"Official statistics underestimate obesity"

From Business Insider we find these 15 shocking facts about obesity:

Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions. It’s the plague of the 21st century.

Meanwhile, America’s become so politically correct that it’s almost impossible to discuss the ”sensitive” issue in depth. Official statistics underestimate obesity, and interest groups are content this issue isn’t addressed properly.

Insider Monkey, your source for free insider trading data, compiled 15 shocking facts that you didn’t know about obesity.

Click here to see the facts >

Franklin, MA

In the News - tax rate, Beaver St, recreation, musician, angels

Franklin to vote on tax rate

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Franklin looks to clarify who can use transfer station

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Medway, Franklin recreation cooperation going well

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Franklin musicians help charities

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Angels get to work in Franklin to help those in need

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Heather McCarron/Daily News correspondent

Franklin, MA

Split tax vs. single tax rate

At the tax hearing set of the Dec 8th Town Council meeting, the annual discussion on a single vs split tax rate will come up again. Some information to help you determine which you would prefer can be found here:

1 - From a report done on a recent proposal for California:

To determine the economic impact of adopting a split-roll property tax, one must explicitly take account of how the split roll would affect the behavior of individuals and businesses who own commercial property. A wealth of economics research has demonstrated that, when confronted with an increase in state taxes, businesses seek to avoid their exposure to the higher tax. Taken together, these studies indicate that a 1 percent increase in state taxes will lead to a 0.25-0.31 percent reduction in the level of economic activity. If the reduction leads to corresponding decrease in employment opportunities for Californians, a 1 percent increase in taxes would result in the loss of about 43,000 jobs.

The economic impact of an increase in the taxation of business property depends on the extent to which affected businesses can pass-on the tax to their customers (through higher prices), renters (through higher rents), their employees (through lower wages), or their suppliers. If a firm cannot pass-on the tax to others, it may change its mode of operations to use less taxable property (capital goods, for example) or relocate its operations to other states. Either way, much (but not all) of the burden of higher taxes will be borne by others. Generally speaking, owners of capital are more likely than landowners to avoid the increased tax burden by shifting their investments elsewhere. Capital is highly mobile; land is very immobile, and cannot be relocated to locations with a more benign tax system.

The full report can be found here (PDF)

The article discussing this report can be found here

2 - Pennsylvania is making progress on a different kind of split tax rate. Their method is described as follows:

The property tax is actually two types of taxes - one upon building values, and the other upon land values. This distinction is an important one, as these two types of taxes have significantly different impacts on incentive motives and development results.

Pennsylvania's pioneering approach to property tax reform recognizes this important distinction between land and building values through what is now known as the split-rate or two-tier property tax. The tax is decreased on buildings, thereby giving property owners the incentive to build and to maintain and improve their properties, and the levy on land values is increased, thus discouraging land speculation and encouraging infill development. This shifting of the tax burden promotes a more efficient use of urban infrastructure (such as roads and sewers), decreases the pressure towards urban sprawl, and assures a broader spread of the benefits of development to the community as a whole.

You can read the full article here
Another summary of this new split rate process can be found here

3 - To come a little closer to home, the Boston Globe covers the issue with this article from Jan 2009

Among 37 area communities between Newton and Shrewsbury, 13 tax commercial properties at a different, higher rate than homes. Having a split tax rate provides flexibility in raising revenue amid fluctuating real estate values, officials say, and eases the tax burden on residents. But for small businesses struggling in a sour economy, it can feel like a double whammy.

"It's a really delicate balance between taxation of residents and businesses," said Peter Bulian, a selectman in Needham, where the commercial tax rate rose 3.4 percent, from $18.92 to $19.56 per $1,000 in assessed value, for this fiscal year, while the residential rate went up 2.6 percent, from $9.70 to $9.96.

"Last year, we had a business district with 40 percent vacancies," he said, referring to the New England Business Center on Highland Avenue. "They were hurting, and landlords pass along tax increases to their tenants."

You can read the full article here

4 - The United Regional Chamber of Commerce has also weighed in with 20 Reasons Not to Implement a Dual Tax Rate

Finally, I have the numbers to update my summary of the tax rate process posted last year. Last year's version can be found here. The slide cast combines a slide show presenting the data and charts with a recording of my explanation of what each slide depicts. I hope to have that update ready for Tuesday.

You can view the full set of documents for the Town Council agenda here (PDF)




Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - 12/8/10

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – November 17, 2010

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS - Annual Tax Classification Hearing – 7:10 PM

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 10-70:Classification Tax Allocation– Residential Factor
2. Resolution 10-71:Classification Tax Allocation – Open Space Exemption
3. Resolution 10-72:Classification Tax Allocation – Small Businesses Exemption
4. Resolution 10-73: Classification Tax Allocation – Residential Property Exemption
5. Resolution 10-74: Appropriation – Capital 2011
6. Resolution 10-75: Appropriation – Fire Truck
7. Resolution 10-76: Authorization to Borrow – Repairs & Remodeling to Various School Buildings
8. Resolution 10-77: Appropriation – Demolition of House on DelCarte Property

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN



Franklin, MA

"new systems to control the runoff"

"This (meeting) is to keep the information flowing," Bellingham Town Administrator Denis Fraine said. "The proposed regulations are going to be costly, and the more we understand what our limitations are, the better it will be in the long run from a financial perspective."

Milford Selectman Brian Murray said the presentation is important for town officials and business owners, but efforts to fight the regulations need to continue.

"This is almost like the tail wagging the dog," Murray said. "It means we buy into these regulations, and I refuse to buy into the science of it and the unfairness of targeting three towns."

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News:

Three meetings set to review stormwater mandate for Bellingham, Milford, Franklin

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Prior posts on the proposed EPA regulations about storm water

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/epa-storm-water-proposal-information.html

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/epa-storm-water-proposal-information.html

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/epa-storm-water-proposal-information.html


Franklin, MA

A warm welcome for the Franklin Town News!

The arrival this week of the new Franklin Town News is a good development for Franklin. You should already be aware that while at one time many years ago Franklin did have its own newspaper (The Sentinel), we get coverage by the Milford Daily News and the occasionally from the Boston Globe West edition.

The current reporter for the Milford Daily News, Brian Benson, I think is doing very well. He is covering a lot of Franklin and covering it well. He is also publishing information in advance of a meeting which prior reporters had not done.

Franklin also is covered by the Wicked Local or Franklin Gazette. Covered is an appropriate term as this is the paper tossed in the driveway weekly. As I walk around town, I find a lot of them simply left there. The news contained inside is all re-purposed from what has been published in the Milford Daily News.

Hence, the need for Franklin MAtters. I publish here all the information from the town meetings (Town Council, School Committee, etc.) that I can participate in. This information is meant to be accurate and timely. You help me if you find I make a mistake so the accuracy is good. I provide links to documents and the documents themselves to make the information that may be on the Franklin website, easier to get at and use.

Now, the Franklin Town News comes along and will provide a new communication channel to the residents of Franklin. Supported by ad revenue and mailed directly to residents, this ensures a better chance of getting to everyone than the news or websites can do today. I welcome the Franklin Town News.

• Any Franklin business can benefit from advertising in this publication. The target market is what you are always looking for. If you are doing business in Franklin, the target market is provided for you.
• Any Franklin organization can benefit from publishing an information article. The monthly timing is the only hindrance but with proper planning, the mailing at the beginning of the month can announce your event during the coming month or set the stage for a future month. There is also a website where you can read the paper online, as well as a calendar which can be updated more frequently than monthly. As the awareness grows, these should be more useful in getting the word out.

Why?
An informed community will make good decisions on election day.


Note:
I have no formal business relationship with Franklin Town News. I have and anticipate continuing to submit an article or two for each issue on behalf of Franklin MAtters or the Franklin Food Pantry.

If your business or non-profit would like advice on how to leverage Franklin Town News (or other communication channels) to spread your information, please reach out and contact me. I am open to sharing what I know and have learned.  


Franklin, MA

Jon Stewart: The Food, the bad and the ugly

Jon Stewart does his thing with the recent food safety legislation passed by the Senate. Humor is a good way to tackle tough issues.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
The Food, the Bad and the Ugly
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor The Daily Show on Facebook

Food safety is no laughing matter.
Food security (having enough healthy food for your family) is no laughing matter either.

Please take a moment today to support your local food pantry or food bank. They are different operations but have one goal to provide necessary food for those in need. The Franklin Food Pantry has a Google Checkout button to enable an easy monetary donation. Scroll all the way down to the base of the home page to find it.  http://franklinfoodpantry.org/


Note: I am on the Board of Directors for the Food Pantry and will be revising the website to make it easier to use for those we serve as well as those who would like to help (like you).





Franklin, MA