Senator Spilka: Lifting All Families in the FY 2016 Budget

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Legislature Passes Budget to Lift All Families Dear Friend, Last week, the legislature sent a $­38.145 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2016 to the Governor's desk. I'm proud that my first budget as Chair of Senate Ways and Means lifts all families. These budget line items are so much more than just numbers - they represent values, priorities and meaningful tools for people across MetroWest and the Commonwealth. We invest in the future, strengthening pathways to educational opportunity from early ed through college and workforce training. We provide assistance for those struggling with opioid addiction and help people find stable housing solutions.  The Earned Income Tax Credit increase is a big step to address rising income inequality and put more money in the pockets of hard-working families. Thank you to advocates and constituents across MetroWest and the Commonwealth for making your voices heard on your priorities throughout the budget process! This is my new e-newsletter - stay tuned for more details and updates. Please feel free to share with family, friends and colleagues by clicking on the "Forward to a Friend" link at the bottom of this email.   As always, if you would like additional information or have any concerns or comments, please call my office at (617) 722-1640 or email me at Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov. Warm Regards, Senator Karen E. Spilka 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka Room 212, State House Boston, Massachusetts  02133 Phone: (617) 722-1640 - Fax: (617) 722-1077 http://www.karenspilka.com

Forward this email Senator Karen E. Spilka | Massachusetts State House, Room 212 | Boston | MA | 02133

Pond St RFP's responses to be reviewed

The next Economic Development Committee meeting is scheduled for Weds, July 15th at 6:00 PM. The meeting will review and discuss the responses to the RFP that was issued for the Pond St property and due to be submitted to Franklin as of July 9th.

At the Town Council meeting on Weds, July 8th, there had been at least one response submitted for solar. Reported to be from the same company that did the solar farm for the Mount St Mary's property. Franklin has an agreement with the solar farm there to purchase the electricity which effectively provides about 80% of Franklin's municipal requirements.

The meeting was discussed as being held in the Council Chambers as the 3rd floor training was unavailable. According to the Franklin calendar, the meeting will be held in the 3rd floor training room so something may have changed.

In any case, I do know the date and time of the meeting at the Municipal building. Worse case we show up to find out what room it is in.

Franklin Municipal Building

Regency Transportation to move "The Wall That Heals"

Franklin trucking company Regency Transportation was selected for involvement with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in transporting “The Wall That Heals,” a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. 

The memorial, unveiled in 1996, was designed to travel, and has visited more than 400 cities and towns in the U.S. 

Regency Transportation driver Gordon Rogers, a Marine Corp veteran, will move the memorial from Fuller Elementary School in Gloucester, where it is currently on display, to Staunton, Virginia. 

For more information, visit vvmf.org/twth.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150713/NEWS/150718959/1994/NEWS

"The Wall That Heals"

Rail Good Coffee - open from 5:00 to 11:00 AM Monday through Friday

An update to my post from June 26th, the hours that Rail Good Coffee operate were posted to the window when I went by on Monday morning.

Rail Good Coffee hours Mon - Fri

When getting ready to catch the inbound train Thursday morning, I noticed that the doors to the building were open. This had been closed up for a bit after The Cake Bar and Cafe Dolce both gave it a good try. 

They were indeed open. It had just opened earlier that morning. Newspapers had not yet started delivery but were scheduled. Train tickets can be purchased. The menu board had a listing of prices for coffee, etc. 

Stop in to talk with Randy. Buy a coffee before your ride into Boston the next time you go.

menu board at Rail Good Coffee

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/06/rail-good-coffee-now-open-at.html

Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew"

The best way to experience Shakespeare is to see a performance in person. To see an outdoor performance is an opportunity that is just around the corner for folks here in Franklin.

The Star Players of MA is collaborating with Dean College to perform "The Taming of the Shrew" in the open on the Dean quad.

This free performance is scheduled for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday before the Franklin Cultural Festival kicks off.

• Friday, July 24 - 7:00 PM 
• Saturday, July 25 - 7:00 PM 
• Sunday, July 26 - 2:00 PM

Star Players and Dean College perform Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew"

In case of the rain, the performance will move inside to the Chapel in Dean Hall.

For a quick recap of "The Taming of the Shrew" check the wikipedia entry here
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Taming_of_the_Shrew

Parmenter Bird House (photo essay)

Saturday's walk gave me a great chance to capture some photos of the new bird house  put in at the entrance to the Parmenter Nature Walk.

One weekend in June, I happened upon a group of parents and 5th graders working to clean up the trail and to prepare for the installation of the bird house.

entrance to Parmenter Nature Trail (bird house now in its own circle of stones to the left of the trail)

The bird house was supposed to be installed that Monday but the weather (rain) prevented that, time went by, it did get installed (sometime) and I finally did get to take some photos (on Saturday).

The group posed for a photo after their trail clean up work (thanks to Mary Jo Peterson for sharing)

The group posed for a photo (thanks to Mary Jo Peterson for sharing)

The bird feeder

front view

memorial plaque

one side view

other side view

full size  view

Photos of the Story Walk from October 2010 can be found here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157625155278049/

Note: The "Story Walk" is no longer but the trail is what was recently cleaned up

Photos of the Nature Trail from 2008 can be found here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157606926154439/

MA Ranked 48 of 50 on Fiscal Condition

Given the agreement between the MA House and Senate on the state budget which is now in the Governor's hand to review and vote on, it would be interesting to know how MA finances compare overall with the other states.

Does your state have its fiscal affairs in order? It’s not an easy question to answer, in part because the question can mean so many different things, including:

• Can the state pay its current bills? (cash solvency)

• Will annual revenues be sufficient to cover budgeted expenditures? (budget solvency)

• Are the state’s long-term liabilities—think bonds and loans—sustainable? (long-run solvency)

• How much room is there to raise additional revenue should the need arise? (service-level solvency)

• Can the state meet its pension and health care obligations? (trust fund solvency)

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University has compiled this information in an interactive manner so you can check on the state by state comparison.

Long-run solvency. Can a state meet its long-term spending commitments? Will there be enough money to cushion it from economic shocks or other long-term fiscal risks?

MA does not do well. We are ranked 48 of the 50. Yes, well down the bottom.

You can find the rankings here
http://mercatus.org/statefiscalrankings

The MA summary is here
http://mercatus.org/statefiscalrankings/massachusetts

A video explanation of the process can be found here

Wedding Gown Exhibit

June (10.8%) may be the most popular month for weddings with August (10.2%) a close second but May (9.8%) and July (9.7%) come right behind along with September (9.4%) and October (9.2%).

So this is still prime wedding season and the Historical Museum can provide a comfortable setting to view some gowns and stories from Franklin weddings.

The Franklin Historical Museum's summer Wedding Gown Exhibit is presently on display at the museum. 11 gowns ranging from 1890 to the 1960s are on display along with photos and stories of the brides who wore them. 

Featured this year is the gown worn by beloved Franklin teacher, Palma Johnson, whose Kennedy school class had legislation passed to have the Lady Bug named as Massachusetts official state bug! 

The parachute gown is one again on display as well as many mother/daughter displays of gowns from both generations. 

The museum is located at 80 West Central Street in the old Town Hall, is handicap accessible and is open

• Saturdays 10:00am-1:00pm,
• Sundays 1:00pm-4:00pm
• Thursday evenings 5:00pm-8:00pm.

wedding gown on display at the Franklin Historical Museum

wedding gown on display at the Franklin Historical Museum

For additional information on the Historical Museum visit their webpage
http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/

or on Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/FHM02038


Note the wedding statistics came from this page
http://www.soundvision.com/article/wedding-statistics-in-the-united-states

MassBudget: Analyzing the Legislature's Budget for FY 2016

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Analyzing the Legislature's Budget for FY 2016 The Legislature's Fiscal Year 2016 (FY 2016) budget, approved by the House and Senate on Wednesday, makes few major changes in overall funding provided to educate our children, keep our communities safe, protect our most vulnerable, keep our air and water clean, strengthen our economy and improve the quality of life in our communities. Click HERE for our full analysis.  The Governor now has ten days from the enactment of the budget to sign it and veto any outside sections, line items, or portions of line items. The budget then returns to the Legislature, which can either let vetoes stand or override them with a two thirds vote of the House and Senate.   The budget does include several significant new initiatives, including: Increasing the value of the state earned income tax credit from 15% of the federal credit to 23%. This will provide additional income to over 400,000 lower wage workers and their families (click HERE for town-by-town detail). Besides improving lives now by helping parents to pay for necessities like food and clothing for their children, this additional support is also likely to expand opportunity for these children over the long run: there is growing evidence that when the income of a lower income family increases, the children often do better in school and earn more as adults. Providing significant new tools for the administration to improve management at the MBTA. The budget creates a new MBTA Control Board and authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to appoint the Director of the MBTA. The budget also suspends for three years the Taxpayer Protection Act (commonly called the Pacheco Law) that regulates privatization. The law requires that privatization efforts achieve savings by efficiency improvements rather than by reducing pay and benefits for workers (click HERE for more detail). Addressing substance abuse with targeted investments throughout MassHealth, public health and mental health. In particular, new initiatives support first responders and others in the community struggling to address the challenge of opioid addiction. The Legislature's final budget, like the budget proposed by the governor back in March, relies heavily on temporary strategies to balance the budget. It spends $300 million in capital gains tax revenue that would have gone into the Rainy Day Fund under current law. It also counts on $100 million from a tax amnesty and $116 million from putting off paying some of our FY 2016 MassHealth bills into FY 2017. As has been the case for many years, state budget choices are being shaped by fiscal challenges that date back to the late 1990s: after cutting the income tax by over $3 billion dollars between 1998 and 2002 our state has had to make deep cuts in areas like higher education, local aid, and public health. Meanwhile, the highest income residents in the Commonwealth are paying a substantially smaller share of their income in state and local taxes than do the other 99%. If our tax system were reformed so that the highest income 1% of taxpayers paid roughly the same share of their income in taxes as everyone else, that would raise about $2 billion that could be invested in things like making college affordable, improving our transportation systems, and providing all children with the supports they need to thrive. Please click HERE for our full analysis.    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

News from Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Sees Encouraging Trends in Real Estate Market Citing continued growth in the total dollar volume of real estate sales and the robust gains in the mortgage market in the 2nd quarter, 2015, Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell expressed "cautious optimism" that the Norfolk County real estate market is exhibiting several encouraging signs. The Register noted, "During the last quarter (April-June), the total number of deeds recorded rose a modest 4% to 4,745 compared to the same time period in 2014. I am convinced this number would have even been bigger except for the lack of real estate inventory as buyers compete amongst themselves for a limited number of properties." Register O'Donnell went on to say, "The total dollar volume of residential and commercial real estate sales increased by a significant 27% to $2.4 billion and the average sale price of property increased by 24% to $790,659 compared to the same quarter last year. These numbers clearly reflect, that despite the limited number of properties available, Norfolk County continues to be a desirable place to live and work." Another big story was the continued turnaround in the mortgage market. The Register cited the number of mortgages recorded 8,510, a substantial 30% increase from the 2nd quarter of 2014. Total mortgage borrowing for the comparative period was $3.9 billion, a 45% increase. "What these figures show is the continuing improvement in the real estate market and in consumer confidence in the mortgage markets. Such actions can only improve the overall economy," stated Register O'Donnell. One troubling statistic to note was the 69 foreclosure deeds filed in the County during the 2nd quarter, a 77% increase from the same time period in 2014. "This is a result of lending institutions working through a backlog of foreclosures, which were triggered by the housing crisis of 2008 and it's not just affecting Norfolk County, but all areas of Massachusetts. Compounding this data was the modest increase in the number of notice to foreclose recordings, 149 in the 2nd quarter, as compared to 138 during the same time period of last year. Notice to Foreclose Mortgage is the first step in the foreclosure process. These stats are a clear indicator that some of our neighbors are still struggling," said O'Donnell. The Registry continues to partner with Quincy Community Action Programs at (617) 479-8181 x-376 and Neighbor Works Southern Mass at (508) 598-0950 to help anyone who has received a Notice of Foreclosure from a lender. Another option for consumers is to call the Massachusetts Attorney General's HomeCorps program at (617) 573-5333. One remaining positive development gleamed from the past quarter was a 7% increase in the number of Homesteads recorded. Homestead recording provides for limited protection against the forced sale of an individual's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000. Register O'Donnell concluded, "Overall, I continue to be cautiously optimistic about the Norfolk County real estate market. I am hopeful that we will see an uptick in inventory which will benefit home buyers, particularly first-timers looking to own a starter home or condominium. However, one note of caution is to watch what the Federal Reserve does with interest rates later this year." To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, "like" us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, 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. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org. Register William P. O'Donnell Norfolk County Registry of Deeds email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org phone: 781-234-3336 web: http://www.norfolkdeeds.org

Forward email Norfolk County Registry of Deeds | 649 High Street | Dedham, | MA | 02026-1831

screen grab of Norfolk County Deeds webpage

In the News: Kulanu Family Fun Festival

On Sunday, July 12, Kulanu is collaborating with Temple Etz Chaim of Franklin and Temple Beth Torah of Holliston to offer Jewish families the opportunity to enjoy the Kulanu Family Fun Festival. 

The Festival will have a bouncy house, face-painting, crafts and "The Bubble Music Man,” who has entertained at hundreds of day care centers, public libraries, schools and children's birthday parties since 2005. 

For the second year in a row The Bernon Family Branch YMCA, 45 Forge Hill Road, Franklin is hosting the Kulanu Family Fun Festival.

Continue reading the article here
http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/article/20150704/NEWS/150709997


Register for the Kulanu Family Fun Festival by Friday, July 10 to get a rate of $5 for the entire family; $10 for families that walk-in. Register at https://jfsofmetrowest.wufoo.com/forms/kulanu-fun-day-07122015/

For questions, contact Kulanu Connector Dawn Doucette-Kaplan by email at ddoucettekaplan@jfsmw.org.

Lewis St Neighborhood - Roadway Improvements

Pavao Construction will be starting the Lewis St. Neighborhood Roadway Improvement Project the week of July 6th, 2015 and will continue through the fall. 

Crocker Ave at Summer St

Work will include drainage and roadway improvements on Lewis Street, Hill Ave, Crocker Ave, Cook Street, and Keough Street.

equipment and work underway on Lewis St

Access to residents will be maintained, but we ask that travelers seek alternate routes during construction.

work on new sidewalks along Uncas Ave

Where is Lewis St?

Off East Central St, opposite Rockland Trust

"I raised an addict - what could I have done differently?"

Patricia Byrne writes:

It has been a very interesting month. I have connected with old high school friends who have active or recovering addicts in their families. I have been contacted by people who are living the nightmare of Addiction as parents, spouses, children and friends of addicts as well as addicts themselves. Many have shared powerful stories of recovery. I have written or spoken the words ‘I am sorry for your loss’ too many times to count, though we really do need to keep counting… Every person we lose leaves a gaping hole in the world. That hole will swallow us all if the tide is not turned. 

I did not intend to start a blog, and I am a bit unsure of where to take it from here. I am, after all, just the Mom of an addict who posted a bit of a hissy fit to her Facebook. I don’t think I can keep tossing out hissy fits, it would get old pretty quickly. I have decided that I will post when something is swirling around in my head enough to make me sit down and write about it, since that’s what happened the first time. It may be a few things in a short amount of time, followed by a lull. We’ll just have to see where this blog leads me. 

This is a new journey and I’m glad for the company of all who would like to walk this path with me. We have certainly walked it alone for far too long. 

Today’s thought: What could I have done differently?

image from Heroin. Stop the Silence. Speak the Truth.

Continue reading her thoughtful post "I raised an addict -what could I have done differently?" 
https://stopthesilencespeakthetruth.wordpress.com/2015/07/10/i-raised-an-addict-what-could-i-have-done-differently/

#opioidFranklin