Whalen, Nutting, Bartlett
Time: 5 minutes, 36 seconds
MP3 File
Monday, December 3, 2007
Franklin Center Commons
on a dreary slushy day, a photo from the sunshine on Saturday.
This is a good idea to let folks know how much is open and operating in the new building for those heading West on 140 coming into Franklin.
The way the sign is angled it does not help those heading East.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Franklin in the news
Cookie monsters invade Franklin church
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Questioning tax share for businesses
By Alexandra Perloe - Globe Correspondent / December 2, 2007
Franklin officials have again entered the perennial debate on whether to continue taxing residential and commercial properties at the same rate, or convert to a dual, or split-rate, system.
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| Shelf space was in short supply yesterday morning in the Franklin United Methodist Church's kitchen. By 10 a.m. rows of cookies had already filled several baking sheets, their smell noticeable moments after walking in the church's side door. |
Chambers seek energy consultants to aid businesses
| Several area chambers of commerce, concerned about volatile utility prices' impact on their members, are working with energy consultants to help local businesses control their costs. |
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'Friends' help Franklin Senior Center get underway
| Inside the game room of the town's new senior center, a donated pool table is already well on its way to bringing in more men to the community facility. |
Franklin artist helps reproduce historical town painting
| When the Historical Commission needed help restoring Admiral Louis Emil Denfeld’s portrait, it not only sought out a professional artist, but also a “townie.” |
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Questioning tax share for businesses
By Alexandra Perloe - Globe Correspondent / December 2, 2007
Franklin officials have again entered the perennial debate on whether to continue taxing residential and commercial properties at the same rate, or convert to a dual, or split-rate, system.
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Where in Franklin? #21
Where in Franklin? - Answer #20
"mns-franklin" provided the correct answer. This is the building located at the corner of King/Chestnut and 140 next to DeVita's Market.
Currently owned by the town and up for sale, the Four Corners building has generated some discussion during the run up to the election.
We came to Franklin in 1995 and I recall it being office space then. I recall buying flowers from the florist whose building (now torn down) was tucked tigthly along and angled lot in back of this building.
When did the Four Corners building end being a school? Sometime in the 1980's?
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Chris Lavery gets recognized for good work
While recognizing the need for safeguards in the post-9/11 era, Lavery believes immigration law does need to be reformed.
"It can be incredibly draconian," Lavery said of U.S. immigration law. "There are laws in place that kind of curl your toes."
For example, he said, the law requires the detention of anyone with "even a minor offense," such as violating a visa. It can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months to resolve such cases, Lavery said, and in the meantime the aliens are kept in corrections facilities along with people who have been tried and convicted of various crimes.
If an alien in detention gives up on becoming a U.S. citizen, Lavery said, even then it can take six to eight weeks before they are released to return to their countries of origin.
"There needs to be reform. The immigrant population here is just burgeoning," Lavery said. "It's about time we give them some kind of fair avenue to legalize their status here."
Read the full article by Heather McCarron in the Milford Daily News about the recognition Chris is receiving as a recipient of the Solas Appreciation Award.
Congratulations, Chris. Keep up the good work!The drinking problem amongst our youth
Michael Morton writes on the report presented at the School Committee meeting this week that
Read the full article here.
Note: I do have the recorded presentation from the School Committee meeting in queue to post. You will be able to hear that important information for yourself.
This is an issue where Franklin can take control of it and put their own resources to use to make some real substantial progress. This is not just a school issue, this is a community issue.Nearly half of town high school students participating in a health survey said they had drank alcohol recently, according to results released this week, with the rate exceeding the average regional consumption.The survey, funded by the MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation and conducted last spring by the nonprofit Education Development Center, found that 48 percent of the 1,350 Franklin high school students who took part in the survey said they drank within the last month. That figure was higher than the 42 percent average for the 18 MetroWest and Milford area communities that participated, but the same as the statewide rate.
"Every community is surprised it's that high," said Michele Kingsland-Smith, Franklin's director of instructional services. "If it were 35 (percent), it'd still be too high."
The survey's topics included alcohol, drug and tobacco use; violent behavior; suicide; and sexual behavior among middle school and high school students. While regional averages were released last month, Franklin unveiled its results during a School Committee meeting Tuesday, with a number of categories showing a continued downward trend.
Read the full article here.
Note: I do have the recorded presentation from the School Committee meeting in queue to post. You will be able to hear that important information for yourself.
Historical Commission Statement
Bob Percy, representing the Historical Commission read the prepared statement advocating to use the old Town Hall as the new lcation of the museum.
Time: 6 minutes, 30 seconds
MP3 File
Note: I did not hear the representative identify himself, nor did I catch anyone refer to him by name. If anyone can identify the individual, I will update this with his name.
Updated 12/3/07: As noted in the comment from Susan Spears, she had correctly identified Bob Percy as the representative. I did get an email from Bob to confirm as well.
Time: 6 minutes, 30 seconds
MP3 File
Note: I did not hear the representative identify himself, nor did I catch anyone refer to him by name. If anyone can identify the individual, I will update this with his name.
Updated 12/3/07: As noted in the comment from Susan Spears, she had correctly identified Bob Percy as the representative. I did get an email from Bob to confirm as well.
Reapplication of Hotel Tax
Jeff Nutting proposes to reapply the hotel tax receipts for the next tax year to fund repairs to the old Town Hall and to the Library instead of continuing to build the open space fund
Time: 3 minutes, 40 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 3 minutes, 40 seconds
MP3 File
Tax Hearing Citizens Comment 7
Dave Collier (?) comments. He his holding the microphone and not always talking into it so it makes this one hard to hear. J Nutting, S Zollo, S Whalen also speak during this time.
Time: 4 minutes, 4 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 4 minutes, 4 seconds
MP3 File
Friday, November 30, 2007
Franklin in the news
From the Milford Daily News:
The Charter Commission recommendations are reported on here
Hotel tax revenue vote from Wednesday's Town Council meeting
From the Franklin Gazette:
The school deficit covered temporarily
Taxes to rise, no surprise since the override passed
The Charter Commission recommendations are reported on here
Hotel tax revenue vote from Wednesday's Town Council meeting
From the Franklin Gazette:
The school deficit covered temporarily
Taxes to rise, no surprise since the override passed
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Michael LeBlanc's assessment analysis workbook
During the Town Council meeting 11/28/07, Michael LeBlanc handed out to the Town Council and those in attendance a couple of sheets with his analysis of the tax assessments on commercial/industrial versus residential properties.
The papers that he handed out came from the two pages in the workbook now posted online and available here.
Michael, thank you for sharing this work!
The papers that he handed out came from the two pages in the workbook now posted online and available here.
Michael, thank you for sharing this work!
Tax Hearing Q&A - 11
Councilor McGann asks what is the distribution of split vs. single tax rates in MA
Time: 1 minute, 0 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 1 minute, 0 seconds
MP3 File
Tax Hearing Q&A - 5
Councilor Zollo starts getting to the real question, Kevin Doyle sorta answers it, Dibaggis chimes in
Time: 6 minutes, 14 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 6 minutes, 14 seconds
MP3 File
Town Council Meeting 11/28/07 Summary
In chronological order of the meeting itself, my live postings with the audio sections and the newspaper coverage that corresponds.
Board of Assessors presentation (audio)
Questions on senior participation in deferments (Pfeffer, McGann) (audio)
Mason's question on single rate rationale (audio)
Doak's initial questions (audio)
McGann's question on split tax rate scenarios (audio)
Zollo gets to the point (audio)
This is a deceptive piece of information (Pfeffer)
This is deceptive (Pfeffer) (audio)
Chairman Feeley has his turn (audio)
Can you recast this spreadsheet? (Whalen)
Nutting's proposal on determining the assessed vs. sale valuations
Can you recast this spreadsheet? (Whalen) (audio)
Councilor Vallee clarifies the potential tax rates (audio)
Councilor Doak clarifies 2007 sales and assessment valuations (audio)
Councilor McGann asks what is the distribution of split vs. single tax rates in MA (audio)
LeBlanc's presentation on the assessed valuations
LeBlanc's handouts (two spreadsheets)
Michael Leblanc's analysis of the assessment issue (audio)
Doak follow up question for LeBlanc (audio)
Zollo statement on assessment problem (audio)
Whalen statement on assessment problem (audio)
Franklin needs to be competitive with India as well as Indiana (M Doherty)
M Doherty comment (audio)
T Fleming comment (audio)
D Collier (?) comment (audio)
caution you to use the information he has provided carefully
K Norman comment (audio)
J Curran comment (audio)
Jeff Nutting reviews the proposal for the Town Council to change the allocation of the Hotel Tax
Jeff Nutting (audio)
Historical Commission representative reads statement (audio)
Whalen, Nutting, Bartlett (audio)
McGann, Nutting, Roche (audio)
Doak, Zollo, Roche (audio)
Pfeffer (audio)
Susan Spears (audio)
Dave Collier (?) (audio)
Michael LeBlanc, Lisa Piana, Carol Harpin (audio)
McGann, Nutting, Roche (audio)
Zollo (audio)
Jane Curran, Eileen Mason, Lynn Narron (audio)
Motion to allocate the Hotel/Motel Tax per Nutting recommendation to next agenda
Doak, Bartlett, Nutting, Feeley, McGann and vote (audio)
Deficit in FY 09 will be far greater than FY 08 per Nutting (audio)
Motion to balance the discovered discrepancy in the School budget for FY 07 with transfer of $590,000 from stabilization
Milford Daily News coverage
Board of Assessors presentation (audio)
Questions on senior participation in deferments (Pfeffer, McGann) (audio)
Mason's question on single rate rationale (audio)
Doak's initial questions (audio)
McGann's question on split tax rate scenarios (audio)
Zollo gets to the point (audio)
This is a deceptive piece of information (Pfeffer)
This is deceptive (Pfeffer) (audio)
Chairman Feeley has his turn (audio)
Can you recast this spreadsheet? (Whalen)
Nutting's proposal on determining the assessed vs. sale valuations
Can you recast this spreadsheet? (Whalen) (audio)
Councilor Vallee clarifies the potential tax rates (audio)
Councilor Doak clarifies 2007 sales and assessment valuations (audio)
Councilor McGann asks what is the distribution of split vs. single tax rates in MA (audio)
LeBlanc's presentation on the assessed valuations
LeBlanc's handouts (two spreadsheets)
Michael Leblanc's analysis of the assessment issue (audio)
Doak follow up question for LeBlanc (audio)
Zollo statement on assessment problem (audio)
Whalen statement on assessment problem (audio)
Franklin needs to be competitive with India as well as Indiana (M Doherty)
M Doherty comment (audio)
T Fleming comment (audio)
D Collier (?) comment (audio)
caution you to use the information he has provided carefully
K Norman comment (audio)
J Curran comment (audio)
Jeff Nutting reviews the proposal for the Town Council to change the allocation of the Hotel Tax
Jeff Nutting (audio)
Historical Commission representative reads statement (audio)
Whalen, Nutting, Bartlett (audio)
McGann, Nutting, Roche (audio)
Doak, Zollo, Roche (audio)
Pfeffer (audio)
Susan Spears (audio)
Dave Collier (?) (audio)
Michael LeBlanc, Lisa Piana, Carol Harpin (audio)
McGann, Nutting, Roche (audio)
Zollo (audio)
Jane Curran, Eileen Mason, Lynn Narron (audio)
Motion to allocate the Hotel/Motel Tax per Nutting recommendation to next agenda
Doak, Bartlett, Nutting, Feeley, McGann and vote (audio)
Deficit in FY 09 will be far greater than FY 08 per Nutting (audio)
Motion to balance the discovered discrepancy in the School budget for FY 07 with transfer of $590,000 from stabilization
Milford Daily News coverage
Tax Hearing Q&A - 2
Councilor Mason's question on the reasoning for the single tax rate and not the split tax rate. DiBaggis and Norman reply.
Time: 4 minutes, 6 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 4 minutes, 6 seconds
MP3 File
credibility of the town's government had once again taken a hit
From Michael Morton's article in the Milford Daily News:
Read the full article here recapping the Town Council meeting of 11/28/07.
Faced with a recently discovered $590,000 school funding gap, councilors voted last night to plug the hole with money from the town's savings account.
Although the Finance Committee recommended that the schools be held accountable by giving up $290,000 from their budget, and taking $300,000 from the fiscal stabilization fund, the council decided that it did not yet have enough information to assign responsibility.
Read the full article here recapping the Town Council meeting of 11/28/07.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tax Hearing Q&A
Councilors Pfeffer and McGann with their initial questions on how many seniors apply for deferments for tax relief.
Time: 2 minutes, 14 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 2 minutes, 14 seconds
MP3 File
live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07
Motion to balance the discovered discrepancy in the School budget for FY 07 with transfer of $590,000 from stabilization.
The auditors are scheduled to come to the Town Council at a future meeting to address the problem and make recommendations.
Role call -> 9-0 motion passed
The auditors are scheduled to come to the Town Council at a future meeting to address the problem and make recommendations.
Role call -> 9-0 motion passed
Live blogging -Town Council meeting 11/28/07
Deficit in FY 09 will be far greater than FY 08 per Nutting.
Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07
Motion to allocate the Hotel/Motel Tax per Nutting recommendation to next agenda.
Passed 7-2.
Passed 7-2.
Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07
Citizens comment
Michael LeBlanc
place holder for recorded comment
Michael LeBlanc
place holder for recorded comment
Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07
Citizens Comment
Susan Spears
place holder for recorded comment on use of open space/community preservation
Susan Spears
place holder for recorded comment on use of open space/community preservation
Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07
placeholder for recording of comment by Historical Commission representative
Live Blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07
Jeff Nutting reviews the proposal for the Town Council to change the allocation of the Hotel Tax. He proposes to use $90,000 for an architect to provide an assessment on repairs required for the library. He also proposes to use $200,000 to make repairs to the old Senior Center in preparation for the Museum.
The Town Council would need to make a vote to appropriate the money for these uses. Otherwise, the money would go into the open space fund as originally allocated.
The vote would need to take place before the tax rate is set at the meeting next week.
The Town Council would need to make a vote to appropriate the money for these uses. Otherwise, the money would go into the open space fund as originally allocated.
The vote would need to take place before the tax rate is set at the meeting next week.
Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07
Tax rate - Citizen Portion
Ken Norman
Ken Norman
Michael Leblanc is an honorable man, I have worked with him, he does good analysis. I would caution you to use the information he has provided carefully... Let's get Mr Whalen and Mr LeBlanc together and see what they can come up with.
Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07
Tax rate - Citizen portion
Michael Doherty
"If there is a problem with assessments, fix that problem, do not address it with it a split tax rate... Franklin needs to be competitive with India as well as Indiana... You increase the pie by selling the properties we are trying to, get them on the tax role."
Michael Doherty
"If there is a problem with assessments, fix that problem, do not address it with it a split tax rate... Franklin needs to be competitive with India as well as Indiana... You increase the pie by selling the properties we are trying to, get them on the tax role."
Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07
Tax Rate Citizen comment portion
Michael LeBlanc speaking
Commercial/Industrial properties
64 properties sold from 2004 to 2007, reduced to 54 for analysis
pre-assessed value of these properties sold $264
difference is 96 million, assessment 36% below what they were sold for
9 of the properties, had an assessed value higher than the sale price
55 were below, Franklin Village was the single biggest difference
family homes
895 properties, presale 384 million 5%
262 were assessed higher than sale
633 were valued less than sale price
From Kevin - Board of Assessors in response to questions from M LeBlanc
more than 50% of the properties provide the information on income and expenses
if they don't supply the information, the business would waive their right to appeal the tax assessment, they may jeopardize their appeal at the state level, they are also subject to a $50 penalty.
there were several properties in the Industrial Park that were assessed for 45.7 million, sold for 67.8 million; the current year assessments went down to 42 million.
Summary: The business are effectively getting a tax break of about $2.5 million that the residents are picking up.
Michael LeBlanc speaking
Commercial/Industrial properties
64 properties sold from 2004 to 2007, reduced to 54 for analysis
pre-assessed value of these properties sold $264
difference is 96 million, assessment 36% below what they were sold for
9 of the properties, had an assessed value higher than the sale price
55 were below, Franklin Village was the single biggest difference
family homes
895 properties, presale 384 million 5%
262 were assessed higher than sale
633 were valued less than sale price
From Kevin - Board of Assessors in response to questions from M LeBlanc
more than 50% of the properties provide the information on income and expenses
if they don't supply the information, the business would waive their right to appeal the tax assessment, they may jeopardize their appeal at the state level, they are also subject to a $50 penalty.
there were several properties in the Industrial Park that were assessed for 45.7 million, sold for 67.8 million; the current year assessments went down to 42 million.
Summary: The business are effectively getting a tax break of about $2.5 million that the residents are picking up.
Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07
Tax rate Q&A
Jeff Nutting proposed to pick the properties that sold around $1 million, which would be about 20 or so properties, to re-do the calculation and include that years assessed value for those properties to make a determination as to whether there is an undervaluation of business commercial properties.
Jeff Nutting proposed to pick the properties that sold around $1 million, which would be about 20 or so properties, to re-do the calculation and include that years assessed value for those properties to make a determination as to whether there is an undervaluation of business commercial properties.
Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07
Tax rate Q&A
After some clarification, yes, they can and will do that.
Can you re-cast this spreadsheet to show the assessed valuation at the time of the sale? Could you do that for us?from Stephen Whalen during this discussion
After some clarification, yes, they can and will do that.
Town Council Tax Hearing 1
The presentation by the Tax Assessors on 11/28/07 and their recommendation for the tax rate for FY 09
Time: 5 minutes, 42 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 5 minutes, 42 seconds
MP3 File
Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07
Tax rate hearing: Q&A
said by Judith Pond Pfeffer in reference to the discussion around the information provided on assessed value versus sales price of local business/commercial properties since 2005.
"This is a deceptive piece of information... not apples to apples, oranges to oranges.."
Where in Franklin? #20
Let's see if you can identify this building.
The guidelines to play "Where in Franklin?" can be found here.
Enjoy!
Before setting the tax rate
With the library leaking and the museum headed for a new downtown home, the Finance Committee recommended last night that money for the projects be taken from a fund dedicated in the past to open space.
The fund currently holds $1.6 million and is drawn from the town's hotel/motel tax. While that money would remain earmarked for open space, upcoming earnings from the current fiscal year would go to the library and the museum under a plan proposed by Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting and recommended by the Finance Committee.
...
Since the Finance Committee is an advisory group, the Town Council is expected to discuss the museum and library tonight (Wednesday 11/28/07). To use the hotel/max tax for purposes other than open space, the council must make a final decision before setting the tax rate.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Town Council Meeting - Important Agenda Items
Given the recent discrepancy found in the school budget, the agenda calls for correcting this imbalance.
The Finance Committee met tonight as well as the School Committee. I chose to attend the School Committee meeting. We can depend on Michael Morton of the Milford Daily News to report on the FINCOM meeting.
A brief discussion with some members of the FINCOM after their meeting seemed to indicate they propose for the shortfall to be split between the Town and the Schools. The Town piece would be covered by the not yet certified "free cash" (in the mean time from the stabilization fund) with the School piece to be absorbed with additional budget cuts.
Yes, the schools already took a 2.1 Million cut (as the override only covered 2.4 of what they requested) and will apparently need to absorb another $300K.
We'll see what the Town Council does Wednesday 11/28/07.
The scheduled agenda can be found here (PDF file).
Michael Morton's recap of the Finance Committee meeting can be found here.
The Finance Committee met tonight as well as the School Committee. I chose to attend the School Committee meeting. We can depend on Michael Morton of the Milford Daily News to report on the FINCOM meeting.
A brief discussion with some members of the FINCOM after their meeting seemed to indicate they propose for the shortfall to be split between the Town and the Schools. The Town piece would be covered by the not yet certified "free cash" (in the mean time from the stabilization fund) with the School piece to be absorbed with additional budget cuts.
Yes, the schools already took a 2.1 Million cut (as the override only covered 2.4 of what they requested) and will apparently need to absorb another $300K.
We'll see what the Town Council does Wednesday 11/28/07.
The scheduled agenda can be found here (PDF file).
Michael Morton's recap of the Finance Committee meeting can be found here.
Franklin School Committee Statement 11/27/07 (audio)
The statement made by the Franklin School Committee regarding the budget shortfall just revealed as read by Chairperson Jeffrey Roy at the meeting 11/27/07
Time: 2 minutes, 53 seconds
MP3 File
an image version of the statement is available here
the text version of the statement is available here
Time: 2 minutes, 53 seconds
MP3 File
an image version of the statement is available here
the text version of the statement is available here
School Committee Statement 11/27/07 (image)
A image of the statement as read by Chairperson Jeffrey Roy Tuesday night at the School Committee meeting regarding the financial discrepancy just discovered.
School Committee Statement 11/27/07 (text)
Statement for November 27, 2007 Meeting
During the process of closing the financial books for the 2007 fiscal year, the Town Comptroller discovered irregularities in the school district’s accounts. Specifically, several 2007 expenses were charged against the 2008 budget. This practice is not allowed under Massachusetts Municipal Finance Law.
The Franklin School Committee, in conjunction with the Town Council, immediately ordered a complete legal and financial review of the circumstances surrounding these irregularities. Our effort includes an independent professional audit covering fiscal years 2005, 2006 and 2007.
In addition, the school district’s finance director has been placed on administrative leave.
Preliminary information indicates that these accounting irregularities may result in a shortfall of approximately $590,000 in the budget for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2007.
However, the internal review and independent audit are still ongoing and the precise circumstances of the problem will not be known until both are completed. We expect the results to be presented to the School Committee and the Town Council sometime in mid to late December.
On the advice of our attorney, the School Committee and School Administration will not discuss this matter publicly or privately until such time as the review and audit are completed. Further discussion before then could create significant budget, legal and personnel issues for the schools and the town that would jeopardize efforts to understand the full circumstances of the situation.
Members of the School Committee and School Administration take this matter very seriously, which is why we have initiated a comprehensive review and audit and took the personnel action we did. We will provide a full legal and financial accounting as soon as possible after the detailed results of the investigation are completed.
During the process of closing the financial books for the 2007 fiscal year, the Town Comptroller discovered irregularities in the school district’s accounts. Specifically, several 2007 expenses were charged against the 2008 budget. This practice is not allowed under Massachusetts Municipal Finance Law.
The Franklin School Committee, in conjunction with the Town Council, immediately ordered a complete legal and financial review of the circumstances surrounding these irregularities. Our effort includes an independent professional audit covering fiscal years 2005, 2006 and 2007.
In addition, the school district’s finance director has been placed on administrative leave.
Preliminary information indicates that these accounting irregularities may result in a shortfall of approximately $590,000 in the budget for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2007.
However, the internal review and independent audit are still ongoing and the precise circumstances of the problem will not be known until both are completed. We expect the results to be presented to the School Committee and the Town Council sometime in mid to late December.
On the advice of our attorney, the School Committee and School Administration will not discuss this matter publicly or privately until such time as the review and audit are completed. Further discussion before then could create significant budget, legal and personnel issues for the schools and the town that would jeopardize efforts to understand the full circumstances of the situation.
Members of the School Committee and School Administration take this matter very seriously, which is why we have initiated a comprehensive review and audit and took the personnel action we did. We will provide a full legal and financial accounting as soon as possible after the detailed results of the investigation are completed.
Isabella's Menu - Page 2
Isabella's is also a good supporter of local groups and organizations. For a period of time one day during the week, they'll share a percent of the sales. As I go by almost every day coming from the train station, on most days there is a sign up for one group or another.
This is a win-win situation. Good food for a good cause!
Isabella's Menu - Page 1
Isabella's is one of the really good delis and pizza places in Franklin.
We got two full sheets of pizza for the Friday when the Sherlock's gathered at our place after Thanksgiving and did not end up with any leftovers.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Next School Committee Meeting - Tuesday, 11/27/07
Given the recent news about the shortfall discovered, Finance person suspended, investigation and audit underway; I don't think I will trust the cable network to deliver the next meeting to my door.
I plan on being there in person to hear more about what happened.
I plan on being there in person to hear more about what happened.
We are not the only Franklin!
Exploring the web, I found another Franklin Matters which covers Franklin, Tennessee.
One post on this blog shows a listing of 27 other Franklins in these United States. We are the second largest according to population:
Franklin, WI had come upon the radar during our override election earlier this year. Franklin, WI had a similar override and it failed.
One post on this blog shows a listing of 27 other Franklins in these United States. We are the second largest according to population:
- Franklin, AL - Population 149, (Macon Co.)
- Franklin, AR - Population 184, (Izard Co.)
- Franklin, GA - Population 902, (Heard Co.)
- Franklin, ID - Population 641, (Franklin Co.)
- Franklin, IL - Population 586 (Morgan Co.)
- Franklin, IN - Population 19,463 (Johnson Co.)
- Franklin, KS - Population 26,513 for the county (Franklin Co.)
- Franklin, KY - Population 7,996 (Simpson Co.)
- Franklin, LA - Population 8,354 (Parish Seat of St. Mary Parish)
- Franklin, MA - Population 29,560 (Norfolk Co.)
- Franklin, ME - Population 1,370 (Hancock Co.)
- Franklin, MI - Population 2,937 (Oakland Co.)
- Franklin, MN - Population 498 (Renville Co.)
- Franklin, MO - Population 112 (Howard Co.)
- Franklin, NC - Population 3,490 (Macon Co.)
- Franklin, NE - Population 1,026 (Franklin, Co.)
- Franklin, NH - Population 8,405 (Merrimack Co.)
- Franklin, NJ - Population 5,160 (Sussex Co.)
- Franklin, NY - Population 2,621 (Delaware Co.)
- Franklin, OH - Population 11,396 (Warren Co.)
- Franklin, PA - Population 7,212 (Venango Co.)
- Franklin, TN - Population 55,870 (Williamson Co.)
- Franklin, TX - Population 1,470 (Robertson Co.)
- Franklin, VA - Population 8,346 (Southampton Co.)
- Franklin, VT - Population 1,268 (Franklin, Co.)
- Franklin, WI - Population 29,494 (Milwaukee Co.)
- Franklin, WV - Population 797 (Pendleton Co.,)
Franklin, WI had come upon the radar during our override election earlier this year. Franklin, WI had a similar override and it failed.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Norfolk NOGO struggling
In brief, two of the key members of the Norfolk Organization for Government Oversight (NOGO) are now sitting on the Advisory Board helping to review financial decisions before the town. NOGO was originally organized as the Norfolk Opposition Group to Overrides and reformed after the override passed.
The Boston Globe Override Central web site has this story in more detail here.
I like the acronym they came up with (NOGO) :-)
The Boston Globe Override Central web site has this story in more detail here.
I like the acronym they came up with (NOGO) :-)
Where in Franklin? Answer #19
I guess you could not figure out where to go to "Relax, Renew, Revive". Original photo can be found here.
I was surprised myself when I stopped and realized what the sign actually read. I go in this doorway almost weekly for our family food shopping. I like doing the food shopping but I don't go there to "relax, renew, revive". Do you?
Say tuned for the next challenge!
Holiday Lighting 4:00 - 6:00 PM Sunday 11/25/07
The annual Holiday Lighting on the Common will take place this afternoon at 4 p.m. on the Franklin Town Common.
Presented by the Committee for Concerts on the Common, the festivities will include lighting up the Town Common holiday lights and displays, refreshments and goodies, and a visit from Santa and the elves. A special attraction this year will be having a free picture taken with Santa, ready to be taken home.
In case of inclement weather, the festivities will take place across the street in the Ben Franklin Charter School.
Donations to help defray the cost of decorating may be sent to Concerts on the Common, P.O. Box 92, Franklin, MA 02038 or call 508-528-2206 for more information.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Franklin: Setting up
The elves were busy setting up the Town Common for the tree lighting ceremony and associated festivities on Sunday, November 25th from 4:00 - 6:00 PM.
Franklin: Holiday decorations
There were flowers
and the season for them passed.
There were empty pots
and now they have been filled.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Franklin in the News
The Milford Daily News has the following items of interest to Franklin:
Click through to the full story to read about the other winners.
Winners of the Franklin Art Association's annual members exhibit, Autumn Talent Unveiled, held recently at Hayward Manor, were announced during the recent artists reception.Best in show was awarded to Susan Pratt Sheridan for "Afternoon in Piensa," watercolors.
Click through to the full story to read about the other winners.
When the Conservation Commission visits the pond-dappled DelCarte property Sunday, members will take another step toward determining the future of the overgrown sanctuary, widely regarded as the most generous gift in town history.
In 2001, Shirley Stewart donated 130 acres off Pleasant Street to Franklin on behalf of her deceased father, longtime landowner Ernest DelCarte. Following his final wishes, the town agreed to maintain the $3 million property as open space and to ban all fisherman on the man-made ponds except for a few neighbors.
Read the full story about this "Hidden Gem". Be sure to click though and view the multimedia slide show with some photos of what Franklin Reservoirs looks like today.
The Boston Globe has a recap of the leaking library situation:
Now that Franklin voters have rejected a property tax increase to raise Community Preservation Act funds, town officials are scrambling to pay for as much as $6 million in library repairs, or at least enough to prevent further damage this winter.
The town's leaking library was on the top of the list of projects to receive Community Preservation Act money if voters had approved the tax surcharge this month. It was rejected by about 60 percent of voters, 2,174 to 1,528.
Water is seeping through the roof and inside walls of the Franklin Public Library, which opened in 1904, said Ken Wiedemann, chairman of the library's board of directors. Some water has already reached murals that adorn the reading room, and other paintings are vulnerable.
He said the situation isn't "desperate" yet, but can't wait too long, either.
Read the full story here.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Franklin: Autumn Color
The forecast doesn't seem to have bright and clear skies for this Thanksgiving Day so a picture from a recent 'good' day is appropriate.
We have so much to be thankful for in Franklin.
We can work through our problems, we can continue to be a Top 10 community to raise a family, a Top 100 community to retire, and continue to be a place to be thankful for!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
School finances being looked into
The Milford Daily News is reporting that the current school department finance person has been placed on leave while a shortfall of $580,000 from last years budget is investigated.
It is not good that credibility in our town's finances takes another hit with this news.
Read the full story that Michael Morton has reported here.
A previously undisclosed shortfall of $580,000 from last year's budget was apparently moved to this year's ledger, the School Committee announced yesterday, prompting an outside investigation and the placement of the school finance director on leave.The discrepancy was discovered in recent weeks by Town Comptroller Susan Gagner as she squared away the district's books for fiscal 2007. Moving funds between fiscal years is illegal, as state law dictates that each year's budget be balanced individually.
Read the full story that Michael Morton has reported here.
Vote Analysis
I need to get to the Town Clerk's office to get the details on the recent election. I'd like to get into some planning for what may come up during 2008. With the requirements for fixing the library, renovating the high school amongst the major capital requirements, nevermind trying to restore the $2 million dollars the school budget got cut this past year, there are plenty of needs but few sources of income other than an other override.
I found this article with some insights on the youth vote. As strong as the elderly vote is here, the youth vote is going to become as important as any other section of the demographics.
Now a disclaimer, I plan to do this analysis not to play one group against another. That is not how to win at this game. I plan to do the analysis to simply better understand the demographics of the town.
For example:
I found this article with some insights on the youth vote. As strong as the elderly vote is here, the youth vote is going to become as important as any other section of the demographics.
Now a disclaimer, I plan to do this analysis not to play one group against another. That is not how to win at this game. I plan to do the analysis to simply better understand the demographics of the town.
For example:
Tip #1: The youth vote is not synonymous with students. In fact, students make up only a small part of the eligible youth vote. Only 21% of all 18-29 year olds are currently attending a college or university. That means that when you report on "students", you are leaving out the other 79% of all the individuals that make up the "youth vote." These people serve in our military, are struggling to raise families - and yes, have very different concerns from college students. I understand that makes it difficult for you to cram them into a cookie-cutter story about student aid activism and tuition costs, but you do them and your readers and our democracy a disservice when you limit your coverage to students.Food for thought.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Where in Franklin? #19
How observant are you?
Where do you go to "Relax, Renew, Revive"?
Guidelines for playing "Where in Franklin?" can be found here.
Enjoy!
Franklin School Committee blog
Jeff Roy and others on the School Committee have their own blog: Franklin School Committee.
Jeff as an attorney by day finds some good items of interest to the school environment. For example:
When is hugging appropriate?
Intelligent design on trial.
What do you stand for?
Click on over to review what they have to share.
Jeff as an attorney by day finds some good items of interest to the school environment. For example:
When is hugging appropriate?
Intelligent design on trial.
What do you stand for?
Click on over to review what they have to share.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Five O'Clock Shadow @ Circle of Friends Coffeehouse
Caught concert Saturday night by Five O'Clock Shadow at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse. Here is a brief bit of one of their songs:
If you like live music, especially folk, the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is one of Franklin's gems.
If you like live music, especially folk, the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is one of Franklin's gems.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Milford Daily News- Carlo Reflects
Just because Willow Street resident Carlo Geromini recently retired from town service after four decades, don't expect him to give up one of his public arena passions: Perfecting his command of parliamentary procedure and encouraging others to follow suit.
``Some people like to read detective stories, some people like to read science fiction,'' Geromini, 79, said as he relaxed in his home office this week. ``I like to read Robert's Rules of Order.''
The longtime public servant still owns a pristine paperback copy of the book, a backup complementing the dog-eared hardback he lugged to meetings for many years. After serving on the School Committee in the 1960s, he won election to Town Council in 1981, holding a seat there for all but two years until leaving before this fall's election.
Where in Franklin? Answer #18
Ken Norman provided a clue the other day which didn't help anyone else I guess.
His clue was:
the cow's head over the door has nothing to do with this farm's name.
He came back to also provide the correct answer:
Four Feathers Farm on Mount St
Thanks for playing!
Stay tuned for #19.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
New Stop Signs on Southgate
Michael Morton reports on new stops signs that have been added to Southgate creating 4-way stops where for the previous 20 years there was no stop required.
Yes, the signs are new. Bright red and white. But folks are blowing right by them.
It is not that they are crazy. The human body learns well. No signs were there for 20 years. The drivers are into their zone, their mind spinning along on the errands they are making; whether going shopping, or picking up the little one, or dropping off the middle one. They have been trained to travel without the stop signs. The mind is not aware of the change because it is a small change.
When unlearning is required, it takes time. It will take a big sign, or something significant to catch their attention to start making the change.
The police can position a cruiser to attract attention. Or the neighborhood can get together and in groups create awareness with balloons, costumes, anything to break the normal attention span of the drivers on Southgate.
Hopefully, it will not be a serious accident!
Veterans among us
Horace Mann Middle School's celebration of Veteran's Day is highlighted in an article by Michael Morton.
Asked by a group of eighth-graders yesterday whether he had wanted to be drafted during the Korean War, veteran Donald Barrow replied that young people back then held different assumptions.
"It was just something you grew up expecting," he said as he sat next to his grandson, student Andrew Wilson. "It was part of growing up at that time."
Horace Mann Middle School took a slightly different approach to celebrating Veterans Day yesterday. While it held the standard school assembly filled with invited guests and patriotic messages, the school also had students break into small groups later to learn firsthand from those who served in the military.
In one classroom, Douglas Bernard, the step-grandfather of math teacher Kim Bishaw, related both humorous and tragic memories from his time as an infantryman in World War II.
Read more about the day's event, especially the interaction between the veterans and students in this wonderful learning experience.
As a plug for one of my other projects; I am working with my father to record his oral history. Dad, Gerald (Jerry) Sherlock, grew up in Pawtucket, RI and served in the US Marines 4th Division during World War II on Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. We have recorded up through the war and are just now getting into the post war period where he come home to find work, find and eventually marry my mother. You can listen to Jerry's Story here.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Sprinkler Law Taking affect
The Fire Safety Act, signed into law by former Gov. Mitt Romney in 2004, requires all bars, nightclubs and other entertainment venues that hold 100 people or more to have automatic sprinklers. The legislation was passed in the wake of The Station nightclub fire in Rhode Island, which killed 100 people in February 2003.
Gee, why are some folks complaining now? It is not like this just came out yesterday. For those in business prior to the law being signed, they have had time to get their act together.
Ira Cantor's writing in the Franklin Gazette has details on the three establishments in Franklin required to put them in. (I think there might be a couple more but they are already not operating for a variety of reasons so the count is skewed.)
Franklin Historic Walking Trail Proposed
Seeking to follow in the footsteps of Boston and its Freedom Trail, leaders of a downtown booster group announced yesterday that they want their own walking route connecting points of local culture.
"There are so many historical sites," said Lisa Piana, the executive director of the Downtown Partnership. Citing one, she added, "I would guess 90 percent of residents haven't been to the (Horace Mann) museum."
The trail proposal was one of several topics discussed during a meeting on downtown revitalization at Dean College which drew two dozen merchants, politicians and educators.
Good News Wanted
| If you have good news about Franklin, like this, or like this. Good news that may not make it to the local paper, send it along and I'll see what we can do to get it published here. Send it to shersteve at gmail dot com. Be aware that I have limited access during normal business hours. You can reference my disclosure statement. Only good news, please. There is enough bad news in the world already. |
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Fire station sidewalk update
I forgot to mention that coming home from the train station on Tuesday I came by the new fire station and the sidewalk had already been torn up. Let's hope that this time when they pour the concrete, they put a few more signs and ropes around to keep the walkers away.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
What could Franklin do?
What can 10 million dollars and a community do together?
Make a commercial, of course!
Would the money have been better spent elsewhere? on something more important than beer? There might be something to discuss on that topic.
Guinness just launched "Tipping Point", the most expensive TV ad in its 80-year marketing history, with a domino rally that features cars, flaming hay bales and grandfather clocks. Shot up an Argentinian mountain, the ad shows a community coming together to create the mother of all domino-toppling spectacles. Genius! (Production cost: $10 million)
Make a commercial, of course!
Would the money have been better spent elsewhere? on something more important than beer? There might be something to discuss on that topic.
Guinness just launched "Tipping Point", the most expensive TV ad in its 80-year marketing history, with a domino rally that features cars, flaming hay bales and grandfather clocks. Shot up an Argentinian mountain, the ad shows a community coming together to create the mother of all domino-toppling spectacles. Genius! (Production cost: $10 million)
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Zip Skinny
This is a slick web site that gathers and presents information from the 2000 Census for a specific zip code. I set this up for Franklin. Once on the site, you can change the zip code to check another one, or compare up to ten others with Franklin.
Have fun!
Have fun!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Nonni Roses Bakery Page1
Updated: June 2012
The bakery has closed or moved to an unknown location
We stopped for coffee on Saturday as Dolores and I did our walk. They weren't open when we passed on Sunday. They won't normally be open on Sunday but due to their grand opening were going to be. I went back in the afternoon to get a baguette.
Sliced and warmed in the oven, the baguette was a perfect companion for some supper's home-made Venus de Milo soup.
The bakery has closed or moved to an unknown location
We stopped for coffee on Saturday as Dolores and I did our walk. They weren't open when we passed on Sunday. They won't normally be open on Sunday but due to their grand opening were going to be. I went back in the afternoon to get a baguette.
Sliced and warmed in the oven, the baguette was a perfect companion for some supper's home-made Venus de Milo soup.
Nonni Roses Bakery Page2
Updated June 2012
The bakery has either closed or moved to an unknown location
This bakery just opened at 357 Union St. It moved to Franklin from Bellingham.
The bakery has either closed or moved to an unknown location
This bakery just opened at 357 Union St. It moved to Franklin from Bellingham.
Senior Center: path to Oak St/Horace Mann
One of the better things I noticed about the new Senior Center, is that the fence previously dividing the property from the next door Oak Street Elementary, Horance Mann Middle and the Early Childhood Development Center School complex was taken down and enhanced with a path way.
A bridge for the generation gap!
Two critical populations for Franklin now have a way to connect. Let's encourage both the seniors and the schools to make good use of this path.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Senior Center: horseshoe pits
If boccie is not your game, maybe you'll be up for tossing a few shoes!
Note that unlike many basketball hoops in Franklin driveways where the hoop height is lower for the younger kids, the stakes have not been shortened here for the seniors to use a handi-cap!
Senior Center: boccie court
A well rounded senior needs physical exercise and a good game of boccie can help.
Senior Center: Back patio
On nice days, this will get used but it will need some awnings. It lies in the direct sun.
Senior Center: Parking lot
The parking lot was full, cars were parked all along Oak St. My father and I actually parked at the Oak Street School parking lot and walked back to the Senior Center for our visit.
One of the facility workers was chuckling that "they" had planned for about 200 folks to show up. This was busier than the high school field house during voting on Tuesday.
Senior Center: meeting room in front
off the main entrance area to the right and toward the front of the building this meeting room looks out to the parking lot and Oak Street.
across the hall there is a good size exercise room. it was being occupied by a rehearsal (or peformance?) of some 30 or so members of a chorus
Senior Center: Conference room in back
off the center hall in the rear of the Senior Center is this nice conference room.
Senior Center: other half of common room
the other half...
What is not shown - there is also a stage at the right and a grand piano
Senior Center: Library
a nice room, even with the crowd for the open house, I felt I could pull up a chair and get lost in a book.
Senior Center: entrance area
The Open House at the Senior Center was well attended today. Probably more people than turned out to vote last Tuesday.
Flowers on the bridge
The picture yesterday showed the empty flower pots on the other side of the railroad bridge.
This picture was taken earlier this year. I have resurrected it to help refresh our memories of what the flowers looked like.
May the memories keep us warm this winter.
Enjoy!
Where in Franklin? Answer #17
We had two correct replies on this one. The first from Michael LeBlanc, the second from Ken Norman.
The picture for #17 was taken from the corner of the building seen here to the left.
The Rome is a Franklin treasure!
Stay tuned for the next picture.
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