Thursday, December 15, 2011

"The cost to the town is expected to be $47 million"


The School Building Committee has come up with a pricetag for the proposed new high school: $104.5 million. 
The committee submitted one of its final drafts of the school plan to the Massachusetts School Building Authority more than a week ago, and the authority is expected to accept or deny the plans by Jan. 25. 
After that date, Franklin has 120 days to pass a debt exclusion to pay for the project.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/education/x1386885683/Estimate-for-new-Franklin-high-school-put-at-104-5-million#ixzz1gbFU6lPe


Related information from Open Forum about the High School Project held on Nov 17
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/high-school-project-nov-17-2011-audio.html

"Attendance last night was sparse"



Nutting said Public Works is short 12 positions from being fully staffed. 
“It’s all about money,” Nutting said. “As far as limbs, you know what, we have no tree budget.”The workshop discussed ways to either save or bring in money, including using high school and college students for summer DPW work, which Nutting said the town does already, requiring user fees for publicly-owned fields, re-examining public employee benefits, and trying to attract more and higher-end businesses. “I am curious as to why we don’t have medium and above-grade restaurants here,” Whalen said. “The answer can’t be that we’re doomed by Taco Bells and Wendy’s.” 
Benedetto suggested re-examining the development by-laws to see if businesses are being deterred either by town rules or the process the town imposes to develop land.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x2140449791/Franklin-residents-councilors-air-concerns#ixzz1gbD3RR9G

I am disappointed in the poor participation. I was hoping there would be a better turn out. There may have been others like myself who had a work commitment that prevented their attendance.

With the Master Plan review coming up, this would be a good time to get involved and review the current bylaws affecting development. If you are interested, you can get in touch with the Town Administrators office to apply.

Related posts on the Master Plan
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/what-is-franklins-master-plan.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/live-reporting-license-renewals.html


Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Town Council: Workshop - Weds, Dec 14


“It’s really a workshop to try and brainstorm about the community, get input from community members as to where their ideas are,” Town Council Vice Chairwoman Tina Powderly said. “It’s sort of an open session, a way to encourage and facilitate citizen participation.”

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1386885317/Franklin-Town-Council-wants-to-hear-from-residents#ixzz1gVRGXMdw


Details on tonight's session:

When: 7:00 PM Wednesday, Dec 14
Where: 3rd Floor Training Room, Municipal Bldg
What: Town Council to gather input from residents
Who: all Franklin residents


Open Meeting Law Workshop

The Open Meeting Law presentation document used to prepare the School Committee on the MA regulations.



If you have trouble viewing the slideshow with this tool, you can also view a Google Docs version here
https://docs.google.com/open?id=1yWTROFORNeEo_Dn8xLTFNnpgba6_WBmzq4dpgmUceSHBBRfsCLGVSRE2mSru


Note: Email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document

“It’s what we’re supposed to do”



Police arrest Dean College student wanted in sneaker assault

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Dec 13, 2011 - Agenda


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 October 25, 2011 November 9, 2011 and November 15, 2011 School Committee Meetings.
• Payment of Bills Mrs. McIntyre
• Payroll Mrs. Douglas
• Correspondence:

  1. Budget to Actual
  2. Revolving Account Memo


2. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the Field Trip to The Veteran’s Auditorium in Providence, RI for Parmenter 5th graders on April 10, 2012 as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care for Annie Sullivan Middle School.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $600.00 from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care for Annie Sullivan Middle School.
d. I recommend acceptance of two checks ($282.66 & 262.00) totaling $534.66 from the Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign from Mr. Douglas Lee for the Franklin High School.
e. I recommend acceptance of an anonymous donation of $5,000.00 for the Jefferson Elementary School.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $270.00 for the Franklin School District.
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from the ASMS PCC for a 6th grade field trip.
h. I recommend approval of the request of the FHS for the MA DECA State Competition in Boston, MA on 3/8 – 10/12 as detailed.
i. I recommend approval of the request of the FHS for the International DECA Competition in Salt Lake City, Utah on 4/28 – 5/1/12 as detailed.
j. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from Integrated Classroom Technology which was a MobiView prize from drawing at Mass cue conference for Oak Street Elementary School.
k. I recommend acceptance of a check for 202.36 from consignment materials from Follett for Jefferson Elementary School.
l. I recommend acceptance of the donation of PE Equipment from Infinite Kids for the Davis Thayer Elementary School.
m. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 36 Bose multimedia speaker systems valued at $99.95 each from Bose Corporation for the district.


3. Superintendent’s Report

4. New Business

5. Open Meeting Law Training – Michelle McNulty

6. Adjourn

In the News - refinance, ECDC, Dean, MSBA


Franklin refinances bonds


Frankllin's ECDC accepts applications



State sending early payments for some school-building projects



Cops: Three men had knives at Dean College in Franklin