Saturday, May 30, 2009

Monument Collection

The collection of posts about the monuments on the Town Common including the dedication of the new Iraq/Afghanistan monument on Memorial Day 2009.

Afghanistan monument side


Afghanistan monument side, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Iraq monument side


Iraq monument side, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Town Common: new monument view


Town Common: new monument view, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Parmenter 5K Run/Walk



The web site for the Parmenter 5K Run/Walk can be found here

On the web site you'll find links to the course map, a registration form to print out and other race details.

Echo Therapeutics Licenses Needle-Free Prelude SkinPrep System

In our continuing series on companies doing business in Franklin we find this PR Release from Echo Therapeutics. For additional entries in this category, please check this link
FRANKLIN, Mass., May 28 /CNW/ -- Echo Therapeutics, Inc. (OTC Bulletin
Board: ECTE) announced today that it has signed a license agreement with
Ferndale Pharma Group ("Ferndale"), under which Echo granted Ferndale the
right to develop, market, sell and distribute Echo's Prelude(TM) SkinPrep
System ("Prelude") for painless, needle-free skin preparation prior to the
application of topical 4% lidocaine cream for fast-acting, local dermal
anesthesia prior to a wide-range of needle-based medical procedures in North
America and the United Kingdom. Echo's non-invasive Prelude SkinPrep System
incorporates patented skin permeation control technology which allows for
quick and painless removal of the outermost layer of the skin for both
transdermal drug delivery and glucose measurement.

"Completing this first Prelude licensing agreement was one of our top
priorities," stated Patrick T. Mooney, M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Echo Therapeutics. "Ferndale is a market leader specializing in
advanced skincare and topical therapeutic products. This collaboration
combines our skin permeation technology platform and Ferndale's leadership in
the fast-growing topical anesthetic market based on LMX4, its topical 4%
lidocaine cream."

Dr. Mooney continued, "Importantly, this licensing transaction
demonstrates the drug delivery capabilities of Prelude. We believe that there
are numerous additional partnering opportunities for both Prelude and our
Symphony(TM) tCGM System for needle-free, transdermal continuous glucose
monitoring. We are actively engaged with and interested in finding additional
partners as we leverage the use of Prelude as a transdermal drug delivery
platform and Symphony for continuous glucose monitoring in the many
territories around the world."

Michael Burns, Ph.D., President of Ferndale added, "We are extremely
excited about using Prelude to expand our presence in the important topical
dermal anesthesia market in hospitals, clinics and with plastic surgeons and
dermatologists. We expect Prelude to allow much more rapid onset of
effectiveness for our topical anesthetic product, thereby significantly
increasing the size of our market opportunity."

Under the terms of the agreement, Echo will receive an up-front licensing
fee of US $750,000. Echo will also receive $750,000 upon FDA clearance of the
product and additional milestone payments based on the achievement of certain
net sales targets and guaranteed minimum royalties totaling an additional
$12.6 million. Echo will also receive an escalating royalty on net sales of
the product. Ferndale will also be responsible for all product development
and regulatory costs for the final development of the Prelude SkinPrep System
for topical analgesic/anesthetic drug delivery applications.

About Echo Therapeutics

Echo Therapeutics is focused on medical devices and specialty
pharmaceuticals. Echo is developing a non-invasive, wireless, transdermal
continuous glucose monitoring (tCGM) system for patients with diabetes and for
use in hospital critical care units. Echo is utilizing its Prelude SkinPrep
platform technology for transdermal drug delivery and is developing a wide
range of novel topical reformulations of widely-used, FDA-approved products.

About Ferndale Pharma Group

The Ferndale Pharma Group of companies specializes in the development,
manufacture, distribution and marketing of various dermatologic products
including prescription topical drugs for the treatment of several acute and
chronic dermatoses, medical devices that support and maintain wound closures
and an extensive line of proprietary cosmeceutical products. Ferndale's LMX 4
topical analgesic cream uses advanced formulation know how that significantly
enhances product performance. LMX 4 is the leading brand in its class and is
widely recognized for its fast onset of analgesic action, wide margin of
safety and superior ease of use.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

The statements in this press release that are not historical facts may
constitute forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations
and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future
results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
statements. Those risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to,
risks related to regulatory approvals and the success of Echo's ongoing
studies, including the efficacy of Echo's Symphony tCGM System, the failure of
future development and preliminary marketing efforts related to Echo's Prelude
SkinPrep System, risks and uncertainties relating to Echo's ability to
develop, market and sell diagnostic products based on its skin permeation
platform technologies, including the Prelude SkinPrep System, the availability
of substantial additional equity or debt capital to support its research,
development and product commercialization activities, and the success of its
research, development, regulatory approval, marketing and distribution plans
and strategies, including those plans and strategies related to its Prelude
SkinPrep System. These and other risks and uncertainties are identified and
described in more detail in Echo's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including, without limitation, its annual report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2008, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and its
current reports on Form 8-K. Echo Therapeutics, Inc. undertakes no obligation
to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

For More Information:
Patrick T. Mooney, MD
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(856) 429-8778

10 Forge Parkway
Franklin, MA 02038, USA
Tel: 1+ 877-476-6878
Fax: 1+ 508-553-8760
www.echotx.com

For further information: Patrick T. Mooney, MD, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Echo Therapeutics, Inc., +1-856-429-8778 Web Site:
http://www.echotx.com

"Hand-watering is allowed"

Milford Daily News
Posted May 29, 2009 @ 12:21 AM

FRANKLIN —

The town's water conservation plan is now in effect, restricting outdoor water use to one day a week, said Department of Public Works Director Brutus Cantoreggi.

Residents are allowed to water outdoors only on their trash day through Sept. 1, he said.

The plan saves at least one million gallons of water daily, Cantoreggi said.

"This is unique in this state, because most communities have water bans allowing (outdoor water use) two days a week. We're much stricter," said Cantoreggi.

Franklin implemented the water conservation plan six years ago, and was recognized for it by the state Department of Environmental Protection, Cantoreggi said.

Franklin gets all of its water from the aquifers underground, so without conservation, there is the potential to run low on water, Cantoreggi said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


"The Centers for Disease Control cleared the student"

Milford Daily News
Posted May 28, 2009 @ 11:36 PM

FRANKLIN —

Superintendent Wayne Ogden confirmed that a Franklin middle school student was diagnosed with the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, earlier this month and has already recovered.

Ogden declined to specify which school the student attends, to maintain privacy.

The student became sick on May 5, while on a plane heading across the country at the start of the student's vacation, he said. Ogden said he does not know whether the student got sick in Franklin.

The student was diagnosed with H1N1, treated, and recovered before returning home to Franklin on May 18, Ogden said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


Thursday, May 28, 2009

Elsewhere - school topics of interest

In the Boston Globe West section there are two articles of interest.

One talks about Littleton proposing to change their school calendar to eliminate specific religious holidays and to offer the students a "floating" holiday instead. They are attempting to make the calendar more inclusive for all religions and yet still provide the time off with no repercussion to the students for their religious holiday. Read more here

The second talks of two different approaches to the school building process being piloted by the State. You are probably aware that Franklin is still waiting for word on where the High School fits on the listing. Current indications are that it doesn't fit very high on the listing as the building is in "general good shape" and does have a couple of specific needs; improvements for accessibility and science labs. Natick and Wayland have taken different routes on their school plans. The details are reviewed in the article here.

Franklin can continue to wait, and hope for some State aid, or decide to do something sooner rather than later on their own. The longer we wait, given the continued budget cuts effecting the overall operations at the High School, the more likely the accreditation status could change for the worse.

If you are concerned about the high school, try and find out what the School Building Committee is doing. Are they meeting to review their options, or are they waiting?

What should they do?

"actually freezing their wages"

Milford Daily News
Posted May 27, 2009 @ 10:32 PM

FRANKLIN —

While the School Committee is still trying to clinch a deal with the teachers union, the cafeteria workers' vote for a wage freeze is valid, said School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy.

The cafeteria workers are one of six units that comprise the Franklin Education Association, Roy said. The units negotiate separately, he said.

At Tuesday night's School Committee meeting, cafeteria workers' representatives announced the group had voted 19-9 in favor of freezing their wages through next June.

Their contract was due to expire June 30, 2009, Roy said, but the group choose to extend it by a year. A newly negotiated contract will take effect July 1, 2010, Roy said.

"They are the only group that's actually freezing their wages - everybody else is talking about deferring wages," he said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


"Someone needs to be responsible"

Milford Daily News
Posted May 27, 2009 @ 11:05 PM

FRANKLIN —

Now that their mission seems nearly complete, members of the long-range financial planning committee last night said they want to "keep the momentum going" regarding public interest in town finances.

"People are ripe right now, people are starting to listen," said School Committee member Roberta Trahan, a member of the committee.

The feedback is mostly positive, said Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting, reading bits of residents' e-mails.

Doug Hardesty, the group's vice chairman and one of two citizens-at-large on the board, said, "Everywhere I go, people are talking about it."

The group spent the last year meeting, researching and compiling a report on the town's finances and fiscal outlook, which culminated in a public presentation on April 27.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Read the live reporting from this meeting here


New England Sports Celebration - 5/31/09


From the Facebook page for the New England Sports Celebration
Come down and help us raise funds for the F.X. O’Regan Early Childhood Development Center PCC. We are planning a fun-filled family day celebrating the proud tradition of New England sports!!

Currently, we have Boston hockey legend TERRY O'REILLY coming down to sign autographs from 2PM-4PM.

Signatures are $15 each with no charge for inscriptions. You are welcome to bring your own items, and we will have a great selection of pictures, pucks and other items available for sale!


Also from 2PM - 4PM, Wally the Green Monster will be visiting to take pictures and sign autographs for his fans for FREE!!!

AND JUST ANNOUNCED - Football Legend STEVE GROGAN will also be available from 2PM-4PM!!! Signatures are $15 each with no charge for inscriptions.

There will be lots of other fun activities for the kids, as well.
Cash bar and concessions will be available. did we mention....ADMISSION IS FREE!!!

This is a public event and we want to pack the place - so please feel free to invite anyone you would like!!! A lot more to come on this...

SAVE THE DATE!!


here's a sneak peak at our raffle prize list -

Curt Schilling autographed Jersey
Bruins Alumni Jersey (signed by over 20 players including Terry O'Reilly, Rick Middleton, Brad Park, "Pie" McKenzie...)
Red Sox Jersey signed by Bill "Spaceman" Lee
Shawn Thornton autographed Bruins Jersey
30+ autographed 8x10's of misc players including Sammy Morris, Lawrence Maroney, Cam Neely & Ray Bourque
Over a dozen baseballs autographed by players such as Jim Lonborg, Rico Petrocelli, Bill "Spaceman" Lee and the "wild thing" Jonathan Papelbon!
autographed pucks from Bruins greats - Rick Middleton, Milt Schmidt and more
T-shirts signed by current Bruins players including Phil Kessel, Blake Wheeler & Milan Lucic!
There will be other memorabilia signed by players including Vince Wilfork
Lots of other non-autographed items, too. Including a dart boards set, tickets to the Brockton Rox, Pinz gift cards, "Supahfans" T-shirts, Pump-it-Up party...There's a lot!!

We are setting up lots of fun activities in our "Kid's Tailgate Party" room, too.

This is going to be a lot of fun and it's for a great cause. hope to see everyone there!!

Financial Plng Comm 05/27/09

The collected posts from the Financial Planning Committee meeting on 5/27/09


If you have not viewed the draft report produced by the committee:

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Live reporting - FPC - cont'd

Modify the report
Take to Council for 7/1/09
Endorsement of the findings
Consent, approval to come up with a plan
FPC takes lead on next steps
Finalize plan before November election so the candidates can at least talk to it

Reference to J Pfeffer's email feedback
Deb Bartlett to all, then Doug to confirm that the changes have already been incorporated or could be, then Doug to cycle back with her to confirm the report is okay.

June 25th 7:30 PM next meeting

Live reporting - Financial Planning Committee 5/27/09

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

Approved minutes of 4/23/09

Document located off the Town Administrators page although the Committee is listed as a subcommittee of the Town Council

Discussion on potential schedule for budget, open hearing on 10th, continue it the 11th, and then continue to the 24th. At that point decide upon a number, and go with that. You can adjust later. Especially if the State hasn't made their decision.

Reading some of the citizen feedback via email.

One feedback is better PR on what the Town has done to cut costs.

The problem is real. What are we going to do to get out of this mess?

Short term, finalize the report; let the Town Council, School Committee, FinCom accept the report and then they should set next steps. Probably shouldn't come up with recommendations before they specifically ask us.

Within 2 or 3 key assumptions, this is the number. They can go with that.

School Committee Mtg 05/26/09

This is the collection of live reporting posts from the School Committee meeting of 5/26/09

"very serious fundraising"

Milford Daily News
Posted May 27, 2009 @ 12:59 AM

FRANKLIN —

The Franklin Fourth of July Coalition is seeking the public's help to raise $30,000 for this year's fireworks and parade as well as starter money for next year's celebration.

"In order to keep this tradition alive, it's important that we, as a private group not affiliated with government, get public support," said coalition co-Chairman Michael Walker-Jones.

"This celebration is one of the things that contributes to the quality of life in the Franklin region," he said.

Three major donors the nonprofit organization had been looking to for funds totaling $20,000 are not able to help during the recession, he said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


"There was no mention"

Milford Daily News
Posted May 26, 2009 @ 11:12 PM

FRANKLIN —

The School Committee last night voted to continue until June 9 its public hearing on the fiscal 2010 budget, wanting to give the public another opportunity to be heard.

School administrators are still waiting to hear from the state about how much local aid and other funding Franklin will receive, said Superintendent Wayne Ogden and Assistant Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski.

To provide the same level of services and teachers as last year, the district needs a budget of $53.8 million, but through reductions in expenses (such as health care premiums, wage freezes for administrators and non-union staff), the district needs $53.29 million, Ogden said.

Administrators expect the district will receive $1.5 million via circuit breaker aid (reimbursement for special education costs), state and federal stimulus funds, what is called "extraordinary relief" for special education costs, and funds for School Choice.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Live reporting - New business/Closing

Kelly - The fund raiser for the ECDC, notifications can be found here on Franklin Matters

A big thank you to all the bands for their performance for the Memorial Day parade.

Trahan - to thank the town, it was a wonderful day and a great community effort.

Slight - The cuts in PE/Health, 69% of the kids drink and the first line of defense is activity. Health education is a huge problem..

Ogden - the point is still a string one, it will still be a requirement it but just not as frequently.

Roy - Bob Fahey indicated that the school had participated to a great extent in the fund raising for the monument. We are looking to get them here to recognize their efforts. It might not be until September but Mr Fahey will be here to recognize them.

Motion to go into Executive Session, not to return to public meeting, passed 7-0

Live reporting - Superintendents report

Preliminary report, shows a possible 10 retirements, four officially have filed the paperwork, the other six have the paperwork but not turned it in yet.

This may give us some flexibility with keeping some staff by using the retirement to avoid a layoff.