Franklin Matters

Friday, December 2, 2011

Santa's arrival (photo slideshow)

I missed the tree lighting ceremony at Dean College but did manage to make it around to most of the Holiday Stroll on Thursday evening. As I made the rounds however, it was too dark to take good photos. I do have additional photos from Santa's arrival on the Town Common on Sunday to share:

Enjoy!

12 Days of Donating to Benefit Franklin Food Pantry

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

12 Days of Donating to Benefit Franklin Food Pantry

via Berry Insurance Blog by berryinsurance on 12/1/11

Franklin businesses will be collecting canned goods for the Franklin Food Pantry for twelve days, from December 1^st to the 12^th as part of their "1,200 pounds of food and $1,200 in 12 days" campaign. Be sure to take part in this "12 Days of Donating" to help the Pantry support those in need this holiday season. Be sure to stop into any of these local spots listed below, anytime until the 12th, with canned goods or donations, and show your support for the community.

Franklin Downtown Partnership – 9 East Central Street
Jane's Frames – 11 East Central Street
Printsmart Office Supplies – 20 East Central Street
Berry Insurance – 9 Main Street
Dean Bank – 21 Main Street
Dean College at the Campus Center

For more information about the "12 Days of Donating" campaign contact Franklin Downtown Partnership at (774) 571-3109 or at downtown.Franklin@yahoo.com.
For more information about this topic, or to get some answers about your current insurance situation, please visit our virtual insurance agency at www.berryinsurance.com, stop by one of our two locations, or give us a call at (800) 941-3317.
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"this gets people thinking"

The Holiday Stroll, hosted by the Franklin Downtown Partnership, is meant to draw people through downtown and reacquaint residents with the businesses there on a more personal level.

"It gives people a chance to talk to local store owners and business owners," said Lisa Piana, executive director of the partnership. "A lot of times people find out about new businesses downtown because they're taking the time to stroll downtown, instead of doing their errands."

The stroll began with a ceremonial lighting of a large tree on the Dean College campus. Businesses nearby set up indoor and outdoor craft stations for children. They could, for example, decorate gingerbread cookies outside Dean Bank or make snowman ornaments in the Franklin Art Center.

In the News - veterans benefits, adult education

Returning Mass. soldiers may receive more benefits

by Staff reports

Franklin Adult Education offering new classes

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

"Your local tax dollar is spent in your town"

The tax rate was raised from $12.95 per $1,000 of property value to $13.73 per $1,000, in part because of dropping home values. Towns often respond to declining property values by raising rates to at least maintain revenue totals.

"Rates go up when the value of the town goes down because the value of the town needs to stay the same," said Councilor Glenn Jones, admitting that the explanation is basic and simplistic.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/business/x46240157/Residential-commercial-taxes-rising-in-Franklin#ixzz1fHHdtjPM

The live reporting from the Town Council meeting Weds, Nov 30 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/town-council-113011.html

Additional information on the tax rate can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/fm-101-tax-rate-info.html

Taking a LEAP! (video)

I met Steve Farber earlier this year and received an advance copy of this book. I don't have it anymore as it went to someone who really wanted to read it. Now with the official version available, I can get a new copy for myself. And help him with this new out reach effort!

"Do what you love in the service of people who love what you do" - Steve Farber