St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul Mother’s Day Outreach

The St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul Society will once again be sponsoring a Mother’s Day Gift Bag Drive. The SVdP will be reaching out to make Mother’s Day a special day for some mothers who presently are having a difficult time. Community members are invited to put together Mother’s Day gift bags containing three cheerful items.

St. Mary’s St. Vincent
de Paul Mother’s Day Outreach

Suggested inexpensive items to place in the bag include a scarf, a Mom’s key chain, gift cards for a doughnut shop or a local store, socks, hand cream, soaps, a gas gift card, towels, and stamps. A Mother’s Day card is a nice touch, too. It is always fun to see the creative items that our donors place in the bags.

Members of the Society will distribute the gift bags to mothers in town and mothers living in area shelters.

The gift bags may be dropped off any time between now and May 6 and may be placed in the boxes at the doors of the church.

Thank you for your generosity and for continually helping us reach out to our neighbors in need.

A Night of Spiritual Readings & Connecting With Lost Loved Ones - April 26

"Sometimes we lose people that may have unfinished business for us. You might just want to know that a loved one is all right or make sure that they are still around you. Stephanie has been connecting people with lost loved ones for over 15 years. The experience is always very personal, special and unique to each individual.

SPIRITUAL READINGS with STEPHANIE
McBRIDE - THURSDAY APRIL 26th 7 PM

Have you ever thought about what you’d say if you had another chance? Maybe you ran out of time to repair a relationship or you just didn’t say everything you would have liked. Stephanie has a unique ability of bringing peace and comfort to those left behind and to those who have moved on. It is not too late to reconnect with those you love.

Understanding loss and grief is one of the ways Stephanie is able to connect and help you with your process. Bringing peace and understanding to those that are here and those that are no longer with us is the goal.

A Night of Spiritual Readings & Connecting With Lost Loved Ones - April 26

This Workshop is $40 per person
Each person will receive a personal reading
Event is limited to 10 people

Light snacks and beverages as well as BYOB"





Please Note: Cancellations Within 24 Hours Of The Event Will Not Be Refunded. These Nights Usually Have A Waiting List, So Please Let Us Know If You Are Unable To Make It. Thanks :)

SPIRITUAL READINGS with STEPHANIE McBRIDE - THURSDAY APRIL 26th 7 PM
https://secure.mainstreetsites.com/dmn3567/register.aspx

"Raising awareness is the first step in prevention"

"Since April is Financial Literacy Month, it’s important that we remind ourselves and our older loved ones on the importance of being financially literate, and that includes knowing how to spot and prevent elder financial abuse. 

The National Council on Aging estimates that elder abuse costs older Americans $36.5 billion per year. Elders are a target for scammers for many reasons. They may be isolated from family and friends; they may be less technologically –inclined than younger generations; or they may have more assets, such as retirement funds, for scammers to steal. 

Financial abuse can take many forms, from common phone or email scams to stolen credit cards or depletion of financial accounts. A common scam known as the “grandparent scam” preys upon elders who are tricked into thinking they are helping a loved one (usually a grandchild). Callers will say that the grandchild has been arrested or kidnapped, for example, and need money transferred immediately or payment using gift cards to post bail or pay ransom. There are instances where seniors have spent hundreds of dollars hoping to help their grandchild only to learn she or he had been safe all along."

Continue reading the article from Mass Consumer Affairs
http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/becoming-a-scam-savvy-senior/

"Raising awareness is the first step in prevention"

Photos from the SNETT trail clean up - Saturday, Apr 21

A group of volunteers gathered to walk along the SNETT and trim back the tree fall from the winter storms on Saturday. Some of the low spots were filled in and trash was picked up along the way.

My wife and I love walking the SNETT so this was a good way to help give back!

trail head for the SNETT on Grove St

puddle was shrunken as part of the work done Saturday

the clean up crew

The portion cut through the rocks 

puddle reflection

the trail with bare trees

Haven't been to the SNETT yet? 
Check it out. From the Grove St parking lot, it is about 2.5 miles round trip to Prospect St and back. Cross Prospect St and go to Center St in Bellingham and it is about 6 miles round trip.






For additional information on the SNETT visit the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee page  http://franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - FY 2019 Budget Hearing #3 - April 24, 2018

Tuesday, April 24, 2018 

at 6:00 PM 

Franklin Town Hall

3^rd Floor Training Room 

AGENDA

1.    Approval of Minutes

2.    FY 2019 Budget Presentations:     Dept.               Tab

Schools                                             300                 Education Information

Technology                                       155                 General Government

Any department not heard from April 17th or April 18<sup>th

Police Dept</sup>

3.    Final Recommendations and Vote

4.    Adjournment

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/events/finance_committee_agenda_4-24-18_1.pdf

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - FY 2019 Budget Hearing #3 - April 24, 2018

The full 160+ page budget for FY 2019 and supporting documents can be found here
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1srWLWOHO81af4aQq8cNWIJcLAtImjRJG

Franklin, MA: Executive Summary FY 2019 Budget

While fiscal challenges remain, our resolve to overcome them is relentless.

The FY 19 proposed budget will be balanced with use of approximately $1,500,000 from our Budget Stabilization Fund (Rainy Day account). While this will work for one year the FY 20 budget will require policy decisions on how to handle the budget shortfall.

We continue to face challenges in properly funding the annual operating budget, Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) and roads. We should continue to maintain the capital plan and debt capacity in the annual operating budget to fund capital improvements.

The Town’s property tax revenue (not including debt exclusions) will increase by 2½ % plus new growth, or about $2.65 million. Local receipts, which include the excise tax and permit and license fees, etc., will increase $300,000, mostly due to increased motor vehicle commitments. Net State Aid (based on the Governor’s budget) will increase by $206,000. The FY 19 “net” revenue increase is estimated at $3.2 million.

Proposed FY 19 Highlights

Treasurer Collector – The budget partially funds a Deputy Treasurer Collector in preparation of the retirement of the current Deputy Treasurer Collector in 2019.

Police – We are reviewing the options to staff the police department when the Dispatch center moves in the middle of the fiscal year.

Regional Dispatch – The target date to open the new center is January 2019. The building is currently under construction.

Franklin Schools – We have provided the largest year over year increase ($3,000,000) in school funding in a decade. This will help relief much of the pressure of the school use of revolving funds but will not resolve the long term funding issues the Town/school face.

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School – The school is relocating to its new location on Washington Street in 2019. This may increase busing costs for the schools when they open.

DPW – We increased the snow and ice Budget by $50,000 for a total of $1,003,500. This is still below the five year rolling average.

Board of Health – The Health office is merging with the Inspectional services
This will eliminate a part time clerk while providing full office coverage for the Health Department. Further we will be contracting for percolation tests and septic inspections.

Library – The opening of the renovated/addition to the library requires additional staffing. Further we are trying to close the gap between our current funding and the Minimum Appropriation Requirement (MAR) of the State Library Board. If the budget is approved we will close the gap from .85% to 90% of the minimum. We would need an additional
$100,000 to meet the requirement. The last time we were in compliance was FY 09.

Employee Wages/Benefits –Wages are generally increasing 3%, Pension costs increased by about 10% or about $450,000, OPEB is funded at $550,000 and health insurance continues to be a challenge. Thanks once again to the employees for working together to constrain health insurance increases. This is critical to maintaining staffing levels.

Budget Overview
In compliance with Article Six, Sections 6-3-1 through 6-5-2 of the Franklin Town Charter, I am submitting the proposed FY 19 budget to the Town Council and Finance Committee.

Process
Each department is required to submit a proposed budget to the Town Administrator. The Town Administrator, the Comptroller, and the individual Department Heads review their budget request.

The Town Administrator also reviews the highlights of the Town’s fiscal plan with the budget subcommittee of the Town Council. Based on input and the meetings with the Department Head, the Town Administrator makes a budget recommendation to the Town Council and the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee reviews the Town Administrator’s proposed budget and forwards their recommendations to the Town Council. The Town Council holds two public hearings prior to adopting the budget.

Financial Policy Summary

While the budget process identifies issues and concerns that the Town will address on an annual basis, it also must do so based in a framework of sound financial management. The Town Council has adopted fiscal policies in the past and should continue to update and review them on a regular basis. Below is a summary of current policies:

Balanced Budget
 Annual costs funded from current revenues.
 Do not defer current costs to future years.

Current status 
– Whenever possible we refrain from using one time funds to balance the budget. FY19 is an exception due to extra challenges we face. We have not addressed our GASB 45 obligation (post-retirement health insurance) although this year we have budgeted $550,000 to continue to fund the obligation of about $70 million (2017 actuarial study).

Compensation and benefits
 Budget with current revenues
 Compensate at market rates

Current status 
– We have nine municipal unions. All unions have collective bargaining agreements through June 30, 2019.

Revenues
 Estimate annual revenues in detail and project for the following three years.
 Maintain full and fair market value of property assessments.
 Ensure fees charged cover costs incurred.

Current status 
– Future revenue projections are included in the budget. New growth and local receipts have been adjusted to reflect the trends in actual collections. Included in the projection are the enterprise funds direct and indirect charges that pay back the general fund for costs attributable to those funds. Again this year we are charging the water and sewer enterprise accounts for their OPEB obligation.

Financial Reserves
 Adequately fund and maintain reserves (Stabilization, Free Cash, Overlay Surplus)
 Maintain Stabilization account at $5 million or 5% of recurring general fund revenue (less debt exclusions and SBA reimbursement).
 Short-term revenue surpluses shall fund non-recurring projects.
 Free Cash will be used to fund the capital budget and for unforeseen expenses.
 Overlay surplus will be used for capital budgets and non-recurring expenses.

Current status 
- the General Stabilization fund balance is just about $5.1 million dollars which is slightly under the Town’s policy of 5% of general fund revenue.

Long-Term Debt - Proposed
 Reserved for large capital projects.
 Net general fund debt service (not including debt exclusions) shall be targeted at not more than 3.5% of recurring general fund revenue. We are currently well below that number.

Current Status 
- The FY 19 budget calls for a general fund debt service of$6,843,101. According to the independent bond rating agency Standard and Poor’s, our debt level is moderate and manageable. Our debt plan will help to obtain our goal of improving the infrastructure of the Town without the need for debt exclusions (except schools) while maintaining a reasonable debt level. We were recently upgraded to AA+ one grade below the highest rating of AAA.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1srWLWOHO81af4aQq8cNWIJcLAtImjRJG

Franklin, MA: Executive Summary FY 2019 Budget

Town of Franklin (MA): Budget Collection - FY 2019

Town Council budget hearings

• May 16 and May 17 budget hearings

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/05/town-council-approves-fy-2019-budget.html

Town Administrator's budget narrative and supporting documents
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/05/town-administrators-fy19-budget.html

Executive Summary for FY 2019 budget
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/04/franklin-ma-executive-summary-fy-2019.html

Budget document for FY 2019 (160+ pages of good info to read)
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/fy19_complete_budget_fincom_with_page_numbers_1.pdf


Finance Committee budget hearings

• April 24  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/04/fm-144-finance-committee-final-budget.html  (audio)
• April 18    http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/04/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget_18.html
• April 17    http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/04/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget.html

School Committee budget hearings

• March 22    http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/03/school-committee-recap-march-22-2018.html
• February 27   http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/03/school-committee-summary-feb-27-2018.html

Franklin Public Schools budget page
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_budget/index


School Committee preparation for the Budget

The School Committee Legislative Forum held at Franklin High School March 2018 - (audio). Senators Spilka, Ross and Representative Roy provide insights on the state level funding for schools
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/fm-139-legislative-forum-on-school.html

The School Committee budget workshop held in October 2017 (audio)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/fm-133-school-committee-budgeting.html

Town of Franklin Budget page 

http://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

Town of Franklin (MA): Budget Collection - FY 2019

FHS baseball offense gets going in win over Bishop Feehan, 10-3

Via HockomockSports and Twitter we share the results of the FHS spring sports action on Saturday, April 21, 2018.


Baseball = Franklin, 10 @ Bishop Feehan, 3 – Final
– Franklin’s offense had its best outing of the season, plating 10 runs in a big win over Feehan. The Panthers had 10 runs over the first five games but equaled that amount in the win over the Shamrocks. Alex Haba (2-for-3, triple, run), JB Flores (run), and Jake Macchi (3-for-5, run) each knocked in a pair of runs for the Panthers while Jack Nally (1-2, two walks, two runs) and Evan Wendell (2-for-4, run) each had one RBI. Scott Elliott added two hit and a run and Colby Fitzgibbons chipped in with a hit, a walk, and two runs scored. Ben Guzman (1.2 IP, 2H, 2K) and Michael Langmeyer (1.0 IP) didn’t allow a run in relief appearances.

Softball = Franklin, 0 vs. Bishop Feehan, 12 – Final

Boys Lacrosse = Franklin, 3 vs. Walpole, 8 – Final

For the other results around the Hockomock League 
https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-04-21-18/

FHS Panthers

Via the Twitterverse
https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/lists/fhs-sports

[Boys Sprg Varsity Lacrosse] Walpole HS defeats Franklin HS, 8 to 3.

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) April 22, 2018

Tough loss to @WalpoleHSLax in the Creators-Crosse championship with a 3-8 outcome. Solid game played by both teams. Thanks to @LHSMABoysLax for hosting us once again. @HockomockSports @bostonlaxnet @ @kstone06 @MetroWestSports

— Franklin Lacrosse (@Franklin_Lax) April 22, 2018

Franklin 10 Bishop Feehan 3. Nice bounce back win. Leofanti with the win on the hill. Guzman and Langmeyer combined with 2 2/3 of scoreless relief. A number of guys with nice games offensively. Next up: Home vs Mansfield on Monday, April 23 at 3:45pm.

— FHS Baseball (@FHSCoachZBrown) April 21, 2018

Walpole 8, Franklin 3: @Franklin_Lax shut down by Rebels in Creators Crosse championship game via @Marisa_Ingemi https://t.co/KuQRscQF2d

— Daily News Sports (@MetroWestSports) April 22, 2018

FHS Panthers Softball Clinic Grades 5-8 - April 28

Saturday April 28th 2018 

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon 

Franklin High School Varsity Softball Field

$40.00 per player

Players will learn the fundamentals of Fastpitch Softball. Specific skills will be covered using a series of stations which the players will rotate between to insure age groups and skill levels are being maintained.

Stations include:
• Proper throwing and catching mechanics 
• Proper hitting mechanics 
• Overall fielding and base running

The lead instructor will be KATE FALLON-COMEAU, Franklin High School Softball Program Director and Head Coach of Franklin High Panthers Varsity Softball. Coach Fallon-Comeau was a four year starter at Curry College in both pitching and catching and was team captain her senior year. After coaching JV softball at Cardinal Spellman High School, she went on to be Varsity Coach of SE Regional Vocational High School.

Assistant coach Matt Connelly, along with the Varsity players will be on hand to assist in what should truly be an exciting three hours.

Please complete and mail the form below with payment by April 23rd 2018, to insure your softball player will be part of this event.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczcmRCX0FveDB6Ym1NSGpCQ1BzXzhkTFEtMmVj/view?usp=sharing

FHS Panthers

Lifelong Community Learning: Parent & Child Cooking Class

April 26 - Register Today

Lifelong Community Learning presents Parent & Child Cooking Night REGISTER $25 Thursday, April 26 6:30 to 9:00 pm Franklin High School 218 Oak Street, Franklin Join us for Parent/Child Cooking Night and learn some new cooking "together" skills while enjoying the fruits of your family labor.  Raviolis with a light sauce; a yummy tossed salad and homemade and frosted cupcakes.  Check out all of our Kids' Corner classes www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com LCL@franklinps.net     508-613-1480

FPS- Lifelong Community Learning, 218 Oak Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by lcl@franklinps.net in collaboration with Try it free today

MassBudget: The health effects of Paid Family and Medical Leave

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. April 19, 2018 The health effects of Paid Family and Medical Leave Health is influenced by a variety of factors, such as where people live, access to healthy foods, and affordability of health care. Policies that address a worker's ability to care for family members, like Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), also shape health outcomes. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center's new report, Time to Care:The Health Effects of Paid Family & Medical Leave, finds that PFML can have a range of effects on child health, parental health, and senior health. The report explores the different impacts PFML has on health outcomes, which include: Reducing negative effects that particular aspects of work have on pregnant women, many of which are associated with delivery complications. Benefits to children's and mothers' health through increased rates and duration of breastfeeding when mothers are able to take leave. More time for parents to bond with newborns, recover from childbirth, and take young children to the doctor. Improvement of mothers' mental health when they have access to job-protected, paid leave. More time for workers to care for elder relatives. 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

2nd Annual Earth Day Celebration at White Barn Farm - April 22

"Join us for our 2nd Annual Earth Day Celebration at White Barn Farm 

Learn, Create, Challenge Yourself, Get your Face Painted and Pet a Goat! 

Celebrate all of the magic that Mother Earth provides us, connect with your local producers and the community we have cultivated here on this tiny point on the planet! 

This IS a fundraiser (for the farm), so we will be selling tickets to participate in most activities (carnival style). The parking fee is $10 and includes 5 tickets. In honor of Earth Day, Walkers and Bikers get 5 FREE tickets! Otherwise, Activity Tickets are $2 each. Bring Cash! We can charge your credit card if you are buying $10 or more. 

Katy Riley, farmer at Treehouse Farms and talented artist, made our supercool poster:"

2nd Annual Earth Day Celebration at White Barn Farm - April 22

There is a long list of activities for Earth Fest, visit their page for details
http://whitebarnfarm.org/earthfest-2018