Franklin Historical Museum: All Aboard!

ALL ABOARD!

The Franklin Historical Museum will host a talk on the history of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail, SNETT.

Guest Speaker Ron Clough of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation will give a presentation and discuss the history of SNETT which was designated as part of the National Recreation Trail in 1994.

Franklin Station

Join us for an informative look at the Southern New England Railway and trains in Franklin’s history, and learn about the ‘Ghost Train’.

Sunday February 17 @ 1:00pm, 80 West Central Street, Franklin

The science of NFL Football

The Library at Dean College has started publishing a blog. Their most recent post shares a series of videos produced by NBC on the "Science of NFL Football". Just because the Super Bowl has officially ended the season doesn't mean there is no more football!

Queue the videos!

You can find the series of 10 short (about 3-4 minute) videos here:
http://www.nbclearn.com/nfl

They don't provide a way to embed the video so you will need to follow the link. For school teachers to leverage this for their classes, there is a way to login via Blackboard and download the videos for free.


Links:

The Dean College Library blog:  http://deancultureconnect.wordpress.com/

The Dean College Library post on the football videos
http://deancultureconnect.wordpress.com/2013/02/04/the-science-of-nfl-football/

The Science of NFL Football series
http://www.nbclearn.com/nfl


These videos and more are also available at http://science360.gov/files/ (search for "football"). Note I did not have success in actually viewing the videos on this site. They seemed to take forever 'loading'.

Rep Jeffrey Roy - Office Hours

State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) announced today that constituent office hours will be held as follows:

Medway – Tuesday Feb 5th = 8:00 AM at the Medway Municipal Building, 155 Village Street, Sanford Hall, 2nd floor, Medway, MA

Franklin – Saturday 16th = 9:00 AM at the Cake Bar, 17 East Central Street, Franklin, MA (Parking on street & in the rear)

Medway – Wednesday 27th = 6:00 PM at Starbucks, 67 Main Street, Medway, MA 02053

Christopher Yancich, his legislative aide, will be accompanying him.

Representative Roy stated that all office hours are open to any residents of Franklin and Medway who may have questions or concerns that they wish to bring to his attention. Walk-ins are welcome, no appointment necessary. He looks forward to hearing from you.

He also invites all constituents to call him at his State House office at (617) 722-2425, stop by Room 437 in the State House, or email him at Jeffrey.Roy@MAhouse.gov.

House rejects governor's call for local aid cut

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

House rejects governor's call for local aid cut

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 2/4/13

The House today rejected Gov. Deval Patrick's request for the power to make a 1 percent local aid cut and advanced legislation aimed at snapping this year's budget back into balance.

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

Registry of Motor Vehicles Unveils MassRMV.com

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Registry of Motor Vehicles Unveils MassRMV.com

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 2/4/13

MassDOT Registry of Motor Vehicles Division has transitioned to a new website making it the first motor vehicle administration in the nation poised to accept advertising in order to generate new revenue.

With more than 16 million website visits per year, the switch to www.massrmv.com offers limited advertising opportunities, and allows the RMV to develop clearer navigation to let customers perform their transactions with renewed confidence.

"This is a great example of MassDOT's continued emphasis on making our services more user-friendly," said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey. "MassRMV.com makes online transactions simpler for the customer and gives us additional revenue opportunities."

During 2012, Registry customers performed more than 3.4 million transactions online, up from 2.9 million transactions in 2011, ranging from license and registration renewals to citation payments to signing up to become organ donors. Advertisements will be limited to select informational pages and are not on customer transaction pages.

"MassRMV.com is now the official website of the Registry of Motor Vehicles where customers may perform 35 different transactions safely and securely," said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Rachel Kaprielian. "We work hard to drive customer traffic to the web, so we recognize our obligation to make this mode of service delivery as convenient as possible."

In September, MassDOT conducted usability testing on the new website design with customers at its Chinatown Branch. Based on customer reviews, navigation bars were redesigned, terminology was changed and special alerts affecting branch operations have been pushed to the forefront at MassRMV.com.

MassRMV.com customers will initially see promotional ads for MassDOT and RMV services while a contract with the advertising vendor, Municipal Media Solutions is finalized. In its first year of operation, the advertisements are expected to generate about $65,000 in new revenue.
Online advertising supplements current advertising partnerships, including those used in RMV mailers to defray mailing and productions costs. A closed-circuit RMV TV network, MVN, targets ads to those likely to be conducting business in Registry Branches and offers PSA time for relevant RMV news and updates.

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

Big fund raising day for Franklin non-profits!

This Saturday, Feb 9th, will see two major fund raisers for Franklin based non-profit organizations.

1 - The Random Smile Project holds their 6th Annual Gala from 6:00 PM to midnight at the RI Convention Center, Providence RI.

Random Smile 6th Annual Gala Event

Additional details and tickets can be purchased online  http://www.randomsmile.org/events

2 - The Franklin Food Pantry will be conducting its 3rd Annual Phone-a-thon using the facilities at Dean College.

Franklin Food Pantry - new logo

Additional details can be found on the Food Pantry webpage  http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2013/02/calling-for-pantry.html

New roof on King St

The fire damage from September 2012 is getting repaired. Robert Catalano's residence at 12-14 King St.

14 King St under repair

and a second view

14 King St under repair - 2nd view

The Sep 2012 story
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/09/franklin-police-officer-saves-man-in.html

Franklin Library: Teen Advisory Board

 

 

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

 

 

Teen Advisory Board

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 2/2/13

 

 

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Franklin Public Library using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

 

 

“It’s a game and a history lesson all wrapped up in one”

Mark Brady, a teacher at Horace Mann Middle School, uses a board game to help with teaching history.

“We can’t bring them back to Mesopotamia, Egypt or Greece, but this (Catan) brings it alive,” Brady said. “One student was so frustrated because he was winning at one point, and the other kids froze him out and wouldn’t trade with him. He said flat out, ‘I now understand why people go to war." 

Brady pitched the idea to administrators with help from Tricia Metrick, a science teacher. A grant from the Franklin Education Foundation, a community group that raises money for teachers, purchased the games for classes in sixth, seventh and eighth grade. 

Mark the experiment as a success, says Robert Vacca, who teaches eighth-grade world history. Vacca observed one of Brady’s classes and saw immediately that Catan was connecting with students in a way that a textbook never could. 

“The kids don’t even realize they’re learning,” he said. “It brings the curriculum to life and, in the process, brings their learning to a higher level. They have to analyze and interpret situations, and, really, that’s what history is all about."

Read more: Franklin educator uses board game to teach historical lessons - Franklin, MA - Wicked Local Franklin http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/education/x1433777900/Franklin-educator-uses-board-game-to-teach-historical-lessons#ixzz2JvNo4Kna

Jim Dacey makes the case for Treasurer-Collector as an appointed position

This internet radio show or podcast is number 102 in the series for Franklin Matters.

In this session, we synchronize the audio and presentation document on the major arguments for moving the Treasure/Collector position to an appointed rather than elected position.

You may recall that there were Home Rule charter changes on the ballot for the Nov 2010 election. The technical changes to the charter were passed by better than a 3-1 margin while the question to move the Treasurer/Collection position to an appointed one failed by almost a 2-1 margin.

Question 4 - technical changes to the charter
Yes - 8443
No - 2596
Blanks - 1790

Question 5 - switch to appointment of Treasurer/Collector
Yes - 4339
No - 7421
Blanks - 1069

The full set of results from Nov 2010 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/11/charter-question-4-yes-question-5-no.html

Now that sufficient time has passed, Jim Dacey the current Treasurer/Collector is bringing the discussion forward again. His presentation to the Town Council on Jan 23, 2013 laid out the arguments to have the next Treasure/Collector appointed by the Town Administrator and voted on the by Town Council rather than determined by the Franklin voters.

I have taken the recording of Jim's presentation and synchronized it with the presentation document so you can follow along. I also included the question and answer period that was part of the meeting.

So without further ado, here is Town Council Chair Bob Vallee introducing Jim Dacey:

FM #102 treasurer-collector from Franklin Matters

The reporting from the Town Council meeting on Jan 23 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/live-reporting-treasurercollector.html

Notes of the full Town Council meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/town-council-012313.html


---- ---- ----

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can use your help.

How can you help?

If you like this, please tell a neighbor.
If you don't like this, please let me know.

Thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Feb 6, 2013

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
November 28,2013, December 19, 2013, Executive Session

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29.This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Jim Dacey, Treasurer-Collector
Melanson Heath & Co., 2012 Audit

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-05: Hoffmann Farms, A Private Definitive Subdivision Acceptance of Covenant with Owner
2. Resolution 13-06: Appropriation: Town Clerk - Advertising
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-695:Changes to § 185-31. Site Plan and Design Review – 2nd Reading
4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-696:Changes to § 185-20. H. Signs. Sign Approvals - 2nd Reading
5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-697:Changes to § 185-45. N. Administration and Enforcement. Design Review Commission - 2nd Reading

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 released with the agenda can be found on the Franklin Town Council webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/020613.pdf

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda - Feb 5, 2013

The Finance Committee (FinCom) is scheduled to meet on Tuesday. The meeting provides good insight into the budget and any expenditures that will come before the Town Council. With some exceptions for timing, any monetary expenses usually appear before this group for their approval  before going to the Town Council.

For Tuesday, the transfer of funds to the Town Clerk's advertising budget ($1,000) is up for discussion and approval. Due to the public hearings on the proposed bylaw changes (which require published notifications in the Milford Daily News), what had been forecasted for the Clerk's budget has already been drawn down. With only $1,000 being asked for, this is not a great deal but indicates the level of attention and awareness to the budget and expenses that can be found in this meeting.

The road repair budget is also up for discussion. Road repair has been a topic of conversation for several years as Franklin does recognize that it is behind on repairing roads. What dollars are available have been used effectively to rebuild the road infrastructure (water and sewer lines) and then do the repaving at the same time. This places a great deal of prioritization on what gets done when. If the water and sewer lines are in deed of repair, then it is easier to schedule to do both at the same time. If a road is in poor condition but the water and sewer lines are good, when does the road surface get done?


The published agenda for the FinCom meeting can be seen here





The FinCom agenda is also posted to the Franklin Finance Committee webpage here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_FinanceAgendas/Agenda%202013-2-5

Franklin LIbrary: Krafty Mondays

 

 

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

 

 

Krafty Mondays

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 2/2/13

 

 

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Franklin Public Library using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

 

 

Franklin Public Schools: School Events

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello Please join the School Committee and administration on a tour of Davis Thayer Elementary on February 7 at 6:00 p.m in the lobby. Our tour will be led by Principal Evemarie McNeil and School Committee members, Roberta Trahan and Sue Rohrbach. Stop by the Jazz Cafe at Franklin HS featuring the HS Jazz Ensembles along with performances by all three middle school jazz bands. Concert will be held at Remington Middle School on February 6 at 7:00 p.m. Have a a great weekend This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 613-1777.

In the News: lacrosse world cup

High School Notebook: Lax star Igoe won't relax

by Dan Cagen/Daily News staff

Former Framingham All-American Kristin Igoe has been an assistant coach with the Mass Mavericks girls lacrosse club team since last year. Over the summer, she was hired as Franklin’s coach for the upcoming season. And, oh yes, she made the U.S. team for this summer’s World Cup on Tuesday.