Franklin Matters

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Around the table: healthy food, 2000 calorie diet

I'll share some good information on healthy foods that I find:

Does it really cost more to buy healthy food?

by Marion

Where did the 2,000 calorie diet idea come from?

by Marion

There's no festival in Franklin without the gravy

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

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Josette Sheeran: Ending hunger now

Josette Sheeran says: "What I would like to offer here is a challenge. I believe we're living at a time in human history where it's just simply unacceptable that children wake up and don't know where to find a cup of food. Not only that, transforming hunger is an opportunity, but I think we have to change our mindsets."

The Franklin Food Pantry works to provide a safety net for those in our community.

MBTA - Franklin Line - expect delays Sunday, Aug 14

On Sunday, Aug. 14, all outbound trains will terminate at the Norwood Central Station with substitute bus service shuttling passengers to Walpole Station. All inbound trains will terminate at Walpole Station with substitute bus service shuttling passengers to Norwood Central Station.

Delays of up to 30 minutes are expected

Read more: Work on Franklin commuter rail line may cause 30-minute delays - Dedham, Massachusetts - The Dedham Transcript http://www.dailynewstranscript.com/archive/x919518666/Work-on-Franklin-commuter-rail-line-may-cause-30-minute-delays#ixzz1Ua3LcmMK

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

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

This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by janeframe@verizon.net |

Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.

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.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

How quiet is it?

How quiet is it in Franklin?

I guess there is nothing to say?

In the News - Cultural Council

Franklin Cultural Council looking for members

by Staff reports

Monday, August 1, 2011

Election 2011 - Summary

Election results
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/election-results-nov-8-2011.html

Election results (Town Clerk sheet with counts by precinct)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/election-results-2011-precinct-totals.html

Election Time Line and info
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/08/franklin-election-details-are-now.html

Offer to Candidates
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/offer-to-candidates-for-election.html

Candidate questions
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/09/what-would-you-like-to-know.html

Candidate Interviews
Rich Aucoin answers 3 questions
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/rich-aucoin-answers-3-questions.html

Deborah Bartlett answers 3 questions
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/deborah-bartlett-answers-3-questions.html

Ed Cafasso answers 3 questions
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/ed-cafasso-answers-3-questions.html

Sean Donahue answers 3 questions
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/sean-donahue-answers-3-questions.html

Glenn Jones answers 3 questions
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/glenn-jones-answers-3-questions.html

Tina Powderly answers 3 questions
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/tina-powderly-answers-3-questions.html

Jeffrey Roy answers 3 questions
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/jeffrey-roy-answers-3-questions.html

Candidate Night Summary
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/candidate-night-summary.html

Candidate Night Video clips (each link takes you to that section)

Town Clerk Treasurer/Collector

Board of Health Town Council

School Committee

Note: the Forum was only for the contested positions. The candidates for Constable declined to appear.

Town Council Attendance Chart
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/09/franklin-ma-town-council-attendance.html

Election sign collection (captured with my phone camera while running around town)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/election-signs.html

Milford Daily News articles

"I feel, why change this now?"

"It isn't something you can do overnight"

The Nov 8th line up confirmed
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/09/november-8-election-line-up.html

The line up gets closer
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/09/ballot-line-up-is-being-confirmed-today.html

Vote Tuesday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/in-news-vote-tuesday-friends-get.html

Milford Daily News candidate profiles

Constable

Profile of Phillip Brunelli
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/in-news-brunelli-veterans.html

Profile of Charles Delfino
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/in-news-delfino.html

Planning Board

Profile of Greg Ballarino
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/in-news-ballarino-noreaster-schools.html

Profile of William David
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/in-news-david-fire-safety-storm-fallout.html

Town Council

Board of Health

Profile on Phillip Brunelli
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/in-news-brunelli-nclb-local-aid.html

Profile on Richard Aucoin
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/in-news-aucoin.html

Profile on Donald Ranieri, Jr
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/in-news-ranieri.html

Town Clerk

Profile on Deborah Bartlett
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/in-news-bartlett-casino-bill-national.html

Profile on Deborah Pellegri
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/in-news-pellegri-scrapbooking.html

Board of Assessors

Profile on Ken Norman
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/in-news-norman-film.html

Profile on Vincent Debaggis
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/in-news-debaggis-spaghetti-flu.html

Treasurer/Collector

Profile on Mark Denommee
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/in-news-denommee-book-sale.html

Profile on Jim Dacey
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/in-news-dacey.html

School Committee

Candidate websites

(if you know of a candidate website not listed here, please let me know)

Deb Bartlett - https://sites.google.com/site/debbartlettfranklinma/

Mark Denommee - www.markdenommee.com and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mark-Denommee-TreasurerCollector-Franklin-MA/132051246894946

Sean Donahue - http://donahueforfranklin.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/donahueforfranklin

John Jewell - http://www.jewellforschoolkids.com/

Glenn Jones - http://www.glennfjones.com/intro.htm and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Glenn-Jones-Franklin-Town-Council/199711333421

Tina Powderly - http://www.tinapowderly.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/TinaPowderly

Jeffrey Roy - http://jeffreyroy.com/

Downtown Project - paving progress

On my walk downtown Sunday morning, I took these photos. Depot St looking toward the Municipal parking lot. The train station is down to the right.

Emmons St at the corner of Main St. Dean College is immediately to the left.

Additional info on the two downtown projects funded by State and Federal money can be found here
http://franklindowntownpartnership.blogspot.com/p/downtown-project.html

"are there enough people who understand the need for a school?"

The Boston Globe West captures the high school building project in part by writing:

The complexity of the current building would make renovations very invasive to the school day, officials said. With 19 different roof lines and walls primarily lined with cinder block, construction workers couldn’t possibly refurbish the school in a discreet manner.

“We would literally have to rip apart the walls to get to the plumbing,’’ said Sabolinski.

As the building committee conducted a feasibility study, it discovered that renovations would also prove very costly. In a budget document released to the public in March, the committee revealed that an extensive renovation would cost $97.9 million before state reimbursement. In the same document, the projection for a model school stood at $91.6 million. But the state allocates an additional 5 percent to the total reimbursement of the model school project, which lowers the final town cost to just under $40 million.

For years the committee debated the renovation-rebuilding quandary, until the scales tipped decidedly last month when the Massachusetts School Building Authority indicated that it would probably invite Franklin to join its model school program. A quasi-independent government agency, the state authority aims to streamline public school building projects throughout the Commonwealth.

You can read the full article here:

In the News - record destruction

Franklin Public Schools to destroy records

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

Sunday, July 31, 2011

PanMass Challenge: Franklin riders

To help with the fund raising efforts of the Franklin riders for the PanMass Challenge, here are the links to their individual fund raising pages (in alphabet order by last name):

Tim Brightman http://www.pmc.org/profile/TB0006

Peter Lounsbury - http://www.pmc.org/profile/PL0048

Paul Metcalf http://www.pmc.org/profile/PM0053

Martin Middelmann http://www.pmc.org/profile/MM0373

Jeff Nutting http://www.pmc.org/profile/JN0077

Ethan Pearl http://www.pmc.org/profile/EP0070

Michele Pearl http://www.pmc.org/profile/MP0164

Jeff Roy http://www.pmc.org/profile/JR0142

Debbie Van Vort - http://www.pmc.org/profile/DV0016

Scott Young - http://www.pmc.org/profile/MR0067

If there are other Franklin riders, please let me know and I'll add them here.

PanMass Challenge rides through Franklin Saturday

The Remington Jefferson School complex will be busy Saturday morning. The site is a rest stop on the course for the PanMass Challenge. Hundreds of bike riders will roll through, take a quick break, some refreshments, pose for pictures with friends and family and ride on!

Slide show of photos from 2009:

The site lays out the purpose of the PMC in plain words - "When cyclists register for the PMC, they are signing up for a fundraising mission first and a bike ride second. ... Raising money for cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is the core of the PMC mission."

"We're remaining true to the mission," said Starr.

---

Riders settle into their own methods of raising money. Most send out letters each year, via email and the Postal Service, but their recipients vary from 50 people who give much, to 200 people who give what they can. Some letters are personalized, some are identical form letters. Some have heart-wrenching stories, while others simply remind loyal followers that it's the time of year to give again.

To donate to any of the riders or teams in the PMC, check pmc.org and plug a name or team into the search bar.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1764488225/Pan-Mass-Challenge-Finding-funds-for-the-fight#ixzz1TgLc8QXC

To help search for Franklin riders, I have a page set up with the links to their individual fund raising pages.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/07/panmass-challenge-franklin-riders.html

If there are other Franklin riders, please let me know

"The drug containers work like a mailbox"

Medway and 12 other Norfolk County towns are using the drug containers after Morrissey wrote the county police chiefs in May and asked them to participate in the program.

Franklin and Wrentham also have the boxes, and about 300,000 people will have access to the containers across the county, Morrissey said.

Franklin Police Chief Stephen Williams said a container has been at the station for about a month.

"I think prescription drug abuse is endemic almost everywhere," Williams said. "We're seeing many of our young people become involved in it, and where are they getting the drugs from? From their mom and dad's prescriptions and friends."

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Monday, August 8, 2011

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Things you can do from here:

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Friday, August 5, 2011

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Monday, August 1, 2011

Sunday, July 31, 2011

GA4