Franklin Matters

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Live reporting - Town Council

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

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – December 1, 2010 and December 8, 2010
motion to approve, passed 8-0

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The meeting is recorded by Verizon, Comcast and Franklin Matters

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none

E. APPOINTMENTS
Franklin Recycling Committee, Amanda Costa
Motion to approve, passed 8-0

Franklin, MA

Calling all snowmen!

Mary Olsson sent this to me to share with you.

Thanks Mary! I am looking forward to doing a snow angel. I haven't done one yet this season.

If you get to do a snow angel, take a photo and send the photo to shersteve at gmail dot com. I'll collect the photos of snow angels or snow men and post them here.

Franklin, MA

"half-day or tuition-based program would not save the district money"

"The impact of going to a half-day program would ... lead to a reduction in our foundation budget, which would significantly impact our Chapter 70 money," Goodman said, adding the district's foundation budget for kindergarten is $3.4 million for this school year.

Goodman said it is too early in the budget process to determine exactly how much money Franklin would lose by switching programs.

The district might save money in fiscal 2012 because next year's state aid is determined using October 2010 enrollment, but Franklin would likely lose money in subsequent years, Goodman said.

"This analysis really shows, at least from my perspective, that over the long run financially it's a loser," School Committee member Ed Cafasso said. "The financial evidence is fairly overwhelming that one year of savings would be wiped out every other year."

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Review the notes from the full School Committee meeting (including the presentation document on kindergarten) here

Franklin, MA

"It's too dense"

Joel D'Errico proposed 10 single-bedroom apartments for the building in November, but told the Planning Board Monday he plans to build eight apartments instead. The new building would supplement an existing 10-apartment building.

The reduction may not appease many neighbors who said the building is still too large for the lot at the corner of Summer and Winter streets.

"It's inappropriate for the neighborhood," said Robert Landry, who has lived on Summer Street for 65 years. "There'd be too many cars. It's too big of a building, and it's not conforming with the neighborhood."

D'Errico said his development is a good fit since 21 of 31 residential lots in the area have multifamily buildings. One of those properties has 28 apartments, he said.

"The neighborhood character is 2-to-1 multifamily," he said. "It's changed. It's not what it was 50 years ago."

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Franklin, MA

School Committee 01/11/11

The collection of posts from the School Committee meeting Jan 11, 2011 can be found here:

Franklin, MA

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Live reporting - Closing

There is no school for Wednesday!

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

Space needs scheduled for Jan 25th
Budget workshop scheduled for Jan 29th 8:30 AM to 12:00
Policy subcommittee working on the bullying policy

School Committee Liaison Reports

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

Trivia Bee - March 10th, general trivia

7.Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

Motion to enter executive session, via roll call 7-0

Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Action items

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $600.00 from the ECDC PCC for supplies.
motion to approve, passed 7-0

b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from the Davis Thayer PCC for Library books.
motion to approve, passed 7-0

c. I recommend acceptance of two checks ($200 & $50) for the Jacqueline Schaeffer Theatre Arts Memorial Scholarship at FHS. motion to approve, passed 7-0

d. I recommend approval of the request of the FHS Music Dept. to take the Jazz band and workshop to New Hampshire for the UNH Clark Terry Jazz Festival on Saturday, March 12, 2011 as detailed.
motion to approve, passed 7-0

e. I recommend acceptance of the anonymous gift of used books for the Oak Street Elementary School.
motion to approve, passed 7-0

f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from the Insurance Store for Keller Elementary School in-house enrichment. motion to approve, passed 7-0

g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from an ECDC parent for supplies. motion to approve, passed 7-0

Franklin, MA