MassBudget: Cost of special business tax breaks nearly tripled since 1996

MassBudget report examines growth of special business tax breaks

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. The cost of special business tax breaks has nearly tripled since 1996  A new study by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) shows that the cost to the state from special business tax break spending has nearly tripled, even after adjusting for inflation, from $370 million in 1996 to over $1 billion anticipated in this fiscal year. The Commonwealth forgoes a large amount of potential revenue each year through spending on business tax breaks aimed at supporting economic development in Massachusetts. Although less often a focus of budget debates, spending on these tax breaks is no different in its bottom-line effect than direct spending through the state budget: law makers must offset each dollar from these special breaks with reductions to other public programs or increases to other forms of taxes. The MassBudget report finds that the cost of special business tax breaks began to climb rapidly starting 20 years ago with incentives for the mutual fund industry, manufacturers, and others including the film industry and life sciences companies. And yet, despite the findings of a 2012 report from a state special commission that called for studying their effectiveness, most state business tax breaks have not faced a thorough examination. Back in 2011, the Massachusetts Legislature established a Tax Expenditure Commission to "study carefully for the first time the various exemptions, deductions and credits in the Massachusetts tax code, and to recommend methods for measuring and reviewing their effectiveness." The Commission recommended an overall reduction in the number and cost of these special tax breaks. It also recommended: identifying the clear purpose of each special business tax break; creating clear metrics to gauge their impact; conducting a regular rolling review of whether to let these programs expire; and spelling out clear rules about when the Commonwealth would "clawback" forgone revenues from businesses that fail to deliver the jobs or other kinds of economic development for which the given tax break was originally awarded. Most of these recommendations have yet to be implemented. MassBudget's new report tracks and explains the growth of special business tax break spending, and how it has resulted primarily from three major, industry-specific tax breaks including  for manufacturing companies, mutual fund companies, and tax breaks for movie production companies. The report examines these and a number of other recent tax breaks for businesses in Massachusetts. Read the new report here (LINK). 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 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

FHS field hockey and girls soccer teams win on Thursday

From Hockomock Sports we share the FHS fall sports results from Thursday, Oct 6


*** Field Hockey = Stoughton, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final 
– Kayla Marshall scored 10 minutes into first half on a pass from Annie Walsh and Brayden Downing with 10 minutes left in first half on another pass from Walsh to make it 2-0 at the break. Freshman Maeve Ledwith got her first career goal with 12 minutes left in the game on a pass from Erin Walsh. Christina Lucini and Sam Hertzberg combined for the shutout each making one save.


*** Girls  Cross Country = Attleboro, 48 @ Franklin, 15 – Final 

FHS Panthers

– Franklin had the top five finishes in the race, led by junior Nicole Clermont. Clermont won the race in 21:41 while classmates Kate Hartnett and Ella Gutkowski came in second and third in 21:42. Sophomore Katrina Walbert was fourth in 21:55 and junior Brianna Cummings crossed the finish line in 21:57 for fifth overall.

*** Boys  Cross Country
no results available


For all the results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-100616/

What a day for a Cross-country meet! And they're off.... pic.twitter.com/kVVUiLK4nZ

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) October 6, 2016

Newcomers Meeting = October 12

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club welcomes you to join us on Wednesday, October 12th at 7:30 at our monthly meeting. We meet upstairs at "3" Restaurant, 461 W. Central Street, Franklin. Light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages are provided.

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends is a social club for residents of all ages and situations - not just those who are new to town. We meet the second Wednesday of the month, September through May. Additionally, we organize and offer numerous other events and gatherings throughout the year. 

For more information, visit www.franklinnewcomers.com. We're also on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/FranklinNewcomersFriendsClub/

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club is a non-profit social and 
charitable organization for residents of Franklin

"one downside to that forecast is no drought-busting rainfall"

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

"While many in New England are probably relieved that Hurricane Matthew will not be making a trek north and swamping the region with heavy rain and wind, one downside to that forecast is no drought-busting rainfall. 

For the fourth consecutive week, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows 52 percent of the state still gripped in an extreme drought. Nearly 90 percent of the state is in at least severe drought. Those statistics released Thursday morning are unchanged from previous weeks despite a wet and dreary weekend and cooler than average temperatures in the past week. Unfortunately, there was actually not much widespread significant rainfall. Last weekend, Boston had .74 inches of rain but Worcester only saw .16. 

According to the National Weather Service, Boston is 10.31 inches below normal for rainfall this year. Only 2.12 inches of rain has fallen since Sept. 1 which is 1.95 inches below normal. Worcester is only slightly better with an annual rainfall deficit of 9.24 inches. Since Sept. 1, 3.43 inches of rain has fallen which is 1.28 inches below normal for Worcester."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161006/extreme-drought-unchanged-in-massachusetts

US Drought Monitor Map; Massachusetts 10/6/16

Harvest Stroll - photo essay

early in the morning, before most were up and about, the streets were cleaned

early in the evening, right around supper time, Main St closed

Town Council Chair Matt Kelly served as master of ceremonies

Congressman Joe Kennedy represented the Federal side of the collaboration to pull the improvement plan together

Representative Jeff Roy

Senators Karen Spilka and Richard Ross

and what we were waiting for, the ribbon did get cut!

Main St was full of folks all evening

not the best spot for a string instrument performance but the FHS students did well for an appreciative crowd

even as the sun was setting, Main St was full

Emma Newton at 2016 Franklin Cultural Festival (video)

Turning back time (or #TBT) to that Saturday in July when THE BLACK BOX had two stages going for a full day of musical performances.

Here is a sample of Emma Newton's performance at THE BLACK BOX on the indoor stage. 




For more about Emma Newton visit https://soundcloud.com/emma_newton

Emma Newton performing at THE BLACK BOX

FHS girls soccer and golf teams post wins on Wednesday

From Hockomock Sports we share the FHS fall sports results from Wednesday, Oct 5


*** Boys Soccer = Franklin, 1 @ Canton, 1 – Final
– Franklin’s Farley Asmath opened the scoring off an assist from Nitin Chaudhury to give the visitors a lead but Canton’s Ben Waterhouse tapped in Jake Verille’s free kick with 14 minutes to play in the first half to bring the Bulldogs level.

*** Girls Soccer - Canton, 0 @ Franklin, 2 – Final
– Halle Atkinson and Miranda Smith netted second half goals to lift the Panthers. Nadia Havens and Atkinson registered assists for Franklin.

*** Volleyball = Franklin, 1 @ Canton, 3 – Final

FHS Panthers

– Canton won the first two sets, lost the third but sealed the victory with a big win in the fourth set, 25-19, 25-15, 26-28, 25-12. Canton middles Casey Shea and Emma Murphy both had strong nights to lead the Bulldogs, putting down eights kills with just one error apiece, and combined for five blocks. Head coach Pat Cawley said Nicole Poole did a great job distributing the ball, finishing with 26 assists, 11 digs and three kills. Canton’s defense of Julia Panico, Maria Mackie, Erika Lum and Emily Lynch was strong throughout the night. Franklin’s Erin Skidmore had 13 kills, three aces and 10 digs, Maddie Kuzio finished with 34 digs, Lauren McGrath had 31 assists and Meaghan Maguire had six kills and a block for the Panthers.

*** Golf = Franklin, 179 @ Foxboro, 190 – Final


For all the results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-100516/

"It's a rare find in such condition"

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

"The Town Council heard on Wednesday evening a report on an extensive categorization and reorganization project that took place at the town historical museum during the summer. 

Historical Commission member Mary Olsson, as well as Allison Anderson, one of the two interns who worked on the project, gave a presentation to the council at its meeting. 

Anderson spoke of the conditions at the museum, noting that while there were many deficiencies, the institution has a great deal of potential."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161005/franklin-council-hears-historical-museum-report

an exhibit about Franklin's own 3-star general is available near the entrance to the main room of the Historical Museum

Don't miss out on the Ladybug 5K - Saturday, October 15

This year's Ladybug 5K will be on Saturday, October 15th, starting from Kennedy School at 551 Pond St. In addition to the 5K, there will be kids races, games, face painting, and raffles. Fun, family friendly event.

• Race registration and number pick up start at 8:30 AM
• Kids race at 9:30
• 5K at 10 AM
• Cash prize for top male and top female overall in the 5K

Registration is available for the 5K, kids race and family pricing of $50 per family.

Participants can preregister at https://racewire.com/register.php?id=6650

For more details see our website at www.ladybug5k.com

The start of the Ladybug 5K in 2015

Present permitting for Residential Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic System installations are issued under zoning guidelines for garden sheds?

A copy of the Citizens Comment made to the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Oct 5 was obtained after the meeting and shared here:


Dear Council Members and Officials,

Solar Photovoltaic Systems and other sustainability based energy solution are key components of our future. However, their installation and placement needs to be carefully managed for safety and the community characteristics Franklin offers its residents.

Present permitting for Residential Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic System installations are issued under zoning guidelines for garden sheds? This according to my conversations with Building Commissioner- Lloyd Brown, when discussing a 40-Solar Panel Ground Mounted installation at 42 Prospect Street. The installation is on the side lot of 42 Prospect Street, Franklin's first designated scenic road, the lot borders my property. Under the garden shed guidelines no screening from the road is required nor protective fencing is necessary for safety to shield children and others from accessing the energized electrical components.

completed installation

The 40-Solar Panel Ground Mounted installation at 42 Prospect Street was complete weeks ago and signed-off by the inspections and building department. Now all of a sudden the panels were removed, stacked neatly and modifications are being made? Possibly to add more panels? I have contacted the inspections and building department who indicated no work should be taking place but the work continues?

left: rework underway; right: before installation

I urge the council, zoning board and town officials to consider specific zoning and permitting guidelines for Residential Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Systems that include; Solar panel quantity limitations, screening and setback requirements from roads and adjoining properties along with safety measures to protect children and others from accessing the electrified components.

I also encourage each of you to visit the 42 Prospect Street installation to understand the full impact undefined Residential Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Systems permitting guidelines are having on our community.

Sincerely,

Michael Swetz

Live reporting: Legislation through to Closing

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 16-58:Request for Legislation, Exempting all Positions in the Fire Dept from
Civil Service Law
motion tabled to Nov 2 meeting, seconded, passed 9-0

2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-768: Districts Enumerated. Creation of Rural Business
Zoning District – Referral to Planning Board
motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 9-0
motion to refer to Planning Board, seconded, passed 9-0
proposed zoning change for Hillside Nursery area
they would like to expand to include a retail business
the set of bylaws are considered together
beer/wine sales not allowed

Any way to get joint public hearings with Planning Board and Town Council

Attorney Cerel to check on the past combined meetings that D Pellegri recalls and report back for next meeting


3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-769: Definitions. Country Store – Referral to Planning
Board
motion to refer to Planning Board, seconded, passed 9-0
a country store with convenience items

4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-770: Rural Business Zone Use Regulations – Referral to
Planning Board
motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 9-0
motion to refer to Planning Board, seconded, passed 9-0

5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-771: Rural Business Zone Dimensional Regulations –
Referral to Planning Board
motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 9-0
motion to refer to Planning Board, seconded, passed 9-0

6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-772: Rural Business Zone Sign Regulations – Referral to
Planning Board
motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 9-0
motion to refer to Planning Board, seconded, passed 9-0

7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-773: Zoning Map Changes from Rural Residential 1 to
Rural Business an Area on Washington Street – Referral to Planning Board
motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 9-0
motion to refer to Planning Board, seconded, passed 9-0


K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
ribbon cutting at 4:00
aggregation was just approved this week, going out to bid, should have pricing within 2 weeks

300 Fisher St, community meetings being set up by EPA on this superfund site


L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
would like to get discussion on a future agenda to review the ground level solar panels

adopt a resolution with the Council not in favor of a yes vote on Q4
in case it does go through, Council should re-address where they are located
the fear is that if the Q4 passes, then an agreement with a town and company would be tossed. We don't have an agreement, we have a zoning requirement
will look in to a zoning question

fire dept should have a presentation before the Town Council gets to vote

some people are moving their cars every two hours to comply, may need to address that

there are a lot of two hour signs downtown, it would be good to see it enforced to avoid the meters

complaints from some residents who now can't park in front of their house in the morning on East, Dean, and School St

do we have GATRA volume to see what stops are being used?


M. COUNCIL COMMENTS

Nov 18- Harlem Wizards at Tri-County
tickets now on sale, already half sold

This Conservation guy, we need to address this

We are not against a man doing his job, he just needs a little bedside manner

I did not get to comment, I believe by right there is some retail space available within the industrial use. Am I correct about the manufacturing space?
that is a future agenda item

The topping off ceremony was held at the Library on Tuesday, all the Councilor names were written on the girder that was hoisted with a small tree and flag

N. EXECUTIVE SESSION

O. Adjourn


You can find the full agenda and supporting documents as released on the Town webpagehttp://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024F0E17-000F8513

Live reporting: Historical Commission update

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS -
- Historical Commission
Mary Olsson

hired two interns for part time work at the museum
Allison Anderson, BA and working on Masters

hired to assess needs of the collection and propose suggestions
more was required than simple inventory
some items were not relevent to the collection, and not enough storage for the items that should be cared for carefully

dependent upon an inventory developed in the 1970's

collection well connected to community
dusting and cleaning needed to create a safe working environment
items exposed to potential damage
permanent and safe storage needed
volunteers do not have the knowledge or expertise to do the inventory and assessment

at least 300 post cards with fully inventory
post card printing blocks are rare and a few were found, they also have post cards made with the blocks

weight of the clothing stacked potentially damaged the items on the bottom of the piles

a rare find of a child's dress from the 1880's in good condition

high quality scans of photos make the images more readily accessible

a guide developed by one of the interns will help future volunteer work

social media is a good way to build interaction with the museum
the Instagram account was linked to Facebook and volume of interactions increased

many weaknesses are highlighted, a part time curator would be worthwhile
the project set up a framework for future work to build upon

continued investment in people and supplies are vital

The historical commission has done good work getting to this point

Live Reporting: Town Council - Oct 5, 2016

Present: Pellegri, Padula, Mercer, Vallee, Kelly, Pfeffer, Dellorco, Bissanti, Jones
Absent: none


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– September 21, 2016
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0


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

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
– Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the Agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.


Michael Swetz Jr, 3 Kara-Lyn Drive

• questions on resident solar panels installations
• a ground based 40 panel installation, on Prospect St
• there are currently no screening requirements, no safety requirements
• asking for considerations for solar panel limitations, screening setbacks, etc.

E. APPOINTMENTS
- Election workers
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0


F. HEARINGS
none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none

"a great educational experience"

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

"John McCarthy said he always knew he wanted to get involved in government. When he turned 18 last month and saw an opportunity, he took it. 

“I jumped right on it,” said McCarthy, a senior at Hopedale Junior-Senior High School who is now the newest - and youngest - member of the town’s Finance Committee. “I’m excited to get involved.” 

The Board of Selectmen voted to appoint McCarthy to the committee at a meeting this week and the teenager was sworn in by the town clerk on Tuesday afternoon. 

McCarthy said in an interview that he had been looking for a town board or committee to serve on when he discovered that the Finance Committee had a vacancy."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161004/hopedale-high-school-senior-appointed-to-finance-committee

the traditional tree and flag on the topping beam hoisted for the Library expansion on Oct 4. The Library expansion was first reviewed by the Finance Committee before being approved by the Town Council

If you do have interest in getting involved in Franklin, of all the places to start the Finance Committee would be a key one. In my years of observing the various committee and boards, I have learned the most from the Finance Committee meetings. "Follow the money" is not just a catch phrase from a movie. Money is actually how things are prioritized around town, it really does matter. Without funding, there can be desire and talk but it won't go anywhere without a dollar (from somewhere).

Coincidentally, the Finance Committee did have an opening in September. It may be that no one has stepped up yet to fulfill it. Maybe this is your chance!

http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/2016-06-23%20Committee%20Vacancy%20Report%202%202.pdf

In the News: National Grid gets rate increase

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

"The Department of Public Utilities has approved a rate increase that will add about 5 percent to residential electric bill in National Grid’s service territory. 

The average will increase from $139 to $146. 

The agency approved $101 million of the $132 million sought by the company in its first distribution rate increase since 2009. 

The money will help pay for improvements to its facilities and its response to storm-related power failures."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161004/national-grid-bills-increase-7-month

cover page of presentation to Town Council on Aggregation Program

If the pending aggregation plan for Franklin goes through, this won't be an issue. The cooperative buying power of aggregation should do better than the current rate National Grid was authorized for.

Updated: Per the Town Council meeting, Wednesday, Oct 5, the aggregation plan was approved. They'll go to bid in the next two weeks and should have a decision to proceed at this time or not. The key will be what the market will offer for rates and for what period. Assuming the market rates will be lower than what NationalGrid received, this will go forward and we'll all save some money.

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/municipal-aggregation-program.html

In early August, it was reported the State was beginning to deliberate on the aggregation proposal

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/08/in-news-aggregation-plan-making.html