The Franklin Connection - Oct., 2017

The October 2017 issue of The Franklin Connection is now available

The Franklin Connection - Oct., 2017

Or get your copy of the PDF here: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/140483

This shared an automatic message from Town of Franklin MA. You can subscribe for your own copy here  http://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe

Franklin Candidate for Town Council: Judith Pfeffer

Judith Pfeffer and I sat down at the end of August to talk about her re-election to the Town Council for the ballot Nov 7, 2017. (She has stated that if elected this will be her last term.)

Franklin Matters: Tell me a bit about yourself, your family, and your life here in Franklin? What is your Franklin story?

Pfeffer: I come from a long line of family members who have believed in community service and community commitment. I am a lifelong Franklin resident. One uncle was the town doctor (Dr. Crowley). One uncle was the fire chief (Connor Pond). My mother, Mabel Pond, taught school here for over 24 years. Another uncle (Leonard Remington) was the longtime chair of the School Committee and for whom the Remington School is named. They all believed in community service and community commitment (as do I).

I was (a member of) the Finance Committee for 9 years and then was elected to the Town Council. With the exception of a two-year hiatus, I have remained a member of the Council. If elected this year, it will be my last term. There needs to be someone else who will question everything. To ask questions and figure out how it works. Usually the first year, when someone is elected, it is a learning year. You figure out who is telling you the truth and who is telling you what you want to hear; who you can believe, and who you should not believe.

I think the main reason I am running this term is that the next budget is going to be a major challenge. The School Committee has basically used most of its resources and they will be looking for additional funding and we can only spend the amount of money that we bring in. It is going to be a challenging time, and it will need to be a fair time as we cannot decimate other town departments to more adequately fund one department.

The town raises money from taxes, money from State aid and money from new growth. We have a certain set amount of funds received and we need to endorse a budget which balances all department and for all aspects of our residents, from the very young to our seniors.

We have all these apartments being built over which the town council had no control. I think many of the residents believe that we, the Town Council, put in the 280 apartments along West Central St, we had no choice about it. The only good thing about it is that as they are all apartments, all 280 counted towards our 40B number. We have actively tried for years to increase our affordable housing to the 10% level. This year we were allowed to bring into our affordable number, Glen Meadow Apartments, which had dropped off the affordable list and came back under new ownership. Currently we are at 11 and half to 12% affordable.

Even though we are that high right now, we have 99 condo units coming on Pond Street, housing units on Lincoln St, housing units on Maple St, and every house that goes in will cut our percentage number. We have two 40B developments under review; one on Cottage (Magdalene Village) and another along Chestnut St (behind Franklin Ford). Those on Chestnut St will be all apartments. Both of these projects are not in the best locations and the town is at and over our required percentage requirements.

Franklin Matters: What experience or background will help you to serve in this role? What do you bring to the table that helps to set you apart from the others?

Pfeffer: I bring experience, knowledge and commitment. I have been involved with the Housing Trust for a number of years. Its main purpose is to find homes, buy them and then sell them to first time buyers as affordable housing. We have been busy recently doing 3 or 4 but we haven’t done one since the last one on King St. I have a commitment to fairness in and during the budget process with all departments being treated fairly. I have a commitment to making decisions that will impact fairly the greater number of residents. I have a commitment to the seniors in Franklin and in making sure that the town does its best to ensure that they are best treated.

The Housing Trust has pledged over $500,000.00 towards new senior housing to be built behind Eaton Place off Panther Way. A new building there will need State and Federal funding, which during the building of Eaton Place took over five years to get completed. Although the Housing Trust has additional funding we are holding off purchasing more homes for resale to affordable buyers until we are sure the funding set aside for these new senior housings is sufficient.

I have been involved with the Friends of the Franklin Elders since the beginning. I had gotten a mailing when I got out of Law School and I thought, how wonderful, they want me. Little did I know at the time, they sent out hundreds of notices looking for people to volunteer. I helped the Friends of Franklin Elders obtain their 501c(3) rating, and the Friends organization has done very good work for the seniors. The Friends pay for the chef in the Senior Center kitchen, they pay for free coffee, they pay for entertainment. Now they are being asked to help with transportation for the trips that the Senior Center arranges. The bus the Senior Center had is no longer available. This is up for consideration at the September meeting of the Friends.

I was on both of the Senior Center Building Committees. Please note that the building committee members on both committees also shopped at commodity markets and used furniture stores for fixtures, lamps, pictures, etc. to find good bargains and to save construction funds. The commodities market in Wrentham provided some fine stuff to save money.

Now I am on the Library Building Committee. This is the only project that I really wanted to run. Tom Mercer, has done a wonderful job on all his building committees, but I wanted this one. It has been an education in and of itself. The building was originally done in 1903-1904 and was a gift to the Town. Everything we have touched, we have found needs to be fixed. We are in the final stretch. We have had four tentative opening dates but with the meeting Friday, we should have an official Grand Opening date (November 5).

We have utilized some of the furniture that has been in the library for the new section. There was a desk style credenza, we’ll turn it around and use it in the memorial hall. There will be rocking chairs, and chairs with reading lamps on tables. It will be a wonderful place for people to meet and utilize all the services of the library.

In the first-floor children’s area will have a window wall with couches and seating for the kids to sit and read. Looking outside from the children’s area or the window wall on the second floor, one will think that they are in a tree house. The second floor will also be reading space for the adults. In the winter time, the window wall faces west, when the sun comes in it will be lovely.

The Friends of the Franklin Library has sold over 400 bricks to date. The first 200 have gone into the new patio. As the engraved bricks arrive they are put into the patio. The late orders will be put into the patio in the spring.

The front sidewalk was not something that was on our agenda. It is going to be fantastic. We ended up with some pieces of the pink granite from the building that was not going to be used. This Pink granite comes from Milford quarry and is no longer mined. We had all this pink granite left so what we’re going to do is line the sidewalk with the pieces. When you come down the front steps, there used to be a concrete pad to the sidewalk. Now it will be a pink granite pad. We’ll be able to use the leftover pink granite as an edge on both sides of the new sidewalk all the way down to Mail Street.

Downstairs, the wall between the original library and the old children’s room, we are keeping the original rock wall and granite foundation exposed. The pink granite is on the top and the original foundation rock wall is the bottom of this saved wall.

We are receiving a museum quality display case for the Benjamin Franklin books. It will be good to see them on display when you come in. This case will be hermetically sealed and humidity controlled with special lighting. This wonderful case is being funded thru the Franklin Library Association.

Franklin Matters: What do you see as your role’s biggest challenge and do you have any suggestions on how we can resolve it?

Pfeffer: There are many things in the town that we need to take care of that we don’t have enough money to do. I am afraid that the OPEB, which we give over half a million dollars a year towards, that we’ll never catch up. And we can’t afford to give more than that. Many communities in MA cannot provide the level of funding that Franklin provides. I do not think that we will catch up. Most towns are looking to the state to step in and there are changes which need to be made.

We take in about $500,000 from the hotel/motel tax and have used it mostly for open space needs. In FY 2019, we may need to use it elsewhere. We don’t ever want to use that for operations but sometimes one does not have a choice.

The more economic development to bring businesses to town the better off we’ll be. We push and talk about economic development all the time. We do have empty spaces in the industrial parks. The money from the businesses helps with the costs for the citizens while not causing a burden on the town’s infrastructure, nor on the school system. We are well situated. Not far from Boston, two entrances to i495, two train stations, college in town. Unfortunately, all of those things entice residential development more than commercial.

Franklin Matters: One question came in after we talked and if you’d like to answer it that would be good. "As you know, Franklin has applied to the state for an official Cultural District designation in town. What do you feel is the role of arts and culture in Franklin, and what is your plan to advance that agenda?

Pfeffer: Franklin is situated and contains all the features of a community with cultural components. We have a Performing Arts center, we have a college, we have two train stations, two exits to 495, we are located half-way between Boston and Providence. We have a plethora of activities in the arts, we have a very active art association, we have music studios, we have dance studios, we have movies shown at the town beach in the summer, we have music nights on the town common during the summer months. Our Downtown Partnership is extremely active in seasonal activities and in downtown activities. The Town Council has worked closely with and has allocated our town planner to work with the Cultural Group to get this designation forwarded.


Franklin Matters: Would you like to add a closing statement?

Pfeffer: I have done my best. I have made decisions that I believed were the best decisions for the whole town. I would like one more term, if possible. I would like to finish up the library, want to ensure that the seniors are adequately taken care of, that adequate funding is in place for the police, fire, DPW, town municipal side, and the schools, and the library.


Offer to Candidates 2017
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/offer-to-candidates-for-franklin.html

Interview with Judy from 2013
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/conversation-with-judy-pfeffer.html

Interview with July from 2009
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2009/10/town-council-candidate-judith-pond.html


Noteworthy: This information is intended to help the Franklin voters when we all head to the ballot box on November 7. The interview candidates have had an opportunity to review the text before publishing to ensure the accuracy of our discussion. 

Franklin Election Collection - 2017

Franklin Downtown Partnership: Harvest Festival - October 14

Franklin Downtown Partnership  9 E. Central Street, Franklin, MA  02038 (774) 571-3109   downtown.franklin@yahoo.com Press Release Franklin Harvest Festival to be Largest Yet Celebrate the best of fall and Franklin with friends and neighbors at the 15th annual Franklin Downtown Partnership Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year's Harvest Festival features a day of great local entertainment, carnival-style games for kids young and old, more artists and crafters, face painting, fall-themed giveaways, and new food and drink options to entertain nearly 6,000 expected visitors. In case of rain the Festival will run on Sunday, October 15. 2016 Harvest Stroll In downtown Franklin. With the completion of the Downtown Improvement Project, the Partnership is able to use all of Main Street and the surrounding downtown area for this year's festival, which promises to be the largest one-day event the FDP has ever produced.  "The Harvest Festival is our annual opportunity to invite people to come together downtown and have fun experiencing the local businesses throughout the community that are unique to this area," says Scott Martin, FDP vice president and event chairperson. "Our ability to stage the event throughout Main Street, East Central and West Central streets for this festival will provide an incredible setup for entertainment, shopping and dining downtown." Read the full press release for more information. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!! We thank our generous sponsors  for helping us make this event the biggest yet!  Franklin Downtown Partnership | downtown.franklin@yahoo.com | 774-571-3109 | franklindowntownpartnership.org

Franklin Downtown Partnership, 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by downtown.franklin@yahoo.com in collaboration with Try it free today

FHS golf tops Attleboro, KP edges FHS in soccer, field hockey, and volleyball

From Hockomock Sports we share the results of the Franklin High School fall sports results from Monday, Oct 2.


Boys Soccer = Franklin, 0 @ King Philip, 2 – Final
– Zac White opened the scoring in the first half for the Warriors and Tyler Mann sealed the victory with a second half goal.

Click here for a photo gallery https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20172018/Fall-2017/King-Philip-Franklin-Boys-Soccer-10-2-17/

Girls Soccer = King Philip, 4 @ Franklin, 2 – Final
– King Philip scored four times in the opening 20 minutes of the game and held on after Franklin scored two to halve the deficit before the break. Avery Snead scored twice and assisted on another, while Chloe Layne added a goal and an assist. Emma Corcoran had an assist and Ally Stanton added the fourth goal for the Warriors.

Volleyball = Franklin, 1 @ King Philip. 3 – Final
– It was a strong team performance for King Philip, picking up a 25-17, 25-17, 20-25, 25-20 win over Franklin. Sydney Phillips led the way offensively with 18 kills, four digs and two blocks while Michaela Palumbo added nine kills and 10 service points and Grace Ely chipped in with six kills and two blocks, Kat Kmetz had a strong day serving with 19 service points while Elise Pereira had four aces and seven digs. Rachael Veilleux had a strong all-around day with 34 assists and 12 service points, including five aces.

Golf = Franklin, 162 @ Attleboro, 167 – Final
– Attleboro’s Corey McKenna and Franklin’s Bryan Woelfel earned co-medalist honors at Highland Country Club, but Matt D’Errico’s round of 40 and Gerard Collins and Jack Paterson both for 42 to help the Panthers earn the win. Jack Handy added a 41 for the Bombardiers.

Field Hockey = Franklin, 2 @ King Philip, 4 – Final

"Despite forcing 20 saves out of Franklin goalie Christina Luccini (20 saves) and having a 12-to-3 edge in corners, King Philip went into a timeout with a little under five minutes remaining tied with the visiting Panthers at two goals apiece in Monday evening’s Kelley-Rex rivalry game at Macktaz Field. 

KP coach Liz Hathaway brought her players to the huddle to draw up a corner that she hoped would finally break the deadlock that Luccini and the Panthers defense had held for more than 20 minutes. 

Nicole Connor played the ball out to the edge of the circle and it was fired into a mass of bodies. The ball kicked around for a few seconds before popping out to Dana Truini and the junior midfielder knocked it past the scrambling defense and into the back of the net for the go-ahead goal."

Continue reading the game recap from Hockomock Sports Managing Editor Josh Perry
https://hockomocksports.com/truini-winner-lifts-king-philip-field-hockey-over-franklin/

KP junior forward Alli Meehan scored a goal and assisted on another to help the Warriors beat Franklin 4-2 at Macktaz Field. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Click here for a photo gallery from this game:
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20172018/Fall-2017/King-Philip-Franklin-Field-Hockey-10-2-17/

For the remainder of the results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-100217/

ICYMI: Bobby Santos III; SAFE Coalition; fmr Gov Dukakis; :Lisa Bailey; Today's Special

From the various other social media sources that the Franklin Matters radar picks up

1 - Bobby Santos III

"Signs of victory are evident on the floor at Tinio Racing in Bellingham, where Bobby Santos III’s tires sit, caked in confetti from last weekend’s win. 

Santos is a Franklin native and NASCAR modified race car driver. He won the F.W Webb 100 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway last Saturday. He called the race “kind of like the Super Bowl” of this level of racing. 

“It’s our biggest track, it’s our highest paying race,” Santos said. “We were running 13th for most of the time, then we took a late-race charge in the last 20 laps. We took the lead and won the race.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170928/franklin-driver-wins-nascar-modified-race

2 - A video from the SAFE Coalition

3 - Some of former Gov Dukakis' legacy

"It happened a lifetime ago, in the days when few people knew who Michael Dukakis was, and still fewer could imagine the life that spread out before him — the governorships, the bid for the White House, the career today as an academic eminence grise. 

But what he saw that day 50 years ago at the Walter E. Fernald State School in Waltham, where people with developmental disabilities were dismissed by their doctors and warehoused by a society content to keep them out of sight, has never left him. 

Its tectonic impact is visible as he sits in the corner of a conference room here at the New England Center for Children."

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/09/08/mike-dukakis-from-brink-presidency-quiet-life-significance/wLvqfMLrVS31tHWmXfmKgJ/story.html

4 - Another BostonVoyager profile for a Franklin resident: Lisa Bailey

"Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Bailey. 

Nationally awarded professional artist Lisa Grunewald Bailey is a current resident and art instructor in Franklin, MA. Originally from Grosse Point, Michigan; she holds a BA in Art and Interior Design from Adrian College, Adrian, MI. Lisa moved to Franklin, MA in 1999 and launched her own business ‘Developing Artists’; to teach drawing and painting to children and adult. Lisa maintains a busy schedule participating in juried shows as well as solo and group exhibits at various businesses and museums. She has received numerous awards and her work can be found in both individual and corporate collections throughout the United States. 

Her journey as an artist started at the young age of nine years old by taking drawing classes."

Continue reading the article about Lisa online
http://bostonvoyager.com/interview/meet-lisa-bailey-developing-artists-metro-west/

5 - Today's Special - Halloween Party

"Hi everybody! Our favorite time of year is arriving so we thought it would be fun to throw an awesome Halloween party! We're also using this awesome party to raise money toward our goal of opening a bakery that will employ adults and teens with different abilities. Now that is awesome! 

Franklin's favorite and most charitable band The Screaming Vincent's have donated a set! We're waiting to hear from a couple of other fun bands and then we'll have a DJ for dancing! There will also be a 50/50 raffle, prizes for our Costume Contest, and great silent auction items on which you can bid. There will be appetizers, food stations, and of course a full service bar! 

Tickets are $25.00 and are a tax-deductible donation. Just click on the link to register and follow the instructions it's that easy! We thank you in advance for your support and love of our people. 

We know that everyone is aware of how important our mission is to the people in our community who have different abilities as well as their families. Come celebrate workplace inclusion and with your help we'll raise enough money to make this dream into a reality! 

Thank you!"

For more about the event and to donate to Today's Special 
http://todaysspecialinc.com/upcoming-events/

Today's Special - Halloween Party

Community Walking – free & open to the public, through to May, 24, 2018

Franklin residents are invited to walk on the high school track or in the hallways. Walking is available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM when Lifelong Community Learning is in session. There is no walking during school vacations. 

Walkers may use the elevated track when there are no games taking place in the gym. When there are games in the gym, walkers may use the high school hallways on the first floor. There will be signs in the Lifelong Community Learning Office to inform walkers whether the track or hallways are available.

Walkers should enter the Panther Door and go to the Lifelong Community Learning Office to sign-in and receive a guest lanyard. When they are finished walking, they go back to the Lifelong Community Learning Office, sign-out, and return their guest lanyard. The sign-in/sign-out process and the wearing of guest lanyards are part of the school safety protocol. 

For more information about Community Walking, please email us at lcl@franklinps.net or phone Lifelong Community Learning at 508-613-1480.

Community Walking – free & open to the public, through to May, 24, 2018

This was shared from the Lifelong Learning page
http://www.franklinlifelonglearning.com/adult_education/community_walking.php

In the News: Detour for Prospect St; mobilizing for justice; Tri-County to build playground

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

"The Department of Public Works began water pipe replacement work at the end of Prospect Street this week, causing a detour route that’s expected to last about three weeks. 

Construction will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to help the traffic flow as much as possible during busier hours. The detour route takes drivers from Washington Street, then to Lake Street in Bellingham."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171002/franklin-prospect-street-detour-to-last-three-weeks

Upcoming Prospect Street Detour

"Mobilizing Congregations for Justice will take place from 1-3 p.m. Oct. 15 at the First Universalist Society, 262 Chestnut St. 

The suggested donation is $20 per person. Pre-registration is not required. 

The group will discuss what it looks like when the worship, music, board of directors, RE program and finance committee are brought into a shared vision and how the basic tools of community organizing can help get there."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171002/strongfirst-universalist-society-announces-mobilizing-congregations-for-justice-eventstrong

"The Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School and the Plainville Public Library have announced a partnership that will give students the opportunity to create a new, interactive play structure area in the Children’s Library. 

The project will be educationally focused on curriculum for children from birth to age six. 

This project consists of federal funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. The MBLC developed this direct grant program using federal funding to help libraries meet local community needs including financial and health literacy programs, STEM and STEAM projects, programs that help New Americans learn English and become citizens, programs that serve teen needs and projects that preserve valuable historical documents."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171002/strongtri-county-regional-and-plainville-library-to-build-play-structurestrong

Tri-County & Plainville Public Library Team Up to Create an Interactive Play Structure in the Children’s Library

FinCom Meeting Sep 26, 2017 (audio recording)

This internet radio show or podcast is number 132 in the series for Franklin Matters. This captures and shares the audio recording of the Finance Committee (FinCom) meeting held September 26, 2017.




The first 20 minutes of the meeting covered the discussion of several FY 2018 budget adjustments and funding appropriations. Normally these are done closer to the tax rate hearing but some of the items were time sensitive. The Police radio and police canine dog replacement in particular were needed to be approved now.

The motions to approve these occur at the end of the initial segment, again about 20 minutes.

During the second part of the meeting, Town Administrator Jeff Nutting assisted by Deputy Administrator Jamie Hellen, Treasurer/Collector Jim Dacey and Deputy Treasurer Kerri Bertone provide some background on the OPEB obligation update, insights on the potential for water and sewer increases coming up for discussion in January 2018.

Jeff also recognizes Jim Dacey for his work in this his last FinCom meeting. He also provides some insights on the restructuring of the finance functions with Kerri proposed to replace Jim, and a new hire being sought to replace Susan Gagner.

Before the meeting closes, there is an update on the EPA stormwater regulations which have been held up by court suits. One that Franklin and MA participated in and then a counter suit.

Without further ado, here is the recording

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This brings the recording of the Finance Committee (FinCom) meeting held Sep 26, 2017 to a close..

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can use your help.

How can you help?

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
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!



My notes for the meeting were also published here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/live-reporting-finance-committee-092617.html

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You can also subscribe and listen to the audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

Franklin Town Council Recap - Sep 27, 2017

The Town Council approved land for sale (NuStyle), land for sale (Summer St to the abutter), approved the zoning change for the Union/Cottage St area, appointed a new Treasurer/Collector, held a public hearing on a bylaw amendment to correct inconsistencies in setback requirements, approved the corporate move on the liquor license for 99 Restaurant, approved funding for the rework of the police radio system for the north end of town and the purchase of a new canine (to replace Axe). These are among the key items from the Council meeting held on Wednesday, Sep 27, 2017.

The budget changes and the funding approvals had been before the Finance Committee (Tuesday, Sep 26) and gained their approval. 

The appointment of Kerri Bertone had been foretold in the move in August 2016 with her hiring as the Deputy Treasurer. The move in 2016 had been question by Debbie Pellegri who questioned the move and hiring again this time and was joined in the action by Judy Pfeffer. Both of these councilors voted against in the measure that passed by a 7-2 vote.

map showing the zoning change for the Union/Cottage street area

map showing the location of the NuStyle brown fields property on Grove St being put up via RFP for sale

The official "Actions Taken" report from the Town Council for Weds meeting
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/town_council_actions_taken_for_september_27_2017.pdf

Additional details can be found in my notes captured while reporting live during the meeting on Weds. 

• Live reporting: Closing items
• Live reporting: Legislation for Action
• Live reporting: License transaction for 99 Restaur...
• Live Reporting: Public Hearing - Bylaw amendment o...
• Live reporting: Town Council - Sep 27, 2017

From the archives:

In the Council Comments from Town Council meeting held 8/10/17, Debbie Pellegri raised questions about the appointment of the Deputy Treasurer/Collector reported to be passing over someone else in the office who was reported to be 'qualified'

In the video on demand archive, the Council meeting can be found here

http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=franknma&eID=382

Got to about 1:05 (one hour, five minutes) to catch the comments

The Franklin Matters meeting notes link for summary of 8/10/17

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/08/town-council-actions-taken-august-10.html

Franklin School Committee Recap - Sep 26, 2017

While I missed the first 45 minutes of the meeting on Tuesday night, it was for a good cause. I captured the audio recording of the Finance Committee meeting to share. Franklin TV was already recording the SchCom meeting for replay via video on demand.

When I arrived, the elementary school principals were reviewing their School Improvement Plans.

The plans can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/elementary-school-improvement-plans.html

This was the first meeting conducted with the new 'order of business' or agenda approved at the last meeting. The documentation to support the meeting flow can be tweaked a little to help it. With 'Discussion and Action' as well as 'Discussion Only' items and several items in each category, it can be confusing.

The policy documents were only released on Tuesday afternoon, too late for them to be shared and likely actually read to help prepare for the meeting. I raised this as an issue during the meeting and it will be addressed.

The policy documents can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/policies-for-discussion-action-items.html

The most interesting discussion was around the proposal for the FHS boys varsity basketball team to travel for a holiday week tournament in FL during Dec 2017. Ultimately, the proposal was sent back to come again with additional information for discussion before being voted on.

The School Committee will have a table at the Harvest Festival scheduled for Saturday, Oct 14.

The next regularly scheduled meeting, Tuesday, Oct 10, will be a budget workshop rather than follow the normal meeting agenda. The meeting will be held in the 3rd Floor Training Room at the Municipal Bldg at 7 PM.



My notes summarized via Storify from the tweets sent during the meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/live-reporting-school-committee-sep-26.html

new lane lines painted on the track that was redone recently at FHS

the track is protected for the football team to use

hopefully the track will be completed and ready for use soon