Sunday, April 3, 2011

Patricia Ryan: Don't insist on English!

Patricia Ryan has been teaching English in the Middle East for 30 years. She has seen great changes during that time and shares some insights on the dominance of the English language.

What has this got to do with Franklin?
Due to the school budget cuts, the foreign language program offered by Franklin's schools is reduced. When my daughters went to middle school, they spent time with Spanish, Latin and French in 6th grade before choosing one of the three to continue with in 7th and 8th. That choice and program is not available to Franklin's students today.

The School Committee and Administration faced with a reduced budget are forced to make choices amongst ever tougher options.

Patricia's talk presents arguments for maintaining other languages. The cultural value of other languages is hard to calculate but should be considered.





What do you think?
Leave a comment, send an email or join the conversation on Facebook!


Related posts on the foreign language program in Franklin

1 - From the budget workshop Jan 29, 2011
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/01/live-reporting-school-budget-workshop_29.html

2 - Foreign language update to School Committee Sep 2010
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/live-reporting-foreign-language-update.html

3 - Discussion in Jun 2010 on the middle school Latin decision
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/live-reporting-foreign-language-latin.html


Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Apr 6, 2011

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 2, 2011 regular minutes, February 16, 2011
Executive Session Minutes

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Community Garden Committee
Amy Acevedo
Christopher Clay
Nicole Harter
Deb Schwab
Teresa Triana

Zoning Board of Appeals
Timothy C. Twardowski

F. HEARINGS
Public Hearing to solicit comments on a draft Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives for the Town

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION:
1. Resolution 11-09: Creation of Franklin Community Garden Committee
2. Resolution 11-11: Transfer of Tax Title Possession Parcels to Different Municipal Purposes
3. Bylaw Amendment 11-659 Chapter 135, Removal and Undergrounding of Utility Poles and Overhead Wires and Structures

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


The complete agenda document is included as the Brownfields information was good to share.

Franklin, MA - Town Council Agenda 4/06/11



Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Street sweeping to begin April 11

The Department of Public Works will commence street sweeping operations on Monday, April 11th. Sweeping will start downtown and will be followed by primary roadways. Secondary roadways and subdivisions will be swept based upon the order for the 2011 street sweeping zones. A map indicating the zones is located here. Street sweeping is expected to take up to 3 months and is weather dependent. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact the Department of Public Works.

The street sweeping zone map can be found at the link on the Franklin website or right here:

Franklin Ma Street Sweeping Letter Size 2011



Franklin, MA

HYDRANT FLUSHING

HYDRANT FLUSHING
PUBLIC NOTICE
TO
FRANKLIN RESIDENTS

The Franklin Department of Public Works, Water Division will begin its hydrant-flushing program on Monday, April 11, 2011. This program is conducted annually to improve Franklin’s water quality and fire flows. Some hydrants will be flushed between the hours of 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM, while others will be completed during the day. 
Hydrant flushing will continue depending on water availability and system pressures. Residents may experience discolored water during this process. 
Residents may also experience, temporary water loss or discolored water while hydrants are being flushed in their area. Even though the water may be discolored, it is still safe for human consumption. 
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and we apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the DPW office at 508-520-4910/4915. 
Department of Public Works
Deacon Perrotta
Water/Sewer Superintendent




Franklin, MA

"The idea is to get people involved"

For its annual One Book, One Community program, the library has selected "When We Were Strangers," a book by first-time novelist Pamela Schoenewaldt that chronicles the story of an Italian woman who emigrates to the United States. 
"I think all of us in some way have a connection to immigrants," said Monique Doyle, vice chairwoman of the library board of directors who also went to high school with Schoenewaldt. "We're very close to immigrant ancestors. It's kind of a universal thing." 
The One Book, One Community movement, which started in Seattle in 1998, is a community read-a-thon where librarians encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to read the same book and join up for a series of programs relating to the title. Several area communities, including Framingham, Bellingham and Wayland, have started similar programs. 
Franklin began four years ago with a $7,500 grant from the state Board of Library Commissioners. After the first year, the program has been funded mostly by the Friends of the Franklin Library, Library Director Felicia Oti said.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x816840317/Library-program-gets-the-whole-town-on-the-same-page#ixzz1ISKhYkGP

Related posts

1 - The Library One Book, One Community program announcement for 2011
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/one-book-one-community-2011.html

2 - From the budget hearing in May 2010
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/live-reporting-library.html

3 - "Dark Tide' was the selection in 2008
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/07/if-youve-already-read-dark-tide.html


Franklin, MA

Saturday, April 2, 2011

This man is not Blue in Franklin

Have you tried catching marshmallows with your mouth?
Matt Greene has and he really does catch them.

How does he do it?
Practice. Practice that comes with having performed in over 1,000 shows with the Blue Man Group in Boston.

How did you do more than 1,000 shows?
In Boston currently there are five guys rotating through the three positions for each show. Each role/character has different business to conduct. The roles are structured more jazz-like playing riffs off each other than following a script word for word. There is also a three man band that is highly integrated with the Blue Men. The band also rotates through their positions. So with six different personalities in each show, no two shows are exactly alike. Business needs to be accomplished but exactly how we get there is open to interpretation. That is what makes it interesting. If you had to do every show, the same thing, exactly the same way, every night, it would get tiring very quickly.

Where did the Blue Man group start?
They started in New York. Boston’s group was the first outside of NYC. They wanted to ask the question: could it exist and survive outside NYC? It could and has so well that the Blue Man show has also expanded to other cities: Chicago, Orlando, Las Vegas, and internationally in Berlin and Tokyo.

How does the show work?
You play within some structure. The music is still as much fun to play today as it was five years ago. You get your schedule at the beginning of the week and you know which role you are going to be for each show. You can go several weeks without having the same line up. The personality within the group plays as much importance as the role. The group thrives on a certain vibe. The drummer could be waiting for you to set this up. If you don’t go, then the other musicians are waiting for you, and him. They need to find each other. So you learn to recognize when to step outside the box, when to stay within. After each show there is a recap, the group discusses ‘how did that work?’ It is not judgemental. Valid feedback is required to foster the collaboration within the group. The vibe is key.

How do you train?
A new person comes to the group with about 6-8 weeks of training in NYC. We teach them how to come in here. It’s not formalized. It is more apprentice/master with doing and showing; this is how they learn. Then they figure out later when to vary. Some of this workout is done in the rehearsals. Amongst all the play, there is still a lot of technical things that you just have to get right. It may look like it but we are not really running around making everything up. You need to master your business first. Then you can think about your character and how it should react.

What is the show about?
I never answer that. It is different for everyone. It can’t be summed up. It is something that has to be experienced. Which is why it has been staying around for so long.

So how does a Blue Man come to live in Franklin?
He wanted more space than he could have in Brookline. Aubrey and I had been looking for awhile. As nice and convenient as Brookline was, we started looking around. We wanted a yard for the dog, room to raise a family. We heard great things about Franklin. We heard about the top 10 lists. The distance concerned me because I needed to commute into Boston. Sometimes I take the train which is really convenient. I can walk to it. It gets me there earlier than I want to but it takes me home almost exactly when I need to. And then I can also drive and get there at the last minute. So I mix it up.

Aubrey’s photography business can still serve Boston. She can also get down into Rhode Island so it works out very well for us. The commute is not as scary as I thought it might be so we’ll be here for a while.

What keeps you busy when you are not a Blue Man?
I am a strength and conditioning coach. I also write a blog, where I share information on proper training techniques, which I guess is how you found me.

Yes, I found Aubrey’s photography page and from hers, found yours.





Franklin, MA

"How can awareness be a bad thing?"

... Engelman is confident in Franklin police officers' ability to respond to autistic people. 
Besides participating in regular training on autism, the department is participating in a special event to raise autism awareness. 
Officers will bathe the police station in blue lights to raise awareness about the neurobiological disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop socially. 
Beginning last night, officers lit several blue spotlights as part of Light It Up Blue, an international campaign by the Autism Speaks advocacy organization. Buildings throughout the world - including the State House, Prudential Center and Fenway Park in Boston - were expected to turn on blue lights yesterday and tonight. The event coincides with World Autism Awareness Day, which is today.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x719608937/Franklin-Police-join-autism-awareness-event#ixzz1IMMVxqdh

Read ore about World Autism Awareness Day here http://www.worldautismawarenessday.org/site/c.egLMI2ODKpF/b.3917065/k.BE58/Home.htm


Franklin, MA

In the News - Dean radio, food collection


Franklin vets agent to be guest on Dean radio





St. Vincent DePaul food collection


Franklin, MA

Friday, April 1, 2011

Video Friday - Maslow's Hammer

Yes, it is snowing today April 1. It's no April's fool joke, just Mother Nature doing what she does best in New England, changing regularly.

Why this video today?
To raise the other side of the technology coin. Technology is a tool and can be used or abused. There is Maslow's Hammer: "If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

The internet does provide an easy (read 'free') entry to providing information. The RSA Animate video provides the other side of the coin.  Food for thought today!





Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the 11 minute video.


Franklin, MA

Thursday, March 31, 2011

School Building Committee - documents from 3/30/11

The handouts from the School Building Committee meeting on Wednesday 3/30/11.


  • Page one shows the calculations for the four options discussed.
  • Page two shows the differences primarily between options one and two
  • Page three covers the pros/cons of the options.
  • Page four provides the financial impact to the Franklin's taxpayers.



School Building Committee - Docs 3/30/11


The meeting notes (including photos from the meeting) can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/live-reporting-school-building.html


Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the documents

Franklin, MA

Public Hearing Scheduled: Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives

The Franklin Town Council will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at 7:10 p.m. to solicit public comments on a draft Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives for the Town of Franklin owned property (know as the former Nu-Style property) at 87 Grove Street, in Franklin Massachusetts. The following activities are currently being considered related to the Town of Franklin owned property: removal of hazardous materials within the vacant two story former manufacturing facility, demolition of said manufacturing facility, and partial remediation and or disposal of contaminated soil. The project is funded in large part by a $200,000 EPA Brownfields Clean-up Grant. The hearing will be held in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street. Any person or organization so wishing will be afforded an opportunity to be heard.

Written comments and suggestions related to the draft Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives and proposed project may be submitted to the Town of Franklin Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD), 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038. Deadline for comments is 12:00 p.m. Monday May 2, 2011.

A copy of the draft Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives has been added to the Information Repository for this project. The Information Repository, which is a collection of Nu-Style project documents including a Community Relations Plan and environmental assessments, has been established at the office of Planning and Community Development at the Franklin Municipal Building, and is available for viewing during normal business hours. In addition the draft Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives is available for viewing on the Town of Franklin’s Community Links web page:

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/NuStyle.

The Town encourages a broad spectrum of participation by residents and other interested parties in order to better understand and serve the needs of the community. The hearing location is accessible to persons with physical disabilities. If you require a translator or accommodations for the hearing impaired, please contact the DPCD at (508) 520-4907 no later than 4:00 p.m. Monday, April 4, 2011.



Franklin, MA


MA Small Business Development Center Network Event Calendar



Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

MSBDC Logo
April & May 2011
Calendar of Events

MSBDC Southeast Regional Office
 
At the MSBDC, "Your Success Is Our Business". Here are programs offered by both MSBDC and our resource partners for April & May.
April

13      UMass Dartmouth eCommerce Conference 2011 (North Dartmouth)
14      Intermediate QuickBooks (Mansfield)
20      The SBA Advantage (Brockton)
21      The SBA Advantage (Plymouth)
29      Marketing for Small Businesses (Fall River)
  
May
  
04     Advanced QuickBooks (Mansfield)
24     Export Documentation and Valuation (New Bedford)     
     
*For details and registration, please click on the workshop title.
For an updated listing of MSBDC seminars and workshops, please visit the MSBDC Southeast Regional Office Event Calendar periodically at www.msbdc.org/semass.
All seminars are held in Massachusetts unless otherwise noted. Pre-registration is required for all seminars.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations received by noon the day prior to the MSBDC sponsored seminar will be entitled to a refund. No refund will be given on notifications received after that time or in any no-show situation. The MSBDC reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a seminar due to insufficient enrollment. Registration fees will be returned or credited towards a future program.
*Not all events listed above are MSBDC sponsored events.
Forward this email

SBA Logo

"Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with
the U.S. Small Business Administration"

Massachusetts

"The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network is a partnership program with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Massachusetts Office of Business Development under cooperative agreement 1-603001-Z-0022-31 through the University of Massachusetts Amherst. SBDCs are a program supported by the U. S. Small Business Administration and extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. SBA cannot endorse any products, opinions or services of any external parties or activities. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least two weeks in advance.  For further information, contact the Southeastern MA SBDC office at (508) 673-9783."


This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by tjacobsen@msbdc.umass.edu |  
MA Small Business Development Center Network Southeast Regional Office | 200 Pocasset Street | Fall River | MA | 02721

In the News - renovate or build?


Franklin to consider building new high school



My report from the meeting including photos of the slide presentation can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/live-reporting-school-building.html

Franklin, MA

In the News - calendar revised, summer hours


Franklin School Committee revises next year's school calendar





Franklin's recycling center to start summer hours





Franklin, MA

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Live reporting - School Building Committee

Kaestle Boos Associates, inc
Daedalus

about 30 people attending (good participation from Council and School Committee)

The meeting is being recorded by Franklin Matters

Committee members (to be filled in later)

The architect normally brings forth three options, tonight we will see a fourth option. The committee makes a recommendation for the MSBA. The MSBA does see all the options and makes a final decision.

housekeeping

Mike McKeon making the presentation

One change to discussion from prior meetings, the space allocated to BICO

Option 1
bus entrance top right of layout as shown in picture

SchBldgComm: Option 1 - overview

small addition for administration to accommodate the entrance
less impact on site

major changes inside the structure
note these are conceptual drawings

SchBldgComm: Option 1 - 1st floor

central space, student commons, open to media center gallery open above (to second floor)
black box theater, cant get a traditional auditorium in the building but did need some space for approx. 400 seats
large courtyard, small courtyard in central entrance space
seating for the black box theater can be folder up and stored in a space along the wall
cafe and kitchen will remain where they are but be heavily renovated
media center important to the culture of the school
field house and gyms will remain in location, structural upgrade for support planned

the upper floor, attempting to bring light into the middle of the building
four clusters on second floor, four clusters on first floor, total of eight clusters

SchBldgComm: Option 1 - 2nd floor

the corridors don't look like much on the drawings but they are complex
one issue being addressed is that the levels are about 30" off, so they are proposing to reconstruct within the existing ceiling to correct the high difference

SchBldgComm: Option 1 - views

no place within the building to hold more than one class (approx. 400 students)

we don't have group areas within the cluster but they are adjacent to it

after a review of the floor plan options, they will review the dollars associated with each and the pros/cons

the lecture space is about 6500 sq ft, about the same size as the small gym

Option 2
adding a fifth tennis court, replace more sidewalks
drop offs same as in #1

SchBldgComm: Option 2 - overview

no small addition for science rooms in this option
the open space remains, but becomes a cafeteria
cluster concepts remain

SchBldgComm: Option 2 - 1st floor

art courtyard shifts from one side to another (by gym)
science moves to the other side (where art was in #1)
main entrance shifts to the main open space as in #1
the current 'main entrance' becomes the 'public entrance'

2nd floor locker room becomes mechanical room

SchBldgComm: Option 2 - 2nd floor

SchBldgComm: Option 2 - views

Option 3
'new building' done before at Westwood high
leaves field house in place, puts a new building on the fields
then takes down the existing building to create the athletic fields

SchBldgComm: Option 3 - lower level

the new building provides more opportunity for levels, going up and down
Panther Way becomes straighter through the property

SchBldgComm: Option 3 - main level

the track and football field would remain
in term of student impact, this is the better option

lower level has cafe and media center, option for outside dining
2 clusters at this level

main level with main entrances also has three clusters
windows to look down into the 'black box' etc. on lower level

SchBldgComm: Option 3 - upper level

upper level has another three clusters (total of eight)
two story space in media center, lots of light

SchBldgComm: Option 3 - views


Dollars

50-58% of the funding will come from the MSBA
encouraged re-use of model designs

(detail copy of estimates found here)

Option 1 - $73,100,000 - Franklin cost = $30,800,000
Option 2 - $96,400,000 - Franklin cost = $40,800,000
Option 3 - $97,900,000 - Franklin cost = $45,600,000
Option 4 - $91,600,000 - Franklin cost = $38,500,000

the page two sheet needs to be considered if you do Option 1

-----
updated

questions to clarify the options
Option 3 vs. 4, why is the site work double?
the model school would go out more into the filled area of the soil closer to the track/football field than Option 3 would be hence the higher removal/remediation cost.

Whitman-Hanson is one of the model school examples
they have a double gym with an elevated track

Option 4 would take us off the time line (not answered yet as to how far)
The renovation options numbers were coming in so high, what else can we do?

Option 1 vs Option 2 is really comparing apples and oranges due to the changes in the center and around the cafe/kitchen

time frame phases differ
24-36 months for option 1 and 2, more like 24 months for options 3 and 4

is customization allowed in the model school program?
yes, especially for the slope of the ground

controls would be put into place to prevent exposure to hazmat issues for the students and school personnel

Plymouth North one of the model schools is fully air conditioned

The model school program  has been wildly popular

Why would they make us do the model school and not allow us to keep the field house?
The construction design would have to be customized so the savings for the field house would be offset

What do we get for $54M for the renovation?
All new MEP, new electrical, HVAC new, elevators,
we have an estimate, I think the estimate is conservative
the model school program has bids in to compare to, we don't know what will be bid on this

pros/cons sheet handed out (to be added later)

what will the operational costs be?
Franklin High is a very efficient building, so the new building will be somewhat more expensive
a smaller building will be more efficient, less space to heat and cool

Option 3 and 4, are smaller foot print and a third floor
the difference space wise is only 20,000 sq ft amongst the four options

sustainable is re-using what you have, compared to a new building, the renovation of Option 1 is definitely more sustainable

8% contingency for renovation projects, so you may use 5 of it
new custom design carries 5%, and you may use 3% of it
with the model school, it is already been built so the contingency is usually carried at about 3%

the recent bid projects have been coming in under budget

$200-220/ sq ft for renovations, and $260/ sq ft for new constructions
the model schools tend to get more competitive bids (Natick and Norwood recent examples)

Option 3 and 4 cost include the abatement and demolition of the existing building

Jeff Nutting handed out a projection on what it would mean to the taxpayers
level funded as opposed to a higher burden in year one and declining over the terms

the average tax bill would be $230 for a $35M value and $260 for a $40M
the difference is $30/year between a brand new building and a renovation

What is the process for the committee to proceed?
There is no decision being made tonight, I would like to get a consensus from the committee on where to go from here. With the model school option before us, it would be wise to visit one or two of the schools. Get back together again in 3-4 weeks, to come to a decision on which option to recommend for MSBA.

Realistically Option 3 is not likely to be selected
per architect Option1 fits the FHS program better than Option 2

They actually put together the Option 2 first, then after seeing the sticker prices, backed into Option 1

Is there a preference in running the building between 1 and 2?
2 fits the program the best per the FHS
Option 3 and 4 are quicker with no disruption

Classroom sizes are currently smaller than the MSBA requirements, going with the new building we would get larger class rooms

Prior to this week, they were on the agenda for May, likely to be pushed off to July, this would not affect a fall vote. Will give enough time to prepare the due diligence for the presentation to MSBA

Propose to put Option 3 aside
Look at adding from sheet 2 to Option 1 to come up with an Option 1, Option 1.5, Option 2 and Option 4
the sheet 2 stuff are aesthetics and outside grounds

Whitman-Hanson, Hudson, Ashland

You need to bring three options to MSBA and give a recommendation
one of the options may be mute, but there is no negotiation with the MSBA, they will just pick an option

issue with parking, a long walk from the parking
limited with where we could go due to the land adjacent

a more details document of the pros/cons would be needed by the MSBA
the entrances we have been highlighted for students
the public would still maintain the entrances in the front or through the field house

if going to the black box for a performance, I would come in through the front and walk through the corridors not seeing much of where the money went

There is some negotiation even with the model school option after the MSBA has picked
model school is structured more to the enrollment

These numbers are still preliminary!

5 districts have chosen the Whitman-Hanson model, only 1 chose Ashland, 2 chose Hudson

MSBA starts with the ed-spec, then gets into the discussion on scope and site work (can't be more than 8% for site work)

SchBldgComm: Inside entrance Option 1

the goal of all the options was to achieve the same program (visioning exercise)

presentation portion is now complete, closing up

The document handouts from this meeting can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/school-building-committee-documents.html


Franklin, MA