You find good content here

I don't spend much time on these numbers but bear with me for a moment to share the results. This first chart shows the traffic growth year by year. I have excluded the last 2 months of 2007 and the first month of 2011 in this view focused on complete years.

The chart depicts page views in green. Page views are when each post is read. Unique visitors are in blue. We have almost doubled from 15,000 to 28,000 and then added another 14,000 to end up at 42,000 visitors for 2010. The returning visitors are calculated from the cookie in your browser and for a variety of reasons they are less accurate. They are a subset of the unique visitors.

January is the beginning of the new year and if this traffic volume reliably indicates a trend, we are off to a good start. We have grown in volume each January. The page reads are in blue and the unique visitors are in maroon.

Why would the numbers continue to grow?
The numbers tell me that you are continuing to find good content here.

Thank you for visiting.


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Franklin, MA

Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee - Meeting 2/15/11 - 7:30 PM

Proposed Agenda for Feb 15, 2011

Location: Franklin YMCA 45 Forge Hill Road

Start Time: 7:30PM

I. Call to Order
A. Ask for volunteer to keep minutes of meeting
B. Introduction of new attendees
C. Review & approve minutes of previous meeting

II. Report from our representative from DCR
A. Need for signage disallowing motorized vehicles on trail
B. Can we put up history of railroad at the Kiosk? What remains to be done?
C. Contact made with the Town Administrator and the DPW asking to plow the parking lot for winter trail use

III. Membership Committee Report
A. Committee to report on membership activity

IV. Report from Finance Committee
A. Report from Treasurer

V. Report of Fund Raising Committee
A. Report of progress on the Road Race
B. Fundraising Activity – doing well, but can do more
C. Ken to report on EMC connection
D. Can someone get into Garelick Farms?
E. General preparations for the Road Race

VI. Report from Grant Writing Committee
A. Chair found grant opportunity at Bank of America and notified sub-com. Discussion required on how to proceed - - -
B. General need for more involvement of qualified members – volunteers?

VII. Engineering Requirements of this project
A. How can we best utilize our professional talent?
B. Can Ray Willis assist us, or is there a conflict of interest because he is on the Franklin Con Con?
C. Can Dave Pellegri & Bill Desantis direct or assist our Grant Committee?

VIII. Unfinished Business
A. Business plan going very slow – Paul and Dave extremely busy with time constraints and this task is laboring
B. Bellingham connection – progress with the Lions Club – follow up needed
C. Kiosk possibility at Center St

IX. New Business

X. Set Date & place for Next Meeting and Adjourn



Franklin, MA

In the News - snow melt, romance

Franklin firm wants to lighten their load

by Brian Benson, Daily News staff

Whirlwind romance in Franklin: The story of Pat and Mike Perkins

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin, MA

Panda peeks over pile

In our walk around Franklin on Saturday morning the snow provided some special opportunities for photos.

And Davis Thayer's sign got in one update to announce it was done updating until better weather arrived.

We choose our route carefully to use sidewalks that were cleared or roads that were not busy with traffic. Be careful if you do go out. Franklin is pretty in this winter wonderland look. Although getting around is much more challenging now that the roads are not as wide as they are in good weather.


Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 2/15/11

As the School Committee meeting scheduled for 2/1/11 was canceled, and the School Committee has not posted a new agenda for the meeting 2/15/11, I assuming that the prior agenda will be the one for Tuesday night.

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 and Executive Sessions of the January 25, 2011 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll - none for this meeting Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives

Correspondence
1. Budget to Actual

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Lifelong Learning – Pandora Carlucci
b. Preliminary Budget Overview

3. Discussion Only Items
Proposed School Committee Schedule for 2011-2012

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $921.60 from the Remington PCC for in-house enrichment.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $125.00 from the Kennedy PCC for field trips.
c. I recommend the naming of the FHS away-side press box in memory of FHS football coach, Gerry Leone.
d. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip to Hartford, CT for the FHS Cheerleaders for a competition as detailed.
e. I recommend adoption of the School Committee Schedule for 2011-2012 as discussed.

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

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Feb 16, 2011

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 11-06: Acceptance of Gift – Council on Aging
2. Resolution 11-07: Amendment to the Final Cable Television License Granted to Verizon New England, Inc.

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

In the News - Dean College, video prize, winter sales

More students applying to Dean College

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Franklin 11-year-old grabs video prize

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Harsh winter means huge demand for some businesses

by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

"They're like a family to me"

Davis Thayer Principal Shirley Babcock and Keller Principal Mary Jane Wiles are both retiring. Horace Mann's Michael Levine was brought in for one year as an interim principal while the district searched for a replacement for Anne Bergen, who retired last year. 

The district recently named Remington Middle School Assistant Principal Shawn Fortin as the new Horace Mann principal and they plan to begin searches for two new elementary principals after February vacation, Assistant Superintendent Sally Winslow said. 

"Shawn rose to the top throughout the (interview) process," Winslow said, adding there were five candidates from outside the district in addition to Fortin. "Shawn really showed himself to be visionary in his approach. ... He's done a fabulous job (at Remington) looking at MCAS scores and working with the principal and teachers around instructional strategies so kids can perform better on those tests."

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

In addition to the principals in the article, Michele Kingsland-Smith, Director of Instructional Services also announced her retirement this week to be effective after the school year. She apparently will continue to work with the district in a part-time consultative capacity.


Franklin, MA

In the News - wrestling, Relay for Life

Franklin Elks host professional wrestling match

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Staff reports

Relay for Life kick-off meeting planned in Franklin

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Staff reports

Franklin, MA

"they have lost vital funding"

"De-accessioning" means these collections will no longer be available to the public and many plants within the collections will be destroyed. Included in this de-accession plan are the National Boxwood Collection and its associated Perennial Collections, along with the extensive Glenn Dale Hillside of the Azalea Collections. This will be a huge loss for the plant world, and for all the people who have traveled to and enjoyed these gardens. 

Arboreta and other public botanic gardens are true treasures for those of us who enjoy experiencing the beauty and value of trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials and other plants in a comfortable setting. Few private gardens can offer the range of horticulture they make available, often in association with other garden treasures (sculpture, architecture, art, etc.).

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

In eastern Massachusetts, some of the best of these gardens include Tower Hill Botanic Garden (www.towerhillbg.org) in Boylston, the Arnold Arboretum (arboretum.harvard.edu) in Jamaica Plain, and the Wellesley College Botanic Garden (www.wellesley.edu/WCBG).

Franklin, MA

State implements new early childhood rating system

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

State implements new early childhood rating system

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Scott O'Connell/Daily News staff on 2/11/11

This month the state debuted a new rating system for early education programs with the aim of closing achievement gaps in Massachusetts.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

The MA.gov  web site with additional information on the standards and rating system can be found here.

"You don't have to be a smoker to get lung cancer"

"I have no doubt in my mind the people who will find a cure for cancer are the people at Dana-Faber," said Jamie Tighe, a Franklin resident who grew up in Framingham and is running the Boston Marathon in April in Andy's honor. 

His brother, Tim, and Tighe's brother were best friends, so "Andy was always a presence in my life," Tighe said. "He's always been like a brother." 

So, even though "I was definitely not a runner" until recently, "when he was diagnosed, it was immediate." She decided to do the 26-mile race. 

"It was always he and I. He always said, 'I'll see you at the finish line.' One of the hardest things I had to do was to change my Dana-Farber website" to reflect she's now running in his memory.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Those who would like information about supporting Tighe's Dana-Farber fundraising can go to rundfmc.org and enter her name in the "Support a Runner" tab.

Franklin, MA

Liberty Bell missing from Franklin museum

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Liberty Bell missing from Franklin museum

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff on 2/10/11

The Historical Commission is asking for the public's help locating a Liberty Bell that is missing from outside the Historical Museum sometime this week.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

This picture was taken on a warmer day.

"So many people are waiting"

On Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, Buccella is holding a bone marrow drive, and Flannery will distribute information on how to become an organ and tissue donor. The event will be held at the Franklin YMCA at 45 Forge Hill Road in Franklin. 

All that is required to become a potential registered bone marrow donor is a simple cheek swab that determines tissue type, Buccella said. This can be done at a local drive or go online at www.BeTheMatch.org and send for a kit to do it yourself. 

Registering to become an organ donor is just as simple and can be done when renewing a driver's license, Flannery said, or registering at the New England Organ Bank website at www.neob.org. 

The two also plan to distribute literature at various Registry of Motor Vehicle branches. They stress the point isn't to find donors for themselves and those they love - it is to emphasize the need and ease.

Read the full article on the organ donor information event in the Milford Daily News



Franklin, MA

In the News - Senior Center

Franklin Senior Center plans trips

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin, MA