Franklin Matters

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

In the News - FSPA open house, St Rocco's

Franklin arts school plans open house

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Knowing his gnocchi in Franklin

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Shift Happens

The latest version of this "Shift Happens" video focuses on Iowa. With a little research, this could be updated to focus on MA. Anyone want to take this on?

Thanks to Scott McLeod for putting this together and sharing it!

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 8/9/11

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 July 12, 2011 School Committee Meeting.
• Payment of Bills - Mr. Glynn
• Payroll - Mrs. Douglas
• FHS Student Representatives
• Correspondence:
1. Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations:
a. Handbooks

3. Discussion Only Items
• none

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from Franklin Country Club for FHS Scholarships.
b. I recommend acceptance of three checks, totaling $150.00 from Mr. Light, Mr. Lima and Mr. Folan for FHS Administrator’s Scholarship.
c. I recommend acceptance of two checks, totaling $534.66 from Wells Fargo for in-house enrichment at FHS.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $592.76 from Lifetouch Pictures for in-house enrichment at ECDC.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $6,431.36 from Jefferson PCC for in-house enrichment.
f. I recommend adoption of the Elementary Handbooks as presented.
g. I recommend adoption of the Middle School Handbooks as presented.
h. I recommend adoption of the FHS Handbook as presented.
i. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,500.00 from the Hockomock YMCA from a grant awarded to Amanda Hartford, for supplies for Davis Thayer Elementary School.

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 Citizens Rail Trail Committee - Meeting 8/9/11 - 7:30 PM

The minutes from the Rail Trail Committee meeting in July:

FCRTC Minutes July 2011

The Agenda for the meeting Aug 9, 2011:

FCRTC Agenda 110809

The Strategic Plan to be reviewed at the August 9 meeting:

FCRTC Strategic Plan Draft

In the News - Wendy's, St Rocco's

Franklin planners OK plan for restaurant, offices at former Knights site on Rte. 140

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Franklin volunteers help set up for St. Rocco's Festival

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Monday, August 8, 2011

"a rain garden in the Depot Street parking lot"

This initial phase, $1 million worth of repairs to side streets and a municipal parking lot downtown, is slated to finish in the fall.

Construction crews are currently working on parts of Emmons Street, Dean Street, Ray Street, Depot Street and the Depot Street municipal parking lot.

The $1 million phase will improve sidewalks, resurface roads, and reset curbs. Parking meters will be replaced with more efficient - as well as fewer - ticket machines as the payment system for parking, reminiscent of city parking systems.

The improvements should add 26 parking spaces, along with period lighting, benches, and trash cans on the sidewalks. Drainage improvements have already been completed, said Cantoreggi.

Jamie Barrett

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Jamie Barrett

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 8/7/11

Jamie Barret will make a return appearance on Wednesday August 10th at 1PM.
This family music show does not require registration.

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

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Aug 10

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - June 15, 2011 Regular, Release of Executive Session Minutes, June 8 & July 13 Executive Sessions (not released)

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Cultural Council
Historical Commission

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Dog Park – Haley Goulet

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS - Long Range Financial Planning Committee

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 11-10: Request for Legislation – Exempting the Deputy Fire Chief Position from Civil Service

2. Resolution 11-41: Establishment of a DelCarte Property Improvement Stabilization Fund

3. Resolution 11-42: Appropriation DelCarte Property Improvement Stabilization Fund

4. Resolution 11-43: Establishment of an Other Post Employment Benefits Stabilization Fund

5. Resolution 11-44: Appropriation Other Post Employment Benefits Stabilization Fund

6. Bylaw Amendment 11-663: Amendment to Franklin Town Code: Chapter 82, Fees – Sewer Rates- 1st Reading

7. Bylaw Amendment 11-664: Amendment to Franklin Town Code: Chapter 82, Fees – Water Rates- 1st Reading

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 Election 2011 - details and timeline

Franklin election details are now available. The full slate of positions up for election are listed here:

Franklin Election 2011

The timeline for nomination papers and voter registration are shown in this document:

Franklin Election Calendar 2011

For all candidates, I will offer to publish an interview with them to provide some background and details on why they are running for office.

Details on the offer are contained here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/offer-to-candidates-for-election.html

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

Saturday, August 6, 2011

In the News - kites, horses

Franklin couple lives to make kites

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Justin Birmbaum and Whitney Clearman, Daily News staff

Franklin woman wants drivers to beware of horses

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Headed out to Sturbridge today for the PMC!

An email from Marty Middelmann provides info n the PMC schedule:

Thank you all for contributing to my PMC ride. So far I have raised over $4,600!

I'm headed out to Sturbridge today for my 3rd Pan Mass Challenge.

If you want to be a part of it you can watch the opening ceremonies at 7:00 pm tonight either on WCVB Channel 5 or, if you don't happen to live in Massachusetts, live streamed online at www.thebostonchannel.com.

(Don't worry everybody, you'll only miss the first hour of the Yankees/Red Sox game ;-) )

I will be posting updates throughout the weekend on Twitter http://twitter.com/PMC_M8R and on my FaceBook Page: http://www.facebook.com/PMCMarty

---------------------------------------------------------
Martin Middelmann
Pan-Mass Challenge Rider
Cure Cancer by donating here:
http://pmc.org/MM0373
---------------------------------------------------------

Friday, August 5, 2011

Farmers' Market: noon to 6:00 PM

Franklin Farmers Market, Friday, 12:00pm to 6:00pm

Located on the Town Common

Reminder that the Farmers' Market now accepts SNAP dollars and can double your purchasing power.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/07/franklin-farmers-market-doubles-food.html

Visit the Food Pantry tent at the Farmers' Market for details.

British Beer Company - ribbon cutting

The United Chamber of Commerce welcomed the British Beer Company (BBC) with a ribbon cutting ceremony this week. The British Beer Company opened in January in the former Applebee's location at the Franklin Village Mall. It is a very popular place with waits up to 90 minutes on Friday's nights.

For more information on the United Regional Chamber of Commerce visit their website
http://www.unitedchamber.org/

Related post:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/12/british-are-coming-to-franklin.html

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Jane's Frames: You don't want to miss this Inventory Clearance Sale!

Custom Picture Framing & Art Gallery

Dear Steve,

30-75% off all Framed Art

Jane's Frames is continuing this amazing SALE

until August 13th!

You will also save an extra 10%* off this already discounted Framed Art.

Help us make room for the August 18th Artists' Reception and Show

*bring in coupon below*

All Unframed Art, including giclees, photography prints and posters are also 25-60% off .

Save 25% on your 1st Custom Frame*	Save 30% on your 2nd Custom Frame* Save 35% on your 3rd Custom Frame* Check out our website www.Janesframes.com
Offer Expires: August 13, 2011 Custom Frame includes in-stock frame and mat*

Save an extra 10% off!	In order to make room for the August 18th Artist Gallery Reception and Show we have greatly reduced all our Framed Art up to 75% off. You will receive an extra 10% off this reduced price with this coupon. This is only for you, our loyal and valued customers.
Offer Expires: August 13th, 2011

Forward email

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Jane's Frames | 11 East Central Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

Note: This is not a paid advertisement. I have used and paid for framing services from Jane's Frames

Interesting reports on school funding

Two interesting reports for summer reading:

The Design of the Rhode Island School Funding Formula

from Center for American Progress by Kenneth K. Wong

Measuring Inequity in School Funding

from Center for American Progress by Diana Epstein

In the News - high school sports

Franklin High fall sports registration slated

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Math can explain Franklin

I had heard that the walking speed of people in cities varies according to the size of the city. The larger the size of the city, the faster the walking speed. Think about it and you can see from your own travels that this is true. Walk around Franklin. Go to Boston. Go to New York. You do need to walk much faster in New York to keep up with the flow on the sidewalk don't you?

The walking speed is one aspect of the theory that is coming together now about how cities and companies grow. Why does this matter? What has Franklin done? The population has tripled since the 1960's.

The problems Franklin faced when it was 10,000 people are different that it is now 30,000 people. The ideas that worked for 10,000 won't necessarily work for 30,000 people. Why? A multitude of reasons but there is one basic and fundamental reason that is now explained by Geoffrey West with this new theory.

Watch the video (18 minutes). More than once to get the information and begin to digest it.

Fascinating stuff. Follow the links to the TED Talk page and find additional information on the studies that have brought this theory to light.

I happen to think that Franklin tends to behave like a teenager. We are in that middle stage of growth trying to remain a kid yet forced to recognize that we have an adult-like body. We still want to play but are being forced to work, and not just 'to work' but 'to work' differently than our parents. It is a new and changing world.

How do you think this applies to Franklin?

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