MassBudget: Analyzing the FY 2015 Budget for MassHealth and Health Reform Programs

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Analyzing the FY 2015 Budget for MassHealth and Health Reform Programs A new budget brief, The Fiscal Year 2015 Budget for MassHealth and Health Reform Programs, summarizes the Fiscal Year 2015 budget, which covers the first full year of implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act. This year's budget includes $14.7 billion in funding for MassHealth (Medicaid) and other subsidized health coverage programs, yet more than half of this funding will be reimbursed by the federal government. This brief is one in a series of budget briefs focused on MassHealth and Health Reform Programs produced by the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute in partnership with the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute. Click HERE to read the brief.  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

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Franklin Library: Doggie Tales returns Sep 17th

Improve your reading skills and make a new friends by reading aloud to a therapy dog. Young readers (grades 2 and up) may sign up for a 15 minute slot at the Library Circulation desk.

doggie tales returns to the Library Sep 17th

This was shared from the Franklin Library webpage here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/09/doggie-tales.html

The complete listing of programs for September can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Library/ChildrensPrograms2014Final.pdf

Panthers win Field Hockey and Volleyball matches

Field Hockey

Foxboro, 1 @ Franklin, 2 - Final - Franklin sophomore Alex Sullivan scored with two seconds left off a corner by junior captain Taylor Reutlinger. Reutlinger scored Franklin's first goal on an assist from sophomore Dana Lewandowski. Samantha Jones made three saves in net while Emily Jeffries and Maddie Bressler also played well for the Panthers.

FHS Panthers

Volleyball

Foxboro, 0 @ Franklin, 3 - Final

The results were shared from the Hockomock Sports posting here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-090814

La Cantina Wine School

On my walk Sunday, I found that the recent work setting up the small office space on Union St was not going to be a campaign office. The sign proudly announces the home of La Cantina Wine School.

La Cantina Wine School

There was an article last year by the Milford Daily News about La Cantina.

Did you know Franklin has a school that teaches you how to make wine in the Italian tradition? This article in the Milford Daily News introduces us to Bob Vozzella and La Cantina Wine School.

On Saturday, Professore di Vino Vozzella, as he has taken to calling himself, taught a group of students how to press the grapes, which had fermented a couple of weeks within special tubs. The wine would be a zinfandel.  

Wearing black T-shirts with the words "Crush Crew," they were scooping the rich violet grapes into the press. The work left their hands covered in the same color.  

Robert Alario, one of the pupils, enrolled at Vozzella’s school to relive some of his childhood. "I use to make wine with my father," the 59-year-old Fitchburg resident said. "This brings back incredibly fond memories."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1868850256/Franklin-man-uncorks-wine-school#ixzz2hh0inIaS  (subscription may be required)

Last year's posting to Franklin Matters appeared here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/part-of-italian-tradition.html


You can find out more about the wine making school by visiting their webpage
http://lacantinawineschool.com/

Walking around Franklin

Out walking this weekend, I find the stone walls and site preparations are still underway at the entrance to Chestnut Ridge.

stone wall at entrance to Chestnut Ridge

If you missed what is going in at this location, it is a "congregate assisted living facility".
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/whats-going-in-at-rockpile.html



The signs are in place for the new location of the Franklin Art Center

Franklin Art Center

They moved effective Sep 1 from the Berry Building downtown to this location next to the Municipal Building (near the Alumni Restaurant, across from the Big Y).
http://franklinartcenter.com/

In the News: election prep, candidate endorsements, new high school gym

With less than 48 hours to go before polls open on Tuesday for the primary election, candidates from all races were travelling across the state to meet with voters on Sunday. Their mission was the same: to spread the word. 

Democratic gubernatorial candidates Don Berwick, Martha Coakley and Steve Grossman were attending rallies, stopping by farmers markets and catching the Patriots game with voters. 

“Our biggest focus right now is getting out the vote,” said Patrick Sheridan-Rossi, field director for the Berwick campaign.

Continue reading the Milford Daily News article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140908/NEWS/140907361/1994/NEWS

election day sign on the railroad bridge downtown Franklin

The editorial board of the MetroWest Daily News and the Milford Daily News have made their endorsements for Tuesday’s primary elections. Their recommendations include Don Berwick, Charlie Baker, Steve Kerrigan, Maura Healey, Tom Conroy and Michael Sullivan.

Continue reading the Milford Daily News to read the individual endorsements for each candidate
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140907/NEWS/140907414

the gymnasium section in the front of the new FHS

Demolition of the old Franklin High School was not only the end of an era for the town's schools, but also for the town clerk's office - with the old field house went the town's long-time voting venue. 

Voting will now take place in the new Franklin High School next door, but with parking still under construction, Town Clerk Debbie Pellegri has had to do some careful staging to ensure a smooth voting process at Tuesday's primary. 

"We're going to have a policeman directing people into a certain parking lot at the new high school," Pellegri said. "And there's going to be all new signage to direct people to the parking lot."

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140908/NEWS/140907367

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Sep 9, .2014

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

AGENDA

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

Franklin Public Schools - 'the key to learning'

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the August 26, 2014 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget to Actual

2. Guests/Presentations

a. Lifelong Learning – Pandora Carlucci

3. Discussion Only Items

none

4. Action Items

a. I recommend donation of a set of cheerleading floor mats (valued at approximately $1,000.00) to Franklin Pop Warner program.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $250.00 from Fidelity Charitable for supplies at ECDC.
c. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $323.04 from Wells Fargo Community Support for in-house enrichment at Franklin High School.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $300.00 from Jefferson PCC for in-house enrichment at Jefferson Elementary School.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business

To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session

Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn