MA Tax amnesty program offered

The Milford Daily News reports

An amnesty program in Massachusetts is set to begin on Labor Day, lasting two months and giving delinquent taxpayers and businesses the chance to avoid penalties if they fully pay outstanding tax liabilities by 5 p.m. on Halloween. 

About 300,000 people will be receiving notices in September indicating they are eligible for the program, which proponents hope will bring in millions in state revenue without the need for raising taxes. 

With the exception of the corporate tax, which is not included, the amnesty program covers the major tax categories for individuals and businesses, including personal income, sales tax, withholding tax, and tobacco and gasoline excise taxes. Other niche taxes are also not included.

You can continue to read the article here (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140828/NEWS/140826556/1994/NEWS

Sculpture Park - Official Opening

The Sculpture Park was officially opened on Wednesday with a gathering of Town officials, key sponsors and about 50 people on a sunny day.

The individual art pieces now have name plates depicting the title of the piece and the artist. This was good to find. I now know that 'the bear' has a name: Ursus.

Town Administrator Jeff Nutting

Town Administrator Jeff Nutting welcomed everyone and gave thanks to Adrianna Kelly who had the original vision for the park. Linda and Ian Kabat of the Franklin Art Center who took over leadership of the project when Adrianna left Franklin. The DPW who did the work. The Franklin Cultural Council who provides some funding. Rep Jeff Roy who obtained some state money for lighting in the park. And to all the artists and volunteers who helped to make this happen.

Town Council Chairperson Bob Vallee

Rep Jeff Roy

Linda and Ian Kabat, Franklin Art Center

butterfly made of a clothes pin and plastic

Lollipop field created by students at Franklin Art Center

landscaping was completed

after the brief remarks, many of the group walked around the park

The brochure handed out to participants of the opening can be found here:




As there may be some who don't know where the Sculpture Park is located. It is on Panther Way next to the Police Station. For those long time Franklinites, it was the location of the old town pool.


View Larger Map

Larivee Family Fundraiser - Aug 28

POUR RICHARD"S WINE & SPIRITS and ESBE DESIGNS join forces to benefit the Larivee family.

Pour Richard's

Thursday, August 28, 2014 - 5:30pm to 8:30pm at Pour Richard's, 14 Grove Street Franklin

Please join us to aid the family of Chad Larivee, a Taunton firefighter and Franklin resident who was seriously injured in a fall from a roof. Tickets are $10, a 100% donation to the Larivee family. Both Pour Richard's and Esbe Designs will donate a portion of the evening's sales to the family, as well.

Esbe Designs is a trendy new designer jewelry company created by Atlanta Designer, Sara Blaine. Sara's designs are handcrafted around an endless ensemble of semi precious gemstones and freshwater pearls which reflects the melding of past world traditions with the fluid changes of modern times. Today, Sara has set the trend for affordable "Designer Jewelry"

esbe

If you are unable to attend the event on Thursday August 28 you can still contribute by setting up a private appointment with our esbe Designs Personal Stylists, Sue Kilcoyne or Joanie Neenan. Please contact to make your private appointment. Day and Evening appointments available

Sue Kilcoyne, skilcoyne1@hotmail.com or 508 520 0153
Joanie Neenan, joanie.esbe@gmail.com or 508 528 5538

Franklin Downtown Partnership - Reminders

Important Reminders:

Discussion on Downtown Emmons Street property

Economic Development Committee Meeting

Wednesday, September 3rd

5:30 pm-Town Hall meeting room-3rd floor

Committee will decide on specific recommendations

to be included in the RFP

Public encouraged to attend

150 Emmons St - the building being consider for sale

FDP General Meeting

Thursday, September 4th

8:30 am-Dean College

New members welcome

Harvest Festival Booth Registrations

Due:  September 5th

Late charge of $25.00 after September 5th

Sponsorships Needed

Please contact the FDP office so we can

include your business in the press materials.

Blackstone Heritage Corridor News

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Volume 2 Issue 8/ August 2014 In This Issue Video of the Month Greenway Challenge Ranger Walkabouts Connect on Facebook Become a Corridor Keeper Quick Links Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Volunteer Bike Path Share Your Photos & Stories about the Blackstone Valley! We want to feature your photos and personal stories in a future issue of Corridor Currents! Have you taken a cool photo in the Blackstone Valley? Or, do you have a story to share related to the Valley? If so, we want to hear from you.  Send us your stuff! Enjoy the Blackstone Valley on the go with our mobile Web app.  And, it's free! Click on the image above to get the free web app Ashton Mill   VIDEO OF THE MONTH Slatersville: The First Planned Industrial Mill Village in the United States Click on the image to watch the video Slatersville was founded in 1807 when brothers Samuel and John Slater were looking for a site to build a mill where they would not have to compete with other employers for workers. To provide for their workers needs, the Slaters needed to provide housing, stores, churches and a school.  Read more about Slatersville Take a self-guided walking tour (PDF) EVENT The Greenway Challenge It IS a Challenge! Our volunteers are hard at work preparing for this year's adventure race on Saturday, September 27 (with a rain date of October 4).  The Steering and Logistics Committee plans, designs, administers and, promotes this premiere adventure race. They also tend to required maintenance of the river and trails, access points and transition sites. Some areas may be newly designed for the course, while others have not been used in years.  Clean up includes poison ivy removal, brush clearing, clearing the river of fallen trees, strainers and other debris. Such was the case on August 16 when six members of the committee entered the water in South Grafton and cleared the river for safe passage to Riverdale Mill. A land crew cleared the trail of overgrowth at the portage. The crew then headed down river to Plummer's Landing in Northbridge, MA where they continued their work removing trees, tires and other debris from the river.  Volunteers work to make our river safe for Greenway Challenge participants and other paddlers using the Blackstone River. Interested in volunteering? Contact Barbara Dixon at 401-762-0250, ext 5503 or barbara_dixon@partner.nps.gov. Reminder: The Greenway Challenge registration deadline is Monday, September 1.  See registration details Many thanks to Kevin Trottier, Joe McCreight, Peter Coffin and Phil Johanson for removing downed trees and other obstacles in the Blackstone River! (Charlie Thompson and Bill Dausey are not in the photo.) EXPLORE JOIN US FOR OUR FINAL WALKABOUT ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 Rain Gardens   A rain garden is a specialized garden that collects rainwater runoff from paved areas and other hard surfaces. Rain gardens soak up the stormwater, helping to reduce runoff into storm drains or nearby bodies of water, which can cause erosion and water pollution.  Join our partners from the Blackstone River Coalition to learn about some rain gardens they have built, some plans for a new garden in Slatersville, and pick up some tips on how you can make your own rain garden to help protect the Blackstone Watershed. Parking is available at the North Smithfield Public Library parking lot at 20 Main Street, Slatersville, (North Smithfield), RI. CONNECT WITH US ON FACEBOOK      GET INVOLVED   Become a Corridor Keeper Today! The success of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor has always been due, in large part, to public support and active participation by the people and communities of the Blackstone Valley. People like you! For more than 25 years, the people of the valley have shared in rediscovering their roots, their heritage and their common identity. They have supported the Corridor by speaking or writing to their elected officials, by showing up at public events, and by participating in numerous projects and programs. Join Today! Become a Sponsor! About Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Congress established the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission in 1986 to preserve and interpret the nationally significant historic, cultural and natural resources of the Blackstone River Valley, where the industrialization of America began.  As the new management entity, the Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc. has created a successful program of partnerships between federal, state and local government agencies, as well as nongovernment organizations pooling their resources and pursuing a common agenda of preservation and revitalization.  Ongoing programs and projects include historic preservation, river cleanup, land conservation and stewardship, visitor centers, ranger walks, programs with schools, recreational programs and events, support for arts and cultural events, training for partners and volunteers and assistance to towns working to preserve their heritage while also improving the local and regional economy. Read more

Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor | One Depot Square | Woonsocket | RI | 02895

Franklin Library: Meet the Author - Jennie Coughlin - Sep 9

Meet the Author: Tuesday, September 9th at 6:30 PM

Franklin Public Library Meeting Room

Join Franklin native Jennie Coughlin for a discussion about how local history and area towns influence the fictional town of Exeter in her two books.  Jennie Coughlin wrote her first short story as a project for Nina Santoro's local history unit at Horace Mann Middle School. The history and lore of Franklin and the surrounding towns still influences her fiction, right down to the name — since the Franklin town fathers chose not to use the name Exeter, she borrowed it for her fictional small town. When she's not spinning tales of the Irish mob-infested small town, Coughlin is digital projects editor for a group of three newspapers in upstate New York.  

You can find out more about Jennie Coughlin on her website  http://jenniecoughlin.com/

Jennie Coughlin website home page

The Amazon page for her book "All that is necessary"

The Amazon page for "Thrown Out: Stories from Exeter"

Senior Center: A new edition of 'The Franklin Connection' is available

A new edition of 'The Franklin Connection' has been published on the Town of Franklin web site.

Click the link below to read the latest edition.

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/Sept14connection.pdf

WMRC Senior Expo Fri, Sep 26 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM

FSPA Launches 30th Anniversary Year With September Open Houses

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) celebrates the start of its 30th anniversary season with a series of Open Houses for prospective students and families. The community is invited to tour the downtown Franklin facility, observe rehearsal and classes, speak with faculty and staff, and learn more about FSPA programs in music, dance and drama. Students are also encouraged to try a complimentary class.

A Saturday Open House is scheduled on September 6 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., with weekday Open Houses from 4-8 p.m. on September 11, 15, 24 and 30 at 38 Main Street.

FSPA

Since 1985, FSPA has been dedicated to the enjoyment of the arts for all ages and to the artistic growth and development of young people. Founded by Director Raye Lynn Mercer and built upon the notion that arts experiences are an integral part of a well-rounded education, FSPA provides a nurturing environment where students grow skills for the stage – and for life. Children develop a sense of independence and accomplishment at an early age, while gaining confidence, poise and self-esteem. The performing arts impart life skills, expanding students’ ability to communicate effectively, whether in the secondary school classroom or other public speaking opportunities. The arts also enhance creativity and imagination, developing improvisatory skills to navigate a rapidly changing world.

With a distinguished faculty of Boston-area artists, expansive roster of classes and extensive calendar of wide-ranging performance opportunities, FSPA serves students of all ages and levels of ability, whether for recreational enjoyment or serious study.

FSPA’s Music Department offers private voice lessons and instruction on all instruments, along with group voice classes, music theory and chamber music, jazz and percussion ensembles. Performing opportunities for singers include the FSPA Glee Club, studio voice recitals, opera scenes, acoustic coffee houses and musical theater showcases. FSPA’s innovative Little Music School teaches children as young as 18 months to play the piano and offers creative and engaging general music classes for children ages 1-5.

The Dance Department provides programs for all ages and levels in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hip-hop and lyrical, and also features classes for boys, adults and beginner teens. Expanded dance offerings include Acro, Character Dance, Dance Conditioning, Horton Technique and Dance for Musical Theater. Performance opportunities include two dance companies, Spring Concert, Ballet Conservatory Repertoire Series and Ballet Conservatory Variations Ensembles. Many dancers are also cast, by audition, in Franklin Performing Arts Company’s annual holiday production of The Nutcracker, featuring professional orchestra and special guest artists.

For drama students, beginning in kindergarten, FSPA offers an extensive range of acting and musical theater classes that build performance skills and explore theater games, improvisation, character development and scene work. Musical theater troupes for students in grades 5-12 are cast each year, with annual performance trips to Walt Disney World for select ensembles. This fall, FSPA introduces a Musical Theater Conservatory program with a comprehensive curriculum designed to engage dedicated students in grades 8-12. FSPA students also perform, through audition, in Franklin Performing Arts Company’s annual season of shows.

Fall classes begin on September 8 and registration for all programs is ongoing. For more information or to request a course catalogue and class schedule, call (508) 528-8668 or visit www.fspaonline.com.

Franklin Public Schools - School Improvement Plans - 2014-2015

The School Improvement Plans for the Franklin Public Schools can be found on these links:

Elementary Schools

Davis Thayer
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczYzM5S2RrUTRCcE0/edit?usp=sharing

ECDC
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczMEFjYUJBdHBFdFk/edit?usp=sharing

Jefferson
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczNmxRTHdCX0lCd0U/edit?usp=sharing

Keller
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczcEZDZ2J5UjNwMTA/edit?usp=sharing

Kennedy
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczSVFtdWpoZURBMlE/edit?usp=sharing

Oak St
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczeEZGN3RPZHNBdDg/edit?usp=sharing

Parmenter
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczVy1wcWRQSW01VmM/edit?usp=sharing

Middle Schools

Annie Sullivan
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczQ0twNEFTOUpRNHM/edit?usp=sharing

Horace Mann
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczNzAwazFzVjZZdXc/edit?usp=sharing

Remington
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczTEhlaWJ3RnE1R2s/edit?usp=sharing

High School

Franklin High School
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczNnlWVHJERF91S2c/edit?usp=sharing

the old building reflected in the windows of the new Franklin High School

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Aug 26, 2014

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

AGENDA

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

Franklin Public Schools "The Key to Learning"

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the August 12, 2014 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations

a. New Administrators

b. Elementary - School Improvement Plans

1. ECDC
2. Davis Thayer
3. Jefferson
4. Keller
5. Kennedy
6. Oak Street
7. Parmenter

c. Middle - School Improvement Plans

1. Horace Mann
2. Remington
3. Annie Sullivan

d. High School – School Improvement Plan

3. Discussion Only Items

a. Policy – Second Readings

o  IHBB – Service Animals in Schools
o  JFAA-R – School Admission / Residency
o  JFAA-E1 – Residency Statement
o  GA – Personnel Policies / Goals

4. Action Items

a. I recommend approval of budget transfers as detailed.
b. I recommend approval of the ECDC School Improvement Plan as detailed.
c. I recommend approval of the Davis Thayer School Improvement Plan as detailed.
d. I recommend approval of the Jefferson School Improvement Plan as detailed.
e. I recommend approval of the Keller School Improvement Plan as detailed.
f. I recommend approval of the Kennedy School Improvement Plan as detailed.
g. I recommend approval of the Oak Street School Improvement Plan as detailed.
h. I recommend approval of the Parmenter School Improvement Plan as detailed.
i. I recommend approval of the Horace Mann School Improvement Plan as detailed.
j. I recommend approval of the Remington School Improvement Plan as detailed.
k. I recommend approval of the Annie Sullivan School Improvement Plan as detailed.
l. I recommend approval of the FHS School Improvement Plan as detailed.
m. I recommend adoption of Policy IHBB – Service Animals in Schools as discussed.
n. I recommend adoption of Policy JFAA-R – School Admission / Residency as discussed.
o. I recommend adoption of Policy JFAA-E1 – Residency Statement as discussed.
p. I recommend adoption of Policy GA – Personnel Policies / Goals as discussed.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business

To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session

Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

Note: as the agenda was just released this afternoon, I don't have time to post the school improvement plans before the meeting. I'll have them available for review Wednesday morning.