"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."
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| Franklin School Committee: Budget Subcommittee Meeting - March 1 |
Library Hours
The Library's regular hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Book Sale
Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, March 17, 1:00-5:00 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon.
All books are just one dollar!
Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—Saturday, March 18, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!
Volunteer Tutors Needed for ESL & Adult Literacy Program
The Franklin Public Library has started an English as a Second Language and Adult Literacy Program to serve Franklin and its surrounding communities. If you have the time and interest to help adult learners improve their English reading, writing, speaking and listening, please consider volunteering!
To volunteer, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent, have patience, and be able to speak English clearly. Prior teaching experience is not required. Volunteer Tutors will be given training and all supporting materials will be provided. The time commitment is one orientation session, 18 hours of tutor training, and to meet with your student 2 hours per week for one year. Volunteers and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, please contact Deputy Library Director Kim Shipala at kshipala@minlib.net, or fill out the registration form on the library's website .
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
SITE IS OPEN - By Appointment Only!
Register for an appointment on the Library Calendar of Events!
The Franklin Public Library VITA site is by Appointment only and is certified for Basic returns.
The VITA program has operated for over 50 years. VITA sites offer free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including:
People who generally make $60,000 or less
Persons with disabilities; and
Limited English-speaking taxpayers
Before going to a VITA or TCE site, see Publication 3676-BPDF for services provided and check out What to Bring to ensure you have all the required documents and information our volunteers will need to help you.
Learn more here: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifyi...
From Friends of the Franklin Library
Thank You for purchasing fudge! Thank you to those who participated in the Friends' recent fudge fundraiser. We appreciate your support and hope you enjoyed your sweet treats!
Franklin Library Association Gift. Thank you to the Franklin Library Association for their years of service and their generous gift to us of copies of their recently published book The Franklin
Library Association: Building the Future of the Nation's First Public Library 1858-2022. This book is full of fascinating characters and slices of life over more than 200 years as it tells the story of the FLA and the Franklin Public Library. This book is the perfect gift for anyone who loves books, libraries, and local history. Copies of the book are available now with a suggested donation of $15.00 to the Friends of the Franklin Library. Interested in a copy? Reach out to the Friends at fofl02038@gmail.com.
Friends of the Franklin Library is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the Franklin Public Library. Join us at 7:00pm on Wednesday, April 5 th at the library for our next meeting and the opportunity to meet other Friends and get involved in our organization. If you don't have time to attend meetings, you can still support our mission and your library by making a direct donation to the Friends. Membership dues and donations are both tax deductible. CLICK HERE to learn more about the Friends.
Massachusetts Center for the Book 2023 Reading Challenge
March: Mass Book Awards Honoree
Do you have a cozy reading corner you've been wanting to spend more time in? Do you have a group of friends who like to select books together? Maybe a little constraint helps you choose what to read next.
If you are looking for a fun, unique reading challenge to take on in 2023, Massachusetts Center for the Book has you covered.
Check it out today! https://www.massbook.org/readingchallenge
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| Franklin Public Library: News & Events for March 2023 |
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| Metrowest Arts and Culture Symposium |
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| Register to participate in the free Metrowest Arts and Culture Symposium - March 30 |
Statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland):
"Having consistently stated my support for permanent progressive tax relief, I am excited to see Governor Healey's proposal to provide much-needed financial relief to Massachusetts residents. While the Senate will need time to dive into the details, I am particularly pleased to see support for families, parents with childcare needs, seniors, and persons with disabilities reflected in this proposal. With affordability a top concern on everyone's minds, I look forward to continuing this conversation with my Senate colleagues and partners in the Administration and the House so that we can move forward with tax relief soon this session."
Governor Maura T. Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kimberley Driscoll today unveiled a $742 million tax relief package that provides significant savings for families, renters, seniors, farmers, commuters and more. The proposal, announced at the Demakes Family YMCA in Lynn, also includes key reforms to the tax code that will bring Massachusetts in line with other states, making it a more attractive place to live, work and do business.
“Everywhere we go, the Lieutenant Governor and I hear from people who are struggling to get by as the cost of living continues to skyrocket past them – the family watching their grocery bill grow each week, the young mom who wants to return to her dream job but can’t afford child care, the recent college graduate who can’t afford both his rent and student loan payments, the seniors who want to keep the home where they raised their family,” said Governor Healey. “We’re filing this tax relief package for each of them. This proposal centers affordability, competitiveness and equity each step of the way, delivering relief to those who need it most and making reforms that will attract and retain more businesses and residents to our great state.”
“Massachusetts is a national leader in so many ways – in education, business, science and technology, democracy and civil rights. But we’re not leading when it comes to affordability,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “If people can’t afford to live and work here, we’re not going to be able to maintain our economic edge. Our tax relief package will put more money back in the pockets of those who need it most while also making key reforms in areas where we are an outlier among other states.”
“The Healey-Driscoll Administration has made a values-driven decision to utilize the resources at our disposal to deliver economic relief to those who are struggling to make ends meet in the face of rising costs,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “The Healey-Driscoll Tax Relief Package is both progressive and fiscally responsible, directly addressing many of the most urgent needs of our residents and setting the state up for economic growth.”
This package of tax reforms for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) will be filed on Wednesday as companion legislation to the administration’s FY24 budget (H.1). The proposal is built around relief that will go directly to families, seniors and those dealing with the high costs of housing.
That includes Healey’s Child and Family Tax Credit, a new benefit that will provide families with a $600 credit per dependent, including children under 13, people with disabilities, and senior dependents aged 65 and older. It combines two different benefits, the Household Dependent Tax Credit and the Dependent Care Tax Credit, removes the cap on dependents, and increases the benefit. At a cost to the state of $458 million, this would put money directly back into the pockets of 700,000 taxpayers in connection with more than 1 million dependents, helping families keep up with rising costs for child and senior care and bringing people back into the workforce to meet employer demand.
This package also proposes to increase the rental deduction, currently capped at 50 percent of rent up to $3,000, to $4,000. At a cost of $40 million, this increase will help offset the high cost of housing for 880,000 renters. Additionally, the administration is proposing to double the senior circuit breaker credit from $1,200 to $2,400 for low-income seniors with high property taxes or rent, helping seniors in 100,000 households stay in their homes.
To drive Massachusetts’ economic competitiveness, the package proposes reforms to two taxes in which the state is currently an outlier. It would reduce the short-term capital gains tax from
12 percent to 5 percent. Wisconsin and South Carolina are currently the only two other states that tax short-term capital gains at a higher rate than long-term capital gains, as Massachusetts currently does. This reform would have a gross revenue impact of $117 million in FY24, but would be budget-neutral due to excess capital gains not being used to support FY24 spending.
It would also eliminate the estate tax for all estates valued at up to $3 million with a credit of up to $182,000. Massachusetts is one of only 12 states that has an estate tax and shares the lowest threshold of those twelve with Oregon. This reform would reduce the tax burden on smaller estates, which historically have filed over 70 percent of estate tax returns, and helps seniors and families age in place and be able to stay in Massachusetts.
Other components of this tax package include:
Statements of Support:
“Healthy, affordable homes are vital to a bright future for the Commonwealth. Hand in hand with housing production, providing immediate relief for renters and senior homeowners with low incomes, cleaning up Brownfields sites for new homes, making lead remediation more affordable, and helping people commute by regional transit and bike will support health, housing affordability, and vibrant neighborhoods.” -Rachel Heller, CEO, CHAPA
“MCOA applauds the Healey-Driscoll Administration on their proposed tax package. The increase in the Senior Circuit Tax Breaker will help 100,000 more older households remain in their communities. Each tax season, COAs assist older adults in accessing this tax credit and the increase will support the economic security of older people across the Commonwealth.” - Betsy Connell, Executive Director, Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA)
“We are extremely grateful to Governor Maura Healey, Lt Governor Kim Driscoll and their teams for the proposal made today to increase the dairy tax credit from $6 million to $8 million dollars. The Administration today demonstrates their deep understanding of the dairy industry’s long history and its importance to the Massachusetts economy. The tax credit has been a key factor in stabilizing and saving the industry the last 15 years, and this proposed increase will greatly help offset the forecasted difficult times ahead in dairy costs of production and pricing.” - David Shepard, President, Massachusetts Dairy Farmer’s Association
“Associated Industries of Massachusetts is pleased that the first budget of the Healey-Driscoll administration addresses threats to the Commonwealth’s competitive edge. At a time when the cost of living in Massachusetts exceeds most other states, this package wisely identifies ways to help residents cut costs, reducing the financial burden on working families, while at the same time implementing tax changes that prevent Massachusetts from being an outlier. Based on this budget, it is clear that the Administration shares AIM’s concerns about the Commonwealth’s competitive future and this is a critical first step towards ensuring sustained growth and economic strength.” - Brooke Thomson, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs, Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM)
"Massachusetts is among the most expensive states to live and do business, and people are leaving at alarming rates. For an economy that has historically been built on access to the best talent in the world, this is a threat to the state’s long-term competitiveness. Tax relief is an important piece of the strategy to recruit, retain, develop, and diversify our talent pool and pipeline and the Roundtable is grateful to Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Driscoll for proposing a thoughtful and comprehensive set of tax proposals and investments to kick off this legislative session’s competitiveness policy discussion. The Roundtable looks forward to working with the Administration and Legislature to pass policy proposals targeted toward the people and employers that make our economy hum and ensuring the long-term economic vitality of the Commonwealth." - JD Chesloff, President and CEO, Massachusetts Business Roundtable
“Throughout the campaign, the Governor spoke about the need to make early education more affordable for Massachusetts’ families. Today’s expansion of the Child and Family tax credit is an important step in that direction as it offers parents a straightforward and easy-to-understand approach that prioritizes their bottom line.” -William J. Eddy, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association of Early Education & Care
"Expanding the Housing Development Incentive Program could help build more than 12,000 new multi family homes worth $4 billion over the next ten years in Gateway Cities. This could create vibrant, walkable downtowns all around the state and foster a more equitable pattern of regional investment." - Joe Kriesberg, CEO, MassInc
The tax package details can be found -> https://www.mass.gov/doc/fy-2024-budget-recommendation-brief-providing-meaningful-tax-relief/download
This press release can be found -> https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-and-lieutenant-governor-driscoll-unveil-750-million-tax-relief-package
CommonWealth Magazine coverage -> https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/healey-tax-plan-addresses-competitiveness-issues/
Boston Globe coverage -> https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/02/27/business/birth-death-heres-what-gov-healeys-tax-plan-could-mean-you/
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| Maura Healey (Photo by Michael Jonas) |
Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)
*The ECDC morning session will be canceled.*The ECDC full-day and extended sessions will delay opening by 2 hours. The delayed opening will NOT impact the afternoon session.
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| Franklin Public Schools: 2 hour delay - 2/28/23 |
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| Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting Agenda for Tuesday, Feb 28, 2023 |
The Economic Development Subcommittee will meet on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 5:30 pm.
Please find the agenda and links for the upcoming meeting here: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2023-03-01_edc_agenda_.pdf
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| Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - March 1, 2023 |
Job Title: First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) Office Administrator
Status: Non-exempt, Part time, Mon.-Fri. $20-23/hr 20-25 hrs./week, Sept.-mid-June, 10-15 hrs./week, mid-June-Aug.
Job Reports to: Minister
Job Summary: Working independently and collaboratively, the Office Administrator will support the Minister, Staff, Board of Trustees, and various committees. Primary responsibilities will focus on: Church Office Management and general administrative support; Internal Communications; limited Bookkeeping and Building and Facilities Management.
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| Franklin, MA: Board of Health - Meeting Agenda - March 1, 2023 - 5 PM |
"Super proud of these girls!! Congratulations both JV, Varsity, & everyone else who competed today!!!
Varsity is your 2023 Hock Champions!! Woohoo!! 💙💙💙
Thank you Foxboro for hosting!" https://t.co/JcRJaloGkk
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| Franklin Cheerleading repeat as Hockomock League Champions |
"The Franklin Police Department is excited to once again host our Leadership Camp this summer from July 10-14.
The officers and kids involved have an amazing time working and learning together every year and would like you to be a part of it."
https://t.co/d1CdrrVhSF
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| Franklin Police to host leadership camp again this Summer |
"The Wonderful World of Wine" is a podcast hosted by wine experts Mark Lenzi (@franklinliquors ) and Kim Simone. (@commonwealthwineschool )The podcast covers a wide range of topics related to wine, including wine tasting, wine history, wine making, wine regions, and food pairings.Each episode of the podcast features discussions and interviews with various experts in the wine industry, including winemakers, sommeliers, wine educators, and wine writers. The hosts also answer questions from listeners and offer their own insights and recommendations on various wines.The podcast aims to make wine education and appreciation accessible to everyone, regardless of their level of knowledge or experience with wine. It provides a fun and informative way to learn more about the world of wine and to discover new and interesting wines to try."The Wonderful World of Wine" has been running since 2015 and has produced over 300 episodes to date. It is available for streaming or download on various podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts."
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| Wonderful World of Wine podcast in your favorite app or on wfpr.fm on Wednesdays |
FYBO is seeking energetic umpires FOR PAY to be utilized on FLEXIBLE schedule during the 2023 Season!
Interested in learning more⬇️
https://t.co/Y5m3NoNeqN or franklinyouthbaseball.com/umpire
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| Hey, middle & high schoolers, become an umpire and earn some $$$ with Franklin MA Youth Baseball |
