"When they receive paperwork at the hospital, they really look at it"

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

"Four years after the pilot program launched in the city, state Treasurer Deborah Goldberg visited Worcester earlier this month to promote the rollout of the now-statewide BabySteps college savings program.

The new initiative, which began on Jan. 1, provides a $50 contribution to a college savings plan for every new child born or adopted in the state. Parents just have to check a box on a form provided shortly after the baby’s birth or adoption.

The thinking behind the program is that starting out with a funded account will motivate families to keep putting in their own money as their child grows.

“The world is so complicated,” Goldberg said, while touring the maternity ward at UMass Memorial Medical Center on Belmont Street. There are plenty of financial pressures on parents today, she added, but “you don’t have to save that much for them to not go into debt” funding their child’s college education."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200118/after-starting-in-worcester-babysteps-college-savings-program-launches-statewide

From the BabySteps Savings Plan page

"The BabySteps Savings Plan is the first universal educational savings program of its kind in Massachusetts. Launched in January of 2020, any child born or adopted in Massachusetts will be eligible for a free $50 deposit to their college savings account. Children will be able to receive their deposit until their first birthday, or one year from a child’s adoption. Any parent or guardian may begin this process as soon as a child is born.

The Office of the State Treasurer and Receiver General believes that common access to post-high school education and training is vital to economic mobility and stability in Massachusetts. Research shows that children with college savings accounts are three times more likely to attain higher education. With the 2020 expansion, BabySteps can reach every family in Massachusetts and encourage forward-thinking investments and savings."

Find out more about the Program  https://www.mass.gov/babysteps-savings-plan

BabySteps brochure  https://www.mass.gov/doc/babysteps-brochure/download

BabySteps Info Booklet  https://www.mass.gov/doc/babysteps-information-booklet/download

BabySteps Savings Plan is the first universal educational savings program of its kind in MA

Representative Roy works with Treasurer Goldberg to connect residents with unclaimed property

Almost two and a half million dollars owed to constituents in Franklin and Medway

Representative Roy joined State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg today (Friday, Dec 20, 2019) to notify his constituents that they may have property in the Massachusetts Unclaimed Property Division. There are almost two and half million dollars owed to residents in Franklin and Medway.

“We currently hold over $3.4 billion in unclaimed property at the Treasury and it could be yours,” said State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, “I would like to thank Representative Roy for helping the Treasury in our mission to reconnect individuals with their property in Franklin and Medway.”

“I enjoyed working with Treasurer Goldberg to reunite my constituents with their unclaimed property. Since you may be one these individuals with property held by the Treasurer’s Unclaimed Property Division, this is your opportunity to get it back,” said State Rep. Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin). “The faster you file a claim, the sooner you will be reconnected with your money, so please respond right away.”

Each year, the state receives large amounts of unclaimed property, including forgotten savings and checking accounts, un-cashed checks, insurance policy proceeds, stocks, dividends, and the contents of unattended safe deposit boxes. Most accounts are considered abandoned and are turned over to the state after three years of inactivity.

please visit www.findmassmoney.com

This past year, the Division was able to reunite over $125 million with over 115,000 residents, businesses and charities in the Commonwealth.

The Division has a website, findmassmoney.com, where you can search for property and make claims. This coming year, the Treasury is hoping to return even more money to more citizens.

To file a claim, please visit www.findmassmoney.com or call 1-888-344-MASS (6277).

Town of Franklin: Fiscal 2020 first quarter Real Estate and Personal Property

Fiscal 2020 first quarter Real Estate and Personal Property

Treasurer Collector Kerri A. Bertone has mailed the Fiscal 2020 first quarter Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills. Payment is due by 8-1-19. Payments received after that date will be charged 14% interest.

Town of Franklin: Fiscal 2020 first quarter Real Estate and Personal Property

Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Treasurer-Collector

Fiscal 2018 has been another very busy year in the Treasurer-Collector’s office. Jim Dacey retired after 18 years on the job and Kerri Bertone was appointed Treasurer-Collector in November 2017.

The fiscal year ended with higher investment interest rates (MMDT –1.75%). On the borrowing side, low rates had a positive effect. In April of 2018 we issued a 1 year Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) for $10,300,000 for Library planning and design. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC was the winning bidder on the BAN with a weighted average interest cost of .9852%. At the same time, we issued a General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 2018 Bonds (the “Bonds”) for $6,985,000 million for FHS construction and water infrastructure improvements. J.P. Morgan and Century Bank were the winning bidder with a weighted average interest cost of 1.8997%.

Prior to the sale, Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services, a municipal credit rating agency, affirmed the Town’s AA+ bond rating. They also assigned its 'SP-1+' short-term rating to Franklin’s series 2018 A and B general obligation (GO) bond anticipation notes (BANs), payable on May 17, 2019.

Standard and Poor’s stated “The stable outlook reflects what we view as the town's very strong liquidity position and strong budgetary flexibility. In addition, we believe Franklin's very strong economy and access to the Boston MSA lends stability to the town's tax base. Strong management, with “good” financial policies and practices under our Financial Management Assessment (FMA) mythology.

During FY 2018, $133,000.00 was collected in back property taxes, interest and fees. Ten property owners paid off all outstanding taxes and redeemed their properties out of tax title. We continue to pursue delinquent taxes through the foreclosure process and there are currently 17 properties in Land Court. Since 2001 we have foreclosed on 70 properties. Some properties will eventually be auctioned off and the rest will remain as town property.

There were 877 Municipal Lien Certificates issued by the Treasurer-Collector’s office generating revenue of $43,850.00. Also collected was $4,421.51 in fees for duplicate bills and files that we supplied to tax services and escrow agents. During FY18, the Treasurer-Collector’s office printed and mailed 40,947 Real Estate Tax bills, 2,094 Personal Property Tax bills, 33,535 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax bills, and 41,441 Utility bills. 

The following Demands were also printed and mailed, 483 Real Estate Tax, 95 Personal Property Tax, and 4,103 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. There were 2,480 Motor Vehicle warrants issued in FY18. There were 4 Betterment releases (water, sewer and road) generating revenue of $120. We also collected $104,500 for backflow testing and $65,700 for Sprinkler/Hydrant charges. The Treasurer also acts as the town’s parking clerk. Our deputy collector, Kelley & Ryan Associates of Hopedale, handles the billing and collection of parking tickets. During FY18 we collected $33,928 for parking violations.

I would like to thank all town departments for the timely and accurate turnover of fees to the Treasurer-Collector’s office. I also would like to acknowledge my team, I appreciate the efforts of each one of you in the past year. I am grateful for all of you. I would like to congratulate Jim Dacey on his richly deserved retirement. Thank you Jim, for your many years of great leadership. Everyone agrees, that you possess a rare combination of vision, fairness and understanding, crucial qualities for an effective Treasurer-Collector. Your career will be a model to follow. 

Finally, I like to thank the citizens of Franklin for their continued support.

Respectfully submitted,

Kerri A. Bertone
Treasurer-Collector


You can read the full Annual Report for 2018 online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_town_report.pdf

The archive of prior year annual reports
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Treasurer-Collector

Fiscal Year 2019 Third Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills

Fiscal Year 2019 Third Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills are due February 1, 2019

You can pay online at http://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/online-payments

Reminders:

• Payments received after the due date are charged 14% interest.
• If you are mailing in your payment, please be sure to include the remittance copy with your check.
• If you choose to use your Online Banking to pay your bills, please remember to reference the bill number(s) you are paying.

Shared from
https://www.franklinma.gov/treasurer-collector/news/fiscal-year-2019%C2%A0third-quarter-real-estate-and-personal-property-tax-bills

Fiscal Year 2019 Third Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills

FY19 Second Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills have been mailed.

Treasurer Collector Kerri Bertone has mailed the Fiscal 2019 second quarter real estate and personal property tax bills.  

Payment is due by 11-1-18.  

Payments received after the due date are charged 14% interest.

FY19 Second Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills

Job Opportunities with Town of Franklin

Job Opportunities

• Assistant Treasurer/Collector

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/assistant.treasurer.collector-jobposting-aug142018.pdf

• Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/hmeo-jobposting-may82018.pdf

• Firefighter/Paramedics - The Town of Franklin's Fire Department is in the Massachusetts Civil Service system. 
  • If you are currently a Firefighter/Paramedic in a Civil Service community and are interested in working for Franklin, send a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov. 
  • Please note: new hires must have and maintain a paramedic certification and complete an Associate's Degree within 5 years of the date they are hired.   

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email.  

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here 
http://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe

Job Opportunities with Town of Franklin

Franklin Residents: Notice from the Treasurer/Collector regarding FY19 Utility Bills

Attention all Residents/Customers who have received their Fiscal Year 2019 Utility Bills, the charges were calculated using the "new" rates. 

However, the old rates were printed on the bills under "Special Message" in error. If you have any questions, please contact the Treasurer/Collectors office at 508-520-4950.

We are sorry for any inconvenience.

Notice from the Treasurer/Collector regarding FY19 Utility Bills

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/notice-treasurercollector-regarding-fy19-utility-bills

Exit Interview with Town Treasurer-Collector Jim Dacey (video)

"Jim Dacey served as the elected Town Treasurer-Collector for 18 years, as well as a member of the Finance Committee for 10 years. 

Upon his retirement, Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen sat down with Jim to discuss some old memories, how he became Treasurer-Collector and some of his fondest accomplishments over the past three decades being involved in town finance. 

Jamie and Jim also sat down with his successor, Kerri Bertone, about how she got involved in public service and come of the challenges moving forward. 

We hope you enjoy this special episode of "Our Franklin""

For more about the Treasurer/Collector visit the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/treasurer-collector

Annual Report - 2017 (Page 133)
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2017_tr-web_copy_0.pdf

From the 2015 Annual Report
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/annual-report-2015-treasurer-collector.html

In the News: Dacey retires; election campaigns in final days

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

"An hour before his official retirement began Tuesday afternoon, long-time treasurer-collector, Jim Dacey, reflected on his 18-year career in municipal government. 

He spent his day doing the usual work, but with cohorts of citizens and co-workers alike coming to wish him a happy retirement, it was hard for Dacey to see things being business as usual. 

Dacey’s successor and previous assistant treasurer-collector, Kerri Bertone, has officially started in the position full-time."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171031/franklin-treasurer-collector-looks-back-on-his-career

"With a large turnout expected, the town election is set for Tuesday, Nov. 7. Franklin High School. Polls for all precincts at Franklin High School are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

There are nine seats open on the Town council with 12 candidates. For the School Committee, there are seven open seats with eight candidates. In the race for the Board of Health, two candidates are running for one slot. 

The race for a seat on the Board of Assessors is uncontested, as well as three available seats on the Planning Board."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171031/full-slate-for-franklin-town-election

Election Collection - 2017

In the news: hurricane recovery collection; new Treasurer/Collector

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

"The Greater Franklin Community can contribute to the recovery of areas affected by hurricane flooding now and at the church booth of Franklin’s Harvest Festival on Oct. 14. A donation box is located at the Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 W. Central St. 

Relief supplies will be sent to affected areas through the international aid group the United Methodist Committee on Relief. 

The church will be collecting items for cleaning buckets and health kits until Oct. 14 each Sunday from 8:45 a.m. until noon. The office is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings as well. The contribution of funds for others to complete these kits are tax deductible when marked “Advance #901570” in the memo and made out to the church."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170929/strongfranklin-united-accepting-donations-for-hurricane-victimsstrong

Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 W. Central St.

"Treasurer-Collector, Jim Dacey is retiring in November after 18 years on the job. Franklin resident and current assistant treasurer-collector, Kerri Bertone is due to take his place. 

Bertone has lived in Franklin for 30 years, and has had a long career in private-sector finance. She was officially hired at the Town Council meeting earlier this week. 

Describe your career background. 

“I started as an administrative assistant with EMC corporation. Then I went to Putnam Investments when it was here in Franklin. ... I was with them for 21 years. They had a lot of work-life balance shifts, so I was able to work in the evening when my children were small."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170929/franklin-hires-new-treasurer-collector

Attention Franklin Residents: Unclaimed Checks

The Treasurer/Collector has posted over 60 outstanding checks amounting to over $22,000 to the Town of Franklin webpage. If you are on the listing, you can contact the Treasurer/Collectors office to begin the process of obtaining the funds.

Treasurer/Collector webpage  
http://www.franklinma.gov/treasurer-collector

Outstanding Funds Process  (also copied below)
http://www.franklinma.gov/treasurer-collector/news/town-franklin-outstanding-check-process

Did you know there are six ways to pay bills?

You can also find the listing on the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/fleet_outstanding_checks_posted_to_the_web_site_7-21-17.pdf

MASS GENERAL LAW CHAPTER 200A SECTION 5: Subject to the provision of section one A, all intangible personal property not otherwise presumed to have been abandoned under any other section of this chapter, including but not limited to all certificates of ownership, dividends, stocks, bonds, money, drafts and claims for money and credit …. shall be presumed abandoned unless claimed by the beneficiary or person entitled thereto within three years after the date prescribed for payment or delivery.

CHAPTER 200A SECTION 9A: On or before November first of each year the treasurer of any city or town holding checks issued by said city or town which have not been cashed and which are deemed abandoned under section five may issue a written determination that it is in the best interest of said city or town to follow the procedures set out in this section.

Checks issued by the Town of Franklin that remain un-cashed are subject to the following actions:

1. Letters are sent to payee's of un-cashed checks along with an acknowledgement form for claiming the funds.
2. For checks over $100.00 an advertisement is placed in the local newspaper.
3. An un-claimed check list is posted on the web-site. 

FAQ:

1. What if my name appears on the list, how do I claim my money?
Please contact the Treasurer’s Office

2. What happens if no one claims a check?
Checks that remain unclaimed after all the necessary steps have been taken are returned to the town's general fund.

3. I received notice of an un-cashed check, what is it for?
Checks issued from the Town of Franklin could be refunds of overpayments of taxes, payment of an invoice or payroll checks. You should contact the Treasurer’s office at 508-520-4950 for more information.


http://www.franklinma.gov/treasurer-collector/news/town-franklin-outstanding-check-process

Auction Sale of Low Value Parcels of Land - May 17

LEGAL NOTICE

TOWN OF FRANKLIN

OFFICE OF THE TREASURER

SALE OF LOW VALUE PARCELS

M.G.L. CHAPTER 60, SECTION 79

MAY 17, 2017 

MUNICIPAL BUILDING

355 EAST CENTRAL STREET

COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 2ND FLOOR

• One set of 11 parcels is scheduled for sale at 10:00 AM

Notice is hereby given that on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the Town of Franklin Municipal Building, 2nd Floor Council Chambers, pursuant to the provisions of General Laws, Chapter60, Section 79, James P. Dacey, the Treasurer of the Town of Franklin, intends to sell the hereinafter described parcels of land at public auction, said sale having been approved by the Commissioner of Revenue for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts pursuant to M.G.L., Chapter 60, Section 79

Details of the 11 land parcels can be found online
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/legal_notice_lolv_auction_10_am_5-17-17_2.pdf

• One set of 10 parcels is scheduled for sale at 2:00 PM

Notice is hereby given that on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 2:00 PM at the Town of Franklin Municipal Building, 2nd Floor Council Chambers, pursuant to the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 60, Section 79, James P. Dacey, the Treasurer of the Town of Franklin, intends to sell the hereinafter describedparcels of land at public auction, said sale having been approved by the Commissioner of Revenue for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts pursuant to M.G.L., Chapter 60, Section 79.

Details of the 10 land parcels can be found online
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/legal_notice_lolv_auction_2_pm_5-17-17_2.pdf

Town of Franklin Municipal Building, 2nd Floor Council Chambers

New Mailing Address for Tax Payments

The Town of Franklin has switched their payment processing provider and has a new mailing address to send all tax payments.


PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE REMITTANCE ADDRESS HAS BEEN CHANGED EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2016

TO: 

TOWN OF FRANKLIN 

P.O. BOX 986 

MEDFORD, MA 02155-0010

PAYMENTS MAY NOT BE RECEIVED WITH THE OLD ADDRESS AND RETURNED TO YOU BY THE POST OFFICE.


MAKE ANY CHANGES THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR YOUR ON-LINE BANKING PAYMENTS





this was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0243DC3C-000F8513

Town of Franklin, Municipal Building, 355 East Central St

Instructions for Using Your Bank's Online Payment Service to Pay Town of Franklin Bills

Are you currently using your bank's online payment service to pay Town of Franklin bills? 

If so, please use the required format detailed below to insure that your payment is applied to the correct bill.

Shared from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Treasurer/Online%20Banking%20Payments.pdf

screen grab of Town of Franklin webpage

Annual Report - 2015: Treasurer-Collector

Fiscal 2015 has been another very busy year in the Treasurer-Collector’s office.

The fiscal year began and ended with very low investment interest rates (MMDT – .20%). On the borrowing side, the low rates had a positive effect. In February of 2015 we refunded bonds from 2006 and 2007 for $6,920,000. The refinancing will generate total savings of $603,906 over the remaining life of the Bonds. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC was the winning bidder on the Bonds with an average interest rate of 1.931%.

Prior to the sale, Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services, a municipal credit rating agency, affirmed the Town’s AA+ bond rating. The rating agency cited the Town’s very strong economy, strong management with good financial policies, strong budgetary flexibility, very strong liquidity, very strong debt and contingent liability position and strong institutional framework as positive credit factors.

In May of 2015 we issued a 1 year Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) for $3,250,000. It included $3 million for continued FHS construction and $250,000 for Library planning and design. TD Bank was the winning bidder on the BAN with a weighted average interest cost of .3747%.

During FY 2015, $152,140 was collected in back property taxes, interest and fees. Fourteen property owners paid off all outstanding taxes and redeemed their properties out of tax title. We continue to pursue delinquent taxes through the foreclosure process and there are currently 30 properties in Land Court. Since 2001 we have foreclosed on 55 properties. Some properties will eventually be auctioned off and the rest will remain as town property.

There were 899 Municipal Lien Certificates issued by the Treasurer-Collector’s office generating revenue of $44,950. Also collected was $2,856.00 in fees for duplicate bills and files that we supplied to tax services and escrow agents. During FY15, the Treasurer-Collector’s office printed and mailed 43,632 Real Estate Tax bills; 2,140 Personal Property Tax bills; 32,821 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax bills; and 39,359 Utility bills. The following Demands were also printed and mailed; 588 Real Estate Tax, 98 Personal Property Tax, and 4,422 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. There were 2,013 Motor Vehicle warrants issued in FY15. There were 14 Betterment releases (water, sewer and road) generating revenue of $56. We also collected $96,600 for backflow testing and $63,500 for Sprinkler/Hydrant charges.

The Treasurer also acts as the town’s parking clerk. Our deputy collector, Kelley and Ryan Associates of Hopedale, handles the billing and collection of parking tickets. During FY15 we collected $30,890 for parking violations.

I would like to thank all town departments for the timely and accurate turnover of fees to the Treasurer-Collector’s office. I also would like to thank the first-class staff of the Treasurer-Collector’s office for their continued hard work. Finally, I thank the citizens of Franklin for their continued support.

Respectfully submitted,

James P. Dacey
Treasurer-Collector

-----------

"Prior to November 1 of each year, the Town Clerk shall cause to be prepared and made available to the inhabitants of the Town an annual report for the preceding fiscal year which shall include: the annual Town budget, the reports of all Town officers, the records of all Town Council bylaw amendments and resolutions, an abstract of births, marriages and deaths, and the wages, salaries, or other compensation of all Town employees." [Added 5-2-2012 by Bylaw Amendment 12-681]

http://ecode360.com/10432729?highlight=annual%20report,reports,annual,report#10432729

Shared from the full and complete PDF version of the Town of Franklin Annual Report for 2015

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2015report.pdf

For additional information you can visit the Treasurer-Collector's page
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Treasurer/index

screen grab of online bill payment service for Franklin

You can pay your water/sewer/trash bills online
https://unipaygold.unibank.com/Default.aspx?customerid=721

Town of Franklin $6,920,000 Bonds Net 1.931%; Refunding saves $603,906

James Dacey, Town Treasurer, announced that the Town received competitive bids from bond underwriters on Wednesday, February 18, 2015, for a $6,920,000 12-year bond issue. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC was the winning bidder on the Bonds with an average interest rate of 1.931%. The Town received 5 bids on the Bonds. Bond proceeds will be used to refinance bonds of the Town originally issued March 15, 2006 and April 1, 2007.

The refinancing will generate total savings of $603,906 over the remaining life of the Bonds.

Prior to the sale, Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services, a municipal credit rating agency, affirmed the Town’s AA+ bond rating. The rating agency cited the 

• Town’s very strong economy
• strong management with good financial policies 
• strong budgetary flexibility
• very strong liquidity
• very strong debt and contingent liability position 
• and strong institutional framework 

as positive credit factors


The bids for the Bonds were accepted at the offices of the Town’s Financial Advisor, First Southwest Company, at 54 Canal Street in Boston, Massachusetts.

Franklin Municipal Building in better weather

Live reporting - Presentations

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS 

• Erin Lynch, Food Pantry

with the pantry for two years
Executive Director since July

reviewing the foundations and services that the Pantry provides
volunteers are being trained, sustain operation

Thanks to Steve Sherlock who has been the Chair of the Food Pantry
Chris Feeley will be assuming that role

over 600 families use the services of the Food Pantry
some will always use our services
some are transitional, how to best help them

physical access. mobile pantry three Mondays a month
Winter St, Central Park Terrace, Senior Center

Clients coming weekly for produce and bread
separate room aranged to handle this without interferring with the normal monthly flow

shifting flow to empowerment
learning how to teach folks to fish, rather than just providing fish
we are creating a healthy community
more fruits and vegetables

Food Pantry Raffle
Turkey Trot on Thanskgiving morning

shampoo, cereal, peanut butter

help us keep shifting the culture, we are a centralized resource to connect all the resources

Traveled with a group from the Hockomock YMCA to Washington, DC

Healthy Futures market, fresh produce on Tuesday's

• James Dacey, Treasurer Collector

thanks to his staff, all veterans, been with the Town for 12-16 years
Treasurer and Collector are two separate positions
bill and collect all water/sewer trash bills
personal property bills
collect all parking ticket fines, hearing officer for parking ticket appeals
process tax liens

170 delinquent properties, down 50 from a year ago
down $150,000 from last year

on Treasurer's side, responsible for all investments
maintain a cash book using Excel, had been an actual book when he started
looking at a new software system that could merge with Munis

track all bonds and prepare annual debt budgets
there are 2 bonds that are ripe for re-funding, could save us about $430,000 in interest costs
will be coming back for approval to do that change

we are not interested in owning property, want to get the tax bills paid
periodically report to a variety of agencies payroll reports, etc.

epayable, payments to vendors via virtual credit cards
received a cash back bonus using this service

paying vendors by doing electronic funds transfers
pay all debt by wire transfers

story on WBZ news on people with back taxes
folks claiming back taxes to Worcester attempted to swindle folks from the money
there is no company that can settle the debt that any individual owes to Franklin

Q - how many employees are still getting a paper check
about 10 or so remain, all others electronic deposit

Sign up for electronic payment of your Franklin bills

Are you tired of receiving bills in the mail, putting them down somewhere until you cannot find them when you are ready to pay them? Have you ever paid a late fee and/or interest charges because you misplaced a bill? Then you are ready to take the next step to bill presentment or paperless billing.

The Town of Franklin offers you the convenience of paperless billing through UniPay’s new electronic billing feature. Managing your bills online has now become faster and easier. With electronic bill presentment you will receive an email notice as soon as your bill is available for payment. With paperless billing you will no longer receive those paper bills to save.

It’s easy as 1, 2, 3~ …. Register, view, and pay….. And you are using the same trusted, dependable UniPay product. Your bills are stored electronically on UniPay and your payment history is also available. You can retrieve them by logging in. If you need a copy, just print it out. If you need to know what you paid for taxes for income tax purposes, just look them up.

No searching for paper copies.
No forgetting to pay.
No hassle.

And it is available 24 hours a day/365 days a year so you can manage your Real Estate and water/sewer/trash bills when you want to.

Use our on-line bill payment link to get you there to register. The link is on the Town of Franklin Home page. http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/index

welcome page for Franklin's e-bill service UniPay Gold

Go directly to UniPay Gold via this link:
https://unipaygold.unibank.com/Default.aspx?customerid=721

It is easy to “be green”.


Note: there is a $0.25 service charge that is applied to each payment. When you consider the cost of a stamp is currently twice the service charge, this is a good deal.  I have used the online bill pay successfully.



If you have questions, you can contact the Treasurer's office

Town of Franklin
Treasurer-Collector
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038
(508) 520-4950

Timely communications still an issue

The Town Council voted to purchase the recreation land that the FinCom approved, appointed Jim Dacey Treasurer to complete the move of that position from elected to appointed, and heard the apology from Waste Management on the trash schedule delays.

The trash schedule delays should be resolved this week although with the Martin Luther King holiday coming next week, the schedule will 'normally' be offset one day. The combination of the New Year's holiday, the weekend storm, the deep freeze causing equipment trouble and then regulations on hours worked conspired for this situation. There should be an alert coming from the DPW that will announce that extra trash will be picked up with no charge to the household for the 'extra bag' to help offset the problem.

The Town Council was rightly upset with the lack of communications from the DPW/Town Administration. There could have been a notification on Friday night to let folks know that the trucks would not be running on Saturday. That notification did not happen and the buzz began to build until we finally got official notification late Sunday and early Monday morning. But that was too late!

The Council also moved to second reading a water and sewer map adjustment to enable a 9 or 18 unit subdivision off of Uncas St. The developer had an approved project some years ago, ended up in court with the Franklin over the details and apparently has reached an agreement where they will provide some additional improvements to the area (i.e. Hill St) in return for the town agreeing to proceed. The second reading will come up at the Feb 5th meeting.

Yours truly spent 15 minutes presenting to the Council on lessons learned while operating Franklin Matters. I could have talked longer but kept to a short and hopefully to the point agenda. Communication is so easy to do and in some cases so hard to execute. Case in point with the recent DPW/Waste Management trash schedule. They did well to give us the first notification about the delay in schedule due to the snow storm. They did not do well to explain that the Saturday pickup would not occur.

It takes a service oriented approach to bring those communications to the forefront every time. Unfortunately as well as many of the Franklin employees do, there sometimes is not this mindset of sharing the info. It will take time to change that.

Franklin Municipal Building

The full set of notes taken live during the meeting can be found here

• Live reporting - Closing
• Live reporting - Legislation
• Live reporting - Public Hearing
• Live reporting - Waste Management
• Live reporting - Town Council - Jan 15, 2014
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