High School Project - Nov 17, 2011 (audio)

This is the collection of audio segments recorded during the informational session on the new high school. The forum was conducted by the School Building Committee and held at the Horace Mann Auditorium on Thursday, Nov 17, 2011.


Part 1 – introduction and evolution of model school invitation
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/high-school-project-part-1-audio.html


Part 2 - Jim Jordan, partner and owner of Ai3 Architects provides an overview of the building
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/high-school-project-part-2-audio.html


Part 3 – Q and A: educational space and construction cost
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/high-school-project-part-3-audio.html


Part 4 – Q and A: various project costs and overall process
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/high-school-project-part-4-audio.html


Part 5 – Q and A; cost of designing a green building and debt exclusion timing
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/high-school-project-part-5-audio.html


Part 6 – Q and A; alternate fields and communication campaign 
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/high-school-project-part-6-audio.html


Part 7 – Q and A; building size, school population, and accreditation 
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/high-school-project-part-7-audio.html

Part 8 – Q and A; technology enhancements and traffic concerns; closing
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/high-school-project-part-8-audio.html

Live broadcast - School Building Forum

The first hour and fifteen 26 minutes were recorded and simultaneously broadcast live from the Horace Mann Auditorium. The remaining portion of the event will be made available as soon as possible.

The presentation begins about 13 minutes into this recording...




The video did not turn out very well. The audio recording was much better quality and available in eight parts for ease of listening. All eight parts can be found here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/high-school-project-nov-17-2011-audio.html

Town Council - 11/16/11

The collection of posts reported from the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov 16, 2011 can be found here:

• Live reporting - Closing
• Live reporting - Legistation
• Live reporting - Town Council meeting

As I look back at the picture taken when Town Clerk Debbie Pellegri lead them through their oath of office, I realized that they were already sitting in position. So before they formally conducted their organizational nominations of Chair, Vice-Chair and Clerk, they were already in the 'proper' spots.

Franklin Downtown Partnership: Holiday Stroll - Dec 1, 2011

In the News - Police, Town Council

Franklin Police gather tips in home invasion

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Franklin Town Council picks leaders, looks ahead to new term

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

In the News - Gerry's Place, Interfaith Thanksgiving

Gerry’s Place plans Thanksgiving pie sale

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service set

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Live reporting - Closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Dog park fencing up, open house this weekend

L. OLD BUSINESS
none

M. NEW BUSINESS
Judy - during election process discussion on transparency of finances etc. would like to get a copy of the report being requested by the FinCom on revolving accounts


N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Roy - thank to the voters, looking forward to working here for the next two years

Bissanti - happy to be on the council and happy to work with a dynamic group of people

Jones - proud to be sitting here with new folks and returning folks, working with all as a team with what lies ahead

Pfeffer - second the thanks around, new timer, louder, happy thanksgiving

Mercer - public meeting Thursday at 7:00 PM for the model school project at the Horace Mann Auditorium

Dellorco - probably got voted with most of his relatives, happy thanksgiving

Kelly - thanks - plug for the Kennedy Playground fund raising committee and their efforts to raise fund - visit Kennedy Playground.com

Powderly - Plug for the Franklin Downtown Partnership beautification effort at 9:00 to help make the downtown beautiful

Vallee - this is my 27 year, a lot of good things are going to happen

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

motion to go to executive session, passed 9-0 (via roll call vote)

Live reporting - Legistation

F. HEARINGS
none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
none

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 11-64: Adoption of Town Council Procedures Manual
motion to accept, passed 9-0

2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 11-666: Amendment to Chapter 185-5, Zoning Map, Biotechnology Uses Overlay Zoning District - Referral to Planning Board
motion to move to Planning Board, 9-0


Nutting - 225 acres of additional land, map available
Jones - has there been interest in this
Nutting - no, but we want to provide for the option

3. Bylaw Amendment 11-667: Amendment to Chapter 139-14, Sewer System Map -1st Reading
motion to move to second reading, passed 8-0-1  (Dellorce recused)

Nutting - this is a failed septic system for a plot that they are trying to re-develop. With approval, the house can be sold and become occupied

Dellorco recused himself from discussion

4. Bylaw Amendment 11-668: Amendment to Chapter 179-9.1, Water System Map -1st Reading
motion to move to second reading, passed 9-0

Nutting - Council has generally approved the extension of water maps more than sewer for safety concerns, it doesn't halt development; agreed to make improvements to South St for this approval. No sewer available within 2 miles

we pump about 2.6 M gallons per day, a typical house uses 65 gallons per person per day, therefore round numbers about 200 gallons per the house for the five would make about 1,000 gallons. No a stress to the system.

Live reporting - Town Council meeting

Present: Mercer, Dellorco, Kelly, Powderly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Roy
Absent: none


A. SWEARING IN OF NEW COUNCIL
Town Clerk - Debbie Pellegri

B. ORGANIZATION - Election of Officers

Pfeffer nominates Vallee for Chair, motionn to approve, passed 9-0
Jones nominates Powderly for Vice-Chairman, motion to approve, 9-0
Powederly nominates Pfeffer for Clerk,motion to approve, passed 9-0

C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 28, 2011
motion to accept, passed unanimously

D. ANNOUNCEMENTS


Rep Jim Vallee - an extra $100,000 increase in Chap 90 funding for Franklin, funding to be available each year, local road and bridge projects

7,500 for collection of carpet
7,500 for collection of cardboard

Chair plans to talk with Mullen of School Committee about the $300,000 transfered from the SchCom budget and report back

E. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

F. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none

"Unlocking the Door to Interest" (video)

Tom Asacker writes:

"Unlocking the Door to Interest is about drawing curious people towards you by creating something valuable and memorable. It must be something that connects deeply with their desires and sense of self; something that will, ultimately, move them to action."

The quality of life here in Franklin matters to you. You want to know more about what is going on. You want to get original and real time reporting. You have found the right place.

Thank you!


Spread the word to your friends and neighbors that if they want to get their own email newsletter (either daily or weekly), to look for "Franklin Matters". Or send them this link in email.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html


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

"We've got to change the mindset"

Some veterans groups are doing better. About 180 people are members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Bellingham, said Mary Durgin, an administrator for the organization. Franklin's VFW post has about 90 members. 

But overall, "The veteran organizations are dying," said Bob Fahey, Franklin's veterans agent. "It's a different time and place. A lot of people back then (after World War II) found their social activities in fraternal organizations. The soldiers that were returning, many of them wanted to be with people who had similar experiences, and that was accomplished by joining the American Legion or the VFW. It's different now." 

Legionnaires are U.S. veterans who have served at least one day of active duty during wartime. Local posts help veterans navigate their benefits and get jobs, volunteer in their communities, raise money for veterans hospitals, sponsor college scholarships and recognize local student and military achievements.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/features/x1931303200/American-Legion-looks-to-drum-up-support-in-Franklin-Bellingham#ixzz1drdFNdqF

In the News - no leads, dinner and show

Franklin Police: No leads in home invasion

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Arts company, 3 Restaurant offer dinner and a show

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin Downtown Partnership: Meeting Agenda

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Meeting Agenda

via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 11/15/11

Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting Agenda

Thursday, November 17, 2011, at 8:30 a.m.

Dean College Campus Center, Golder Room

I.         Open Meeting


II.        Adoption of Agenda


III.       Introductions
            a.  Welcome New Members -- Lisa Piana
                 John Fenton, Certified Financial Planner
                 Donna Rajcula, Mary Kay
                 Barry Madden, Franklin Ford
                 Dr. Don Cohen, Allied Chiropractic
                 Judith Needell, Franklin News
                 Linda Waters, Back to Business


IV.        Town Updates -- Bryan Taberner


V.         Report from Executive Director
             a.  Sponsorship and Membership update
             b.  Website Link, WMRC Buy Local
             c.  January meeting for downtown businesses


VI.        Franklin Local Town Pages -- Publisher Chuck Tashjian


VII.       Beautification -- Eileen Mason
             a.  Holiday Decorating -- Sunday, November 20
             b.  Volunteers also needed Friday, November 18


VIII.      Holiday Stroll -- Cindy Kozil and Roberta Trahan


IX.        Networking Schedule -- Joel Carrara


X.         New Business


XI.        Other Business


XII.       Adjourn

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Franklin Food Elves Launch ’12 Days of Donating’

The Franklin Food Elves and the Downtown Partnership will launch the “12 Days of Donating” food drive to benefit the local food pantry at the third annual Holiday Stroll on Thursday, December 1, at the 4 p.m. tree-lighting ceremony.

The charitable community service group’s goal is to collect 1,200 pounds of food and $1,200 in 12 days to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. The campaign will run from December 1 through December 12. Along with a food bin set up at the tree ceremony on the Dean College campus, the Elves are placing bins at six downtown locations where people can drop off non-perishable food items.

According to the Franklin Food Pantry, more than 1,000 residents use its services. Recent Census data shows the need is greater; more than 3,000 Franklin residents, or 9% of the town’s population, are struggling. That need increases in winter due to the cost of heat.

If the Food Elves reach their goal and collect 1,200 pounds of food, participating businesses pledge an additional $1,200 in matching funds. Franklin Food Elves co-founders Melissa and Cameron Piana and the FDP hope that the community will support the Food Pantry by helping them reach this goal. What will 1,200 pounds and $1,200 do for Franklin? 1,200 pounds of food can provide 923 meals to those in need. The $1,200 can provide an additional 6,000 meals.

Look for food donation bins at these locations:

• Franklin Downtown Partnership office, 9 East Central Street
• Jane’s Frames, 11 East Central Street
• Printsmart Office Supplies, 20 East Central Street
• Berry Insurance, 9 Main Street
• Dean Bank, 21 Main Street
• Dean College, Campus Center

For more information about the Franklin Food Elves and the “12 Days of Donating” campaign, please contact the Franklin Downtown Partnership at downtown.Franklin@yahoo.com or at (774)571-3109.

For more information about the Franklin Food Pantry and what items are needed, please go to their website, www.franklinfoodpantry.org/.

Shedding red leaves

The autumn colors have recently come to full term in the area.




The leaves were so red and so quickly are being shed.