The 8th graders at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School are hosting a pancake breakfast to raise funds for their annual trip to Washington D.C.
The pancake breakfast will be held at the Franklin Elks hall on Pond Street in Franklin on Saturday, Jan. 15th from 8am - 11am.
Pancakes, toppings, juice, milk, coffee, and hot chocolate available. All are welcome. Cost is $5 per person (children under age 3 are free).
Franklin, MA
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Snow angels
Mary Olsson contributes this snow angel!
After clearing the driveway of the major snow, I went back for the minor clean up and took the opportunity to do my snow angel. If you can't do a snow angel, it isn't really snow.
Did you have fun in the snow? Will you have more fun on Thursday?
Feel free to share your photos here or on our Facebook page.
Franklin, MA
After clearing the driveway of the major snow, I went back for the minor clean up and took the opportunity to do my snow angel. If you can't do a snow angel, it isn't really snow.
Did you have fun in the snow? Will you have more fun on Thursday?
Feel free to share your photos here or on our Facebook page.
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - Closing
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
FHS Renovation project did get the feasibility agreement signed, so we are eligible for 53% reimbursement. This can be increased during the planning process up to 55%.
L. OLD BUSINESS - none
M. NEW BUSINESS
Whalen - question on the SJC snow decision
Cerel - difference between natural and unnatural causes caused some problems, the court has been moving in this direction to remove the distinctions between natural and unnatural causes. Some communities are getting aggressive in revenue generation by enforcing sidewalk clearing within a specified time after the storm.
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Best wishes to Jean Hunchard (sic) recovering from heart surgery
Best wishes to Zollo on his birthday and Kelly's daughter, they ar enot the same age.
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
Franklin, MA
FHS Renovation project did get the feasibility agreement signed, so we are eligible for 53% reimbursement. This can be increased during the planning process up to 55%.
L. OLD BUSINESS - none
M. NEW BUSINESS
Whalen - question on the SJC snow decision
Cerel - difference between natural and unnatural causes caused some problems, the court has been moving in this direction to remove the distinctions between natural and unnatural causes. Some communities are getting aggressive in revenue generation by enforcing sidewalk clearing within a specified time after the storm.
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Best wishes to Jean Hunchard (sic) recovering from heart surgery
Best wishes to Zollo on his birthday and Kelly's daughter, they ar enot the same age.
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - Action items
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Franklin Café & Grill – New All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License
motion to approve, passed 8-0
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - none
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS - none
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 11-01: Acceptance of Gifts –Fallen Heroes Signs
motion to approve, passed 8-0
thanks to Rose Turco for putting this together, to Chris Feeley and the Rotary Club for their contributions
2. Resolution 11-02: Acceptance of Gifts – Council on Aging
motion to approve, passed 8-0
3. Resolution 11-03: Acceptance of Gift – Recreation
motion to approve, passed 8-0
4. Resolution 11-04: Acceptance and Grant of Easements: Franklin Center Commons I and Abutting Town-Owned Land motion to approve, passed 8-0
Franklin, MA
Franklin Café & Grill – New All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License
motion to approve, passed 8-0
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - none
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS - none
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 11-01: Acceptance of Gifts –Fallen Heroes Signs
motion to approve, passed 8-0
thanks to Rose Turco for putting this together, to Chris Feeley and the Rotary Club for their contributions
2. Resolution 11-02: Acceptance of Gifts – Council on Aging
motion to approve, passed 8-0
3. Resolution 11-03: Acceptance of Gift – Recreation
motion to approve, passed 8-0
4. Resolution 11-04: Acceptance and Grant of Easements: Franklin Center Commons I and Abutting Town-Owned Land motion to approve, passed 8-0
Franklin, MA
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
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
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
- Live reporting - Closing
- Live reporting - Action items
- Live reporting - policy update
- Live reporting - Community engagement
- Live reporting - Kindergarten
- Live reporting - Health program update K-5
- Live reporting - Harry Potter re-write
- Live reporting - FHS Girl's Soccer Team
- Live reporting - School Committee Meeting
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
School Committee Liaison Reports
6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
7.Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations
Motion to enter executive session, via roll call 7-0
Franklin, MA
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
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
Live reporting - policy update
Policy – First Reading - BEDA: Notification of School Committee Meeting
updating the policy to account for the recent Open Meeting law changes
motion to move to second reading, passed 7-0
Franklin, MA
updating the policy to account for the recent Open Meeting law changes
motion to move to second reading, passed 7-0
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - Community engagement
3. Discussion Only Items
Community Engagement
Cafasso - antiquated platform needs to be replaced in order to update the website itself
the parent survey from 2005 was in the packet (and published on Franklin Matters)
seek the full committee guidance to update the survey
try to update the survey as faithfully as possible to create valid comparisons to the other survey
gather info on perceptions of topics parents would like to be informed on
Use SurveyMonkey to automate the survey process, web based, easy to use and flexible
New front end to schools website by July 1
Next steps, Ed to draft survey questions for review and input
Franklin, MA
Community Engagement
Cafasso - antiquated platform needs to be replaced in order to update the website itself
the parent survey from 2005 was in the packet (and published on Franklin Matters)
seek the full committee guidance to update the survey
try to update the survey as faithfully as possible to create valid comparisons to the other survey
gather info on perceptions of topics parents would like to be informed on
Use SurveyMonkey to automate the survey process, web based, easy to use and flexible
New front end to schools website by July 1
Next steps, Ed to draft survey questions for review and input
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - Kindergarten
d. Budget Update - Kindergarten
428 students in K, moving to half day would be counted as 214 FTE
enrollment decreases by half, determines the foundation budget
$3.4 million for full day, $1.7 million for half-day or tuition based
Foundation budget - Req'd Local Contribution = Chap 70 Aid
Impact of moving to half-day would not be seen until FY 2013
Shifts the burden of a currently state funded program to the local taxpayers
Cafasso - this is an issue that has been kicked around, the analysis shows over the long run, it is loser. With a working community like Franklin, there would be reputational damage.
Rohrbach - we have batted this idea around a lot. We had two first graders who showed us what kindergarten can do for us.
Roy - the evidence is overwhelming, we just can't do this in a prudent way. Thank you for doing this early in the process. I'd rather know this up front.
Sabolinski - this would create another structural deficit down the road.
Glynn - why does another district do this?
Goodman - they may be starting from nothing and going to half day, where we would be loosing the foundation budget as I noted earlier. Other districts may not be in the same situation
Financial Impact of Half Day or Tuition Based K
Franklin, MA
428 students in K, moving to half day would be counted as 214 FTE
enrollment decreases by half, determines the foundation budget
$3.4 million for full day, $1.7 million for half-day or tuition based
Foundation budget - Req'd Local Contribution = Chap 70 Aid
Impact of moving to half-day would not be seen until FY 2013
Shifts the burden of a currently state funded program to the local taxpayers
Cafasso - this is an issue that has been kicked around, the analysis shows over the long run, it is loser. With a working community like Franklin, there would be reputational damage.
Rohrbach - we have batted this idea around a lot. We had two first graders who showed us what kindergarten can do for us.
Roy - the evidence is overwhelming, we just can't do this in a prudent way. Thank you for doing this early in the process. I'd rather know this up front.
Sabolinski - this would create another structural deficit down the road.
Glynn - why does another district do this?
Goodman - they may be starting from nothing and going to half day, where we would be loosing the foundation budget as I noted earlier. Other districts may not be in the same situation
Financial Impact of Half Day or Tuition Based K
Franklin, MA
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