High School Project - Part 3 (audio)

This is the second third segment from the School Building Committee Informational Forum held Nov 17, 2011.



MP3 File

Time: 13 minutes, 54 seconds

Show Notes:

This internet radio show or podcast is number 95 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This is the third in a series of 8 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.

This third segment picks up with the start of the Question and Answer period. Sean Fennell, the Project Manager joins the dialogue to provide some answers

Questions covered during this segment include

• Can you define educational space?
• How can students adapt to the newer hallways?
• When looking at the four model schools, was construction cost part of the criteria?

Without further ado, here is the recording from Thursday evening Nov 17th

(audio)

Be sure to listen to the other parts of the series:

Part 1 – introduction and evolution of model school invitation
Part 2 – Jim Jordan, principal and owner of Ai3 provides an overview of the proposed model

Part 4 - Q and A
Part 5 - Q and A
Part 6 - Q and A
Part 7 - Q and A
Part 8 – Q and A and closing

---- ---- ----

While this podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help. How can you help, you ask?

If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like this, please let me know.

This feedback loop is important. Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark &Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

High School Project - Part 4 (audio)

This is part 4 of 8 from the School Building Committee Information Forum on the new high school project held Nov 17,2011




MP3 File

Time: 16 minutes, 16 seconds

Show Notes:

This internet radio show or podcast is number 96 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This is the fourth of a series of 8 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.

This fourth segment continues the Question and Answer period with Tom Mercer (School Building Committee Chair), Jim Jordan (partner and owner of Ai3 Architects) and Sean Fennell (Project Manager) providing answers.

The questions covered during this segment

• Once the drawing is done there will be a bid process?
• What is the purpose of the courtyard in the center?
• How do you compare in dollars per square foot?
• What would be the project cost for Franklin?
• What number will be presented when the voters get to the polls?
• How are the utilities involved at this point?
• Has the Franklin Facilities Dept been involved?
• At what point is the commissioning agent brought into the project and how is it done?

Without further ado, here is the recording from Thursday evening Nov 17th

(audio)

Be sure to listen to the other parts of the series:

Part 1 – introduction and evolution of model school invitation
Part 2 - Jim Jordan, partner and owner of Ai3 Architects provides an overview of the building
Part 3 – Q and A – first set of questions

Part 5 - Q and A
Part 6 - Q and A
Part 7 - Q and A
Part 8 – Q and A and closing

---- ---- ----

While this podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help. How can you help, you ask?

If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like this, please let me know.

This feedback loop is important. Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark &Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

In the News - Holiday Stroll, food elves

Franklin partnership hosting Downtown Stroll

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

Franklin Food Elves launching 12 Days of Donating campaign

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

High School Project - Part 1 (audio)

The first of 8 segments recorded during the School Building Committee Informational Forum held on Nov 17, 2011



Time: 22 minutes, 45 seconds

Show Notes

This internet radio show or podcast is number 93 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This is the first of a series of 8 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.

This first segment covers the opening remarks by School Building Committee Chair Tom Mercer.

Tom review the origins of the planning for the school, the drafting of four plans including a couple of renovation options, and eventually the invitation by the MSBA to join the Model School program. This option provides the best reimbursement rate to the tax payers of Franklin. While some may still say that renovation is the way to go, there is no money for reimbursement of renovation costs for the field house from the state.

If Franklin insists on renovation, then the entire bill would be paid for the the taxpayers of Franklin. If the model school option is approved, then up to 58% of the costs would be paid for by the Commonwealth.

Fact:
New facility is 306,543 sq. feet.
Existing facility is 312,571 sq. feet

While the new high school would be about 6,000 sq foot smaller, it would increase the educational space by 30,000 sq feet. One factor for this increase is that the number of classrooms increases from 52 today to 58 in the proposed facility.


Without further ado, here is the recording from Thursday evening Nov 17th

(audio)


Be sure to listen to the other parts of the series:

Part 2 – Jim Jordan, partner and owner of Ai3 Architects – overview of the project
Part 3 - Q and A
Part 4 - Q and A
Part 5 - Q and A
Part 6 - Q and A
Part 7 - Q and A
Part 8 – Q and A and closing


---- ---- ----

While this podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help. How can you help, you ask?

If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like this, please tell me.

This feedback loop is important. Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark &Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

High School Project - Part 2 (audio)

This is the second segment from the School Building Committee Informational Forum held Nov 17, 2011.




Time: 19 minutes, 54 seconds

Show Notes

This internet radio show or podcast is number 94 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This is the second of a series of 8 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.

This second segment picks up with School Building Committee Chair Tom Mercer introducing Jim Jordan, partner and owner of Ai3 Architects.

Jim introduces members of his team and then gets into some background information on his firm. How they have worked designing schools and how the MSBA developed the 'model school' program. There is an additional 5% reimbursement available from participation in the 'model school' program.

Whitman-Hanson was the facility they designed that serves as one of the four model schools and the one Franklin has chosen.

Facts:

• The model proposed will include an 850 seat auditorium
• Dec 9th due date for the project scope and budget package that will be submitted to MSBA (first real dollars associated with the total project)
• 60% construction documents due approximately in April 2012
• 6 cost estimates done and validated at three different times along the way
• Construction could begin in the Fall of 2012

Without further ado, here is the recording from Thursday evening Nov 17th

(audio)

Be sure to listen to the other parts of the series:

Part 1 – introduction and evolution of model school invitation

Part 3 - Q and A
Part 4 - Q and A
Part 5 - Q and A
Part 6 - Q and A
Part 7 - Q and A
Part 8 – Q and A and closing

---- ---- ----

While this podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help.
How can you help, you ask?

If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like this, please let me know.

This feedback loop is important. Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark &Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

"Tri-County is the only high school in the Northeast to be chosen"

Last summer, Tri-County's engineering program was selected by MIT to participate in the NASA HUNCH program, in which students come up with real-world products to be used on space shuttles. With the help of an MIT faculty member, they hope to put their inventions to the test on a zero gravity aircraft, or space simulator, in April. 

The school had worked with MIT on projects before and had a student co-op at the university, said Bakr. 

"Every year, students indicate an interest in aerospace engineering," said Bakr, who has taught at Tri-County for eight years. 

"Typical schools in the program propose one idea, instead we proposed four. NASA liked three of the ideas," he said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/education/x2075767420/Can-astronauts-cook-scrambled-eggs-in-outer-space#ixzz1eFFg5xDf

Remington Middle School - Turkey Trot - photo essay

Remington Middle School held their annual Turkey Trot to raise awareness on hunger and collect food for the Franklin Food Pantry.

Food Pantry Executive Director, Anne Marie Bellevance, spoke with the students before showing a video on food hunger.




Principal Paul Peri guided the students through some warm up activities in the gym before going outside to run two laps around the building.




Students and faculty members are lined up for the start of the Turkey Trot




And they're off! Did someone jump the gun? Hard to tell, catch that turkey anyway!




The reminder of the student body joins the trot!




and yes, there are more




Principal Peri helps some friends along




Through the generous efforts of groups like this, the Franklin Food Pantry has prepared and delivered over 250 turkey dinners to Franklin families in the past two weeks.

Donations of food and money are welcome. You can drop off food and non-food items at the Food Pantry. We are located in the Rockland Trust parking lot opposite the new fire station downtown Franklin. You can either donate online or mail a check to the Food Pantry. Information on these options are available on the Food Pantry website http://franklinfoodpantry.org/



Note: I am on the Board of Directors of the Franklin Food Pantry.

Franklin cops alert residents to break-ins

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Franklin cops alert residents to break-ins

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Alison McCall/Daily News staff on 11/18/11

Police are asking residents to stay alert after half a dozen housebreaks were reported in as many days, including one where an elderly woman was zip-tied to a bed.

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

RMV Checks School Vehicles in Hingham

This type of inspection has occurred in two places now, if it comes to Franklin I hope we do well.

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

RMV Checks School Vehicles in Hingham

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 11/18/11

A surprise compliance check of school transport vehicles in Hingham this morning yielded 18 violations and two criminal complaints.  MassDOT RMV inspectors teamed up with the Hingham police to perform the checks outside the South Shore Educational Collaborative.

Registry inspectors and police officers stopped 62 vehicles.  Among the complaints filed- the driver of a South Shore Community Action Council van from Plymouth did not have a valid 7-D license.  Driving without the required 7-D license carries a $500 fine.
Officers also issued citations for defective equipment such as bald tires and safety violations such as vehicle overloading and not ensuring that children are properly secured in car seats or seat belts.

Repeat offenders are called in for a hearing with RMV officers which could result in the suspension of their 7-D license.

Drivers of the so-called 7-D vehicles must undergo a criminal background check to apply for a special license. The 7-D vehicles, usually cargo vans and station wagons, must also undergo special inspections twice a year to ensure safety features are working properly.

RMV teams up with local police periodically for surprise 7D compliance checks. Earlier this month, the Registry teamed up with Brockton police to issue 17 citations townwide on buses, vans and station wagons carrying youngsters to Brockton elementary schools.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Holiday Stroll Happenings

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Holiday Stroll Happenings

via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 11/18/11

Here is a listing of all the special treats and offers in store for you at the Third Annual Holiday Stroll on Thursday, December 1, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Third Annual Holiday Stroll Happenings

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Franklin Downtown Partnership using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

High School Design Photos

Three of the display boards available Thursday night at the first of a series of informational sessions on the new high school are shown here.


The first shows some views of the building being proposed.

The second shows the positioning of the new building where current ball fields are located. The existing building would be removed and replaced by the ball fields shown in this layout.

This photo shows the layout of the third floor of the new building. The area to the right is classroom space. The area to the left would be inaccessible areas for the two floors below.

"Everyone's number one thing is cost"

Franklin's proposed school is based on a state-approved model, Whitman-Hanson High School, built by architectural company Ai3. School officials expect 57.8 percent reimbursement in state funds for using the plans. 

"We really think this is education for the 21st century ... and it can be adapted down the road for who knows what happens in 40, 50 years," Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski said. 

The town has hired Ai3 to modify the Whitman-Hanson design to fit Franklin. The project requires state approval at several points, and eventually voters will have to decide whether to fund the project with a debt-exclusion override. 

The current high school does not comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, which has put Franklin on the warning list to lose its accreditation.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/education/x131606840/Franklin-residents-want-to-make-sure-new-high-school-adds-up#ixzz1e3OJ32e3


I was able to record some video of the presentation and discussion. You can view that here.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/live-broadcast-school-building-forum.html

Additional audio segments will be posted once they are available

Holiday Stroll Press Release

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Holiday Stroll Press Release

via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 11/17/11

Celebrate the Season at the FDP Holiday Stroll

Downtown Franklin will usher in the season of giving with the third annual Holiday Stroll on Thursday, December 1, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Franklin Downtown Partnership plans a visit from Santa, a tree-lighting ceremony, carolers, refreshments, entertainment and more for visitors this year.

The lighting of the tree will begin at 4 p.m. in front of Dean Hall on the Dean College campus. Costumed carolers will lead the crowd in singing holiday songs and refreshments will be served.

"In the spirit of giving, this year the Partnership is pleased to help the Franklin Food Elves kick off the '12 Days of Donating' campaign," says Cindy Kozil, Holiday Stroll co-chair. "We invite everyone coming to the tree lighting to bring a Food Pantry donation and remember those less fortunate this holiday season."

The Franklin Food Elves, a charitable community service group, will launch its food drive with a donation bin at the tree-lighting ceremony. The group's goal is to collect 1,200 pounds of food and $1,200 in 12 days for the Franklin Food Pantry (see sidebar).

From the tree lighting, visitors can then stroll throughout the downtown and visit more than 25 participating businesses for special offerings, discounts and more treats and entertainment. A complete listing of the businesses' special offers will be available at each participating location.

Children can meet Santa at Simon's Furniture from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Boston radio station 103.3 WODS-FM will broadcast holiday favorites and hand out prizes from the Berry Insurance parking lot. The Fire Department will give tours and holiday fire safety tips, and the Historical Museum will be open.

"For the past two years we've enjoyed tremendous community support for the Holiday Stroll, and we expect about 1,000 residents and visitors will help us celebrate this year," says Roberta Trahan, event co-chair. "We've put together a fun family event that we hope will remind people to think locally when doing their holiday shopping."

The Holiday Stroll is sponsored this year by Silver Sponsors Dean Bank, D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, DCU, Ferguson Enterprises, Middlesex Savings Bank and nhs print. Bronze Sponsors are Judith V. Butler, MA, LLC., the Franklin Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, Attorney John J. Roche, and Laura Lowe, Realtor, Coldwell Banker, Franklin.

For more information about the Holiday Stroll contact co-chairs Cindy Kozil, ckozil@dean.edu, or Roberta Trahan, roberta_icu1@verizon.net.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization made up of business owners, community leaders and residents working toward revitalizing Downtown Franklin. For more information about the Partnership contact Executive Director Lisa Piana at (774)571-3109 or downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Franklin Downtown Partnership using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Beautification Update

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Beautification Update

via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 11/17/11

Beautification Day
Sunday, November 20, 9:00 a.m. 
Come help decorate the Downtown Center!
(Businesses:  Please make sure you pull out your flowers from the barrels)


Volunteers Needed!
Saturday, November 19 (this has been changed from Friday, 11/18)
Volunteers are needed to help separate out the greens.
Please let Eileen Mason know if you can help.
10:00 a.m. at Hillside Nursery


Contact Eileen at 508-330-4234 or emason11@verizon.net.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Franklin Downtown Partnership using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Residential Break Ins

Good Evening. Gary Premo calling with an important message from Deputy Chief Semerjian. The Town of Franklin has experienced an increase in home break ins recently. They have been occurring during the day time, in residential neighborhoods. Suspect vehicle may be a mid-sized green sedan with an unknown RI registration, two male suspects. We ask that you stay alert and call 911 immediately should you notice anything, or anyone, suspicious or out of the ordinary in your neighborhood. Thank you and goodbye. To listen to the above message, you will need audio software and speakers on your computer. This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF FRANKLIN. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform TOWN OF FRANKLIN either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 520-4938. THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS IS NOT MONITORED. Please do not reply to this e-mail as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.