Frequently asked questions: "Why have my taxes gone up so much in the last four years?"

If Proposition 2½ says my property taxes can’t go up more than 2.5% per year, why have they gone up so much in the last four years?

Proposition 2½ does not say that your taxes cannot go up more than 2.5% each year. It says that the total amount of money the town raises from property taxes cannot increase by more than 2.5% a year plus new growth.


The reason some residential tax bills have increased significantly over the few years is because the market value of some homes– probably your family’s most important investment – has increased. This is due in part because Franklin is perceived to have good municipal services, strong public safety, convenient businesses and top quality schools, and, hence, Franklin is considered a great place to live. Our assessed and fair market property values reflect that market perception.


Notwithstanding the appreciated values referenced above, some residential property owners have, in fact, experienced a flattening or even a decrease in the assessed value of their homes in recent years due to the macroeconomic environment. And, keep in mind that commercial and industrial property is assessed based on income, so the value of those assessments has been stagnant due to the economic downturn that affected the business community.


While the total amount of revenue the town can raise from property taxes can only increase by law, by 2.5% each year, how much money each property in the town contributes to the total amount can change based on changes in its respective assessed and/or fair market value.

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

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 6/08/10

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

Mission Statement

The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the May 25, 2010 School Committee Meeting and the Executive Session minutes from the June 1, 2010 Negotiations Strategy Session.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives

Correspondence:

1. Letter from Mary Fallon

2. Letter from Mrs. Hildman

3. Budget to Actual

4. Letter from Mrs. Mitchell

2. Guests/Presentations

a. Retirees

• Anne Bergen, HMMS Principal
• Judi Bassignani, Parmenter Elementary Principal
• Joyce Bardol – ASMS Teacher
• Elizabeth LaPlaca – Oak St. Elementary Teacher
• Unable to attend: Linda Chelman, Jane Sveden

b. ASMS Communiteen Club – Pennies for Patients

c. Maggie Streeter (ASMS) John F. Kennedy Make A Difference Award

d. FHS Building Update – Tom Mercer

3. Discussion Only Items

• Facilities MOU
• Foreign Language
• Data Assessment & Resource Tool (DART)
• MSBA Architect Selection Representative

4. Action Items

a. I recommend adoption of the Facilities MOU as detailed.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
a. Foreign Language
b. Enrollment Comparison

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business

To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session

Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

banner ads move outdoors

It was announced recently that the pilot to raise revenue for the athletic teams with banners in the Franklin High School field house has been expanded to include banner ads on the outdoor fields.

A sample of the field house banners (from October 2009)

A new banner at the entrance to the track and multipurpose field (June 2010):

The banners were first approved in 2008:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2008/10/live-reporting-field-house-advertising.html


Franklin, MA

3 owner makes decision to go with 2

Stephen Corcoran, owner of the Sky Restaurants in Sudbury and Norwood and the 3 in Franklin is selling the Sudbury restaurant.

Q: So you are only selling Sky Sudbury, not your other two restaurants?

A: Yes, I am only selling Sky in Sudbury. Sky in Norwood and "3" (the name of the restaurant) in Franklin will remain open.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here:
http://www.milforddailynews.com/business/x775079935/Sky-Restaurant-ends-run-in-Sudbury-after-13-years


Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Class of 2010 - congratulations!

Congratulations to the Franklin High Class of 2010!

Good luck on the road ahead of you.

Franklin, MA

Spruce Pond - Building Blue (presentation doc)

The presentation document used on Monday May 24, 2010 is available here:

CRWA Pres 20100524

View more presentations from Franklin Matters.

Franklin, MA

Frequently asked questions: "Why should the community support the school budget?"

Why should the community support the school budget?

The commitment to educate our children is a commitment that the residents of Franklin have long supported. Horace Mann, the father of public education and integral to Franklin’s historical legacy stated, “Education then, beyond all devices of human origin, is the equalizer of conditions of men, the great balance wheel of the social machinery”.


The School Committee, administration and staff developed a fiscally responsible budget that promotes student achievement, protects core programs and is respectful of the current economic climate. The FY 2011 proposed budget requests a 3.89% increase to maintain level services. We have used grants, stimulus and revolving funds to reduce the budget gap and we are requesting what we needed to maintain the program we currently have in place for our students.


Having strong and vital schools is important for every community. Those who advocate for greater investment in education often make the economic argument: more education leads to higher wages and is critical for financial stability and independence. They’re right. Robust evidence supports the view that higher levels of educational attainment are linked to higher incomes, less unemployment, less poverty, and less reliance on public assistance.


More education is also linked to better physical and mental health, longer lives, fewer crimes, less incarceration, more voting, greater tolerance, and brighter prospects for the next generation. More education is good for individuals who stay in school to earn their high school degree or who enter and graduate college, but it is also good for all of us, paying big dividends in the form of increased civic engagement, greater neighborhood safety, and a healthy, vibrant democracy.


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