Franklin Matters

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Franklin men's group hosts program about Fenway

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin VFW to celebrate 75 years

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

"I think for the VFW to succeed we're going to have to take in new members," said member Howard Crawford, 87, who served in the U.S. Army in World War II and Korea. He said he is confident soldiers from the Gulf War and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan will become active as they get older.

"When people are returning from war (today), they are consumed with their family and want nothing to do with us. They just want to forget it."

Franklin, MA

Friday, March 11, 2011

Reach Out for Youth and Families

The Bernon Family Branch of the Hockomock Area YMCA will be holding a fund raising event at 3 Restaurant on March 22, 2011.

Reach Out for Youth and Families

Details can be found in the flyer below. Please RSVP by March 15, 2011.

YMCA Invitation

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.

Franklin, MA

In the News - unpaid taxes, Trivia Bee

Franklin seeks unpaid taxes

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Franklin trivia bee raises funds, and provides fun

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

Thursday, March 10, 2011

There are folks who complain about the money Franklin spends. This form will enable those Franklin residents identify an item where the expense is questioned.

You ask the question. I'll facilitate to get an answer.
(The collection of questions and answers can be found here)

This should at least get the discussion respectfully focused on facts and details.

The 2010 Annual Report can be found here (PDF)

Other reference links for the FY 2012 Budget can be found here

Franklin, MA

Attention: knitters, crocheters, weavers, spinners, dyers, and anyone curious about fiber crafts

For the fiber crafters amongst us, a good event this weekend at MIT.

FiberCamp Boston is a PodCamp like community un-conference for fiber craft enthusiasts including knitters, crocheters, weavers, spinners, dyers, and anyone curious about fiber crafts. Fibercamp is based on the fact that everyone has something to share and teach. Connect with the community by sharing your passion.

More about FiberCamp on their website

You can register via Eventbrite here

The FiberCamp blog with information from last year's event can be found here

Franklin, MA

"It's misinformation that makes barriers to good decisions"

"There are very well-educated, insightful people who say I don't have enough information, so I'm always going to vote no," Chairman Doug Hardesty said. "To me if we can define what the questions are that will really provide a roadmap ... I think Franklin will be better off because you will have a bigger group of people more confident about decision they will make."

In 2009, the committee, which was then composed of members of the Town Council, School Committee and Finance Committee, produced a 45-page report that explained how the town was facing a structural budget deficit where annual revenue growth was less than what was required to maintain town services. They projected that, through 2014, expenses would grow faster than revenue by $7 million to $10 million.

The following year, voters rejected a $3 million property tax override.

Graydon Smith, one of the seven residents who comprise this year's committee, noted many residents may assume the town has direct control over costs such as pensions and benefits provided to part-time employees. Instead, those are mostly determined at the state level and are difficult to change.

Read more: Franklin financial planners at work again

My notes from the meeting can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/live-reporting-long-range-financial.html

Franklin, MA

Facts At A Glance: Impact of Proposed Federal Budget Cuts on Massachusetts' Residents

Explore our online
budget database

Is our research helpful to you? Support our work

Contact Info

Noah Berger

President

nberger@massbudget.org

(617) 426-1228 x102

Tom Benner

Communications Director
tbenner@massbudget.org
(617) 426-1228 x100

Facts At A Glance:

Impact of Proposed Federal Budget Cuts on Massachusetts' Residents

March 9, 2011

Proposed legislation (H.R. 1) that funds the federal government through the final six months of Fiscal Year 2011 cuts funding for non-security discretionary programs by $66 billion, or an average of 14.3 percent.

Economists warn that these reductions in federal spending, including grants to states, could increase unemployment and weaken the national economy in the short-term. They will also significantly decrease funding for programs that invest in our state's long-term economic health and in the well-being of our residents.

Facts At A Glance: Impact of Proposed Federal Budget Cuts on Massachusetts' Residents provides a brief description of how some of these cuts could affect Massachusetts residents.

The fact sheet is available at www.massbudget.org or by clicking here.

See MassBudget's Budget Browser to explore Massachusetts state budgets from Fiscal Year 2001 to the present, as well as budget proposals for the next fiscal year as they are offered by the Governor and the Legislature.

MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies, as well as economic issues, with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.

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