Franklin MAtters Weekly

Monday, March 19, 2012

Week ending - Mar 18, 2012

The weather is almost summer like, never mind that this should be "spring". Let's at least enjoy it while it lasts. There is one more week before Franklin goes to the field house at the high school to cast their ballot on the debt exclusion question. Should we build a new high school paying only 47 cents on the dollar (given the state reimbursement of almost 60%)? That is the one question before us. Renovation is not an option. The ballot question is not worded like that. The state mandated language is as follows:

Resolution 12 - 07

Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provisions of Proposition two-and-one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued in order to construct a new high school, to be located at 218 Oak Street, and for the payment of all other costs incidental and related thereto?

This does read like giving Franklin a 'blank check'. However, it does not. There is a binding resolution already in place with greater details on what the Town Council can do with the taxes and how much Franklin taxpayers will pay.

Resolution 12-05

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED that the Town Council of the Town of Franklin: appropriates the sum of one hundred four million, six hundred forty-nine thousand, eight hundred seventy-six dollars ($104,649,876) for the construction of a new Franklin High School to be located at 218 Oak Street, and for the payment of all other costs incidental and related thereto which school facility shall have an anticipated useful life as an educational facility for the instruction of school children for at least 50 years, said sum to be expended under the direction of the School Building Committee, and to meet said appropriation the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Town Administrator is authorized to borrow said sum under M.G.L. Chapter 44, or any other enabling authority; that the Town of Franklin acknowledges that the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s (“MSBA”) grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and any project costs the Town of Franklin incurs in excess of any grant approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the Town of Franklin; provided further that any grant that the Town of Franklin may receive from the MSBA for the Project shall not exceed the lesser of (1) fifty-nine point fifty-two hundredths percent ( 59.52%) of eligible, approved project costs, as determined by the MSBA, or (2) the total maximum grant amount determined by the MSBA; provided that any appropriation hereunder shall be subject to and contingent upon an affirmative vote of the Town to exempt the amounts required for the payment of interest and principal on said borrowing from the limitations on taxes imposed by M.G.L. 59, Section 21C (Proposition 2½); and that the amount of borrowing authorized pursuant to this vote shall be reduced by any grant amount set forth in the Project Funding Agreement that may be executed between the Town of Franklin and the MSBA.

This is much more explicit and would have been good to put on the ballot but such as it is.

As you prepare for the decision on how you will cast your ballot, feel free to ask a question. Many should already have been answered. If your question has not been answered, or answered to your satisfaction, then ask it! The discussion on the Facebook page for Franklin Matters has been extensive and respectful. Let's continue to keep it that way. After all, when the vote is done, no matter the result, we are all neighbors and will need to live with the result and each other.

Mar 18

Mar 17

Mar 16

Mar 15

Vote - March 27

Bill would help communities create quiet zones downtown

Mar 14

Mar 13

Mar 12

Tidbits

Ensuring Food Stamp Integrity

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Week ending - Mar 4, 2012

What happened to February? The shortest month of the year is already over. Even leap day has come and gone. We got some snow to make this feel a little like winter. March is upon us. The Town Council gets to look at the sign by-laws for the 1st reading. They also get to decide to pay off the trash and recycling totters ahead of the five year plan as well as reduce the rate.

Why? The system is so successful, we are reducing the trash collected and increasing the recycling. This is good news. The rate reduction will save some money as it drops from $220 to 204.

The big event this week is set for Thursday. Tours of the high school start at 6:00 PM. A presentation including Q&A with the architect starts at 7:00 PM.

You think that renovation is a better option? Why pay a dollar for something when you can get something even better that will only cost 47 cents? Your choice. Get some information and make your decision before getting to the ballot box on March 27th.

Mar 4

Mar 3

Mar 2

Mar 1

Feb 29

Feb 28

Feb 27

Wadsworth Diary - Feb 27, 1858

All-State Track: 600 - K Knous

Monday, February 27, 2012

Week ending - Feb 26, 2012

Welcome back! I hope school vacation week was a good one for you all. It was relatively quiet here in Franklin. No town committee had meetings so you did not miss much.

Feb 26

Feb 25

Feb 24

Feb 23

Feb 22

Wadsworth Diary - Feb 22, 1858

Winter Carnival - March 11, 2012

Feb 21

Wadsworth Diary - Feb 21, 1858

In the News - Democrats, Republicans, football

Feb 20

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Week Ending - Feb 19, 2012

Bumped into a friend at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse on Saturday night. Her father is also not in good health these days. Hmm, a sign of the times? Some of us are getting to the age where our parents are reaching the natural end of their life. More of us are finding that these times can be trying.

Our parents guided us, provided for us, now the tables are turning and we become the care givers. We have provided care for our own children so providing care is something we can do. It does feel strange for the roles to have reversed.

Mom and Dad helped us dress. Took time to feed us. Now it is our turn to help them dress and eat. Our turn to help figure out the healthcare system. Our turn to help guide our parents.

So what does this all have to do with Franklin? If we are not in a situation like this, we can learn from it. We will be some day. The lessons our parents taught us remain. Family first. Taking care. Being respectful. Doing what is necessary. Doing what is required.

The other lesson that applies here comes from the airlines. You have heard the line repeated many times by the stewards and stewardess': Put on the your oxygen mask first, then help your child.

Make sure while you are caring for your parents that you take care of yourself. Your own health and spirit will be drawn upon. The well is not bottomless, it needs to be replenished. Take some time to replenish yourself.

Whether it is turning to a friend, or neighbor, or spending some time to enjoy some music. Do whatever it takes to replenish the well.

Feb 19

Feb 18

Feb 17

Feb 16

Feb 15

Feb 14

Feb 13