Live reporting - School Committee Meeting

Attending: Douglas, Cafasso, Rohrbach, Mullen, Roy, Trahan, Glynn

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments - none


Review of Agenda - add some policies for first reading to Discussion Only Items
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the Open and Executive Sessions of the November 17, 2009 School Committee Meeting. motion to approve - passed 7-0
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn motion to approve bills - passed 7-0
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives

• Winter Sports season underway
• peer mediation program starting
• "Light up a Life" fund raising effort underway
• Winter Music concert Weds 12/9 at 7:00 PM

Kudos to the football team for a great season
Jeff may suggest to the Town Council to schedule election for a sports night. 7,000 attended the game for 2 hours when the election over fourteen hours drew only a little more than 3,000

Correspondence:
1. Budget to Actual
2. NEASC Letters to and from FHS

East of Shirley concert - Dec 12

For those listeners of the Franklin Matter's podcast, the last several have featured the music of the group East of Shirley. They are playing at the Harvest Cafe in Hudson, MA this Saturday evening.

The Facebook event page can be found here.

East of Shirley's website is here


Note: By way of disclosure, Michael Clark, the lead singer/song writer, have worked together at Fidelity Investments and are good friends. I feature their music simply because it is good music.

FRANKLIN HEALTH DEPARTMENT H1N1 FLU CLINIC ANNOUNCEMENT

The Franklin Health Department will be holding the first in a series of H1N1 flu clinics for Franklin residents on Thursday December 10, 2009 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Franklin High School.

Due to limited supply of vaccine, the first round of vaccine administrations will be provided to the following persons on a first come first served basis, consistent with Massachusetts Department of Public Health and CDC guidelines for vaccine administration:

    * Parents and care-givers of infants less than 6 months. 
    * Children aged 6 months up to and including Kindergarten.

Please be advised, the Health Department has received nearly 70% of our vaccine allocation in the nasal spray form.  Because this is a live attenuated vaccine, this formulation is only for healthy individuals aged 2 to 49 years of age.  

All individuals to be vaccinated in the 2-49 age groups without a contra-indicated medical history will be administered the nasal spray. 

Due to limited supply of the injected form of the vaccine, it will be reserved for children less than 2 years of age and others as medically indicated.

All individuals to be vaccinated are to present a completed consent form.  No vaccine will be administered without a completed and signed consent form.  All school-aged children will receive a consent form from the School Department in the coming days.  A downloadable consent form is available on the Health Department website as well.

All residents will be asked to produce a valid driver’s license or other identification at the time of registration.  Please enter the clinic via the High School Field House entrance.

The Franklin Health Department will continue to hold additional H1N1 flu clinics in the coming weeks until all the high priority groups have been vaccinated.  Once the priority groups are vaccinated, vaccine will be available for all residents until our supply has been exhausted.

We ask all residents to please be patient and to anticipate some waiting, as we institute our large-scale public vaccination plan.

David E. McKearney, R.S.
Public Health Director
Franklin Health Department

Franklin Board of Health

Bruce Hunchard, Chair
Paul Cheli
Donald Ranieri, JR.

 

This was posted on the Franklin Town site. You can download the consent form from here.

In the News - Bellingham split tax

 Note that the split tax rate in Bellingham was changed to increase the residential rate and help businesses. Franklin doesn't need to do this, everyone already pays the same tax rate.

Selectmen voted unanimously last night to give businesses a slight break on property taxes.

The board raised the tax burden on homeowners from 89 percent to 90 percent as it tries to find a balance between the homeowners and businesses.

With the shift, taxes for homeowners will be set at $11.92 per $1,000 assessed value, up from last year's $10.44. For the "average" Bellingham homeowner, with a home valued at $275,984, this will yield a $105 yearly tax increase, selectmen said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

In the News - update on social media suspensions

In the post over the weekend, when I advocated for establishing a social media awareness, I referenced an article from Mendon where students were being investigated for creating a Facebook page. The Facebook page sought violence against one of their middle school assistant principals.

The developing story line is update in the Milford Daily News today:

Five Mendon students suspended due to threatening Facebook page

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS by Krista Perry/Daily News staff

School Committee Meeting - 12/08/09 - Agenda

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the Open and Executive Sessions of the November 17, 2009 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:
1. Budget to Actual
2. NEASC Letters to and from FHS

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Fine Arts Academy – Mike Caple
b. Metrowest Health Update – Michele Kingsland-Smith

3. Discussion Only Items
a. 2010-2011 School Calendar Options - Maureen Sabolinski
b. H1N1 – Sally Winslow
c. Healthy Futures Summit – Maureen Sabolinski, Roberta Trahan

4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of Option One of the 2010-2011 School Calendar.
b. I recommend approval of Remington Middle School’s request to declare the listed books as surplus.
c. I recommend acceptance of two checks ($25.00 & $53.30) totaling $78.30 from Adirondack Vending for the RMS for supplies.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $300.00 from Fidelity for the Annie Sullivan Middle School for in-house enrichment, supplies and supplemental curriculum materials.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1050.00 from ASMS PCC for buses for field trips.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
a. NEASC
b. Grant Update
c. FHS Facilities
d. Enrollment Comparison

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

message from the Franklin Citizens Rail Committee

Three important things to do on Tuesday December 8, 2009:

1.       Vote


2.       Log on to the Franklin Rail Trail web site www.franklinrailtrail.org and sign up for membership to support our organization.


3.       Attend the next meeting of the Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee. It will be held Tuesday evening, December 8^th at 7:30 PM, in the Odd Fellows Lodge on W. Central Street in Franklin. Agenda attached. 

In the Globe - gift policy

School superintendents across the region are penning letters this holiday season to parents, cautioning them against going overboard with gift-giving to teachers, principals, and other staff members.

That means no pricey gift certificates to spas or fancy restaurants, no hard-to-get tickets to the theater or sporting events, no fine wine, or anything else valued at more than $50.

While acknowledging that parents’ gift-giving gestures may be well-intentioned, the superintendents say that the state’s new ethics law forbids public servants, including teachers on public payrolls, from receiving gifts with value in excess of $50. Violations are subject to civil penalties, the superintendents warn.

Read the full article in the Boston Globe here

In the News - Choo Choo shop,

The Choo Choo shop closed

End of the line for the Choo Choo Stop

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Melanie Graham/Daily News staff

The photo from last week when I noticed the shop closed can be found here

Invitation to Candlelight Vigil for Climate Action - Boston Dec 11th 6:00 PM

From the Franklin Area Climate Action Team comes this info:

Friends, we are running out of time. The United Nations climate change conference in December will be the turning point in the fight for a safe climate. But even before the conference, President Barack Obama and the leaders of some other large nations have announced that they aren't going to reach any kind of legally binding climate agreement in Copenhagen--declaring that they need more time, despite the five years of preparation they've already had.

That's sad and it's dangerous--the planet is running out of 'next years'. But it does give all of us more time to organize a movement to make them respect the science. The planet doesn’t negotiate. We must convince the governments of the world to change our uses of nature to meet earth’s requirements for the planet to keep on hosting us like it has been doing.
So it's time for the next big steps. The world needs your help. You will need this to succeed.

There's a global mobilization coming together for the weekend in the middle of the Copenhagen conference--Dec. 11-13. Our collective message: "The World Wants a Real Deal" -- people all over the planet are demanding a binding global climate agreement guided by the latest science and built upon principles of justice and equity.

The global coordinator is www.350.org. The Massachusetts Council of Churches, Massachusetts Climate Action Network and several other organizations are sponsoring the Boston vigil on December 11 as part of this global mobilization.

Here in Boston, we will assemble for a candlelight vigil in Cardinal Cushing Park, next to Senator John Kerry's office. Sen. Kerry is leading the US delegation to the climate convention in Copenhagen. We’ve assured him, we support him – to do the right, and difficult, and necessary things.

Our goal is to focus Sen. Kerry’s attention on the urgent need for a science-based international climate treaty and on climate legislation in the U.S. that gets us back below an atmospheric CO2 concentration of 350ppm, the upper limit a stable earth environment can tolerate.

We will stand in solemn solidarity with the citizens of those nations who already die at an increased rate of 300,000 a year in (primarily) African countries and island nations because of climate change, and with citizens of big parts of America’s southeast who already face severe new hazards because of climate change.

What: Candlelight Vigil -- The World Wants a Real Deal
When: December 11th, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: Cardinal Cushing Park, at Cambridge and New Chardon Streets.
How: Closest T stop is Blue Line Bowdoin Station coming in (closes at 6:30 PM). Government Center Station is 2/10 mile away. If you can, please bring your own candle and an empty 2-liter soft drink bottle “candle holder”.

For additional information on the Franklin Area Climate Action Team, please visit their website here

----

For an alternative to the Boston event if you are looking for something a little closer to home, there is also a candlelight vigil planned in Attleboro on Friday Dec 11, 4:30-5:30 at the corner of County and S. Main Streets. 

Join Clever Commute

If you use the Franklin Line - Commuter Rail you know that service sometimes can be less than optimal.

You can help alert your fellow commuters to what you know about the service, when you know it and generally that will be in advance of the MBTA getting around to posting one of their own alerts.

Conductor Josh, the guy behind Clever Commute says:

(1) If you want to send a real-time commuter "alert" to your fellow passengers, then send a subject-only message to MBTA-Franklin@clevercommute.com
(ALL of the info comes from YOU...the commuters)

(2) Did you know?
We have over 100 recent instances where YOU have provided information better and faster than any other source!
See http://clevercommute.com/blog/?cat=2

How do you join Clever Commute?
Visit their web site here and sign up to register your email address.

For more information on the service, visit the Clever Commute blog here

Senate Primary Tues Dec 8th

The primary election for US Senate to choose the replacement for the late Edward M Kennedy will be held Dec 8th. Polls will be open at the Franklin High School field house from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

For information on the Democratic candidates:

What's the difference between the four Democrats?

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS by Dan McDonald/Daily News staff

and on the Republican side, Scott Brown is running against Jack E Robinson:

Brown says anti-incumbent sentiment a boost for him

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Julia Spitz/Daily News staff

Jack E. Robinson touts his moderate approach

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Paul Crocetti/Daily News staff

Davis Thayer Reading Challenge

Saw this sign out walking this morning:



Yea for reading!
Go Davis Thayer readers!

You need Social Media awareness

You need to be social media aware. With a little time to enable, it is free and easy to monitor.

Why?
Wouldn't you like to know what is being said or written about you? You can be a company, an organization, or an individual. It doesn't really matter. The need is there, the risk of non-awareness or non-response depends upon the nature of what is being said and what you do.

What do you mean?
According to a recent news article, some student let school officials know about a Facebook group that threatened a middle school assistant principal. The article goes on to say that some students maybe suspended for their actions creating the group.

How can I be aware?
The simple way to start is to set up a Google Alert. The alert can be set up for a specific term or combination of words. It will send an email to you each day with a summary of what it found the prior day.

Here is a screen shot of the alerts I use:

If you would like to know some additional ways to listen, let me know.

Resources:
The Milford Daily News article can be found here

Dr Scott McLeod has the Eight Stages of Listening here


Chris Brogan has Five Tools I use for listening

Beth Kanter has listening tools on her social media wiki here

Recycle update

Attached is a complete list of the types of large rigid plastic that is accepted at the Beaver St. Recycling Center.  This is a great program to take a lot of plastic out of the trash and recycle it.  Please help us keep the container clean - NO TRASH, VINYL, BAGS, SIDING, PVC PIPE or anything not listed on the attached sheet.

Think - Rigid - Plastic!

Chris White

Solid Waste Coordinator

Franklin DPW

The attached sheet is here:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

If you are not already subscribed to receive the recycling updates directly to your email, please consider doing so. You can subscribe on the Franklin website here

Note: For Franklin Matters email subscribers, you'll need to click through to the blog page to view the document attached.

Watch Know

The Internet is full of useful information, but it's disorganized and often unreliable. Despite its problems, the potential of the Internet for education is especially huge. Imagine tapping into that potential.

Imagine collecting all the best free educational videos made for children, and making them findable and watchable on one website. Then imagine creating many, many more such videos.

Just think: millions of great short videos, and other watchable media, explaining every topic taught in schools, in every major language on Earth.

Finally, imagine them all deeply and usefully categorized according to subject, education level, and placed in the order in which topics are typically taught.

WatchKnow—as in, "You watch, you know"—has started building this resource.

Click through to view the WatchKnow site here

A sample video on photosynthesis from Bill Nye - The Science Guy:



The one key advantage is that all the videos are categorized according to topic and age appropriate for viewing.

Enjoy!

Pay for performance

Pay for performance sounds so good, it conveys images of comfort like motherhood and apple pie. The devil is in the details.

How do you measure the performance?
Whose performance is measured?

When you try to apply these to the educational environment, this becomes troublesome. There can be a rational approach to this problem and should be a consideration as the School Committee, School Administration,  and the teachers sit down to begin to renegotiate their contract terms.

A much broader assessment of teacher performance was needed to capture the breadth of the teacher's role (Gratz, 2005). After four years and substantial effort, teachers and administrators collaborated to produce a new plan that the board, teachers, and voters ultimately approved. In the process, Denver expanded its definition of performance.

Denver's groundbreaking professional compensation plan replaces the traditional "steps and lanes" approach to compensation, in which teachers receive annual "step" increases as well as "lane" increases if they earn additional degrees. Only one of the new plan's four components directly addresses academic achievement goals—and that one is based significantly on teacher-set objectives, not just standardized test scores. In addition to student academic growth, the plan addresses teacher skill and knowledge, professional evaluation, and market incentives—compensating teachers who work in hard-to-serve schools or in hard-to-staff positions.

Read more about this pay for performance here. Originally found via the ASCD Community Blog here

Note of caution: Since it took Denver four years to get to an agreement, I certainly would not expect any immediate agreement here. It would be nice to start the discussion and eventually get to something better than what exists.

In the News - Angel tree moved, Holiday Stroll

The Post Office finally realized they were breaking policy and the tree needed to be moved.

Friends of Franklin move angel tree to Shaw's

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Heather McCarron/Daily News staff
------

Organized by the Downtown Partnership, more than 100 people gathered in front of Dean Hall for a tree lighting ceremony before taking off to explore offerings at over 35 participating businesses.

"This is better than we ever expected," said Partnership Executive Director Lisa Piana. "I'm sure the weather has something to do with it."

Franklin Holiday Stroll a success

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Holiday Stroll, Dec 3rd from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Franklin, MA – ‘Twas the month before Christmas and the Franklin Downtown Partnership decided to throw a holiday party in downtown Franklin, and more than 35 businesses decided to join the fun!

The Partnership will officially kick off the holiday season with the Holiday Stroll on Thursday, December 3, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A tree lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa and some of his elves, music, art and holiday treats are all part of the fun planned for revelers both downtown and around Franklin this year. Visitors can follow a trail of luminaries that light the downtown and each participating business will have a map detailing what special events and treats are being offered.

The Stroll starts at Dean College at 4:30 with a holiday tree lighting ceremony in front of Dean Hall. Enjoy free hot chocolate and plenty of singing to kick off the season.

The highlights of the evening will be an appearance by Santa at Simon’s Furniture on Summer Street from 5:00 to 7:00, while Santa’s elves will be at ARTBEAT from 4:00 to 6:00. Carolers will entertain the crowds by singing favorite seasonal songs as they stroll through the streets. Radio station 103.3 WODS FM, Boston ’s holiday music specialist, will ring in the cheer by broadcasting its festive blend of holiday favorites at the patio on East Central Street .

At Café Dolce, the coffee will be hot and the music will be playing as local artists from the Franklin Art Association set up their easels for a colorful night of painting. “Stop by, grab a cappuccino and watch local artists create paintings right in front of your eyes,” says Sue Sheridan, president of the association.

Residents are also invited to shop the new Handmade Crafts Gallery at Artbeat. The gallery features original art, unique jewelry and gifts created by local artist and will be open throughout December. “Artists will be on hand from 6:00 to 8:00 to talk about their art,” says owner Jan Whitted.

Visitors can see framed calligraphic art on exhibit at five locations downtown, including Jane’s Frames, Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, Franklin Center Commons ReMax Realty, Rockland Trust and Artbeat. Jane’s Frames will host an artists’ reception that evening, showcasing artwork by calligraphic artists who are members of Masscribes, a Massachusetts-based calligraphy guild.

“The Franklin Downtown Partnership created the Holiday Stroll to give everyone in the area another reason to come downtown and connect with our community,” says Lisa Piana, the partnership’s executive director and the organizer of the Stroll.  “In order to have a vibrant downtown, our stores and business owners need residents to eat, shop and spend time in Franklin .  These types of events are fun and hopefully remind residents to come downtown.

“We have many generous sponsors who make putting on events like the Holiday Stroll possible,” adds Piana.  “These events add so much to the community and we are very fortunate to have so much interest. The Partnership would love for the Holiday Stroll to become an annual event like the Harvest Festival.”

Holiday Stroll revelers will find maps at each participating business to help them navigate all the specials at the downtown and surrounding retailers.

On East Central Street, those businesses include:

A Cut Above Hair and Nails, which has relocated to 56 E. Central St, will have cider and refreshments from 4:00 to 8:00. They will give 20% off cuts for new customers and complimentary eye and lip waxing for new and existing customers that night.

Party Paints and Pottery will pass out their favorite holiday cookie, complete with a recipe card, to all visitors.

Café Dolce will offer coffee, holiday treats, live music and art demonstrations.

Jane’s Frames will be throwing a party with live music and refreshments. Enter a free raffle for a framed Patriot’s panoramic print and get a coupon worth 15% off framing in January. Stroll in and enjoy free samples from Tastefully Simple’s gourmet food collection.

H & R Block will hand out holiday treats and treat visitors to a free “Forward Looks” tax checkup and free “Second Looks” of prior years’ returns. Visitors can also enter to win a free tax return.

Sarapaan will have a holiday sale featuring 20% off all handcrafted jewelry (excluding custom designs). Get holiday presents for your loved ones or treat yourself.

ReMax Realty invites downtown residents to meet and greet each other at its open house, where cheese and crackers and beverages will help to ring in the holiday season.

On Main Street:

Berry Insurance will give away hot chocolate to help warm holiday revelers.  Strollers are also invited to enter a raffle for a free gift basket.

Fitness Together will serve fresh fruit and healthy holiday smoothies.

Hair @ Nail It invites visitors to enjoy hot cocoa while they get a free Christmas polish change.

Emma’s Quilt Cupboard invites visitors to stop in and discover unique, hand-made gifts for the holidays. Come see a selection of quilts, wall hangings, table runners and baby quilts at their annual sample sale, going on the first two weeks of December.

The Spotlight Shop will invite patrons to enter a raffle to win two premium tickets to an FPAC holiday show of their choice:  either Nutcracker or Humbug!

The Franklin School for Performing Arts invites visitors to stop by the studios and watch performances in the recital hall throughout the evening. There will be three different performances you won’t want to miss.

Facial Rejuvenation will give out free Jane Iredale Lip Drink SPF 15. This SPF zinc oxide broad spectrum lip balm has a macadamia nut oil base (not petroleum), antioxidants, green tea and vitamins C and E, and the flavor is a mix of lemon and orange oils.

Pisani Shoes invites everyone to come shop for new holiday shoes and enjoy Mr. Pisani’s private art work on display.

Craig Roberts Studio will give out a free $25 gift certificate for a studio portrait. The certificate can be used for family, extended family and children’s portraits.

On West Central Street:

Hair Mania will offer a free holiday gift and 10% off all hair products.

The Fire Station will be holding a Holiday Fire Safety Expo and handing out holiday treats. Come learn safety tips on candles and Christmas trees lights.

On Cottage Street:

Franklin Pizza and Deli suggests stopping in for dinner after the tree lighting. Buy any large pizza and get a small cheese pizza free.

On Summer Street:

Simon’s Furniture invites families to meet Santa and receive a holiday treat. Visitors can also enter a raffle for a Free 19-inch flat screen LCD HD TV!

ArtBeat Your Creativity Store Kids can help Santa’s elves make glittery holiday ornaments for free. They can also make gifts for family and friends starting at $10. From 6:00 to 8:00 the store will host a reception for the Handmade Craft Gallery.

Salon Sorella invites everyone to come in and warm up with a cup of cocoa and start their holiday shopping with 15% off the purchase of gift cards.

Around Franklin

CVS Pharmacy will continue the holiday fun at both locations. Stop in for free product sample gifts.

Shades In Place, located at 76 Grove Street , will throw an Open House that evening and give 15% off plus free installation to anyone who stops by.

DCU - Federal Credit Union invites holiday shoppers to stop in for a free cup of coffee, tea or a checking account. DCU will also hand out candy at Simons Furniture during Santa’s visit.

Other participating businesses include:  Itch’s Stitches, Pretty Is Pink, Vallee’s Jewelers, Rick’s Restaurant, Rome Restaurant, Bamboo House, Central Pizza and Isabella’s Groceria. Stop by and enjoy some holiday treats!

Silver sponsors for this event are NHS Print, Middlesex Savings Bank, Rockland Trust and DG Ranieri Supply Company.  Bronze sponsors include Artbeat Your Creativity Store, CVS Pharmacy, Ficco’s Bowladrome, Rome Restaurant, Laura Lowe/Coldwell Banker, the United Regional Chamber of Commerce and Digital Federal Credit Union.

For more information on this event contact Executive Director Lisa Piana at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com or (774) 571-3109. The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is the revitalization of downtown Franklin . The FDP believes that a vibrant downtown is key to the economic success of the town of Franklin , and it organizes events like the Holiday Stroll to promote awareness and help the town prosper. For more information visit www.franklin.ma.us Community Links.

Town Council Mtg Smry 12/02/09

The collection of posts that were reported live during the Town Council meeting on Weds 12/2/09:

• Live reporting - closing
• Live reporting - Action items
• Live reporting - License transactions
• Live reporting - action items - taxes
• Live reporting - Tax Classification hearing
• Live reporting - Appointments
• Live reporting - Town Council

In the News - check your mail carefully

In October, Dacey sent letters to 800 delinquent bill payers, warning a lien may be filed on their property. He said the lien will be split evenly in the February and May bills, the third and fourth quarters, respectively.

He said people may wrongly assume the mortgage company and banks have paid their utility bills.

"I have a feeling a lot of people are getting these letters and think, 'I don't have to worry about this, the mortgage company is taking care of it.' It's wrong to assume that," he said.

Read more about this in the Milford Daily News here:

Franklin official: Pay your taxes or risk lien

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Senior Center Newsletter - December

This month's newsletter from the Senior Center:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Note: For Franklin Matters email subscribers, you'll need to click through to the website to view the document.

Live reporting - closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Jeff thanks for all the sponsors for the Christmas lighting on Sunday

Snow and Ice budget is coming, negotiated to reduce contractor payment by $10/hr, reduced salt and sand use with new routes, part of consortium on salt purchase to reduce cost per ton


Hearing on Achorage Road last week, reducing roadway area and storm water runoff, residents pleased with plans underway


Legislature has gone to holiday without giving the Gov approval for reductions


Approval for the architect has been granted by the State
Building Committee meeting on Dec 14th at 6:00 PM




L. OLD BUSINESS
none

M. NEW BUSINESS
none

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Powderly reiterate to come up with some document on rationale
Holiday Stroll downtown from 4:00 to 8:00 PM

Zollo - If the Town were to pay the State's portion of the Quinn bill, about what would that be?
Nutting - About 150,000.


Zollo - commending student athletes at FHS 


Pfeffer - thanks for the Alumni Club sponsoring the breakfast before the Thanskgiving Game. 
Next Tuesday, Bob Fahey and wife will have been in Franklin for 50 years.


Kelly - attended the lighting at the Common, Santa showed up and the kids were happy.


Jones - took the tour of the Police, Fire and DPW very impressed with their services.
Plug the election next Tuesday and then Jan 19th, get out and vote
congratulations to the football team!


Whalen - championships tend to be few and far between so they should soak it in.


Mason - congratulations to the Dean College football team


Pfeffer - move to go to executive sessions, not to return to open session
passed 8-0





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


P. ADJOURN

Live reporting - Action items

5. Resolution 09-78: Appropriation – Veterans’ Benefits
Thanks to Bob Fahey for providing this service to our veteran citizens

motion to approve - passed 8-0

6. Resolution 09-79: Appropriation – Employee Benefits - Unemployment
see notes from Finance Committee meeting 12/1/09 for background

With the State extension on unemployment, will that affect us?
Yes


motion to approve - passed 8-0


7. Resolution 09-80: Appropriation – Elections Budget
motion to approve - passed 8-0


8. Resolution 09-81: Grant utility easement on Oak St property


motion to approve - passed 8-0

Live reporting - License transactions

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS –  Annual Alcohol License Renewals

recommending acceptance of the listing (pending three for outstanding fees)
motion to approve - passed 8-0


H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS  none


I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS  none

Live reporting - action items - taxes

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 09-74: Classification Tax Allocation– Residential Factor
motion to accept contingent upon DOR acceptence - passed 8-0


2. Resolution 09-75: Classification Tax Allocation – Open Space Exemption
motion to accept contingent upon DOR acceptence - passed 8-0

3. Resolution 09-76: Classification Tax Allocation – Small Businesses Exemption
motion to accept contingent upon DOR acceptence - passed 8-0
 
4. Resolution 09-77:  Classification Tax Allocation – Residential Property Exemption  motion to accept contingent upon DOR acceptence - passed 8-0

Live reporting - Tax Classification hearing

F. HEARINGS  -        Annual Tax Classification Hearing – 7:10 PM

DeBaggis, Norman, Doyle, Feeley


Tax rate increase from 11.17 to 12.03%


When property values go down, why does the rate still go up?
Basically, the Town takes the prior tax levy and adds 2.5%, including the new growth and debt exclusions results in the total new tax levy for the Town budget.


How is the value of my house not reflected in the assessment?

Dealing with the 2008 calendar year data for this cycle. 2009 is not complete as we are only in December, so the State mandates use of the prior full year data. There is a lag in the data used.


Assessments will go online in the next couple of days and should be available on the Town Assessors website.


Q - Powderly - If we are constrained by prop 2.5% why is my bill going up more than 2.5%
A - the Prop 2.5 is applied at the Town tax levy and not at the individual residence level.


Q - Zollo - How come you don't get good assessments for commercial/industrial properties? I have heard that there is the lag effect and lack of comparable data points.

A - Those are comments I have heard about 3-4 years ago. I don't think there is an inequity now. 


Q - Most citizens believe that the assessed values are close to fair market value, but there are commercial properties where there might be some differences.
A - Residential is assessed at the fair market value so it is easy to compare. Commercial property is assessed on a number of factors (cost, market, industry) only one of which is the fair market value. The full valuation process is determined by the State. There may be a perception or feeling that we might have missed something but the values have to be qualified.


Q - I am hearing these frequently. The most important thing we can do is to fight to change the perception.



Nutting - I want to reinforce Assessor Feeley's point on the commercial process being an apples to oranges approach compared to the residential process. The assessors follow all the rules and regulations and then the State validates the numbers. Could one property be out of whack, it is possible.


Q - Whalen - a theoretical example to help get to the point that Councilor Zollo is making. 
A - on that, for the benefit of the public, it is the rent and not the business entity that is the difference.


Q - How do we compare in assessment valuation dropping?
A - The jury is still out as other communities are going through the same process now.
Franklin has shown a less significant decline in residential valuation based upon the housing sales over the last 18 months.


Q - Last time you didn't want to make a recommendation on split vs. single?
A - We are not in the position to do so, our role is to provide the data.


Q - Have there been recommendations for split tax before?
A - No


Debaggis - Continue with the single tax rate as the school portion of the budget as the commercial/industrial does not benefit from the major portion of the budget.


Feeley - I concur with Mr DeBaggis for his point and I'd add two more. With the 80/20 split that we have, the commercial industrial contribute about $10M of the $50 million. The Police and Fire depts budgets along are close to this amount. Third, the split tax rate is not good for business especially when you consider the small businesses.


Whalen - Based upon the analysis I have done, Franklin has a lower single tax rate than most communities with split tax rates.


Mason - mentioned that Attleboro just passed their tax rate which is split and provided a lower rate to businesses to stem the loss of 107 businesses over the past year.


I spoke up about the single vs split is not the issue, we need to grow the pie. The economic development efforts of the community to grow the tax levy as sustain the level of services we want.



Zollo -

Powderly - I would like the argument articulated in a single pager for citizens to reference.

Motion to close the hearing
Approved - 8-0

Live reporting - Appointments

E. APPOINTMENTS

Liaison to the State Ethics Commission  (Debbie Pellegri)

motion to approve 8-0 (Whalen arrived)

Council on Aging   (Mary Hick, Ken Norman)

motion to approve 8-0

Live reporting - Town Council

Attending: Kelly, Jones, Mason, Pfeffer, McGann, Zollo, Powderly, Whalen (late)
Missing: Vallee. 

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 21, 2009; November 4, 2009

motion to approve, passed 7-0

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS  
1st H1N1 Dec 10th 4:00 - 8:00 PM at FHS Field House
according to CDC guidelines

Congratulations to FHS and Tri-County Football teams for making it to the playoffs.

Goal setting session 12/9/09 6:00 PM

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none


D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
John Maloney - comments on the Quinn Bill and the effect of recent cuts.
(video will be available on the Town website)

referencing case law that Quinn bill benefits should not be cut by the local community

Only dept that requires a minimum of an associates degree as a requirement for employment

Suggestion to visit the Police Association website for additional information

Finance Committee Meeting 12/1/09

 The live reporting for the Finance Committee (FINCOM) meeting on Tuesday, December 1, 2009.

• Live reporting - FINCOM
• Live reporting - Finance Committee Mtg

In the News - Finance Committee

The Finance Committee meeting was reported on in the Milford Daily News here:

More funds sought for jobless benefits

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Franklin 2009 Annual Report

For some good reading, the 2009 Annual Report is now available.

You can access this file from the Town Clerk's web page here (pdf0.

You can also find the 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004 Annual Reports (PDF) files here

CDC FluView: H1N1 Activity

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

CDC FluView: H1N1 Activity

via Commonwealth Conversations: Public Health by Julia Hurley on 12/1/09

Every week the CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes key findings in a report called FluView. There has been significant media coverage of the report released yesterday covering flu activity for November 15-21 citing a decrease in H1N1 activity. It is important to realize, however, that while activity has decreased in some key indicators it has also increased in others. For example, the report states that thirty-two states are still reporting widespread influenza activity at this time, including Massachusetts. 

While some of these numbers make it seem that the H1N1 flu season has peaked, it is simply too soon to know if it is actually on the decline in Massachusetts. Every flu pandemic is unique so only time will tell if these downturns will continue. In the meantime, it is more important than ever that everyone continue to practice good health hygiene to help prevent getting or spreading any type of flu. Be sure to cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your elbow instead of into your hand, and wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after you cough or sneeze. Finally, be sure to get both the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine as soon as they are available to you. 

You can read the full FluView every week on the CDC's website at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Public Health using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Live reporting - FINCOM

New business

Jeff showed a map of Franklin where the Charles River Watershed Association, an advocacy group for the Charles River, will be looking at studying how we can reduce the phosphorous output into the streams and ultimately into the Charles River.

EPA and DEP determine the regulations. Franklin, Milford and Bellingham will be part of a pilot process to see how it works. Our regulations will cover land of 2 acres while the rest of the State is covered by regulations for 5 acres.

Related to the Delcorte dam study, the ponds there help to retain the water which allows the water to have the phosphorous drain into the land rather than flowing down the stream.

Lien of Water/Sewer bills
Due to lack of payment, the sewer/and water liens will be applied to their tax bills. The banks and processing companies have determined to only pay the bill and not the lien. Once a lien is placed and penalties are accrued, there is a multiplier effect on interest penalty.

Fiscal 09 taxes, about 100 folks where they have not been paid. A lien on the property will be recorded on the Register of Deeds and posted publicly. If you do get a letter, call the Treasurer Collector immediately. The penalty interest is 16% on liens. A hundred dollar bill can add up very quickly.

An application for a grant to put solar panels on the Parmenter School is being made. No info at this time as to what the status will be.

Motion to select Rebecca Cameron as Vice-Chair
Approved 8-0

Jim Roche
Candidates are being interviewed for an open spot on the Finance Committee.

Jeff Nutting
Regional Transportation was the big cut, it affects Tri-County but not us.
We have to be cognizant of potential budget cuts during the year at the State level. We have done another sweep within the major departments to avoid expenses and save some money in anticipation of further cuts. We'd rather avoid spending now and save to avoid further cuts in overall services or personnel.

The pension system needs to be looked at to see how it is funded. No time frame has been determined yet. The lower return on investments forcing this. Calculations were based upon an 8-9 percent return. What it will mean is an increase in payment by the Town. As the older folks retire, the newer folks will be picking up a greater per cent.

Motion to adjourn
Passed 8-0

Live reporting - Finance Committee Mtg

Attending: 
Linda Huempfner
Pat Goldsmith
Jim Roche
Phyllis Meserve
Jaun Rivera
Mark Cataldo
Rebecca Cameron
Brett Feldman (late)

Missing:
Craig Maire
Robert Texiera

Motion to approve minutes for Oct 6, 2009
approved - 7-0

Per Jeff Nutting, there are three appropriations for approval, the transfer would be from "free cash". The "free cash" amount was recently certified at $2,385,242 (very close to last years total).

1 - Motion to approve $6,000 for Elections
approved - 7-0

2 - Motion to approve $30,000 for Veterans Benefits
The money is a legal obligation. This money is reimbursed at a 75% rate after the fact. Franklin currently has 22 active cases, the most in recent history. This program is uniquely handled by the State, most others are handled at the county or State level. MA is handled at the local level. This is the third year there has been an additional request. The business has grown recently and has been hard to forecast. These benefits are for Franklin veterans.
approved - 7-0

3 - Motion to approve $175,000 for Unemployment
Stephanie has re-looked at the unemployment folks, there are 26 collecting currently. There is no reasonable expectation for these actually gaining employment before the end of the fiscal year. The total exposure is 191,000. We are hedging a bet and coming for less now. We can come back later if the numbers change.

(Brett Feldman arrived)
Approved - 8-0

Jeff provides an update on the Tax Classification Hearing scheduled for the Town Council meeting Wednesday night. The average values have declined. The valuation is 11 months old.

The tax rate is going up to 12.03%

The first two tax bills are estimated, the third and fourth are actual tax bills.

Tax levy, debt exclusion and new growth are the three components of the new tax levy.

Choo Choo stop closed

The bullet was dodged previously but as with programs associated with the MBTA, stick around for more change. It had been reported earlier this year to be closing as the MBTA was going to install ticket machines. Then the Choo Choo Shop remained opened as they backed off the timeline for machines.

Franklin: choo choo stop closed m no ticket machines yet, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Well today, the shop is closed and ticket machines are not to be found around the station building. Maybe they are scheduled for delivery.

Don't misunderstand me, as a commuter, I want train service on a schedule, run effectively for a reasonable price.

Is it too much to ask for such changes like this to be better communicated or coordinated?

Survey says

This entry will keep track of the final results on the Franklin Matters poll questions.

Question: Should the Treasurer/Collector position be changed from elected to appointed?

Yes - 9
No - 6
The question opened on August 4 and closed on August 18. The question will be on the November 2013 ballot for Franklin voters to really decide.

Question: "Would you be in favor of further amending the Franklin Home Rule Charter to provide for the election of a mayor to govern the city known as the town of Franklin?"
Yes - 17
No - 27
The question opened on Jun 20 and closed on June 30th. It will be a non-binding question on the November 2013 ballot.


Question: "Should the Wadsworth Diary continue to be shared daily for February?"
Yes - 13
No - 10
The question was introduced and then closed on Jan 31, 2012


Question: "Do you think the school committee earns an 'almost very high' level of engagement with the Franklin community on school issues?"
Yes - 12
No - 13
The question was introduced and then closed on Nov 29, 2010.


Question: "Would you pay approx. $70 to put the utilities underground?
Yes - 22
No - 44
The survey was introduced in this link and closed on Aug 28, 2010.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/franklin-ma-underground-utilities.html


Overall - is the curbside trash/recycle process better than before?
Yes - 69
No - 17
The poll question closed at midnight August 14, 2010.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/new-trashrecycle-status-survey.html


If the override was split into 2 separate questions, would you have approved the school override? Q1 - $2.1 million for schools Q2 - $900K for roads/the town
Yes - 33
No -  22

This question comes out of the post-override discussion referenced here. The poll closed at midnight on June 25, 2010.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/poll-question-results.html




Do you think the new trash/recycle process will be a good thing for Franklin?

Yes - 8

No - 11

This question comes out of the decision to lower the annual curbside fee and implement the new process in July 2010. The summary of the changes can be found in here: FM #58 - Week ending 2/21/10

Should the Town consider saving money by plowing the streets less well than they currently do?

Yes - 5

No - 14

This question grew out of the discussion at the Town Council meeting on 1/6/10 concerning the sidewalk snow removal plans. The poll will close 1/15/10 at midnight.

Do you find that the Franklin School District (across the School Committee, Administration, and individual school web pages) provides the information you need in a way that is easy to find?

Yes - 3

No - 12

The post that lead to this survey can be found here

Will you get the H1N1 vaccine when it is available?

Yes - 2

No - 10

Should Franklin remain with a single tax rate?

Yes -11

No -5

The article that explains the background for this question can be found here

Who is in the best position to control bullying?

Parents - 7

Schools - 3

The article that drove this question can be found here

Should your school measure Body Mass Index (BMI) to report to you and your physician?

Yes - 5

No - 12

The article that drove the question can be found here
The issue came out of the School Committee meeting on 10/27/09

If you have a suggestion for a simple question poll, feel free to send it to me.

In the News - split tax vs. single tax rate

"Changing to a split rate does not in and of itself raise a penny of additional tax revenue to the town," council Vice Chairman Stephen Whalen said. "Rather it just shifts the overall tax burden, such that businesses pay more of the overall tax levy."

He compared Franklin to Milford and Bellingham, towns with split tax rates, and said that Milford businesses are taxed 73 percent more than residents, and Bellingham's commercial properties are taxed 46 percent more than its residential properties.

"A single tax is more business friendly because it results in a lower property tax rate paid by businesses in towns with a single rate," he said.

Franklin to vote on split vs. single tax rate

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

For my analysis on the tax rate you can view my slidecast here