in trying to nail the item that the Council does not get compensated, I guess I left open a door for other compensation. Clearly, that was not my intent. I guess the hammer hit my thumb. Ouch!
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Two Quick Updates
Passport: your ticket to discovering the Harvest Festival
The Harvest Festival Passport is your ticket to discovering all the event has to offer. Looking for entertainment? Food? Crafters? The Passport and the Map will help you navigate downtown Franklin and get the most out of the festival.
The Passport lists the entertainment acts, show times and locations. Used hand in hand with the map, it’s also your chance to win prizes.
Pick up your Passport at the Franklin Downtown Partnership booth, major sponsors’ booths or at the Historical Museum. Then locate the “Destination” booths listed and get your Passport validated. Once you have all your stamps, drop the Passport off at the Downtown Partnership booth to be entered into a drawing. Winners will be announced on the FDP website, franklindowntownpartnership.org, on Tuesday, October 4.
There are many prizes to win, including a Coffee, Tea and Chocolate gift basket donated by the Franklin News and valued at $300, a gift basket donated by Happy Tails Doggy Daycare, a $100 gift certificate to the YMCA, items donated by Music Odyssey Productions, and many more, adding up to a total prize value of over $1,000.
Just follow these three simple steps to win:
- Pick up your Passport at the FDP booth, sponsor booths or Historical Museum
- Validate your Passport at Destination booths
- Drop off your completed Passport at the FDP booth
In the News - Cafasso, Dean College
Meet the Franklin Candidates: Edward Cafasso, School Committee
Franklin's Dean College dedicates new additions to campus center
YMCA Walk to school, Weds Oct 5
Hockomock Area YMCA and local schools celebrate
International Walk to School Day on October 5(Franklin, MA) Hockomock Area YMCA staff and school leaders and volunteers will join local elementary school children in celebrating the annual International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 5. Participating schools include Oak Street Elementary, Helen Keller Elementary, Davis Thayer Elementary, and Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public Schools all in Franklin as well as Stall Brook Elementary School in Bellingham.Franklin's Bernon Family Branch of The Hockomock Area YMCA will join the students as well as parents, teachers, and community leaders on the walk from the designed meeting spaces to their schools, ensuring that they have a safe path to school. As part of a strong commitment to the YMCA's Healthy Future's initiative which was developed as a collective community response to the childhood obesity epidemic, YMCA staff will encourage kids to learn about fitness by walking to school with friends.Walk to School events work to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, concern for the environment, and building connections between families, schools, and the broader community.In the U.S., International Walk to School Day is expected to be celebrated at over 3,500 events at participating schools. Walkers from the U.S. will join children and adults in 40 countries around the world.For additional information, please contact the Y's Community and Youth Wellness Director Lauren Marciszyn at 774.235.2737 or laurenm@hockymca.org.For additional information, please visit these Web sites:International Walk to School in the USA www.walktoschool.orgNational Center for Safe Routes to School www.saferoutesinfo.orgInternational Walk to School www.iwalktoschool.org
Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit increases to $980 for 2011
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
Posted by:
The Department of Revenue published yesterday the Technical Information Release that presents the new income, valuation and credit amounts for the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit for tax year 2011.
The $980 maximum value of this credit for tax year 2011 is $10 more than the previous year.
There is no other refundable state tax credit that puts more money into the wallets of taxpayers 65 and older than the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit. In tax year 2009, the most recent tax year for which complete information is available, 80,566 taxpayers received $61.1million in cash or credits used to lower income tax payments, an average of $759 per taxpayer.
The circuit breaker tax credit is based upon the actual real estate taxes -- or rent -- paid by a taxpayer who is eligible to claim the credit.
It is equal to the amount by which the taxpayer's property tax payments in the current tax year, including water and sewer charges but excluding any abatement or exemption granted, exceeds 10 percent of the taxpayer's total income, provided that the credit does not exceed the maximum credit amount for tax year 2011 of $980.
A taxpayer's total income may not exceed $52,000 for a single individual who is not head of a household, $65,000 for a head of household, and $78,000 for a married couple filing jointly.
The maximum assessed valuation of a residence may not exceed $729,000, which is down from last year's maximum valuation of $764,000, reflecting a decline in the valuation of homes.
The credit also works for renters. It is equal to the amount by which 25 percent of the rent actually paid during the taxable year exceeds 10 percent of the taxpayer's total income, with the credit capped at $980.
How does this credit work in practice? Take the example of a married couple with an annual income of $60,000 and $8,000 in property tax and water and sewer bills for their home. Ten percent of their income is $6,000 and their combined property tax and water and sewer bills total $8,000, which is $2,000 more than 10 percent of their income, so they qualify for the maximum credit of $980.
For a married couple filing jointly that rents, take the example of a married couple with a $28,000 income who pay $12,000 annually in rent. Ten percent of their income is 2,800, which is $200 less than 25 percent of their rent, so they qualify for a credit of $200.
If you are eligible, you can go back three years and claim the credit retroactively. If you owe tax, the credit is deducted from the amount owed. And if you don't owe tax, the state cuts you a check. It's worth taking a few minutes to do the math on this.
Historic information on the number and amount of credits issued to taxpayers in each of the Commonwealth's 351 cities and towns over the years is published on DOR's web page. Click on the link that says Senior Circuit Breaker Usage Report.
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Friday, September 30, 2011
Welcome Music Boosters
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Franklin, MA: Town Council Attendance
* updated 5:40 PM - in trying to nail the item that the Council does not get compensated, I guess I left open a door for other compensation. Clearly, that was not my intent. I guess the hammer hit my thumb. Ouch!
"more crafters, more entertainers and more businesses involved than ever before"
Sandy Chaplin has been readying her hand-crafted bracelets and earrings since last spring in anticipation of the Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Harvest Festival. For a fifth year the jewelry artist and owner of Chappy Girls Studios will set up her customary booth on Main Street.
“My customers come to me with an idea in mind and I make their jewelry while they wait,” she says. “They get a really unique piece of jewelry they’ve helped create. My customers inspire me to come up with new designs all the time.” Chaplin, who is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer, recently designed a bracelet she will sell at the upcoming festival with the profits going to the American Cancer Society.
Chaplin will be one of more than 100 crafters participating in this year’s event on Sunday, October 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year the Franklin Downtown Partnership sold out booth space to crafters and community groups who wanted to be part of Franklin’s largest festival.
Organizers expect 5,000 visitors to this year’s ninth annual Harvest Festival, which will feature an expanded entertainment lineup, crafts, kids’ activities and games, food booths, an antique car show, Historical Museum tours, a farmers’ market, a fire station open house, and local businesses’ specials and promotions.
“This year’s festival has surpassed our expectations,” says FDP President Nicole Fortier. “We have more crafters, more entertainers and more businesses involved than ever before. We are excited to show the residents and visitors what a vibrant community we have here.”
Demand for booth space was high, and crafter booths will span all three main streets. Some vendors are participating for the first time this year, such as The Lace Man, who sells every type of lace possible, from doilies to unique, handmade lace pieces. Other crafters have returned year after year because the festival draws so many visitors.
To help everyone navigate the event this year, the Partnership has created the Harvest Festival Passport, which visitors can pick up at the FDP and major sponsors’ booths. Using the passport in combination with the map, visitors will seek out destination booths scattered throughout the festival to get their passport stamped. Once every destination has been validated, the passports will be entered into a drawing to win prizes. Passport drawing winners will be announced on the FDP website.
Jazz combo TKLS Perspective will play their blend of swing, hip hop, funk and bossa nova on the center island all day. The main stage in front of gold sponsor Rockland Trust Bank will feature professional DJ Domenic Cotoia of Music Odyssey Productions, Franklin High School ensemble Sustain, singer/songwriter Jamie Barrett, 2011 “Franklin Idol” winner Kaylee Finley, and 2011 “Franklin’s Got Talent” winner Dominic Salzillo. Magician Chris Bolter will entertain the crowds with his special brand of magic.
On a separate stage in front of the Franklin School for the Performing Arts, FSPA will present an abbreviated version of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, accompanied by a professional band.
The Children’s Area in the Depot Street parking lot will feature some old favorite games and activities, and some new ones as well, like the obstacle course. Stop by the Cub Scout Pack 126 booth and drop off nonperishable food items to be donated to the Franklin Food Pantry.
Food can be found in abundance at the festival. The food tent on Main Street will serve up burgers, sausages and peppers, chicken, lemonade and more. The FDP food tent in front of Dean Bank will have hot dogs, drinks, slushies and snacks. Several downtown restaurants are also serving food outside their establishments. Fresh, local produce can be found at the Farmer’s Market in the Berry Insurance parking lot.
The fire station will host an open house in observance of Fire Safety Week. Kids are invited to “Touch a Truck,” and firefighters will be on hand to answer questions and provide fire safety tips. Down the street, the Historical Museum will be open for tours and will host the popular antique car show.
Many businesses are offering special promotions during the festival. Vallee Jewelers on Main Street will buy old, broken, outdated or mismatched gold items. Silver sponsor Green Mountain Chocolates will showcase its chocolate-dipped potato chips.
“We have more businesses and vendors involved this year than ever before,” says Partnership Executive Director Lisa Piana. “Our sponsors have been exceptional and stepped up to make this all possible. We are proud to be associated with these local businesses who take such an active role in making Franklin the livable, viable town that it is.”
The Gold Sponsor for this festival is Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation. Silver Sponsors are DCU, Green Mountain Chocolates and Middlesex Savings Bank. Bronze Sponsors are Dean Bank, Chestnut Dental Associates, Byrne Financial Freedom, LLC., Mike Dunsky/Guaranteed Rate and NHS Print.
Friends of the Festival sponsors are D.G. Ranieri Supply Company, Ferguson Enterprises, Ten Key, Inc., Keefe Insurance, Fenton Financial Group and Kindred Transitional Care and Rehabilitation, Franklin.
The event will take place rain or shine and span Main Street and East and West Central Streets. Main Street will be closed at 9 a.m., reopening at 4 p.m. Visitor parking is available at designated lots along West Central Street, Main Street and Summer Street.
The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization made up of businesses, community leaders and residents working to revitalize downtown Franklin. The Partnership relies on donations and sponsorship to fund events like the Harvest Festival as well as downtown improvement projects like beautification efforts and streetscape design. For more information please contact the Executive Director Lisa Piana at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com or visit the FDP website at franklindowntownpartnership.org.
Community Awareness Meetings: on child sexual abuse
Dear Members of the Franklin Community,
Please accept this invitation to join community leaders at a Community Awareness Meeting designed to bring members of the community together to discuss the issues of child sexual abuse, to learn about its human and economic impact and what together as a community we can do to prevent it.
These meetings will take place on Wednesday October 19, 2011 at 12:00 noon at the School Department training room at Town Hall and Thursday, October 27th at 7:00 PM at Horace Mann School auditorium. These meetings will last approximately 60 – 90 minutes and are being facilitated by the Hockomock Area YMCA. This presentation has the full support of community leaders in education, public safety and park and recreation, and the Town Administrator.The Hockomock Area YMCA is partnering with Darkness to Light, a national non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of child sexual abuse. Darkness to Light has developed an award winning prevention training, Stewards of Children. Stewards of Children is the first training ever developed that is designed for adults and focuses on prevention. It is an evidenced based training proven to change beliefs, actions and attitudes toward child sexual abuse.This meeting will demonstrate that child sexual abuse is an issue that affects everyone, not just those that were abused and their family members. It will reinforce that the cost, both human and economic, is high but that the solution of prevention is inexpensive and effective. This meeting will clearly illustrate that child sexual abuse can be prevented in real-time and ultimately these meetings will show that by participating in the solution every adult in a community can be a part of a cultural change.These presentations are an opportunity to demonstrate to community leaders the magnitude of the issue of child sexual abuse, its economic and emotional costs to our community and what we can do about it. It is vital that parents, teachers, coaches and all citizens reinforce the message that because children our or future we must protect their childhoods.Please join us in helping to strengthen our Franklin community. We encourage you to invite others whom you think would be interested in this important cause.Please respond by email if you will be able to make one of these meetings. Thank you.Sincerely,Bartt PinchuckBranch DirectorHockomock Area YMCABernon Family Branch45 Forge Hill Road. Franklin, MA 02038P 774.235.2756 | F 508.528.6271
Franklin Fire plans open house, Oct. 2
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
The Franklin Fire Department is holding a Fire Safety Open House at Franklin Fire headquarters, 40 W Central St., on Sunday, Oct. 2, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with free pizza from Papa Gino's.
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Sisters at Mount Saint Mary’s plan open houses for candy facility
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
The sisters at Mount Saint Mary's Abbey, 300 Arnold St., Wrentham, will hold open houses to celebrate the completion of their new candy making facility on Saturday, Oct. 1 and Saturday, Oct. 8.
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Thursday, September 29, 2011
How should we tackle hunger?
- Volunteer your time
- Donate some money or food
- Spread the word about the services we do provide
To find out more about the Franklin Food Pantry
- stop by our tent at the Harvest Festival on Sunday, Oct 2 or
- visit the Franklin Food Pantry web site here: http://franklinfoodpantry.org/
Hamilton Storage Technologies
The tax increment finance agreement says that if Hamilton Storage leaves before the decade is up, the agreement ends and the next tenant will pay the normal rate.
"The benefit is that they are going to double their staff size," Councilor Matt Kelly said. "We're going to give them a little break, and those people are going to shop out of our stores, eat at our restaurants and stay at our hotels."
The deal is part of the town's economic development incentive plan to attract businesses such as Hamilton to the Forge Park area. The tax on the land itself, 3 Forge Park, won't change, but improvements to that land, such as buildings, will be taxed at a lower level initially and gradually rise over the 10 years, at the end of which the company would pay normal taxes.
"I think it's a good thing for our community," said Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting, noting potential jobs and business brought to area hotels and restaurants through clients of the company. "What we lose in property tax, we hopefully will recover in hotel tax and meals tax."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1499150553/Franklin-approves-tax-break-for-prospective-Forge-Park-business#ixzz1ZKjplI1p
For a complete set of reporting from the Town Council meeting on Weds 9/27, check here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/09/town-council-092811.html
Bats in peril
Program: Bats in peril: The Uncertain Future of North America's Winged Mammals
When: Saturday, October 22nd, 2:00 p.m.
Where: Franklin Public Library
Info: Kate Langwig is a second year graduate student in the PhD program in Ecology, Behavior, and
Evolution. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Union College, and has worked for the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, The Nature Conservancy, and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. For the past three years she has been studying the recently emerged infectious disease of bats,
white-nose syndrome. She is a co-author on three papers on the disease, including an article projecting regional extinction of the little brown myotis which appeared in the journal Science in 2010. Her primary research is focused on investigating white-nose syndrome transmission dynamics in multiple bat species.
2011 Metacomet Annual Meeting Program
More about the Metacomet Land Trust can be found on their website
McGovern talks with Medway farmers about local agriculture needs
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
As U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern looked over orchards and berry fields yesterday, farmers took the chance to pitch ideas about improving local agriculture.
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Charles River: 2011 winner of the International Riverprize
Charles River Watershed Association | ||||||
We have some some very exciting news to share: the Charles River is the 2011 winner of the International Riverprize, the world’s largest and most prestigious environmental award! The International RiverFoundation’s (IRF) Thiess International Riverprize, is awarded for visionary and sustainable excellence in river management. In the world of river management, this is akin to winning the World Series and it was made possible through the engagement, cooperation and hard work of hundreds of partners at the federal, state, local and grassroots levels, including: U.S. EPA, US Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Geological Survey, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, the City of Boston, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, the Conservation Law Foundation, universities, local boards and conservation commissions, engaged citizens, businesses, land trusts, river users, and all of you! This is a trophy for all of us who live and work in the communities that comprise the Charles watershed, and for everyone who loves this river.
CRWA's Executive Director Bob Zimmerman, Deputy Director Margaret VanDeusen, and Director of Projects Kate Bowditch accepted the award at the 14th International River Symposium in Brisbane, Australia earlier today. CRWA will receive a grant to share its river restoration expertise with a river organization in a developing nation. In 1965, when CRWA was founded, the Charles was an open sewer: tetanus shots and antibiotics were standard treatment for anyone unfortunate enough to fall in. Today, the Charles is heralded as the cleanest urban river in the United States by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Riverprize recognizes and rewards this rejuvenation. International River Foundation CEO Matthew Reddy says "Charles River should be congratulated for their achievement; it joins the ranks of iconic rivers like the Thames, Danube and Mekong.” CRWA will use the prize money to continue to improve and protect the health of the Charles through fisheries restoration, water-sensitive design, and development of tools and practical solutions to watershed problems, including the growing problem of nutrients carried by stormwater to the river. Join us to celebrate this achievment and honor John DeVillars this Friday, September 30th at the Champions of the Charles gala at the Harry Parker Boathouse, Community Rowing, Brighton. To purchase tickets click here or call Alexandra Ash at 781-788-0007 x 200. | ||||||
The River Current is published monthly (or as needed) by Charles River Watershed Association. CRWA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dependent on philanthropic support. Editor: Alexandra Ash, aash@crwa.org Mailing address: CRWA, 190 Park Road, Weston, MA 02493 Phone: 781-788-0007 Fax: 781-788-0057 Web: www.charlesriver.org |
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Town Council 09/28/11
- Real time reporting - closing
- Real time reporting - high school building project...
- Real time reporting - Legislation (part 1)
- Real time reporting - Town Council - 9/28/11
Real time reporting - closing
Downtown Harvest Festival is this weekend, come on down
Thanks to the Community Garden, they had a wonderful first year, almost all the plots were used, they helped supply the Food Pantry. It was well done, thank you!
Nutting - did you want a new October meeting schedule?
Mason- yes, we'll meet Oct 5 and Oct 26
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
Powderly - asking for School Committee representation to be at the next meeting to address the teachers contract. No one in the Town got a raise, all the school school department employees effectively got raises. During the budget process, they were asked if there were COLA money in the budget, the answer was no. So aside from the philosophical difference in granting the contract with an increase, where did they come up with the funds. I believe COLA equals layoffs, they cut 14 teachers last year and others got a raise this year. We have higher class sizes... They need to explain why they did what they did.
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Pfeffer - agreed with Powderly's comments, wants to know where they found the money
Kelly - agrees with Powderly's comments
Jones - agrees with Powderly's comments, was at the School Committee meeting and will be interested to see what they have to say.
Mason - I spoke with Chairman Roy and invited him and whomever he would like to bring along with him to the meeting Oct 5th.
Meeting adjourned
The full set of documents for this agenda can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2011tc%20Complete%20With%20Documents/09-28-2011agenda.pdf
Real time reporting - high school building project
Tom Mercer, Chair of the School Building Committee
provide an overview of how the proposal has developed overtime
The committee recently decided to ask the MSBA to modify the 'model school' design to lower the track to the same level. This would allow for a gym at 23,000 sq ft which is comparable to the same size facility we have today. How much of this design change would be covered by a favorable refund remains to be determined.
The proposal tonight is to provide additional funding via bond to allow the design work to continue. Given the current timeline for an MSBA decision at the end of January, the voters could see the proposal at the election box in a March time frame. Once approved by the MSBA, the town voters do have 120 days to vote and accept the proposal. If we were to deny the proposal, and the renovation or new building were to continue, the full cost would be borne by Franklin. If we accept the MSBA proposal we can get up to 54% reimbursement, significantly reducing the cost to the Franklin tax payers.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 8-0
3. Resolution 11-51: Support for House Bill No. 00869 – An Act relative to the establishment of municipal lighting authorities
motion to accept, seconded, passed 8-0
The full set of documents for this agenda can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2011tc%20Complete%20With%20Documents/09-28-2011agenda.pdf
Real time reporting - Legislation (part 1)
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - YMCA – Darkness to Light Program (postponed to future meeting)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 11-46: Authorizing Tax Increment Financing Hamilton Storage Technologies Inc, 3 Forge Parkway
Brief 5 minute presentation by the company about what they do and how they have developed. They are in high technology and particularly in biotech. Novartis and Roche Pharmaceuticals are their top two customers
The Tax Increment Financing (TIF) allows Franklin to collect the normal set of taxes on the base value of the property and then a declining additional portion on the increase in incremental value of the work being done to improve the plot/building.
A good deal for Franklin as we tax revenue, they get an incentive to come here (from Hopkinton and Milford). Their incentive is a declining additional tax over a ten year period.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 8-0
The full set of documents for this agenda can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2011tc%20Complete%20With%20Documents/09-28-2011agenda.pdf
Real time reporting - Town Council - 9/28/11
Absent: Zollo
(missed opening minutes, can catch them later via the on-demand video)
E. APPOINTMENTS
Cultural Council
Mary Beth Frasermotion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0
Janet Norman
Judith Needell
Judith Prueitt-Prentice
Design Review
Nancy Colemanmotion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0
School Building Committee
Paula Mullenmotion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0
The full set of documents for this agenda can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2011tc%20Complete%20With%20Documents/09-28-2011agenda.pdf
"we approach education collaboratively"
Following a salary freeze two years ago, raises for last year remained at zero, while raises for this year go up 1 percent at the beginning and 0.5 percent on the last day of the contract.
Negotiations for a new contract will have to begin soon, school officials said, but School Committee members say they are upbeat. Union leadership, they said, seems committed to a less confrontational approach than in the past.
"There is agreement by both sides to review the salary structure," School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy said.
"It represents closure for me and a move away from the negotiation table," committee member William Glynn said of the brief hiatus between negotiations. "We don't often talk about the deep-seated problems, the systemic problems."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1656493025/Deal-gives-small-raises-to-Franklin-teachers#ixzz1ZEnaMLdk