In the News: committee openings, tax rate, commuter rail

Franklin seeks members for committees

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin taxes to rise

by Matt Tota/Daily News staff

Mobile ticketing option available on Framingham, Franklin rail lines

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Mingle, Jingle, & Shop - Sunday 12/2 @ Dean College

To benefit the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School 8th grade class trip to Washington DC in the spring

Live reporting: closing

L. OLD BUSINESS
none

M. NEW BUSINESS
Q - Mercer: question, changed policy on plowing cul-de-sacs?
some folks have heard it was once in and once out
A - Nutting - no, but I'll look into it

Q - Kelly - can we have a session with Brutus on what residents can do when they see potholes?
A - Nutting - yes, we'll set something up

Q - Vallee - can we look at waiving the meter fees for Dec shopping?
A - we could but you'd have commuters using them

Q - Bissanti, I don't see we have a parking problem
A - Nutting - Maybe try it the last couple of weeks; let me spend the week talking with the Police Dept and come back

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Dellorco - shout out to the Girls Soccer Team for state championship
Kelly - thanks for the work on the Town Common, it looks really good
Powderly - thanks also to girls Soccer team, it was a great performance and they conducted themselves well
Pfeffer - thanks to the two firemen who went to NYC to help with the Sandy aftermath
Jones - I think the Town Common looks really good now, the lights make the
Bissanti - condolences to the P Brunelli and their family for a lose of a family member; thanks to J Nutting for helping to bring a resolution
Roy - echo sentiments for the Girls Soccer Team, recognize the High School for getting on the AP Honor, MA had the highest number of schools on it

Dec 5 to honor Stella, also former Rep Jim Vallee


O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
none tonight

P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed 9-0

Live reporting: Legislation

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

3. Resolution 12-78: Classification Tax Allocation – Residential Factor
keep single tax rate, hence factor =1
motion to make factor = 1, seconded, passed 9-0

4. Resolution 12-79: Classification Tax Allocation – Open Space Exemption
no exemption for open space
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

5. Resolution 12-80: Classification Tax Allocation – Small Business Exemption
no exemption for small business, would have to be picked up by some other group (i.e. home owners)
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

6. Resolution 12-81: Classification Tax Allocation – Residential Property Exemption
no exemption for residential properties, would have to be picked up by some other group (i.e. home owners)
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

Live reporting: Tax Hearing

F. HEARINGS 
Tax Classification Hearing – 7:10 PM

Kevin Doyle, Director of Assessing
Ken Norman, Chair Board of Assessors
Chris Feeley and John Neas - members of the Board

Review of the information package 

The full set of documents for the meeting can be found on the Franklin web page here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/112812.pdf

$844,102 is the amount of new growth added to the tax levy for FY 2013
the 'automatic' 2.5% amounts to $1,319,490 added to the tax levy (anything more than this amount requires a vote)

$14.34 is calculated to be the new tax rate for FY 2013
Mean avg of single family homes calculated at $348,000.
Median avg of single family home calculated at $316,000

no question from audience or Council
hearing closed

Live reporting: Town Council - Nov 28, 2012

Present: Mercer, Dellorco, Kelly, Powderly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Roy
Absent: none


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 21, 2012, April 4, 2012, November 7, 2012
Executive Session
Motion to approve, passed 9-0


B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by Franklin Matters.


C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Told to leave Common for 'slack lining'
Looking for permitted use either on Common or other place

E. APPOINTMENTS
none

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-76: Appropriation – Debt – Interest
Motion to appropriate, passed 9-0

2. Resolution 12-77: Adoption of FY 2013 Budget – Revision
Motion to approve, passed 9-0

a technical correction to the budget documents

Town Administrator 
Traffic study for Panther Way as traffic backs up
Event on the common

Downtown Partnership, Holiday Stroll on Thursday
Brian and Jeff spoke at Metrowest forum
Feedback on how well we are running our permitting process

DEP Commissioner highlighted Franklin on water reduction, storm water treatments, etc.

During the holiday season, please remember you favorite charity, people are in need
There are a number of groups in Franklin who can help
Food Pantry, Friends of Franklin, Random Smile, etc.

Franklin High School Winter Concert - Silent Auction

The Franklin High School Winter Concert will be held at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, December 4th at the Thomas D. Mercer auditorium at Horace Mann Middle School, 214 Oak Street. This highly anticipated event promises to be a warm and festive evening for music students, their families and the community. Concertgoers will enjoy performances by the Franklin High School Orchestra, Concert Band and Wind Ensemble under the direction of Leighanne Rudsit, as well as the Chorus, Select Chorus and A Cappella groups directed by Michael Sansoni. A selection of classic and contemporary pieces will be performed, and the 2012 music scholarship winners will be recognized.

The Franklin Music Boosters, Inc. will once again be hosting a silent auction and reception at the concert. Franklin Music Boosters, Inc. is a parent organization which supports the entire Franklin Public School Music Program grades 6-12. Last year many generous area businesses as well as music students, their families and faculty members donated items and refreshments for the auction which was highly successful, raising over $2,500. Through fundraising efforts such as this throughout the year, the Music Boosters sponsor concerts and special events; finance the purchase of musical equipment and uniforms; fund private lessons and scholarships, and provide transportation for performance trips, competitions and outings for music students.

Silent auction bidding will begin at 6:30 when doors open, and resume at intermission when complimentary refreshments will also be served. Donations of auction items and refreshments for this year’s event are still being accepted. Area businesses and individuals who wish to donate please contact Cindy Gleichauf, 508-397-5204 or cindygleichauf@gmail.com. For more information about getting involved with the Franklin Music Boosters, contact Amy Czuba, amyczuba@gmail.com.

"It’s a mammoth undertaking"

The MCAS data for Franklin was discussed at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday.

Still, the school district faces the daunting task of aligning to the new state standards for math and English, which will challenge both students and teachers, Edwards told the School Committee during its meeting on Tuesday night. 

In a broad overview of Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test data from the district, Edwards discussed many of the changes and methods the school has adopted to reduce some of the proficiency gaps apparent in the scores. 

English scores have been consistently better than math scores, Edwards said. To address this trend, teachers and specialists have this year met with students needing extra math help for small group tutoring sessions.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x719498853/Franklin-School-Committee-reviews-MCAS-data#ixzz2DVpzAecG

Related posts
The MCAS presentation
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/11/franklin-public-schools-mcas.html

The School Committee agenda and links to associated documents
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/11/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-nov.html

'12 Days of Donating' Food Drive Kicks Off Thursday

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Food Drive Kicks Off Thursday

via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 11/26/12

Food Elves, FDP Plan '12 Days of Donating' Drive

The Franklin Food Elves are combining forces with the Franklin Downtown Partnership for the "12 Days of Donating" campaign to benefit the local food pantry, and they'll kick off the drive at the fourth annual Holiday Stroll's tree lighting ceremony on Thursday, November 29, at 4:00 p.m.

As a charitable community service group, the Food Elves aim to collect 1,200 pounds of food in 12 days, from December 1 to December 12, for the Franklin Food Pantry.  More than 50 Elves will ask for food donations in Franklin neighborhoods during the first two weeks in December, and local businesses have pledged their support. If the Food Elves collect 1,200 pounds of goods, eleven participating companies have each pledged a $200 cash donation. 

Ideally the Elves hope to beat last year's drive in which they raised more than 2,000 pounds of goods and $4,000, allowing the Food Pantry to provide 17,000 meals for Franklin families in need last winter.

Franklin Food Elves co-founders Melissa and Cameron Piana and the Partnership hope that the community will support the Food Pantry again this year by helping them reach their goal. 

"Last year we were excited by the generosity of the people in this town," says Cameron Piana.  "Because of those donations we could help the Pantry feed families for several months.  Our timing was good because there is more need in winter when people have to spend money on heat." 

According to the food pantry, 600 households currently use their services, and the number of families struggling increases during the cold months. 1,200 pounds of food can provide approximately 900 meals, and $2,200 can provide an additional 5,500 meals. 

The Food Elves will kick off the "12 Days of Donating" campaign at the Holiday Stroll with a bin at the tree lighting ceremony, and they will place donation bins at these participating businesses:

• Berry Insurance, 9 Main St.
• Chestnut Dental Associates, 38 Pond St.
• Dean Bank, 21 Main St.
• Dean College, Campus Center
• DCU, 500 West Central St.
• East Coast Driving School, 25 East Central St.
• Emma's Quilt Cupboard, 12 Main St.
• Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, 9 East Central St.
• Jane's Frames, 11 East Central St.
• Murphy Business, 15 East Central St.
• RE/MAX Executive Realty, 445 Franklin Village Dr.

"The Franklin Downtown Partnership is happy to partner with the Franklin Food Elves again this year," says FDP President Nicole Fortier. "We encourage residents to visit the local businesses to drop off their donations. We are pleased to support the teens who are doing such necessary community service work in Franklin."

The Franklin Food Elves are local students ranging from fourth grade through high school:  Colin and Charles Berg; Jack, Katie and Julia Buccella; Cara and Chris Callahan; Corey Cassi; Austin and Carter Castillo; Sarah Carroll; Allie Champlin; Kiara Chan; Amanda Chang; Chris Chou; Kiara Cronin; Karen Cunningham; Jessica Deaver; Julia and Jacob Dextradeur; Ryan Dombroski; Elise and Haley Frank; Sarah Georges; Maddie Gordon; Yagnya Govada; Megan and Julie Harrington; Kirsten Hummel; Victoria Krasnick; Maddie Lacman; Kasey Lynch; Kathryn Mason; Nicolette McCarthy; Laura Murphy; Kyle Neenan; Melissa and Cameron Piana; Lindsey, Sydney and Kaitlyn Rappa; Sara Richardson; Aubree Ronan; Emily Shea; Katie and Ellie Teixeira; Mely Wu. 

For more information about the Franklin Food Elves and the "12 Days of Donating" campaign, please contact the Franklin Downtown Partnership at downtown.frankin@yahoo.com or (774) 571-3109. For more information about the Franklin Food Pantry and what items are needed, please contact Development Director Erin Lynch or Operations Director Linda Sottile at (508) 528-1135, or go to their website, www.franklinfoodpantry.org/. 

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Franklin Downtown Partnership using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Where is the Franklin Food Pantry? (video)

Thanks to Eagle Scout Zach Zollo, the Food Pantry now has a couple of videos to share. This one answers the question: Where is the Franklin Food Pantry?




This was originally posted on the Franklin Food Pantry web page
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2012/11/where-is-franklin-food-pantry-video.html

Reminder: Pancake Breakfast - Dec 1

Saturday Dec. 1 from 8:00 - 11:00 AM

Elks Hall 1077 Pond St. Franklin

Pictures with Santa for $3

Themed raffle baskets $1 per ticket

All you can eat pancake breakfast $6 per person, children 2 and under and scouts in uniform are free.

Governor orders big review of drug cases handled by Franklin chemist

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Governor orders big review of drug cases handled by Franklin chemist

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 11/27/12

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has ordered a "file by file review" of every case handled by a state chemist accused of faking test results at a now-closed government lab. Annie Dookhan, a Franklin resident, allegedly skirted protocols and manipulated drug samples at a former Department of Health drug lab where she worked for nine years. The alleged misconduct has threatened to unravel thousands of criminal cases.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Franklin Public Schools: MCAS Presentation

The PowerPoint presentation on the MCAS Report as scheduled for discussion at the School Committee meeting Tuesday evening is shown here:




The full agenda for the School Committee meeting including links to other documents being used can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/11/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-nov.html

St John's Annual Christmas Fair

The Annual Christmas Fair takes place this Saturday, Dec 1 at St John's on Pleasant St. Additional details can be found in this flyer:





and you might also find a sign or two around Franklin

In the News: AP courses, Youth baseball

Franklin is among those honored!

Local towns honored advanced placement course increase

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin Youth Baseball announces registration dates

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

You can register online at

http://www.sportsmanager.us/links/FranklinYouthBaseball/OnlineRegistration.asp

Franklin LIbrary: How to Select eReaders

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

How to Select eReaders

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 11/26/12

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Franklin Public Library using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Nov 28, 2012

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 21, 2012, April 4, 2012, November 7, 2012
Executive Session

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS
Tax Classification Hearing – 7:10 PM

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Citizenship Award – Stella Jeon

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-76: Appropriation – Debt – Interest
2. Resolution 12-77: Adoption of FY 2013 Budget – Revision
3. Resolution 12-78: Classification Tax Allocation – Residential Factor
4. Resolution 12-79: Classification Tax Allocation – Open Space Exemption
5. Resolution 12-80: Classification Tax Allocation – Small Business Exemption
6. Resolution 12-81: Classification Tax Allocation – Residential Property Exemption

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION 
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

The full set of documents for the meeting can be found on the Franklin web page here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/112812.pdf

Tax Rate info for FY 2013 updated

I have updated the numbers for this year based upon the info provided for the Town Council meeting agenda and the MA DOR webpages for Franklin.


Franklin FY2013 TaxRateInfo


There is some good news in all this data. The decline in valuation of Residential values is less than prior years. The Commercial category increased for the first time since 2008. Maybe, just maybe this is showing we are at the bottom of the property value decline! Time will tell.

You can view these numbers here
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ZX-GuFrcIQNnKeLDAg785q_fgYq4BBjqwArGUDfs86U/edit