Thursday, April 5, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Stop Stealing Dreams
Seth Godin always asks provocative questions. He has an ebook/essay on education reform that I just found here
http://www.squidoo.com/stop-stealing-dreams
Have you read this yet?
What do you think?
http://www.squidoo.com/stop-stealing-dreams
Have you read this yet?
What do you think?
Alert: RT 140 Construction
Beginning April 9th, 2012 a water main replacement project will begin on East Central St (Route 140) in the area between Glen Meadow Road and Aspen Way. Motorists should allow for extra time when travelling in this area as the roadway will be reduced to a single lane at times. Work will be completed during the hours of 9 AM – 4 PM in an effort to minimize disruption. Construction is anticipated to last approximately 4 weeks.
This text and the embedded doc were originally posted on the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01887CEA-000F8513
RT_140_Construction_20120409
A live portion of Google Maps showing the area of construction:
View Larger Map
Public Notice: hydrant flushing
The Franklin Department of Public Works, Water Division will begin its hydrant flushing program on Monday, April 9, 2012. This program is conducted annually to improve Franklin’s water quality and fire flows. Some hydrants will be flushed between the hours of 7:00 pm and 11:00 pm, while others will be completed during the day. Hydrant flushing will continue depending on water availability and system pressures. Residents may experience discolored water during this process.
Residents may experience, temporary water loss or discolored water while hydrants are being flushed in their area. Even though aesthetically the water may look discolored, it is still safe for human consumption.
Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation and we apologize for any
inconvenience that this may cause. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Water Office at 508-553-5551.
Department of Public Works
Deacon Perrotta
Water & Sewer Superintendent
Originally posted on the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01887947-000F8513
What's It Worth: A New MassBudget Report On The Minimum Wage
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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108
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Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Current readership statistics
Occasionally I am asked, what is the readership for Franklin Matters? This is not something I focus on. The numbers tend to be quite dependent upon a variety of factors beyond my control. I prefer to focus on providing good content and letting the rest happen.
You have helped in this area. You have found what you wanted here. Usually spending a good bit of time reading here. And over time (as shown by the charts below) have continued to spread the word about what you find here.
You have four options to follow what matters in Franklin
You can sign up for the each email listing or follow us on Facebook here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html
And as I frequently have said on the audio version:
Note:
This website was "born" in November 2007. Right after the election. All posts on the Franklin election and the override (earlier in May) were to my personal website - Steve's 2 Cents.
The readership for Jan-Feb-Mar of this year already exceeds all of the first full year 2008!
Note: 2012 covers only Jan-Feb-Mar
You have helped in this area. You have found what you wanted here. Usually spending a good bit of time reading here. And over time (as shown by the charts below) have continued to spread the word about what you find here.
You have four options to follow what matters in Franklin
- the daily update via email
- the weekly update via email
- visit the website regularly
- follow us on Facebook
You can sign up for the each email listing or follow us on Facebook here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html
And as I frequently have said on the audio version:
- If you like what you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors.
- If you don't like what you find here, please let me know. It is through this feedback process that I can continue to provide good content that meets your needs.
Note:
This website was "born" in November 2007. Right after the election. All posts on the Franklin election and the override (earlier in May) were to my personal website - Steve's 2 Cents.
The readership for Jan-Feb-Mar of this year already exceeds all of the first full year 2008!
|
Year
|
|
|
Page
Loads
|
Unique
Visits
|
First
Time Visits
|
Returning
Visits
|
|
2012
|
|
|
23,029
|
17,566
|
14,433
|
3,133
|
|
2011
|
|
|
67,814
|
48,020
|
37,004
|
11,016
|
|
2010
|
|
|
63,307
|
42,461
|
31,121
|
11,340
|
|
2009
|
|
|
41,845
|
28,131
|
20,016
|
8,115
|
|
2008
|
|
|
22,574
|
15,243
|
9,730
|
5,513
|
|
2007
|
|
|
1,816
|
1,085
|
511
|
574
|
Note: 2012 covers only Jan-Feb-Mar
Attention Franklin runners
For Franklin area runners, there are at least three local opportunities to run and help a good cause coming up. Mark your calendar for the following!
1 - Franklin & Bellingham Citizens Rail Trail Committee - 2nd Annual Road Race - May 12
http://franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63&Itemid=62
2 - 11th Annual Independence 5K Run/Walk to benefit the HMEA - May 20th
http://www.hmea.org/events.html
3 - 4th Annual Parmenter Run for All Ages 5K - Jun 10th
http://www.active.com/running/
1 - Franklin & Bellingham Citizens Rail Trail Committee - 2nd Annual Road Race - May 12
http://franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63&Itemid=62
2 - 11th Annual Independence 5K Run/Walk to benefit the HMEA - May 20th
http://www.hmea.org/events.html
3 - 4th Annual Parmenter Run for All Ages 5K - Jun 10th
http://www.active.com/running/
Monday, April 2, 2012
Franklin Cultural Council - Grant winners for 2012
Franklin Matters correspondent Ken Norman provides the following information:
The Franklin Cultural Council had their annual awards ceremony at the Historical Museum on Sunday. Twenty-one organizations representing twenty-seven programs were the recipients of the grants for 2012.
Franklin Cultural Council - Awards 2012
Franklin musician and artist, Kai Olsson
Dennis Ferguson, conductor of the Prolatio Singers
Ken graciously provided both photos. For additional photos from the event, there are a bunch that have been posted to the Franklin Historical Museum Facebook page
The Franklin Cultural Council had their annual awards ceremony at the Historical Museum on Sunday. Twenty-one organizations representing twenty-seven programs were the recipients of the grants for 2012.
Franklin Cultural Council - Awards 2012
Franklin musician and artist, Kai Olsson
Dennis Ferguson, conductor of the Prolatio Singers
Ken graciously provided both photos. For additional photos from the event, there are a bunch that have been posted to the Franklin Historical Museum Facebook page
In the News - gun sales, A Cut Above, pastel arts, cross walk
Police differed on whether the increases are noteworthy. Police chiefs in Franklin and Medway, for example, said they noticed no spikes in licensing activity recently.
Wrentham Police Lt. Michael Robillard said he seems busier with gun permits lately. His department issued 60 Class A licenses last year, up from 46 in 2010, state records show.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x777660137/Got-guns-Sales-permits-shoot-up#ixzz1qsKUUHOQ
Should a high school student from the area get her prom-style hair and nails done at A Cut Above in downtown Franklin, the salon will offer her a dress, free of charge.
“Myself and the stylists that work here, we were all talking about the expense of the prom,” A Cut Above owner Pam Smith said, noting that prom hair and nails can cost $80 or more. “Really, between us we had quite a few dresses hanging in our closets.”
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x140150387/Such-a-deal-in-Franklin-Dressed-and-tressed#ixzz1qsKqAwo1
Look at her luminous scenes of Downtown Crossing or the Hotel Lenox rising into the Boston night and you’ll know why.
The Franklin resident earned her place in the selective society by showing a portfolio that included vibrant pastels from a series she calls “Reflections of the City’’ that bathe Newbury Street in brilliant colors.
Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x140150102/Franklin-artist-has-a-passion-for-pastels#ixzz1qsL87TSG
Good Friday ‘Cross Walk’ scheduled on town common
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Apr 4, 2012
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 4, Regular Session; March 21, Executive Session
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Verizon, Comcast, and Franklin Matters
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Gary B. McCarraher – Fire Chief
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-11: Appropriation 2012 Enterprise Funds Capital
2. Resolution 12-22: Appropriation 2012 Capital Improvement Plan
3. Bylaw Amendment 12-681:Amendment to Chapter 4, Administration of Government - 1st Reading
4. Bylaw Amendment 12-682:Amendment to Chapter 110, Licenses and Permits, Designation of Issuing Authority - 1st Reading
5. Bylaw Amendment 12-680:Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 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 full set of documents for this meeting can be found on the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/031212.pdf
Photo essay: Bren Bataclan shows his work in Franklin
Another gray, overcast Saturday for Franklin. This one had some snow flurries for a while early in the morning. Fortunately, nothing stuck around long.
It was a good time to get inside and mingle among some folks interested in the art of Bren Bataclan.
Having participated in other art shows, I was most impressed by Bren. He went out of his way to greet anyone who came to the show.
Lingering to talk about what he does, how he does it.
He willing posed for a picture of his hand. If you look closely, it appears to be tinted blue as if some of the paint he was using he couldn't completely wash off. Actually, it is from his new jeans. Wiping his hands on his jeans is picking up the blue dye.
I think his work is easily approachable. He simplifies the world he shares. Others agree at least to the extent that he sold four or five works during the show. The red dot indicates this large work is sold. Actually before the afternoon ended, the two smaller ones partially caught here also sold.
It was a happy Bren and Linda Kabat posing for a picture as the show closed.
While some of Bren's works have sold, his work will still be on display through April at the Franklin Art Center. If you have a chance to stop by, please do so.
Additional info on Bren can be found on his website http://www.bataclan.com/
Related post: http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/03/bren-bataclan-art-show.html
Disclosure: my daughter Allison is one of the part-time art instructors for the Franklin Art Center. I have met Ian and Linda a few times and we share a mutual interest in art and developing a community.
Curbside Chronicle: Apr-Jun 2012
The Curb Side Chronicle for Apr-Jun 2012 as published by the Franklin, MA Dept of Public Works
Curb Side Chronicle April-June 2012
The Chronicle can be found on the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0187FC40-000F8513.0/Curbside%20Chronicle-April-June.pdf
Curb Side Chronicle April-June 2012
The Chronicle can be found on the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0187FC40-000F8513.0/Curbside%20Chronicle-April-June.pdf
Beaver St: Recycling Center
The Recycle Center's "seasonal hours"
Begin Tuesday April 3rd
12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
As noted on the Franklin, MA website
View Larger Map
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Bren Bataclan: Art Show
Bren Bataclan is coming to Franklin Saturday afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. He will be showing some of his work at the Franklin Art Center.
Bataclan, a Cambridge based artist, was recognized by Couric for his “Smile Boston Project. The project involves the artist leaving his cartoon inspired paintings for people to take for “free”. Attatched to each painting is a note saying, “ This painting is yours if you promise to smile at random people more often.” He founded the project in the summer of 2003 and has since gone worldwide.
The town of Franklin has been honored to have Bataclan paint murals in our elementary schools. Bataclan has also been featured in The Smithsonian Magazine, The Boston Globe, The San Francisco Chronicle, and The Chicago Tribune to name a few. His solo show at the Franklin Art Center will debuting his new painting style and his new Baha series. These paintings are a more figurative and narrative series of work. “Baha” portrays the heroism, resilience and compassion of the Filipino people who have dealt with the recent floods in the Philippines. “Baha” is Bren’s most extensive and quite possibly his most important show to date. The exhibit will also feature Bren’s regular, whimsical characters along with some new ones. Bren will be donating a portion of the sale of his work to help the Filipino people.
For additional information you can visit the Art Center Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/events/347387778632732/
Or their website http://franklinartcenter.com/
Or Bren's own website http://www.bataclan.com/
Image of Bren borrowed from the above links
Reminder: Earth Hour - 8:30 PM
Friendly reminder that Earth Hour occurs at 8:30 PM Saturday evening. Turn off your lights and join millions around the world.
Video summary can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/03/earth-hour-sat-33112-beginning-at-830.html
Additional info on Earth Hour can be found here
http://www.worldwildlife.org/sites/earthhour/index.html
Franklin Art Association to meet, April 4
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 3/30/12
The Franklin Art Association will host a meeting on Wednesday, April 4, from 6:30-9 p.m., at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Wicked Local Franklin News RSS using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Marijuana tax stamps still on sale even though law up in smoke
An oddity creates an opportunity for collectors!
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue by Robert Bliss on 3/30/12
A Massachusetts newspaper reported this week that two men arrested for possession of five pounds of marijuana had also run afoul of state tax law.
The story went on to quote from the law ... which was all well and good except the law was thrown out in a Supreme Judicial Court case settled in 1998, Commissioner of Revenue v. Mullins. In ruling against the Commonwealth, the SJC said the law was aimed at drug dealers and amounted to a double jeopardy penalty since it imposed a high rate of taxation, had a deterrent purpose, was clearly conditioned on the commission of a crime, and bore no logical relationship to legal possession.
Some background is in order. in 1993, the Massachusetts Legislature passed the Massachusetts Controlled Substance Tax which authorized DOR to print tax stamps for controlled substances such as marijuana. Even though the SJC ruling made the law moot, it has not been repealed. The law set a tax rate of $3.50 per gram or $99.20 per ounce of controlled substance.
After the SJC decision, DOR kept the stamps, which are purple and about the size of a postage stamp.
Indeed, since the law first took effect, DOR has earned about $2,500 from the stamps which sell for $3.50 each, with most of those sales registered after the SJC decision.
Who is buying a stamp that has no valid legal purpose, given the SJC decision? Stamp collectors. Some purchasers sell the stamps as collectibles on web-based auction sales sites for as much as $20.
If you'd like to order your collectible, gag gift or stocking stuffer -- and folks, supplies are running low, so act now since DOR will not re-order the useless stamps once they are gone -- you can obtain them by downloading DOR form CST-1, Marijuana and Controlled Substances Stamp order form and mailing it to DOR at the address listed on the form.
We can't make this stuff up.
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
Friday, March 30, 2012
Earth Hour: Sat 3/31/12 beginning at 8:30 PM
This Saturday evening turn off the non-essentials lights for an hour. Join with millions around the world in Earth Hour!
For more on Earth Hour visit the US website here http://www.worldwildlife.org/sites/earthhour/index.html
Gardening for the Hungry (video)
Grow a Greener Garden shares a program PBS did on Ample Harvest founder Gary Oppenheimer.
Gary Oppenheimer also spoke to the TEDxManhattan event in February (time = 14 minutes)
The Franklin Food Pantry is registered with Ample Harvest.
After finding his garden too bountiful, gardener Gary Oppenheimer gave his excess harvest away to friends and neighbors, and soon that route was maxed out as well. He didn’t want to waste great food, so after donating the rest to a local women’s shelter, the idea grew to figure out a way to connect home gardeners to the food banks who are prepared to handle and distribute fresh produce.
So Gary founded AmpleHarvest.org, with a focus on doing just that, so that surplus harvest can go to hunger relief and not the compost bin. Today, from Master Gardening groups to your friends and neighbors, more people are sharing the bounty and there are some great and easy ways for you to do the same.You can view the PBS episode here Episode 220: Gardening for the Hungry (time = 1 hour)
Gary Oppenheimer also spoke to the TEDxManhattan event in February (time = 14 minutes)
The Franklin Food Pantry is registered with Ample Harvest.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Franklin, MA: Economic Development Summit
On April 5, 2012 Franklin will host an economic development summit including tours of Tegra Medical's award winning facility. Details can be found in the invitation document below. RSVP by April 1 to Bryan Taberner, Franklin's Director of Planning and Community Development.
Franklin, MA: 2012 Economic Development Summit Invitation
Franklin, MA: 2012 Economic Development Summit Invitation
“We feel it’s a better future for the children”
“I’m delighted. I’m just really happy about it,” resident Linda Dunnebier said of the 7,988 “yes” votes. That total was more than four times the 1,982 “no” votes. There was a single blank ballot.
Town officials are now working on contract documents to send the design plans for the school out to bid in the hopes of awarding the bid by August and starting construction in October.
If everything stays on track, students will be in the new school by fall of 2014, with demolition and the rebuilding of the athletic fields taking place after that.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x777658853/Residents-happy-about-passage-of-override-for-new-high-school#ixzz1qUrsGWTI
The collection of posts on the high school building project can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html
MBTA: Letter to Our Customers
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 3/28/12
By Richard A. Davey, MassDOT Secretary and CEO and Jonathan Davis, MBTA Acting GM
Let us start by first thanking each and every one of the nearly 6,000 individuals who attended our public meetings over the last several months and the thousands more who wrote in via email or letter. We understand that the MBTA is a lifeline for many of you, without which you may not be able to get to work, school or recreational activities.
It is because of your overwhelming engagement that our final recommendation to the MBTA board includes what we believe are modest fare increases and limited service changes. While both are necessary to close the $185 million gap we face next year, the proposals we released in January would have had a significantly greater impact than our final plan.
MassDOT and the MBTA have identified a number of savings and efficiencies and one-time financial actions that can be taken to reduce the operating deficit, thus reducing the need for the larger fare increases and service reductions originally proposed. Some of the most significant actions include enrollment of MBTA staff in a new, lower cost health care program, energy purchase savings and a reduction in Authority headcount of 51 positions. Additionally, the T implemented a hiring freeze for non-critical positions.
Today, we are proposing an overall 23 percent increase in fares, which will generate $72.9 million in revenue. This is the first time in more than five years that the MBTA would raise fares. Every other major public transit system across the country has raised its fares during this time period. Many have also reduced service.
What does this mean for riders? For CharlieCard users, the subway will now cost $2 per ride. Local bus service will cost $1.50. Students and seniors will each pay $0.75 for a bus trip and $1 for a subway ride. Building on your ideas, we will offer a new 7-day student pass in addition to the current weekday-only student pass.
The RIDE, our paratransit service, will also see price changes. Over the last decade, the cost of providing the RIDE has increased more than 400%, requiring a growing slice of our operating budget. As in both previous proposals, no current RIDE customers will lose service. For RIDE trips required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, the fare will be $4. For non-ADA required trips, the new premium fare will be $5 per trip.
Commuter rail single trip and monthly passes would be increased an average of 29 percent, depending upon the zone of travel. Ferry prices will be increased an average of 35 percent.
Overwhelmingly, we heard your calls to protect your service. We worked diligently to identify additional efficiencies, some legislative changes and $61 million in one-time revenues that allowed us to avoid massive service cuts next year. Those one-time sources include $51 million from MassDOT's Motor Vehicle Inspection Trust Fund; $5 million in MassDOT snow and ice surplus funds; and $5 million from leasing the North Station Garage.
Coupled with the smaller fare increase, we are proposing $15.4 million in service changes for next year, including the elimination of four weekday bus routes and modifications to 14 others. Under our proposal certain bus lines would run less frequently and others would see their routes altered.
On commuter rail, we will continue to operate full weekday service during our current service hours. However, we will eliminate all weekend service on the Greenbush and Kingston/Plymouth Lines as well as Saturday service on the Needham line.
Based on your feedback, we are proposing to maintain ferry service at a higher cost to customers. We will, however, eliminate the low-ridership Quincy ferry service on the weekends.
To close the remaining gap, we will seek legislative authorization to use $51 million from the Motor Vehicle Inspection Fund, a fund that is dedicated to promoting green transportation. Without this, the air pollution impacts of cutting more service would be significant. We will also use $5 million in surplus snow and ice funds, and $5 million in other one-time savings.
We understand that even these moderate changes we are proposing today will have a significant impact on some of our customers, and we appreciate that. But we have an obligation to balance our books and to be honest with each of you about the cost of service.
This is not a permanent budget solution. As our fixed costs continue to grow, we anticipate the MBTA will have to close another deficit next year. While we have avoided drastic service cuts this year, we may not be able to in the future. The Governor and I will continue to work towards a long-term solution to our transportation funding issues and we ask you to remain engaged with us in that conversation.
The MBTA will continue to do everything it can to improve your commuting experience despite our fiscal challenges. We heard many good ideas from all of you, and we ask for your continued engagement in this conversation. It is because of your involvement in the process that we are here today.
A full report on our recommendations can be found at www.mbta.com
Thank you.
Let us start by first thanking each and every one of the nearly 6,000 individuals who attended our public meetings over the last several months and the thousands more who wrote in via email or letter. We understand that the MBTA is a lifeline for many of you, without which you may not be able to get to work, school or recreational activities.
It is because of your overwhelming engagement that our final recommendation to the MBTA board includes what we believe are modest fare increases and limited service changes. While both are necessary to close the $185 million gap we face next year, the proposals we released in January would have had a significantly greater impact than our final plan.
MassDOT and the MBTA have identified a number of savings and efficiencies and one-time financial actions that can be taken to reduce the operating deficit, thus reducing the need for the larger fare increases and service reductions originally proposed. Some of the most significant actions include enrollment of MBTA staff in a new, lower cost health care program, energy purchase savings and a reduction in Authority headcount of 51 positions. Additionally, the T implemented a hiring freeze for non-critical positions.
Today, we are proposing an overall 23 percent increase in fares, which will generate $72.9 million in revenue. This is the first time in more than five years that the MBTA would raise fares. Every other major public transit system across the country has raised its fares during this time period. Many have also reduced service.
What does this mean for riders? For CharlieCard users, the subway will now cost $2 per ride. Local bus service will cost $1.50. Students and seniors will each pay $0.75 for a bus trip and $1 for a subway ride. Building on your ideas, we will offer a new 7-day student pass in addition to the current weekday-only student pass.
The RIDE, our paratransit service, will also see price changes. Over the last decade, the cost of providing the RIDE has increased more than 400%, requiring a growing slice of our operating budget. As in both previous proposals, no current RIDE customers will lose service. For RIDE trips required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, the fare will be $4. For non-ADA required trips, the new premium fare will be $5 per trip.
Commuter rail single trip and monthly passes would be increased an average of 29 percent, depending upon the zone of travel. Ferry prices will be increased an average of 35 percent.
Overwhelmingly, we heard your calls to protect your service. We worked diligently to identify additional efficiencies, some legislative changes and $61 million in one-time revenues that allowed us to avoid massive service cuts next year. Those one-time sources include $51 million from MassDOT's Motor Vehicle Inspection Trust Fund; $5 million in MassDOT snow and ice surplus funds; and $5 million from leasing the North Station Garage.
Coupled with the smaller fare increase, we are proposing $15.4 million in service changes for next year, including the elimination of four weekday bus routes and modifications to 14 others. Under our proposal certain bus lines would run less frequently and others would see their routes altered.
On commuter rail, we will continue to operate full weekday service during our current service hours. However, we will eliminate all weekend service on the Greenbush and Kingston/Plymouth Lines as well as Saturday service on the Needham line.
Based on your feedback, we are proposing to maintain ferry service at a higher cost to customers. We will, however, eliminate the low-ridership Quincy ferry service on the weekends.
To close the remaining gap, we will seek legislative authorization to use $51 million from the Motor Vehicle Inspection Fund, a fund that is dedicated to promoting green transportation. Without this, the air pollution impacts of cutting more service would be significant. We will also use $5 million in surplus snow and ice funds, and $5 million in other one-time savings.
We understand that even these moderate changes we are proposing today will have a significant impact on some of our customers, and we appreciate that. But we have an obligation to balance our books and to be honest with each of you about the cost of service.
This is not a permanent budget solution. As our fixed costs continue to grow, we anticipate the MBTA will have to close another deficit next year. While we have avoided drastic service cuts this year, we may not be able to in the future. The Governor and I will continue to work towards a long-term solution to our transportation funding issues and we ask you to remain engaged with us in that conversation.
The MBTA will continue to do everything it can to improve your commuting experience despite our fiscal challenges. We heard many good ideas from all of you, and we ask for your continued engagement in this conversation. It is because of your involvement in the process that we are here today.
A full report on our recommendations can be found at www.mbta.com
Thank you.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Franklin voters approve tax hike for $104.5m high school
The Boston Globe YT (YourTown) Budget Blues website provided an update on the election results.
Construction on a new $104.5 million Franklin High School is scheduled to begin in the fall after residents voted Tuesday to override Proposition 2 1/2 by a nearly four-to-one margin.
With nearly 50 percent of the town's voters going to the polls, 7,988 were in favor of the override for the town's $49 million share of the project, while 1,982 were opposed.
Owners of a home valued at $352,700, the average in town, will pay an additional $260 in taxes starting in 2017 and ending in 2040, according to Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.
The state will pick up the remaining cost of the new school, which should be completed within two years on land now used for baseball and softball fields next to the current facility.
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via YT: Budget Blues on 3/28/12
Construction on a new $104.5 million Franklin High School is scheduled to begin in the fall after residents voted Tuesday to override Proposition 2 1/2 by a nearly four-to-one margin.
With nearly 50 percent of the town's voters going to the polls, 7,988 were in favor of the override for the town's $49 million share of the project, while 1,982 were opposed.
Owners of a home valued at $352,700, the average in town, will pay an additional $260 in taxes starting in 2017 and ending in 2040, according to Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.
The state will pick up the remaining cost of the new school, which should be completed within two years on land now used for baseball and softball fields next to the current facility.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to YT: Budget Blues using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Trust tips #8 - Tell me more, please! (video)
Charlie Green is someone I follow and read regularly.
Note: Franklin Matters subscribers will need to click through to the website to view the video.
Note: Franklin Matters subscribers will need to click through to the website to view the video.
“This is a great day for the town of Franklin”
“I couldn’t be more excited,” said Town Councilor and School Building Committee Chairman Thomas Mercer. “A major decision for the town was made by 10,000 people. It would have been a sin to see this decision made by 3,000 people.”
The debt exclusion will raise property taxes until 2040, costing the average homeowner $1 in fiscal 2013, $45 in fiscal 2014, $85 in fiscal 2015, $216 in fiscal 2016, and $260 every year after that until 2040.
The 104.5 million debt exclusion was the biggest obstacle for supporters of a new Franklin High School to overcome.
Now, town officials will finish creating contract documents, with Mercer saying he hopes to put the project out to bid by the end of July.
If everything stays on track, construction will break ground on the current high school sports fields this October, with students moving into a new school by the fall of 2014.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x140148815/Voters-overwhelmingly-back-new-Franklin-High-School-project#ixzz1qOzMP2OI
The full set of results from the election can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/03/franklin-ma-debt-exclusion-precinct.html
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Franklin, MA: Debt Exclusion - precinct totals
Precinct Yes No Blanks
1 1011 258
2 819 241
3 772 335
4 1093 251
5 777 274 1
6 1018 219
7 1366 210
8 1132 194
-----------------------------------------
Totals 7988 1982 1
9971 total votes cast of 20,500 eligible voters for a 48.6%
1 1011 258
2 819 241
3 772 335
4 1093 251
5 777 274 1
6 1018 219
7 1366 210
8 1132 194
-----------------------------------------
Totals 7988 1982 1
9971 total votes cast of 20,500 eligible voters for a 48.6%
Franklin, MA says "Yes" to model school program
The vote tally 9971
Yes = 7988
No = 1982
Total voters = 9971
Total registered voters = 20,500
percent voting 48.6%
Yes = 7988
No = 1982
Total voters = 9971
Total registered voters = 20,500
percent voting 48.6%
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