MassBudget: How the MBTA is held back by slow growth of its major funding source

Slower than expected sales tax growth causing problems

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. How the MBTA is held back by slow growth of its major funding source Many workers and families in Massachusetts depend on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Regional Transit Authorities to get to work, school, grocery stores, and other essential activities. The MBTA provides transit services connecting 175 cities and towns containing almost three-quarters of the Massachusetts population. But the MBTA has a persistent funding problem. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center's new report, "How Slow Sales Tax Growth Causes Funding Problems for the MBTA," explains how the MBTA's largest source of funding has fallen $219.5 million short of original projections. Legislators established Forward Funding in 2000 to dedicate a "penny" of eligible sales tax to the MBTA, so the system would have an adequate source of growing revenue. At the time, the conservative estimate was for an average growth rate of three percent a year. Instead, average annual growth has been less than 1.5 percent. While the Legislature has provided other funding over the years, the failure of the penny of sales tax funding to meet projections has contributed to structural funding problems at the MBTA.       In addition to sales taxes overall growing slowly, the sales tax "penny" dedicated to the MBTA has grown more slowly than general sales tax revenues because taxes on prepared meals are excluded. Tax revenues from meals have grown more than three times as quickly as total sales tax revenues. They have grown as a share of total sales tax revenue from 12.8 percent in Fiscal Year 2001 to 17.9 percent in Fiscal Year 2017. If sales taxes dedicated to the MBTA had grown at the same rate as sales taxes overall, the MBTA's penny would have been worth an additional $49.9 million in Fiscal Year 2017.   Read the full report 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

“Right now, we don’t have science labs”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Though not quite ready to break ground, Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School will be leaving its Main Street location for a more spacious area at 100 Financial Park, previously the address of Putnam Investments. 

Head of School Heather Zolnowski said the school will be built from scratch, and plans to open for the 2019–2020 school year. 

The school opened in 1995 as one of the first charter schools in Massachusetts. The building was used as St. Mary’s Catholic School for decades in the mid-to-late 1900s. In 1995, it became the school it is today, but the building remains under ownership of the archdiocese of Boston. 

Zolnowski said that though the archdiocese has been accommodating when it comes to after-school activities, having exclusive use of the new building will be a plus."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180110/franklin-charter-school-to-construct-new-building

“Right now, we don’t have science labs”

Live reporting: Workshop - (part 3)

Recreation/Open Space

• Purchase Open Space as may be available

a placeholder as opportunity arises

• Continue to implement 2016 Open space/recreation plan

subject to funding

• Continue supporting SNETT trail development and other trail projects

CSX not cooperative about the land on the corner of Cottage/Union

rail still has an active branch to industrial park

• Continue on Delcarte - weed and fish issues, etc

continue to fund weed control, Master Plan for conservation ongoing

will require capital funding

Conservation doing a full study of all lands, 61a and 61b lands under review

playground always being used

• Develop Bike lanes and Trails plan - Staff has started

Community - Generally

• Implement Electric Aggregation when appropriate

still looking but haven't been able to get under a penny than general rates

there will be a supply demand problem and that may help provide an oppotunity

• Continued work on the recommendations in the Master Plan
• Continue to work with SAFE Coalition
• Continue to accept Public Ways

a struggle with unaccepted public ways, keeping up with new ones but the older ones, esp if a new survey is required costs money; folks have been on streets where the builder left things unfinished

• Continue Nu-Style project

did get one proposal via RFP, still evaluating their options could hear by end of month

• Transition to Regional Dispatch

• Purchase 120-122 School Street from Dean for additional Library Parking 

if comes up for sale, would be good to obtain

the 'parking lot' across the street actually is leased from Dean

• Plan for charging stations for electric vehicles

looking for grants

• Implement "Green Community goals"

looking for grants

• Adopt Affordable Housing Plan

required every 5-6 years, proposal for adoption by Council

• Customer Service technology improvements

continuing the e-permitting, inspections, Board of Health items

one day liquor license, other similar items under consideration

• Historical Commission "Master Plan"

how do we get the Museum to the next level? may need some funding to further developed and cataloged, volunteers would have direction on what to be required

siding for Museum, back and side this year, then next year, need a crane to get to the cupola to do that

• Town Council Procedures review

first meeting tonight, a couple of meetings required to finish up and bring to Council

• Successful Collective Bargaining - Spring of 2019

what is the fiscal position of the Town? and how does that drive the negotiations? better communication will help to avoid issues, how would the three year deal be structured and still be fair to the employees; through joint budget committee

Legislators coming to the Community Forum Feb 13 at High School, another meeting still to be done, jointly done with Town Council and School Committee

Thoughts/questions/ideas from Councilors

• IT security

looking to leverage more of the skills and abilities of the community

get a presentation from the IT on what they are doing

• Open Space

Conservation does well with what they have but it is not 'open space'

get a presentation from Conservation on what is being done

never did the Community Preservation Act (CPA) so we are limited by what money we have

• Poultry bylaw

we get so many chicken complaints it is unbelieveable

Ag Comm had met, can have the discussion

the regulations are already there, it makes it sense to get poultry out of the live stock zoning and it can be easy 

• Temporary sign bylaw

looking to address the current ban on temporary signs

had been expanded, previously had been totally restricted

send to EDC

• Sale of Town owned land

send to EDC

• Other

motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 8-0

Live reporting: Workshop - (Part 2)

Facilities

• Transfer/Recycling Center improvements when land transfer complete

est $3M needed to revamp per prior planning after the land transfer goes through, engineering study needed to determine remaining cap

Citizens committee had been driver of this

• Review Police Station space - Commence study in 2019

could go live Jan 2019

police station was built in 91, current use has outgrown space, dispatch center will take some use, need architect to determine need and plan for redesign, perhaps a small addition, reconfiguring space internally

• Future of Red Brick School - Charter School pulled building permit.

Charter to build up on Washington St, school to be build as prefab, so it might go quick but wouldn't be open until Sep 2019(?); with Charter no longer using, what would be the use for the building?

• Future of Old South Meeting House

ADA upgrades would be price prohibitive
no real valid use for the facility currently
maintain for time being, unless someone has a use for it

• Implement Preventative Maintenance (PM) for Facilities

Norwood HS had the same pipe burst over the principals office like we did, it is a design issue and the contractor covered it

Keller Sullivan sprinkler head prior time will spill dirty water

Library spilled clean water

cold weather protocol costs for heat but is better than a pipe burst

custodial staff has lots of coverage late and weekends

2 of the last 3 breaks happened while facilities personnel were standing there

both dry and wet systems, mostly per code requirements

DPW

• Road Funding

always a problem, no regular funding source, backlog continues to grow

• Fund sidewalk plan for Beaver Street and Washington Streets

from 140 to the beach desired

Washington St from 495 to Coles

looking to follow the sequence defined in the Master Plan

• Finalize and begin to implement Bike lane plan

looking to expand bike lanes as road gets done over, the cost is in striping

i.e. Pond St shift of lines to create a lane where it makes sense

Pleasant, Chestnut, Pond, streets to connect to the center of town

• Water - Continue Water line replacement plan, Water Treatment Plant, Water Tanks, other improvements

(recall the DPW presentation from Dec 17)

in mediation

• Continue sewer system improvements
• Future of Beaver Street interceptor
• Storm Water Plan - Potential fee?

Live reporting: Town Council - Workshop - Jan 10, 2018 (part 1)

Present: Kelly, Dellorco, Earls, Hamblen, Mercer, Pellegri, Padula, Casey
Absent: Jones

every two years, get together to agree on agenda items, no debates, councilor conversation
contact chair or vice-chair for public to add comment

Fiscal

• Annual Capital Plan - Council subcommittee to review shortly

17, 24 and 31 scheduled for capital plan discussions
FinCom meetings remain to be scheduled

Free cash down about $1M from last year, estimate of baked in costs for use of Free cash, i.e. snow/ice, stabilization funds, about 1.5M remaining to be allocated

capital budget for first round likely in Feb (either 14 or 28)

• Annual Operating Budget - Large shortfall projected for FY 19

info being gathered, schools on parallel path, what is the gap, how can we resolve the gap, Council to ultimately resolve. Insurance numbers come in later

• Review/update/adopt Fiscal Policies - Budget Committee to review

hasn't been looked at in about 10 years, should be refreshed

• Continue to ask for OPEB options with state officials

going to be a goal for every year

typically 280,000 from free cash; attempting to add 500,000 per year

• Determine Sewer rate increase for FY 19

sewer fund balance only $900,000. only a balance of 500K projected and that is too little, sewer plant assessment increased

Charles River assessment, 60% of the cost is Franklin

no money available for sewer in capital funding

possible 10% this july, another 10% next year

approx. $40 this and next; remains to be decided

• Determine Water rate increase for FY 19

water increase would include treatment plant, haven't gone up in 5 years

• Explore new revenue options

looking for more grant options, Green Community just came in

Economic Development - I suggest a separate workshop

• Continue to look at downtown redevelopment
• MBTA parking Lot
• Cultural District Marketing Plan
• Zoning - R-7, C-1, "over 55", inclusionary, lot lines, other zoning issues

above items to be referred to Economic Development Committee

last to Council

still need to attract more business

need to address parking, i.e. deck or something, hence MBTA lot is key piece of the puzzle

solar going in at the Forge Park station; T caught trouble for their lack of communications on the solar planning

what do we do with a friendly 40B, while we are at about 12% if the right project comes along, what do we do

• Marijuana tax - increase from 2 to 3%

the prior State legislation permitted up to 2, then final rules raised it to 3, we currently have 2 so an increase to 3 before July is needed

expansion of current plant requires new scrubbers to fix existing plant

Enrollment Open at BFCCPS

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School, located in Franklin, Massachusetts, is pleased to announce that it is currently accepting applications for the upcoming 2018-2019 school year.

Siblings of currently enrolled students will have priority enrollment status; thereafter applicants from all 13 communities in the school's district will have an equal chance at securing a spot for their child through the annual enrollment lottery to be held on, March 5th, 2018. Applicants from outside of the region, who reside within the state of Massachusetts, will be eligible for enrollment should additional spaces remain after all sibling and regional applicants have been placed.

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School has been in operation since 1995 and is located adjacent to the town common in Franklin. The school provides a well-rounded, rigorous academic program designed to educate the whole child providing yearlong courses in art, music, languages, technology, and physical education. The school's integrated character education, community service, and strong parent partnerships, have lead to local, state and national recognition. BFCCPS alumni continue to excel during their attendance local public high schools as well as independent high schools including The Commonwealth School, Noble and Greenough, Walnut Hill, and many others.

Enrollment Open at BFCCPS

Enrollment information sessions will be held at the school on January 20 from 10 AM to noon and also on February 10 from 10 AM to noon. Information sessions will also be held in the community on February 1  at the Milford Public Library from 6:30 -8:30 PM and at the Walpole Public Library on February 15 from 6:30-8:30 PM. All of the enrollment details, including applications can be found on the school website under the Enrollment category. Please note that the enrollment period will come to a close on February 28 at 4 PM EST.

If you'd like learn more about the educational mission of the school or have enrollment related questions please contact the school's Marketing Coordinator, Joanne Basile at jbasile@bfccps.org or 508-541-3434 x140.

About the Benjamin Franklin Charter School

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School's mission is to assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children by providing students with a classical academic education coupled with sound character development and community service. Our mission is supported by four distinct, yet interconnected pillars that provide for a collaborative, rigorous education for all students. These pillars guide, direct and define the school in all it does.

About the Benjamin Franklin Charter School

Recovery Yoga offered by SAFE Coalition and Sacred Tree Yoga Studio

The SAFE Coalition, in partnership with Sacred Tree Yoga Studio and Wellness Center announces FREE Recovery Yoga to all those struggling with Substance Use Disorder.

Sessions will run every Friday night beginning Friday December 22nd with two offerings each Friday night.

Sacred Tree Yoga Studio and Wellness Center

65 Holbrook Street, Suite 110

Norfolk, MA 02056

1. “Heart with Hope Restorative Yoga” is for Parents and Loved Ones at 5:30 – 6:30 PM. Heart with Hope Restorative Yoga is for parents and loved ones of those who suffer from the disease of addiction. This practice slows down the body and mind through passive movement while using props for support. Receive nurturing, comfort, inspirations, insights, and tools for daily living during a series of restorative poses that are supported with bolsters, blocks, straps, sandbags, blankets, and pillows. All props are provided. Honor yourself by allowing the physical, mental, and spiritual body to integrate and heal through relaxation and restoration.
Please join us!

2. “Yoga for Recovery” is for those in recovery from Substance Use Disorder at 7:00 – 8:00 PM Yoga for Recovery explores the parallels between yoga and the twelve-step path weaving together a tool for enhanced healing. This integrative practice offers breathing, stretching, inspiration, relaxation, and meditation while offering support for self-forgiveness, self-love, and self-care on the road of recovery. Absolutely no yoga experience is required. Dress comfortably. All props are provided. Come with an open mind and open heart for an opportunity that can improve the moment with a supportive community where people help people.

Please join us!

http://safecoalitionma.com/2017/12/22/recovery-yoga-offered-by-safe-coalition-and-sacred-tree-yoga-studio/

FHS girls and boys swim top Attleboro and girls and boys basketball top Taunton

Via HockomockSports and Twitter we share the results of the FHS sports action on Tuesday, Jan 9, 2018

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 55 @ Taunton, 41 – Final 
– Sophomore center Ali Brigham recorded a triple-double to help the Panthers earn the road win and stay within a game of first place Mansfield. Brigham scored 15 points, recorded 13 rebounds, and had 10 blocks on the night.

Gymnastics = Franklin, 130.85 @ Oliver Ames, 136.6 – Final
– Franklin junior Mia Lizotte won the all-around for the third straight meet with a 35.95, edging out Oliver Ames’ Hannah Moynihan (35.5). Lizotte earned an 8.85 on beam, an 8.7 on bars and a 9.2 on both vault and floor. Franklin senior Liz Traphagen was second for the Panthers on the vault (8.2) and the floor (9.0). Junior Sadie Rondeau was second for the Panthers on both the bars and the beam.

Boys Swimming = Franklin, 126 @ Attleboro, 45 – Final

Girls Swimming = Franklin, 103 @ Attleboro, 67 – Final

Boys Basketball = Taunton, 60 @ Franklin, 72 – Final

Ryan Lanigan, Editor in Chief of Hockomock Sports, provided the game recap

"The Franklin boys basketball team had little trouble finding its defensive identity this season, which is a big reason why the Panthers have won six of their first seven games. 

The search for an identity on the offensive end, however, has taken a little bit longer. But the Panthers seemed to find the balance they need in a 72-60 win over Taunton on Tuesday night. 

The Panthers exploded for 27 points in the third quarter, turning what was just an eight-point lead into a comfortable 20-point cushion with just eight minutes left. 

“I think we were just more aggressive and shared the ball,” said Franklin head coach CJ Neely. “When we play aggressive and guys look to attack the paint, and then when they get in there and make good decisions that can be the difference."

Continue reading the game recap ->
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-boys-basketball-dominant-third-quarter-lifts-panthers/

For the photo gallery of the Boys Basketball game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20172018/Winter-2017-2018/Taunton-Franklin-Boys-Basketball-01-09-18/

For the rest of the results around the Hockomock League on Tuesday
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-08-18/

Franklin’s Jalen Samuels goes up for a shot against Taunton’s Malik Charles (35) in the first half. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Via the Twitterverse

Beyond proud! @FHSSports pic.twitter.com/ILtqneqHzy

— FHS Gymnastics (@fhs_gymnastics) January 10, 2018

[Girls Winter Varsity Swimming] Franklin HS defeats Attleboro HS, 103 to 67.

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) January 9, 2018

[Boys Winter Varsity Swimming] Franklin HS defeats Attleboro HS, 126 to 45.

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) January 9, 2018

G V Swimming: FHS defeats Attleboro 103-67. Ashley Loomis and Katie Cashin were double winners. Senior Kat Gillies took 1st in the 100 fly (her first win ever!!)

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) January 9, 2018

B V Swimming: Attleboro 45 Franklin 126
Cashin '18 achieved a Sectionals cut in the 200IM
Franklin went 1-2-3 in the 200 Free, 500 Free & 100 Breaststroke

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) January 9, 2018

In the News: State primary set for Sep 4; School District seeking input on budget

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The 2018 statewide primary elections will be held Tuesday, Sept. 4, the day after Labor Day, and Secretary of State William Galvin has asked legislative leaders to pay for a five-day early voting period leading up to the primaries. 

The date of the state primary is usually settled without much discussion or public attention, but this year Galvin was required by law to move the primary to an earlier date in September due to a conflict with a Jewish religious holiday. His choice, Sept. 4, is the earliest possible date Galvin could have set for the elections. 

Galvin’s office said his determination came after consultation with House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Acting Senate President Harriette Chandler, and that it comes with a request that the Legislature pay for cities and towns to hold five days of voting before the Sept. 4 primaries. 

“Given the interest we are already seeing in the primaries and the successful implementation of early voting in the 2016 State Election, I believe offering early voting for the State Primaries would provide a greater opportunity for voter participation,” Galvin said in a statement Tuesday morning."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180109/state-primary-set-for-sept-4

"The (Medway) school district is seeking public input this week on its upcoming budget, moving up a forum so community input could be better integrated into the process. 

The School Committee will host the forum at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Town Hall. The event will be followed by the committee’s regular meeting at 7 p.m. 

Superintendent Armand Pires said that though the forum is a yearly occurrence, it usually takes place when the budget is more fully formed. This year, the committee opted to convene the meeting earlier, allowing more leeway for resident suggestions to be taken into account. 

″(The committee) is interested in hearing from parents and community members - identifying priorities in the budget process and having an open dialogue,” he said. “Typically, when this conversation is held, we’re further along in the process.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180109/medway-schools-hosting-budget-forum



Please stay involved and informed as the Franklin School Committee develops the FY 19 school budget.

School Committee Preliminary Budget Timeline -- FY 19 Budget

• October 10, 2017 -- School Committee Budget Workshop  (you can find the notes from this meeting and audio here http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/fm-133-school-committee-budgeting.html)
• December, 2017 - Budget Subcommittee Meetings
• December, 2017 and January, 2018 -- Budget Development with Principals
• January -- March, 2018 -- Budget Subcommittee Meetings
• February 13, 2018 - Community Forum at FHS Lecture Hall with Senators Ross and Spilka, and Representative Roy (additional details to be released)
• February 27, 2018 -- Proposed FY 19 Budget presented to School Committee
• March 13, 2018 -- School Committee Budget Discussion
• March 27, 2018 -- Budget Public Hearing
• April 10, 2018 -- School Committee adoption of FY19 budget

Davis Thayer School in the snow

Live reporting: New business to closing

6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items

7. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the November 28, 2017 and December
12, 2017 School Committee Meetings.
b. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $4,802.65 for FHS as detailed:

i. $832.65 from All-American Publishingii. $3,970.00 from Vicario Studios

c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $800.00 from the Hockomock Area YMCA for in-house enrichment at Parmenter Elementary School.
d. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 125 Science eye goggles valued at $216.25 from the Keller PCC.
e. I recommend acceptance of the donation of an iPad with case and a communication App for a non-verbal child valued at $707.98 from Linda Bishop.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Lueders Environmental, Inc.
for Davis Thayer Elementary School.
g. I recommend acceptance of the donation of an area rug, valued at $409.47, from the Parmenter PCC for supplemental supplies.
h. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,550.00 from Franklin Music Parents for in house enrichment for the Music Department.
i. I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,000.00 from Thomas A Wagner III for
a FHS Scholarship.
j. I recommend approval of the request of Brian Wildeman to declare the attached list of books as surplus from RMS.
k. I recommend approval of the request of Dr. Joyce Edwards to declare the attached list of books as surplus from Central Office.

motion to accept consent items, seconded, passed 6-0


8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll Ms. Douglas

10. Correspondence 
– Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

11. Adjournment

motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 6-0


The School Committee agenda and associated documents as released for the meeting Jan 9
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Packets/v1-9-2018%20SC%20Packet/

Live reporting: Discussion only and Information Matters

4. Discussion Only Items
a. ACCEPT 
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Packets/v1-9-2018%20SC%20Packet/ACCEPT%20Collaborative%20Annual_Report_FY17.pdf

and BICO Collaborative Annual Reports
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Packets/v1-9-2018%20SC%20Packet/BICO%2012%2007%202017%20annual%20report.pdf

membership fee, obtains reduced rates for out of district placements
professional development opportunities also available

in ACCEPT, graph page 6 - about 34 students
rebranding and move to new building
18-22 program (page 9) assistance from companies in helping students transition to world of work

BICO collaborative, located down the street
14 students participated
some operate within host schools, i.e. at Keller

part of the team process, assessment on meeting the students needs with the least restrictive environment; sometimes student disabilities don't have peers, so going out of district to get those peers is needed; cost sharing through the collaborative vs private placement


5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

Budget - put together fact sheet, town is going to be under pressure this budget year; meeting next week on how to disseminate the fact sheet; brochure has a schedule for budget meetings

Community Relations - first moved to this Sat, 10;30 AM, educator award program for discussion at school committee next meeting; coffees and possible themes; looking to have an overall comprehensive strategy

Policy - really exciting meeting, reviewing policies, some coming forward to future meetings
Monday, 1/22, 7:00 Snow date of Feb 6th

Transportation - question raised on how many students did take use of the emergency busing program

Public Schools Advocacy - forum first Feb meeting Feb 16? - Spilka, Roy, Ross invited, to be held at Lecture Hall; getting info out to community

Joint PCC - data gathering on equity; fabric fund raising

Substance Abuse Task Force - Feb 27 next meeting

School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC] - discussing student use of technologies; revision of the wellness policy coming to the Policy committee before coming to the SchComm; working on the BOXX program for consistency, looking at high needs students to see how many of them are participating

Live reporting: Policy on Advisory Committees

3. Discussion / Action Items

a. Policy – First Reading
I recommend moving Policy BDF – Advisory Committees to the School Committee to a second reading at the next meeting.

http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Packets/v1-9-2018%20SC%20Packet/Discussion%20Action%20-%20Policy%20BDF.pdf

motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 6-0