"a lack of electricity four days after"

In Franklin, about 1,300 people were still without power as of noon yesterday, which is down from about 4,200 on Tuesday. 

Franklin Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said National Grid told officials in a meeting on Tuesday that power was supposed to be restored at the Municipal Center yesterday by 11 a.m., but wasn't. 

"The only people that dropped the ball are National Grid," said Nutting, praising town public safety departments and the DPW for their work during and after the storm. 

"We still have about 1,300 folks out of power. If you're one of those 1,300, it's getting a little thin after three days." 

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x227166423/Many-still-without-power-across-region#ixzz1Wgy4h0dG

Updated Fiscal Fallout Report & Updated Budget Browser

Explore our onlinebudget database Is our research helpful to you? Support our work Contact Info   Noah Berger   President   nberger@massbudget.org   (617) 426-1228 x102 Updates to Fiscal Fallout Report and MassBudget Budget Browser August 31, 2011    MassBudget has published an updated report Fiscal Fallout: The Great Recession, Policy Choices, and State Budget Cuts 2009-2012 (updated), examining state budget cuts since the onset of the current economic downturn.  The report builds on our prior edition published in April (which included cuts up through the Governor's FY 2012 budget proposal) and compares changes in major categories of state spending between FY 2009 and FY 2012.  The full report is available here and at www.massbudget.org.      In addition, MassBudget's interactive Budget Browser has been updated to include the FY 2012 budget and updated inflation data.  The Browser allows you to see historic spending amounts and trends by budget category and subcategory when you Compare Past Year Budgets; you can Compare Current Budget Proposals and you can Compare Current vs. Past Budgets.  In addition, you can drill down further in your search by choosing Search Line Items & Categories to compare spending levels for a single line item or group of line items from FY 2001 to present.    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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YMCA - September Membership Promotion

The Hockomock Area YMCA announces their Fall Membership specials. Details are contained in the flyer here:


Flyer- Fall 2011 Promo


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

New partnership with Greater Boston Food Bank

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

New partnership with Greater Boston Food Bank provides a way to reduce ‘food insecurity’ for families in the area

via Commonwealth Conversations: Health and Human Services by Paulette Song on 8/29/11

By DTA Commissioner Julia Kehoe
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) is the first line of defense against hunger and currently serves one in eight Massachusetts residents .  But what happens to individuals and families who don't qualify for SNAP and are struggling to put food on their tables?  If a household's income is more than twice the federal poverty level (currently $22,350 per year for a family of four), they are not eligible for SNAP, but are likely in need of additional resources to make ends meet.  
I'm pleased to announce a new, innovative collaboration between the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) to distribute food to households who don't qualify for government benefits.
This exciting initiative involves two key components that are currently being piloted at our Dudley Square and Newmarket Square offices in Boston:

• First, DTA identifies households who are ineligible for SNAP but still at-risk of hunger.  We give them a voucher that allows them to pick up a box of produce and frozen meats at GBFB on designated distribution days.  These packages also include information about food pantries and community meal programs, food safety information, and recipes.

• Second, GBFB will supply boxes of dry, shelf-stable foods to create mini-pantries at DTA offices.  We will then provide these packages to SNAP applicants who have no other resources to tide them over until their benefits are approved.  We hope to have our mini-pantries up and running sometime this fall.

Our first food distribution day at GBFB was Saturday, August 20^th, and it was very successful.  Of the 25 families who were issued vouchers, 18 came to GBFB to pick up their food boxes.  Each family received 40 pounds of food including fruit, vegetables, milk, yogurt, frozen beef and chicken.  Families were encouraged to utilize the local food pantry network as a way to reduce their 'food insecurity,' or  inadequate food supply.   
DTA and GBFB will continue to evaluate this initiative and may expand it to include more DTA offices in the future.
The next food distribution day will take place on Saturday, September 10^th at the Greater Boston Food Bank. 

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In the News - schools, FSPA, FYHA

Franklin schools delayed until Sept. 6

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Staff reports

FSPA slates auditions for performing troupes

from Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

FYHA slates skating, hockey programs

from Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Beaver St Recycling Hours

Hello, this is Brutus Cantoreggi your director of Public Works calling with an important message about the leaf and brush drop offs and spoiled food drop offs at the Beaver St. recycling center. Do to the effects of Hurricane Irene, and to assist residents, the Beaver St Recycling Center will be open from 8AM to 6PM daily now through September 10th for leaf and brush drop offs except this Sunday. The Recycling Center will be closed all day this Sunday, Sept 3rd so we can grind the brush on site. The Recycling Center will reopen again on Labor Day Sept 4th at 8AM. A Beaver Street Recycling Sticker is required on all vehicles dropping of brush and leaves at the site. Stickers can be purchased at the Beaver St. recycling center. effective immediately, spoiled food can be dropped off in the designated dumpster at the Beaver Street Recycling Center. A sticker is not required for spoiled food drop offs. Further information can be found on the Town's website. Thank you for your patience and understanding. To listen to the above message, you will need audio software and speakers on your computer. 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. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform TOWN OF FRANKLIN either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 520-4938. THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS IS NOT MONITORED. Please do not reply to this e-mail as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

Franklin Public Schools: Opening Delayed until Sep 6

Due to the continued impact of the tropical storm that has left forty percent of Franklin residents without power, the school administration made the decision to defer the opening of school until September 6. Faculty and staff will report on Friday, September 2 for orientation. On September 6, each school will host Kindergarten orientation and all Kindergarten students will report to school on Wednesday September 7 at the regular time.

Additional information is contained in the following memo:

Franklin Public Schools- School Opening Postponed