Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Franklin Downtown Partnership: Meeting Agenda
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
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
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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Tuesday, November 15, 2011
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.
The leaves were so red and so quickly are being shed.
School Committee: MCAS documents
These two documents will be part of the School Committee meeting discussion on the recent MCAS testing results.
Report:
MCAS SC Report 2011
Presentation:
SC MCAS 2011
Report:
MCAS SC Report 2011
Presentation:
SC MCAS 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Police Alert: Armed Home Invasion
Looking for assistance in identifying the suspects in the attached flyer. Any information, please call FPD Detectives 1-508-528-1212.
Thank you.
Home Invasion Nov 20011
_______________________________________________
You are subscribed to the Franklin Police News and Announcements mailing list.
Town Council - Agenda - 11/16/11
A. SWEARING IN OF NEW COUNCIL
B. ORGANIZATION - Election of Officers
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 28, 2011
D. ANNOUNCEMENTS
E. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
F. CITIZEN COMMENTS
G. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 11-64: Adoption of Town Council Procedures Manual
2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 11-666: Amendment to Chapter 185-5, Zoning Map, Biotechnology Uses Overlay Zoning District - Referral to Planning Board
3. Bylaw Amendment 11-667: Amendment to Chapter 139-14, Sewer System Map -1st Reading
4. Bylaw Amendment 11-668: Amendment to Chapter 179-9.1, Water System Map -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
MSBA: Model School (video)
The MSBA produced this video to show some of the features of the model school program, in particular - the first one - Whitman-Hanson. This is the model that Franklin is proposing to utilize.
Impressive!
Participate in the information forum on Thursday, Nov 17 at 7:00 PM. Horace Mann Auditorium
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=195429933870846
Review the FAQs prepared by the Building Committee here
For more information on the MSBA visit their website
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video
Impressive!
Participate in the information forum on Thursday, Nov 17 at 7:00 PM. Horace Mann Auditorium
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=195429933870846
Review the FAQs prepared by the Building Committee here
For more information on the MSBA visit their website
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video
BIG Y under construction
The former Franklin Buffet is coming down to make way for the Big Y.
The restaurant operated under several names as ownership changed over the years. What were other names?
Florentina's had moved from downtown to operate there for sometime before closing. What was there before?
The restaurant operated under several names as ownership changed over the years. What were other names?
Florentina's had moved from downtown to operate there for sometime before closing. What was there before?
St. John’s Episcopal Church Christmas Fair – December 3rd
St. John’s Annual Christmas Fair will take place on Saturday, December 3rd from 9am to 3pm at 237 Pleasant Street in Franklin, MA. Shop for Christmas gifts at our craft tables offering beautiful items, many handmade by the parishioners. A wide variety of themed gift baskets will be available, wrapped and ready to go!
Save yourself some baking time by taking advantage of our cookie walk. Select a box size and fill it with a wide variety of homemade Christmas cookies. Or choose bakery items from our “freeze to go” area.
Sit and relax while you enjoy hot soups and stews available at our snack bar and try a sweet from our fancy pastry table. Early Shoppers can enjoy breakfast items, such as quiche and cinnamon rolls. We’ll have many raffle items as well as an amazing silent auction, featuring a quilt by the Yankee Quilters!
The Children’s area will feature games, make and take ornaments, face painting, special snacks and more! Santa will be available for pictures from 11-1.
Don’t miss this great church fair!
Flu Clinic - Dec 12 - Senior Center
FLU CLINIC
DECEMBER 12, 2011
Franklin Senior Center
10 Daniel McCahill St.
From: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
FREE: For all children under the age of 19
FREE: For those with Medicare Part B as their primary insurance
For all others the cost will be: $12
Brought to you by the Franklin Board of Health and the Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Milford
Please contact the Milford VNA at (508) 473-0862 for additional information.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Franklin, MA: Election Turnout from 2003 to 2011
The disappointment in the local election turnout is real. When only about one fifth of the registered voters come out to cast their ballot, something is wrong. Especially in Franklin, where history does show that voters can and do turn out, just not for these local municipal elections.
The recent history of voter turnout in Franklin shows four levels of getting to the polls. National elections (2004, 2008 and the special election for Sen Ted Kennedy's seat) draw the most. The next draw is when there are state-wide elections (2006 and 2010). Money issues will bring out about 40 percent of the voters as shown with the three override votes (2007, 2008 and 2010).
At the bottom of the pile: the local election to run our town on a daily basis. The folks that make the important decisions for town operations get the least attention (15-22 percent).
Maybe next time a charter change is discussed, we should give some consideration to changing the cycle to get in with either the State-wide elections or national elections (even years instead of odd years).
The spreadsheet that drove the chart above can be viewed here:
You can also click through to Google Docs to find this spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?
key=0AkwjbnXDBhczdDB6NnUyUWZJbW90azlKbHBzTzdqYWc
The data was taken from the annual reports as published by the Franklin, MA Town Clerk.
Note: that for some years the annual registered voter totals need to be re-calculated as what appears in the report is incorrect. The election result totals are always correct. Specifically, you can look for a recent example in the Annual Report for 2010 - p77, the cross totals don't agree with the indivdual categories
The recent history of voter turnout in Franklin shows four levels of getting to the polls. National elections (2004, 2008 and the special election for Sen Ted Kennedy's seat) draw the most. The next draw is when there are state-wide elections (2006 and 2010). Money issues will bring out about 40 percent of the voters as shown with the three override votes (2007, 2008 and 2010).
At the bottom of the pile: the local election to run our town on a daily basis. The folks that make the important decisions for town operations get the least attention (15-22 percent).
Maybe next time a charter change is discussed, we should give some consideration to changing the cycle to get in with either the State-wide elections or national elections (even years instead of odd years).
The spreadsheet that drove the chart above can be viewed here:
You can also click through to Google Docs to find this spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?
key=0AkwjbnXDBhczdDB6NnUyUWZJbW90azlKbHBzTzdqYWc
The data was taken from the annual reports as published by the Franklin, MA Town Clerk.
Note: that for some years the annual registered voter totals need to be re-calculated as what appears in the report is incorrect. The election result totals are always correct. Specifically, you can look for a recent example in the Annual Report for 2010 - p77, the cross totals don't agree with the indivdual categories
"not all the roads will be taken all at once"
The legislation targets subdivisions built in the 1970s, '80s, and '90s. Those subdivisions are generally not fully up to state standards for town acceptance in areas like curb height or pavement drainage.
The bill also helps deal with a second issue in accepting streets in those old developments: ownership. Unlike subdivisions built now, where the developer owns the streets before turning them over to the town, the roads are a patchwork of ownership - each person owns the piece of road in front of their house.
"To accept a road, you had to go through a legal taking for every property owner in the subdivision, so it would have been utterly ridiculous," said Robert Cantoreggi, director of the Public Works Department.
Vallee said he's been working on the bill, a home rule petition that applies only to Franklin, for five years.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x228647720/State-bill-eases-red-tape#ixzz1daW9hKIc
School Committee: Agenda - 11/15/11
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 November 9, 2011 School Committee Meeting.
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman
2. Guests/Presentations
a. School Improvement Plans
1. Keller Elementary
2. Davis Thayer
3. Oak Street
b. MCAS – Joyce Edwards
3.Discussion Only Items
none
4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of all Elementary School’s School Improvement Plans as presented.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $116.82 from Target for In-House Enrichment at Remington Middle School.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from Hockomock Y Healthy Futures Grant for the Annie Sullivan MS gift account.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $600.00 from the ECDC PCC for supplies for ECDC.
e. I recommend acceptance of a donation of a piano from Carole Preble for the Kennedy Elementary School ($500.00 value).
f. I recommend acceptance of the donation of piano moving service from Gallo Moving & Storage for the above mentioned piano to Kennedy Elementary School ($350.00 value).
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
"give back whenever I can"
"I love animals and saw a need for this," Goulet, 13, said yesterday as volunteers set fence posts in concrete.
About 20 volunteers helped yesterday while 40 people began work on the fence last weekend. Earlier in the year, volunteers cleared brush from the 1/4-acre plot in Dacey Community Fields on Lincoln Street. Town workers have spread mulch throughout the dog park.
"It means a lot," Goulet said of support she has received from the community. "I really didn't expect this much of a turnout but so many people were willing to come out."
Richard Siccone, 62, a lifelong Franklin resident who volunteered yesterday, said the park was a piggery 50 to 60 years ago and the Dacey family later donated the land to the town.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/features/x228647724/Teen-organizes-Franklin-dog-park#ixzz1daN8nTWj
Related posts:
It was an idea in 2009
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2009/09/in-news-dog-park-honey.html
It became a proposal to the Town Council
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/08/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-aug-10.html
And moved forward
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/08/making-way-for-dogs.html
And for additional info visit the dog park website http://franklindogpark.webs.com/
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
UNO CHICAGO GRILL "DOUGH RAISER"
Here's another great opportunity to have a quick and easy meal AND support the Franklin Music Boosters at the same time.
UNO Chicago Grill in Bellingham (205 Hartford Ave.) will donate up to 20% of your check to benefit the Franklin Music Boosters. Dine-in or Takeout!
For this one, you'll need a COUPON in order for the Music Boosters to get credit for the meal sales of that day. Please print out a coupon and bring it with you!
View Larger Map
Cheerios collection
Members and friends of the Franklin Federated Church have been stacking the church altar high with hundreds of boxes of Cheerios - all to benefit the patients of The Grow Clinic at Boston Medical Center.
The effort is part of the Mission: 1 project of the United Church of Christ (UCC), one of the two progressive Christian denominations to which Franklin Federated belongs. Nationwide, members of the UCC are working to collect more than i million items of food for the hungry by November 11, 2011. The UCC is also writing thousands of letters to Congress related to issues of hunger and poverty, and raising money for hunger-related ministries in the US and in East Africa.
The Grow Clinic specializes in caring for children diagnosed with Failure to Thrive, and Cheerios are high in nutrition and they make great finger food for young children.
Franklin Federated has been collecting Cheerios for The Grow Clinic for years, encouraging members to place them in a shopping cart in the church's foyer whenever they can. This is the biggest effort yet, however, with the church attempting to collect 1,111 boxes for the Mission: 1 project between 11/1/11 and 11/11/11.
Related links:
Franklin Federated Church - http://franklinfederated.org/
Franklin Federated Church - http://franklinfederated.org/
The Grow Clinic - http://www.bmc.org/pediatrics-
United Church of Christ Mission: 1: http://ucc.org/mission1/
For more information, contact Pastor Charley Eastman at 508-528-3803 or Tiffany Vail Miller at 508-553-9085.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Franklin Historical Museum: "Outfitted for war"
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Boston Globe -- Globe West by Kathleen Burge, Globe Staff on 11/9/11
An exhibit officially opening this weekend at the Franklin Historical Museum tells story of a century's worth of wars through the uniforms of local veterans. The exhibit is expected to contain about 17 uniforms, said Deborah Pellegri, Franklin's town clerk and also chair of the Franklin Historical Commission. One of the most poignant stories is told by an Army uniform that belonged to Staff Sgt. Robert R. Pirelli, who was killed in Iraq in 2007.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Boston Globe -- Globe West using Google Reader
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Additional information on the uniform display can be viewed in this document
https://docs.google.com/open?id=1apRZlLAd7TLwqEHuL-hXa8Iz8Rkeiq0A83Jjax-OuYRkA6olfZtoS0hfXJvK
Write-in candidate wins associate spot on Franklin Planning Board
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by Alison McCall/Daily News staff on 11/10/11
The town has filled the Planning Board associate position, two days after the election, with a former member of the Planning Board (Ron Calabrese).
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Wicked Local Franklin News RSS using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Town Council workshop 11/09/11
The collected reporting from the Town Council workshop held on Wednesday, Nov 9, 2011
Attendance sheets updated
The attendance tracking spreadsheets have been updated for the new Town Council and School Committee. The two worksheets for the past Council and SchCom are still present in the workbook and each tab has been renamed to reflect the term of service. The past sheets are labeled as '2009-2011', current sheets are named '2011-2013'.
I have also added a sheet where I will attempt to record the roll call votes by councilor. I already record the votes during the meeting, putting them into the spreadsheet will allow for an easier analysis of who is voting on what.
The link to the workbook does not change. You can find it here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkwjbnXDBhczdEZSWlZLTFVqNmcxZWFTNDNxNk5PZkE
If there is other information you would be interested in having, please let me know.
Partridge closure extended to Nov 18th
Due to construction delays, Partridge St which is closed to all traffic between Harborwood and Dover Circle due to a culvert collapse, will remain closed until Nov 18th.
This notice was originally posted on the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/017D32A1-000F8513
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Live reporting - workshop - part 2
Nutting - anything that you would like done, please go through Maxine or the Chair. We are available for questions, etc. but we'd rather not have 9 folks directing our people.
Budget
Capital
Senior Outreach
Economic Development
really open to what the Council needs to operate
electronic agendas were requested by last council, will provide inexpensive laptops to bring to the meetings
ultimately will save a lot of trees
Financial summary, FY 2012 budget as amended last week; current account balances
enterprise accounts are not part of the general funds, they are sustained by the fees generated for that service
TA puts the budget together with the department heads, makes a recommendation to the Finance Committee which in turn makes a recommendation for the Town Council which votes on it.
Calendar of fiscal events for the Town Council(copy to be added later)
TC Workshop 111109
No word from the State on the budget for FY 2013, they need to see what the Federal government will do first
School Building committee wants to get everything into the MSBA for Dec 9 so we can get a decision on their Jan meeting. Debt exclusion requires a 2/3 vote of the Council to put on the ballot. If the time line holds could have the override in Mar/Apr.
Storm water regulations are coming, sometime.
all debt currently is declining principle level interest, the high school is proposed to be level/level
cable access corporation being set up; once corporation is set up, transfer of money and potential for leasing space to be worked out. $1.5M in the cable account currently with more coming in. Agreement likely to be for five years between Town and cable access with renewal options.
collective bargaining update coming during an executive session, nine units with contracts
Copies of reports from the department heads are provided for review, if you have any questions, please let us know.
When you get phone calls, there are three sides to the story.
Pictures for the website needed for next time.
2 ways to get something on the agenda, talk to the chair or you can make a motion (and need five votes - majority)
next meetings are the 16th and 30th
Budget
Capital
Senior Outreach
Economic Development
really open to what the Council needs to operate
electronic agendas were requested by last council, will provide inexpensive laptops to bring to the meetings
ultimately will save a lot of trees
Financial summary, FY 2012 budget as amended last week; current account balances
enterprise accounts are not part of the general funds, they are sustained by the fees generated for that service
TA puts the budget together with the department heads, makes a recommendation to the Finance Committee which in turn makes a recommendation for the Town Council which votes on it.
Calendar of fiscal events for the Town Council
TC Workshop 111109
No word from the State on the budget for FY 2013, they need to see what the Federal government will do first
School Building committee wants to get everything into the MSBA for Dec 9 so we can get a decision on their Jan meeting. Debt exclusion requires a 2/3 vote of the Council to put on the ballot. If the time line holds could have the override in Mar/Apr.
Storm water regulations are coming, sometime.
- Zoning changes some coming next week to add more bio-tech overlays
- DelCarte dam engineering effort underway, how it will be fixed and how we will fund that remains to be figured out. Two dams are registered.
- Downtown Project on schedule for 2013, public hearing to be scheduled
- Trash fee for FY 2012 - may be a minor adjustment
- portable classrooms plan being put together on removal over time
- David Thayer renovations on the horizon (get an architect to do an assessment first) what are the enrollment projections, by removing the modular unit you will need the room for the students
all debt currently is declining principle level interest, the high school is proposed to be level/level
cable access corporation being set up; once corporation is set up, transfer of money and potential for leasing space to be worked out. $1.5M in the cable account currently with more coming in. Agreement likely to be for five years between Town and cable access with renewal options.
collective bargaining update coming during an executive session, nine units with contracts
Copies of reports from the department heads are provided for review, if you have any questions, please let us know.
When you get phone calls, there are three sides to the story.
Pictures for the website needed for next time.
2 ways to get something on the agenda, talk to the chair or you can make a motion (and need five votes - majority)
next meetings are the 16th and 30th
Live reporting - Town Council workshop
Present: Vallee, Pfeffer, Roy, Jones, Kelly, Dellorco, Bissanti, Powderly
Nutting, Cerel, Kinehart
Absent: Mercer
Workshop - first year with the charter change that the Council doesn't get sworn in until next week.
Copy of charter provided. Bylaws are online. Mark Cerel undergoing a review of the bylaws to bring them up to current terminology
Council procedure manual - typically approved at one of the first meetings
Mark Cerel to touch base on open meeting law, conflicts of interest, etc.
open meeting law presentation
memo addressing email use
quorum in case of council would be five members, meetings doesn't have to be in person to qualify, email qualifies whether in serial or all at once. There is case law on this with a Boston case where their council was shuffling in and out of the meeting.
demands for public records do include personal email if referencing town business
think twice before email
commenting on public internet sites you are representing yourself as an individual citizen, not a representative of the position
posting does require 48 hour notice although there can be an emergency but there are requirements around what constitutes an emergency
sanctions for open meeting law can be significant civil fine as well as possibly setting aside the law/resolution that was the result of it
issuance of a new alcohol license or for a violation, know what is relevant and not, allow for an impartial hearing. even when you do everything right, you may still end up in litigation. We have insurance for this but the first 10,000 is still on us with the deductible we have.
Ethic law was passed in 2009, what changed was the penalty. Ethic law is a criminal statue. This is serious business. Upon swearing in, you will be given an online requirement for training. The training that was initially released was something not pertinent to local town business. A revision should be ready for the next cycle.
By definition of the statue, council members are "municipal employees" - statue applies to you and your immediate family... The family definition is extensive. Need to be aware of the prohibitions. Bribery or gifts and solicitations are targeted. Public official are prohibited from accepting or soliciting.
Compensation can be goods or services. The council is a licensing authority, if you are out to dinner and the owner of the establishment sends over some freebies, be careful. Can't do that. There is a fine line between the actual gift and the perception of a gift.
Ethic Commission has two functions, one is as an adviser. You can provide a circumstance and they can let you know what the situation would be. The safest way to go is to check with them. The Ethic Commission will take anonymous tips. They have the ability to fine up to $25,000 as well as imprisonment.
You can't use your position to gain a benefit. "Do you know who I am?" are the six most dangerous words.
The general improvement of downtown is one thing but if the benefit would be substantial for an individual, then that would be dangerous and the individual should recuse themselves.
The standards now include prohibitions on the following:
Nutting, Cerel, Kinehart
Absent: Mercer
Workshop - first year with the charter change that the Council doesn't get sworn in until next week.
Copy of charter provided. Bylaws are online. Mark Cerel undergoing a review of the bylaws to bring them up to current terminology
Council procedure manual - typically approved at one of the first meetings
Mark Cerel to touch base on open meeting law, conflicts of interest, etc.
open meeting law presentation
memo addressing email use
quorum in case of council would be five members, meetings doesn't have to be in person to qualify, email qualifies whether in serial or all at once. There is case law on this with a Boston case where their council was shuffling in and out of the meeting.
demands for public records do include personal email if referencing town business
think twice before email
commenting on public internet sites you are representing yourself as an individual citizen, not a representative of the position
posting does require 48 hour notice although there can be an emergency but there are requirements around what constitutes an emergency
sanctions for open meeting law can be significant civil fine as well as possibly setting aside the law/resolution that was the result of it
issuance of a new alcohol license or for a violation, know what is relevant and not, allow for an impartial hearing. even when you do everything right, you may still end up in litigation. We have insurance for this but the first 10,000 is still on us with the deductible we have.
Ethic law was passed in 2009, what changed was the penalty. Ethic law is a criminal statue. This is serious business. Upon swearing in, you will be given an online requirement for training. The training that was initially released was something not pertinent to local town business. A revision should be ready for the next cycle.
By definition of the statue, council members are "municipal employees" - statue applies to you and your immediate family... The family definition is extensive. Need to be aware of the prohibitions. Bribery or gifts and solicitations are targeted. Public official are prohibited from accepting or soliciting.
Compensation can be goods or services. The council is a licensing authority, if you are out to dinner and the owner of the establishment sends over some freebies, be careful. Can't do that. There is a fine line between the actual gift and the perception of a gift.
Ethic Commission has two functions, one is as an adviser. You can provide a circumstance and they can let you know what the situation would be. The safest way to go is to check with them. The Ethic Commission will take anonymous tips. They have the ability to fine up to $25,000 as well as imprisonment.
You can't use your position to gain a benefit. "Do you know who I am?" are the six most dangerous words.
The general improvement of downtown is one thing but if the benefit would be substantial for an individual, then that would be dangerous and the individual should recuse themselves.
The standards now include prohibitions on the following:
- Accepting compensable employment which is "inherently incompatible" with one's public responsibilities
- Soliciting or receiving anything of substantial value (value of $50) or using official position to secure favorable treatment
- Acting in a manner which would cause a reasonable person to conclude that official can be improperly influenced. (Liability can be avoided by filing of written disclosure.)
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Election results - Nov 8, 2011
Updated 11/9/11: Precinct totals added
Updated 11/11/11: link added to view directly in Google Docs
As an alternative, you can follow this link to view the spreadsheet in Google Docs
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkwjbnXDBhczdEdVeU5CTlo3ano3QU5EX3d0dHloZGc
Updated 11/11/11: link added to view directly in Google Docs
As an alternative, you can follow this link to view the spreadsheet in Google Docs
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkwjbnXDBhczdEdVeU5CTlo3ano3QU5EX3d0dHloZGc
Election day
Today, you get to vote.
The voting booths open on at 6:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM.
If you need to review who the candidates are, and for what positions they are running for, I have the information all in one place. The election collection can be found here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/08/election-2011-summary.html
Want to review the candidates during the Candidate Forum recorded and broadcast by Franklin on Oct 24th?
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.
Where is the high school field house?
218 Oak St, Franklin, MA 02038
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The voting booths open on at 6:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM.
If you need to review who the candidates are, and for what positions they are running for, I have the information all in one place. The election collection can be found here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/08/election-2011-summary.html
Want to review the candidates during the Candidate Forum recorded and broadcast by Franklin on Oct 24th?
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.
Where is the high school field house?
218 Oak St, Franklin, MA 02038
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In the News - election day, dam safety, BJ's hours
Today's the day for Franklin voters
Groups urge action on Massachusetts dam safety bill
Note: the dams on the DelCarte Open Space would come under this
Franklin Planning Board approves longer hours for BJ's
eBooks and eReaders
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
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
In the News - redistricting, Goguen letter
Local towns see big shift with new congressional districts
US Representative Jim McGovern currently has Franklin, under this proposal we would get Barney Frank.
Goguen: Town Council thwarting teacher, parent efforts
YMCA - Youth Basketball League
The Youth Basketball League (YBL) is the YMCA’s most popular youth sports league. The coed league focuses primarily on skill development, sportsmanship and fun. Emphasis will be placed on dribbling, shooting, passing, teamwork, and having fun. The first three weeks of practices are developed to meet the needs of each age group and to best advance their skills in a healthy and fun way. For the following five weeks, children will compete in games (times are TBA).
Each player in YBL will receive a team t-shirt and a trophy at the end of the season banquet.
The cost for the program is $66 for members and $99 for non-members. Hurry and sign up today because after November 25th winter league prices will increase.
To register, please stop by the Bernon Family YMCA located at 45 Forge Hill Road in Franklin, contact the front desk at (508) 528-8708 or visit us online at www.hockymca.org (only members can register online). For further information please contact Association Youth Programming Director, Jeff Laliberte at (774) 235-2746 or JeffreyL@hockymca.org.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Email from Sean Donahue
Tomorrow, November 8th, is finally Election Day! Throughout the past several months as I've been campaigning for Franklin School Committee I've had the pleasure of making new friends and reconnecting with old ones, including some fellow Franklin High School Class of 2007 grads that still care as much as I do about making sure current and future students have the same opportunities we did. I've talked and listened to parents, students, teachers, concerned citizens, current School Committee and Town Council members and Franklin's Superintendent and look forward to continuing to do so, if elected.
I've been humbled by the support I've gotten from so many residents I'd never previously met who believe the unique views I can bring to the School Committee as someone not so far removed from Franklin Public Schools would benefit the town. My job experience and educational background in communication, political science and business, which can be read about at Franklin Matters or DonahueForFranklin.com, seem of particular importance at a time when communication and "playing politics" have become such an issue in our town government.
I am proud of the education I received in Franklin Public Schools and I'm ready to give back. You can read about my goals and reasons for running at my website, which I will continue to update with important information if elected.
Our town faces many critical decisions in the coming year and it is vital we have the right people both making those decisions and disseminating important information to assure an informed voting public. On November 8th, I ask not only for your support, but also that you take the time to learn about candidates for all town positions before voting. I would like to remind everyone that voting only for those candidates you support, rather than voting for seven or nine people just because you can, is the best way to assure the candidates you really want to have a seat are elected.
This election is too important to have another embarrassing turnout of 16% like we had two years ago. Let's encourage everyone we can to vote and do our part to increase turnout! The Franklin High School Field House will be open from 6AM-8PM Tuesday for voting and it's expected to be a beautiful day, so there are few valid excuses not to vote!
I'd be happy to talk with anyone still undecided about who to vote for tomorrow for any position. Please feel free to contact me and I'll see you tomorrow on Election Day!
Sincerely,
Sean Donahue
Email from Tina Powderly
I am writing to ask for your vote for reelection to Town Council tomorrow. You are receiving this email either because you know me, have contacted me, or because I have interacted with you and other supporters of the schools in the past.
I am proud of the work that's been done during my first term on Council, including expanding tax credits for seniors and instituting a new trash system that has reduced waste and decreased costs, but there is much more work to be done. I also commend the many accomplishments of our school district and support the incumbents of the School Committee who have worked for our children over the years. Second only to our structural deficit and the strain it puts on education and public safety, the renovation of Franklin High School is the single biggest issue before the residents of this town. I ask for your vote so that I can champion for this critical project.
PLEASE VOTE. Encourage your friends to vote and forward this email to other Franklin residents if you believe in my message.
Election Day is TOMORROW, TUESDAY, NOV 8th
Franklin High School
6am-8pm
6am-8pm
LEARN MORE ABOUT ME. There are a number of places where you can learn more about my positions, experience and accomplishments:
My web page and at www.tinapowderly.com
My Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/TinaPowderly
Franklin Matters Interview http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/tina-powderly-answers-3-questions.html
Milford Daily News Profile http://www.milforddailynews.com/highlight/x804699774/Meet-the-Franklin-Candidate-Tina-Powderly-Town-Council
Hope to see everyone at the polls tomorrow.
Thank you so much for your support.
Tina
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