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Friday, February 15, 2013
Franklin Library: Family Storytime & Winter Carnival
Legal Clinic at Chamber, Fri March 8
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The United Regional Chamber of Commerce | 42 Union Street | Attleboro | MA | 02703
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Thursday, February 14, 2013
New 2-Year DOR Strategic Plan Posted
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue by Edward Peters on 2/13/13
DOR has posted its 2013-2015 Strategic Plan. This plan outlines a comprehensive set of goals and actions which will serve as a roadmap to success for the agency.
The Strategic Plan describes how DOR will support the Executive Office of Administration and Finance's (A&F) Better Performance goal by taking a proactive approach to improve performance, effectiveness and efficiency across the agency, developing and actively measuring standards of quality for core processes, and actively working to improve the skills, processes and technologies to better support the core functions of the agency. The plan also describes how DOR supports A&F's Better Government goal by creating a customer-focused culture and processes that will support communication, collaboration and co-design with a broad range of stakeholders.
The plan is an important part of DOR's operational foundation and provides a blueprint by which its divisions can measure and report on their success.
Please take a look at our plan -- we trust that you will find it to be comprehensive, informative and useful.
Note: if you require an accessible version of the plan, please see the DOR homepage.
The Strategic Plan describes how DOR will support the Executive Office of Administration and Finance's (A&F) Better Performance goal by taking a proactive approach to improve performance, effectiveness and efficiency across the agency, developing and actively measuring standards of quality for core processes, and actively working to improve the skills, processes and technologies to better support the core functions of the agency. The plan also describes how DOR supports A&F's Better Government goal by creating a customer-focused culture and processes that will support communication, collaboration and co-design with a broad range of stakeholders.
The plan is an important part of DOR's operational foundation and provides a blueprint by which its divisions can measure and report on their success.
Please take a look at our plan -- we trust that you will find it to be comprehensive, informative and useful.
Note: if you require an accessible version of the plan, please see the DOR homepage.
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In addition to the links provided above, you can view the plan here
Curbside Chronicle: Feb - May 2013
The recent Curbside Chronicle is available here
You can also find this on the Franklin, MA webpage here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/index
You can also find this on the Franklin, MA webpage here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/index
Rep Roy: Medway Girls Scouts
Rep Jeff Roy met with a Girl Scout troop from Medway when they visited the State House recently. Sen Karen Spilka hosted the troop.
Photo credit to Rep Jeff Roy's office
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| Medway Girls Scouts visit State House |
The photo includes leaders: Tracey Twamley, Eileen McGonigle, Pat Davis, and Kathy MacDougall. The Girl Scouts include: Maya Twamley, Marissa Galante, Cayla McGonigle, Anita Cuff, Grace Brueckner, Andrea Hester, MaryKate MacDougall, Sophia Flotta, Maevis Fahey, Olivia Cardillo, Katelyn Piche, Lindsey Blenkhorn, Lindsay MacLeod, and Lily Ouellette.
Photo credit to Rep Jeff Roy's office
Thank you, from National Grid
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In the News: Tech Day Camp, drunk driving, Scott Brown
Chamber to hold Tech Day Camp on March 23
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold an all-day Tech Day Camp on Saturday, March 23, at Tri-County RVT High School, 147 Pond St.
A Franklin man was charged with drunken driving after a Main Street crash Tuesday in which his car ended up on its roof, police said.
Scott Brown takes Fox News job
Fox News Channel is hiring former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown as a contributor, and the Republican is making his debut in prime time on Wednesday.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Food Pantry Phone-a-thon Feb 16th
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| Food Pantry Phone-a-thon sign on the triangle before the storm |
The snow storm, blizzard Nemo, buried the opportunity to make phone calls last weekend. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate for this Saturday.
Volunteers are still needed. You can contact Bob Hamilton via email at bob@franklinfoodpantry.org or call the Food Pantry 508-528-3115 and use option 5 to leave your name, phone number or email address.
Thanks to Dean College we will be using their phone bank and calls from us will show up as "Dean College" for those with caller ID.
If you would like to donate via the Food Pantry website, we are enabled to take your donation securely online. http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/
Early Ed. in the Governor's budget + Globe Op-Ed
Quality Early Education & Care can help prepare children for success in school and in life, and it provides parents the flexibility they need to seek and keep jobs. MassBudget's new brief, Early Education & Care in the Governor's FY 2014 Budget, analyzes the Governor's proposals for early education and child care. These include:
Early Education & Care in the Governor's FY 2014 Budget is the first in a series of briefs that will explore, in greater detail, important issues in the Governor's proposal.
MassBudget Op-Ed in the Globe
In an Op-Ed in Today's Boston Globe, MassBudget President Noah Berger describes how the tax cuts of 1998-2002 have limited our ability to invest in our children, our communities, and the future of our economy.
Mass. Business Taxes
MassBudget has updated our factsheet on statewide business taxes, How do Massachusetts Business Taxes Compare to Other States. When business are deciding where to locate or expand, they look at a range of factors: infrastructure, quality of the local workforce, available markets, and sometimes tax levels. Looking just at taxes, one prominent study--produced regularly by the Council on State Taxation (COST)--finds that overall state and local business taxes in Massachusetts are well below average.
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Tax Tip of the Week
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue by Ann Dufresne-DOR Communications Director on 2/12/13
Here's a deduction you don't want to miss when filing your MA tax return--the rental deduction. You may be entitled to a tax deduction equal to one half of the rent you paid during calendar year 2012 up to $3,000 for your principal residence in MA. Rent includes the amount you paid for heat, hot water, gas, electricity, furniture or parking, if the landlord makes no separate charge for these items. In tax year 2011an estimated 818,726 taxpayers claimed the rental deduction reducing paying filers' taxes by $117.8 million.Go to the TheFilingZone for anything and everything you ever wanted to know about filing your state returns.
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Franklin Library: Fun Club - Valentine Bingo
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
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In the News: ID bylaw, Recreation Dept
AG says voter I.D. bylaw can't apply to Bellingham town elections
Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office ruled on Tuesday that part of the voter I.D. bylaw passed at the October special Town Meeting is unconstitutional.
Franklin Recreation briefs
News from the Franklin Recreation Department.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Where are all the kids?
Sunday afternoon. Dolores and I walked to downtown and back. We saw a couple of snowmen. We saw a few kids digging some tunnels in the snow. We did see evidence of some snow forts and a snow ball fight that had happened.
And when we walked by Fletcher Field, the snow was unbroken. Glistening in the snow light.
6,000 kids in the school system. Gorgeous Sunday afternoon. Plenty of snow...
Where are all the kids?
More photos from the walk around Franklin Saturday and Sunday can be found here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157632725898629/with/8463737646/
And when we walked by Fletcher Field, the snow was unbroken. Glistening in the snow light.
6,000 kids in the school system. Gorgeous Sunday afternoon. Plenty of snow...
Where are all the kids?
More photos from the walk around Franklin Saturday and Sunday can be found here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157632725898629/with/8463737646/
TED: Kids need structure (video)
"Always be looking for that which you do well and that which you love doing, and when you find those two things together — man, you got it.” (Colin Powell)
"So, I tell young people everywhere, it ain't where you start in life, it's what you do with life that determines where you end up in life, and you are blessed to be living in a country that, no matter where you start, you have opportunities so long as you believe in yourself, you believe in the society and the country, and you believe that you can self-improve and educate yourself as you go along. And that's the key to success." Colin Powell
Franklin Library: Kindle eReader Instruction
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
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Monday, February 11, 2013
After Nemo (photo essay)
Walking around Franklin on Saturday afternoon and then again on Sunday provided some good photo opportunities.
Parmenter School is ready to open two hours late today
The Museum, in the snow, with the setting sun.... looking good!
I am not sure that the brand managers would appreciate with Mother Nature did with their sign!
The roads are narrow, be careful moving about
When walking Sunday, the street sign was able to reveal its name. The snow had cleared. (see below)
The corner of King St and Summer St heading into Franklin was piled high
The travel ban was still in effect and folks were abiding by it. Only a few snow plows came by during our walk on Saturday.
Sunday brought bright sunshine
Many yards slope and how the wind played with the snow revealed some interesting combinations
One of the Franklin Housing Association buildings has this nice big snow curve hanging there
The connections are made one flake at a time
The mystery sign is appropriately Winter St.
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| Parmenter School |
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| Franklin Historical Museum |
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| Rockland Trust |
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| Downtown view at the triangle |
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| Looking west at the triangle |
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| The storm hid the name of this street |
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| King of the hill anyone? |
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| King St empty on a Saturday afternoon? |
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| Tree shadow |
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| snow sculpted by the wind |
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| snow overhang |
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| snow curve, side view |
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| Winter St |
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Feb 13, 2013
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
December 5, 2012
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
Acceptance of Lady Slipper Lane, Pasture Way and Symmes Road as Public Ways – Public Hearing – 7:10 PM
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Gus Brown, Building Commissioner
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-07: Order of Acceptance of Lady Slipper Lane, Pasture Way, and Symmes Road as Public Ways
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 documents as published for this session can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/021313.pdf
Rail Trail Committee to meet Feb 12, 7:30 PM
The Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, Feb 12, 2013. The agenda for this meeting is shown below.
Networking Luncheon - Please Join Us!
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 2/10/13
Franklin Downtown Partnership
Networking Luncheon
Friday, March 1st- 1:00
Dean College Campus Center
Dining Hall
Hope you can come and meet other
FDP members.
RSVP Joel Cararra at
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Sunday, February 10, 2013
Franklin Schools: 2 Hour Delay - Monday, Feb 11
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT"
Date: Feb 10, 2013 6:16 PM
Subject: 2 Hour Delay
:
Date: Feb 10, 2013 6:16 PM
Subject: 2 Hour Delay
:
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All Southside Lines/Routes Alert
Trains to Boston resume in the AM on Monday!
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "T-Alerts Notification"
Date: Feb 10, 2013 11:23 AM
Subject: All Southside Lines/Routes Alert
To: "T-Alerts Notification"
Cc:
Regularly scheduled Commuter Rail service will resume at the start of service on Monday, February 11, 2013.
Please visit MBTA.com/Winter for full details.
From: "T-Alerts Notification"
Date: Feb 10, 2013 11:23 AM
Subject: All Southside Lines/Routes Alert
To: "T-Alerts Notification"
Cc:
Regularly scheduled Commuter Rail service will resume at the start of service on Monday, February 11, 2013.
Please visit MBTA.com/Winter for full details.
Drive cautiously
Be careful driving around Franklin today. Especially when coming from a side street to a main street, the snow is piled high on the corner and you'll have difficulty peeking around to watch for the traffic.
From North Park St to Wachusett
From Wachusett to King St
From North Park St to Wachusett
From Wachusett to King St
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Feb 12, 2013
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.
"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 January 29, 2013 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mrs. McIntyre
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:
1. Budget to Actual
2. Guests/Presentations
a. MASS Academic Excellence Awards
b. Best Buddies Grants
c. FHS Project Update – Tom Mercer
(Note: The document for this can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/02/high-school-construction-update.html)
d. District Improvement Plan (DIP) – Maureen Sabolinski, Sally Winslow, Joyce Edwards
(Note: The document for this can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/02/fps-district-improvement-plan-checklist.html)
3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – First Reading
1. JLCCB – Wellness Policy
(Note: The current and proposed documents can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/02/fps-wellness-policy-proposed-revision.html)
4. Action Items
a. I recommend moving Policy JLCCB-Wellness to a second reading for the next School Committee meeting on February 26, 2013.
b. I recommend approval of the request of Mary MacMurray to take JF Kennedy Music Students to the Veteran’s Auditorium in Providence, RI on April 11, 2013 for a musical performance as detailed.
c. I recommend approval of the rescheduling of the previously approved ski trip for HMMS students due to frigid temperatures to Mt. Sunapee, Newbury, NH to March 2, 2013.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care for a mini-grant awarded to Karen Lindblom at Remington Middle School.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $20.00 from Robert and Joyce Cullins for district wide in-house enrichment.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $3890.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for Middle School concerts and chorus.
g. I recommend acceptance of the donation of dictionaries for all Franklin third grade students from the Franklin Elks Lodge 2136.
h. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,490.00 from the Horace Mann PCC for in-house enrichment.
i. I recommend acceptance of a check for $242.28 from Wells Fargo Community Support / Doug Lee for in-house enrichment for FHS.
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
FPS: Wellness Policy - proposed revision
The Wellness Policy is up for discussion and possible revision on the School Committee agenda.
The current policy document:
The proposed revision to the policy:
The current policy document:
The proposed revision to the policy:
FPS: District Improvement Plan - checklist
The District Improvement Plan checklist is scheduled for discussion at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb 12, 2013.
High School: Construction Update
This document is scheduled for discussion at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb 12, 2013
All Southside Lines/Routes Alert
No trains to Boston today!
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: T-Alerts Notification
Date: Sun, Feb 10, 2013 at 6:44 AM
Subject: All Southside Lines/Routes Alert
To: T-Alerts Notification
Due to severe weather that impacted the Boston area, MBTA service is suspended on all modes through Sunday, February 10, 2013.
Service will resume as soon as possible.
Please visit MBTA.com/Winter for full details.
The tracks are fairly clear so it must be the signal/power problem in Quincy that was mentioned during the Governor's update yesterday that is still the cause. With no power at this main tower in Quincy, no signals can get to anywhere on the system.
From: T-Alerts Notification
Date: Sun, Feb 10, 2013 at 6:44 AM
Subject: All Southside Lines/Routes Alert
To: T-Alerts Notification
Due to severe weather that impacted the Boston area, MBTA service is suspended on all modes through Sunday, February 10, 2013.
Service will resume as soon as possible.
Please visit MBTA.com/Winter for full details.
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| MBTA Crossing at Union St, Franklin |
Voices of Franklin: Fluoridegate (video)
Franklin resident Rich Aucoin sends along the link to this hour long documentary on fluoride.
FLUORIDEGATE is a new documentary that reveals the tragedy of how government, industry and trade associations protect and promote a policy known to cause harm to our country and especially to small children who suffer more than any other segment of the population. While their motivation remains uncertain, the outcome is crystal clear: it is destroying our nation!
For more information on fluoride, you can visit the Franklin Fluoride Council webpage
http://franklinfluoridecouncil.com/
or the Fluoridegate webpage http://www.fluoridegate.org/
Making our government open, transparent and accessible"
The paper has a recap of some area communities and the effort to put public meeting information in digital format.
Read more: Towns look to go digital in putting documents online - Franklin, MA - Wicked Local Franklin http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x898128772/Towns-look-to-go-digital-in-putting-documents-online#ixzz2KUlUsWw9
The Franklin School Committee puts together an Adobe document package that contains the individual files for the agenda, action items, presentations, etc.
I am not aware of the Planning Board going digital. The problem there is with all the drafting documents. Some of those documents are huge and while it is possible to put them in digital format, the usability of viewing them online is not as good as simply holding the paper document.Some day!
Franklin’s website includes Town Council meeting packets dating back to 2008.
Assistant to the Town Administrator Maxine Kinhart said staff make electronic packets for councilors, so it is just one more step to post online.
"We just did it as a convenience to the citizens," she said. "They’re all public records so we just put it all out there."
Kinhart said the town made computers available for councilors to use at meetings, but they prefer to bring their own devices.
Read more: Towns look to go digital in putting documents online - Franklin, MA - Wicked Local Franklin http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x898128772/Towns-look-to-go-digital-in-putting-documents-online#ixzz2KUlUsWw9
The Franklin School Committee puts together an Adobe document package that contains the individual files for the agenda, action items, presentations, etc.
I am not aware of the Planning Board going digital. The problem there is with all the drafting documents. Some of those documents are huge and while it is possible to put them in digital format, the usability of viewing them online is not as good as simply holding the paper document.Some day!
Blizzard Nemo 2013 Update
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "TOWN OF FRANKLIN"
Date: Feb 9, 2013 1:50 PM
Subject: Blizzard Nemo 2013 Update
Hello. This is Gary Premo calling with updated information on the storm. The Governor's issued driving ban will be lifted at 4pm. Please stay off the roads until then so the DPW crews can clear the streets of snow.
No significant power outages have been reported in town. If you are experiencing an outage, please call national Grid directly at 1-800-322-3223 or 1-800-465-1212. Bldg Commissioner Gus Brown reminds residents to clear around ALL exhaust vents (fireplaces, furnaces, dryers). Deputy Fire Chief Paul Sharpe asks for your assistance in clearing out any hydrants near your property. Let the clean-up continue. Thank you for listening. Goodbye.
From: "TOWN OF FRANKLIN"
Date: Feb 9, 2013 1:50 PM
Subject: Blizzard Nemo 2013 Update
Hello. This is Gary Premo calling with updated information on the storm. The Governor's issued driving ban will be lifted at 4pm. Please stay off the roads until then so the DPW crews can clear the streets of snow.
No significant power outages have been reported in town. If you are experiencing an outage, please call national Grid directly at 1-800-322-3223 or 1-800-465-1212. Bldg Commissioner Gus Brown reminds residents to clear around ALL exhaust vents (fireplaces, furnaces, dryers). Deputy Fire Chief Paul Sharpe asks for your assistance in clearing out any hydrants near your property. Let the clean-up continue. Thank you for listening. Goodbye.
This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF FRANKLIN. 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 TOWN OF FRANKLIN either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at 508-520-4938 or REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.
In my walk around on Saturday afternoon, I did see some hydrants cleared.
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| Franklin fire hydrant cleared of snow |
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