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Thursday, January 19, 2012
MassBudget's FY13 Budget Preview
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
STOP SOPA
To support the STOP SOPA Blackout being conducted today, this will be the only post created here:
I have included the link to wikipedia but they are one of the sites reported to be going offline so you may not view this link today.
If you like what I do here, sharing information about what matters in Franklin, MA - then please find out more about SOPA and PIPA.
What would happen if this site got shut down?
Google has a page with information and petition to sign here
https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Wadsworth Diary - Jan 17, 1892
Very pleasant & cold morn, but warmer day. Done the chores. Baked beans, cooked rice, cranberry sauce & c. E. Simonds.
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
Would you like to dream?
Spend a few minutes (about 20 actually) to view this video and see the story of three young women and their exploration of science played out.
They all were driven by passion and determination. They all succeeded despite lots of rejections.
In 2011, three young women swept the top prizes of the first Google Science Fair. At TEDxWomen Lauren Hodge, Shree Bose and Naomi Shah described their extraordinary projects-- and their route to a passion for science.
They all were driven by passion and determination. They all succeeded despite lots of rejections.
Creation of a Citizen Committee
On the Town Council agenda for Weds Jan 18, 2012 is this RESOLUTION 12-04:
WHEREAS, the Town Council continues to explore ways of making improvements to our community; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council would like participation by the citizens to provide valuable input.
Would you be interested?
Sounds like it would be a short-term commitment (complete the work by Dec 2012).
WHEREAS, the Town Council continues to explore ways of making improvements to our community; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council would like participation by the citizens to provide valuable input.
Now therefore, be it resolved by the Franklin Town Council that a Citizen Committee is established. Said committee shall consist of 5 to 9 members to be appointed by the Town Council. Said committee shall make recommendations to the Town council on how to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Franklin in areas including but not limited to enhancing citizen participation, aesthetics of the community, and business development, and other recommendations that the Council deems appropriate. Said committee shall make its recommendations by December, 2012. This Resolution shall become effective according to the rules and regulations of the Town of Franklin Home Rule Charter.
Would you be interested?
Sounds like it would be a short-term commitment (complete the work by Dec 2012).
"I just don’t see that as a reality"
... Carriera wonders how she will get to work if potential cuts that would eliminate commuter rail service on weekends and after 10 p.m. during the week come to fruition.
“I can’t imagine not having this,” the 26-year-old Franklin resident said yesterday as she waited for a train at the Dean College station. “I don’t know what I would do.”
Needing to close a $161 million gap in next year’s budget, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority released two scenarios that would see fares rise by 35 to 43 percent and include service cuts on rail lines, buses and ferries.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x873521975/MBTA-considering-fare-hikes-service-cuts#ixzz1ji8n5P9n
The MBTA has published their full listing of public meetings on the proposed fare increase. The MDN article doesn't include that link but it is available here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/01/mbta-fares-service-public-meetings-set.html
“I’d like to raise awareness"
“It’s very scary, very alarming to people,” Dr. Sara Gray said, Pursuit’s veterinarian at Franklin Veterinary Clinic. About a dozen animals at the clinic are medicated for seizures, she added. “I think it’s just the scariness of watching their animals go through seizures like that.”
Both Gray and McLean have seen dog owners decide to euthanize their epileptic dogs, before getting the combination of diet and medication right.
“It’s a very overwhelming disease,” McLean said. She gestured toward her computer, where she found a support network online of other dog owners dealing with the same issue. “Honestly, every week someone is putting their dog to sleep.”
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x2062851824/Dogged-determination-in-Franklin#ixzz1jiGPrTtR
Monday, January 16, 2012
Parking Ban Activated
January 16 2012
Parking Ban Activated Through 5am Tuesday.
426 PM EST MON JAN 16 2012
...A PERIOD OF SNOW SHOULD OVERSPREAD THE REGION BETWEEN 10 PM AND
1 AM TONIGHT RESULTING IN UNTREATED ROADS BECOMING SNOW COVERED
AND SLIPPERY FOR A TIME...
AN AREA OF SNOW IS EXPECTED TO OVERSPREAD THE REGION LATE TONIGHT
AND CONTINUE INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF A
COATING TO 1 INCH ARE POSSIBLE. SINCE ITS BEEN VERY COLD THE PAST
FEW DAYS...UNTREATED ROADS MAY BECOME SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY
FOR A TIME OVERNIGHT. THE SNOW SHOULD CHANGE TO RAIN FROM SOUTHEAST TO
NORTHWEST BETWEEN 3 AM AND 7 AM TUESDAY MORNING.
HOWEVER...MOTORISTS PLANNING TRAVEL OVERNIGHT SHOULD BE PREPARED
FOR UNTREATED ROADS TO BECOME SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY FOR A
TIME.
_______________________________________________
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"I have a dream"
On this day, it is important to remember.
Dr Martin Luther King, Jr., The Purpose of Education
To save man from the morass of propaganda, in my opinion, is one of the chief aims of education. Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction.
Dr Martin Luther King, Jr., The Purpose of Education
Campaign starting for a new Franklin High School
Hi everyone,
I hope you are enjoying the long weekend. I wanted to pass along the email (below) I received from the citizens group formed to win approval of the debt exclusion for the new high school building. It contains information if you wish to support the effort. If you have any questions or if you wish to be added to the mailing list, please feel free to contact the campaign committee at voteyesforfhs@gmail.com, or just shoot me an email.
_________
Thank you for volunteering to help Citizens for a New Franklin High School. Together we will bring the community a modern new facility that serves our children, strengthens our great community and school system, and makes us all proud. Also, thank you to those of you who joined us Thursday night for the organizational meeting of the Citizens for a New Franklin High School. The energy in the room was amazing! There is a lot of work ahead of us to get the 5,000 - 6,000 votes we need, and we have a great plan to get there.
In case you did not sign up that evening, couldn't make the meeting or are just learning about the group, there are a lot of ways to get involved:
Donate - We have a lot of great ideas -- lawn signs, handouts, mailings, get-out-the vote efforts -- but these ideas need money to be implemented. Checks can be made out to "Citizens for a New Franklin High School" and mailed to Mary Jo Peterson, 10 Juniper Road, Franklin, MA 02038.
Register to Vote - Confirm that you are registered to vote by contacting the Town Clerk's office at 508-520-4900. Encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same. Once the vote date is determined, a deadline for registration will be set.
Volunteer - If you are interested in helping with the get-out-the-vote effort -- planting a sign, helping our friends and neighbors get registered, obtaining an absentee ballot or voting on Election Day or many other opportunities, contact Craig or LeAnne Haba at clhaba@comcast.net.
Host - Tom Mercer, chairman of the Building Committee, as well as other committee members, have agreed to speak to various civic organizations in Franklin, and at gatherings hosted in people's homes. If you are interested in hosting a gathering in your home, please contact Laura Brand at Brandfam4@gmail.com to schedule it.
Follow Us - Follow us on Facebook on the page "Vote Yes for the New Franklin High School Building " on Twitter with the handle @sayYEStoFHS. When our website goes live next week we will circulate that as well. When in doubt, please check these resources for accurate, timely information. Feel free to ask questions on these sites. To be added to our mailing list, please email Tina Powderly at ttpowderly@gmail.com.
Please share this email with your friends, neighbors, family members and coworkers who live here in Franklin. It is important that all of us - homeowners and renters, parents or those with no connection to the school system - have the information we need to make a good decision for the vote.
Thank you!
Citizens for a New Franklin High School
_____________
Ed Cafasso
edcafasso@comcast.net
Cell: 508.259.1833
Twitter: @edcafasso
http://www.linkedin.com/in/edcafasso
Blog: http://edcafasso.blogspot.com
edcafasso@comcast.net
Cell: 508.259.1833
Twitter: @edcafasso
http://www.linkedin.com/in/edcafasso
Blog: http://edcafasso.blogspot.com
Wadsworth Diary - Jan 16, 1892
Pleasant & cold. Have done but little besides the chores & looked over some papers & c & c. E. Simonds here to night. Took ?_ of buggy & put on express.
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
"70 percent of school systems have such charges"
The Milford Daily News covers the increase in fees being charged by school districts for sports and other activities. This is one key reason that drew my attention to the Franklin budget problem as my daughters were going through the Franklin schools.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x255285967/Area-schools-trying-to-rein-in-student-fees#ixzz1jcpcPSc0
Hawkins’ survey shows a range of approaches to fees in Massachusetts. While some districts charge flat fees, some vary charges depending on the cost of a particular activity or sport.
“Some communities have family caps on fees, others do not,” Hawkins said.
Franklin charges $200 per sport, $175 for track and $450 for hockey with no family cap, and a $325 bus fee with a $975 family cap for that per year.The fees were much less back when my girls were going to school here. They graduated from FHS in 2004 and 2006. The forecast is for a continued and gradual increase.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x255285967/Area-schools-trying-to-rein-in-student-fees#ixzz1jcpcPSc0
Did you get a Kindle?
The Milford Daily News reports a jump in e-book users across the Minuteman Library Network:
Details on the class can be found here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/01/franklin-public-library-ereaders-and.html
The remainder of the MDN article can be found here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1987746710/Area-libraries-trying-to-keep-up-with-e-reader-explosion#ixzz1jcnlQ0oX
Susan McAlister, the executive director of the Minuteman Library Network, said the consortium that serves 42 libraries in 35 communities saw a huge jump in subscriptions to the network’s OverDrive e-book service after Christmas. From Dec. 25-29 the network saw 1,292 subscribers, with 316 joining on Christmas Day. She said an average day sees 80 new subscribers.
“There were a lot of people looking to get content, even on Christmas Day,” she said.While Franklin's Library is not referenced in the article, there is a class scheduled at the Library on Monday, Jan 23 to help you understand how to take advantage of your new e-reader/e-book.
McAlister said the consortium has a committee that is tasked with growing the network’s library, which currently stands at 4,553 unique titles and 7,962 total copies.
Details on the class can be found here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/01/franklin-public-library-ereaders-and.html
The remainder of the MDN article can be found here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1987746710/Area-libraries-trying-to-keep-up-with-e-reader-explosion#ixzz1jcnlQ0oX
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Wadsworth Diary - Jan 15, 1892
Foggy & rained most of AM, than snowed a little the rest of the day. Have been in house most the day, except when doing chores & seeing to trains for Willie. Think my cold’s a little better, or looser to day.
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’ll take the pay reduction"
“It was a calculated (risk),” Cropper said. “I thought I had a good chance. The athletic director, the department heads were recommending me. But they’re not the ones who make the decisions.”
Cropper, 48, didn’t get the job, because, she says, her 15 years of experience required her to receive more money than the school was willing to pay.
“Teaching seems to be the only profession where if you move, you’re screwed,” she said. “I thought all this experience would help me, but it hasn’t.”Actually it is more this age group of workers, 40-60, that have the issue across all professions. How do I know? I spent the better part of two years looking for work after being let go from Fidelity Investments in 2008.
Some can call it a 'union' problem but it is bigger than that. The financial sector was largely devoid of unions and yet significant cuts were made across the board to reduce costs. Entire levels of management were let go, coincidentally in the 40-60 age category, and in a way to avoid age discrimination law suits.
Everybody loves a bargain so the low cost sellers of goods are driving down prices. Low price competition is making it tough to compete on delivering 'value'. This is one of the major reason why this recession has lasted so long. Prior ones could make a quick upturn when one of the Fortune 500 expanded a product line or opened a new plant. That is not going to happen within the Fortune 500 nor the Fortune 1000! Growth when it comes will be driven by the small and medium businesses, and entrepreneurs who are looking to serve gaps in the market. It will be a slow up turn.
As a result of the slow up turn and continued price pressures, the salaries that were available before should be considered gone. The odds are we won't see those again.
So what do we do in the face of all this?
Those looking for work need to network, expanding their connections, building relationships, practicing their elevator pitch and being ready to identify an opportunity where they can add value for the right position.
There are likely networking groups in the area that can help. The Hopkinton Networking group meets on the first and third Fridays of the month and they have a good program. If there is interest to get something like that for Franklin, let me know and we can collaborate to get one started here.
You can find more information about the job search at http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/
Read more about Lisa Cropper: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x2062851256/High-School-Notebook-Cropped-out-of-a-job#ixzz1jWuVsLgA
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 18, 2012
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Verizon, Comcast, and Franklin Matters
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS – Discussion of Remote Participation
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-03:Master Plan Committee
2. Resolution 12-04:Creation of A Citizen Committee
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-669:Amendment to Chapter 185-45Administration and
Enforcement - Referral to Planning Board
4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-670: Amendment to Chapter 185-3. Definitions – Referral to Planning Board
5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-671: Amendment to Chapter 185-4. Districts Enumerated – Referral to Planning Board
6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-672: Amendment to Chapter 185-20. Signs – Referral to Planning Board
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
The full set of documents for this meeting can be found on the Franklin website (PDF)
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/011812.pdf
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Wadsworth Diary - Jan 14, 1892
Foggy & damp, some rain. Warm, snow most gone, muddy.
Done but little besides the chores & housework. Have bad cough. E. Simonds came to night, but, went to stay at G. W. Foster’s.
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
MBTA Fares, Service Public Meetings Set
The closest hearing on the fare increase seems to be in Attleboro
The full schedule can be found on the MBTA website here
The MBTA recently proposed fare and service changes to help close the MBTA's $161 budget deficit for FY2013. Over the coming weeks, the MBTA will be holding more than 20 public meetings so T riders can make their voices heard about these proposed changes.
The public discussion kicks off next week with the first four public meetings:
Tuesday, January 17, 5:30-7:30 pm, Newton City Hall, War Memorial Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue
Tuesday, January 17, 6:00-8:00 pm, Worcester Public Library, Saxe Room, 3 Salem Square
Wednesday, January 18, 6:00-8:00 pm, Chelsea Public Library Auditorium, 569 Broadway
Thursday, January 19, 6:00-8:00 pm, Roxbury Community College Auditorium, 1234 Columbus Avenue
In the coming weeks, there will be more than 15 additional meetings throughout greater Boston and the MBTA service area. For a full list of meetings and information, please visit MBTA.com/join the discussion.
The purpose of these meetings is to solicit your ideas and suggestions to improve the recommendations. You know your communities best and we are counting on you for smart solutions.
Can't make one of the meetings? Have your voice heard by sending an email with your questions, comments, and ideas to fareproposal@mbta.com.
The MBTA has proposed two possible scenarios to handle the budget deficit. Scenario 1 includes a larger fare increase but smaller service cut, protecting 98% of bus passengers. Scenario 2 is a smaller increase but a larger service cut, protecting 76% of bus route customers. Under both proposals, the MBTA will continue to have some of the lowest fares in the country.
In recent years, the MBTA has worked to keep the system moving forward despite facing numerous financial challenges. For example, the MBTA released real-time bus, subway, and commuter data that is now available through more than 40 smartphone apps. The T also put into service new Blue Line trains, upgraded stations, and made other improvements.
The MBTA's public outreach process continues with the acceptance of public comment through March 1, 2012 electronically at mbta.com, by email at fareproposal@mbta.com, via mail to MBTA, Ten Park Plaza, Boston, Ma 02116, Attention: Fare Proposal Committee, and by phone at 617-222-3200/ TTY (617) 222-5146.
A final fare increase and service reduction recommendation will be made to the MBTA's Board of Directors this spring and changes will be implemented on July 1, 2012.
January 24, Tuesday
Attleboro
4:30-8:00 PM
Attleboro High School
100 Rathbun Willard Drive
The full schedule can be found on the MBTA website here
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 1/13/12
The MBTA recently proposed fare and service changes to help close the MBTA's $161 budget deficit for FY2013. Over the coming weeks, the MBTA will be holding more than 20 public meetings so T riders can make their voices heard about these proposed changes.
The public discussion kicks off next week with the first four public meetings:
Tuesday, January 17, 5:30-7:30 pm, Newton City Hall, War Memorial Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue
Tuesday, January 17, 6:00-8:00 pm, Worcester Public Library, Saxe Room, 3 Salem Square
Wednesday, January 18, 6:00-8:00 pm, Chelsea Public Library Auditorium, 569 Broadway
Thursday, January 19, 6:00-8:00 pm, Roxbury Community College Auditorium, 1234 Columbus Avenue
In the coming weeks, there will be more than 15 additional meetings throughout greater Boston and the MBTA service area. For a full list of meetings and information, please visit MBTA.com/join the discussion.
The purpose of these meetings is to solicit your ideas and suggestions to improve the recommendations. You know your communities best and we are counting on you for smart solutions.
Can't make one of the meetings? Have your voice heard by sending an email with your questions, comments, and ideas to fareproposal@mbta.com.
The MBTA has proposed two possible scenarios to handle the budget deficit. Scenario 1 includes a larger fare increase but smaller service cut, protecting 98% of bus passengers. Scenario 2 is a smaller increase but a larger service cut, protecting 76% of bus route customers. Under both proposals, the MBTA will continue to have some of the lowest fares in the country.
In recent years, the MBTA has worked to keep the system moving forward despite facing numerous financial challenges. For example, the MBTA released real-time bus, subway, and commuter data that is now available through more than 40 smartphone apps. The T also put into service new Blue Line trains, upgraded stations, and made other improvements.
The MBTA's public outreach process continues with the acceptance of public comment through March 1, 2012 electronically at mbta.com, by email at fareproposal@mbta.com, via mail to MBTA, Ten Park Plaza, Boston, Ma 02116, Attention: Fare Proposal Committee, and by phone at 617-222-3200/ TTY (617) 222-5146.
A final fare increase and service reduction recommendation will be made to the MBTA's Board of Directors this spring and changes will be implemented on July 1, 2012.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Two charged with bat beating in Franklin
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Alison McCall/Daily News staff on 1/13/12
Two Medway men were arrested Thursday night after police say they beat up a third man with a bat for his drugs.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Piano prodigy to perform in Franklin
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 1/13/12
LiveARTS Sunday Concert Series will present 16-year-old piano prodigy George Li in recital on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 3:30 p.m. at the meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut St.
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
Friday, January 13, 2012
Wadsworth Diary - Jan 13, 1892
Foggy & stormed a little most the day & this eve. Thawy. About house most the day.
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
Long weekend ahead
With Martin Luther King Day on Monday, we have a long weekend ahead of us.
If you are going to be traveling, be safe. Enjoy!
If you are going to be traveling, be safe. Enjoy!
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
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
|
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.
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