Analyzing the House Budget for FY 2015

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. The House Budget for FY 2015: Analysis of Amendments Adopted During Debate   During three days of budget debate the House made only modest changes to the budget put forward by the Ways and Means Committee. These changes are detailed in our full Budget Monitor. Overall, the House added $143.9 million in amendments, about a third of one percent of the budget. The final House budget, like the Governor's proposal, makes incremental efforts to address major challenges, but does not make the type of substantial progress in expanding opportunity in all of our communities that could be achieved with new revenue invested effectively. The House adopted amendments affecting most areas of the budget, including the following:  Child Welfare received an additional $7.7 million in funding, mostly to support the hiring of additional social workers. This should allow reductions in the number of cases each worker needs to manage and therefore increase the department's capacity to protect vulnerable children. This is a step forward. But it is only one of many steps that would be needed to support all of our families in crisis, protect all of our vulnerable children, and give them the opportunity to thrive. The final funding level in the House is essentially the same as that proposed by the Governor in January.   Youth Jobs and related programs received $6.2 million in increased funding during floor debate. The total funding level for these programs in the final House budget, however, remains $7.7 million below current funding levels.   MassHealth received an additional $44 million during floor debate, directed to increasing reimbursement for the state's safety net hospitals that serve large numbers of low-income patients, and for nursing homes. The federal government will reimburse Massachusetts for half of this total.  For detail on the most significant changes between the Ways and Means budget proposal and the final House version, please read our full Budget Monitor 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

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

What are you doing June 16? Join the United Chamber on the links!

The United Regional  Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament  ************************************************************************************************************************************ June 16 - Franklin Country Club  672 E. Central St., Franklin   What's Included: 18-holes of Golf, Cart, Lunch, Dinner, Raffles and More Important Times: 11 a.m. Registration 11:30 a.m. Putting Contest, Rules & Cart Pick-Up  Noon Shotgun Start 5 p.m. Dinner, Awards & Raffles     Cost:  $185, or $210 with player passport before June 3                                          Download the Registration Form or Call: 508-222-0801 or 508-528-2800     Thank You to These Generous Sponsors:        More Sponsorships are Available. ************************************************************************************************************************************

Forward email The United Regional Chamber of Commerce | 42 Union Street | Attleboro | MA | 02703

Live reporting: Finance Committee - May 6, 2014

Present: Dowd, Conley, Fleming, Dufour, Aparo, Heumpher, Quinn
Absent: Dewsnap, Smith


motion to accept meeting minutes from prior meetings, seconded and passed 7-0


Items for Action:
Snow and Ice Transfer

• motion to appropriate $280,000 from free cash for this; seconded, passed 7-0

Recreation Transfer
need some fund to balance the expense side of the budget, increased revenue is coming due to increase participation; this amount finishes this fiscal year

• motion to appropriate $7,000 from free cash; seconded, passed 7-0 

Wachusett/Upper Union St. house demolition transfer
transfer of funds from account previously set for the Beaver St house demolition

• motion to transfer $15,000 from the Beaver St account, seconded, passed 7-0

Central Services Transfer
postage increase in January, and increased notifications via certified mail to abutters for Zoning Board, etc.

motion to appropriate $10,000 from free cash; seconded, passed 7-0


Old Business
thanks for the work on the budget, it passed successfully


New Business
1 - Oct 18th annual Finance meetings

2 - Looking to go to the Town Council in June for $1M for the project manger and start up of the Library project; right now everyone is out straight with the high school building

Conversations around town asking why add space to the library when with the advent of ebooks books may not be around for ever

Intent to bring the Library folks here for the June meeting to answer all the questions around what the proposals

bathrooms, meeting space, conceptual design, the building committee would put together the actual plan
undersized and over utilized, the Library Board can come to review all the details
these are good questions

libraries are evolving, programs and education, museum passes, etc. are also there

3 - also to ask the Town Council to consider putting on a dedicated override for the road in the November election. would also be on the June agenda

4 - Franklin is now officially on Twitter (as of last week)
another channel for communications

5 - downtown project contracts sent out to the contractor, hopefully in June... received the money in 2009 but haven't spent it yet.

Tentative ribbon cutting for DelCarte Jun 4th at 5:00 PM
No date yet for the Sculpture Park

Construction - Lincoln street should start after school gets out

Sep 20 - tours, Sep 21 - grand opening
Sometime in June final walk through for old high school

old school starts coming down after school gets out in June
whole school should be down by Labor Day, then the fields and roadway gets to the completion



Adjournment
motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 7-0

Healthy Kids Day - Stuff the Truck

The Franklin Food Pantry participated in the Healthy Kids Day at Patriot Place on Saturday, May 3

Healthy Kids Day

Coordinated by the Hockomock YMCA as part of Healthy Futures, the event had activities for kids of all ages. Displays from multiple companies and organizations shared information and more about health.

Panorama of the Healthy Kids Day

The Franklin Food Pantry was visible in a prime location.

Panorama 2 of Healthy Kids Day

 The folks with Stop and Shop helped to fill the truck by donating about 40 cases of water and several cases of snack bars.

Left to right: Marissa Garofano, Bob Hamilton, Patty Hartnett, Kristy Brousseau, Stephanie Joyce,
Mark Lavallee, David and Susan Strittmatter

Healthy Futures Coordinator Marissa Garofano posed with Food Pantry Board Members Bob Hamilton and Mark Lavallee, Stop and Shop volunteers Kristy Brousseau and Stephanie Joyce, along with Food Pantry volunteers Patty Hartnett, David and Susan Strittmatter with the almost stuffed Food Pantry truck.

Stamp Out Hunger - May 10

Now's the time to fill your food donation bag and get ready for the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on Saturday, May 10. Just leave your bag of non-perishables by your mailbox on May 10 and the Franklin letter carriers will pick it up and deliver it to the Franklin Food Pantry. For more information, including a list of items most needed by the Food Pantry, visit here.

Show your support for the Franklin Food Pantry and the Franklin letter carriers in the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive by changing your Facebook profile photo this week to the campaign’s logo!

Stamp Out Hunger - May 10

The current needs of the Franklin Food Pantry
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/04/franklin-letter-carriers-help-franklin.html

Additional info on the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive   http://www.helpstampouthunger.com/

All Night Party: Bottle/Can Drive - May 10th

Bottle and Can drive to be held THIS Saturday, May 10^th, at the Franklin High School from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM (rain or shine – in the parking lot). 

The bottle/can drive will help raise funds for the All Night Party. This is the final fundraising event for this year's party. 

Just in case you aren't entirely familiar with the All Night Party, it is a substance-free party that is hosted by parents at the high school for the graduating seniors. There are activities from 11:00 pm - 5:00 a.m. 

This event provides the graduates with non-stop activities, unlimited food and drinks, and they have the opportunity to win fantastic prizes. 

This is such a wonderful event of which 90+% of the students attend and thanks to approximately 500-700 volunteers and lots of fundraising we are able to pull it off!

the new Franklin High School under construction

Representative Roy Announces Office Hours

State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) announced today that constituent office hours will be held in Medway & Franklin for the Month of May on the following days:

Medway – Saturday May 24th, 10:00-11:00AM, Medway Public Library, Cole Room A – 26 High Street, Medway, MA 02053 

Franklin – Thursday May 29th, 4:00-5:00PM, Spruce Pond Creamery – 370 King Street, Franklin, MA 02038

Christopher Yancich, his legislative aide, will be accompanying him. 

Representative Roy stated that all office hours are open to any residents of Franklin and Medway who may have questions or concerns that they wish to bring to his attention. Walk-ins are welcome; no appointment necessary. He looks forward to hearing from you. 

He also invites all constituents to call him at his State House office at (617) 722-2400, stop by Room 134 in the State House, or email him at Jeffrey.Roy@MAhouse.gov.

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda - May 6, 2014

The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers.


Call to Order
Citizens Comments
Approval of Minutes


Items for Action:

Snow and Ice Transfer
Recreation Transfer
Wachusett/Upper Union St. house demolition transfer
Central Services Transfer

Old Business
New Business
Adjournment




You can also find this agenda on the FinCom page of the Franklin website
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_FinanceAgendas/

Franklin Municipal Building

SNETT 5K road race start (video)

The race results were shared on Sunday. Here is video showing the start of the 5K race funding raising for the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee.

runners just before the start of the race

For the results posted here on Sunday follow this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/05/snett-5k-race-and-walk-results.html


For photos of the finishers as they approached the finish line, check out this set of photos on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157644097625247/

These photos are all licensed under Creative Commons, they are available for download, for non-commercial use with attribution.

Franklin Brochure Info - Deadline May 9th

If you operate a business in Franklin and are not yet a member of the Franklin Downtown Partnership, this would be a good reason to consider joining.

Dear business members,
 
My name is Terri Frank and I'm the Communications Coordinator for the Downtown Partnership. I'm pleased to be the membership coordinator for our exciting new Franklin Brochure and Map. Due out this summer, the map will showcase all the reasons why Franklin is a great place to live, work and visit.
 

Franklin Downtown Partnership

All 2014 business members will get a Free listing in the brochure. Please fill out and return the attached form by May 9 if you would like your free listing or would like to advertise. Please reply to my e-mail address at Terrifrank1@gmail.com. There are 4 levels of participation to choose from, and the advertising space will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.  The business name, website and phone number you provide will be your listing in the brochure.
 
I will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the brochure, the listings, or the ads (while they last).
 
Best regards,
 
Terri Frank
FDP Communications Coordinator
terrifrank1@gmail.com

The form referenced can be found here

Information on how much the membership costs can be found here

http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/p/membership-info.html

For residents, it is only $25 to join!

Happy birthday Horace Mann!

Horace Mann, the father of American education, was born here in Franklin, MA in 1796.

The monument along RT 140 at the edge of the Shaw's Plaza marks Horace's birthplace.

Horace Mann birthplace monument - Shaw's Plaza

The Mann family grave in the cemetery here in Franklin is not where Horace lies. Horace's grave is in the North Burial Ground in Providence, RI. I managed to go exploring last year to find the site and take these photos.

Horace Mann grave site - Providence, RI

Horace Mann grave site view

Stop by the Franklin Historical Museum. They have prepared an updated exhibit on Horace Mann.

The 6 main principles of the Common School are shown

Horace Mann - principles of the 'Common School'

These principles stand the test of time:

(1) the public should no longer remain ignorant; (2) that such education should be paid for, controlled, and sustained by an interested public; (3) that this education will be best provided in schools that embrace children from a variety of backgrounds; (4) that this education must be non-sectarian; (5) that this education must be taught by the spirit, methods, and discipline of a free society; and (6) that education should be provided by well-trained, professional teachers. 

For additional info on Horace Mann, check his page on wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Mann


The Franklin Historical Museum is open

• Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
• Thursday from 5:00 - 8:00 PM 
• Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

If you do find yourself in Providence with time to explore the North Burial Ground, it is a fascinating place. The info on how to find Horace Mann's grave site can be found on this link:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=664

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - May 7

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS – This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
– Disabilities Commission - Martha Murray

F. HEARINGS – 7:10 PM
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-728-R: Industrial to Single-Family III
2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-732: Amendment to the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Section 21. Parking, Loading, and driveway requirements
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-733: Zoning Map changes from Commercial I to Downtown Commercial District in an Area on or Near Alpine Row
4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-734: Zoning Map Changes from Industrial to General Residential V District in an Area on or Near Josephine Street
5. Bylaw Amendment 14-735: Chapter, 25, Personnel Regulations, Appendix A and Appendix B

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
– Available Alcoholic Beverages(Package Store) Licenses

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-32: Appropriation: Wachusett/Upper Union House Demolitions
2. Resolution 14-33: Appropriation: Recreation – Expenses
3. Resolution 14-34: Appropriation: Postage
4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-728-R: Industrial to Single-Family III-1st Reading
5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-732: Amendment to the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Section 21. Parking, Loading, and driveway requirements- 1st Reading
6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-733: Zoning Map changes from Commercial I to Downtown Commercial District in an Area on or Near Alpine Row-1st Reading
7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-734: Zoning Map Changes from Industrial to General Residential V District in an Area on or Near Josephine Street-1st Reading
8. Bylaw Amendment 14-735: Chapter, 25, Personnel Regulations, Appendix A & Appendix B-1st Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
– Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

The documents released for this meeting can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/050714.pdf

Franklin Municipal Building

SNETT 5K Race and Walk results

CJ Berg was the overall winner and Amy Strong took first among the female runners at the SNETT 5K Road Race on Saturday. More than 100 runners participated. An additional 30 or so chose to walk in the good weather.

Before the race, Rep Roy posed while chatting race strategy with Bob Amrich and Slyde (from the New England Revolution).

Rep Jeff Roy, Bob Amrich and Slyde

CJ Berg approaching the finish

Amy Strong, first female cruises into the finish

Complete results of the race can be found here
http://www.coolrunning.com/results/14/ma/May3_SNETTT_set1.shtml

There'll will be additional photos and the video of the race start posted on Monday/Tuesday

For more information about the SNETT and the efforts of the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, visit their website  http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/

Earth Day - Franklin is cleaner

Many Franklin residents got together at Beaver Pond to pick up bags and head out to locations around town to clean up. They were rewarded with pizza at noon time as well as the satisfaction of a job well done.

tree saplings were available to take and plant

tree saplings available for planting

The crew that stopped to clean around Parmenter School left their bags for the DPW trucks to pick up later.

clean up bags at Parmenter School

It was a good day to be out and about. Thank you for taking part and making Franklin a cleaner place!

Kindergarten Information Nights Scheduled

FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION NIGHTS 

Announced 2014-2015

(Parents/Guardians only please)

The principals at each elementary school invite parents to join them for a tour and information session. This adult-only event provides parents and guardians with information about a typical kindergarten day and helps you prepare for the transition. Families with children eligible for kindergarten should plan on attending the session at their child's home school.

• J.F. Kennedy Elementary May 15th 6:00 pm
• Parmenter Elementary May 21st 6:00 pm
• Jefferson Elementary May 22nd 6:00 pm
• Helen Keller Elementary May 15th 6:00 pm
• Davis Thayer Elementary May 22nd 6:00 pm
• Oak Street Elementary May 28th 6:00 pm

Franklin Public Schools