Senator Spilka: Join Me Tuesday, June 25 - MetroWest Economic Development Planning Council Engagement Session

You are cordially invited to join Senate President Karen Spilka, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy for a MetroWest Economic Development Planning Council Engagement Session Date: Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Time: 10:30 AM-12:30 PM Location: Framingham State University McCarthy Center Forum Room 100 State Street, Framingham Please join me, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy as well as municipal officials, legislators, and community and business leaders for a MetroWest regional engagement session to inform the Baker-Polito Administration's economic development strategy over the next four years. The engagement session is an opportunity to connect with local economic development leaders on their priorities as the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development writes a new Economic Development Plan to be signed by the Governor at the end of this year. Please contact my office at 617-722-1500 if you have any questions. Office of Senate President Karen E. Spilka | 617-722-1500 | Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov www.karenspilka.com  ‌  ‌

Office of Senate President Karen E. Spilka | Massachusetts State House, Room 332, Boston, MA 02133 Sent by karen.spilka@masenate.gov in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

"Where does your plastic go? Global investigation reveals America's dirty secret"

The Franklin trash rate is scheduled to increase July 1 to $248 per year. The primary reason for the increase is that the cost benefits of recycling are gone for now with the international market changes outlined in the Guardian article. Will there be a return to 'making money' o our recycling instead of paying for it go be taken care of? Hard to say.

A Guardian report from 11 countries tracks how US waste makes its way across the world – and overwhelms the poorest nations:

"What happens to your plastic after you drop it in a recycling bin? 

According to promotional materials from America’s plastics industry, it is whisked off to a factory where it is seamlessly transformed into something new. 

This is not the experience of Nguyễn Thị Hồng Thắm, a 60-year-old Vietnamese mother of seven, living amid piles of grimy American plastic on the outskirts of Hanoi. Outside her home, the sun beats down on a Cheetos bag; aisle markers from a Walmart store; and a plastic bag from ShopRite, a chain of supermarkets in New Jersey, bearing a message urging people to recycle it."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/17/recycled-plastic-america-global-crisis

"Where does your plastic go? Global investigation reveals America's dirty secret" (Guardian photo)

Town Council Actions Taken to raise rate
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/town_council_actions_taken_for_april_10_2019.pdf

The Franklin trash rate is scheduled to increase July 1 to $248 per year

MBTA Commuter Rail: This weekend - Franklin Line no Back Bay or Ruggles stops

On weekend June 22-23, due to Amtrak switch replacement near Readville, all Franklin line trains will not stop at Back Bay and Ruggles. Please board all Franklin line trains on the upper platform at Readville.

Affected trips:
1702 (6:40 am from Forge Park/495)
1702 (6:40 am from Forge Park/495)
1703 (7:20 am from South Station)
1703 (7:20 am from South Station)
1704 (8:40 am from Forge Park/495)
1704 (8:40 am from Forge Park/495)
1705 (9:20 am from South Station)
1705 (9:20 am from South Station)
1706 (10:40 am from Forge Park/495)
2706 (10:40 am from Forge Park/495)
2706 (10:40 am from Forge Park/495)
1706 (10:40 am from Forge Park/495)
1707 (11:20 am from South Station)
2707 (11:20 am from South Station)
2707 (11:20 am from South Station)
1707 (11:20 am from South Station)
1708 (12:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2708 (12:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2708 (12:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
1708 (12:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
1709 (1:20 pm from South Station)
2709 (1:20 pm from South Station)
2709 (1:20 pm from South Station)
1709 (1:20 pm from South Station)
1710 (2:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2710 (2:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2710 (2:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
1710 (2:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
1711 (3:20 pm from South Station)
2711 (3:20 pm from South Station)
2711 (3:20 pm from South Station)
1711 (3:20 pm from South Station)
1712 (4:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2712 (4:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2712 (4:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
1712 (4:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
1713 (5:20 pm from South Station)
2713 (5:20 pm from South Station)
2713 (5:20 pm from South Station)
1713 (5:20 pm from South Station)
1714 (6:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2714 (6:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2714 (6:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
1714 (6:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
1715 (7:20 pm from South Station)
2715 (7:20 pm from South Station)
2715 (7:20 pm from South Station)
1715 (7:20 pm from South Station)
1716 (8:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2716 (8:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2716 (8:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
1716 (8:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
1717 (9:20 pm from South Station)
2717 (9:20 pm from South Station)
2717 (9:20 pm from South Station)
1717 (9:20 pm from South Station)
1718 (10:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2718 (10:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2718 (10:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
1718 (10:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
1719 (11:20 pm from South Station)
2719 (11:20 pm from South Station)
2719 (11:20 pm from South Station)
1719 (11:20 pm from South Station)

Last Updated: Jun 17 2019 12:34 PM

For additional info, visit MBTA.com
https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/timetable

MBTA Commuter Rail: This weekend - Franklin Line no Back Bay or Ruggles stops

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Jun 21 to THU - Jun 28

Friday, June 21

10:00am

 Knitting Group

10:30am

 SUMMER Happy Feet! (Community Room)

12:00pm

 Farmers Market

3:30pm

 Chess Club for Kids

Saturday, June 22

8:00am

 American Legion 5M-5K

10:00am

 Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)

10:00am

 StoryWalk®

10:30am

 Sing to Your Baby with Julie Stepanek (FOFL)

1:00pm

 Star Explorers Party!

3:00pm

 TEEN SUMMER Pride Month Potluck and bookchat (Teen Room) (CALEIGH)

8:00pm

 “Homecoming Cabaret”

Sunday, June 23

1:00pm

 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

Monday, June 24

10:30am

 SUMMER MOVE ALONG (outside if permitting, otherwise in Community Room)

1:00pm

 SUMMER PROGRAM: Picnic Storytime (CALEIGH) An Assortment of Animals Reading!!

4:00pm

 TEEN SUMMER Writer's Block!

7:00pm

 Library Board Meeting

Tuesday, June 25

9:30am

 Cool Cruisers

1:00pm

 TEEN SUMMER Page to Screen Showdown (Community Room) (CALEIGH)

7:00pm

 School Committee

7:00pm

 Franklin Public Library Book Club

Wednesday, June 26

10:30am

 SUMMER PERFORMER: Rockabye Beats with Marcos Valles!

4:00pm

 SUMMER Crafternoon! (FOFL) (CALEIGH)

6:30pm

 Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

6:30pm

 Bump and Beyond Expecting Parents Group

7:00pm

 Town Council Meeting

Thursday, June 27

9:30am

 Baby Tummy Time

3:30pm

 TEEN SUMMER Board Game Cafe!

4:00pm

 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

5:00pm

 SUMMER Thursday Movie Night (FOFL) (BREE)

6:30pm

 Genealogy Club Meeting

For the interactive version, please visit

https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this link

https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/links/submit-event

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Jun 21 to THU - Jun 28

Cape Cod Orleans Artist Cottage features Peter WIllis

Peter Willis will be in Cape Cod to sell his photos at The Orleans Artist Cottages during the week of July 4! (July 3 - July 7)

Come visit and meet other local artists as well as visit the Farmers Market. It's sure to be a fun day in the Sun! 

Check out the video link for more info on the Artist Cottages at Orleans Market Square.


Artist Cottages Sprout at Orleans Market Square from Lower Cape TV on Vimeo.


Can't make it to the event, you can still chat with Peter, place your order at https://www.peterwillisphotography.com anytime, and get your favorite image delivered to your door. 

Thank you in advance for your support!!!! 😃📸

http://artcottages.com/OurArtists/Peter%20Willis/

Peter Willis photography   https://www.peterwillisphotography.com/

Peter Willis (courtesy photo)

Alston,Asmath and Frongillo: photo session with NE Revolution

Franklin athletes Carly Alston, Farley Asmath and Calen Frongillo, participated in the second annual Unified Team Day at Gillette Stadium, hosted by the New England Revolution.

Alston, Asmath and Frongillo are a part of the Special Olympics Unified Team – made up of about a dozen Special Olympics athletes and partners – which aims to develop and strengthen the existing bonds between members of the Special Olympics Massachusetts and the New England Revolution players and promotes inclusion within sports.

The Unified team attended a Revolution training session ahead of participating in a special photo session with Revolution players.

This marked the third event of the Revs’ season-long partnership with Special Olympics, following the Unified Team Open Clinic in March and the team’s contract signing in May. 

On August 21, the annual fundraising event “Bowl For a Goal,” will direct all proceeds to Special Olympics Massachusetts, climaxing the season-long partnership – more information on the annual event can be found at revolutionsoccer.net.

Six photos from the photo session with NE Revolution players Juan Agudelo and Carles Gil are shown in the Flickr slideshow:

Franklin Demonstration Scheduled - June 29

Franklin Democrats mounted a protest demonstration last weekend against the behavior of the Trump administration. The event drew participants from Franklin and many neighboring towns.

Another demonstration is planned for Saturday, June 29, from 10:00 AM to noon. (The rain day is Sunday, June 30.) Participants are encouraged to make signs or just show up in front of the Rome Restaurant, 4 East Central Street.

Participants of the recent demonstration (courtesy photo)

"strongly recommends that school start times for middle and high school students be delayed to 8:30 AM or later"

Via the FEF Twitter post we find:

"AAST is pleased to release the AAST Position Statement for Support of the Start School Later Initiative. This position statement, supporting the efforts of Start School Later, Inc, outlines AASTs view on this important issue. 

Given the compelling research currently available, AAST strongly recommends that school start times for middle and high school students be delayed to 8:30 AM or later to adequately accommodate student sleep requirements. 

AAST President Rita Brooks commented that, “Support of this initiative is critically important for AAST as an organization whose members educate and assist in the follow-up care of patients with sleep disorders. Reinforcing the importance of sleep and advocating for later school start times is a necessary step in ensuring a more rested younger generation.”

Continue reading the announcement here
https://www.aastweb.org/newsandevents/aast-position-statement-for-support-of-the-start-school-later-initiative

The full context of the position statement can be found here
https://www.aastweb.org/position-statement-start-school-later

"strongly recommends that school start times for middle and high school students be delayed to 8:30 AM or later"

US Census Bureau: 4th of July - Did you know?

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. This most American of holidays will be marked with typical festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues across the country. As we celebrate this Independence Day, we reflect on how our Founding Fathers enshrined in our Constitution the importance of statistics as a vital tool for measuring our people, places and economy.

The following facts are made possible by the invaluable responses to the U.S. Census Bureau’s surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we continuously measure America’s people, places and economy.

Did You Know?

• 2.5 million

The estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation in July 1776. Source: Historical Statistics of the United States: 1789-1945
https://www2.census.gov/prod2/statcomp/documents/HistoricalStatisticsoftheUnitedStates1789-1945.pdf?utm_campaign=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

• 327 million

The nation’s estimated population on July 1, 2018. Source: Vintage 2018 Population Estimates   https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk

• 56

The number of signers to the Declaration of Independence. It is also worth noting that:

• John Hancock was the first signer, and a merchant by trade. In 2016, 1.1 million business establishments with paid employees, like Hancock, were in the retail trade industry. Source: 2016 Geography Area Series: County Business Patterns, Table CB1600A11   https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk
• Benjamin Franklin, who represented Pennsylvania, was the oldest of the signers at age 70. Pennsylvania had an estimated population 12,807,060 as of July 1, 2018. Franklin County, Pa., had an estimated population of 154,835 as of July 1, 2018. Edward Rutledge of South Carolina, was the youngest at age 26. South Carolina had an estimated population 5,084,127 as of July 1, 2018.  Source: Vintage 2018 Population Estimates   https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2019/estimates-county-metro.html?utm_campaign=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

• $368.6 million

The value of fireworks sales by establishments classified as NAICS 453998, all other miscellaneous store retailers (except tobacco stores) in 2012. Source: 2012 Economic Census, Table EC1244SLLS1, NAICS 453998   https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk

US Census Bureau: 4th of July - Did you know?

2019 Annual Franklin Hockey Golf Tournament - July 21

Come out for a day of Golf, Dinner, Prizes and Raffles to support Franklin Boys Hockey.

When: Sunday, July 21
Where: New England Country Club
Time: 1 PM shotgun start

See attached flyer for Registration details and Hole Sponsorship Opportunities

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczMThRbm1yU2VLUHNvMko1STF5N1dUUm1YZ0tj/view?usp=sharing

2019 Annual Franklin Hockey Golf Tournament - July 21

"We will need to consider an override on FY 21 to maintain level services"

In my rush to post the info for the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting Wednesday evening, I had not noticed the document contained an updated 5 year fiscal outlook. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen lays out the numbers as they are and shows the budget vs. revenue forecast is red for the next several years. 

As the letter (below), explains this is not a new issue. To the Town's credit, the fiscal planning that has been in place for the last several years has avoided this inevitable choice. There is a 5 year plan. There was savings put aside in the debt stabilization account. This amount was then used in the past two years to avoid further cuts. The School Budget has used their revolving fund balances for the past three years.

Plans have started for an override to be put before the voters for the FY 2021 budget. The specific amount and details remain to be finalized. The timing of the override vote also remains to be determined.

"Please find attached the five year fiscal forecast. I would like to remind everyone this is a "forecast". It uses information from the past and present to predict the future. Similar to a weather forecast, there are many factors that will affect what will actually happen. The forecast shows deficits in each year, but the Town is required by law to have a balanced budget, so decisions will be made along the way to ensure we comply with the requirement. 

The takeaway message from all reports is that Franklin will continue to struggle to maintain high quality school and municipal services given the fiscal constraints that we operate under. In the long run, it will come down to a decision by the voters of Franklin to pay higher taxes or reduce the current level of services. The forecast shows that if the town wants to maintain the same service level it will need about a $4 million override for FY 21. This amount could change based on many unknowns and assumptions at this time, however I can't see any scenario that would not require additional tax dollars. 

In short, the cost of doing business is exceeding our ability to raise the necessary revenue to pay for the services we enjoy. I cannot put it more succinctly than that. 

This is not a new message. Over the past many years, we have both reduced services and increased taxes in order to arrive at the level of service the citizens enjoy today. Both the School Department and the Municipal departments have all made significant reforms to their operations to keep our tax rate low. We will never stop this effort and will continue to work within what the citizens give us to work with. 

We do know that: 

• Our population has increased from about 30,000 in 2001 to over 35,000 in 2020 and it will continue to increase. Currently there are over 1,000 housing units recently constructed, under construction or in the "pipeline". 
• Health/pension/insurance care costs continue to be a concern. 
• Wage increases have been modest but they put a huge pressure on the budget. 
• Our unfunded retiree health insurance obligation is $74,000,000 (2018). 
• Our unfunded pension liability is $41,000,000 (2018). 
• We do not have the funds to provide "level services for the FY 20 School budgets and the Town services.
• We have no adequate funding source for roads/sidewalks. 
• The Town's capital needs will continue to grow and in a couple years, the capital needs of our schools, facilities and fields will me in the millions. 
• Water sewer rates will continue to rise due to long overdue infrastructure needs, mostly, for sewer and the Beaver Street Interceptor. 
• Open space is at a critical state where with little land left, the Town will need to invest in open space, as well. 

Franklin is in generally good financial shape today but we will continue to struggle to maintain high quality school and municipal services given the operating fiscal constraints that we operate under. 

We are unable to maintain level service budget in FY 20 even with the use of reserves. We will need to consider an override on FY 21 to maintain level services for the citizens of Franklin. 

We will continue to do are very best on behalf of all the citizens of Franklin to maintain a high quality of life while trying to control costs to the taxpayers."

Continue reading the 5 year forecast
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pw3aDNOdhuQPRZ3XUXYAYXu_F-p4ejdn/view?usp=sharing

"We will need to consider an override on FY 21 to maintain level services"

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: 30th Season!

Red Molly and much more - see the schedule

All tickets now on sale! View this email in your browser OUR 30th SEASON We are thrilled to be able to report that Red Molly will be joining us at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse once again along with many others to make our 30th season extra special.  All tickets are now available on our website.  Many of these shows are sure to sell out so don't delay. The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available.  Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information.

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA