Two new reports examine data on public employee compensation, pension costs

Explore our online budget database Is our research helpful to you? Support our work Contact Info   Noah Berger   President   nberger@massbudget.org   (617) 426-1228 x102   Tom Benner   Communications Director   tbenner@massbudget.org   (617) 426-1228 x100 Two new reports examine data on public employee compensation, pension costs March 7, 2011 Across the country there has recently been extensive attention focused on issues relating to public employee compensation.  Two new reports from MassBudget examine the available data on public employee compensation and state pension costs in Massachusetts.  In looking at compensation the reports also consider the broader context: across the country, inequality has been increasing with wages for less-educated workers stagnating. The first paper, Workforce Characteristics and Wages in the Public and Private Sectors, finds that wage outcomes differ across sectors by education level.  Workers with at least a four-year college degree (60 percent of the public sector workforce) earn less in the public sector than in the private sector in Massachusetts -- even after accounting for benefits.  For those workers without a college degree, overall compensation appears to be higher in the public sector, as the wage gap between more and less educated workers is not as great as in the private sector. A companion report, Demystifying the State Pension System, explains how the Massachusetts public employee pension system works and what the state costs are.  It finds that while public employees have good pensions, those pensions are financed primarily by contributions made by public employees to the pension fund (and by the investment earnings of the fund).  The amount the state pays towards the pensions of current employees is less than the amount paid in most states -- and less than the amount paid by most private employers.  This is partly because state employees are not eligible for Social Security -- which means that the state saves the 6.2 percent (of the first $106,800 of salary) that private sector employers pay towards Social Security.  The amount the state pays into the pension fund for current employees is significantly less than 6 percent. "Workforce Characteristics and Wages in the Public and Private Sectors" is available at www.massbudget.org or by clicking here. "Demystifying the State Pension System" is available by clicking here. See MassBudget's Budget Browser to explore Massachusetts state budgets from Fiscal Year 2001 to the present, as well as budget proposals for the next fiscal year as they are offered by the Governor and the Legislature.     MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies, as well as economic issues, with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.

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"We call him the Energizer Bunny"

"The timing is just mind-boggling," Cusson, 43, said yesterday recalling the Presidents Day incident. "I just feel like God had me there at the exact right time." 

If Cusson hadn't gotten the milk, she would have arrived five minutes earlier, been occupied helping her grandmother and may not have noticed Thornhill's internal defibrillator had been activated. 

The machine, which goes into action when a person has a heart attack or irregular heartbeat, went off at least three times, attempting to shock his heart back into a normal rhythm. 

However, the defibrillator was unable to get his heart working properly again and he had a heart attack, Cusson said. 

"Had I been a few steps further away, I might not have heard him," said Cusson, who also lives in Franklin and is a nursing student at MassBay Community College in Framingham. "I called 911. ... His eyes started to roll back. And then he passed out. I kicked the feet out of the chair and then laid him down on the floor and started CPR."

Read more: Franklin woman saves grandfather from heart attack


Franklin, MA

FM #88 - Week ending 3/6/11

Lets take less than ten minutes to review what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends March 6, 2011.

Time: 6 minutes, 20 seconds



Show Notes

This internet radio show or podcast is number 88 in the series for Franklin Matters.

We'll look back at the week that was as it comes to a close Sunday March 6. Then we will look at what is scheduled for the week ahead.

The Community Gardens group meet on Monday night in the Community Room of Stop & Shop. It is good to see such a group beginning this endeavor.

My notes from the meeting are here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/02/live-reporting-community-garden.html

The FinCom meeting on Tuesday was canceled as expected. The State numbers are too preliminary to begin to work with at this time. The current expectation is that by mid-month there should be some indication as to the range of numbers available from the State to begin planning.

The Town Council held a very brief meeting on Wednesday. I caught the replay via the video on demand in order to participate in the Friends of the Library meeting. It was a very good choice to make. My report is available here.
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/library-and-friends-clear-air.html

Be sure to review the update on the tax donation status of gifts to the Library. With the standard disclaimer that I am not providing tax advice just information, check with your tax preparer how to handle this with your particular situation.
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/re-franklin-library-blog-posting.html

The Community Health Council met on Thursday evening featuring an update from Peter Light on the health related activities at the high school. More information on the calendar of events coordinated by the Council can be found here http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/FPS/CHC/default.htm

Looking ahead:

The Long Range Financial Planning committee meets on Wednesday. The group will likely be continuing to develop its understanding of the financial issues around the Franklin budget.

The Pew Internet and American Life Project released a report that showed:

"... government transparency is associated with residents’ feelings of efficacy and empowerment: Those who think their government shares information well are more likely to say that people like them can have an impact on government. It might be the case that signals from government that “we want to be open about what we do” make people think they can take advantage of that openness and influence the way the government operates."

This report helps foster the activities that you and I have been taking here. Our engagement on the website,through the weekly and daily newsletters, and on Facebook are helping to encourage Franklin to do more in these areas. Franklin regularly wins an award for for government information sharing but it can still do better. One of the major issues with the budget crisis we face is the lack of trust in the information provided. Increasing the transparency will foster trust.

The full report can be found here:
http://www.pewinternet.org/2011/03/01/how-the-public-perceives-community-information-systems/

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

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to improve.

Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit https://www.franklinmatters.org/
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 and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

Franklin, MA


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

"Repeated freeze-thaw cycles create favorable conditions"

Franklin has had at least one crew of two to five workers out fixing potholes Monday through Saturday and has people on call to respond to emergencies during off hours. 

"The guys are doing a great job," he said. "One day they put down six tons (of material). That was one crew. We have a program where we pretty much hit all the main (streets) and residents are not afraid to call in and tell us where they are." 

But Cantoreggi said it is frustrating to deal with potholes every year. The problem is exacerbated because towns have not been able to keep up with road repairs, he said, noting Franklin needs $20 million in road resurfacing and reconstruction work.

Read more: Towns fixing up winter-ravaged streets

Franklin, MA

"Franklin has developed a reputation as a business-friendly community"

"Part of it is that the economy is starting to loosen up a little bit, and the Franklin area is just prime for almost any new business," said Jack Lank, president of the United Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

The Franklin Cafe and Grill, which will serve Mediterranean and American food, is expected to open in a few weeks in the former Kentucky Fried Chicken building near Panther Way. 

In October, owners of the hibachi and sushi bar Ichigo Ichie plan to open in the old Piccadilly Pub just beyond where West Central Street and Rte. 140 split. 

And local businessman James Daddario hopes to begin construction of a Wendy's and Taco Bell at the old Knights of Columbus hall this spring. 

Lank said the availability of several vacant restaurant buildings on a busy road near Interstate 495 created a perfect opportunity for new businesses.

Read more: New restaurants hope to succeed in Franklin

Franklin, MA

How do you do the impossible?

French artist JR creates a bridge with his art. Photos of peoples faces, side by side, face to face - how can you tell who is who?

Art asks questions that sometimes can not be asked with words.



Behind each image is a story.

The Inside out project website can be found here
http://www.insideoutproject.net/



Franklin, MA

Bill Gates on State budgets and Education

TED Talks are the visual presentations of an idea from significant thinkers that gather at TED each year. TED has also spawned a number of conferences under the TED umbrella; TEDx, TEDWomen, etc.

Bill Gates spoke at this year's TED conference about the impact of government deficits on education. He focused on California but the comments are applicable for other states.

If the youth are our future, how do we prepare them to take care of this whole place?




The collection of information for the Fiscal Year 2012 budget can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/01/fiscal-year-2012-budget-information.html


Franklin, MA

Explore the real food challenge

There was a bit of discussion around real food vs school food on Facebook when I posted the news about the Whole Food Foundation providing salad bar equipment for schools in Franklin. The discussion is a valid one. There are no easy solutions especially on a budget and with government requirements to be met.

What is real food?
Author Michael Pollen has written a few books on different aspects of the topic. Jamie Oliver took the Food Revolution to Huntington, WV last year and TV had a 10 parts series to showcase the efforts. There is a growing collection of movies on this topic.

The Leake family in North Carolina took a challenge to eat real food for 100 days.



The family successfully completed their hundred days. The record of what they did and how they did it can be viewed on their website:  http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/

The offer a challenge to take a 10 day pledge. 100 days too much? Ease into the change.

Benefits of Taking the 10-Day Pledge

Upon completing your goal we predict you will gain the following:

• A first-hand, eye opening experience of how to identify the real food in our processed food world.
• At least one improved health benefit such as having more energy, losing weight, improving regularity, or just feeling healthier overall.
• The realization that some of those pre-packaged processed “food-like substances” don’t even taste that good compared to real food.
• The opportunity to teach your children (if you have them), by example, the healthiest way to eat and enjoy the food mother nature has given us.
• A congratulatory letter and complimentary gift – a silicone wristband debossed with “10 Days of Real Food” which you can wear to make sure all of your friends know what you accomplished!
• The ability to continue on with your life however you chose, but with the new knowledge of how and why to avoid processed foods. Hopefully your 10-day experience will convince you to consider making at least a few changes for life.

What can you eat following the 'real food' challenge?
http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/real-food-defined-a-k-a-the-rules/

What kinds of food would you have for the daily meals?
http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/real-food-resources/




Franklin, MA

RE: Franklin Library Blog Posting

A loyal reader provides an update to the posting on the Friends of the Library:

I recently read your blog posting about the Franklin Public Library.  There is a section in the blog posting where you shared that book donations to the public library are not tax deductible.  I would like to direct you to review IRS Publication 526 for clarification.  I also consulted a CPA in the town of Franklin that concurs with this publication that books donated to the Franklin Public library are tax deductible.  Our beloved Franklin Public Library falls under this category and all books donated to the library are tax deductible.  Please share with your readers that all books donated to the library are tax deductible per IRS publication 526 and ask them to support the Franklin Public Library with their book donations.  Please make any corrections to the BLOG entry to avoid confusion with your readers or with other new sources that graciously reprint the postings.

Here is the link to the IRS web page:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p526.pdf

Below is what I found from the above IRS website.

Deductible As Charitable Contributions

Money or property you give to:

• Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, and other religious organizations

• Federal, state, and local governments, if your contribution is solely for public purposes (for example, a gift to reduce the public debt)

• Nonprofit schools and hospitals

• Public parks and recreation facilities

• Salvation Army, Red Cross, CARE, Goodwill Industries, United Way, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, etc.

• War veterans' groups 

• Charitable organizations listed in Publication 78

• Expenses paid for a student living with you, sponsored by a qualified organization

• Out-of-pocket expenses when you serve a qualified organization as a volunteer

This provides an update to the tax question raised during the Friends meeting on March 2.

"I hope that you welcome them"

The hourlong assembly was organized by the school's Best Buddies chapter, which seeks to develop friendships between students with developmental disabilities and their peers. 

Friends of Best Buddies Franklin, a nonprofit organization that supports the program at several schools, provided a $1,100 grant to bring the Maiers to Annie Sullivan. 

The Maiers perform at schools throughout the country in the hopes of increasing awareness of people with disabilities, growing friendships between disabled students and others and demonstrating that someone with a disability can achieve remarkable feats. 

"I think it's just a gift from God," Maier said, adding there's no scientific explanation for her daughter's musical ability. "And we want to share that gift and inspire people around the world."

Read more: Blind, autistic pianist Brittany Maier impresses Franklin students The Milford Daily News

Related post:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/in-news-brittany-maier-zoning-workshop.html


Franklin, MA

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT DEAN COLLEGE

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce has organized a Business After Hours at Dean College, 99 Main St., Franklin, on March 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will take place on the concourse of the new Dean College Campus Center. The Main Stage Theater space and Campanella Boardroom will be open for self-guided tours. Ample parking is available on the main lot on Route 140 adjacent to the Campus Center main entrance. Admission is $5 for Chamber members and $10 for non-members. Please register by calling any Chamber office: 508-222-0801, 508-695-2011, or 508-528-2800.

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, business support organization serving the communities of Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone, Foxborough, Franklin, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Wrentham.



Franklin, MA

In the News - Brittany Maier, zoning workshop

Playing it by ear

from The Milford Daily News News RSS

Franklin to hold workshop on downtown zoning

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin, MA

"fundamental issue is we're still facing a deficit"

"We're trying very hard to avoid an override," Whalen said after the Town Council meeting. "We're very conscious of the fact that there's a potential for a double whammy and we want to avoid that." 

But, if town officials cannot balance the budget without significantly reducing services, it might be better to let voters decide if they want higher taxes or service cuts, he said. 

Town Councilor Tina Powderly agreed with Whalen's comments, noting she hopes that, with a better-than-expected local aid picture, the town can close the gap through savings on health care and further increasing government efficiency. 

"Every year you hope to balance the budget without an override," Powderly said. "There's certainly going to be a deficit. ... We hope to put enough of a bite into the deficit that we won't have to have an override."

Read more: Franklin officials hope to avoid override - The Milford Daily News



Franklin, MA

In the News - DARE, art,

Franklin police announce DARE camp

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin artists’ work on display at Norfolk library

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin, MA

Citizens Against Waste - The question collection

The question form and guidelines

• The trash fee question
• The substitute pay question
• The check book question
• Athletic field lights question
• 
  

Franklin, MA

Library and Friends clear the air

The Friends of Franklin Public Library meeting took my attention away from the Town Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday night. Yes, that is rare but in this case, especially worth it. Why? The book sale is a major fund raiser. The Friends contributed $20,000 last year to the Library. The bank account for the Friends is currently sitting at $29,516.

(The Town Council conducted their meeting in under 8 minutes. If you watch the recording, the first 1:20 is blank so hang in there it will appear (at least it did successfully when I watched it Weds evening). The liquor license for Ichigo Ichie Franklin, LLC (going into the former Piccadilly Pub) was approved. The July 4th committee presented their financial report to the Council. The snow and ice deficit is now about $400,000. “Pray for warm weather” is what Jeff Nutting asked for.)

The Friends meeting was indeed special. Felicia Oti, the Library Director and Cindy Dobryznski, Chair of the Library Board of Directors were both in attendance with the Board of the Friends and a couple of their members..

I won’t go into the recap of the events that transpired beginning with the December 2010 meeting. There is really no point in trying to reconstruct the incident. It has passed and both sides are willing to go forward. There may be some who don’t want to forget and that is okay. We all have choices to make and then we need to live with them.

It was acknowledged that there were mistakes made on both sides. It was acknowledged to let the past be put behind and go forward to support the Library.

There will be a book sale. It seems likely that it will be sponsored by the Friends of the Library for the benefit of the Library.

The book sale will be held at the DPW Garage like in recent years. The DPW will hold their “Touch a Truck” day to coincide with the book sale. All this will take place on the Saturday, May 21st.

The Library is still accepting books. The donation is technically to the Friends to benefit the Library. When the donation is to the Friends, the donor can receive a “Donation Acknowledgement and Tax Receipt”. If the donation is to the Library, it is accepted as a gift with no tax donation available. (An update from a loyal reader reveals that the statement above is incorrect, the gift to the Library still qualifies for a tax deduction.)

The sorting space that was a problem is still being used. Volunteers are still welcomed to help with the sorting. Felicia has heard from some volunteers who have stepped up to help conduct the book sale. The Friends book sale coordinator from last year had already determined not to do it this year (before the whole incident arose). Whether the Friends have another person to fill in remains open.

The permanent solution for space still remains to be determined.

Both the Friends and the Library Board of Directors have pledged to keep in better contact.

Felicia committed to come to the April meeting of the Friends.

Friends of the Franklin Library Mission Statement: We are a nonprofit organization, incorporated in 1991 and dedicated to supporting and promoting the Franklin Public Library. Ours is the first public, lending library in the USA, established with a donation of books from Benjamin Franklin. We are an all-volunteer community group that meets the first Wednesday of the month in the Library Community room at 7:00 pm from September thru June.

Franklin, MA

Town Council meeting 3/2/11

Present: Kelly, Jones, Vallee, Whalen, Mason, Pfeffer, Powderly
Absent: McGann, Zollo


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - February 2, 2011
Motion to approve, passed 7-0


B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Meeting recorded by Verizon and Comcast but not by Franklin Matters tonight

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Warren Ravel - July 4th Committee presented annual report on the committee's work for the event

E. APPOINTMENTS - none

F. HEARINGS - none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
New All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License
– Ichigo Ichie Franklin, LLC
motion to approve, passed 7-0

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - none

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS - none

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION - none

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
recognition of training by Police and Fire personnel
recognition of letters to thank the Fire Dept for excellent work done for the citizens

Approx $400,000 in hole on snow/ice removal, pray for warm weather


L. OLD BUSINESS - none

M. NEW BUSINESS - none

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Powderly - encourage seniors to take advantage of the Senior Circuit Breaker tax credit
don't have to own to get the credit, if any questions, contact the Senior Center

FHS doing their Spring fund raiser Sunday, March 13th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM

Vallee - question do you have the break down on the Police/Fire/DPW - that was a really big expense?
Revel - Yes, I don't have the specific break out with me but it was about $10,000 for Police and Fire and $3,000 for DPW
Nutting - I can provide a copy of the invoice if you want
Mason - is that alright Bob?
Vallee - yes
Mason - thanks for your work on this, it is a great event for the town and a ton of work. I hope you can continue to do this for some time.

Motion to adjourn - less than 8 minutes (likely a record!)


Franklin, MA

Happy birthday Franklin!

On March 2, 1778 Franklin was incorporated.

Franklin shares its birthday with another significant MA personality (Dr Seuss) as well as about 70 Franklin residents.

The party will be held on Sunday, March 20th at the Historical Museum. Join the celebration of Franklin's birthday and those Franklin residents who share the Mar 2nd birthday!

Read more about the history of Franklin, MA in Wikipedia


Related post:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/02/where-you-born-on-march-2.html