or go directly to Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157665058649341/
For the commentary from the "reporting by walking around"
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/photos-from-walk-around-franklin.html
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Reporting by Walking Around - Feb 26, 2016
Photos from the walk around Franklin, MA on Saturday Feb 26, 2016
or go directly to Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157665058649341/
For the commentary from the "reporting by walking around"
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/photos-from-walk-around-franklin.html
or go directly to Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157665058649341/
For the commentary from the "reporting by walking around"
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/photos-from-walk-around-franklin.html
On this date: Mar 6, 2011: The week in Review
Yes, I did a weekly review for a period of time. The time I put into it didn't seem to be worth it in generating more readers or engagement so it came to an end.
As the Town gets more and more into timely publication of reports, presentations, agendas, and meeting minutes, then perhaps this is something to reconsider. Until then, the podcast will share key meetings or events.
FM #88 - Week ending 3/6/11
Lets take less than ten minutes to review what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends March 6, 2011.
Time: 6 minutes, 20 seconds
Time: 6 minutes, 20 seconds
For the full set of show notes
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/fm-88-week-ending-3611.html
 |
| On this date: Mar 6, 2011: The week in Review mentioned the Community Garden |
All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast - Mar 10
All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast
2nd Sunday of the month
Mar 10, Apr 14
7:30 - 11:00 AM
Pancakes - Scrambled Eggs - Sausage - Home Fries
(drinks are included)
Adults - $8 Kids (4 -12) - $4
(3 and under eat free)
FRANKLIN ROD and GUN CLUB
53 Florence Street
Franklin, MA 02038
Please visit www.franklinrodandgun.org for more info
Download a copy of the flyer here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zah6YdFe-IFngqZknj5OSdT7yKsjcUAP/view?usp=sharing
 |
| All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast - Jan 13 |
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Treasurer-Collector
Fiscal 2018 has been another very busy year in the Treasurer-Collector’s office. Jim Dacey retired after 18 years on the job and Kerri Bertone was appointed Treasurer-Collector in November 2017.
The fiscal year ended with higher investment interest rates (MMDT –1.75%). On the borrowing side, low rates had a positive effect. In April of 2018 we issued a 1 year Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) for $10,300,000 for Library planning and design. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC was the winning bidder on the BAN with a weighted average interest cost of .9852%. At the same time, we issued a General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 2018 Bonds (the “Bonds”) for $6,985,000 million for FHS construction and water infrastructure improvements. J.P. Morgan and Century Bank were the winning bidder with a weighted average interest cost of 1.8997%.
Prior to the sale, Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services, a municipal credit rating agency, affirmed the Town’s AA+ bond rating. They also assigned its 'SP-1+' short-term rating to Franklin’s series 2018 A and B general obligation (GO) bond anticipation notes (BANs), payable on May 17, 2019.
Standard and Poor’s stated “The stable outlook reflects what we view as the town's very strong liquidity position and strong budgetary flexibility. In addition, we believe Franklin's very strong economy and access to the Boston MSA lends stability to the town's tax base. Strong management, with “good” financial policies and practices under our Financial Management Assessment (FMA) mythology.
During FY 2018, $133,000.00 was collected in back property taxes, interest and fees. Ten property owners paid off all outstanding taxes and redeemed their properties out of tax title. We continue to pursue delinquent taxes through the foreclosure process and there are currently 17 properties in Land Court. Since 2001 we have foreclosed on 70 properties. Some properties will eventually be auctioned off and the rest will remain as town property.
There were 877 Municipal Lien Certificates issued by the Treasurer-Collector’s office generating revenue of $43,850.00. Also collected was $4,421.51 in fees for duplicate bills and files that we supplied to tax services and escrow agents. During FY18, the Treasurer-Collector’s office printed and mailed 40,947 Real Estate Tax bills, 2,094 Personal Property Tax bills, 33,535 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax bills, and 41,441 Utility bills.
The following Demands were also printed and mailed, 483 Real Estate Tax, 95 Personal Property Tax, and 4,103 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. There were 2,480 Motor Vehicle warrants issued in FY18. There were 4 Betterment releases (water, sewer and road) generating revenue of $120. We also collected $104,500 for backflow testing and $65,700 for Sprinkler/Hydrant charges. The Treasurer also acts as the town’s parking clerk. Our deputy collector, Kelley & Ryan Associates of Hopedale, handles the billing and collection of parking tickets. During FY18 we collected $33,928 for parking violations.
I would like to thank all town departments for the timely and accurate turnover of fees to the Treasurer-Collector’s office. I also would like to acknowledge my team, I appreciate the efforts of each one of you in the past year. I am grateful for all of you. I would like to congratulate Jim Dacey on his richly deserved retirement. Thank you Jim, for your many years of great leadership. Everyone agrees, that you possess a rare combination of vision, fairness and understanding, crucial qualities for an effective Treasurer-Collector. Your career will be a model to follow.
Finally, I like to thank the citizens of Franklin for their continued support.
Respectfully submitted,
Kerri A. Bertone
Treasurer-Collector
You can read the full Annual Report for 2018 online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_town_report.pdf
The archive of prior year annual reports
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports
The fiscal year ended with higher investment interest rates (MMDT –1.75%). On the borrowing side, low rates had a positive effect. In April of 2018 we issued a 1 year Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) for $10,300,000 for Library planning and design. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC was the winning bidder on the BAN with a weighted average interest cost of .9852%. At the same time, we issued a General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 2018 Bonds (the “Bonds”) for $6,985,000 million for FHS construction and water infrastructure improvements. J.P. Morgan and Century Bank were the winning bidder with a weighted average interest cost of 1.8997%.
Prior to the sale, Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services, a municipal credit rating agency, affirmed the Town’s AA+ bond rating. They also assigned its 'SP-1+' short-term rating to Franklin’s series 2018 A and B general obligation (GO) bond anticipation notes (BANs), payable on May 17, 2019.
Standard and Poor’s stated “The stable outlook reflects what we view as the town's very strong liquidity position and strong budgetary flexibility. In addition, we believe Franklin's very strong economy and access to the Boston MSA lends stability to the town's tax base. Strong management, with “good” financial policies and practices under our Financial Management Assessment (FMA) mythology.
During FY 2018, $133,000.00 was collected in back property taxes, interest and fees. Ten property owners paid off all outstanding taxes and redeemed their properties out of tax title. We continue to pursue delinquent taxes through the foreclosure process and there are currently 17 properties in Land Court. Since 2001 we have foreclosed on 70 properties. Some properties will eventually be auctioned off and the rest will remain as town property.
There were 877 Municipal Lien Certificates issued by the Treasurer-Collector’s office generating revenue of $43,850.00. Also collected was $4,421.51 in fees for duplicate bills and files that we supplied to tax services and escrow agents. During FY18, the Treasurer-Collector’s office printed and mailed 40,947 Real Estate Tax bills, 2,094 Personal Property Tax bills, 33,535 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax bills, and 41,441 Utility bills.
The following Demands were also printed and mailed, 483 Real Estate Tax, 95 Personal Property Tax, and 4,103 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. There were 2,480 Motor Vehicle warrants issued in FY18. There were 4 Betterment releases (water, sewer and road) generating revenue of $120. We also collected $104,500 for backflow testing and $65,700 for Sprinkler/Hydrant charges. The Treasurer also acts as the town’s parking clerk. Our deputy collector, Kelley & Ryan Associates of Hopedale, handles the billing and collection of parking tickets. During FY18 we collected $33,928 for parking violations.
I would like to thank all town departments for the timely and accurate turnover of fees to the Treasurer-Collector’s office. I also would like to acknowledge my team, I appreciate the efforts of each one of you in the past year. I am grateful for all of you. I would like to congratulate Jim Dacey on his richly deserved retirement. Thank you Jim, for your many years of great leadership. Everyone agrees, that you possess a rare combination of vision, fairness and understanding, crucial qualities for an effective Treasurer-Collector. Your career will be a model to follow.
Finally, I like to thank the citizens of Franklin for their continued support.
Respectfully submitted,
Kerri A. Bertone
Treasurer-Collector
You can read the full Annual Report for 2018 online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_town_report.pdf
The archive of prior year annual reports
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports
 |
| Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Treasurer-Collector |
The Last Tour of the old Franklin High School - 2014
photos from the last tour of the old Franklin High School on June 21, 2014
or go directly to Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157645999514842/
or go directly to Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157645999514842/
On this date: Mar 5, 2010: The Franklin Area Bus
Stepping back into the archives for March 5, 2010 we find that the Town of Franklin had just put out a survey to improve the Franklin Area Bus service provided by GATRA.
Did you know Franklin had a bus service? GATRA or the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transportation Authority provides the service for $1.50.
(The survey links are not working today so no need to try them.)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/03/what-do-you-think-about-franklin-area.html
You can find a map of the current bus route, schedule and fares on the GATRA page (link below). It is also linked to from the Franklin web page under the "Meet Me in Franklin" section
http://www.gatra.org/index.php/routes/bellingham-franklin/franklin-area-bus/
Did you know Franklin had a bus service? GATRA or the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transportation Authority provides the service for $1.50.
"Franklin has issued a survey and is looking for your feedback on the Franklin Area Bus service, also know as GATRA.
The bus has been running the same route for two years, and the town wants to improve that route if necessary."
(The survey links are not working today so no need to try them.)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/03/what-do-you-think-about-franklin-area.html
You can find a map of the current bus route, schedule and fares on the GATRA page (link below). It is also linked to from the Franklin web page under the "Meet Me in Franklin" section
http://www.gatra.org/index.php/routes/bellingham-franklin/franklin-area-bus/
 |
| On this date: Mar 5, 2010: The Franklin Area Bus |
 |
| GATRA bus on the Franklin route |
FPAC presents Seussical - March 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17
The Franklin Performing Arts Company, THE BLACK BOX’s resident theater company, continues their 2018-2019 season with Seussical, running March 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17.
Seussical is perfect for the whole family! Tony winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Lucky Stiff, My Favorite Year, Once on This Island, Ragtime), have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination – Jojo. The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.
The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many "thinks." Horton faces a double challenge: not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.
Get your tickets online
https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1194
Seussical is perfect for the whole family! Tony winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Lucky Stiff, My Favorite Year, Once on This Island, Ragtime), have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination – Jojo. The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.
The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many "thinks." Horton faces a double challenge: not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.
Get your tickets online
https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1194
 |
| FPAC presents Seussical - March 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17 |
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