Live reporting: Town Council - May 14, 2014

Present: Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Williams
Absent:  


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
none

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
none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Ben Waters
sophomore at FHS, giving speech for public speaker class
speaking on renewable energy
coal, gas, oil will become more scarce
will need to rely more on solar and wind power
Mt St Mary's Abbey solar farm a good example
generation of the energy can be sold back to the 'grid'
current infrastructure is mostly on the delivery side, not capturing energy to bring it back to the grid
billed as a family friendly town
a safe town, with good schools, and more energy efficient
keep this in mind as the Town Council manages going into the future

E. APPOINTMENTS
none

F. HEARINGS
none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none

More than 2 tons collected to help 'Stamp Out Hunger'

The Franklin postal carriers drove their trucks by the Franklin Food Pantry before completing their rounds on Saturday.

Each truck as it arrived was greeted by volunteers who unloaded the truck, weighed the bags, sorted the items for date and damage, and then either filled the appropriate shelves or stacked the items for future use.

When the last truck had pulled away and the last item sorted the tally came out to net more than 4500 pounds or 2 1/4 tons of food and non-food items.


Thank you 

• Franklin neighbors for taking the time to leave a donation
• postal carriers for making the rounds to gather the donations
• volunteers for handling the goods and for helping to stock the shelves!

Photos from the 'Stamp Out Hunger' food drive processing on Saturday

truck before unloading

volunteers unloading the truck

staging prior to weighing in

weighing in the bags and containers

date checking the goods after weighing in

why do we check for dates? to sort out items like this

stocking the shelves

thank you notes and candy for the postal carriers

  

You may also drop your donations off at the Franklin Food Pantry (located at 43 West Central Street) on May 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or during regular Pantry hours, Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Non-perishables may also be dropped off anytime in the bin that is located outside of the Food Pantry's main entrance.

If you would prefer to make a financial contribution you can do so securely online:

Make a donation to the Food Pantry

Ten Ways to be Mindful of Mental Health Month

For more than 65 years, May has been recognized as Mental Health Month by local and national organizations alike. This is a time when, as a nation, we discuss mental health issues and work to improve the overall wellness of our communities. 

Regardless of your background, you or someone you know may be dealing with the effects of poor mental health. Thankfully, there is a wide range of resources available to help you maintain a healthy, happy mind this month and throughout the year:

1. Download a Mind Your Health calendar for daily tips to boost your mood and physical wellness. Organizations can encourage healthy changes by using the resources in this Mental Health Month Toolkit.

1. Discover ways to improve your mental health such as staying connected with others, keeping a healthy diet, and establishing effective stress-coping techniques.

mental health

Continue reading this article to find out more about mental health on the MA.gov page here

http://blog.mass.gov/blog/living-in-massachusetts/ten-ways-to-be-mindful-of-mental-health-month/

Beautification Day; This Saturday and Adopt-a-Block

Saturday, May 17th is Beautification Day

Please join our group of volunteers to help beautify the Downtown Center. 

We will be meeting at the center island at 9:00 am 

If you are available earlier please consider meeting at 7:30AM at Fairmount Farms to pick up and deliver the plants to downtown.or at 8:00AM at the Town Common to assist with planning on the Common. 

Bring gloves, trowels and dress appropriately for the weather. If you have questions please contact Eileen at 508-330-4234emason11@verizon.net

Franklin Downtown Partnership

Adopt-a-Block

Special Invitation to all DOWNTOWN BUSINESS OWNERS

Hello,
My name is Devin Gray and I've volunteered to help develop an Adopt-a-Block program for the Franklin Downtown area. 

The goal of Adopt-a-Block is to encourage business owners to pitch in and help keep the downtown clean & presentable for all. 

I'm currently brainstorming the best way to accomplish this task. I'll be walking around the downtown and speaking with business owners. In the meantime, please feel free to e-mail me at devin@devingrayfitness.com with any opinions, requests, or just to say hello. 

Thank you,
Devin Gray"

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

Franklin Beautification Day to be May 17

Brush off your garden gloves and dig in the dirt with the Franklin Downtown Partnership and the Franklin Garden Club on Saturday, May 17. The 11th annual Beautification Day will run from 9 a.m. to Noon, rain or shine. Volunteers and donations are needed to help make this project a success.

This year organizers were extra thoughtful when planning the plantings, choosing flowers and a blue & pink color scheme with recent community events and the streetscape construction project in mind.

"We were thinking about children, in the wake of losing several young adults and children in town this year," says Eileen Mason, Beautification Day chairperson. "Our hope is that everyone who sees these flowers will think of their children and embrace their individuality, creativity and zest for life."

Pink and white petunias and blue and white Lobelia, provided by Fairmount Fruit Farm in Franklin, are colorful and hardy plants that should last all season in full sunlight and a harsh construction environment.

The flowers will be displayed in boxes on the bridges and in front of some downtown businesses, but not in planter barrels on the center island this year due to road construction. Volunteers will also plant flowers and mulch the memorial gardens on the Town Common.

Residents, especially students in need of community service hours, who are interested in volunteering should contact Eileen Mason at emason11@verizon.net. Volunteers will meet at 9:00 a.m. on the center island in front of the Rome Restaurant. Anyone with a pickup truck is asked to help transport plants from Fairmount Farm at 8:00 a.m. Each year, Franklin Ford donates the use of their truck, which is a huge help to volunteers.

"We're fortunate to have the help of the Franklin High School hockey teams and a great group of volunteers from the YMCA helping again this year. This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to create a welcoming image," Mason adds.

Sponsors and donations are needed to help offset the costs of the Beautification Day committee's year-round planning, growing, planting and maintenance efforts. For as little as $150 businesses or residents can be a bronze sponsor. Watering help will also be needed in the greenspace garden across from the Mega Bites Deli.

Gold and platinum-level sponsors will have their names prominently displayed on signs for the 2014 season. Silver sponsors will have their name displayed on a group sign for the remainder of the year. Details about sponsorship can be found at franklindowntownpartnership.org/.

Friendly reminder: Book Drive - May 17-18

Book Drive - Milford 99 - May 17-18

Stop by the 99 in Milford on May 17th and 18th from 11am-4pm and check out our Book Drive to benefit The Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Jimmy Fund.

Lots of amazing books available to get you ready for your Memorial Day Trip reading pleasure!

Stock up on our summer reading material!

Toddler books, Children's books, teenage reading, Novels, books on travel, ...self-help books...the list goes on!

Wonderful author's such as:

• James Patterson
• Steven King
• John Grisham
• Danielle Steel to just name a few.

Stock up for summer! Find summer reading material for your students. Come check us out! We have LOADS of books!

We will also be collecting returnable cans and bottles at this time.

All proceeds from the Book Drive & Bottle and Can collection will be donated to The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Jimmy Fund.

Last year we raised $7,000. Help us reach our goal of $10,000 this year.

Via  https://www.facebook.com/events/671104832957396/

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 13, 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.

Franklin Public Schools

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."

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the April 29, 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. Annie Sullivan Update – Beth Wittcoff, Rebecca Motte
b. New Policy – First Readings – Lisa Trainor, Sally Winslow

1. GBADA – Fingerprint-Based Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) Checks Made for Non-Criminal Justice Purposes.  

presentation document can be viewed here  

policy document can be viewed here 

2. CB – School Superintendent   

3. Discussion Only Items
a. Policy Elimination – First Readings

1. CBC – Superintendents Powers and Responsibilities
2. BDC – Appointed Committee Officials

b. BICO – Capital Improvement Policy; Annual Appointment

4. Action Items
a. I recommend that the facility currently known as Franklin High School be declared surplus effective June 25, 2014.
b. I recommend moving Policys:

1. (New) GBADA – Fingerprint-Based Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) Checks Made for Non-Criminal Justice Purposes; and
2. (New) CB – School Superintendent
3. (Elimination) CBC – Superintendents Powers and Responsibilities
4. (Elimination) BDC – Appointed Committee Officials to a second reading.

c. I recommend acceptance of checks totaling $1,525.00 from the JFK PCC for field trips as detailed.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $282.66 from Wells Fargo for in-house enrichment at FHS.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,600.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for district wide in-house enrichment.
f. I recommend acceptance of checks totaling $1,435.00 in memory of Mr. Joseph DeNapoli for in-house enrichment at FHS as follows:

1. John A. Cataldo - $1,000.00
2. Ann Sullivan - $15.00
3. Laurel J. Anderson - $50.00
4. Sheila C. Wilson - $20.00
5. Janice Capen - $50.00
6. Richard Winning – $100.00
7. Cyd C. Ostrovsky - $50.00
8. Janet M. Horstman - $25.00
9. Ralph L. Ellis - $100.00
10. Mark and Barbara Zenobia - $25.00

g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from Fidelity for a FHS scholarship in memory of Fernando P. Baglioni.
h. I recommend acceptance of checks totaling $3,030.73 from Keller PCC for field trips.
i. I recommend approval of declaring FHS Band Uniforms surplus as detailed.
j. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from Boks – Rebok for supplies at Davis Thayer.
k. I recommend acceptance of a check for $440.00 from the Oak Street PCC for field trips.
l. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,875.00 from the ASMS PCC for field trips.
m. I recommend declaring the attached list of FHS fitness equipment as surplus.
n. I recommend adoption of the BICO Capital Improvement Policy as detailed.
o. I recommend Maureen Sabolinski be appointed as a BICO board member for the 2014-2015 school year.

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

New from MassBudget: Value of Minimum Wage is Eroded Quickly by Inflation

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Value of Minimum Wage is Eroded Quickly by Inflation Restoring the value of the minimum wage can be an effective way to reward work and help low wage workers support themselves and their families. Adjusted for inflation, the minimum wage was $10.86 an hour in 1968. Today it is just over $8.00 an hour. That means that while a full time minimum wage worker made over $21,000 a year in 1968, such a worker makes only $16,000 today. Several proposals have been made recently to restore the value of the minimum wage. This Facts At A Glance, Value of the Minimum Wage is Eroded Quickly by Inflation, examines those proposals, shown in the graph below. Each proposal would increase the minimum in two or three steps to $10.50 or $11. To understand how close each proposal comes to restoring the value of the minimum wage, it is important to account for the effects of inflation. If costs are rising by 2 percent a year, then $10 next year will buy about the same amount of goods and services as can be bought for $9.80 this year. In other words, $10 next year will be worth about $9.80 in today's dollars -- because costs go up each year. Using CBO inflation projections, we find that an $11 wage in 2016 would be worth $10.43 in today's dollars, and a $10.50 wage in that year would be worth $10.07 in today's dollars. If the minimum wage is not adjusted for inflation each year after the final step of an increase, then the value will decline each year the cost of living rises. Read THIS PAPER The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Privacy Policy. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Two Great Networking Opportunities for You

United Regional Chamber of Commerce   In the next couple of weeks, The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is offering two great networking opportunities. Please join us at one or both of them! Thursday, May 15 Business After Hours  5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Attleboro Enterprises, 284 John Dietsch Blvd.,  North Attleborough Join us for this fun, annual Business After Hours  $5 for members and $10 for non-members Register Here! Thursday, May 22 Networking Before 9 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Personal Best Karate, 250 East Main St., Norton Enjoy a continental breakfast while networking $5 for members and $10 for non-members Register Here!

Forward email  Privacy Policy. The United Regional Chamber of Commerce | 42 Union Street | Attleboro | MA | 02703

Franklin Library: Calendar of events for May 2014

Want all the Library events for the month of May? download and print out this calendar from the Library!




For additional info on the Library visit their page on the Franklin website
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Library/index

The Library space needs assessment presentation can be found here:
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Library/libpre.pdf

The Library Strategic Plan can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Library/FPL%20Strategic%20Plan%20FY%202014-2019.pdf

Franklin Library events

Franklin Art Association - May 17-18

The spring show for the Franklin Art Association will be held May 17-18 at Dean College

Spring Art Exhibit - May 17-18

The Guidry Center
Dean College
109 West Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038
http://www.dean.edu

Saturday May 17th 12 PM to 8 PM
Sunday May 18th 12 PM to 3 PM



This exhibit is free and open to the public and includes:

• The exhibit and sale of fine art paintings and photographs
• Bin sales of original works of art and prints
• Complementary food and beverages

For more about the Franklin Art Association you can visit their webpage here  http://www.franklinart.org/

Norfolk County Register of Deeds - June 5th

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell will hold Office Hours in the Town Council Chamber at Franklin Town Hall located at 355 East Central Street from 10:00am until 12:00pm on Thursday June 5, 2014. 

Register O’Donnell and members of his staff will be on hand to answer questions about the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds. The Register will have information about the Massachusetts Homestead Act as well as on-site work stations that can provide in real time the status of your mortgage discharge, a print out of your deed or a demonstration of how Registry technology works. No appointment is necessary. 

This is a community outreach initiative sponsored by the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds. It is Register O’Donnell’s goal to provide a convenient way for residents to learn more about how the Registry serves Norfolk County while conducting Registry business closer to home. 

Although Registry staff cannot provide legal advice, they will be able to answer basic questions, provide general information, take a document for recording and assist in filling out Homestead Declaration Forms. 

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives like us at Facebook.com/Norfolk Deeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds. 

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St., Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Department via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org.

Franklin Municipal Building

Elks Care Elks Share 5K - Results (photo essay)

Cort Francis and Kerry Walsh were first male and first female finishers of the Elks Care Elks Share 5K road race and walk on Saturday, May 10.  The funds raised by the Elks from this race will benefit the Franklin Food Pantry and the Wounded Warriors Project

The finish line

The National Anthem before the race/walk

Race Director Steve Niland with last minute instructions before the race

And they're off!

1st male - Cort Francis

1st female - Kerry Walsh

The full listing of results from the race can be found here
http://racewire.com/live_results.php?id=3650

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - May 14, 2014

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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
Ryan Jette, Director Recreation Department

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-05: Appropriation: Fire Detail Account
2. Resolution 14-36: Issuing Alcoholic Beverages (Package Store) Licenses Policy
3. Bylaw Amendment 14-736:Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 1st 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

Franklin Municipal Building

The documents released for this agenda can be found on the Franklin webpage here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/051414.pdf

Planning Board - Meeting Agenda - May 12, 2014

The Planning Board is scheduled to meet on Monday, May 12 in the Council Chambers at 7:00 PM

The published agenda for this meeting can be viewed here:

Franklin Municipal Building

Transition dates for the new high school

During the School Committee meeting on Apr 29, the high school administration provided an update on the new PISA Assessment, the findings from their Alumni Survey and the transition from the old to new building.


Key dates for the move from the current FHS to the new FHS

April Vacation - Moving Crates delivered to classrooms
April 30 - Movers meet w/ Staff
May 1 to June 20 - Staff packing
June 12 - Student Celebration
June 13 - Final Exams Begin
June 19 - Movers begin move of Field House & K Wing
June 25 - Last Day FHS is open for Business
June 26 to July 6 - All FHS Offices Closed for Business
July 7 - FHS Guidance, Summer School & Athletics open at Horace Mann
July 7 to 13 - FHS Admin remains closed (FHS Admin relocated to new school)
July 7 - Furniture and Equipment delivery begins (official end date August 14)
July 14 - FHS Admin Offices open at new school (all meetings, visitors at Horace Mann)
**July 25 - Substantial Completion - Building turned over to Franklin
August 4 - Technology Set Up Begins
August 11 to 15 - High School Experience @ HMMS
August 15 - Grade 9 Tour/Orientation of FHS*
August 18 - Grade 12 Tour/Orientation of FHS*
August 19 - Grade 11 Tour/Orientation of FHS*
August 20 - Grade 10 Tour/Orientation of FHS*
August 28 - Staff return to School  Prof Dev Day
September 3 - School begins for students

*Dates corrected with info here
http://franklinhigh.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinHS_News/01DA8BA5-000F8513


What will the new high school do for the Franklin population numbers? If the enrollment is an indication, it will be an attraction:

Enrollment 2013-14: 1627Projected Enrollment 2014-15: 1730 (+100 students)

The full 25 page presentation document can be viewed here:




or also found on the Franklin Schools webpage:
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_News/01D4FFE7-000F8513.0/FHS%20Update%204.29.14.pdf

photo of new FHS building main entrance (white tower) and principal's office (round tower)