Senator Becca Rausch: Tax refunds are on their way!

Expect yours between Nov. 1 and mid-November. 

View this email in your browser Income tax refunds are headed your way! Income tax refunds are almost here! Due to a surplus in state budget revenue, Massachusetts taxpayers will receive an estimated refund of roughly 14% of their FY '21 Massachusetts personal income tax liability. This return is mandated by a 1986 voter-approved law called Chapter 62F. Amidst the rising cost of living and inflation, I know this will be a relief to many families.  No action is needed on your end to receive your refund, and you can expect it to arrive between November 1st and the middle of December.  You will receive your refund automatically through direct deposit or as a check sent through the mail. If you have already filed your 2021 tax return and you had a tax liability, no action is needed from your end. If you have not yet filed your 2021 return, you are still eligible if you file by September 15, 2023 and, if eligible for a refund, you should receive it approximately one month after you file. Want to see how much may be headed your way? Use the state's refund calculator to estimate your refund based on your Tax Year 2021 income tax liability. For more information and frequently asked questions about the process, visit the Massachusetts State Auditor's website. For real-time updates, please follow me on Twitter and Facebook. If you are a constituent and need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me and my team via phone (617-722-1555) or email (becca.rausch@masenate.gov). We are here to help.    Onward and upward! Yours in service,     Senator Becca Rausch    General Election Voting Information RESOURCES AT A GLANCE  NOVEMBER 1 DEADLINE: Request your mail-in ballot online, or apply by email, fax, or in-person at your town clerk's office. Check your voter registration, find your polling place, and preview your ballot  Find your in-person early voting site Track your mail-in ballot Find your local election office Our mailing address is: The Office of Senator Becca Rausch Massachusetts State House, Room 218 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133

This newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full set of contents, follow this link ->  View this email in your browser

Franklin Board of Health - Agenda - Nov 2, 2022 - 5 PM

Franklin Board Of Health

Duly Scheduled Meeting

WEDNESDAY, November 2, 2022, 5:00 P.M.
3rd floor Training Room

AGENDA

Reading and Acceptance of October 5, 2022 meeting minutes

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

 Curry House discussion

 Reflexology regulations discussion

 Administrator Assistant update

 Metacomet shared service grant regional inspector report

 Metacomet shared service grant public health nurse report

 Metacomet shared service grant epidemiologist report

 30 North Park St

Chairman opens the floor for any other new business
 

UNKNOWN BUSINESS AT TIME OF POSTING

CITIZENS COMMENTARY

ADJOURNMENT

Agenda document ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/11-2-22_2.pdf

Franklin Board of Health - Agenda - Nov 2, 2022 - 5 PM

Franklin Downtown Partnership - General Meeting scheduled for Nov 3 - 8:30 AM

The Franklin Downtown Partnership will have its next general meeting on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 8:30 AM in the Golder Room at Dean College's Campus Center. 

Make plans to join us!

Check out the reasons to join the Downtown Partnership. An individual membership for a Franklin resident is only $25.   For a senior or student, only $15.   https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/p/membership-info.html 

Franklin Downtown Partnership - General Meeting scheduled for Nov 3 - 8:30 AM

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Tuesday, Nov 1, 2022

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Tuesday

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM  Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines
2 hours. An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era

11:00 AM 2 PM and 8:00 PM SAFE Radio– Jim Derick and Dr. Anne Bergen Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder 

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = TUESDAY

7:00 am Second Sunday Speaker Series: Ted Reinstein

9:00 am It Takes A Village: Janice Houlihan

10:00 am Frank Presents: Mark Lenzi

10:39 am Frank's Musings: Ballot Questions

11:20 am Senior Connection: Other Activities

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Stromboli

12:30 pm Sandhya: Macaroons

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 2

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 5

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 7

3:30 pm FAA: Art From The Heart

4:00 pm Let's Talk Sports: Episode 7

4:30 pm Extended Play Sessions: Alice Wallace

5:30 pm Physician Focus: Winter is Coming

6:00 pm Metrowest Symposium: Sharing Identity on Social Media

7:30 pm Once Upon A Town: Schools

9:00 pm Franklin Cultural Council: Pamela Means

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = TUESDAY

7:00 am Public School Concert: Lifelong Music Pt. 2 01-29-19

9:00 am Public School Concert: Sullivan Winter Music 2019

11:00 am Universe of Adolescent Sleep

12:00 pm Public School Concert: Elementary Winter Music Pt. 1 12-11-18

2:00 pm It Takes A Village: Janice Houlihan

5:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Soccer v N. Attleboro 10-20-22

7:00 pm Let's Talk Sports: Episode 7

7:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Soccer: v Milford 10-27-22

9:30 pm FHS Varsity Volleyball: v Attleboro 10-24-22

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = TUESDAY

8:00 am School Committee: 10-25-22

12:00 pm Finance Committee 10-26-22

2:00 pm School Committee: 10-25-22

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

TUNE IT OUT: Guitar Lessons for Veterans - Open House - Nov 15 at 5:30 PM

TUNE IT OUT: Guitar Lessons for Veterans - Open House

The Tune It Out program will hold an Open House for veterans interested in learning how to play the guitar.

When: November 15 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM

Where: Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin

Call 508-613-1315

The Guitar lessons are free of charge. 

Veterans, thank you for your service!

Download a copy of the flyer as a reminder:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jTAuyiivUpmxg87RdS-rozcclaB91Nbm/view?usp=share_link

CommonWealth Magazine: "ed reform money reaching poorer districts"

"THE LOW-INCOME, HEAVILY IMMIGRANT city of Chelsea is getting over $2,600 per pupil more in state education aid than it did two years ago. That translates to nearly $19 million in additional funds each year going into the district’s $118 million budget.  

Mary Bourque, a former Chelsea superintendent and now director of government affairs for the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, called that a prime illustration that the Student Opportunity Act, a landmark rewrite of the state’s public education funding formula, is working. 

“It is benefiting those who were intended to benefit,” Bourque said. 

Passage of the law in 2019 came after years of complaints that the state education funding formula was not keeping pace with actual costs of providing an adequate education. The original formula, established through the Education Reform Act of 1993, was designed to help equalize education funding by steering more state aid to poorer communities, but critics say those districts were increasingly struggling to meet the rising costs of educating low-income students, English learners, and special education students. The revamp of the funding formula boosted state aid for all three categories of students as well as for the increasing costs of employee health care.  "

Continue reading the overall assessment of the Student Opportunity Act

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/on-target-ed-reform-money-reaching-poorer-districts/

Franklin is one of the "minimum aid" for two reasons; one, it is receiving more than the current calculation says it should. The overage amount is second only to Boston. As the local (Franklin taxpayer portion) of Net School Spending increases to the maximum, at that time, Franklin could see increase in benefits. Two, the second reason that Franklin gets minimum aid is due to its declining enrollment. We peaked at 6100 students in 2010 and have dropped to 4710 (as of the Oct 1, 2022 enrollment report).

The Oct 1, 2022 enrollment report as shared with the School Committee 10/25/22

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GI_O0QuahNYT0XsHhYtfd_hX-Fcfm8uo/view?usp=share_link

Additional info on the FY 23 school budget can be found online

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/1-fy-2023-budget

CommonWealth Magazine: "ed reform money reaching poorer districts"

Franklin Public Schools: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Presentation - Oct 25, 2022

The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Presentation was reviewed and discussed at the Franklin School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Oct 25, 2022.

You can view the embedded file here:

Or download a copy from the School Committee page ->

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fps_dei_presentation_10_25_2022.pdf

The School Committee meeting video can be viewed here

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/10/franklin-school-committee-video.html

The School Committee meeting audio can be listened to here

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/10/school-committee-hears-of-dei-plan-and.html

Franklin Public Schools: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Presentation - Oct 25, 2022

A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister Walk Into A Radio Station: 025 - Most Important Holidays, Gatherings and Ceremonies (audio)

In this episode, Dr. Pandora Carlucci and Jay Horrigan are joined by Reverend Juncker, Reverend McAdams and Rabbi Alpert to discuss the most important holidays, ceremonies, gatherings and more - how each denomination celebrates different times of the year, what they do in their respective congregations and more.

Audio file -> https://priest-rabbi-minister.captivate.fm/episode/025-most-important-holidays-gatherings-and-ceremonies

A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister Walk Into A Radio Station - WFPR

Bringing More Faith Into Your Day

Jay Horrigan and Dr. Pandora Carlucci join Pastor Juncker, Reverend McAdams and Rabbi Alpert to discuss faith in their congregations and how listeners can embrace faith in their own lives.

A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister Walk Into A Radio Station

Register O'Donnell Announces 2022 Holiday Food Drive November 14 through December 13, 2022

As inflation rates continue to rise and the cost of living becomes an increasing challenge for some families across Norfolk County, Register of Deeds William O'Donnell is asking people to take a moment to contribute to the Annual Registry of Deeds Food Drive, starting Monday November 14th and running through Tuesday December 13th.

 

"There is no doubt that Norfolk County is a desirable place to live and to work. However, there are people throughout the county that are truly hurting. This year we, as a community, have seen an unprecedented rise in inflation rates, especially in the cost of food. Some Norfolk County families are hit harder by these increased costs and worry about putting food on the table this holiday season."

 

Today, according to the latest Project Bread statistics, 19.6% of households in Massachusetts are considered food insecure. Furthermore, 22% of children in the state are also considered food insecure. The increasing cost of housing and food are likely factors that contribute to the rising rates of food insecurity. ​

 

Register O'Donnell noted. "As the holidays approach, there is definitely a need for more food assistance. Household expenses are higher due to the cost of home heating fuel, food bills, and increased interest rates. Let us be mindful during this Thanksgiving season that others may need our help."

 

Non-perishable food items can be brought directly to the Registry of Deeds, which is located at 649 High Street in Dedham. A donation bin will be set-up in the Registry's lobby and food can be dropped off Monday through Friday between 8:00AM to 4:30PM. Suggested donations include canned goods, breakfast cereals, pasta, sauces, toiletries, and paper products.

 

If you can't get to the Registry of Deeds building to drop off food, you can check the Registry website at www.norfolkdeeds.org for a pantry location in your community.

"Working together, we can truly make a huge difference this holiday season," concluded Register O'Donnell.

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, "like" us on facebook.com/norfolkdeeds, follow us on twitter and instagram @norfolkdeeds.

 

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St., Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website, www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101 or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

Register O'Donnell Announces 2022 Holiday Food Drive  November 14  through December 13, 2022

Need a laugh? Check out the Comedy Night that benefits Ben Speaks - Nov 13

Join friends of Ben Speaks for a night full of laughter to support our mission to provide positive channels of expression for youth, families and community. The evening will be filled with performances by three amazing local comedians. 

Featuring Will Noonan, Corey Rodrigues and Chris Tabb 

When: Sunday, November 13, 2022 starting at 7 PM

Where: Laugh Boston - 425 Summer Street, Boston, MA

Cost for this fund raising event: $50 per ticket, limited seating. You can purchase your tickets online -> https://tinyurl.com/b-comedy

Need a laugh? Check out the Comedy Night that benefits Ben Speaks - Nov 13