Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
According to the School Committee meeting Tuesday evening, there will not be a shortened school day for the elementary schools. The seven elementary teachers already cut from the budget as announced during the override will be joined by three more due to the lack of response from the teachers union on this proposal. The teachers involved had already been notified per contractual requirements in June.
If the teachers union had responded positively to this proposal, the teacher positions could have been restored.
Notification to parents of teacher assignments will not be until August. There are still enrollment adjustments happening and the final teacher assignments are pending these changes. The enrollment adjustments are families moving from one school to another. The churn is still be worked on the principals.
As clarified in this video segment, the total teachers cut due to the failed override is now 18; 8 from the middle schools and 10 from the elementary schools. Larger class sizes will result.
In the public service notice category, I have this email text from Joanne Basile:
Small Wonders Licensed Family Child Care has Part Time Openings 2010/2011 for the 2010/2011 School Year:
Hope you're all having a great summer, and I just wanted to post a quick note for those of you that are beginning to think about Back to School Planning...
- Have older kids in school and a little one at home?
- Do you have a little one that misses the preschool cut off?
- Do you need an opportunity for your little one help manage on separation anxiety, or play and share with peers?
- Would you like a few hours a week to do some errands on your own, take a class, or even just clean up?
Small Wonders Family Child care is a fully licensed family child care - I have been in business since 2003, and have many sweet little friends here in Franklin that have come to play. The children enjoy puzzles, board games, dance parties, baking, coloring, sing a longs, walks around the block, story time and more.
I am CPR and First Aid certified and as a mother of two young boys with severe food allergies, trained in the use of an Epi Pen. As a licensed provider the state has performed a background check and safety inspection.
I have many happy references available from both current and former clients.
Only three spaces remain for my 2010/2011 school year, spaces available Tuesday and Thursday from 9-12 or 9-2 depending on your needs.
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce has organized a Business After Hours at Hawthorn Suites, 835 Upper Union St., Franklin, on Aug. 11 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The cost is $5 for members (3 members for $10) or $10 for non-members. Register by calling 508-222-0801, 508-695-6011 or 508-528-2800.
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, business support organization with offices in Attleboro, North Attleborough and Franklin serving the communities of Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone, Foxborough, Franklin, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Wrentham.
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS Pfeffer - thanks to Mark Cerel and Debbie Pellegri for putting together training on the new Open Meeting law. It was well done and a lot of committee and Town folks attended.
Jones - thanks to the Town for getting the circular table wired up to turn the lights back on at the Library.
Mason - happy birthday to Councilor Powderly, she's 29 today O. EXECUTIVE SESSION Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required not tonight
P. ADJOURN
Vallee - motion to adjourn, passed 9-0
meeting closed at 7:20 PM (with a 5 minute recess, this is the shortest meeting I have ever attended.)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION 1. Resolution 10-40: Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Action Plan motion to move to Aug 4th meeting agenda, passed 9-0
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-645: Site Plan Review & Design Review – 1st Reading motion to wave reading, passed 9-0 motion to move to 2nd reading, passed 9-0
F. HEARINGS First Zoning Bylaw Amend. 10-645: Site Plan Review & Design Review- 7:10 PM Bryan Taberner, Beth Dahlstrom
Planning Board has voted to approve the zoning bylaw change Remove language to hold a bond incomplete objects would be agreed upon by the developer and the Town Engineer certification of completion, or a fine of $300/day until completion
Pfeffer - the notary clauses are incorrect for MA law
Dahlstrom - I'm sorry I thought those were corrected Cerel - Those will be corrected before the second reading
open for citizen comment, none made
motion to close the hearing, passed 9-0 Second Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Action Plan – Public Hearing
Bryan and Beth continue
Town Councilors had not had time to read the 34 page document
compared by one to a 'Harry Potter' book, by another to a summons
M. NEW BUSINESS
Pfeffer - regarding the new barrels, when they are put back the covers are open and if it is raining or snowing, the barrels could accumulate, can they be put back with the covers on
Nutting - It is a matter of the drivers touch, if they handle it just right, the cover should come back on. We are putting items like this together to have a monthly meeting with the vendor.
Pfeffer - I have also noticed they have been lenient in picking up the overflowing barrels
Nutting - It is still the new process, we want to get it off right. We will soon not pick up the snow cones, those barrels with an overflow on the top.
We are also expecting the smaller barrels in a couple of weeks. If you do want to switch make sure you contact the DPW.
Continuing to skip about the agenda to use time wisely before the hearings are scheduled to start at 7:10 PM
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Jeff - Thanks to all the citizens in their help with the water ban, the water levels have improved. If we get some good rain, we'll go back to once a week.
The State passed their final budget, we are set, we don't need to make any more amendments.
I want to recognize David Seal, got his heavy duty truck certificate, his personal development and other of our employees are appreciated.
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - none B. ANNOUNCEMENTS Meetings of the Town Council are Recorded Verizon, Comcast, and Steve Sherlock for Franklin Matters
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none E. APPOINTMENTS Historical Commission Associate Member (Connie Lawson) motion to approve, passed 8-0
skipping hearing items on agenda to use time before the published hearing time slot.
The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, which is appointed by the governor but operates independently, will decide today whether to postpone the vote, state education officials said. Reville said he could not predict if board members would comply with the request.
State education officials have been exploring the possibility of adopting the national standards for more than a year, a controversial proposition for a state known to have some of the most rigorous academic standards in the nation.
The national standards, which Massachusetts officials helped to develop, specify what material should be taught in English and math at every grade level. The voluntary effort was spearheaded by associations representing the nation’s governors and state education leaders and has received the support of President Obama, who is now pushing states to adopt the standards by offering financial incentives.