Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Live reporting: Town Council mtg 3/18/09
Missing: Zollo,
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 3/4/09 Regular and Executive Session
motion to approve - passed 8-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nutting - non-union municipal, school, police have all stepped up to take the pay freeze this year
5 other unions, total 6 of 8 Town have agreed to take the freeze. Jeff thanks everyone to date. The School Admin, School Committee and teachers are working their side.
Pfeffer - comments open for 5 minutes, must be resident, will be recorded on camera, broadcast via internet and cable, no alias, must use real name
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none
E. APPOINTMENTS - none
F. HEARINGS - none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - none
GATRA still needs riders!
Did you know that GATRA has been operating here in Franklin for one year already?
Yes, it is true. They completed 52 weeks of service last week. They have provided free rides, coupons, and the ridership is only an average 149 per week. This is at least 100 below the target they set out with the Town to achieve when they began.
Will they be able to continue?
The decision is pending. Much like a lot of other areas. The resources are being looked at to see if they can justify the usage.
How can you help?
Consider riding GATRA. Look at the schedule here. Consider walking to one of the roads along the route and flag the bus down. Assuming, it is a good place to stop, they will.
Do you have any ideas on how to increase riders?
GATRA would love to hear from you. You can contact them through their web site here
"His mere presence ends confrontations and arguments"
There is probably no one more excited to go to work and catch "the bad guys" than 11-year-old Chase, a black German shepherd police dog with the Franklin Police Department.
"I'll be at home and ask him, 'You want to go to work?' and he'll start jumping up and down and go right to the door to leave the house," said Officer Michael Gilboy, who calls Chase his best friend.
Gilboy and Chase are more than friends, though. Chase wears Gilboy's badge, which adorned his collar yesterday.
Read the full article about Chase, who retired yesterday, in the Milford Daily News here
GATRA - Franklin Area Bus
Franklin's Earth Day Celebration
Franklin's Earth Day Celebration
Saturday April 18th, 2009
Beaver Pond
Starts at 9:00 AM
Volunteer to clean up targeted areas and assist with planting flowers and shrubs around Franklin.
- Please bring your own water bottle.
- Please bring your own gloves and rakes.
- Community service certificates will be issued.
- T-shirts to the first 200 volunteers.
- Clean up goes to 1:00 PM
Get some Eco-Info at Beaver Pond:
- Water conservation kits and rain barrel display.
- Mercury thermometer exchange for digital thermometers.
- Recycling tips and composting information.
- Energy conservation tips.
- Much more ! ! !
You can register on the Town website here
PodCamp Western Mass - March 28th - Holyoke
It's time to bring the PodCamp concept to Western Mass. We have a thriving community here of some truly amazing people. This is a chance for Western Mass bloggers, business people, artists, and academics, to get together, make connections, and for everyone to learn how social media can enhance their business, cause or organization. This is also a chance to celebrate the cornucopia of Western Mass. culture, a joyous blend of urban and rural; business, artistic and academic; near enough to other large metro areas, but small enough to hear yourself think.
When: Saturday, March 28, 2009
Where: Open Square in Holyoke, Second Floor
(Open Square is the mill building across the street from The Wherehouse. Entrance to parking is from either Lyman Street or Dwight Street. Open Square is located between the first and second level canals, which are bordered by Race St and Front St. The nearest entrance to the stairs and elevator is marked with a very large white "4".)
- Please use the tag PodCampWesternMass or hashtag #pcwm or #pcwm09 for content related to this event
Rough Schedule:
Looking to set up 3 breakouts for each session time after the Opening Remarks
8:30 to 9:00 - Welcome desk and coffee (?)
9:00 to 9:30 - Opening Remarks: Explanation of Unconference Format.
9:30 to 10:30 - Session 1
Break (1/2 hr.)
11:00 to Noon - Session 2
Noon to 2:00 - Lunch
2:00 to 3:00 - Session 3
Break (1/2 hr)
3:30 to 4:30 Session 4
4:30 to 5:00 Closing Remarks
You can register for PodCamp Western Mass here
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I will be traveling out to Holyoke to run the Welcome Desk, if anyone would like to join drive from Franklin with me, please let me know.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
FEF Trivia Bee Thursday March 19th 7:00 PM
Good fun for a good cause, fund raising for the Franklin Education Foundation (FEF). They provide lots of support the school budget has not covered.
GATRA - Franklin Area Bus
"There are no secrets in the big house"
Franklin's homepage has a new look this year that some residents have pooh-poohed as being uglier than in years past, but the Massachusetts Campaign for Open Government again recognized it as a "gold star" community.
Every year, the campaign (www.maopengov.org) assesses how easy it is for the public to obtain information about local government.
"It's not based on looks or design, only information. This year, we've only added to the information," said Assistant Town Administrator Maxine Kinhart, who helps administer the Web site, www.franklinma.virtualtownhall.net.
Franklin has been given the annual e-Government award every year since 2006, Kinhart said.
Read the full article about the recent award for Franklin's web site in the Milford Daily News here
THE MOSELEY GROUP HELPS WITH RE-IMAGING OF CUMBERLAND FARMS
FRANKLIN, MA -
Cumberland Farms, the well‐known convenience store throughout the Northeast, takes on a new look this week with the help of The Moseley Group, a leading food and beverage consulting firm in Franklin, Massachusetts.The Moseley Group is based in Franklin, MA.
The grand opening of Cumberland Farms’s new concept store Friday in Farmington, CT, celebrated the family‐owned company’s farm heritage with a new identity and décor package, and new made‐to‐order food offerings.
The Moseley Group was hired by Cumberland Farms a year ago to help reimage the 71‐year old company and reinvigorate the business model for its 600 stores in 11 states.
“We updated the concept with new identity, new décor, new food and new packaging,” said Tom Moseley, president. “Yet we were careful to remain true to the core of the brand. There is tremendous loyalty within the Cumberland Farms customer base, and we worked to extend the brand assets to reach new customers, too. It is not well known that Cumberland Farms is a family‐owned business in its third‐generation of leadership. We wanted to highlight this story to create a more personal connection between the stores and their customers, which we did through identity and packaging.”
The new identity includes a timeless expression of the company name, refined tree icon and new color palette; the elements work together to convey a commitment to freshness. Packaging design highlights the founding family, depicting images from circa 1930, and expresses the company’s principle commitment to good quality and value.
Moseley’s culinary team led the development of a new menu featuring hot flatbread, ciabatta and breakfast sandwiches. “This offering is what the New England convenience‐store customer is seeking – on‐trend flavor profiles delivered in a ready‐to‐eat format,” said Chris Milloff, managing partner. “Cumberland’s program is new for New England, and we expect they’ll see tremendous success with it.”
The new concept store features Merrychef accelerated ovens, which deliver sandwiches 10–15 times faster than conventional convection ovens, with perfectly toasted breads, caramelized meat flavors, and melted cheeses. Farmington, CT is the first reimaging of a Cumberland Farms store, to be followed by a store in Deep River, CT slated for opening later this month. The new design and culinary principles will be rolled out in many markets over the coming 18–24 months.
Addressing FHS wear and tear
The High School is approximately 1/6th - 1/7th the age of Harvard & Yale, and it is only 37 years old. If from what has been mentioned about it.. Is it the workmanship from when it was built, or the lack of proactive steps to keep up on the building? Or...is it the kids who go to the school that cause much of the damage? If that is the case, then there should be more oversight and someone is lacking in their job performance. It took years to get it to this stage..and the School Committee was in charge of the school for most of it, until recently when they could pawn off their responsibilities.The full post and comment is here.
1 - to address the maintenance status of the building
I posted Mike D'Angelo's memo outlining the capital expenses on the high school building over the last 10 years here.
Specifically from D'Angelo's memo I quote:
The news media showcased some of the tours and the need to renovate Franklin High in a negative way. That is not because we have not been maintaining the building but because the programmatic needs of the educational system have changed. The things we are looking for in a renovation will change the focus of the building. We will change a High School that probably had only 30% of its students enrolled in college prep programs in 1970 to one that has more than 90% in 2008. The building needs to change to support that enrollment change.
2 - to address your comparison to Harvard's buildings
I managed to find a document on the Harvard buildings submitted to the Cambridge, MA government website that depicts the age of the buildings in color code. In particular, when you match the buildings coded black (those under 50 years old) those are the ones where science and math are taught. The building coded red or yellow (either "historical" or those over 50 years), those are used for dormitory and office space. They are not used for the advanced technical laboratory needs of the institution.
- You can find the document here. (May open slowly as it is a PDF file)
- Scroll to page 6. On the bottom of page 6 is the color code table.
You can also look to the Harvard FactBook published by the Provost of Harvard University and found on their website here (PDF).
Skipping through the pages to #34 and #35 will bring you to the facts on the physical plant.
For example:
The University owns and operates more than six hundred buildings of varying sizes and characteristics spread over a wide geographic area. They encompass approximately 24.5 million gross square feet of space. The physical plant provides living space for students and faculty, research facilities to advance our base of knowledge, classroom and library spaces for the dissemination of knowledge, and space for administrative and support services.Of interest is their new science complex under construction in Allston, slide show here
And this chart depicting the growth of their campus over time:
Therefore the comparison of the age and condition of the Franklin High School building to those at Harvard doesn't work.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Fix the 9th Grade Problem in PreK
"Among the promising school interventions that work— used best in combination—include preschool programs, smaller class size especially in the early years, use of cooperative strategies, personalized learning, extended time for learning, extracurricular activities targeted particularly for underachieving students, and, finally, providing high-quality teachers who understand the students, respect them, and believe that the students can learn."
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Town Council - 3/18/09 - Agenda
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
- presentation of Audit – Melanson Heath & Co.
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
- Resolution 09-15: Acceptance of Deed of Parcel 29A, Palomino Drive
- Resolution 09-16: Acceptance of Deed of Parcel 29 B, Paddock Lane
- Resolution 09-17: Declaration of Town-Owned Land as Surplus and Available for Disposition
- Resolution 09-18: Appropriation Town Common Band Stand
- Bylaw Amendment 09-631: Chapter 82 Fees, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates - 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
Cafe Dolce - updated
On the walk around town I did Friday afternoon, I stopped in to talk with BJ Carlucci. He is busy tending to a recently broken ankle as well as finishing off the ceiling and kitchen. He should be training the folks that he has already hired next week and be ready to open the first week of April.
I can't wait.
BJ and I should be getting together for another longer conversation later this week and I'll let you know more about this new business opening soon.
Updated 3/26/09 - BJ, Dave and I did talk today. The results of that discussion will be up soon. I did post a picture of their new sign here.
Mobile post sent by shersteve using Utterli. Replies.
Treesavers Book Outlet
Kerry DiGiandomenico has been operating Treesavers Book Outlet for 14 years. He took it over from the previous owner when they ran into difficulty with RT 140 under construction and traffic to the store cut sharply.
With the Honey Dew in front of the plaza also closed for renovations, traffic has dropped, so Kerry is looking for other ways to draw in used book buyers.
LeeRoy U Bailey, Jr will be at Treesavers on Saturday May 2, to sign his book; A Different Perspective on How to Reach Heaven: You Must Be Born Again.
LeeRoy will be on site at Treesavers from noon to 4:00 PM. For more information you can email LeeRoy at brnagain@gmail.com or visit his website here.
Treesavers is a good alternative to the big booksellers for anything popular. As the picture mosaic shows, there are plenty of books with many of the major categories (Ficton, Non-Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Romance, etc.) that you would find in other book stores.
Kerry also deals in collectables. There were stacks of KISS dolls and posters amongst the stacks of books.
Audio books (books on tape or CD) are also available.
Each section of the books is generally alphabetized by author last name to make finding the book easier. Kerry tells the story of one couple who would bring him a set of index cards with author and titles. This was the listing of books that they had already read. Kerry would then keep an eye out for books not on their list, put them aside and when there were a few call them. They would come in to buy that set of books and update the listing on the index cards. Alas, the couple have both passed away now but this is the kind of place and service that Treesavers provides.
With money tight, the urge to read still prevalent, consider the low cost option to buying used books. Visit Treesavers and help support a Franklin business.
Treesavers Book Outlet is located at 391 West Central, in the same plaza as Edwins, AutoZone and Honey Dew.
Jane's Frames - Inventory Sale
Slideshow: Government and its role in the economy
The audio recordings were posted previously here.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
ENERGY BOARD VOTES TO APPROVE CAPE WIND ‘COMPOSITE CERTIFICATE’
MASSACHUSETTS ENERGY BOARD VOTES TO APPROVE CAPE WIND ‘COMPOSITE CERTIFICATE’
Friday, March 13, 2009
Cape Wind News Release
MASSACHUSETTS ENERGY BOARD VOTES TO APPROVE CAPE WIND ‘COMPOSITE CERTIFICATE’
MARCH 13, 2009, BOSTON, MA – In a unanimous vote, the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board (Siting Board), the agency created by the Legislature to ensure the siting of needed and least environmental impact energy facilities, voted yesterday to grant Cape Wind a Certificate of Environmental Impact and Public Interest (Certificate) that effectively rolls up all nine state and local permits related to the electric cables into one ‘composite certificate’.
Note: The official transcript of the Siting Board's Hearing yesterday is available for download at:
http://www.capewind.org/transcript.pdf
Cape Wind President Jim Gordon said, “This decision represents a major victory for the people of Massachusetts who are waiting for the clean energy jobs from Cape Wind which will help us become more energy independent and make Massachusetts a global leader in clean offshore wind energy production.” “I am grateful for the assistance that the attorneys representing Clean Power Now and the Conservation Law Foundation provided as participants in the Siting Board process”, Gordon continued.
The Siting Board instructed Cape Wind to work with the Towns of Yarmouth and Barnstable to reach an agreement on reasonable and customary conditions for town permits related to Cape Wind’s buried electric cables and to present this agreement to the Siting Board. In the event parties cannot agree on conditions, the Siting Board will decide on what conditions are reasonable to include. The Siting Board expects to complete this process and take its final vote within 60-days which will conclude Cape Wind’s permitting at the state and local level.
Cape Wind was compelled to file for this Certificate following a denial by the Cape Cod Commission in 2007. The Siting Board also has the statutory authority to grant a comprehensive approval to an energy facility it has previously approved, where that facility has been denied a permit by any other state or local agency in the Commonwealth.
In 2005, the Siting Board approved Cape Wind’s electrical interconnection at the conclusion of a 32-month review of unprecedented length that included 2,900 pages of transcripts, 923 exhibits and 50,000 pages of documentary evidence. The Siting Board found that Cape Wind would meet an identified need for electricity and would provide a reliable energy supply for Massachusetts, with a minimum impact on the environment. The Siting Board’s approval of Cape Wind’s electrical interconnection was upheld by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
Cape Wind’s proposal to build America’s first offshore wind farm on Horseshoe Shoal would provide three-quarters of the electricity used on Cape Cod and the Islands from clean, renewable energy - reducing this region’s need to import oil, coal and gas. Cape Wind will create new jobs, stable electric costs, contribute to a healthier environment, increase energy independence and establish Massachusetts as a leader in offshore wind power. For more information visit www.capewind.org.
Slideshow: Harlem Wizards vs Sullivan Rockets
It was quite a night of entertainment. The picture slide show should capture some of the fun.
Enjoy!
School Committee meeting - pictures added
Parmenter School notice on half days this week
I believe report cards come out Tuesday.
The elementary schools will have half-days to provide time for parent conferences on the Thursday (3/19) and Friday (3/20).
Be resourceful, as you walk pick up recyclables along the way.
With spring coming up this week on the calendar, and hopefully in reality just as soon, there will be more time to get outside to walk and enjoy the fresh air.
Franklin will celebrate Earth Day on April 18th. You can help clean up Franklin without waiting for Earth Day.
When you go for a walk, take a plastic bag (or two) with you.
Walking is good exercise. Bending and stretching to pick up a bottle or aluminum can for the bag is even better. This is the one bag that I came back with from Saturday's walk. Sometimes I end up with two or three.
If all the walkers in Franklin added this to their walk, Franklin would be a cleaner place.
Tip - to the bend and stretch, add a stomp on the can to squish it and make it more compact for the bag. You'll be able to fit more that way.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Sell out for Harlem Wizards!
The Sullivan Rockets gave a valiant effort in holding the Harlem Wizards to under 100 points.
A basketball game? Not really from the purest sense but there was great family entertainment!
The Sullivan PCC must be pleased with the turnout.
I should have some pictures up to show some of the action later this weekend!
"chickens are going to come home to roost"
After learning the town spends $2,700 less per pupil than the state average, Superintendent Wayne Ogden said he is growing increasingly worried Franklin will soon reach the state's minimum spending threshold.
The per-pupil statistics can be viewed as either "very positive or very depressing," depending on one's perspective, Ogden said.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Education Web site, Franklin spends $9,750 per pupil, and the state average is $12,497 per pupil.
Despite Franklin's comparatively low spending per pupil, the district performs at an above-average level in all categories, Ogden said.
"Your teachers and kids continue to do a great job with the resources available," he said.
Read the full story on the low cost per student and high performance in the Milford Daily News here
Andro's Pizza - worth stopping for
Friday, March 13, 2009
Thank you!
To whomever picked this up downtown and took the time to return it to me. This is much appreciated.
I had dropped it when running last Thursday morning. I know I had it in my pocket at the corner of Summer and East Central. When I checked again on Wachusett it was gone. I completed my run, got into the car and retraced my route. As I went along Union, I was dismayed to find that the DPW crews were out street sweeping. Good for them and cleaning up the town but that also meant that if I had dropped it on Union, I had no chance of getting it back. It would have been gobbled up in the sweeper.
With it returned, it must have fallen out somewhere along East Central before I turned on Union.
Anyway, my thanks to the person who picked it up and was kind enough to return it. Franklin does have fine people living here. Don't let anyone say otherwise!
"its report would be totally transparent, objective and accurate"
The longterm fiscal planning committee is nearly ready to present its multi-year financial projections, and is aiming for an audience of hundreds at an April 27 presentation at Horace Mann Middle School.
"I feel a hugely important objective is education, to inform the public as to why we're under (financial) pressure on a yearly basis," said Councilor Stephen Whalen.
As part of its efforts to dispel some misconceptions, the group last night emphasized the importance of making the town's finances understandable.
For instance, while reviewing Franklin's relatively low per-pupil spending, which is $2,700 below the state average, members commented that many residents don't realize the value they get for their educational dollar.
"There are so many people in town who think this town wastes money and is poorly run, but there is no evidence" to support that, Whalen said.
Read the full article from the Financial Planning Committee meeting in the Milford Daily News here
"merit pay that is based on student performance"
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News hereBy Aaron Wasserman/Daily News staffGHSPosted Mar 12, 2009 @ 10:21 PM
Following President Obama's support of linking teacher pay to student performance and his promotion of charter schools, area educators say they are willing to listen. But, they say, they want to hear more specifics from him first.
"He's got a lot of good ideas for education," said Massachusetts Teachers Association President Anne Wass, though she noted that the state association disagrees with Obama on teacher pay and charter schools.
Teachers unions, a key force in Democratic party politics, have in the past vehemently opposed both of those ideas. Obama acknowledged that conflict.
-----
Chandler Creedon, president of the Franklin Education Association, said school districts vary widely on per-student funding, and any talk of merit pay also needs a discussion of how districts would fund it.Franklin's expense per student is roughly $9,500, about $3,000 less than the state average, he said, and the schools might lay off 60 teachers and raise class sizes.
"We certainly don't have a level playing field to make these comparisons," said Creedon.
Fun Friday - How much is one trillion?
How much is one trillion?
What does one trillion look like?
The slideshow put together using Google Docs starts with a familiar object, the size of a dollar bill and puts together what one trillion looks like.
Quite impressive!
Enjoy!
Thanks to Ms Meyer, an English teacher from Conroe, TX for putting this together to share.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Financial Plng Comm 03/12/09
Panel on Government and its role in the Economy (Summary)
Part One
Vice Principal Joe DiLorenzo provided the welcoming remarks and the introduction of the panel.
The panel included:
- Congressman James McGovern
- State Senator Scott Brown
- State Senator Karen Spilka
- Majority Leader of the House, Representative Jim Vallee
- Town Administrator Jeff Nutting
- Town Council Chairperson Chris Feeley
The first question that everyone on the panel got to answer was summarized as: "What is the proper role of government in our economy?" They spoke in the following order so you can make out who's voice belong to who. McGovern, Spilka, Brown, Vallee, Nutting, and Feeley.
Listen to Part One here
Part Two
Question - Senator Brown, you spoke of reform in your response, indicating that Governor Patrick has been in office for 2.5 years and has not done any meaningful reform, if you were in charge what reform would you make?
Answered by Brown, Spilka
Question - How do you think that market panic has contributed to the economic downturn?
Answered by Feeley, Nutting, Vallee
Question - How do we help people with mortgage foreclosures and business on Wall Street with bailouts?
Answered by McGovern, Brown, Spilka
Listen to Part Two here
Part Three
Question - When you are creating bills to help people in the foreclosure crisis, do you plan on differentiating between predator lenders, those who made poor choices and those with unfortunate circumstances? or do you plan on doing so?
Answered by Brown
Question - Have you agreed to a salary freeze for next year?
Answered by Nutting, McGovern, Vallee, Brown, Spilka, Feeley
Question - What's your opinion on the stimulus package that was recently passed?
Answered by McGovern, Brown, Spilka
Interesting side note: Brown challenged McGovern on the number of earmarks supposedly in the package. McGovern came right back with "There are none." Brown insisted there are and that they would take it offline to resolve. This occurs about 9:50 into the recording.
Senator Spilka gets cut short as the bell rings.
Listen to Part Three here
Pictures from this event can be found here
FM #35 - Panel on Gov't and Economy - P3
Time: 13 minutes, 57 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes: FM #35
Music intro
My intro
This internet radio show or podcast for Franklin Matters is number 35 in the series.
This session is a special one. On Monday morning, March 9, 2009, there was a panel discussion on the government and its role in the economy. The panel included Congressman James McGovern, State Senator Scott Brown, State Senator Karen Spilka, Majority Leader of the House, our own Jim Vallee, Town Administrator Jeff Nutting, and Town Council Chairperson Chris Feeley. The panel was held at Franklin High School and put together by Michael Walsh. The moderator was FHS Senior April Crehan. The session was well attended by students but only a handful of citizens took part.
Now you can share in that opportunity. What follows is the audio recording of the panel discussion split into three parts.
The first part covers the introduction of the panel and moderator and the first question which all had a chance to talk to.
The second part covers three questions. This third part also covers three questions and the closing is cut off by the bell for the students to change class periods.
Thanks to all the panelists for sharing their thoughts in this forum.
Thanks also to Mike Walsh for the opportunity to provide this recording for those who missed to take part.
--------------
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
Live reporting - Financial Plng Comm - cont'd
always took the conservative number and one that could be reasonably justified
bulk of employment has gone down from the schools but the school population has still increased
the town employment side has lost employment while the number of roads, houses, population has all increased
there are a lot of interesting things that aren't going to make the cut
one of the key values of the chart showing the overall per pupil cost in comparison to other relative communities, is that we are not overspending
The state aid will be a variable within a range, what reasonable conclusions can we draw about the possible ranges for state aid? Could it be flat, sure. When will the recovery occur? Anyone's guess but when it does come back, all the revenue streams, income tax, excise tax, etc. will increase and help.
The best guess is the most conservative, flat next year, and modest increases thereafter.
It could go below flat if we don't get a recovery for 2011
Next meeting: March 26th
Focus group: April 2nd
Live reporting - Financial Planning Committee
Absent: Kelly, Trahan, Roche, Ogden,
Discussion on override history added to one table but while the numbers are not completely accurate, even if it were, it doesn't add much of relevance to the discussion.
Some handouts for review, not all the package was reprinted.
Objectives for tonight:
- revisit the assumptions from last week's draft
- objectivity of the process
- ensure accuracy of the data and report
discussion on relevance of data that is directly from the DOR Franklin at a Glance section
FM #34 - Panel on Gov't and Economy P2
Time: 21 minutes, 32 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes: FM #34
Music intro
My intro
This internet radio show or podcast for Franklin Matters is number 34 in the series.
This session is a special one. On Monday morning, March 9, 2009, there was a panel discussion on the government and its role in the economy. The panel included Congressman James McGovern, State Senator Scott Brown, State Senator Karen Spilka, Majority Leader of the House, our own Jim Vallee, Town Administrator Jeff Nutting, and Town Council Chairperson Chris Feeley. The panel was held at Franklin High School and put together by Michael Walsh. The moderator was FHS Senior April Crehan. The session was well attended by students but only a handful of citizens took part.
Now you can share in that opportunity. What follows is the audio recording of the panel discussion split into three parts.
The first part covers the introduction of the panel and moderator and the first question which all had a chance to talk to.
This second part covers three questions. The third part also covers three questions and the closing is cut off by the bell for the students to change class periods.
Thanks to all the panelists for sharing their thoughts in this forum. Thanks also to Mike Walsh for the opportunity to provide this recording for those who missed to take part.
--------------
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
FM #33 - Panel on Government and the Economy
Time: 24 minutes, 12 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes: FM #33
Music intro
My intro
This internet radio show or podcast for Franklin Matters is number 33 in the series.
This session is a special one. On Monday morning, March 9, 2009, there was a panel discussion on the government and its role in the economy. The panel included Congressman James McGovern, State Senator Scott Brown, State Senator Karen Spilka, Majority Leader of the House, our own Representative Jim Vallee, Town Administrator Jeff Nutting, and Town Council Chairperson Chris Feeley. The panel was held at Franklin High School and put together by Michael Walsh. The moderator was FHS Senior April Crehan. The session was well attended by students but only a handful of citizens took part.
Now you can share in that opportunity. What follows is the audio recording of the panel discussion split into three parts.
The first part covers the introduction of the panel/moderator and the first question which all had a chance to talk to.
The second part covers three questions. The third part also covers three questions and the closing is cut off by the bell for the students to change class periods.
Thanks to all the panelists for sharing their thoughts in this forum. Thanks also to Mike Walsh for the opportunity to provide this recording for those who missed to take part.
--------------
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
Free US History Course from Stanford via iTunes
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
Applications for Education
This course will cover topics that students have heard about from elementary school history teachers through high school history teachers. iTunes U provides high school students with an opportunity to learn in more depth about topics with which they are already familiar.
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Franklin high school capital projects
http://drop.io/FranklinMatters/asset/franklinhighschoolcapitalprojects-20090310-pdf
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NEED - National Energy Education Development
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The student section of NEED offers students science fair project ideas, games, and puzzles.
Applications for Education
NEED provides a wide range of activities for students in all grades to learn about the science of energy consumption and energy sources.
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"going to whichever one was open"
Selectmen said last night that Medway is in talks with Franklin about regionalizing library services.
During a discussion about the municipal budget, selectmen Chairman Glenn Trindade mentioned that the board wants to add $42,000 to the town budget to pay for expenses related to a merger.
"This is only a recommendation," said Selectman Dennis Crowley. "The library trustees have to vote to approve this amount."
Trindade said that in the tentative plan, the libraries would alternate their operating days so that they would each be open three days a week, but residents of both towns would have access to a library six hours a day, six days a week by going to whichever one was open.
Read the full article on this next step in merging services between the two communities, Franklin and Medway, in the Milford Daily News here
"It's a significant sacrifice they're making"
In a move that has thrilled town officials, members of the Franklin Police Association have unanimously voted to freeze their salaries until July 2010. Union President John Maloney called the decision "a no-brainer."
The 41-member union also voted Tuesday to change its health care coverage and take higher co-payments to save the town money, said Officer David Gove.
"That is excellent, that's outstanding," said Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.
"That's going to save police jobs (up to three). As far as I'm concerned, there will be no need to reduce the police force in 2010 because of the money they're going to save," which exceeds $100,000, Nutting said.
The union, which was due to receive a 3 percent raise in October, voted to forgo that increase until July, mainly to avoid layoffs, Maloney said.
"If you can defer a raise for eight or nine months to save at least one officer's job, it's a no-brainer," he said.
Read the full article about the Police Union actions in the Milford Daily News here
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
School Committee Mtg 03/10/09
"Franklin High School will still be a great place to get an education"
Superintendent Wayne Ogden said he anticipates local schools will receive about $1.3 million in federal stimulus money.
That funding, along with $125,000 in increased circuit breaker aid and the money saved by 51 staff members forgoing raises, will help close a projected $3.3 million gap in next year's budget, Ogden said.
The School Department should get the stimulus money over the next 24-48 months, Ogden said, but it is not yet clear how it can be spent.
Ogden said he hopes to use it to save teaching jobs.
Though many financial variables are still up in the air, Ogden and School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy promise to keep parents and school staff up to speed on the numbers.
"It's a very dynamic budget, we're still waiting for the federal stimulus money," Ogden said.
Read the full article from the School Committee meeting in the Milford Daily News here.
"You just gotta believe it's going to happen"
Despite some rocky relations in the past, the general sentiment among downtown businesses and town officials is one of sympathy for developer John Marini, whose plans were halted by the recession.
On Monday night, Marini told the Planning Board he has not been able to sell any of his 27 upscale condos in the 2 1/2 months they've been on the market, and cannot secure financing to demolish and rebuild 12-28 East Central St., as originally planned.
Instead, he will put $100,000 worth of repairs into the property and lease the first floor spaces for a three-year period.
"I promise to make it look presentable," he told the board.
This article follows up on the presentation to the Planning Board Monday night revealing a revised schedule for completion of the Center Commons project. Marini will be back to the Planning Board in April to file the formal paperwork. You can read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Live reporting - Superintendent update
• Superintendent’s Report
- Enrollment Comparison
- FY08 Per Pupil Expenditure Comparison to State Average
a year ago we were below in 10 of the 11, and forecasted that we would be below in all 11
If we continue this trend, we will be below the state minimum level and the town will be forced to cut from the town side to fund the schools at the minimum level
actually one of the 11, we do want to be below the state average. In that one category, special ed students sent out of district, we are below the state average and should be, that is a good number to be
While we are still meeting scholastic performance and are performing above average, I don't know who long that will last. 2 of our middle schools are one year into a performance plan for not meeting the annual performance requirements
- FHS Building Projects
live reporting - action items
- I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,000.00 from the Jefferson PCC for field trips for the Jefferson 1st grade to Southwick and the 5th grade to Freedom Trail. approved 6-0
- I recommend approval of the FHS Art Department’s request for a field trip to NY Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 16, 2009 as detailed. approved 6-0
- I recommend appointment of Sally Winslow to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Student Services effective July 1, 2009. approved 6-0
- I recommend approval of the FHS’s request for a recurring field trip for 20 students to the University of New Hampshire on March 14, 2009 for their annual Jazz Festival on March 14, 2009 as detailed. approved 6-0
- I recommend acceptance of a check for $501.02 from the FHS Class of 1942 for a scholarship for the FHS Class of 2009. approved 6-0
- I recommend approval of the FHS recurring field trip to Providence Place Mall for Remington Middle School students as detailed. tabled to be brought back next meeting with clarifications
Live reporting - Discussion only items
- FY 2010 Budget Matters
$200,000 increased circuit breaker
$125,000 central office, administration wage freeze
We are still waiting to receive Federal Stimulus money, possible to get just over a $1 M
Not sure how we can use it yet, the Federal level has not determined the usage yet
Meal tax, etc still being worked in Boston, those could add $1 M to the overall Franklin budget of which some of that would come to the Schools
Budget hearing schedule tentative dependent upon when the final numbers are ready from the State and Federal sources
- Ten-Year Summary of Capitol Projects at FHS
in essence, there is documentation for approx. $4 million of improvements and repairs to the high school over the past 10 years
There is an additional $2.5 million associated with the new field and the repairs of the other fields
EPA grant to clean out chemical storage, etc. Because it is a grant, that is not on this listing
This listing is those items of $10,000 or more.
Replacement of eye wash stations would not meet that criteria so there are additional expenses not reflected here
Live reporting - Horace Mann Enrichment Model
- Anne Bergen
- Rob Vacca
- Jacqui Berger
- Trich Metrick
- Bert Garr
- Mark Brady
- Dr Bergen
Wrote a grant to obtain funds to support the program
Gave up some of their Saturday's to take course on gifted and talented curriculum
Expose the kids to exciting things so they will want to read
Mr Garr - enrichment clusters
connecting kids to their passions, get them involved with experiential learning
- One cluster on architectural design, formed a relationship with Harvard on design/CAD
- One on WWI and the Holocaust
- A parent came forward with interest on the JFK Assassination
- Most kids don't mind writing, they just need an opportunity to write about things they like
- A group worked on an on-line music review blog
Jacqui Berger
- Visited Raythenon, NitroPlastics
- New England Laborers Training Academy (for building and construction)
- With Northeastern and other local universities
- Visited the MIT Museum, spoke with MIT students
- BU Medical, City Lab, 8th graders working on experiments in a real lab environment
Mr Vacca
NCTA - traveled with 19 other educators to Southeast Asia
made connections with those teachers and continue to share/learn
Professor and 4-5 graduate students scheduled to visit Horace Mann in May
will cost only the gas expense for the graduate students
Mr Brady
Direction of this is to break out of the classroom to make the learning very real
International robotics competition, has two teams at Horace Mann
Find out Sep 5th, the research project behind the project is a great deal of work not seen by others as the focus in on the robots and the competition
Introduce student on personal finance, entrepreneurship
Investing, focus on the assumptions behind how and why you do so, we don't think strategically anymore, 18 months is not strategic
More students in the 18-26 age group actually declare bankruptcy than graduate
Student lead yard sale - May 9th
Any items for sale, please contact the school office
Armenio - I find this fascinating, anything that can make the education ore real is good
Anything you can do to get the community into the classroom is great
Live reporting - Presentations
Live reporting - School Committee 3/10/09
Missing: Cafasso
1. Routine Business
- Citizen’s Comments - none
- Review of Agenda - none
- Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the February 24, 2009 School Committee Meeting. motion to approve - passed 6-0
- Payment of Bills - Mr. Kelly motion to approve - passed 6-0
- Payroll - Ms. Armenio
- FHS Student Representatives
Senior Awards night - June 1
The Wrestling team won the State Championship
Raised $5,000 for the Tomorrow Fund
- Correspondence:
2. Transfers
"I think it'll help everybody"
The two communities will begin by sharing the first flag football game of the year, in Medway in late April or early May, said Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.
Franklin has recreational staff and extensive programs and activities, and Medway has residents willing to pay the fees to participate, since the town only offers minimal recreational activities.
"It's a win-win for everyone," Nutting said.
"It gives us revenue to keep our fees down" by contributing to overhead costs, he said.
Franklin Recreation Department Director Ryan Jette said about 5,800 kids in Franklin participate and Nutting said the department has revenue of about $400,000 per year.
"We're not going to get rich off this, but if we can make $10,000 for a little bit of work, it's worth a try," Nutting said.
Under the agreement, Medway residents can participate in a Franklin Recreation Department program or activity after Franklin residents have been given a chance to register.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Read all the live reporting from the Town Council meeting March 4th here
"optimistic the economy will rebound in three years"
Developer John Marini will not be completing the final leg of his downtown project for at least three years because banks are refusing to finance the work, he told the Planning Board last night.
Instead of his original plan to demolish, rebuild, and sell 12-28 West Central St. this year, Marini said he will put $100,000 worth of repairs into the building and lease the spaces for a three-year period.
Marini blames his difficulties on the recession.
"I've been in this business 40 years, and I've never had things happen this way. It's impossible to get financing, it's impossible to get tenants, it's impossible to sell. It's just a crazy situation," Marini said.
Read the full article on the trouble delaying the downtown development in the Milford Daily News here.
Harlem Wizards vs. Sullivan Rockets
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
Monday, March 9, 2009
School Committee - Agenda - 3/10/09
- Citizen’s Comments
- Review of Agenda
- Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the February 24, 2009 School Committee Meeting.
- Payment of Bills - Mr. Kelly
- Payroll - Ms. Armenio
- FHS Student Representatives
- Correspondence:
2. Transfers
2. Guests/Presentations:
Rachel Porter – 100 points Girls Ice Hockey (with Peter Light)
HMMS – Math Counts Competition – Most Improved Team Certificates (Teacher/Coach: Andi Ridley)
- Askshat Agrawal
- Azmina Aysha
- Rachel Balon
- Sanjay Batchu
- Abhilahsa Boruah
- Ben Burke
- Rachita Chaudhury
- Brendan Lewis
- Ajey Pandey
- Nithya Sridhar
c. HMMS Enrichment Model Presentation
- Anne Bergen
- Rob Vacca
- Jacqui Berger
- Trich Metrick
- Bert Garr
3. Discussion Only Items
- FY 2010 Budget Matters
- Ten-Year Summary of Capitol Projects at FHS
4. Action Items
- I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,000.00 from the Jefferson PCC for field trips for the Jefferson 1st grade to Southwick and the 5th grade to Freedom Trail.
- I recommend approval of the FHS Art Department’s request for a field trip to NY Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 16, 2009 as detailed.
- I recommend appointment of Sally Winslow to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Student Services effective July 1, 2009.
- I recommend approval of the FHS’s request for a recurring field trip for 20 students to the University of New Hampshire on March 14, 2009 for their annual Jazz Festival on March 14, 2009 as detailed.
- I recommend acceptance of a check for $501.02 from the FHS Class of 1942 for a scholarship for the FHS Class of 2009.
- I recommend approval of the FHS recurring field trip to Providence Place Mall for Remington Middle School students as detailed.
5. Information Matters
• Superintendent’s Report
- Enrollment Comparison
- FY08 Per Pupil Expenditure Comparison to State Average
- FHS Building Projects
• School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
• School Committee Liaison Reports
6. New Business
- To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
7. Executive Session
- Contractual Negotiations
8. Adjourn
"Merging two positions seems efficient"
She hasn't yet officially taken the reins from Superintendent Wayne Ogden, but Maureen Sabolinski is already making moves to save a top position without expanding the budget.
"Looking at the workload and budgetary needs, I opted to reorganize" a few roles, said Sabolinski, now assistant superintendent.
Sabolinski said she will continue her current duties, plus heap on the job of superintendent. She is also one of 51 school staff who volunteered to forgo a pay increase next year.
And in place of an assistant superintendent and a director of pupil personnel services, she created a new position, assistant superintendent for student services.
Read the full article about this change in the Milford Daily News here
Read the live reporting from the School Committee meeting held on Feb 24th here