Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Washington Street Bridge Work


MARCH 30, 2011

WORK BEING DONE ON WASHINGTON STREET BRIDGE AT THE ROUTE 495 OVERPASS.

SCOPE: STRUCTURAL REPAIRS, SANDBLASTING, PAINTING AND PAVEMENT
REPLACEMENT. ALL WORK WILL BE ON ROUTE 495. THERE WILL BE NO
WORK ON WASHINGTON STREET ITSELF.

FRANKLIN TOWN ENGINEER


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http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/subscriber-news


Franklin, MA

Monday, April 4, 2011

FM #91 - Week ending Apr 3, 2011

Let's take less than 10 minutes to cover what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends Apr 3rd, 2011.


Time: 7 minutes, 14 seconds





MP3 File


Show Notes


This internet radio show or podcast is number 91 in the series for Franklin Matters.


We'll look back at the week that was as it comes to a close Sunday Apr 3 before getting to the outlook on the week ahead.


With my work on the Board of Directors for the Franklin Food Pantry, I missed the School Committee meeting on Tuesday and caught the highlights via the video feed.


The policy discussions can be found here
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=xRnvQEic8wAn0dx0vhs4uQ%3d%3d


and here
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=aiE5bT6Q1OUbssu1DcVcng%3d%3d




There was a minor change to the 2011-2012 calendar. As New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, school will skip Monday and start on Tuesday. This allows for the holiday to be observed on Monday as most other neighboring community school systems will also do. The revised calendar has been posted and prior versions removed to avoid confusion.




The action items can be found here.
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=Mf21W84bmi2SPafEDvNgrA%3d%3d


Of most interest was the action to accept the proposal on reducing the math graduation requirements to three years. Peter Light gives a good and brief summary of the position and why. Peter's comments occur about 1:01 of the action item segment.




On Wednesday, the School Building Committee meet to hear the first presentation on four options for the renovation of Franklin High. Two of the options are for renovation and two of the options are for building a new school. As the prices are comparable amongst them, the pros and cons will really need to be looked at as the project goes forward.


The next step is for the committee to finalize their options, and decide on a recommendation. This package (three options with one of them a recommendation) will then go before the MSBA where they will make a decision. That decision will then come back to the Franklin voters to approve or reject. If we approve, then the project proceeds with the State contributing something just above 50%. If we reject, the full cost of any resulting project will be borne solely by the Franklin taxpayers. The rejection will have lost our state reimbursement.


The committee is looking to decide by May and get before the MSBA in July which still puts us on the time line for a fall vote. Stay tuned to this one as it develops.


The meeting notes, handouts and photos can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/view/timeslide/1041884019440390619/2011/03/live-reporting-school-building.html




As for town meetings this week


The Finance Committee was scheduled to meet on Tuesday. As the budget book won't be ready until the end of the month, this meeting has been canceled. The budget hearings have been scheduled for May 2, 3, 5, 9 and 10. The calendar on Franklin Matters has been updated accordingly.




The Town Council is scheduled to meet on Weds. The Community Gardens group will be formed as an official town committee. There will be a public hearing on the Brownfields options for the NUStyle property on Grove St. Additional agenda items can be found on the full agenda here


http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/view/timeslide/9039137695672778386/2011/04/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-apr-6.html


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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.

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 visitFranklinmatters.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 &Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!






Franklin, MA

Eric Whitacre - Virtual Choir with 2,000 voices

Music is such an attraction point. Folks can disagree on other things but agree on good music. Or in this case, come together from all points around the world to participate in a virtual choir.





What a wonderful story and song! I can hardly wait to see the full release later this month.
Thank you Eric for accepting the challenge to join the choir and then for enjoying your journey in life with music!



Franklin, MA

In the News - public hearing, fund raising


Franklin considers demolishing old Nu-Style building



For the complete agenda for Wednesday's Town Council meeting and all of the associated documents:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/04/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-apr-6.html



Franklin boy inspires martial arts fundraiser




Franklin, MA

FISCAL FALLOUT: The Great Recession, Policy Choices, & State Budget Cuts - An Update for Fiscal Year 2012





Explore our online
budget database
Budget Browser


Is our research helpful to you? Support our work
Donate to the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center


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Contact Info



  Noah Berger
  President

  (617) 426-1228 x102


  Tom Benner
  Communications Director
  tbenner@massbudget.org
  (617) 426-1228 x100




Fiscal Fallout: The Great Recession, Policy Choices, & State Budget Cuts
-- An Update for Fiscal Year 2012  


April 3, 2011


When Fiscal Year 2012 begins, Massachusetts will enter the fourth budget year shaped by the worst national recession since the Great Depression. Communities and families across the Commonwealth have been feeling the effects of deep cuts in government funding for education, health care, public safety, safety net programs, and other services that people count on.   

A new MassBudget report examines the budget cuts already enacted since the onset of the current economic downturn, and those proposed in the Governor's FY 2012 budget.





See MassBudget's Budget Browser to explore Massachusetts state budgets from Fiscal Year 2001 to the present, as well as budget proposals for the next fiscal year as they are offered by the Governor and the Legislature.    

MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies, as well as economic issues, with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.


This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by info@massbudget.org |  
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

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