MassBudget: Massachusetts Third in Nation for Child Well-Being, But Many of Our Children Face Difficult Challenges

Massachusetts Third in Nation for Child Well-Being, But Many of Our Children Face Difficult Challenges        Children in Massachusetts lead the nation in educational achievement, and are at or near the top in a number of measures of health, but one in six children live in poverty and an increasing number of our children are growing up in very high poverty neighborhoods. These findings and detailed data on a wide array of measures of child well-being are presented in the Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2015 KIDS COUNT Data Book released today. The Data Book contains significant good news, particularly on education. In addition to our children leading the nation in reading and math proficiency, we are making real progress on reducing the number of students dropping out. Now 14% of our students don't graduate on time - that's too many, but it's down from 18% on 2008. But we remain a long way from providing each of our children with the support they need to succeed. For example, we lead the nation in the share of our children who are proficient in reading by fourth grade. But still more than half of our students - 53% - are not reading proficiently by fourth grade. We know that our economy and our society are stronger when every child has the opportunity to thrive (more info: Roadmap to Expanding Opportunity).  While Massachusetts ranks at the top in educational attainments and near the top in child health, on measures of family economic well-being we rank 17th. Raising the incomes of low and middle income families remains an important challenge for our Commonwealth (more info: The State of Working Massachusetts). The recent increase in the minimum wage, and the scheduled increases over the next two years should help - as will the likely to be enacted increase in the earned income tax credit. There is, of course, more that could be done to help working parents succeed in the workforce be better able to support and nurture their children. Working parents need affordable child care, a transportation system that lets them get to work, and often education and job training to improve their skills. There is strong evidence that when the income of low wage families increases, their children are helped not just in the short term, but also in the long term: they do better in school and earn more as adults (more info: Massachusetts's Earned Income Tax Credit). Read the 2015 Data Book HERE.  See all of our Kids Count Resources HERE.  MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108 The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Franklin Cultural Festival Schedule - Sunday, August 2

Sunday, August 2 

Circle of Friends stage (on THE BLACK BOX property )

12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

• Lydia Warren
• Jamie Barrett
• Jesse Hanson
• Kim Jennings
• Stefilia’s Stone
• Carolyn Waters 

Taste of Franklin (on THE BLACK BOX property )

12 Noon – 5:00 PM

• 3 
• BAMBOO HOUSE 
• ELIZABETH’S BAGELS 
• MAC DELI 
• THE CAKE BAR 
• THE CURRY HOUSE 
• THE ROME
• UNION STREET GRILL 

COST: $2.00 minimum for 1 signature taste

also on THE BLACK BOX property

12:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Ceramic bowl fundraiser for the Franklin Food Pantry

Franklin Historical Museum 

12:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Wool Spinning, Rug and Straw Braiding, Historical Film 

Franklin Methodist Church 

12:00 PM to 4:00 PM - FAA Art and Photography;  Robots and Magical Machines 

Inside THE BLACK BOX

12:00 PM to 4:00 PM - FAA Art and Photography by the FAA  


5:00 PM: CLOSING CEREMONY, THE BLACK BOX 

Franklin Cultural Festival - Arts Happen Here

The full schedule of performances and events for the first annual Franklin Cultural Festival can be found here  http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/

Economic Development Committee meeting - July 27 - 5:00 PM

From Town Councilor Matt Kelly

"We have set up the next EDC meeting for Monday the 27th. 

Here is the schedule:

• 5:00 p.m. Kearsarge Energy, Lease for Solar Proposal
• 5:45 p.m. Solect Energy Development, Lease for Solar Proposal
• 6:30 p.m. Baystone Development. Purchase and Develop Proposal

Each company will have 10 to 15 minutes to present their proposed projects, and then Town Officials will ask questions".

Franklin aerial photo of the Pond St Property

The RFP response documents can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/07/pond-st-rfp-responses-available-for.html

Prior meeting notes can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/p/meeting-notes.html

Franklin Library: Discover India through Dance - July 22, 1:00 PM

The Franklin Public Library will host a program on "Discover India through Dance". Scheduled for Wednesday, July 22 at 1:00 PM.

Franklin Library: Discover India through Dance

This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/07/discover-india-through-dance.html

Another in the series of summer programs sponsored by the Friends of Franklin Library.

The Franklin Public Schools announces limited Preschool Openings

Franklin residents who are between 3 and 5 years old are eligible to participate in the F.X O'Reagan Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) integrated preschool program. Our NAEYC Accredited early childhood program features low student-teacher ratios and highly qualified public school early childhood and special education teachers and support staff.

Limited spaces are still available in our 2, 3 and 5 day  half-day programs, so act now!

Additional information about tuition, staff, curriculum, school hours, and much more can be found on the ECDC website http://franklinecdc.vt-s.net/pages/index  or by contacting Kelty Kelley, ECDC Principal @ 508 541-8166 or kelleyk@franklin.k12.ma.us.

Entrance to the ECDC building on Oak St

Kelty Kelley, Principal

F. X. O'Regan Early Childhood Development Center

224 Oak Street

Franklin, MA 02038

Phone:  508-541-8166

Fax:            508-541-8254

kelleyk@franklin.k12.ma.us

"There is no hand so small that it cannot leave an imprint on the world!" Klub Kidz

MassBudget : Debt-Free Public Higher Education: What Would It Take?

Debt-Free Public Higher Education: What Would It Take? Expanding access to affordable higher education would directly help tens of thousands of students in Massachusetts and their families. In addition to giving more of our young people the opportunity to go to college, over the long term expanding access to quality, affordable, higher education would increase the productivity of our workforce and the strength of our state economy. Debt-Free Public Higher Education: What Would It Take? examines options for making public higher education more affordable in Massachusetts, including making it possible for young people to graduate from college debt free. The paper examines three options: Eliminating tuition and fees for in-state students at Community Colleges and State Universities. Cost: roughly $325 million/year. Providing grants to cover Community College costs (tuition, fees, books, and transportation), but which could also be used to defray the costs of attending State Universities and UMass campuses. Cost: roughly $524 million/year. Eliminating tuition and fees for in-state students at all campus types. Cost: roughly $631 million/year. While eliminating or significantly reducing tuition and fees would have upfront costs, these should be considered alongside the many immediate and long-term benefits: more of our young people having access to all of the benefits of higher education; our economy benefiting from a better educated workforce, and students and families being relived of the burden of excessive debt.    Please click HERE for the full paper.  The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Not just any "Thank you" card

You call for service, someone comes out. 

The job is done, they go away. 

And sometimes something special happens. 

At least one Franklin plumber sends a "Thank you" card. Yes, you got that right. He sends one to us to thank us for calling him and providing the opportunity.

Thank you from Jim Patete, Patete Plumbing

That is service I like!

Franklin Library: Jesse Liam Band - 6:00 PM

The Jesse Liam Band will perform an outdoor concert on Tuesday, July 21 beginning at 6:00 PM at the Franklin Public Library.

Franklin Library: Jesse Liam Band

This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/07/outdoor-concert-with-jesse-liam-band.html


For more about Jesse Liam visit his website http://jesseliam.com/

Franklin Cultural Festival - Schedule - Saturday, August 1

Saturday, August 1

Performances 

on The Town Common 

12:00 PM to 2:00 PM - Kevin T. Wolfe Band 

Kevin T Wolfe Band

2:30 PM to 3:00 PM - Dean College and The Star Players MA, preview The Wiz 

The Franklin Library 

1:00 PM - All Hands Drumming

all hands drumming

The Sculpture Park 

1:00 PM - Dean College Palladino School of Dance and Franklin Art Center
2:00 PM - Dean College Palladino School of Dance and Franklin Art Center

Franklin Sculpture park - hands

THE BLACK BOX 

4:00 PM - School House Rock (ticket purchase required)

7:30 PM - FPAC: One Acts

Events 

on The Town Common 

12:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Watercolor Painting and Mural Painting for adults and children, FAA

12:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Fashion design with newspaper and dance for children and adults. FAA and Dean College

Franklin Methodist Church 

-- FAA Art and Photography and Robots and Magical Machines

Franklin Cultural Festival - Arts Happen Here

The full schedule of performances and events for the first annual Franklin Cultural Festival can be found here  http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/

Franklin Cultural Festival schedule --> Wed-Thu-Fri, July 29-31

The Franklin Cultural District Committee is working hard to present the First Annual Franklin Cultural Festival. The Festival will showcase many of Franklin's talents and be held at locations in and around downtown Franklin.

The schedule for opening day, Wednesday, July 29, Thursday, July 30 and Friday, July 31 are shown below. The full schedule for Saturday and Sunday will be shared here shortly.

Wednesday, July 29 

• 1:00 PM - Pumpernickel Puppets, Franklin Library   
• 6:00 PM - Zentangle at Jane’s Frames (pre-registration req'd but a no cost event) 
• 6:00 PM - OPENING CEREMONY, Town Common 
• 6:15 PM - Electric Youth, Town Common 
• 8:30 PM - FPAC: One Acts, THE BLACK BOX

Thursday, July 30 

• 7:00 PM - Ben Gardner’s Boat Band, THE BLACK BOX 
• 8:00 PM - Shakespeare on the Common

Friday, July 31 

• 1:00 PM - Davey the Clown, Franklin Library 
• 2:00 PM - Student art and music performances, Franklin High School
• 4:00 – 8:00 PM - Music and art, Jane’s Frames 
• 6:45 - 7:45 PM - Laughter Yoga, Town Common
• 8:00 – 9:30 PM - Shakespeare on The Common

Arts Happen Here - Franklin Cultural Festival

Note: the schedule is subject to change. For additional info please visit the Franklin Cultural Festival on the web here  www.franklinsculturalfestival.org or on Facebook here  https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalFestival?

"addiction is not what we think it is" (video)

In this TED Talk, Johann Hari spends 15 minutes getting to the heart of addiction. He says we are approaching the problem wrong.

"And what I've tried to do now, and I can't tell you I do it consistently and I can't tell you it's easy, is to say to the addicts in my life that I want to deepen the connection with them, to say to them, I love you whether you're using or you're not. I love you, whatever state you're in, and if you need me, I'll come and sit with you because I love you and I don't want you to be alone or to feel alone. 

And I think the core of that message -- you're not alone, we love you -- has to be at every level of how we respond to addicts, socially, politically and individually. For 100 years now, we've been singing war songs about addicts. I think all along we should have been singing love songs to them, because the opposite of addiction is not sobriety. The opposite of addiction is connection."

Watch and see how Johann got to this point:

GBFB presented the Franklin Food Pantry with a $10,000 capacity grant

Shopping local has its rewards. The Franklin Food Pantry buys fresh produce from two local farms (Akin-Bak Farm and Hoffman Farm). As a reward the Greater Boston Food Bank has awarded the Food Pantry a $10,000 grant.

Franklin Food Pantry, located in the Rockland Trust
parking lot in downtown Franklin

GBFB presented the Franklin Food Pantry with a $10,000 capacity grant that will help them increase families' access to the most nutritional foods! 

Specifically, the grant will fund equipment needs for their mobile pantry, food transportation, and their Healthy Futures Market, which offers fresh produce weekly from June to October from nearby Hoffmann Farm and Akin Bak Farm, LLC.

GBFB presenting the check to Erin Lynch

You can contribute to the Greater Boston Food Bank via their webpage
http://www.gbfb.org/


You can contribute and find more about the Franklin Food Pantry via their webpage  http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/

Franklin Library: Meet Elmo - July 20, 10:30 AM

Elmo comes to the Franklin Public Library on Monday for stories, activities and pictures! Starts at 10:30 AM.

Franklin Library: Meet Elmo

This was shared from the Franklin Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/07/meet-elmo.html

FHS Girls Cross Country schedule - Fall 2015

Coach Bailey (@FranklinHSXC) tweeted at 11:33 AM on Sat, Jul 18, 2015:

The 2015 Franklin XC Schedule is out. Check it out and mark 'em down on your calendar.  https://t.co/0RIuQHdT9r

(https://twitter.com/FranklinHSXC/status/622428973709049856?s=03)

FHS Panthers

Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download?s=13

Calendar For Biennial Town Election - NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Hello,

It time to begin the process for the November 3rd Town Election better known as the Biennial Town Election. 

Papers will be available in my office beginning on Monday, August 3, 2015. Important dates for candidates to know and remember are attached to this email. 

If anyone has any questions, please call me at 508-520-4900. Elections have always been a very exciting and busy time in the Clerk's office.

Deborah L. Pellegri CMC
Town Clerk/Election Administrator

Office Hours: 

• Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8:00am to 4:00pm
• Wednesday, 8:00am to 6:00pm and Friday 8:00am to 1:00pm

508-520-4900

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

Franklin wants you!

CALENDAR FOR BIENNIAL TOWN ELECTION - NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Nomination papers available - Monday, August 3, 2015

Last day to obtain nomination papers from the Town Clerk Monday, September 14, 2015

Last day to submit nomination papers to registrars for certification. (4:00pm) Town Clerk's Office) - Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Last day for registrars to submit certified nomination papers to Town Clerk. (5:00pm) -  Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Last day to object or withdraw (5:00pm) Thursday, October 1, 2015

Last day to register to vote (8:00pm) Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Last day to post warrant - Tuesday, October 27, 2015



You can find this document online at the Franklin website
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/Nov.%203,%202015%20Town%20Election%20News.pdf

Pond St RFP responses available for review

The documents for the three RFP responses for the Pond St property were posted to the Franklin website and are available for download and review.

Town of Franklin photo of Pond St property

The PDF file can be found here:
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/02179819-000F8513


or download a copy of it here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczUXBDS0FaOGFvRFk/view?usp=sharing

News from Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Stresses Need to File Mortgage Discharges Responding to frequent questions when visiting the twenty-eight communities of Norfolk County, Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell today stressed the importance of filing a mortgage discharge in a timely manner after a mortgage has been paid off. Register O'Donnell noted, "During our office hours, a frequently asked question by homeowners is do they have clear title to their property. This is determined by accessing our online records and verifying if all mortgages associated with the property have been discharged." The Register went on to say, "When a mortgage is paid off, a mortgage discharge document needs to be recorded with the Registry of Deeds to clear a homeowner's property title. A discharge is a document (typically one page) issued by the lender, usually with a title such as "Discharge of Mortgage" or "Satisfaction of Mortgage." In many instances stated O'Donnell, "Discharges are often filed directly by banks or settlement attorneys with the Registry as part of a property sale or as a result of a refinancing transaction. In other cases, the mortgage discharge is sent to the property owner who is then responsible for making sure the document is recorded at the Registry." "Whether or not a discharge is recorded by the lending institution or the individual property owner, it is ultimately the responsibility of the property owner to check and make sure that all necessary documents have been recorded at the Registry of Deeds," stated O'Donnell. The Register further mentioned that there have been cases where no discharge has been recorded against a long paid off mortgage. Unfortunately, many of the lending institutions that provided funds for these mortgages in the first place are no longer in existence, in most cases these financial entities have merged with another lending institution. If a property owner needs to retrieve an original discharge of a mortgage and is unclear which lending institution is now responsible for providing the document, an option is to contact the Massachusetts Division of Banks at 1-800-495-2265. This government agency can assist the consumer in tracking down contact information for the lending institution that is responsible for the mortgage. When recording a discharge, the original document is required. The Registry of Deeds does not accept photo copies or faxed copies of documents. The filing fee, set by state statute, is $76.00. In conclusion O'Donnell stated, "After paying off all the mortgages on their property, homeowners want to be assured that they have clear title to their property, especially if they are contemplating selling it. Being diligent and aware of what is required will go a long way in giving the homeowner peace of mind. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is staffed with a team of customer service representatives who can be reached Monday through Friday, 8:30AM-4:30PM at 781-461-6101. These representatives have been trained in researching documents and are well versed on the subject of mortgage discharges and what, if necessary, needs to be done to clear title to a property." To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, "like" us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org. Register William P. O'Donnell Norfolk County Registry of Deeds email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org phone: 781-234-3336 web: http://www.norfolkdeeds.org

Forward email screen grab of Norfolk County Deeds webpage Norfolk County Registry of Deeds | 649 High Street | Dedham, | MA | 02026-1831

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 7/17/15 - THU 7/23/15

FRI 7/17   12-6pm   Franklin Farmers Market at The Town Common
FRI 7/17   6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center
FRI 7/17   8-9:50pm   Frozen Friday DJ Public Skate at Pirelli Arena
FRI 7/17   8pm   The Mark Poniatowski Situation - Jazz Concert at The Black Box


SAT 7/18   9am-4pm   Book Sale at Franklin Public Library
SAT 7/18   9-10am   Betty Kushner playing classical music during the Library Book Sale
SAT 7/18   11am-3pm Franklin Solar Challenge: the last Open House

SUN 7/19   9am-12pm   Library Bag Sale at Franklin Public Library

MON 7/20   10:30am   Meet Elmo!!! at Franklin Public Library
MON 7/20   1-2pm   Drop In Craft at Franklin Public Library

TUE 7/21   10:30am   Get Ready for Kindergarten (ages 3-5) at Franklin Public Library
TUE 7/21   6-8pm   FREE Outdoor Concert: Jesse Liam Band at Franklin Public Library (bring a picnic dinner, blanket and your dancing shoes, 50’s to today’s music)

WED 7/22   10:30am   Terrific Toddlers (18 months to 3 years) at Franklin Public Library
WED 7/22   1pm   Indian Dance with Mouli Pal for all ages at Franklin Public Library
WED 7/22   6-8:30pm   Concerts on The Common: Forever Fab, Children’s Program: Kizzy the Clown at 6pm.

THU 7/23   10:30am   Story and Craft (ages 3-6) at Franklin Public Library
THU 7/23   1pm   EPA - The Environment and Your Health for ages 5 and up at Franklin Public Library

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

For all Summer Programs at the Franklin Public Library click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com