Hockomock Football and Volleyball All-Stars

The Hockomock Sports.Com has announced the All-Stars for football and volleyball as voted on by the league coaches. Griffin Tighe represents Franklin for football. Lauren Irvine and Dayna McCue represent Franklin for volleyball.

You can review the full football listing here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2013/11/hockomock-league-2013-football-all-stars.html

the full volleyball listing here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2013/11/hockomock-league-2013-volleyball-all-stars.html

Patriots Raffle tickets - benefit the Franklin Food Pantry

This is a pretty good deal! With a limited number of tickets to be sold by Sunday, Dec 1 your chances can be good.



Raffle tickets available at

Team Fitness Franklin
M-Th 5am-9pm, Fri 5am-7:30pm, Sat 7am-3pm
100 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin

Franklin Food Pantry 
43 W. Central St, Franklin
Tu-Fri 9am-1pm

Investigative Report - WCVB

WCVB - Channel 5 had this investigative report recently.



The text accompanying the video can be found here

You may recall the incident from the opening of school this year
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/09/talking-about-elephant-in-room.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/make-sure-due-process-occurs.html

Thanksgiving - much to be thankful for

The Franklin Food Pantry is able to perform its service due to the gracious and giving community of donors and volunteers. The next several weeks are the busiest time of the year as the holidays bring out the giving spirit. The Food Pantry is poised to serve, to give, to share, and to collect.

Turkey Trot Family 5K

1 - The Turkey Trot 5K Family Fun Run and Walk will be held bright and early Thanksgiving morning. Registration can be done online here. The registration fee is $20 per person or 20 items for the Food Pantry.  

2 - For Patriot fans, we are holding a raffle for a chance to win 5 luxury box seats and a parking pass for the Dec 8th game. Tickets are available at the Food Pantry or contact me directly. The raffle winner will be announced Sunday Dec 1 at 4:00 PM.

3 - The Franklin Food Elves will be collecting for the Food Pantry in their annual "12 Days of Giving" campaign.  "More than 60 Food Elves will be collecting goods in neighborhoods around Franklin. If you don't have an Elf in your neighborhood, you can still participate in our food drive! Look for the red collection bins at these participating FDP member businesses:

• DCU, 500 West Central St.
• Dean Bank, 21 Main St. 
• Dean College, Campus Center
• 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.
• Pour Richard's Wine & Spirits, 14 Grove St.

For additional information on the Food Elves visit here

4 - The dramatic performance of "The Christmas Carol Times Two" returns this year on Thursday, Dec 12th. Maybe you heard good things about this sellout performance last year. Get your tickets early this year. The easiest way is to buy your tickets online here. Or you could stop by the Food Pantry.

Franklin Food Pantry

5 - Finally, the Food Pantry webpage has updated its donation widget. You can donate securely online using a credit card or via an electronic funds transfer (EFT) from a bank account. You can make a one time or set up a recurring payment.  You can find the donation widget on the Food Pantry webpage or here on Franklin Matters. (Either way, the transaction is processed directly to the Food Pantry. The link here simply makes it easier to do so).

Thank you!

The exterior of the new FHS building is almost closed up

Sunday was a windy and cold day to walk but the sun was fully out providing good light to take pictures. The new high school building appears to have only a few bricks left to place and some openings to close up. The construction was reported to be on schedule and on budget at the last update by School Building Committee Chair, Tom Mercer.

from the distance

getting closer

and closer still to see the details

the gymnasium section exterior is almost enclosed

an angle view across the front and main entrance

closer to the front and main entrance

This will add to the series of updates to show the progress on construction. You can find all the updates here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html

How breezy was it Sunday?

Breezy enough so that all the flags around the memorials on the Town common were pegged out straight!

flags around the monuments on the Town Common

In the News: hockey boosters, play group

Franklin Boys Hockey Boosters holding gift cards fundraiser

Looking for a great holiday gift? The Franklin High School Boys Hockey Boosters and Incontro Restaurant in Franklin are once again teaming up to bring supporters a discount offer for the holiday season.

Temple Etz Chaim offers play group

Temple Etz Chaim welcomes families with children ages birth through pre-school to join its new Tiny Tots play group.

Cook's Farm - about to be changed

With the zoning bylaw changes approved, Cook's Farm will eventually be changed from what we see today. The developer will still need to go through the approval process with the Planning Board and others before the work begins. I captured some photos a couple of weeks ago to preserve the record of what we see today.

entering Franklin

individual home next to the farm stand

farm stand view

farm stand view 2

Cook's Farm as you leave Franklin

The Town Council first reading discussion
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/09/divided-council-moves-zoning-bylaw.html

and the second reading where the zoning bylaw passed by the required number of votes
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/ichigo-ichie-cooks-farm-and-bunch-of.html

In the News: medical marijuana, snow preparations, transient students

7 firms seek to dispense medical marijuana in area

The following business have applied for Framingham: Massachusetts Compassionate Patient Care Corp., Patient Alliance Wellness Center Inc., Mass Relief, Prime Wellness of MA Inc. and 1 Releaf, Inc. Two businesses, Baystate Medical Enterprises Inc. and Commonwealth BioPharm Inc., will be seeking permits in Franklin.

Local towns gearing up for the snow

Following a winter in which the governor issued a "shelter in place" warning for the first time since the Blizzard of '78, the state and utilities are taking steps to prepare for the snows to come this storm season.

Transient students pose problems for districts

Every year, on a morning in late August or early September, thousands of students across the region step off the bus to start their first day of school. Around 180 school days later, they'll say goodbye for another summer.

"comply with city and town ordinances, regulations and bylaws"

The medical marijuana application process is moving along at the state level and Franklin prepared by defining an overlay zone for medical marijuana in the industrial park areas of town.

Bio-Care Collaborative Inc. has met with various town officials, including the police and fire chiefs, over its proposal for a dispensary at 122 Grove St., within an area sited to allow for the cultivation and sale of medical marijuana. 

"Good luck with your Phase II application," wrote Health Director David McKearney and Board of Health Chairman Bruce Hunchard, "and we look forward to having Bio-Care join our business community." 

According to a letter dated Nov. 19, Bio-Care would grow the medical marijuana sold at the Franklin facility in another community. However, the town indicated that it would have "no objection" to the nonprofit also opening a cultivation center here, as long as it meets the zoning restrictions.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x348811421/Franklin-supports-medical-marijuana-vendor#ixzz2lZ0Gs1tT

zoning discussion in Jan 2013
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/live-reporting-medical-marijuana-zoning.html

DelCarte Playground - construction progress

I got out to the DelCarte Property last weekend to grab some photos of the new playground under construction. As reported here earlier, this work was approved by the Town Council as part of the repairs to the dam. Work remains to complete the playground and work remains to add some formal trails through the property to make it more accessible and enjoyable for Franklin residents and visitors.


The Town Council approval of the work occurred in March
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/delcarte-recreation-proposal.html

Playground - walk around

Playground - walk around - stairs and slides

playground walk around - that it looks like a tree fits nicely with the area

playground  walk around - side view

playground - yes, there'll be swings!

playground - facing Pleasant St, my back it to the water

playground - corner view

playground - completed the walk around - good place to start/end with

Other visits to the DelCarte space have produced video and photos including these samples

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/delcarte-open-space-photo-essay.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/delcarte-property-summer-time.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/delcarte-property-video.html

Reminder: Library Book Sale - Nov 23 - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Reminder: The Library has announced another book sale for Saturday, Nov 23.

In the News: decorate downtown, play hockey

Downtown Partnership, Garden Club to decorate downtown

The Franklin Downtown Partnership will join the Franklin Garden Club to decorate the downtown for the holidays on Sunday, Nov. 24. Any and all helpers are welcome.

Learn to skate, play hockey in Franklin

Franklin Youth Hockey is offering Learn to Skate and Learn to Play Hockey programs starting Dec. 1.

Franklin’s downtown would be a candidate for designation as a "cultural district."

The Milford Daily News reports on a visit by the MA Cultural Council Director on Thursday

"This is very exciting: This community sees the arts as central not only to the quality of life for the people who live here, but it also sees the arts as essential for a top quality education and essential for the vitality of its downtown," said Anita Walker, appointed as the state’s highest-ranking cultural official in 2007. 

Walker's last stop on her first trip to Franklin was the downtown Franklin School for the Performing Arts. Upon seeing the school, she walked through the proposed space for the Franklin Performing Arts Company’s new theater on West Central Street. 

The nonprofit will open a 250-seat "black box" style venue in the spring.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x915446832/Officials-laud-Franklin-s-embrace-of-the-arts#ixzz2lN8LKhr0

The future home of the "Black Box Theater" for the Franklin School for the Performing Arts would be located here

future home of "The Black Box"

Two Franklin business in the health care news

First in the news for this posting

JACO, Inc., an industry leader in the design and fabrication of point-of-care mobile computer carts and wall mounted computer technology, is proud to announce the release of its new WS-14 Tablet Wall Mount Series. With a complete line of products known for durable metal construction, antimicrobial infection control, and safe and easy access, JACO's new WS-14 paves the way for the emerging tablet computer access electronic health records market. Designed to accommodate virtually every model tablet computer, and customizable to meet the needs of each unique customer's requirements, safe and reliable wall mounted tablet access is now at your finger tips.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/11/04/5879559/jaco-ws-14-wall-mounted-tablet.html#storylink=cpy

JACO is located on Constitution Blvd in Franklin

... a leading manufacturer and integrator of point-of-care Electronic Medical Records (EMR) mobile computer carts, wall stations and wall arm technology. Proudly manufacturing products in the United States of America for over 40 years, JACO has set the healthcare industry standard for overall product performance, sustainable quality, ergonomic design and safety, and exceptional customer service. JACO is a nationally certified Woman Owned Small Business and Woman's Business Enterprise by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and is an ISO 9001-2008 Registered Company. 

More information is available at www.jacoinc.com or 800-649-2278.

Second in the news for this posting

Arthrosurface Incorporated, a developer of less-invasive joint restoration and resurfacing systems, performed its first US stemless shoulder resurfacing in 2003. The Company continued to expand the technology and introduced the stemless total shoulder system in 2011 using the world's first aspherical humeral implant combined with an off-axis inlay glenoid. Other Orthopaedic companies have only recently started to explore stemless total shoulder designs. However, these designs still require removal of the humeral head and implantation of spherically shaped implants that are not anatomic by design.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/11/18/5924253/arthrosurface-stemless-shoulder.html#storylink=cpy

Arthrosurface is located at 28 Forge Parkway here in Franklin

Arthrosurface Incorporated is an emerging leader in the design and distribution of orthopedic devices for joint preservation, restoration and resurfacing. The Company's proprietary HemiCAP® system is a unique, less invasive technology that can be used to treat a wide variety of joint conditions caused by trauma, injury and disease. Arthrosurface has developed a broad portfolio of implantable devices and surgical instruments with FDA clearance for the shoulder, knee, toe and hip. Founded in 2002 and based in Franklin, MA, Arthrosurface markets and distributes its products in the United States and more than twenty other countries around the globe. To date, over 50,000 patients have been treated by more than 4,700 surgeons worldwide. For additional information, please visit www.arthrosurface.com.

Distinguished Young Women - Nov 30th

From Lisa Buccella:

Eleven Franklin senior high school girls will be participating in Franklin's Distinguished Young Women on Saturday, November 30th at 7:30 @ TD Mercer Auditorium/Horace Mann.   Here is more information about this incredible program.  My daughter Katie is one of the eleven and it has been a great experience.  All the parents of junior high girls......I'll be reminding you about this next year.....

Franklin's Distinguished Young Women

Each Distinguished Young Women program evaluates participants in the following categories: Scholastics (20% of overall score), Interview (25% of overall score), Talent (25% of overall score), Fitness (15% of overall score), and Self-Expression (15% of overall score).  There are no fees to enter the program.

Founded in 1958 in Mobile, Alabama, Distinguished Young Women is the largest and oldest national scholarship program for high school girls. It has provided life-changing experiences for more than 700,000 young women across the country and more than $93 million in cash scholarships at the local, state and national levels. In addition to cash scholarships, Distinguished Young Women participants are eligible for college-granted scholarships from almost 200 colleges and universities. More than $108 million in college scholarship opportunities were provided last year, some of which included full tuition, room, and board to first-class institutions. Many participants leave the program with scholarships to help them with their college educations, but all of them walk away with friendships, life skills and increased self-confidence. Distinguished Young Women strives to give every young woman the opportunity to further her education and prepare for a successful future.

Mission

To positively impact the lives of young women by providing a transformative experience that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership and talent.

Distinguished Young Women is a national scholarship program that inspires high school girls to develop their full, individual potential through a fun, transformative experience that culminates in a celebratory showcase of their accomplishments.

• By encouraging continued education and providing college scholarships
• By developing self-confidence and the abilities to interview effectively, to speak in public, to perform on stage and to build interpersonal relationships
• By encouraging and showcasing excellence in academic achievement, physical fitness, on-stage performance skills, and the ability to think and communicate clearly
• By creating opportunities to beneficially inspire the lives of others

For additional information on the Franklin program
http://www.ajm.org/programs/state_n_local_programs/massachusetts/local_programs/franklin/

or follow the program on Facebook here
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinDistinguishedYoungWomen

Division of Local Services: City & Town - November 21st, 2013

The MA Dept of Revenue Division of Local Services publishes this newsletter. This issue has a good analysis of the motor vehicle excise tax that we all pay. It explains how the tax is calculated and that the current depreciation table perhaps should be revised. It also explains how the tax has been affected by the decline in auto purchases which is reflected in the average age of vehicles on the road growing from about 8 years to 10 years.

City & Town - November 21st, 2013

Local Officials Directory Municipal Calendar IGR's & Bulletins Workshops, Seminars & Events What's New DOR 360       City & Town is published by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue's Division of Local Services (DLS) and is designed to address matters of interest to local officials. Editor: Dan Bertrand Editorial Board: Robert Nunes, Robert Bliss, Zack Blake, Amy Handfield, Sandra Bruso and Patricia Hunt	In this Issue: What's Happening with the Motor Vehicle Excise? Ask DLS Locations? Locations? Locations? Municipal Health Care Reform Forum Scheduled for December 3rd in Boston Community Innovation Challenge Grant Application Deadline is  Tomorrow What's Happening with the Motor Vehicle Excise? Municipal Data Management and Technical Assistance Bureau With all of the recent discussion around transportation funding, we thought it would be an opportune time to review the role of the motor vehicle excise (MVE) in municipal finance. In the analysis that follows, we examine the recent performance of this local receipt in terms of both budget estimates and actual collections and discuss some of the underlying reasons for recent trends. We evaluate whether lackluster performance of the MVE foreshadows a long-term trend where this revenue source continues to decline in prominence or whether recent declines are the natural result of the recession and will rebound as the economy improves. Pursuant to MGL c.60A, the motor vehicle excise is imposed for the privilege of registering a motor vehicle in Massachusetts. Although most people view Proposition 2 1/2 as a limit on property taxes, the initiative petition approved by Massachusetts voters in 1980 also lowered the motor vehicle excise rate from $66 per thousand to the current $25 per thousand rate. The amount of the excise is calculated by multiplying the value of the vehicle by this $25 per thousand tax rate. The valuation for a particular vehicle starts with the manufacturer's suggested retail price rather than the actual sale price and then this value is multiplied by the percentage in the statutory depreciation schedule shown below:  In the year preceding the year of manufacture: 50% In the year of manufacture: 90% In the second year: 60% In the third year: 40% In the fourth year: 25% In the fifth and succeeding years: 10% It isn't hard to see a potential problem with this depreciation schedule as the valuation decreases sharply from 90 percent in the first year to 60 percent in the second year. In order for the MVE to be a steady, reliable revenue source for municipalities, new cars must be purchased at a rate at least roughly as great as the year before. When this doesn't happen, revenues from MVE decline and become a less significant factor in local budgets. To illustrate, though MVE revenue contributed 3.44 percent of total estimated municipal revenues statewide in FY2003, by FY2013 this revenue had become less important dropping to 2.59 percent as a percent of total estimated revenues. Although the MVE may be declining as a revenue source, it still comes with a significant workload at the local level. For example, most municipalities annually issue approximately one MVE bill per resident. Of the state's 351 communities, 221 issued at least one bill per resident, with the island community of Chilmark being the only community in the state to issue two bills for every resident. The other towns on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket follow closely behind Chilmark in this ranking. Other communities high on the list tend to be on Cape Cod or in the Berkshires. In these locations, numerous vacation homes where vehicles may be garaged tend to drive up the bill numbers. In the majority of the state's largest cities, where parking may be limited and public transit is a viable option, the number of bills issued may be as low as five or six bills for every ten residents. Next, we look at the data on estimated and actual MVE from FY2003 through FY2013 (See chart below). Noteworthy is the fact that the FY2013 estimated receipts from MVE totaled $605.9 million statewide, yet this level still lagged previous estimated totals from this source used in setting tax rates from FY2005 through FY2009. Actual motor vehicle excise collections over the ten year period from FY2003 through FY2012, peaked in FY2006 at $694.3 million, but by FY2010 actual revenue from this source statewide had decreased to $605.2 million. Compared to the FY2006 peak, this was a decrease of close to $90 million or 12.8 percent and was the low point for the ten year period. Revenues gradually rebounded in subsequent years, hitting $637.1 million in FY2011 and $644.5 million by FY2012. Despite this growth, actual FY2012 revenues did not match the peak performance of this receipt between FY2005 and FY2008 in 338 of the state's 351 communities. (See spreadsheet for detail) Although common sense dictates that people will defer large purchases such as motor vehicles when the economy is poor, a review of the average age of motor vehicles offers empirical support for this axiom. A review of data from the Registry of Motor Vehicles reveals that the state average vehicle age in calendar 2003 was only 8.13 years, though by calendar 2011 this average had risen to 11.18 years, an increase of more than three years.    Year         Average Vehicle Age FY2003                8.13 FY2004                8.43 FY2005                8.65 FY2006                8.87 FY2007                9.80 FY2008               10.09 FY2009                9.89 FY2010               10.30 FY2011               11.18 FY2012               10.03 These findings are reflected in national markets as well. According to automotive market research firm R. L. Polk, the average age of all passenger cars and light trucks in the United States reached an all-time high in 2013 of 11.4 years.(1) Polk projected this trend will continue for the next few year, but forecast growth for vehicles that were zero to five years old, in part reflective of pent-up demand for new vehicles given the decline in new vehicle registrations over the past five years. When assessed in the context of the depreciation table shown earlier, the increasing average age of vehicles highlights an underlying issue that may impact the future performance of MVE revenues. Though the economic recession that began in the fall of 2008 explains some consumer reluctance to replace their vehicles, are there other influences at work here as well? One factor is that vehicles actually last longer now than they did in say the 1960s and 1970s. It was not uncommon for the bodies of cars of this vintage to "rust out," often well before mechanical systems failed. Now, with better undercoating and anti-corrosive protection, this seems to happen much less frequently even with the high use of road salt during New England winters. Environmental regulations around emissions have also forced automakers to "reduce the amount of oil being used by the engine to reduce the oil that reaches the catalytic converter." At the same time, materials used in engines now frequently use extremely hard "carbon finishes" to minimize wear on engine parts.(2) Given that the average age of vehicles has been trending up since 2000, well before the recession began, indications are that longer lasting vehicles are likely a contributing factor to this trend as well. Recent national sales reports signal that August 2013 was a very strong month for auto sales. When these sales are projected on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, new auto sales in 2013 are expected to come close to or equal the pre-recession 2007 level. (3) While this is promising news, it's too early to tell if this represents a one-time event reflective of low interest rates for new cars and pent up demand left over from the recession years or if it reflects a more sustainable trend for future years. Conclusion Although the MVE is considered a general fund revenue that may be spent for any lawful municipal purpose, it isn't hard to make a connection between this revenue source and local transportation needs. However, analysis shows that the MVE is not a recession proof local receipt and that underlying market factors such as longer lasting vehicles may limit future growth of this revenue given the current depreciation schedule. While the MVE is often viewed by assessors, tax collectors and taxpayers alike as a nuisance, reconsideration of the depreciation scale set out in the statute may be in order. Recognizing that recently manufactured vehicles are more durable and have longer useful lives, a more gradual depreciation of the valuation would strengthen the long-term outlook for this revenue. 1.) R. L. Polk and Co., "Polk finds Average Age of Light Vehicles Continues to Rise," August 6, 2013 2.) Dexter Ford, "As Cars Are Kept Longer, 200,000 Is New 100,000," New York Times, March 16, 2013 3.) Angelo Young, "August 2013 US Auto Sales: Detroit Three Sold 662,669 Vehicles in US Last Month", International Business Times, September 4, 2013 Ask DLS This month's Ask DLS question comes from Town of Hardwick Assessor Jen Kolenda and is about the Levy Limit Worksheet. Jen asks... What amounts may be included as "Other Adjustments" on the FY2014 Levy Limit Worksheet? Other adjustments to the levy limit are for general laws or special acts that authorize such an increase. Three examples include (1) the Cape Cod Commission annual assessment, (2) Chapter 111 s127B1/2 that exempts appropriation or borrowing for underground storage tank removal, removal of dangerous levels of lead paint, or repair, replacement or upgrade of a home's septic system and (3) assessment of debt service upon the members of the Greater New Bedford Refuse Management District and Martha's Vineyard Regional Refuse Disposal District. We'd like to hear from you. Please send any questions you may have to cityandtown@dor.state.ma.us. Locations? Locations? Locations? The Division of Local Services conducts trainings, workshops and seminars throughout the year across the Commonwealth. As an organization with offices in Boston, Worcester and Springfield, we make a concerted effort to accommodate our stakeholders in a variety of locations and are always looking for different parts of the state to host these events. In order to continue to provide low and no-cost learning opportunities, we are compiling a list of communities with free space available for future events. This could include a conference room in the library, city or town hall, a senior center, or any similar public building. Ideally, we are looking for a space that could hold 60 individuals in a classroom setting or 75+ in an auditorium setting. Wireless internet accessibility and overhead projectors are also appreciated. We greatly appreciate any and all suggestions. If your community is willing to host a DLS workshop, event or training, please contact Training Coordinator Donna Quinn at dlsregistration@dls.state.ma.us. Municipal Health Care Reform Forum Scheduled for December 3rd in Boston Mayors, managers, and human resource officials involved in the implementation of municipal health reform are invited to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council's (MAPC) breakfast forum on Tuesday, December 3, 2013, for an informal discussion with Dolores L. Mitchell, Executive Director of the Group Insurance Commission (GIC). This event will be held at MAPC's office at 60 Temple Place, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA from 9-11:30 AM. Space is limited. Please RSVP by Wednesday, November 27th to Nicholas Downing at ndowning@mapc.org or at (617) 933-0711. Community Innovation Challenge Application Deadline is Tomorrow The application deadline for the third round of the Community Innovation Challange grant program is Friday, November 22nd. The CIC program supports innovative projects at the local level, including regionalization. Over the past two years, the Patrick Administration has invested $6.25 million in 49 unique projects involving 197 municipalities across the Commonwealth. For more information on the CIC program, including the application, please visit: http://www.mass.gov/ANF/CIC. Please contact cicgrants@state.ma.us with any questions. Awards will be announced in February.

November Municipal Calendar 1 - Taxpayer - Semi-Annual Tax Bill - Deadline for First Payment According to M.G.L. Ch. 59, Sec. 57, this is the deadline for receipt of the first half semi-annual tax bills or the optional preliminary tax bills without interest, unless bills were mailed after October 1, in which case they are due 30 days after mailing. 1 - Taxpayer - Semi-Annual Tax Bills - Application Deadline for Property Tax Abatement According to M.G.L. Ch. 59, Sec. 59, applications for abatements are due on the same date as the first actual tax installment for the year. 1 - Taxpayer - Quarterly Tax Bills Deadline for Paying 2nd Quarterly Tax Bill Without Interest 1 - Treasurer - Deadline for Payment of First Half of County Tax 15 - DESE - Notify Communities/Districts of Any Prior Year School Spending Deficiencies By this date, or within 30 days of a complete End of Year Report (see September 30), DESE notifies communities/districts in writing of any additional school spending requirements. 30 - Accountant - Submit Schedule A for Prior Fiscal Year This report is a statement of the revenues received, expenditures made and all other transactions related to the community's finances during the previous fiscal year. The Schedule A classifies revenues and expenditures into detailed categories that will provide information essential for an analysis of revenues and expenditures generated by various departments. This data, like other financial information reported to DOR, is entered into DOR's Municipal Data Bank; as such, the Department may provide time series, comparative and other types of analyses at the request of a city or town. This information is also sent to the US Census Bureau and eliminates a prior year federal reporting requirement. Failure to file by November 30th may result in withholding major distributions of state aid until the Schedule A is accepted by BOA. 30 - Selectmen/Mayor - Review Budgets Submitted by Department Heads This date will vary depending on dates of town meeting. 30 - Treasurer - Notification of monthly local aid distribution. Click www.mass.gov/treasury/cash-management to view distribution breakdown. To unsubscribe to City and Town and all other DLS Alerts, please click here.

"raise the legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21"

The Milford Daily News reports that the Board of Health while revising the local health regulations is also considering raising the age limit to buy tobacco products.

Franklin Health Director David McKearney said in an email Wednesday that the town’s proposed regulation "is very similar to the town of Needham's at this moment." 

On what drove his department to draft new regulations, McKearney said, "Our tobacco regs are not very comprehensive presently." 

Though he would not discuss the specifics of the regulations, McKearney said that he wanted to add controls for e-cigarettes and inexpensive flavored cigars. And he will consider banning smoking in membership clubs, which are exempted in the state’s Smoke-Free Workplace Law.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/blog/healthconscious/x915446450/Franklin-Board-of-Health-mulls-raising-tobacco-purchase-age#ixzz2lN7BcegK