MEMA prepares for hurricane season in Massachusetts

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

MEMA prepares for hurricane season in Massachusetts

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 6/4/12

As hurricane season officially begins this week, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is launching a series of  workshops and drills for local officials and public awareness announcements for residents.

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State releases first Tax Credit Transparency Report identifying recipients o...

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

State releases first Tax Credit Transparency Report identifying recipients of transferable and refundable tax credits

via Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue by Robert Bliss on 6/4/12

The Executive Office for Administration and Finance today released the first-ever Massachusetts Tax Credit Transparency Report compiled by the Department of Revenue based on reports received from the various state agencies that administer thirteen tax credits.

The reporting requirement was proposed by Gov. Deval Patrick and enacted by the Legislature in the FY11 budget. The report identifies receipients of the credits and the amount either received or awarded in calendar 2011.

"The Patrick-Murray Administration continues to build on its record of making government spending more transparent to the public with today's publication of the Tax Credit Report," said A&F Secretary Jay Gonzalez.

"This release, along with other transparency initiatives like the recent launch of 'Open Checkbook' on the state's website gives taxpayers access to information they need and deserve to understand how government funds are being spent and to hold those of us in government accountable for the management of their tax dollars," Gonzalez said.

The credits reported on are the Film Tax Credit, Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, Brownfields Tax Credit, Medical Device Company Tax Credit, Dairy Farmer Tax Credit, Life Sciences Tax Incentive Program (with its Investment, Research, User Fee  and Jobs Tax Credits), Economic Development Incentive Program Credit, Certified Housing Development Tax Credit, and Conservation Land Tax Credit. 

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Happy Birthday Minimum Wage

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. The Minimum Wage: Then and Now Today is the 100th anniversary of the nation's first minimum wage law--a law passed here in Massachusetts. To honor that centennial, MassBudget is releasing a new report showing how many workers would be affected by an increase in the minimum wage--and examining who those workers are. Specifically, we find that raising the minimum wage to $10 would: Directly increase the wages of roughly 325,000 workers currently earning less than $10/hour. Likely increase the wages of 250,000 additional workers currently earning slightly more than $10/hour. To provide a more complete picture of the people who would be affected, the report also includes an interactive tool that lets you analyze the numbers by age, gender, work-type, education, and more. READ WHO IS AFFECTED BY THE MINIMUM WAGE USE THE INTERACTIVE TOOL The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income people, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

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

DPW Construction Plans for 2012

According to the current construction plans for 2012 as posted to the DPW webpage, the following streets will see construction this year:

• East Central Street - Water Main Replacement
• Riverside Drive - Paving
• Evergreen Drive - Paving
• Overlook Drive - Paving
• Greensfield Road - Paving
• Greensfield Lane - Paving
• Grove Street - Waterline Replacement
• Intersection of Miller Street / Green Street - Roadway Realignment and Drainage
• Wyllie Road - Waterline Replacement
• Pyne Circle - Waterline Replacement

• East Street, West Street, Nason Street, Walnut Avenue, Church Avenue,  Crescent Street,  Martin Avenue, Garfield Street, and Charlotte Court - Waterline and Drainage Replacement during 2012 with Pavement and Sidewalks to be completed in 2013

Check the DPW page for updates to this listing
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_DPW/Construction_Projects/construction_projects_index

Big Y: Franklin, MA

During my run along RT 140 on Sunday morning, I stopped for some photos to mark the progress on the Big Y.




For those looking for work, the Big Y is hiring!
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/06/big-y-plans-to-hire-150-plus.html

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - agenda - Jun 5, 2012

The Finance Committee will get the preview for all the financial approvals that the Town Council has on their agenda for Wednesday, Jun 6. If you really want to get a head start on the details about each of the proposals, this is the place to be.



The full agenda for the Town Council meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/06/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-jun-6.html

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jun 6, 2012

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
May 2, 2012, May 16, 2012

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

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
Franklin School for the Performing Arts

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Franklin Disability Commission - Deborah Bean

Joint Appointment of Planning Board Member - Brian Lyra, Jeffrey T. Harris, Douglas Hartnett

Joint Appointment of Member of the Board of Assessors - John Neas

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Senators Spilka and Ross – Budget Update

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-25: Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of Beaver Court, Mark’s Way and J.R.’S Lane and Order of Taking (Extinguishment) of Related Right-of-Way Over Abutting Town-Owned-Land
2. Resolution 12-41: Appropriation:Roads/Sidewalks/Drainage/Stormwater/Infrastructure
3. Resolution 12-42: Authorization for DPW Garage/Storage Building
4. Resolution 12-43: Authorization to Transfer Funds – Davis Thayer Study
5. Resolution 12-44: Authorization to Transfer Funds – Dam Repairs
6. Resolution 12-45: Establishment of a Senior Center Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund
7. Resolution 12-46: Appropriation Senior Center Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund
8. Resolution 12-47: Establishment of an Athletic Fields Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund
9. Resolution 12-48: Appropriation Athletic Fields Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund
10. Resolution 12-49: Establishment of a Fire Truck Stabilization Fund
11. Resolution 12-50: Appropriation Fire Truck Stabilization Fund
12. Bylaw Amendment 12-683: Amendment to Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic-Parking- 2nd Reading
13. Bylaw Amendment 12-684: Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 2nd Reading
14. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-685: Amendment to Chapter 185, §24. Floodplain District – Referral to Planning Board
15. Bylaw Amendment 12-687: Amendment to Chapter 25, Personnel Regulations, Appendix A - Classification Plan and Appendix B – Pay Schedules- 1st 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 to accompany this agenda can be found on the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/060612.pdf