FTC Consumer Alerts: New year, new credit blog series

by Lisa Weintraub Schifferle, Attorney, FTC, Division of Consumer & Business Education

With the start of a new year, many of us want to get our finances in order. We often think about budgeting, but what about credit? To help you get a handle on credit, we’ve put together a four-part blog series: (1) why does your credit matter; (2) getting your credit report; (3) reading your credit report; and (4) fixing your credit report.

Before you dig in to work on strengthening your credit, you may wonder: what is credit and why does it matter? When people talk about your credit, they mean your credit history. Your credit history is a record of how you have used money in the past. That includes things like how many credit cards you have, how many loans you have, and whether you pay your bills on time.

Continue reading Part 1
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/01/new-year-new-credit-blog-series

Part 2 - Getting Your Credit Report
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/01/getting-your-credit-report

Part 3 - Reading Your Credit Report
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/01/reading-your-credit-report

Part 4 - Fixing Your Credit Report
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/01/credit-repair-fixing-mistakes-your-credit-report

FTC Consumer Alerts:  New year, new credit blog series

MBTA - Franklin Line - Reminder: shuttle bus service on weekends through March 2020

South Station – Forge Park/495

Weekends through March

Shuttle buses will replace Franklin Line service between Forge Park/495 and Readville Stations while we upgrade the signal system as part of Positive Train Control (PTC) work. Also during this work, connecting train service between Readville and South Station will be on the Fairmount Line. There will be no Franklin Line service at Ruggles or Back Bay.

Learn about Positive Train Control

See all Franklin Line service changes

MBTA - Franklin Line - Reminder: shuttle bus service on weekends through March 2020

Franklin residents: Time to Order Your Rain Barrel!

Time to Order Your Rain Barrel!

Interested in installing a rain barrel at your home? The Great American Rain Barrel Company is offering Franklin residents discounted barrels for just $69. 

Residents may then apply for a $50 water conservation rebate from the DPW for a total cost of only $19 (rebates are limited to two per household)! 

Order before midnight, Thursday, April 30 and pick up at the DPW Admin Office (257 Fisher St, Franklin) on Wednesday, May 6, from 4-6 PM.


Click here for more information or to order. 
https://www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/community/

Apply for a water conservation rebate here
https://www.franklinma.gov/public-works/news/water-conservation-rebates-now-available

Franklin residents: Time to Order Your Rain Barrel!

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/time-order-your-rain-barrel-0

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Jan 24 to THU - Jan 30

Friday, January 24

8:00am

 FDP Networking Breakfast

10:00am

 Knitting Group

10:30am

 Happy Feet

Saturday, January 25

10:00am

 Winter Farmers Market

10:00am

 Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)

10:30am

 Library-Chinese New Year Celebration!- Whole Family

1:00pm

 Library- Girls Who Code- Ages 6th-8th Grade

2:00pm

 Art in Bloom!

7:30pm

 Moliere's Tartuffe

Sunday, January 26

1:00pm

 FBRTC 2020 Pour Richard’s FUNdraiser

1:00pm

 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm

 Moliere's Tartuffe

3:00pm

 Acrylic Pour Workshop

Monday, January 27

10:30am

 Library-Move Along- Ages 0-5

3:30pm

 Library- D&D for Kids- Ages 7-13

6:00pm

 String School Concert

7:00pm

 Library Board Meeting

Tuesday, January 28

9:30am

 Library- Cool Cruisers- 8mo-18mo

10:30am

 Library-Get Ready for Kindergarten- 3-5yrs

4:00pm

 Library-Toe-Tapping Tuesdays-Ages 2-4!

6:00pm

 Band School Concert

6:00pm

 Franklin School Committee - Student Services Workshop

7:00pm

 School Committee meeting

7:00pm

 Franklin Public Library Book Club

Wednesday, January 29

10:30am

 Library- Terrific Toddlers- Ages 18mo-3yrs

3:30pm

 Library- Creation Station!- Ages 4+

Thursday, January 30

9:30am

 Library- Tummy Time- Ages 0-12mo (pre-walkers)

10:30am

 Library-Story Xplorers- Ages 0-5

4:00pm

 Library-Chess Club for Kids-Ages 8-13

4:00pm

 Library- Bookworm Bounce Storytime!- Ages 0-5

For the interactive version, please visit

https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this link

https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/links/submit-event

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Jan 24 to THU - Jan 30

Massachusetts State Senate Unveils Next Generation Climate Policy

Amid increasing reports of environmental devastation worldwide, the Massachusetts State Senate has taken major new steps in advancing the state's approach to combating global warming. The Senate's next generation climate policy package, including An Act Setting Next Generation Climate Policy, An Act to Accelerate the Transition of Cars, Trucks and Buses to Carbon-Free Power, and An Act Relative to Energy Savings Efficiency, were released by the Senate Ways and Means Committee today, and are scheduled to be debated by the full Senate next week.

"The young people of Massachusetts have told us in no uncertain terms that they are looking to state leaders to take bold action on climate change," says Senate President Karen Spilka. "The Massachusetts State Senate has listened. I'm proud of Senator Barrett for his diligence in crafting a thorough legislative package that takes concrete steps to reduce emissions and provides a plan to create a greener, healthier and more sustainable future. I would like to thank Senator Barrett and Senator Michael Rodrigues for their contributions to this next generation of climate leadership."

"As a result of a collaborative stakeholder process, the package of bills polled out by the Committee today proposes a comprehensive plan to reduce our carbon footprint and boldly confront the impacts of climate change," said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. "I applaud Senate President Spilka for her leadership and Senator Barrett for his thoughtful collaboration and partnership, which helped shape our efforts to put forward a series of bills to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and transform our energy delivery system to benefit our climate and future generations. I look forward to a robust and energetic debate next week on the Senate floor."

"Getting to net zero is absolutely necessary but it's also a big lift," said State Senator Mike Barrett, lead author and Senate Chair of the Utilities & Energy committee. "This bill is all about the how of it, as in 'Here's how we are going to get there.'"

Key provisions of the climate policy package include:

• Setting a statewide greenhouse gas limit for the year 2050 of "net zero" emissions. To achieve this, An Act Setting Next-Generation Climate Policy requires the state to hit near-term limits in 2025, 2030, and every five years thereafter; set sub-limits for transportation, buildings, solid waste, natural gas distribution, and other major sectors; and make implementation plans that are "clear, comprehensive, and specific."
• Establishing the Massachusetts Climate Policy Commission. The commission would be a new, independent public watchdog to oversee government's handling of the unfolding crisis of climate change. Commissioners will be charged with offering a nonpartisan, science-based view of the problem as it plays out in Massachusetts with its attendant natural, economic, and demographic impacts and risks.

"We want this commission to be an independent guardian of the future, notably the future of younger generations, insulated from political pressure and consisting of the most authoritative and credible Massachusetts voices we can find," stated Senator Barrett. "Job one for the Commission is to tell us if we're on track in bringing down emissions. Job two is to advise us on what to do next. The commission will give us objective information about the performance of both government and the private sector and will pay special attention to the impact on low-income and other disadvantaged communities. If the commission works as intended, it will be a new voice, standing apart from politics as usual and committed to shedding light on a very hard problem."

Reflecting the price of carbon. Under the bill, the Administration would be free to choose among various market based forms of pricing carbon—including a revenue-neutral fee or a regional "cap and trade" system similar to the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI)—but he or she would have to do so by Jan. 1, 2022, for transportation; Jan. 1, 2025, for commercial, industrial and institutional buildings; and Jan. 1, 2030, for residential buildings. Any mechanism would be implemented so as to minimize the impact on low-income households, disadvantaged communities, and vulnerable manufacturing sectors.

Providing legislative direction to the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), the state's primary energy oversight agency, for the first time. Compensating for a decades-long omission, the bill assigns the DPU a mission statement. It requires the agency to balance five priorities: reliability of supply, affordability, public safety, physical and cyber security, and, significantly, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Jumpstarting efforts to supply low-cost solar electricity to low-income communities. To reverse the failure of state programs to incentivize solar energy projects in low-income neighborhoods, as well as spur job creation, the bill requires the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to set aside future solar allocations for such neighborhoods.

Letting cities and towns adopt a "net zero" stretch energy code. The bill allows the state to support communities that choose on their own to move away from fossil fuels as the source of heating for new buildings. The state's contribution is to promulgate a "net zero" energy code, so that localities have the option available if they want to use it. The bill shifts responsibility for the code's development from the Board of Building Regulations and Standards to the DOER.

"When it comes to bringing down emissions, buildings are the toughest nut to crack," Barrett says. "We need to move on multiple fronts."

Nudging natural gas utilities to adapt. The bill authorizes utilities to test technology and pipelines that generate and transport "renewable thermal energy," an emissions-free way to heat buildings that draws on the relative warmth of temperatures below ground.

Strengthening executive branch oversight of MassSave. The bill directs the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) to set emissions reduction goals, in advance, for each three-year plan the utilities formulate for MassSave. It requires the DPU, at the conclusion of each three-year plan, to certify how much the plan actually contributed to meeting the Commonwealth's greenhouse gas emission limits.

Tightening the alignment between MassSave and emissions limits. The bill requires electric utilities to include an explicit value for emissions reductions whenever they calculate the cost-effectiveness of a MassSave offering.

Setting a deadline for converting MTBA buses to all-electric power. An Act to Accelerate the Transition of Cars, Trucks, and Buses to Carbon Free Power directs the MBTA to limit bus purchases and leases to zero-emissions vehicles beginning in 2030, and to aim for an all-zero-emissions fleet by 2040, to reduce transportation-related emissions in city neighborhoods.

Offsetting the Trump Administration's efforts to slow progress on efficient appliances. An Act Relative to Energy Savings Efficiency updates Massachusetts appliance standards to improve energy and water efficiency standards for common household and commercial appliances, helping to conserve energy and save consumers and businesses money.

Other provisions include:

• Assembling the state's first-ever database of energy use in large buildings.
• Adding two building efficiency experts and an expert in advanced building technology to the membership of the Board of Building Regulations and Standards, which will retain responsibility for the base energy building code.
• Authorizing the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) to fund energy innovation pilots, and to take actions addressing health effects associated with the distribution and consumption of fossil fuels such as natural gas.
• Directing the DPU to consider the impact on emissions when it reviews electric and natural gas rates, prices, charges, and contracts.
• Directing state government to limit purchases and leases of vehicles to zero emissions vehicles only, beginning in 2024, if affordable replacements are available.
• Conducting a study of the opportunities to electrify vehicles owned or leased by municipalities, regional school districts, and regional transit authorities, taking into account costs and possible sources of financial help from state and federal government.
• Providing permanent statutory authorization for the "MOR-EV" program, the Commonwealth's system of financial incentives for purchasers of zero emission vehicles.

"In Boston, we set a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050," stated Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. "Buildings along with transportation make up nearly 99 percent of Boston's carbon emissions and I'm proud to join my colleagues at the Legislature in support of this proposal, which puts critical strategies in place to cut emissions across the Commonwealth. Together, we'll work towards a more sustainable Boston for our residents, and generations to come."

"We applaud the Senate's leadership and are pleased to see President Spilka making good on her promise to move forward critical climate legislation," stated Jacob Stern, Deputy Director of the Massachusetts Sierra Club. "Given that climate science tells us we only have until 2030 to substantially reduce our emissions, we hope that this legislation will serve as a catalyst for immediate action. We look forward to reviewing the bill in detail and working with our movement allies to pass these much-needed policies into law."

"NECEC commends Senate President Spilka and the Massachusetts Senate for proposing a net zero emissions standard, in alignment with scientific consensus," said Northeast Clean Energy Council (NECEC) President Peter Rothstein. "Swift passage of this legislation will accelerate the clean energy transition in the energy, buildings and transportation sectors, and will cement Massachusetts' position as a premier place to build a robust clean energy economy."

"We thank the Senate for releasing an energy bill that sets us on a course to more boldly address climate change—the most critical issue of our time," stated Elizabeth Henry, President of the Environmental League of Massachusetts. "By setting interim GHG reduction targets and echoing the Governor's call for net zero emissions by 2050, the Senate acknowledges how much work is left to do. In particular, we applaud the Senate for directing DOER to develop a net zero stretch code to address the built environment, and for including provisions that would accelerate electric vehicle use and ability of low income communities to access solar energy."

"With the bill released today, President Spilka and Senate leadership are setting the Commonwealth on a meaningful pathway to a net-zero carbon economy by 2050", said Deborah Donovan, Acadia Center's Massachusetts Director. "The strong interim target of a 50% reduction by 2030 ensures that Massachusetts will make the next decade count. The ambitious provisions of this bill will boost our economy and protect the health of our most vulnerable residents and our planet."

"Communities want and need a Net Zero stretch code in order to meet their local climate goals," said Rebecca Winterich-Knox of the Mass Climate Action Network. "Committing to the goal of Net Zero by 2050 is a big step in the right direction, and will let cities and towns take leadership on better buildings."

"The Senate Committee's climate bill will make a real difference for people's health and our climate," said Alyssa Rayman-Read, Vice President and Director of CLF Massachusetts. "Getting to zero emissions by 2050 is an absolute necessity, and pushing the T to exclusively use electric vehicles will go a long way towards hitting that goal."

"This legislation will continue to fuel our transition away from a carbon intensive economy, while promoting new job growth and economic opportunities for the Commonwealth," stated Michael Green, Executive Director of Climate Xchange. "A carbon free economy will benefit all of the Massachusetts businesses and residents. This legislation will unlock much needed market signals, providing the opportunity for sustainable business growth, innovation and continue to make Massachusetts one of the most vibrant economies in the nation."

The entire Senate is expected to vote on the legislation by the end of January.

Links to the specific legislation referenced

• An Act setting next-generation climate policy https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2477
• An Act to Accelerate the Transition of Cars, Trucks and Buses to Carbon-Free Power https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2476
• An Act Relative to Energy Savings Efficiency https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2478

FHS boys hockey comes back to tie Mansfield 5-5

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Thursday


Boys Hockey = Mansfield, 5 @ Franklin, 5 – Final
Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:

"Last season, the Kelley-Rex division title wasn’t decided until the final game of the league campaign and this season is shaping up to be just as close. Coming into Thursday night’s showdown with Mansfield, Franklin was in a first place tie with King Philip, both sitting on seven points in the league, with the Hornets just two points back.

After a thrilling 5-5 shootout at Pirelli Veterans Arena, in which it twice battled back from two goals down, Franklin moved back into first place by itself, but by only the slimmest of margins. The tie sets up another exciting finish to decide the league champ, as all three teams have three games remaining.

“I’m proud of the fact that they came back and battled through adversity,” said Franklin coach Anthony Sarno. “They didn’t quit. To lead up to that point, we didn’t really help ourselves, but it takes a hell of a team to fight through adversity two or three times in a game and pull even.”

Mansfield missed an opportunity on Thursday to create a three-way tie atop the division, after twice leading by two goals, including a 5-3 lead with 8:02 remaining in the game.

The Panthers celebrated senior night before the game and came out flying once the puck dropped. Franklin held a 14-4 advantage in shots on goal at the end of the first and had a series of scoring opportunities denied by Mansfield goalie Sean McCafferty (33 saves)."

Continue reading the recap:
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-boys-hockey-and-mansfield-share-point-after-10-goal-thriller/

For a Photo Gallery from this game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Winter-2019-2020/Franklin-Mansfield-Boys-Hockey-12-23-20/

Mansfield twice led by two goals but both times Franklin battled back and the teams finished in a 5-5 tie and each took home a point. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Hockomock League: Milford, Oliver Ames Switch Divisions - Fall 2020

Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides news on the division realignment effective with the next school year:

"Two Hockomock League schools will be competing in different divisions starting this upcoming Fall season.

Oliver Ames will return to the Davenport division while Milford will take its place in the Kelley-Rex starting in the Fall 2020 season, Hockomock League president and Franklin athletic director Tom Angelo confirmed.

The shift comes due to a Hockomock League by-law that states the six schools with the largest enrollment will be in the Kelley-Rex, and the six schools with the smallest enrollment will make up the Davenport division.

In the latest Department of Elementary and Secondary Educations (DESE) SIMS enrollment numbers for grades 9 through 11 that were submitted to the state on October 1st of last year, Milford had 976 students, fourth-most in the Hockomock League. Oliver Ames came in with 840 students, which is the seventh most."

Continue reading about the realignment:
https://hockomocksports.com/milford-oliver-ames-switching-divisions-for-fall-2020/

Hockomock League Enrollment – November 2019 – Grades 9-11

• Taunton – 1536
• Attleboro – 1363
• Franklin – 1317
• Milford – 976
• Mansfield – 917
• King Philip – 916
• Sharon – 882
• Oliver Ames – 840
• North Attleboro – 802
• Stoughton -764
• Canton – 731
• Foxboro – 580

communities covered by the Hockomock League

Easy Write schedules writing workshops at FHS - registration is open

On Tuesday, February 4, at Franklin High School, a weekly series of writing workshops begins by Easy Write -- a Franklin-based academic enrichment program. The workshop is targeted for Franklin students (8th grade through college).

"Easy Write teaches students to write proficiently and will give them an advantage on tests, essays, research papers, and the SAT. 

The workshops teach students writing skills not ordinarily taught in a traditional English class."

Information on the workshops can be found online
https://easy-write.com/workshop/

Information on Easy Write can be found online https://easy-write.com/

Information brochure can be downloaded here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczekdhUnk0WXNWODVTdm5sZEJDWEpyaThqN0lF/view?usp=sharing

Easy Write schedules writing workshops at FHS - registration is open

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“There are appropriate public health approaches in place"

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

"The risk to Massachusetts residents is low, but all health care providers must be on alert for the potentially deadly coronavirus.

That message was delivered Thursday by the state Department of Public Health, including information on what doctors should do if patients exhibit possible symptoms of the virus.

Initially detected in December in Wuhan, China, the virus has spread to other parts of Asia, with the first confirmed case in the U.S. announced this week."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200123/coronavirus-massachusetts-health-officials-on-alert

As part of the Franklin Matters Radio series, we just sat with Franklin's new Health Director, Cathleen Liberty for an introductory interview. The interview is the first of a series planned to keep residents informed on health issues like this virus.

For more information on the Health Dept, visit their Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department

The January monthly meeting of the Board of Health was recorded and available for replay:  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/fm-189-board-of-health-meeting-jan-8.html

“There are appropriate public health approaches in place"

FTC Consumer Alerts: The top frauds of 2019

The top frauds of 2019 by Monica Vaca - Associate Director, Division of Consumer Response and Operations Each year, the FTC takes a hard look at the number of reports people make to our Consumer Sentinel Network. In fact, during 2019, we got more than 3.2 million reports to the FTC from you. We've read what you've said, and crunched the numbers. Here's what you told us in 2019. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/01/top-frauds-2019  This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/data-visualizations/explore-data

Explore the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network data