"pleased with the level of communication and transparency"

The Milford Daily News reported on the Town Council Budget hearing on Wednesday:

“Overall, the budget is only up about 2 percent. … It’s a pretty modest budget. We still are near the bottom in all spending categories for towns our size,” Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said. 

Unfunded health insurance liability, stormwater management and roads are potential fiscal hardships for 2014, Nutting said. 

School Committee Chairwoman Paula Mullen presented her committee’s proposed $52.7 million budget, up from about $51.1 million this year. 

Mullen said Chapter 70 funding, or state aid for schools, is expected to be $26.86 million, which will cover 51 percent of the budget.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1347547568/Franklin-Town-Council-approves-budget-in-first-hearing#ixzz1vmQyukYL

Related post on the Franklin budget hearing process
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/franklin-ma-fy-2013-budget-hearings.html

HMEA is Finalist in nationwide contest in the Toyota 100 Cars for Good program

Help HMEA win a new Toyota! The car will be used by our programs and individuals with disabilities to deliver meals on wheels to the elderly, shut ins and veterans in 25 Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities. Currently we deliver 140,000 meals on wheels per year. 


On May 29th vote for HMEA. Click the #1 link below (they are certified safe) to remind yourself to vote - you will receive an email reminder and then click the #2 link to "Join the Cause" created on Facebook. From there you can invite up to 25 friends to join the cause and also vote on May 29th. 


Spread the word – please.

1. https://apps.facebook.com/carsforgood

2. http://www.causes.com/causes/766610-vote-for-hmea-on-may-29th-in-the-toyota-100-cars-for-good-program

A little about the Toyota 100 Cars for Good Program

In a nationwide written essay and video contest to see how a charity would use a new Toyota of their choice, Toyota chose 500 finalists. On each of 100 days starting May 16th, Toyota has selected 5 charities to see who can garner the most votes on their https://apps.facebook.com/carsforgood page to win the Toyota!!

Our date is Tuesday May 29^th

Vote for HMEA on Tuesday May 29^th.    

Thank you

Doug MacPherson

VP, Development and Public Relations

(508) 298-1105

For more information on HMEA and the services it provides visit http://hmea.org/

Trout Derby in Franklin

The Franklin Rod & Gun club will be holding its annual Trout Derby on Saturday, June 2, 2012.  June 2 & 3^rd is  Massachusetts's No-Fishing License-Required weekend.  This is a great opportunity to introduce the family to fishing and the great outdoors.  For those who do not have a fishing rod, the Franklin Rod & Gun Club will have fishing gear on hand  to lend out complete with rod real tackle and bait.  If you do have a fishing rod, please bring it as supplies are limited.  Our anglers will be on hand to help those new to fishing get started.  Raffle and prizes a great time for the whole family.  Bring your lucky hat and come on down and enjoy one of Franklin best fishing spots, Uncas Pond.  Uncas Pond is stocked with trout twice a year. 

The cost to enter the trout derby is $10 for adults and $5 for 12 years old and under. 

Time. Saturday June 2, 2012 from 6:30AM to 3:00PM.   Location: Franklin Rod & Gun Club, 51 Florence St Franklin, MA.  Breakfast and lunch available.  Visit www.franklinrodandgun.org  

In the News - holdup, drunk driving, hearing postponed

Franklin teen charged in holdup

by Jessica Trufant/Daily News staff

Cops: Franklin driver hit pedestrian while drunk

by Jessica Trufant/Daily News staff

Hearing postponed for Franklin teen accused of videotaping punch

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Memorial Day Murph!!!!

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

CROSSFIT FRANKLIN MAY, 28, 2012 Greetings! Join us at CrossFit Franklin on Memorial Day  to pay tribute to one of our fallen heroes,  Lt. Michael Murphy, Navy Seal. This workout is one small way we can remember his sacrifice for us all.  All athletes, friends, family and veterans are welcome to workout here at CFF .  There are no main classes this day. We  will assemble for Murph at 10 am, Monday morning and begin the workout shortly after.  Please be here to support this great day.  Thanks Murph! you'll be in our hearts. The Coaches at CrossFit Franklin                                                                                 THE MURPH!!  This event is open to ALL people!!  You do not need to be a  CrossFit Franklin Member.  Come challenge yourself and have some fun!!  1 mile run  100 pull ups  200 push-ups  300 squats  1 mile run

Forward this email This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by tricia@teamfitnessfranklin.com |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Team Fitness Franklin | 100 Franklin Village Drive | Franklin | MA | 02038

Holiday Weekend: Travel Safely

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Holiday Weekend: Travel Safely

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 5/21/12

MassDOT encourages travelers to plan ahead and travel safely during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.  The heaviest traffic is expected Thursday, Friday, and Monday afternoons and early evenings.  Drivers are encouraged to make travel plans accordingly and if possible avoid peak traffic volumes between 1pm and 7pm on those days.

Traffic is especially heavy at the I-84 interchange at Exit 9 in Sturbridge on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and at Exit 11A, I-495, which handles cars headed south to Cape Cod and north to New Hampshire and Maine.

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers reports it has completed current work and all lanes on the Sagamore Bridge are now open through the Memorial Day weekend.  The Corps says all lanes will remain open through Labor Day, with the exception of one or two work setups during weekdays only later in the summer.

MassDOT will suspend all construction work on major arterial roadways from 12:00PM Noon on Friday, May 25 through the start of normal business on Tuesday, May 29.

Use MassDOT traffic resources available to assist motorists.  Before you travel, check the interactive live Traffic Cameras web page to view current traffic.

Sign up at the 511 Traveler Information Service to receive personalized travel information alerts via email, text or telephone. MassDOT as always reminds drivers to avoid using cell phones while driving.  Call into the 511 service before departing.

A reminder that the Massachusetts Safe Driving Law bans texting while driving and cell phone use while driving by 16 and 17 year old drivers.  Drivers are reminded to travel safely and avoid distracted driving such as using cell phones.   

To save time, money and gas, motorists who have not yet done so are encouraged to join E-ZPass (FAST LANE) to avoid waiting in line at cash toll booths.

Free coffee will be served at the 18 MassDOT service plazas from 10 pm Monday night through 5 am Tuesday morning.
The MBTA will operate buses and subways on a Sunday schedule on Memorial Day.

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

Election 2012: Jeff Roy Launches Campaign

Over 100 people gathered at the Franklin Elks on Tuesday to help Jeff Roy launch his campaign for the 10th Norfolk District. Chris Feeley, Paul Ravich, and Michael Doherty spoke in turn to introduce Jeff and provide some context for their support of Jeff in this effort.

Jeff talked of his year studying law at DePaul University in Chicago and how the "ticket to getting home was working hard". Each of the introductions also referenced Jeff's hard work in multiple areas.

He told the story of a college visit with one of his daughters and being stopped by a statue on one campus that was engraved "What are you doing for justice?" His work on this campaign will be to help answer that question. A recent speech provides a more complete version of the story and its impact.

Sparked by the loss of a couple of friends to cancer, he turned to the PanMass Challenge as "a way to channel those feelings, that energy, to do something good to fight cancer."

Jeff went on to highlight the three areas of focus for his campaign: jobs and the economy, quality education, and bringing civility back to government. He called for those gathered to "come together, work together to bring about a better life for us in MA."

For more about Jeff Roy and his campaign you can visit his website http://jeffreyroy.com/ or his Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/jeffroyforstaterep


Note: this is not an endorsement of Jeff. As a reporter, I am looking to share accurate information for my fellow voters to create an informed decision for the 10th Norfolk district primary on Sep 6 and election on Nov 8.  As I have offered to candidates in prior Franklin elections, I will offer also to the candidates for the 10th Norfolk, the opportunity to have a full interview published here. As the campaign season progresses, I'll remind the candidates of the offer.