Franklin Matters

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Fiscal year 2012 - budget information

This page collects all the writing and information on the FY 2012 budget

Long Range Financial Planning Committee meetings

School Budget Workshop
Preliminary School Budget document
Handout for the Workshop
Workshop notes - part 1
Workshop notes - part 2

School Space needs report

Kindergarten: full vs. half-day
My analysis from 2010 can be found here

School budget hearing (held 2/15/11)

Center for American Progress report touts Franklin as a high performing district

Mass Budget's analysis of the Gov Budget (1/26/11)

Gov Patrick's full budget for FY 2012 (1/26/11)

Gov Patrick's local aid and Chap 70 (1/26/11)

Gov Patrick proposes local aid cuts (1/21/11)

Chapter 70 info from MASSBudget (1/5/11)

Capital expenditures from 'free cash' FY 2010 (12/8/10)

Jeff Nutting's outlook from November 2010 (11/03/10)

Town Budget workshop from Jan 2010
This three hour meeting was recorded and the documents used are all available here
The numbers will change for this year but the story behind the numbers won't differ much.

Citizens against waste - question collection

Franklin, MA

"the national economic crisis has caused real pain"

Reconfirming a strong link between education and economic success, the report notes that Bay State hourly wages and household incomes leapt from near the national average 30 years ago to among the top in the nation today.

Yet those with less education are struggling to find jobs at higher rates than past downturns. People with only high school degrees are unemployed at nearly twice the rate of those with a bachelor's degrees or higher, the report says.

While the report points to Massachusetts' strengths, it also highlights the need for better training for less educated workers to gain middle-level skills, said Robert Tannenwald, a senior fellow at the Center on Budget Policy and Priorities.

Such skills are important to the state's economy in growing sectors such as niche manufacturing and the medical technician field, he said.

"The high school diploma doesn't cut it anymore, but you don't quite need the college degree either," said Tannenwald, whose organization is affiliated with the report's authors. "You need specialized skill."

You can read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

You can read the full report at its source here

Franklin, MA

In the News - senior tax abatements

For seniors, town jobs can reduce property tax bills

by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

While not specifically referenced in this article, Franklin is one of the communities that offers this. In fact, early in 2010, the Town Council increased the amounts available for seniors to take advantage of.

The first discussion was February 10 when Tina Powderly provided the update on the Senior Outreach initiatives. http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/live-reporting-senior-outreach.html

On March 3, the Town Council voted unanimously to accept the four proposals (Zollo absent):
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/live-reporting-actions.html

Franklin, MA

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year 2011

Wishing you and yours all the best for a happy and healthy 2011

Franklin, MA

test post

insert post text here

Franklin, MA

Friday, December 31, 2010

MBTA Tests Commuter Rail "Quiet Cars"

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

MBTA Tests Commuter Rail "Quiet Cars"

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 12/31/10

On Monday morning, January 3^rd, the MBTA and MBCR will begin the "Quiet Car" program on rush-hour trains on the Fitchburg and Franklin commuter rail lines.

The pilot program is to run for 90 days, during which time riders on the two lines will be asked to provide feedback on their experience with the program. Depending on customer response to the pilot program, the MBTA and MBCR will consider the deployment of "Quiet Cars" on all thirteen Commuter Rail lines.

MBTA General Manager Richard Davey said the program is the result of a recent survey, which indicated significant demand for passenger coaches free from cell phone chatter.

The car closest to the locomotive will be designated as the 'quiet car.' Customers using it will be asked to refrain from cell phone use; keep pagers, cell phones, laptop and PDA sounds off or to vibrate; and speak in whispers. Riders seated in a quiet car who need to use the phone will be asked to move to another car for the duration of their call. Conductors will make normal announcements during the trip. Conductors will be authorized to lift quiet car restrictions during any periods of service disruption or heavy passenger volume.

For more information, as well as tips for riding the "Quiet Car," please visit www.MBTA.com.