"The future poses some thorny issues"

The "recent' audit is actually an annual event for Franklin. This year was an achievement in that the audit results were the best of the past several years.

A recent audit of the town has found its finances “solid and well-managed,” while drawing attention to a multimillion-dollar post-employment benefits liability still looming over every budget. 

Melanson & Heath, a New Hampshire-based accounting and tax firm, presented information from its audit to the Town Council this week. The firm gave Franklin an unqualified opinion, meaning it believes the town’s financial statements are sound and free from any material misstatements. 

Karen Snow, an accountant with Melanson & Heath, highlighted the town’s upgraded bond rating, which improved last year from AA to AA+. 

“Part of the reason (Standard & Poor’s) upgraded that is because they feel you have a nice solid fund balance and you don’t have any plans to spend that fund balance down,” Snow explained.

Continue reading the MDN article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150403/NEWS/150408041/1994/NEWS

Franklin Municipal Building

My reporting on the audit results can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/this-purple-heart-community-received.html

The 2014 audit results can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/what-is-public-need.html

The 2013 audit results can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/02/town-council-020613.html

Spring Cleanup - Apr 11th - Parmenter School

The 5th Grade at Parmenter School will be doing a Spring Cleanup on Saturday, Apr 11th. 

Get your car washed, drop off those bottles/cans, any used books or clothing - they'll take 'em!. 

Spring Cleaning 5th Grade Fund raiser - Parmenter School - Apr 11 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Register Today, Save $5 and Receive an Official Race Shirt!

This race is located in Andover and for a good cause. If you don't know Colleen's story you can find out about it here.

#StepUp4Colleen - May 3, 2015 30 days from today thousands will participate in the second annual Step Up for Colleen 5k Walk/Run. Are you ready to Step Up for Colleen? If you have not yet registered, please sign up today to take advantage of pre-race registration savings. Also, the first 3,000 registrants will receive a Badger C2 performance T-shirt. This year's course is pending certification by USA Track and Field and will follow the pulse start model. Whether you are an experienced runner, a walker, or just a family gathering together for a good cause, everyone is welcome. All participants will wear a bib number with an electronically-readable chip and prizes will be awarded to the first three male and female finishers. Register today and save $5! Registration is $30 through Sunday, April 19th and will increase to $35 after the 19th.   Register today and share why you are stepping up. See some of the hundreds of reasons on the right hand side of this email. If you have already registered, thank you! We look forward to seeing you amongst the sea of pink on Sunday, May 3rd. Please remember to share on Facebook and Twitter the graphic (below) you received in your thank you e-mail and encourage friends and family to join you in Stepping Up for Colleen. We look forward to seeing you on May 3rd and again, thank you for Stepping Up for Colleen! Sincerely, The Ritzer Family and Step Up for Colleen Race Committee Proceeds from the event will support the Step Up for Colleen Fund at the Essex County Community Foundation which benefits the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Fund provides college scholarships to high school graduates who pursue education as a college major and reflect Colleen's values. We look forward to seeing you on May 3rd and thank you for Stepping Up for Colleen! Some Reasons Why People are Stepping Up for Colleen I want to Step Up For Colleen because I want to honor my teacher who not only helped me love math but who taught me what being good and kind to people is all about. I'm stepping up for Ms. Ritzer because I've learned that teachers don't just teach they change lives. She changed all of our lives and it's time to give back to her. Ms. Ritzer was an engaging and dynamic teacher!  She made every student feel special.  Her memory should be remembered and celebrated! I am very grateful for Colleen's impact as my child's teacher. Step Up for Colleen | www.stepupforcolleen.com Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.

Forward this email Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Scholarship | P.O. Box 1269 | Andover | MA | 01810

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 4/3/15 - THU 4/9/15

FRI 4/3   10:30am-12pm   Egg Hunt at the Franklin Public Library (Children’s Section)
FRI 4/3   6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at the Franklin Art Center
FRI 4/3   8-9:50pm   Frozen Friday DJ Public Skate at Pirelli Arena

SAT 4/4   10:30am   Family Story Time at the Franklin Public Library
SAT 4/4   2-3:30pm   Kids Yoga and Meet and Greet Jeff Kinney (ages 6 and up, registration required) - Franklin YMCA
SAT 4/4   2:30-4pm   Kids Yoga and Meet and Greet Jeff Kinney (ages 6 and up, registration required) - Franklin YMCA
SAT 4/4  3-4:30pm   Kids Yoga and Meet and Greet Jeff Kinney (ages 6 and up, registration required) - Franklin YMCA

WED 4/8   12-2pm   Adult Painting at Franklin Art Center
WED 2/8   6-9pm   FEF 18th Annual Trivia Bee at Horace Mann Middle School. Live Music by Franklin HS Jazz Band. NEW THIS YEAR - Middle School Trivia Bee (6-7pm)!
WED 4/8   7-8pm   Create and Manage Gmail Account Hands On Workshop, Franklin Public Library, registration required.

THU 4/9   7pm   Small Business Co-Op Meeting at The Cake Bar - public welcome

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

#shopFranklin - The Curry House - Mon/Tue in April

The Curry House is offering the first #shopFranklin customer special!

Every Monday and Tuesday in April, you will receive 1/2 off your second entree (the lesser priced) when you dine in and show the attached image.

#shopFranklin - The Curry House

#shopFranklin is the 'accidental' effort being fostered by Sarah Mabardy. You can find the #shopFranklin group on Facebook here. 

Be sure to read and follow the guidelines:

This group was formed in response to our desire to help support and promote our local, independently owned and operated businesses in Franklin and create a community where we respect and support our neighbors. 

All area residents and small businesses are welcome to join and post on the page according to the mission of supporting Franklin’s independently owned businesses.

Franklin Police: Change to Driving Law

HEADLIGHTS ON FOR SAFETY 

Mass General Law Ch. 85 sec 15 

1. Motorists will be required to turn on headlights and taillights whenever the windshield wipers are on. 

2. Motorists will be required to turn on headlights and taillights when visibility is reduced so that persons or vehicles are not visible at 500 feet due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions - Law will take effect April 7, 2015.

Franklin Police Station, Panther Way

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Egg Hunt at the Franklin LIbrary - 10:30 AM

Looking for something to do with the little ones this morning? How about the egg hunt at the Library? Starting at 10:30 and running until noon, there will be crafts and the egg hunt of course!

egg hunt at the Franklin Library

This was shared from the Franklin Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/03/egg-hunt-crafts.html