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The United Regional Chamber of Commerce | 42 Union Street | Attleboro | MA | 02703
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Wednesday, April 9, 2014
April 8, 2014 - The United Regional Chamber of Commerce eNews
Senator Spilka Announces District Office Hours
Join Senator Karen Spilka and Puja Mehta, Senator Spilka's District and Constituent Services Director, for district office hours on Friday, April 18th in Framingham and Natick and on Friday, April 25th in Franklin and Medway. Senator Spilka and/or staff members will be available to update constituents on the latest news and events from the State House and in the district. Constituents will also have the opportunity to discuss their concerns, questions and policy priorities.
FRAMINGHAM OFFICE HOURS
Friday, April 18th10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Panache Coffee
680 Worcester Rd., Framingham, MA
NATICK OFFICE HOURSFriday, April 18th11:30 a.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Bakery on the Common
9 S. Main St., Natick, MA
FRANKLIN OFFICE HOURSFriday, April 25th1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Spruce Pond Creamery/Franklin Flatbreads
370 King St., Franklin, MA
MEDWAY OFFICE HOURSFriday, April 25th3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Coffee Sensations
116 Main St., Medway, MA
Residents who are unable to attend or are interested in scheduling an appointment should feel free to contact Senator Spilka's office at (617) 722-1640 at any time.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Apr 8, 2014
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.
AGENDA
"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."
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| Franklin Public Schools |
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the March 25, 2014 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman
2. Guests/Presentations
a. JF Kennedy Update – Joan Toye, Abigail Dressler
b. Oak Street Update – Corine Minkle, Kathleen Gerber
c. FHS Parking – Peter Light, Chris Schmidt, Tyler Beckmann, Conor Lemanowicz
3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – Second Reading
1. LB – Relations with Other Schools and School Districts
4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,000.00 from Elizabeth Delisle for a FHS Scholarship in memory of Peter Daley.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,056.00 from the Keller PCC for field trips.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $750.00 from Ms. Karen Yamasaka for in-house enrichment at HMMS.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from Mr. and Mrs. Peter Copola for a FHS scholarship in memory of Andrew Coppola.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $700.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for in-house enrichment at FHS.
f. I recommend adoption of Policy LB as discussed.
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. Adjourn
Cultural Council - Open house and awards (photo essay)
Sunday, Apr 6 the Cultural Council presented the grants to the grant recipients at the Franklin Historical Museum.
Congratulations to the grant recipients!
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| sun shines on the Franklin Historical Museum |
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| 2014 grant award recipients |
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| Kai Olsson, moderator of the event |
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| Jennifer Atwood, MA Cultural Council |
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| Christopher Yancich, legislative aide to Rep Jeff Roy |
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| inside the actual award for the Historical Museum |
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| The public art project called "ladybug spots" was also highlighted |
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| Good sports for Ladybug spots! Beth Simons on the left and Claire Griffin on the right |
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| Senator Ross made a couple of the award presentations |
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| imagine the possibilities for 'ladybug spots' |
The Water Line Replacement Plan (draft)
The Franklin practice of replacing water lines and rebuilding roads is a smart one. It makes sense to do both activities together. Granted there is some inconvenience while the work is being done but that is essentially unavoidable.
The current bond to fund the water line replacements runs out this year. The DPW has drafted the plan that would be funded by a new $7.5 million bond issue for the 2015-2019 years.
The bond issue would be funded within the current tax rates and annual budget. It would NOT require an override vote. This is separate from the proposal to provide additional funds to tackle the road repairs with an override vote. The need for the override vote for the Initiative 2014 proposal is that the current water line replacement funding (along with current and projected state aid) does not provide sufficient funding to repair all the roads in a timely manner.
The Town Council will be asked to approve the $7.5 million bond issue at a future meeting.
The plan for 2015-2019 can be found in this set of documents
The Initiative 2014 can be viewed here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-dpw-update-initiative.html
The current bond to fund the water line replacements runs out this year. The DPW has drafted the plan that would be funded by a new $7.5 million bond issue for the 2015-2019 years.
The bond issue would be funded within the current tax rates and annual budget. It would NOT require an override vote. This is separate from the proposal to provide additional funds to tackle the road repairs with an override vote. The need for the override vote for the Initiative 2014 proposal is that the current water line replacement funding (along with current and projected state aid) does not provide sufficient funding to repair all the roads in a timely manner.
The Town Council will be asked to approve the $7.5 million bond issue at a future meeting.
The plan for 2015-2019 can be found in this set of documents
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| Crescent St construction during Sep 2013 |
The Initiative 2014 can be viewed here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-dpw-update-initiative.html
MassBudget: Building a Foundation for Success: Early Ed and Care in Massachusetts
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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108
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Davis Thayer sign with announcements
On the rounds Sunday, I caught this photo of the Davis Thayer sign with their upcoming announcements
- Picture day - Apr 10
- Eat at Rick's - Apr 16
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| Davis Thayer sign 4/6/14 |
Have you found Rick's on the internet? http://www.ricksinfranklin.com/
Join the YPO on Wednesday April 16th from 6-8 pm at Twenty8!!
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United Regional YPO | 42 Union Street | Attleboro | MA | 02703
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Monday, April 7, 2014
Franklin, MA: FY 2014 Capital Plan - draft
As reported during the Finance Committee meeting last week, the draft capital plan was reviewed. My notes can be found here: http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/04/live-reporting-finance-committee.html
The official memo from Town Administrator Jeff Nutting is shown here. It walks through the highlights of what is proposed to fund for the capital plan. There are two speadsheets at the back that work through the numbers on what is proposed as well as the source of funds.
While the Finance Committee has approved the plan, the numbers won't be final until the snow/ice expense totals are complete. The winter storms have caused an overspending in the snow/ice budget so some of the 'free cash' will cover that shortfall. The remaining amount of 'free cash' will then be split among the proposed items.
You may recall that Franklin using their 'free cash' as their source of funds for the capital plan. You should recall that the 'free cash' is not really cash, nor is it 'free'. It is an accounting function for an annual budget. At the beginning of the year, amounts are budgeted for revenue and expenses.
When revenues exceed what is forecasted (which is a good thing and something Franklin does regularly) that becomes an amount that would contribute to 'free cash'.
When one or more departments spend less than their budget during that annual budget period, that amount also contributes to 'free cash'.
The state DOR validates the amount of 'free cash' for each community and releases the final number by about Nov/Dec. This is money that the community can use for one-time expenses and thereby Franklin uses for their capital budget.
Why not use 'free cash' for something else?
The money is available this year but there is no guarantee of it recurring. If the amount was added to a departments regular budget, then that amount would be committed to and need to be funded which would raise a priority question or potentially force a raise in property taxes.
Links for additional info on 'free cash' from the MA.gov website
Capital Plan draft for FY 2014
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczV1FPWU1pMXg1bzA/view?usp=sharing
One of the more interesting items in the proposal is that of a 'sprinkler park' to be added to Fletcher Field. Specifically where remains to be determined. The $150,000 amount is estimated to be 75% reimbursed by the state with a grant. The money does need to be spent up front however.
What would the sprinkler park look like?
The photo below is a sample of what it could look like.
The official memo from Town Administrator Jeff Nutting is shown here. It walks through the highlights of what is proposed to fund for the capital plan. There are two speadsheets at the back that work through the numbers on what is proposed as well as the source of funds.
While the Finance Committee has approved the plan, the numbers won't be final until the snow/ice expense totals are complete. The winter storms have caused an overspending in the snow/ice budget so some of the 'free cash' will cover that shortfall. The remaining amount of 'free cash' will then be split among the proposed items.
You may recall that Franklin using their 'free cash' as their source of funds for the capital plan. You should recall that the 'free cash' is not really cash, nor is it 'free'. It is an accounting function for an annual budget. At the beginning of the year, amounts are budgeted for revenue and expenses.
When revenues exceed what is forecasted (which is a good thing and something Franklin does regularly) that becomes an amount that would contribute to 'free cash'.
When one or more departments spend less than their budget during that annual budget period, that amount also contributes to 'free cash'.
The state DOR validates the amount of 'free cash' for each community and releases the final number by about Nov/Dec. This is money that the community can use for one-time expenses and thereby Franklin uses for their capital budget.
Why not use 'free cash' for something else?
The money is available this year but there is no guarantee of it recurring. If the amount was added to a departments regular budget, then that amount would be committed to and need to be funded which would raise a priority question or potentially force a raise in property taxes.
Links for additional info on 'free cash' from the MA.gov website
- DOR certification
- Data bank reports on 'free cash'
Capital Plan draft for FY 2014
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczV1FPWU1pMXg1bzA/view?usp=sharing
One of the more interesting items in the proposal is that of a 'sprinkler park' to be added to Fletcher Field. Specifically where remains to be determined. The $150,000 amount is estimated to be 75% reimbursed by the state with a grant. The money does need to be spent up front however.
What would the sprinkler park look like?
The photo below is a sample of what it could look like.
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| possible sprinkler park for Fletcher Field |
Franklin Walk - Tree'd
The walk Saturday was somewhat warmer than other Saturday's but not as sunny.
There were many clouds but no rain (fortunately - at least by the time I went out).
I found a bear but not a fierce one
I began to notice the trees. Yes, really notice them. They are standing. Bare. Bending with the breeze.
While a common conversation recently was that we had had enough of winter, the trees did not complain.
They may have leaned with the wind, or bent with the snow, maybe even lost a branch when the snow was too heavy.
Some trees are really big and old. Some stand in groups. Some stand in rows.
When trees get together, their fingers seem to hold up or reach for the clouds in the sky
There may be a couple more weekends to observe the trees around us before the bud and break out in leaves. Take a walk and see what trees are in your neighborhood.
There were many clouds but no rain (fortunately - at least by the time I went out).
I found a bear but not a fierce one
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| outside 1776 Financial Services, East Central St |
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| tree at Rockland Trust, East Central St |
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| leaning trees along King St |
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| large and old tree on King St near Peck |
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| Evergreen tree on King St |
When trees get together, their fingers seem to hold up or reach for the clouds in the sky
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| tree skyline in Franklin |
There may be a couple more weekends to observe the trees around us before the bud and break out in leaves. Take a walk and see what trees are in your neighborhood.
"there is not an opt-out option"
On Sunday, the Boston Globe MetroWest section had an article on the growing discussion around standardized testing. PARCC is being piloted here in Franklin as well as other communities around the state. Some communities are trying to get out of the piloting and the article quotes Franklin's Joyce Edwards:
Joyce Edwards, director of instructional services for the Franklin school system, said every step had been taken to ensure that the testing, which will be conducted this week and in May in eight schools across the district, will have as minimal an impact on daily instruction as possible.
“There is always an extra burden when there is extra testing,” Edwards said. “We took every exemption available to avoid double-testing. Beyond that the state has been quite clear there is not an opt-out option.”
PARCC
Franklin’s schools obtained MCAS exemptions from the state for students who take the PARCC pilot test. If students take a PARCC test in English or math, they won’t have to take the same section in MCAS.
Edwards said if an opt-out was allowed by the state, the district probably would have offered it.
“We absolutely would have considered that,” she said. “We don’t believe in double-testing and the loss in instructional time.”
You can find the full article online here (subscription required)
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2014/04/05/some-school-districts-less-than-excited-about-new-standardized-test/yLaSdLSF26svfASDhAmYHO/story.html
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