A. HEARING
FY 2012 Budget Hearing – 2nd
B. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 10-30: Adoption of FY 2011 Budget
C. ADJOURN
Note: the FY 2012 summary budget document can be found on the Franklin website
Franklin, MA
Monday, June 6, 2011
MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION - effective Jun 6, 2011
MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES TAKE EFFECT ON MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2011
Lawn watering is restricted to ONE-DAY PER WEEK BY TRASH DAY. Lawn watering not permitted between 9:00 AM thru 5:00 PM.
No holiday delays for watering. NO LAWN WATERING IS PERMITTED ON OTHER DAYS OF THE WEEK.
Originally posted on the Franklin, MA website
Franklin, MA
Lawn watering is restricted to ONE-DAY PER WEEK BY TRASH DAY. Lawn watering not permitted between 9:00 AM thru 5:00 PM.
No holiday delays for watering. NO LAWN WATERING IS PERMITTED ON OTHER DAYS OF THE WEEK.
During the summer months, the Town experiences excessively high demands for water due to lawn watering. There have been 24-hour periods during which water consumption has been more than twice our average daily water usage for the year. Because of the tremendous increase in the demand for water and state restrictions on the amount of water that can be pumped daily, the Town of Franklin must place mandatory water conservation measures in effect for lawn watering during the summer months.
The summer Water Conservation Measures are needed to limit the daily demand on the water system in order to ensure that adequate water is available to meet the public health and safety needs of the Town. This measure is necessary to maintain the water levels in the tanks for fire protection and normal consumption use. A total of 1-inch of water once per week from rain and watering promotes the healthiest lawns. Non-compliance with these regulations could adversely affect public health and safety. Violators are subject to fines up to $200.
Originally posted on the Franklin, MA website
Franklin, MA
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jun 8, 2011
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
Joint Appointment of Member to the Franklin Planning Board
John F. Carroll
F. HEARINGS
Public Hearing – FY 2012 Town of Franklin Budget - 1st
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION:
1. Resolution 11-27: Appropriation FY 2010 Allowance for Abatements & Exemptions
2. Resolution 11-28: Appropriation Stabilization Fund
3. Resolution 11-29: Establishment of Elected Officials Salaries
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
Note: the full document for the agenda can be found on the Franklin Town Council web page
Franklin, MA
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
Joint Appointment of Member to the Franklin Planning Board
John F. Carroll
F. HEARINGS
Public Hearing – FY 2012 Town of Franklin Budget - 1st
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION:
1. Resolution 11-27: Appropriation FY 2010 Allowance for Abatements & Exemptions
2. Resolution 11-28: Appropriation Stabilization Fund
3. Resolution 11-29: Establishment of Elected Officials Salaries
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
Note: the full document for the agenda can be found on the Franklin Town Council web page
Franklin, MA
Recycling Center News
Effective 6/3/11 the Franklin Recycling Center will be accepting Visa/Mastercard credit and debit cards.
FY 2012 stickers are also on sale for $20 which are good now through 6/30/2012.
Stickers will be affixed to the windshield by the attendant - no exceptions.
Originally posted on the Franklin, MA website
Additional info about recycling in Franklin can be found on the Recycling and Solid Waste page here
Franklin, MA
Saturday, June 4, 2011
In the News - Franklin High Graduation
Friday, June 3, 2011
Goodbye pyramid, hello plate!
The food pyramid is gone. The plate is here.
Here is a round up of some articles covering the changes in the presentation of the food guidelines as a plate:
And last but not least, the Choose My Plate website can be found here
Franklin, MA
Here is a round up of some articles covering the changes in the presentation of the food guidelines as a plate:
5 Things to Know About the New Nutritional Guidelines
Goodbye, Food Pyramid: USDA to Announce a New 'Food Icon'
And last but not least, the Choose My Plate website can be found here
Franklin, MA
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Farmers Market - Jun 10
The Farmers Market returns to the Town Common Friday, Jun 10th and run each Friday until October.
It will be open from noon to 6:00 PM
View Larger Map
Franklin, MA
It will be open from noon to 6:00 PM
View Larger Map
Franklin, MA
Library Closing
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 6/1/11
The Library will be closed from June 6 - 11, 2011 for renovations.
Thank you for your Patience!
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Franklin Public Library using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Children's Room Closing
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 6/1/11
The Children's Room will be closed beginning Saturday June 4th and will reopen on Monday June 27th.
Story times will resume on Monday June 13th.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Franklin Public Library using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Summer is approaching
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Lifelong Learning by Pandora Carlucci on 5/31/11
Tomorrow is June 1st and the final day of school is 3-weeks away ... June 22.
Less than a week later, serveral summer programs begin:
June 27: Math Academy
Solutions Summer Adventure
Summer Art Institute
Summer Music
UMass Amherst Tour
The following week, on July 5, more classes and opportunities begin:
STAR
StarPLUS
High School Academics
High School Online Digital Photography
The High School Experience is the week of August 15 and we hope to see 3/4 of the incoming 9th grade class.
The College Essay Writing course is scheduled for the week of August 22 and is full.
Check out our web site for more activities:
www.franklin.k12.ma.us
Select Lifelong from the top banner
Select Summer Program
Select View all Summer Program Offerings
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Lifelong Learning using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
"far from enough to keep the town's 220 miles of roads from deteriorating"
Other streets expected to be improved this year include all or part of Mill Street, Anchorage Road, Summer Street, Partridge Street, Daniels Street, Dover Circle and Winterberry Drive.
Workers will narrow some roads, such as Sahlin Circle and Anchorage Road, by several feet to reduce the amount of surface impervious to water, helping keep pollutants out of surface water, Cantoreggi said.
Streets are selected based on the amount of traffic, safety considerations, drainage problems and the overall condition of the road and utilities that run underneath it, Cantoreggi said.
"I've gotten calls from every area of town, and we have limited funds," he said. "We try to spread out the work throughout town."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x704496975/Franklin-takes-care-of-its-roads#ixzz1NvCnmBc7
Franklin, MA
Monday, May 30, 2011
Town Common Monuments
Franklin's doughboy is in the proper pose for today. Let's pause and reflect.
A slide show of the monuments on the Town Common taken over the past couple of years can be found here.
Franklin, MA
A slide show of the monuments on the Town Common taken over the past couple of years can be found here.
Franklin, MA
Sunday, May 29, 2011
"Gettin' it done"
T-shirt of the day: spotted at the Ribbon Cutting for the Community Gardens on Saturday. Town Administrator Jeff Nutting was wearing this. The slogan is attributed to DPW Director, Robert "Brutus" Cantoreggi. Brutus developed this line as the DPW worked to clear the roads during the several storms this past winter.
This spirit is shown by all those involved with the Franklin Community Gardens!
Franklin, MA
This spirit is shown by all those involved with the Franklin Community Gardens!
Franklin, MA
"a nonprofit organization to run the town's public access channels"
Franklin's nonprofit idea is not new. The first nonprofit access stations were formed in the early 1970s as cable television grew in popularity and regulations required cable companies to fund local programming. Other stations were run by the towns themselves or by the cable companies.
In the past 10 years, Comcast has stopped running many cable access stations it inherited when it purchased AT&T Broadband, leaving towns to figure out how to keep providing those services, said Amy Palmerino, vice chairman of the Board of Directors of MassAccess, a statewide organization that advocates for public access television.
Many communities, including Milford and Hopkinton, created nonprofit stations when a cable company stopped running their studios, a move Palmerino said increases community participation and creates separation between the town and one of its primary media outlets.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x311049248/Towns-find-ways-to-take-control-of-local-cable-access-TV#ixzz1NjtPZf2t
Franklin, MA
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Community Gardens - Ribbon Cutting - 5/28/11
Did the ribbon get cut for the Community Gardens today?
Yes, it did. Here is the video recorded live during the event:
I'll have more pictures and stories later.
Franklin, MA
Yes, it did. Here is the video recorded live during the event:
I'll have more pictures and stories later.
Franklin, MA
In the News - house fire, fallen heroes, parade
House fire deemed accidental
Franklin honors fallen heroes
FRANKLIN - The Memorial Day Parade will begin at 10:45 a.m. on Monday in downtown Franklin.
Marchers will line-up at the Historical Museum, 80 West Central St. The parade will travel on Main, School, Union, West Central and Beaver streets, ending at the war memorial on the Town Common.
Marchers will stop at Dean College, Union Street Cemetery, St. Mary's Cemetery and the war memorial.
Any veteran who wishes to march should meet at the Historical Museum at 10:15 a.m. Vehicles will be available for veterans who do not want to walk the route.
The parade is sponsored by the Franklin Rotary.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x704496775/Area-towns-have-plans-to-celebrate-Memorial-Day#ixzz1Ne1C3NB8
Franklin, MA
Friday, May 27, 2011
Take some time
In February, snow still covered much of the ground. It had arrived in December and covered many lawns until late in March.
April showers came and went, May flowers have bloomed, the trees and lawns are green again.
Memorial Day weekend is upon us. The traditional start to summer time.
Take some time to be thankful for all that you do have. Take some time to remember and honor those in the military who made this possible for us.
Franklin, MA
April showers came and went, May flowers have bloomed, the trees and lawns are green again.
Memorial Day weekend is upon us. The traditional start to summer time.
Take some time to be thankful for all that you do have. Take some time to remember and honor those in the military who made this possible for us.
Franklin, MA
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Franklin Community Garden Grand Opening this Saturday AM
The Franklin Community Garden Committee is proud to announce that the Grand Opening Day of Franklin's first community garden will take place this Saturday, May 28th at King Street Memorial Park located off King Street in Franklin. A ribbon-cutting will be held at 9:00 a.m.
A fundraiser plant sale is planned as well featuring locally grown vegetable starts.
Plots were assigned through a lottery drawing and winners have been notified. A wait list has been established as well.
Gardeners who have paid the lease fee may begin working in their plots on Opening Day.
Lease payments are due by June 7th and will be collected by Franklin Recreation. Gardening can not begin until the $40 fee has been paid. Payments can be made at the Recreation Department at 150 Emmons Street (Old Town Hall). The hours are Mon, Tues, and Thurs 8:30-4:30; Wed 8:30-6:30pm, and Fridays 8:30-1:30 pm.
Lease payments are due by June 7th and will be collected by Franklin Recreation. Gardening can not begin until the $40 fee has been paid. Payments can be made at the Recreation Department at 150 Emmons Street (Old Town Hall). The hours are Mon, Tues, and Thurs 8:30-4:30; Wed 8:30-6:30pm, and Fridays 8:30-1:30 pm.
The garden features 46 large raised beds leased to gardeners. The Franklin Food Pantry will garden 4 of those beds; other beds have been assigned to individuals, families, and community groups. Several of the beds are designed for easy access.
Many of the gardeners will be participating the Franklin's Plant A Row to Share program.
"services using other people's money"
Town Council Chairman Scott Mason said after the meeting he had received about 20 emails from residents and library advocates questioning a budget that would cut 5.5 positions and require the town to seek a waiver from the state for the library to remain certified.
"When it comes to what gets cut, given that we have to make cuts, I am going to support cutting the library over police, fire and DPW every day of the week," Mason said.
He said that is a reflection of dangerously low staffing in those departments and not the library.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1990774945/Franklin-officials-defend-library-cuts#ixzz1NRywyw3s
Franklin, MA
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Bring Back the 4th™
Greetings, Franklin residents!
From May 4th through June 14th, 2011, Liberty Mutual Insurance is hosting Bring Back the 4th™, an online contest that Franklin community members can enter for a chance to win one of ten $10,000 grants to support our town’s official Fourth of July celebration!
All our community members need to do is visit www.BringBackThe4th.com between May 4th and June 14th and take a brief multiple choice quiz on “Responsible Moments in U.S. History.” Each completed quiz counts as one credit towards a city or town’s total score.
Towns with the highest quiz participation will be eligible to win one of 10 Bring Back the 4th™ grants, distributed via three population-based categories: small (4 grants), medium (3 grants) and large (3 grants).
Please note the contest allows for one quiz per person, and winners will be announced the week of June 20th. Official contest rules can be found on the Bring Back the 4th™ website.
So visit www.BringBackthe4th.com today, to take the quiz and find helpful tools for spreading the word in our community!
Sincerely,
Thomas Duval
Executive Sales Representative
Liberty Mutual
Franklin, MA
Hockomock Area YMCA Accepting Applications for Volunteer and Job Readiness Program for Teens
Teen Corps Program builds career skills in a difficult market while rewarding its teens with the satisfaction that comes from volunteering
-----
About the Y
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.
Franklin, MA
For teens ages 15 to 19 looking to build solid workplace skills, while helping others, the Franklin YMCA invites them to join the Teen Corps as it prepares for its 3rd summer. Accepted applicants will be given responsibilities in areas from summer camp or member services, to fitness, integration or childwatch. Mentoring and training classes will be offered in the areas of active listening, dressing for success, resume building, professionalism and interviewing skills, among others.
“When young can set themselves apart when they enter the workforce by learning how to conduct themselves with managers and co-workers and develop basic workplace competencies,” says Bartt Pinchuck, Franklin branch director. “Teen Corps provides participants with the opportunity to gain job experience as well as develop professional skills and good working habits.”
Because of the potential difficulty teens find searching for summer positions, the YMCA saw the opportunity to help community teens hone their skills for the job market while doing good for an organization that welcomes strong volunteers. Through the free program, participants gain volunteer experience in a real job setting and participate in work skills and job readiness trainings.
The program also appeals to parents who encourage their kids to learn through volunteerism and hands-on experience.
According to abcnewsgo.com, more than one in four teens nationwide does some type of volunteer work, such as bringing hope to sick children, beauty to their own neighborhoods, and safety to the homes of seniors.
But the giving gives back. Research confirms that teens who learn early to be social, caring, and responsible perform better in school. Volunteering improves their chances of graduating at the top of their class, armed with critical leadership skills.
“Parents can encourage their teens to volunteer at the YMCA knowing that the YMCA is about developing strong youth, instilling values as well as building solid skills,” says Dawn DaCosta, Teen & Community Director. “The teens who currently volunteer for us are very focused, dedicated to the Y and enjoy what they do.”
Employment among the nation’s teens 16-19 years old has declined considerably over the past seven years they have fared far worse than any other age group. Teen Corps is designed to address this challenge by enhancing the capacity of teens to participate in the labor market.
Since the YMCA offers classes and programs based around families and children in a safe environment, participants are also required to train for other life skills such as child abuse prevention, CPR and first aid training as well as program specific training.
Participants must pass a CORI and SORI check, provide three positive references, interview with the Teen Corps coordinator, commit to an eight-week program including eight hours of volunteer service per week, and commit to all training.
Last year, participants enjoyed trainings in CPR, First Aid, Child Abuse Prevention, Customer Service 101, Landing the Job, Professionalism, and Working with Children. Each participant also underwent a mock interview with a senior staff member.
For more information, call Bartt Pinchuck at 774-235-2756 or email barttp@hockymca.org.
Applications will be accepted until June 10th
-----
About the Y
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.
Franklin, MA
"approved changes to fees"
"The fears are that students are out in cars and really engaging in risky behaviors," Sabolinski said, noting alcohol can cause increased drug use and violence.
Kristin Cerce, the district's director of health and physical education, said administrators hope to offer more programs on Friday nights next year in an effort to curb drinking. They also hold a mock crash before prom and are planning to bring a distracted driving simulator to the high school next fall.
School Committee member Roberta Trahan, who works as a critical care nurse, said she is especially concerned about tobacco and alcohol statistics because teenagers who use those substances can become addicted later in life.
"I'm at a loss to try to comprehend (the data)," Trahan said after the meeting. "Students just don't seem to understand the implications of these behaviors."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1152090787/Franklin-school-officials-worry-about-student-drinking-tobacco-use#ixzz1NM3RFR9p
Franklin, MA
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Honor flight
Jerry Sherlock is one of the lucky ones. His sons took him to the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC in 2007. Others still need to go.
Jerry, his sons and one grandson in front of the Iwo Jima Monument can be viewed here
You can find out more about this cause here
Franklin, MA
Jerry, his sons and one grandson in front of the Iwo Jima Monument can be viewed here
You can find out more about this cause here
Franklin, MA
"It's not a single thing we do"
In kindergarten through fourth grade, charter school teachers focus explicitly on character by teaching students how to behave at school, interact with each other and give back to their community. In fifth through eighth grade, those skills are reinforced while teaching academics through the bridge activity, rap writing and other projects, O'Malley said.
Character education culminates during a capstone project students complete as seventh- and eighth-graders. The project involves researching, planning and implementing a service project such as tending gardens for the Franklin Food Pantry, administrators said.
"We try to focus on the whole student," O'Malley said, noting all students participate in weekly small group sessions that address character issues. "Parents, teachers and students buy into the idea that character education is at the heart of what we do."
Several students who participated in interviews before the committee said they didn't realize how well character is integrated into their studies until they were asked about it.
"There's a sense of community here," said Cobi Frongillo, 13, an eighth-grader. "I can name about 95 percent of the students here. I don't think that would happen in another school."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/education/x1152090521/Franklin-charter-school-gets-an-A-for-character#ixzz1NAVhAJgH
Franklin, MA
"If you don't preserve the stories, then history is lost"
It was 1945 and Crawford, an 87-year-old Franklin Army veteran, was fighting in the Ruhy Valley in western Germany. His sergeant sent him to an old lumberyard up on a hill to see if there was any salvageable lumber. Instead, he found two German soldiers.
"I pointed my gun at them and they stood with their guns pointed at me," Crawford recalled Tuesday. "It felt like 30 minutes but it was probably only a minute."
The Germans, demoralized from losing the war, gave up. On the way back to his unit, Crawford realized his gun was unloaded when he attempted to shoot a rabbit for its meat and nothing came out of the gun.
While many stories like this are forgotten when veterans die, Crawford's tales of serving in the U.S. Army's 548th Field Artillery will be saved for future generations thanks to Regis Schratz, a Franklin teenager who interviewed Crawford and is making a video of his stories to be preserved in the Library of Congress.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/features/x1078554324/History-revived-in-Franklin#ixzz1NAUUW7Gj
Related post about bringing WWII veterans to the WWII Memorial in WDC
Franklin, MA
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Photo slideshow - Book Sale/'Touch a Truck' Day
The combined Library Book Sale and DPW 'Touch a Truck Day' drew a good crowd according to DPW Director Robert 'Brutus" Cantoreggi. This is the 4th 'touch a truck day' and third when combined with the Library Book Sale.
Did the kids find the buttons for the horn? Yes, they did!
Franklin, MA
Did the kids find the buttons for the horn? Yes, they did!
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 5/24/11
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 minutes from the May 10, 2011 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none
2. Guests/Presentations
a. FHS Green Update – Liz Hart
b. Ratification of Van Driver’s Contract
c. New Administrators
- Joyce Edwards – Director of Instructional Services
- Kadie Wilson – Principal Davis Thayer
d. Update Preliminary Data – MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey 2010
3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – Second Reading
KF – Community Use of School Facilities
4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the Budget Transfers as detailed.
b. I recommend adoption of Policy KF – Community Use of School Facilities as discussed.
c. I recommend acceptance of 3 checks, totaling $2,400.00 from the Annie Sullivan MS PCC for field trips.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $150.00 from the JF Kennedy PCC for field trips.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $125.00 from the JF Kennedy PCC for field trips.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $125.00 from the JF Kennedy PCC for field trips.
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $700.00 from the JF Kennedy PCC for field trips.
h. I recommend acceptance of a check for $400.00 from the JF Kennedy PCC for field trips.
i. I recommend acceptance of a check for $125.00 from the JF Kennedy PCC for field trips.
j. I recommend approval of the ratification of the Van Drivers 2008-2010 and the 2010-2013 Contracts.
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
The weird, wonderful world of bioluminescence
I love the line "Please remember to turn the lights off".
More TED Talks can be found at TED.com
Franklin, MA
More TED Talks can be found at TED.com
Franklin, MA
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