Franklin Town Council closes out last meeting of 2022 with approval of an open space purchase to reach 200 acres in about 18 months (video)

The Franklin Town Council meet for the last time in the 2022 calendar year on Dec 14, 2022. The last agenda was a full one even after revising it to remote a couple of items for a future session.

After about 2 hours and 10 minutes, they entered Executive Session and returned after approx. 35 minutes to approve two more items and then close the meeting.

The Franklin TV video replay is available here -> https://youtu.be/qVbiUMlcbL8

The full agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/dec_14_tc_mtg_agenda-revised.pdf

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting (in 1 PDF file)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TT_f9Y9eVXExUtjlcCD2XKtSTjcwG582/view?usp=share_link

The meeting audio and my recap will be shared in a day or so.

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda & Documents for Dec 14, 2022 7:00 PM

Teachers Are Among Most Educated, Yet Their Pay Lags

America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers Teachers Are Among Most Educated, Yet Their Pay Lags Although teachers are among the nation's most educated workers, they earn far less on average than most other highly educated workers and their earnings have declined since 2010. More than 95% of elementary, middle and high school teachers have a bachelor's degree or more. In 2019, the average earnings of elementary and middle school teachers with a bachelor's degree or more who work full-time, year-round was $53,800. For high school teachers, it was $57,840. Read More Just over one-half of elementary and middle school teachers and 58% of high school teachers also have a graduate degree. They still earn less ($61,130 and $64,340, respectively) than that of other equally educated workers.  Young teachers and older/middle-aged teachers have lower earnings than most of their similarly educated peers. Continue reading to learn more about: Age and sex Teachers' earnings, which declined since 2010 The data About America Counts America Counts tells the stories behind the numbers in a new inviting way. It features stories on various topics such as families, housing, employment, business, education, economy, emergency management, health, population, income and poverty. Contact our Public Information Office for media inquiries or interviews. Don't miss an America Counts story! Subscribe here.

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Franklin, MA: Town Council - agenda - June 8, 2022 at 7 PM

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

June 8, 2022 - 7 PM

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. April 13, 2022  ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/april_13_2022_tc_meeting_minutes_-draft_for_review.pdf

b. May 4, 2022 ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/3b._may_4_2022_tc_meeting_minutes_-draft_for_review.pdf

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Proclamation - Franklin Flyers Youth Hockey Team

b. Proclamation - Franklin High School Theatre Company

 

5. APPOINTMENTS - None Scheduled.

6. HEARINGS - 7:00 pm - None Scheduled.

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. License Modification: Change of Hours - PH Franklin, Inc. d/b/a Raillery Public House, Located at 280 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin, MA 02038  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a._raillery_change_of_hours.pdf

b. New Farmer Winery-Farmers Market License - Crave Mead, LLC d/b/a Crave Mead, Located at 7 Main St., Unit 1, Blackstone, MA 01504  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7b._farmers_market_license_-_crave.pdf

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Presentation/Discussion: North Grove Priority Development Area Redevelopment Concept -

Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel & MassDevelopment   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._memo_town_council_letter_-_north_grove_pda_-_uli_tap_-_06022022.pdf

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 22-32: Salary Schedule: Full-Time Elected Official - Town Clerk (Motion to Approve

Resolution 22-32 - Majority Roll Call Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9a._clerks_salary.pdf

b. Resolution 22-30: FY22 Capital Plan Round 2 (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-30 -

Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9b._22-30_capital_round_2.pdf

c. Resolution 22-34: Gift Acceptance - Senior Center ($100), Fire Department ($50) (Motion to

Approve Resolution 22-34 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9c._22-34_gift_acceptance_sr._ctr._fd.pdf

d. Resolution 22-35: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44,

§53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-35 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9d._22-35_peg_comcast_verizon.pdf

e. Resolution 22-39: Authorizing the Additional Borrowing of Money to Pay Additional Costs of the

Beaver Street Interceptor Replacement Project (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-39 - Two

Thirds Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9e._beaver_streeet_interceptor.pdf

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT - None Scheduled.

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Budget Subcommittee

c. Economic Development Subcommittee

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. Exemption #6: To consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body and the chair so declares.  i. Schmidt’s Farm, Prospect Street

15. ADJOURN

Note:

Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda doc and remote participation information -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/06-08-2022_town_council_agenda_packet.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council - agenda - June 8, 2022 at 7 PM

Mapped | The U.S. States with the Top Tech Salaries in 2021 💵 MA is #5

In America, tech jobs pay about 61% more than the average salary. Here's a look at which states have the highest tech salaries.

FEATURED STORY   The U.S. States with the Top Tech Salaries in 2021 In America, tech jobs pay about 61% more than the average salary. Here's a look at which states have the highest tech salaries. > Read more   View the Map Check out the article -> https://www.visualcapitalist.com/us-states-top-tech-salaries-2021/

"Teachers eventually get to a living wage, but it takes 20 years to get there"

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

"Paul O’Donoghue, 24, was sporting sunglasses and a Franklin Recreation Camp T-shirt on a humid July afternoon at King Street Memorial Park.

“I can’t complain – I get to play dodgeball and kickball with little kids,” he said.

O’Donoghue has been a camp director for the last four years, earning about $17 an hour. But during the school year, he goes by “Mr. O’Donoghue,” a math teacher at Franklin High School, earning about twice as much.

“I’m in the career that I think I’m meant for,” said O’Donoghue, a second-year teacher and Worcester resident who started at Franklin Recreation as a camper, then as a counselor in 2011. Teachers had a “really big impact” on his life, and he wanted to do the same for his students, he said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190803/area-teachers-supplement-modest-salaries-with-second-jobs

Details on the Pew Research Center can be found
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/07/01/about-one-in-six-u-s-teachers-work-second-jobs-and-not-just-in-the-summer/

During the school year, roughly a quarter (26%) of male teachers had a second job, compared with 15% of female teachers.

"Of the 62 public requests filed, only about half were successful"

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

"Sunshine Week: These are the highest-paid employees in the Milford area"

"How much do municipal workers make? 

Across the globe, governments are publishing more of their records online, putting information in the hands of citizens who could help improve the public sector. 

But in the era of big data, when any piece of information seems a Google search away, try finding the salary of your local police chief. 

With more limited resources, cities and towns often lag behind in making their records available to the public. To help narrow the gap, the Daily News will launch an effort today to provide readers more insight into spending in their own backyards."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190310/sunshine-week-these-are-highest-paid-employees-in-milford-area

Editor note: I hesitated to post this as more information is needed for a worthwhile comparison. While the article and payroll tool provides salary and compensation data, it does not provide the context on the size of the community and budget or work load to help make the comparison fair. Simply using the data provided is comparing apples to oranges. As a result of multiple discussions over the years on making the case to position Franklin appropriately with communities of its size and operational scope, this is not an easy task. So while the real picture is not available, be aware, that at least some data is.

I would rather have had the focus on the fact that 55% of the information requests were actually fulfilled. For a Sunshine week impact, there is not a lot of sun shining.

In the News: minimum age for tobacco products becomes 21; MA cabinet level get pay raise

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

Minimum age for tobacco now 21

"Nearly 14 years after Needham became the first town in the country to ban tobacco sales to people under 21, the higher purchase age for cigarettes and other tobacco products will kick in across the state on Monday. 

Gov. Charlie Baker in July signed a bill imposing new restrictions on tobacco products in Massachusetts, with an effective date of Dec. 31, 2018. 

Along with raising the minimum age for buying tobacco products from its current 18, the law prohibits the sale of tobacco products by pharmacies and bans the use of e-cigarettes in places where state law already prohibits smoking. 

The use of tobacco products including e-cigarettes will also be prohibited on the grounds of any public or private primary, secondary, or vocational school."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181229/minimum-age-for-buy-tobacco-jumps-to-21-on-monday

For additional information on the minimum age for tobacco products
https://www.mass.gov/massachusetts-tobacco-cessation-and-prevention-program-mtcp

https://twitter.com/MakeSmkngHistry

Governor's cabinet get pay raise

"Chief Human Resources Officer Ronald Arigo outlined the raises, which are effective Jan. 1, in a memo to the secretaries and their chiefs of staff and human resources directors Friday, a day after salary increases for lawmakers and constitutional officers were announced. 

The 5.5 percent raise will bring the salary for cabinet secretaries up to $170,405.71 from the current $161,522. 

Agency heads and commissioners will not be eligible for the pay hike if they entered their role on or after Jan. 2, 2018. Acting or interim appointees and 120-day appointees are ineligible, Arigo wrote. 

Most members of Baker’s office will also receive the same 5.5 percent increase effective next Tuesday, with recent hires ineligible. According to the governor’s office, staff there have not received the merit pay increases other executive branch managers received over the past four years."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181229/bakers-cabinet-secretaries-others-to-see-55-percent-raises

Shhh, I Make More than My Husband

A puzzling thing can happen when wives earn more than their husbands do.

America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers Shhh... I Make More than My Husband When wives earn more than their husbands do, a puzzling thing can happen: Husbands say they earn more than they are and wives underreport their income. Read More New Census Bureau research shows that the incomes couples report on Census Bureau surveys do not always match their IRS filings. The Census Bureau is working to improve the quality of reported earnings by comparing an individual's survey response with their reported response from another source. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2018/07/wives-earning-more-than-husbands.html?eml=gd&utm_campaign=20180716msacos1ccstosc&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery The America Counts Team If you like this story, use the hashtag #AmericaCounts to share it on social media.  About America Counts America Counts tells the stories behind the numbers in a new inviting way. It features stories on various topics such as families, housing, employment, business, education, the economy, emergency preparedness, and population. Contact our Public Information Office for media inquiries or interviews.  Share this message or view it as a web page.

MassBudget: Wages, incomes, and overcoming obstacles to economic opportunity

Read our new report

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. May 9, 2018 Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity: Finding a Way Forward Effective programs that help families make ends meet - like the Earned Income Tax Credit, SNAP, school lunches, and Social Security - cut the number of Massachusetts residents living in poverty by almost half. Such programs also cut the number of children living in poverty by more than half, according to a relatively new measure developed by the Census Bureau. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center's new report, Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity: Finding a Way Forward, finds that while effective public programs can help remove obstacles along the road to opportunity, good jobs play a central role in paving that road. While incomes of high-income households have grown considerably over the past several decades, this has not been the case for low and moderate-wage workers. The report notes that national economic policies have allowed wages to stagnate and that important work support programs are at risk of being cut by the federal government. In some Massachusetts communities, more than one in four children lives below the official federal poverty line. Such conditions and a lack of resources create obstacles to opportunity for children. The report will be released today at a forum hosted by the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP). It contains a variety of usable data, including detailed data about municipalities across the Commonwealth. Read the report here. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

In the News: workshop to address college stress, salary data research request struggles

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

"Citing a desire to lower stress among soon-to-be college students, several local organizations are collaborating on new college transition workshops. 

The sessions - set to take place Aug. 9 and Aug. 16 - will be free to the public, and are the product of a partnership between the Hockomock Area YMCA, Dean College, Franklin public schools, the SAFE Coalition, Community Impact, New Hope and state Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, among others. Both workshops will take place in the Franklin High School lecture hall, and will run from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

School Committee member Anne Bergen, who also sits on the YMCA's Board of Managers, said the workshops were designed to meet a perceived need in the about-to-go-to-college group."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160721/franklin-groups-hope-to-ease-stress-for-new-college-students

"Only two school districts in the area have complied with a researcher's statewide records request for the salaries of teachers and administrators broken down by gender. 

The request, filed by Brigham Young University researcher Joseph Price, is the subject of a recent statewide order from Shawn Williams, supervisor of records. Every district that did not respond, according to the July 13 order, must do so and undergo training in Public Record Law. 

Most area districts didn't respond. Some which did respond requested anywhere from $100 to almost $3,000 to provide the data. 

Price's request was for salary data from 1995 to 2016, divided by gender, job title, education and experience. The data was intended to bolster a national study of the gender pay gap among educators."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160721/local-school-districts-struggle-to-produce-salary-data

MassBudget: Job Growth Unrelated to States' Tipped Minimum Wage

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. The Tipped Minimum Wage & Job Growth A strong minimum wage helps workers support their families, and it can bolster our economy by increasing the amount of money workers have to spend at local businesses.  In the case of workers who regularly earn tips, like waiters and hairdressers, employers are only required to pay what's called the "tipped minimum wage," which in Massachusetts is well below the regular minimum wage (it is currently $2.63). The law then requires that for any such worker, the combination of hourly pay and tips must be at least as high as the full minimum wage.     Our new factsheet, Job Growth Unrelated to States' Tipped Minimum Wage explores the impact of tipped minimum wage levels on employment in the restaurant and food service job sectors. The new factsheet finds that:   Historically, Massachusetts - with its low tipped minimum wage - has not reliably outperformed high tipped minimum states or the US average for job growth in the restaurant industry Despite Massachusetts low tipped minimum, the restaurant industry itself does not projection strong job growth in Massachusetts over the coming decade, nor meaningfully higher job growth in low tipped minimum states vs. high tipped minimum states generally Tipped workers in states with higher tipped minimum wages have higher earnings and lower poverty rates Job Growth Unrelated to States' Tipped Minimum Wage follows two other papers on the tipped minmum wage: The Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers and The Declining Value of the Tipped Minimum Wage in Massachusetts.   Read JOB GROWTH UNRELATED TO STATES' TIPPED MINIMUM WAGE See ALL OF OUR WORK ON THE MINIMUM WAGE  The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108