In the News: possible change to housing zoning removing 2/3 majority; BFCCPS applications open

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

"Gov. Charlie Baker’s proposal to make zoning changes easier at the local level is one step closer to passage after the Housing Committee voted to advance it alongside 20 other bills aimed at generating new housing production.

The Housing Committee voted 16-1 in a poll that concluded Thursday afternoon to favorably report out Baker’s bill, according to a copy of the results acquired by the News Service. The Boston Globe first reported Wednesday that the poll was underway.

All 20 other bills, which range from a proposal to establish a housing production task force to one that would set a statewide housing production goal, also advanced with only one dissenting vote. State Rep. David DeCoste, R-Norwell, voted against each bill, while state Sen. Patrick O’Connor, R-Weymouth, reserved his rights on some votes.

...

The legislation would lower the local voting threshold needed for zoning changes from a two-thirds majority to a simple majority, a difference that Baker and supporters argue would allow more projects to get approved rather than fail on a 3-2 City Council vote or with only 55% backing."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191221/bakers-housing-bill-advances-with-still-uncertain-future

"The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School is accepting applications for the 2020-21 school year.

In a press release, school officials said siblings of currently enrolled students will have priority enrollment status; thereafter, applicants from all 13 communities in the school’s district will have an equal chance at securing a spot for their child through the annual enrollment lottery to be held on March 4.

Applicants from outside of the region, but who reside within Massachusetts, will be eligible for enrollment should additional spaces remain after all sibling and regional applicants have been placed."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191220/franklin-charter-school-accepting-applications

new school sign at the entrance

 

"Replacing old and damaged turnout gear is a financial challenge"

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

"Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito today announced $920,000 in grant awards to 174 Massachusetts fire departments for gear and equipment that will reduce firefighters’ exposure to cancer-causing chemicals on the job.

“These grants will help local departments purchase critical gear to support firefighters as they put themselves in harm’s way to protect the Commonwealth’s communities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Helping to protect them from the physical and occupational hazards of the job is a key way we can show our appreciation for the dedicated service of our first responders.”

“Many fire departments across the Commonwealth are all too familiar with the increased risk of occupational cancers faced by fire service personnel,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “These grant awards will support many ongoing cancer prevention initiatives at the local level by reducing the amount of cancer-causing chemicals thousands of firefighters are exposed to in the coming years.”

“On a daily basis, modern firefighters face countless dangers, but we now know that occupational cancers caused by exposure to smoke and other combustion byproducts are as dangerous to them as knocking down fires and conducting rescue operations,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Thomas A. Turco III. “Fire departments across Massachusetts have made significant changes to the way they work to combat these risks in recent years, and these grant programs will help many to move their cancer prevention efforts forward.”

https://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20191210/fire-department-grants-geared-toward-reducing-cancer-risk

Franklin is on the list to receive $2480 from this grant
https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-920000-in-fire-department-grant-awards

This kind of gear and the cleaning equipment for it was part of the capital budget discussion on Tuesday, Dec 10. The Finance Committee will complete their discussion with the DPW next Tuesday, Dec 17 and forward the recommendation to the Town Council for action to vote on to approve all or part of the $1.7M capital currently in the discussion.

The meeting recording is available
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/12/fm-186-finance-committee-capital-budget.html

Franklin Fire Department

“It is our future, so it has to be a priority”

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

"Massachusetts will invest an additional $1.5 billion in K-12 public education over the next seven years after Gov. Charlie Baker signed a funding reform bill, touted by supporters as a generational change, into law Tuesday.

The legislation directs the bulk of new funding toward districts weighed down by cost drivers, aiming to close opportunity gaps that for years have led to disparate educational outcomes across the state.

“We want all of our children to have the same opportunities to achieve,” Senate President Karen Spilka said in an interview later Tuesday during a visit to the Daily News, noting a “persistent” achievement gap in many school districts. “The talent is the same across the state. The opportunities, unfortunately, have not been the same.”

The law comes four years after a commission warned that Massachusetts was underestimating the actual cost of education by $1 billion annually and more than a year after the last attempt to update the system fell short. Now the focus shifts to a different challenge: following through on the commitment to ramp up funding for schools starting next year."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191126/baker-signs-15b-ed-funding-bill

Recent posting on Student Opportunity Act
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/11/massachusetts-legislature-votes-to.html

Governor Baker's press release can be found
https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-signs-education-funding-bill-providing-investments-in-public-schools-across-the

The text of the legislation S 2412 can be found
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2412

Governor Baker has some reading to do

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

"A ban on flavored tobacco and tax on e-cigarettes, a $1.5 billion public education funding overhaul, and a new attempt to crack down on distracted driving all landed on Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk as lawmakers wrapped up their formal business of the year.

His immediate response to all three proposals: no major objections but he wants to read the bills.

Baker has supported parts of each bill or filed his own similar versions, but it remains unclear whether the governor will sign any of the legislation sent to him, return something with a proposed amendment or veto a proposal. In separate public comments Thursday, Baker declined to outline his plans explicitly."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191121/baker-no-major-objection-to-bills


The Student Opportunity Act
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/11/massachusetts-legislature-votes-to.html

Distracted Driving
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/11/massachusetts-legislature-passes.html

Flavored Tobacco Ban
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/11/ma-senate-passes-landmark-legislation.html

The Senate also passed a plastic bag ban on their last day of work in this session but it still needs to be reconciled with the House version before going to the Governor.

Massachusetts Legislature Votes to Enact the Student Opportunity Act

Investing $1.5 billion in public schools, updating statewide education policy, and supporting effective approaches to close student opportunity gaps

Wednesday, (Nov 20), both chambers of the Massachusetts Legislature unanimously voted to enact the Student Opportunity Act. This legislation, providing an unprecedented $1.5 billion new investment in Massachusetts K-12 public education system, ensures public schools have the resources to provide high- quality education to students across the state, regardless of zip code or income level. Assuming inflation, over the seven-year implementation timeline the bill will provide an estimated $2.2 billion in support of public schools.

The Student Opportunity Act provides significant support to school districts that serve English learners and high concentrations of low-income students. At the same time, all school districts across the Commonwealth will benefit from updates to the existing funding formula, along with increased state investments in vital education aid programs such as special education transportation, school construction and renovation, and the 21st Century Education Program.

“The Student Opportunity Act makes a lasting and profound investment in the Massachusetts public education system and places a special emphasis on English learners and districts serving our low-income students,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “We’re building on our ongoing efforts to support our neediest students and to close opportunity gaps. I want to thank Chair Peisch for her leadership on this legislation, and Chair Lewis for his hard work, and the conference committee especially Representatives Tucker and Ferguson. This was a collaboration among the House and the Senate, and I appreciate Senate President Spilka’s partnership as we make this historic investment.”

“Today is an extraordinary day for our students,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “With the enactment of the Student Opportunity Act, the Legislature is reaffirming our commitment to the idea that providing a quality public education is not a luxury—it is both our greatest responsibility and our greatest opportunity. I am proud of the diligent and thoughtful work of Senator Jason Lewis, the education committee and the conferees, as well as the tireless advocacy by students, parents, teachers, administrators, advocates and others to bring this bill to fruition. I look forward to this historic bill being signed into law.”

“Our enactment of the Student Opportunity Act will lead to greater resources for public school students across the Commonwealth, said Representative Alice Peisch (D – Wellesley), Chair House Education Committee. “The House vote is a clear indication of our commitment to ensuring that all students, and especially low-income students and English learners, have full access to the high quality education that Massachusetts provides its children. While this bill is a major step forward, it is not the end of our efforts aimed at narrowing the achievement gap and expanding access. I look forward to continuing to work with Speaker DeLeo and my colleagues in the House on education legislation that will keep Massachusetts a national and international leader in public education.”

“Access to a high-quality public education is a fundamental right for every child, and that's why the Student Opportunity Act will make an unprecedented $1.5 billion investment in our public schools, ensuring that school districts across the Commonwealth have adequate and equitable resources to provide all students, especially those facing adversity, with a high-quality public education,” said Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “I am confident that the Student Opportunity Act will effectively address opportunity and achievement gaps and make a meaningful difference to generations of Massachusetts students."

The Student Opportunity Act fully implements the recommendations of the 2015 Foundation Budget Review Commission (FBRC) in order to support the “educational programs and services necessary to achieve the Commonwealth’s educational goals” as stated in the Commission’s mission. The bill provides an estimated $1.4 billion in new Chapter 70 aid over and above inflation when fully implemented over the next seven years. The bill modernizes the K-12 education funding and policy landscape in four areas:

• Estimates school districts’ employee and retiree health care costs using up to date health insurance trend data collected by the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC).
• Increases special education enrollment and cost assumptions to more accurately reflect district enrollment.
• Increases funding for English learners (EL) and differentiates funding by grade level to reflect the greater resources required to educate our older EL students.
• Addresses the needs of districts educating high concentrations of low-income students by: 

• Providing additional funding based on the share of low-income students in each district; districts educating the largest percentage of low-income students will receive an additional increment equal to 100 percent of the base foundation; and

• Returning the definition of low-income to 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, as opposed to the 133 percent level used in recent years.

In addition to implementing the FBRC’s recommended formula changes, the Student Opportunity Act provides an additional $100 million in state financial support in several categories to help public schools and communities deliver a high-quality education to every student. Those fiscal supports include:

• Increasing foundation rates for guidance and psychological services in recognition of the growing need for expanded social-emotional support and mental health services;
• Committing to fully funding charter school tuition reimbursement, which provides transitional aid to help districts when students leave to attend charter schools, within a three-year timetable;
• Expanding the special education circuit breaker program, which reimburses districts for extraordinary special education costs, to include transportation as well as instructional cost, to be implemented over the next four years; and
• Raising the annual cap on Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) spending for construction and renovation by $200 million (from $600 million to $800 million), enabling more school building projects across the state to be accepted into the MSBA funding pipeline, which reimburses towns and cities for a portion of school building costs.

In addition to new funding and other supports, the Student Opportunity Act establishes the 21st Century Education Trust Fund to provide districts and schools access to flexible funding to pursue creative approaches to student learning and district improvement.

In order to track and reproduce successful school and district-level programs and policies, the legislation calls on school districts to develop and make publicly available plans for closing opportunity gaps. These plans will include specific goals and metrics to track success. The bill includes language, to ensure that plans consider input from school committees and other stakeholders. In addition, the Secretary of Education will collect and publish data on student preparedness in each district for post-graduate success in college and the workforce.

Furthermore, the Student Opportunity Act establishes a Data Advisory Commission to help improve the use of data at the state, district, and school levels to inform strategies that strengthen teaching, learning and resource allocation. The bill increases the scope of data collected and moves towards establishing targets for college and career success.

To support ongoing efforts to address education-funding challenges, the legislation also includes the following provisions:

• Establishes a Rural Schools Commission to investigate the unique challenges facing rural and regional school districts with low and declining enrollment and make recommendations for further updates to help impacted districts and communities;
• Directs the Department of Revenue (DOR) and DESE to analyze the method of determining required local contributions in the Chapter 70 school funding formula for the purpose of improving equity, predictability and accuracy; and
• Requires the Massachusetts School Building Authority to undertake a review of the current program, now in its fifteenth year, to ensure that capital reimbursements meet district needs.

The bill requires the Foundation Budget Review Commission to convene at least every ten years to review the way foundation budgets are calculated and ensure the school funding formula continues to reflect the needs of school districts across the Commonwealth.

The bill now goes to the governor.

Massachusetts Legislature Passes Distracted Driving Legislation

On Wednesday (Nov 20), Massachusetts House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and Senate President Karen Spilka, along with their colleagues in the House and Senate, passed legislation to ban drivers from using hand-held electronic devices in vehicles unless they are in hands-free mode.

“There are too many heartbreaking stories of those who lost loved ones to distracted driving, and so I’m proud the Legislature has taken action to prevent future tragedies,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "This bill strikes a balance between increased enforcement and increased transparency, requiring more demographic data to be released to the public than ever before so that we can ensure this law is being enforced equitably across the Commonwealth. I'd like to thank Senator Boncore, Senator Brownsberger and all the conferees for their hard work to bring this final bill to fruition."

“We’re proud to have worked with our colleagues in the Senate to make Massachusetts roads safer and save lives by moving this policy forward,” said House Speaker DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “I want to thank Chair Straus for his leadership on this issue and Leader Wagner, Chair Michlewitz and my colleagues in the House who worked so diligently to advance this legislation. Thank you also to our partners in the Senate for their work to advance these policies.”

“This bill will improve the safety of our streets and promote transparency in law enforcement,” said Senator Joe Boncore (D-Winthrop), Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. “Distracted driving is an epidemic, and this bill will save lives. Further, by updating our data collection laws, we will better understand and improve our communities’ interactions with public safety officials.”

“Today’s final bill is a major public safety improvement for the residents of Massachusetts,” said Rep. Bill Straus (D-Mattapoisett), Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. “Distracted driving has caused too many unnecessary tragedies and I am pleased that our state will now join the ranks of other states who have adopted a ban on holding a phone while driving.”

The bill defines hands-free mode as one that engages in voice communication with and receiving audio without touching, holding or otherwise manually manipulating a mobile electronic device. Law enforcement officials will issue warnings to drivers for first offenses of the new law until March 31, 2020.

Additionally, this legislation improves transparency in public safety by granting expanded access to traffic stop data. It has been 15 years since the last public report on traffic stop data; under this bill the state will be required to publish and analyze the data annually. Expanding access to this information improves transparency and improves public safety outcomes.

The bill will also:

• Allow for drivers to use mapping or navigation devices if they are affixed to the windshield, dashboard or central console or integrated into the vehicle and only involve a tap or a swipe;
• Exempt use of electronics in the case of an emergency and for first responders if they are using the devices as part of their duties;
• Penalize drivers with $100 fine for the first offence, $250 fine and safety course for the second offence and $500 fine and surcharge for third and subsequent offences;
• Expand data collection of identifying characteristics including age, race and gender and location when police issue a uniform citation;
• Hold law enforcement agencies accountable, if data suggests those jurisdictions may be engaging in racial profiling, by requiring them to collect data on all traffic stops for a one-year period and provide implicit bias training;
• Require the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPPS) to publish data online annually
• Mandate EOPSS to contract with a research institution to conduct an annual analysis of the data collected.
• Direct the EOPSS Secretary to hold three public hearings across the Commonwealth annually to present the findings of the annual report and analysis and field public testimony; and
• Create a public awareness campaign informing and educating drivers on the dangers of using technological devices while driving.

“This new law will mean behavior changes for most of us, but I believe that most of us are ready to make the changes,” said Senate President Pro Tempore William N. Brownsberger (D-Belmont). “It is time we all start driving more safely by renouncing cell phone contact.”

“The hands-free legislation enacted today will save lives and make the Commonwealth’s roads safer while allowing for greater enforcement of the state’s ban on texting while driving, which represents the worst form of distracted driving,” said Assistant Majority Leader Representative Joseph F. Wagner (D-Chicopee).

The bill now goes to the governor.

In the News: legislation on plastic bag ban and distracted driving maybe on Governor's desk this week

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

"The Massachusetts Senate is now scheduled to vote on not one, but two consumer product bans on Wednesday in its final formal session of the year.

The chamber teed up legislation Monday that would forbid retail businesses from providing customers with single-use plastic bags, placing it on an agenda that already includes a House-approved bill banning flavored tobacco products and imposing a 75 percent tax on e-cigarettes.

Under the bill (S 459), stores in most cases could only offer recyclable paper bags or reusable bags for a fee of at least 10 cents at the point of sale. Retail establishments would be required to remit 5 cents for each paper bag sold to the state, which would in turn be directed to communities to fund bag ban enforcement, recycling promotion, waste reduction and other local environmental efforts."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191118/senate-vote-could-take-single-use-plastic-bag-ban-closer-to-reality

"Nine years after the state implemented a difficult-to-enforce ban on texting while driving, five months after legislative negotiators began the latest attempt to take phones out of drivers’ hands, and three and a half months after their original agreement collapsed, lawmakers Monday queued up a compromise bill that could reach the governor’s desk as soon as this week.

The legislation, filed with support from all six members of a conference committee tasked with resolving differences between the original House and Senate versions, would forbid the use of all handheld electronic devices behind the wheel, except for those in hands-free mode. Drivers could view electronic maps on a device mounted to the windshield, dashboard or center console, but they could not use their hands to interact with any electronic beyond a single touch or tap to active hands-free mode.

Motorists who violate the new regulation would face fines between $100 and $500, and third and subsequent offenses would be surchargeable for insurance purposes."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191118/drivers-will-only-be-allow-hands-free-use-of-all-electronic-devices-if-bill-passes

Governor Baker Signs Legislation to Support Financial Stability in Higher Education and Protect Students and Families from Abrupt Closures

Thursday, November 14, Governor Charlie Baker joined Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Senate President Karen Spilka, Secretary of Education Jim Peyser, Senator Anne Gobi, Representative Jeff Roy, the Association of lndependent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts (AICUM), and SEIU Local 509 to sign An Act to Support Improved Financial Stability in Higher Education (H4099) which will clarify and enhance the authority of the Board of Higher Education to monitor the financial health of Massachusetts' colleges and universities. 

This legislation requires any institution facing financial challenges that may jeopardize the institution's ability to fulfill its obligations to current and admitted students to notify the Board of Higher Education, as well as submit a contingency plan for approval that includes arrangements for students to complete their studies.

"Massachusetts is home to some of the world's most impressive public and private colleges and universities that also serve as major employers and drivers of business across the Commonwealth," said Governor Charlie Baker. "We are very pleased to have worked alongside the Legislature to sign this important bill into law that will protect students and families from sudden college closures, while also guaranteeing those institutions confidentiality as the Department of Higher Education works with them to understand their financial status."

"While we do not want to see any college or university close its doors, it is important to ensure sufficient notice to students and staff to make arrangements if the institution where they study or work is at high risk of closure, so they can complete their studies with as little disruption as possible, or have sufficient time to find new employment," said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. "This legislation will better protect students, families and higher education professionals."

In March 2019, Governor Baker filed legislation to enhance the authority of the Board of Higher Education to monitor the financial health of Massachusetts' colleges and universities. Under this legislation, colleges and universities shall immediately notify the Board of Higher Education of any known financial liabilities or risks which are reasonably likely to result in the imminent closure of the institution, or negatively affect the institution's ability to fulfill its obligations to current or admitted students. The institution would be required to submit to the Board for approval a contingency plan that includes provisions for providing advance notice to students and staff.

"Through this legislation, the Board and Department of Higher Education can ensure transparency for students and families without being overly burdensome to colleges," said Education Secretary James Peyser.

"We're especially pleased to see the votes on this legislation passing the House and Senate unanimously in recent weeks," said Carlos E. Santiago, Commissioner of Higher Education. "It is a sign of the deep levels of support for our work to monitor institutional finances with the goal of making sure that all students have the ability to complete their programs of study and pursue meaningful careers of their choice."

"Massachusetts has a global reputation for excellence in higher education, and it1s essential for all of us to work together to sustain and burnish public confidence in our colleges and universities," said Chris Gabrieli, Chair of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.

The Board of Higher Education will be responsible for establishing an annual process for screening every college and university to assess its financial condition, and to identify any institution that may be at risk of imminent closure. The Department of Higher Education is encouraged to work with the regional accrediting agency to conduct these annual screenings, in lieu of doing the screening itself.

The Board of Higher Education will also establish a training program for members of boards of trustees of public institutions of higher education on the proper governance of an institution of higher education. The instruction will include an overview of open meeting, public records, state procurement laws and state finance provisions established under state law, along with fraud prevention and fiduciary responsibilities.

The legislation signed today paves the way for the Board of Higher Education to vote on regulations by which it will exercise its oversight authority, expected at its December Board meeting.

"I am proud we have taken this important step as a Commonwealth towards furthering transparency and providing stability in our higher education system," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. "No student's degree aspirations or financial resources should ever be put in limbo due to the sudden closure of their school."

"Today we've taken action to protect students, families, and staff of our higher education institutions by increasing the transparency of the financial health of institutions - requiring stronger oversight, reporting and accountability," said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo. "Thank you to the Higher Education Committee Chairs Jeffrey Roy and Anne Gobi for their diligent work on this legislation and for the support of House Ways and Means Chair Michlewitz and Representative Kenneth Gordon on these issues."

"In the wake of the Mount Ida closure last year, I heard from an extraordinary amount of people who were negatively affected and asked that the legislature take steps to protect students, faculty, and staff," said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. "I applaud the Baker-Polito Administration for supporting measures such as the development of student-focused contingency plans for public colleges and universities expected to close. This legislation will help to bring stability and transparency to our institutions of higher learning."

"Today is a good day for students, faculty, staff, and the Commonwealth," said Senator Anne M. Gobi, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education. "We have shown, in a bipartisan manner, that our institutions of higher learning are important and their stability is necessary. Through these efforts, if problems arise they can be detected early with a set, transparent process in place that will safeguard our students and offer them a path to continue their higher education.

"This is a great day for students and their families, and this legislation will provide transparency and restore confidence in our Higher Education institutions," said Representative Jeff Roy, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education. "The strength of our colleges and universities is paramount to our success as a commonwealth, as it promotes civic discourse and drives economic opportunity. When students and their families invest in their future, they deserve to know that their institution stands on a solid foundation. Through this legislation, the state will be a partner in providing transparency and accountability to promote resiliency and financial stability, and to ensure that our students have access to the opportunities that they need, that they can count on, and that deliver for the long-term strength of our state."

"We are fortunate to have vibrant private colleges across the Commonwealth that graduate tens of thousands of students each year who go on to contribute to the Massachusetts economy," said AICUM. "Today's legislation will help ensure that our colleges and universities continue to educate our students, employ our residents, further important research and enhance our host communities. I want to thank Governor Baker, Secretary Peyser, Commissioner Santiago, Senate President Spilka and House Speaker DeLeo for working collaboratively with AICUM to develop a process that utilizes the expertise and experience of the regional accrediting agency to annually screen our institutions and ensures confidentially to colleges and universities as they participate in the screening process."

 

Governor Baker Signs Legislation to Support Financial Stability in Higher Education (Facebook photo via Rep Roy)

In the News: Economic Development Workshop Tuesday; State providing aid for cyber-security

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

"The Town of Franklin and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council will hold an economic development visioning workshop for residents from 6-8:30 p.m. next Tuesday in the third-floor training room of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central St.

The public comment session will feature a presentation by an MAPC representative on goals of the town and MAPC’s development project and the current state of economic activity in Franklin.

The town and the MAPC are undertaking a business development strategy to support business growth in Franklin’s three strategic growth locations: the downtown Franklin Commercial District; the Crossing (near Union and Cottage streets); and the Mixed Business Innovation District (near Fisher and Hayward streets).

The main goal of that project is to increase the economic activity within those older commercial areas and the town as a whole. The resulting market analysis will guide the development of a business recruitment and retention strategy including the future creation of business recruitment materials to capitalize on the market potential of these districts."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191018/franklin-hosts-development-workshop-on-tuesday

Get your copy of the flyer
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/econ._dev._event_10222019_flyer.pdf

Economic Development Workshop Tuesday

"As more and more aspects of daily life and business become connected through the internet, and as cities and towns increasingly find themselves the targets of cyberattacks, the Baker administration has announced a new effort to help each of the state’s 351 cities and towns bolster their cybersecurity readiness.

The effort will be backed by $300,000 in funding managed by the MassCyberCenter at the MassTech Collaborative, which plans to host a series of statewide workshops at which communities can get assistance developing or reviewing their cyber incident response plans and can collaborate with neighboring communities.

Speaking at the Massachusetts Cybersecurity Forum, Gov. Charlie Baker said it is critical that the state, local governments and the private sector make cybersecurity part of everything they do in an increasingly technological world.

“Most people, when they think about cybersecurity, think it’s primarily or exclusively about your phone and your laptop and your iPad and all the rest. But as we digitize more and more of our other building infrastructure - our heating systems, our cooling systems, our ventilation systems - those become, for all intents and purposes, targets,” he said. “And one of the things that we in state and local government need to do as well as our colleagues in the private sector need to do is make sure that as we digitize and electrify a lot of these processes that have typically been mechanical that we’re doing the work we need to do to ensure that they’re secure because they can be attacked.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191018/state-helping-towns-bulk-up-cyber-defenses

For more about the MassCyberCenter at MassTech https://www.masscybercenter.org/2019-massachusetts-cybersecurity-forum

MassCyberCenter at the MassTech Collaborative

Franklin gets $60K for school security improvements

Franklin Public Schools

• $60,000.00 = Security cameras, panic buttons, access control switches

"Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito hosted a roundtable discussion on school safety at Walsh Middle School in Framingham and announced $7.2 million in grants awarded to more than 140 school districts across the Commonwealth to upgrade school security equipment and technology to bolster public safety resources for students and staff.

The grant funds will enable schools to upgrade and install crucial security infrastructure, including exterior door locks, surveillance video cameras, school site alarms, interoperable communications systems and active shooter detection systems. The grants are being awarded by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security in conjunction with the Executive Office of Education

Superintendents and school officials, as well as public safety officials, discussed what they are doing to keep students safe. The Governor and Lt. Governor were joined by Education Secretary James Peyser, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Undersecretary Benincasa Thorpe, as well as Framingham Police Chief Steven Trask and Framingham Fire Chief Joseph Hicks.

“These investments will provide much needed safety resources to our students and teachers in schools across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with school officials to understand how we can better protect our schools, and we are pleased to have worked with the Legislature to award this round of grants. We are hopeful that we can continue this discussion as we consider this year’s budget to build on these efforts in more communities.” 

Continue reading the Press Release online
https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-awards-72-million-to-143-school-districts-to-improve-school-safety

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $7.2 Million to 143 School Districts to Improve School Safety

"Gov. Baker declares 4-month ban on vaping products"

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

"Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday announced a four-month ban on the sale of all vaping products in Massachusetts.

Baker made the announcement at a press conference where he said he was declaring a public health emergency in connection with vaping-related lung illnesses. Hundreds of cases of the illness have been reported nationwide and Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel has already ordered all cases to be reported to the Department of Public Health for the next year.

“We as a commonwealth need to pause sales in order for our medical experts to collect more information about what is driving these life-threatening vaping-related illnesses,” Baker said.

The temporary ban will apply to flavored and non-flavored vaping products, Baker said, in retail stores and online. The ban applies to all vaping products and devices, including tobacco and marijuana. It takes effect immediately."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190924/businesses-and-users-react-after-gov-baker-declares-4-month-ban-on-vaping-products

In the News: Gov Baker approves FY 2020 budget; MA schools ranked #1 - again

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

"Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday accomplished something House Speaker Robert DeLeo, who joined the Legislature in 1991, said he does not remember seeing happen before: signing the annual state budget without issuing a single spending veto. 

Placing the bottom line at $43.3 billion, Baker signed the annual budget just after 10 a.m. Wednesday, nearly a full month after the start of fiscal 2020 on July 1. 

The Republican governor also went along with the Democrat-controlled Legislature’s tweaks to a drug pricing control measure he proposed in January, and its $5.2 billion in Chapter 70 aid to local schools, nearly $70 million more than he recommended in the budget proposal he filed in January along with a series of school funding reforms. 

Responding to reporter questions after signing the bill in his office, Baker revealed that he did not slash any spending because “this budget’s balanced.”

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https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190731/baker-signs-433b-budget-oks-all-spending

"For the second year in a row, Massachusetts schools are tops in the nation. 

At least that was the result of a recently-released study from the personal finance website WalletHub. 

The state’s schools were the highest ranked in both math and reading test scores, as well as the lowest percentage of threatened and injured high school students. The state ranked in the top five in several other categories. 

“Almost 8 percent of Massachusetts’ schools are among the top 700 nationwide, and its students have some of the highest math, reading and ACT scores,” Diana Polk, WalletHub communications manager, said in an email to Wicked Local. “In addition, a third of high school students in the class of 2018 scored at least ‘3’ on advanced placement exams, the largest percentage in the country. These all speak to the quality of the state’s public school system, which is maintained from year to year.”

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https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190731/report-massachusetts-schools-best-in-nation---again

Find the full study online  https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-best-schools/5335/

For the second year in a row, Massachusetts schools are tops in the nation

In the News: Governor more positive about MA budget; heat safety tips

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

"With the state budget stalemate between Democratic leaders now spilling into the second half of July, Gov. Charlie Baker met privately with House Speaker Robert DeLeo in his office on Thursday morning and said he spoke with other legislators throughout the day, leaving him “more optimistic” that a compromise could be near.

Baker has not yet said whether he’ll heed the House speaker’s call for him to file another spending bill to fund the government through August, and told the News Service on his way to an event in Brighton on Thursday that he’d prefer not to have to file such a bill.

Baker was reluctant to discuss the specifics of his meeting with DeLeo, but said, “I’ve talked to a lot of people in the Legislature today about the budget and I’m feeling a little more optimistic than I was on Monday that this might all get resolved.”

Asked if he planned to file a second interim budget, Baker said, “No, not if I don’t have to.”

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https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190718/baker-more-optimistic-about-budget-compromise

"Hot temperatures combined with high humidity levels are expected to create dangerous heat conditions, with the most oppressive conditions expected Saturday. High temperatures Friday-Sunday are forecast to be in the 90s to lower 100s, and dew points in the low to mid 70s. Heat index values are expected to reach the mid to upper 90s Friday, 100 to 110 Saturday, and 97 to 105 Sunday, with the highest values occurring on Saturday in eastern Massachusetts and parts of the Connecticut River valley. The hot temperatures and high heat indices can lead to serious heat related-illnesses.

“MEMA urges residents to take precautions during the upcoming extreme heat. Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle, find an air-conditioned public space, cooling center, or other cool spot for relief, and watch for heat-related illnesses,” said Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Director Samantha Phillips. “Please check on your family, friends, or neighbors to make sure they are safe during the extreme heat.”

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https://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20190718/mema-offers-health-safety-tips-during-extreme-heat

The full listing (with links for more info) can be found on the MA.gov page
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/extreme-heat-safety-tips

https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat

Fortune Mag puts Gov Baker in Top 50 of “World’s Greatest Leaders”

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

"A new Fortune Magazine list puts Gov. Charlie Baker among the company of actor Michael J. Fox, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and L.A. Rams head coach Sean McVay. 

Baker landed at No. 20 on Fortune’s list of the “World’s Greatest Leaders,” between Code2040 co-founder Tristan Walker and AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins. 

“Baker’s approval ratings routinely land near 70 percent, a remarkable feat for a Republican leading a famously liberal state. He’s earned that favor with a quiet bipartisanship that feels almost foreign these days,” Fortune wrote of the Swampscott Republican who was elected to a second term in November with 67 percent of the vote. “A data-driven fixer - he previously led the turnaround of a health insurer - Baker has been effective in addressing the state’s opioid woes and issues with social services; he also signed a green energy bill last year.”

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https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190421/baker-ranks-20th-on-world-leader-list

You can find the full Fortune Magazine listing online
http://fortune.com/worlds-greatest-leaders/

a screengrab of the full Fortune Magazine listing page

In the News: Gov Baker talks climate change in DC; Housing crisis leads to homelessness

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

Gov Baker talks climate change in DC

"In testimony before a U.S. House committee Wednesday, Gov. Charlie Baker told Congress to set politics aside and follow Massachusetts’ lead on adapting to a changing climate and preparing to deal with more powerful weather, including setting specific targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions. 

The Republican governor has made climate change adaptation and resilience a central part of his agenda as he begins a second term in office. Last month, he proposed raising a real estate transfer tax to pay for a $1 billion, decade-long program to help Massachusetts cities and towns prepare for and clean up after the impacts of climate change. 

The governor told the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee that states “need strong federal leadership and a bold bipartisan vision on climate change.” He said climate policy is not a partisan issue in Massachusetts because “we understand the science and know the impacts are real because we are experiencing them firsthand,” and called on federal lawmakers to row in the same direction. 

“The magnitude of the impacts from climate change requires all of us - at the federal, state and local levels - to put politics aside and work together. That is the path we have taken in Massachusetts,” Baker said."

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https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190206/baker-talks-climate-change-in-dc

Housing crisis leads to homelessness

"Looking out her window, Kristen McCorquodale reflected on eight years of chasing affordable housing to avoid homelessness. 

It was a January afternoon and temperatures the day before fell below zero degrees. 

“This isn’t May. This isn’t like the last time,” she said, referencing a few years prior when her family lived out of a Ford Expedition. 

McCorquodale, 35, is from Somerville. But over the last decade, she and her husband, Dan, along with their three children, have lived in Beverly, Gardner, Worcester, Marlborough, Dorchester and – most recently – Fitchburg. Their homes during that time included apartments, basements, shelters and a small Boston unit with two families and no working toilet."

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https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190205/housing-crisis-fuels-homelessness-in-massachusetts

"the most significant expansion of the Foundation Budget since the formula was adopted in 1993"

On Wednesday, Jan 23 - Governor Baker introduced his budget for FY 2020

"The Baker-Polito Administration today announced a multi-year school finance reform initiative to increase funding for school districts to invest in a quality education and fully implement the recommendations of the Foundation Budget Review Commission. An Act to Promote Equity and Excellence in Education will be filed alongside the proposed Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) state budget, which includes a significant increase in state education aid to fund the first year of the reform plan. 

The reform bill filed today updates the Foundation Budget formula to provide more support for school districts to meet the rising cost of health care and special education costs, as well as educating English language learners and low-income students, and will provide a significant influx of funding for communities with the highest need. The proposal will also target additional support for the lowest-performing schools to offer programs that give every student greater opportunities to learn. 

The initiative also gives the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education the ability to support persistently underperforming schools, in part by utilizing a limited amount of Chapter 70 funds, if necessary, to implement needed reforms and investments with the district."

Continue reading the article online
https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-unveils-school-finance-proposal-to-fully-fund-the-foundation-budget

The full budget proposal "House 1" can be found online
https://budget.digital.mass.gov/bb/h1/fy20h1/?_ga=2.204023573.464126164.1548721468-696967160.1504383407

Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) state budget

Follow the MA state budget cycle  https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Senate

Tri-County Regional Awarded $123,115 in Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School is pleased to announce it has been awarded $123,115 from the 2019 Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant to expand its Metal Fabrication program. The grant will allow integration opportunities between the Engineering and Metal Fabrication career programs.

The Skills Capital Grant Program awards grants to support vocational/technical training, upgrades and expansion of career technical education, and training of high-quality career pathway programs that are aligned with regional economic and workforce development priorities for in-demand industries.

Tri-County was among 31 educational institutions in Massachusetts that were recently awarded workforce skills capital grants enabling the schools to acquire the newest technologies to educate students and expand programs. Skills Capital Grants, which are administered through Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito's office, are designed to help high schools, colleges and other educational institutions invest in the most up-to-date training equipment to give their students an advantage when they continue in their chosen field or particular area of study. The awards cover a broad range of fields, from construction and engineering to healthcare and hospitality.

Tri-County will boost enrollment capacity in its Metal Fabrication program and enhance hands-on technical instruction to provide students with the knowledge needed for manufacturing jobs in the region. Funding will upgrade the training facilities with industry-standard equipment and give students access to a power roll, an ironworker, an industrial sanding belt, and two virtual welders. The program will support adult students enrolled in evening training courses, offered in collaboration with the region's MassHire board.

"Skills Capital Grants impact the education of thousands of young people across the Commonwealth and give them new opportunities and skills for a successful future," Baker said. "We are proud of the 10,000 new seats that have been added to these programs across Massachusetts and we look forward to continuing our work with schools and teachers to give more students the experience and knowledge that employers demand."

"The funding we have received from this Skills Capital Grant will be vital to expanding our Metal Fabrication program and will give more students the experience and skill set that employers demand," said Superintendent Stephen Dockray. "We are grateful and honored to have been awarded this grant by the Baker-Polito administration and are looking forward to seeing our students graduate with the competitive edge needed to compete for exciting career opportunities."

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.

 left-right are:  Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kenneal, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Metal Fabrication Instructor Robert Pierangeli, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Vocational Director Cathy Rebelo, Governor Charlie Baker

In the News: State budget Medicare expansion possible, budget challenges loom with economic uncertainty

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

"Low-income seniors would see a break on how much they pay for health care under a plan Republican Gov. Charlie Baker is including in his state budget proposal. 

Under the plan, seniors who earn 130 to 165 percent of the federal poverty level — from just under $16,000 to about $20,000 each year — would be eligible for Medicare savings programs, which help reduce health care expenses, including out-of-pocket costs. 

Currently, seniors earning from 100 to 135 percent of the federal poverty level — from just over $12,100 to $16,400 — are eligible for the savings programs, which also help cover hospital and general medical services. They also automatically qualify for help with prescription drug coverage. 

Baker’s budget would set aside about $10 million in state dollars for the expansion, which would leverage about $100 million in additional federal Medicare dollars for nearly 40,000 seniors — 25,000 of whom are currently not eligible."

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https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190120/baker-proposes-expanding-medicare-program

"Gov. Charlie Baker is preparing to submit his latest state budget to the Legislature amid signs of a looming economic slowdown and calls by some on Beacon Hill to raise taxes for education and other initiatives. 

With a booming economy and record job growth, Massachusetts ended its most recent fiscal year with a more than $1 billion surplus. About half the extra cash was used to replenish the state’s reserves, better known as the “rainy day fund.” 

Robust revenues continued through the early months of the fiscal year that began July 1, triggering an automatic reduction in the state income tax."

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https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190119/fiscal-clouds-loom-as-baker-preps-budget

The MA budget process kicks of in earnest when the Governor delivers his proposal by the 4th Wednesday of January. (Jan 23)

Franklin depends upon State funding for its budget. Funding for schools, local aid and roads account for approx 30% of the total Franklin budget. Getting a reasonable estimate of this funding from the State enables Franklin to start its own budget cycle for FY 2020.

The State budget cycle for FY 2019 (the current budget) is shown here. The steps are the same for the new budget cycle for FY 2020.

State budget cycle for FY 2019