Monday, May 27, 2013

"Massachusetts has raised tobacco taxes in 1993, 1998, 2002 and 2008"

This may also happen this year as the Governor, House and Senate all include a dollar a pack increase in their respective budgets for FY 2014.
Cigarette tax revenues, along with the settlement money, brought in about $815 million last year, according to the Department of Revenue. That figure would rise another estimated $165 million - for a total of $980 million - under a proposed dollar-per-pack increase supported by the governor, House and Senate. 
All of the increase would go to fix the state's aging transportation infrastructure. Nearly all the other tobacco tax revenue now goes into the general fund. Only $4.2 million went to anti-smoking programs this year. 
Marc Hymovitz, director of advocacy and Massachusetts state government relations for the American Cancer Society, said the use of tobacco tax revenue to fund anti-smoking programs in earlier years was superseded by the state's economic crises of the past decade.


Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1910060119/States-becoming-more-dependent-on-tobacco-levies#ixzz2UUcmwren

Moving Wall in Medway May 30 - June 2


Do not miss this opportunity to visit the half-size replica, which will be located at the Medway VFW on Holliston Street. 
An opening ceremony will be held Thursday, May 30, at 6 p.m., and a closing ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, June 2, at 5 p.m. The exhibit will be open 24 hours a day until Monday morning, June 3, and will be staffed by volunteers for your inquiries or individual needs. 
Materials will be available to do rubbings of names, should you desire to do so, in remembrance of a friend or loved one killed in action in the Vietnam War.

Looking for Names, Vietnam Moving Wall
Moving Wall


Read more: Downing: Vietnam Wall in Medway - Franklin, MA - Wicked Local Franklin http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinions/letters_to_the_editor/x776195863/Downing-Vietnam-Wall-in-Medway#ixzz2UUeMJNtP

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 28

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 May 14, 2013 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mrs. McIntyre
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:

2. Guests/Presentations
a. District Improvement Plan
(details of the proposed plan are contained in the following Google docs)
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczTElwY2dqUkRQQnc/edit
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczTmF6cjJKR1VHSkU/edit

b. Jefferson Elementary School Update – Linda Ashley
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczNHlmYlNlWXJ4VGs/edit

3. Discussion Only Items
Increase in School Lunch Prices – Miriam Goodman
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczOGlEUXBDVEd5VjA/edit

4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the FPS District Improvement Plan for the 2013-2014 school year
b. I recommend approval of an increase to school lunch prices to: Elementary $2.20, Middle School $2.65 and High School $2.90 as discussed.
c. I recommend acceptance of the donation of cameras and other supplies (Valued at $1702.84) for RMS TV Studio from Franklin TV.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $282.66 from Wells Fargo Community Support for Douglas Lee for the FHS.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $75.00 from Roger and Roberta Trahan for a FHS Scholarship.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from Denise Miller for a FHS Scholarship.
g. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 5 laptops, MS Office licenses and 5 carts (valued at $3,719.85) from the JF Kennedy PCC for Kennedy students.
h. I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.
i. I recommend acceptance of a check for $250.00 from the Norfolk DA for an Operation Graduation Grant for FHS.
j. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 8 standing desks (cost: $1819.30) for grades 3 and 5 at Oak Street Elementary School from the PCC.
k. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 15 fans (cost: $1602.90) for Oak Street’s second floor from the PCC.
l. I recommend acceptance of a check for $355.72 from O’Connor Portraiture, Inc. for Davis Thayer Elementary School.
m. I recommend acceptance of a check for $200.00 from Jayne Sabolinski for a FHS scholarship.

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

Franklin News: dog licenses, museum volunteers, water conservation

I'll find the current news on the official Franklin webpage and share it here for you to also share it among your friends and neighbors.


AVOID A LATE FEE…LICENSE YOUR DOG TODAY!!!!!!!
Town Clerk, Deborah L. Pellegri is reminding dog owners that licenses were due April 1st. Owners have until July 1ST to come into the office or mail in a renewal to obtain a 2013 license without any additional fees. After July 1, the late fee will be $25.00 plus the cost of the dog tag. Please remember to license your dog TODAY and avoid any late charges. All dogs must show updated rabies information if it is not on file with us.


Notice: Museum Volunteer
The Historical Commission is looking for a volunteer to sort and put in ABC order some old newspapers. Call: Deborah L. Pellegri at 508-520-4900


Water Conservation Measures Effective Mon June 3rd

The summer Water Conservation Measures are needed to limit the daily demand on the water system in order to ensure that adequate water is available to meet the public health and safety needs of the Town. This measure is necessary to maintain the water levels in the tanks for fire protection and normal consumption. During the summer months, the Town experiences excessively high demands for water due to lawn watering. There have been 24-hour periods during which water consumption has been more than twice our average daily water usage for the year. Because of the tremendous increase in the demand for water and State restrictions on the amount of water that can be pumped daily, the Town of Franklin must place mandatory water conservation measures in effect for lawn watering during the summer months. 
A total of l-inch of water once per week from rain and watering promotes the healthiest lawns. Non­ compliance with these regulations could adversely affect public health and safety. Violators are subject to fines up to $200. 
For additional information, visit the DPW web page. Any questions should be directed to the Department of Public Works at 508-520-4915 or 508-553-5500.


"building a kiosk to hold things like trail maps"

Milford Daily News reports on Christopher Rich, a 16-year-old Scout with Troop 126, who Eagle Scout project is building a kiosk at the DelCarte Property.
Rich said he hoped the project would allow Franklin residents to enjoy the land, a 126-acre parcel that sits along Pleasant Street. 
"When I first started, I was amazed that it was such a beautiful place," he said. "I love conservation, and I'd love to make this property more accessible to people in town. The kiosk will be a place where people can put up information on things going on in town, and we made the trail much more usable."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1910060045/Boy-Scout-wrapping-up-Eagle-Project-in-Franklin#ixzz2UOiFs44f

DelCarte: Pond 4
DelCarte, sunny day Oct 2010

Related posts on the DelCarte Property

The proposal to fund the playground and trail improvements
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/delcarte-recreation-proposal.html

Where is the DelCarte Property?
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/10/where-is-delcarte-property.html

A brief video from a Sunday morning, Dec 2012
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/delcarte-property-video.html

Notes from my first tour of DelCarte in Oct 2010
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/10/franklin-ma-delcarte-tour.html

Franklin Library: Craft Circle

Craft Circle
craft circle
craft circle - Franklin Library


Franklin Public Library - 118 Main Street Franklin MA 02038 - 508.520.4940

"We strategically add seats"

Today's issue of the Milford Daily News reviews the school choice program and how local districts use it. Franklin stopped adding students via school choice in 2007 due to the budget cuts.
Under the School Choice program, public school districts can vote to accept students from outside their district. The student’s home district pays the receiving district a tuition of up to $5,000 each year a student is enrolled in the receiving district. Districts that join School Choice can limit how many students they want to accept each year, but cannot remove a student once he or she enrolls through the program. 
Since School Choice was created in 1991, out-of-district students have enrolled in the Holliston school system at a high rate, drawn by the district’s French immersion classes and Montessori education, said Superintendent Brad Jackson. 
This year was no exception as 120 out-of-district students enrolled in the Holliston school system through School Choice, while just six students left the district through the program. Through the program, the district received about $650,000 in revenue, which Jackson said is used to offset budget costs and reduce the impact on Holliston’s taxpayers.
Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x776195535/School-Choice-a-boon-for-local-districts?rssfeed=true&utm_source=feedly#axzz2UOfO6EtM


Related articles
The history of school choice enrollments was covered in a Jan 2013 School Committee meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/franklin-public-schools-school-choice.html

Coverage of the School Committee decision to opt out of school choice in 2012
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/01/schools-opt-out-of-school-choice.html