Franklin MAtters Weekly

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Week ending - Oct 16, 2011

Another Sunday, another week behind us, another week closer to the local election on Nov 8th. The real challenge for Franklin voters will be to step up to the plate (actually voting booth) on Nov 8th. No high profile candidates (who don't directly affect what happens here in Franklin) are up for election to draw out the voters. No major TV campaigns are going to tout this position or that.

The candidates that are up for election will determine the tax rate you pay. (Yes, they'll set the rate at a Town Council meeting in December.) They'll also determine the budget and level of services we get to use or miss (because they were cut).

Let's get a decent turn out this time. Let's get more than 50% of the voters out to the Field House on Tuesday, Nov 8th. If we can turn out 90% for a high profile election, we can turn out more than 50% for something that directly affects Franklin.

Since you are reading this, you do think Franklin matters, spread the word to your neighbors and friends. Let's get a great turnout for our own local election.

Information on the election, the timeline, absentee ballot info, MDN candidate profiles, incumbent Town Council and School Committee attendance records are collected in one place for you to find
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/08/election-2011-summary.html

Sun - Oct 16

World Food Day is being celebrated Sunday. During your dinner, have a conversation about food and where it comes from.

Sat - Oct 15

Did you get out to the Book Sale?

Fri - Oct 14

Alerts on upcoming events dominate the posts today

Thu - Oct 13

Head's up on the showing of "Race to Nowhere" - Tues, Oct 18th - tickets are free but you do need to reserve your ticket online.

Weds - Oct 12

I followed the money to attend and reporting on the Finance Committee. It was their first meeting for the new fiscal year and first since the reduction from 11 to 9 members was voted in with the approved charter changes. You can't get this information elsewhere.

Tue - Oct 11

If you want more than the MDN candidate profile, the first of a series of candidates answering 3 questions is published here.

Mon - Oct 10

Columbus Day, other than the holiday, but we caught up to an article by the Boston Globe West edition on the Town Council-School Committee issue over the teacher contract. The Globe actually had a reporter at the Town Council meeting where the School Committee failed to show up.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Week ending - Oct 9, 2011

The summary of the week that was. I'll spare you the commentary for now. I need to collect my thoughts before expressing them.

Sun - 10/09

Sat - 10/08

Fri - 10/07

Thu - 10/06

Weds - 10/05

Tues - 10/04

Mon - 10/03

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Week ending Oct 2, 2011

The Harvest Festival will hopefully dodge a downpour and draw crowds of folks to downtown Franklin on Sunday.

Sun - 10/2

Links to the key video segments from the School Committee and Town Council meetings are posted for your convenience. The candidate profile continues with one on Roberta Trahan for the School Committee.

Key Video Segments

In the News - Trahan

Sat - 10/1

Preparing for the Harvest Festival, the Passport can be picked up at key locations around downtown. Dean College celebrates their new Campus Center. The Y is stalking up walking to school on Weds. The Senior Circuit break increases by $10 this year. The Milford Daily News starts a series of candidate profiles with Ed Cafasso.

Fri - 9/30

The chart of the attendance records for the Town Council tells a story. The Downtown Partnership prepares for the Harvest Festival this Sunday. The Y is hosting two community awareness meetings on child sexual abuse. The Fire Dept main station will be open during the Harvest Festival on Sunday. Mount St Mary's Abbey holds an open house for their new candy building.

Thu - 9/29

Hamilton Storage got the headlines coming out of the Town Council meeting Weds night. The Charles River won an international award, a telling sign of the progress made on improving the water quality. The Metacomet Land Trust is holding a presentation on bats. I watched video broadcast of the Town Council meeting on Weds and reported on it in real time. (Note: had I been in the Council Chambers, it would have been "live reporting".)

Wed - 9/28

News from the Milford Daily with the lead article on the School Committee meeting Tues and the announcement of the new contract with the Teachers union.

"we approach education collaboratively"

In the News: fire, fraud, culture, time

Tue - 9/27

The reality of the budget cuts are starting to be felt with slower response times from the Fire Dept. The School Building Committee met on Monday and worked on some design changes to the 'model school'. Spraying for mosquitoes was announced.

Mon - 9/26

Franklin's newsletter "The Express Line" was published with info on the high school building time line, the DPW and other town news. The Food Pantry sent out their fall update via email and it was shared here.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Week ending Sep 25, 2011

Another week, another summary. The short skinny - the election card is almost finalized. Almost, as the candidates will be certified by Oct 4th and can withdraw up to Oct 6th. The last day to register to vote is October 19th.

Sun - Sep 25

The paintball challenge was successful in raising over $500 for the Food Pantry. Thanks to Glenn Jones for leading that effort. The Commuter Rail will be running late today and next Sunday due to track work.

"You don't really think of this as a fundraising place"
Franklin commuter line will be delayed Sept. 25, Oct. 2

Sat - Sep 24

The Town Council agenda and supporting documents for their meeting Sep 28 is available for review. The Community Garden changed some of the hours they will be available this weekend. Matthew Glass is suffering from the lingering effects of his concussion.

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - 9/28/11

"lingering effects of a severe concussion"

Garden Office Hours - changed

Fri - Sep 23

Matthew Glass was in the news Thu as the alerts spread and he was found. The Community Gardens will be busy this weekend. MassBudget publishes some good info from the recent release of census data. An EEE alert as it has been found in nearby Medway. The 7th Annual Run for Bob is coming up Sat Oct 1.

Thu - Sep 22

The annual Harvest Festival is coming Oct 2, Five Guys helps with a fund raiser on Oct 19th, and Sparky's puppets appear at the Library. Franklin Music Boosters is putting together their annual ad book.

Wed - Sep 21

For any one heading out to Western MA, Route 2 is something to be aware of. A Paintball challenge to benefit the Food Pantry, and a choice of yard sales. A reminder on candidate interviews being scheduled to find out about them and what they will do should they get elected.

Tue - Sep 20

There are races for Town Clerk, Treasurer, Town Council (12 for 9 spots), School Committee (10 for 7 spots) among the highlights. Timely issue of resources by the FTC for alcohol resellers given the recent problems selling to underage drinkers.

Mon - Sep 19

Franklin's DPW scheduled the annual harzardous waste collection, the Nov 8 ballot is being confirmed today with candidates due to turn in their papers and a heads up for the Waterfire in Providence.