Live reporting - Council questions continued

Ballenger proposing to use some of the Franklin properties as "long term leases" rather than sell it off. The leases, if possible, would generate some income for the town.

Jones mentions Town Clerk should remain as an elected position, Treasurer/Collector can be appointed. Does not completely agree with the staggered terms as it can be interpreted in many different ways.

Kelly maintaining services will be a large issue, keeping the community safe, and improving the education for the children are the other two.

Powderly the evidence I have seen supports a single tax rate. The Board of Assessor and Town Council need to justify that to the citizens. The issue would be how the long term Franklin family business would bear the increased rate under a split tax. The EMC's might be able to handle it but maintaining the smaller would be a concern.

Pfeffer every year seems to be the worst. We are in a unique position and need to do everything we can do.

Vallee all the towns have water bans. The State limits how much we can distribute. We have enough.

Whalen capital expenditures are necessary, we need to maintain equipment, we always have more requests than we have funds for.

Zollo raises the Financial Planning Committee report that was endorsed by the current council and that the new council should do so as well. It is important to education the citizens on how much we spend and where, schools, police, fire, etc.

Avakian we have approved the bond for the study, we should wait to see what the report comes back with. It will depend upon what our fiscal situation is.

Ballenger the Finance Committee will need to work closely with the council and take Mr Nutting's recommendations under advisement. It will have to be a working partnership.

Jones I don't support an override until we have a viable plan in place to explain to the citizens on what will be spent, where and why. Any cuts on the state side will trickle down to us. It needs to be made as clear as possible for the citizens.

Kelly I would look for a partner who can work with all the organizations in the Town.

Powderly The Franklin Downtown Partnership has done a fabulous job. We are the city that calls itself a Town. We like the small town feel. I'd love to have a more active relationship with the project.

Live reporting - Town Council candidates

Candidates getting similar questions but worded in different ways generating their comment about the same question. Well, it could be that each should have answered the same question. There are not that many real issues for Franklin, or are there?

Live reporting - Town Council candidates

The full slate of candidates, at least those that have shown up this evening.

Single biggest opportunity thus far, regionalization is one way to save some money.

It is encumbent upon the citizens to be aware and become involved of the town issues.

Live reporting - Town Council candidates

Town Council - 9 Positions (For 2 Years)

• Joseph McGann (absent due to a medical emergency)
  
• R. Scott Mason
• Judith Pond Pfeffer
• Shannon Zollo
• Robert Vallee
• Stephen Whalen
• Glenn Jones
• Daniel Ballinger
• Robert Avakian
• Matthew Kelly
  
• Tina Powderly
• Glenna Richards - not in attendance
• Bryce Kuchs - not in attendance due to other work commitments announced last week

Live reporting - Borad of Health 1 minute intro, questions

• Bruce Hunchard, three children

currently chairman, has been on board for 17 years
long listing of experiences, native from Franklin

• Koren Kanadanian

currently Director of Emergency Services at Providence College


What is the Board of Health role in health issues?
The current issue is the H1N1 virus, he has set up the process to prepare Franklin

Full time agent for Board of Health in Franklin, how is your role in relationship to the agent.
The agent does the day-to-day inspections and brings information back to the board, the board should have a good relationship

Q - How can you be pre-active instead of re-active?

Q - You have the ability to enact public policy, how would you do that?

There were only four questions prepared, two questions were repeated to a candidate that had not been asked that question before.

Two minutes for a closing statement

Koren
I am new to the political arena. I have an open mind to listen to address issues before the board.

Bruce
My 17 years of experience dealing with local leaders and others in the area can enable a continuity of process.

Live reporting - starting now

Moderator Larry Benedetto

Panel will randomly select a question, no questions from the audience.

Live reporting - Board of Health candidates

The moderator will be Larry Benedetto
Time keeper will be Deb Pellegri

Board of Health - 1 Position (For 4 years)

• Bruce Hunchard
• Koren Kanadanian

The candidates are ready. The camerman is here and making final preparations.

Live reporting - Candidate night

A good sign, there is a crowd of people in the room. There are seats available!

Live reporting - Candidate night

Per Deb Pellegri, the order of events tonight will have a panel of four ask questions of the candidates beginning with:.

Board of Health - 1 Position (For 4 years)

• Bruce Hunchard
• Koren Kanadanian - new

And followed by

Town Council - 9 Positions (For 2 Years)

• Joseph McGann
• R. Scott Mason
• Judith Pond Pfeffer
• Shannon Zollo
• Robert Vallee
• Stephen Whalen
• Glenn Jones - new
• Daniel Ballinger - new
• Robert Avakian (switch from Board of Assessors)
• Matthew Kelly (switch from School Committee)
• Tina Powderly - new
• Glenna Richards - new

The panelists will be

• Heather McCarron, Milford Daily News/Gazette
• Ken Norman, Franklin resident, assessor
• Jack Lank, President United Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Pat Samson, Communications Director, Dean College
  

Live reporting - Franklin candidate debate night

There may be a delay tonight. The cameraman has not yet arrived and a back up person is on the way.

Estimated start time 7:30 PM, or earlier if someone arrives!

A good turnout for the Halloween Festival

The Franklin Police Department held their annual Halloween Festival at Franklin High School on Sunday. With great sunshine, they spread their fun and games outside as well as inside the field house.

Officer Eric Cusson was just sitting.



Then he got wet!



Chief Steve Williams was dry.



Then he got wet! (Hey, wasn't that cheating?)



My what big spiders there are here in Franklin!



Look at all the things to do!



Everyone (big kids and little) had smiles on their faces.

In the News - MCAS growth model

One of the advantages of participating in regular School Committee, Town Council, and other Franklin business meetings you get to see and hear first hand what is happening. Franklin took part in the State pilot for the MCAS "growth model" that is being introduced tomorrow.


You can view the most recent meeting notes where this was discussed here.


The Milford Daily News covers this item from a Framingham perspective here:

State to unveil new MCAS interpretation model

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS by Abby Jordan/Daily News staff

Consider being more active in Town meetings. You never know what you may find out and something may really be an advantage to know about!

School Committee - Agenda - 10/27/09

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the October 13, 2009 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
Payroll Ms. Armenio
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: None

2. Guests/Presentations
a. FHS Update – Peter Light
b. Lifelong Learning Update - Pandora Carlucci
c. Growth Assessment Reporting – Patty Elias, RN

3. Discussion Only Items

Budget to Actual

Policy – First Reading:
JLCA – Physical Examinations of Students
JLCA – E1 Sample Notification Letter to Faculty & Staff
JLCA – E2 Sample Notification Letter to Parents/Guardians
JLCA – E3 Sample Screening Results Letter to Parents/Guardians

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $214.28 from the Remington PCC for a 6th grade field trip for the YMCA.
b. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip for the 3 middle schools to New York City as detailed.
c. I recommend approval of using $6,000.00 from the Athletic Revolving Account to cover cost of starting a varsity swim team at FHS.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,330.00 from the Parmenter PCC for a Gr. 3 field trip to Plimoth Plantation.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $94.49 from Target’s Take Charge of Education Program for Remington Middle School.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
a. Kim Marshall
b. Instructional Support Team
c. Adaptive Leadership
d. Superintendent’s Roundtable
e. ELL Teacher

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

350 - a big number on a big day

Over 5,000 events took place yesterday in 181 countries to raise awareness on climate change. The Franklin Area Climate Team was busy in some of the local area activities.

Steve Sherlock pinch hit for Ted McIntyre at the Attleboro event and the event coverage can be found here

Other photos and reports will be updated to the Franklin Area Climate Team website as they become available.

350.org has a repository of the events worldwide.

In the News - candidate debate Monday

Come out to the Municipal Bldg or tune in via cable and the Internet to see what the candidates say.

Franklin candidates to offer views on Monday

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley, Daily News correspondent