FM #66 Week Ending 5/2/10

Let's take about 10 minutes to review what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends May 2, 2010.

Time: 10:02



MP3 File

Session Notes:

This internet radio show or podcast
Number 66 in the series for Franklin Matters.

Let's take about 10 minutes to review what matters in Franklin, MA as this week comes to a close on Sunday May 2nd.

In this session I'll the School Committee meeting as they presented their budget Tuesday, and the Town Council meeting on Wednesday where they got an update on the overall budget and voted to put an override question to the voters on June 8th – and a brief outlook at the week ahead

First
The School Committee meeting discussed options on bringing the budget into balance with a number of measures:

• cutting 7 elementary teachers
• cutting 8 middle school
• an increase athletic fees
• doubling extra curricular activity fees
• cutting 3 buses
• an early release of elementary schools one day to reduce another 4 positions

The School Committee meeting can be viewed on the Franklin website here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=634084755480134220&indexSessionSKU=kWJQA+d4DkqLdYNtc39VcA%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D


The committee also spent time discussing full vs half day, free vs pay kindergarten
The arguments have already summarized in a post that I worked with Maureen Sabolinski, Karen Seyfried, and Miriam Goodman to prepare. You can find that report here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/04/full-day-kindergarten-free-or-tuition.html

Second
From the The Town council meeting on Wednesday:
Financial Planing Committee report, summary review of forecast and updates to the outlook
no questions from the Council

You can and should spent some time to review the meeting via the video on demand link on the Franklin website. You can go directly to the discussion here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=PZze5i0pKVPUM62zGqWI7A%3d%3d


Jeff Nutting provided the update on the overall budget, before he did so, we did get some good news on the High School Renovation project

• 50 percent reimbursement expected from the State
• vote likely required in Nov 2011
• construction to begin in 2013
• which would put the main portion of the debt increase into the tax bills for FY 2015

Overall shortage 3M
1.1 M from Town side of budget
1.8 M from School side of budget

You can and should spent some time to review the meeting via the video on demand link on the Franklin website. You can go directly to the discussion here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=gUqYEwtCQQIavJRj7F%2bNeA%3d%3d

and to include the Finance Committee, Jim Roche took a couple of minutes to add their endorsement of the override
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=fOCjsPPvFGgyKenrDbrNMA%3d%3d

The Council voted unanimously to set the date for the override election to be held on June 8th
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=7mT4fjE8qx5emElxBOKa0Q%3d%3d

The Council then got into a lengthy discussion on the amount and ended up amending the original motion for 2.1 M to increase the amount to 3 M.
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=cqgfiEy%2fNL98slaVgWggDg%3d%3d


Closing out some old business from the last meeting, the sewer extension on Washington St that was controversial in the last meeting was resolved before coming to this meeting.
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=cL6b7iGtXlCAx98kfQInXQ%3d%3d


Opening some new business was a proposal for a modification to the bylaw on Junk, 2nd Hand and Antique dealers which came up for a first reading.
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=9HmNY7guZiQ%2fH4E63hmBMA%3d%3d


I'd normally send you to the Franklin website to view the link but for some reason the link is not available today. I have posted a copy of the Town Council agenda document to Drop.IO and you can view beginning on Pages 28-31 the bylaw itself. Exactly what it changed from is not shown in this document but if this reading is okay with your understanding, then it should be okay. If not, please reach out to Jeff Nutting, Maxine Kinheart and get your questions answered soon.

http://drop.io/FranklinMatters/asset/tc-20100428-agenda-pdf


Separate from the major discussion on override, the Conservation Commission heard the proposals for securing the dams on the DelCarte property along Pleasant St. I need to do more to understand the proposals and implications but be aware that something with dollars associated is being discussed. You can view the meeting and proposal options here
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=ei0gDcRTz2DPBC%2frEypYuQ%3d%3d

and here
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=mAIQuRUs434FliYRix1Hjg%3d%3d

To summarize:

The school and town budget problems will lead to an override vote on June 8th. There will be a town forum on May 24th and likely other opportunities for discussion on the numbers, pros/cons, etc.

The good news on the high school renovation is the state will reimburse 50%, a vote won't come until Nov 2011, construction won't begin until 2013 and the tax implications of these wouldn't hit out pockets until 2015

The DelCarte property dam remediation will become part of the active discussion.

The Big Y and Dr Van Roon proposals are both scheduled before the planning board on  Monday, the 3rd
The Town Council meets again on weds the 5th,
There is another walk to school morning on Wednesday

So there is a whole lot happening in and around Franklin, let's keep a positive and respectful discussion going and we can all work our way through this.

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 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 listen to the audio recording

"tanning should be completely off limits"

As teens across the state flock to indoor tanning salons to prep for their big nights, the House of Representatives will start reviewing a bill passed by the Senate Thursday that raises the minimum tanning age from 14 to 16.

"Research has shown teens who use (tanning beds) have an increased risk of skin cancer by 75 percent," said bill supporter Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland. "... We have an obligation to do something to help raise awareness."

And while the state considers upping the age, the federal government plans to implement a 10 percent tanning tax this summer as part of President Barack Obama's health care reform package - a move some local salons say could hurt their already-strained business.

Read the full article:

Tanning remains popular with teens despite efforts to limit it

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Senior Center - May Newsletter

The newsletter for Franklin's Senior Center is now available on the Senior Center webpage (PDF), or viewable here:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Save File: SeniorCenter_May2010_connection.pdf

Arlington starts local effort to save school jobs

Arlington, MA has been mentioned recently because of their 5 year plan and is in the news this week with a couple of groups starting a local fund raising campaign to save school positions by raising a million dollars.

The five year plan they put together sometime ago did result in an override that their budget then lived with for five years. Franklin could do something similar but the appetite for such a deal is not likely to generate enough of a movement to get it going considering the override history here.

Turn the language around

Let's listen to some kids turn things around.
It is easier than you think.
View this brief video. It is only a couple of minutes.




Now, imagine if we could think of someway to approach the override with the same turn around process.

Instead of negatives, could you approach it as a positive?


Franklin, MA

Stamp Out Hunger - May 8th

Join us on Saturday, May 8th for Stamp Out Hunger — the nation's largest annual single-day food drive!

Letter carriers in more than 10,000 communities will collect food items and deliver them to local food banks to help some of the millions of Americans, including an estimated 16.7 million children, who face hunger every day.

Simply place bags filled with nonperishable food items like canned meats, canned fish, broths, baked beans, mixed vegetables, rice and soups next to your mailbox on Saturday, May 8th.

Your letter carrier will pick up the bags and deliver them to the Franklin Food Pantry.

If you are interested in volunteering at the pantry on May 8th to help sort donations, please email annemarie@franklinfoodpantry.org or visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org.

Thank you for your generosity!



This was originally posted on the Franklin, MA website here

Friends of the Franklin Library: May Book Sale

The Friends of the Franklin Library is preparing for one of the largest May Book Sales ever and we need your help!

The May Book Sale set up begins on Tuesday, May 11.  We need volunteers to assist with the set up through the beginning of the sale on Friday, May 14th.   The set up and sale will again be housed at the DPW garage off of Hayward Street.  Set up times are from 9:30 AM– 2:30 PM Tuesday through Friday (May 11th-14th).

 We also need help on each day of the sale.  Friday (member’s night) 4PM – 8PM and Saturday, May 15th, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  We are planning a bag sale on Sunday, May 16th, from 9AM to Noon and will need help with clean up from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

A perk of volunteering is selecting books (early shopper) for yourself while you work.

Please send me (jandrma@comcast.net or 508-520-9955) the days and times you can volunteer.   If you would spread the word and bring a friend that would also be appreciated.  Just let me know and I will add them to the schedule.

Best Regards,

Denise Jandreski

FOFL President 

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Franklin, MA

In the News - Laviolette, power lines

Franklin's favorite son Peter Laviolette on wrong side of rink

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Krista Perry/Daily News staff

Winds knock down power lines, sparking fires

from Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

Important Downtown Franklin Project in Need of Input

The Town of Franklin is holding a public meeting in order to obtain comments and suggestions on the Downtown Franklin Roadway and Streetscape Improvement Project. The meeting will be held on Wednesday May 12, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Third Floor Training Room of Franklin’s Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street.  

The meeting will consist of two parts:

• The first half of the meeting will consist mainly of a presentation by Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc., the Town’s design and engineering consultant for the project.  The presentation will include a general update on the planning and engineering portion of the project, as well as a presentation of specific project details through utilization of maps, diagrams and schematics. 
• The second half of the night will be a hands on workshop, where meeting attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, exchange ideas, and provide suggestions on various general topics as well as the project’s specific design components.

The Downtown Roadway and Streetscape Improvement Project is a multi-year roadway and streetscape improvement project expected to be completed by the end of 2012. The project includes elimination of the one way traffic pattern of Route 140 in Downtown Franklin, installation of interconnected traffic signals with emergency preemption system, period streetlights, traffic calming devices, resetting curbs were needed, ADA compliant sidewalks, resurfacing of streets, and streetscape/landscape improvements and furniture.~

The goals of this important project are to improve vehicular circulation and safety, improve emergency response time, improve the deteriorated conditions of certain secondary roadways, create a safer pedestrian friendly environment, improve the overall appearance of Downtown Franklin, and stimulate private sector investment.

At this time input is being sought from the general public, government officials, Downtown business owners, property owners, and other individuals and organizations. To make it easy for individuals to submit comments and suggestions during the next few months, DPCD will hold at least two public meetings and workshops, including the May 12th meeting, and a required Public Hearing during the summer to review the 25 percent draft design.  

Franklin’s department of Planning and Community Development has created the Downtown Improvement Project webpage on the Town’s website:

 http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/dtimprovement.  

Please utilize the web site to provide input and look for other ways to participate in this important project.  In addition, feel free to contact Franklin’s Director of Planning and Community Development, Bryan W. Taberner, at 508-520-4907 or btaberner@franklin.ma.us if you have questions or require additional information.  We look forward to hearing from you.


Note: the funding for this project is covered by a couple of State and Federal grants.


 Franklin, MA

In the News - healthy eating, Parmenter 5K

St. Mary's Church Health Ministry hosts Healthy Eating Series

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Staff reports

Parmenter 5K Run for all ages slated for May 16 in Franklin

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Staff reports

 Franklin, MA

School Committee - Budget discussion - 4/27/10

If you missed the School Committee meeting on Tuesday evening, you can view the video archive on the Franklin website here.

The link should take you directly to the segment of the meeting covering the budget. You could also go to the Franklin website and click through to the archive and select individual meetings, within each meeting you can view the meeting entirety or move from section to section.



Franklin, MA

School Committee - delayed reporting - 4/27/10

Present: Douglas, Cafasso, Rohrbach, Mullen, Roy, Trahan, Glynn
Absent:

The agenda was modified to move item 2 B to a future meeting.

b. ASMS Comuniteen Fundraiser – Pennies for Patients – Raised $5,020.22 for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society:

1. Emily Bellavance, Cheyenne Esposito, Ashley Gatchell, Anya Sternadore and Celia Sternadore. 

Presentation of the Latin Awards

a. Latin Awards
1. HMMS – Outstanding Achievement

1. Patrick Milne
2. Mark Mooney
3. Adam Lynch
4. Haven Butler

2. HMMS - Achievement

1. Nithya Sridhar
2. Lipee Vora
3. Kristen Brandenburg
4. Liam Devine
5. Ben Mednack
6. Justin Collins
7. Julia Birely
8. Katherine Donahue
9. Niharkia Singh

3. RMS – Outstanding Achievement

1. Chris Cannon
2. Collin Chen
3. Nicholas Chieng
4. James Lavoie

4. RMS – Achievement

1. Troy Donahue
2. Bridget Gallo
3. Dylan Martin
4. Andrew Petit
5. Carolyn Hoye
6. Allison Klowan

5. ASMS – Outstanding Achievement

1. Lauren Irvine
2. Aaron Kaplan
3. Michael Labine
4. Joshua Hall
5. Margaret Streeter
6. Lauren Altobelli

6. ASMS – Achievement

1. Kaitlin Dinmore
2. Emily Hood
3. Edward Sullivan
4. Joseph Tobin
5. Alexandra Wolfe
6. Vincent Nazaretian
7. Kelly Morgan
8. Alexandra Quinn
9. Rebecca Vickery
10. Benjamin Zogby
11. Christopher Hu
12. Danielle Dupont
13. Carly Burgess

This reporting is being done via the archived video from Tuesday's meeting


Franklin, MA

Franklin override - June 8th

There will be a special Town Election scheduled for June 8th to vote on an override in the amount of 3 Million dollars to fund operational budget for the schools, library, fire, police and DPW to avoid further cuts in service.

The Financial Planning Committee updated their long range outlook, you can view that report here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/04/franklin-ma-mid-year-financial-update.html

The Town budget can be viewed here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/04/fiscal-year-2011-budget-information.html

The School budget can be viewed here:
http://www.franklin.k12.ma.us/co/supt/budget/FY2011Budgetbook.pdf

The notes from the Town Council meeting on Apr 28th can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/04/town-council-042810.html

There will be additional meetings by the Finance Committee to review the Town and School budget in detail. These meetings will provide insight from the department heads into the details on each of their operations and the budget issues they face.


Franklin, MA

Town Council 04/28/10

The collected posts live reported from the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, April 28th, 2010:

• Live reporting - Closing
• Live reporting - Legislation for Action
• Live reporting - Legislation for Action
• Live reporting - Jim Roche
• Live reporting - 5 minute recess
• Live reporting - Budget FY 2011
• Live reporting - Financial Planning Committee Repo...
• Live reporting - broadcast update
• Live reporting - Town Council

 Franklin, MA

In the News - accreditation, override

Franklin High to keep accreditation

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Franklin officials seek $3 million override

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

For additional information on the Town Council meeting Apr 28, 2010
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/04/town-council-042810.html


 Franklin, MA