5. Information Matters
• Superintendent’s Report
a. Enrollment Comparisons
b. The Backpack Bulletin – February 2010
391 students thus far have registered for kindergarten
Old business
New business
No information about the status of school, the weather information is still sketchy.
FEF Trivia Bee - Apr 29th
The central office has a team called the Histerbees!
Summer catalog for LIfe LOng Learning is not out, check out the offerings.
Motion to enter executive session, to not return to open session.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Live reporting - Action items
4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,000.00 from the Davis Thayer PCC for field trips & in-house enrichment. motion to approve, passed 5-0
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Lueders Environment for the district gift account for scholarships. motion to approve, passed 5-0
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $3732.50 from the Oak St. PCC for In house enrichment as detailed. motion to approve, passed 5-0
d. I recommend acceptance of the donation of labor to fix the Davis Thayer scoreboard from Mr. Glenn Jones as detailed in the attached pictures. motion to approve, passed 5-0
Glenn spoke about his idea to remove the existing scoreboard that was approx. 50 years. Confirmed by a couple of folks that is was there when they attended. He was planning on painting and returning it, when he plugged it in, he found it still worked. He had to replace or repair some components. A new clock is included. Donations from a number of businesses helped along the way. It is now hanging in the Davis Thayer gymnasium.
He has a few surprises to reveal during a presentation scheduled for Wednesday assuming the weather holds.
One way to test the scoreboard would be have some test with the School Committee and the Town Council in some competition.
It was a lot of fun for Glenn to do. He hasn't come across many things that old that still works and is functional.
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,000.00 from the Davis Thayer PCC for field trips & in-house enrichment. motion to approve, passed 5-0
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Lueders Environment for the district gift account for scholarships. motion to approve, passed 5-0
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $3732.50 from the Oak St. PCC for In house enrichment as detailed. motion to approve, passed 5-0
d. I recommend acceptance of the donation of labor to fix the Davis Thayer scoreboard from Mr. Glenn Jones as detailed in the attached pictures. motion to approve, passed 5-0
Glenn spoke about his idea to remove the existing scoreboard that was approx. 50 years. Confirmed by a couple of folks that is was there when they attended. He was planning on painting and returning it, when he plugged it in, he found it still worked. He had to replace or repair some components. A new clock is included. Donations from a number of businesses helped along the way. It is now hanging in the Davis Thayer gymnasium.
He has a few surprises to reveal during a presentation scheduled for Wednesday assuming the weather holds.
One way to test the scoreboard would be have some test with the School Committee and the Town Council in some competition.
It was a lot of fun for Glenn to do. He hasn't come across many things that old that still works and is functional.
Live reporting: School Committee
Present: Cafasso, Rohrbach, Mullen, Roy, Trahan
Absent: Douglas, Glynn (for the very short public meeting, he did arrive in time for the Executive Session)
1. Routine Business
• Citizen’s Comments none
• Review of Agenda
• Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the Open and Executive Sessions of the January 26, 2010 School Committee Meeting. motion to approve (with minor adjustment for Executive Session to adjourn, not to return to open session) passed 5-0
• Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
• Payroll Mrs. Douglas not present
• FHS Student Representatives
• Correspondence: Budget to Actual
2. Guests/Presentations
a. none
3. Discussion Only Items
• none
Absent: Douglas, Glynn (for the very short public meeting, he did arrive in time for the Executive Session)
1. Routine Business
• Citizen’s Comments none
• Review of Agenda
• Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the Open and Executive Sessions of the January 26, 2010 School Committee Meeting. motion to approve (with minor adjustment for Executive Session to adjourn, not to return to open session) passed 5-0
• Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
• Payroll Mrs. Douglas not present
• FHS Student Representatives
• Correspondence: Budget to Actual
2. Guests/Presentations
a. none
3. Discussion Only Items
• none
Abbey Wind Turbine
I got out to Mount St Mary's Abbey in Wrentham to record this brief video of the wind turbine in action:
One advantage of wind over solar, the wind sometimes doesn't stop when the sun goes down. It can continue to generate power during the night as long as there is sufficient wind.
Earlier posts/photos of the wind turbine can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/12/abbey-turbine-gets-wings.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2008/11/whoosh-whoosh.html
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view this video
One advantage of wind over solar, the wind sometimes doesn't stop when the sun goes down. It can continue to generate power during the night as long as there is sufficient wind.
Earlier posts/photos of the wind turbine can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/12/abbey-turbine-gets-wings.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2008/11/whoosh-whoosh.html
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view this video
Franklin mock trial team beats Holliston, 97-84
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Melanie Graham/Daily News staff on 2/8/10
In their second preliminary match of this year's mock trial competition, Franklin High School beat out Holliston High School 97 to 84 on Friday.
The win brings Franklin's record to 2-0 for this year's state-wide mock trial competition, sponsored by the Massachusetts Bar Association.
The match, which took place at Waltham City Hall, had Franklin acting as the defense and Holliston as the plaintiff.
Franklin coach Michael Walsh said four members of the team received a perfect score of 10 for their performance. Each performance, whether it is an attorney or witness, is scored on a scale from 1 to 10. The highest possible score for a team is 110 points.
This week marks the third and final week of preliminary competitions. Each team has three preliminary matches within one of 16 regions.
Following the results of this week's matches and any necessary tie-breakers, 16 teams will be chosen to move on to the next round. The final match will take place Friday, March 26 at Faneuil Hall in Boston.
Franklin's next match will take place Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. against Bellingham High School at the Bellingham Public Library, 100 Blackstone St.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Monday, February 8, 2010
FM #57 - Week ending 2/7/2010
This internet radio show or podcast is number 57 in the series for Franklin Matters.
Let's take about ten minutes to keep current with what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends February 7, 2010
In this session I’ll cover the Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb 2, and the Town Council meeting on Weds, Feb 3.
Time: 8 minutes, 52 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes:
This internet radio show or podcast is number 57 in the series for Franklin Matters.
Let's take about ten minutes to keep current with what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends February 7, 2010
In this session I’ll cover the Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb 2, and the Town Council meeting on Weds, Feb 3.
1 - The Finance Committee heard the initial presentation from the major Town departments, Facilities, Schools, Technology, Fire, Police and DPW on the capital requests. Much more is on everyone's list that was actually presented. There is a prioritization being done by the departments, guided by Town Administrator Jeff Nutting.
No vote was taken on the capital requests. As Franklin uses 'free cash' to fund both the snow/ice budget and capital, we need to wait until winter passes to see what we have left for capital.
Some have asked why don't we fully budget snow/ice? Franklin has been gradually increasing the amount over the past several years. One of the risk you run is you also don't want to fully fund it for a bad winter, then the next year you can't reduce it due to state finance controls. Bringing it up higher to be closer to reality is good, getting it exact is not a good thing to do.
The free cash is a good use of coverage for snow/ice. Someday, there should be a capital budget line item but it won't be not anytime soon given the budget constraints that already exist.
The vote on the capital budget would more likely come in late March or April depending upon the winter season and how close it seems to be ending.
For additional details on each departments needs, there are posts on Franklin matters. You can also view the video archive to see the meeting and discussion for yourself.
2 - For a short Town Council meeting, there was a bit of interesting discussion.
The discussion started right away with Citizen's Comments
Michael Galvin, Vice-President of American Waste Services, LLC (the current waste contractor and a bidder on the new contract), also a Franklin resident spoke.
He referenced an 11 page document that apparently the Town Council received (at least some of them) and tried to condense his remarks to keep within the guidelines for citizen's comments (5 minute limit)
He didn't make it; he got cut off at five, but then was allocated another five minutes from another resident.
This is what I walked away with:
- The contract is still under negotiation, three bidders are involved, why is this discussion in public, shouldn't the other two have equal access?
- There is some dispute about the numbers. If the current contractor has actual numbers, why wouldn't they be considered along with the research from other communities? Why weren't the actual numbers from Franklin's experience included earlier in the discussion. (If they were, it wasn't apparent from the discussion Weds.)
- Mr Galvin's comment should have stood alone. However, when the second piece of legislation scheduled for the meeting agenda came up for discussion, the conversation deviated from the matter at hand to get into this.
- The second piece of legislation was the authorization of the purchase of the totters/bins to implement the single stream contract. The totters would be used no matter which of the three bidders won.
The argument by Councilor Vallee that this is the wrong time to spend any money is interesting. This is actually the best time to buy the totters (assuming we go with this single stream process).
* The interest rate (for financing the purchase) is as low as it can be
* The cost for the bins will be low
* The waste rate will actually be a cost savings for Franklin residents (from $244 to $220, a $24 savings)
* It will be a sort of 'stimulus purchase' for the vendor who actually sells us the bins/totters, hence a really good deal, especially at this time
Given that the waste fee second reading will come before the Council for the 2/10/10 meeting, this discussion will possibly be continued and revisited with more time wasted (yes, that pun is intended) by some folks trying to.micro-manage the situation.
Assuming the second reading does come forward, all it is supposed to do is set the rates for the Town to charge the residents. The contract will still be negotiated sometime before the current one expires on June 30th.
Stay tuned to see what happens!
Looking ahead
The School Committee meets on Tuesday
The Town Council meets on Wednesday
As I close this session this week, let me remind you that
If you like what I am doing, please tell your neighbors
If you don’t like something, 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 the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission
I hope you enjoy!
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to the website to listen to the audio version.
Let's take about ten minutes to keep current with what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends February 7, 2010
In this session I’ll cover the Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb 2, and the Town Council meeting on Weds, Feb 3.
Time: 8 minutes, 52 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes:
This internet radio show or podcast is number 57 in the series for Franklin Matters.
Let's take about ten minutes to keep current with what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends February 7, 2010
In this session I’ll cover the Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb 2, and the Town Council meeting on Weds, Feb 3.
1 - The Finance Committee heard the initial presentation from the major Town departments, Facilities, Schools, Technology, Fire, Police and DPW on the capital requests. Much more is on everyone's list that was actually presented. There is a prioritization being done by the departments, guided by Town Administrator Jeff Nutting.
No vote was taken on the capital requests. As Franklin uses 'free cash' to fund both the snow/ice budget and capital, we need to wait until winter passes to see what we have left for capital.
Some have asked why don't we fully budget snow/ice? Franklin has been gradually increasing the amount over the past several years. One of the risk you run is you also don't want to fully fund it for a bad winter, then the next year you can't reduce it due to state finance controls. Bringing it up higher to be closer to reality is good, getting it exact is not a good thing to do.
The free cash is a good use of coverage for snow/ice. Someday, there should be a capital budget line item but it won't be not anytime soon given the budget constraints that already exist.
The vote on the capital budget would more likely come in late March or April depending upon the winter season and how close it seems to be ending.
For additional details on each departments needs, there are posts on Franklin matters. You can also view the video archive to see the meeting and discussion for yourself.
2 - For a short Town Council meeting, there was a bit of interesting discussion.
The discussion started right away with Citizen's Comments
Michael Galvin, Vice-President of American Waste Services, LLC (the current waste contractor and a bidder on the new contract), also a Franklin resident spoke.
He referenced an 11 page document that apparently the Town Council received (at least some of them) and tried to condense his remarks to keep within the guidelines for citizen's comments (5 minute limit)
He didn't make it; he got cut off at five, but then was allocated another five minutes from another resident.
This is what I walked away with:
- The contract is still under negotiation, three bidders are involved, why is this discussion in public, shouldn't the other two have equal access?
- There is some dispute about the numbers. If the current contractor has actual numbers, why wouldn't they be considered along with the research from other communities? Why weren't the actual numbers from Franklin's experience included earlier in the discussion. (If they were, it wasn't apparent from the discussion Weds.)
- Mr Galvin's comment should have stood alone. However, when the second piece of legislation scheduled for the meeting agenda came up for discussion, the conversation deviated from the matter at hand to get into this.
- The second piece of legislation was the authorization of the purchase of the totters/bins to implement the single stream contract. The totters would be used no matter which of the three bidders won.
The argument by Councilor Vallee that this is the wrong time to spend any money is interesting. This is actually the best time to buy the totters (assuming we go with this single stream process).
* The interest rate (for financing the purchase) is as low as it can be
* The cost for the bins will be low
* The waste rate will actually be a cost savings for Franklin residents (from $244 to $220, a $24 savings)
* It will be a sort of 'stimulus purchase' for the vendor who actually sells us the bins/totters, hence a really good deal, especially at this time
Given that the waste fee second reading will come before the Council for the 2/10/10 meeting, this discussion will possibly be continued and revisited with more time wasted (yes, that pun is intended) by some folks trying to.micro-manage the situation.
Assuming the second reading does come forward, all it is supposed to do is set the rates for the Town to charge the residents. The contract will still be negotiated sometime before the current one expires on June 30th.
Stay tuned to see what happens!
Looking ahead
The School Committee meets on Tuesday
The Town Council meets on Wednesday
As I close this session this week, let me remind you that
If you like what I am doing, please tell your neighbors
If you don’t like something, 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 the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission
I hope you enjoy!
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to the website to listen to the audio version.
Finance Committee 02/02/10 - Collection
The collection of posts covering the Finance Committee meeting of Feb 2 can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/partial-live-reporting-at-fincom.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/finance-committee-020210.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/finance-committee-20310-part-2.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/partial-live-reporting-at-fincom.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/finance-committee-020210.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/finance-committee-20310-part-2.html
Finance Committee - 2/02/10 - part 2
Deputy Chief Steve Semergian, Kevin Ryan - Police Dept
Requesting to replace 5 cars from 2006. Replacing some desktops and laptops that are ready. There are also printers to be replaced that are getting hard to fix and get parts for. While the cruises are being replaced, the cars go to the garage and would be re-used within the Town.
Question on Police request for computers why are they not part of the overall Town Technology budget listing?
Nutting - Good question, I hadn't thought of it that way. They do have some special needs and requirements. Everything does go through Tim anyway. Everything is purchased off the State bid list, every copier is off the same manufacturer to ensure we have standard pricing and replacements available.
The pricing includes the special police software, the hardware pricing would be the same as the Schools.
Police cruisers have engine hours calculated to account for rolling miles and time just running and sitting.
Chief Gary McCarraher, Fire Dept.
Per Nutting, there is an Engine replacement requested but we have put that off at this time. Some of these requests, you have seen before.
McCarraher, it is groundhog day!
The Chief provides an overview of the department's equipment and life expectancy with the replacement plans, how they are utilized and re-utilized for different roles before going away. In general terms, the fleet rotation exceeds the recommendations of national best practices.
The Fire Dept full FY 2010 budget proposal (both operating and capital) can be found here (PDF)
Prior portions of the meeting can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/finance-committee-020210.html
and here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/partial-live-reporting-at-fincom.html
Requesting to replace 5 cars from 2006. Replacing some desktops and laptops that are ready. There are also printers to be replaced that are getting hard to fix and get parts for. While the cruises are being replaced, the cars go to the garage and would be re-used within the Town.
Question on Police request for computers why are they not part of the overall Town Technology budget listing?
Nutting - Good question, I hadn't thought of it that way. They do have some special needs and requirements. Everything does go through Tim anyway. Everything is purchased off the State bid list, every copier is off the same manufacturer to ensure we have standard pricing and replacements available.
The pricing includes the special police software, the hardware pricing would be the same as the Schools.
Police cruisers have engine hours calculated to account for rolling miles and time just running and sitting.
Chief Gary McCarraher, Fire Dept.
Per Nutting, there is an Engine replacement requested but we have put that off at this time. Some of these requests, you have seen before.
McCarraher, it is groundhog day!
The Chief provides an overview of the department's equipment and life expectancy with the replacement plans, how they are utilized and re-utilized for different roles before going away. In general terms, the fleet rotation exceeds the recommendations of national best practices.
The Fire Dept full FY 2010 budget proposal (both operating and capital) can be found here (PDF)
Prior portions of the meeting can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/finance-committee-020210.html
and here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/partial-live-reporting-at-fincom.html
Finance Committee 02/02/10
Jeff Nutting opens with comments on the process. The capital budget effectively uses 'free cash'. The amount has varied over the past several years from $600,000 to about $3 million. Six town departments have submitted requests. There won't be a vote tonight. Some of the free cash is also to be used for snow and ice. As the Town is about to overspend the snow and ice budget and the winter is not over, we will need to wait and see what happens.
Jim Roche, Finance Committee Chair, also noted that the meeting this evening is for discussion, question and answers. There is a capital subcommittee to meet with members of Town Council, Finance and School Committees to review and prioritize the capital items before any final votes for approval.
Tim Raposa, Technology Director
1 - Town Technology - Some money for upgrade to a fiber network, some money for upgrade of desktops and laptops. The systems are warrantied for three years, they tend to keep them for four to five years, after that the maintenance expense increases and it makes more sense to replace the systems than to continue to maintain them.
Some money also for server consolidation. Reduction of servers by 60-75%. This will reduce the number of servers, HVAC for maintaining the servers, and associate other server maintenance costs.
Question on data protection - The Schools and Town systems are already protected, most of the data resides on the server and not on the laptops themselves. Education may be required to help to reinforce good practices but from a technical perspective, they are
2 - School Technology -
JFK wireless access to be wired, teacher laptops. The school was chosen as it is the least cost elementary school to do this, Parmenter would be much more. Davis Thayer with its aging facilities doesn't make sense to put it in there at this time.
smart boards for a grade level, the exact grade remains to be determined by the principals.
3 - audio visual over fiber - AV systems in various school complexes, this would be a single server for the entire district to handle a video feed and storage across the district. Centralized, a single purchase, step one. Step two would be to get display devices, like smart boards or classroom monitors. Need to start with the foundation piece and then expand with the other items.
a good bit of the enhancements are dependent upon the fiber purchase which is in the Facilities budget. The smart boards are purchased with training. The training is key for the teachers to use them effectively in the classrooms.
There was also discussion on lease versus purchase. The purchase option currently is the better option. Lease actually is less flexible and more costly over time.
Mike d'Angelo - Director Facilities
The fiber would be single mode, $350,000 total cost. Actual outlay would be $150,000 as cable would grant us $200,000 for this conversion. The fiber would be laid in a ring for redundancy. If one section breaks, the others would be still be able to bypass and continue. There are 24 threads in the connections, 2 could be used in a pair, one for transmit, one for receive. Annual rental for existing T1 lines is over $50,000 per year. The fiber costs would be less. Support would be contracted out as Franklin would own the fiber itself. Support contracts would be similar to the contracts we have for the street lights.
Replace carpeting at the Library; meeting room and local history room. Library picking up some of the costs for this. The Trustees would be picking up this with some State Aid. $20,000 is the local Franklin portion.
Digital video security systems cover the access for school buildings; key fob entrance, video captures who comes in, date/time recorded, major rooms, and entire perimeter. When Keller Sullivan was built it was done with the technology at the time but it has fallen behind now. The system was added to the other schools in 2000/2001. Keller Sullivan does not have this system. $220,000 to add this system to Keller-Sullivan to bring it to the same level of security as all the other schools.
The security system is used extensively by the principals. The doors are locked all the time, everyone is buzzed in or they can enter via the key fob.
Pavement and parking lot at Parmenter proposed to be redone at the same time by the same contractor as Wachusetts Street when it gets done this year.
We have another $3 million in pent up demand. We'd like to consider a bond issue to use some bonding capacity to provide some additional money for facilities. This might come down in the future. The School Committee would know more about Davis Thayer, will it stay open, close? The portable classrooms would need to be addressed.
We have needs for more than we have money for.
We started a program to replace the vans that do in district transportation. We replaced two last year and would like to replace two more this year. $54,000 includes lifts and special equipment to outfit them as required. We got the set of ten several years ago with a grant. This is the second year of a multiyear replacement schedule.
Jim Roche, Finance Committee Chair, also noted that the meeting this evening is for discussion, question and answers. There is a capital subcommittee to meet with members of Town Council, Finance and School Committees to review and prioritize the capital items before any final votes for approval.
Tim Raposa, Technology Director
1 - Town Technology - Some money for upgrade to a fiber network, some money for upgrade of desktops and laptops. The systems are warrantied for three years, they tend to keep them for four to five years, after that the maintenance expense increases and it makes more sense to replace the systems than to continue to maintain them.
Some money also for server consolidation. Reduction of servers by 60-75%. This will reduce the number of servers, HVAC for maintaining the servers, and associate other server maintenance costs.
Question on data protection - The Schools and Town systems are already protected, most of the data resides on the server and not on the laptops themselves. Education may be required to help to reinforce good practices but from a technical perspective, they are
2 - School Technology -
JFK wireless access to be wired, teacher laptops. The school was chosen as it is the least cost elementary school to do this, Parmenter would be much more. Davis Thayer with its aging facilities doesn't make sense to put it in there at this time.
smart boards for a grade level, the exact grade remains to be determined by the principals.
3 - audio visual over fiber - AV systems in various school complexes, this would be a single server for the entire district to handle a video feed and storage across the district. Centralized, a single purchase, step one. Step two would be to get display devices, like smart boards or classroom monitors. Need to start with the foundation piece and then expand with the other items.
a good bit of the enhancements are dependent upon the fiber purchase which is in the Facilities budget. The smart boards are purchased with training. The training is key for the teachers to use them effectively in the classrooms.
There was also discussion on lease versus purchase. The purchase option currently is the better option. Lease actually is less flexible and more costly over time.
Mike d'Angelo - Director Facilities
The fiber would be single mode, $350,000 total cost. Actual outlay would be $150,000 as cable would grant us $200,000 for this conversion. The fiber would be laid in a ring for redundancy. If one section breaks, the others would be still be able to bypass and continue. There are 24 threads in the connections, 2 could be used in a pair, one for transmit, one for receive. Annual rental for existing T1 lines is over $50,000 per year. The fiber costs would be less. Support would be contracted out as Franklin would own the fiber itself. Support contracts would be similar to the contracts we have for the street lights.
Replace carpeting at the Library; meeting room and local history room. Library picking up some of the costs for this. The Trustees would be picking up this with some State Aid. $20,000 is the local Franklin portion.
Digital video security systems cover the access for school buildings; key fob entrance, video captures who comes in, date/time recorded, major rooms, and entire perimeter. When Keller Sullivan was built it was done with the technology at the time but it has fallen behind now. The system was added to the other schools in 2000/2001. Keller Sullivan does not have this system. $220,000 to add this system to Keller-Sullivan to bring it to the same level of security as all the other schools.
The security system is used extensively by the principals. The doors are locked all the time, everyone is buzzed in or they can enter via the key fob.
Pavement and parking lot at Parmenter proposed to be redone at the same time by the same contractor as Wachusetts Street when it gets done this year.
We have another $3 million in pent up demand. We'd like to consider a bond issue to use some bonding capacity to provide some additional money for facilities. This might come down in the future. The School Committee would know more about Davis Thayer, will it stay open, close? The portable classrooms would need to be addressed.
We have needs for more than we have money for.
We started a program to replace the vans that do in district transportation. We replaced two last year and would like to replace two more this year. $54,000 includes lifts and special equipment to outfit them as required. We got the set of ten several years ago with a grant. This is the second year of a multiyear replacement schedule.
School Committee - Agenda - 2/09/10
Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.
Mission Statement
The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.
The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.
1. Routine Business
• Citizen’s Comments
• Review of Agenda
• Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the Open and Executive Sessions of the January 26, 2010 School Committee Meeting.
• Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
• Payroll Mrs. Douglas
• FHS Student Representatives
• Correspondence: Budget to Actual
2. Guests/Presentations
a. none
3. Discussion Only Items
• none
4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,000.00 from the Davis Thayer PCC for field trips & in-house enrichment.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Lueders Environment for the district gift account for scholarships.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $3732.50 from the Oak St. PCC for In house enrichment as detailed.
d. I recommend acceptance of the donation of labor to fix the Davis Thayer scoreboard from Mr. Glenn Jones as detailed in the attached pictures.
5. Information Matters
• Superintendent’s Report
a. Enrollment Comparisons
b. The Backpack Bulletin – February 2010
• 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
• Personnel Issue
8. Adjourn
Town Council - Agenda - 2/10/10
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
- Design Review Commission
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
– Senior Outreach- Update
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
- Design Review Commission
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
– Senior Outreach- Update
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 10-06: Acceptance of Gift- Franklin Library
2. Bylaw Amendment 10-641: Chapter 82; Appendix A: List of Service Fee Rates, Solid Waste and Recycling Fees – 2nd Reading
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
In the News - benefits for Vietnam veterans
Franklin Veterans Agent Bob Fahey said 709 Franklin residents served in Vietnam between 1965 and 1975, and recently several have approached him about whether their illnesses could be connected to their service.
``What I want to do as a veterans agent is make people aware of these circumstances war creates,'' Fahey said.
He said vets must file an application proving their service in Vietnam, and provide documentation of the disease to determine whether they qualify for benefits.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Vets now qualify for Agent Orange-related illness benefits
Franklin High School plans winter carnival and silent auction
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 2/6/10
Franklin High School 2010 Winter Carnival and silent auction will be held on Sunday, Feb. 28, 12-4 p.m., at the Franklin High School Field House.
The event for all ages will include a silent auction, featuring floor seat Celtic tickets, Red Sox tickets and more.
For information visit fhsstudentgovernmetn@yahoo.com
All proceeds to benefit Shriners Burn Hospital, in Boston.
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Sunday, February 7, 2010
In the News - drum studio, solar costs
Definitely marching to his own drummer Kris Russell, has opened his own studio to share his passion for drumming:
The cost of going solar is manageable and Mike Kelly can help you figure out how it can work for you
Drumming to his own beat
The cost of going solar is manageable and Mike Kelly can help you figure out how it can work for you
Is the cost of going solar getting lighter?
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Businesses opening
1 - As pictured here earlier, Cafe Dolce is expanding to the former Choo Choo shop at the downtown Franklin/Dean College station. Conversation with BJ and his father reveals they are looking to open next week. The place has been freshly painted, tables and chairs cleaned and painted. Additional works and final permits are required but with a little luck they intend to open next week.
A better outside photo than the one in the early morning light on Thursday:
The coffee will be brewing soon:
2 - And Maguro House, a Japanese restaurant, will opening this month at the corner of the building opposite from Cafe Dolce.
Updated 2/25/10
The Grand Opening Party is scheduled for Sunday, February 28th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
These are good signs for downtown!
A better outside photo than the one in the early morning light on Thursday:
The coffee will be brewing soon:
2 - And Maguro House, a Japanese restaurant, will opening this month at the corner of the building opposite from Cafe Dolce.
Updated 2/25/10
The Grand Opening Party is scheduled for Sunday, February 28th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
These are good signs for downtown!
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