Twitter search

The folks at Common Craft have released another great explanation video. This time they explain how searching Twitter makes the information more valuable.



This is another in the continuing series on Web 2.0 tools.

Thanks to the folks at Common Craft for helping to make this possible.

MADD Legislative Update

MADD LEGISLATIVE UPDATE June 19, 2009 Greetings! Last week MADD testified in support of House Bill 1925 (Rep. William Brownsberger) in front of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Under Massachusetts' current underage drinking laws (Chapter 138 Section 34) it is illegal for persons under 21 to purchase, possess and transport alcohol. However, the law does not include the consumption of alcohol by minors. Underage alcohol use is the number one drug problem among Massachusetts' youth. Although it is illegal to sell or give alcohol to people under the age of 21, approximately half of MA high school students have drank alcohol in the past month. Underage alcohol use plays a major role in the top 3 leading causes of deaths among young people: unintentional injuries/motor vehicle crashes, homicide and suicide. The National Academies of Science noted underage drinking as a national problem in its 2003 report to Congress, "Reducing Underage Drinking: A Collective Responsibility." One of the reports many recommendations is replacing criminal sanctions with civil penalties to reduce societal opposition, and to increase enforcement of the Uniform Minimum Drinking Age. House Bill 1925 closes a significant loophole in our underage drinking law by adding consumption to the law and offering a civil option in addition to the current criminal options. the bill would also establish a Youth Alcohol Education Program in the Department of Public Health. The civil sanctions would include a citation given to the youth, copied to parents/guardians of those under 18, and a fine or appropriate brief alcohol screening and intervention. House Bill 1925 offers a uniform statewide response to possession, attempt to purchase, purchase, consumption, and transportation of alcohol by those under age 21. This public health program would not be offered to youth involved in impaired driving, other acts of violence, or youth with a prior criminal record. This legislation promotes a public health approach to underage drinking instead of a criminal justice approach. The bill creates a positive and effective alternative for law enforcement to hold youth accountable for their action and also helps alert their parents or guardians of the high risks associated with underage drinking. Please take a moment and use the link below to contact your legislators and the members of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse and ask them to support House Bill 1925. Please click here to contact your legislators and the Committee. Click here for a copy (.pdf) of HB 1925. Thank you for your time and if you have any questions about this legislation, please contact our office at 1-800-633-MADD or by emailing us at ma.state@madd.org. Sincerely, MADD Massachusetts

FM #42 - This week in Franklin

FM #42 - Give me ten minutes and I'll let you know what matters in Franklin, MA for the week ending June 21, 2009.

Time: 6 minutes, 46 seconds



MP3 File

Session Notes:

Music intro
My intro
FM #42

This Internet radio show or podcast for Franklin Matters is number 42 in the series.

You give me ten minutes and I'll let you know what matters this week in Franklin, MA.

We'll start with a quick review of what happened this past week

1 - Third Thursday had another good turnout
“girl's night out”
July will likely be around a beach party theme

2 - The Strawberry Festival was a success despite the weather
good strawberry shortcake
Franklin Area Bus available
have you ridden the bus yet?

3 - Rep Vallee and Sen Spilka's offices had presence at the Festival
This was good to see that our local officials had a presence
I talked with Michele Goldberg from Sen Spilka's office

4 - United Regional Chamber of Commerce
Jack Lank, Jen Osojnicki, Claire Latino, Irene Polley
doing good things for business in the area

And the outlook for the week ahead:

• school year comes to a close
• School Committee meets 6/23
• Farmers Market operates Friday's from 1:00 to 6:00 PM on the Town Common

The top post for this week will continue to be the survey to enable you to provide your feedback on what you think matters in Franklin. I'll use your input to bring forward additional and simple surveys to refine and define how to make this site work for you.

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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

School Committee - Agenda - 6/23/09

1. Routine Business

• Citizen’s Comments
• Review of Agenda
• Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the June 9, 2009 School Committee Meeting.
• Payment of Bills - Mr. Kelly
• Payroll - Ms. Armenio
• FHS Student Representatives
• Correspondence: Letter from FSC to Mr. Peter Light

2. Guests/Presentations

• Sam Scoba – Chosen All-American by the USLA (United States Lacrosse Association) and Hockomock League MVP
• Plaque for Senior Project – Sascha B. Werner
• Community Health Council Update – Michele Kingsland-Smith

3. Discussion Only Items

• Town – School Agreement
• Budget to Actual
• FY10 Budget

4. Action Items

1. I recommend acceptance of three checks from the Remington PCC totaling $376.76 for field trips as detailed.
2. I recommend acceptance of the donation of the installation of a flagpole from the 5th grade students for the Parmenter Elementary School.
3. I recommend acceptance of a check for $800.00 from the ASMS PCC for buses for an 8th grade field trip.
4. I recommend adoption of the Town-School Agreement as detailed.
5. I recommend acceptance of a Japanese Maple Tree from the FHS Young Democrats Club.
6. I recommend approval of Budget Transfers as detailed.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report

• MSBA
• Stimulus Money
• Special Education

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

"be careful about how much you delay"

By Aaron Wasserman/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

Posted Jun 21, 2009 @ 11:40 PM

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Last year's losses in the state's pension funds raise the possibility towns might have to contribute more to their retirement systems in the coming years to compensate.

There isn't necessarily a direct correlation, as many factors influence how much money a town spends annually to fund its pension obligations, and funds have more than 20 years to make up for their losses.

However, while pension systems' lifetime returns are still around where their officials expect them to be, losses from 2008 have left returns in the past 10 years well below projections.

"The more the pension system earns less than we expected, the more taxpayers have to top it off," said Steve Poftak, research director at the Pioneer Institute, a Boston think tank. "It gives one pause to see 10-year returns so far below the expected rate of return because the unfunded liability would be very large if you were assuming a 4 percent rate of return instead of an 8 percent rate of return. It's a big difference."

Read the full article on funding pension obligations in the Milford Daily News here

I disagree with "may". It is only a question of "when" that the pension obligations need to be funded. Franklin has not done much in this area of funding. The Town Council just authorized to spend $14,000 for a current actuarial analysis at the June 3rd meeting. The analysis is required every two years. Knowing what the analysis is is important, actually budgeting for it will be required some day soon.

Happy Father's Day!

special wishes to all the fathers on this day:






Thanks to Erik Kastner for Spell with Flickr

News roundup: elderly transportation

Alternate forms of transportation for the elderly

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS by Michael Morton/Daily News staff

When it comes to the debate on elderly drivers and safety on the roads, Franklin senior center Director Karen Alves wants to ensure one point is not lost in the shuffle: adequate public transportation alternatives.

"Otherwise, you're condemning them to life in their apartment or house," she said, given an embarrassing loss of independence and a desire to avoid becoming a burden. "These folks do not want to ask people to help them, and who can blame them?"

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Seniors weigh in on driving restrictions

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS by Ariel Wittenberg & Nick O'Malley, DAILY NEWS CORRESPONDENTS

With Massachusetts lawmakers considering more stringent regulations on drivers over the age of 85, area residents who would be affected had mixed feelings about how additional tests should be implemented.

Richard King, 87, did not give a second thought when he drove to the Fairbank Senior Center in Sudbury on Wednesday.

"I'm almost 90 and still driving, and you better believe it," he said while stuffing envelopes for the Center's weekly senior bulletin.

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What age is too old to drive?

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS by Michael Morton/Daily News staff

With recent accidents by elderly Bay State drivers a hot topic of conversation among her senior center clientele this week, Director Joanne Duffy sat in her Ashland office this week and contemplated new licensing proposals.

"I don't know the answer," she said. "I'm torn. A lot of people are OK with it. They're confident in their driving abilities and feel they'll pass. At the other end, they feel they're being singled out."

Concern over physically or mentally impaired older drivers has resurfaced this month after a trio of serious accidents.

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My two cents: There should not be a specific age test requirement, age is only one factor. The ability to drive safely is really the concern.

"The reluctance to admit it's time, that is an issue,"

What do you think about elderly drivers?