Join us for this week's Ranger Walkabout

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Ranger Walkabout on Thursday, July 17 The Story of William Blackstone: A Costumed Interpretation Thursday, July 17   The Story of William Blackstone: A Costumed Interpretation Cumberland Public Library Cumberland, RI Start time: 6:30 pm The Reverend William Blackstone was the first permanent English settler of the River Valley that now bears his name.  Ranger John McNiff will appear at the Cumberland Library as the Reverend Blackstone in a costumed interpretation that will allow you to get a better understanding of the man known to some as the Sage of the Wilderness. Parking: There is plenty of parking available in the Cumberland Public Library parking lot, 1464 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland, RI.  See the full schedule Event Calendar Check out the event calendar for a more complete, detailed listing of Blackstone Corridor Events: Event Calendar  We are glad to include Corridor-related news and events, both on our web site calendar and in our monthly newsletter, Corridor Currents. Send us your stuff! About The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Congress established the National Heritage Corridor in 1986 to restore and preserve the nationally significant heritage of the Blackstone River Valley, where the industrialization of America began. It has become a successful program of partnerships between federal, state and local government agencies, as well as nongovernment organizations, pooling their resources and pursuing a common agenda of preservation and revitalization.  Ongoing Blackstone Corridor programs and projects include historic preservation, river cleanup, land conservation and stewardship, visitor centers, ranger walks, programs with schools, recreational programs and events, support for arts and cultural events, training for partners and volunteers and assistance to towns trying to preserve their heritage while also improving the local and regional economy. Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor One Depot Square Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895 Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor 401-762-0250

Forward this email Privacy Policy. Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor | One Depot Square | Woonsocket | RI | 02895

Not a clean cut

In addition to the herbicide spraying to reduce the weeds along the roadway, someone (DPW?) cut back the shrubbery along the railing on King St by Spruce Pond. It improves the view some what. The shrubbery was not cleanly cut.

shrubs cut back along Spruce Pond

view 2 - shrubs cut back along Spruce Pond

Summer Sizzler Family Event - July 17 - 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Summer Sizzler Family event that will be held this Thursday evening, July 17th from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Bernon Branch of the Hockomock YMCA



Register at hockymca.org (Register for Programs button/keyword search ‘Sizzler’) or sign-up at Member Service Desk.

Explore MA bike trails and paths

Summer is here, and for cyclists, it’s time to get ready to ride. Cyclists love Massachusetts because of the beautiful scenery and variety of terrain available across the state. 

If you’re new to Massachusetts or to cycling, you’re in luck. The Commonwealth has plenty of great trails and paths to ride.

explore MA bike trails and paths

Follow the link to find a selection of bike trails around MA.
http://blog.mass.gov/blog/recreation/explore-massachusetts-bike-trails-and-paths/

live reporting - Closing

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
Molly Duncan - 8th grade student, did a presentation on 'green schools'
Horace Mann will join the green school forest
thoughtful and really well done

received copy of town resolution
received Music Boosters to support sound equipment for the new high school
thank you

annual report has been submitted to the Town Clerk
lengthy report, School Committee picture on the front
available at the next election

38 teachers, etc will be in Boston for a conference for the next couple of days
Principal Fortin will be doing a session on digital learning
nice opportunity for educators to think about their goals for next year

high school still getting ready to open on time
move still underway, demolition will begin next week

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
none

School Committee Liaison Reports
none

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
none

7. Adjourn
motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 7-0

Live reporting - Action Items

4. Action Items
a. I recommend moving Policy JJE – Student Fundraising to a second reading.
motion to move to second reading, seconded passed 7-0

b. I recommend adoption of the following revised policies:
1. AC – Discrimination Harassment
2. CHCA – Approval of Student Handbooks
3. IJOAA – Field Trips
4. JICFB – Bullying
5. JII – Student Complaints and Grievances
6. JLCD – Self-Administration Medication

motion to drop the listed policies, seconded, passed 7-0

c. I recommend elimination of the following Policies:
1. AC-E – Public Discrimination Complaints
2. AC-R – Harassment Discrimination Investigation Checklist
3. ACA – Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Gender
4. ACAB – Sexual Harassment Policy for Students
5. ACE – Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Disability
6. ACE-R – Rights of Handicapped Persons

motion to accept the policies as listed, seconded, passed 7-0

d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $150.00 from Janet DeNapoli in memory of Mr. Joseph DeNapoli for FHS in-house enrichment.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 7-0

e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,045.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for FHS music department.
motion to accept the policies as listed, seconded, passed 7-0

f. I recommend approval of the school lunch price increase as detailed.
motion to accept the policies as listed, seconded, passed 7-0

g. I recommend establishment of a student technology revolving account as detailed.
motion to accept the policies as listed, seconded, passed 7-0

Live reporting - School Committee - July 15, 2014

Present: Douglas, O'Malley, Rohrbach, Clement, Mullen, Trahan, Jewell
Absent:  none


1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments - none
Review of Agenda - no adjustments
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the June 24, 2014 School Committee Meeting.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

Payroll Mrs. Douglas

FHS Student Representatives - none (school vacation)
Correspondence: BICO Info and Activities


2. Guests/Presentations

a. School Lunch Price Increase – Miriam Goodman

required to recalculate every year, proposing an increase of 10 cents across the board, as well as a premium meal increase of 50 cents (optional) 

b. Student Technology Insurance Revolving Account – Miriam Goodman

Looking to establish a revolving account with the new 1:1 initiative at the high school to cover the new chromebooks.  $25 per year, for coverage of accidental damage or theft. If not, then the cost to replace the device would be $300. Any expenses from the fund would coverage the insurance, repairs, etc. They already have a lost book revolving account which would cover the lost scenarios.

3 year insurance policy purchased with the  initial purchase of the chromebooks
based upon expenses from existing chromebook coverage, the cost over the three years is approx $70-75 so the 25 year cost per year would be recovering that expense.

stolen requires police report vs lost (I don't know where it is)

3. Discussion Only Items 
Policy – First Reading 

JJE – Student Fundraising

second time at a 'first' reading, removed some of the negative connotations that it seemed to contain, also more clear now

the policy effective states that bake sales, etc would be coordinated through the Principal's office.
We may need to re-do this, as there are rumors that the State (MA DESE) will be coming out with some standards in this space, hopefully before the end of the summer, and hopefully we'll be inline and not need to revise

supplanting vs. supporting has long been a discussion

when school budgets are cut, parent associations tend to step in to help coverage. Hesitate to get the state involved in details like pencils, etc.

this revision was done to help declare some guidelines within which to set expectations on fund raising

fund raising is inherently discriminatory, so our path is the middle road


Policy – Second Readings 

AC – Discrimination Harassment
CHCA – Approval of Student Handbooks
IJOAA – Field Trips
JICFB – Bullying
JII – Student Complaints and Grievances
JLCD – Self-Administration Medication

Elimination of Policies

AC-E – Public Discrimination Complaints
AC-R – Harassment Discrimination Investigation Checklist
ACA – Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Gender
ACAB – Sexual Harassment Policy for Students
ACE – Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Disability
ACE-R – Rights of Handicapped Persons

FHS Last Tour: Corridors and Student Art Work - part 7 (photos)

Let's continue the walk through the corridors of Franklin High School on the 'last tour.' I'll share photos of student art work and other significant items of interest picking up from where we left off last time.

student art - 1

student art - 1 detail a

student art - 1 detail b

student art - 1 detail c

student art - 1 detail d

student art - 1 detail e

student art - 2

Photos shared earlier can be found here:

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/fhs-last-tour-corridors-and-student-art_12.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/fhs-last-tour-corridors-and-student-art.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/fhs-last-tour-corridors-and-student-art_30.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/fhs-last-tour-corridors-and-student-art_29.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/fhs-last-tour-corridors-and-welcome-to.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/fhs-last-tour-corridors-and-student-art.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/fhs-last-tour-field-house-small-gym.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/fhs-last-tour-field-house-photos.html


Note: all the photos will be posted to Facebook and to Flickr for anyone to view in a single place. The locations are already established and photos will be added to them over time.

Facebook album       Flickr album

Downtown Improvement Project map (PDF)

A regular reader managed to scan the map handed out at Thursday's Downtown Improvement Project meeting to share. (Thank you!)

I had shared a photo of the map earlier, now you can download and view this PDF version.

photo version of map

You can also find the photo along with the meeting notes here

Herbicide - before and after

As noted during June, the herbicide spraying was going to happen. On my regular walks I managed to capture a before and after sequence on King St by Spruce Pond.

Before - weeds growing happily

After - weeds drying up

The notification on the herbicide spraying was posted here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/herbicide-spraying-to-begin.html

AWESOME Dining For A Cure Event - July 28

The Milford 99 is hosting another AWESOME Dining For A Cure Event!! 

Join us at the bar on Monday night July 28th 5pm to closing for great fun for an even greater cause! 

There will be raffles, games, trivia and 5 amazing gals donating all of their tips that night to Dana Farber. 

Stop on in and support Lisa, Christina, Kristen, Alexis and Emily in their efforts to raise money for Dana Farber. All money raised during this event will be donated.

fund raising for Dana Farber at Milford 99

You can check out the event details on Facebook here
https://www.facebook.com/events/249743365219188/

For more info on Dana Farber you can visit there page
http://www.dana-farber.org/

Downtown Improvement Project Meeting - audio

Here is the audio recording of the Downtown Improvement Project public meeting on Thursday, July 10th at Dean College. As the recording starts, Brian Kelly, the Facilities Director for Dean covers the safety logistics for the room and then turns the meeting over to Town Administrator Jeff Nutting.

Jeff proceeds to introduce the team from the State managing the project, the representatives from Walsh (the contractor), Representative Jeff Roy, DPW Director Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi, and Town engineer Mike Maglio.

You can follow along with my notes that I captured as the meeting happened.

FM #105 - The audio from the Downtown Improvement Project meeting held at Dean College on July 10, 2014.

My notes from the meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-downtown-project-status.html




MP3 File

map of Downtown Improvement Project

The video of the meeting is not yet on the broadcast listing for the local cable channel -> http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

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

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help.

How can you help, you ask?
If you have an interest in writing about something that matters in Franklin, please let me know.

As always - 

• If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like this, please tell me.

This feedback loop is important. Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark &Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - July 15, 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."

Franklin Public Schools

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the June 24, 2014 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: BICO Info and Activities

2. Guests/Presentations

a. School Lunch Price Increase – Miriam Goodman
b. Student Technology Insurance Revolving Account – Miriam Goodman

3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – First Reading

JJE – Student Fundraising

Policy – Second Readings

AC – Discrimination Harassment
CHCA – Approval of Student Handbooks
IJOAA – Field Trips
JICFB – Bullying
JII – Student Complaints and Grievances&nbsp
JLCD – Self-Administration Medication

Elimination of Policies

AC-E – Public Discrimination Complaints
AC-R – Harassment Discrimination Investigation Checklist
ACA – Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Gender
ACAB – Sexual Harassment Policy for Students
ACE – Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Disability
ACE-R – Rights of Handicapped Persons

4. Action Items
a. I recommend moving Policy JJE – Student Fundraising to a second reading.
b. I recommend adoption of the following revised policies:

1. AC – Discrimination Harassment
2. CHCA – Approval of Student Handbooks
3. IJOAA – Field Trips
4. JICFB – Bullying
5. JII – Student Complaints and Grievances
6. JLCD – Self-Administration Medication

c. I recommend elimination of the following Policies:

1. AC-E – Public Discrimination Complaints
2. AC-R – Harassment Discrimination Investigation Checklist
3. ACA – Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Gender
4. ACAB – Sexual Harassment Policy for Students
5. ACE – Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Disability
6. ACE-R – Rights of Handicapped Persons

d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $150.00 from Janet DeNapoli in memory of Mr. Joseph DeNapoli for FHS in-house enrichment.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,045.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for FHS music department.
f. I recommend approval of the school lunch price increase as detailed.
g. I recommend establishment of a student technology insurance revolving account as detailed.

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


Agendas for the School Committee can be found here
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Agendas/

Office Hours: Rep Roy

State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) announced that constituent office hours will be held in Franklin for the Month of July on the following day: 

Franklin – Thursday, July 17th, 9:00-10:00AM, Franklin Senior Center – 10 Daniel McCahill Street Franklin, MA 

Christopher Yancich, his legislative aide, will be accompanying him. 

Representative Roy stated that all office hours are open to any residents of Franklin and Medway who may have questions or concerns that they wish to bring to his attention. Walk-ins are welcome; no appointment necessary. He looks forward to hearing from you. 

He also invites all constituents to call him at his State House office at (617) 722-2400, stop by Room 134 in the State House, or email him at Jeffrey.Roy@MAhouse.gov.

Senior Center - Community Concert - July 21

For additional information about events at the Senior Center, you can visit their page
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index

Franklin, there is still time to solarize your residence

Solarize Franklin is still looking for folks that are interested in solar power. Details are in the flyer shown here:



To learn more about the program visit the Solarize Mass webpage here
http://www.masscec.com/solarizemass

If you are interested in participating, you can contact Franklin's Dept of Planning and Community Development by calling 508-520-4907 or via email at TOFPlanning@franklin.ma.us

The 'Free Little Library' - Franklin

Franklin is already known for having the first public library in the US. We now also have a "Free Little Library." From a reader I received an email with this information to share:

I did want to share our Free Little Library, pictured below. It's an Amish-made cranberry box. We put books in it for people to take, and people come by and leave theirs. We've seen all types of books, from poetry to murder mysteries to classic lit -- and today's gem: the Supreme Court Reporter from 1939. 

There's lots about the organization here: http://littlefreelibrary.org/ and people can search for boxes all over the world using their locator.

free little library - Franklin

Supreme Court Reporter - 1939 edition

Where is the little free library in Franklin?

366 Lincoln Street

While Lincoln St is being re-done, it may not be as easy to visit until it is re-paved but it still might be worth a stop to get a book and leave a book.


Note: This email had arrived during the week before the 4th so the Supreme Court Reporter may not be there now (but it might also come back sometime too!).

The Franklin Education Foundation Announces 2014-2015 Grants Awardees

Franklin Education Foundation

The Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) has awarded 8 grants totaling $13,775 for the 2014-2015 school year to teachers who represent all educational levels in the Franklin public school (FPS) system.

Since its inception in 1997, the FEF has awarded over $300,000 in grants. A committee composed of FEF representatives and FPS staff read all proposals through a blind review process and selected the recipients. “Consideration was given to need, innovation, impact, and integration with other school programs” stated Kit Brady, President of the Franklin Education Foundation and Chair of the Grant Review Committee. 

This year’s recipients are: 

Franklin High School – Ann Butler, FHS Science Café; Carolyn Fortuna, Colleen Moore, Sarah Scannell, and Sam Rosen, Storytelling in 12th grade children's literature class. 

At the middle school level, recipients are: 

Horace Mann School – Heather Wilson, Carolina Campos, Chromebooks to support Spanish education; Erin O'Leary, School-based audio book library; Shawn Fortin, Expansion of middle school “virtual” online courses; and Remington School - Kimberly Schmidt, Chromebooks to support English language arts and social studies education. 

At the elementary school level, FEF awards went to 

Kennedy School – Kathleen Merten, Chromebooks to support 4th grade education; and Jefferson/Parmenter Schools – Brian Kelley, Number sense web site videos. 

Two yearly events, Casino Night and a Trivia bee, as well as an annual fund campaign, provide much appreciated support from businesses, families and organizations for the FEF grants. To see a list of programs the FEF has funded over the years, visit www.franklined.org. The Franklin Education Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization. All gifts are fully tax deductible.

New England Chapel in the news

How are you spending your summer?

In this first news item, a group of 33 people from Franklin's New England Chapel spent time in PA fixing up houses.

	"Franklin, MASS" Daily update ⋅ July 12, 2014
	NEWS
	News Item Missionaries wrap up week of fixing up Shamokin houses News Item The 33 volunteers from New England Chapel, of Franklin, Mass., arrived in Shamokin Sunday to perform construction work on dilapidated homes. Flag as irrelevant
	Shrewsbury Softball Player, Others Honored for Academics Patch.com Junior Edie Richardson (Franklin, Mass./Fontbonne Academy), sophomores Joanna Giordano (South Salem, N.Y./John Jay), and Caroline Kushner ... Flag as irrelevant

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VWR Internaional marks the 10th anniversary of its Franklin, MA Distribution Center

From the news wire, I find this company touting their Franklin, MA distribution center. I was unable to find the exact location but it is likely in one of our industrial parks. 

VWR International, LLC, a global solutions provider of laboratory supplies, equipment and services today announces the 10th anniversary of its Franklin, Mass. Distribution Center. Serving the Greater New England area, this location supports customers in the pharmaceutical, biotech and healthcare industry. Over the last decade, this location has provided a variety of services to help VWR customers maximize supply chain security by providing reliable and transparent solutions to critical research, process development and manufacturing process applications. 

A special capability provided by the Franklin facility is production chemical services and supply chain solutions through regulatory compliance, operational efficiency and supply chain assurance. These special services including sampling in an ISO Class 8 Cleanroom and other unique services meets the specific needs of VWR's biotech and pharmaceutical customers. The facility is compliant with International Pharmaceutical Excipient Council's (IPEC) Guidelines for current Good Distribution Practices (cGDP) and has been recognized by Avantor Performance Materials, Inc. as Certified Excipient Distributor (CED) facility. In addition, the facility is ISO 9001:2008 registered, and a licensed Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy (BOP) warehouse.
Besides traditional distribution other services conducted at this 55,000 square foot facility include custom pallet programs, storage and warehousing of customer dedicated, pre-reserved or customer owned inventory, custom bar-code labeling, and furnishing product certifications with shipments. 

"The Franklin facility is an integral and valuable asset to our supply chain. The local support we've received over the years has significantly contributed to the success of our manufacturing operations in many ways," shared Alex Malgieri, Associate Director of Logistics for Alexion Rhode Island Manufacturing Facility. "On behalf of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, we would like to say thanks for the exceptional level of support." 

"VWR continues to focus on providing superior service to our customers by minimizing complexity and increasing their productivity," said Tim Wedemyer, SVP, North America Operations for VWR. "With the many special services our Franklin facility can offer to our customers, especially in the area of research and production chemicals, we look forward to many more years of serving our customers in key geographies like New England." 

VWR International, LLC

About VWR International, LLC
VWR International, LLC, headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, is a global solutions provider of laboratory supplies, equipment and services with worldwide sales in excess of $4.1 billion in 2013. VWR enables the advancement of the world's most critical research by providing product and service solutions to laboratories and production facilities in the pharmaceutical, biotech, industrial, educational, governmental and healthcare industries. With over 160 years of industry experience, VWR offers a well-established network that reaches thousands of specialized labs and facilities spanning the globe. VWR has over 8,000 associates around the world working to streamline the way scientists, researchers, medical professionals and engineers across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific stock and maintain their facilities. In addition, VWR further supports its customers by providing onsite services, storeroom management, product procurement, supply chain systems integration and technical services. 

For more information on VWR, visit www.vwr.com. 

VWR and design are registered trademarks of VWR International, LLC.

http://investors.vwr.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=859165