Franklin Senior Center plans trips
Franklin, MA
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Live reporting - Long Range Financial Planning Committee
Present: Doug Hardesty, Deb Bartlett, Orrin Bean, John Hogan, Ken Harvey, Craig DiMarzio, Graydon Smith, Tina Powderly (Town Council), Jeff Nutting (ex officio) Scott Mason (ex officio) , Sue Rohrbach (School Committee)
Absent: none
Welcome to Sue Rohrbach, representing the School Committee.
Motion to approve minutes of Jan 5th meeting, passed unanimously
Discussion on committee assignments
Individuals will take the lead on a number of categories(to be added later)
1 - Capital expenditures and debt service - John Hogan
2 - Benchmarking and pensions - Graydon Smith
3 - Salary and benefits (excluding pensions) - Orrin Bean
4 - National trends in municipal finance (includes regionalization) - Craig DiMarzio
5 - Schools - Deb Bartlett
6 - Town revenue, public safety, and other - Ken Harvey
7 - Committee communications and deliverables - Doug Hardesty
(updated 2/13/11)
These individuals would also have the lead for those specific pages in the reports and other deliverables produced by the committee
Obligation to pay retired employee pensions, according to the actuarial analysis the fund is not fully covered. It needs to be fully funded by 2030. There is an annual assessment provided by Norfolk County every year. The fallacy of the pension in MA as elsewhere is they are usually based upon an average annual return of about 8%. This return was not achieved recently nor is likely to be anytime soon, hence the under-funding problem is getting worse. The Town has little say in the matter, it is set in State law dating back to 1937.
Discussions around the Capitol are addressing abuses and will get to the funding issue. The funding issue was created by not funding the pension from 1937 to 1989 during which the pension was "pay as you go". The defined benefit plan is controlled at the State level.
Work ten years to get vested and entitled to a pension. Also get access to full benefits for health insurance. Franklin took on the responsibility for paying for the retiree health benefits about 40-50 years ago. Everybody (retiree) is all in, everybody has to be treated the same. Once the retiree get to 65, they pay and get Medicare, hence come off the Franklin plan (we pay a supplemental benefit). Some employees can hit the rule of 90, that is a combination of age and years of service if equal to 90 maxes their benefits. So if they max and retire in their 50's, they could be collecting from the Town for several years before they reach 65 (when they switch to Medicare). It is a long and complicated issue here in MA. The ability of cities and towns to control the plan design has been a top priority for MA civic leaders for years.
Nutting: You can't balance the problems of the entire health system upon a few employees.
Powderly: The Budget Subcommittee of the Town Council would like this group to look into:
The current liability is about $40M. It would take about $2M per year to sufficiently fund it with a trust fund. If we did put the $2M there, that happens to be the amount of free cash which would mean we wouldn't have a capital budget (as it is currently funded from 'free cash').
The average statewide pension is $27,000. We are about that. Not everyone stays for 30 years.
We are spending about 3-4M for the pension funding until about 2030 and then that number would start declining.
For the non-union environment, a management decision is always is the position is full time or part time. If we can get part time, i.e. less than 20 hours, they get salary and no benefits (paid holidays, health care, etc.)
Franklin did move the retired teachers from the State plan to a Franklin-managed plan and saved about $400,000 per year to do so.
Hat's off to all the Franklin employees for being as cooperative as they have been on the health plan design the last several years. They have increased co-pays and helped to save the town big time. Franklin pays 68% and the employees pay 32%, this is already below the State average. Most are still around 80, some are still at 90.
Picking up to review the report of the prior committee from last year (PDF)
Discussion diverges when we reach page 15. The State averages aren't an appropriate comparison and probably should be re-looked at when this slide is revised.
Discussion on the use of the 3.5% debt service within the operational budget.
Request for a discussion on how to bring some of these state level systemic issues to the table, who do we talk to, how do we get the state level changes started?
Franklin, MA
Absent: none
Welcome to Sue Rohrbach, representing the School Committee.
Motion to approve minutes of Jan 5th meeting, passed unanimously
Discussion on committee assignments
Individuals will take the lead on a number of categories
1 - Capital expenditures and debt service - John Hogan
2 - Benchmarking and pensions - Graydon Smith
3 - Salary and benefits (excluding pensions) - Orrin Bean
4 - National trends in municipal finance (includes regionalization) - Craig DiMarzio
5 - Schools - Deb Bartlett
6 - Town revenue, public safety, and other - Ken Harvey
7 - Committee communications and deliverables - Doug Hardesty
(updated 2/13/11)
These individuals would also have the lead for those specific pages in the reports and other deliverables produced by the committee
Obligation to pay retired employee pensions, according to the actuarial analysis the fund is not fully covered. It needs to be fully funded by 2030. There is an annual assessment provided by Norfolk County every year. The fallacy of the pension in MA as elsewhere is they are usually based upon an average annual return of about 8%. This return was not achieved recently nor is likely to be anytime soon, hence the under-funding problem is getting worse. The Town has little say in the matter, it is set in State law dating back to 1937.
Discussions around the Capitol are addressing abuses and will get to the funding issue. The funding issue was created by not funding the pension from 1937 to 1989 during which the pension was "pay as you go". The defined benefit plan is controlled at the State level.
Work ten years to get vested and entitled to a pension. Also get access to full benefits for health insurance. Franklin took on the responsibility for paying for the retiree health benefits about 40-50 years ago. Everybody (retiree) is all in, everybody has to be treated the same. Once the retiree get to 65, they pay and get Medicare, hence come off the Franklin plan (we pay a supplemental benefit). Some employees can hit the rule of 90, that is a combination of age and years of service if equal to 90 maxes their benefits. So if they max and retire in their 50's, they could be collecting from the Town for several years before they reach 65 (when they switch to Medicare). It is a long and complicated issue here in MA. The ability of cities and towns to control the plan design has been a top priority for MA civic leaders for years.
Nutting: You can't balance the problems of the entire health system upon a few employees.
Powderly: The Budget Subcommittee of the Town Council would like this group to look into:
- What can we do to manage the growth of the liability for retiree health benefits going forward?
- How do we start funding the liability that we have?
The current liability is about $40M. It would take about $2M per year to sufficiently fund it with a trust fund. If we did put the $2M there, that happens to be the amount of free cash which would mean we wouldn't have a capital budget (as it is currently funded from 'free cash').
The average statewide pension is $27,000. We are about that. Not everyone stays for 30 years.
We are spending about 3-4M for the pension funding until about 2030 and then that number would start declining.
For the non-union environment, a management decision is always is the position is full time or part time. If we can get part time, i.e. less than 20 hours, they get salary and no benefits (paid holidays, health care, etc.)
Franklin did move the retired teachers from the State plan to a Franklin-managed plan and saved about $400,000 per year to do so.
Hat's off to all the Franklin employees for being as cooperative as they have been on the health plan design the last several years. They have increased co-pays and helped to save the town big time. Franklin pays 68% and the employees pay 32%, this is already below the State average. Most are still around 80, some are still at 90.
Picking up to review the report of the prior committee from last year (PDF)
Discussion diverges when we reach page 15. The State averages aren't an appropriate comparison and probably should be re-looked at when this slide is revised.
Discussion on the use of the 3.5% debt service within the operational budget.
Request for a discussion on how to bring some of these state level systemic issues to the table, who do we talk to, how do we get the state level changes started?
Franklin, MA
"Willy Wonka Jr." comes to Franklin
The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School Department of Fine and Performing Arts Proudly Presents
Willy Wonka Jr.
February 11 and 12, 2011 @ 7:00pm
Horace Mann Middle School, Franklin, MA
$15/adult and $12/child
Looking for something to do on Friday or Saturday night!
Come watch a fun production of Willy Wonka!
Great music, lots of laughs, it's sure to be a great night!
Franklin, MA
Willy Wonka Jr.
February 11 and 12, 2011 @ 7:00pm
Horace Mann Middle School, Franklin, MA
$15/adult and $12/child
Looking for something to do on Friday or Saturday night!
Come watch a fun production of Willy Wonka!
Great music, lots of laughs, it's sure to be a great night!
Franklin, MA
Best Buddies Spinning Fundraiser
Team Fitness Fanklin wil host its third annual Best Buddies Spinning Fundraiser, Saturday, February 12, 2011 from 8:00a.m. to 11:00a.m.
The Spin-A-Thon is a three hour indoor cycling event to raise funds to support the Best Buddies program including the three chapters already in place at Franklin High School, Annie Sullivan Middle School Franklin, and Horace Mann Middle School Franklin. Best Buddies is a charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.
Riders may register as an individual and spin for three hours, or split time on a bike with other participants. There are fundraising commitments ($150 for each hour or $300 for three hours) each participant should strive to reach. Team Fitness will provide water, smoothies, fruit, and support to all riders. There will be numerous raffle prizes, t-shirts, and many surprises throughout the day. Representatives from Best Buddies will be on board to help educate, inform, coach, and cheer on the riders. Come to spin, donate, or take part in our raffle! Participation is open to the public. Raffle tickets are currently available at Team Fitness Franklin. Please come and support this effort.
Team Fitness Franklin is located at 100 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin Village Mall. Register by calling Team Fitness at 508-541-8330. Questions may be directed to owner Bob Flynn @ bob@teamfitnessfranklin.com.
Franklin, MA
The Spin-A-Thon is a three hour indoor cycling event to raise funds to support the Best Buddies program including the three chapters already in place at Franklin High School, Annie Sullivan Middle School Franklin, and Horace Mann Middle School Franklin. Best Buddies is a charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.
Riders may register as an individual and spin for three hours, or split time on a bike with other participants. There are fundraising commitments ($150 for each hour or $300 for three hours) each participant should strive to reach. Team Fitness will provide water, smoothies, fruit, and support to all riders. There will be numerous raffle prizes, t-shirts, and many surprises throughout the day. Representatives from Best Buddies will be on board to help educate, inform, coach, and cheer on the riders. Come to spin, donate, or take part in our raffle! Participation is open to the public. Raffle tickets are currently available at Team Fitness Franklin. Please come and support this effort.
Team Fitness Franklin is located at 100 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin Village Mall. Register by calling Team Fitness at 508-541-8330. Questions may be directed to owner Bob Flynn @ bob@teamfitnessfranklin.com.
Franklin, MA
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) delivers big bucks
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue by Robert Bliss on 2/8/11
The federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) delivers up to $5,666 in federal tax credit and $849.90 in state tax credit -- a combined $6,515.90 -- for eligible taxpayers.
Simply put, the EITC delivers big bucks to low- and moderate-income working families and individuals through a combined federal and state income tax credit.
In a statement issued Jan. 28, Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray said that "During these difficult economic times, it is even more important to inform residents about this tax benefit as well as the assistance available to acces the benefits." The Lt. Gov also has a video explainer on the credit at DOR's homepage at www.mass.gov/dor.
It is estimated that 20 to 25 percent of eligible families failed to apply for the tax credit in tax year 2009. Depending on family income and size, individuals and their families may be eligible for thousands of dollars in tax refunds even if they owe no income tax.
Here are some examples of the EITC. An individual with a maximum federal adjusted gross income of $13,460 and no children is eligible for $457 in federal credit and $68.55 in state credit. An individual with adjusted gross income of $35,535 and one child is eligible for $3,050 in federal credit and another $457.50 in state credit. An individual with adjusted gross income of $45,352 and three children is eligible for a federal tax credit of $5,666 and a state credit of $849.50, the maximum credit.
For married couples filing jointly, the adjusted gross income thresholds are about $5,000 higher. Thus, a couple with one child and an adjusted gross income of $40,545 is eligible for $3,050 in federal credit and $457.40 in state credit, while a couple with three children and an adjusted gross income of $48,362 is eligible for the maximum credit.
To assist taxpayers in filing for the EITC, the Massachusetts EITC Coordinated Campaign provides a host of locations at which taxpayers may complete and file their tax return, at no cost. Just click on the link to find the site closest to you.
DOR's website maintains a complete listing of EITC information. So far this filing season, the Commonwealth has paid $39.6 million in EITC to eligible taxpayers.
Simply put, the EITC delivers big bucks to low- and moderate-income working families and individuals through a combined federal and state income tax credit.
In a statement issued Jan. 28, Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray said that "During these difficult economic times, it is even more important to inform residents about this tax benefit as well as the assistance available to acces the benefits." The Lt. Gov also has a video explainer on the credit at DOR's homepage at www.mass.gov/dor.
It is estimated that 20 to 25 percent of eligible families failed to apply for the tax credit in tax year 2009. Depending on family income and size, individuals and their families may be eligible for thousands of dollars in tax refunds even if they owe no income tax.
Here are some examples of the EITC. An individual with a maximum federal adjusted gross income of $13,460 and no children is eligible for $457 in federal credit and $68.55 in state credit. An individual with adjusted gross income of $35,535 and one child is eligible for $3,050 in federal credit and another $457.50 in state credit. An individual with adjusted gross income of $45,352 and three children is eligible for a federal tax credit of $5,666 and a state credit of $849.50, the maximum credit.
For married couples filing jointly, the adjusted gross income thresholds are about $5,000 higher. Thus, a couple with one child and an adjusted gross income of $40,545 is eligible for $3,050 in federal credit and $457.40 in state credit, while a couple with three children and an adjusted gross income of $48,362 is eligible for the maximum credit.
To assist taxpayers in filing for the EITC, the Massachusetts EITC Coordinated Campaign provides a host of locations at which taxpayers may complete and file their tax return, at no cost. Just click on the link to find the site closest to you.
DOR's website maintains a complete listing of EITC information. So far this filing season, the Commonwealth has paid $39.6 million in EITC to eligible taxpayers.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Finance Committee meeting canceled
According to the Franklin web site the meeting scheduled for tonight at 7:00 PM has been canceled.
FM #85 - Week ending Feb 6, 2011
Let's spend less than 10 minutes and get caught up on what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends Feb 6, 2011.
Time: 5 minutes, 56 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes:
This internet radio show or podcast is number 85 in the series for Franklin Matters.
We'll start by looking back at the snowy week that was as it comes to a close on Sunday Feb 6th. School got out early Tues, was canceled Wed, and started late on Thu. All due to the weather.
School Committee canceled, so the budget hearing was postponed to their next meeting Feb 15th
Town Council managed a quorum to hold a short meeting on Weds; a couple of appointments were approved, the liquor license manager change for Maguro House was approved, and authorization to spend more than the budget for snow/ice was approved.
At the Council meeting Jeff Nutting provided several updates including a summary of the budget development status. As the entire meeting took only 17 minutes, I have included the link so you can catch the on demand video and view it directly
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=EehmtDrfKKNgo8xk8AQHNg%3d%3d
Library will hold a book sale, apparently the Friends and the Board of Directors are working out the issues that cropped up.
Recreation fee investigation postponed due to health issues with a key person
wasn't going to happen right away anyway, just wanted to get the research underway
Also on the library front, word out of Medway is that they are terminating the sharing agreement for the Library director with Franklin. This is going the wrong way on the regionalization front. This I think is a good case in point as to how hard regionalization is. It is not a silver bullet, it takes hard work to make it work. It does take two to tango. Medway apparently wants their own tune.
Looking to the week ahead:
Finance Committee scheduled to meet Tues Feb 8th
Long Range Financial Planning Committee scheduled to meet Wed Feb 9th
So we have had some snow melt in the last day or so, but we are still covered with plenty and there is more on the way. Be safe, be careful, shovel the fire hydrants in your neighborhood.
----
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help.
How can you help, you ask?
If you have an interest in covering the Planning Board, Conservation Commission and or the Zoning Board of Appeals meetings in Franklin, please let me know.
And as always -
Without this feedback loop, I can not improve this service.
Thank you for listening.
-----
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission
I hope you enjoy!
Franklin, MA
Time: 5 minutes, 56 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes:
This internet radio show or podcast is number 85 in the series for Franklin Matters.
We'll start by looking back at the snowy week that was as it comes to a close on Sunday Feb 6th. School got out early Tues, was canceled Wed, and started late on Thu. All due to the weather.
School Committee canceled, so the budget hearing was postponed to their next meeting Feb 15th
Town Council managed a quorum to hold a short meeting on Weds; a couple of appointments were approved, the liquor license manager change for Maguro House was approved, and authorization to spend more than the budget for snow/ice was approved.
At the Council meeting Jeff Nutting provided several updates including a summary of the budget development status. As the entire meeting took only 17 minutes, I have included the link so you can catch the on demand video and view it directly
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=EehmtDrfKKNgo8xk8AQHNg%3d%3d
Library will hold a book sale, apparently the Friends and the Board of Directors are working out the issues that cropped up.
Recreation fee investigation postponed due to health issues with a key person
wasn't going to happen right away anyway, just wanted to get the research underway
Also on the library front, word out of Medway is that they are terminating the sharing agreement for the Library director with Franklin. This is going the wrong way on the regionalization front. This I think is a good case in point as to how hard regionalization is. It is not a silver bullet, it takes hard work to make it work. It does take two to tango. Medway apparently wants their own tune.
Looking to the week ahead:
Finance Committee scheduled to meet Tues Feb 8th
Long Range Financial Planning Committee scheduled to meet Wed Feb 9th
So we have had some snow melt in the last day or so, but we are still covered with plenty and there is more on the way. Be safe, be careful, shovel the fire hydrants in your neighborhood.
----
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help.
How can you help, you ask?
If you have an interest in covering the Planning Board, Conservation Commission and or the Zoning Board of Appeals meetings in Franklin, please let me know.
And as always -
- If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
- If you don't like this, please tell me
Without this feedback loop, I can not improve this service.
Thank you for listening.
-----
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission
I hope you enjoy!
Franklin, MA
Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club to meet Wednesday
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 2/7/11
The Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club has scheduled its February meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the 3 Restaurant, 461 West Central St., Franklin.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Wicked Local Franklin News RSS using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Friends of Franklin Library meeting, Feb. 9
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 2/7/11
The Friends of the Franklin Library (FOFL) has rescheduled its monthly meeting to Wednesday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m., in the community room of the library, lower level.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Wicked Local Franklin News RSS using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Monday, February 7, 2011
A study in snow
How much snow have we had?
Enough to show the layers or strata! Hopefully, it won't be around so long that archeologists will do some studies on the depth, type, timing, etc.
This sample of the snow layers was taken on Cottage St.
In the morning light, with the shadows on an unbroken surface, it is pretty!
This photo was taken along Milliken Ave.
Franklin, MA
Enough to show the layers or strata! Hopefully, it won't be around so long that archeologists will do some studies on the depth, type, timing, etc.
This sample of the snow layers was taken on Cottage St.
In the morning light, with the shadows on an unbroken surface, it is pretty!
This photo was taken along Milliken Ave.
Franklin, MA
"It's been a crazy winter"
... the same goes for Franklin, which has had four-and-a-half snow days this year. Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski said starting the school year earlier allows for more learning time.
Of course, not having one full week of school in January has made it difficult for teachers to maintain momentum with their curriculum and get kids ready for Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests.
"The staff has expressed concerns with the disruption to the instructional program," said Sabolinski. "It impacts teachers' plans, their curriculum, and preparation for MCAS."
She said that while teachers may not be happy, students are most likely cheering every time the School Department calls their homes announcing school is canceled.
"I think the kids enjoy it tremendously," said Sabolinski.Read the full article on snow days in the Milford Daily News here
Franklin, MA
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Help for senior citizens struggling to pay their property taxes?
If Sudbury can do this, why not Franklin?
Read the full article in the Boston Globe West edition here
Franklin, MA
“Some people will pay a little more and another group will pay less, so the total amount we raise will be just like it was before,’’ he said.
Tyler said the plan calls for increasing the tax burden on residential taxpayers by 0.5 percent, or about $50 a year for the average taxpayer. The additional money would be used to reduce the taxes of about 300 homeowners who pay more than 10 percent of their income on property taxes, Tyler said. He said if the town raises about $300,000 from the shift, each qualifying senior would get a break of about $1,000.
“This is a really caring community in Sudbury, and it was a proposal people could really buy into,’’ Tyler said.
Read the full article in the Boston Globe West edition here
Franklin, MA
Are we born to run?
As a life long runner, a lover of cross country (where to be successful you need to run in a pack), Christopher McDougal's TED Talk strikes a resounding bell for me. Will I ditch my shoes and start running longer? I don't think so. Ditching shoes to run in an urban environment is too risky. Nevermind the kind of weather we are having, running wouldn't be practical at all.
You do need to walk before you run. And in this weather, if you don't want to venture outside as the sidewalks are not cleared enough, go to the High School. Tue-Wed-Thu evenings beginning about 5:30 (as I recall) there is an indoor walking club. You can walk the halls of the school in the relative comfort of the indoor space and get the healthy exercise your body craves.
As the weather improves, move the walk outside. Walk through your neighborhood, walk to downtown and back, explore side roads in Franklin. There are lots of good opportunities for walking.
When you can walk 4-5 miles comfortably, when you can walk and talk the whole way without breathing heavy, then, and only then, should you consider bringing your walk to a faster pace. After being comfortable at a faster pace for some time (perhaps several weeks), then you can consider taking your faster walking pace into a jog or easy running pace.
What kind of pace is that? Covering the 5 miles in close to an hour. If you can do the 5 miles in under an hour, you should be ready.
Should everyone run? Maybe not, but most everyone should be able to walk.
Franklin, MA
You do need to walk before you run. And in this weather, if you don't want to venture outside as the sidewalks are not cleared enough, go to the High School. Tue-Wed-Thu evenings beginning about 5:30 (as I recall) there is an indoor walking club. You can walk the halls of the school in the relative comfort of the indoor space and get the healthy exercise your body craves.
As the weather improves, move the walk outside. Walk through your neighborhood, walk to downtown and back, explore side roads in Franklin. There are lots of good opportunities for walking.
When you can walk 4-5 miles comfortably, when you can walk and talk the whole way without breathing heavy, then, and only then, should you consider bringing your walk to a faster pace. After being comfortable at a faster pace for some time (perhaps several weeks), then you can consider taking your faster walking pace into a jog or easy running pace.
What kind of pace is that? Covering the 5 miles in close to an hour. If you can do the 5 miles in under an hour, you should be ready.
Should everyone run? Maybe not, but most everyone should be able to walk.
Franklin, MA
Leadership in Action: Dominic Orr
Three business leaders will continue the year-long series of presentations at Dean College’s “Leadership in Action” program in February and March.
The first speaker this month is Dominic Orr, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aruba Networks will speak on Wednesday, February 9, 2011, Campus Center Atrium, 4:00 pm.
Mr. Orr was named President and CEO of Aruba Networks in April 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Orr served as the company’s Chairman of the Board, and previously he was the president of Nortel Networks, Intelligent Internet Web Systems. He previously served as the president and chief executive of Alteon WebSystems which merged with Nortel Networks in October, 2000.
Mr. Orr has more than 20 years of experience in the computer systems and communication networking industry and has held senior positions at Bay Networks, Hewlett-Packard and Hughes Aircraft. Mr. Orr is a member of the Sciences Board of Visitors at UCLA. He holds a BS in physics from City University of New York and a MS and PhD from California Institute of Technology.
Two more speakers will be featured in this series: choreographer, dancer and Dean alum Jay T Jenkins, (stet), on February 22, and James A. Anderson, Jr., DPM, podiatrist on March 21.
These program are free of charge and open to the public.
Please RSVP to alumni@dean.edu or call 888-711-3326.
Franklin, MA
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Dean College - "Think Pink"
The Dean College Women’s Basketball team, in conjunction with the Sisterhood and the Student Government Association are sponsoring the second annual “Think Pink” night to raise awareness about breast cancer. The groups will be selling “Think Pink” tee shirts to raise money for the College’s Relay for Life team later this Spring.
The shirts are available at the basketball team’s 6 p.m. game on Thursday, February 10 at the Pieri Gym on School Street, on the College’s campus in Franklin.
Admission to the basketball game is free, but a suggested donation of $3 per person will go to the “Relay for Life” team. Tee shirts are available in white, pink or black and range in price from $8 to $12.
Attendees are encouraged to wear pink. Refreshments, activities and drawings will be available during the basketball game.
Franklin, MA
MA sales tax less than national average
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
The non-partisan, non-profit Tax Foundation has released its latest ranking of state sales taxes and Massachusetts ranks 31st (with No. 1 having the highest rate).
Unlike many other states, Massachusetts , which has a sales tax of 6.25 percent, does not allow municipalities to levy their own sales taxes.
The highest combined rate is 9.44 percent in Tennessee, which has a 7 percent state tax and an average local rate of 2.44 percent. California, Arizona, Louisiana and Washington are at the top just below Tennessee.
Unlike many other states, Massachusetts , which has a sales tax of 6.25 percent, does not allow municipalities to levy their own sales taxes.
The highest combined rate is 9.44 percent in Tennessee, which has a 7 percent state tax and an average local rate of 2.44 percent. California, Arizona, Louisiana and Washington are at the top just below Tennessee.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
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