Frequently asked questions: "When would the impact of an override take effect in Franklin?"

When would the impact of an override take effect in Franklin?

The June 2010 override ballot question would apply to the fiscal 2011 budget. That is, the override would take effect on July 1, 2010. However, the increase in taxes would not show up until the third quarter tax bill which is mailed at the end of December and due by February 1, 2011.

What is my tax rate now and how does it compare to surrounding communities?

Franklin employs a single tax rate for both commercial property tax payers and residential property tax payers and that rate is currently 12.03 per thousand dollars of assessed property value. Fourteen of our thirty peer towns employ split, or dual property tax rates, one for residential payers and a higher rate for commercial payers. Set forth below is a chart in descending order which shows how Franklin’s $12.03 single property tax rate compares to our 15 other peer towns that employ a single property tax rate. Franklin also happens to have a lower property tax rate than most of our 14 peer towns that employ a split tax rate.

Town	2010Tax Rate
Sharon	17.92
Westborough	16.98
Holliston	16.31
Medway	16.29
Hopkinton	15.76
Chelmsford	15.15
Northborough	14.38
Medfield	14.24
Southborough	14.06
Average	13.95
Reading	13.75
Millis	13.64
Franklin	12.03
Natick	11.67
Foxborough	10.91
North Attleborough	10.44
Shrewsbury	9.68

One of a series to address frequently asked questions
http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/faq-part-1.html


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The special election on June 8th gives Franklin voters the choice:

Increase taxes to continue to provide the services we have this year (and that does not restore any of the services already cut)

Or

Continue to cut municipal services for all and cut educational opportunities for our children

I'll help to provide the information. You need to do two things:

1. Make your choice
2. Vote on June 8th

You get bonus points if you talk with your neighbors about this and get them to vote!

Additional information on the override can be found here:

• http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/index.html
• http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/
• http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/budget-override-collection-fy-2011.html

Franklin, MA

In the News - override

Franklin override supporters make their case

by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Junior Robby Kent and sophomore Ali Sturtevant said they want to see an end to the misery they and their siblings have endured with previous budget cuts.

"We've been losing a lot of teachers since 2005," Kent said. "My brothers are both in middle school now, and they don't get as much attention from the teacher."

----

Franklin councilor says override is needed

by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Councilor Robert Vallee said fixed costs, like pensions and health care plans, contribute to the town's financial woes.

"I know the budgets very, very well. I have a hard time finding any waste," Vallee said. "It's all very well-documented, and run very, very efficiently. The shortfall is there's a recession going on."

Franklin, MA

Farmers Market returns June 11th

Yes, fresh and local produce will be available at the Framers Market on the Franklin Town Common beginning Friday, June 11th and running through October.

I recall the hours last year as being from noon to 6:00 PM. If there is a change, I'll share that as soon as I can.


Franklin, MA

Senator Karen E. Spilka Re-Election Reception & Food Pantry Collection

Senator Karen E. Spilka Re-Election Reception and Food Pantry Collection

Join us for a Reception & Food Pantry Collection* for Senator Karen E. Spilka, 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk District – Ashland, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway, Natick
Chair, Economic Development and Emerging Technologies

Monday, June 7, 2010, 5:30-7:00 PM
at Ken’s Steakhouse, 95 Worcester Road, (Rt. 9), Framingham, MA 01701

Suggested Donation: $25 - $50 - $100 – but whatever you can contribute is accepted with appreciation!

*Please bring an item to donate to the food pantry *


Franklin, MA

Frequently asked questions: "Why is Franklin continually facing budget gaps?"

Why is the school district continually facing budget gaps?

Franklin, as with many Massachusetts municipalities, is faced with structural deficits as costs and services rise faster than the available 2.5% increase of annual tax revenues. Health insurance, retiree health insurance, contractual obligations, and unfunded federal and state mandates result in cost increases that outpace the 2.5% annual increase limit. To become more fiscally sound, Franklin needs to continue to operative efficiently and keeping cost relatively low while and generating additional tax revenues in order to provide the high level of services that citizens desire but at a reasonable financial cost to such citizens.


What has the School Committee and administration done to budget in a fiscally conservative manner?

Over the last 10 years, Franklin has (i) significantly reduced and/or eliminated programs and positions (over 100) while meeting higher educational standards/accountability requirements as established by federal and state law, (ii) consolidated facilities and technology services, and (iii) effectively sought and received grants to offset a variety of operational costs. Moreover, Franklin has implemented a number of “Go Green” energy savings initiatives including (A) solar panels at Parmenter Elementary School, and (B) water gardens at Franklin High School. Finally, Franklin has implemented a variety of online services to reduce personnel costs and paper consumption.

One of a series to address frequently asked questions
http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/faq-part-1.html


------------


The special election on June 8th gives Franklin voters the choice:

Increase taxes to continue to provide the services we have this year (and that does not restore any of the services already cut)

Or

Continue to cut municipal services for all and cut educational opportunities for our children

I'll help to provide the information. You need to do two things:

1. Make your choice
2. Vote on June 8th

You get bonus points if you talk with your neighbors about this and get them to vote!

Additional information on the override can be found here:

• http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/index.html
• http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/
• http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/budget-override-collection-fy-2011.html

Franklin, MA

Frequently asked questions: "What is a Proposition 2½ override?"

What is Proposition 2½?

Proposition 2½ was a Massachusetts ballot initiative that became state law when the voters approved it in 1980. The law puts a 2.5-percent cap on the amount of money a community can raise through property taxes from year to year, not counting revenue from the assessed value of new construction and building improvements.


It is important to understand that Proposition 2½ does not say that your property taxes cannot increase more than 2.5-percent a year. It simply says that the total amount of money raised through property taxes, known as the “tax levy,” cannot increase more than 2.5-percent annually. In addition, a community can increase its levy limit each year to reflect new growth in taxable properties.

What is a Proposition 2½ override?

There are three different ways a community can increase its property taxes above the levy limit. What the town of Franklin is considering putting before the voters is an override of its levy limit, which would increase the limit by a specific amount.


The other ways for a community to change how Proposition 2½ would apply are through a debt exclusion, which temporarily excludes from the levy limit an amount of money to pay for new debt, and a capital outlay exclusion, which allows a community to raise its levy limit for one year for the purpose of funding a specific capital project. In the past, Franklin voters have approved debt exclusions to build new schools.

One of a series to address frequently asked questions
http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/faq-part-1.html


------------


The special election on June 8th gives Franklin voters the choice:

Increase taxes to continue to provide the services we have this year (and that does not restore any of the services already cut)

Or

Continue to cut municipal services for all and cut educational opportunities for our children

I'll help to provide the information. You need to do two things:

1. Make your choice
2. Vote on June 8th

You get bonus points if you talk with your neighbors about this and get them to vote!

Additional information on the override can be found here:

• http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/index.html
• http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/
• http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/budget-override-collection-fy-2011.html

Franklin, MA

June brings water restrictions to Franklin

"April showers bring May flowers,
June brings water restrictions to Franklin"

It is that time again. Franklin in order to abide by the water permit issued by MA needs to implement water restrictions. As reported in the Finance Committee budget hearing earlier this year, Franklin is challenging the permit issued as it restricts our usage in impractical ways.

In the meantime, Franklin residents can only water on their trash day and NOT during the hours 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The signs are posted in the normal traffic spots and water restrictions can be enforced by the limited staffing available.


Franklin, MA