Franklin Matters

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Matt Cutts - Try something new for 30 days

Is there something you've always meant to do, wanted to do, but just ... haven't? Matt Cutts suggests: Try it for 30 days. This short, lighthearted talk offers a neat way to think about setting and achieving goals. In less than 4 minutes, you can get started on your next 30 days!

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Saturday, July 2, 2011

Preliminary Analysis: Conference Committee Fiscal Year 2012 Budget

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Noah Berger

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nberger@massbudget.org

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Preliminary Analysis:

Conference Committee Fiscal Year 2012 Budget

July 1, 2011

On the first day of the new fiscal year, the Legislature today approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 budget.

Like the House and Senate budgets, the version crafted by the conference committee relies primarily on cuts and savings to close a $1.9 billion budget gap. It also relies on some temporary revenues including approximately $200 million from the state's rainy day fund.

This Preliminary Analysis describes major items of difference between the House and Senate budget proposals and how they were resolved. It also reviews funding levels for major items in the budget where the House and Senate had not disagreed, and provides information about revenue issues in the budget.

The Governor now has ten days to sign the budget and veto provisions or funding levels with which he disagrees. The legislature will then have the opportunity to override any of those vetoes with a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate

The report 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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'simple, non-crucial maintenance that is great to have done"

Roughly 80 teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18 went to nine different places to paint, rake, mulch and pick up litter.

The conference, which ran from Thursday until today, brought together 11 wards of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Catherine Thacker, co-organizer and Franklin Stake Young Women's president, was one of 25 adults overseeing the "Forever Strong" conference.

"We want to teach our youth to reach out into the community, to learn that they can make a difference," Thacker said.

Friday, July 1, 2011

New paving downtown

Took a quick run (yes, literally) downtown to go to ATM at the bank and along the way found that the paving work on Dean St had progressed. This work is funded as part of the PWED Project.

I also happened to notice that Main St had a new coating of blacktop. This should make some folks happy as it was quite bumpy down that way due to the work on the other Downtown Improvement Project with separate funding.

As I understood the time line on this project, additional work will be done next year and this is only a temporary coating. I wonder who is paying for this temporary coating?

I would have thought it would be better to leave it with as many bumps in the road as there were folks let go over the past several years to serve as a reminder. Continuing to "find" money to cover some bumps like this does not help solve the real structural fiscal issues Franklin faces.

Slick Back Swagger at Cole's Tavern

Slick Back Swagger played a benefit concert at Cole's Tavern last night for the Franklin Food Pantry. One of our 'roving reporters' sent along this photo to share:

Thanks, Amy!

"Drive Smart and Save"

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

"Drive Smart and Save"

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 6/30/11

The Patrick-Murray Administration today announced a new online resource that can help Massachusetts residents and visitors to save money on gas and travel. The "Drive Smart and Save" program offers tips for cost-friendly driving techniques that can save travelers money on fuel expenses, improve fuel economy by up to 33 percent, and help reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

"Drive Smart and Save" supports GreenDOT, a comprehensive environmental responsibility and sustainability initiative of MassDOT. "Drive Smart and Save" tips include:
•    Drive Less -- When your travel plans allow, try taking public transportation, walking, biking, or carpooling.
•    Set It at 60 -- Drive the posted speed limit, or even a bit less on the highway, to see increased fuel economy. Fuel consumption increases about 5 percent for every five miles per hour driven above 60 mph. And use your cruise control – keeping a steady speed will also save fuel.
•    Easy on the Pedals -- Avoid fast starts and hard stops to decrease fuel use. Travelers should join FAST LANE prior to hitting the roads this summer to avoid traffic at the tolls – this can save lots of time, as well as fuel.
•    Turn It Off -- Shut off your engine when you are stopped. Idling wastes gas and is bad for the environment.
•    Click the Cap - Make sure your gas cap is tight to prevent fuel evaporation and to improve air quality.
•    Check the Pressure - Proper tire pressure is safer, extends tire life, and can provide up to 3% mpg benefit per tank of fuel. Check your tire pressure monthly, and pump your tires up to the recommended level (which can usually be found on the sticker in your driver's door frame).
Additional ideas for fuel savings can be found at: www.mass.gov/massdot/drivesmart

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Thursday, June 30, 2011

"that line is drawn at two miles"

The fee is for students who live less than two miles from school, under the assumption that the child could walk to school.

School administrators said this week the changes are the result of upgrades to maps used to organize bus routes.

Students in kindergarten through sixth grade who live more than two miles from school can take the bus for free. Other students must pay $325 to ride the bus. There is a family cap of $975.

That policy has not changed, but the updated maps show more details, allowing administrators to more accurately determine where a student's home is and how far it is from school.