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Thursday, October 29, 2020
How You Can Protect Yourself from Hackers and Scammers
Voices of Franklin: Barry Kassler responds to James Gianotti Jr on the Community Preservation Act
First, Mr. Gianotti is right when he says that these are difficult times. What he may not be aware of is that many CPA communities have used their CPA funds to create emergency housing assistance programs for people in their communities who have lost jobs due to the pandemic. That would not have been possible without the CPA.
Mr. Gianotti states that the CPA would cost Franklin residents “thousands of dollars” each. That’s off by a factor of at least ten. The average homeowner in Franklin would pay $105 per year, or $26 per quarter. There is nothing “hidden” here. It will appear on tax bills on its own line, beginning next year. Residents who are low-income, or who are moderate-income seniors, can apply for an exemption from the CPA tax.
Mr. Gianotti states that those of us who support Question 3 “consistently rely on the most optimistic estimate of how much funding the state will chip in. …This is probably going to be way off.” In reality, the estimates of CPA revenue from the state have been conservative, and are realistic. State CPA funding depends on money collected at the Registry of Deeds, and collections for this year have been consistent with pre-pandemic levels.
The CPA is a perfect way for a community to maintain and improve the quality of life for all of its residents. Franklin is losing out on state funding which only goes to CPA communities. We already pay into that fund, but get nothing back. That will change when Franklin adopts the CPA. Many of our neighboring towns have already done so, including Wrentham, Medway, Millis, Norfolk and Mendon. In fact, over half of all Massachusetts cities and towns are now CPA communities.
I urge you to vote to adopt the CPA in Franklin by voting Yes on Question 3.
Barry Kassler
Franklin
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html
Voices of Franklin: James Gianotti Jr - "Just say NO to Question 3"
Who would honestly ask for more taxes in the middle of a pandemic?
Your Franklin's governing body would. It’s much more than just not right its downright shameful to be asking citizens at this time for more money. We all know someone in your family or your friends that are going through what might be the toughest times of their lives and having big challenges with their day-to-day bills. Massachusetts has the highest unemployment in the country and businesses are closing every day. What’s even worse there is no end in sight.
With that I am opposing the CPA for a few reasons. Remember, the CPA can only fund four kinds of things - historic preservation, affordable housing, open space, and parks and recreation projects. These are all nice to have, but we need to focus on our MUST have list right now – namely schools, police, and fire departments and have compassion for our fellow citizens who don’t know when their next paycheck is coming, Lets also not forget, in addition, to talk about an override vote “soon” to raise town taxes, we are also facing increases to water and sewer costs and a completely new tax (cleverly described as a utility) to fund federally mandated stormwater treatment and mitigation – expected to total something like $50 million dollars over the next several years.
CPA is about “pet projects” not these critical projects that we absolutely must do.
In addition, CPA proponents consistently rely on the most optimistic estimate of how much funding the state will chip in. Given the condition of the state’s budget and the state, this is probably going to be way off.
So, if we pass CPA, we will be stuck with an additional burden, one that will hit many people when they can least afford it. Consider the example of a couple where both wage earners have been laid off. Maybe they need to downsize and hope the equity they have achieved in their home over the last few years will help them through. Guess what? That’s when CPA will hit them, to the tune of thousands of dollars! That’s what’s called a hidden tax. You vote for it because it won’t affect you right away, but when it does, it’s a big hit!
Our town is economically diverse. While there may be some families that can easily afford CPA, for most, it could be devastating. Above all, 2020 is not the year to be gold plating town spending and hitting those who can least afford it.
I ask you all to have some compassion for those currently and those that will be fighting for their American Dream during the pandemic.
Just say NO to Question 3
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Community Preservation Act (CPA) For Franklin Discussion - 10/22/20 (audio)
FM #374 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 374 in the series.
This session shares the conversation about the Community Preservation Act. The conversation was conducted on Thursday, Oct 22, 2020 via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
The voices you will hear in order of appearance will be that of mine, Monique Doyle, Roberta Trahan, and Susan Speers.
The show notes contain links to the Community Preservation Act webpage and other social media links.
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Community Preservation Act web page https://www.cpaforfranklin.org/
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/cpaforfranklin
Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/cpa_for_franklin/
Twitter account https://twitter.com/cpa_franklin
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
- If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
- If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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| Community Preservation Act (CPA) For Franklin Discussion - 10/22/20 (audio) |
Franklin School Committee - Workshop - Oct 28 - 6:00 PM
Franklin School Committee
October 28, 2020
6:00-7:00 P.M.
- Call to Order
- DLI Demonstration -- Teaching and Learning in Remote/Hybrid Environment
- Adjournment
DLI - digital learning integrationist. These are the new roles added to the school department to assist with the remote and hybrid learning during this pandemic.
Franklin School Committee: DT Facility Analysis Subcommittee - Oct 29
Franklin Public Schools
Franklin School Committee
DT Facility Analysis Subcommittee
DATE: 10/29/2020 TIME: 6:00-7:00
Approval of past minutes (9/30/20)
Discussion:
○ Planning for Community Info Session #2
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| DT Facility Analysis Subcommittee - Oct 29 |
FHS field hockey and both cross country teams top Mansfield on Tuesday
Via HockomockSports.com, we share the fall sports results for Franklin High School on Tuesday, Oct 27.
Girls Cross-Country = Franklin, 29 @ Mansfield, 30 – Final
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| FHS field hockey and both cross country teams top Mansfield on Tuesday |