School Committee - recap Sep 13

The meeting summary for School Committee meeting Tuesday, Sep 13 is as follows:

The superintendent search proposal from MASC was heard. This was the final of the three search firms scheduled. The explanation for missing the original meeting in August was that the appointment was entered in the calendar on his mobile device for 2017.

MASC Superintendent Search - Jim Hardy 

After listening to the presentation and getting clarifications on multiple points, the meeting moved to the school improvement plans for the middle schools and the high school. (It was during this time that I stopped reporting as I had a work phone conference to participate in.)

L to R: Chairman O'Malley, Denise Schultz, John Jewell

I came back from my meeting to catch the end of the high school discussion and get into the superintendent search decision. The HYA or ECRA group was chosen by a 6-1 vote. There was some discussion to make it unanimous but the decision was to leave it as is.

The Franklin TV video of the meeting can be viewed on demand 
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=392


The detailed notes reported during the meeting can be found here:

• Real time reporting: to closing
• Real time reporting: action items
• Real time reporting: superintendent search decisio...
• Real time reporting: Superintendent Search - MASC
• Real time Reporting: School Committee - Sep 13

"We'll likely never get to a point where the project is 'done.'"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The town hopes to launch a new version of its website later this fall, with a focus on mobile accessibility and a smoother flow of information. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said the change, set for late October or early November, represents a reorganization and rebranding of the site. 

"We're looking to make it mobile-friendly," he said. "When you look at the site on a smart phone, we want town forms and applications to be available." 

Hellen said the new site will feature a lot of interactive mapping and land-use data, allowing easier access to town information.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160918/franklin-town-website-relaunch-coming

The look and feel of the Town of Franklin webpage will change in Oct or November

Franklin Downtown Partnership - Networking Lunch - Tuesday, Sep 20

Join Franklin Downtown Partnership members, meet new contacts and strengthen connections, all for $6.55! 

Franklin Downtown Partnership - Networking Lunch - Tuesday, Sep 20

Networking Luncheon

Tuesday, September 20

1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Dean College Dining Center 

RSVP:  mlechter@dean.edu

This was shared from the Downtown Partnership page
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2016/09/networking-luncheon-tuesday-september-20.html

Free Flu Shot Clinic - Oct 20

For all Franklin residents, age 6 months or older

At the Franklin Senior Center from 1 - 3:00 PM on Thursday, Oct 20, 2016






This was shared from the official Town of Franklin page
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024D127F-000F8513

Franklin Senior Center

PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY: 2nd human case of West Nile Virus in Norfolk County

"The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has announced the state’s second human case of West Nile Virus in a 70 year old man from Norfolk County. 

While West Nile Virus can infect people of all ages, people over 50 are at a higher risk for severe disease. 

It is important to note that Massachusetts is still in the peak season for possible West Nile Virus infection. The risk will continue until the first hard frost of the year, which typically occurs in October. All residents are strongly urged to follow the recommendations listed below to protect themselves and their loved ones from illness caused by mosquitoes. 

Apply Insect Repellent When Outdoors: Use a repellent with DEET, Permethrin, picardin or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the instructions on the product labels. Remember not to use products with DEET on infants under two months of age. DEET products in concentrations above 30% should not be used on older children. Oil of eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. 

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours: Mosquitos are most active between the hours from dusk to dawn. Limit your exposure out of doors during this peak biting time if possible. If you must be outside, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks will help keep mosquitos away from your skin. 

Drain Standing Water on Your Property: Mosquitos lay their eggs in standing or stagnant water. Drain birdbaths, flower pots, buckets and children’s wading pools frequently. 

Additional public health advisories/alerts regarding WNV and EEE will be provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Franklin Health Department as the situation warrants. 

More information on mosquito-borne viruses can be found at the MADPH Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito"

This was shared from the official Town of Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024D16A3-000F8513

www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito

In the News: Gerry's Place opens, Harvest Stroll Oct 6th, some downtown merchants complain

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School’s student-run restaurant, Gerry’s Place, opened its doors for the school year on Sept. 14. 

The first quarter menu features an Italian stuffed mushrooms appetizer, homemade soups du jour and a stuffed tomato salad served with a choice of turkey or tuna. Entree options include chicken gruyère, Asian pork cutlets, stuffed cabbage rolls and a low-fat Cajun poached haddock. Lighter fare includes an 8-ounce open steak sandwich and a buffalo chicken breast sandwich. 

Gerry’s Place offers an assortment of Coke products, as well as coffee and tea.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160918/tri-county-regional-restaurant-opens-doors

"The Franklin Downtown Partnership is in the midst of planning for its annual Harvest Stroll. 

Attendees of the stroll, scheduled for Oct. 6 at 4 p.m., will have an additional reason to celebrate this fall: completion of the two-year streetscape project that has remodeled the downtown area. 

Scott Martin, a partnership member and executive director of the local YMCA branch, said the stroll is one of the group's signature events. 

"Luckily, (with the implementation of two-way traffic) we'll be able to close down the street, allowing for a great street festival feel this year," he said. "We have 17 sponsors, six of them new."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160918/franklin-harvest-stroll-planning-under-way

Downtown Franklin getting dressed up for the Harvest Stroll

"Downtown merchants and organizations have raised concerns - such as traffic-light timing and parking - resulting from the streetscape project that has transformed the area. 

They discussed them at this month's Franklin Downtown Partnership meeting, bringing their thoughts to Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, who was present at the session to give an update on the project's status. 

Many noted that some of the newly installed traffic lights seem to have odd timing, mentioning that the lights facing certain streets rarely turn green. Others noted inconsistent sign placement at the intersection of Main and Emmons streets; the existence of some stop signs there, they said, give drivers the impression that all cars are supposed to stop before entering the intersection."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160918/franklin-merchants-raise-downtown-traffic-concerns

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Sep 21, 2016 - Agenda

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 
– September 7, 2016

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS 
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by others.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS 
- Distinguished Young Woman of Massachusetts

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS 
– Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the Agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS 
- TM1 Solutions d/b/a 7-Eleven Store Number 37380A – Transfer of License, Change of Manager, Alteration of Description of Premises

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS 
- Plastic Checkout Bag Bylaw

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 16-54: Appropriation: FY 17 School Budget (Majority Vote)
2. Resolution 16-55: Acceptance of Deed of Land and Grant of Access Easements off Lincoln Street (Majority Vote)
3. Resolution 16-56: Acceptance of Private Road Covenant with Developer of Rolling Brook Estates off Lincoln Street (Majority Vote)
4. Resolution 16-57: Grant of Utility Easement Town-Owned Land at 118 Main Street (Franklin Public Library)( 2/3 (6) Majority vote)

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

M. COUNCIL COMMENTS

N. EXECUTIVE SESSION

O. ADJOURN

Franklin Library under construction to add a wing and renovate some of the interior sections

The PDF version with links to the supporting documents can be found here
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024D6A1C-000F8513

• The plastic bag ban proposal

• 
  

"We don't want to link clothing and learning"

The School Committee Policy subcommittee will be meeting on Monday evening, Sep 19 at 7:00 PM in the 3rd floor training room. They will be exploring possible revisions to the dress code.

Earlier this year, this post from Upworthy generated some attention when the 7th grade girls in Portland, OR raised the issue to their school board. A copy of the fully approved dress code they initiated is linked to below. (Note: the dress code activity actually took place in 2015. Just took a while for it to gain attention.)

"AnaLuiza, a seventh-grader, told a story of a friend who was pulled aside one day for wearing a skirt deemed to be too short. The friend sat in the principal's office for hours while the staff tried to get ahold of her parents. She missed important classwork, and worse yet, felt humiliated by the ordeal. 

"The only reason I go to school is to get my education," AnaLuiza told the board. "When I get dressed in the morning, my intention is not to provoke or be sexualized. My intention is to feel comfortable in my own skin." 

Sophia, also in seventh grade at the time, spoke last. "My problem with the dress code is that 100% of the students that get sent home are female. ... In a way, you're telling [a girl] that boys are more entitled to their education than she is. And I don't think that's acceptable."

Continue reading the article online
http://www.upworthy.com/tired-of-being-humiliated-these-girls-fought-the-school-dress-code-and-won

Four students from Portland, Oregon, testified in front of the board in May 2015. Image via PPS Communications/YouTube.

From the Portland Public Schools
http://www.pps.net/cms/lib8/OR01913224/Centricity/Domain/219/4.30.013-AD%20Student%20Dress%20Code.pdf

Recycling Center not taking grass or leaves on Sunday

The recycling center will not be taking grass or leaves tomorrow, Sunday September 17th, due to the two fires in the compost pile over the weekend! 

We need rain!

Franklin DPW photo from Facebook

This was shared from the DPW Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinDPW/posts/1149179871833148

In the News: parking meters removed, Franklin Art Center classes available

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"With Franklin voting to permanently remove its parking meters this year, those coin-eating sentinels of the sidewalk have become an increasingly rare sight in the Milford area and MetroWest. 

Even those towns that have kept their meters - Framingham and Natick - have considered ways to modernize them in a world where fewer and fewer people are carrying change. 

The Franklin Town Council voted in August to eliminate parking meter rules from its bylaws, a move that followed the physical removal of the town's 50 meters to facilitate a remodeling of its downtown area. The meters, which collected about $18,000 a year, were deemed inconvenient and aesthetically displeasing."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160917/parking-meters-vanish-in-some-towns-modernize-in-others

the parking meters have been removed from downtown Franklin, so they won't be decorated for the holidays

"Franklin Art Center, 391 E. Central St., has added new art classes for ages 2-6 this fall. 

ABC Art will focus on a letter a week. Students will learn letter formation and letter sounds, and will complete a piece of art to go along with the weekly letter. 

Classes are available 9:15 to 10:45 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Sept. 20-22, letter C, cat collage; Sept. 27-29, letter D, dog drawings. "

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160917/franklin-art-center-announces-new-classes

Library Book Sale weekend

• Saturday

9am-3pm   Book Sale @ Franklin Public Library

• Sunday

9am-12pm   Bag Sale @ Franklin Public Library (fill up a bag for only $5)

Library Book Sale weekend

Bottle Can/Drive - Today for FHS All Night Party

There is a bottle and can drive at the FHS parking lot to benefit the FHS All Night Party

 bottle and can drive at the FHS parking lot to benefit the FHS All Night Party

From 9:00 AM to noon on Saturday, Sep 17

Governor Baker Signs Climate Change Strategy Executive Order

Building on the Baker-Polito Administration’s strong leadership to mitigate and adapt to climate change, Governor Baker today signed an Executive Order links to PDF file which lays out a comprehensive approach to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard residents, municipalities and businesses from the impacts of climate change, and build a more resilient Commonwealth. The Order, Establishing an Integrated Climate Change Strategy for the Commonwealth, represents the collaboration between the Office of the Governor, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, and key state, local and environmental stakeholders.

“Combatting and preparing for the impacts of climate change will require a holistic approach across state and local government and collaboration with stakeholders from all corners of the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “By signing this Executive Order, our administration is taking an important step to protect public health and safety, local infrastructure, small businesses, and our state’s abundant natural resources from the effects of climate change.”

“Cities and towns across Massachusetts are on the front lines of climate change and our administration stands ready to help them meet this challenge,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Building on our administration’s commitment to municipalities through the Community Compact and Green Communities programs, the Executive Order signed by Governor Baker continues to enhance strong state and local partnerships, and provides direct support and technical assistance to help cities and towns adapt to climate change.”

• For the full press release

http://www.mass.gov/governor/press-office/press-releases/fy2017/gov-baker-signs-climate-change-strategy-executive-order.html

• For the full executive order

http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/executive-order-climate-change-strategy.pdf

screen grab of Gov Baker Executive Order on Climate Change

FHS golf and boys soccer win, field hockey ties, football loses on Friday

From Hockomock Sports we share the FHS fall sports results


Golf = Franklin, 158 @ Medway, 169 – Final

Field Hockey = Oliver Ames, 3 @ Franklin, 3 – Final

– Franklin put up a pair of goals to go into halftime with a 2-0 lead but Oliver Ames came storming back in the second half. Brayden Downing opened the scoring off an assist from Cassie Ronan and Maddie Hinckley netted her first goal off a feed from Kayla Marshall to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead. Dimitra Efremidis brought OA back within one eight minutes into the second half and Kendall Clifford scored off a corner to tie the game. Dana Lewandowski put the Panthers back ahead midway through the second half off an assist from Maeve Ledwith but OA had an answer again. Liz Nuss scored on a breakaway with just over eight minutes to play to tie the game. Christina Lucini had four saves in net for Franklin while Katie Vamosi had a strong day in the cage for OA.

Boys soccer = Foxboro, 1 @ Franklin, 2 – Final

• for a recap of the game.

https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-boys-soccer-holds-off-foxboro-to-grab-third-win/

Milford senior Blake Hill (42) rushed for 179 yards and three touchdowns to help the Hawks end a long losing streak against Franklin. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Football = Franklin, 7 @ Milford, 35 – Final

1st Quarter: No scoring.
2nd Quarter: (M) Blake Hill 13-yard rush, Sean Lehane XP good; (F) Jake Noviello 9-yard pass to Kinley Baird, K. Baird XP good.
3rd Quarter: (M) B. Hill 31-yard rush, S. Lehane XP good; (M) Asong Aminmentse 1-yard rush, S. Lehane XP good.
4th Quarter: (M) Matt Curran 11-yard pass to Tyler Joyce, S. Lehane XP good; (M) B. Hill 14-yard rush, S. Lehane XP good.

https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20162017/Fall-2016/Milford-Franklin-Football-9-16/

• for a recap of the game.

https://hockomocksports.com/milford-football-run-past-franklin-in-second-half-to-end-streak/

For all the results around the Hockomock League on Friday
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-091616/

In the News: Fire Dept busy, hunger largely invisible problem, MIlford tops FHS in football

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Fire Department fought two fires on the same street Friday afternoon - one at a home and another at a compost pile. 

Both took place on Beaver Street - the house fire at 73 Beaver St., the compost fire at the town recycling center at 455 Beaver St. 

According to Fire Chief Gary McCarraher, the house fire was reported around 4 p.m. He said three adults and a child were in the home then, and that all three were got out safely. The fire, he said, was under control by 4:37 p.m."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160916/franklin-firefighters-have-busy-day

"While more than 10 percent of eastern Massachusetts residents struggle to put food on the table, Greater Boston Food Bank President and CEO Catherine D’Amato characterizes hunger as a largely invisible problem. 

She hopes a new awareness campaign will help bring hunger out of the shadows. The Greater Boston Food Bank, which provides food for more than 550 member agencies in 190 communities, is participating in the national Hunger Action Month this September. D’Amato recently discussed the campaign with Wicked Local and shared her thoughts on hunger in Massachusetts."

The Franklin Food Pantry is a proud member agency of the Greater Boston Food Bank

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160916/food-bank-sheds-light-on-hidden-epidemic

"It had been a long time—20 years, in fact—since the Milford football team had beaten rival Franklin. While they have only been in the same league for five years, the Panthers had been a pain in the Scarlet Hawks’ side for two decades. That includes last year when the Panthers overcame a 14-point, second-half deficit to upend Milford in the final minute. 

This time, though, the Scarlet Hawks simply refused to lose. Although the Panthers manufactured a game-tying drive to even the score in the final seconds of the first half, Milford utilized its dominant running game to ultimately pull away with a 35-7 victory over visiting Franklin."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/sports/20160916/milford-35-franklin-7-scarlet-hawks-win-worth-wait