Franklin Police complete ONE MIND pledge

The ­­­­­­­­­­Franklin Police Department is pleased to announce that they have completed a pledge they took to improve their response to those suffering from mental illness in their community. The pledge is part of an initiative called the One Mind Campaign started by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), a 30,000 member professional association for law enforcement that provides training, technical assistance, and recruitment services. To join the One Mind Campaign, law enforcement agencies must pledge to implement four promising practices in a 12-36 month period to ensure successful future interactions between police officers and persons with mental illness.

In the law enforcement community, mental illness has become a common focus, with some departments estimating that as many as 20% of their calls for service are related to mental health declines. Chief Thomas J. Lynch made the decision to join the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s One Mind Campaign because the need to better our interactions with those suffering mental illness was being seen in daily response to calls for service.

In completing the One Mind Pledge, the Franklin Police Department established a sustainable partnership with a local mental health organization, developed and implemented a model policy to address officers’ interactions with those affected by mental illness, and ensured that all of their officers received some type of mental health awareness training, with at least twenty percent of the department completing the more intensive Crisis Intervention Training. 

The 40-hour Crisis Intervention curriculum is designed by local agencies to train a team of specialized officers to respond to calls that involve individuals with mental health disorders such as depression or intellectual disability. The curriculum includes education on various de-escalation techniques as well as live role-play scenarios of officers responding to persons who need mental health assistance.

Other initiatives that the Franklin Police Department has pursued in response to the needs of the community include the Jail Diversion Program, which brought in a Masters level mental health clinician as a co-responder with police officers on calls for service related to mental health problems.

Franklin Police complete ONE MIND pledge

Chief Lynch stated: “I’m proud of my officers for being partners in this pledge not just because it was a Departmental goal to improve our response to these types of calls, but because we have the genuine opportunity to better serve our community. Police officers by nature want to help people. Giving our officers the skills to better serve all aspects of our population only serves to create better outcomes for all involved.”

For more information about the One Mind Campaign, please visit the IACP’s website: http://www.theiacp.org/onemindcampaign/. A list of all agencies who have taken the pledge is also available there.

Health Connector for Small Business Presentation Offered in Franklin

The Franklin Downtown Partnership and the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce are hosting a presentation by the New England Business Association titled "Health Connector for Small Business: An Informational Session" on Tuesday, March 5 from 8 AM to 9:30 AM. The session, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the Campanella Board Room of Dean College’s Campus Center, 99 Main St., Franklin.

Health Connector for Small Business

The presentation will explain the new Massachusetts Health Connector shopping platform for small business. The platform makes it easier for small businesses to offer health insurance to their employees. Employers can choose from a variety of plans by multiple providers.

Pre-registration is required. Register online at www.newenglandbusiness.org/events. Contact Sophia at sophia@newenglandbusiness.org or 781-890-9070, ext. 221 with questions.

Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Town Administrator

The Town Administration works with the Town Council together to improve the quality of life of our residents. We are diligent in balancing the budget and keeping an eye on the Town’s future needs and maintaining its assets.

Accomplishments in FY18 include:
The Town has created an Agricultural Commission. After many interviews seven great candidates were selected with five being full members and two associates.

In January 2018 Franklin was designated as a Green Community from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and was awarded a grant of $183,000 in June of 2018.

The Town went out to bid twice for municipal aggregation for bulk purchasing of electricity to lower rates for citizens however we did not get good rates and will continue to pursue.

We created a Town Budget webpage with helpful resources such as how the budget process works, Operating and Capital budgets, and Fiscal forecasts. A balanced budget was submitted to the Town Council and was approved. We have received five year Capital plans from all departments including the Water And Sewer Enterprise fund. Having long term Capital plans prevents larger costs down the road.

LED Street light conversion contracts were executed and set the table for a fall 2018 install

As part of our expansion of customer service we have expanded our Viewpoint Online Permitting System and will continue adding new applications throughout the year to make for a more convenient process.

Subsidized Housing Inventory, is still over 10% with 11.89% of our housing stock considered affordable by State law.

We continue to update the Town’s website to make information easily accessible for the public. All Agendas and Minutes of all boards and committees are web-based and continuously updated. These can be found on the boards and committees’ pages on our website. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for News and Announcement as well as visiting our website at www.franklinma.gov.

Personnel
The Town hired Finance Director/Comptroller, Christopher Sandini to replace retired Comptroller, Susan Gagner.

Other
The Town Administrator’s Office has moved the Passport Acceptance Office and the Affordable Housing Office from the third floor to the first floor to better convenience the applicant. You can apply for your passport by appointment on Monday, Wednesday or Friday.

We have reorganized The Board of Health, Planning, Building, Inspections, and Conservation Departments combining them into one office to better serve our customers.

The Towns Safety Committee worked with representatives from each department and MIIA representatives and earned $70,000 in insurance premium savings and was recognized by Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) as a leader in preventing risk in the workplace through employee training programs.

Franklin Bends the Trend by working with Insurance Advisory Committee to keep insurance rate increases for employees to a minimum, The Town has changed Health Insurance Carrier to Harvard Pilgrim and now also offers a Qualified High Deductible Health Care Plan.

The Town also received a $10,000 loss control grant for preventative maintenance. This grant will be used towards a program that will schedule routine maintenance tasks that will prevent larger, costly repairs in the future. In turn will save on costs and improve safety, reliability and conservation of assets.

Worked with the Recreation Director to secure $200,000 in grant money for King Street Memorial Park renovations. This grant will go towards new basketball courts, pickleball courts and a playground.

The Town received a grant from the State of $50,000 to expand the Veterans Memorial Walkway on the Town Common.

Our goal is to deliver high quality customer service while keeping costs under control. There will be difficult challenges to our budget in the coming year; but you can be assured that the Town Administration and Town Council will work together to solve budgetary issues.

It is my pleasure to submit the annual report of the Town Administrator for your review, and please feel free to write, email, or stop by with any questions, concerns, or comments.

Respectfully submitted,
Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator


You can read the full Annual Report for 2018 online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_town_report.pdf

The archive of prior year annual reports
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Town Administrator

Grand Opening of the Franklin (MA) Senior Center on 11/11/07

From the photo archive - the grand opening of the Senior Center was held on Nov 11, 2007.





or view at Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157612392922276/with/1975354895/

On this Date: Feb 20, 2008 - Pirelli Arena dedicated

We shared the news on this date in Feb 2008:

"At 8:18 p.m., all the shouting, banging and stomping at Veterans Memorial Skating Rink halted. 

Young men in blue and white uniforms skating in circles and slamming pucks at their goal lined up, facing their opposition in silence. For a few brief moments, only the sound of bagpipes honoring fallen soldier Robert Ryan Pirelli could be heard. 

Following Gov. Deval Patrick's approval Friday, the town renamed the arena last night at the final Panthers home game of the season in memory of Staff Sgt. Pirelli, a former Panther hockey player who was killed by enemy fire in Iraq last year."

From the archives on this day, 2/20/2008
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2008/02/pirelli-rink.html

Sgt Pirelli is also in the recognized in the archives in 2009 when the Iraq/Afghanistan monument is dedicated with his name inscribed



https://www.franklinmatters.org/2009/05/fm-40-memorial-day-2009.html

Franklin Historical Museum: Sunday Speaker, Franklin's birthday party

The Land where the Sun comes up First … The March edition of our Second Sunday Speaker Series features Benjamin Roine on the topic of Native American History. 

Roine’s presentation will discuss Native Peoples and Cultures of Massachusetts and Southern New England. Roine’s history will cover from ice age hunters to the myriad of groups that resided in the area when Europeans first made contact with them. 

Explore the initial period of colonization and the ‘Middle Ground’ that existed between the Native peoples and European Colonists. We cannot truly consider our history unless we learn about the people that lived on the lands where we now live. Join us Sunday, March 10 at 1:10 PM and discover more about the people that walked these lands before us.

Join us for our annual Birthday Party for the Town of Franklin. Incorporated March 2 1778 during the American Revolution, Franklin celebrates its 241st birthday this year. Each year, every resident of the town, born on March 2nd is invited to the museum to share their birthdays. 

The event is open to the public and all are welcome for cake. Invited guests are entered into a drawing for a special prize. Join us Saturday, March 2 at 11:00 AM to help celebrate the town.

The museum is located at 80 West Central Street, we are wheel chair accessible and always FREE. The Second Sunday Speaker Series and the Town’s Birthday celebration are sponsored by The Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum.

Franklin Historical Museum: Sunday Speaker, Franklin's birthday party

Reminder: Ski Trip Planned - Saturday, March 2, 2019

Lifelong Community Learning has announced a March 2 ski trip to Bretton Woods, NH. Participants will enjoy a day on the slopes without thinking about the driving. 

Transportation will be provided by a chartered motor coach departing Franklin High School parking lot at 5:30 AM and will depart Bretton Woods at 4:30 PM to return home. Individuals under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For more information, and to register, go online to   www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com and click on Community Learning-Special Events. 

You can also call Lifelong Community Learning at 508-613-1480.

Lifelong Community Learning is a program of the Franklin Public Schools Lifelong Learning Institute, dedicated to providing diverse and enriched education and experiences for all area residents and children – a resource for all ages.

NOTE: If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Brenda Reed at 508-613-1483 or email at reedb@franklinps.net.


Get a copy of the Flyer
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhcza2NKOGRqLTg3T09iR0JadzEtSG5zM0FBZkxV/view?usp=sharing

Saturday Ski Trip Planned - March 2, 2019

Live reporting: Consent agenda to closing (executive session)

7. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your January 22, 2019 School Committee Meeting as detailed.
b. HMMS Donation
I recommend acceptance of the donation of exercise balls, fish bowls and various items valued at approximately $500.00 from Adam Jacoby, Interactions Company for Horace Mann Middle School as detailed.
c. JFK PCC Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,049.83 from the JFK PCC for Supplemental Supplies at JF Kennedy as detailed.
d. BJ’s Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $430.00 from BJ’s Wholesale Club for district wide in-house enrichment as detailed.
e. Athletics Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $844.02 from All-American Publishing for in-house enrichment for FHS Athletics Dept. as detailed.
f. Franklin Music Parents Gift
I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $4,268.00 from Franklin music parents for in-house enrichment for the FPS Music Department as detailed.
g. Davis Thayer Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,000.00 from the DT PCC for field trips as detailed.
h. FHS Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,719.80 from Lifetouch for in-house enrichment at FHS as detailed.

motion to approve, seconded, passed 4-0

8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll Mrs. Douglas
not present

10. Correspondence 
– Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

11. Executive Session

a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA/RN unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

12. Adjournment

The agenda PDF can be found online
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/scagenda_2-12-19.pdf

Documents released for the agenda can be found online
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/february-12-2019-school-committee-packet-documents

Live reporting: Discussion Only Items - Information Matters

4. Discussion Only Items
a. FY20 Budget Discussion

Superintendent's FY20 Budget Memo

FY20 Superintendent's Recommended Budget Presentation (from 1/22/19 SC Mtg.)

FY20 Superintendent's Recommended Budget Cover

FY20 Superintendent's Recommended Budget Detail

FY20 Superintendent's Recommended Budget Overview

Revolving Detail FY20

Special Revenue FY20

b. BICO Quarterly Update
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/bico-quarterly

c. Revised School Committee Presentation Schedule
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/sc-presentations

workshop - portrait of a graduate at 6:00, Mar 12
elementary presentation as well as the budget vote

school start time vote possible target in April


5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Budget; Community Relations; Policy; Transportation; Public Schools Advocacy; Ad Hoc Superintendent’s Evaluation)
b. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC; Substance Abuse Task Force; School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC]; School Start Times Advisory Committee [SSTAC], MASC)

budget books coming to Committee by Friday, formula not beneficial to Franklin

community engagement calendar developed (copy to be posted)
coffee March 9 at Franklin Library - start times theme
also at the Farmers Market this summer
at the FDP festivals (Strawberry and Harvest)

policy meeting Feb 27

thanks to Denise for putting together the Legislative Forum

Joint PCC got a preview of the budget

School Start Times
last week at FHS, importance of sleep
trying to bring the year long process to a close with a target of Apr 26 presentation


6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items

mostly covered above, 

Live reporting: Discussion Action item

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. Approval of Amego (Private Special Education School)
I recommend the appointment of Paula Marano, Interim Director of Student Services, as the Committee’s designee to review Amego’s application and bring a recommendation to the School Committee.

Amego moving to a location on Grove St, enabling convenience

motion to approve, seconded, passed 4-0


b. Policy – First Reading
I recommend approval to move Policy DGA – Authorized Payroll Signatures to a second reading at the next meeting as discussed.

motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 4-0

practice already in place, now formalizing the practice

Live reporting: Homework Update

b. Homework Update – Dr. Joyce Edwards &; Homework Study Group Representatives

(presentation to be added later)

Live reporting: Homework Update

looking for feedback on the homework free vacations

homework practices to be aligned with the current policy (link in presentation to be added)

Franklin has a wide variety of homework practices and expectations; widely inconsistent within buildings never mind across grades or the District

policy stresses the need for the whole child, and down time as well as family time

consistency is a very funny thing, consistent but not cookie cutter
need to be easily understood by students and families

defined what would success look like?
the set of guidelines as proposed is the result of the answer to that question

what is the definition of homework? defined and purpose

"Franklin-centric"

emphasis on nightly reading

recommends continuing the homework free vacations!
"to the extent possible for Feb and April"

there will be a survey to collect the feedback

middle school easier as they students are in groups and the team teaching would do the coordination; at the high school, it is harder as this collaboration is not already in place; use of the communication and guidelines should help; the students should also be able to respectfully advocate for themselves

the proposal could bring some tweaks to the policy itself

consider the due time of the online homework submission (i.e. homework due at midnight)

also consideration for non-screen based homework later and screen based earlier, to help with the transition to sleep

need to address time management too, what does it mean to manage time to get things done?

how to deal with procrastination? to address the emotional component of homework
at least a distraction free environment

homework is a lens on the student/family partnership

Live reporting: Dementia Friendly Franklin

2. Guests / Presentations
a. Dementia Friendly Community – Maggie Gundersen & Karen Alves

(presentation to be added later)

Live reporting: School Committee Meeting - Feb 19, 2019

Present: Feeley, Linden,  Douglas (after pledge), Bergen, Zub
Absent:  Scofield, Schultz


1. Routine Business
a. Review of Agenda
b. Citizen’s Comments

i. In the spirit of open communication, “the School Committee will hear public comment not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee Meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment” – from Policy BEDH

c. FHS Student Representative Comments
none present due to vacation week

d. Superintendent’s Report
mid-winter meeting of MA School Superintendents
importance of student networks, how to help build them

Commissioner Jeffrey Riley also spoke

Feb 4th professional development half day
building based development
(Superintendent's notes to be posted to web page in AM)

In the News: Dates set for Downtown Partnership 2019 events

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

Dates set for Downtown Partnership 2019 events

"The Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP) has set the dates for its 2019 events and meetings. 

The annual Strawberry Stroll will be held on Friday, June 14 from 4 to 8 p.m., with a rain date of Saturday, June 15. In past years, the Strawberry Stroll has been held a week before but the date was moved since Franklin High School graduation will be held on June 7. 

“Last year we held the Strawberry Stroll on a Friday rather than a Thursday, as had been our tradition,” said Partnership Executive Director Lisa Piana. “The response was overwhelmingly positive and we had the biggest crowd ever. Based on that outcome, we’re continuing to hold the stroll on a Friday when it’s more convenient for families.” 

Networking breakfasts, held in the Dean College Dining Center, are scheduled for March 22 and April 12. FDP members are invited to drop in between 8 and 9 a.m. and network, interact with other members, and enjoy a cup of coffee or a meal."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190218/franklin-downtown-partnership-slates-2019-events-meetings

For more info on the Downtown Partnership and to join, visit
https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

Franklin Downtown Partnership

Franklin Library: Spy Training Camp

Tuesday, February 19, 2019 (All day) to Friday, February 22, 2019 (All day)

This February Vacation, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to drop by the library each day for a series of spy training activities!

Come in at any time each day for a new activity where you’ll build your skill set and learn to be a master spy! 

Once you have completed all of the activities, receive your special spy prize on Friday!

Tuesday: Code Names

Wednesday: Disguises

Thursday: Secret Messages

Friday: “Laser” Maze!

Franklin Library: Spy Training Camp 

This was shared from the Franklin Library page
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/bulletins/spy-training-camp-0