Live reporting: Tax Classification Hearing

6. HEARINGS
Franklin Tax Classification Hearing
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/12-4-19_memo_tax_rate_hearing.pdf


Chris Sandini, Kevin Doyle, Chris Feeley

factor of 1 = uniform rate across the property classes

no land classified as open space per State Land use 

calculated increase of approx $178 for avg residence with reduction in rate of 15 cents from prior year

new growth of $127M for this tax year
almost 2.5% growth (which helps establish the tax base)

Chandler - clarification questions on exemptions and forms
to be found on the Board of Assessors page
https://www.franklinma.gov/board-assessors

Jones - impressed with the 5B valuation of the Town
For the single tax rate

Bissanti - I don't remember addressing a dual tax rate
C Feeley - about 14 years ago there was a Councilor who did propose a dual tax rate; it was not passed

Pellegri - do we know if we have everyone who would be eligible?
Doyle - we did a mailing some years ago, that didn't urn up much; we work closely with the Senior Center and Veterans Agent to ensure we cover all we hear of; we work with Karen Alves to prepare a summary flyer

Hellen - we'll coordinate an update and social media blast to make sure folks are aware of it

Dellorco - once applied do they need to re-apply?
Feeley - re-apply yes, but once they have, we notify them of what they need to do

Mercer - I support the single tax rate, one of our strengths in attracting business

hearing closed

moving to first of the four resolutions


10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-80: Tax Classification Residential Factor (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-80 - Majority Vote (5))

motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-81: Tax Classification - Open Space Exemption (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-81 - Majority Vote (5))
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-82: Tax Classification Small Business Exemption (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-82 - Majority Vote (5))
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-83: Tax Classification Residential Property Exemption (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-83 - Majority Vote (5))

motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

( 2 min recess )
short break to allow for signature of the docs as approved

Live reporting: Town Council - Dec 4, 2019

Present: Chandler, Hamblen, Pellegri, Dellorco, Mercer, Jones, Earls, Bissanti
Absent: Kelly


1. ANNOUNCEMENTS

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

Harry Cochran, 30 Spring St
last 900 feet still dirt, trying to get pavement after 47 years
street needs finishing, 16 space parking lot apparently being put in for trail use


3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- None

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
- None

5. APPOINTMENTS
- None

Franklin Public Schools: Annual Winter Art Showcase opens Dec 4 at 4:30 PM

The Franklin Public Schools (FPS) Annual Winter Art Showcase is set to open Wednesday evening, Dec 4! Selected works for across the District will be on view in the FHS Community Lobby from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. 

Work will remain up through Dec. 10

FPS Annual Winter Art Showcase opens Dec 4 at 4:30 PM

This was shared from the Franklin Public Schools Art Dept Twitter account
https://twitter.com/FranklinPSart/status/1202020745301430273

Dean College's annual Holiday Tree Lighting - Dec 5

Celebrate the season at Dean College's annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 4 PM to 5 PM! 

Enjoy free hot chocolate and special appearances by Santa and Boomer.

Dean College's annual Holiday Tree Lighting - Dec 5

This was shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership twitter account
https://twitter.com/FranklinDowntwn/status/1201890148952223745 
 
For more holiday happenings, check the listing
https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2019/11/holiday-happenings-in-franklin.html

#DeanCollege
#treelighting
#fdp
#tofranklinma

FHS' Lewandowski, Rondeau, Ledwith, Bell named as 2019 Hockomock League Field Hockey All Stars

HockomockSports.com has announced the official 2019 Hockomock League Field Hockey All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.

Hockomock League MVP

• Anna Beck, Attleboro

Hockomock League All Stars

• Amanda Lewandowski, Franklin
• Olivia Rondeau, Franklin
• Maeve Ledwith, Franklin
• Stephanie Bell, Franklin

For the complete listing
https://hockomocksports.com/2019-hockomock-league-field-hockey-all-stars/ 

FHS' Lewandowski, Rondeau, Ledwith, Bell named as 2019 Hockomock League Field Hockey All Stars

  

MassBudget: Businesses Avoid $1.4 Billion in 2019 Tax Amid Decades-Long Decline in Corporate Income Tax Share

New MassBudget Report Analyzes the State of Corporate Taxes in the Commonwealth

Businesses Avoid $1.4 Billion in 2019 Tax Amid Decades-Long Decline in Corporate Income Tax Share Despite rising corporate profits, taxes on those profits deliver smaller share of MA tax total Over the past 40 years, revenue collected from corporate excise and related taxes has dropped by a third as a percentage of total state tax revenue in Massachusetts, according to the latest report from the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget). At the same time, the report finds, corporations across the nation are claiming an ever-growing share of all the income generated in the U.S. According to the report, Rising Profits, Falling Tax Shares: Fixing What's Broken, multiple factors have contributed to the long-term decline in the share of state taxes provided by corporate income taxes. The tax rate on most corporate income in Massachusetts was reduced from 9.5 percent to 8 percent between 2009 and 2012. Growth in the number and cost of state special business tax breaks also has played a role, as have increasingly aggressive tax avoidance efforts by corporations. Key report findings include:  During the last decade, Massachusetts corporate income and related taxes delivered an average of 10.6 percent of total state tax collections, compared to an average of 16 percent in the 1980s; Businesses would have contributed another $1.4 billion in taxes to the Commonwealth in FY 2019 had Massachusetts' corporate excise tax collections remained at the share of total taxes they provided throughout the 1980s (about 16 percent of the total); Massachusetts corporations are seeing a reduction in their annual federal tax bills of around $4 billion due to the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act;  Massachusetts is in the bottom fifth of all states in terms of the share of total state and local taxes paid by businesses "At a time when profits are soaring, taxes on those profits should not be delivering a smaller slice of our total tax pie. Kids, commuters and communities across the state need profitable corporations doing business here in Massachusetts to step up and do more, not less," said Marie-Frances Rivera, President of MassBudget. Interested in learning about state-level policy options that would help restore the share of state taxes collected through taxing corporate income? Read the full Rising Profits, Falling Tax Shares report, click here.   http://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=Rising%20Profits%20Falling%20Tax%20Shares.html Other reports from our series on corporate taxes have been flagged on our website here.  http://massbudget.org/taxes.php 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 1 STATE STREET, SUITE 1250 BOSTON, MA 02109

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 1 State Street, Suite 1250, Boston, MA 02109 Sent by kwise@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

Register O'Donnell Reminds Residents About Toys for Tots Drive

Press Release - Register O'Donnell Reminds Residents About Toys for Tots Drive

Dedham, MA - Register O'Donnell noted, "This is the 14th year the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has been proud to sponsor its U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots drive. The response we have had to the drive year after year tells me that the true spirit of the holidays is based on giving. We have witnessed firsthand the many acts of kindness and Christmas spirit as numerous people, ranging from Registry employees, title examiners, attorneys and the general public, have dropped off toys for those less fortunate." This year marks the 72nd anniversary of Toys for Tots. The program was established in 1947 when the wife of a Marine major wanted to donate a Raggedy Ann doll for Christmas, but couldn't find an organization to take it. "Since that time 566 million gifts have been donated including 18 million toys last year," noted the Register. The Toys for Tots program operates in 800 cities and towns throughout all 50 states. The Toys for Tots drives annually has 40,000 people involved in the drive, ranging from Marines to volunteers. Donations of unwrapped new toys and games can be brought directly to the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds building located at 649 High St. in Dedham Center from now until Noon, on Wednesday, December 11, 2019. A marked donation bin will be set-up in the lobby which is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 4:30pm. Register O'Donnell concluded "We all have the power to make Christmas something special. Giving to the Toys for Tots truly represents the best of the holiday season." To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, "like" us on facebook.com/norfolkdeeds, follow us on twitter and instagram @norfolkdeeds. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St., Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org. 2019 Annual Toys for Tots Drive This year's drive is on-going and will end next Wednesday, December 11th at noon time.  Please consider dropping a toy off in the Toys for Tots box in the Registry's Main Lobby, thank you! email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org phone: 781-461-6116 web: https://www.norfolkdeeds.org

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831 Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!