Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
The population at the Emergency Shelter in Franklin is stable. Here's the quick update regarding volunteer opportunities and donations.
The After-School Program has been on a two-week hiatus due to parent teacher conferences and school vacation. It is scheduled to resume next week. If you'd like to volunteer for this program, you must first be screened and trained. Please reach out to Rev. Kathy McAdams at rector@stjohnsfranklinma.org for more information.
Donation sorting and packing for distribution continues at the Franklin United Methodist Church. We have provided clothes and supplemental hygiene products to just over 100 people. We are going to do a major push next week to get donations out. The (ambitious) goal is to distribute to another 100 people next week! We have five packing days scheduled. All volunteers are asked to register. Due to the abundance of donations and the limited space in the rooms where items are being stored, we are limiting the number of volunteers per session to six people. You can signup to help by going to franklininterfaith.org/donation-sorting/. If you have any questions about the donation sorting/packing or would like to signup a group at a special time, please contact Pastor Jacob Juncker at jacob@franklinumc.org.
Below is the updated flyer. Our donation needs are shifting a bit. We are looking for donations of suitcases and large duffle bags. We are packing items in them (when we have them) for distribution to the hotel. Families keep the bags. We are also asking for new (in the package) socks and underwear (all sizes). Please note: we are not taking massive lots of clothes, furniture, or toys at this time.
#LOVEfranklin // Emergency Shelter Humanitarian Aid UPDATE (as of 11/22/23)
Thank you! What we are accomplishing together is impressive. Your generosity is inspiring. You are making a huge impact in the lives of the 90+ families placed in the Emergency Shelter. I really cannot say it enough: thank you for your continued support.
The Franklin Municipal Building will close at 1pm on Wednesday, 11/22/23 and will be closed on Thursday, 11/23/23 & Friday 11/24/23. We will reopen on Monday, 11/27/23.
"You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals. To that end, each of us must work for his own improvement, and, at the same time, share a general responsibility for all humanity, our particular duty being to aid those to whom we think we can be most useful." Marie Curie Physicist, Chemist, and Nobel Prize winner.
The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)
I'm your representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed.
On the Hill
The War in Israel: In a recent interview I was asked how Israel should respond to anger on the Arab Street. My response – if Israel had let Arab popular opinion dictate its strategy in 1947; 1967; 1973, it would have been destroyed. Israel should pursue its mission: rescue the hostages, destroy Hamas, and help architect just post-war governance for Gaza. This latter requires that Israel not only buttress a peaceful alternative to Hamas in Gaza, but also that it cease & reverse inflammatory, destabilizing actions in the West Bank.
Funding the Government: When House Republicans took us to the brink in September, I vowed it would be the last time I'd vote to bail out their dysfunction without a clear, credible, and concrete plan for supporting Ukraine. Last week, I kept my word.
Since we last voted on a continuing resolution, the world has only become more dangerous for democracies. Congress must demonstrate through its power of the purse that the United States stands with its allies in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
Despite credible efforts that reflect the bipartisan majorities in both chambers in favor of aid, there is no clear and concrete plan from Republicans to demonstrate global leadership to friends and foes alike. I could not support a short-term spending measure, cobbled together as the GOP careens from crisis to crisis, that fails to defend democracy.
Military Promotion Blockade:I led the Democrats on the House Select Committee on China in pressuring Leader McConnell to break Tuberville's blockade of military promotions. No Republicans from the Select Committee on China would join us, despite Senate Republicans recently raising the alarm on force readiness in the Indo-Pacific.
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce:At the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, I argued that Democrats should negotiate on border policy with Republicans as part of a compromise that strengthens border security and unlocks further support for Ukraine.
I also emphasized that the most important way that federal and state officials can improve the Bay State business climate is to expand the supply and deepen the affordability of housing.
MIT Visit: Attending MIT was one of the best decisions I made in my career (and my life – I met my wife there!) I was honored to return as part of its alumni series to discuss Congress, to encourage students to help rebuild trust in society, and to reflect on how MIT's emphasis on science, enterprise, and bold ideas have shaped my policy-making.
And remember: check your passport before you buy the ticket! Some countries require that your passport be valid for up to six months after your date of return. So even if your passport hasn't expired, it might need to be renewed before travel. Check travel.state.gov for entry requirements.
Pioneering AI Summit: Earlier this year, I raised awareness of AI in Congress by giving the first AI-drafted speech in history on the House floor. Since then, I've been working with legislators, regulators, and technologists to understand and prepare for this general-purpose technology.
At the Flagship Pioneering AI Summit, I advocated for Congress to fund a public cloud for civil society & researchers as a counterweight to Big Tech, but cautioned against knee-jerk, sweeping legislation before national lawmakers have been able to assess various efforts by the Administration, states, civil society, and industry to see what works and what doesn't.
Congress should ultimately craft legislation that induces competition, not furthers monopoly power; that unlocks innovation in domains like biomedical R&D and education; and that prevents further degradation in trust, particularly through disinformation and defamation on social media.
Happy Thanksgiving: I hope everyone is able to spend the upcoming holiday with friends and loved ones. As the representative of a cranberry-growing district: please make sure to include that delicious dish!
Onwards,
Jake
WASHINGTON 15 Independence Avenue SE 1524 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5931
NEWTON 29 Crafts Street Suite 375 Newton, MA 02458 Phone: (617) 332-3333
ATTLEBORO 8 North Main Steet Suite 200 Attleboro, MA 02703 Phone: (508) 431-1110
In about 35 minutes, the Franklin (MA) Town Council heard the tax assessor's update and voted on the series of resolutions to approve setting the tax rate for FY 2024 as $11.79/thousand.
The tax rate is in and of itself a simple calculation: how much revenue do we need to raise from the total assessed value of Franklin? As most folks would realize, the valuations have been rising recently.
The table here depicts the last 5 years 2020-2024 for assessed value by property classification.
Residential Commercial Industrial Personal Property Total
The combination of new growth and the 'automatic' 2.5% increase allowed provides the revenue allowed to be raised to fund the budget approved by the Town Council. The final adjustment for the FY 2024 budget was approved by the Finance Committee on Nov 8 and then by the Council Nov 15.
The key decision at the tax rate hearing is to maintain the single tax rate or move to a split tax rate. The Board of Assessors memo to the Council lays out the argument distinctly:
"A single tax rate means that all property classes (residential, commercial, industrial and personal) are taxed at the same tax rate. A dual tax rate means the commercial-industrial-personal tax rate is increased while the residential rate is decreased. In other words, some of the residential tax burden is shifted towards commercial, industrial and personal properties.
Please note that a dual tax rate does not produce more tax revenue, it simply shifts the burden." (Bold added for emphasis)
Franklin has historically had an approximate 80-20 split between residential and commercial/industrial as shown in the following chart.
the residential vs. commercial/industrial split has been in the 80-20 range over time
As the assessed valuation increases over time, the tax rate will drop. As the valuation decreases, the tax rate will increase. The tax rate is a good talking point but is simply the result of math driven by the assessed values and the amount to be raised to meet the budget.
as the assessed valuation increases, the rate decreases, and vice versa
The rate means little to the average home owner. Whether the rate goes up or down, it is more important to know what the valuation of the residence is. The chart here shows that over time, the tax rate can go up or down but the average tax bill will continue to increase.
whether the rate goes up or down, the overall tax bill does increase
Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap for the annual FHS vs. KP Thanksgiving game at Fenway Park on Tuesday, Nov 21, 2023.
"Before King Philip took its third trip in as many seasons to Gillette Stadium next week, the Warriors had some unfinished business to take care of at Fenway Park.
King Philip snapped a brief two-game losing skid to Thanksgiving Day rival Franklin with an emphatic 35-0 win, clinching the Hockomock League Kelley-Rex division title outright, the program’s first league crown since 2017.
The Warriors entered each of the past two seasons with a chance at the league title on Thanksgiving but the Panthers won both in games that came down to the wire. KP clinched at least a share of this year’s title at the end of October with a win over North but made sure they wouldn’t be sharing the banner with anyone else by winning on Tuesday night.
“It was huge,” said King Philip head coach Brian Lee, who earned his 150th career victory, of winning the Hock title. “I was talking to a couple of coaches, and they’re asking if we’re going to play everybody or not. Yeah, we’re playing everybody. We want the Hock. The Hock is a great league, coming out of the Hock always prepares you for the playoffs. If have an opportunity to go get that Hock title, that’s what you want to do. Get that first, now we can see what we can do next week.
Continue reading the game recap (subscription required)
King Philip junior Drew Laplante breaks free for a 31-yard touchdown in the first quarter against Franklin at Fenway Park. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
"Three people — two adults and one juvenile — are being charged after police allege they helped hide a 15-year-old girl who ran away from home and avoided discovery for 11 days last month.
Alison Caruso, 48, of 8 Independence Way, Franklin, will be summonsed to Dedham Juvenile Court and is charged with concealing or harboring a fleeing child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, Deputy Police Chief James West said.
She will also be summonsed to Wrentham District Court and charged with intimidation of a witness and reckless endangerment of a child.
In addition, Andrew Conway, 57, of 5 Constitution Court, Hopkinton, will also be summonsed to Dedham Juvenile Court and is charged with concealing or harboring a fleeing child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor."
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