Franklin Blog: ECDC Principal Page

Kelty Kelly, the principal at ECDC, is writing a blog. 

Welcome to the F.X. O'Regan Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) Principal Page! Here families and community members will find updates, information and resources, as well as pictures and commentary from ECDC Principal, Kelty Kelley.

A new post highlights kindergarten registration information for ECDC families. Note that while this information is targeted for the ECDC families, those who may have children attending ECDC in a future school year could find this useful.

Kindergarten Registration:
This year we are working to simplify and streamline the Kindergarten Registration process for current ECDC families. Here at ECDC, we will be collecting and coordinating the required documentation, as well as scheduling Kindergarten Screenings (once the dates become available). By taking these new steps, we will expedite your child’s registration and eliminate the need for you to attend the district-wide registration. Within the next week all families with children entering Kindergarten will receive a packet of information with more details!

You can read Kelty's full posting here
http://ecdcprincipalpage.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-couple-of-updates.html

screen grab of ECDC principal page

Related post:
ECDC now accepting registration for 2015-2016 school year
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/ecdc-is-now-accepting-applications-and.html

This page has been added to the Franklin Area blog listing found in the far right column of Franklin Matters. You can subscribe to the ECDC Principal Page to receive updates via RSS feed or email.

MassBudget: Mid-year solutions and long-term challenges

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Mid-year solutions and long-term challenges   Mid-year budget solutions announced today by the Baker Administration are a combination of temporary fixes and budget cuts. While these steps will help keep the budget balanced through the end of the year, our Commonwealth will continue to face hard choices in next year's budget and in the years ahead. Temporary solutions include using capital gains tax revenue that was supposed to go into the state stabilization fund, implementing a tax amnesty that will reduce tax revenue in future years, and employing cash management strategies at MassHealth that will likely include shifting costs into next year. The 9C cuts implemented by the administration include reducing funding for full-day kindergarten, for mental health services for children and adults, and for state parks (complete list available HERE). "The solutions announced today help balance the budget this year. Seeing 40 year-old trains break down in this week's storms, we are reminded that our biggest challenges are long term," said Noah Berger, President of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center. "Without smart investments in our people and our communities we risk lasting harm to our economy and quality of life. In the long term, budget cuts could be balanced with tax reforms that ask our highest income taxpayers, who now pay less of their income in state and local taxes than most people, to pay their fair share."  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

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

screen grab of Mass Budget webpage

FHS basketball teams top Sharon, girls hockey ties Ursuline

Ryan Lanigan, editor of Hockomock Sports reports on the FHS vs.Sharon boys basketball game by writing:

It was cold outside, but Franklin was red hot on both ends of the floor, rolling to a 83-46 win over Sharon. 

Senior Markus Bohmiller scored a career-high 28 points, with 22 coming in the first half, as the Panthers built a 25-8 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. 

“First quarters have been tough for us to be honest,” Franklin head coach CJ Neely said. “It’s something we’ve talked about coming out and doing well. I thought we did a great job defensively, getting in their business and setting the tone right from the beginning. We’ve been playing well in the other quarters but we can’t wait around, we have to get it going early.”

Franklin senior Markus Bohmiller poured in a career-high 28 points on Tuesday night. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Continue reading the full article here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/bohmiller-boosts-franklin-to-blowout-win-over-sharon



Girls Basketball

Franklin, 62 @ Sharon 35 - Final - The Panthers held Sharon to only 15 points through the first three quarters. Eagles coach Cliff Tomassian credited his team for "sticking with it" to score 20 points in the fourth. Ashley Mukasa led the way for Sharon with 17 points, including five three-pointers. 

Girls Hockey

Franklin, 1 @ Ursuline, 1 - Final

These scores were shared from the Hockomock Sports page here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-020315

"We need to craft this in a proper way"

The Economic Development Committee (EDC) meeting was reported on the Milford Daily News in part by writing:

A wild, wooded property on Pond Street is bare, save for remnants of a wastewater plant. 

Some town councilors hope years from now, the scene changes, perhaps to a bustling development with a hotel and an office. They also want the revenue that would follow. 

Members of the council's Economic Development Committee on Tuesday discussed details of a request for proposals (RFP) for the 33-acre parcel. The committee is considering placing stipulations in the RFP that would limit the kind of developments allowed there.

Continue reading the full article here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150204/NEWS/150208919/1994/NEWS#sthash.CQAlqzxP.dpuf

Franklin Public Schools: Schools Open Wednesday at Regular Time

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello 

Classes will resume on Wednesday February 4th as scheduled. Emergency transportation will be available for students that typically walk to school (not students who are typically driven to school). 

Please contact your child's school to discuss your arrival/dismissal plan. We need to obtain written permission of a parent/guardian to let children ride the bus. Please contact the administration of each school to discuss your plan. As sidewalks are not plowed this service will be in place for the remainder of the week. 

School parking lots and walkways are plowed however; due to cold temperatures the surface is slippery so please take appropriate precautions. 

For FHS students who drive to school please allow extra time as roads are narrow and speeds should be reduced. There are massive snow piles at intersections so when making a turn use caution and reduce speed. We need to be vigilant as to avoid walkers, runners and other cars. 

Parking at FHS will be limited as the snow piles have reduced the available parking spaces. Carpooling is recommended. 

Thank you to the staff and administration of DPW and Facilities- these individuals worked 24/7 to maintain the roads and make sure the community was safe. Often their dedication and commitment goes unnoticed but their efforts are appreciated. 

As we anticipate more snow before we see the tulips we appreciate your collaboration and assistance as we negotiate this winter. 

For your information: With these two additional snow days the last day of school is now June 25th - this leaves 3 days for additional snow closures before looking at reducing vacation periods. If we need to use vacation time it will be the April vacation.

NH, Maine ski country? No, Franklin, MA....

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message.

Calling all teens! - Lion's Heart enrollment is now OPEN

Enroll with Lion's Heart

* Experience working with a team of your peers 

* Select your own charities to volunteer with 

* Connect with others to make a difference 

* Focus on serving the community; no fundraising 

* Gain leadership training and experience 

* Earn college resume credit 

* Qualify for scholarships and earn awards

screen grab of Lion's Heart webpage

For more information please visit www.lionsheartservice.org or email Allison at allison.bernhardt@lionsheartservice.org

Franklin Art Association: Scholarship Opportunity 2015

The Franklin Art Association is pleased to offer a $1,000 scholarship for a graduating high school senior who lives in Franklin, or attends high school in Franklin, or is a member of the Franklin Art Association, or the child or grandchild of a current member, and intends to continue his or her education in the field of art. 

Each applicant must submit a student portfolio, teacher's letter of recommendation, a transcript of high school grades and a completed application.  

More details will be provided on the application.  Applications are available in the guidance department at 

• Franklin High School, 218 Oak Street, Franklin MA 02038 

All submissions must be dropped off at the Franklin High School by Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 2:30 pm. 

Franklin Art Association

Questions may be directed to:

Tina Guarino - tinaguarinoart@gmail.com
Scholarship Committee Chairperson

"they hope their input doesn't fall on deaf ears"

The Economic Development committee meets to discuss and decide on revisions to the Pond St Request for Proposal (RFP).  The RFP would be revised and posted to allow proposals on how the for sewer bed property would be developed. If one of the proposals meet the desires of the Town Council the land could be sold.

The Pond St neighbors would like to get their say in what restrictions would be imposed on the developer to help preserve the area.

The meeting will be held in the 3rd Floor Training Room at the Municipal building on East Central St.  The meeting is scheduled to start at 6:30 PM.

Area residents voiced concern over the amount of condos or apartments that the town would allow a developer to build. 

Up to 14 units are permitted now, and Bissanti admitted he does not see that number changing. 

"I just don’t want the guts torn out of the RFP," he said. "That may happen if we play around too much with the density limits." 

He and other town officials hope this will be the last time they'll need to put out a Pond Street RFP. They are encouraging residents to attend Tuesday's meeting and upcoming meetings with the Planning Board and council to pitch possible traffic improvements to busy Pond Street, such as lights or islands.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150203/NEWS/150209365/1994/NEWS#sthash.i88hBBXX.dpuf

Franklin Municpal Building, site of the EDC meeting Tuesday evening

Live reported notes from the Jan 7th meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/live-reporting-public-hearing-pond-st.html

The audio recording of the public hearing at the Town Council meeting on the 7th
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/fm-107-pond-st-zoning-bylaw-discussion.html

Live reported notes from the second Town Council meeting in January
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/live-reporting-legislation.html

Reminder: Montessori Open House - Feb 7 - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Montessori Open House

Saturday, February 7 

from 11am to 1pm

31 Hayward St., Franklin

Free event.
The public is welcome to learn about our Montessori preschool and kindergarten programs.

Website: www.MySunriseMontessori.com

Contact: Karen Roeber, Director at 508-541-8010

screen grab of Sunrise Montessori webpage

Motor Vehicle Excise Exemptions for Veterans - Revised RMV Procedures

Motor Vehicle Excise Exemptions for Veterans - Revised RMV Procedures

The Division of Local Services has posted on its website Bulletin 2015-01B which advises Boards of Assessors about a recent change in Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) procedures regarding veterans who the Medical Advisory Board (MAB) determined have permanent service-connected disabilities and are eligible for a disabled veteran (DV) plate. Veterans who the MAB has determined to have a permanent service-connected disability are eligible for a motor vehicle excise exemption on one vehicle used for non-commercial purposes. The MAB is now issuing a letter advising the veteran it has made the required determination and gives the veteran the option to be issued a DV plate. Previously, the veteran was just issued a DV plate and therefore, had to have the plate in order to establish he or she qualified for the exemption. Due to this change in procedure, however, a veteran may now establish eligibility for the exemption by (1) providing the assessors with a copy of the MAB determination of permanent service-connected disability or (2) having a DV plate on the vehicle.

Hello Mac Deli

Mega Bites is gone and Mac Deli is having their grand opening on Tuesday, Feb 3rd at 11:00 AM.

Mac Deli Franklin

Where is Mac Deli?
Where Mega Bites used to be. Located on West Central St between the Up Town bar and THE BLACK BOX theater. 

goodbye MegaBites, hello Mac Deli!

Check out the Mac Deli menu online -->  http://www.themacdeli.com/

Franklin Public Schools: Schools Closed Tuesday 2/03/15

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello 

Due the continued snow and freezing temperatures schools are closed on Tuesday. 

School Offices and Administrative Offices at Town Hall are open at regular time. 

Thank you and please try stay off roads as they are very icy.

Parmenter School getting cleared on Monday evening

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message.

One Book One Community - you get to choose!

The Franklin Public Library has chosen a book for the past several years where the one book is read by the communty and a variety of programs are held centered on the book.

This year, the choice of the book is open to you input. There is a poll/survey being held on the Library page where you can make your choice.

Which books are there to select this year?

1. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore: A Novel – Robin Sloan
2. Ready Player One – Ernest Cline
3. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates – Wes Moore
4. The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl – Timothy Egan

Once you have made your choice, you can do the poll here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/


Books summaries are contained in this PDF file:

I wonder which book Ben would choose?

Annual Report 2014: Board of Assessors

Continuing our reading of the 2014 Annual Report we come to the section on the Board of Assessors. This is the group responsible for the data gathering, property value calculations, and data validation that lead to setting the tax rate. The section provides a good overview of their entire process. At the end, I also include a link to my 'simpler' explanation of how the tax rate is calculated.   



REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS

Triennial Revaluation

The revaluation of all real and personal property in the Town of Franklin was completed Fall 2013 in preparation for Actual Fiscal Year 2014 3rd quarter tax bills.

Following is a brief review of that achievement.

Data Collection

Twelve years have now passed since we installed the real estate valuation and assessment administration software developed by Patriot Properties, Inc. Because our start-up data was from a different form of valuation system and most of our data had not been refreshed in nearly ten years, it was necessary to complete a town-wide data recollection program prior to finalizing the FY 2005 valuations. Patriot Properties was hired for this task. Over the past 9 years, our appraisal staff has performed the on-going property exterior measuring and interior inspecting for all real estate classes. Such reviews are done for the Department of Revenue (DOR) required cyclical program, as well as for building permitted changes, pre-appraisal and abatement verifications.

Field Review

In addition to individual property on-site review, field reviews are required periodically to check for obvious data accuracy and consistency. This drive-by review provides another level of assurance that when valuation schedules are applied, the results will be “Fair and Equitable”. 

Commercial/Industrial/Apartment Valuations Annually there are analyses of sales data as well as income & expense market data. The Board contracted Patriot to work with our Director to establish an income approach to value for each property. All requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue were met through final approval of the FY 2014 valuations.

Sales Analysis

The majority of the sales analysis was completed by September 2013, and the interpretation of sales continued through the next two stages of valuation. The town-wide program resulted in a valuation system that was applied uniformly throughout the town, while reflecting all the adjustments warranted individually and by neighborhood, to result in “Full and Fair Cash Values” as per Massachusetts General Law.

Value Generation

A system of valuation was established based on valid property sales and where applicable the income approach to value. These schedules concluded from the market were then uniformly applied to all taxable and exempt real property.

Final Value Review

Final reviews were completed in preparation for the DOR review. These include studies of various computer-generated reports to check for value
consistency, final field checks required, and for DOR documentation and its analyses.

DOR Review & Final Approval

Any on-site and statistical reviews by the DOR took place from April to September 2013. The appraisal staff provided files, generated property records, answered questions and addressed any concerns. At the conclusion of the DOR review, we were granted approval authorizing public disclosure.

Public Disclosure

The DOR approved valuations were available for disclosure to the property owners. While the administrative staff provided property record cards and general data reviews, the appraisers conducted informal hearings on valuations.

Personal Property

Business assets and those of utilities are reviewed for valuation as taxable Personal Property. For thirteen fiscal years we have engaged the specialized services of Real Estate Research Consultants (RRC) in the discovery and valuation of these accounts. These services have served us well, resulting in DOR approval and consistently defendable valuations. Also, considerable new growth has been certified annually. Additionally, the RRC Personal Property Software installed in our office has benefited us. The personal property valuation formulas are very straightforward, and the administrative capabilities have met our needs.

Classification Hearing & Tax Commitment

Following some discussion and a few presentations relative to single versus split tax rates, the Council approved a single tax rate at $14.45 per $1,000 of taxable value as calculated by the Board for all property classes. The tax commitment and mailing were timely for an actual 3rd quarter tax bill.

Abatement Reviews

Upon mailing of the tax bills and on or before the due date of the first actual bill, property owners have an opportunity to file an Abatement Application on the basis of overvaluation or misclassification. 95 abatements applications were filed of 11,452 taxable accounts, representing less than 1%. Generally those with merit were resolved through our conducting a complete on-site exterior measuring and interior inspection. Usually a valuation discrepancy is the result of a data error or as a result of an inspection appointment not being arranged and thus the data having been “estimated”.

Technology Improvements

In addition to our state-of-the-art software for the valuation and administration of both real and personal property, Cartographic Associates, Inc. (CAI) of Littleton, NH has continued to maintain the digital/GIS-mapping program it first developed for us in FY 2005. Following aerial photography and planimetric (physical features) mapping, CAI constructed cadastral tax maps (depicting parcels) through the use of over 5,000 plans and over 15,000 deeds. These new maps are continuously in our process of reconciliation with our property records for consistency in both parcel inventory and land area.

With the support of Town Administrator Jeff Nutting and the Town Council, we have capacity in our Patriot software to link and utilize the maps with our assessment file. In addition, for the past nine years we have provided our tax maps on the web to the benefit of both the Town staff and the general public.

Appraisal &Administrative Staffing

The use of automation has minimized the former heavy burden of traditional data processing. Due to this and numerous other office improvements, the Town approved our Staff Restructuring Plan. We have adjusted our administrative support staff to Board Secretary Anne Covell who is responsible for continuing to improve our service to the public at the counter and by phone. She focuses her efforts on providing and reviewing public records, Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Commitments and Abatements, Exemption Applications, the general and specific support to the Appraisal Staff and any other assignments as required. She continues to train in various administrative duties and computer applications. We thank Anne for her efforts in 34 years of service to the Board. The Appraisers have made special efforts in the development and implementation of usable written instructions for the assessing office procedures and for MUNIS financial software applications. These instructions were developed consistent with all Mass. General Law and the DOR requirements.

Appraisers

We thank Kevin W. Doyle, Director of Assessing for his diligence especially as Director beginning following his first two years here. He has overseen the completion of all our work these past thirteen fiscal years, five full revaluations and eight interim years of market adjustments. We are also pleased with the support work of Appraiser Peter Mooney since August 2004 and of Appraiser David Ruberti since July 2005. Our Director has been a Massachusetts Accredited Assessor (MAA) since 1990. Within the past seven years both Appraisers completed their designation required education and experience, being granted their MAA designations and maintaining the periodic recertification required.

Town Revenue Enhancements

In addition to meeting all state requirements as well as daily office oversight, the Director and Appraisers have achieved many additional improvements to benefit the Town taxpayers. One such is the efficiencies built into the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Commitment and Abatement processes in conjunction with the new MUNIS tax software installation. These excise taxes represent about 4 million dollars in locally raised annual revenue, or about 6% of locally raised tax revenue. We assure the citizens that like real and personal property, taxes on these are assessed and abated appropriately and uniformly for the maximum benefit of all. Registry of Motor Vehicles’ automation aided the Director and Appraisers to further enhance revenue in assessing dealer and repair plate registrations. As well, with the automation improvements of the Environmental Police, this professional staff successfully developed a new annual revenue stream in the identification and assessment of
excise taxes on boats principally situated in the Town of Franklin.

On-site Periodic Property Reviews

Because we have initiated the cyclical property remeasurement and re-inspection program acceptable to the Massachusetts DOR, we continue to make various public information efforts to assure property owners have advance information about this on-going program. Briefly, please note that the purpose of these property visits is to verify that the correct data is being used in the determination of valuations to achieve “full and fair cash value” in accordance with Mass. General Law Chapter 59. The Board appreciates the general public’s cooperation in its efforts to serve all property owners in all property types to assure fair and uniform values.

Your Elected Board of Assessors

Before entering the performance of his/her duties, each Assessor upon election has taken the oath of office specific to assessors. Massachusetts General Law has provided that because the DOR Commissioner of Revenue has regulatory oversight of assessing in every city and town, the Commissioner likewise determines the training requirements for the assessors and any assistants. At this time, the Commissioner has determined Course 101, including the Classification Training Workshop, meets the minimum requirements. All three assessors have completed these and have been certified as such by the Commissioner of Revenue.

The Board looks forward to continuing education opportunities offered by the MA DOR and the professional associations, the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers (MAAO) and the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO). The assessors have attended seminars and workshops to broaden and reinforce their understanding of property tax law.

In particular, the Board has focused on current and possible future tax relief and deferral options for Franklin’s elder citizens. To that goal following meetings of the Town Senior Outreach Committee, last fall the Board, its Staff and the Office of the Council on Aging continued a broad-based effort to reach seniors. This resulted in successfully providing tax relief (exemption) information to additional seniors who owned and occupied their homes.

Also, with the valued assistance of Veterans Agent Bob Fahey, special efforts were made to identify veterans and their surviving spouses entitled to state exemptions, much of it reimbursable to the Town. All these efforts are consistent with the Board of Assessors commitment to meet its challenges as key Town Financial Team members to the benefit of all the citizens of the Town of Franklin.

At the Fall election of this fiscal year, two members of the Board of Assessors were reelected. As we write, the Board of Assessors and its Staff are preparing to finalize the Real and Personal Property Appraisal files for Interim Fiscal Year 2015 subject to DOR review and Final Certification.

Respectfully submitted,

W. Ken Norman, Chairman
Christopher K. Feeley, Assessor
John H. Neas, Assessor
Franklin Board of Assessors

cover of 2014 Annual Report

------

The full annual report can be obtained from the Town Clerk's office (hard copy) or viewed and/or downloaded from the Franklin website here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2014report.pdf

Annual reports of prior years can also be found online at
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/



For the tax rate hearing to set the rate for FY 2012, I had prepared a presentation and audio podcast to follow along as I walked through the numbers. The numbers change from year to year but the calculation process does not and thereby the presentation is still insightful. Feel free tor ead and listen along here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/fm-101-tax-rate-info.html

Hold the date: July 25 - Aug 1 - Arts Festival in Franklin

Organizers putting together a summer arts festival in the downtown say the celebration will take place July 25 through Aug. 1. 

The festival, a first for the town, will mark the start of a volunteer-led effort to have the downtown named a state cultural district. 

Organizers, who met twice in January, have selected three main venues for the many music and theatrical performances slated during the week: the Franklin Performing Arts company 200-seat theater, The Black Box, 15 West Central St., the Franklin Town Common and Dean College.

Continue reading the article: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150201/NEWS/150209725#sthash.Vb2V7XJj.dpuf

Dean College in the snow

Franklin Public Schools: Monday Weather - No School

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Good Evening - 

Based on the latest forecast weather conditions will necessitate all schools being closed on Monday, February 2 ( yes- Groundhog Day). 

There are no after school activities and school buildings are closed. 

The Administrative Offices in the Municipal Building will open at 10:00 a.m. 

Thank you  - Enjoy the Super Bowl - GO PATRIOT'S 

Stay warm,
Maureen

Franklin Town Common already covered with snow

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. 

Franklin DPW: One day trash and recycling day due to storm

Due to the winter storm curbside trash and recycling will be delayed one day this week.  

Service will start on Tuesday at 7 AM and end on Saturday this week only.  

Please make sure your carts do not interfere with snowplowing operations.

_______________________________________________
You are subscribed to the Recycle News mailing list.

screen grab of Franklin DPW webpage

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Feb 4, 2015

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 is being recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
- Town of Franklin Other Post-Employment Benefits (“OPEB”) Trust Trust Agreement - Pete Lounsbury

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
– Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 15-06:Approval of Extension of Intermunicipal Agreement for Regional Public Safety Communications and Dispatch Center
2. Resolution 15-07:Acceptance of Gift – Town of Franklin
3. Resolution 15-08:Appropriation – Zoning Board of Appeals

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 full set of documents released for this meeting agenda can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/020415.pdf

Lifelong Learning: Registration opens for the spring semester

Registration opens for the spring semester at The Center for Adult Education & Community Learning in Franklin on Wednesday, February 3. Participation is open to individuals and businesses alike in Franklin and the surrounding region towns. 

This spring, participants can choose from a very interesting variety of options. Course offerings include everything from a Winemaking Partnership with La Cantina Wine School and a series of Floral Design Seminars with Hillside Nurseries to Watercolor and Pastel art classes. 

In addition, folks will find Knitting and Cooking classes; Career Building and Child Care Continuing Education, Marketing for Your Business or Nonprofit and a CSI – Franklin Style Introduction to Forensic Science. 

You will find more exercise and sports programs than ever – Yoga partnerships for adults and kids; Qigong, Zumba and a specialized Indoor Walking class. We will have two additional nights of Men’s Basketball this spring AND we are adding Beginner Co-Ed Volleyball in addition to the Intermediate and Advanced Volleyball classes already in place. 

French, Italian and Spanish round out the Language field. Wedding and Digital Photography, along with Photoshop for Graphics or Photography also make an appearance this spring. 

Brochures are in the mail, so watch for them. Then go to www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com, click on Adult Education to get all of the details for these exciting programs along with a downloadable catalogue. AND, register at the same time. 

You can also register by mail. Send to:

The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning 

Franklin High School 

218 Oak Street 

Franklin, MA 02038

Plan to register early. Some classes have limited space. Classes begin during the week of March 8. 

Franklin High School at night

About The Center for Adult Education & Community Learning at Franklin

The Center for Adult Education & Community Learning at Franklin is a program of the Franklin Public Schools Lifelong Learning Institute and is dedicated to providing quality learning experiences for adults in the Town of Franklin and surrounding communities. 

Diverse and enriched education and experiences are the goals of The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning at Franklin. Our commitment extends to working professionals, senior citizens, persons with special needs and those in transition. 

For more information, please contact The Center for Adult Education office at 508-613-1480 or email adulted@franklin.k12.ma.us.

From the Pantherbook: food, school spirit and driving training

The students at Franklin High School have an opportunity to write and produce for Pantherbook. A quick review of the RSS feed for this weeks reveals these share worthy posts.

On food:

Located in the media center of FHS is a café that serves food and drinks such as, smoothies, salads, sandwiches, soup, snacks, fruit cups, seltzer, and pudding parfait. 

But who can purchase these items? Registered dietitian and the district’s food service director, Missy Hope, said any student can become a customer of these new products. 

With the swipe of a student ID, students can provide themselves with a healthy and quick lunch or snack. 

Continue reading the article: http://pantherbook.org/student-life/2015/01/29/fhs-feeding-frenzy-2/#sthash.vi9FLZ7m.dpuf

More on where you can eat the food:

more on Rattle City

On changing driver's education and training

Franklin High School

FHS Sports Saturday: Swimming, Wrestling, Track, Hockey and Basketball results

Hockomock Sports reports on the swimming championship results for the boys and girls:

On Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, two programs that are relatively new to the Hockomock League and that had claimed dual meet titles with undefeated records continued historic seasons by winning each program’s first Hocomock Championship Meet title. 

In front of a packed viewing area at the Milford High pool, the Taunton boys’ won the title with 318.50 points, which was 60 more than the hosts in second, and the King Philip girls swam away with the title by 117 points. The Warriors finished with 407 points with Franklin taking second at 290.

You can find the individual event results here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/taunton-and-kp-make-waves-with-first-championships

Hockomock Sports reports on the wrestling championship which was held on Saturday.

Franklin finished fourth overall with 166 and had five second place finishes (Nick Narducci, Mike Copolla, Dan Pisani, Pat Glynn and Bilal Khan) one third place (Mike Racca) and two fourth place finishes (Sean Foley and John Miller).

You can find the remainder of the article including links to over 100 photos here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-wrestling-championships-2015

Hockomock Sports reports on the Indoor Track championships held on Saturday. 

Franklin boys finished 6th and the girls finished 5th. The complete write and top five finishers in each event can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-indoor-track-championships-2015

Boys Basketball

Franklin, 74 @ Milford, 46 - Final - Senior Dylan Reno sparked Franklin, leading all scorers with 19 points while junior Tim Prunier was right behind him with 18 points.

Girls Hockey

Franklin, 0 @ Medfield, 4 - Final

The Panthers celebrate with their fans after DJ Shea scored the eventual game-winner for Franklin in the third period. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Boys Hockey

As the buzzer sounded, the official behind the net emphatically pointed to the puck sitting in the back of the goal. Even as the clock read all zeros, Canton was given the lead heading into the third period.

The outrage on the visiting bench carried over into the locker room. But the Panthers, with 17 seniors on the roster, were able to get their focus back on the task at hand and came out of the second intermission set on turning around the deficit against their perennial rival. 

Seniors Nick Downie and DJ Shea each scored goals and senior goalie Ryan Shea made seven of his 29 saves in the third period to help Franklin bounce back on Saturday night at the Metropolis Rink and pull out a 2-1 victory to sweep the season series with Canton.

Read the full article on the Franklin vs. Canton hockey game here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/third-period-rally-lets-franklin-claw-out-win-at-canton