Exciting Changes coming to Foxboro, Franklin, & North Attleboro

                              


FROM
VISION
TO REALITY


EXCITING CHANGES COMING TO FOXBORO, FRANKLIN & NORTH ATTLEBORO! 

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Invensys Foxboro Branch  

Thanks to the early success of the Campaign to build the Spier Family Outdoor Aquatic Center, we have broken ground!  

A committed group of Y volunteers led by Jeff Dufficy, Greg Spier, Danielle Fish and Jay Barrows have raised $647,000 toward the project cost of $913,000, leaving a balance of $266,000 to raise in the next six weeks.

Included in this amount is a $250,000 Challenge Grant from Alex and Sonja Spier.  For information on how you can help us meet the Spier Family Challenge, please contact Peter Waisgerber at peterw@hockymca.org.

Positive changes are also coming to Franklin and North Attleboro this April!

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Bernon Family and North Attleboro Branches

Exciting changes are in store at our Bernon Family and North Attleboro Branches!

This April we have new state of the art equipment coming to both branches.  This dynamic cardio and strength training equipment will be a tremendous enhancement to our health and wellness areas.  A complete listing along with photos and videos of the equipment will be shared next week and leading up to installation.

Installation will take place during school vacation week.  We ask for your patience and understanding as our installation occurs. 

The Bernon Family Branch Health and Wellness Center will be closed for 2 days starting April 16th, 8:00am - April 18th, 5:15am.  

In addition to new equipment, the North Attleboro Branch will also be receiving a brand new wellness floor and HVAC system. The North Attleboro Health and Wellness Center  will be closed starting April 16th, 8:00am - Sunday April 22nd.

Group Exercise classes and Family Events will continue at each branch during this time.  In addition, please feel free to visit our Invensys Foxboro Branch Health and Wellness Center during your branch's construction. 

I know you will be as excited as we are when all of these changes are complete and we are able to improve your Y experience. For additional information, please call Kimberly Cohen, Sr. Director of Health and Wellness at 508.772.1310.

Thank you for being part of our Y Family!

                              

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Sincerely,
Your Friends at the Hockomock Area YMCA

www.hockymca.org

 facebook.com/hockomockareaymca

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Hockomock Area YMCA 300 Elmwood St North Attleboro, 02760 US Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

New MassBudget Video Discusses Education Funding in Massachusetts

MassBudget has re-done their website and introduced a new report. The report is summarized with an 8 minute video. What has this got to do with Franklin?

Our school budget is half the overall Franklin budget. Over the past several years, the per pupil spending across the categories that the State watches has dropped below the state average. With the proposal for the new high school taking front and center stage for conversation in the last couple of weeks, how Franklin will budget for the schools next year has not been discussed. The "No" voters are worried about the maintenance budget when they probably should be more worried about the overall budget.

The new high school (if approved) may come with 6 more class rooms but if the budget continues to get cut, will there be enough teachers to fill those class rooms?

The point of this video and report from MassBudget is to highlight that the state funding formula that doesn't fully cover the increased costs in health and special ed. Franklin's school budget is directly affected by those factors. You can go back to any of the last several years of budgets and the cost drivers are exactly that.

What does this do to the 'average' student? It reduces their educational opportunity. Those under special education plans are covered with services that by law, Franklin must provide. So when the budget gets tight, the average student and the advanced students will suffer.

"Cutting Class" Video   The new website of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center is more vibrant, easier to navigate, and more multimedia-friendly--in short, a better platform for sharing materials like our new "Cutting Class" video. In this video, education policy analyst Luc Schuster explains why districts across the state are hiring fewer teachers, providing less professional development, and spending less on materials & technology than the state funding formula considers appropriate for a quality education. The video also describes the effects of property wealth on school funding. In the highest-wealth districts, funding shortfalls are often made up with additional local revenues. But in many communities, raising local revenue is extremely difficult. On average, the lowest-wealth districts spend 32 percent less on regular education teachers than is specified in the foundation budget formula.  Watch the Video MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies--with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.

Forward email This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by nberger@massbudget.org |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

“This is fitting for his retirement”

The Milford Daily News reports on the retirement party of former Chief of Police Stephen Williams which was held Thursday night.

Williams retired in December after nearly 40 years with the Franklin Police Department, and eight of those years as chief. 

The chief grew up in Franklin — he went through the public school system, got his associate’s degree at Dean College, and worked his way through the ranks in the Police Department, earning him the respect of law enforcement personnel in surrounding towns, in addition to his own. 

“I worked with Steve a long time,” Bellingham Police Chief Gerard Daigle said. “He’s a great guy, and I wish him a great retirement.”

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x221201081/A-hearty-sendoff-for-Franklin-Chief-Williams#ixzz1pvoXZTas

In the News - marathon, scholarships, Juno, high school

Franklin woman runs for Dana-Farber

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

United Regional Chamber scholarships available

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Juno arrives at Museum of Fine Arts for all to see

by Chris Bergeron/Daily News staff

Brennan: Many can’t afford cost of new Franklin High

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

DOR mobile app now available from Apple and Google

An app from the DOR? At least it is available for both Apple and Google but really did we need this?

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

DOR mobile app now available from Apple and Google

via Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue by Robert Bliss on 3/22/12

The Department of Revenue has produced, in-house, a new mobile smartphone app that allows taxpayers to check the status of their refund, file for an extension and make an estimated payment, take corrective action should a refund be held up, and keep up with DOR alerts and video.

In a press release issued today, DOR Commissioner Amy Pitter said that "DOR wants to engage and communicate with taxpayers in the easiest and most direct manner possible, and for many taxpayers, that means their smartphones which are already a center for commerce and personal business."

The release includes links to Apple and Google where the app can be downloaded at no cost. No other state revenue department offers a similar app with the same level of functionality.
Pitter said she was "proud of the development work for this app that was done by DOR's Information Services Organization Web and Mobile Team," and noted that the groundwork had been laid for more apps in the future.

DOR's homepage features a story complete with screenshots of the new app.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Voices of Franklin: Town Council - Yes

As elected and appointed officials charged with developing prudent fiscal policies and strategic planning decisions for the town of Franklin, the Town Council, School Committee and Finance Committee unanimously support the March 27th Debt Exclusion ballot question for a new Franklin High School (FHS).

While the Town continually reviews its capital needs, a 2005 report from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) caused us to prioritize the high school facility. At that time, FHS was placed on warning status for 19 facility-related issues. Franklin spent the next three years identifying and addressing those issues that could be fixed outside of a major renovation.

In 2008, NEASC continued FHS’s warning status and asked Franklin to “resolve all facility issues.” As documented in an independent architectural study, the structural issues of FHS are indisputable and can only be addressed with a comprehensive renovation or new building and include:

• lack of accessibility for handicapped and/or injured (e.g., sprained ankles) students
• lack of facility-wide emergency sprinkler system
• poor condition of field house structure and roof
• classrooms below the minimum square feet required by MSBA
• poorly equipped and outdated science labs and classrooms
• poor ventilation and lighting
• inadequate parking and access to the building
• inadequate oversight of the entry due to the current location of administration offices

We highlight these points to demonstrate that the issues facing Franklin are not a matter of aesthetics, or maintenance, or easily addressed with simple wiring and new ceiling tiles. In fact, the State added over $1.5 million dollars to Franklin’s original reimbursement level after it positively assessed the historical maintenance of our town and school facilities.

A joint committee was formed to determine the most cost-effective way to address the problem. After four years of extensive study and detailed oversight from the State, the recommendation before the voters on March 27th is to build a new school under the State’s Model School Program.

A variety of diligent and independent analyses assure us and State officials that the particular masonry framework of FHS (versus an adaptable steel frame), 19 roof levels and the sprawling H-wing design of the high school makes the renovations necessary for compliance about as expensive to taxpayers as a new school, with a significantly increased chance of cost overruns, extensive disruption to students and a shortened return on investment.

The invitation-only Model School Program has many benefits that make it the most judicious cost-efficient use of taxpayer’s dollars, including:

• increased reimbursement from the state
• shorter construction time versus a newly designed school
• previous duplication in other towns limits change orders and unknown costs
• maximizes student safety and minimizes disruption to educational environment

Specifically, the new FHS proposal would result in:

• State reimbursement rate of 59.52 percent of eligible costs
• fully furnished and equipped high school, including athletic fields
• 6 additional classrooms, with all classrooms meeting minimum size guidelines
• 21st century classrooms and science labs with integrated technology
• an 830-seat auditorium/theater
• a 17,700-square-foot gym and 6,000-square-feet-indoor walking track
• full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act for access and special education
• remove Franklin High from accreditation warning status

The Model School proposal resolves undeniable facility issues that we must address. It also limits the opportunity for unknown costs and limits the cost for taxpayers to about 40 cents per every dollar spent, whereas an unapproved renovation is ineligible for the state reimbursement and would be borne 100 percent by the taxpayer. Furthermore, the new design maximizes the educational opportunities available to our students, preparing them for our current professional world, with an emphasis on group learning and technology. There are many ancillary benefits as well, including protection of property values and enhanced community pride.

Franklin has a proud tradition of investing in its town for the betterment of all our citizens. We urge you to continue this support for your community and vote yes on March 27th for a new Franklin High School.


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The text of this letter was published in the meeting agenda for the 3/21/12 Town Council meeting
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/032112.pdf

11th Annual HMEA 5K - May 20

Hold the day for the HMEA 11th Annual Independence Day event that will be held May 20.



To register or find more information, please visit http://www.hmea.org/events.html

Grease is the word!

FHS production of Grease. March 23 & 24, 2012 at the Horace Mann Middle School in Franklin starting at 7pm. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Sign bylaws passed

In other news, the council held a somewhat heated discussion before accepting a trio of zoning bylaws meant to revamp bylaws on signs. 

“I don’t like to see these things become too restrictive,” Councilor Andrew Bissanti said, a sentiment four other councilors echoed. “I’m just saying, signage is a language, it’s a form of communication for business.” 

The new sign rules are meant to upgrade the previous laws. Currently, there are several violations of the bylaw used prior to tonight’s acceptance within the town, from banner signs to signs that are too large, to political signs. Political signs are now legal under the adopted rules, if regulated. 

“We have outdated definitions, we have inadequate definitions,” town attorney Mark Cerel said. “This is ... a significant improvement over what is in place now.” 

The bylaws delineate four districts in Franklin: residential, downtown, industrial, and commercial and business. That part of the bylaw was initially not accepted when a majority, rather than the necessary two-thirds of councilors voted for it.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1866854492/Franklin-council-urges-passage-of-override#ixzz1pq1KAfEP

The full set of documents used in the Town Council meeting can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/032112.pdf

In the News: marathon, voting no

Road Runners: Franklin mom on the run

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

‘Vote no’ on new high school group gaining steam in Franklin

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

News Flash from The Garden Front!

Hello Gardeners, Friends, and Supporters!

Just found out this morning that tomorrow our new garden shed (paid for by an awesome grant from the Franklin Rotary Club!) will be constructed on site at the King Street Memorial Garden.  The students at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School will be there setting it up.

When: Thursday, March 22

Time:  In the morning, around 9 am

If you are able to join us and lend a hand (or a round of applause!) we'd love to have you.

Bring something cool to drink, it will be quite warm out.

If you would like to donate any gardening tools we now have a place for them to live! 

Many thanks to the students and staff at Tri-County RVTHS, the Franklin DPW, the Franklin Rotary Club, Town Administrator Jeff Nutting, and all of our gardeners and volunteers!

Hope you can join us at the Garden!

Many Hands make light work!

Deepest Thanks,

Your Friends from the Franklin Community Garden

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www.franklincommunitygardens.org

Visit us on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Community-Gardens/152040424825578

Follow us on Twitter!

http://twitter.com/#!/FRKLNCommGarden

FY2013 Budget Issues and Procedures

For those really into the details of the local budget and accounting this has some good information on the proper procedures for handling specific circumstances.

DLS Releases FY2013 Budget Issues and Procedures Bulletin 

The Division of Local Services has posted on its website a new Bulletin addressing several issues that cities, towns, regional school and other districts should consider for FY2013 revenue and expenditure budgeting and other related matters.

Bulletin 2012-02B can be found by clicking here.

Parmenter 5K - June 10th

This year's 4th Annual Parmenter Fun Run for All Ages will be held on Sunday, June 10th at 10am. More details will follow soon, including registration. For specific questions, one can email parmenter5k@gmail.com

In the News - high school, art, 5K, Dean College

DaCosta: Franklin can afford a new high school

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin Art Association offering scholarship

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Annual Parmenter 5K Run slated in Franklin

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Dean College offering summer arts for local youths

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin Votes - March 27th (video)

A video to summarize the pros and cons of the vote on the debt exclusion for the new Franklin High School is now available. The video features appearances by School Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski, Town Administrator Jeff Nutting, and Town Councilors Jeff Roy and Bob Vallee. Town Clerk Debbie Pellegri provides some insights to help the voting process on March 27th.





Get out to vote on March 27th!

495/MetroWest Development Compact Plan

Local, state and regional priorities for development and preservation are identified. 

Prime sites to develop include Milford’s Bear Hill area, Northborough Crossing, the Golden Triangle in Framingham and Draper Mill in Hopedale, which would all have strong regional significance. 

The state also wants to see companies move to the Forge Industrial Park and North Grove Street in Franklin, Framingham’s downtown and Tech Park and 9/90 crossing, Legacy Farm and South Street in Hopkinton and Tower Street Mill in Hudson.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x299890263/Development-plan-puts-focus-on-future-of-region#ixzz1peILKVB3

The full plan can be found here (PDF)
http://www.mass.gov/hed/economic/eohed/pro/planning/metrowest/

In the News - suburban poor, town clerks, train fights

Wellesley panel focuses on suburban poor

by Laura Krantz/Daily News staff

Town clerks head for Beacon Hill workshop

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Fights mar ride home after Franklin High loss

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Congratulations to the Hockey Team

It is an accomplishment to have made it to the State Finals two years in a row!

For Franklin, it was March redux. Last year at this time the Panthers came within a goal of winning the state title. Yesterday, the differential — and the outcome — was the same at TD Garden. 

Wilmington’s 3-2 victory left the Panthers a goal shy of their goal. Again. 

“It’s tough, two years in a row,” said Franklin coach Chris Spillane, who was on Franklin’s last championship team, in 1983.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1569575760/Heartbreak-hocked-for-Franklin-Medway#ixzz1pYOzARMa

Community Garden: A grey day for green thumbs!

It may have been a grey day for green thumbs but about 30 folks gathered to "Give Peas a Chance" at the Franklin Community Garden on Saturday. Some had plots in the garden some gardened in their own space. All came together to hear Chris Clay share some tips on peas and other things to plant early.

There was a line briefly to get peas



One plot has been stringed off in grid fashion to help with their planting this year



Amy Acevedo watched as Leo O'Brien planted his peas in a starter cup



Jack Barry observes as Chris sinks his round of green wire mesh as a support for the peas



As Chris explains, his son Gabe plants the peas around the wire mesh



Jack lends a hand as Chris ties off the bamboo sticks in a teepee shape which is another way to support your peas



This was the first of a series of sessions to talk about gardening and share gardening tips




Where is the Community Garden?
Located in the King St Memorial Park


View Larger Map

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - 3/21/12

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
December 7, 2011

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS – This meeting is being recorded by Verizon, Comcast, and Franklin Matters

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Franklin Disabilities Commission - Anthony J. Molinaro

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Letter to the Editor
Bryan Taberner – Director, Community Planning & Development

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-20: Adoption of Amendment to Town Council Procedures Manual
2. Resolution 12-21: Amendment to Creation of A Citizen Committee
3. Bylaw Amendment 12-674: Amendment to Chapter 48, Tobacco Products – 1st Reading
4. Bylaw Amendment 12-675: Amendment to Chapter 63, Numbering of Buildings – 1st Reading
5. Bylaw Amendment 12-676: Amendment to Chapter 84, Fire Alarms - 1st Reading
6. Bylaw Amendment 12-677: Amendment to Chapter 86, Fire Lanes – 1st Reading
7. Bylaw Amendment 12-678: Amendment to Chapter 95, Garbage, Rubbish and Refuse – 1st Reading
8. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-669:Amendment to Chapter 185-45. Administration and Enforcement – 2nd Reading
9. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-670: Amendment to Chapter 185-3. Definitions – 2nd Reading
10. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-671: Amendment to Chapter 185-4. Districts Enumerated – 2nd Reading
11. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-672: Amendment to Chapter 185-20. Signs- 2nd Reading

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


The documents for this agenda can be found on the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/032112.pdf

Weight Watchers: Schedule of hours

In January, I found that Weight Watchers would be opening an office in the Horace Mann Plaza. I stopped by on Saturday to confirm that they were open (yes) and picked up a copy of their schedule (see below).

Weight Watchers Franklin

Grease is the word!

FHS production of Grease. March 23 & 24, 2012 at the Horace Mann Middle School in Franklin starting at 7pm. Tickets are $10 at the door.

In the News - hockey, children's shows, reasons for new FHS

Medway, Franklin and Hudson go for hockey championships

by None

Check out two children's shows in Franklin

by Staff reports

Donahue: Recent grad’s support for new Franklin HS

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

D'Errico: Seven reasons to vote yes for new FHS

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

495/MetroWest Development Compact Plan

In addition to assessing the area’s demographics, the report lists zones that cities and towns would like to see either developed or preserved, a tally then whittled down when accounting for regional and state interests and priorities. 

Cities and towns identified 497 areas for preservation and 800 spots for development, including the majority of the commuter rail stations, downtown Framingham, South Street in Hopkinton and the Rte. 9 interchanges with both the Turnpike and Interstate 495. Large tracts of vacant land were featured in 30 of the development zones. 

Infrastructure was singled out as a key need and a potential barrier in the report, including water, sewage treatment and some particular components: the bridge for routes 9 and 20 in Northborough, the Washington Street bridge in Hudson, and rail crossings in downtown Ashland and Framingham.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1612628130/Report-looks-at-I-495-area-s-needs#ixzz1pSqSR22m

In a marked improvement, the report itself is available and linked to from the story above.
http://www.495partnership.org/assets/Compact/FinalPlan/finalcompactplansmall.pdf

Voices of Franklin: David Brennan - Vote No

This was posted earlier on Saturday as a comment on the Comment Policy posting posted in Dec 2007 and hence buried in the archives. I have re-posted it here rather than leave it buried.


David Brennan - Mar 17, 2012 11:06 AM
My son will be attending Franklin High School in the fall and I will be voting no to a new building.

I recently toured the High School at an open house and found it to be perfectly fine. In fact it is much nicer than the Franklin Charter School my son has attended for 8 years which was built in 1955.

The Parmenter School was built in 1951,Davis Thayer was built in 1924, Kennedy and Horace Mann in the sixties, Tri County was built in the 70's.

All these schools are still going strong and there is no reason the High School which is only forty years old can't do the same for decades to come.

The tax payers of Franklin have been very generous over the past few years - approving monies for both reasonable updates to existing schools and building new ones.

Franklin High may need some sprucing up but everything I have read about and seen in person is cosmetic and can be done at a far lower cost than tearing down the school and building a completely new one.

Of course you would have to want to keep spending down in order to do that. Instead town officials have chosen to take the bait from the state where the incentive is to make the project as expensive as possible.

Nobody knows what the final cost will be. The Ballot question gives no definite amount of money that we are being asked to approve. It does not say a debt exclussion of $47 Million - it is completley open ended.

It would be foolish for tax payers to give a blank check to town officials who along with the state have thus far demonstrated every proclivity to spend as much money as possible.

We have only been presented with one choice and it is by far the most extravagant and expensive one and it could in the end be even more extravagant and expensive than we now know.

If we give them open ended approval does anyone doubt that they will not go for broke with a once in a lifetime opportunity to throw in as many expensive extras and pet projects as they can possibly tag on. They could throw in an Olympic Pool and Ice Arena if they like.

I'll be voting no because:

Spending $100 Million + on a new school to address cosmetic issues with the existing one is extravagant and wasteful.

The ballot is worded in such a way that it is simply a blank check and gives free reign for even more money to be spent.

Finally there is the common good to consider. These days many working families and especially our senior citizens are in no position to have taxes increased even more than they already go each year. They simply can't afford to build a fancy new school just because some folks find the existing one to be a little drab.


Editorial Note: There are two factual errors in the above that are corrected here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/03/two-additional-points-for-david-brennan.html

Two Additional Points for David Brennan

Editorial Note:  David Brennan took time to post a comment but it ended up buried. I have brought it forward here. There are two factual points that should be made about David's post.

David wrote

Nobody knows what the final cost will be. The Ballot question gives no definite amount of money that we are being asked to approve. It does not say a debt exclussion of $47 Million - it is completely open ended.

1 - The final cost is very well known. The details are available here
http://newfhs.com/images/Franklin%20HS%20Total%20Project%20Budget%20011812.pdf

2 - The ballot question wording is the product of a state mandate. This was discussed in the Town Council meeting on February 1 when the ballot question was discussed and approved. You can find the notes from the Town Council meeting here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/02/town-council-020112.html

While the ballot question is open ended, the actual binding resolution is very explicit:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/01/resolution-12-05.html

Resolution 12-05

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED that the Town Council of the Town of Franklin: appropriates the sum of one hundred four million, six hundred forty-nine thousand, eight hundred seventy-six dollars ($104,649,876) for the construction of a new Franklin High School to be located at 218 Oak Street, and for the payment of all other costs incidental and related thereto which school facility shall have an anticipated useful life as an educational facility for the instruction of school children for at least 50 years, said sum to be expended under the direction of the School Building Committee, and to meet said appropriation the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Town Administrator is authorized to borrow said sum under M.G.L. Chapter 44, or any other enabling authority; that the Town of Franklin acknowledges that the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s (“MSBA”) grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and any project costs the Town of Franklin incurs in excess of any grant approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the Town of Franklin; provided further that any grant that the Town of Franklin may receive from the MSBA for the Project shall not exceed the lesser of (1) fifty-nine point fifty-two hundredths percent ( 59.52%) of eligible, approved project costs, as determined by the MSBA, or (2) the total maximum grant amount determined by the MSBA; provided that any appropriation hereunder shall be subject to and contingent upon an affirmative vote of the Town to exempt the amounts required for the payment of interest and principal on said borrowing from the limitations on taxes imposed by M.G.L. 59, Section 21C (Proposition 2½); and that the amount of borrowing authorized pursuant to this vote shall be reduced by any grant amount set forth in the Project Funding Agreement that may be executed between the Town of Franklin and the MSBA.

The text of the Ballot Question:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/01/proposed-ballot-question-for-debt.html

Resolution 12 - 07

Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provisions of Proposition two-and-one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued in order to construct a new high school, to be located at 218 Oak Street, and for the payment of all other costs incidental and related thereto?

Voices of Franklin: Jonathan Herndon - Vote Yes

Steve – I see that you have posted a comment posted by someone against the new high school. As it appears that your website is dedicated to all things that matter to Franklin, it is important that you have both points of view for people to read. The problem I see with Ms. Breenan’s comments are that they do not even contain any facts. She described scenarios that are meant to over exaggerate what is being proposed and will only mislead your readers. This is the first time since I have lived in Franklin (10 years) that I have seen a vote to increase my taxes as important as this one.


To be honest, in the past I have voted against some of the overrides because I felt that the town did not give me enough information of how the funds will be spent to make the right decision. The proponents of the new high school have put together a very clear, concise, and to the point presentation that outlines all the important facts and allows the voter to make sure they are making an informed choice. Even the comparisons for those that feel it would be much cheaper to just refurbish the current school. I want to highlight some of the key numbers:


The three original options had an estimated cost as follows (all
numbers rounded to nearest million):
Renovation #1 $86,000,000
Renovation #2 $96,000,000
New Custom School $98,000,000


The great news about the school project is that the MSBA will pay a large share of the cost depending on which option the Town chooses. The final cost of the school and the exact
reimbursement amount cannot be determined until the proposed school is approved by the MSBA and the town has received bids. However for planning purposes the following estimates were used based on assumed reimbursement from the MSBA for eligible costs.


If we look at the same three options after the estimated MSBA reimbursement amount the cost to the town would be approximately as follows:
Renovation #1 $38,000,000
Renovation #2 $43,000,000
New Custom School $47,000,000


Here is the link to their report and website:


http://www.newfhs.com/images/FAQcampaign.pdf


http://www.newfhs.com/facts.php




In my opinion, it is very simple math. We can either have a state of the art school that will continue to allow Franklin to thrive, and for those that need to hear it, increase our property values, then this is an opportunity that we cannot waste. If this does not pass, you can guarantee that we will face continued budget overrides, lower property values and lower government services.


The high school is in dire need of repair. If the concern is that the new high school is not affordable, I would think that only paying 50% of the costs is much more affordable then paying 100%.


Jonathan Herndon
41 Mary Jane Road
508-520-7974


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If you have something you'd like to submit for 'Voices of Franklin', please follow these instructions:

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html