Presentations:
Update – Mike D’Angelo
This is a follow up visit to the Council to explain the root cause and actions taken for Horace Mann/FHS damage from the Labor Day incident previously reported
Buildings are now being alarmed to ring through to the Fire Dept. The central dispatch will be able to monitor and make phone calls if there were another occurrence.
Tim Raposa working on getting all the buildings alarmed for power failures as well. If the power goes out, there is an email sent out to a listing for action.
Zollo - what is your level of confidence that once these are all in place?
D'Angelo - there is always a probability of something going but there is an increased confidence.
Zollo - would you still do the walk throughs?
D'Angelo - design in MA doesn't really handle temps in under 10 degrees, so the walk throughs are good for checking on those circumstances.
Pfeffer - Is all overtime reported here? Is Servicemaster included in this?
D'Angelo - They haven't provided that yet. I can update this as we continue to go.
Pfeffer - what caused the problem?
D'Angelo -
Pfeffer - How come it is taking so long for the High School gym floor?
D'Angelo - We worked with Norma to get a waiver and expedited process but we still had to do design work, etc. The contract should be signed soon.
Nutting - It was just signed tonight at 5:00 PM
Doak - With the monitoring we have, will it be tested so that we know it will work?
D'Angelo - During the winter, we test these monthly.
Vallee - There are devices that hook up to the phone line that alert me to the temp being low?
D'Angelo - Although the Senior Center temp did drop, the failures were not such that it would have tripped that device.
Vallee - So it was not preventable?
D'Angelo - At that point, it was not. We have five of the six items covered with monitoring now, we'll catch it sooner and prevent the serious damage. The trip required someone to push a button.
Vallee - A forty dollar device could have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage.
Whalen - has the process for the utility to tell us been set up?
D'Angelo - we have set up the system so when there is an interruption in power, we will be notified.
Nutting - your point is why don't we have monitoring? we have the schools for 50 years and it never happened. We had insurance and we'll pay.
Feeley - Are you comfortable that we are covered at 99%?
D'Angelo - yes
Feeley - Is it also true that we may never know the exact cause of the sequence of events?
D'Angelo - yes
break for two minutes
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Live reporting - Legislation - continued
Note: Mason left meeting (resuming this piece of the agenda after the Financial Planning Committee report completed)
Brutus - we are not putting ourselves at a relative disadvantage in the implementation of these storm water fees. Our fees are lower than engineering fees, the developers will be fairly treated. Based upon the size and scope of the project.
Vallee - in view of the conditions we are in, I will not support this project
Bylaw roll call - all for except Vallee as noted.
- Resolution 09-21: Request for Legislation –Simple Procedure to Accept Roads Motion to approve, passed 6-0
- Resolution 09-22: Establishment of Forge Park Priority Development Site Motion to approve, passed 7-0
- Resolution 09-23: Establishment of Franklin Industrial Park Priority Development Site Motion to approve, passed 7-0
- Resolution 09-24: Establishment of Pond Street Economic Opportunity Area Motion to approve, passed 7-0
- Resolution 09-25: Binding Offer to Provide Tax Increment Financing to “Certified Projects” Motion to approve, passed 7-0
- Bylaw Amendment 09-631: Chapter 82 Fees, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 2nd Reading Motion to approve, passed 6-1
Brutus - we are not putting ourselves at a relative disadvantage in the implementation of these storm water fees. Our fees are lower than engineering fees, the developers will be fairly treated. Based upon the size and scope of the project.
Vallee - in view of the conditions we are in, I will not support this project
Bylaw roll call - all for except Vallee as noted.
Live reporting - Rep Vallee
Rep Jim Vallee speaking about the legislature's budget released today. It differs from the Governor's budget in that there is less revenue to be expected now than what had been expected at the time the Governor announced.
Franklin effectively, level funded for what we received last year.
If the stimulus money does come through, there could be another $400,000 coming.
"Probably certain"
Additional revenue sources being looked at to provide tools to the local communities to help.
It has been a pleasure working with Jeff Nutting for Franklin and for all the communities that Jeff represents in his new role.
A lot of folks have stepped up to the plate to forgo pay increases this year. Thanks
Nutting - we took a hundred thousand dollar hit but on a hundred million dollar budget we can take that. The budget deficit should be under a million dollars with the teachers and the other union actions.
Franklin effectively, level funded for what we received last year.
If the stimulus money does come through, there could be another $400,000 coming.
"Probably certain"
Additional revenue sources being looked at to provide tools to the local communities to help.
It has been a pleasure working with Jeff Nutting for Franklin and for all the communities that Jeff represents in his new role.
A lot of folks have stepped up to the plate to forgo pay increases this year. Thanks
Nutting - we took a hundred thousand dollar hit but on a hundred million dollar budget we can take that. The budget deficit should be under a million dollars with the teachers and the other union actions.
Live reporting - Legislation for action
Resolution 09-06: Appropriation – 2009 Capital Plan
Motion approved 7-0
Mason - apology for missing and delaying this vote, speaking for the capital approval.
Doak - seconding what Councilor Mason mentioned, if we don't do it this year, it will cost more to do this next year. Thanks to the Dept Heads for performing the due diligence on their submissions.
Nutting - purchase some used vehicles to help avoid keeping the police vehicles on the road as long as they have been.
Motion approved 7-0
Mason - apology for missing and delaying this vote, speaking for the capital approval.
Doak - seconding what Councilor Mason mentioned, if we don't do it this year, it will cost more to do this next year. Thanks to the Dept Heads for performing the due diligence on their submissions.
Nutting - purchase some used vehicles to help avoid keeping the police vehicles on the road as long as they have been.
Live reporting: Franklin Schools Strategic Planning Update
The Strategic Planning Steering Committee presentation to the Town Council meeting:
Updated: The survey is available here
Strategic Planning Process Overview
View more presentations from Steve Sherlock.
Updated: The survey is available here
Live reporting - Town Council - 4/15/09
Attending: Whalen, Vallee, Feeley, Pfeffer, Doak, Zollo
Missing: Bartlett (arrived at 7:45 PM), McGann (no show), Mason (left at 7:30PM)
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 18, 2009 Regular & Executive Session
motion to approve, passed 7-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS none
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS none
Missing: Bartlett (arrived at 7:45 PM), McGann (no show), Mason (left at 7:30PM)
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 18, 2009 Regular & Executive Session
motion to approve, passed 7-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS none
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS none
"the only model that's going to be sustainable"
GHS
MEDWAY —
Selectmen Chairman Glenn Trindade said he is "very disappointed" after learning the library trustees voted against sharing Franklin Library Director Felicia Oti.
Instead, the board voted at its April 7 meeting to recommend hiring Oti seven hours a week in fiscal 2010 only to prepare the library's long-range plan, according to an e-mail Wendy Rowe sent to selectmen.
Rowe, chairwoman of the Medway library trustees and acting library director, said the board voted to hire Oti, but did not work out any details yet.
Read the full article about this twist in the regionalization efforts for Franklin/Medway libraries in the Milford Daily News here
Long Range Financial Planning Committee reports tonight
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
Tonight, the Long-Range Financial Planning Committee will present its report to Town Council, which couldn't be better timing, said Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.
"The report explains why the cost of existing town services is expected to grow faster than revenue for the foreseeable future," said Douglas Hardesty, vice chairman of the long-range committee.
"It also offers recommendations for addressing this problem. The committee believes the report will help residents trust that the problem is real and recognize that Franklin's future is tied to how we respond as a community to this crisis," said Hardesty, who is going to make the presentation.
read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
For all the reporting on the Financial Planning Committee meetings check the "Meeting Summaries" section on Franklin Matters.
For a summary of the focus group feedback used to prepare this report check here
What's the cost of 5 hours?
According to a copy of the proposal, the union demanded the following conditions: the permanent removal of five floating after-school meetings, permanent removal of the need to provide a reason for personal days, and the permanent requirement that no after-school meetings be scheduled two weeks prior to the issuing of report cards.From the Milford Daily News article on the School Committee meeting 4/14/09.
The citizens of Franklin will find out, hopefully soon, what the cost of 5 hours of meetings are. Is it worth 1 million dollars? Or is it worth more?
The teachers union in a vote to accept the 2.5 percent wage freeze for the 2009-2010 school year attached three minor conditions to the proposal.
To remove from their contract, five floating after school meetings. There already are three mandatory meetings each month for the teachers at each school. Is there really a need for these five floating meetings? I hope not.
To remove the requirement for providing a reason for taking two "personal" days. There are only two, you use them or loose them. They are already defined "personal". Does the School Dept really need to know the personal reason? I think that is too much of a controlling issue.
To add a requirement not to schedule after-school meetings in the two weeks prior to report cards. This seems reasonable. The time before report cards should be focused on preparing the accurate information for students and parents/guardians on the progress made during the marking period.
Why this was not discussed during the meeting, I can understand given the nature of the conversation that did take place between Chandler Creedon and the School Committee. They were talking about the same topic, using different words, not really answering each others questions. For me, there is a communication issue there. I hope it gets resolved quickly.
"I encourage everyone to work together"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
By an overwhelming majority, the teachers union voted to accept a pay freeze and forgo course reimbursement next year, union head Chandler Creedon announced at last night's School Committee meeting.
The Franklin Education Association's sacrifice will save the School Department $1 million - $800,000 in salary increases - and $200,000 in reimbursements, said Creedon, who is also a psychologist at Horace Mann Middle School.
The vote reportedly was 210-43.
The action will save the jobs of 20 teachers, Creedon said.
Reading from a prepared statement, Creedon said, "We the teachers of Franklin are extremely concerned about the quality and direction education is currently going in Franklin."
Read the full article about the teachers proposal in the Milford Daily News here
For all the information discussed at the School Committee meeting check here
Taking Back Childhood: Helping Children Thrive in Challenging Times
Franklin Public School’s Early Childhood Programs Present
Taking Back Childhood: Helping Children Thrive in Challenging Times
Guest Speaker: Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Ed. D.
Date: May 12, 2009
Time: 7:30 PM
Place:
Nancy Carlsson-Paige is a professor of early childhood education at Lesley University and the author of Taking Back Childhood: Helping Your Kids Thrive in a Fast-Paced, Media-Saturated, Violence-Filled World. She writes and lectures about the impact of violence in the media, consumerism and its effects on children’s social development, and how adults can raise caring and compassionate kids. She is a recognized national expert and speaks extensively on these subjects. For more information see her website at www.nancycarlsson-paige.org.
Childhood has changed dramatically in just one generation. Social trends such as the influence of media, the fast pace of life, rampant consumerism, and overly structured school days are undermining some of the basic building blocks of healthy childhood. These social forces make it harder for children today to create their own play, feel safe and secure, and build positive, loving relationships with others. Come learn about how childhood has changed for young children today and how you can reclaim what kids need most to help them flourish in these challenging times.
Taking Back Childhood: Helping Children Thrive in Challenging Times
Guest Speaker: Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Ed. D.
Date: May 12, 2009
Time: 7:30 PM
Place:
Horace Mann Middle School Auditorium
224 Oak Street
Franklin, MA
Nancy Carlsson-Paige is a professor of early childhood education at Lesley University and the author of Taking Back Childhood: Helping Your Kids Thrive in a Fast-Paced, Media-Saturated, Violence-Filled World. She writes and lectures about the impact of violence in the media, consumerism and its effects on children’s social development, and how adults can raise caring and compassionate kids. She is a recognized national expert and speaks extensively on these subjects. For more information see her website at www.nancycarlsson-paige.org.
Childhood has changed dramatically in just one generation. Social trends such as the influence of media, the fast pace of life, rampant consumerism, and overly structured school days are undermining some of the basic building blocks of healthy childhood. These social forces make it harder for children today to create their own play, feel safe and secure, and build positive, loving relationships with others. Come learn about how childhood has changed for young children today and how you can reclaim what kids need most to help them flourish in these challenging times.
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
NewBCamp - Providence College - Apr 19
What:
Come to learn and share about the new technology in social media tools! Blogs, podcasting, networking, Twitter, video blogging, etc.
Where:
Providence College
When:
April 19 - 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
More Information and registration:
Click here
Come to learn and share about the new technology in social media tools! Blogs, podcasting, networking, Twitter, video blogging, etc.
Where:
Providence College
When:
April 19 - 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
More Information and registration:
Click here
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Links from School Committee Mtg
During the meeting there were a couple of references to other sources of information, I have tried to collect them here:
1 - there was reference to the State requirement for 185 day calendar. You can view all the State Laws and Regulations pertaining to Education here
In particular 603 CMR 27.00: refers to Student Learning Time and contains the paragraph covering the calendar length (185 days)
2 - Prior budget cuts were summarized as of last year here
1 - there was reference to the State requirement for 185 day calendar. You can view all the State Laws and Regulations pertaining to Education here
In particular 603 CMR 27.00: refers to Student Learning Time and contains the paragraph covering the calendar length (185 days)
2 - Prior budget cuts were summarized as of last year here
School Committee Mtg 04/14/09
The live reporting segments from the School Committee meeting on 4/14/09 can be found here:
- Live reporting - New Business
- Live reporting - subcommittee reports
- Live reporting - superintendent report
- Live reporting - Action items
- Live reporting - FY 2010 Budget
- Live reporting - "To Kill a Mockingbird"
- Live reporting - High School Experience
- Live reporting - Best Buddies Grant Awards
- Live reporting - School Committee - 4/14/09
- Additional links referenced during the meeting
Live reporting - New Business
Rohrbach - let's have a subcommittee look at establishing principles
Cafasso - yes, let's look at that
motion to enter Executive Session
Cafasso - yes, let's look at that
motion to enter Executive Session
Live reporting - subcommittee reports
Cafasso - There are ten banners, you'd recognize many of them, they are all loyal supporters of the school district. This program started just as the economy started. Some logistical issues were dealt with early on, those have been resolved. Coach Sidwell, would like the program to continue. We'll meet on a possible expansion to our athletic fields. We are reducing our budget, increasing fees, it would be good to continue.
The subcommittee would like to move it from pilot to a formal program.
Roy - Go with it.
The subcommittee would like to move it from pilot to a formal program.
Roy - Go with it.
Live reporting - superintendent report
Sabolinksi - two options for school calendar based upon the prior survey, one starting before Labor Day, one starting after Labor Day. The parents wanted to start after Labor Day, the faculty wanted the start before Labor Day. No recommendation yet. Instructionally starting before Labor Day is better, being in our buildings in June is no fun, the buildings are toasty hot.
Armenio - I am not comfortable with the June closing, if we have terrible weather, we can't go into July, we would have to take those days off the April vacation.
Cafasso - can we put these online to view given the survey results?
Sabolinski - We are poised to do so, just didn't want to post them before this discussion.
Mullen - it is a consideration to bring the kids in early when they are already dealing with the heat, as opposed to in June when it is an adjustment.
Rohrbach - consider a PDD day on Election Day?
Roy - I would go for the safety factor
Susan Collins - started a petition to do the calendar after Labor Day then saw the survey so held off, consider the day before Thanksgiving, no one else has it.
Teachers on the second floor especially it is brutal in the heat. The PCC bought us fans.
Steve Luckovitch (?) two children at ECDC, a concern about the consistency of attending (the kids attend twice a week)
There are three full professional days across the district.
Did we revisit the Feb vacation?
Sabolinski - One of the best values in town is the ECDC. Let's set up some time to go into this further.
Armenio - I am not comfortable with the June closing, if we have terrible weather, we can't go into July, we would have to take those days off the April vacation.
Cafasso - can we put these online to view given the survey results?
Sabolinski - We are poised to do so, just didn't want to post them before this discussion.
Mullen - it is a consideration to bring the kids in early when they are already dealing with the heat, as opposed to in June when it is an adjustment.
Rohrbach - consider a PDD day on Election Day?
Roy - I would go for the safety factor
Susan Collins - started a petition to do the calendar after Labor Day then saw the survey so held off, consider the day before Thanksgiving, no one else has it.
Teachers on the second floor especially it is brutal in the heat. The PCC bought us fans.
Steve Luckovitch (?) two children at ECDC, a concern about the consistency of attending (the kids attend twice a week)
There are three full professional days across the district.
Did we revisit the Feb vacation?
Sabolinski - One of the best values in town is the ECDC. Let's set up some time to go into this further.
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