FM #80 - Week Ending 12/12/10

Let's take about 10 minutes to review what matters here in Franklin, MA as the week comes to a close Sunday Dec 12, 2010.

Time : 8 minutes, 43 seconds



MP3 File

Session Notes

This internet radio show or podcast is number 80 in the series for Franklin Matters.

In this session, you give me about ten minutes and I'll fill you in on what matters in Franklin as this week comes to a close on Sunday Dec 12th.

This past week, the Town Council approved the smallest capital budget in recent years. While we have 2.1 M in 'free cash' the joint decision (administration and Town Council) was to keep $500,000 for snow/ice and $800,000 for unemployment insurance expense. The snow and ice budget has been growing closer to a realistic number over the years but given the variability in NE weather, and the tightness of the budget recent years, it is better to under forecast it and cover with free cash than to over forecast it. The unemployment insurance pool is being created in case an override fails come May/Jun 2011 and there are a large number of Town and School employees laid off.

The segment of the Town Council meeting covering this capital budget:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=5qFm%2baJMGjV57Fyb%2f6R%2fsg%3d%3d

As much as some folks still think that the Administration is incompetent, the actions and their results have some quite the opposite. Their performance has shown a high level of stability in the overall budget with lots of alternative planning.

Just flash back to the chart in the appendix for last week's slide cast, the one slide I think makes this point. Look at the variation in free cash over the years. The variability has narrowed in the last several years. The revenue forecasts have been closer to reality, the budget expenses have been managed very closely. Both of these combine to result in 'free cash', which is not 'free' nor really cash. Free cash should be created each year, in a tight and acceptable range, especially given the size of the operation Franklin is running.

http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/12/fm-79-slidecast-tax-hearing-info-for-fy.html

Back to the Council meeting, the tax rate was set at 12.95 as calculated and expected. It also continued the single tax rate that I believe rightly should be used here in Franklin. You can disagree if you choose, but the numbers speak for themselves.

The segment of the Town Council meeting covering the Tax Hearing:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=3dwRSxWPYuVy9u0sTBN5kA%3d%3d


As another sign of good financial management, Franklin is going to fund some $2 M for school repairs with a bond issue. The bond issue will fit within the operating budget and not result in an override consideration. The Council has been operating with a policy of using up to 3.5% of the total operational budget for debt service and has been building some capacity in this area in the last year or so with more expect in the next year as debt retires. This is a good financial maneuver and you can hear more of the rational behind it during the Council discussion

The segment of the Town Council meeting covering the school bond issue:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=RcYKs%2b0J6JuGZPLL%2fsGOyg%3d%3d


Looking ahead:
School Committee meeting on Tuesday and the next Town Council meeting Wednesday

School Committee agenda is published, the Town Council is not yet available.

School Committee has the anti-bullying plan is the major item on the agenda. The plan was released a couple of weeks ago for feedback and will be voted on during the meeting Tuesday.

While the TC agenda is not available, I did receive an advance copy of the revised approach to the downtown commercial zoning changes. If you were confused by the initial plan, you were not alone. The plan has now been split into three parts, the first part will be discussed Weds. The cover memo and supporting documents were published on Franklin Matters Sunday and the link is included here.

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/12/approach-revised-for-downtown.html

---- ---- ----

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can use your help.

How can you help?

If you have an interest in covering the Planning Board, Conservation Commission and or the Zoning Board of Appeals meetings, please let me know.

As always:

• If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like this, please tell me

Thank you for listening.

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to listen to this podcast

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 and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee Meeting - Agenda - 12/14/10

Proposed Agenda for Dec 14, 2010

Location: Franklin YMCA 45 Forge Hill Road

Start Time: 7:30PM

I. Call to Order / Introductions of New Attendees
A. Introduction of new attendees
Can new attendees begin on committee immediately?
B. Review & approve minutes of previous meeting
C. Ask for volunteer to keep minutes of meeting

II. Presentation by Tad Staley Guest Speaker from the Needham Rail Trail Group

III. Report from our representative from DCR
Gates & Grading
Brochure box has been added to Kiosk
Volunteer is researching history of railroad
Contact made at WPI

IV. Membership Committee Report
Committee to report on membership activity

V. Report from Finance Committee
Report from Treasurer

VI. Report of Fund Raising Committee
Report on fund raising activities
Report Road Race Committee
Need Sponsors by next meeting – need to start hustling

VII. Report from Grant Writing Committee

VIII. Report on addition of Network Solutions web site
E-mail
Remote monitoring

IX. Unfinished Business:
Business plan in the making
Distribute revised brochures
Recommendation to write to Town Administrator

X. New Business
A.

XI. Set Date & place for Next Meeting and Adjourn



Franklin, MA

Approach Revised for the Downtown Commercial Zoning Proposal

If you thought the proposal to revise the downtown commercial zoning district was confusing, you were not alone. The Dept. of Planning and Community Development has incorporated the feedback and revised their proposal to split it up into three parts. The first part will be scheduled for discussion at the Town Council meeting on Weds, Dec 15. The cover memo outlining the changes is addressed to Jeff Nutting and reads in part:

After a recent staff meeting with you (Jeff Nutting)  on November 23rd a three step approach was developed which we wish to pursue that will simplify the zoning bylaw amendment process and hopefully eliminate confusion:

1. Amend the Town’s Zoning Bylaw to include a new Downtown Commercial Zoning District;

2. Amend the Zoning Bylaw as it relates to the remainder of the Commercial I Zoning District; and

3. Amend the Town’s Sign Bylaw (185-20. Signs).

For your reading pleasure, the full memo and supporting documents are attached:

Town Council - Downtown Commercial Zoning Proposal - 20101215


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

Franklin, MA

"feel like there's a sense of connectivity"

Foxborough architectural firm Kaestle Boos Associates is expected to present three plans to school and town officials in the spring that incorporate items from the recent three-day visioning meeting, Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski said.

"We spent a lot of time talking about what goes on in the classrooms and what is the best learning environment in a Franklin High of the future," Sabolinski said. "We understand that the scope of the project is not going to be a new high school. We were really looking at a renovation of the current space."

The group concluded that education would be more collaborative and project-based if there were many common areas for students and teachers to work together on projects, as is typically done in college settings, Sabolinski said.

Architects get to work on vision for renovated Franklin High School

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

Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 12/14/10

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.

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda

Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the open session of the November 16, 2010 School Committee Meeting and August 31, 2010 special meeting, and the following Executive Session minutes:

• August 24, 2010
• September 14, 2010
• September 28, 2010
• October 12, 2010
• October 26, 2010
• November 9, 2010
• November 16, 2010

Payment of Bills (11/9 & 12/14) Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives

Correspondence
1. Budget to Actual
2. Anti-Bullying Plan Feedback

2. Guests/Presentations
a. MASS Academic Excellence Awards

1. Samantha White
2. Daniel Nulton

b. Signing of Cafeteria Contract July 2010 – June 2013

3. Discussion Only Items

Policy – Second Reading
o GBEBA/JIA Staff Research Policy

Anti-Bullying Plan
Child Nutrition Bill Task Force

4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of Policy GBEBA/JIA Staff Research Policy as discussed.
b. I recommend adoption of the Anti-Bullying Plan as discussed.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,800.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for in-house enrichment at the Franklin High School.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,500.00 from Big Lots for in-house enrichment at Parmenter Elementary School.
e. I recommend approval of the trip for the FHS Cheerleaders to Indianapolis, IN for a competition on January 14-17, 2011 as detailed.
f. I recommend approval of the trip for the FHS Boy’s Ice Hockey Team to North Smithfield, RI for a competition on December 28-29, 2010 as detailed.
g. I recommend approval of the trip for the FHS Lacrosse team to Guilford, CT for a competition on April 2-3, 2011 as detailed.
h. I recommend approval of the trip for the FHS Boy’s Wrestling Team to West Babylon, NY for a competition on January 21-23, 2011 as detailed.
i. I recommend approval of the trip for the FHS Boy’s Wrestling Team to Pleasant Valley, PA for a competition on January 14-16, 2011 as detailed.
j. I recommend acceptance of a check for $294.00 from the Wells Fargo Foundation for FHS enrichment.
k. I recommend acceptance of a check for $35.51 from Olympia Sports for in-house enrichment for the Franklin High School.
l. I recommend acceptance of two checks for $10.00 each (Total: $20.00) from Barbara Peatie for RMS in-house enrichment.
m. I recommend approval of the FHS trip to New York City to see Wicked on March 12, 2011 as detailed.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report

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



Franklin, MA

Sustainable restaurant?

Can there be a sustainable restaurant?
Arthur Potts Dawson in the UK is trying. He has one with a tree theme and one with a water theme. Fascinating!

"So nature doesn't create waste doesn't create waste as such. Everything in nature is used up in a closed continuous cycle with waste being the end of the beginning."

With the news about more fast food restaurants coming to the 140 corridor, let's see how much they can do to be sustainable.

We do need tax revenues. We can have choices for food. Wendy's is either in Milford, North Attleboro or Mansfield.

How much can they do to help the environment they will be part of here in Franklin should be the focus of the discussion.

What do you think?



Franklin, MA

Emerson Lip Dub

If you like a little Lady Gaga, a little lip dub, and a tour of Boston's Emerson College campus then spend a few minutes watching this. Maybe you know a student there!



Enjoy!


Franklin, MA

In the News - kindergarten, more fast food on 140

Franklin to hold kindergarten sign up

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Staff reports

Note: the dates posted by the paper don't agree with the dates posted on the Franklin schools website.

Franklin developer: New Taco Bell, Wendy's won't intrude

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

Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Kindergarten registration

Hold the dates to register for kindergarten:

February 1st, 3rd, and 7th

4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Horace Mann Middle School – Cafeteria

224 Oak Street, Franklin, MA

All the details on the forms required and how to obtain them to have them filled out before arriving at registration can be found in the flyer here:

Franklin, MA - Kindergarten Registration

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


Franklin, MA

"They just don't want me to vote on the project"

Attorney Gary Hogan said that state laws require Mullaney to disclose the conflict with the town clerk before the first public hearing, which was held in September. But, he filed the form on Oct. 26, Hogan said, so now he wants Mullaney to recuse himself from the vote on the project.

"He did the right thing but my position is that it wasn't filed timely and I think he's tainted as a consequence of that," said Hogan, who represented Eastern Management and Development LLC.

Franklin official asked to recuse himself from voting

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

Franklin, MA

In the News - Lifelong Learning, Youth Baseball, ECDC Open House

Franklin's Lifelong Learning to start next session

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

Franklin Youth Baseball changes team ages

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

Franklin schools' early development open house

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Staff reports

Franklin, MA

"Let’s Talk about Cyberbullying" - Tonight!

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

Town Council - 12/08/10

You can find the collection of live reporting from the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Dec 8th here:

• Live reporting - Closing
• Live reporting - Legislation for Action
• Live reporting - Tax hearing
• Live reporting - Town Council

Franklin, MA

In the News - library concert, Tri-County goes green, Charter craftiness

Children's concert at Franklin library

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

Franklin's Tri-County joins 'green' program

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

Franklin's charter school to hold craft event

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

Franklin, MA

"No residents spoke about the tax rate"

Councilors could have shifted the burden to commercial properties by adopting a split tax rate. But, that could result in higher residential taxes next year because the values of commercial properties are dropping quicker than residential ones, said Chris Feeley, a member of the Board of Assessors.

"If in fact we had a dual tax rate last year, the residential rate would have gone up dramatically more," Feeley said. "The town by most standards does not have a big enough industrial or commercial base to warrant a dual tax rate."

Town Council Chairman Scott Mason said that was the most convincing argument to adopt a single tax rate.

Shifting the tax burden to commercial properties would also drive away businesses, especially small companies already battling increasing health insurance costs, said Jack Lank, president of the United Regional Chamber of Commerce.

"If you go with a dual tax rate, you might as well go up on 495 and put a sign that says Franklin is not business-friendly," Lank said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News


Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT 

L. OLD BUSINESS 
none

M. NEW BUSINESS 
none

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS 
Vallee - did you hear Cheli's comment about suing the EPA?
Nutting - it is getting out of control but it will cost some money with no guarantee of success
we are concerned about the time of implementation
at some point the town will have to come up with a payment via tax rate or a storm water fee


Vallee - will it come before the council?
Nutting - yes, it will. It has to be released so we can find out with the cost will be



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

motion to go into executive session, approved 8-0



Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Legislation for Action

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION 
1. Resolution 10-70:Classification Tax Allocation– Residential Factor 

single rate approved, 8-0

2. Resolution 10-71:Classification Tax Allocation – Open Space Exemption 
motion to approve that there not be an exception for open space, passed 8-0

3. Resolution 10-72:Classification Tax Allocation – Small Businesses Exemption 
motion to approve that there not be an exception for small businesses, passed 8-0


4. Resolution 10-73: Classification Tax Allocation – Residential Property Exemption
 motion to approve that there not be an exception for residential property, passed 8-0

interruption to acknowledge an excess capacity for the tax levy, due to a rounding error.
Judy needed to sign a special document so the tax bills could begin to be processed.


6. Resolution 10-75: Appropriation – Fire Truck
requesting 100,000 to continue the funding process for a new truck


motion to approve, seconded


Taking money from the debt stabilization fund to close the account. The money had been put aside to work with the ten year capital plan, as the plan has come to an end, this money is being put to good use here


McCarragher - in the last tne years we have been reducing fleet size, rotational program to keep front line on for ten years, and in reserve for 10 years, the vehicle we are trying to replace is 20 years old. Insurance rating is required to have certain pumping capacity. The number of fires nationwide are decreasing but in MA they are not. Our experience in Franklin is static, we run the same amount each year. We are decreasing our fleet size


Vallee - i see numbers on the internet
McCarragher - we are working with two vehicle manufacturers to get to that point where we are not just fire trucks. The way we build fire trucks is against an old model. You still have to go to the marketplace, you still have to keep things service ready


McCarragher - 65% of our traffic is ambulance calls
Vallee - I think you should focus on hazmat and other vehicles
McCarragher - there is not a movement


Vallee - How many times has the new ladder truck been used?
McCarragher - are we looking to regionalization, yes it takes all to come to the table


Mason - How many times does that truck have to save someones life to be worth its expense?
McCarragher - We used the truck on Monday to get to the roof where the explosion occurred. I am not comfortable providing an answer on number?


Mason - I'll tell you, it is one.


Pfeffer - long approval of the need even in these times


Nutting - injuries to firefighters is also important, better equipment will avoid injuries. You don't see the cost but the Town will save money with safer firefighters. People always think of the citizens but we also think of the operations.


Kelly - You may see the shiney red fire truck but it doesn't show the rotting out on the inside. It was a tough decision on the capital committee but I think this was a good one.


Whalen - for a town this size to have a first rate fire dept. On the one hand, we are taking out 100,000 to put aside for a unit that would we man?


McCarragher - you are not putting the money out the door, it is being moved from one account to another account.


Passed 7-0-1 via roll call, Vallee - abstained


8. Resolution 10-77: Appropriation – Demolition of House on DelCarte Property 
motion to amend to $16,000
The amount of $24,000 was initial a open bid
The $16,000 came from the DPW doing the work in-house


price for asbestos abatement and tank removal was $6,000 and bid separately
It is 2 stories, about 1400 sq feet built 50 years ago 


taking out the foundation and backfilling and leveling


Passed 8-0










Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Tax hearing

F. HEARINGS - Annual Tax Classification Hearing – 7:10 PM


Ken Norman, Chris Feeley,  Kevin Doyle, Director of Assssors
Missing Vinny Debaggis, had a fall, fracturing his hip, he is doing well. He is hoping to be home by Christmas

This is the year for a tri-annual revue. The State reviewed our methods, books, etc and we did very well.

You have a set of documents with details.
Town valuation is 4.2 billion
The tax rate would be $12.95/thousand

Mason - there seems to be some level of confusion around how the tax rate is achieved, can you explain?
Doyle - the levy limit is determined, plus the 2.5%, plus the new growth provides a total
This year growth is 513,322
We also add the prior debt exclusions (approx. $1.2 million)
these total to the levy amount we are authorized to raise

The total of appraisals value by classification is calculated

Nutting - the drop is assessed value has caused the increase the rate from the peak of over 5 billion assessed value in 2007

Norman - residential property is easy to calculate as there is sufficient turnover, the commercial/industrial properties turn over less frequently so there are different valuation processes defined by the MA DOR

Feeley - the state comes in to review our numbers before they are published for our town review period. We have to meet their qualification before the number is approved

Jones - Can you explain the difference in decline for residential and 2-3 family

Mason - Is there a number of vacant business properties?
Doyle - I think you would get a better number from the Planning Dept

Nutting - Brian (Taberner) did a survey and has that information.

Powderly - single versus single?
Norman - yes, the calculation is shown as if there was a single tax rate.

Feeley - we are not recommending either way? If we had done a split rate last year, the residential rate would be increasing this year more than the single tax rate would be.

Pfeffer - What would you recommend?
Feeley - as a Board we are not making a recommendation, personally I would not recommend it
Norman - It is not our charge, we are supposed to calculate the assessments, it is a political decision to determine single or split tax rate

Jack Lank - President of the United Regional Chamber of Commerce, 95% of the business are small businesses, mom and pop operations. If you go with a split rate, you might as well put up a sign on i495 saying we are not business friendly. With the challenge for implementing the EPA regulations, the businesses will be hard pressed.

closing the hearing




My analysis of the tax information is available here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/12/fm-79-slidecast-tax-hearing-info-for-fy.html



Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Town Council

Present: Kelly, Jones, Vallee, Whalen, Mason, Pfeffer, Zollo, Powderly
Absent: McGann



A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – November 17, 2010
motion to approve, passed 8-0

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS 

none
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS 
none

E. APPOINTMENTS 
none


G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS 
none

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS 
none

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 
none

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION 
5. Resolution 10-74: Appropriation – Capital 2011


Finance Committee approved 9-0
motion to approve,  seconded


Capital Subcommittee met several nights, first time where we have had over 2.1 million in free cash
we are only proposing 800,000 for capital; holding back some for the snow/ice and for unemployment expenses (pending layoffs if an override for FY 2012 doesn't pass).


will add doc from MA DOR on "free cash"
free cash has gone down from over 5% to just over 2% an indication of better management of the voerall budget process
the free cash percent of budget is below the state average


This is the smallest capital budget in a long time.
Police, Fire equipment, money for roads, some items for the schools


Whalen - concerned about the amount being so low, will there be more need next year?
Nutting - DPW didn't ask for any vehicles this year, maybe they will next year; Fire Dept has a truck need that we need to speed up the funding for, School have some requirements that are being addressed


Kelly - thanks to all the departments for coming forward with their needs, putting their wants aside


Mason - thanks to the committee for the hard work. We are accused of not tightening our belt, this is indeed 


Passed 8-0, unanimous via roll call


7. Resolution 10-76: Authorization to Borrow – Repairs & Remodeling to Various School Buildings 
motion to approve, seconded


The capital committee did recommend this as well as the FINCOM. It is a pretty boring list. Covering electrical and heating requirements, etc around the schools


We have room in our debt capacity for putting this on line in 2013, almost 500,000 of debt capacity
proposal to pay it off over ten years and tweak it accordingly


keep our biggest investment up to date


Jones - this is one of those investments in the school system to keep the facilities functioning properly


Vallee - Are you concerned about our debt?
Nutting  - are debt is actually declining, we will not use this for a couple of years. we will have room


The rating agencies like to see no more than a specific level we are well under that, they also like to see investment in infrastructure so we don't face these bills all at once


Mason - some of these items have been put off for years but the time has come


Passed 8-0 via roll call








Franklin, MA

Weight is a key measure

When I volunteered to help the Franklin Food Pantry for the "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive in May, I learned that the weight of food in and out of the pantry is one of the key measures. All food purchased or donated to the pantry is weighed. The total weights are recorded as a measure of how much was processed.

The freshness dates, or 'use by dates' are also checked. If the date has not expired, the food is kept. If the date has expired, the food is tossed into the trash. (Yes, this still bothers me and I don't fully understand all the rules and regulations on this matter so I won't spend much more time on it here. Research is underway to help understand the hows and whys.)

The pounds in less the pounds of 'spoilage' equal the net receipts. For the Saturday in May when the Franklin Post Office delivered all the food collected in their rounds of mail delivery,  the Pantry netted 3,869.5 pounds of food. The total received was 4,746.7 of which 877.2 was out dated and tossed aside.

Compared to the one day in May, the month of November yielded over 24,000 pounds of food from a variety of sources. The summary of services provided for the month and an outline of where the Food Pantry is headed is contained in this handout provided to folks who stopped by during the Open House at last week's Holiday Stroll:

Franklin Food Pantry - November 2010 Status


If you would like to help, these are the items that the Pantry can use at this time.

• Cleaning Products - Laundry, Dish, Disinfecting etc.
• Paper Products - Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Napkins, Paper Towels etc.
• Health & Beauty Care - Shampoo, Soap, Razors, Deodorant, Feminine, Hand Sanitizer etc.
• Cereal
• Broth
• Beef stew
• Potatoes (can or dry)
• Flavored rice and/or pasta mixes
• Canned pasta (chef boyardeeish)
• Baking mixes
• Spices
• Crackers
• Jelly
• Canvas bags

If the food has a freshness date, please check to see that it is current before making your donation. This will save time for the volunteers as they weigh, sort and stock the shelves before the food is distributed.

You can also make a monetary donation directly through the Pantry website via Google Checkout. You don't need a Google account to use this to process your transaction securely.



Note: I am volunteering some of my time as Community Information Director for the Franklin Food Pantry.

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

Franklin, MA

In the News - response times, Adirondack holiday fair, handbell concert

Rescue response times to edges of Franklin not good

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

Adirondack Club hosts Holiday Fair

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

Franklin Federated Church to host handbell concert

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

Franklin, MA