Downtown red, white and blue

Thanks to the Franklin Downtown Partnership and a host of volunteers for decorating and planting this year. The mix of red, white and blue flowers hopefully will grow healthy and colorfully this year.

planter along railroad bridge railing

planter along railroad bridge railing 1

planter along railroad bridge railing 2

Additional photos from the Beautification Day can be found on the Downtown Partnership page
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2014/05/downtown-in-bloom.html

With June comes hurricane season

The MA.GOV blog has info on preparation for hurricane season. The checklist of what to do now to avoid last minute problems.

The best time to prepare for a hurricane is well before you hear warnings on the radio. Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 25-31, is a time to get ready for whatever comes your way when New England hurricane season hits June 1 through November 30.   

 ...Continue Reading Get Ready in the Calm before the Storm: Hurricane Preparedness

ma.gov web site

Memorial Day - Parade Route

• Parade begins at the Historical Museum on West Central Street at 10:45.
• Departs museum eastbound on West Central Street to Clark Square (the railroad overpass) at the junction of West Central and Main Streets.
• North on Main Street through the center of town to the Dean College gate where the parade will delay for a wreath laying at the Dean Memorial.
• North on Main to the corner of Main and School Street; then west on School Street to Union Street.
• South on Union Street to the corner of West Central and Union, turning west on West Central Street.
• Delay at Union Street Cemetery for a memorial, then continuing west on West Central Street to Beaver Street.
• East on Beaver Street to Saint Mary’s Cemetery where the parade will delay for another memorial.
• East on Beaver from Saint Mary’s Cemetery to the Town Common where the parade will terminate at approximately 12:00 noon
• Memorial Service will be held at the Town Common following the parade

BFCCPS marching band from the parade in 2013

You can download and print the route from this file

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczVHV0amdPT1B3UGs/edit?usp=sharing

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 27

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."

Franklin Public Schools

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the May 13, 2014
School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Davis Thayer Update – Evemarie McNeil
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczaTVwb0VVeDhuTW8/edit?usp=sharing

b. Keller Update – Julie Vincentsen
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczWk1uazZvQWQtMkk/edit?usp=sharing

c. MKEA – Joyce Edwards
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczVjFQVGRubjd0TVk/edit?usp=sharing


3. Discussion Only Items
a. Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan – Sally Winslow
b. New Policy – Second Readings

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

c. Policy Elimination – Second Readings

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

4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of budget transfers as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of checks totaling: $405.00 in memory of Joseph DeNapoli as follows:

1. Mary Picht - $50.00
2. Judith and Carl Beckett and Charles and Jo Dierling - $50.00
3. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Rivolla - $50.00
4. Lois M. Scott - $25.00
5. Barbara Houston - $100.00
6. Mary Tarallo - $30.00
7. Paul and Judith Badavas - $50.00
8. Elizabeth Vassiliou - $50.00

c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,438.50 from the Davis Thayer PCC for field trips.
d. I recommend adopting Policy GBADA – Fingerprint-Based Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) Checks Made for Non-Criminal Justice Purposes as discussed.
e. I recommend adopting Policy CB – School Superintendent as discussed.
f. I recommend elimination of Policy CBC – Superintendents Powers and Responsibilities as discussed.
g. I recommend elimination of Policy BDC – Appointed Committee Officials 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. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn



Note: additional information on the Mass Kindergarten Early Assessment can be found here
http://www.mass.gov/edu/birth-grade-12/early-education-and-care/mkea/

Mandatory Water Conservation Measures - June 2

Mandatory Water Conservation Measures
EFFECTIVE MONDAY JUNE 2, 2014

LAWN WATERING IS RESTRICTED TO ONE DAY PER WEEK ON TRASH DAY

• No lawn watering between the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• No holiday delays for watering
• No lawn watering is permitted on other days of the week

See Town website for details = Water Conservation Information

Upper Union St water tower - Jun 2013

Franklin is BioReady(R): Franklin now Platinum-rated community for biotech

The Town of Franklin has improved its zoning bylaws, building codes and other business and industry-related criteria to raise its BioReady® ranking from Gold to Platinum, signifying Franklin's readiness to work with biotechnology companies interested in locating there. 

"We are very excited to see Franklin reach the Platinum level of BioReadiness®," said Robert K. Coughlin, President and CEO of MassBio. "Franklin has proved its commitment to facilitating innovation and supporting industry growth in Massachusetts.""The Town of Franklin is honored to be a Platinum level BioReady® Community, and is very appreciative to the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council for the recognition," said Jeffery Nutting, Franklin's Town Administrator. "This award signifies the success of Franklin Town Council's continued efforts to promote a higher level of investment in the Town's industrial areas, increase employment options for the Town's residents, and increase the Town's commercial and industrial tax base." 

MassBio

MassBio and partner organizations across the state began the statewide BioReady® Communities Campaign in 2008 in order to provide background to municipal officials about the biotech industry and offer guidance on how to position municipalities as destinations for biotech laboratory and manufacturing facilities. To date, there are 77 BioReady® rated communities in the state. 

Communities are ranked on a scale of Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum, and the system helps Massachusetts cities and towns market themselves to biotechnology companies looking to expand or relocate. As part of the campaign, the MassBio Economic Development Advisory Group (EDAG) developed criteria to both guide communities in their pursuit of biotech facility opportunities and rate them for BioReadiness® in order to provide each with a tangible marketing tool. 

Other communities that have recently been awarded new or upgraded  BioReady® ratings include Leominster (Platinum), Malden (Gold), Millis (Silver), and Brookline (Bronze). 

To view full ratings criteria, visit MassBio's BioReady® Communities web page at http://www.massbio.org/economic_development/bioready_communities

About MassBio

www.massbio.org

MassBio, a not-for-profit organization that represents and provides services and support for the Massachusetts biotechnology industry, is the nation's oldest biotechnology trade association. Founded in 1985, MassBio is committed to advancing the development of critical new science, technology and medicines that benefit people worldwide. Representing over 620 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, research hospitals, and service organizations involved in life sciences and health care, MassBio works to advance policy and promote education, while providing member programs and events, industry information, and services.

Plants for sale - Community Gardens

Starting your garden? A variety of vegetable plants are available at the Community Garden.

a sample of plants for sale

listing of plants and prices

The sale is scheduled Sunday from 9:00 AM to noon.

Where is the Community Garden?  At the King St Memorial Park