Wednesday, January 5, 2011

MassBudget Briefs: Fiscal Year 2012 Budget, Chapter 70 Previews





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Two new briefs: Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Preview and Chapter 70 Education Aid Preview

January 4, 2011

The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center is releasing two new budget briefs previewing the Fiscal Year 2012 budget.

MassBudget Brief: Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Preview examines the condition of state finances as the budget process begins for the fiscal year that starts on July 1, 2011. Walking readers through the steps involved in calculating a state budget gap, the brief projects a $1.78 billion preliminary budget gap facing the Commonwealth in FY 2012.

MassBudget Brief: Fiscal Year 2012 Chapter 70 Education Aid Preview outlines three scenarios for calculating Chapter 70 education funding for FY 2012, each based on a different set of assumptions.


The briefs, Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Preview and Fiscal Year 2012 Chapter 70 Education Aid Preview, are available at www.massbudget.org.
                                
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See MassBudget's Budget Browser to explore Massachusetts state budgets from Fiscal Year 2001 to the present.

MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies, as well as economic issues, with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.
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Downtown Partnership - Meeting Info



Public Meeting

Monday, January 10 at 7 pm

Dean College's Alden Center (S11)

located in the Arthur W. Pierce Center for Science and Technology

The public is invited to provide feedback to the PWED grant-funded portion of the Downtown Franklin Roadway and Streetscape Improvement Project. 





Networking Luncheon

Friday, January 14 at 1:00 pm

Dean College Campus Center Cafeteria

Cost:  $5

Please note:  We will be meeting in the new cafeteria, NOT the Golder Room.

For more details please email Joel Carrara at jcarrara@printsmartoffice.com





General Meeting

Thursday, January 20 at 8:30 am

Dean College Campus Center, Golder Room, 2nd Floor

We welcome all new members!

We encourage downtown business owners to attend!





Networking Luncheon

Friday, February 11 at 1:00 pm

Dean College Campus Center Cafeteria

Cost:  $5

For more details contact Joel Carrara at jcarrara@printsmartoffice.com






"it doesn't fit the script"

Here is one listing that I am glad MA did not make. The list also helps to put our budget crisis into perspective. As bad as it is, there are others far worse.
But there's one state, which is fairly high up on the list of troubled states that nobody is talking about, and there's a reason for it.
The state is Texas.
This month the state's part-time legislature goes back into session, and the state is starting at potentially a $25 billion deficit on a two-year budget of around $95 billion. That's enormous. And there's not much fat to cut. The whole budget is basically education and healthcare spending. Cutting everything else wouldn't do the trick. And though raising this kind of money would be easy on an economy of $1.2 trillion, the new GOP mega-majority in Congress is firmly against raising any revenue.
You can read the full post here


Franklin, MA

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Tree Pickup - Alternatives

Thanks to Paula Lombardi, Office Manager for the DPW, for providing the following info:


  • If you have missed your day of pick up this week maybe you can contact a friend or relative in Franklin who may have a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday pickup and ask if you can put the tree at their curbside.
  • The Beaver Street Recycle Center is open Friday and Saturday throughout the year from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
  • All trees must be free of ornaments and tinsel. Do not place in a plastic bag.

Food security: waste not, want not

A good friend of mine pointed this movie out to me over the holidays. Hunger and food security are big issues world wide. The Franklin Food Pantry is working to provide food for those who need it amongst us.



I hope that this doesn't spoil your appetite.

I do hope that you'll consider portions when eating.


To learn more about food security, consider reading from these sources:






Franklin, MA


Christmas trees will be picked up on your trash day this week

I went digging for my copy of the Curbside Chronicle to find out the Christmas Tree pick up schedule. Good thing I did. The trees will be picked up on the day of your regular trash schedule this week. Yes, this week from Jan 3 - Jan 7.

Last year, the tree pickup was scheduled for Saturday of this week. I guess I will be taking down the tree tonight to make our Wednesday trash schedule day.


FranklinCurbsideChronicle_JanMar_2011



Franklin, MA

In the News - back taxes, quiet car, tight budgets

Franklin to go after back taxes

by 


Riders like new quiet train car




Tight budgets seen for this year


Franklin, MA

Monday, January 3, 2011

"I think it's good to have fresh eyes look"

Areas to be discussed include Emmons Street between Main Street and Hillside Road, Dean Avenue between Main and Ray streets, Ray Street, Depot Street and the town's Depot Street parking lot.
Town officials hope the work, which will be paid for through a $1 million state public works grant, will fix deteriorated roads and sidewalks, improve drainage and stormwater systems and stimulate private investment downtown, Taberner said.
"This is a section we wouldn't have been able to afford if we didn't get that (grant)," Taberner said.
The construction is part of a $7.25 million downtown revitalization project to eliminate one-way traffic, install decorative streetlights, improve sidewalks and curbs and resurface streets. Work on main streets will be covered by a $5 million federal grant, which will be matched by about $1.25 million in state and local funds.


Public urged to talk on plans for Franklin streets

by 


Related posts:




Franklin, MA

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 

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

Friday, December 31, 2010

MBTA Tests Commuter Rail "Quiet Cars"

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

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

On Monday morning, January 3rd, 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.

Things you can do from here:

Franklin wants your business

The one page summary of benefits for businesses to locate in Franklin, MA:

Franklin Wants Your Business



Franklin, MA

Sample Census Data for Franklin, MA

The NY Times has a pretty slick interactive map tool based upon sample Census data. Input the Franklin zip code (02038) and see the results:

http://projects.nytimes.com/census/2010/explorer?hp




Franklin, MA

In the News - train schedule, Shell Station, Trash system, Donny Drive fire

Franklin train schedule changed for New Year's Eve

by 


Franklin Shell broken into




New Franklin trash system withstands snow challenges



Two children escape fire in Franklin




Franklin, MA

Meeting notes archive for 2010

 

2010

The collection of meeting summaries for calendar year 2010


Budget Workshop 01/25/10 

Conservation Commission 08/12/10 

Finance Committee 02/02/10 

Finance Committee 03/23/10 

Finance Committee 05/04/10

Finance Committee 05/06/10

Finance Committee 05/10/10

Finance Committee 09/07/10

Financial Plng Comm 03/24/10

Financial Plng Comm 03/31/10

Financial Plng Comm 06/23/10

Financial Plng Comm 08/11/10

Planning Board 03/22/10 

Planning Board 05/03/10 

Planning Board 05/17/10

Planning Board 06/07/10

Planning Board 06/21/10

Planning Board 07/26/10

Planning Board 08/23/10

Planning Board 09/13/10

School Committee 01/12/10 

School Committee 01/26/10 

School Committee 02/09/10 

School Committee 02/23/10 

School Committee 03/09/10 

School Committee 04/13/10 

School Committee 05/11/10 

School Committee 05/25/10 

School Committee 06/08/10 

School Committee 06/22/10 

School Committee 07/20/10 

School Committee 08/10/10 

School Committee 08/24/10 

School Committee 09/14/10 

School Committee 10/12/10 

School Committee 11/09/10 

School Committee 11/16/10 

School Committee 12/14/10 

Town Council 01/06/10 

Town Council 01/20/10 

Town Council 02/03/10 

Town Council 02/10/10 

Town Council 03/03/10 

Town Council 03/10/10 

Town Council 03/17/10 

Town Council 04/07/10

Town Council 04/28/10

Town Council 05/05/10

Town Council 06/02/10

Town Council - Budget Hearing - Part 1 - 06/09/10

Town Council - Budget Hearing - Part 2 - 06/10/10

Town Council 06/16/10

Town Council 07/21/10

Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Plan

Town Council 08/04/10

Downtown Improvement Project (Collection)

Town Council 08/18/10

Town Council 09/08/10

Town Council 09/29/10

Town Council 10/06/10

Town Council 10/20/10

Town Council 11/03/10

Town Council 11/17/10

Town Council 12/01/10

Town Council 12/08/10
Town Council 12/15/10



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Thursday, December 30, 2010

Public Meeting regarding the PWED Project Draft Plan - Jan 10, 2011


Important Downtown Franklin Project in Need of Input
Public Meeting regarding PWED Project Draft Plan

The Town of Franklin is holding a public meeting in order to obtain comments and suggestions on the Public Works Economic Development (PWED) grant funded portion of the Downtown Franklin Roadway and Streetscape Improvement Project. The meeting will be held on Monday January 10, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at Dean College’s Alden Center (S11) located in the Arthur W. Pierce Center for Science and Technology.

Parking will be available in the Dean Hall Lot located off Emmons Street behind Dean Hall.

The focus of the meeting is to obtain input from the general public, government officials, Downtown business owners, property owners, and other individuals and organizations on draft plans for the PWED project area, which includes the following:
  • Emmons Street between Main Street and Hillside Road
  • Dean Avenue between Main and Ray Streets
  • Ray Street
  • Depot Street
  • The Town of Franklin’s Depot Street Parking Lot

The goals of this project are to improve the deteriorated conditions of these secondary roadways, create a safer pedestrian friendly environment, stimulate private sector investment, and improve the overall appearance of Downtown Franklin.

The meeting will be a hands-on workshop, where meeting attendees will have the opportunity to review draft plans, ask questions, exchange ideas, and provide suggestions. If unable to attend the public meeting, draft plans are available for review in the Town of Franklin’s Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD).

To make it easy for individuals to submit comments and suggestions, the Department of Planning and Community Development has created the Downtown Improvement Project webpage on the Town’s website: http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/dtimprovement

Please utilize the website to provide input and look for other ways to participate in this important project. DPCD asks that the public utilize the website whenever possible to provide input, however input in any format (direct mail; email; telephone; fax) is welcome.

Feel free to contact Franklin’s Director of Planning and Community Development, Bryan W. Taberner, at 508-520-4907 or btaberner@franklin.ma.us if you have questions or require additional information. We look forward to hearing from you.


Note: There are two projects that have been funded for Downtown - This is funded separately from the Downtown Improvement Project. The two projects are related in that they cover adjoining sections of Franklin and will be worked on a similar schedule.

Franklin, MA

"It's probably a good thing to do"

Some charities, including the Franklin Food Pantry, will send donors letters acknowledging the gift rather than hand out receipts.
Anne Marie Bellavance at the Franklin Food Pantry said donations being dropped off and coming in the mail have picked up in the past two weeks.
"It's definitely on the minds of people the week before Christmas to ensure it does get credited as a tax donation (for this year)," she said. "We actually have a major donor who comes every year on Christmas Eve or it's mailed around that time and he does it partly to make sure it counts on that year's taxes."
The Franklin pantry is open until 2 p.m. Friday. Food donations are not assigned a monetary value but are listed by weight in a donation letter, Bellavance said. It's up to the donor or accountant to assign a value.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News



Franklin, MA

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Downtown Parking - is there enough or not?

Parking, is there enough or not? Is it convenient or not?

What was the study done that leads folks to conclude "there is no parking issue downtown"?

How do you count to get over 2,000 parkings spots downtown?

These and other questions are answered in this document that summarizes the study conducted in 2008 by the Department of Planning and Community Development.

Franklin Downtown Parking Study 2008

This continues the series of additional information from the Franklin Dept of Planning and Community Development on development of downtown Franklin, MA. Look for more over the course of the week to help prepare for the Public Meeting Monday, Jan 10th.

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.


Franklin, MA

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School (BFCCPS), a highly successful charter school, was founded in 1995. We are located on the town common in the building which previously housed St. Mary’s School. The mission of BFCCPS is “to assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children by providing a classical academic education integrated with sound character development and community service.” The founding parents established a public school that emphasizes character education, community involvement, service and academic dept with outstanding MCAS performance. BFCCPS is a free, public school open to all Massachusetts students in grade K-8 by lottery.

Our students consistently score above average on MCAS and other standardized exams. We have already met the NCLB National Standard for ELA due in 2014. In addition to the MA Curriculum Frameworks, BFCCPS also incorporates the classically oriented Core Knowledge Sequence, created by nationally known author E. D. Hirsch, Jr. All students take French beginning in Kindergarten an all take Latin beginning in Grade 3 on. Other school successes include three French Gold Medals out of fifteen awarded nationally and excellent Latin scores on the respective National Exams.

A sophisticated system of eighth grade individual Capstone student presentations are required as part of our Community Service initiative. Students in all grades participate in community service programs.

A special effort to include parents in the life of our school community as Parents as Primary Educators enriches our school’s culture and supports the parents role as the first educator of their child. Parents can volunteer in and out of the classroom. They are active members on our Board of Trustees and participate in the many overnight and daily field trips.

Another pillar of BFCCPS is Character Education. Character education is infused into the daily education of our students through responsive classroom techniques, academic advising, and integrated curricular lessons.

Our Classical approach to educate the whole child includes: French, Latin, Art and Music. We have been recognized as one of America’s 100 outstanding music schools with over 80% of our students in grades 4-8 participating in one of our four music ensembles. Our grade 6-8 “Arts Block” offers include: Jazz, Drama, Architecture, Graphic Design, Cartooning, Guitar, Songwriters Workshop, Printmaking, Creative Writing, Photoshop, Keyboard, and Film to name a few.

Sophisticated teacher evaluations and teacher empowerment initiatives give way to teacher creativity in the classroom. With the three computer labs, computer projectors installed in all classrooms, and interactive white board technology, we are able to provide cutting edge Technology classes to all students.

As a K-8 public school we service over 440 students. We are now in our 15th year educating students. We are proud of our past and confident of our future as a charter school of excellence. We invite your questions and interest as we continue to serve students in the Town of Franklin and the eleven surrounding districts.


Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School
201 Main Street
Franklin, Massachusetts 02038
508.541.3434 www.bfccps.org


From the 2010 Franklin Annual Report

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Transit Oriented Development

Transit Oriented Development. What is that?

This document from 2006 should help shed some light on the term and the principles that are continuing to help drive the development efforts for downtown Franklin.

Franklin, MA: Transit Oriented Development Study - 2006


This continues the series of additional information from the Franklin Dept of Planning and Community Development on development of downtown Franklin, MA. Look for more over the course of the week to help prepare for the Public Meeting Monday, Jan 10th.

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.

Franklin, MA

The British are coming to Franklin, Massachusetts!

What: British Beer Company opening in Franklin, MA
Where: 280 Franklin Village Dr. (Franklin Village Plaza)
When: December, 28 2010
Why: For the enjoyment of all in and around Franklin
What else: 36 tap lines, 91 bottled beers and 1 cask




In Great Britain, Ireland and across Europe, the pub or “local” is the center of town life: a place to relax, refuel the body and spirit, share news and be entertained. The British Beer Company is excited to bring this same atmosphere and service to the community of Franklin.

The BBC offers an eclectic menu, unparalleled beer, wine and cocktail choices and an array of free live entertainment at all their locations. Settle in to one of the several snugs (a private cozy booth) and enjoy a traditional flaky Pasty Pie (chicken and leek perhaps), a crisp Wensleydale salad or a tasty bar pizza (traditional, gluten free or with multi grain dough). Most important; the BBC wants customers to relax and enjoy themselves. At the BBC servers don’t throw a check on the table before the meal is done and rush customers out the door.

Massachusetts owned and operated, the BBC is a refreshing alternative to the surrounding cookie cutter chain restaurants. It’s easy to see why they’re growing so fast - with Franklin being the tenth BBC location to open in Massachusetts since being founded in 1997. Each location has a unique vibe and personality all its own, yet shares its best features with its other siblings – for example, the carefully crafted mahogany bars shipped in from the UK. The BBC in Franklin boasts 36 tap lines of imported brews and specialty craft beers, 91 bottled beers from around the World and Franklin’s first cask conditioned ale. Live entertainment at the BBC is always free with live bands Friday and Saturday nights. Unique lunch and dinner specials are available daily (a couple weeks after the opening).

Whether it’s a business lunch, an after work get-together, a family dinner in friendly surroundings or a late night soirée fueled by great music over pints with friends…the BBC is destined to be Franklin’s new and only local.


British Beer Company
Open Sun-Wed 11:30am – Midnight.  
Thur – Sat 11:30am – 1am

Cask Conditioned Ale





Franklin, MA

In the News - storm, labyrinth, softball, library


A quiet storm




New Year's Eve labyrinth walk planned in Franklin




Franklin Girls Softball Association plans pitching, catching clinics




Friends of Franklin Library slate meeting, Jan. 5




Franklin, MA