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Friday, January 13, 2012
Budget Workshop - School presentation
From the Budget Workshop held on Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 - this is the School Budget presentation.
You can view the budget workshop via the on-demand feature from the Franklin webpage. The meeting ran just under an hour and was reported to be quite informative (I haven't caught up to view it myself yet, hopefully this long weekend will provide some time to do so).
FPS_Budget_workshop_20120111
View more presentations from Franklin Matters
You can view the budget workshop via the on-demand feature from the Franklin webpage. The meeting ran just under an hour and was reported to be quite informative (I haven't caught up to view it myself yet, hopefully this long weekend will provide some time to do so).
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Live reporting - Organizational meeting - "Citizens for a New Franklin High School"
School Building Committee Chair Tom Mercer is providing an overview of the work performed to date. The various proposal put together, what was rated and ranked, pros and cons, then ultimately the MSBA invited Franklin into the "Model School" program.
Participating were at least one representative from the Finance Committee, many of the School Committee and Town Council members.
Among the items shared:
The Whitman-Hanson model school has been replicated 8 times around the state. One other model school has been replicated once. The other two model schools have not yet been replicated.
The foot print of the new building is two-thirds of the size of the existing building. It goes up three stories to reduce the foot print over the existing space.
There is 850 seat auditorium/theater in the new design.
MSBA will vote on Jan 25th to approve or deny our proposal. The School Building Committee will then come to the Town Council asking for a debt exclusion with a target date for the vote - March 27. The Town Council has final say on the debt exclusion and date for the vote.
If all goes well, ground will be broken this fall and the new building should be open in the fall of 2014.
The total cost of the project is projected to be $104.5 M
Franklin's share would be $47 M. The State will pick up 59.52% of the cost (the balance).
When the project started the expected reimbursement was expected to be 30-34%
The debt exclusion is for a twenty year period. It will be an increasing cost and then flat for the remainder of the twenty year term. Compared to an override, the debt exclusion increase in taxes will expire at twenty years. The override never expires (unless there is an 'underride' - and yes, it does happen but not frequently in MA).
Tom is doing this 'road show' several times and the schedule will continue to develop.
The group has a Facebook page
There is a Twitter account created: https://twitter.com/#!/sayYEStoFHS
There will likely be a website (link to be added when available)
The other model schools being built with the Whitman-Hanson model are coming in on or under budget and schedule.
One of the major items bringing the current high school to warning status is the lack of handicap access. The cost to provide accessibility to the current facility still wouldn't address other issues affecting the warning status.
The current facility is experiencing a rash of electric shorts causing fire alarms. This is part of the overall infrastructure problem.
Important dates
Jan 31 - Finance Committee meeting to preview the proposal and make their vote
Feb 1 - Town Council meeting
Feb 28 - School Committee meeting
The model school is a take it or leave it proposal Franklin can get a 104.5 million facility for $47M.
"Citizens for a New Franklin High School"
Wadsworth Diary - Jan 12, 1892
Damp & foggy most the day & is this eve. Thawy. Chored about home. Cleared up a little in the house & c & c.
In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale.
From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html
In the News - budget balancing, Hamilton digs, Daddario awards, patent law, puppy training
Franklin leaders begin budget-balancing act
by Alison McCall/Daily News staff
Hamilton digs in at Forge Park in Franklin
by Alison McCall/Daily News staff
Daddario Hardware awards $1,000 Shopping Giveaway
by GateHouse Media, Inc.
Franklin resident named Boston Patent Law Assoc. president
by GateHouse Media, Inc.
NEADS seeking help training puppies
by GateHouse Media, Inc.
Franklin SEPAC: Workshop - Jan 18th
From the Franklin Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC):
Please join us on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 for Assistive Technology: Increasing Your Child's Independence presented by assistive technology and augmentative device specialists from the Integrated Center for Child Development.
Children with developmental and learning challenges sometimes need assistive technology devices or services in order to benefit fully from social and academic placements and programs, and to participate with the greatest success and independence. This workshop will: explore a variety of new and well known assistive technology solutions; preview the framework and components of an Assistive Technology evaluation; discuss how assistive technology is addressed by IDEA legislation; describe how to access assistive technology services and resources; highlight how assistive technology is integrated into the IEP; and answer questions about how families can access assistive technology resources.
Presentation will take place at 7:00pm in the 3rd floow training room of the Franklin Municipal Muilding, 355 East Central Street. Free and open to the public.
News from Our Town Publishing / Localtownpages
Our Town Publishing / Localtownpages | 163 Main St, Suite 1 | Medway | MA | 02054
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New Guide for Parents of Teen Drivers
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 1/10/12
MassDOT Secretary Richard A. Davey today joined MassDOT RMV Registrar Rachel Kaprielian at the Boston Chinatown RMV branch to announce the availability of a new guide to optimize the 40-hours of supervised driving teens are required to complete under parental supervision prior to receiving their license.
"As young people across Massachusetts learn to drive our roadways with obvious excitement, I hope the availability of 'The Parent's Supervised Driving Guide' will ease some of the stress and concern often experienced by the parents and guardians of new drivers," said Secretary Davey.
Teens obtaining their learner's permit will be given a copy of the "The Parent's Supervised Driving Guide" at RMV branches in the Commonwealth. The guide is intended for use by parents and guardians. The guide is provided at no cost to families or to taxpayers, through a partnership with Safe Roads Alliance, a not-for-profit advocate for improved highway safety and the guides sponsor, Safety Insurance.
The guide is divided into eleven skill sets, such as parking, backing up, city and highway driving, and asks parents and teens to initial each lesson as the material is covered and the lesson is completed. Within the guide, a log is provided to record the required driving hours, the skills covered and the time and weather conditions. The guide also offers parents guidance on how to approach each lesson as well as how to continue education once the 40 hours are completed.
"As young people across Massachusetts learn to drive our roadways with obvious excitement, I hope the availability of 'The Parent's Supervised Driving Guide' will ease some of the stress and concern often experienced by the parents and guardians of new drivers," said Secretary Davey.
Teens obtaining their learner's permit will be given a copy of the "The Parent's Supervised Driving Guide" at RMV branches in the Commonwealth. The guide is intended for use by parents and guardians. The guide is provided at no cost to families or to taxpayers, through a partnership with Safe Roads Alliance, a not-for-profit advocate for improved highway safety and the guides sponsor, Safety Insurance.
The guide is divided into eleven skill sets, such as parking, backing up, city and highway driving, and asks parents and teens to initial each lesson as the material is covered and the lesson is completed. Within the guide, a log is provided to record the required driving hours, the skills covered and the time and weather conditions. The guide also offers parents guidance on how to approach each lesson as well as how to continue education once the 40 hours are completed.
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Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Nick Alfieri: Why the Conservation Commission Requires a Permit to Work In or Near Wetlands
Franklin residents and contractors commonly ask, “Why do I need to file for a permit in order to do this work?” which is often followed by “This is my property and I have the right to do whatever I want”, or “How can this work affect those wetlands over there?” You may be thinking similarly, so how does working in or near a wetland resource area effect residents of the Town and why should we care? To answer, we all must have an understanding of the science behind wetlands, what they are and how they perform, as well as an understanding of social responsibility and public policy.
Wetlands are lands saturated with water, year round or seasonally, and act as the transition zone between land and water. Aside from the presence of water (or hydrology), the limit of wetlands are determined by particular soil types, vegetation, and topography, creating a unique ecosystem. This unique ecosystem has the ability to control floods by acting like a sponge to contain and absorb floodwater, which can alleviate property damage and loss and can even save lives. In addition, wetlands filter excess nutrients that threaten rivers, lakes, and other water bodies, and provides critical habitat which can often be used for fishing, canoeing, hiking, and bird-watching.
Despite all the benefits provided by wetlands, the United States loses about 60,000 acres of wetlands each year to invasive species of plants and animals, pollutants, and global climate change. The Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) was created to protect against this loss and degradation. The functions and characteristics of wetlands that the WPA seeks to protect fall into three main categories, water quality/water supply and pollution protection, storm damage and flood control and wildlife habitat and fisheries protection. By protecting the functions and characteristics of wetlands in Franklin, the businesses and residents are protected as well.
When someone buys property in Franklin, they buy the land, the structures on the land, and they buy a set of conditional rights and responsibilities tied to the property. In Franklin, Zoning is the best illustration of this because all properties in Franklin are subject to the Town’s Zoning Bylaw that outlines the rights of the property owners based upon zoning district, regulates building setbacks, open space requirements, building heights, etc. It is the property owner’s responsibility to know what and how they can build in their respective zoning district to ensure compliance. People who own property within Conservation jurisdiction also have unique rights and responsibilities.
Conservation jurisdiction is any area of wetlands, streams or water bodies and their corresponding buffer of 100 ft for wetlands and most water bodies, and 200 ft for a perennial or year-round stream. If your property falls within this area and you intend to do work within any of these areas, it is your responsibility to file for a permit with the Conservation Commission in order to ensure that the vitality of these areas is protected.
Not only is it your responsibility to file for a Conservation permit, but it is your responsibility to preserve and protect the functions and characteristics of the associated wetlands where you intend to do the work. You are a Steward of those wetlands for the good of all residents of Franklin.
If anyone has questions or comments they can call the Franklin Conservation Department at 508-520-4929, or just stop in between 8:00 am till 4:00 pm, Monday through Thursday and speak with someone directly.
Nick Alfieri,
Wadsworth Diary - Jan 11, 1892
Snowed a little to day, cool. Chored about. Sent a bbl. apples to Norwood. Elmer went back to Ashland this morn.
In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale.
From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Wadsworth Diary - Jan 10, 1892
Pleasant & cool. At home all day. Chored about. Elmer cooked a chicken for us. He went to ride with Emma this eve.
In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale.
From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html
Budget Workshop - Weds, Jan 11, 2012
As announced during the Jan 4 Town Council meeting, there will be a budget workshop for Town Council, School Committee, Finance Committee and open to the Franklin public to participate.
The workshop will be held on Wednesday, Jan 11 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers and is also reported to be broadcast. Participation in the room can guarantee your input, questions and answers are addressed.
Watch as Councilor Tina Powderly mentions this workshop at the end of the Jan 4th meeting at about 39:00 minute mark
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=rXB9VmkYdGYwNuGB9%2fgS1g%3d%3d
Note: about the 27 minute mark, Councilor Tom Mercer (and School Building Committee Chair) provides an update on the increased (and final) reimbursement amount for the project at 59.52%.
The workshop will be held on Wednesday, Jan 11 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers and is also reported to be broadcast. Participation in the room can guarantee your input, questions and answers are addressed.
Watch as Councilor Tina Powderly mentions this workshop at the end of the Jan 4th meeting at about 39:00 minute mark
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=rXB9VmkYdGYwNuGB9%2fgS1g%3d%3d
Note: about the 27 minute mark, Councilor Tom Mercer (and School Building Committee Chair) provides an update on the increased (and final) reimbursement amount for the project at 59.52%.
High School Building Project - new design photos
A few additional design photos showing the proposed 'model school' for Franklin High School are now available:
These were originally posted to the Franklin School Building Committee webpage
Additional information on the high school building project is all collected here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the photos or visit Franklin Matters on Facebook
These were originally posted to the Franklin School Building Committee webpage
Additional information on the high school building project is all collected here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the photos or visit Franklin Matters on Facebook
"endorsed the final site plan"
The Milford Daily News reports on the Planning Board meeting Monday night:
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1178907480/Franklin-board-backs-apartment-plans#ixzz1j3C8rGFB
D’Errico’s final site plan calls for an eight-apartment building next to his existing 10-unit building, with a parking lot between them, and access from Winter Street.
Neighbors came to nearly every meeting over the last several months, but publicly spoke at only a few of them. Their initial complaints were about whether the buildings fit with the neighborhood. Recently, neighbors have worried that under the new plan, trees will be removed and reveal a large, red, factory-like building on adjoining property. That building has been there for years. D’Errico does not own that building.
Planning Board members agreed with residents, rejecting the proposed apartment building in 2007 and again in March 2011, before D’Errico re-introduced it in June 2011.
The final site plan endorsed last night has a lower roof, slightly fewer paved parking area, and features about 75 trees and shrubs.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1178907480/Franklin-board-backs-apartment-plans#ixzz1j3C8rGFB
Franklin Public Library: eReaders and eBooks
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
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- Subscribe to Franklin Public Library using Google Reader
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Monday, January 9, 2012
Wadsworth Diary - Jan 9, 1892
Pleasant & warmer. Aaron Canney helped me load a load of 935 lbs. hay. I carried to M.M. Daniels, then I put up a bbl. apples & carried to Mr. Finley 7 1/2 bus turnips to F. E. Hancock & got 25 lbs. candy & 10 bags grain.
In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale.
From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html
"2.3 degrees warmer than normal"
The Milford Daily News has an article about how the warmer weather and lack of snow cover is allowing the local communities to do some work that otherwise would wait.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1266412661/Warm-weather-helps-area-towns-get-work-done#ixzz1ixN01Uph
In Franklin, children can enjoy a renovated baseball field at Davis Thayer Elementary School thanks to the warm weather. Crews recently replaced a clay infield with one made of stone dust that requires less maintenance, Department of Public Works Director Robert Cantoreggi said.
“Because of the storms or lack of funding, it never got to the top of the list,” Cantoreggi said. “Now, we had some time.”
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1266412661/Warm-weather-helps-area-towns-get-work-done#ixzz1ixN01Uph
Reminder: Christmas tree pick up this week!
Natural Christmas trees will be picked up curbside the week of January 9th on your normal trash and recycling pick up day. Make sure they are within 3 feet of the curb and out the day before. Artificial trees and/or trees with decorations, tinsel, lights or other ornaments will not be picked up.
This was posted to the official Franklin page here
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda, Jan 10, 2012
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 December 13, 2011 School Committee Meeting.
• Payment of Bills - Mrs. McIntyre
• Payroll - Mrs. Douglas
• FHS Student Representatives
• Correspondence: 1. Budget to Actual
2. Guests/Presentations
a. Franklin Rotary Club President, Archie Acevedo (dictionary donations)
b. Annie Sullivan Middle School Anti-Bullying Award
c. Fall Sports Teams
d. FHS Update
e. Capital Plan FY 2012
3. Discussion Only Items
• Concussion/Head Injury Task Force Update
4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from David Kerman for in-house enrichment at Remington Middle School.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from David Gennaro, Jr. for in-house enrichment at Remington Middle School.
c. I recommend approval of the FHS Music Dept. trip to UNH, Clark Terry Jazz Music Festival on March 10, 2012 as detailed.
d. I recommend approval of the recurring FHS Music Dept. trip to NY City on April 28 & 29, 2012 as detailed.
e. I recommend approval of the FHS Wrestling team trip to Middlebury, VT on 12/27 & 28/11 for a competition as detailed.
f. I recommend approval of the FHS Wrestling team trip to Bennington, VT on 1/14/12 for a competition as detailed.
g. I recommend approval of the FHS Wrestling team trip to Easton, PA on 1/20-22/12 for a competition as detailed.
h. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,500.00 from EMC for the FHS Robotics Club.
i. I recommend acceptance of the donation of an executive desk from Maria Murphy for the Franklin Public Schools.
j. I recommend acceptance of the donation of dictionaries for all Franklin 3rd graders from the Franklin Rotary Club.
k. I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,085.00 from Vicario Studio for in-house enrichment at Franklin High School.
l. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Lueder’s Environmental, Inc. for the Franklin Public Schools.
m. I recommend acceptance of a check for $250.00 from Maura Schaeffer for the Jacqueline A. Schaeffer Theatre Arts Memorial Scholarship at FHS.
n. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from Harvard Pilgrim Heqalth Care for supplemental curriculum materials at Remington Middle School.
o. I recommend approval of the FY2012 Capital Plan as outlined.
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
Wadsworth Diary - Jan 8, 1892
Pleasant & cool. Chored about home. Elmer went up to Mr. Hunt’s & worked about home & c & c. I killed a rooster this eve.
In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale.
From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html
When you give to charities, who really gets your money?
When the Franklin Food Pantry did its first phone-a-thon during 2011, it was an all volunteer effort that resulted in a 100% yield to the Food Pantry. Dean College provided access to their phone bank and over 40 volunteers made calls to about 2400 Franklin households. The full story can be found here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/06/franklin-food-pantry-says-thanks-to-you.html
The phone rings during dinner. It's a professional solicitor, calling to raise money for the local police union. The smooth talker convinces you to donate $100. You write out a check. Here's what you might not realize: Only $37 goes to the union, which uses the money to support youth sports teams and the local food pantry. The fundraising company gets the rest — all $63 of it.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/06/franklin-food-pantry-says-thanks-to-you.html
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Danielle Ameden/Daily News staff on 1/7/12
The phone rings during dinner. It's a professional solicitor, calling to raise money for the local police union. The smooth talker convinces you to donate $100. You write out a check. Here's what you might not realize: Only $37 goes to the union, which uses the money to support youth sports teams and the local food pantry. The fundraising company gets the rest — all $63 of it.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
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In the News - rail crossing, man falls
Franklin rail crossing malfunction fixed
by Alison McCall/Daily News staff
Rhode Island man falls from Franklin roof
by Alison McCall/Daily News staff
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Wadsworth Diary - Jan 7, 1892
Very pleasant & cool. Ground covered with snow. Elmer is at home to day & filed saws & worked a lot we partly put in the new cellar door & c. I am a little better. Wrote to Alvah this eve.
In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale.
From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html
"it’s spurring some interest"
The site consists of three lots: Wendy’s, which occupies a building allowed to have a drive-through; one parcel on which Daddario will seek a sit-down restaurant; and a third parcel on which he will seek a tenant hoping to use an office building.
“(There) was a lot of controversy with it,” Daddario said. “There was some initial disappointment with having to lose Taco Bell.”
“Now we’re excited to get some more serious interest in the other two parcels and get it full, so we’re going to keep moving forward.”
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1266412437/Builder-making-progress-on-Knights-site-in-Franklin#ixzz1ili91oXe
Friday, January 6, 2012
Wadsworth Diary - Jan 6, 1892
Cloudy, & began to snow before 10AM. Very driving snowstorm turned to rain before night. Done my chores, & see to the trains for Willie, & went & got a passenger at Bea Whitney’s place ( the nurse there). Elmer came home to night in the cars at 4:35.
In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale.
From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html
“I think they understand it and respect it"
To those who have played for Spillane, it is no surprise that Franklin has been a perennial contender in Division 2, advancing to the state final at TD Garden last March before dropping a tough-to-swallow 2-1 loss to Tewksbury.
His rules are simple but highly respected. Younger kids are intimidated but the older ones make sure everyone sticks together.
It’s a rare day that Hall or fellow senior captain Nick Bertoni doesn’t see Spillane, dressed in his police uniform, in the high school hallway.
“During the day, you’re going to be a good kid with coach always around,’’ Hall said. “He definitely gets that respect.’’Read the full article in the Boston Globe online here
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Vera Meyer returns to the Historical Museum
The Franklin Historic Commission will celebrate Benjamin Franklin’s Birthday by welcoming back Vera Meyer and her Glass Harmonica to the Franklin Historical Museum on Sunday January22nd.29th
updated 1/18/2012 - with the realization that the Patriots playoff game would be a conflict with this event, it was postponed one week to Sunday, Jan 29th.
The public is invited to the Museum to enjoy the sounds of this unique instrument invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761. It is based on the idea of simply rubbing a wet finger around the rim of a glass. Vera Meyer plays a variety of compositions on this beautiful glass instrument, some specifically written for it, including works by Mozart and Beethoven.
Ethereal, haunting, mystical and ghostly are just some of the words used to describe the sounds of this rare instrument. Come and hear it for yourself Sunday January 22 during regular museum hours 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Light refreshments will be served in celebration of our town’s namesake’s 306th birthday. The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, Franklin.
Related posts:
Jan 24, 2011
The Franklin Historical Museum celebrated Benjamin Franklin's birthday with a musical performance by Vera Meyer on the glass harmonica (invented by Ben in 1761. I'll have a more complete write up on the afternoon during ...
Jan 30, 2011
Those who came by were able to learn from Vera Meyer about the glass harmonica that Ben invented while listening to her play. I hope she is able to come back to the museum in the future. The instrument is special and her ...
For this one, you can skip ahead to about 9:00 minutes to hear Vera play the glass harmonica
Wadsworth Diary - Jan 5, 1892
Very pleasant & cool, AM. A little better. Done the chores & c. Went up to Herman’s, & see Geo. He is about sick.
In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale.
From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html
"a significant state reimbursement"
“It’s very exciting,” Mercer said. “Certainly we weren’t expecting the increase. We thought we were set at 57.94 (percent).”
As of yesterday morning, the state has locked in its reimbursement rate at 59.52 percent.
This means that, should voters approve a debt exclusion override tentatively set for March, local taxpayers would pay about $45.5 million for an estimated $104.5 million school.
The School Building Committee began the process of getting a new high school through the state’s model school program after scrapping the idea of renovations last July. Renovations alone would have been too costly with too little reward, committee members said at the time.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x987654169/State-to-pay-more-for-new-Franklin-High#ixzz1iZzBFVcm
Related posts on the proposed new high school can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html
"heating assistance programs began chaotically last fall"
The state Department of Housing and Community Development raised the maximum benefit for the poorest heating oil customers from $675 to $1,025, a 52-percent increase.
People who receive fuel assistance funding for natural gas or electric heat will see the maximum benefit nearly double, from $275 to $525. Benefits vary depending on a client’s income.
State housing officials said two shots of federal funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program made the increase possible.
But advocates warn that even after these increases, the state still has less money available for fuel programs than last year, when heating costs were lower.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1896001494/State-increases-benefits-for-low-income-families#ixzz1ia2uBdAB
2011 sales tax holiday saved consumers estimated $20.98M
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue by Robert Bliss on 1/4/12
DOR has released its final report on the 2011 sales tax holiday weekend that occurred on August 13-14, estimating that the amount of sales tax revenue foregone was approximately $20.98 million, exceeding the estimate of $19.9 million from the 2010 sales tax holiday weekend.
Last summer, just prior to the holiday, DOR issued a preliminary estimate of $20.5 million in potential savings to consumers from the holiday weekend.
The most commonly asked question about this report is why can't DOR say precisely how much sales tax revenue was foregone to the Commonwealth and saved by taxpayers.
Sales tax is reported to the Commonwealth no later than the 20th of the month following. For example, information on December sales tax collections will not be reported until January 20th.
Retailers do not list individual transactions by date when they report that data, but simply lump together the entire amount of taxable retail sales for the month, and then apply the 6.25 percent sales tax and forward that amount to the Commonwealth.
As a result, DOR receives no reporting on the volume of taxable or untaxable sales on any given day or days. Individual retailers undoubtedly have some information on this, but they are not required to share it with DOR.
So in the absence of hard data, DOR estimates using the methodology outlined in the report.
Last summer, just prior to the holiday, DOR issued a preliminary estimate of $20.5 million in potential savings to consumers from the holiday weekend.
The most commonly asked question about this report is why can't DOR say precisely how much sales tax revenue was foregone to the Commonwealth and saved by taxpayers.
Sales tax is reported to the Commonwealth no later than the 20th of the month following. For example, information on December sales tax collections will not be reported until January 20th.
Retailers do not list individual transactions by date when they report that data, but simply lump together the entire amount of taxable retail sales for the month, and then apply the 6.25 percent sales tax and forward that amount to the Commonwealth.
As a result, DOR receives no reporting on the volume of taxable or untaxable sales on any given day or days. Individual retailers undoubtedly have some information on this, but they are not required to share it with DOR.
So in the absence of hard data, DOR estimates using the methodology outlined in the report.
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Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Wadsworth Diary: Jan 4, 1892
Very pleasant and cool. Have done but little, besides the chores, am about the same. E. Simonds here, gave me grapefruit.
In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale.
From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html
New MassBudget Report: The State of Working Massachusetts
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