Senior Center Newsletter

The January 2010 Senior Center Newsletter, The Franklin Connection, is available. You can view it here or download directly from the Town website:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/Jan10connection.pdf

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Note: email subscribers will need to click through to the Franklin Matters website to view this document.

In the News - same day voter registration

Being able to walk in on election day and register to vote seems like it would help democracy. But what kind of vote would be cast from someone who with no preparation (i.e. prior registration) can walk in to vote? I am not sure I want that kind of vote.  I don't think it would be an informed vote.

What is the problem that same day registration is trying to address?
If it is increasing participation amongst the voters, then I think there should be other ways to ensure appropriate engagement.

Given the results of the current provisional ballot available to MA residents, I don't think there is enough justification.

Citizens who find their names absent from the registration list can fill out a provisional ballot to be counted later, once it is determined they are eligible to vote.

In the last presidential election, 11,712 provisional ballots were requested but only 3,278 ballots were actually counted, according to Brian McNiff, spokesman for Secretary of State William Galvin's office.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

What would you suggest we (yes, the big collective "we") do to increase voter engagement?

In the News - casino plus/minus

Bringing casino gambling to MA is on the table and touted with big numbers for jobs and additional revenue. Both the jobs and revenue would be good in a struggling economy but what would the casino really cost the local community? This article in the Milford Daily News attempts to get at some of the other considerations.

Read the full article here

In the Globe: Medway Library

The Boston Globe features an article on the Medway Library regaining state certification. Oddly, it references little about the collaboration and regionalization effort with Franklin; i.e. sharing the Library Director, that was the linchpin in turning around their budget situation.

The ruling affected more than Medway residents. Library patrons in other towns could not order materials from Medway via interlibrary loans. The exception was Franklin, which signed an intermunicipal agreement with Medway in July that called for sharing library services.

 Read the full article in the Sunday Globe here

Absentee Ballots for Jan 19th Available

Absentee Ballot Information:  Absentee ballots are now available in the Town Clerk’s office.  A registered voter who will be unable to vote at the polls on election day due to the following reasons may vote absentee up to 5:00pm Friday, January 15th.  (Due to the holiday, dates have been adjusted by the State)

    * absence from your city or town during normal polling hours; or
    * physical disability preventing you from going to the polling place; or
    * religious belief.

All absentee requests must be made in writing with an original signature (no faxes or e-mails are accepted).  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call Deborah L. Pellegri, Town Clerk, at 508-520-4900.              

Attest: Deborah L. Pellegri, CMC, Town Clerk/Election Administrator

Franklin, MA: Recreation Dept.

The Recreation Department is located at 150 Emmons Street. The Recreation Department offers Franklin and Medway residents a variety of programs and events for youths and adults as well as coordination of youth sports organizations and field maintenance. The department operates and schedules activities for Chilson Beach at Beaver Pond, Fletcher Field, Dennis Pisani Field (formally Theron Metcalf), Henry “Ski” Faenza Tot Lot (Nason Street Tot Lot), King Street Memorial Field, Dacey Community Field, and Meadowlark Lane Athletic Fields. The department is also responsible for scheduling the use of all school fields during the summer, when school is not in session.

Additional information about all the Recreation Dept. activities can be found on their website:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Recreation/index



From the 2009 Town of Franklin Annual Report. This is available in a printed version at the Municipal Building or online at the Town website here.
 

Franklin, MA: HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT

The business of the Human Resources Department is Customer Service. We provide a wide range of services to employees and citizens of the Town of Franklin.

Once a new employee is selected HR becomes “the benefit place.” The staff makes sure all the paperwork is complete so that individuals will be paid, benefit options are explained, and employees select those which best meet their individual needs. Questions about benefits continue throughout an employee’s time with the Town and continue into retirement. In addition to the mandatory participation in Norfolk Retirement System, or OBRA for part time employees benefits include:

• Life Insurance
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Section 125 Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short and Long Term Disability plans
• Section 457 Savings Plans

All employees, other than Police and Fire, are covered by Worker’s Compensation, a federally mandated program. Our goal is to prevent accidents and lost time from work, but to protect individuals when there is an incident. This “no fault” insurance is designed to provide income security and medical coverage for individuals injured on the job. The program is insured through Massachusetts Educations and Government Association Workers Compensation Group (MEGA). Human Resources continues to ensure that incident reports are filed timely with MEGA reviewing claims and making payments directly to the employees. We also work with managers and employees across the Town to support safe work practices, so that the frequency and length of workers compensation absences are held to a minimum.

On an annual basis, all benefit programs are reviewed to be sure they comply with Federal and State laws. The current Federal legislative branch is very active, and we are watching developments in time off and insurance regulations. Federal changes may require plan changes at the municipal level.

Health Insurance continues to be a major cost issue for employees, applicants and the Town. The Insurance Advisory Committee actively explores options. Contracts with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Guardian, and Boston Mutual were looked at in terms of cost and coverage. The goal is to provide benefits that are competitive with the market to attract and keep the right workforce and to provide those quality benefits at the lowest cost possible.

One element of the Health Insurance renewal was a change in Medicare supplement plans. The new plan is integrated with Medicare and benefits from a federal subsidy. Enrollees pay a co-pay for each prescription they fill, but no longer have a quarterly deductible. The plan change reduced the Medex premium retirees pay by 25%.

The HR Department has continued a wellness program, offered by MIIA to the employees of the Town. These have included fitness walking, relaxation techniques, and healthy eating. This program, designed to improve health and fitness will continue next year at no cost to employees or to the Town. Employees were enthusiastic about participation in the zumba dance class and an extended walking program.

As we begin the next year new goals have been set. They include:

• Partner with School HR activities to find service improvements and cost efficiencies.
• Continue to deliver high quality customer service to employees, retirees, and citizens.
• Constantly monitor full range of benefit options. The focus on the Health Insurance Program will continue.
• Identify information which can be best communicated electronically and keep web site current.
• Provide excellent service to and resolve administrative issues arising from municipal health insurance program.
• Facilitate managers using job descriptions and performance evaluations to strengthen organizational and employee performance.
• Review and edit the Personnel Bylaw and related policies and procedures to keep them current and appropriate for use by managers and employees.
• Educate employees on the Sec. 125 Flexible Spending Accounts which are available to them for medical or dependent care costs.
• Support managers and employees in employee relations activities.

We appreciate input from employees and citizens at any time.

Respectfully Submitted

Stephanie McNeil

Human Resources Director

From the 2009 Town of Franklin Annual Report. This is available in a printed version at the Municipal Building or online at the Town website here.