Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Happy Anniversary, Cafe Dolce!

Hard to believe but one year ago today, Cafe Dolce officially held it's grand opening party!


Congratulations to BJ, Dave and all your helpers to make this a great place for coffee, etc. in downtown Franklin!

The slideshow with photos from the opening one year ago can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/04/grand-opening-cafe-dolce.html







Franklin, MA

In the News - Jeremy Harmon

The award recognizes students whose scholastic and vocational technical achievements have significantly contributed to their local school district and to the statewide vocational technical education system. The award is presented to one student from each vocational/technical high school throughout the state based on his or her ability to exemplify the ideals and leadership that proudly represent vocational technical education for the 21st century.
"Jeremy's accomplishments during his time at Tri-County RVTHS are outstanding," said Tri-County Superintendent-Director Barbara Renzoni. "He is ranked first in his class, takes advanced placement academic courses, has excelled in his technical area, and is a leader at our school and in our community."
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


Franklin, MA

W.A.S.T.E.D. returns - 4/27/10

W.A.S.T.E.D presents: The Prevention of Underage Drinking - Community & Parent Forum

When:
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. 

Where:
Franklin High School Lecture Hall

This national  event is sponsored by the Federal Government’s Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking and statewide by the MA Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Abuse Services. The forum will address local initiatives, offer practical strategies for communicating more effectively with teens, identify community resources and discuss prevention solutions for parents in the Franklin community. The panel will include Officer Dan MacLean, Mardi Donovan, Bill Phillips, New Beginnings Programs, and students and parents of students in recovery.

Coordinated as part of the Franklin Community Health Council


W.A.S.T.E.D had previously held an evening at FHS on December 2, 2008. Information (pictures, text and audio recordings) can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2008/12/wasted-info-session-120208.html


Franklin, MA

Monday, April 12, 2010

Franklin, MA: Police alert on current scams

State and federal disaster recovery officials caution Massachusetts residents to be on the alert for an increased number of scam artists using old and new tricks to obtain vital information or take advantage of storm-weary survivors.


Click here for more information from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency).
You can subscribe to receive alerts like this directly to your email or phone
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/subscriber-news


FM #64 - Week ending 4/11/10

This is #64 in the series on what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends April 11, 2010.

Time: 8 minutes, 11 seconds



MP3 File

Session Notes:


This internet radio show or podcast is number 64 in the series for Franklin Matters.

Let's take about 10 minutes to review what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends Sunday April 11th.

In this session I'll cover the Town Council meeting on April 7th and look ahead to the School Committee  meeting on April 13th.

The Town Council meeting on April 7th was interesting on a number of fronts.

1 – Before the Council got into the money items, the Community Health Council provided an update on the teenangels and other activities that the group has been working on since it was created in 2008.

Live reporting - Community Health Council

http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=3%2bGOvPeeUt7st8YYQ%2bAj7A%3d%3d


2 – Rep Vallee and Sen Spilka were scheduled to provide a legislative update on the Chapter 70 and other state aid coming to Franklin. Due to key work at the State House, they were unable to attend. Due to their schedules they may not be able to participate until some time in May.

Jeff Nutting did take the opportunity to provide an update on current Town Budget. Effectively, with $1.8 million expected as a revenue increase within the Prop 2 ½ limits, State Aid dropping about $1.2 million, the net available ($600,000) is just about wiped out by the increase in Franklin's portion of the Tri-Country Regional assessment ($550,000).

After some discussion, the override word was broached. It will be a topic for the April 28th meeting agenda.

Live reporting - budget update

http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=acp9hQto1Evo3UgpBvTlEA%3d%3d

Budget workshop
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/budget-workshop-collection-12510.html

Long term or 5 Year Plan
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/financial%20planning%20committee%20report/

3 – Several items on the Legislation for action created conversations. One item in particular had  minimal discussion (had they already talked it out in the prior two meetings?) the Council voted 6-2 to approve the Charter Changes. Vallee was absent and Jones and Zollo voted no.

In the grand scheme of things, the real vote will come in November. Hopefully, the documentation that will be provided to the voters will be more detailed and clear about what the changes are and why the changes should be made so we can all make an informed vote.

http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=KNpCzsOI59gV07XYPOcaAg%3d%3d

$2 m from 'free cash” from FY 2009 was approved to spend on capital requirements. The Council also approved setting aside $100,000 to start a fund for a fire engine replacement. This is a small step towards a “real” capital budget.

http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=uka1H3JJJ8DSkcg1NVdVJQ%3d%3d


  • The Town share for the Parmenter Solar Project was approved. \
  • Two transactions to fund assistance for the Board of Assessors annual real estate property evaluation were approved. 
  • The by-law amendment to simplify the process for wetlands approvals passed.


Then the sewer extension request for 148 Washington St got real interesting. In my reading of the prepared materials, the situation seemed simple enough. A property currently in tax/title hold would be purchased and then split into two single family residences. As the location is up on the high side just before i495, they were requesting to extend the sewer line 258' to provide service. Unfortunately the Town Engineer had not received some key information, this would be adding service at the wrong point in the sewer system and potentially cause a backup to the system for those residents down stream. The attorney accused the Council of extortion, then retracted the comment. The whole thing should really have been worked out better before hand. Hopefully they will have time to work out the details before it gets to the second reading on April 28th.

http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=S9FKcnM4ylrouWnQZmQqrg%3d%3d


Thanks to Ken Norman alerting me to a meeting on the raised garden beds being constructed around Franklin on Saturday the 17th. I was able to create the report that has been a big hit this past weekend. Thanks also to Lauren Marciszyn and Amy Cornwall for their contributions to the report.

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/04/franklin-raises-garden.html

There are quite a few healthy activities this week.
What's on your plate is shown Tuesday night.
The Rail Trail committee also meets Tuesday night.
So instead of the watching or attending School Committee meeting you now have some choices.

Walk to School on Weds, Earth Day on Saturday,

You can check the calendar on Franklin Matters for details on these meetings and events. For the full schedule of Franklin Meetings, check out the town website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_MeetingsCal/?formid=158

On the food front, Gerry's Place at Tri-County is open to the public from 10:45 AM to 12:30 and offers discounts Tue-Fri through May 28th.

If you haven't stopped by Cafe Dolce yet, congratulate BJ, Dave, and the whole gang there. This week marks the one year anniversary of their grand opening! My how time flies!

As I close this session this week, let me remind you that
If you like what I am doing here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don’t like something, please tell me
Thank you for listening!

For additional information, please visitFranklinmatters.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 listen to the audio recording

"the importance of career and technical education"

In honor of Massachusetts Vocational Career and Technical Education Week this week, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School is offering discounts on certain school services.
Through Friday, May 28, the following services will be discounted by 10 percent: Oil changes, auto detailing, haircuts and bakery items at Gerry's Place.
Detailing, oil changes, and haircuts require an appointment. 

...

Gerry's Place, the Culinary Arts student-run restaurant, is open to the public Tuesday-Friday from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The restaurant offers a selection of appetizers, entrees and deli sandwiches.
For more information regarding the services Tri-County students provide, call Jean George, vocational director, at 508-528-5400, ext. 262.
Tri-County, located at 147 Pond Street, is recognized as a 2008-2010 Pacesetter School and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole and Wrentham.


Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Franklin, MA

Documents added to School Committee agenda

Two documents have been added to the School Committee agenda for Tuesday's meeting, April 13th.

3. Discussion Only Items

A. Space Needs Sub Committee Report and Modular Rubric

I need to hear the report presentation to see if questions that come to mind when trying to make sense of the documents are answered.


"It's often very hard to find information like that"

Hoping to inform and encourage awareness among Massachusetts residents, a nonpartisan research group has launched a Web site where people can click around and see specific line items in the state budget, track overall spending and gather other related information.
"The idea is to improve transparency so that anyone in the state can see clearly what we're doing through government," said Noah Berger, executive director of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center.
Visitors to browser.massbudget.org can study how much money lawmakers have decided to spend on roads, bridges, education, public safety and other areas of government over the past 10 years.
"People really should have the ability to see how much is being spent on each of those things and be involved in debates about the quality of services that they want and that they're getting in their communities," Berger said
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Gee, wouldn't it be nice to be able to do this with the Franklin budget? The Financial Planning Committee report provides the numbers and trends on some specific areas. You can view the report here.


Franklin, MA

an update from the Franklin Food Pantry

Do you know a friend or family member who is struggling in this economy?  A recent USDA report shows that more than 200,000 households in Massachusetts lack consistent access to adequate amounts of nutritious food.  Here at the Franklin Food Pantry, we distributed over 45,000 lbs of food to more than 1,000 clients since October 1, 2009 (averaging 62 lbs per household per month).  We have seen our number of regular clients increase by 28%.
During the holiday season, we were able to feed more families, children and seniors thanks to our generous community, who donated more than 25,000 lbs of food and more than 200 monetary donations.  We believe our donations increased this year due to our new central location – Thank you Rockland Trust!   We are fortunate that more than 74 volunteers joined us to help us sort, check dates and stock our shelves with these community donations.  To help us accommodate such generosity, CVS volunteers helped us build shelves and makeover our storage room (a “move that bus” moment was shared by all!). 
We were able to accomplish all of the above during a very difficult economic period that we know will continue into 2010. Unemployment remains high and there are many people still struggling to secure enough nutritious food to feed their families.
Good food nourishes the body and the spirit. With regular, nutritious meals, we are free to grow, to think, to smile, to live.  In 2010, we will expand our capacity to provide our clients with a wide range of opportunities for gaining access to local, fresh, nutritious food.  We are excited to announce our partnership with Tangerini’s Farm in Millis (139 Spring St) to offer fresh produce to clients from June through October.  Please visit http://www.tangerinisfarm.com/  to learn more about our Food to Share CSA program and consider making a donation to help make fresh and local produce accessible to everyone.  We are grateful to our volunteer Heather for working with Laura Tangerini to help us create this exciting local program! 
We hope to learn with you, our community, the many elements of nutrition, food systems, local resources and to explore the questions, “What is food?” and “Where does our food come from?”
Volunteers and food donations are always welcome.
Thank you for making a difference.

Anne Marie Bellavance, Executive Director
Franklin Food Pantry
43 West Central Street
P.O. Box 116
Franklin, MA 02038-0116
Telephone: 508-528-3115

hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 1pm


This was originally posted on the Franklin Food Pantry website here:
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/



Franklin, MA

"truly beneficial to the community and bring people together"

"We wanted to have something other than grants to give back, show, and make a visual acknowledgement (with a reception) and to bring people together and truly thank them," Welsh said.
She said a majority of the recipients were present, including Concerts on the Common, Franklin Performing Arts Company, Franklin Historical Museum and the Fourth of July Celebration committee, among others.
Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting, state Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, Massachusetts Cultural Council Program Coordinator Tara Ahmed and Craig Carey, an aide for Rep. James Vallee, D-Franklin, spoke of their support for the council, Welsh said.
"There was a lot of representation from the Town Council, School Committee members, local government and state government," she said. "It was just great."
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Franklin, MA

Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee - meeting agenda - 4/13/10

Proposed Agenda for  April 13, 2010

Attendees:                                                      

I. Call to Order / Introductions of New Attendees
A. Introduction of new attendees
B. Quick review of minutes of previous meeting
C. Approve previous meeting minutes

II. Report from our representative from DCR
A.           
B.           
C.           

III. Membership Committee Report (Denison, McKeown, Sawyer)
A. Committee to report on membership activity

IV. Report from Finance Committee (Rossetti)
A. Report from Treasurer

V. Report of Fund Raising Committee (Sawyer)
A. Report on fund raising activities
1. Report on Raffle Ticket Sales by Carl Svendsen
2. Report Road Race Committee prep by Dave Labonte

VI. Report from Grant Writing Committee (if any)
A. Extend committee with more members & participation

VII. Unfinished Business
A. Earth Day Preparations
      a.   Make sign for bike, raffle ticket sales, etc.
B. Additional fraternal organizations in town

VIII. New Business
A. Need volunteers to work on the 2nd edition brochure
B. Form the Race Committee and set date as the 1st item of business
    Send in forms to Marsh for approval on property
C.

IX. Set Date & place for Next Meeting and Adjourn


Franklin, MA

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Money flowing in bid for Senate

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:


via Boston Globe -- Globe West by Erica Noonan, Globe Staff on 4/10/10

With just two days before the Democratic primary for the state Senate seat left vacant by US Senator Scott Brown, political newcomer Peter Smulowitz has spent most of the campaign money he raised in the first three months of the year on his bid to defeat state Representative Lida Harkins for the party's nomination.

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Things you can do from here:

Franklin, MA: School Committee, Agenda, 4/13/10



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 Open and Executive Session minutes from the March 23, 2010 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills  - Mr. Glynn
Payroll  - Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence
1. Budget to Actual
2. Demand for Arbitration


2. Guests/Presentations

1. Signing of the Secretaries Contract

2. JF Kennedy Food Service Presentation
5th Graders: Madison Harrington, Kendyl Ryan, Joseph Sarno, Daniel Wasnewsky. 
4th Graders: Jake Noviello, Cameron Riu, Kevin Sassaman,  Camille Fischer. 
3rd Graders: Nitin Chaudhury, Riley Downing, Arun Kavishwar, Cade Ryan.

3. Discussion Only Items
A. Space Needs Sub Committee Report and Modular Rubric
B. Budget Discussion

4. Action Items
A. I recommend approval of the 2010-2011 School Calendar with the change discussed.
B. I recommend adoption of the Secretaries Contract for July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2013 as detailed.
C. I recommend approval of the field trip request for Keller 5th Grade class to visit Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI on May 7, 2010 as detailed.
D. I recommend acceptance of a check for $250.00 from the Alliance for Climate Education for the FHS for supplemental curriculum materials.
E. I recommend approval of the RMS Adventure Club’s recurring trip to Mt. Monadnock, Jaffrey, NH for May 15, 2010 as detailed.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
a. Enrollment Comparison
b. Financial Audit

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

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

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn



In the News - Senate primary

Who will Democrats pick in state Senate primary

from The Milford Daily News News RSS 

Franklin voters in Precincts 2, 3 and 4 will have an opportunity to vote in the primary on Tuesday April 13th and then again in the final election on May 11th to select the successor to Scott Brown.

Franklin voters will cast their ballot in the Field House at Franklin High School from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.


Franklin, MA

What's on your plate?

Come seen the documentary film on food for kids and families. This will be shown as part of a film and discussion with local farmers.

When:
Tuesday, April 13th at 6:00 PM. The film starts promptly at 6:15 and the vent should complete about 7:30 PM

Where:
Thomas Mercer Auditorium at the Horace Mann Middle School on Oak St in Franklin, MA


More info on the film itself can be found here: http://www.whatsonyourplateproject.org/


Sponsored by the Healthy Futures Task Force