Let's spend about ten minutes to find out what matters in Franklin, MA as the week comes to a close March 13, 2011.
Time: 10 minutes 6 seconds
MP3 File
Show Notes:
This internet radio show or podcast is number 89 in the series for Franklin Matters.
We'll look back at the week that was as it comes to a close Sunday March 13. Then we will look at what is scheduled for the week ahead.
The Financial Planning Committee met on Wednesday. They completed their review of the prior report and are now busy working on the list of questions that they think should be answered.
The Town Council is one of two stakeholders for this committee. They will reach out to the Council to get their input on the questions to answer to help the Council make their decisions during the budget cycle.
The citizens (and voters) of Franklin are the second of two key stakeholders for the committee. Respectfully, there are some who don't care and there are some who have already made up their minds. Those two groups should not be a primary concern for the committee. The committee should address the needs of those who are looking for information. Those who are looking for accurate information have the interest to listen and make a decision. Providing information that is accurate and reasonably understood is the goal of the committee.
My notes from the meeting can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/live-reporting-long-range-financial.html
I wrote about these three type of audience in what I called my “fire circle story” back in 2005. You have a choice to listen to the audio recording here http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2006/10/fire-circle-story.html
or read the text here http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2005/11/fire-circle-story.html
The week ahead of is Sunshine Week. a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Coinciding with sunshine week and building upon the PEW Internet study reported on here last week, I have begun a couple of new avenues.
One – There is a form for you to ask a question about the Franklin budget. Frequent commenters on the Milford Daily News articles about Franklin reference reading the Annual Report and suffering from a heart ache or some other physical malady. They rarely provide specifics as to what in the report is what cased this reaction.
If you have a similar question, you can ask it, and I'll get an answer. If you provide your email address, I'll be able to follow up to ask any clarifying questions as well as provide a direct answer. It is your choice. If you do provide your email, you get the response. If you don't, I can't guarantee a response.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/citizens-against-waste.html
Two – Many of you have a voice on the budget or any number of topics that matter to Franklin. You may not have the time to create your own blog. If you do have time to write a couple of paragraphs, and access to email, your voice can be published on Franklin Matters in a new “Voices of Franklin” section. Your written submission will need to abide by the editorial guidelines found below. You'll also need to be aware that anything published on Franklin Matters is subject to the Creative Commons License 3.0 for USA. Specifically, what is published can be shared with attribution but not for profit. More information about the editorial guidelines and creative commons license are found in the links below. If you would like to clarify something before sending your writing in, you can reach out to me (shersteve at gmail dot com).
Email address to send to franklinmatters.ma.myvoice@blogger.com
Editorial guidelines http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2007/12/comment-policy.html
Creative Commons http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/
Three – This is an election year. November 2011 will see an election of the the Town Council, School Committee, and other town positions. I will make the offer now to all candidates for election to have an interview published in Franklin Matters. I did this in 2007 and 2009. The format of the interview preferably would be in text or audio. If you want to do video, I'll consider it as well. Let me know if and when you are interested and we can schedule a mutually convenient time.
2009 offer http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/08/open-offer-to-franklins-candidates-for.html
2007 offer http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2007/09/franklin-open-invitation-to-franklins.html
As for town meetings this week
The School Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday. Amongst the agenda items are presentations on the FHS visioning process, program of study, and summer reading. There is also the first reading on the bullying policy.
The Town Council is scheduled to meet on Weds. Amongst the agenda items they have are an action item to put the four utility poles on Main St located between Depot and the Triangle underground.
Coincidentally, on Monday, Mar 21 is a workshop to discuss the proposed zoning bylaw changes for the signs and other building restrictions in the downtown area. This is an outcome of the proposals brought before the Council on Oct/Nov that were not well received. There was too much to cover and it was not clearly presented. The Dept of Planning and Community Development has gone back to the 'drawing board' so to speak, and this workshop should help address some of the issues around the proposals before they are brought forward once more.
---- ---- ----
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help.
How can you help, you ask?
If you have an interest in writing about something that matters in Franklin, please let me know.
We have gradually been expanding the input here to include other contributors in Franklin and will have another announcement soon. There is still room for more, if you have something of interest to share, 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.
This feedback loop is important. Thank you for listening.
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, MA
Monday, March 14, 2011
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 3/15/11
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 Open and Executive Session minutes from the February 15, 2011 School Committee Meeting, and the Budget Workshop minutes from January 29, 2011.
• Payment of Bills - Mr. Glynn
• Payroll - Mrs. Douglas
• FHS Student Representatives
• Correspondence
1. Budget to Actual
2. Guests/Presentations
a. FHS Visioning Committee – Peter Light, Team
b. FHS Program of Study – Peter Light
c. FHS Summer Reading – Peter Light, Chris Schmidt
3. Discussion Only Items
• Policy – First Reading: JICFB - Bullying
4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the RMS trip to the Providence Place Mall IMAX Theater on April 15, 2011 as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2666.00 from the Parmenter PCC for Field Trips.
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 RAIL TRAIL COMMITTEE MEETING - Agenda - 3/15/11
FRANKLIN RAIL TRAIL COMMITTEE MEETING
Meeting # 26
Proposed Agenda for March 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. History of railroad for kiosk in progress
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
C. Ken to report on EMC connection
D. General preparations for the Road Race
VI. Report from Grant Writing Committee
A.
VII. Engineering Requirements of this project
A. Updates
VIII. Unfinished Business
A. Business plan status?
B. Bellingham connection – progress with the Lions Club – follow up needed
C. Kiosk possibility at Center St
IX. New Business
X. Set Date and place for Next Meeting and Adjourn
The website for the Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee can be found here http://franklinrailtrail.org/
Franklin, MA
"something that puts Franklin on the map"
"The vision that the Conservation Commission has for the property is that it becomes a public place for passive recreation and hiking trails," Livingstone said. "Fixing the dams and stabilizing water levels is the first step."
Resident Ernest DelCarte donated the 130-acre property on Pleasant Street to the town after he died seven years ago. There are seven dams on the property, which was once used as a fish hatchery.
Some of the smaller dams, where water sometimes flows over and around the structures, will probably be removed. They were built to create small ponds for the fish hatchery that is no longer operating, Livingstone said.
The commission initially feared the project would cost several million dollars, but they have received proposals for as low as $1.2 million, Livingstone said, adding he hopes the commission will discuss plans with the Town Council in the coming months.Read more: Franklin commission may seek grants to fix dams
Prior posts on the DelCarte property
Photo tour of the property
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/franklin-ma-delcarte-tour.html
Where is it located?
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/where-is-delcarte-property.html
Town Council discussion in October 2010
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/live-reporting-delcarte-proposal.html
Franklin, MA
Sunday, March 13, 2011
"most can be reimbursed by the mile when driving for town business"
Some towns reuse retired police cruisers and other vehicles as take-home cars, but others, such as Ashland and Franklin, said repair bills and the cost of converting cars for civilian use can be high.
"They're just not cost-efficient," Franklin Town Administrator Jeff Nutting said.
Towns otherwise often buy vehicles through a state bidding process or at auction, including at Adesa in Framingham.
In Franklin, Nutting said he has phased out several take-home vehicles as employees with that benefit retired or otherwise left the town payroll.
"Some of those jobs we never filled, or as (new) people come in, they have to bring their own vehicle back and forth for work," Nutting said.
The town plans to cut two more next fiscal year, when the town engineer and deputy public works director are expected to retire.
But there are few cases left where take-home vehicles could be eliminated, Nutting said, echoing many managers who saw most arrangements as necessary.
"I'm running out of folks to scale back on at this point," he said.Read more: How many public employees take their work car home?
More about Sunshine Week - a national initiative to highlight open government, freedom of information, and transparency can be found here.
Franklin's vehicle listing as of June 2010 can be found here. (I'll get an update this week.)
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Mar 16, 2011
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - February 16, 2011
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS - Conservation Commission
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Longhorn Steakhouse – Alteration of Premises
Joe’s American Bar & Grill – Transfer of License
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS – Auditor’s Report
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION:
1. Resolution 11-08: Report of Franklin Town Council, Re: Advisability of Requiring Removal of Poles and Overhead Structures Along Main Street From its Intersection with East Central Street to Its Intersection with Depot Street
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
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS - Conservation Commission
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Longhorn Steakhouse – Alteration of Premises
Joe’s American Bar & Grill – Transfer of License
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS – Auditor’s Report
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION:
1. Resolution 11-08: Report of Franklin Town Council, Re: Advisability of Requiring Removal of Poles and Overhead Structures Along Main Street From its Intersection with East Central Street to Its Intersection with Depot Street
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
Let the sun shine!
We have one entry thus far with multiple questions around substitute pay:
This query was sent to School Administration late Friday. With the School Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, I would expect to have an answer posted no later than Wednesday.
If you have a question on how Franklin spends its money, ask and we'll find out. The form to ask your question can be found at the top of the center column or by following this link.
More about Sunshine Week - a national initiative to highlight open government, freedom of information, and transparency can be found here.
Franklin, MA
How much total pay is made to substitute techers. I was surprised to see the number of substitue people and some of the amounts are pretty high. Are teachers paid straight salary? How is leave handled? Is excessive teachers absence accounted for?
This query was sent to School Administration late Friday. With the School Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, I would expect to have an answer posted no later than Wednesday.
If you have a question on how Franklin spends its money, ask and we'll find out. The form to ask your question can be found at the top of the center column or by following this link.
More about Sunshine Week - a national initiative to highlight open government, freedom of information, and transparency can be found here.
Franklin, MA
Saturday, March 12, 2011
"ensure greater transparency in government"
To ensure a continued and consistent focus on the Open Meeting Law, Coakley created the Division of Open Government to educate individuals about the law, enforce the law, and act as a readily accessible resource for members of public bodies, members of the public, municipal officials, and the press. The division has focused its efforts on educating members of public bodies and the public at large about the revisions to the OML, establishing a complaint process, and resolving Open Meeting Law complaints.
“The goal of the new law is to promote uniform interpretation of the Open Meeting Law and ensure greater transparency in government,” said Coakley. “As we move forward, we will continue to work with these governmental bodies, news media, and the public to ensure that we reach this shared goal of good governance.”
Read more: In first year, AG's office handled Open Meeting Law complaints, conducted training sessions
Franklin provides a "Visitor's Orientation to Meetings" focused on the Town Council but generally applicable to other committee meetings.
The Pew Internet and American Life Project released a report that showed:
"... government transparency is associated with residents’ feelings of efficacy and empowerment: Those who think their government shares information well are more likely to say that people like them can have an impact on government. It might be the case that signals from government that “we want to be open about what we do” make people think they can take advantage of that openness and influence the way the government operates."This report helps foster the activities that you and I have been taking here. Our engagement on the website, through the weekly and daily newsletters, and on Facebook are helping to encourage Franklin to do more in these areas. Franklin regularly wins an award for for government information sharing but it can still do better. One of the major issues with the budget crisis we face is the lack of trust in the information provided. Increasing the transparency will foster trust.
The full report can be found here:
http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/08-Community-Information-Systems.aspx
Franklin, MA
In the News - Fenway, VFW
Franklin men's group hosts program about Fenway
Franklin VFW to celebrate 75 years
"I think for the VFW to succeed we're going to have to take in new members," said member Howard Crawford, 87, who served in the U.S. Army in World War II and Korea. He said he is confident soldiers from the Gulf War and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan will become active as they get older.
"When people are returning from war (today), they are consumed with their family and want nothing to do with us. They just want to forget it."
Franklin, MA
Friday, March 11, 2011
Reach Out for Youth and Families
The Bernon Family Branch of the Hockomock Area YMCA will be holding a fund raising event at 3 Restaurant on March 22, 2011.
Details can be found in the flyer below. Please RSVP by March 15, 2011.
YMCA Invitation
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
Franklin, MA
Reach Out for Youth and Families
Details can be found in the flyer below. Please RSVP by March 15, 2011.
YMCA Invitation
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
Franklin, MA
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Citizens against waste
There are folks who complain about the money Franklin spends. This form will enable those Franklin residents identify an item where the expense is questioned.
You ask the question. I'll facilitate to get an answer.
(The collection of questions and answers can be found here)
This should at least get the discussion respectfully focused on facts and details.
The 2010 Annual Report can be found here (PDF)
Other reference links for the FY 2012 Budget can be found here
Franklin, MA
You ask the question. I'll facilitate to get an answer.
(The collection of questions and answers can be found here)
This should at least get the discussion respectfully focused on facts and details.
The 2010 Annual Report can be found here (PDF)
Other reference links for the FY 2012 Budget can be found here
Franklin, MA
Attention: knitters, crocheters, weavers, spinners, dyers, and anyone curious about fiber crafts
For the fiber crafters amongst us, a good event this weekend at MIT.
You can register via Eventbrite here
The FiberCamp blog with information from last year's event can be found here
Franklin, MA
FiberCamp Boston is a PodCamp like community un-conference for fiber craft enthusiasts including knitters, crocheters, weavers, spinners, dyers, and anyone curious about fiber crafts. Fibercamp is based on the fact that everyone has something to share and teach. Connect with the community by sharing your passion.More about FiberCamp on their website
You can register via Eventbrite here
The FiberCamp blog with information from last year's event can be found here
Franklin, MA
"It's misinformation that makes barriers to good decisions"
"There are very well-educated, insightful people who say I don't have enough information, so I'm always going to vote no," Chairman Doug Hardesty said. "To me if we can define what the questions are that will really provide a roadmap ... I think Franklin will be better off because you will have a bigger group of people more confident about decision they will make."
In 2009, the committee, which was then composed of members of the Town Council, School Committee and Finance Committee, produced a 45-page report that explained how the town was facing a structural budget deficit where annual revenue growth was less than what was required to maintain town services. They projected that, through 2014, expenses would grow faster than revenue by $7 million to $10 million.
The following year, voters rejected a $3 million property tax override.
Graydon Smith, one of the seven residents who comprise this year's committee, noted many residents may assume the town has direct control over costs such as pensions and benefits provided to part-time employees. Instead, those are mostly determined at the state level and are difficult to change.Read more: Franklin financial planners at work again
My notes from the meeting can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/live-reporting-long-range-financial.html
Franklin, MA
Facts At A Glance: Impact of Proposed Federal Budget Cuts on Massachusetts' Residents
|
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108 |
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Live reporting - Long Range Financial Planning Committee
Present: Doug Hardesty, Craig DiMarzio, Graydon Smith, Sue Rohrbach, Orrin Bean, John Hogan, Ken Harvey, Tina Powderly, Jeff Nutting (late), Glenn Jones
Absent: Deb Bartlett
Brian Benson, Milford Daily News reporter, in attendance
Motion to approve minutes of Feb 9, Feb 23 meetings. Separate motions, both passed unanimously.
Agenda - to complete the review of the Long Range Financial Planning Report
the final report of the prior committee from last year (PDF)
picking up on page 26
Structural deficit likely to continue
Another item to be added is the proposed EPA regulations (originally to be determined by Dec 2010 but not yet finalized) There are two aspects, one for the M4 permit and one for the private sector with more than 2 acres of impervious coverage.
Key example of the 'known unknowns' - tabled a full update of the regulation and issues around it, point to come back to, for now, just to have it acknowledged as an item
Discussion on prior committee role in making recommendations, they were not part of the charge but were attempted (see page 27 of report link above)
Let's make sure that we can present the facts such that no matter what position one may take, they at least can work from the same set of numbers with confidence.
There is little remaining to be done with efficiencies in Town operations so from the Committee point of view that there is only an increase in revenues or a cut in services.
There is little agreement amongst some aspects of the population on this point however. The point needs to be addressed.
Improve transparency and accessibility remains a key route to success
comparative metrics can make a strong point but they can't be used alone
Do you spend time on new issues, or do spend time working to spread the word on what we have?
A regular question being revisited.
If you show some progress on the major issues, you might have a chance to gain their buy in
Town Council and the citizens, two major stakeholder groups
1 - From the Town Council view, how bad is the budget crisis and what can we do about it?
2 - We can't hold ourselves responsible for making those who are not interested interested. You have also folks who already have their minds made up. Then there are the people on the fence who haven't made up their minds. Those are the ones who we need to focus on.
Override vote in 2010 had 41.7% turnout. 2008 has 40.3%, and 2007 had 47.3%. In 2004 held in Nov, 83.2% turnout failed the override. Situation was different in 2004 compared to the more recent ones. In 2004, the stabilization fund was large and some money was used after the override failed to ameliorate the effect of the vote.
Looking to provide the best most reliable information to the electorate to enable them to make a decision.
Now to do some brain storming on some questions to propose answering withing each area of responsibility.
Where were we, where are we, where are we going?
In what ways can the Town manage its growth?
Do Franklin residents pay a reasonable amount of property taxes? Need to rephrase that as it already has a judgement in the question. Feedback on being under-taxed was underwhelming. What is the relative burden?
Need to have non-judgmental language in all the questions.
Why did I chose Franklin? Taxes, location, schools, house prices were all compelling pieces of the discussion when I came here 12 years ago.
What are relative out of pocket expenses for services? water, sewer, trash, busing... etc.
I know a cynic can attack any information put across. Anyone can raise a 'waste, fraud, and abuse' question without having to back it up.
What is the ultimate goal, is the report just an update or will it look different?
Come up with the list of the key questions and then check to see if the Town leaders agree on these.
poll the council on the questions they would like answered? Poll at least some of the general public to gather some input from them. It will be a sample but should be something to work with.
What are the top 3 or 4 legislative items that would help the town benefit from a budget stand point?
We would have something to hand to Vallee, Spilka and Ross to go work
We could hand to the citizens the listing and say we can do only so much now and do more when these items are changed.
Bringing meeting to close. Continue to work on your own questions, send to Doug. He will compile and bring to the group for the next meeting to review/discuss the listing.
Need to balance the two constituents (Town Council and citizens) if we do one and not the other, then we'll not be providing enough information to make an informed decision.
One of the benefits of the way the committee is comprised is that we have a range of exposure to Town government and we want to leverage that in particular to ask fresh questions, simple or complex.
Franklin, MA
Absent: Deb Bartlett
Brian Benson, Milford Daily News reporter, in attendance
Motion to approve minutes of Feb 9, Feb 23 meetings. Separate motions, both passed unanimously.
Agenda - to complete the review of the Long Range Financial Planning Report
the final report of the prior committee from last year (PDF)
picking up on page 26
Structural deficit likely to continue
Another item to be added is the proposed EPA regulations (originally to be determined by Dec 2010 but not yet finalized) There are two aspects, one for the M4 permit and one for the private sector with more than 2 acres of impervious coverage.
Key example of the 'known unknowns' - tabled a full update of the regulation and issues around it, point to come back to, for now, just to have it acknowledged as an item
Discussion on prior committee role in making recommendations, they were not part of the charge but were attempted (see page 27 of report link above)
Let's make sure that we can present the facts such that no matter what position one may take, they at least can work from the same set of numbers with confidence.
There is little remaining to be done with efficiencies in Town operations so from the Committee point of view that there is only an increase in revenues or a cut in services.
There is little agreement amongst some aspects of the population on this point however. The point needs to be addressed.
Improve transparency and accessibility remains a key route to success
comparative metrics can make a strong point but they can't be used alone
Do you spend time on new issues, or do spend time working to spread the word on what we have?
A regular question being revisited.
If you show some progress on the major issues, you might have a chance to gain their buy in
Town Council and the citizens, two major stakeholder groups
1 - From the Town Council view, how bad is the budget crisis and what can we do about it?
2 - We can't hold ourselves responsible for making those who are not interested interested. You have also folks who already have their minds made up. Then there are the people on the fence who haven't made up their minds. Those are the ones who we need to focus on.
Override vote in 2010 had 41.7% turnout. 2008 has 40.3%, and 2007 had 47.3%. In 2004 held in Nov, 83.2% turnout failed the override. Situation was different in 2004 compared to the more recent ones. In 2004, the stabilization fund was large and some money was used after the override failed to ameliorate the effect of the vote.
Looking to provide the best most reliable information to the electorate to enable them to make a decision.
Now to do some brain storming on some questions to propose answering withing each area of responsibility.
Where were we, where are we, where are we going?
In what ways can the Town manage its growth?
Do Franklin residents pay a reasonable amount of property taxes? Need to rephrase that as it already has a judgement in the question. Feedback on being under-taxed was underwhelming. What is the relative burden?
Need to have non-judgmental language in all the questions.
Why did I chose Franklin? Taxes, location, schools, house prices were all compelling pieces of the discussion when I came here 12 years ago.
What are relative out of pocket expenses for services? water, sewer, trash, busing... etc.
I know a cynic can attack any information put across. Anyone can raise a 'waste, fraud, and abuse' question without having to back it up.
What is the ultimate goal, is the report just an update or will it look different?
Come up with the list of the key questions and then check to see if the Town leaders agree on these.
poll the council on the questions they would like answered? Poll at least some of the general public to gather some input from them. It will be a sample but should be something to work with.
What are the top 3 or 4 legislative items that would help the town benefit from a budget stand point?
We would have something to hand to Vallee, Spilka and Ross to go work
We could hand to the citizens the listing and say we can do only so much now and do more when these items are changed.
Bringing meeting to close. Continue to work on your own questions, send to Doug. He will compile and bring to the group for the next meeting to review/discuss the listing.
Need to balance the two constituents (Town Council and citizens) if we do one and not the other, then we'll not be providing enough information to make an informed decision.
One of the benefits of the way the committee is comprised is that we have a range of exposure to Town government and we want to leverage that in particular to ask fresh questions, simple or complex.
Franklin, MA
Asparagus - a stalk-umentary
With food on the radar, found this 'stalk-umentary' on asparagus insightful. Michigan farmers facing foreign competition due to US drug policies and foreign aid. This raises some good questions.
Watch more free documentaries
There are other documentary films like this from SnagFilms.
Franklin, MA
Watch more free documentaries
There are other documentary films like this from SnagFilms.
Franklin, MA
"concerned about keeping costs in check"
"It's 10 years old and 10 years ago it was state of the art," Rapoza said of the current website. "We want to give our teachers more abilities. We have hundreds of teachers and I want them all to have a web presence."
All teachers can create a page on the current website, which is hosted on the district's servers and was designed by a volunteer. But posting requires some knowledge of HTML coding and experimentation to ensure information appears correctly. Many teachers have also requested the ability to upload videos, Rapoza said.
Rapoza hopes a new website, which will be hosted by an outside company, will also be more searchable. Internet users have become accustomed to using Google or other search engines, but the current website relies on navigation trees, forcing people to browse through several layers of pages to find information, he said.
"The Web overall has changed," Rapoza said. "People are looking for something differently. ... They want to see a big fat search page. The information is there. We just need to change with the times."Read more: Franklin schools plan to redo website
Franklin, MA
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Snow art
My, what a nice mushroom you have sprouting!
Nature is wonderful!
I like this one with the snow melt. If you look closely, the lens caught several water drops suspended in act of falling.
I am not sorry to see the snow leave us. It hung around long enough.
Franklin, MA
Nature is wonderful!
I like this one with the snow melt. If you look closely, the lens caught several water drops suspended in act of falling.
I am not sorry to see the snow leave us. It hung around long enough.
Franklin, MA
Two new reports examine data on public employee compensation, pension costs
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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108 |
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