Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Chairman Jeffrey Roy said board members' e-mail addresses are listed online, and people with complaints should take the time to find them to send a message.
"Today, with e-mail, people get (angry), send an e-mail and regret it 15 minutes later," he said. "I like the idea of making people work a little bit so they have to formulate their thoughts."
Though there's always room for improvement, Roy said the committee provides the community with an abundance of information. He cited the School Committee's Web site, blog and the superintendent's site.
"I've got to say the level of involvement and effort in education materials is incredible ... we've made this stuff available to the community," he said. "There's a certain level of accountability for the public to take some steps" to get the information.
Recap of prior discussions:
read mission statement at each meeting
leave cell phones in purse or pocket, off
work on website
review strategic plan a couple of times
work collaboratively with other boards
look to self publishing
1 - discussion on use of email
Ed to check with T Raposa on school email addresses, could be a third email address for some members
would provide archiving and retention for official business
pro - if discovery were required, one the system would handle the archiving email, two the email would be separate from personal email
con - would add an additional email for some members, need to explore the client option
2 - new member questions
none
3 - budget subcommittee
discussion on level service vs. level funding
schedule a specific meeting for discussion on the budget to review ways to bridge the gap
will start general discussions on the budget at Jan 12th
Committee to provide some input to the Administration on what the Committee would like to see
the meeting on January 26th would be the Administration presentation on the first pass of the budget
Sue looking for suggestions on the budget subcommittee
Attending: Mullen, Roy, Rohrbach, Cafasso, Trahan, Glynn, Douglas Missing: none
Also present: Ashley Studley, Maureen Sabolinksi, Miriam Goodman, Sally Winslow
Topic 1 - Budget
suggestion to read one of the Strategic Objectives at the beginning of each meeting
suggestion to help the community follow the numbers discussion with a single document referenced at each meeting so we can all stay "on the same page"
Topic 2 - Develop Policy
need one location for policies
Maureen to check on this with T Raposa on a solution
The MASC requires the naming scheme
Topic 3 - Evaluation Process of Superintendent
discussion on strategic plan and timing of updates considering the District and individual School Improvement Plans
(note this is covering the evaluation process itself, the specific evaluation is done separately)
Topic 4 - Modeling Behavior
Do well most of the time but laptops can be a distraction
some laptop usability insights should be provided to help project a professional and consistent appearance
maintain eye contact during presentations
speak into the microphones so your valid comments can be heard properly
Topic 5 - Working with other Boards
varied responses on this one
there was a problem over the consolidation of facilities but things have improved considerably since then
the two approaches to solving the problem that were very different but both had the same cost savings benefits in mind
the relationship with the new Council has gotten off to a good start
Topic 6 - Ambassadors to the Public
School Committee blog getting good traffic, Ed's email listing has grown
Could do more in the way of other forums, hold a public forum to communicate more directly twice a year
level of involvement in the committee has been good, there is a level of accountability for the community
Website issue causing some problems since the upgrade for the Town and the split from the service
move towards self publishing to help address this
members of the community do have the opportunity to participate
there is a difference between the citizens comment and agenda items
issues will attract attendance, raising fees, cutting buses, music, sports, will generate attendance but we don't want to create a crisis for each meeting
if someone has something to say, they can sit down and write a letter, or work a little bit to formulate their thoughts to send an email
I have added and will be updating a spreadsheet to keep track of the attendance records for the Town Council and School Committee as these two groups go forward. Keeping track of the sheet as each meeting occurs will be easier than trying to do a year or more at a time.
The spreadsheet can be found here and in the Important Links section in the middle column. You should be able to view the spreadsheet but not be able to update it (assuming the permissions work out properly).
The spreadsheet has two tabs: one for each group. The tabs are found on the bottom of the spreadsheet.
The coding for attendance will be as follows:
P - Present A - Absent L - Late (arriving) E - Early (to leave)
Yes, an easy mnemonic to see if someone's attendance will pale in comparison to another's. Pun fully intended as the mnemonic.
Dean College in Franklin will receive $125,000 for its embedded study model project, which aims to include academic support methods in the classroom.
"This is what students need to learn in tandem with the techniques they need," said Pat Samson, the school's communications director. "It embeds academic support techniques into the curriculum, making them available for all students. It's what we call the Dean method."
Principally a two-year school, Dean differs from community colleges in that it goes further to ensure students have the tools they need to learn in a college atmosphere, said Samson, adding that the school's retention and graduation rates are above average.
FRANKLIN HEALTH DEPARTMENT H1N1 FLU CLINIC ANNOUNCEMENT
December 14, 2009
The Franklin Health Department will be holding an H1N1 flu clinic for Franklin residents on Wednesday December 16, 2009 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Franklin High School Field House 218 Oak Street.
The following persons are eligible to receive the H1N1 on a first come first served basis, consistent with Massachusetts Department of Public Health and CDC guidelines for vaccine administration:
* Children in 1st through 8th grades.
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.
All individuals to be vaccinated are to present a completed consent form. No vaccine will be administered without a completed and signed consent form. A downloadable consent form is available on both the Health Department and School Department websites as well.
All residents will be asked to produce a valid driver’s license or other identification at the time of registration.
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 internet radio show or podcast is number 51 in the series for Franklin Matters.
In this session, you give me about ten minutes and I'll fill you in on what matters in Franklin, MA as it comes to a close this week, December 13, 2009
Note: email subscribers should click through to the website to hear the audio version and to view the video sample from the Bolshoi Ballet performing a portion of the Nutcracker.
Session Notes:
This internet radio show or podcast is number 51 in the series for Franklin Matters.
In this session, you give me about ten minutes and I'll fill you in on what matters in Franklin, MA as it comes to a close this week, December 13, 2009.
'Tis the season, girls in red dresses, boys with green ties, ladies with patten leather shoes...
All gathering on a night out for the annual production of The Nutcracker by the Franklin Performing Arts Company.
The parking lot for the Thomas Mercer Auditorium at the Horace Mann/Oak Street complex is filling rapidly.
Ahead of us a mother talks with her daughter about the school friend who'll be an angel and the play friend who'll be a polychannelle. While the father talks with son sternly, come on, we gotta go, you'll end up liking this … and the parents shepherd their children to the door.
Inside the door, the warmth of the corridor is welcome. The buzz is enchanting. The ticket table has a line for the “will call” tickets, all others have been sold out for this performance.
A table is set up to send a message to a 'star' performer and put it into the special mailbox.
The Spotlight Shop has oodles of stuff for sale, Nutcracker souvenirs to wear or hang or dust eventually!
The crowd moves along slowly towards the hall entrance. Odd number tickets to the left, even to the right. Triple digit tickets are in the center section so you can go in either way. A new box of playbills is cracked open, some one graciously checks your ticket, hands you a booklet and your off down the aisle to find your seat.
The audience is filling the hall, the orchestra is tuning their instruments, you may pick up a recognizable string of notes here and there as you settle in your seat.
The lights dim, Instead of the usual grand voice announcing this production and making the usual reminders to turn off your cell phones and pagers, reminding you of the prohibition on all photography, video or camera, you are startled to hear the following:
Ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you for coming this evening, let's just take a couple of moments to reflect on the audience here tonight.
Please look around you. Don't be bashful, these are friendly folks, all related in someway to the performers this evening, hence all are connected to Franklin.
This hall seats over 800 people. There shouldn't be an empty seat here this evening, the performance is sold out. It has taken months of rehearsals, planning, posting flyers, selling tickets for this successful event. Which you are all here to enjoy.
Would the folks in the center section, rows A through J please stand up? Yes, please. Rows A through J. that's right, Thank you!
Ladies and gentlemen, the folks represent 16% of the audience here this evening. Why 16%? It was 16% of the registered Franklin voters, the folks who cared enough to cast a ballot for the most recent Town election on November 3rd. Please give them a round of applause!
These folks are the ones who have cast their ballots to elect the Town Council, School Committee and other elected board positions that effectively and on a volunteer basis will oversee Franklin's operations. These elected folks will make decisions on your behalf for the police, fire, DPW, library and School services. These folks will determine the priorities for how your property tax dollars are spent.
You may complain about what you don't like but you had a choice to vote.
You have a choice to become involved and more aware of what is going on in Franklin.
You bought a ticket to come here this evening.
You don't need to buy a ticket to go to a Town Council meeting, a School Committee meeting, or to vote.
It is your choice.
The Town Council will be approving a new trash collection contract next year. You can get involved now.
The Town Council will eventually approve the downtown renovation plan that may change some streets from one-way to two way traffic through downtown.
You can start paying attention now.
The School Committee will be determining how to meet the needs of your children's education. You can get involved now.
It is your choice.
Now, we'll return you to the scheduled performance of the Nutcracker:
---- ---- ----
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can use your help.
How can you help?
If you like this, please tell a neighbor.
If you don't like this, please tell me.
Thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and East of Shirley. The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with permission.
From Franklin Recycling comes these tips on recycling for the holidays
‘Tis the season for gift giving and with it comes large amounts that can be recycled before it goes in the trash. Remember the trash limit is 3 bags; so recycling makes even more sense. More than 60% of trash can be recycled so if you are putting more trash out than recycling, there is more you can do.
Uses of Streets, Chapter 155-20 No person shall plow, push, deposit, throw or pile snow or ice into or across any public street, sidewalk or property nor direct nor cause the same to be done unless in the employ of the Town.
This bylaw is important and necessary to ensure safe roads and sidewalks. It also helps the DPW to reduce its cost of snow and ice operations.
Violators may be fined up to $300 for each day such violation continues.
No All Night Parking, Chapter 170-7 It shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle, other than one acting in an emergency, to park said vehicle on any street between the hours of 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM of any day between November 15th and April 15th.
It shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle, other than one acting in an emergency, to park said vehicle on any street during a snow storm in a way that obstructs snow removal equipment.
Parking on Sidewalks
Parking on sidewalks is illegal at all times and prevents the clearing of snow and ice.
This can be found on the Town website along with the following Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Can I push snow from my property onto the sidewalk. A. NO. A Town bylaw restricts this act. Additionally, such action may bring liability if an accident should occur. This also increases the town’s costs for snow operations.
Q. Do some streets receive priority during a snow storm? A. YES. Major roadways and hills are a top priority.
Q. Does the Town really need a parking ban? A. YES. Snowplowing and removal are difficult; parked cars on the roadways not only increase the number of hazards, but also the time it takes to remove the snow.
Q. Do sidewalks receive the same priority as streets? A. NO. The roads are always plowed first. Only certain sidewalks are plowed when the storm has ended.
Q. Why is snow pushed into my driveway? A. The situation is unavoidable. The plows remove the snow from curb to curb for maximum clearance of the roadway. This provides for maximum drainage and public safety.
Q. Will trash and recyclables be collected during a snow storm? A. YES. Trash should be placed so it does not hinder the street plows or sidewalk plows.
Q. Who determines the opening, closing or delayed opening of school during snow and ice storms? A. The school superintendent.
It is tax rate season. Franklin's property tax rate was set last week and Boston's tax rate was set this week. There was a good write up on Boston's tax rate situation especially given the mishandling in the Boston Globe story. I thought this paragraph was succinct:
Proposition 2 1/2 limits the overall annual levy increase in a community to 2.5 percent plus taxes on any new development. There is no limit on changes in the tax rates, which are simply adjusted up or down, depending on what has happened with assessed values, in order to arrive at the total levy target from residential and commercial properties that city budget writers have drawn-up.
Metacomet Land Trust has re-scheduled its program on Sustainable Farming due to the after effects of Wednesday's snow storm...
Please join us Wednesday, December 16th, at the Mendon Senior Center, 62 Providence Street, Mendon for this program with Carolyn and Rob Nicholson of Sweetwilliam Farm (Upton). Rob and Carolyn will discuss Sustainable Farming in our region.
Come hear the perspective of a practicing farmer when Rob and Caroline present our Annual Meeting program. We'll also discuss the important connection our land preservation efforts have to supporting agriculture in the region.
Metacomet's short annual meeting will begin at 6:30, followed by the program with Carolyn and Rob at 7:00. Please stay for refreshments and conversation after the program.
This program is free; a small donation is requested at the door.
The Town Council met on Wednesday evening for a "Goal setting session". Councilors Whalen and Zollo arrived late as the meeting started earlier than normal at 6:00 PM. Councilor Vallee left about 7:00 PM. The remaining Councilors went into Executive Session approx. 7:45 PM not to return to open meeting.
I chose not to live blog the meeting as I wasn't sure how long it would be. I took my notes the old fashioned way.
Briefly, it wasn't as much a goal setting session as it was a getting up to speed session for the new council. A review of standard policies and procedures was covered to set the stage for an effective operation as the Council would handle business going forward.
The key take-aways for me were:
The Council will bring forward and approve the existing fiscal policies that had guided the prior councils. These determine the operating guidelines for how much the stabilization fund should be, how much long term debt we should service from the operating budget, etc. A copy of the policy document will be provided later.
Councilors Whalen and Zollo will bring forward the prior subcommittee work on the the Charter revisions for presentation and discussion with the full Council.
The Planning and Community Development Dept will be bringing forward a number of by-law change proposals. The proposal on signs will likely be of interest to many. The Franklin Downtown Planning group received a preview of it and had a good discussion on the proposal.
The plans for the downtown renovation will be coming to the Council in the next 90-120 days. A decision on whether to put the utilities underground will need to be incorporated into the overall project plan. The Council decision will be (1) to put them underground (2) how to fund the work associated with the utilities (existing grants can not be used so it would either be debt or cash).
Much of the discussion was on the overall financial picture for the town. Currently, the Town has a revenue problem (insufficient tax base and over-reliance on State revenue) but even in good times the Town has an expense problem with health and pension benefits in particular rising at a 10-15% rate and the tax levy limited to 2.5%. The draft capital plan was reviewed including how the town will have room in their debt structure beginning 2011 to take on projects up to a total of $6 million (and finance them via debt).
Ashley Studley from The Milford Daily News reported on the meeting:
This video was shown during the School Committee meeting of October 27, 2009 and available during the Panther Pride night to provide an overview to the current 8th grade class.
The local group Knuf Said will be performing this Friday night, Dec 11th at the Soco Rose on Union Ave beginning at 9:30 PM.
KnufSaid is made up of 4 young musicians who write and perform original music. They are influenced by Jazz, Blues, Rock and Funk Styles. They have performed at venues such as Cheers, Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, The Situate Art Festival, and many other local venues. They have opened for the John Allmark Jazz Orchestra and the Velveteen Playboys to name a few. They recently placed highest musical act and 3rd overall in the statewide competition, Rhode Island’s got talent. Band members include John Kinney on Vocals and lead guitar, Butch Giguere on Bass, Tyler Whetstone on Drums and Vocals and Steve Linscott on Alto Sax.
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports - none School Committee Liaison Reports - none
6. New Business To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee. Cafasso - Would request to the Budget Committee, to see if it is feasible to use the vast number of empty seats to add a pay to ride and utilize those empty seats for the ride home.
Trahan - thanks for supporting the FEF Casino Night, please hold the date for the Trivia Bee - April 10th
Motion to enter executive session to not return to open meeting Passed 7-0
Letter received from NEASC continuing accreditation for Franklin High School
Principal Peter Light was creative to re-invent the high school within the budget considerations. Accreditation is a ten year cycle. A self-study is prepared and then updated with a visit from NEASC. We have been on a warning status due to budget problems. We have been providing status reports yearly. We submitted this last status late as the budget had been approved late. We feel pretty confident as we move forward. We are seeing a doubling of usage for the library/resource center under the new configuration.
We still have $38,000 for subscriptions to periodicals and other materials to keep our collection current.
We have basically four major things left to respond to, the four items are related to the renovation of the building.
We'll start the process five years out for the next accreditation cycle.
Glynn - congratulations and thank you!
Building Committee meeting on Dec 14th to move forward on the project to hire the OPM and hire the architect.
4. Action Items a. I recommend adoption of Option One of the 2010-2011 School Calendar. motion to approve, passed 6-1 (Cafasso no)
b. I recommend approval of Remington Middle School’s request to declare the listed books as surplus. motion to approve, passed 7-0
c. I recommend acceptance of two checks ($25.00 & $53.30) totaling $78.30 from Adirondack Vending for the RMS for supplies. motion to approve, passed 7-0
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. motion to approve, passed 7-0
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1050.00 from ASMS PCC for buses for field trips. motion to approve, passed 7-0
f. I recommend approval of Policy JIEE motion to approve, passed 7-0
This was added to the agenda at the beginning of the meeting. The School Committee plans to review one third of their policies each year, hence covering all policies over a three year cycle.
BIBA
took out bullet point on reimbursement for travel
motion to move to second reading, passed 7-0
BID
took out bullet point on reimbursement for travel
motion to move to second reading, passed 7-0
BGS
change from 2/3 vote to a majority vote
motion to move to second reading, passed 7-0
DJA
Superintendent has authority to purchase
motion to move to second reading, passed 7-0
JIEE
no changes to this one covering the pregnant students
3. Discussion Only Items a. 2010-2011 School Calendar Options - Maureen Sabolinski discussion on the two options, proposing to have a professional day on Nov 2 which will be a major election day for the safety of the students and voters at the high school Recommendation to start school before Labor Day.
Q - is this the first year we have had the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off? A - No, we have had it for a number of years. It had been a low attendance day and this helps those who would travel.
b. H1N1 – Sally Winslow First clinic Thursday, 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Clinic to be manned by an all volunteer staff Other dates are being evaluated as additional vaccine arrives. At the additional clinics we'll vaccinate other target groups and then the students by grade level.
via the attendance records, the virus seems to be declining throughout the district.
DPH will be onsite monitoring and coming to assist. Feedback thus far is that we have been far ahead of others in our organizational efforts.
c. Healthy Futures Summit – Maureen Sabolinski, Roberta Trahan Mark Fenton has a show on PBS, did a bus tour of the communities before hand to explore the recreation opportunities, to provide some feedback on how to make Franklin more walkable.
Drafted an action plan. It was an incredible day, very engaging. Started implementing some of the plan, initiating changes to our food lunches at schools.
This is not just a school problem It will require a partnership to resolve.
What we are doing is better than implementing BMI.
There are some grants they we have applied for in conjunction with the YMCA, $120,000 for MASS in Motion. Metrowest Hospital grant was also just received just before the summit.
The survey is optional, parents/students can opt out of participation
tobacco use is declining
bullying is increasing
drinking has declined but the stats are still fairly high
experimentation with drugs does begin at the middle school
The Community Health Council is meeting every other month to address issues from this report.
Dean College has been helpful to charter the first "teen angels" in New England for our middle school students. More info on this national program can be found here.
Q - How many students actually took the survey? A - About 80-90%, I don't have the exact numbers but the response rate is really high.
Q - Have there been discussion about the validity of the data? A - The fact that the data is consistent with the regional, national results leads one to believe that the numbers are good. There is also work on the survey design to ensure that the questions are worded such to ensure good results.
Cafasso - There is no consequence for somethings that are said in Facebook. It may not be done in school, it is likely after school. The parents may not be away of it.
Kingsland-Smith - parents are not aware of what their kids are involved in, and I mean that in the kindest way.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the presentation.
Q - How will you handle the grading?
A - They will met the regular course program. We are arranging to visit the Boston Arts Academy tomorrow to further explore some of the details behind that.
Q - Is it positioned for students who want arts as a career or for those students who struggle with the traditional curriculum?
A - Both.
Q - Where are others doing this?
A - There are many others, this is not a new concept. The Boston Arts Academy is the main one. There are others. Tolman High School in Pawtuclet, RI.
C - Mullen, we have talked about creating communities at FHS and it is continuing to grow so this is a great step. I am excited to see how this plays out. It is really impressive that this is teacher driven.
Caple - the team is very good, it is not just lip service, the real work is being done by the team and others whom we need from time to time.
Roy - Thank you for having the opportunity to work with you. I am delighted to be able to sit at the table and see the energy around the room where folks are trying to improve the education for our students. In the Globe, there was an article yesterday about a surgeon who is exploring using music in the operating room and it is improving his performance. Recalls Daniel Pinks book: A Whole New Mind.
Story of Rosanne Walsh suggesting to read this book 3-4 years ago when budget cuts were being talked of. Rosanne is on the committee now.
Sabolinski - Thanks to the team, this has not been without controversy and they have been very courageous doing this.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to the website to view the video
Proposal to start in Fall of 2010 with the Junior Class at that time
Creative Literacy
Humanities
Mathematics and Science
Example of math and science combination: to study the parabola of the basketball free throw and explain it with a video production.
Example of humanities: read "The Sun Also Rises", study the art cubism and Picasso that was being done at that time, the post WWI period.
Students would apply for this program.
coordinated with guidance counselor and special education liaison, teacher to be assigned as a mentor to the student to accompany them through the program.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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 8th at 7:30 PM, in the Odd Fellows Lodge on W. Central Street in Franklin. Agenda attached.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.