MassBudget: Analyzing the Governor's FY 2017 Budget

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Analyzing the Governor's FY 2017 Budget  The Governor's budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2017 is best described as an austerity budget. It contains small cuts and spending reductions across government and includes few new initiatives. Our newly released Budget Monitor analyzes the budget in detail. Many of the reductions are due to the early retirement program implemented this year. Perhaps the most important question this budget raises is how those cuts will affect the quality of services provided by our government. With fewer people working at the Department of Environmental Protection (where the Governor proposes a 7 percent reduction in funding), will our state's ability to enforce the laws that keep our air and water clean be degraded? With reductions at the Department of Revenue (where this budget proposes 13 percent less funding), will it be harder for honest taxpayers to get answers from the department and will it be easier for those corporations and other sophisticated taxpayers who seek to evade taxes to avoid paying the taxes they owe? Similar issues will arise across state government, and we won't know the answers until after the budget takes effect. On the positive side, this budget proposal continues efforts to hire more social workers at the Department of Children and Families so that caseloads will decline and our front line workers can better protect children who are at risk of abuse or neglect. The proposal also funds new efforts to address the opioid addiction crisis, including an additional $9.1 million for the Department of Public Health's Bureau of Substance Abuse Services to support increased prevention and treatment efforts. The budget reduces the state's reliance on temporary revenue and makes a small deposit into the stabilization fund. But six years into an economic recovery, the budget is still being balanced with temporary revenue, including $150 million that existing law dedicates to the stabilization fund. This continues a long-term pattern we have seen since the state cut income taxes by over $3 billion between 1998 and 2002: deep cuts in recessions, barely balanced budgets in the best of times, and chronic structural budget gaps. This pattern has real world consequences: our Commonwealth has not been able to make important investments in the education and skills of our workers and in the integrity of our transportation infrastructure that could strengthen our economy in the long run. This Budget Monitor examines the Governor's FY 2017 budget proposal in the context of these long-term trends. For the full Budget Monitor, click HERE. 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 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

MA State Budget Funding History

FHS girls and boys hockey team post wins on Saturday

Boys Hockey

• Franklin, 3 vs. Newburyport, 1 – Final 

– Sophomore Jeremy Miller netted a hat trick to guide Franklin to a big non-league win.

FHS Panthers

Girls Hockey

• Franklin, 5 @ Martha’s Vineyard, 1 – Final

Wrestling

• MIWCA D1 Dual Tournament (Franklin) 

– Franklin placed fifth overall. The Panthers beat BC High (38-28) but lost to St. John’s Prep (41-21). Franklin finished the meet with wins over Plymouth South (40-27) and Framingham (34-26).

For the other results around the Hockomock League on Saturday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-020616/

NationalGrid: Snow Storm Restoration Update - 2/6/16 AM

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National Grid Storm Restoration Update A message to our customers — February 6, 2016 Good Morning, What a difference a day makes – skies are clear and the sun is shining. Yesterday's snow storm hit the region harder than originally forecasted, and the heavy, wet snow caused significant outages.  We are grateful for your patience as our crews work to repair downed wires and restore all outages. Less than 24 hours from the start of the storm, we had already restored power to close to 80% of impacted customers in MA, and 60% of impacted customers in RI. We intend to complete the vast majority of restoration by midnight today. If you are still without electric service, please let us know by calling 1-800-465-1212, or via Outage Central. Above all, please stay safe – watch for sagging wires, tree branches, and slick surfaces. For more safety tips, use your mobile device to visit us at www.nationalgrid.com. Stay connected National Grid provides multiple channels for customers to learn about service issues and interruptions during storms. Customers can follow the storm on their mobile devices by using the National Grid mobile app or texting the word STORM to NGRID (64743). The company provides real time outage information on its Outage Central web site. National Grid also provides storm and restoration updates through Facebook and Twitter Thank you for trusting us to help you meet your energy needs. National Grid Here with you. Here for you.   Connect Now Visit us online at nationalgrid.com/

This email was sent by: National Grid 300 Erie Blvd W Syracuse NY 13202 U.S.A.

NationalGrid outage map as of 8:00 PM 2/6/16

Reminder: Franklin Newcomers and Friends February Meeting Information - Feb 10

Please join the Franklin Newcomers and Friends for our version of Antique Roadshow, starring Lydia Kirchthurn, a Newcomers alum. We'll be upstairs in a private room at Restaurant "3" at 7:30pm on Wednesday, Feb 10.

Franklin Newcomers

Lydia Kirchthurn is an old soul, and she has always loved antiques and the stories behind them. So in 2005 when she left her career in education to raise her children she started her new adventures with antiques. First she started buying antiques at yard sales and thrift stores and selling them on EBAY. Then she started selling her friend's antiques on EBAY, then whole houses of antiques, eventually working at a high end auction house run by an Antique Roadshow Alum. While at the auction house she realized that her passion for antiques and their stories included something unexpected - a connection to the spirits of the people who owned them. 

In 2014 Lydia left the Auction business and enrolled in the Rhys Thomas School of Energy Medicine where she is currently studying and honing her unique gift. Now she is uniting her worlds and offering unique antique appraisals and communication with the spirits attached to them. 

If you have a small, antique, family heirloom, feel free to bring it. Lydia will examine as many pieces as she can to reveal their value and possibly a story! Something personal, like jewelry, would be best.

As always, we welcome all to join us. Heavy appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary.

• To keep up with Lydia, you can read her blog here

http://lydiadustin.blogspot.com/

Town of Franklin: Post Storm Update

Good Morning. Gary Premo calling with an post storm update. 

National Grid reports appr 1400 customers without power in Franklin. They will continue to work on restoring power throughout the day, and report all should be restored by 9pm tonight. 

• If you encounter a downed wired, do not approach; call 911. 
• If you need a hot shower, the YMCA has offered their facility at 45 Forge Hill Road. 
• If you need to recharge electronic devices, you may do so at Fire HQ, 40 W Central St.

Thank you for listening; stay safe.

This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF FRANKLIN. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. 

sunset post storm on Friday, Feb 5

MA Senate Passes Public Records Reform Bill

Today (2/4/16) the Massachusetts State Senate unanimously passed legislation reforming how the state handles public records.  The legislation, originally sponsored by Senator Jason Lewis, is the first update to the public records law since the early 1970s.

"An accessible, transparent government is fundamental to the democratic process," said Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "This bill strengthens our public records law to improve access and make the process of requesting records simpler, clearer and more fair. Thank you to my colleagues in the Senate and advocates on all sides of this issue for engaging in a collaborative effort to bring our public records law into the 21st century, while providing flexibility for municipalities and agencies."

The legislation will reduce costs for records requestors and ensure timely compliance with public records requests. The bill also brings Massachusetts in line with 47 other states and the federal government in allowing attorney's fees to be awarded to plaintiffs who are victorious in court when denied records. The bill requires attorney fees to be awarded, except in certain defined situations.

Under the legislation, each state agency and municipality is required to appoint at least one public records access officer to serve as the point of contact for all public records requests and coordinate a timely and thorough response.  The public records officer does not have to be a new employee. 

The bill limits the amount that state agencies and municipalities can charge for production of the records.  The limits are set at 5 cents per page for copies, down from 20 to 50 cents per page under current law, and the cost of a storage device.  The bill requires state agencies to provide four free hours of employee time and two free hours for municipalities. Charges for requests that require more time are limited to $25 per hour. 

The bill prohibits charging for records if the agency or municipality does not provide the record within 15 days of the request or does not respond to the requestor within ten days.  It also requires punitive damages up to $5,000 if a court determines the government entity did not act in good faith. 

Finally the bill requires state entities and encourages municipalities to post online many commonly requested public records.  In addition, records are required to be provided in electronic format unless requested otherwise.

The bill will now be reconciled with the version passed by the House of Representatives before being sent to the Governor. 

Franklin Matters Note: this is a good improvement over the House version but still not enough. What will come out of the Senate House reconciliation remains to be seen.

HMEA: Beatles concert - February 27th, 2016

The Beatles are back!

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The Beatles are back to benefit HMEA!  Greetings, Come enjoy the best of the Beatles early albums including 'A Hard Days Night' and 'Help!'  WHO: "STUDIO TWO" Beatles Tribute Band WHAT: Concert to benefit HMEA, Inc. WHEN: Saturday, February 27th, 2016 | 7 pm - 10 pm WHERE: The Black Box, 15 W Central St, Franklin, MA 02038 Presented by: Lippolis Plumbing Hot and cold snacks will be provided and a cash bar will be available.  REFRESHMENTS - DOOR PRIZES - RAFFLE PRIZES $15/Per person - available in advance or at the door For ticket information visit: hmea.org/beatlesconcert There are only 200 tickets available. Reserve your tickets now! All proceeds will benefit HMEA, Inc. (Horace Mann Educational Associates) HMEA is a non-profit agency supporting children and adults with Autism and other developmental disabilities. hmea.org STAY CONNECTED:

Forward this email HMEA | 8 Forge Park East | Franklin | MA | 02038

Foreign Language Classes Start Soon

February  - Foreign Language -  Preview Franklin Public Schools - Lifelong Learning Institute   The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning February 2016 Monthly Spotlight Foreign Language Classes Begin Your Foreign Language Adventure Now  Don't miss out  Classes Begin on February 23 Register Today French for Travelers (French I)    Pamela Ringrose, Instructor  Bonjour! Are you planning a trip to France? Through situational vocabulary framed in a cultural context, you will learn the basics to make a stay in France even more pleasant. So buy your ticket and prepare to learn about greeting, sightseeing, ordering food and shopping - in the style of France!  Italian for Travelers (Italian I)  Pamela Ringrose, Instructor Buongiorno! Are you planning a trip to Italy? Through situational vocabulary framed in a cultural context, you will learn the basics to make a stay in Italy even more pleasant. So buy your ticket and prepare to learn about greeting, sightseeing, ordering food and shopping - Italian style!  Intermediate Conversational Italian  (Italian II) Pamela Ringrose, Instructor Did you enjoy your intro to the Italian language in Italian I so much that you want to continue delving further into this beautiful language? Whether you are traveling to Italy, or just practicing here at home, this class offers you the opportunity to increase your vocabulary, knowledge of grammar and to practice your pronunciation with an experienced instructor. The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning   508-613-1480  adulted@franklin.k12.ma.us  | www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com Proud to be part of the Franklin Public Schools Copyright © 2016. All Rights Reserved.

Forward this email FPS- Life Long Learning | 355 East Central Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

In the News: Coaches vs Cancer, foreign language classes

The Franklin High School boys’ and girls’ basketball teams and head coaches C.J. Neely and John Leighton will team up with the American Cancer Society to participate in the Coaches vs. Cancer initiative during the 5:30 and 7 p.m. games on Feb. 5 at 218 Oak St. 

Note: due to the snowstorm on Friday the games have been rescheduled for Sunday, Feb 7. The girls play at noon, the boys at 1:30 PM.  

During the Panthers’ games against King Philip, fans will have an opportunity to take part in fundraising activities that will benefit the work of the American Cancer Society and its Coaches vs. Cancer initiative. 

Donations will be collected onsite. The girls’ game begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by the boys at 7 p.m. 

For more information, contact or Greg McKeever at 508-270-4823 or greg.mckeever@cancer.org. 

Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches that empowers all coaches, their teams and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer. 

For more information, visit coachesvscancer.org.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160205/franklin-high-school-basketball-to-host-coaches-vs-cancer-games

FHS Panthers

The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning, a program of the Franklin Public School’s Lifelong Learning Institute, will offer foreign language classes beginning Feb. 23 at Franklin High School, 218 Oak St. 

The offerings will include French I for Travelers, beginning Feb. 23; Italian I for Travelers, beginning Feb. 24; and Intermediate Conversational Italian II, beginning Feb. 25.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160205/franklins-adult-education-program-to-offer-foreign-language-classes

Franklin Art Association - meeting March 2

The Franklin Art Association will meet on Wednesday, March 2, from 6:30 to 9:00 pm at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street.

Franklin Art Association

Refreshments and socialization will begin at 6:30 

The program will feature Rockport artist Chris Coyne. Chris will do a watercolor demo. 

Meetings are free and open to the public. 

For more information please visit our web site at www.franklinart.org or www.facebook.com/FranklinArtAssoc

......

Chris Coyne is a Rockport Massachusetts based plein air painter working in the Cape Ann tradition. Using Gruppe's palette he paints in both oils and watercolors and is comfortable in the field or in the studio. 

A member of numerous art associations, he plies his trade from mountain to sea, producing marine art, landscapes and village scenes, as well as the occasional portrait and still life. 

Both traditionally trained and self taught, Mr Coyne enjoys giving back to the art by sharing his love of painting and art through teaching and demonstrating in the classroom and in the field. 

website: www.coynefineart.com

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 2/5/16 - THU 2/11/16

FRIDAY 2/5/16
6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at the Franklin Art Center
8pm   Choreographer’s Concert at Dean College

SATURDAY 2/6/16
8am-1pm   Bone Marrow Registration Drive for Jennifer Felicetti at the Franklin YMCA
10am-12pm   Information Session and Building Tour of the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School
2pm   FSPA in The Box: Grease
7:30pm   FSPA in The Box: Grease
8pm   Choreographer’s Concert at Dean College

SUNDAY 2/7/16
7:30-10:30am   Sunday Morning Breakfast at Franklin Rod and Gun Club

TUESDAY 2/9/16
6:30-8pm   Knitting Circle for Adults at Franklin Public Library
7:30pm   Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee monthly meeting at the Franklin YMCA. Public welcome.

WEDNESDAY 2/10/16
6:30-7:30pm   Open House at the Franklin High School for course selection for incoming 9th graders.

THURSDAY 2/11/16
6:30-8:30pm   Relay For Life Fundraiser: Wine Tasting, food, raffles at Pour Richard's

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

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

Franklin Police: Telephone scam claiming to be IRS agent

We are aware of an ongoing telephone scam where an individual claiming to be an IRS agent calls residents, states there is an arrest warrant or legal proceedings against the victim, and that the matter can be cleared up by making an immediate wire payment by such services as Western Union or Money Gram.

The IRS does not conduct business in this manner.  They will contact people by certified US mail.  They do not call and demand immediate payment to avoid criminal charges.

If you receive this type of call, hang up.  DO NOT give any information to the caller.

Thank you

Chief Stephan H Semerjian

Franklin Police Station,  911 Panther Way

This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF FRANKLIN. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message.