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

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

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.

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

In the News - Thanksgiving meals, home invasion

Franklin fifth-graders tote Thanksgiving meals to food pantry

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Police looking for suspects in violent Franklin home invasion

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

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

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?

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.

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

"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/

In the News - fund raising, flag raising

Community called to support wounded airman in Bellingham, Franklin

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Franklin Public Works employees upset over losing OT for flag raising

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

In the News: Denommee, collecting gifts

Letter to Editor: Denommee
http://www.milforddailynews.com/newsnow/x1222191969/Denommee-Congratulations-despite-low-turnout

Franklin, Medway football players collect gifts for injured Bellingham soldier

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Staff reports

Veterans Day

On this day, let's honor those who served

Thank you!

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/

The Grow Clinic - http://www.bmc.org/pediatrics-growclinic.htm

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.

Franklin Historical Museum: "Outfitted for war"

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Outfitted for war

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
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

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:

Write-in candidate wins associate spot on Franklin Planning Board

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

• Live reporting - workshop - part 2
• Live reporting - Town Council workshop

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

In the News - SchCom, precincts, dancers

Franklin School Committee picks new leaders after election

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Ross to get two of Spilka's Franklin precincts after redistricting

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Franklin dancers perform in Boston

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

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.

• 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:

1. Accepting compensable employment which is "inherently incompatible" with one's public responsibilities
2. Soliciting or receiving anything of substantial value (value of $50) or using official position to secure favorable treatment
3. 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.)

In the News - election results, Pellegri, bank scam

Most hold on to seats in Franklin election

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Pellegri back as Franklin town clerk; voter turnout 23%

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Franklin man accused of scamming bank out of $5k

by Norman Miller/Daily News staff