiscal 2010, which is $445,570 more than its share this year.

Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting said he has received mixed opinions about whether Town Council must vote to approve the $19.4 million, 20-year bond that will be needed, or if the district can simply assess users an increased rate. He said he waiting for an official opinion from the state Department of Revenue.

Regardless of how the money will be approved, the work needs to be done, Nutting said, if for no other reason than the daily $25,000 fine the state Department of Environmental Protection would impose for not complying with regulations.

Read the full article on the Charles River plan in the Milford Daily News here

You can view the actual presentation from the Charles River Pollution Control District as given to the Town Council during the February 4th meeting here

"a wonderful addition to the state forest"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Feb 27, 2009 @ 11:26 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

The state is considering buying 50 acres next to the Franklin State Forest from a private owner, said state Wendy Fox, spokesman for the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The DCR has sent a notice of interest to the town, Fox said, and is talking with the landowner, Reed Trust, of 230 Village St., Medway, of which Ronald Dolloff is a trustee.

The owner is asking for $2 million for the property at 1312 West Central St. (Rte. 140), confirmed their real estate agent, Jeff Allaire of ERA Key Commercial in Franklin.

The property, zoned as office/light industrial, also includes a 1,368-square-foot, boarded-up two-story house.

Neither Fox nor Allaire would comment about how serious the state is about acquiring the land, or how close it is to acquiring it. Fox said the state has been in talks with the owners for about six months.

"We do this all the time, the state is always looking at interesting property," Fox said.

Read the full article about the state's interest in the property in the Milford Daily News here

FM #32 - Abraham Bolden

In this Franklin Matters podcast, #32 in the series, we get a special presentation. Abraham Bolden, the first African American member of the Secret Service, came to Franklin to tell his life story and involvement with President John F Kennedy.

Time: 1 hour, 12 minutes, 27 seconds



MP3 File

Session Notes:

Music intro
My intro
FM #32

This internet radio show or podcast for Franklin Matters is number 32 in the series.

This session is a special one. On Wednesday evening, February 25, 2009, there was a presentation on the JFK Assassination at the Thomas Mercer Auditorium in the Horace Mann/Oak Street complex. Franklin resident Bill Glynn presented an overview of the events leading up to and around that fateful day, Nov 22, 1963. Abraham Bolden, the first African American member of the Secret Service came to Franklin to tell his story. The opportunity to hear Abraham in person was taken by about 50-60 people of all ages.

Now you can share in that opportunity. What follows is the audio recording of Abraham Bolden's talk. In his voice, you'll hear him tell of growing up in East St Louis, rising from a Pinkerton detective position to the Illinois State Police and from there to the Secret Service. In the Secret Service he met John F Kennedy in Chicago and then also at the White House where Abraham was stationed briefly.

One quote to keep in mind as you settle in for a little over an hour of Abraham's story. From the philosopher, Antonio Gramsci:

“The challenge of modernity is to live without illusions and
without becoming disillusioned.”

I don't think you'll find Abraham's talk long. I found his first person narrative riveting. His direct, honest and religious approach to life comes through. You'll begin to understand how the echoes of Dealey Plaza still reverberate today.

I would like to give special thanks to Bill Glynn and Abraham Bolden for allowing this recording. By sharing in this way, we can continue the discussion.

You can read more about Abraham Bolden and his book, "Echo from Dealey Plaza" here.

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

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

"should have been aware of these plans for years"

By Rachel Lebeaux Globe Correspondent / February 26, 2009

Officials at the Franklin Food say the facility might have to close down completely if town officials insist that it vacate its space to make room for a relocated historical museum.

The pressure to move comes at a time when the pantry's use is up and contributions are down due to the dismal economy. The pantry, which serves nearly 2,200 clients from at least 15 area communities, would probably have to vacate by the summer, according to a Franklin official.

"I don't understand displaying museum items versus feeding the less fortunate members of the community," said Linda Pouliot Whites, the pantry's executive director. She said she learned only recently that the food pantry would have to leave the basement of the former senior center building on West Central Street, which it has occupied since the early 1990s.

However, Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said officials made it clear that they would be wanting the pantry to relocate eight years ago, when discussions about a new senior center and a relocated historical museum first emerged. He said officials are trying to work with the pantry to find a new location.

Read the full article about the Food Pantry looking for new space as reported in the Boston Globe here

"We don't need an award"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Feb 27, 2009 @ 12:46 AM

---

FRANKLIN —

Eighth-graders Maddie Gordon and Jake Sargeant say they don't need an award to acknowledge their volunteer work with students with severe disabilities at Annie Sullivan Middle School.

Still, after watching the pair spend much of their free time volunteering, coordinating activities, and befriending special needs kids for the last 2 1/2 years, special needs teacher Marilee Gleason and Principal Beth Wittcoff were inspired to recognize them by nominating them for the statewide Make a Difference award program.

On Sunday, Gordon and Sargeant will be honored along with 58 of their peers from across the state for their volunteer work at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Dorchester at 1 p.m.

"It's unbelievable, the enthusiasm these kids have for befriending students they normally wouldn't cross paths with. These two are very invested," said Gleason, who also oversees the school's Best Buddies program.

Read the full article about the student volunteers for Best Buddies in the Milford Daily News here

The Green Reel: "Renewal"

The Green Reel: a series of films for sustainable living will be shown on Sunday evenings this winter.

What: "Renewal"

When: 7:00 PM on March 1, 2009

Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here

Free and open to the public.
For more info: 508-695-2389

read more about the file "Renewal" here

Sponsors:

Agudas Achim
Crystal Spring Center
Simply Keep It Local
Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Committee of First Universalist Society of Franklin
New Dawn Earth Center
Oake Knoll Ayrshires
Franklin Area Climate Team
White Barn Farm
St Mark's Episcopal Church-Foxboro

Greenbusters

Digging around the SustainLane web site initially found here, I find there is a series of posts on greenbusters. Recall the popular Discovery Channel show - Mythbusters; these are focused on green myths and you get the full scoop on each. For example:

Myth: It's best never to touch your thermostat. Read More »

Myth: It's okay to throw something away as long as it's biodegradable. Read More »

Myth: Washing laundry in hot water is the only way to kill bacteria and get things really clean—just like my mom told me. Read More »

Myth: Dog poop is natural, so it’s okay to leave it behind. Read More »

Myth: It takes more energy to turn a light off and back on than it does to keep it running. Read More »

Check out all the Greenbusters here

YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE A SCIENTIST TO KEEP YOUR CHILDREN SAFE

Date: Thursday, February 26, 2009

Time: 7 P.M.

Location:

First Universalist Society in Franklin
262 Chestnut St.
Franklin, MA 02038

Join us to learn how we are all exposed to Bisphenol A (BPA) and what we can do to break the cycle. BPA, a toxic chemical found in polycarbonate plastic, is widely used in consumer products including baby bottles, sippy cups, teethers, toys, pacifiers, and utensils. BPA is also in the epoxy resins used to
line cans of baby formula and other foods. It leaches out of the container into the stored food.

Local parents and The Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow are offering this event as an opportunity to learn how to keep your loved ones safe from BPA!
Take Action and Join Us For this Event!

Please contact esaunders@cleanwater.org for more information.

Cape Wind: Record of Decision Request

The following is a Letter to the Editor submitted by Jim Liedell summarizing the Cape Wind decision points and requesting that the Record of Decision be released.

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

Despite unemployment rising precipitously, U.S. wind industry jobs jumped to 85,000 in 2008, a 70% increase from 2007. Wind made up 42% of all added 2008 electricity capacity. We can soon start benefiting locally by Cape Wind joining this explosive growth, giving us health, economic, security and other benefits.

Major conclusions in the federal Minerals Management Services’ (MMS) mid-January very favorable Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on Cape Wind’s proposed project included:

1. of negative operation impacts, 3.2% are No Impact, 50% are Negligible, 38.9% are Minor, 6.3% are Moderate, and 1.6% (slightly rerouting the annual Figawi sailboat race) is Major;
2. impact to tourism will be negligible and there will be no decrease in beach activity;
3. floating wind turbine technology (recently pushed by the Alliance opposing Cape Wind) won’t be commercially available for 10 to 15 years;
4. Cape Wind will lower our electricity prices;
5. negligible to minor impact on fisheries;
6. fossil-fueled plants’ global-warming and other harmful emissions will be reduced;
7. no Cape Wind emissions to sea or air;
8. world-wide data (including local MMA turbine) showed very few birds will be killed colliding with Cape Wind’s turbines
9. no injuries caused to marine mammals;
10. nine alternate locations were evaluated - they would all produce more costly (1 to 17.7 cents/kilowatt hour) electricity than Cape Wind; and
11. three site-layout alternatives and four types of generation facilities were all found to be less desirable than Cape Wind’s proposal.

With this favorable FEIS expanding on and confirming many previous evaluations, it is sure that we will significantly benefit from Cape Wind.

To support this project, write a brief letter to

Kenneth Salazar

Secretary, US Department of the Interior

1849 C Street N.W.

Washington, DC 20240

and ask them to issue their Record Of Decision promptly.


Jim Liedell
Yarmouth Port


Note: Addressee for letter updated 2/26/09 per email request from Jim Liedell

School Committee Mtg 02/24/09

The summary of live reports from the School Committee meeting 2/24/09 are collected here

• Live reporting - Information matters
• Live reporting - action items
• live reporting - Discussion only items
• Live reporting - Salary freeze agreed to by 51 adm...
• Live reporting - Asst Supt Candidate
• Live reporting - Presentations: NASA
• Live reporting - School Committee - 2/24/09

• School Committee - Agenda - 2/24/09

"Alina should be viewed as a representative among winners"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Feb 24, 2009 @ 11:21 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

The competition for the Massachusetts Junior Miss 2009 title at Horace Mann Middle School was fierce, said Franklin High senior Alina Ostrow.

Fourteen teenage girls, each in the top 10 percent of their class, gathered in the Thomas Mercer Auditorium for the two-day competition last weekend.

Each displayed a talent honed since childhood.

And all spoke their minds and strutted their athletic prowess on stage, doing push-ups and more challenging variations of push-ups in a choreographed aerobic routine designed to test their strength, balance and agility.

Read the full article about Alina Ostrow in the Milford Daily News here

"an interesting relationship to JFK's assassination"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Feb 25, 2009 @ 12:38 AM

---

FRANKLIN —

The date was April 28, 1961. The place, Chicago. President John F. Kennedy arrived at McCormick Place exhibition center to thank Mayor Richard J. Daley for helping him win the election.

Abraham Bolden remembers it like it was yesterday - cameras flashing, people knocking each other over to get a peek at the young president.

Bolden, a newly minted Secret Service agent, was stationed in front of the restroom in the lower level of the building, for which his colleagues teased him mercilessly. "Normally, a Chicago policeman would hold down such a detail, so my chances of seeing the president were slim to zero at that post."

"Lo and behold, I look up at the top of the steps, and there is President John F. Kennedy. The first thing he wants to do is use the washroom," recalled 73-year-old Bolden.

That chance encounter set into motion a chain of events that changed Bolden's life in ways he never imagined.

Read the full article about the Secret Service experience of Mr Bolden in the Milford Daily News here.

Attend the presentation at the Horace Mann/Thomas Mercer Auditorium 2/25/09 at 7:00 PM

"This group is remarkable, their talent is remarkable"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Feb 25, 2009 @ 12:39 AM

---

FRANKLIN —

On their own volition, 51 school administrators and non-union secretaries volunteered to freeze their salaries and forgo any kind of pay increases, School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy announced last night.

The group, which made the decision unanimously, includes superintendent-in-waiting Maureen Sabolinksi, all central office staff, every principal, every assistant principal, and every non-union secretary in the district, Roy said.

"It's rather good news," Roy said, noting that the group had organized to find a way to help, in response to the committee's call to "dig deep" to keep the school system intact.

"They took that initiative, they all stepped up to the plate and took on personal sacrifice. That's leadership by example," Roy said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Jeff Roy has a similar post on the Franklin School Committee blog here

My live reporting notes from the School Committee meeting when this was announced can be found here

Live reporting - Information matters

Superintendent - While the program of studies is available online and will be printed for the 8th grade students it is not a guarantee that each course will run in September. Some classes due to under-enrollment do not run, others may due to the budget be adjusted. That would become known as we go forward.

SubCommittee Reports
Trahan - Financial Planning committee working on the final report. The Town wide forum date is still being determined.

Adjorn

Live reporting - action items

4. Action Items

1. I recommend budget transfers as detailed. Approved 7-0
   
2. I recommend acceptance of the anonymous donation of $10,000 for the Ruth Reitzas Scholarship Fund at the FHS. Approved 7-0 (actually have about $85,000 in the scholarship fund)
   
3. I recommend the acceptance of a check for $5,000 from the Oak Street PCC for the following field trips: K: Davis Farmland; Gr 2: Stony Brook; and Gr. 4: Fine Arts. Approved 7-0
4. I recommend adoption of Sub Committee Minutes Policy & Exhibit BEDGG/BEDGG-E. Approved 7-0
5. I recommend action be taken regarding the make-up day for the HM/Oak/ECDC Complex. Approved 5-2 to add to the last day of the year
6. I recommend approval of the Horace Mann MS Trip to Trinity Repertory Theatre in Providence, RI to see the play “A Raisin in the Sun”. Approved 7-0
7. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000 from the Singleton Family Foundation for Special Education programs/equipment at FHS. Approved 7-0
8. I recommend approval of the recurring Washington, D.C. field trip for Remington Middle School students in April, 2009. Approved 7-0

Extended discussion on the make up day:

$3500 on Good Friday, $2600 to make up at end of the year - recommend making up the day on Good Friday

The HM/Oak/ECDC complex make up day is not due to snow but due to the water/mechanical problem at the beginning of the school year. Do need to make up the day, did apply for the waiver but do need to meet the 180 day requirement by certification in July.

While we are over the hours (990 vs 900 req'd) we are pushing it due to field days and other in school activities that we can't count toward educational hours.

If the parents don't want to send their students due to religious reasons, then this would count as an excused absence.

Not a good choice, Good Friday the best educational choice.

Motion - add the make up day after the last day of school passed 5-2

live reporting - Discussion only items

3. Discussion Only Items

• Budget to Actual

These transfers were fully vetted with the budget subcommittee prior to this meeting

• Second Reading – Sub Committee Minutes Policy & Exhibit BEDGG/BEDGG-E

Add "follow up items" to the template form itself

Live reporting - Salary freeze agreed to by 51 administrators

Roy - a group of administrators, a total of 51 people that have agreed to freeze their salary for this year

Sabolinksi - it is a credit to their leadership, makes me very proud to work with these professionals.

Rohrbach - thank you, it is impressive

Trahan - it is redundant, but thank you

Live reporting - Asst Supt Candidate

2. Guests/Presentations

b. Assistant Superintendent Candidate – Sally Winslow

Maureen introduced the changes being made choosing to replacing herself and Linda Waters' position indirectly. Bottomline they are collapsing two roles into one, and restructuring the role so that the Director of Special Ed could be replaced without complicating the issue with the PPS requirements.

Sally then presents her background and development
She came up through King Phillip and most recently Dover

She had involvement with budget development and monitoring
the special education budget takes up a huge portion of the overall district
has written grants, there is not a day in Spec Ed that there is not some crisis being managed
has lead districts through cycle reviews

one big piece is the parent relationship
she has been active in school and district wide initiatives
balanced literacy, second year at Dover
brought in Everyday Math two years ago at Dover (already here in Franklin)

Graduate of FHS
Lives in Plainville with husband and two daughters
Class of 1973, the second class to graduate from the new high school
had previously done double sessions at Horace Mann
family is life long Franklin residents

Her mother worked at the high school answering the phone
Sally volunteered a lot during school, summers with the Rec Dept.
She has a personal experience with the town

Leadership and comunication style
Team player, will work collaboratively
try to gain consensus, not afraid to articulate the bottomline
has worked with wonderful principals
try to lead by example, strong work ethic
try to be concise, clear, listen important

phone calls, emails acknowledgement important
being proactive on a regular basis, to avoid surprises
working to balance an open door policy (being accessible) with getting things done

would be in her current position until June 30th
there are things that could be done between now and then as schedule permits
would love to get to the schools before the school year ends
you might even see me lurking about at some school committee meetings

explore creative ways to provide a high quality education that Franklin has been known for

Her dad lived all his life here in Franklin, he did not take a vacation
he would go to Uncas Pond
he had an 8th grade education due to the depression
one of the happiest days he had was when I graduated and was part of the second class of women admitted into Holy Cross
He is probably even happier today looking over me here talking with you about a position with the district.

Cafass0 - I think you are a great fit for this, Maureen is very smart to be able to attract someone like you, what is your sense of the reputation of this district for Special Ed?

Winslow - I think you have been very good, you managed your own kids and we would only get those you just couldn't serve. I think that when you have capacity to build programs that is very good. I would like look at the programs and see how we can sustain them and perhaps expand them.

Cafasso - what do you think about the duel role your getting into?

Winslow - I am excited about it. It will be somewhat of a work in progress, figuring things out as the year goes.

Patrick Slight - Is there anything that you have at Dover that you could bring here?

Winslow - that is a very good question. I'd like to look at pre-evaluation to see how we can help that here.

Rohrbach - How will it be working with Maureen where you share some roles.

Winslow - Similar thought process to Maureen, we have not worked together for 12 years. We will have to find out how we can compliment each other in that way.

Roy - What 2 or three bullets attracted you to the school district?

Winslow - attract wonderful teachers, and administrators, do really well despite the budget issues

I have a lot of energy and can't wait to get into the schools to really see what there and how I can help.

Live reporting - Presentations: NASA

2. Guests/Presentations

a. NASA Project – Horace Mann Middle School

• Anne Bergen, Principal

Ms. Foreman, James Schliefke

• Rachita Chaudhury
• Cody Williamson
• Lauren Kane
• Cole Comfort
• Elise Rivera
• Joe Chernak

Looking at heat transfer and astronomy
comparison of conditions between moon and earth
create a product to withstand the stresses of the moon
NASA specialist provided assistance


Note: No pictures were taken of the students to respect the privacy concerns that were not clear at the time of the presentation.

Live reporting - School Committee - 2/24/09

Attending: Armenio, Cafasso, Kelly, Mullen, Roy, Rohrbach, Trahan


1. Routine Business

• Citizen’s Comments - none
  
• Review of Agenda - add FY 10 budget discussion update
  
• Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the February 10, 2009 School Committee Meeting. Motion to approve - 7-0
  
• Payment of Bills - Mr. Kelly
• Payroll - Ms. Armenio
• FHS Student Representatives

• Correspondence:

"state would save about $2.5 million a year"

"Am I disappointed they're dropping the U.S. history MCAS? Not at all," said Dennis Wilkinson, test coordinator at Franklin High School. "We test the heck out of (students) in English language arts, math and biology."

He said he understood why the state would consider dropping the test, given the cost and the financial situation the state finds itself in.

Read the full article on the proposal to slide back the addition of history to the MCAS test suite in the Milford Daily News here

The Green Reel: "Renewal"

The Green Reel: a series of films for sustainable living will be shown on Sunday evenings this winter.

What: "Renewal"

When: 7:00 PM on March 1, 2009

Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here

Free and open to the public.
For more info: 508-695-2389

read more about the file "Renewal" here

Sponsors:

Agudas Achim
Crystal Spring Center
Simply Keep It Local
Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Committee of First Universalist Society of Franklin
New Dawn Earth Center
Oake Knoll Ayrshires
Franklin Area Climate Team
White Barn Farm
St Mark's Episcopal Church-Foxboro

School Committee - Agenda - 2/24/09

1. Routine Business

• Citizen’s Comments
• Review of Agenda
• Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the February 10, 2009 School Committee Meeting.
• Payment of Bills - Mr. Kelly
• Payroll - Ms. Armenio
• FHS Student Representatives
• Correspondence:

2. Guests/Presentations

a. NASA Project – Horace Mann Middle School

• Anne Bergen, Principal
• Rachita Chaudhury
• Cody Williamson
• Lauren Kane
• Cole Comfort
• Elise Rivera
• Joe Chernak

b. Assistant Superintendent Candidate – Sally Winslow


3. Discussion Only Items

• Budget to Actual
• Second Reading – Sub Committee Minutes Policy & Exhibit BEDGG/BEDGG-E

4. Action Items

1. I recommend budget transfers as detailed.
2. I recommend acceptance of the anonymous donation of $10,000 for the Ruth Reitzas Scholarship Fund at the FHS.
3. I recommend the acceptance of a check for $5,000 from the Oak Street PCC for the following field trips: K: Davis Farmland; Gr 2: Stony Brook; and Gr. 4: Fine Arts.
4. I recommend adoption of Sub Committee Minutes Policy & Exhibit BEDGG/BEDGG-E.
5. I recommend action be taken regarding the make-up day for the HM/Oak/ECDC Complex.
6. I recommend approval of the Horace Mann MS Trip to Trinity Repertory Theatre in Providence, RI to see the play “A Raisin in the Sun”.
7. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000 from the Singleton Family Foundation for Special Education programs/equipment at FHS.
8. I recommend approval of the recurring Washington, D.C. field trip for Remington Middle School students in April, 2009.

5. Information Matters

• Superintendent’s Report
• 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. Adjourn

"It's just a silly, silly thing"

FRANKLIN —

Faced with the options of making students go to school and teachers work on either a Saturday, Good Friday, or another day in late June to make up a missed school day, the School Committee is still mulling its options.

The committee has been trying to find a viable way, but each option presents some problem.

The state education commissioner denied Superintendent Wayne Ogden's waiver request for the day of school that students at the Oak Street School complex missed when a pipe burst the Tuesday after Labor Day and shut down Horace Mann Middle School, Oak Street Elementary School, and Early Childhood Development Center (a preschool).

School Committee member Ed Cafasso has suggested the district take its chances and keep its existing school calendar instead of adding another day or half day.

"Unless I hear something that changes my mind, I am going to oppose school on Good Friday or creating an extra school day in June," Cafasso said.

"The circumstances justify a waiver, especially since Franklin students already exceed the minimum hours for instruction. Disrupting families and creating new costs for taxpayers just so we can check off a bureaucratic box doesn't seem fair to me," Cafasso said.

Read the full article about the make up day for the Oak St/Horace Mann school complex in the Milford Daily News here

Copyright explained

Wes Fryer does a good SlideShare presentation synchronizing the slideshow with audio to explain copyright. It is almost an hour but you should give yourself credit for watching it, well worth it.

Copyright for Educators

View more presentations from wfryer. (tags: librarian library)

Enjoy!

FM #31 - This week in Franklin, MA

This is podcast 31 in the series on what matters in Franklin, MA. I review what happened this week ending 2/22/09. The Financial Planning Committee is closing in on finishing their report, there is an updated time line, and an opportunity for feedback.

Time: 8 minutes, 48 seconds



MP3 File

Session Notes:

Music intro
My intro
FM #31

This internet radio show or podcast for Franklin Matters is number 31 in the series. In this session, I’ll focus on what you should know about what happened in Franklin, MA this week ending Feb 22, 2009.

The week was a quiet one as school vacation came and went too quickly for most, I would assume. There were no major meetings scheduled for the town council or school committee.

As reported in the Milford Daily News, the Tri-County Vocational District announced their school budget this week. They are coming in at less than level funded with multiple cuts across the budget. Their final budget will be voted on in April. The exact charge to Franklin will be known then. It is primarily based upon how many students are sent to the district and then a per pupil charge is summarized.

There was a Financial Planning Committee meeting on Thursday the 19th. My live reporting from that meeting can be found here.

They previewed the 3 page Executive Summary highlighting

• where we have been
• where we are going
• what we can do about it
  

Much work remains but the structure is there to highlight exactly how much Franklin has saved over the years and how efficient the Town is operating.

We now have two choices, increase revenues or cut costs. Cutting costs seems to be easy, every business that does it makes headlines doing so. But there are also examples that not every business does so smartly. The cost cutting that remains in Franklin is in actual programs and services provided. What can we do without?

Increasing revenues needs to be part of the discussion. It is the real opportunity. We need to figure out ways to make it easier for the town to grow revenues to a more sustainable level than we have today.

The timeline for the Financial Planning Committee was also updated:

• April 2 - focus group meeting
• April 15 - present to a joint Town Council, School Committee and Finance Committee meeting
• April 29 - town forum to review the plan document and solicit feedback
  

So let's start thinking out of the box. For example, we have a library that services the entire community. We also have each school with a library. Let's look at combining those operations. It could put a branch of the main library in each neighborhood (i.e. the local school). It could leverage book purchases with the volume of the school and main libraries. Note: the purchasing done by the Town is generally quite efficient. This may already have be done.

Second, we have a Senior Center kitchen. A few hundred yards away are several cafeterias with kitchens where the schools provide many more meals. Let's combine those operations. Why force the seniors to travel all over town when they could more easily reach the school in their neighborhood.

Since the class size will likely increase, let's get more adults into the classrooms to help the teachers. Let's use the seniors to assist in classrooms, some may have taught previously, others dealt with grandchildren. One of the common jokes about grandparents dealing with their grandchildren is they can “spoil” them and then give them back to their parents. There is some truth to the natural relationship between the generations and helping to foster that will bring multiple benefits. With an additional adult (or adults) in the classrooms, the effect of larger class sizes (students per teacher) would be minimized

And here comes your chance. Between now and April 29th, put your thinking caps on to generate additional ideas.

You can include them in a comment, send me an email, or make a list to bring to the Forum on April 29th.

Together we can come up with something worthwhile. We may not find a silver bullet but every gem we do find will add up. A little here, a little there will soon add up significantly.

Here is your chance, take the challenge!

Looking to the week ahead: there is a Planning Board meeting on Monday, the School Committee meeting Tuesday. There are other town meetings posted on the calendar on the Franklin Home page. Check it out and go attend a meeting.

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

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

"people are still spending money, it's incredible"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Feb 21, 2009 @ 11:44 PM

---

Robert R. Vallee Sr., owner of Vallee Jewelers in Franklin, knows the key to surviving an economic depression.

"You just work," said Vallee, a sentiment echoed by others whose parents or grandparents pulled their local businesses through the Great Depression.

From their point of view, today's society has lost sight of what is important, letting greed and excessive living plunge them into debt.

The world will get through the economic crisis, and whatever's around the corner, they say, by returning to a more simple way of living and a stronger work ethic.

"My father (Emile Vallee) worked two jobs. He learned watch making and worked at a textile mill" in Manville, R.I., said Vallee.

Read the full article with stories from other business owners in the area in the Milford Daily News here

"You don't see the difference"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Feb 21, 2009 @ 11:47 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

On any given day, municipal departments are just beginning, trying to begin, or trying to finish, time-consuming projects on a tight budget.

Today, the School Department can sit back a bit and start adding up all the savings wrought by the completion of 65 energy-saving initiatives, an effort that took 10 years to finish.

Michael D'Angelo, the facilities director for the schools and the town, takes pride in Franklin taking the lead in using technological advances early in the game.

"We were doing it before it was popular," said D'Angelo, who is constantly researching ways to make the schools as energy-efficient as possible - he's currently eyeing the installation of solar panels three years down the road, when he says they will be cost-effective.

"We're almost as technologically advanced as you can be, without getting into solar or wind," D'Angelo said.

Read the full article on how energy efficient Franklin's schools are in the Milford Daily News here

"we're looking to impact their behavior"

More than a dozen young adults who were at the October underage drinking party where 17-year-old Taylor Meyer of Plainville was last seen alive must take part in a drug- and alcohol-awareness program, in addition to fulfilling other requirements, a Wrentham District Court judge ordered Thursday.

Fourteen people ranging in age from 17 to 20 appeared before Judge Warren Powers for a probable cause hearing, each facing a charge of underage possession of alcohol, said David Traub, a spokesman for Norfolk District Attorney William Keating.

All were charged following the Oct. 17 post-Homecoming party at the former Norfolk Airport. Meyer, who wandered away from the group, became lost, and drowned in an adjacent wetland. Her blood alcohol level was .13, according to autopsy findings.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

"You'd have to change the marketplace"

FRANKLIN —

In continuing discussions about presenting a three-year fiscal plan for the town, the Financial Planning Committee last night generally agreed that without some kind of structural change the town's expenses will outpace its revenue indefinitely.

Most towns in the state are contending with the same problem, even affluent communities such as Newton, said Town Councilor Shannon Zollo, who is also a planning committee member.

"Our budget goes up a lot more than 2.5 percent every year, it's more in the 4 or 5 percent range," said Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Financial Planning Committee minutes 2/5/09

FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING
FEBRUARY 5, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.

Members present were: Deborah Bartlett, James Roche, Matt Kelly, Roberta Trahan, Rebecca Cameron, Doug Hardesty and Gwynne Wilschek. Also present were Jeffrey Nutting and Wayne Odgen. Absent were Steve Whalen and Shannon Zollo.

The Committee reviewed reports to date. Matt Kelly handed out a sample of FAQ's for review. Deborah Bartlett and Roberta Trahan submitted their information to Doug Hardesty. Jim Roche handed out a draft of his work; Jeff Nutting continues to work with Rebecca on the assumptions. Members should submit changes, improvements etc. to Doug Hardesty in the next 10 days so it will be ready for the next meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeffrey Nutting

Financial Planning Committee minutes 1/15/09

FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING
January 15, 2009

A meeting of the Financial Planning Committee was held on January 15, 2009 at the Franklin Municipal Building. Members present were Deborah Bartlett, Shannon Zollo, Roberta Trahan, Jim Roche, Rebecca Cameron and Doug Hardesty, Matt Kelly & Gwynne Wilschek. Also present was Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator and Wayne Odgen, School Superintendent. Absent was Steve Whalen.

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.

The Chairman Jim Roche asked that each subcommittee report on the progress of their assignment. The members reviewed their work to date and the Committee discussed the work and suggested a format for a final product by each subgroup.

Doug Hardesty requested that all work at the individual level be completed in two weeks and forwarded to him so he could collate the information.

The next meeting is scheduled for February 5, 2009

Respectfully submitted,

Jeffrey D. Nutting

Financial Planning Committee minutes 12/18/08

FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2008

A meeting of the Financial Planning Committee was held on December 18, 2008 at the Franklin Municipal Building. Members present were Deborah Bartlett, Shannon Zollo, Roberta Trahan, Rebecca Cameron, Doug Hardesty and Gwynne Wilschek. Also present were Jeffrey Nutting and Wayne Odgen. Absent were Steve Whalen, Matt Kelly and Jim Roche.

The Town Administrator handed out information on the comparison of the FY01 to FY09 budgets, a list of all things all departments have done over the last many years to reduce staff, cut costs, improve efficiencies, receive grants, etc., as well as a list of legislative priority items the Massachusetts Municipal Association and others are hoping the Legislature will consider in order to control costs.

Doug Hardesty asked what the Committee thought should be included in the report. Deb Bartlett suggested an executive summary, budget information, fiscal policies, history of capital, school mandates, costs beyond the control of the Town, services we must perform and how citizens might help. Other suggestions were bulletin points, graphs and charts, but keeping the summary to a few pages, as well as information on population, students, staffing etc. Doug offered to try a "straw man" draft of the format and then committee members would need to do some work to fill in the information.

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeffrey Nutting

The Green Reel: "The Next Industrial Revolution"

The Green Reel: a series of films for sustainable living will be shown on Sunday evenings this winter.

What: The Next Industrial Revolution"

When: 7:00 PM on February 22, 2009

Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here

Free and open to the public.
For more info: 508-695-2389

read more about the file "The Next Industrial Revolution" here

Sponsors:

Agudas Achim
Crystal Spring Center
Simply Keep It Local
Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Committee of First Universalist Society of Franklin
New Dawn Earth Center
Oake Knoll Ayrshires
Franklin Area Climate Team
White Barn Farm
St Mark's Episcopal Church-Foxboro

Financial Plng Comm 02/19/09

The live reporting from the Financial Planning committee meeting of 2/19/09 can be found here

• Live reporting - Financial Planning Committee (con...
• Live reporting - Financial Planning Committee 2/19...

Live reporting - Financial Planning Committee (continued)

Executive summary, page 2.

In 1995, the town paid 71% of the school budget, we are now down to 50%.

The idea behind the plan is a call to action. These trends will continue unless action is taken.

If we eliminate services, we can address costs.

If we are too general here, they might miss the point. I think we do need to get an example in their.

March 5th for the trial preview is not likely. We have spent time just on the 3 page executive summary.

You don't have to rush to March 5th. What we have before us will not likely change. The train has already left the station.

Getting this done by April 1st should be our goal.

Need to provide the option. The citizens are either going to vote for or against but there is a choice that the citizens need to make.

Jeff is ready to send the soft copy of all the data accumulated to date.

We will be meeting March 5th. No preview for focus group.
March 19th is the FEF Trivia Bee.
Considering the 12th or 26th? Meet on the 12th.

April 2nd? can that be the focus group? yes

Keep the 26th for a meeting.

April 15th joint meeting of Town Council, School Committee, Finance Committee

TBD - Horace Mann for town wide discussion. 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
(updated 2/24/09 - the date had been tentatively planned for 4/29/09 but that day has a prior commitment)

We are gaining momentum as the material comes together.

Live reporting - Financial Planning Committee 2/19/09

Attending: Roche, Bartlett, Cameron, Hardesty, Nutting, Trahan, Whalen, Zollo, Wilschek (late)
Absent: Kelly, Ogden

Accepted minutes of Dec 18, Jan 15, Feb 5.

Discussion on the executive summary draft
Need to be consistent with numbers used. The State DOE calculates slightly differently. They include the enterprise accounts.
Include a glossary of terms in the appendix so everyone can have and use the same terms in the same way.

Doesn't want to use any term in the executive summary that would be required to be defined in the glossary.

Discussion on raising issues

Newton did their study; Harvard professors spent six months reviewing the finances and determined that the current process was not sustainable.

There are 2 or 3 budget busters that should not be a surprise; wages, health costs, SPED costs (including transportation).

Need to be accurate and unbiased on the data presentation.

We can get to the other infrastructure items over time. We will have capacity to borrow some 3 million. We won't be able to do the high school without a debt exclusion for sure, but overtime we can get to the other infrastructure items. Recall, this year's total capital budget was 8 million in requests of which we are proceeding with 1.3 million.

At some point, specifically with the roads, we are to a point where we need to do something in addition to the way we are tackling the roads today.