Where you born on March 2?

If so, guess what, you share your birthday with the Town of Franklin!

Although the Town of Franklin is much older (March 2, 1778), we thought it would be fun to invite everyone that shares March 2nd as their birthday to a “Birthday Bash” at the museum. From the looks of things, we will have over 70 people that share that date from children to adults.

We are planning to have a cake, beverages and certainly balloons. Who knows, we may also have some special birthday presents for everyone.

Please RSVP as soon as possible to Deborah L. Pellegri, Town Clerk and Chairman of the Historical Commission at 508-520-4900 or email me at dpellegri@franklin.ma.us

Remember, family and friends are all invited and certainly welcomed.

We look forward to hearing from you real soon

Your Birthday Celebration

At the Franklin Historical Museum

Sunday, March 20th, 2011 

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Invitation to all

Franklin, MA

Veterans in the snow

While running last weekend, I stopped by the Senior Center for some photos. (Yes, stopping for photos are a good excuse to catch one's breath while running.)

The figures in the snow reminded me of the real folks in the trenches in the snow; from Valley Forge, Battle of the Bulge, Inchon Peninsula, Afghanistan, to other cold and not likely to be forgotten places where the veterans served.

When you see a veteran, remember to thank them for their service. When folks come up to my father (an veteran of Iwo Jima) to thank him. It really makes his day.



Franklin, MA

In the News - rabies clinic

Bellingham/Franklin Animal Control offers rabies clinic

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin, MA

The words we use

The words we use are important. This video talk by Steven Pinker and animated by the RSA Animate series raises some good points.





Franklin, MA

Where can you find Franklin Matters content?

You can subscribe to Franklin Matters to receive the daily or weekly update directly to your email, you can also find this content featured on the CNN US edition by selecting the Franklin zip code (02038).

Thanks to the feed from Outside.in!


Franklin, MA

"You can learn from your past"

 "We learned we can make a difference," said Waite, who plans to participate in an internship with the Franklin Police Department later this school year. "We can help." 

Former Patriots players Gino Cappelletti, Larry Garron and Roland James spoke to Waite and about 50 of his classmates at The Hall at Patriot Place. The students are participating in a leadership development class designed to prepare them for internships during the last quarter of the school year. 

In addition to hearing from Patriots alumni, the students were asked to think critically about what qualities make a good leader and how to combat prejudice. They also toured the exhibits in The Hall, a museum located next to Gillette Stadium that chronicles the football team's history.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


Franklin, MA

In the News - cable license

Franklin Town Council approves change to cable license

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

Town Council 02/16/11

The collection of reported posts from the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 can be found here:

• Live reporting - Legislation for Action, closing
• Live reporting - Town Council

Franklin, MA

Snowland

Is there anything to the talk about Rockland Trust renaming itself Snowland?

Probably not, spring is around the corner!



Franklin, MA

In the News - Kennedy, stretch code

Melting snow causes gas leak at Franklin's Kennedy school

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Stretch code has some builders tense in Franklin

by Brian Benson, Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Legislation for Action, closing

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 11-06: Acceptance of Gift – Council on Aging
motion to accept - passed 5-0

2. Resolution 11-07: Amendment to the Final Cable Television License Granted to Verizon New England, Inc.
The cable providers don't like to give real numbers but there are 10,500 subscribers about 5500 for Comcast and 5000 for Verizon. The motion brings equity to both vendors in terms of expense to them.

motion to accept - passed 6-0 
Updated after the meeting - (Powderly arrived in time for this vote)




K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Thanks to all the town employees on the roof clearing, real team effort, Fire, DPW and Schools to remove snow. No reason for concern, everything under control. There are roof leaks in several buildings

Snow removal has exceeded $1 M. We have some stabilization money to handle more if necessary

Budget still a work in progress, numbers being developed. Hopefully, in March should have some.better numbers to work with.

The process at the State level in prior years has changed, we are still anticipating getting a good number to work with for local aid. The remainder of the budget at the State level may not be finalized until July. I am not ready to come out and give you a state aid number until the Senate and the House provide some indication

L. OLD BUSINESS - none

M. NEW BUSINESS - none

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Jones - the contractors had a very good turnout for the Stretch Code workshop held today at the Municipal Bldg. Could the councilors get a copy of what was handed out today?

Pfeffer - have we received a report from the 4th of July Committee?
Nutting - not yet, it is requested but not yet received.

Pfeffer - maybe someone with a cell phone could take a photo of the cars using the handicap parking spot to send to the police

February is Heart Month - Friends of Franklin, St Mary's Food Pantry or St Vincent dePaul.

Congratulations to Glen Jones and family on their new addition.

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

Motion to go into executive session, not to return to open meeting
Passed 6-0 (via roll call)



Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Town Council

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

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - none to approve

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

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none

E. APPOINTMENTS - none

F. HEARINGS - none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - none

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - none

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS - none


Franklin, MA

School Committee 02/15/11

The collection of reporting from the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 can be found here

Finance Committee Chairperson Jim Roche takes notes during the school budget hearing

• Live reporting - Closing
• Live reporting - action items
• Live reporting - Discussion only items
• Live reporting - School Budget
• Live reporting - Life Long Learning
• Live reporting - Rep Vallee, Sen Spilka
• Live reporting - Franklin Arts Academy
• Live reporting - School Committee

Franklin, MA

"This is not a Cadillac school system"

"We think this is not an unreasonable expectation for a budget," Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski said, noting some figures such as local aid and health insurance could change. "It helps us to keep and maintain programs. Would we like to have all 14.3 positions back? Absolutely. But, we think this is a reasonable budget proposal in these economic times." 

The positions to be cut include five elementary school teachers, six middle school teachers and the high school's alternative programs coordinator. 

Remington Middle School Principal Paul Peri said fewer teachers could boost class sizes to more than 27 students while Sabolinski noted it would be harder for teachers to focus on helping individual students who may be struggling. 

School Committee member Ed Cafasso said while many people may have individual complaints about a bad teacher, overall the district has performed well while spending about $2,800 less per pupil than the state average.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

Review all the notes reported live during the School Committee meeting here


Franklin, MA

In the News - energy code workshop, Odd Couple, reward, Circle of Friends

Franklin to hold energy code workshop

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Dean College presents 'The Odd Couple'

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Reward offered for stolen Franklin bell

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Circle of Friends presents Celtic Band RUNA

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Closing

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
Kindergarten registration is in, there is already an increase of 14 students and we are expecting more, we tend to get registrations through the beginning of the school year

Recognition of the two retiring principals

Introduction of Mr Fortin - new Horace Mann principal, he will return for a more formal intro and discussion

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

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


March 10th - Trivia Bee

Motion to enter executive session not to return to open meeting



Franklin, MA

Live reporting - action items

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $921.60 from the Remington PCC for in-house enrichment.  motion to approve, passed 6-0

b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $125.00 from the Kennedy PCC for field trips. motion to approve, passed 6-0


c. I recommend the naming of the FHS away-side press box in memory of FHS football coach, Gerry Leone.
motion to approve, passed 6-0


d. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip to Hartford, CT for the FHS Cheerleaders for a competition as detailed.  motion to approve, passed 6-0


e. I recommend adoption of the School Committee Schedule for 2011-2012 as discussed.  motion to approve, passed 6-0


f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1655.00 from the Horace Mann PCC for in-house enrichment at HMMS.  motion to approve, passed 6-0
\
g. I recommend acceptance of $308.00 from Roberta Trahan for supplemental curriculum materials for the Franklin Public Schools.  motion to approve, passed 6-0


h. I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.
motion to approve, passed 6-0


i. I recommend acceptance of the donation of a bass, bag and bow from Mr. & Mrs. Richards for the FHS Music Department.  motion to approve, passed 6-0

j. I recommend adoption of the FY 2012 budget as detailed
Cafasso - this is not a Cadillac service, this is providing a high quality education, more than others, at a cost less than others. There is no one who can show us that these school are not worth every penny.


motion to approve, passed 6-0






Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Discussion only items

3. Discussion Only Items
2011-2012 School Committee Meeting Schedule
organizational meeting needs to be earlier, the day after the election, which is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, hence Nov 9th for organizational

Update on snow challenges
We were on the roofs before some of our surrounding communities
We are working on roof leak issues

Jun 22, projected to be last school day
received a note from a 3rd grader on how to handle snow days




Franklin, MA