Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Live reporting: Legislation through to Closing


I. Subcommittee Reports
I. Subcommittee Reports
J. Legislation for Action
J. Legislation for Action
1. Resolution 17-50: Acceptance of Gift - Town of Franklin Police Dept. (Motion to Move Resolution 17-50 - majority vote (5))

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0


2. Resolution 17-51: Town Clerk Prior Year Bills (Motion to Move Resolution 17-51 - 2/3 majority vote (6))

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0


3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-795: Zoning Map Changes from Business and Commercial II to Single Family Residential IV and Commercial I, in an Area on or Near Union, Cottage and Saxon Streets - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Bylaw Amendment 17-795 to the Planning Board - majority vote (5))

Bissanti recuses himself
motion to waive the reading, seconded, then withdraw

was discussed in a planning workshop a few years ago, was also brought up recently at the EDC and then brought here for action to clean up the zoning and plot lines

possible addition of another lot to the proposal, lot 53 on Union St

difference between C1 and C2, more restrictions on C2
C1 more appropriate for smaller neighborhoods
parking requirements and dimensions

motion to amend the parcel requested to C1, seconded
additional language to clarify the amendment
passed 9-0

motion to refer as amended, seconded, passed 9-0

K. Town Administrator's Report
K. Town Administrator's Report




L. Future Agenda Items
L. Future Agenda Items

questions about the Senior bus? borrowing one from Medway rather than spending over $100,000 for a new vehicle for limited use

Cultural Festival and 4th of July possible for combination? Pellegri to reach out

Bissanti - town trying to avoid the opioid problem, identified areas in and around Franklin, get some restaurants NARCAN training (should be brought to SAFE Coalition)


M. Council Comments
M. Council Comments

Brutus recognized for his recent degree 

FHS final audit for MSBA is coming to a close, hopefully to get final approval and payment end of Oct/Nov then we cna close the books for the project that began in 2008

Jones - no private well restrictions as we have been getting so uch rain
condolences to the Gilboys on the loss of Axe

Dellorco - went to the opening on Sat, it was excellent
Bob Donovan retiring from the Fire Dept after long years of service

Bissanti - thanks to the Cultural Festival folks, it was a great event at THE BLACK BOX, plug for up and coming committee, Franklin Pride a group to raise funds for things that they might need

Pfeffer - do have funds as part of the Franklin Elders but there has been no money promised, there has not been that much interest in bus trips; will provide a bus but not buy one

Library will be finished in mid-October to late October, bricks still for sale

Bridge on West Central St, the flags are fantastic, thanks to whomever does it

Kelly - congrats to Bob Donovan on retirement



N. Executive Session - Non-scheduled
N. Executive Session - None scheduled
O. Adjourn
O. Adjourn

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0




Live reporting: License transactions, Dr Ahern introduction



G. License Transactions
G. License Transactions -
1. New Farmer-Winery Pouring License - La Cantina Winery - 7:10 PM

open hearing
no comments
close hearing

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

H. Presentations/Discussions
H. Presentations/Discussions - School Superintendent - Dr Sara Ahern

Started July 1, great 6 weeks to get to know folks and what's happening

thanks to Jamie and Jeff for being welcoming and collaborative
took a tour of the town and school buildings

impressed with collaboration and professionalism found among the staff here




Live Reporting: Town Council - Aug 9, 2017

Present: Pellegri, Padula, Mercer, Vallee, Kelly, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Dellorco, Jones
Absent: none


A. Approval of Minutes
A. Approval of Minutes
June 28
motion to approve, second, passed 9-0

July 2
motion to approve, second, passed 9-0
B. Announcements
C. Proclamations/Recognitions
C. Proclamations/Recognitions
1. Swearing in of Police Officer - Leeanne Baker

2. Recognition of Gary Premo 
recognition of Gary as he is leaving to Direct the new Regional Operations Center

Recognition of former Detective Chris Baker. It should have been done earlier but due to a clerical mistake acknowledged by the Chief, his recognition is today

Recognition of Michael Gilboy, and the passing of Canine Oficer Axe, the police dog who passed recently.


< 3 minute recess>

D. Citizen Comments
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 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 theTown Administrator to review the matter.

Dale Kurtz - Veterans Officer
Aug 17-20 Ruck march, Pittsfield to Plymouth
down Lincoln to Main to East Central, arrive approx 6:00 AM and leave about 8:00 AM walking about 4 mph

Warrior Thunder Foundation dot org for more info

Teresa Burr
Biannual election, Nov 7th
positions and terms of officers posted recently, and replayed here, nominations due Sep 19th  
schedule of events to be posted to Franklin Matters


E. Appointments
E. Appointments
1. Design Review Commission

Samuel Williams
motion to approve, second, passed 9-0

F. Hearings
F. Hearings


39th Feast of St Rocco - Aug 6 -13, 2017

The carnival rides were delivered to the grounds of the St Rocco Festival and will be set up to open on schedule.

carnival rides delivered and ready for set up
carnival rides delivered and ready for set up

The schedule for the rides is as follows:




The entertainment schedule is as follows:





ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE ST. ROCCO FAMILY FESTIVAL


On the Festival Grounds


THURSDAY, AUGUST 10
5:00-10:00 Ride all rides for $25 (bracelet)


FRIDAY, AUGUST 11
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Andi the Clown
6:00 - 10:00 p.m. (ON THE BANDSTAND) The Reminisants


SATURDAY, AUGUST 12
11:00a.m.-3:00p.m. Ride all rides for $25 (bracelet)
1:00 p.m. Paws, the PawSox mascot will be on the field
1:30 - 4:30 p.m. (ON THE BANDSTAND) 
Bobby Costello D. J.
3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Andi the Clown
6:00 - 10:00 p.m. (ON THE BANDSTAND Sea Breeze


SUNDAY, AUGUST 13
12:00 - 4:00p.m. (ON THE BANDSTAND) Bob Costello D.J.
12:00 - 4:00p.m. Ride all rides for $25 (bracelet)
3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Andi the Clown
4:00 - 7:00 p.m. (ON THE BANDSTAND) Jerry Seeco Band
7:00 -8:00 p.m. Bob Costello D.J.
7:30 p.m. Drawing to be held


For additional information, you can visit the St Rocco's Festival page 
http://stmarysfranklin.org/93

Senator Spilka: FY18 Senate Budget + Session Wrap Up




Greetings! 
We did it!  Thanks to your calls, emails, tweets and testimony, we were able to stop the Baker Administration from pushing through the most sweeping reforms to Massachusetts health care without any input from the public.  The Legislature will now move forward with our efforts to vet these proposals in a formal, transparent manner.

Working with our colleagues in the House, we were also able to create a dedicated reserve for Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) in the FY18 budget, to support the important work of our bar advocates and ensure access to justice for all.  

I'm also proud to report that the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is now law. Everyone deserves a safe, healthy work environment, and that includes pregnant and nursing workers.  Women are an important part of our economic success, and we must do all we can to make sure our laws reflect the everyday reality facing our workforce.

Below are more highlights from the final Fiscal Year 2018 state budget, the beginning of the 2017-2018 legislative session, and around the district.

Please remember that this newsletter is just a snapshot of my work at the State House and in the district.  If you want the full picture, be sure to follow me on Facebook and Twitter.

It continues to be my absolute pleasure to serve the people of the 2nd Norfolk and Middlesex district, and the Commonwealth.  As always, if you have any questions, comments or ideas, please don't hesitate to contact my office! 

PRESERVING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE
Photo by Mike Deehan

Spilka: Our state's health care commitment
MetroWest Daily News
These proposals, arguably the most significant changes to the state's MassHealth program since the 1990s, would rescind MassHealth eligibility or reduce benefits for 400,000 low income adults. Many stakeholder groups and health care advocates have expressed concerns to me that these changes could seriously impact our most vulnerable residents, those who are least able to afford restricted access to medications, the loss of benefits or an increase in co-pays and deductibles.
Reforms Or Rollbacks? Baker Battles Dems Over MassHealth
WGBH

Ashland Sen. Karen Spilka, the Senate's top budget writer, said there need to be solutions to the cost problem that don't include limiting local Medicaid enrollment, which was expanded under the Affordable Care Act.

"If we accepted the governor's proposal on this, Massachusetts would be the first state in the nation to start rolling back Medicaid expansion. That is not a direction I would like to see Massachusetts going. We are a Commonwealth. We take care of our residents, particularly our most vulnerable residents," Spilka told WGBH News.

Commonwealth Magazine

WCVB Channel 5
Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka
Room 212, State House
Boston, Massachusetts  02133
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Senator Karen E. Spilka, Massachusetts State House, Room 212, Boston, MA 02133

Sent by karen.spilka@masenate.gov in collaboration with
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This newsletter was shortened for publication here, to read the full contents Click here

Jane's Frames: Music and Art on Thursday's in August



You're invited!
Join us for Music with Kai Olsson
Art Demo with Jane 
Select Thursday's in August
8/10, 8/24, 8/24
from 5:30-7:30
Guest artists, appetizers and more! 
Plus, we'll be offering specials on all Art in stock
Don't miss the fun and festivities.  
Jane's Frames, 11 E. Central Street, 508-528-3256, janesframes.com
Zentangle spoken here
Jane's Frames | 11 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038

Sent by janesframes60@gmail.com in collaboration with
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Newcomers and Friends: We're Back! - Meeting Sep 13

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club kicks off the 2017/2018 season at our next monthly meeting. On Wednesday, September 13 we welcome you to join us. We have planned some fun social games; so come have fun and make some connections in your community.

We invite any resident of Franklin, or a surrounding town that doesn't have a Newcomers Club, to join us at "3" Restaurant, 461 West Central Street, Franklin. Complimentary appetizers and beverages are provided and a cash bar is available. 

We meet upstairs at 7:30 PM on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. We run our meetings September through May. Additionally, we hold many fun and varied events to stay connected throughout the year.

For more information, please visit our website www.franklinnewcomers.com or our Facebook page, Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club.

Newcomers and Friends: We're Back! - Meeting Sep 13
Newcomers and Friends: We're Back! - Meeting Sep 13

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Live reporting: Action items to closing



4. Action Items
a. I recommend budget transfers as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,000.00 from IBM Corp. for in-house enrichment at Keller Elementary School.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $24.00 from the Red Robin/The Kula Foundation for in-house enrichment at Franklin High School.
d. I recommend acceptance of the Parmenter 5th grade class gift of a buddy bench for the Parmenter Playground ($400.00 value).
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $3.51 from Red Robin/The Kula Foundation for in-house enrichment at Davis Thayer Elementary School.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,805.00 from Franklin Music Parents for in-house enrichment for the Music Program.


items being read, and a hold may be raised on individual item, otherwise, the whole block could be voted on and approved as a block

Question on the buddy bench item. are there buddy benches elsewhere?

motion to accept actions items as discussed, seconded, passed 6-0

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report


  • Sara Klim, Jefferson interim princpal, holding initial meetings, has a transition plans
  • placement letters will be mailed Aug 15, will update the website as well
  • high school experience underway, over 350 students, about 420-450 expected in the class)
  • students will get their schedules this week
  • Chromebook delivery is delayed, units will be swapped out with new ones when available


School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

workshops on subject specific topics possible

Community Relations to plan coffee dates for the Fall to be set

School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Motion to Adjourn 
– Dr. O’Malley



Live reporting: District Improvement Plan - preview

Sara - this is a preview of the District improvement plan which I will bring back to the Committee for your approval. 

"inclusive" was added to reinforce and stress safe collaborative environments

focus on the four strategic objectives

Peter Light - explains more on the first initiative around social emotional learning (SEL)

individual actions do not include items that have already been 'institutionalized'

nothing happens in one year, the changes take more than one to be effective

what is our leadership structure look like for SEL?
SEL is still in an infancy stage and there is not yet a defined measurement
what are the skills we are teaching via SEL then you can set up to measure

focusing on classroom practices, what is going on; looking at behavioral issues is equally important

MTSS (MTSS = multi tier system support) developed internally (within the District) needs to be published so the teachers can start using it, and then published publicly so the parents and community can become aware of it too

Joyce - explaining more on the second initiative

World of Difference program, pilot this year, what will the future years look like?

science and digital learning focus on alignment and instructional changes
1:1 environment at the High School, many Chromebooks available in elementary; what are rights and responsibilities for teachers and students

can add the move to the Google platform more fully, had been at the high school, it will be an opportunity across the district

goal of grading practices will be multi year, not a fast fix
starting the conversation, it is messy work, causing an innovative disruption
not sure if a timeline can be fully fleshed out, not that linear
low hanging fruit will be common vocabulary around the reporting standards within the reporting tool

creating an educator based focus group to look at a homework policy incorporating best practices K-12, some district wide work, mostly building based work, want the work to be grounded in research and best practices; it will be a full year effort

Sara - third area

the transition plan includes a work product on her initial findings

Peter talks about the peer coaching programs; coaching, mentoring, professional development; but after 4+ years, what are the opportunities for the veteran educators to share and continue to develop; piloting at elementary this year; for all teachers, and for targeted teachers

Sara - final area, communications
not a sole responsibility of Central Office, needs to be shared among the principals and staff; all stakeholders need to be involved
what communications channels are working well, how do you want to receive it?

School Councils have a place and key role to play

Comment - commendation on the first bullet for communications


c. District Improvement Plan Preview 17-18





Live reporting: Elementary Improvement Plans - End of Year Update



b. Elementary Schools Improvement Plan Update 16-17

Kate Peretz, principal of Oak St Elementary

  • overview of the elementary program and what will be covered tonight
  • mid-year updates are still in process, the work will continue
  • data collection in the responsive classroom is key, how do we know that this is doing what we need to do?

Kelty Kelley, principal of ECDC

  • work on curriculum
  • started a play group with English Language Learner (ELL) families
  • .4 school psychologist added this year, worked on smart goal to address social emotional learning for the 3-4-5 year olds at the ECDC
  • for next steps, work on a common plan for intervention and continue to work on incorporating responsive classroom training with the other teachers (some have it, some don't yet)

Kathleen Gerber, principal of Davis Thayer

  • has a strong set of teachers at DT, working on learning from each other, being empowered to pursue as necessary; set up and incorporated feedback via peer observation
  • working on the co-teaching model
  • piloting iReady in math
  • partnerships with family and community, had fun Friday's for math, expanded to ELL and 
  • partnered with Dean to have tutors come into the classrooms, looking to expand this year; piloting a mentor program as well
  • PCC meetings are key to what happens, topics prepared for each meeting, including food services and food choices
  • exploring partnership with Lesley Univ on impact of trauma
  • working to develop clubs at DT; rock band, drama and chess club among other suggestions
Comment -"we learn best from each other"
Dean has been sitting there for all these years, to see them involved is great


Sarah Klim, Interim Principal of Jefferson

  • inclusiveness is one of the core values; not one of the most diverse areas so paying attention to this is important
  • a 'calm down tool kit', as a result of an FEF grant, placed in each classroom

Q - can you create a 'calm down' tool kit for the country?

Eric Stark, principal of Helen Keller

  • emphasis on social emotional learning as that is key to doing everything else
  • partnered with Dr Murphy to get professional development to work on behavioral support, set up a behavioral support team at the school
  • collaboration across the teachers to create personalized learning for the students
  • some programs received limited parent involvement; need to evaluate how to address this (possibly via the students themselves)
  • parent learning site developed to help support the learning at home, looking to expand use and awareness of this


Dr Ashley, principal of JF Kennedy

  • piloted before and after school programs; collaboration with Lifelong Learning
  • fostering cultural awareness, bring the knowledge in from parents


Kate again (instead of overview, providing school specific info)

  • REACH program assessment started last summer
  • used Collaborative for Academic Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)
  • engaged all stakeholders in creating a collaborative culture
  • looking to expand professional development opportunities
  • Oak selected for pilot with William James College looking at school climate and culture
  • creating a greater connection between social emotional learning SEL and academics

Shannon Barca, principal of Parmenter

  • used Understanding by Design approach (kind of backwards learning)
  • newly designed SEL modules
  • monthly meeting, whole school mindful approach
  • implemented a collaborative staff development (via ed camp model)
  • inviting families in to be a partner in their students success
  • partnering with Lesley as well to get training and awareness on how to deal with trauma
Comment - core values mean nothing unless we can use them in practice


Tonight was an excellent night, there are things we can all do better. hard not to be impressed and proud of what we do have here in Franklin.

Sara - I'd like to thank them as well. I have been talking about my transition plan. My impression on such a strong set of professionals