2nd Annual Holiday Stroll Happenings

Come to Downtown Franklin Thursday, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM 

A Cut Above: Complementary hair products, coupons for hair & nail services, hot chocolate and cookies.

Berry Insurance:  Broadcast from WODS-FM 103.3.

Boston Sports Club: Pictures with Scooby Doo, goodie bags at Dean Bank.

Dean College: 4:30pm tree lighting, caroling and holiday snacks.  Come cheer on the Bulldogs at the Women’s Basketball game 6pm and Men’s Basketball Game 8pm in Pieri Gym.  Free Admission!

Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU):  Candy for kids at the Mobile Branch in Simon’s Parking Lot.

Downtown Consignment: Beverages & refreshments, 20% off coupon for evening of Stroll.

Emma’s Quilt Cupboard:  Quilt sample sale. Make a wool felt ornament.

Franklin Dance Workshop & Co.:  Holiday entertainment at Simon’s Furniture parking lot.  Goodie bag give-aways.

Franklin Food Pantry: Open House 4:30-8pm. Accepting donations from Holiday Needs List.

Franklin Historical Museum: Busy Bee Crafters will have holiday gift items for sale .  Enjoy  holiday music.

Franklin School for the Performing Arts: Theater Troupe performance and stocking takeaway.

H & R Block:  Goodies, free second looks, free tax return raffle.

Hair @ Nail It: A free manicure with a canned good donation for the Franklin Food Pantry.

House Portraits by Deb: Calendar collage of Franklin paintings.

Jane’s Frames:  Hot cider and gingerbread cookies, Free Drawing for Framed Art for all those that sign up for Wish List for Holiday Gifts.

Party Paints N’ Pottery:  Mulled cider, cookies and a free ornament to paint.

Printsmart:  Free one-subject notebook for all kids who come into the store.

RE/MAX Realty:  Condo Tours and a Hospitality Suite with refreshments for all ages.

Rick’s Restaurant: A cup of Rick’s award winning chowder with purchase of an adult entrée.  Mention the Holiday Stroll to receive this mouth watering offer.

Salon Sorella:  20% off gift cards ~ first 50 people to purchase a $100 gift card will receive it for $50.  One per family-offers cannot be combined.

SELF Aesthetics and Therapeutic Specialists:  5 minute chair massages, coupons and raffle for a free service.

Simon’s Furniture:  Meet Santa from 5-7pm.

Franklin, MA

Social media and the workplace

Social media and the workplace, a new explanation by the folks at Common Craft is available at this link: http://commoncraft.com/social-media-workplace-video

In less than 4 minutes, Common Craft thoughtfully lays out how a company can use social media to help deliver and respond to what is being said about the company in the social web (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc.).


Franklin, MA

Funding Storm Water Management - Dec 6th, 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM

Stormwater management is a growing challenge for local governments. As a resource that is increasingly regulated, municipalities must develop approaches that protect and enhance how stormwater is handled.

Please join us for a presentation and discussion of potential funding options to support stormwater management in your community and the surrounding region.

The flyer and details can be viewed here for Franklin's meeting at 3:00 PM:

FundingStormwaterMgt_101122

The towns of Bellingham, Franklin and Milford have been designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as pilot communities for draft enhanced stormwater regulations. To assist the towns with potential challenges associated with these regulations, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is developing background materials on Stormwater Utilities, which operate similarly to other public services like water supply and wastewater. MAPC is preparing information on state laws supporting use of a Stormwater Utility, the structure and administration of a utility, and case studies of other communities in Massachusetts and the US where stormwater utilities are in existence or are under consideration.

If you miss the Franklin time slot, there is also one later in Bellingham:

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council will give a presentation on the effects of the Environmental Protection Agency’s newly enacted stormwater management regulations at the Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday, Dec. 6.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. and will be held in Arcand Meeting Room at the Municipal Center, 10 Mechanic St.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x999955476/Stormwater-management-regulation-presentation-next-Monday-in-Bellingham



Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.


Franklin, MA

In the News - capital plan, Christmas Fair, unemployment benefits

Franklin capital spending plan is lower this year

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

St. John's Episcopal Church plans Christmas Fair

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc

State braces for end to federal unemployment benefits

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ian B. Murphy/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

Birke's advice

Sometimes, the way the message is delivered is better. "Think local. Choose organic and know your farmer."



Birke Baehr is 11 and planning to be an organic farmer


Franklin, MA

Finance Committee - 11/30/10 - Agenda

Town of Franklin

Finance Committee Agenda

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

7:00 PM

Municipal Building Council Chambers

(post agenda to web site) (meetings are recorded)

Balances          as of   9/30/10
Gen Stab               4,689,302
PW Stab                   74,656
Debt Stab               179,980
Traffic Stab                4,529
Overlay Surplus             -0-
Free Cash           2,133,006


Call to Order
Citizens Comments
Approval of Minutes

Action Items:

2011 Capital Budget:

Roads - $200,000 (FY 11 Hotel/Motel tax)
Fire Truck - $180,000 (Debt Stabilization)
Water Improvements - $1,200,000 (Water Retained Earnings)
Sewer I & I Improvements - $300,000 (Sewer Retained Earnings)
Departmental Capital - $833,000 (Free Cash)

Bond Authorizations:

School Repairs - $2,000,000
Water Improvements - $7,500,000

Discussion Items:

Jeff Nutting – Current Financial Policies
Proposed General Fund Operational Policies
Proposed Enterprise Account Policies
Future Capital Projects
Tax hearing

Old Business
New Business
Adjournment



Franklin, MA

Printsmart Office Products

Catching up to the photos that I took during the visit to the new location of Printsmart Office Products during their Grand Opening:




If you haven't seen the video tour provided by Joel Carerra, follow this link.

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin MAtters to view the photos


Franklin, MA

Downtown Zoning/Bylaw Proposal

The proposed bylaw changes for the downtown zoning and sign changes were discussed on Nov 17th at the Town Council meeting. Here is the handout format for the presentation by Bryan Taberner that night.

TC 11-17-10 Downtown Bylaw Changes Presentation

This will also be located in the original posting for the meeting that night.


Franklin, MA

In the News - kidney donation, capital budget

Franklin woman donates kidney to her neighbor

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Franklin FinCom to discuss capital projects tomorrow night

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Actually since this was posted to MDN website on Monday, the meeting is Tuesday.


Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - 12/1/10

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – November 3, 2010

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS -Meetings of the Town Council are Recorded

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Franklin Disability Commission - Ronald Wainrib

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Transfer of Package Store License to Union Street Wine & Liquors

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 10-64: Appropriation – Sewer Enterprise Retained Earnings
2. Resolution 10-65: Appropriation – Water Enterprise Retained Earnings
3. Resolution 10-66: Authorization to Borrow-Water Infrastructure Improvements
4. Resolution 10-67: Appropriation – Recreation Gift Account
5. Resolution 10-68: Appropriation – Road, Sidewalk, Drainage Improvements
6. Bylaw Amendment 10-651: Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic- 2nd Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN



Franklin, MA

Santa arrives on the Franklin Town Common - photos

In addition to the brief video posted Sunday, here are some photos of Santa on the Town Common:




Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin MAtters to view the photos

Franklin, MA

Picture Added:

I finally got a round to adding the picture to the Remington Teacher recognition from the last School Committee meeting.

From Left to Right:: Joe O’Halloran, Jeff Roy, Mary Kass, and Paul Peri


This was originally posted (minus the picture) during the School Committee meeting on 11/16/10


Franklin, MA

Santa arrives on the Franklin Town Common - video

Yes, Santa did arrive via fire truck to the Franklin Town Common Sunday afternoon, just after 4:00 PM.

The video is a little choppy until Santa gets in his chair.



What are you going to wish for Christmas?

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin MAtters to view the video

Franklin, MA

Town Council - Agenda - 12/01/10 - documents

The full agenda and associated documents for the Town Council meeting scheduled for Weds, Dec 1, 2010

TC_20101201_agenda


Franklin, MA

In the News - recycling system

All signs point to success for Franklin's new recycling system

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff


Franklin, MA

Content, conversation, community, and conversion!

I have referenced the three C's (content, conversation and community) many times. Todd and Ted cover them in this interview and show how they lead into the fourth C - conversion. I think this presents a great opportunity for us here in Franklin. Only 25 minutes!

---------

Our Message to Skeptical CMOs: Fresh Ground #25

via The Fresh Ground Podcast by freshground on 11/17/10

Ed Gaskin interviewed Fresh Ground co-founder Todd Van Hoosear for his "Up Close with CMOs" segment on The Pulse Network. Todd gives an overview of how Fresh Ground helps with the Four Cs: Content, Community, Conversation and Conversion. Ed does a great job at playing the skeptical CMO, and what results is, I think, an interesting discussion on social media marketing. We hope you like it.

Powered by Podbean.com

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Franklin, MA

FM #78 - MCAS 2010 - Franklin, MA

This is #78 in the series of internet radio shows or podcast for Franklin Matters.


This podcast is linked to the presentation made by the District Leadership Team at the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 to create a slidecast.


The agenda item is introduced by School Committee Chair, Jeff Roy. The group presenting is introduced by Michelle Kingsland-Smith. Several members of the Leadership Team take part in the presentation and they announce themselves as they begin each section.


At the end of the presentation (about 50 mins), there is a Q&A section (approx 22 mins) with the School Committee. To help you listen and follow along, I have duplicated each slide that was the subject of the question as it was asked. Hence, the overall presentation document is longer than the original which can also be found online at the link included.

2010 MCAS - Franklin, MA

View more webinars from Franklin Matters.

I'll concur with the comments about the quality of the presentation, this is one of the better ones I have seen. The data is clear, well organized and while it does raise some questions (deliberately in some cases), answers to the questions were well prepared for.


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!


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 and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view this slidecast.


The presentation as reported on live during the meeting:

• Live reporting - MCAS - part 3 - Q&A
• Live reporting - MCAS - part 2
• Live reporting - MCAS - part 1

The original copy of the presentation:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/franklin-ma-mcas-2010-presentation.html


Franklin, MA

"Let’s Talk about Cyberbullying"

Thursday, December 9, 2010

7:00PM – 8:30PM

Dean College

Campus Center Multi-Purpose Room

We are all reading about cyberbullying in the news. Now Franklin’s own home-grown expert Teenangels and their founder, cybersafety expert and head of StopCyberbullying.org, will help the Franklin community understand how it works, how big a problem it is and what we can do about it. The Teenangels are teens who train under Dr. Aftab for 2 years to become cybersafety experts in their own right. They are sought after by the media, governmental agencies and Congress for what they know and their practical approach to addressing cyber-risks.

Parry Aftab is Executive Director of WiredSafety.org, the largest online safety and educational program and the cybersafety contributor to the Today Show, Good Morning America, Dr. Phil, CNN and MSNBC. She is best known for empowering families to use digital technologies more safely and responsibly. She is a member of Facebook’s five member international safety advisory board and MTV’s advisory board.

This event is sponsored by: Franklin WiredTeens Club, Franklin Community Health Council, and the Franklin Anti-Bullying Task Force.

The flyer for the event can be found here:

Aftab Cyber Bullying Event 12-9-10

Related posts on Cyberbullying
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/bullying-plan-presentation.html

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/bullying-plan-comments-wanted.html



Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Police toy drive

The Franklin Police will be conducting their annual toy drive. Details in the flyer below

FranklinPolice_toydrive_2010




Franklin, MA

A Thanksgiving Tradition

One of our family traditions on Thanksgiving is to listen to this on our way to the family gathering.




If you're traveling, drive safely.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Thanks to WriterJax for the link to the video

Franklin, MA

Why We Shouldn't Cut Food Stamps to Pay for School Lunch

The food stamp program is officially called SNAP—the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In March 2009 the average monthly SNAP benefit per recipient was $115. After the stimulus money began to flow in April 2009, it rose to between $133 and $134 (PDF). This may sound paltry, but for households on the poverty line, it's vital. A food secure household spends $200 a month on food for each household member. A food insecure household spends on average $55 less than that per person per month. In helping to bridge that gap, the food stamp boost made an immense difference. And it was an example of stimulus funding that was universally acclaimed—it led directly to higher productivity, jobs, and community multiplier effects. (Every dollar spent on food stamps leads to $1.73 in economic growth, compared to, say, $0.32 for making the Bush-era income tax cuts permanent.) 

Today, the poorest Americans are being threatened with a one-two punch. First, congress has failed to extend unemployment benefits for the 99ers—those who have run out of the 99 weeks of unemployment benefits, meaning that there are going to be many more families depending on food stamps in the future. Yet it is precisely these entitlements that the Senate has put on the block. Although many groups and large parts of the food industry think it's worth pushing for the Child Nutrition Bill this way, a few groups, such as the Food Research and Action Center, think it's short-sighted to let congress get away with robbing families' entitlements to feed their children. FRAC is right. 

Read the full posting on the website of The Atlantic
http://www.theatlantic.com/food/archive/2010/11/why-we-shouldnt-cut-food-stamps-to-pay-for-school-lunch/66913/

The Franklin Food Pantry website is http://franklinfoodpantry.org/

Franklin, MA

Holiday Stroll - Dec 2, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

The Holiday Stroll will be held on Thursday, Dec 2 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM amongst various sites downtown Franklin. The flyer for this event with additional details and participating businesses can be seen here:

Note: stop by the Franklin Food Pantry on your way around downtown. The Pantry is located in the Rockland Trust parking lot across from the fire station. The Pantry will be holding an open house.


Franklin, MA

Teach real math through computer programing

In this TED Talk, Conrad Wolfram says:

... the part of math we teach -- calculation by hand -- isn't just tedious, it's mostly irrelevant to real mathematics and the real world. He presents his radical idea: teaching kids math through computer programming.

This is a full TED Talk, it will last 17 minutes but it is well worth it.



I remember struggling with word problems for a time in my early schools days. Some additional help was required and then one day, it clicked. I realized that the words could indeed be changed to an equation, that the equation could indeed be solved. Since then, problem solving has been one of my strengths. Not even the world's worst word problem stops me any more:

If a hen and a half laid an egg and a half in a day and a half, how long would it take a monkey 

with a wooden leg to kick all the seeds out of a dill pickle?

Once I found this problem in Tom Robbins novel "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues", it went to memory and hasn't left yet.

Do you have a memorable word problem?



Franklin, MA

Funding Storm Water Management - Dec 6th, 3:00 PM

Stormwater management is a growing challenge for local governments. As a resource that is increasingly regulated, municipalities must develop approaches that protect and enhance how stormwater is handled.

Please join us for a presentation and discussion of potential funding options to support stormwater management in your community and the surrounding region.

The flyer and details can be viewed here:

FundingStormwaterMgt_101122

The towns of Bellingham, Franklin and Milford have been designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as pilot communities for draft enhanced stormwater regulations. To assist the towns with potential challenges associated with these regulations, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is developing background materials on Stormwater Utilities, which operate similarly to other public services like water supply and wastewater. MAPC is preparing information on state laws supporting use of a Stormwater Utility, the structure and administration of a utility, and case studies of other communities in Massachusetts and the US where stormwater utilities are in existence or are under consideration.

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.

If you miss the Franklin time slot, there is also one later in Bellingham:

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council will give a presentation on the effects of the Environmental Protection Agency’s newly enacted stormwater management regulations at the Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday, Dec. 6.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. and will be held in Arcand Meeting Room at the Municipal Center, 10 Mechanic St.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x999955476/Stormwater-management-regulation-presentation-next-Monday-in-Bellingham



Franklin, MA

In the News - Commuter rail, Storm water regulations, new restaurant, Circle of Friends

Commuter Rail updates schedule on Franklin Line

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Stormwater regulations will be discussed in Franklin

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

New restaurant coming to Franklin

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Circle of Friends presents Winterbloom Dec. 4

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin, MA

Eric Berlow: How complexity leads to simplicity

A wonderful lesson in about 3 minutes. Yes, the commercial at the end is 2 minutes so the total is 5, 5 minutes! Watch, listen, and enjoy.





Franklin, MA

In the News - apartment proposal, split tax

Franklin residents say apartment proposal is too big

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson, Daily News staff

Bellingham shifts tax burden from businesses to homeowners

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Joe O'Connell, Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

Hungry together

The Boston Sunday Globe, Globe West section, had an article covering the rising need for food in MA communities. Franklin is no exception to this. The economic conditions and persistent unemployment have created needs not seen in years. 


In my role on the Board of Directors for the Franklin Food Pantry, you will see more frequent postings here on food and food security. What is food security? The wikipedia entry says:

Food security refers to the availability of food and one's access to it. A household is considered food-secure when its occupants do not live in hunger or fear of starvation.

When the household is not food secure, then it can be referred to as food insecure. There is a whole set of new terms to become aware of in this area and over time, I'll be sharing them here and eventually on the revamped Food Pantry website. 


Other worthy links for information on this are:
MA Dept of transitional Assistance 
SNAP (previously known as food stamps)
Project Bread

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Hungry together

via Boston Globe -- Globe West by Calvin Hennick, Globe Correspondent on 11/20/10

Lisa Richards, a Framingham resident, works two jobs, one as a personal care attendant and another driving a van for senior citizens. Acton resident Julie Neubauer works part time in retail. Virginia Loftus, also of Acton, receives a disability pension.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Boston Globe -- Globe West using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

TEDxPhilly - High School Stinks

A quick set of slides from Chris Lehman, who presented this at TEDxPhilly,  asks some good questions about making education more relevant and worthwhile.

TEDxPhilly - High School Stinks

View more presentations from Chris Lehmann.

If you have the opportunity to participate in the visioning exercise for FHS, it would be a good thing to do. Time intense, yes - but a good thing. Details available here

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/in-new-vision-for-high-school.html

and here:

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/live-reporting-superintendent-report.html

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the slide deck.


Franklin, MA

"this community has been blessed by their efforts"

Over the last year, Anne Marie Bellavance has presided over the rebirth of the Franklin Food Pantry as its new executive director following the retirement last year of its former leader.

Volunteers at the pantry's office at 43 West Central St. are distributing about 200 "turkey meals in a bag" to families that have met eligibility criteria.

Bellavance said she's seeing more "working families with recently unemployed members" looking for food assistance.

Working with Franklin's Interfaith Council and seven churches, the pantry recently collected 8,000 pounds of food, which has been distributed to about 700 people.

Bellavance credited manager Linda Sottile and volunteers for reviving the food pantry at a time when the economy has left many on the edge.

"We love volunteers. This community has been so ready and willing to help out," she said. "I feel blessed. I think this community has been blessed by their efforts."

Read the full article about volunteers helping this cause in the region
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x535938806/Extra-helping-Volunteers-will-feed-thousands-this-week

Franklin, MA

In the News - Anti-bullying Plan comments wanted

Franklin stepping up anti-bullying crusade

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson, Daily News staff

Related posts on the Anti-bullying Plan
The background presentation on bullying
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/bullying-plan-presentation.html

the Anti-bullying Plan
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/bullying-plan-comments-wanted.html

The Dec 9th event on Anti-bullying
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/lets-talk-about-cyberbullying.html


Franklin, MA