"officials in town have said the override request was unlikely to be the last"

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

"The town avoided a budget crisis Wednesday, after residents approved a $430,000 tax override in a town-wide election.

The proposal was put to residents in a ballot question during an election called solely for the override.

Turnout was nearly 25 percent of all Hopedale’s registered voters, with 569 voting for the proposal, and 419 voting against.

Officials said the money is needed to fund basic services for the town. Because the number was so large, employee jobs and hours were on the chopping block. Suggested cuts included a firefighter and closing Town Hall on Fridays."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190828/hopedale-approves-tax-override

Related post before the override vote
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/08/in-news-hopedale-votes-on-override-weds.html

 

Public Health Advisory - August 28, 2019

DEAR FRANKLIN RESIDENTS:

In response to the elevated risk of mosquito-borne illness this year, the Franklin Board of Health is requesting all home owners conduct a brief survey of their property to identify sources of standing water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant/standing water found in clogged gutters, birdbaths, unmaintained swimming pools and swimming pool covers, tires, buckets and other containers as small as a bottle cap. Homeowners can significantly impact mosquito populations and better protect their families from mosquito-borne illness by eliminating these breeding sites on their property.

Unmaintained swimming pools must be drained, chlorinated or tightly covered to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the standing water. Alternatively, homeowners may apply BTI mosquito dunks/pellets; a safe, natural occurring soil bacteria in pellet/donut form to standing water to effectively kill mosquito larvae for up to 30 days. Property owners are also urged to drain and wipe clean bird baths at least twice per week. Children’s wading pools should be emptied and turned over after each use.

Homeowners should also carefully inspect all window and door screens for damage, and repair or replace screens as necessary to prevent mosquitoes from entering their homes.

Ultimately, the most effective preventative measures are to avoid being outdoors during peak mosquito biting times if possible. Diligently apply a bug repellent containing 25-30% DEET and wear long sleeved shirts and long pants when outside.

The current threat is expected to remain elevated until the first hard frost of the season, which typically occurs in mid to late October.

If residents have questions or concerns you may contact the Franklin Health Department @508-520- 4905 during normal business hours, or email dmckearney@franklinma.gov at any time.


David E. McKearney, R.S. 
Public Health Director 
Franklin Health Department

Public Health Advisory - August 28, 2019

Urgent for Residents: Town of Franklin EEE Update

The Town of Franklin is currently at a LOW risk threat from the State of Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The following recommendations are being made to reduce potential exposure:

1.) Wear mosquito repellent Products with 30% DEET, Permethrin, Picardin or oil of lemon eucalyptus are the most effective

2.) Be aware of peak mosquito hours. Mosquitos are most active from dusk to dawn

3.) Drain standing water on your property Mosquitos lay eggs in standing or stagnant water

4.) Wear long sleeves and long pants Covering skin will limit potential exposure

The Norfolk County Mosquito Control is a great resource. Contact them HERE to schedule spraying on your property. http://www.norfolkcountymosquito.org/

Please click HERE for the EEE fact sheet and more helpful links.
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/eee_update_8_27_19_2_0.pdf

Contact the Board of Health with any additional questions.

Urgent for Residents: Town of Franklin EEE Update

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Abbie Gardner of Red Molly - Sep 7

Abbie Gardner is a fiery dobro player with an infectious smile.

Abbie Gardner Sep 7 View this email in your browser ABBIE GARDNER September 7 - 8 PM $20 Please join us as we begin our 30th season! Abbie Gardner is a fiery dobro player with an infectious smile. Whether performing solo or with Americana darlings Red Molly, her acclaimed tales of love and loss, both gritty and sweet, are propelled by her impeccable slide guitar chops. Her live show is truly unique - as both an award winning songwriter and interpreter of folk styles, a captivating vocalist, and a world class lap style dobro player, she has an unmistakable sound all her own. Her latest CD, Wishes on a Neon Sign was released in January 2018, and features twelve original songs, including a co-write with Chris Stapleton. She has opened for Lori McKenna, Hot Rize and Martina McBride. "Not only a first-rate Dobro player, but a songwriter to be reckoned with." --John Platt, WFUV https://abbiegardner.com/ The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available.  Please visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information. Sorry, but our phone is not working right now. We are working to get it fixed. Upcoming Shows Sep 21       Ellis Paul with Rachael Kilgour Oct 5          The Kennedys Oct 19        Windborne Nov 2         Freebo, Alice Howe, & Kirsten Maxwell Nov 16       Peter Mulvey Dec 7         Winterbloom

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

“the best census ever, one that is complete and accurate”

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

"With just a few months left before America starts taking its biggest-ever self-portrait, the U.S. Census Bureau is grappling with a host of concerns about the head count, including how to ensure that it is secure and accurate and the challenge of getting most people to answer questions online.

All of that is on top of the main attention-grabber of the 2020 census so far — a citizenship question that was nixed by the Supreme Court, dropped by the Trump administration, resuscitated briefly and then abandoned again.

Beginning early next year, residents from Barrow, Alaska, to Key West, Florida, will be quizzed on their sex, age, race, the type of home they have and how they are related to everyone living with them.

At stake is the balance of political power in a deeply divided country, billions of dollars a year in federal funding and population data that will shape business decisions nationwide for years to come."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20190827/greatest-head-count-in-us-history-2020-census-is-nearly-ready-for-launch

Learn more at  Census 2020  https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/2020-census.html

“Adapting and changing can sometimes be scary"

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

"Carol Lynch has been packing school lunches for kids since the mid-1980s, first for her own children, then for her grandchildren. For her, buying lunch from school has never really been a consideration.

“It’s nothing against the lunches they serve,” said Lynch, who has helped raise two generations of children in the same Plymouth home. “For me, food has always been about family. No one can put personal touches on food like a parent or grandparent. (Whether it’s) a Thanksgiving meal or a quick school lunch, I just like to use food as a way of showing my love.”

But given all of the children across the state who do take part in their school’s lunch programs, food service departments have the complex task of designing menus that meet an ever-growing diverse student population. There are allergies and food restrictions, pressure to offer newer and healthier choices while also increasing participation rates (read: more revenue), and federal food guidelines that are changing under the current presidential administration.

“What’s on the menu today?” is more complicated now than ever before."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190828/school-lunches-balancing-act-to-satisfy-diverse-populations-loosened-regulations

“Adapting and changing can sometimes be scary"

The Franklin Food Services page  https://www.franklinps.net/district/food-services

The lunch menus for each school  https://franklindistrict.nutrislice.com/

Lunch payment accounts  https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/getmain?requestAction=home

"The new Franklin location will be their ninth"

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

"If Joseph and Mary Nocera were around today, the immigrant founders of The Chateau restaurant would probably feel right at home opening up a dining room in Franklin where they could share their beloved Sicilian cuisine.

One hundred seven years after their arrival in the states, that’s exactly what their descendants are planning, now that the Town Council has approved the necessary common victualler’s and all-alcoholic beverages license.

The councilors recently voted unanimously to grant the license to the popular family-style Italian restaurant.

Chateau President Joseph Nocera on Tuesday said the hope is to open the restaurant in the next few months."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190827/chateau-restaurant-aims-to-open-location-in-franklin

"The new Franklin location will be their ninth"

Live reporting: Consent agenda to closing

7. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes - I recommend approval of the minutes from your August 13, 2019 School Committee meeting as detailed.
b. JFK Gift - I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,339.00 from the JFK PCC for supplemental supplies as detailed.
c. Music Gift - I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,785.05 from Music Parents for in- house enrichment as detailed. 
d. 2019 Student Activity Account Approval - I recommend approval of the 2019 Student Activity Accounts as detailed.

motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0




8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll Mrs. Douglas

10. Correspondence

12. Adjournment

motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0 

Documents released for this meeting
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/august-27-2019-school-committee-packet

Live reporting: Discussion / Action Items

returned from executive session to open meeting at 7:23 PM

motion to approve cafeteria worker contract agreement, seconded, passed 7-0 via roll call

 
3. Discussion / Action Items
a. Strategy for District Improvement – Annual Goals 2019-2020

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/discussion_actiona_-_dip_goals.pdf

cultural proficiency transcends the overall objectives for emphasis 

overall objectives remain the same but the individual strategic initiatives are different and refined for this school year

portrait of a graduate coming together with artistic development of materials for approval later this year

implementation of new homework guidelines to bring consistency across the district

identify a model, assess where they are, develop a plan to expand approaches to meet the model over time

"Seal of Biliteracy"

"it seems like a lot"
it is comprehensive, it does filter down into the district in different ways
did spend time on how to be deliberate about how and where this would be done


I recommend approval of the District Improvement Goals for 2019-2020 as discussed.

motion to approve, second, passed 7-0




4. Discussion Only Items
a. Draft Presentation Schedule for School Committee Meetings 2019-2020
calendar of meeting dates with presentations distributed among the sessions
recap pf FHS trip to Europe in October
 
ECDC revision of their report card, here for review before implementation possible in Jan/Feb
 

5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Report

Budget - need to set meeting, develop 5 year plan

Community Relations
farmers market last week
at Harvest Festival, need to develop schedule of coffees
explore FHS gear at Festival

Policy - did meet, more policies coming

Public Schools Advocacy - conf for MASC coming up 
Joint PCC - no schedule just yet

Substance Abuse Task Force - Oct 1 first meeting

School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC] - Sep 24 first meeting

6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items
middle school and FHS school improvement plans presentations
 

live reporting; school committee - executive session

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 Cafeteria unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

motion to adjourn to executive session, seconded, passed 7-0 via roll call

to return to open meeting

Live reporting: School Committee - Aug 27, 2019

Present: Feeley, Linden, Douglas, Scofield, Bergen, Schultz, Zub
Absent: none


1. Routine Business
a. Review of Agenda
no adjustments

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

no citizen comments

c. FHS Student Representative Comments

d. Superintendent’s Report

really smooth opening of school today, faculty and staff back to school meeting Monday; recognized longevity benchmarks (10, 15, 20, 25 or more years of service)
235 earning professional teaching status, reception in the fall
Donna Grady, opening remarks on treating each other with kindness
validation of behavior that is already happening

admin team helped craft the message, formed during retreat this summer
cultural proficency in DIP later this evening
introduction with proper pronunciation of names

welcoming K students tomorrow
a few hiccups to iron out but overall a very smooth opening

last week at Town Council meeting did receive confirmation of additional funds, via state budget, allocated now versus later this fiscal year per processing internally within the Town; eliminated high school parking fee, and added back 2 K aides

Tyler Brogan won the High School Invitation mile at Falmouth recently with a race record

no school Friday, Aug 30 and no school on Monday, Sep 2 for Labor Day

Linden - thanks for inviting us to the welcome on Monday, well done





2. Guests / Presentations
a. Introduce New Administrators

Dr Kim Stoloski, Asst Director Student Services
Donna Krikorian, asst principal, Oak St
Michael Procacini, asst principal, Annie Sullivan
Jennifer Santosuosso, asst principal, FHS

b. New Faculty and Staff

listing in packet

still looking for nurses and substitutes for this school year

Franklin Historical Museum: new web site

We are happy to officially launch our new website at franklinmuseum1778.com. As a special Eagle Scout project, Sal Balkas, a 2018 FHS graduate, created the basic format for our new and improved website that includes links for historical documents, digitized Oskey’s 1928-2017, the amazing Anne Giardano post card collection, and much more. 

Check us out at franklinmuseum1778.com and let us know what you think! You can also find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram!

 

Franklin Historical Museum: new web site

Franklin Cultural District meeting update - Sep 18

Hello Franklin Cultural District Partners,

The location of the next Cultural District Partners meeting has been moved to the studio of Franklin Cable TV and Radio. Meeting details are as follows:

Franklin Cultural District Partners Meeting

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

7:00 PM

Franklin Cable TV and Radio Station

23 Hutchinson Street, Franklin

There is on site parking and the building has universal access. A meeting agenda will be provided closer to the meeting date. We hope to see all Franklin Cultural District Partners at the meeting.


Best regards,
Pandora Carlucci

____________________

Pandora Carlucci, Ed.D.

Franklin Cultural District Committee Member
pcarluccifranklinculture@gmail.com
https://www.franklinculture.org/

Franklin Cultural District meeting update - Sep 18

FBRTC: Upcoming Events - membership drive; Labor Day walk

View this email in your browser Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Upcoming Events  Summer Membership  Drive:  Become a member between now and Labor Day and be eligible to win one of three $10 DD gift cards! More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2358050251079771/  SNETT Group/Nature Walk    - Labor Day   Please join us for a walk on the SNETT on Monday, September 2, 2019 (Labor Day) at 10 AM. We will meet at the Grove Street parking area (next to Metcalf Materials) in Franklin. More info https://www.facebook.com/events/2319534728363380/  Copyright © 2019 Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have opted in to stay informed about the Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Our mailing address is: Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee PO Box 68 Franklin, Ma 02038 Add us to your address book

3rd Annual Franklin Rotary & Dean College Car Show - Sep 15

3rd Annual Car Show

Franklin Rotary Club & Dean College

The show is scheduled for Sunday, September 15, 2019, 10 AM to 3 PM, at the Dean College main parking lot in downtown Franklin, on Route 140 just west of the intersection with Emmons St (traffic light).

Parking is available adjacent in Rockland Trust Bank lot 1/2 block east on Rt.140 or by the elementary school just west of the show on Union or School Streets.

For Sponsorship info and to Register please contact Terry Katsoros at Rockland Trust at theodosioskatsaros@rocklandtrust.com
or Gary Convertino at gconvertino@cox.net

Download your copy of the flyer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczd0EycjJqZVVjVEtDRXRhN2VtZmQ4OHFOY3hZ/view?usp=sharing

3rd Annual Franklin Rotary Car Show - Sep 15