In the News - Charles River Trail

For the bicyclists who may use the Upper Charles River Trail in Milford, there is a section closed due to some contamination cleanup. The section will be closed through January, 2012.

Contamination cleanup to close Charles River Trail in Milford

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

"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

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.

Franklin School Committee: Open Meeting Law Training - 2011

View more presentations from Franklin Matters.

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

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

The Franklin Police press release for this can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczZWYzMzYxMzAtMmZhMi00YWVlLTg1MGMtMTAwZWY3MDVlMTZi

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

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Frankllin's ECDC accepts applications

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

State sending early payments for some school-building projects

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Cops: Three men had knives at Dean College in Franklin

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Holiday Open House 2011

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce's Holiday Open House  Dear Stephen, You're cordially invited to attend the Chamber's Holiday Open House! Come to The United Regional Chamber of Commerce's Franklin office, 4 West St., on Wed., Dec. 14 or the Attleboro office, 42 Union St., on Thurs., Dec. 15. Both open houses run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. We'd love to celebrate the holidays with you! Please bring an unwrapped toy to be donated to the Santa Foundation.

Forward email This email was sent to sgsherlock@gmail.com by jack@unitedregionalchamber.com |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. The United Regional Chamber of Commerce | 42 Union Street | Attleboro | MA | 02703

Jazz mistakes for Monday (video)

Monday morning. New week. New beginnings.

Music can be a metaphor for so much.

Orchestra, band = a form of organization

Conductor, band leader = leader

What is a mistake? By talking through examples with his improvisational Jazz quartet, Stefon Harris walks us to a profound truth: many actions are perceived as mistakes only because we don't react to them appropriately.

Spend about 13 minutes with this video from TEDSalon




Enjoy!

Franklin, MA: Town Council Work Session

The Town Council will hold a work session on Wednesday, Dec 14. The work session will take place in the 3rd Floor Training Room at the Municipal Bldg. The session will begin at 7:00 PM.

The session is open to all Franklin residents. You can have direct access to the councilors to talk about your issues and concerns.

This is a great idea! The newly formed Council is attempting to foster more direct access to Franklin residents and we need to take advantage of this opportunity.

During the current Town Council meetings, you only 3 minutes to say something during Citizens Comments and then you have to wait until the end of the meeting agenda where either the Town Administrator or one (or more) of the Council will have an opportunity to respond to whatever was raised. While it works to have issues raised, this 'Citizens Comment" process does not foster a conversation.

How long the session will go will depend upon how many show up to get involved in the discussion.

Recall the listing of items up for discussion at future Town Council meetings and published as part of the workshop held in November. If you are looking for a topic, this would be one place to start.

"raising money to buy gifts for families and children who would otherwise go without"

It’s all part of the school’s Light Up a Life project that works with a local charity, The Santa Foundation, for which students shop and then wrap and deliver gifts. This year, the gifts will be distributed to 26 families as well as 24 children from a home for abused children. 

“It feels really special to give back to the community. After doing this the past two years, it feels like a Christmas tradition,” said junior Rob Ward, one of the peer leaders helping with the drive. 

Light Up a Life peer leaders, who serve as school ambassadors, collect money from fellow classmates and teachers. They are then given a family for whom to buy gifts which come from a wish list made by the family.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/features/x1270566676/Franklin-students-give-presents-to-families-in-need#ixzz1gEAz7WIo

To make a contribution, visit their website and donate using PayPal
http://lightupalife.blogspot.com/

Only 2 Days to Go

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Only 2 Days to Go

via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 12/10/11

The Partnership and the Food Elves still need a few more donations to meet our goal of 1,200 pounds of food so the Food Pantry will receive $1,200 in matching funds!


Please drop off your donations by Monday, December 12.


If the Food Elves reach their goal and collect 1,200 pounds of food, participating businesses pledge an additional $1,200 in matching funds! 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
• Jane's Frames
• Printsmart Office Supplies
• Berry Insurance
• Dean Bank
• Dean College
• YMCA
• Allied Chiropractic
• Food Pantry -- with a note indicating that you want it to go toward the Food Elves/FDP food drive campaign

Thanks to everyone who has supported the Food Pantry and the Food Elves' "12 Days of Donating" campaign!

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

"education must be a priority"

Looking to the future, Biocchi said she foresees economic growth in MetroWest expanding toward I-495, the way businesses filled in the Rte. 128 corridor 10 years ago. 

Dunne said MetroWest cities and towns are learning how to show love to the businesses with roots in MetroWest and also find ways to bring new ones. 

Natick’s Economic Development Committee will soon launch a website aimed at attracting new industries and their employees. 

“Over time I think MetroWest will be sort of a known region,” Joseph said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/business/x536735116/How-the-local-economy-survived-the-death-of-manufacturing#ixzz1gE94ZuFs


Related posts on Franklin's economic development efforts

Franklin Matters: Franklin, MA is looking to do business

Franklin Matters: Franklin Economic Development Summit - Oct 27th

Franklin Matters: Franklin Economic Development Summit - Oct 27th

Franklin Matters: Economic Development Summit: Schedule

Franklin Matters: "The objective is economic development"

Reward for lost cat (photo)

When you go looking for a lost cat, wouldn't it be nice to have a photo? We do, now happy hunting for Sal.

Hi Steve,
I was wondering if you would consider posting about my lost cat? I understand if it's not the right forum, but I am out of my mind with worry and I am reaching out to anyone in Franklin (Freecycle has graciously posted my message):

LOST CAT
Black with greenish/yellow eyes
No collar
Answers to "Sal"
Last seen around 248 Pleasant St., Franklin, on December 8.

He is exclusively an indoor cat - he has no idea what to do outside. If you see him, please call me at 508-541-4431 or email me at: Kelly@alphalab.com. If you can take him in and keep him safe, I would be eternally grateful.

REWARD

Thank you,
Kelly Stenstrom

kelly@alphalab.com