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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108
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Wednesday, January 4, 2012
New MassBudget Report: The State of Working Massachusetts
"We outgrew our space"
A Hopkinton manufacturer of storage systems for life sciences and laboratory companies is constructing a new 51,000-square-foot facility in Franklin, where it expects to house 55 jobs and add more in the coming years.
Hamilton Storage Technologies recently received approval from the state for a tax increment financing plan, or TIF, worth $190,000 that the Town of Franklin had previously approved in September.
The company expects to spend $16 million to construct the facility on Forge Parkway.
Read more in the remainder of the column in the Worcester Business Journal
This is a follow up to the news and transactions around the Town Council approval for Hamilton Storage Technology
MBTA: Fare and Service Proposals, Public Outreach
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 1/3/12
MassDOT today released proposed fare increase and service reduction plans for the MBTA aimed at closing a projected $161 million budget gap for fiscal year 2013.Earlier estimates projected the gap would total approximately $185 million for FY13. The MBTA has taken aggressive steps to reduce that deficit: reducing energy purchase costs, planned introduction of single person train operation on the Red Line, encouraging MBTA employees to enroll in more affordable health insurance plans and other operating and administrative efficiencies. However, growing debt service costs associated with capital projects, significant increases in maintenance costs for an aging fleet and higher costs for the RIDE mean additional solutions are necessary.
The proposed fare increases and service reductions released today are aimed at closing the FY13 deficit.
"While the MBTA continues to identify and adopt strict measures to close the budget gap, less costly ways of doing business and additional revenue-generating measures are necessary," said MassDOT Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard Davey. "I am confident with the public's involvement in this process we can review the study, propose recommendations, and together generate new revenue to continue the progress the MBTA has made in serving its customers."
In order to fully engage transit users in the process, the MBTA will host more than 20 public hearings over the next several months. A final fare increase and service reduction recommendation will be made to the MBTA's Board of Directors this Spring and changes will be implemented on July 1, 2012.
In addition to rising operating costs, annual revenues continue to be insufficient to fund the system. Sales tax revenue allocated to the MBTA has increased by only 0.08% annually since fiscal year 2001, resulting in growing budget gaps since the orginal projections were made with the expectation of forward funding. While the MBTA was a beneficiary of the 2009 sales tax increase, the annual growth in sales tax revenues is not enough to address continuing increases in the cost of service on all modes.
"With MBTA ridership at record levels, the demand for the services we deliver is unquestionable," said Acting MBTA General Manager Jonathan Davis. "I look forward to an open and transparent public process that will lead to recommendations on how we can continue to satisfy demand while addressing the T's financial crisis."
As only one of two transit properties in North America that has not raised fares over the last five years, the MBTA has worked hard to identify ways to save money and reduce costs, while improving customer service. From investments in accessibility improvements to use of modern technology to improved transparency, the MBTA is committed to responding to the needs of its customers.
The Fare Increase and Service Reductions Study will be available on Wednesday, January 4 at www.mbta.com.
The MBTA's public outreach process begins immediately with the acceptance of public comment through March 1, 2012 electronically at mbta.com, by email at fareproposal@mbta.com, via mail to MBTA, Ten Park Plaza, Boston, Ma 02116, Attention: Fare Proposal Committee, and by phone at 617-222-3200/ TTY (617) 222-5146. 20 Public meetings including one hearing will be held beginning January 17 through March 6. A complete list of meetings times and locations is now available at www.mbta.com.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
"Sign, sign, everywhere a sign"
"Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?"http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/five_man_electrical_band/signs.html
One proposed by-law change starting to work through the process this week will affect what we see all around Franklin. The Planning and Community Development Dept has already reworked the regulations and updated the definitions to help the discussions around what it will mean.
The Town Council will refer it to the Planning Board where they will review, take input during a public hearing and after making potential adjustments send it back to the Town Council. Back at the Town Council, there will be two readings (and associated discussions) before it is voted on.
The section from the Town Council agenda highlighting changes:
Changes from Previous Bylaw
Enforcement and Pre-existing Signs
The proposed Sign Bylaw now clearly defines the Building Commissioner as the entity who will
permit all signs, oversee installation, ensure compliance and remove non-compliant signs,
regulate their maintenance, and initiate penalties. Pre-existing signs are grandfathered unless
they were being displayed in violation of the existing Sign Bylaw. Pre-existing signs will remain
as such until a new sign is displayed or any modification to the existing signage is made, then it
must conform to the new Sign Bylaw.
The proposed Bylaw also addresses many issues that the previous Bylaw left unaddressed.
One such issue the Bylaw now clearly defines is the role and responsibilities of the Design
Review Commission. In addition, the proposed Sign Bylaw now address a more defined
process for appeal of Design Review Commission decisions or appeals of a decision issued by
the Building Commissioner.
Temporary Signs
The current Sign Bylaw addresses several types of temporary signs and the extent to which
they are allowed. The proposed Bylaw clearly prohibits most temporary signs except real estate signs, political signs and non-profits if displayed in Municipal sign displays located throughout the Town. New business owners would be permitted to display one temporary sign for up to 30 days during the opening of the business.
Where did those lyrics come from? Enjoy!
The proposed bylaw can be found on beginning on page 10 of the document here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/011812.pdf
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 4, 2012
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
- Master Plan Committee
David Dobrzynski
Christine Apicella
Gregory Rondeau
Norm Ristaino
amended during meeting to add Gene Grella and Nathan Carlucci
It was also noted that Steve Whalen resigned from this group
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-01: Acceptance of Gift – Red Brick School
2. Resolution 12-02: Acceptance of Gift – Council on Aging
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 11-666: Amendment to Chapter 185-5, Zoning Map, Biotechnology Uses Overlay Zoning District –
2nd Reading
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
Wadsworth Diary: Jan 3, 1892
Very pleasant & quite warm, ground & pond clear of frost.My cold or grip is about the same. I do my chores & not much more. E. Simonds here.
In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale.
From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html
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