Lessons from the Beloit Mindset List for the Class of 2021

An annual event is upon us again. As students (and educational professionals) return to school this September, thinking about how to approach this class and the opportunities they present will occupy some time for their reflection.

Three professors from Beloit College started this process 20 years ago by looking at what had happened during the life of the freshman class that they were faced with. Each August, the Mindset List is published. It is interesting to see what the world was for these college freshman as they grew up. The list is not meant to be the end all. It is meant to start the conversation.

"Teachers and counselors alike have used the Mindset List over the years, sometimes as the basis for one-on-one chats, and at other times for class discussions and even personal essays. This year’s List is no different. The annual Lists are wonderful icebreakers for counselors and professors and students. They stimulate intergenerational conversations."

What does the list look like? A sampling follows

• They are the last class to be born in the 1900s, the last of the Millennials -- enter next year, on cue, Generation Z!
• They are the first generation for whom a “phone” has been primarily a video game, direction finder, electronic telegraph, and research library.
• There have always been emojis to cheer us up.
• Donald Trump has always been a political figure, as a Democrat, an Independent, and a Republican.
• Zappos has always meant shoes on the Internet.

As Franklinites prepare for the biennial town election this November. Let's think about 

• Where we are? 
• How did we get here? 
• Where do we want to go? 
• What do we need to do to move forward?

To help with the conversation, the election collection has thus far presented the background info on each of the elected bodies (Town Council, School Committee, Board of Assessors, Board of Health and Planning Board).

The offer to candidates to share their background and info has been made. Several candidates have taken up the offer and that information will be posted when complete.

Several key posts from the archive of Franklin Matters will be shared to remind us of the budget and other items that should be worthy of discussion as we prepare to cast our ballots on November 7.

If you have a suggestion (or two) on what you would like to see to help you prepare, please let me know. You can use any of the following methods:

• send me an email (shersteve @ gmail dot com)
• leave a comment here on the Franklin Matters webpage
• leave a comment on the Franklin Matters Facebook page
• reply to one of the @FranklinMatters tweets

I would also recommend that if you haven't already, please consider subscribing to the Franklin Matters daily newsletter. It is one email per day with all that is posted. You don't need to wait for Facebook to filter the newsfeed for you. The newsletter is delivered daily (approx 10:00 AM) and then you can keep informed.

Note the subscription is a two-step process. (1) Enter your email address (2) Reply to confirm your email address.

the Town Common in the rain Sunday morning

The full listing of the Beloit Mindset list for the class of 2021
https://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2021/

The Franklin Election Collection 2017 can be found
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/election-collection-2017.html

Franklin Election 2017: candidate interview questions

When you have an election ballot in front of you, you have a list of positions, a listing of candidates and a marker to fill in a circle next to one or more names.

How do you decide to make a choice?

To help you make your choice, I have offered to meet with all the candidates. My purpose is hear directly from them about their background and their views on the issues that they will work to resolve on Franklin’s behalf.

This is not an endorsement of any candidate. This is an information sharing exercise.

I’ll ask the same set of question of each candidate so that you can have some common ground to base your decision.

The questions I propose to start with are as follows:

1 - Tell me a bit about yourself, your family and your life here in Franklin? What is your Franklin story?

2 - What do you see as your role’s biggest challenge and do you have any suggestions on how we can resolve it? 

3 - What experience or background will help you to serve in this role? What do you bring to the table that helps to set you apart from the others?

If you have some suggestions, I’d like to hear them. I may find during the course of the interviews that I should tweak the questions. If I do that, I’ll post the updated questions here.

For the candidates, while we start with these three sets of questions, our conversation may bring up other questions to help clarify the point you are trying to make.

The candidate interviews will be posted here and included in the Election Collection for 2017
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/election-collection-2017.html

#2069 sign at Franklin Police Station on Panther Way

Who is going to be responsible for half the Franklin budget?

The 7 School Committee (SC) positions up for election this November have drawn the interest of only 5 candidates as of Aug 31. Only 3 of the current School Committee have taken out papers to run and while we are fortunate to get the interest of 2 new participants, it is hardly enough to fill the seats required, never mind provide a choice.

Given that the School Committee controls the budget for our children's education and that the school budget alone accounts for half of the overall Town budget, one would think we would have more interest in taking on this critical role. 

What are you going to do about this Franklin?

For the record, there are currently 14 candidates for the Town Council (9 positions). There are currently uncontested races for the Board of Assessors, Board of Health, and Planning Board positions that are also up for election on November 7. The full listing as of Aug 31 is provided below.


Note: a friendly reader sent along info that the candidate listing was updated during the day on Friday, Sep 1. Two additional candidates for the School Committee announced their intentions to run. Still not enough to provide a choice.
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/revised_candidates_nov_7_2017.pdf

FY 2018 budget by major budget category

Benefits	$10,956,398
Culture & Recreation	$1,399,397
Debt Service	$6,609,708
DPW - Hwy	$4,669,497
Education	$62,586,202
General Government	$9,899,231
Human Services	$691,948
Liability Insurance	$525,000.0
Public Safety	$11,201,434
Sewer	$5,074,368.0
Solid Waste Disposal	$1,949,673.0
Water	$4,748,897.0
Total	$120,311,753

The FY 2018 budget document can be found here

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczeFo1Ni1nMmhTcDg

FY 2018 budget resolution can be found here

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczVzRZVHlNRUFJWmM

Actions Taken for Town Council 5/24/17 meeting - Budget hearing #1
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/town_council_actions_taken_for_may_24_2017.pdf

Actions Taken for Town Council 5/25/17 meeting - Budget hearing #2
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/town_council_actions_taken_for_may_25_2017.pdf

Election Prep: What does the Board of Assessors do?

While the Town Council sets the tax rate annually, the calculations on what the tax rate should be are based upon the valuations of all the commercial, industrial, residential, and personal property that Franklin has record of. These calculations are performed by the Assessors under the oversight of the elected Board of Assessors.

The state just changed the requirement for a property revaluation from every three years to every five years.

There are three members of the Board. One position is up for election this year. All three positions are four year terms of office and staggered to avoid a complete replacement and loss of institutional knowledge.

From the Town of Franklin Board of Assessors page
http://www.franklinma.gov/board-assessors

"Mission 

Establish and maintain valuations for all real and personal property within the community for purposes of generating tax revenues. 

Services and Programs 

Valuation, classification and assessment of all real and personal property for tax purposes. Conduct research of real estate market (including sales and ratio studies); prepare sales and other reports for state review and certification of values. Prepares and certifies abutters lists. Processes abatements, liens, and apportionment. Maintains assessors' maps, plans, property transfer records, and valuation data. Processes all real and personal property abatements and exemptions. Processes and abates motor vehicle excise. Prepares data for state approval of tax rate. 

Inquiries regarding the valuation of residential property, industrial and commercial valuations, or questions about personal property valuations should be directed to Kevin W. Doyle, Peter Mooney or David Ruberti. 

Questions regarding abatement and exemption applications, abutters lists, motor vehicle excise, ownership of real and personal property and general assessment data should be directed to the clerical support staff."

Additional detail on the tax rate and property valuation process can be found in last year's annual report.

-------------

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS - 2016 

Annual Revaluation Update
The revaluation of all real and personal property in the Town of Franklin was completed Fall 2015 in preparation for Actual Fiscal Year 2016 3rd quarter tax bills. Following is a brief review of that achievement.

Data Collection
Fourteen years have now passed since we installed the real estate valuation and assessment administration software developed by Patriot Properties, Inc. Because our start-up data was from a different form of valuation system and most of our data had not been refreshed in nearly ten years, it was necessary to complete a town-wide data recollection program prior to finalizing the FY 2005 valuations. Patriot Properties was hired for this task. Over the past 11 years, our appraisal staff has performed the on-going property exterior measuring and interior inspecting for all real estate classes. Such reviews are done for the Department of Revenue (DOR) required cyclical program, as well as for building permitted changes, pre-appraisal and abatement verifications.

Field Review
In addition to individual property on-site review, field reviews are required periodically to check for obvious data accuracy and consistency. This driveby review provides another level of assurance that when valuation schedules are applied, the results will be “Fair and Equitable”. Commercial/Industrial/Apartment Valuations Annually there are analyses of sales data as well as income & expense market data. The Board contracted Patriot to work with our Director to establish an income approach to value for each property. All requirements of the Massachusetts
Department of Revenue were met through final approval of the FY 2016 valuations.

Sales Analysis
The majority of the sales analysis was completed by September 2015, and the interpretation of sales continued through the next two stages of valuation. The town-wide program resulted in a valuation system that was applied uniformly throughout the town, while reflecting all the adjustments warranted individually and by neighborhood, to result in “Full and Fair Cash Values” as per Massachusetts General Law.

Value Generation
A system of valuation was established based on valid property sales and where applicable the income approach to value. These schedules concluded from the market were then uniformly applied to all taxable and exempt real property.

Final Value Review
Final reviews were completed in preparation for the DOR review. These include studies of various computer-generated reports to check for value consistency, final field checks required, and for DOR documentation and its analyses.

DOR Review and Final Approval
Any on-site and statistical reviews by the DOR took place from April to September 2015. The appraisal staff provided files, generated property records, answered questions and addressed any concerns. At the conclusion of the DOR review, we were granted approval authorizing public disclosure.

Public Disclosure
The DOR approved valuations were available for disclosure to the property owners. While the administrative staff provided property record cards and general data reviews, the appraisers conducted informal hearings on valuations.

Personal Property
Business assets and those of utilities are reviewed for valuation as taxable Personal Property. For fifteen fiscal years we have engaged the specialized services of Real Estate Research Consultants (RRC) in the discovery and valuation of these accounts. These services have served us well, resulting in DOR approval and consistently defendable valuations. Also, considerable new growth has been certified annually. Additionally, the RRC Personal Property Software installed in our office has benefited us. The personal property valuation formulas are very straightforward, and the administrative capabilities have met our needs.

Classification Hearing and Tax Commitment
Following some discussion and a few presentations relative to single versus split tax rates, the Council approved a single tax rate at $14.50 per $1,000 of taxable value as calculated by the Board for all property classes. The tax commitment and mailing were timely for an actual 3rd quarter tax bill.

Abatement Reviews
Upon mailing of the tax bills and on or before the due date of the first actual bill, property owners have an opportunity to file an Abatement Application on the basis of overvaluation or misclassification. 98 abatements applications were filed of 11,520 taxable accounts, or 9/10ths of 1%. Generally those with merit were resolved through our conducting a complete on-site exterior measuring and interior inspection. Usually a valuation discrepancy is the result of a data error or as a result of an inspection appointment not being arranged and thus the data having been “estimated”.

Technology Improvements
In addition to our state-of-the-art software for the valuation and administration of both real and personal property, Cartographic Associates, Inc. (CAI) of Littleton, NH has continued to maintain the digital/GIS-mapping program it first developed for us in FY 2005. Following aerial photography and planimetric (physical features) mapping, CAI constructed cadastral tax maps (depicting parcels) through the use of over 5,000 plans and over 15,000 deeds. These new maps are continuously in our process of reconciliation with our property records for consistency in both parcel inventory and land area. With the support of Town Administrator Jeff Nutting and the Town Council, we have capacity in our Patriot software to link and utilize the maps with our assessment file. In addition, for the past eleven years we have provided our tax maps on the web for the benefit of both the Town staff and the general public.

Appraisal and Administrative Staffing
The use of automation has minimized the former heavy burden of traditional data processing. Due to this and numerous other office improvements, the Town approved our Staff Restructuring Plan. We have adjusted our administrative support staff to Board Secretary Anne Covell who is responsible for continuing to improve our service to the public at the counter and by phone. She focuses her efforts on providing and reviewing public records, Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Commitments and Abatements, Exemption Applications, the general and specific support to the Appraisal Staff and any other assignments as required. She continues to train in various administrative duties and computer applications. We thank Anne for her efforts in 36 years of service to the Board. The Appraisers have made special efforts in the development and implementation of usable written instructions for the assessing office procedures and for MUNIS financial software applications. These instructions were developed consistent with all Mass. General Law and DOR requirements.

Appraisers
We thank Kevin W. Doyle, Director of Assessing for his diligence especially as Director beginning following his first two years here. He has overseen the completion of all our work these past fifteen fiscal years, five full revaluations and ten interim years of market adjustments. We are also pleased with the support work of Appraiser Peter Mooney since August 2004 and of Appraiser David Ruberti since July 2005. Our Director received his Massachusetts Accredited Assessor (MAA) in 1990. Within the past nine years both Appraisers completed their designation required education and experience, being granted their MAA designations and maintaining the periodic recertification required.

Town Revenue Enhancements
In addition to meeting all state requirements as well as daily office oversight, the Director and Appraisers have achieved many additional improvements to benefit the Town taxpayers. One such is the efficiencies built into the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Commitment and Abatement processes in conjunction with the new MUNIS tax software installation. These excise taxes represent about 4.5 million dollars in locally raised annual revenue, or about 6.5% of locally raised tax revenue. We assure the citizens that like real and personal property, taxes on these are assessed and abated appropriately and uniformly for the maximum benefit of all. Registry of Motor Vehicles’ automation aided the Director and Appraisers to further enhance revenue in assessing dealer and repair plate registrations. As well, with the automation improvements of the Environmental Police, this professional staff successfully developed a new annual revenue stream in the identification and assessment of excise taxes on boats principally situated in the Town of Franklin.

On-site Periodic Property Reviews
Because we have initiated the cyclical property remeasurement and re-inspection program acceptable to the Massachusetts DOR, we continue to make various public information efforts to assure property owners have advance information about this on-going program. Briefly, please note that the purpose of these property visits is to verify that the correct data is being used in the determination of valuations to achieve “full and fair cash value” in accordance with Mass. General Law Chapter 59. The Board appreciates the general public’s cooperation in its efforts to serve all property owners in all property types to assure fair and uniform values.

Your Elected Board of Assessors
Before entering the performance of his/her duties, each Assessor upon election has taken the oath of office specific to assessors. Massachusetts General Law has provided that because the DOR Commissioner of Revenue has regulatory oversight of assessing in every city and town, the
Commissioner likewise determines the training requirements for the assessors and any assistants. At this time, the Commissioner has determined Course 101, including the Classification Training Workshop, meets the minimum requirements. All three assessors have completed these and have been certified as such by the Commissioner of Revenue. The Board looks forward to continuing education opportunities offered by the MA DOR and the professional associations, the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers (MAAO) and the International Association of Assessing Officers
(IAAO). The assessors have attended seminars and workshops to broaden and reinforce their understanding of property tax law.

In particular, the Board has focused on current and possible future tax relief and deferral options for Franklin’s elder citizens. To that goal following meetings of the Town Senior Outreach Committee, last fall the Board, its Staff and the Office of the Council on Aging continued a broad-based effort to reach seniors. This resulted in successfully providing tax relief (exemption) information to additional seniors who owned and occupied their homes.

Also, with the valued assistance of Veterans Agent Bob Fahey, special efforts were made to identify veterans and their surviving spouses entitled to state exemptions, much of it reimbursable to the Town. At the close of FY 2015, Bob retired as Veterans’ Agent; his dedication to veterans and his assistance to our Board and Staff in these matters is remembered and always appreciated. The Board wishes to recognize and indicate its appreciation for the dedication and efforts of new Veterans’ Agent Dale Kurtz. We look forward to continuing to work with him in supporting our veterans.

All these efforts are consistent with the Board of Assessors commitment to meet its challenges as key Town Financial Team members to the benefit of all the citizens of the Town of Franklin.

As we write, the Board of Assessors and its Staff are preparing to finalize the Real and Personal Property Appraisal files for the Fiscal Year 2017 Revaluation subject to DOR review and Final Certification.

Respectfully submitted,

W. Ken Norman, Chairman of the Board
Christopher K. Feeley, Assessor, Clerk
Donna Greenwood, Assessor, Member Franklin Board of Assessors

Town of Franklin Board of Assessors photo

Download and read the full Annual Report for the Town of Franklin FY 2016
http://franklinma.gov/administrator/files/franklin-2016-town-report

Prior year annual reports can be found 
http://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/annual-reports

Election Collection - 2017

This post will serve as the collection point for all the posts related to the Franklin biennial election scheduled for Nov 7, 2017. Every two years, Franklin voters select who will run our community government.




Official Election Results - November 7, 2017
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/2017-official-franklin-biennial-town.html

Milford Daily News article on results
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/election-great-moment-for-community.html

Election results - Nov 7, 2017
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/franklin-election-results-nov-7-2017.html

Final Election Prep posting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/you-get-to-vote-tuesday-november-7.html

Franklin Candidate for Town Council - Patrick Casey
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/franklin-candidate-for-town-council_6.html

Candidate Interview Collection - Prepare for the Nov 7 Election

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/candidate-interview-collection-prepare.html

Franklin Candidate for Town Council: Glenn Jones
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/franklin-candidate-for-town-council_5.html

Franklin Candidate for Town Council: Matt Kelly

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/franklin-candidate-for-town-council_1.html

Franklin Candidate for Town Council: Andrew (Andy) Bissanti
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/franklin-candidate-for-town-council_50.html

Franklin Candidate for School Committee: Cindy Douglas

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/franklin-candidate-for-school-committee.html

Voices of Franklin: Vanessa Bilello

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/voice-of-franklin-vanessa-bilello.html

Registered voter totals by Precinct - Oct 18, 2017
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/franklin-total-voters-registered-as-of.html

Absentee Ballot Reminder
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/absentee-ballot-can-be-voted-in-town.html

Franklin Candidate for Board of Health: Bridget Sweet
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/franklin-candidate-for-board-of-health.html

What will Franklin be like in 2028?

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/what-will-franklin-be-like-in-2028.html

Franklin Candidate for Town Council: Mickey Whitmore
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/franklin-candidate-for-town-council.html

Candidates Night video - available on demand
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/candidates-night-video-available-on.html

Franklin Candidate for School Committee: Virginia (Gigi) Zub
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-school-committee_31.html

Town of Franklin Biennial Election Info
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/biennial-town-election-tuesday-november.html

Absentee Ballot Reminder
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/absentee-ballots-are-now-available-at.html

Franklin Candidate for School Committee: Dianne Feeley

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-school-committee_30.html

Franklin Candidate Facebook pages
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidates-facebook-pages.html

Franklin Candidate for School Committee: Anne Bergen

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-school-committee_26.html

Franklin Candidate for Town Council: Tom Mercer

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-town-council-tom.html

Voices of Franklin: Maria Lucier - Vote on Nov 7

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/voices-of-franklin-maria-lucier-vote-on.html

Franklin Candidate for School Committee: Monica Linden (audio)

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-school-committee_24.html

Milford Daily News Candidate profiles - Town Council
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/in-news-town-council-candidate-profiles.html

Franklin Candidate for Town Council - Melanie Hamblen (audio)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-town-council_23.html

Candidate Night available On Demand

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/candidate-night-available-on-demand.html

Franklin Candidate for School Committee: Denise Schultz
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-school-committee.html

Franklin Candidate for School Committee: Alexandra Porter-Marques

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-school-committee_20.html

Commercial Industrial Development highlights - Milford Daily News
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/in-news-candidates-night-40b-and.html

Live reporting from Candidates Night - Oct 17
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-ma-candidates-night-oct-17-2017.html

Milford Daily News on the Candidates Night - Oct 17
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/in-news-candidates-night-oct-17.html

Franklin Candidate for Town Council - Eamon McCarthy Earls
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-town-council_16.html

Milford Daily News - School Committee candidate profiles
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/milford-daily-news-school-committee.html

Franklin Election Candidates Night - Tuesday, Oct 17
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-election-candidates-night.html

Are you registered to vote - Last day, Oct 18
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/are-you-registered-to-vote-last-day-to.html

Franklin Candidate for Town Council - Judith Pfeffer
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-town-council.html

Free cable time for Franklin Candidates
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/free-cable-time-for-franklin-candidates.html

Final listing of Candidates for Nov 7
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/final-listing-of-candidates-for.html

Updated Candidate Listing - as of Sep 15, 2017
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/updated-candidate-listing-for-franklin.html

Important Dates to Remember
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/important-dates-to-remember-for.html

Candidate List as of Sep 8, 2017
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/the-updated-franklin-candidate-listing.html

Candidate List as of Aug 31, 2017
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/who-is-going-to-be-responsible-for-half.html

Election Prep: What does the Planning Board do?
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/election-prep-what-does-planning-board.html

Election Prep: What does the Board of Health do?
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/election-prep-what-does-board-of-health.html

Election Prep: What does the Board of Assessors do?
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/election-prep-what-does-board-of.html

Election Prep: What does the School Committee do?
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/election-prep-what-does-school.html

Election Prep: What does the Town Council do?
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/election-prep-what-does-town-council-do.html

Offer to candidates for interview
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/offer-to-candidates-for-franklin.html

Election Candidate List as of Aug 11
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/franklin-election-2017-candidates.html

Election Candidate List as of Aug 4
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/franklin-election-2017-candidate-status.html

Linden announces candidacy for School Committee
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/07/linden-announces-candidacy-for-franklin.html

Important dates for the Election, Nov 7, 2017
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczdHVWamxEMGJLZnM/view?usp=sharing

Biennial Announcement reminder
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/07/franklin-biennial-town-election_30.html

Biennial Announcement
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/07/franklin-biennial-town-election.html

Franklin Election Collection - 2017

Franklin Biennial Town Election – November 7th, 2017

Nomination papers will be available beginning Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at the Town Clerk's Office

The Following positions are available in the Biennial Town Election to be held Tuesday, November 7, 2017

• Board of Assessors - 1 Seat - 4 Year Term (2017- 2021)
• Board of Health - 1 Seat - 4 Year Term (2017- 2021)
• Planning Board - 3 Seats - 4 Year Term (2017- 2021)
• School Committee - 7 Seats - 2 Year Term (2017- 2019)
• Town Council - 9 Seats - 2 Year Term (2017- 2019)

Contact Teresa M. Burr, Town Clerk with any questions,
(508)520-4900 / tburr@franklinma.gov
Read more: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/134873


Related post:

The screen shots showing each of the existing memberships, who remains, who's position is up for election:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/07/open-positions-franklin-town-election.html

the steps to the Franklin/Dean MBTA station have finally been patched.
The station is an on-going topic for the Town Council

Open Positions - Franklin Town Election - Nov 7, 2017

As announced by the Franklin Town Clerk, the biannual election is scheduled for November 7, 2017. The whole set of School Committee and Town Council membership is up for election. All other board/committee elected positions fulfill staggered terms to ensure some continuity. Yes, it would make sense that for continuity sake and the institutional knowledge that could be lost both the Town Council and School Committee should also be staggered terms but they are not. That has been the will of the Franklin voters.

The new Town of Franklin webpage shows the open or vacant positions appointed or elected. To save some time, I have captured a screenshot for each of the boards/committee with elected positions this November.

If you want to get started volunteering on a board or committee that is appointed rather than elected, there are several current openings as shown below.

You can inquire on this page and check the ‘vacant’ box to get the current info

http://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/boards.php

Add caption

Board of Assessors

Open Positions - Franklin Town Election - Board of Assessors

Board of Health

Open Positions - Franklin Town Election - Board of Health

Planning Board

Open Positions - Franklin Town Election - Planning Board

School Committee

Open Positions - Franklin Town Election - School Committee

Town Council

Open Positions - Franklin Town Election - Town Council

Franklin: Biennial Town Election – November 7th, 2017

Teresa Burr, Franklin Town Clerk, has just posted the open positions for the up coming biannual election for Franklin.

The following positions are available in the Biennial Town Election to being held Tuesday, November 7th 2017

• Board Of Assessors  (1)
• Board Of Health  (1)
• Planning Board (3)
• School Committee  (7)
• Town Council  (9)

Nomination papers will be available beginning Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at the Town Clerk’s Office. 

Please call Teresa M. Burr, Town Clerk with any questions, (508) 520-4900

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/2017-biennial-town-election-november-7-2017

Work underway on Chestnut St to add a sidewalk as approved
by the Town Council after years of discussion and planning. 

Public Disclosure of Fiscal Year 2017 Proposed Valuations

The Town of Franklin has completed a revaluation as required by the Department of Revenue and has received permission to disclose the proposed values pending preliminary certification from the DOR. The Fiscal Year 2017 values are based on the value of property as of January 1, 2016 and were developed analyzing Calendar Year 2015 sales and also income and expense information received for apartment, commercial and industrial properties. 

The analysis by the Assessors’ Department indicates that over the prior year assessments, single family properties increased in value by about 4%, residential condominiums increased by about 3%, residential vacant land stayed about the same overall, apartments increased by about 20%, commercial property increased by about 6% and industrial property increased by about 3%.

These are preliminary statistical averages. Some properties increased in value, some properties remained essentially the same in value and some properties decreased in value. Some properties have a substantial increase in value due to additions and/or renovations to the property or due to corrections in the property data descriptions resulting from a review, a re-measure and/or a re-inspection in the course of our town-wide cyclical review and revaluation programs.

From November 2, 2016 to November 16, 2016 real and personal property values are available for review at the Franklin Municipal Building during normal business hours from 8 AM to 4 PM on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 8 AM to 6 PM on Wednesday, and 8 AM to 1 PM on Friday. A listing alphabetically by street address is available. Real property values by Location, Owner or Parcel ID are available on the Town’s website at www.franklinma.gov under Departments, then Board of Assessors and then select FY 2017 Proposed Real Estate Assessments.

Any taxpayer who is concerned with the accuracy of the valuation of their property should contact the staff at the Assessors’ Office at the Franklin Municipal Building (508) 520-4920. Remember in accordance with Massachusetts General Law that these assessed values represent property values as of January 1, 2016 based primarily on Calendar Year 2015 actual market data and not the current or any projected future property market indicators.

At the end of the public disclosure period, we will request final certification of the FY 2017 revaluation assessment program from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

TOWN OF FRANKLIN BOARD OF ASSESSORS

newly updated Town of Franklin webpage

You can follow the steps above or follow this link
http://franklin.patriotproperties.com/default.asp?br=exp&vr=6

This was shared from the Board of Assessors page
http://www.franklinma.gov/board-assessors/news/public-disclosure-fiscal-year-2017-proposed-valuations