Where in Franklin? Answer #47

Where in Franklin? Answer #47, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Yes, the answer to picture #47 is the Church of the Latter Day Saints on Jordan Road.

ltsjs, can you send me an email with your answer and let someone else try to guess in the comments? Assuming you are first and correct, you'll still get credit. You would help let others participate.

Stay tuned for the next opportunity.

Thanks to all for playing!

In the news - seniors tax break bill not likely this time around

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 04, 2008 @ 12:13 AM

---

FRANKLIN —

The situation is not unique to Franklin: the elderly are pitted against young people in a battle to pass a Proposition 2-1/2 tax override that keeps schools competitive during budget crises.

Seniors on fixed incomes speak out about their struggle to pay for basic needs and hang onto their homes, while those who are the voice of another vulnerable population - children - endure attacks for proposing a tax increase.

Now that Franklin is in the throes of an override battle, School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy is urging citizens to appeal to their senators (Sens. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham, and Karen Spilka, D-Ashland) to pass a bill permitting towns to exempt eligible seniors from tax overrides.

On Feb. 28, the House overwhelmingly (111-34) passed Bill No. 2840, which gives Franklin's Town Council the ability to give this tax break to seniors aged 65 or older with a family income of $60,000 or less (if their real estate tax payments exceed 10 percent of their total income). The bill was sent to the Senate and referred to the Senate Ethics and Rules Committee.

Read the remainder of the article in the Milford Daily News here

--------------------

Franklin seniors seek override relief

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Sun May 04, 2008, 12:08 AM EDT

FRANKLIN -

A group of women playing Scrabble at the Franklin Senior Center recently said a bill protecting them from override taxes ``sounds good'' to them.
``Oh yes, definitely,'' said senior Clare Flynn.
The women ``don't make nearly $60,000,'' and their Social Security income is so low, they are considered to be living in ``poverty,'' they said, laughing and adding they would like to be given the same tax breaks as billionaires.
An exemption would not automatically compel them to vote in favor of a Proposition 2« tax override, however, they said.
``It would depend on what the override is for, if it seemed they (town officials) spent money foolishly, and why they reached the point where they'd have to call for an override,'' Flynn said.
``If the money really would go for what they're saying, then I'd consider it,'' she said.

Read the full article in the Franklin Gazette here

In the News - talking about the override

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 02, 2008 @ 11:54 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

Just as they did last year, town and school leaders are inviting the public to host neighborhood forums at their homes to answer questions about the $2.8 million Proposition 2 1/2 tax override, School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy said Friday.

The vote will be June 10.

The funds would go directly to schools to prevent about 15 layoffs in elementary schools, 12.5 teaching positions at middle schools, 17 teacher jobs at Franklin High School, elimination of the late bus, and an increase of $100 (to $325) for pay-to-ride busing.

"We will go any time, any place, to answer any questions," Roy said. "That means bringing members of the School Committee, Finance Committee, Town Council, as well as the Town Administrator (Jeffrey D. Nutting) and school superintendent (Wayne Ogden) out to people's homes - we show up as a group." Last year, town leaders spoke to audiences of about 10 to 30 people at neighborhood forums, Roy said.

Having face-to-face conversations with people was "extremely effective" last year, he said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

In the News - voter comments

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 02, 2008 @ 12:21 AM

---

FRANKLIN —

Not every parent wants another tax increase this year to protect schools from massive layoffs, and some childless homeowners say they will vote for the $2.8 Proposition 2 1/2 tax override question that will go before voters June 10.

Residents interviewed at random yesterday had mixed feelings about the override Town Council recently voted to put on a ballot.

"I say, for the schools, for the kids, I would be for it. I don't have kids, but I've been in town my whole life," resident Mike Ficco said yesterday.

"I've watched the town succeed since I was a little kid. Franklin is going in the right direction," said Ficco, adding that he is willing to pay more in taxes to ensure it doesn't go in the wrong direction, as he has noticed in other towns.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

In the News - $2.8 Million is override total on 6/10/08

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 01, 2008 @ 12:56 AM

---

FRANKLIN —

Town Council voted 7-1 last night to place a $2.8 million Proposition 2 1/2 tax override question on a June 10 ballot.

All of the money would be directed toward schools, which officials reported will have about 45 layoffs (mostly teachers), program cuts, increased class sizes, elimination of the late bus, and a $100 fee increase for pay-to-ride busing without a tax override.

The override would not enable the School Department to add staff, but merely maintain teachers in a growing district, Superintendent Wayne Ogden has said. Schools need more money every year because of mandatory expenses such as contract obligations (salaries), stipends, health insurance, special education and utilities, Ogden has said.

The override would cost the average homeowner $243 a year, according to Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting's estimate.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Final Councilor comments (audio)

Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08

Feeley, Nutting, et al

Time: 4 minutes, 24 seconds



MP3 File

Councilor Pfeffer (audio)

Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08

Time: 45 seconds



MP3 File

Councilor Doak (audio)

Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08

TIme: 2 minutes, 10 seconds



MP3 File

Councilor Zollo (Audio)

Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08

Time: 2 minutes, 33 seconds



MP3 File

Councilor Vallee (audio)

Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08

Time: 54 seconds




MP3 File

Councilor Whalen (audio)

Councilor comments at the end of the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08

Time: 1 minute, 56 seconds




MP3 File

Other Action Items (audio)

From the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08, acceptence of $5,000 from the Friends of Franklin Public Library, discussion and vote on veterans benefits, discussion and move to second reading the utility rate change

Time: 6 minutes, 42 seconds



MP3 File

Override Date 6/10/08 (audio)

From the Franklin Town Council meeting on 4/30/08, the discussion on the override date (6/10/08), Tuesday vs. Saturday, and absentee ballot information.

Councilors Whalen and Mason questioned Town Clerk Debbie Pellegri on Tuesday/Saturday

Time: 5 minutes, 11 seconds



MP3 File

Town Council Mtg Summary 4/30/08

The listing here is in the reverse chronological order of how the segments occured during the course of the meeting.

Final Councilor comments (audio)

Councilor Pfeffer (audio)

Councilor Doak (audio)

Councilor Zollo (Audio)

Councilor Vallee (audio)

Councilor Whalen (audio)

Other Action Items (audio)

Override Date 6/10/08 (audio)

Override Amount (audio)

Citizen Comments - Chandler Creedon (audio)

June 10th - $2.8 Million - Yes/No for Franklin's s...

Live at the Town Council meeting 4/30/08

Town Council Agenda for April 30th 6:00 PM

Override Amount (audio)

From the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08, the council spent all of one minute reading and voting on the override amount with NO discussion.

Override passed with a 7-1 vote. Pfeffer voted no, McGann was absent.

Time: 1 minute, 7 seconds




MP3 File

Citizen Comments - Chandler Creedon (audio)

From the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/30/08, Chandler Creedon, President of the Franklin Education Association (fondly referred to as the teacher's union) speaks to clarify some misinformation.

Time: 1 minute, 31 seconds



MP3 File

June 10th - $2.8 Million - Yes/No for Franklin's schools

The choice is now in the hands of the voters.

Make it an informed vote:

• Visit here often for informational updates
• Read the news papers
• Talk with your neighbors

If you are not registered to vote, visit the Town Clerk's office and register.

If you will be out of town on the 10th, apply for an absentee ballot.

There is no reason why you should not vote.

How you vote is up to you!

Live at the Town Council meeting 4/30/08

6:00 PM and a few folks are not here yet
------------

Started at 6:05
Proclamation for municipal clerk's week

-------------

Chandler Creedon, statement repeated from School Committee Citizen Comment
(recording to be posted when time permits)
clarification on teacher health insurance information that had been printed and circulated erroneously

-------------

Updated 6:11

override question -> $2.8M
no discussion, 7-1 passed

override date - 6/10/08, Tuesday
discussion on choice of Tuesday vs. Saturday

only once in last 24 years have there been an election on a Saturday
per Debbie Pellegri

absentee ballot process
available by request, can vote at the office once the ballots
or via mail

registration required 20 days prior to the 10th

approved unanimously
--------------

Approved donation from Friends of Franklin Library
unanimous

---------------

updated 6:20

discussion on veterans benefits
town obligated to pay, reimbursed by state at 75% in following year
money being switched from town health insurance due to health coverage changes

unanimously approved

---------------

updated 6:25

moving amendment to second reading
passed unanimously

--------------

4 corners building status on next week's council agenda for discussion

---------------

Councilor Comments

Whalen encourage to spread word, need to get the vote out

Vallee claims the Town Council has not sponsored the override

Zollo put the vote to the people, respect the vote of the people
regardless of the outcome, the voter turnout should be 80-90%
before voting, be informed, ask the right questions

Doak now it is up to the residents, everybody gets one vote
it is no secret that costs are rising faster than revenues
it is no one's fault, it is not that no one did their job
it costs more to provide quality services
why is the amount so high? we have been tapping the stabilization fund
we can no longer do that

Pfeffer does not support the override, but will not work against it

Nutting will refresh to elected officials the guidelines around their conduct during the election

--------------

motion to adjourn at 6:35