"Curiosity killed the cat" is an old saying probably based upon some truth, passed down and now lost. The message though is one of caution, don't go too far, don't explore, don't learn what is at the edges. Not a good message for a world where life long learning is becoming a requirement.
James Cameron tells the story of how following his curiosity has resulted in Avatar! His learning about leadership and teamwork built upon a bond of respect is wonderful.
"Failure is an option, fear is not"
Let's move from curiosity and fear to dance. The body is a wonderful thing. It possesses such great moves. Some moves were recently seen during the Olympics when the snowboarders showed off their flips and twists, the ice skaters performed their Triple Lutz and Quad jumps. Watch this piece on what these dancers can do.
Just imagine if some of these moves worked their way on to a snowboard or the ice rink? What would it be like?
The advances these dancers have made exploring the limits of what their bodies can do, has been fostered by the internet. Easy access, cheap video, "keeping up with the Jones"... driven by curiosity.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the two videos shown here.
Franklin, MA
Saturday, March 13, 2010
HMEA 5K Race/Walk - May 23rd
The Horace Mann Education Associates - HMEA, Inc. is located here in Franklin, MA but their effective service delivery is to over 100 communities in MA.
The annual fund raiser for HMEA is the 5K Race/Walk and Family Fun Day scheduled for May 23, 2010.
In addition to working the road race registration table (and providing splits at the 2 mile mark), I have decided to help HMEA do some fund raising this year.
I love the quote from Horace Mann that they use on their History page:
You can help the HMEA make a difference with a donation. I have a widget in the center column of this and my other blogs, should you choose to donate an amount within your means.
I will appreciate it.
The HMEA clients you help will too!
-----
If you would like to register for the race you can do so here
http://www.hmea.org/events.html
If you'd like you can contribute in one of several options directly through the HMEA website here
http://www.hmea.org/donations.html
HMEA has a long history of providing innovative services in school, at work, at home and in the community and now serve over 2400 children and adults with developmental disabilities. Services include: Residential, Day and Family supports, and services for children.
HMEA's Employment Programs provides people with disabilities the opportunity to pursue meaningful employment either on a full- or part-time basis. For people in the Employment Program who work part-time, HMEA encourages volunteering for community organizations, or leisure and recreation activities to supplement their day.
HMEA's Employment Programs serve people 22 years of age and older who live within the commuting distance of program locations in the following cities and towns: Bellingham, Clinton, Hopedale, Plainville and Worcester
SAVE THE DATE...Sunday, May 23, 2010 HMEA's 9th Annual Independence 5K Walk/Run in the Park - MARK YOUR CALENDARS and grab your sneakers to participate in this "Fun-filled Family Day fundraising event...
This event, which is hosted by our good friends at EMC2 Corporation in Franklin, MA gathers 2,000 or more people to help HMEA continue its mission to make a difference in people's lives. AND, all the money raised is returned to the many programs at HMEA, which supports 2,400 children and adults with intellectual challenges and developmental disabilities.
Once again we have Gene Lavanchy from Fox News25 and tentatively Gail Huff from WCVB-TV Channel performing hosting duties for us. And our great friends and inspiration to many, "TEAM HOYT", Dick and Rick will be on hand again this year -- plus we're pretty sure there will be a few other celebrities and mascots on hand as well!
So come on down and participate in the fun...there's raffle prizes, food, tee shirts for participants (while they last), prizes, a Kids Corner filled with games and activities, a Kids "FUN RUN" and so much more...
In addition to working the road race registration table (and providing splits at the 2 mile mark), I have decided to help HMEA do some fund raising this year.
I love the quote from Horace Mann that they use on their History page:
"Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity"
You can help the HMEA make a difference with a donation. I have a widget in the center column of this and my other blogs, should you choose to donate an amount within your means.
I will appreciate it.
The HMEA clients you help will too!
-----
If you would like to register for the race you can do so here
http://www.hmea.org/events.html
If you'd like you can contribute in one of several options directly through the HMEA website here
http://www.hmea.org/donations.html
Friday, March 12, 2010
Franklin, MA: Library Tour (video)
How many styles of Greek columns are used in the Library building?
The answer to that can be found by taking a tour of the library. The tour will help you understand more about how the Franklin Library is really one of our treasures.
Have you taken the tour?
I haven't but when I stopped by recently to get some Dr Seuss books, I found out about a video tour that was available on DVD. Could the video be converted to share on a website? Yes, it could.
While a real 'in person' tour, is the best way to view the library, you can take a tour of the library from the luxury of your own computer. Click a view the video, it will be a well spent 35 minutes!
The video will also be posted to the Library website.
The video was put together by The Preservation Committee for the 100th Anniversary celebration of the library in 2004. Many thanks to the great time and effort put into this by Donna Estey, Ann Arpin, and Hugh Bolton in particular amongst the many involved in the production.
Note: for email subscribers, you will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video.
The answer to that can be found by taking a tour of the library. The tour will help you understand more about how the Franklin Library is really one of our treasures.
Have you taken the tour?
I haven't but when I stopped by recently to get some Dr Seuss books, I found out about a video tour that was available on DVD. Could the video be converted to share on a website? Yes, it could.
While a real 'in person' tour, is the best way to view the library, you can take a tour of the library from the luxury of your own computer. Click a view the video, it will be a well spent 35 minutes!
The video will also be posted to the Library website.
The video was put together by The Preservation Committee for the 100th Anniversary celebration of the library in 2004. Many thanks to the great time and effort put into this by Donna Estey, Ann Arpin, and Hugh Bolton in particular amongst the many involved in the production.
Note: for email subscribers, you will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video.
Business After Hours
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce held a "Business After Hours" networking event at Dean College Thursday evening.
Dean College was a gracious host, with good food and refreshments in their newly renovated Library and Learning Center on the Dean campus. President Paula Rooney was amongst the several Dean representatives present.
Jack Lank, President of the United Regional Chamber, welcomed everyone. Jay Leiendecker, Vice President at Dean gave some brief remarks as did Jeff Nutting, Franklin Town Administrator.
A number of business people from outside Franklin came to the event to meet business folks from Franklin and help share what they do to spread the word and expand their business.
With as many people as were at the event, I could not get to talk with all. Those whom I did get to talk with were interesting. Some highlights were:
This is just a sample of the conversations available at Business After Hours. Consider finding out more about the United Regional Chamber of Commerce and their operations by visiting their website, calling one of their offices, or contacting me. You don't have to be a member to attend their Business After Hours, you can attend as a guest.
Why do I spend time at such events? You may have heard me say/write that something like a split tax is not a solution to our budget problems. A split tax rate creates two classes of taxpayers and attempts to shift the burden from the residential to the commercial/industrial base. That simply makes it harder to do business in Franklin. What we really need to do is not split the pie but make the pie larger! Increasing business opportunity in Franklin is one way to help our overall budget issues. The opportunity to meet and talk with the business folks is priceless!
Creating opportunities for business to operate successfully in Franklin is what matters.
Franklin, MA
Jack Lank, President of the United Regional Chamber, welcomed everyone. Jay Leiendecker, Vice President at Dean gave some brief remarks as did Jeff Nutting, Franklin Town Administrator.
A number of business people from outside Franklin came to the event to meet business folks from Franklin and help share what they do to spread the word and expand their business.
With as many people as were at the event, I could not get to talk with all. Those whom I did get to talk with were interesting. Some highlights were:
Did you know that Digital Credit Union is developing an application to take a picture of a check with your smartphone to create a deposit into your account without having to actually bring the check to the teller or ATM machine? I will talk further with Thomaz Demoura, Branch Manager of the DCU office on RT 140 to understand how this will work.
Did you know that if you'd like to hold an outdoor wedding in the area that Country Gardens, a bed and breakfast with a special events facility would be a good place to consider? Located approximately two miles from LaSalette Shrine, I will be talking with Ralph Arguin to find out more about their services.
You may recall a conversation with Linda Waters, President, Back to Business, that I reported here from the Harvest Festival last September. The Confidence Beads that were in development are now ready and available. I will be finding out more to bring back and share here.
Why do I spend time at such events? You may have heard me say/write that something like a split tax is not a solution to our budget problems. A split tax rate creates two classes of taxpayers and attempts to shift the burden from the residential to the commercial/industrial base. That simply makes it harder to do business in Franklin. What we really need to do is not split the pie but make the pie larger! Increasing business opportunity in Franklin is one way to help our overall budget issues. The opportunity to meet and talk with the business folks is priceless!
Creating opportunities for business to operate successfully in Franklin is what matters.
Franklin, MA
"take advantage of the opportunity"
Months before they even get a diploma, some Franklin High School seniors are preparing to head into the real world.
Beginning its second year, the school's senior project course gives 35 seniors a taste of being part of the work force before they graduate.
"Senior project is the smartest and best thing that Franklin High School has done for its students," said 2009 graduate John Congdon, who participated last year.
Franklin students get a taste of the real world
from The Milford Daily News News RSSFranklin, MA
2nd Fund Raising Event for Abbey Candy House
FRIENDS of the ABBEY
In
In
SPORTS AND SONG
Come join with us in Sports
MATT LIGHT
PATRIOTS Offensive Tackle
(Six Division Championships, Four Conference Titles,
Three Super Bowl Championships)
Three Super Bowl Championships)
AUTOGRAPH SIGNING – PATRIOTS MEMORABILIA
Come join with us in Song
AYLA BROWN
– former American Idol finalist from season 5:
(Boston College Eagles Basketball)
(Boston College Eagles Basketball)
SILENT AUCTIONS, RAFFLES, DOOR PRIZE
ADMISSION: ADULTS $10.00
Children Free - Cash/Checks only
Where: Lake Pearl Luciano’s
When: April 11, 2010
2:00 to 4:00 P.M.
Creek St., Wrentham, Ma.
Mt. St. Mary’s Abbey – 300 Arnold St. – Wrentham, Ma. 02093
Phone: 508 528 1282 Web www.msmabbey.org
Thursday, March 11, 2010
solar compactor down at the track
The solar powered trash compactor has been moved to the Franklin High School Track. As I recall this had been positioned downtown, opposite the Post Office, under a tree. I recall musing, would it get enough solar attention under the tree? Maybe it wasn't or maybe it was decided that this would be a better place.
Either way, as I ran my workout at the track today, I noticed it there. It may have been positioned here earlier. With the winter weather this was the first time for me to get to the track this year. I look forward to getting there more often now that the weather is breaking.
Franklin, MA
Either way, as I ran my workout at the track today, I noticed it there. It may have been positioned here earlier. With the winter weather this was the first time for me to get to the track this year. I look forward to getting there more often now that the weather is breaking.
Franklin, MA
Davis Thayer School says Thanks!
With a big update on their sign, the thank you is loud and clear.
When was the auction? Last weekend at the Adirondack Club.
Franklin, MA
When was the auction? Last weekend at the Adirondack Club.
Franklin, MA
Walgreens - now open
As I drove by Walgreens today, there is a sign proclaiming "Now Open."
I'll get a picture sometime to record and share but it is open, finally!
Franklin, MA
I'll get a picture sometime to record and share but it is open, finally!
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Charter Revisions 03/10/10
The collected posts from the Special Town Council meeting to discuss the proposed Charter Revisions can be found here:
Franklin, MA
- Live reporting - discussion resumes
- Live reporting - Charter revision - elected vs. ap...
- Live reporting - Franklin, MA: Charter Review
Franklin, MA
"fostering greater awareness of bullying"
"I am so proud to have a group of such motivated, committed students like the Teenangels in my community," Vallee said in a press release. "We can't, of course, legislate what parents should be teaching at home - courtesy, respect, and the Golden Rule - but we can put a plan in place to help school administrators and teachers swiftly and effectively address bullying if it does occur in their classrooms."
The Teenangels, a group of 17 seventh- and eight-graders, is a chapter of Wiredsafety.org that trains students in online safety, privacy and security.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Prior posts on the Teenangels can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/live-reporting-teen-angels.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/teen-angels-pledge-text-think-send.html
Franklin, MA
"As the town grows ... it becomes more complicated"
Last night, the Charter Review Subcommittee suggested making the town treasurer, clerk, assessors, Board of Health and constables appointed instead of elected posts.
"As the town grows ... it becomes more complicated and a bigger and bigger business," Vice Chairman Stephen Whalen said. "It's more important to be appointed and evaluated on a skill set qualified for those specific functions."
Whalen said not only does appointment ensure the most qualified candidate, but it allows people who may have been turned off by an election process to come forward.
Last night's discussion came during a hearing at which the Town Council discussed several suggested revisions to the town charter - its governing document.
Read the full article here:
Views differ on appointing vs. electing positions
Franklin, MA
Harlem Wizards return to Franklin!
The Harlem Wizards, one of the greatest basketball show-team organizations to ever “lace it up and let’em fly”, will play our own Sullivan Rockets. This will be an entertaining night for kids of all ages (and adults too)!
Did you miss their visit last year?
Don't miss it this year!
Date: Friday, March 19th, 2010, 7:00 PM
Doors Open 6:00, Game Time 7:00
Location: Tri-County Regional High School
147 Pond St, Franklin MA
Tickets: Click here to print ticket order form
Contacts: ayotte_k@verizon.net or erinclong@comcast.net
Sponsored By: Annie Sullivan Middle School PCC
 |
| From Franklin Matters |
Did you miss their visit last year?
Don't miss it this year!
Date: Friday, March 19th, 2010, 7:00 PM
Doors Open 6:00, Game Time 7:00
Location: Tri-County Regional High School
147 Pond St, Franklin MA
Tickets: Click here to print ticket order form
Contacts: ayotte_k@verizon.net or erinclong@comcast.net
Sponsored By: Annie Sullivan Middle School PCC
Open Gym Night - Remington High School
When: Thursday, March 11th from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Where: Remington Middle School Gymnasium
Middle and High School Students: Here’s a chance to spend some free time with friends… get moving and cure the Cabin Fever at Open Gym night!
Of course there will be an open court to shoot hoops, but you can also conquer an obstacle course or take on an air hockey challenge.
Need to slow down? How about magnetic darts, indoor Frisbee, or a giant blow up Twister game?
Sounds like fun!
Where: Remington Middle School Gymnasium
Middle and High School Students: Here’s a chance to spend some free time with friends… get moving and cure the Cabin Fever at Open Gym night!
Of course there will be an open court to shoot hoops, but you can also conquer an obstacle course or take on an air hockey challenge.
Need to slow down? How about magnetic darts, indoor Frisbee, or a giant blow up Twister game?
Sounds like fun!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Live reporting - discussion resumes
Nutting - there are two ways to amend the charter, with 9 folks elected to make the recommendations. The other way is the way we are about, is to make the homerule changes, petition the legislature, and then it comes back to the people for their vote.
Vallee - I need to do some thinking about this.
Pfeffer - you shouldn't do this next meeting as two councilors will be missing
Dacey - I think we should address the qualifications. IT would have been a growth from 17 to 21 due to the population growth. They made the change to reduce it to nine. I came in off the street and started doing the finances. Thank God I had two good assistants who helped me tremendously. That may not be the situation the next time around. As far as the schooling goes, it took me six years to get them through training and classes that I go to each year. My review is every four years. I think that is too long. I think it should be every year. A long list of appointed Treasurers. Only a few of our neighboring communities have elected officials.
Whalen - I'd like to respond. Perhaps those words I chose I would change today, the sentiment is there. The Treasurer is a specific qualification position. The Council brings varied backgrounds to the role. That someone of a technical background should chose the council I don't think would be good. The number of candidates who would be qualified would be larger if we did not submit them to the requirement of an election.
Cheli - the Citizens committee reviewed the documents from Bauer and Lanza (from 1995) and we reviewed the Nutting and Cerel documents, separated by some 15 years, they are essentially the same. They are issues of accountability between the Council and the Administration.
Nutting - there are a number of minor technical changes we should make
Mason - undoubtedly
McGann - is the Treasurer of the Commonwealth elected or appointed?
Dacey - elected (side note, the state position is one of title only, he/she has staff to perform all the necessary functions, the local Treasurer is a hands on role, there is no comparison with the State level)
Zollo - I think we can choose to have the elected approve the appointments for the benefit of the people
Norman - I think you need to define in that where you need a 2/3 vote on bond and other major issues
I would like to see a change where incumbents are required to declare at some point certain and then others would have sometime to make a decision. I think there is a reluctance to run against incumbents. I think there should be a prohibition with candidates puling papers for two different positions. I think that would help increase the number of candidates.
5-2-5 25% of qualified should be reduce to 20%, given the history of the voting for this town. It is a barrier.
5-3-6 should consider lowering this to 20%
5-4-1 5% of signatures be collected within 14 days, maybe increase to 21 days.
5-4-4 another 25 to 20% recommendation
Powederly - Given the amount of discussion, how do we get to a point with some language that we are voting on? I would ask the council to consider separating the change of Treasurer and Town Council from the Planning Board, etc.
Nutting- the Council needs to take a vote on a home rule petition, so that language needs to be precise. If you decide on what you want to do, then we can prepare the language accordingly to help the process. Mr Norman made some recommendations that should be considered. You would need to decide amongst yourselves to reach a consensus.
Mason - is the council in general agreement at that that is the way to proceed?
heads nodding yes in agreement
Pfeffer - we are a city that calls itself a Town
Vallee -motion to adjourn
Vallee - I need to do some thinking about this.
Pfeffer - you shouldn't do this next meeting as two councilors will be missing
Dacey - I think we should address the qualifications. IT would have been a growth from 17 to 21 due to the population growth. They made the change to reduce it to nine. I came in off the street and started doing the finances. Thank God I had two good assistants who helped me tremendously. That may not be the situation the next time around. As far as the schooling goes, it took me six years to get them through training and classes that I go to each year. My review is every four years. I think that is too long. I think it should be every year. A long list of appointed Treasurers. Only a few of our neighboring communities have elected officials.
Whalen - I'd like to respond. Perhaps those words I chose I would change today, the sentiment is there. The Treasurer is a specific qualification position. The Council brings varied backgrounds to the role. That someone of a technical background should chose the council I don't think would be good. The number of candidates who would be qualified would be larger if we did not submit them to the requirement of an election.
Cheli - the Citizens committee reviewed the documents from Bauer and Lanza (from 1995) and we reviewed the Nutting and Cerel documents, separated by some 15 years, they are essentially the same. They are issues of accountability between the Council and the Administration.
Nutting - there are a number of minor technical changes we should make
- Change from the first Weds to second Weds for the first meeting after election of new council
- with compelling reason, the council should be able to change chair by super majority vote
- change from journal to minutes
- council needs to meet more than once a month but does it need to be every month?
- changes the role of administrator to executive, only in regards to signing of documents, some specifically require that authority and it should be clear in the document for what is in fact in practice
- remove restriction of the Administrator to sit on boards and committees, key to current requirements of the position (with Council approval)
- change of language on personnel records to personnel system
- change purchasing agent to??
- ratifying positions that we no longer have like wiring inspector, etc. The Council still ratifies the key positions. We don't have some boards and committees, these are all language clean ups
- change to reflect that the Administrator can act on their behalf, to make it more clear than it currently is stated. The Council appointment process should be extended from 120 to 180 days, still has extension.
- Finance Committee reduce from 11 to 9 members, lengthen term from one year to two years, all other appointed terms are currently three years.
- changes the school committee budget to school department budget, technical change only
- clarifies that the Council should act on the Administrators budget
- eliminating Chap 7.7.1 of the charter as this exists in the personnel bylaws and conflicts with the bargaining agreements in place
- Chap 8 would still need to be addressed depending upon what changes are agreed upon.
Mason - undoubtedly
McGann - is the Treasurer of the Commonwealth elected or appointed?
Dacey - elected (side note, the state position is one of title only, he/she has staff to perform all the necessary functions, the local Treasurer is a hands on role, there is no comparison with the State level)
Zollo - I think we can choose to have the elected approve the appointments for the benefit of the people
Norman - I think you need to define in that where you need a 2/3 vote on bond and other major issues
I would like to see a change where incumbents are required to declare at some point certain and then others would have sometime to make a decision. I think there is a reluctance to run against incumbents. I think there should be a prohibition with candidates puling papers for two different positions. I think that would help increase the number of candidates.
5-2-5 25% of qualified should be reduce to 20%, given the history of the voting for this town. It is a barrier.
5-3-6 should consider lowering this to 20%
5-4-1 5% of signatures be collected within 14 days, maybe increase to 21 days.
5-4-4 another 25 to 20% recommendation
Powederly - Given the amount of discussion, how do we get to a point with some language that we are voting on? I would ask the council to consider separating the change of Treasurer and Town Council from the Planning Board, etc.
Nutting- the Council needs to take a vote on a home rule petition, so that language needs to be precise. If you decide on what you want to do, then we can prepare the language accordingly to help the process. Mr Norman made some recommendations that should be considered. You would need to decide amongst yourselves to reach a consensus.
Mason - is the council in general agreement at that that is the way to proceed?
heads nodding yes in agreement
Pfeffer - we are a city that calls itself a Town
Vallee -motion to adjourn
Live reporting - Charter revision - elected vs. appointed
Whalen - the most interesting items I think is the proposal for some positions to be appointed rather than elective. Treasurer/Collector, Constables, Board of Assessors, Planning Board, Board of Health. I think there are qualified folks who can serve in these positions who are not willing to run a campaign. we should not disallow their participation just because they don't want to run for election.
Zollo -
Cheli - recognizing the Citizens Committee members: Michael Walker Jones, Larry Benedetto, Maureen Roy, (other names to be added later)
There was a majority report and a minority report, the difference was on the Town Clerk position (which should remain an elected position). Both Jim Dacey and Debbie Pellegri contributed mightily to the work of the Citizens Committee.
Jim has recommended that his own position become appointed. The technical requirements have increased such that to manage a million dollar budget it should be not an elected position.
You can leave the positions to the luxury of an elected position.
Pfeffer - you had 23 meetings, but during those meetings you did not vote on the Board of Health, Assessors, etc.
Cheli - The whole process of getting 100 signatures, of standing holding a sign, in the cold and rain. It is not saying the people don't get a voice. They do elect the Council. They do elect the School Committee. You get a chance to review all the appointments. Yes, we did talk about it but none of us felt strongly on making a recommendations.
Pfeffer - I think the Board of Health, Assessors, Constable, and the Town Clerk should remain as elected positions.
McGann - I think we should keep the Treasurer/Collector and Town Council as elected. If you appoint someone, you take away the voice of the people.
Cheli - I understand what you are saying. The voice of the people comes through your body. It is a 90 million dollar business, It is not Franklin in 1975.
Vallee - The key is ratification by the Council. We are elected by the people and we have the control.
Powderly - I am reluctant to take away the power from the people. I think the growth of the Town and the stakes have been raised such that these should be appointed. This is consistent with municipalities of cities of our size.
Zollo - There is a difference between policy makers and administrators. Policy and long term strategic view should be left to the people. Ironically because we have such quality Treasurer and Town Clerk that it is what we need to keep by moving them to appointed.
Kelly - I agree with the Citizens Committee that both the Treasurer and Town Clerk be appointed, I think those folks should also live here, if they do not already. We did that on the School Committee
Norman - I am going to speak in favor of the elected positions of the Assessors. I think it should be kept separate. I don't understand why they should be appointed.
Whalen - this is not a comment on anyone that holds the positions currently. I think of it as a long term document, as the Town continues to grow, we need to have the absolute best people doing those positions. Not all of them who are qualified would want to go through an election. I would rather a larger pool of people to choose from.
Zollo - I think it is simple that we don't have enough candidates currently to fulfill the roles. They have to be convinced to get enough today.
McGann - Kelly hit the issue on the head, why do we have such quality currently in the position? It is because they are local have been living here and are interested in being here. Mr Vallee what are the qualifications of a Councilor?
Vallee - There are none
Whalen - While a Councilor doesn't have to have qualifications, the Treasurer etc.
Dacey - One of the requirements of the City of Worcester is to move to the city. They have a Treasure position open for 2 years and have finally removed the requirement. I would not recommend making that a requirement.
Jones - This is very interesting. My point on this topic.
Mason I don't think is has anything to do with the voters, it has to do with the candidates. We have a Board of Assessor candidate this year, did not pull papers, ran unopposed, and fortunately he is qualified.
Nutting - in normal cities, the voters elect a council, school committee and mayor. They don't elect the other positions. We are an exception that we are the only city with an elected Town Clerk. I would like to get the best possible people for the positions.
Mason - I don't think we are elitist.
Zollo - I think I was elected to to the best for the voters. I don't think that just anyone can walk into the Town Clerk position and run an election like has been done on Jan 19th, or the past Town elections. This is not best, this is someone who is technically competent and qualified to run the position. All the other cities in the Commonwealth have already made this decision.
McGann - I wonder if this has been announced would there be more folks here to help us?
Mason - it was announced. It was in the Milford Daily News and the Boston Globe.
Pfeffer - comment about clerk being local and handling last minute requests.
Ray Fioravanti - I came here pretty sure that the elected officials were the way to go. I have heard all the arguments and I will stay with the elected positions. What makes the Town Council more qualified to make that decision? If you appoint someone, you do have a broader range of candidates. I agree. That could be resolved in another way. What better way to judge a persons reputation than by putting it out to vote? I would like to get to pick from a large pool. The question is who gets to pick, the Council or the voters. I am afraid there is a pattern of taking away from the voters something they already have.
Refers to a Whalen quote from May 2008, about the genetic disposition of voters against an override
Cheli - This council is a legislative body, the council is not elitist, it is a living document. we took representation away from the people. I think it is what is needed to be done. You got to a longer term view. If you have an issue with personalities.
(break)
Zollo -
Cheli - recognizing the Citizens Committee members: Michael Walker Jones, Larry Benedetto, Maureen Roy, (other names to be added later)
There was a majority report and a minority report, the difference was on the Town Clerk position (which should remain an elected position). Both Jim Dacey and Debbie Pellegri contributed mightily to the work of the Citizens Committee.
Jim has recommended that his own position become appointed. The technical requirements have increased such that to manage a million dollar budget it should be not an elected position.
You can leave the positions to the luxury of an elected position.
Pfeffer - you had 23 meetings, but during those meetings you did not vote on the Board of Health, Assessors, etc.
Cheli - The whole process of getting 100 signatures, of standing holding a sign, in the cold and rain. It is not saying the people don't get a voice. They do elect the Council. They do elect the School Committee. You get a chance to review all the appointments. Yes, we did talk about it but none of us felt strongly on making a recommendations.
Pfeffer - I think the Board of Health, Assessors, Constable, and the Town Clerk should remain as elected positions.
McGann - I think we should keep the Treasurer/Collector and Town Council as elected. If you appoint someone, you take away the voice of the people.
Cheli - I understand what you are saying. The voice of the people comes through your body. It is a 90 million dollar business, It is not Franklin in 1975.
Vallee - The key is ratification by the Council. We are elected by the people and we have the control.
Powderly - I am reluctant to take away the power from the people. I think the growth of the Town and the stakes have been raised such that these should be appointed. This is consistent with municipalities of cities of our size.
Zollo - There is a difference between policy makers and administrators. Policy and long term strategic view should be left to the people. Ironically because we have such quality Treasurer and Town Clerk that it is what we need to keep by moving them to appointed.
Kelly - I agree with the Citizens Committee that both the Treasurer and Town Clerk be appointed, I think those folks should also live here, if they do not already. We did that on the School Committee
Norman - I am going to speak in favor of the elected positions of the Assessors. I think it should be kept separate. I don't understand why they should be appointed.
Whalen - this is not a comment on anyone that holds the positions currently. I think of it as a long term document, as the Town continues to grow, we need to have the absolute best people doing those positions. Not all of them who are qualified would want to go through an election. I would rather a larger pool of people to choose from.
Zollo - I think it is simple that we don't have enough candidates currently to fulfill the roles. They have to be convinced to get enough today.
McGann - Kelly hit the issue on the head, why do we have such quality currently in the position? It is because they are local have been living here and are interested in being here. Mr Vallee what are the qualifications of a Councilor?
Vallee - There are none
Whalen - While a Councilor doesn't have to have qualifications, the Treasurer etc.
Dacey - One of the requirements of the City of Worcester is to move to the city. They have a Treasure position open for 2 years and have finally removed the requirement. I would not recommend making that a requirement.
Jones - This is very interesting. My point on this topic.
Mason I don't think is has anything to do with the voters, it has to do with the candidates. We have a Board of Assessor candidate this year, did not pull papers, ran unopposed, and fortunately he is qualified.
Nutting - in normal cities, the voters elect a council, school committee and mayor. They don't elect the other positions. We are an exception that we are the only city with an elected Town Clerk. I would like to get the best possible people for the positions.
Mason - I don't think we are elitist.
Zollo - I think I was elected to to the best for the voters. I don't think that just anyone can walk into the Town Clerk position and run an election like has been done on Jan 19th, or the past Town elections. This is not best, this is someone who is technically competent and qualified to run the position. All the other cities in the Commonwealth have already made this decision.
McGann - I wonder if this has been announced would there be more folks here to help us?
Mason - it was announced. It was in the Milford Daily News and the Boston Globe.
Pfeffer - comment about clerk being local and handling last minute requests.
Ray Fioravanti - I came here pretty sure that the elected officials were the way to go. I have heard all the arguments and I will stay with the elected positions. What makes the Town Council more qualified to make that decision? If you appoint someone, you do have a broader range of candidates. I agree. That could be resolved in another way. What better way to judge a persons reputation than by putting it out to vote? I would like to get to pick from a large pool. The question is who gets to pick, the Council or the voters. I am afraid there is a pattern of taking away from the voters something they already have.
Refers to a Whalen quote from May 2008, about the genetic disposition of voters against an override
Cheli - This council is a legislative body, the council is not elitist, it is a living document. we took representation away from the people. I think it is what is needed to be done. You got to a longer term view. If you have an issue with personalities.
(break)
Live reporting - Franklin, MA: Charter Review
Present: Kelly, Jones, Vallee, Whalen, Mason, Pfeffer, McGann, Zollo, Powderly
Absent: none
Meeting Purpose review changes of Council subcommittee, review proposals from Citizens Committee, and hopefully come to a consensus
Whalen - decision on election date and terms, all at once or staggered terms
no compelling reason to overcome the logistic challenges to adopt a staggered term
Zollo - I agree with that
Cheli - yes, the citizens committee agreed as well to keep it as is. Worry about losing the institutional knowledge is not valid as it did only occur once (1997) in the last 12 years. We studied it a lot. We have a Town Administrator and Staff to maintain the continuity we felt we needed. The staggered terms could be done, it would be more expensive with more elections but we did not recommend it.
Ken Norman - addressing the issue of staggering terms. The whole purpose of this exercise was to have staggered terms. To my mind it is quite simple. The top vote getters get the longest term. This is how the problem was solved in this charter. You need to commit yourself that you either need to have staggered terms or you don't. It seems pretty simple.
Mason - neither committee was charged with going to staggered terms. The charge was to exam what changes needed to be made and propose those. The issue of the staggered terms was commitment to four or more years. The Council preferred to review their position every two years.
Whalen - I think we said we could do it. We did not come up with a compelling benefit to make the change.
Norman - the history of the town shows that it did occur. The history is being ignored.
Nutting - you can find arguments on both sides. The citizens seem to want the option of deciding who they want every two years.
Vallee - There is a learning curve to become a council. I think it is important to have staggered terms.
Cheli - Ken participated in a lot of our meetings. I had Debbie Pellegri pull the data on the elections. 1997 was a different year. I look it as an anomaly, an outlier. I look it as a unique period of time. I came on the committee with the idea that we needed to fix this. I looked at the data and decided otherwise. It is a sentiment of the citizens that they want the options to "throw the bums out" every two years. The Charter Review in 1995 was a major effort. They reduced the council from 17 to 9.
JIm Dacey - chairman of the 1995 Charter Review committee. "Pray to God it never happens, but we'll that God when it does." It wasn't a fresh group in 1997, some finance and other committee folks did change positions and run in 1997. That was an anomaly.
Zollo - I appreciate every ones input. I went into the process thinking of the staggered term. By decreasing the volume, increasing the quality of the debate, there would be a better council. The data as referenced convinced me otherwise. I think the four year term would be a deterrent rather than having folks willing to serve two year terms. We need more people who are willing to get involved.
Absent: none
Meeting Purpose review changes of Council subcommittee, review proposals from Citizens Committee, and hopefully come to a consensus
Whalen - decision on election date and terms, all at once or staggered terms
no compelling reason to overcome the logistic challenges to adopt a staggered term
Zollo - I agree with that
Cheli - yes, the citizens committee agreed as well to keep it as is. Worry about losing the institutional knowledge is not valid as it did only occur once (1997) in the last 12 years. We studied it a lot. We have a Town Administrator and Staff to maintain the continuity we felt we needed. The staggered terms could be done, it would be more expensive with more elections but we did not recommend it.
Ken Norman - addressing the issue of staggering terms. The whole purpose of this exercise was to have staggered terms. To my mind it is quite simple. The top vote getters get the longest term. This is how the problem was solved in this charter. You need to commit yourself that you either need to have staggered terms or you don't. It seems pretty simple.
Mason - neither committee was charged with going to staggered terms. The charge was to exam what changes needed to be made and propose those. The issue of the staggered terms was commitment to four or more years. The Council preferred to review their position every two years.
Whalen - I think we said we could do it. We did not come up with a compelling benefit to make the change.
Norman - the history of the town shows that it did occur. The history is being ignored.
Nutting - you can find arguments on both sides. The citizens seem to want the option of deciding who they want every two years.
Vallee - There is a learning curve to become a council. I think it is important to have staggered terms.
Cheli - Ken participated in a lot of our meetings. I had Debbie Pellegri pull the data on the elections. 1997 was a different year. I look it as an anomaly, an outlier. I look it as a unique period of time. I came on the committee with the idea that we needed to fix this. I looked at the data and decided otherwise. It is a sentiment of the citizens that they want the options to "throw the bums out" every two years. The Charter Review in 1995 was a major effort. They reduced the council from 17 to 9.
JIm Dacey - chairman of the 1995 Charter Review committee. "Pray to God it never happens, but we'll that God when it does." It wasn't a fresh group in 1997, some finance and other committee folks did change positions and run in 1997. That was an anomaly.
Zollo - I appreciate every ones input. I went into the process thinking of the staggered term. By decreasing the volume, increasing the quality of the debate, there would be a better council. The data as referenced convinced me otherwise. I think the four year term would be a deterrent rather than having folks willing to serve two year terms. We need more people who are willing to get involved.
Franklin, MA: Charter Revisions - available for review
You can prepare for the special meeting Wednesday evening by going to the Town website to download or at least read the proposed Charter Revisions here (PDF file).
The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers, Municipal Bldg beginning at 7:00 PM.
The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers, Municipal Bldg beginning at 7:00 PM.
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
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:
- Live reporting - Information matters, closing
- Live reporting - action items
- Live reporting - Bully Task Force
- Live reporting - policies
- Live reporting - Budget Q & A
- Live reporting - FY 2011 Budget
- Live reporting - Franklin, MA: School Committee
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