Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Franklin, MA: Trash Automation Introduction and Q&A

The introduction document and the Question and Answers document for the new curbside Trash pickup process starting July 1, 2010 are now available on the Town website

The Introduction document

The Q&A document


or here


The Introduction document

The Q&A document



Franklin, MA: School Committee 03/09/10

The collected posts for the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 can be found here:




In the News: school budget


The proposed budget, $52.2 million, does not see any cuts in programs and could potentially bring back the late bus at no additional cost.
"We're anticipating reviewing the current routes and ridership," Goodman said. "We're expecting to bring back the late bus without an additional increase."
The late bus was not offered for the 2009-2010 school year to help eliminate the budget gap.
"When the late bus was eliminated it created an inequity in the district," Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski said.

Franklin schools predict $2M in increased costs

from The Milford Daily News News RSS





Hold the date for the Charles River Watershed Cleanup!

Are you looking to make a real difference in your community? If so, join a group or form your own to clean up trash throughout the Charles River Upper Watershed. You will be helping us improve the appearance and health of the waterways in our region.
If you live in the Upper Watershed please consider volunteering a few hours of your time to help us protect this unique and valuable natural resource. The large majority of our the cleanup sites are land-based, but we have a few on-water sites for experienced paddlers who can supply their own canoe or kayak. 
Did you know? The Charles River stretches for more than 80 miles from Hopkinton to Boston. It originates and flows for nearly 37 miles here in the Upper Watershed. In our region alone the Charles is fed by 45+ miles of waterways including seven major tributary rivers, brooks, and streams.

WHEN: Saturday, April 24, 2010
TIME:  9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon


WHERE: Charles River Upper Watershed - Ashland, Bellingham, Dover, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Medfield, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis, Norfolk, Sherborn, Wrentham.


The volunteer check-in site will be located in front of Whole Foods Market in Bellingham, MA. Stop by to get directions to your assigned site, collect your cleanup supplies and receive a free t-shirt. We encourage you to sign up in advance by using the contact information below.


CONTACT: David Dobrzynski
Upper Watershed Volunteer Coordinator


EMAIL: CRWAvolunteer@gmail.com

You can view the flyer for this event here:


Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Live reporting - Information matters, closing

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
a. Enrollment Comparisons

Sabolinski, The Parmenter School is getting the energy grant for solar panels. US Rep Jim McGovern and State Senator Karen Spilka spent some time visiting and asking good questions. We are leading the way on energy saving measures.


School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
Community Health Council has been doing good work on bullying

Space needs sub-committee report should be ready for early in April

School Committee Liaison Reports
none

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

Trivia Bee - FEF on 4/29



7. Executive Session

Grievance


motion to enter executive session, to not return to open session.
motion passed via roll call, 7-0








Live reporting - action items

4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of Policy EB – Safety Program.  motion to approve, passed 7-0

b. I recommend adoption of Policy EEA -  – Student Transportation Policy – Services and Eligibility motion to approve, passed 7-0

c. I recommend adoption of Policy EEB -  – Student Transportation Policy – Services and Eligibility motion to approve, passed 7-0

d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from Charron & Michael Holtzman in memory of Barbara Esterly, FHS cafeteria worker for the FHS gift account.  motion to approve, passed 7-0

e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2920.00 from the Parmenter PCC for field trips and buses.  motion to approve, passed 7-0

f. I recommend approval of the request of Judi Bassignani for the Parmenter 4th Grade field trip to the VMA Art & Cultural Center in Providence, RI on June 5, 2010.   motion to approve, passed 7-0

g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from the JF Kennedy PCC for a 1st grade field trip and buses to Drumlin Farm.  motion to approve, passed 7-0

h. I recommend approval of the 7th Grade RMS field trip to Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket, RI to see the play “Eureka!”.  motion to approve, passed 7-0

i. I recommend approval to establish the Franklin Arts Academy (FAA) using the small learning community model, at FHS for the 2010-2011 school year.  motion to approve, passed 7-0

j. I recommend acceptance of a check for $7000.00 from the Keller PCC for 2 field trips & buses to the Museum of Science and Roger Williams Zoo.   motion to approve, passed 7-0

k. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1170.75 from Lifetouch for the Annie Sullivan MS student activity fund.  motion to approve, passed 7-0

l. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 25 Laptop computers from Boston Scientific C/O (Christine Tattrie) to the Franklin Public Schools Technology Department.   motion to approve, passed 7-0


Live reporting - Bully Task Force

Anti-Bullying Task Force

Recognition that the State is likely doing something in this arena.

Trahan - The Community Health Council has been working on this matter and I will be reporting later on some of the specific items

Rohrbach - I would second what Roberta mentioned about the Community Health Council's activities. I would recommend that they be part of this activity.

Peer mediation at the high school.

Cafasso - from my time on the committee, I recall a number of presentations from principals on various actions and initiatives taken. It is not a surprise, we should be prepared. We can only do what we can do. We need to engage the community, especially the parents. Modeling the appropriate behavior for their children. This starts at home.

Sabolinski - The middle school principals are out in front of this. There is a lot of interest in this.

Roy  we will get this started and get back to the committee by June 15th.




Live reporting - policies

3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – Second Readings:
1. EB – Safety Program
2. EEA – Student Transportation Policy – Services and Eligibility
3. EEB – Student Transportation Policy – Services and Eligibility


no discussion on these items




Live reporting - Budget Q & A

Q - Cafasso - please with layout, may come back with some suggestions on showing the numbers

Q - Rohrbach - Can you speak to the late bus?
A - We are looking at it. The ridership and routes are being re-evaluated. Cutting the late bus presented an inequity to the district leaving after school activities for only those students whose parents could help to provide transportation.

Q - Glynn - could you share the spirit of the recommendation on the State Report?
A - Sabolinski - yes, we are under-serving the ELL students. There was some growth recently. We are looking at how to address them. They really need to be addressed as special education.

Q - Roy - I appreciate the fact that this is not being overdone. This covers all the bases we need. One of the questions I have is on the per pupil expenditures.
A - Goodman - this is the amount of money allocated to the school principal for use to serve the school population for no-teacher, facility costs. This is for supplies, copies, etc.

Q - Cafasso  can you share what you are hearing from the Town
A - Roy - I think at the last joint budget discussion putting this together with the Town budget we would be short 2-3 Million. It was an encouraging meeting.
A - Sabolinski - There was a recognition on how much the schools have been cut and a willingness to work with us.

Q - Glynn - with the late bus coming back, were there any other items being brought back?
A - no

Q - Glynn - were there any programs cut?
A  - no



Live reporting - FY 2011 Budget

2. Guests/Presentations
a. FY11 Budget

Miriam Goodman, Maureen Sabolinski, Sally Winslow

The budget document can be found here (for now)

The full budget booklet can be also found on the Schools website here (PDF)
(Note - the full book is 75 pages and full of good details.)






Live reporting - Franklin, MA: School Committee

Present: Douglas, Cafasso, Rohrbach, Mullen, Roy, Trahan, Glynn
Absent: none


1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments - none
Review of Agenda - none
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the Open and Executive Sessions of the February 23, 2010 School Committee Meeting.  motion to approve - passed 7-0
Payment of Bills                    Mr. Glynn   motion to approve - passed 7-0
Payroll                            Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:  Budget to Actual




In the News - charter proposals

"Any time you make changes to your charter, even if it's minor, it's important because that charter is what governs the town," Mason said.


Franklin residents urged to attend charter change hearing

from The Milford Daily News News RSS 


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The United Regional Chamber of Commerce will host its first Franklin networking event of 2010 at Dean College Thursday night.
The Business After Hours event invites area chamber members and nonmembers to socialize and talk business from 5-7 p.m. at the Library Learning Commons.



Chamber holds Franklin networking event

from The Milford Daily News News RSS 




Gov 2.0 Camp - great discussions started

Gov 2.0 Camp was held at the Sorenstein Center at Harvard on Saturday, March 6th. In an unconference format, it brought together a diverse group of folks all interested in improving government.

As part of the unconference, each attendee introduced themselves and provided three words. Someone was quick enough to capture all the three words and produced the following Wordle:

Wordle: Gov 2.0 Camp New England (#gov20ne)

Note: if you click on the image, it will take you to the original and a larger version


My three words were: conversation, content, community.

More about the Gov 2.0 event can be found on the wiki page here
http://gov20ne.pbworks.com/


Invitation from Roger at Shades In Place

Spring is just around the corner and my plan is to get you in the mood and welcome back the sun and the warm weather again (especially if you are from the New England area). Also, I love  the idea of making this an annual event....starting this year!

Shades In Place is hosting a  Gold Party where you can sell all of your unwanted , broken, ex-boyfriend's, ex-husband's gold, and make some money to kick off the Spring season. If you bring gold in you could possibly walk away with a big check.

To make it even more interesting, I will have Silpada Jewelry and Mary Kay representatives to show and demonstrate the latest products for you.

Gold Party New England - Mitzi Davidson
mitzid@goldpartynewengland.com
www.goldpartynewengland.com

Mary Kay -Tina Marie Davern
tdavern@marykay.com
www.marykay.com/tdavern

Cheryl Reed “ Silpada Designs Independent Representative”
cherylreed4@comcast.net




Where? At Shades IN Place Studio: 76 Grove Street in Franklin MA 01748

When? Thursday, April 1st  - Don't be a "Fool"! Come between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Why? Because I love networking and making my clients feel special.

I will be providing refreshments, music and reasons for you to laugh and have a great time.

The bottom line is: I want to introduce you to my Studio and show you ways to pamper your home (with our beautiful window treatments) and provide you with a great opportunity to pamper yourself.

Please R.S.V.P.  by March 20th  since seating is limited.

Hope to see you there. Oh, you are welcome to bring a friend or two with you...

P.S. If you are a guy, bring or send your wife or girlfriend.

Roger Magalhaes



I had the honor of participating in the ribbon cutting event with the United Regional Chamber of Commerce last year when Roger opened his showroom. If you missed that event, you can view the recap here. Come on to the showroom, Roger will welcome you!

Rock the 80's Party

There is a "Rock the 80's Party coming up this month.

 
80's PARTY/FUNDRAISER FOR THE AVON WALK FOR BREAST CANCER

Get out your leg warmers, lace bra, IZOD shirt, and don't forget your mullet & can of hairspray as you get ready for the PARTY OF THE SPRING!!

For a minimum donation of $15 (you can certainly donate more!) come dance, laugh, and have a great time while raising money for a great cause!

DJ, h'dourves, desert, cash bar, and lots of raffles & gift baskets!

When: Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 8:00pm

Where: Cole's Tavern, Washington St., Franklin MA

More info on Facebook here


FRANKLIN RAIL TRAIL COMMITTEE MEETING

The next meeting of the FCRTC will be held at the Franklin YMCA, Forge Hill Rd. Franklin.
The meeting on March 9th, will commence at 7:30 PM and conclude NLT 9:30 PM.
Attached is the proposed agenda as well as the updated promotional flyer for our spring raffle.
Please bring in the stubs & payments for the sold ticket.

FRANKLIN RAIL TRAIL COMMITTEE MEETING

Agenda for March 9, 2010                                  

I. Call to Order / Introductions of New Faces
A. Volunteer to write minutes of the meeting
B. Introduction of new attendees
C. Motion to accept previous meeting minutes

II. Report from our representative from DCR
A.          

III. Membership Committee Report
A. Membership activity
B. Corporate Membership?  Can we add at $100 amount?
C. Questions to R. Frongillo about adding a “New” button on site


IV. Report from Finance Committee
A. Treasurer

V. Report of Fund Raising Committee
A. Report on fund raising activities
1) Raffle Ticket Sales
a) Members: Status of raffle ticket sales
b) Earth Day Needs:  Tent/Shelter, Raffle Drum, FCRTC Banner

2) Road Race Committee
a) Need Volunteers

VI. Report from our Grant Writing Committee
A. What kind of assistance does the sub-committee require?

VII. Open Discussion on Restructuring FCRTC
A. Nomination of Officers
1. Chairman
2. Co-Chairman
3. Treasurer
4. Secretary

VIII. Unfinished Business:
A.Questions

IX. New Business:
A.        

X. Set Date for Next Meeting and Adjourn




Monday, March 8, 2010

Parmenter School - sign with upcoming events

Franklin, MA:

The Parmenter School sign has a current listing of events being held:

 

I don't get to around to all the schools in my travels but if you happen to see a good sign update, please send it along and we can share it here or on Facebook.


Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 3/09/10

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.

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.



1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the Open and Executive Sessions of the February 23, 2010 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills                    Mr. Glynn
Payroll                            Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:  Budget to Actual

2. Guests/Presentations

a. FY11 Budget

3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – Second Readings:
1. EB – Safety Program
2. EEA – Student Transportation Policy – Services and Eligibility
3. EEB – Student Transportation Policy – Services and Eligibility

Anti-Bullying Task Force

4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of Policy EB – Safety Program.
b. I recommend adoption of Policy EEA -  – Student Transportation Policy – Services and Eligibility
c. I recommend adoption of Policy EEB -  – Student Transportation Policy – Services and Eligibility
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from Charron & Michael Holtzman in memory of Barbara Esterly, FHS cafeteria worker for the FHS gift account.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2920.00 from the Parmenter PCC for field trips and buses.
f. I recommend approval of the request of Judi Bassignani for the Parmenter 4th Grade field trip to the VMA Art & Cultural Center in Providence, RI on June 5, 2010.
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from the JF Kennedy PCC for a 1st grade field trip and buses to Drumlin Farm.
h. I recommend approval of the 7th Grade RMS field trip to Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket, RI to see the play “Eureka!”.
i. I recommend approval to establish the Franklin Arts Academy (FAA) using the small learning community model, at FHS for the 2010-2011 school year.
j. I recommend acceptance of a check for $7000.00 from the Keller PCC for 2 field trips & buses to the Museum of Science and Roger Williams Zoo.
k. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1170.75 from Lifetouch for the Annie Sullivan MS student activity fund.
l. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 25 Laptop computers from Boston Scientific C/O (Christine Tattrie) to the Franklin Public Schools Technology Department.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
a. Enrollment Comparisons

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

Grievance

8. Adjourn