Franklin Matters

Friday, April 11, 2014

MassBudget: Analyzing the House Ways and Means Budget for FY 2015

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MassBudget Analysis of the House Ways and Means Budget for FY 2015

Yesterday (Wednesday), the House Ways and Means Committee (HWM) presented its budget proposal for FY 2015. Our new Budget Monitor shows how this proposal would affect programs across state government, from health care and education to human services and the environment.

The HWM proposal does not include significant new revenue, meaning that proposed new investments are relatively modest. They include:

Higher education, where funding is increased roughly $60 million over last year and $8 million over the Governor's proposal.
Child welfare, where $8.4 million in additional funding is provided to hire additional social workers to begin to reduce caseloads to levels at which children and families could be better protected and supported.
Substance abuse and prevention and treatment, where funding is increased $6.3 million over last year and $3.6 million above the Governor's recommendation.

The budget also recommends a number of cuts to existing programs, including a $13.9 million reduction in funding for youth jobs programs.

Read our full Budget Monitor HERE.

The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER

15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700

BOSTON, MA 02108

Kick Off Event To Celebrate SNETT’s DCR Healthy Heart Trail

The Hockomock Area YMCA is proud to host a community event on Friday, April 25 for the Southern New England Trunkline Trail’s (SNETT) Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Healthy Heart Trail Kick Off.

FBRTC

The SNETT is one of the longest trails in southern Massachusetts, covers approximately 22 miles in length, and is almost entirely owned by the DCR. The trail begins in the Franklin State Forest on the east and extends to the Douglas State Forest on the west, and passing through the towns of Douglas, Uxbridge, Millville, Blackstone, Bellingham, and Franklin.

Hockomock YMCA

The trail is designated for use by pedestrians, equestrians or non-motorized vehicles and is being enhanced to improve walkability and increased recreational opportunities. DCR has designated trails statewide as Healthy Heart Trails, denoted by a green heart sign. These trails are typically around 1.5 miles in length and require an easy to moderate activity level.

The event will begin at 9:00am at the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Bernon Family Branch located at 45 Forge Hill Road in Franklin. Town officials, Friends of the SNETT, DCR officials, Franklin/Bellingham Rail Trail Association, many community leaders, and residents will be attending.

All community members are invited to attend. At 10:00am, attendees are invited to board a bus to travel to the SNETT for guided walks provided by the Franklin/Bellingham Rail Trail Association and Friends of the SNETT as well as participate in nature games with Hockomock Area YMCA staff. The event will conclude with a picnic lunch on the trail.

If you have event questions, contact Marissa Garofano, Director of Community Wellness for the Hockomock YMCA and at 508-772-1322 or marissag@hockymca.org.

Healthy Futures Franklin

About Healthy Futures Franklin, a Program of the Town of Franklin and the Hockomock Area YMCA Healthy Futures Franklin, a Mass in Motion initiative, works locally to increase opportunities for Franklin residents to eat better and move more in the places they live, learn, work, and play. Franklin is among 52 cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth that are part of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Mass in Motion Municipal Wellness and Leadership Program. Healthy Futures Franklin is working to support the implementation of Complete Street Policies, Safe Routes to School, Community Gardens, Safe Areas to Play and Be Active, and improving school nutrition initiatives that will make the healthy choice the easy choice for residents of Franklin. For more information on Healthy Futures Franklin, please visit www.healthyfuturesfranklin.org.

About The Hockomock Area YMCA The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. At the Y, strengthening community is its cause. Every day, the Y works side-by-side with its neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn and grow. For more information about the Hockomock Area YMCA, please visit www.hockymca.org.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

hydrant flushing - updated

The schedule of streets where the hydrant flushing will happen is being updated each day on the DPW page.

The Franklin Department of Public Works, Water Division will begin its hydrant flushing program on Monday, April 7, 2014. This program is conducted annually to improve Franklin’s water quality and fire flows. Some hydrants will be flushed in the evening hours, while others will be completed during the day. Hydrant flushing will continue depending on water availability and system pressures.

Residents may experience temporary water loss or discolored water while hydrants are being flushed in their area. Even though the water may be discolored, it is still safe for human consumption.

Check the DPW Home Page to find out which streets we are working on today.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and we apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the DPW office at 508-553-5500.

You can find the schedule here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_DPW/General_Pages/hydrant_flushing

hydrant flushing in action on Cottage St

The first notice of hydrant flushing was posted earlier this week
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/04/hydrant-flushing-begins-apr-7.html

Jazz time

The Franklin High School jazz musicians played their last performance in the Lecture Hall on Wednesday night. The three groups played well entertaining a devoted and appreciative group.

FHS jazz band

The program as presented last night:

Another way to capture the performance was with one of my "sherku" called FHS Jazz

lecture hallsetting forjive combotelling theirown high schoolexperience

You can find this and other poetry at
http://www.quietpoet.com/2014/04/sherku-fhs-jazz.html

FHS Girls Lacrosse 10-1 vs KP

Hockomock Sports reports on the FHS girls lacrosse result from Wednesday:

FHS Panthers

Franklin came within seven seconds of posting a shutout on Wednesday afternoon in a 10-1 victory at Kelley-Rex division rival King Philip. Julia Jette led the way with four goals as the Panthers scored seven goals in the second half to pull away.

“I think that our team expects a lot and we always want more,” said Franklin coach Kristin Igoe. “I think we had a little bit of jitters in the first half but I thought the ‘D’ played great and Alex made some big saves and they just didn’t score.”

You can read the full article here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2014/04/jette-scores-four-as-franklin-lax-dominates-warriors.html

Walking - Trees - part 2

While I shared several photos of trees from the walk last Saturday earlier this week, there are a few more from Sunday to share here.

It was much sunny on Sunday so the tree against the blue sky makes for a good view