Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Citizen Rail Trail Committee meeting

David L. Labonte opens meeting, approx 15 people present

Bill Desantis, Chief Design Engineer for the Blackstone River Bikeway in RI

presentation with photos of existing conditions along the trail

<
example of multi use trail in Mansfield, MA

Wachusett Greenway in Stirling, MA good example of an unpaved trail

how is the funding to be obtained?
four options, probably use some or all of them: Federal, State, Local, public/private partnerships (donations, fund raising, "buy a foot of the trial", etc.)

It takes a lot of patience and hard work. Bill has been working on the Blackstone River Bikeway since 1993 and has 12 miles completed.

Steel plate girders were welded together, is there lead paint still on the girders? Is work required on the concrete supports?

When you get going:
  • get the emergency response together on how it will be supported. Be prepared to answer the security questions.
  • Get DPW involved on estimates for maintenance, cut grass, etc.
  • Liability for children on the trail, age of reason is 12 or under in MA
  • Prepare for property owner issues
Trail Link has a listing of web sites to find info on existing trails

Motion to approve minutes of past meeting

III - Report from Ron Clough
  • DCR to install gates on Lake and Spring Streets
  • then smooth out the bumps
  • no date set with Callahan, Bellingham folks requested meeting
Need better representation at Conservation Commission meeting from committee members

IV - Report on Membership
  • Dave Denison and Mark McKeown to meet with Dave LaBonte and Allan Sawyer on the membership details
Presentation proposal for Rotary on a future Thursday in Sep (target for Sep 17)

V - Report on Cost Estimating
hard to prepare cost estimate with out a design to work with
use $500,000 per mile as a working estimate for

will use Grant Trunk trail # for application, need DUNS number
have official IRS letter for submittal

Grading from Grove to Spring, Spring to Prospect, but a wall exists at Prospect, how to navigate beyond Prospect is an issue requiring a resolution.

We are a division of the Grand Trunk Trailblazers, they are the 501c3 corporation

VI - Report from Finance Committee
invoice to be submitted to Bay State Trail Riders

VII - Report of Fund Raising
Possible fund raiser road race after the Crackerbarrel Race is complete in Sep

VIII - Publicity

Response from 'abutters', one response from mailing of 53, they said they were coming to the meeting but haven't showed up tonight

Brochures available for distribution to local stores
use for distribution to bike shops and sporting goods stores

discussion on grade cross via tunnel or a ramp, the ramp would have to meet disability access requirements

Public Land Use Committee - meeting at 6:30 PM in Rm 205 to present an outline of the committee plans for the rail trail/multi-use trail and look at funding recommendations from their point of view

Report of Blackstone meeting - 30 people at the meeting, 4 people from Blackstone

There will be a Bike rodeo for Cub Scouts next year. This would be a good place for advertising the Citizens Rail Trail work.

Next meeting Sep 10, 7:30 PM, likely at Odd Fellows Lodge.

Live reporting - Action items

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 09-56: Confirmatory Order of Taking-Land off Mechanic Street
Motion to approve - passed 7-0

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Maxine Kinhart reporting on behalf of Jeff NUtting
Senior Center opened for those citizens who would need the cooler conditions
Connect CTY was used to notify the town. One came Mon, two came Tue.

Third Thursday - 8/20/09 - Anticipation is the theme, music at Cafe Dolce, multiple business participating

L. OLD BUSINESS - none

M. NEW BUSINESS - none

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Scott - (1) had pleasure of being a judge of the chocolate chip cookie bake-off, while he enjoyed the challenge, he won't be eating a chocolate chip cookie for awhile.

(2) signature to get name on the ballot is not an endorsement

Tom Doak is not running again this year. Three terms is enough.

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN - motion to adjourn approved 7-0




live reporting - Housing Partnership

F. HEARINGS- none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS- none

H. DISCUSSIONS
Franklin Housing Partnership
discussion on dissolution of group due to changes in law, it is no longer as required, other functions have taken; to bring a resolution to next meeting for decision

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS - none





Live reporting - Town Council

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


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – August 5, 2009 Motion to Approve, passed 7-0

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS- none

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none

E. APPOINTMENTS
Municipal Affordable Housing Trust
Appointment of Robert Gagnon
Motion to Approve, passed 7-0

Historical Commission
Appointment of Joanne Brunner
Motion to Approve, passed 7-0

Harvest Festival - Sep 20th

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is preparing for their September Downtown Harvest Festival and is inviting crafters, restaurants, vendors and community groups to register for this year’s event.

This festival is the Partnership’s largest event and brings over 2,500 people to downtown Franklin each year. The festival will be Sunday, September 20th. The rain date is Sunday, September 27th. The event will be downtown starting on Main Street and will include East Central Street and Summer Street. There will be a variety of free entertainment and fun games and food. This year the Partnership is inviting restaurants to participate and showcase their menu items to area residents. Last year the festival had close to 100 vendors and crafters participate and they expect even more this year.

Space is limited, so anyone interested in participating should e-mail Mary Graff for more details and a registration form at mgraff@berryinsurance.com or call (508)733-5504.

The booth fee is $50.00 if registration is received by August 20th. The fee increases to $75.00 after that. Registration is free for Partnership business members.

Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation is this year’s Gold Sponsor and Middlesex Savings Bank is the Bronze Sponsor. Sponsorships are still needed for the festival. As a non-profit organization the Downtown Partnership depends on sponsors in order to fund the downtown festivals and events.

The Partnership has formed a merchants committee which will be hosting a “Third Thursday” event downtown each month. The events will be held every third Thursday and will include special events, sales, refreshments, and free entertainment at local downtown businesses. For more details contact Jane Curran at janeframe@verizon.net This year the downtown will also host a Holiday Stroll on December 3rd.

Any business, organization or resident interested in becoming a sponsor or who would like to become a member of the Partnership should call the Executive Director, Lisa Piana, at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com or (774)571-3109 or visit the downtown office location at 9 East Central Street .

The Partnership’s mission is to stimulate economic development in the downtown in order to create a positive impact throughout the area. Some of the past Franklin downtown projects include the new bronze sculpture in front of the museum, the downtown signs, and working with town officials on new construction, green space and streetscape projects. New members are always welcome!



Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Wachusett St open

The constructions signs are down.
The trenches paved for now.


Franklin: Wachusett St open the signs are down the trenches paved for now., originally uploaded by shersteve.

The street is back in business until next year when it will get rebuilt.

In the News - hold-up, Chilson Beach, flu season

Stick-up attempt made at St. Rocco's fair

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS by ------

Franklin town beach closes for summer

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS by
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Franklin officials plan for flu season

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Anticipation - Third Thursday - 8/20/09

Anticipation!
We can never know about the days to come
But we think about them anyway, yay
And I wonder if I'm really with you now
Or just chasin' after some finer day

Anticipation, anticipation
Is makin' me late
Is keepin' me waitin'
No, Carly Simon is not appearing this Thursday. The Brothers McCann are!

The Brothers McCann will play in the plaza next to Cafe Dolce.

Other downtown Franklin will be open and participating:
Come on down to Franklin's downtown Thursday night!

Concerts on the Common - Ayla Brown

Ayla Brown will be appearing Wednesday, August 19 for Concerts on the Common from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.


Monday, August 17, 2009

School Choice update

The Milford Daily News discloses that Franklin will not participate in School Choice this year.

Franklin won't participate in School Choice program


Town Council - Agenda - 08/19/09

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – August 5, 2009

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Municipal Affordable Housing Trust
Historical Commission

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. DISCUSSIONS
Franklin Housing Partnership

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 09-56: Confirmatory Order of Taking-Land off Mechanic Street

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

Letter from Ed Cafasso

Hello everyone,

I hope you are having an enjoyable summer and are staying cool during August’s dog days. With the start of the 2009-10 school year just two weeks away, I am writing to offer an update on several key issues, including the FY10 school budget and the exciting innovations occurring at Franklin High School.

FY10 School Budget: As many of you know, this year’s budget deliberations were among the most difficult in recent memory. The net result was the loss of a dozen positions – mostly coming from the ranks of our school librarians and physical education/health instructors. Compared to where the budget debate began six months ago, when our budget gap was $3.5 million and as many as 60 teaching positions were at risk, this outcome is incredibly positive. But it still represents another year in which our collective educational offering is shrinking.

We were able to stave off massive classroom cuts by reducing expenditures by more than $2.3 million, including wage freezes from all union and non-union staff, and by securing additional revenue of roughly $1.1 million, including a substantial amount of state and federal stimulus money.

Thankfully, class sizes should remain stable in the coming school year. Full-day kindergarten also was spared, but it will be at risk for 2010-11 school year. The late bus was not so lucky and will not be offered this year, which will have detrimental impact on the ability of many students to participate in after-school activities.

You can learn more details about how the FY10 school budget was balanced by visiting the School Committee blog at: http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/2009/07/23/fy10-budget-numbers-finally-settled/

One note of caution: Because this year’s budget was balanced through the extensive use of millions of dollars in one-time funds and temporary savings, it is virtually guaranteed that a Proposition 2½ override will be required to offset the significant budget shortfall expected for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2010. The size of the proposed override will not be clear until early next year.

Franklin High School: I will send out an email in a few weeks regarding very positive developments regarding potential state funding for significant proposed renovations to the FHS building. In the meantime, however, FHS Principal Peter Light and his leadership team have wasted no time in thinking outside the box to execute a number of stunning improvements to the school’s educational atmosphere.

Among the key changes on tap when classes begin on September 1 are:
  • Reduced class sizes in English, Math, Science and Social Studies
  • Increased instructional time
  • More rigorous graduation requirements
  • A new GPA methodology that will make our graduates more competitive as they seek college admission
  • Expanded use of and access to technology
  • Longer lunch periods, and
  • Online access to student grades for parents

Principal Light describes these improvements and many others in great detail in a letter to parents that is available online at http://franklinhighschool.wordpress.com/ and for download at http://franklinhighschool.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/fhs-update.pdf.

I encourage all Franklin parents, even those whose child is not yet in FHS, to read Peter’s impressive report.

Other News of Note: Parents now have three ways to pre-pay for their child’s school lunches. You can learn more about this program at your child’s school or online at http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/FPS/lunchprogram/pos/default.htm.

This year is a town election year. Positions are open on the Town Council, School Committee and several other important boards.


The town’s election calendar can be accessed at http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/014C0C49-000F8513 (Word doc).

Now more than ever, your community needs the help of volunteers who are willing to dedicate some of their free time to public service. Our quality of life depends on having thoughtful elected officials who are willing to work together to navigate through the very challenging times our community faces. I hope many of you will consider running for office to serve your friends, neighbors and fellow citizens.

I intend to run again for my seat on the School Committee, and may ask for your signature on my nomination papers.

These e-mails are provided as a constituent service. I try to distribute at least one e-mail update each month during the school year, as issues warrant. As always, I welcome your thoughts and suggestions. If you are receiving duplicate e-mails or if you no longer wish to receive these e-mails, please let me know and I will remove you from the distribution list. If you know of someone you would like to add to the list, please send along their e-mail address.
Thank you!

Ed Cafasso, Member
Franklin School Committee
edcafasso@comcast.net

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee

On these hot August days, one way to still enjoy the outdoors and stay out of the sun is along a tree-shaded trail in the woods. The photo below shows a section of the Blackstone River Bikeway along the Cumberland/Lincoln line in RI. You can help bring a rail trail for bicycles or walking to Franklin. The Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee has a meeting scheduled for this Wednesday at 7:30 PM.




Agenda For August 19, 2009

I. Call to Order / Introductions of New Attendees
A. Volunteer to write minutes of the meeting
B. Motion to accept meeting minutes of 7/8/09

II. Possible Guest Speaker for this evening
A. Bill Desantis, Chief Design Engr. of Blackstone River Bikeway

III. Report from DCR (Ron Clough)
A. Gates at Spring St
B. Franklin Conservation Committee presentation
C. Proposed meeting with DCR Commissioner


IV. Report on Membership Committee (Dave Denison and Mark McKeown)
A. What will we be offering members to join for yearly fee
B. Contact web designer w/ outline of proposed program


V. Report from Design Committee (Jon Hollman & Ray Willis)
A. Cost estimate for grant writing Sub-Committee


VI. Report from Finance Committee (Steve Rossetti)
A. Report from Treasurer
B. Contributions to date and offer from Rotary Club


VII. Report from Grant Writing Sub-Committee: (Chris and Frank)
A. Question on Committee Officers


VIII. Report of Fund Raising Committee (Allan Sawyer)
A. Start planning for road race and other events


IX. Publicity (Dave Labonte)
A. Update on “Donation” correction to brochure
B. Distribution of brochure
C. Response to “abutters” letter
D. Response to PLUC letter
E. Report on the Blackstone meeting
F. Contact with Lynn Scornavacca


X. Unfinished Business:

XI. Set Date for Next Meeting and Adjourn

Where is the meeting?
Our next meeting will be on August 19th at the Old Town Hall in the Triangle in Franklin. Time will be 7:30 PM, first floor, entrance on Emmons St. across the street from the Dean College Community Center. If you're from this area, you should know where this is, if not - drive to the center of Franklin on Rte 140 and find the old municipal building in the Triangle.


Friday, August 14, 2009

New menu board - Cafe Dolce

I went running this morning and met up with Dolores at Cafe Dolce for coffee. There is a new menu board posted right at their door.

No Farmer's Market today

With St Rocco's Festival underway, there is no Farmer's Market on the Town Common today.

It will re-open next Friday and continue through October.




In the News - St Rocco's, Planning process


Thursday, August 13, 2009

In the News - FHS cell phones

You can read a follow up article on the School Committee meeting of Tuesday August 11th in the Milford Daily News. Even with this new policy on cell phone usage, one problem remains with poor cell phone coverage; apparently only ATT provides decent coverage within the high school building complex. Verizon's team hasn't shown up in the full strength it shows in most advertisements.

Limited cell phone use OK'd in Franklin High handbook

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by
The whole meeting was reported live here

State Approves Franklin’s Third Priority Development Site

On August 12, 2009 the State’s Interagency Permitting Board approved an application designating twenty parcels within the Town of Franklin as the Franklin Industrial Park Priority Development Site. Franklin Industrial Park Priority Development Site, Franklin’s third priority development site, consists of 20 privately owned parcels totaling 252.3+/- acres located on four roadways (Constitution Boulevard, Discovery Way, Freedom Way and Liberty Way) approximately 0.2 mile from Interstate 495’s Exit 16.

Tenants include Eagle Stainless Tube and Fabrication, Inc., Penske, Owens Minor, Fidelity Investments, Alpha Grainger Manufacturing, Inc., SMTC Manufacturing, Mid State Mold and Engineering, Wm. B. Meyer Inc., Federal Express, Barrett Distribution Centers, Lindenmeyer Munroe, Waters Distribution; William Donovan Mayflower, Schwarzkopf Technologies, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Des Lauriers Municipal Solutions Inc., Winchester Electronics, FE Knight Inc., W.J. O'Connel Company, Hilliard Precision Products, and EMC Corporation, the Town’s largest employer.

Franklin Industrial Park Priority Development Site is within the Town’s Industrial zoning district and can quickly accommodate substantial expansion and development. The Industrial zoning district allows light and medium industrial uses, warehouse and distribution uses, and business uses. Some accessory commercial uses (e.g., office park, restaurant, conference center) may be allowed by special permit. Several parcels contained within Franklin Industrial Park Priority Development Site are within the Town’s Biotechnology Use zoning overlay district.

In addition to being a priority development site, the twenty parcels are also part of the Franklin Industrial Park Economic Opportunity Area, and as such owners of these parcels are able to negotiate tax increment finance agreements with the Town for proposed projects that will result in creation of new permanent jobs, and also either result in redevelopment of empty or underutilized industrially zoned properties, or development of new research and development or manufacturing facilities.

Several buildings within Franklin Industrial Park are either empty or underutilized, and one parcel is undeveloped. The Town believes establishing large priority development sites that are also economic opportunity areas, will help create conditions favorable for business expansion, and assist property owners fill the Town’s currently empty or underutilized industrially zoned manufacturing, warehouse and office space. Creation of priority development sites within the Town’s office and industrial parks is an effective business recruitment strategy, and an important component of the Town of Franklin’s ongoing economic development plans. The priority development site designation provides a transparent and efficient process for municipal permitting, and guarantees municipal permitting decisions on priority development sites within 180 days. Franklin hopes to use the priority development site designation as an incentive to encourage existing businesses to expand, and to attract new businesses. The Town is hopeful expanding businesses will take advantage of these opportunities.

Please contact Planning and Community Development Director, Bryan Taberner, if you have questions or require additional information regarding the Town of Franklin’s priority development site initiative or other business recruitment and retainage plans.


Contact:
Bryan W. Taberner, AICP
Director of Planning and Community Development
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038-1352
Phone: 508-520-4907
Fax: 508-520-4906

Household Hazardous Waste Day - 10/03/09

Franklin is holding a household hazardous waste day October 3, 2009 at the Town Hall on 355 E. Central St. from 9-1.

Tickets are $10 per car and need to be purchased at the DPW prior to the event.

Please review the attached information and reserve your space now. Any questions, please call the DPW office 508-553-5500.

Please forward this email to anyone in the town.

The direct link to the Solid Waste site -
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/index



Thank you,
Chris White
Franklin DPW
Solid Waste Coordinator



Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Live reporting - meeting closing items

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

Kudos to Peter Light for the most comprehensive news letter


7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations Motion to enter executive session not to return to a public meeting, passed 6-0

8. Adjourn

live reporting - superintendent's report

a. Staffing Update
a couple of unexpected changes have occurred, one hired in June got recalled by their district, so we will be running an ad for two positions

The hand out attached below shows the updated class sizes for the elementary schools where the teachers were added back:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io



b. Strategic Plan

c. Dean College Partnership
Rene Danho will be here in a future meeting to talk more about this

H1N1 - developing a Town wide pandemic plan on Friday afternoon, with other members of the Franklin town for a town-wide and school-wide response. CDC has changed their recommendation, backing down from the 7 days at home previously recommended.

We will do a H1N1 Summit, one of the challenges we had was working with physicians office. Working with them in advance to ensure we'll all be on the same page. Seek their feedback and seek a partnership with them.

September 15th target date for the H1N1 Summit

Miriam left a copy to parents, to principals related to the new online pre-payment food payment system. Will also be on the schools website. Should expedite the processing of the food line for lunches. Can prepare for multiple children on one account. Can set up an alert for triggering an email when balances fall below a set amount. Goes live on August 24th.

Live reporting - action items

3. Discussion Only Items
Enrollment Update / staffing add-backs

Position add backs due to wage concession and Stimulus money received/confirmed. (chart to be uploaded later)

17 new registration in July
15 more in August

About 40 students, 6,7,8 are leaving Remington to go to private schools
By next week the schools, charter, Tri-County will be back to full staff in the next couple of weeks, so we'll be able to get some better numbers


4. Action Items
  1. I recommend approval of the Strategic Plan Core Values and Mission & Vision Statements as presented. motion to approve, 6-0
  2. I recommend approval of the school handbooks as presented. motion to approve, 6-0
  3. I recommend acceptance of the donation of supplies from the Castro family valued at approximately $200.00. motion to approve, 6-0
  4. I recommend approval of the changes to the FHS Program of Study as presented. motion to approve, 6-0

Live reporting - hand books

2. Guests/Presentations
b. Handbooks
Building Principals

Asst Superintendent Sally Winslow - provides an overview of the updates being done, some with a legal and compliance focus, bringing some consistency across the middle schools and elementary schools.

Elementary Schools

All the principals met to talk about the changes
  • use of ConnectEd
  • lunch purchase process
  • MCAS dates
  • added section on managing life threatening food allergies
  • Absentee call in via the ConnectEd program

Oak St added some language from the middle school in regards to the dress code as they had noticed this becoming a problem the last couple of years

How to access information online instead of sending so many copies home with the students.

The handbooks will be posted to the websites and hard copies will be available in each school office for those parents who request them

Rohrbach - Some hand books highlight new sections, others don't?

Middle Schools

policy in regard to special education for parental questions was added
no other major policy changes or additions other than that mentioned by above
some more continuity coming in regards to discipline
looking to find the best way to see how they can be read, signed and copy returned to the office

Added process prior to suspension, apparently it had been deleted in one version some where along the way to the Annie Sullivan hand book

Armenio - Looking at it across the board and see that they are more consistent is wonderful.
Trahan - any language that didn't need to be there, wasn't there. That is good. The individual covers add to the school.

Sabolinski - "the consistency speaks to the collaboration we see across the schools, we may not be perfect yet but we are getting there."

Roy - some of my questions are more in general, we should have Page come into help discuss that. If we have a policy at the School Committee level that is not consistenly applied across the district, then we could be in trouble


High School

Derek Folan, Assistant Vice Principal

Absent documented - there is some document from parent or medical office referencing the absence

Confusion arises when there is a phone call telling of the absence but not having a document to support it. Equivalent to the sick days that an employer allows, after that number is reached, then the absences need to be documented.

Last year only seniors were allowed for documented college visits, this year juniors will be allowed.

Additional wording to address tardiness when a case where a number of students come in and decide to go for breakfast. We'll be able to take steps to address this situation.

Multiple changes were addressed in the last School Committee meeting by Peter Light (multiple update sections) and in the letter to the parents.

Added a line for expectations around the students behavior at detention.

Naming of detentions - minor, office, major, etc. There were too many.
Teacher - comes from a teachers
Office - comes from Asst Principal
Extended - 2.5 hours on Tue/Thu (replaces Alternative)
Saturday - still held periodically
ADP - for students that need additional guidance in their lives with additional counseling
Academic - always had it, will try to implement more of this
Social - the big 'new' suspension, want the students to be substance free in and out of school, "co-curricular activities are a privilege not a right". If you are going to participate in our athletics, you are going to be drug and alcohol free in and out of school. Moving away from the option to do outside substance abuse counseling and drug testing. Very difficult to track and not very effective overall.

first offense - 6 week suspension from social activities (42 days from offense)
second offense - 9 weeks
suspension from social activities (63 days from offense)
third offense - one full school year

Q - What constitutes possession of alcohol?
A - What comes from due process, either from school administration or from a police report.

Q - If the kid is at a party with alcohol but not charged directly possession, then this section would not apply.
A - correct

Q - If on a Facebook page, there is a picture of a student posing with it?
A - On the internet there is less legal standing, it could be a cropped photo. If we talk to the student and they admit it, then they would be handled by this policy.

These circumstances are not out of the realm of the MIAA guidelines.
The MIAA guidelines go so far as to say when you are in a room with alcohol, then you should apply their policy. Kudos to the Franklin Police department for handling this very well. Especially after the Taylor Myer event, they have been giving us real good information.

Cell phones - there is no magic solution, here is what we are going to try this year. It is often the parent that is calling or texting the child. We are making our classroom sacred. If they are not there, they can not be used. We are a little away from the cell phones becoming an instrument in the classroom,

Hallways, students will be allowed to check messages. There is an eight minute break between classes, it would be a good time to check. We don't won't calls being made. If they make a call in the hallway, they wouldn't get to class on time.

What you get comes with responsibility. They still can't be used in the cafeteria. The nature of the texting is an issue.

ATT works at FHS, nothing else seems to.

My addition to the meeting:
This is going to be an interesting piece to work on. One suggestion from another state somewhat low tech and relatively inexpensive was to use a shoe caddy hanging on the door. The students would put their phone in the slot as they entered and take it with them as they left.
Some bathrooms opened during the time passing between periods.

On the higher standard element, if a student is going to participate in an extra-curricular activity, they used to be required to have a full day attendance. Now they can come in after 9:00 AM

Prom guest from an other school had a contract where an administrator from their school signed that they were in good standing. This is being added to the handbook.

Dismissing a team captain, some due process for the protocol to be followed.

Trahan - this is the best hand book I have seen, this is great progress. Are they allowed to drink water in the classrooms?

I believe it is okay other than in the science classrooms where it may be a safety issue.

Roy - Based upon the first clause, if someone had a cell phone, you would have this language to enable a search. Consider the recent Supreme Court case and have the language modified accordingly.

I understand what you're saying.

Roy - I would rather have a policy that specifies more clearly what should and shouldn't be done.

Sabolinski - the notice was lacking and that has been addressed. The practice has not been to search the car.

Live reporting - Strategic Plan

2. Guests/Presentations

a. Strategic Plan Core Values / Mission

Miriam Goodman
Judi Bassignani

The final mission statement, core values and vision can be viewed in this file below:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io



The overview of the Strategic Planning Process can be found here

Q - Will the individual school missions be changed to reflect this?
A - Yes, there will be some allowance for personalization as necessary but they will be derived from the overall mission, values, etc.

Q - It would be a good idea to add it to the handbooks, manuals
A - Yes, it makes sense, we did not want to presume your intent but we can add that. It will also be added to the web site once it accepted.

Live reporting - School Committee

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

Missing: Cafasso

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments - none
Review of Agenda - none
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the July 21, 2009 School Committee Meeting. Motion to approve - passed 5-0, 1 abstain
Payment of Bills - Mr. Kelly
Payroll - Ms. Armenio
FHS Student Representatives none at this time
Correspondence: Budget to Actual

3 candidates

For Franklin's election coming up November 3rd:

Two newcomers have stepped up to vie for available seats - Glenn Jones for Town Council and Koren Kanadanian for the Board of Health.

Incumbent Jeffrey Roy is seeking a two-year term on the School Committee.

Read the full article on the first day nomination papers were available from the Town Clerk in the Milford Daily News here.

"Can we have a lemonade stand to help Lucas?"

FRANKLIN —

Like many 7-year-olds Sarah Spanek opened a lemonade stand to earn some extra bucks during the summer - but unlike most kids her age, Sarah has a mission and a slogan: Cups for a Cure.
Read the full article about Cups for a Cure being held this Saturday here in Franklin in the Milford Daily News

Monday, August 10, 2009

Artful Presentation - Ben Franklin

Maira Kalman does a monthly column in the Opinion Section of the NY Times. Her art and writing combines for a truly wonderfully good experience. This month's subject is titled "Can Do" and features the inventive exploits of our town's namesake Benjamin Franklin.

Please consider clicking through to the site and enjoy the scrolling story and wonderful art along the way.

Trust me, it will be worth it.

School Committee Agenda 8/11/09

Call to order Mr. Roy
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the July 21, 2009 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills - Mr. Kelly
Payroll - Ms. Armenio
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget to Actual

2. Guests/Presentations

a. Strategic Plan Core Values / Mission
Miriam Goodman
Judi Bassignani

b. Handbooks
Building Principals

3. Discussion Only Items
Enrollment Update / staffing add-backs

4. Action Items
  1. I recommend approval of the Strategic Plan Core Values and Mission & Vision Statements as presented.
  2. I recommend approval of the school handbooks as presented.
  3. I recommend acceptance of the donation of supplies from the Castro family valued at approximately $200.00.
  4. I recommend approval of the changes to the FHS Program of Study as presented.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
a. Staffing Update
b. Strategic Plan
c. Dean College Partnership

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

Friday, August 7, 2009

Government that you can trust

With my work here on Franklin Matters to share information and to create an informed community, the fact there is still mistrust of government is an issue to be addressed. The ethics changes made by Governor Patrick and others are a step in the proper direction for the state level. This Common Cause effort should help us on the national stage.



What change would you like to see to enable a government you can trust?

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Open offer to Franklin's candidates for election

To the candidates for Franklin's election on November 3, 2009:

I extend an offer to conduct and post an interview with you here. The interview can be either text or audio.

You are running to conduct business on behalf of Franklin. Together, we can share your views, your objectives, and help to spread the word to create an informed voter.

Send me an email (shersteve at gmail dot com) and we can arrange a mutually convenient time.

Be aware that this is my public service effort conducted solely to create an informed electorate here in Franklin.

I do this for fun and education. If it stops being that way, I will stop. This is not an advertising site. This is an information sharing site.

My disclosure statement can be found here.

A similar offer was made for the last Town election in 2007.

Harvest Festival Booths Available

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is preparing for their September Downtown Harvest Festival and is inviting crafters, restaurants, vendors and community groups to register for this year’s event.

This festival is the Partnership’s largest event and brings over 2,500 people to downtown Franklin each year. The festival will be Sunday, September 20th. The rain date is Sunday, September 27th. The event will be downtown starting on Main Street and will include East Central Street and Summer Street. There will be a variety of free entertainment and fun games and food. This year the Partnership is inviting restaurants to participate and showcase their menu items to area residents. Last year the festival had close to 100 vendors and crafters participate and they expect even more this year.

Space is limited, so anyone interested in participating should e-mail Mary Graff for more details and a registration form at mgraff@berryinsurance.com or call (508)733-5504.

The booth fee is $50.00 if registration is received by August 20th. The fee increases to $75.00 after that. Registration is free for Partnership business members.

Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation is this year’s Gold Sponsor and Middlesex Savings Bank is the Bronze Sponsor. Sponsorships are still needed for the festival. As a non-profit organization the Downtown Partnership depends on sponsors in order to fund the downtown festivals and events.

The Partnership has formed a merchants committee which will be hosting a “Third Thursday” event downtown each month. The events will be held every third Thursday and will include special events, sales, refreshments, and free entertainment at local downtown businesses. For more details contact Jane Curran at janeframe@verizon.net This year the downtown will also host a Holiday Stroll on December 3rd.

Any business, organization or resident interested in becoming a sponsor or who would like to become a member of the Partnership should call the Executive Director, Lisa Piana, at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com or (774)571-3109 or visit the downtown office location at 9 East Central Street ..

The Partnership’s mission is to stimulate economic development in the downtown in order to create a positive impact throughout the area. Some of the past Franklin downtown projects include the new bronze sculpture in front of the museum, the downtown signs, and working with town officials on new construction, green space and streetscape projects. New members are always welcome!

Town Council Mtg Smry 08/05/09

The collection of live reporting for the short (approx. 30 minutes) Town Council meeting held August 5th can be found here:

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Live reporting - Administrator report/closing

Jeff thanks Fire Dept for their work on the Medway church fire

Update from the town via email now available on the Town website

Listing of vacancies is available

Upgrades to the corner at E Central/King/Chestnut should be started in a couple of weeks. It shouldn't take long to complete.

Councilor Comments
Doak - would be remiss if I didn't congratulate my daughter on her birthday

Pfeffer - thanks for the work cleaning up the corner on Pond St

Bartlett - thanks to Jeff and others involved for the new email service, this is the way of the future

Friday nights under the lights at Beaver St started two weeks ago
about 35 the first night, the weather canceled last week
this week is on, for frisbee

Motion to adjorn

Live reporting - Action items

F - HEARINGS - none

G - LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - none

H - PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - none

I - SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS - none

J - LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 09-54: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 17E motion to approve, passed 5-0

"Authorizes an annual increase in the asset (whole estate) limit for exemptions granted to senior citizens, surviving spouses and surviving minors under General Laws Chapter 59, Section 17D, by the percentage increase in the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index for the previous year as determined by the Commissioner of Revenue to be effective for exemptions granted for any fiscal year beginning on or after July 1, 2009."


2. Resolution 09-55: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41D motion to approve, passed 5-0


Authorizes an annual increase in the income (gross receipts) and asset (whole estate) limit for exemptions granted to senior citizens, under General Laws Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41C, by the percentage increase in the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index for the previous year as determined by the Commissioner of Revenue to be effective for exemptions granted for any fiscal year beginning on or after July 1, 2009.


Live reporting - Town Council 8/5/09

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

A - APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July 1, July 15 Regular, July 15 Executive Session
Change to minutes of July 1 to correct Feeley vote for Resolution 09-47 (bottom of page 4) should be "Y" (not as shown "1")

B - ANNOUNCEMENTS
Debbie Pellegri - making the announcement about the election November 3rd. The papers will be available August 10th at the Town Clerk office in the Municipal Bldg.

Positions and dates have been posted previously here

C - PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
* Pearce Murphy, Retiring Member of Conservation Commission

D - CITIZEN COMMENTS

E - APPOINTMENTS
* Conservation Commission
Appointment of Jeff Livingstone - motion to approve, passed 5-0

Have you taken a ride on the Franklin Area Bus?

Did you know that you can have it stop for you along the route?

This summer why not take some time to ride the bus. For $1, it can be a real bargain.

One of the buses on the Franklin Area route has been wrapped to help advertise for Dean College. The bus (pictured below) was recently seen on its route along King St.



For more information (and schedule) on the Franklin Area Bus follow this link (PDF).

"won't have to raise money"

State Rep. Jim Vallee, D-Franklin, said he was proud to be an advocate for the grant.

"The Charles River Pollution Control District does a very good job, they're recognized as a cutting edge, state-of-the-art water treatment facility," he said. "But they are in need of upgrading their systems for energy efficiency and keeping up with technology."

Read the full article about the grant just received by the Charles River Pollution District in the Milford Daily News here

This will help Franklin and the other towns that are part of the District. There are major expenses coming for required improvements to reduce the phosphor being discharged into the Charles River. You can review the most recent presentation to the Town Council here.



Tuesday, August 4, 2009

"The circle is sacred"

"A safe place to be yourself. There is no agenda except just come and share your story," she said.

The women will "go with the flow" to create the kind of circle they want, as such groups can often change course, she said.

Read the full article about the women's circle being formed in Franklin by Michelle Reid in the Milford Daily News here


"the full attention it deserves"

It was only due to a series of one-time, non-recurring revenue sources, like stimulus funding and voluntary salary freezes, that Franklin did not suffer severe cuts in services this fiscal year, Whalen said.

"Given the severity of the challenges we are going to face, I'm leaning toward throwing my hat in the ring for the citizens' consideration for one more term, but I haven't decided for sure," Whalen said.

Read the full article on the status of the councilors up for re-election this fall in the Milford Daily News here

For a complete listing of open positions and the paperwork schedule to run for election, you can check here


Concerts on the Common - Frank Padula Band

The Frank Padula Band will be appearing Wednesday, August 5 for Concerts on the Common from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

Wally, the Green Monster will perform for the Children's Concert from 6:00 Pm to 6:30 PM.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Franklin: Walgreens Conveyor

Quite busy at the Walgreens (former Four Corners Bldg) site. The foundation appears to be nearing completion.


Franklin_WalgreensConveyor, originally uploaded by shersteve.

I was caught by this arrangement of machines. The bucket loader (far right) drops a load of dirt into the first blue machine. This appears to filter the material and transfer it to another similar machine which may have a different filter setting to process before it drops it off the last conveyor in a pile to be used on the site.

How many men would have been required to provide the same filtering function in the days when the Four Corners Bldg went up (or earlier)?

Anyone know the answer?


PMC - Nutting quoted

Franklin Town Administrator Jeff Nutting was amongst the thousands who participated in the PMC Challenge this year. Jeff rode as part of the Phils Phriends Team. He finished in Wellesley and was part of the Team NECN recap of the event. You can view the video here

Photos from the activity on Saturday morning at the PMC Franklin water stop can be found here

Town Council - Agenda - 8/5/09

A - APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July 1, July 15 Regular, July 15 Executive Session

B - ANNOUNCEMENTS

C - PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
* Pearce Murphy, Retiring Member of Conservation Commission

D - CITIZEN COMMENTS

E - APPOINTMENTS
* Conservation Commission

F - HEARINGS

G - LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H - PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I - SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J - LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 09-54: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 17E
2. Resolution 09-55: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41D

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

"an issue for the new council to work on"

Nutting said he will wait to see the cost before deciding whether he feels as strongly as Vallee about burying the utilities.

Town Council filed special legislation months ago that will allow them to borrow money for the work, and Nutting said he expects the special legislation to be voted on by year's end.

Read the full article about this aspect of the planned improvements for downtown Franklin in the Milford Daily News here.

Picking up from the headline this is just one of many items that the "new" council will work on. The "new" council is one that will be elected on November 3rd. Who of the current council is running and who else will be on the ballot remains to be seen. As noted here previously, papers will be available from the Town Clerk next week (Aug 10th) and are due back to the Town Clerk by Sep 15th.

Please stay current with what is happening in Franklin. We will need to cast an informed vote in November to handle the major items that are facing Franklin.


Sunday, August 2, 2009

"It's just a matter of economics"

"I certainly understand the struggle the state is having to make ends meet. We at the association adamantly opposed the change," Nutting said.

Franklin's allotment was cut from $183,000 to $33,000, he said. The town is is only legally obligated to match that $33,000, Nutting said, so the Police Department's total Quinn Bill budget of $366,000 may become $66,000
Read the full article on the Quinn Bill in the Milford Daily News here

Bold Opportunities for District–Union Collaboration on Teacher Quality

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via ASCD Inservice by Laura Varlas on 7/31/09
Teachers unions are often cast as at odds with education reform and innovation. But frequently, behind a conservative national agenda, there's a union local working with districts on reforms like performance compensation and better, fairer educator evaluation systems. Even charter...

Things you can do from here:

The Month in Review - July's Most Popular Items

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Free Technology for Teachers by noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Byrne) on 7/31/09
As I do every month, I've compiled a list of the most popular items from the last month.

Here are the seven most popular items in the month of July, 2009
1. 10 Things Teachers Should Know Before 1:1
2. DL Hughley Reminds Us Why We Teach
3. When I Become a Teacher...
4. The World Images Kiosk - 75,000 Images
5. A Very Simple Way to Make Screen Captures
6. More Wordle in the Classroom Ideas
7. Using Blogs and Wikis are Core Skills


Things you can do from here: