"ready to tackle the issues"

"We want to ... really focus on what we think will make the biggest impact with the town," said Chairman Douglas Hardesty. 

Hardesty presented a list of priorities he compiled from brainstorming sessions with the current committee and items the previous Long Range Financial Planning Committee was unable to fully evaluate. 

The list includes projecting and evaluating retirement benefits, the high school project, the tax burden, efforts to change state legislation and road and other capital investments. 

"We want to take a problem and say (to the council or School Committee) here's your portfolio of options," committee member Greg DiMarzio said. 

The previous committee, comprised mostly of elected officials, produced a report that explained the town faced a structural deficit in which revenue growth was less than what was required to maintain services. They projected that, through 2014, expenses would grow faster than revenue by $7 million to 10 million.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1336254064/Franklin-long-range-board-debates-future-emphasis#ixzz1KoD482Ra

Prior meeting reports are available here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/p/meeting-notes-2008.html



Franklin, MA

In the News - Fusion Fest, identity fraud, municipal guide, Historical Museum

1st Annual Franklin Fusion Fest planned

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin man indicted on 67 identity fraud charges

by Brian Benson, Daily News staff

Franklin’s municipal guide on town website

by Staff reports

Franklin Historical Museum seeking logo submissions

by Staff reports

Franklin, MA

"architects realized the costs would be similar"

The state is expected to reimburse the town between 53 and 58 percent of the cost, leaving the town to fund $30.8 million, $40.8 million, $45.6 million or $38.5 million, respectively, depending on the option. 

Dorothy Miller, who has a son in middle school and another who is a sophomore, said she worried renovating the existing building would significantly disrupt classes.
School officials said a new school would be built on nearby fields while students attend class in the existing building. 

In a renovation, "where would they put them?" said Robert Cloutier, 55, who has a son in eighth grade. "In the gym?" 

Cloutier said he worries about the cost, but said it's time to do something with the school, which was built in 1971. Project officials said it has outdated science labs, utilities systems and no elevators. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said during the meeting that a $35 million renovation would cost the owner of the average home valued at $360,000 an extra $235 a year while a $40 million model school would cost $265 a year, based upon current property values. A Proposition 2 1/2 debt exclusion override would need to be passed to pay for any of the options, most likely in the fall.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1294652027/Franklin-residents-like-model-high-school-idea#ixzz1KiLFl8QI

The March School Building Committee meeting is available here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/live-reporting-school-building.html


Franklin, MA

Downtown Partnership Networking Luncheon - Apr 29th

FDP Networking Luncheon - Friday, April 29th


1:00 at Dean College Campus Dining Hall $5.00 for all you can eat


RSVP Joel Carrara at jcarrara@printsmartoffice.com




Franklin, MA

Raw Foods Cooking - this week at Whole Foods

Dont forget this weeks Raw Foods Cooking class. Thursday at Whole Foods Market Bellingham 6:30!! Who is coming??

I have a great guest speaker for this class. Sheryl Stone a graduate of the world famous Hippocrates Health Institute http://www.hippocratesinst.org/  

Sheryl is a Certified Health Educator, she works with individuals who want to lose weight and gain energy through changes in thier diet including, but not limited to, the raw vegan lifestyle. She specializes in raw desserts and not depriving youself of the foods you love!

Via email from Karen Ring, CPT / Health Coach / AADP, instructor at Whole Foods Market Bellingham

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 4/26/11

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the April 12, 2011 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations
a. New Administrators
b. FHS Students – Building Project (John Leighton, TBD)
c. FHS Building Committee – Tom Mercer
d. Summer Program/Community Outreach – Pandora Carlucci

3. Discussion Only Items
Food Service Program

4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the Budget Transfers as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $20.44 from Follett Educational Services for the Jefferson Elementary School.
c. I recommend the School Committee authorize the administration to develop an RFP that propose to seek bids to privatize the management portion of the Franklin Public Schools Food Service Program.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund for the FHS Swim boosters.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $428.57 from the RMS PCC for Field Trips.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $107.14 from the RMS PCC for Field Trips.
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $252.00 from Wells Fargo for In-house enrichment for the FHS.

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 residents urged go to meeting about school plans

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Franklin residents urged go to meeting about school plans

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff on 4/25/11

School officials are encouraging residents to attend tonight's School Committee meeting to learn about the options being considered for renovating or building a new high school.

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