Frequently asked questions: "Will the override solve all of our fiscal problems?"

Will the override solve all of our fiscal problems?

Unfortunately, it will not. However, it will balance our budget this fiscal year. It is estimated that next year’s budget may require as much as an additional $6 million in revenue for fiscal 2011 to maintain level services. This is due largely to the anticipated decrease in state and federal aid that have been received in each of the last two fiscal years.


Going forward, Franklin will need to confront the fact that basic municipal and school expenses continue to outstrip its ability to raise new revenue from property taxes. There will be other community needs, like the eventual renovation of Franklin High School, repairs to roads and sidewalk, and the town’s unfunded retiree health care, as well as annual increases in fixed costs for insurance, contractual obligations and utilities.

One of a series to address frequently asked questions
http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/faq-part-2.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 - graduation, override, drinking water

Franklin grads ready for the future

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by By Ashley Studley, DAILY NEWS STAFF

Franklin override opponents speak out

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Franklin drinking water safe after E.coli found in ground water

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

Frequently asked questions: "Has Franklin really laid off any teachers?"

Have you really laid off any teachers?

The tables below reflect, over a 10 year period, the increase in Franklin’s student population and the associated decrease in its teaching population. At its peak in 2005, Franklin had 517 teachers. Since that time, Franklin has eliminated more than 100 teachers. These staffing cuts have taken place at the same time Franklin has experienced increasing student enrollments, resulting in larger class sizes. That is a worrisome trend and is not a good long term indicator for positive educational results.




You can obtain additional historical teaching figures in Franklin at the following blog post:http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/information-on-teachers-in-franklin/.



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: "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


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


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