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.
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.
“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.”
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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.
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.
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.
Dean College School of Dance presents its first annual Guest Artist Series -- BLINKING features a multi-media contemporary choreographed dance exploration of tiny movement and light created by Providence resident Jamie Jewett and his company LOSTWAX – recently voted Rhode Island’s best dance company.
“We are thrilled to have Jamie here at Dean, not only as part of our faculty but also as part of our Guest Artists Series,” says Deb Nunes, Dance Program Director. “The dramatic relationship between the performers in BLINKING and the digital cinematography come together for a truly imaginative experience. We encourage students and local residents to take advantage of the opportunity to witness amazing artistry in their own back yard.”
The college does not intend to expel any other students, Chalk said, but Deputy Police Chief Stephan Semerjian said his department will press charges against some of those involved in the attack.
“There’s a lot more to do,” Semerjian said, adding that the incident remains under investigation and that detectives are trying to contact the students. “I would say they are all Dean students. We do know who they are.”
Neither the college nor police released identities of those shown on the video or those expelled.
The Friday assault was caught on camera and posted online Monday. It shows a group of young men circling a fellow student and laughing as another student intimidates and repeatedly punches him, then takes his shoes.
The Town has little to do with "waiting". That is all between the landowner and the buyer. Once a permit is applied for, there is a time line to be followed. If the project fits within what has been zoned for the space there is little the Planning Board can do to deny it. The opportunity for us to really have our say is when the 'Mater Plan' is revised. That is supposed to happen soon (actually overdue, but that's another story)
I agree with the above comment. A Planning Board's jurisdiction lies only in determining if the project is consistent with the zone in which it's proposed. Reasonable requests can be made during the project review, but denial based on opinion of a 'need' for the project is not in their power. On the plus side, there will be some healthier competition for the larger supermarkets...
Cult of Lego Trailer from John Baichtal on Vimeo.
"It really is the way of the future," Franklin Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski said of interest-based, or collaborative, bargaining. "It really is the way to negotiate for the 21st century, especially in times of minimal resources."
Interest-based bargaining requires training, and forces both teacher unions and a town's school officials to decide which issues to address during negotiations together, rather than coming to a negotiating table with set lists of demands.
The result, said Boston-based negotiations trainer Mary Ellen Shea, is better relationships between towns and unions, and significant and even money-saving changes to contracts.
The report, Toward a New Grand Bargain: Collaborative Approaches to Labor-Management Reform in Massachusetts, presents a new, collaborative approach to the bargaining process in place of the current, adversarial tone of contract negotiations. This latest report in the Understanding Boston series was released at an Understanding Boston Forum at the Boston Foundation on Oct. 19, and featured a panel discussion by labor union, school and Patrick Administration leaders.Click through to this page to download the report and view a video panel discussion of the report findings.
Whole Foods Market Bellingham has selected the YMCA Healthy Futures Initiative for their Community Giving or 5% day, on Monday December 5th from 8 AM – 9 PM. Five percent of the day’s net sales will be donated to the Hockomock Area YMCA Healthy Futures Initiative to reduce inactivity and poor nutrition in the fifteen communities served.
In Massachusetts 1 in 3 children are overweight or obese and 3 in 5 adults fall into those categories. Research now is showing numbers are rising in our youngest kids too. It is imperative that we partner together to improve the health of our children such as through this upcoming Whole Foods Market 5% Day, helping ensure that we can meet all the needs within our communities.
“Our YMCA is committed to improving the health of kids and families by making the healthy choice the easy choice. The Healthy Futures Initiative strives to support the community through the development of programs, projects and policies that create sustainable change,” says Lauren Marciszyn, Youth and Community Wellness Director.
We hope many people will show their support by saving their shopping for Monday, December 5th and participate in the various activities scheduled throughout the day.
Activities include free classes for youth ages 1 – 4 years old between 10 AM – 12 PM, shopping while you dine from 12 – 2 PM for all who provide a shopping list (lunch must be purchased), and an Elegant Evening with Ming Tsai from 6 :30 – 8 PM. The Elegant Evening features massage therapists, hears, make-overs, tastings and an appearance by Ming Tsai.
More information can be found at www.Hockymca.org special events or directed to LaurenM@hockymca.org.
