Watershed association wins $250,000 for river management
Eat at Five Guys, support Franklin Music Boosters
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
In the News - watershed award, music boosters, Ad book
Watershed association wins $250,000 for river management
Eat at Five Guys, support Franklin Music Boosters
Franklin Music Boosters plan ad book
Monday, October 3, 2011
"if we had plenty of resources and teachers had time"
The front page of the Boston Globe on Sunday caught my eye with the headline "State aims to test kindergartners"
The article fortunately admits:
Franklin's voters have consistently voted down operational overrides to properly fund the schools. The high school project will be coming up early next year. Will the Town Council also give us an option for another override? Who knows. You should ask questions of the potential Town Council candidates and of the School Committee candidates. The opportunity is now through Nov 8th to decide who we want to lead our discussion.
You can (and should) read the full article in the Boston Globe here (subscription registration may be required)
Note: yes, my disclosure statement includes the fact that my wife happens to be a kindergarten teacher here in the Franklin Schools. Some would dismiss these comments offhand just because of that connection. So be it. I choose to do this information sharing because the education that is available to our 6,000 students today is NOT what available to my daughters. Both of them have successfully graduated from FHS (2004 and 2006). Both have successfully graduated from college and both are gainfully employed today.
Paul Reville, the state’s education secretary, emphasized that the kindergarten readiness assessments, which are in the conceptual phase, “shouldn’t be mistaken for an early MCAS’’ and will not be used to determine who should enter kindergarten.
“It will be a more subtle and nuanced approach to assessing students,’’ Reville said. “The goal is to get a better sense of how students are doing, particularly in literacy.’’
The assessments ‘shouldn’t be mistaken for an early MCAS.’
The labor-intensive data collection, however, could be a tough sell to local districts and teachers, especially as budget cuts have pushed up class sizes, said Jason Sachs, director of early childhood education for Boston public schools. Boston, he said, already uses 14 assessments in kindergarten.There are already plenty of assessments available or being conducted. Let's focus on providing some time and resources to actually using those assessments to improve the educational experience for the kindergartners.
The article fortunately admits:
For generations, state education officials have known that it is critical for children to start kindergarten ready to learn, and they have been keenly aware of a wide skills gap among students on the first day, even without a testing system in place.
The gap exists for a variety of reasons, such as uneven quality of preschool programs, the frequency of parents reading to their children at home, or simply because children by nature can grow and develop at widely different rates in the early years.So even with generations of knowledge and experience, the State is pursuing this to obtain some Federal funding.
“Each type produces helpful data for teachers and policymakers,’’ Scott-Little said. “In an ideal world, if we had plenty of resources and teachers had time, a combination would provide the best picture of where children are.’’
Monty Neill, executive director of the National Center for Fair & Open Testing - a Jamaica Plain organization critical of standardized testing - said he is encouraged that the state is pursuing observation-based assessments for kindergartners. But he said he is concerned the state, because of shortages of money and time, could ultimately create a system , that collects data based on one observation instead of several over a period of time.
“The results could likely be more damaging than helpful,’’ Neill said. “The public ought to pay very careful attention to this.’’Yes, I agree. We all should pay attention to what testing or assessments are being looked at and why? We should also be looking to ensure that this doesn't become an unfunded mandate, meaning that the State says we must do this but does not provide the funding for the "labor intensive" activity.
Franklin's voters have consistently voted down operational overrides to properly fund the schools. The high school project will be coming up early next year. Will the Town Council also give us an option for another override? Who knows. You should ask questions of the potential Town Council candidates and of the School Committee candidates. The opportunity is now through Nov 8th to decide who we want to lead our discussion.
You can (and should) read the full article in the Boston Globe here (subscription registration may be required)
Note: yes, my disclosure statement includes the fact that my wife happens to be a kindergarten teacher here in the Franklin Schools. Some would dismiss these comments offhand just because of that connection. So be it. I choose to do this information sharing because the education that is available to our 6,000 students today is NOT what available to my daughters. Both of them have successfully graduated from FHS (2004 and 2006). Both have successfully graduated from college and both are gainfully employed today.
Slideshow: Harvest Festival 2011
The rain did hold off on Sunday. The crowds did appear in downtown Franklin.
From what I could see, a good time was had by all!
Thanks to the Franklin Downtown Partnership and all its volunteers for making this so successful!
Note: Email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the slideshow photos.
From what I could see, a good time was had by all!
Thanks to the Franklin Downtown Partnership and all its volunteers for making this so successful!
Note: Email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the slideshow photos.
Pumpkin Fest at British Beer Company, Franklin
What: Pumpkin Fest
Where: British Beer Company in FranklinWhen: Saturday October 8thWhy: Pumpkin beer tap takeoverWhat else: Pumpkin cocktails, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin menu specials, pumpkin painting*Not to be confused with Pumpkin Fest in Pembroke this Saturday October 1stPumpkin beer: it just might be the hottest trend in the beverage industry right now. 2011 saw the release of literally dozens of new pumpkin beers enter the market – people are actually hording this stuff! From Imperials to Ales and Porters, pumpkin is the darling of the brewing world this season. So…Pumpkin Fest! The British Beer Company in Frankin will be hosting the first ever Pumpkin Fest, anchored by a tap takeover featuring seven different pumpkin beer styles. Each of the following brewers will be represented and have put a different twist on this new fall favorite: Harpoon, Dogfish Head, Southern Tier, Smuttynose, Shipyard, Brooklyn and Saranac.But there's more to Pumpkin Fest than beer, the BBC will also be offering some very unique pumpkin cocktails, one day only pumpkin menu specials (including pumpkin bisque in baby pumpkins w/ toasted pumpkin bread), hot crispy pumpkin seeds for all and pumpkin painting for the kiddies. If you've got the carving skills, bring in a jack-o-lantern from home and enter a contest with the chance to win a sweet prize.All this pumpkin goodness will start to flow as soon as the doors open at noon on Saturday October 8th. The festivities will be taking place all day, but these beers are limited so come early to try them all. 12oz and 16oz pours will be available. For those who show up later the band Chyldz Play will be performing at 10pm – never a cover charge at the BBC.pumpkin…Pumpkin…PUMPKIN!British Beer Company280 Franklin Village Drive. Franklin, MAhttp://www.britishbeer.com/local/franklin
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Key Video Segments
1 - Did you miss the key section of the School Committee meeting where they announced approval of the teacher contract? The video of the meeting is now available.
You can go directly to this section here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=ZUMBfcOh7y2cGOHLBPZnyw%3d%3d
The discussion on the contract begins about 3 minutes into this segment at the end of the action items. Members of the School Committee did acknowledge that some members of the community and Town Council may not like the terms of the deal.
2 - Did you miss the Town Council meeting where the School Committee got invited to come and explain the teacher contract agreement? The video of the meeting is now available.
You can go directly to this section here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=LOBhoeHsPKafPdcXT3yS9w%3d%3d
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Two Quick Updates
1 - You'll notice I have done some fall cleaning and put a new template here. I want to keep the layout clean, simple and keep the accessibility high. I don't want the template to get in the way of the information. The information should be easy to find and read.
2 - In trying to keep my writing simple and accurate I did stumble yesterday. A couple of you noticed and sent me an email mostly asking if that was what I meant to say. No, upon re-reading it, it wasn't. As I wrote in the update yesterday
in trying to nail the item that the Council does not get compensated, I guess I left open a door for other compensation. Clearly, that was not my intent. I guess the hammer hit my thumb. Ouch!
The only two elected officials who get paid by Franklin are the Town Clerk and the Treasurer. All the others are volunteers like myself who do it because Franklin matters! I have always appreciated the volunteer effort and to indicate otherwise was not my intent.
Passport: your ticket to discovering the Harvest Festival
The Harvest Festival Passport is your ticket to discovering all the event has to offer. Looking for entertainment? Food? Crafters? The Passport and the Map will help you navigate downtown Franklin and get the most out of the festival.
The Passport lists the entertainment acts, show times and locations. Used hand in hand with the map, it’s also your chance to win prizes.
Pick up your Passport at the Franklin Downtown Partnership booth, major sponsors’ booths or at the Historical Museum. Then locate the “Destination” booths listed and get your Passport validated. Once you have all your stamps, drop the Passport off at the Downtown Partnership booth to be entered into a drawing. Winners will be announced on the FDP website, franklindowntownpartnership.org, on Tuesday, October 4.
There are many prizes to win, including a Coffee, Tea and Chocolate gift basket donated by the Franklin News and valued at $300, a gift basket donated by Happy Tails Doggy Daycare, a $100 gift certificate to the YMCA, items donated by Music Odyssey Productions, and many more, adding up to a total prize value of over $1,000.
Just follow these three simple steps to win:
- Pick up your Passport at the FDP booth, sponsor booths or Historical Museum
- Validate your Passport at Destination booths
- Drop off your completed Passport at the FDP booth
YMCA Walk to school, Weds Oct 5
Hockomock Area YMCA and local schools celebrate
International Walk to School Day on October 5(Franklin, MA) Hockomock Area YMCA staff and school leaders and volunteers will join local elementary school children in celebrating the annual International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 5. Participating schools include Oak Street Elementary, Helen Keller Elementary, Davis Thayer Elementary, and Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public Schools all in Franklin as well as Stall Brook Elementary School in Bellingham.Franklin's Bernon Family Branch of The Hockomock Area YMCA will join the students as well as parents, teachers, and community leaders on the walk from the designed meeting spaces to their schools, ensuring that they have a safe path to school. As part of a strong commitment to the YMCA's Healthy Future's initiative which was developed as a collective community response to the childhood obesity epidemic, YMCA staff will encourage kids to learn about fitness by walking to school with friends.Walk to School events work to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, concern for the environment, and building connections between families, schools, and the broader community.In the U.S., International Walk to School Day is expected to be celebrated at over 3,500 events at participating schools. Walkers from the U.S. will join children and adults in 40 countries around the world.For additional information, please contact the Y's Community and Youth Wellness Director Lauren Marciszyn at 774.235.2737 or laurenm@hockymca.org.For additional information, please visit these Web sites:International Walk to School in the USA www.walktoschool.orgNational Center for Safe Routes to School www.saferoutesinfo.orgInternational Walk to School www.iwalktoschool.org
Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit increases to $980 for 2011
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue by Robert Bliss on 9/30/11
Posted by:
The Department of Revenue published yesterday the Technical Information Release that presents the new income, valuation and credit amounts for the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit for tax year 2011.
The $980 maximum value of this credit for tax year 2011 is $10 more than the previous year.
There is no other refundable state tax credit that puts more money into the wallets of taxpayers 65 and older than the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit. In tax year 2009, the most recent tax year for which complete information is available, 80,566 taxpayers received $61.1million in cash or credits used to lower income tax payments, an average of $759 per taxpayer.
The circuit breaker tax credit is based upon the actual real estate taxes -- or rent -- paid by a taxpayer who is eligible to claim the credit.
It is equal to the amount by which the taxpayer's property tax payments in the current tax year, including water and sewer charges but excluding any abatement or exemption granted, exceeds 10 percent of the taxpayer's total income, provided that the credit does not exceed the maximum credit amount for tax year 2011 of $980.
A taxpayer's total income may not exceed $52,000 for a single individual who is not head of a household, $65,000 for a head of household, and $78,000 for a married couple filing jointly.
The maximum assessed valuation of a residence may not exceed $729,000, which is down from last year's maximum valuation of $764,000, reflecting a decline in the valuation of homes.
The credit also works for renters. It is equal to the amount by which 25 percent of the rent actually paid during the taxable year exceeds 10 percent of the taxpayer's total income, with the credit capped at $980.
How does this credit work in practice? Take the example of a married couple with an annual income of $60,000 and $8,000 in property tax and water and sewer bills for their home. Ten percent of their income is $6,000 and their combined property tax and water and sewer bills total $8,000, which is $2,000 more than 10 percent of their income, so they qualify for the maximum credit of $980.
For a married couple filing jointly that rents, take the example of a married couple with a $28,000 income who pay $12,000 annually in rent. Ten percent of their income is 2,800, which is $200 less than 25 percent of their rent, so they qualify for a credit of $200.
If you are eligible, you can go back three years and claim the credit retroactively. If you owe tax, the credit is deducted from the amount owed. And if you don't owe tax, the state cuts you a check. It's worth taking a few minutes to do the math on this.
Historic information on the number and amount of credits issued to taxpayers in each of the Commonwealth's 351 cities and towns over the years is published on DOR's web page. Click on the link that says Senior Circuit Breaker Usage Report.
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Friday, September 30, 2011
Welcome Music Boosters
If you want to stay informed on what matters in Franklin, MA, you have found the right place.
You can subscribe to receive a daily dose of what matters via email
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We do foster respectful conversation and discussions.
The comment policy can be found here: Comment policy
My disclosure statement can be found here. You can read the story of why Franklin Matters!
Reporting on meetings can be done live (in person) or real-time (via the cable or internet feed) or on a delayed basis (via the video on demand). The distinctions are explained here.
Please Note: Your privacy and effective use of your time is top priority with these subscription options. I do not use your email for any other purpose.
You can subscribe to receive a daily dose of what matters via email
You can subscribe to receive a weekly summary of what matters via email
You can find us on Facebook:
I believe Franklin, MA Matters
Promote Your Page Too
We do foster respectful conversation and discussions.
The comment policy can be found here: Comment policy
My disclosure statement can be found here. You can read the story of why Franklin Matters!
Reporting on meetings can be done live (in person) or real-time (via the cable or internet feed) or on a delayed basis (via the video on demand). The distinctions are explained here.
Please Note: Your privacy and effective use of your time is top priority with these subscription options. I do not use your email for any other purpose.
Franklin, MA: Town Council Attendance
The Town Council is an elected position. It is a volunteer position. Despite some who persist in saying they get paid to do this, they don't. At least not in a formal salary or stipend etc. from the Town.*
* updated 5:40 PM - in trying to nail the item that the Council does not get compensated, I guess I left open a door for other compensation. Clearly, that was not my intent. I guess the hammer hit my thumb. Ouch!
The performance of the current Town Council since being elected in November 2009 is shown below:
Note: The spreadsheet that drives this chart is publicly available and has been since November 2009. You can view it but not edit it. If you find something that should be corrected, please let me know.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkwjbnXDBhczdEZSWlZLTFVqNmcxZWFTNDNxNk5PZkE&hl=en#gid=0
The spreadsheet also records the School Committee attendance. There is significantly less variability among the School Committee members.
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