Town Council votes for $110 million operating budget

After the second budget hearing on Thursday, the Town Council voted unanimously for the $110,275,241. The vote was via roll call as Councilor Tom Mercer was participating via telephone conference call.

Unlike most recent years where the budget had little real increases in hours or services, this time around there are a few.

• Increase TA staff hours for passports and purchasing
• One custodian for new HS
• One patrol officer/one dispatcher
• Added PT clerical hours at Fire Dept.
• Added staff hours at Senior Center
• Added Sunday hours at Library

The TA (Town Administrator) increase in staff is really a shift of hours from the Town Clerk. Apparently, the Town Clerk can no longer legally process the passports. The Town will continue to provide this service but via the Town Administrators office (not the Town Clerk's office).

The first two pages of the Budget Summary presentation from Wednesday's budget hearing are shown here



(the remaining pages will be posted this weekend as I convert the hard copy to PDF format to share here)

Franklin Municipal Building - the setting for the Town Council meetings

Additional details on the budget can be found on the following links:

Town Administrator's FY 2015 budget file
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Admin/FY%2015%20Budget%20File.pdf

Town Administrator's budget letter (details on the changes to the budget)
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Admin/BudgetLetter.pdf

Copies of this year and prior year budget documents can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Admin/budgets/

Franklin Matters reporting on the Finance Committee's detail review of the budget during their set of budget hearings

Budget hearing #4
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget_26.html

Budget hearing #3
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget_20.html

Budget hearing #2
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget_13.html

Budget hearing #1
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget.html

audio version (the meeting was not recorded by Franklin TV)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/fincom-budget-hearing-mar-11-audio.html
Finance Committee - 04/01/14 (Capital budget review, final vote on FY 2015)

Franklin Educators Get Ready To ‘Mob’

The Franklin Education Association has scheduled a “cash mob” for Tuesday, May 6, at Edwins, 341 West Central St., Franklin.

Edwins Gifts

The educators chose Teacher Appreciation Day to stage their own bit of local economic stimulus. 

“We get a lot of support from parents, students and others in the community. We appreciate knowing that our work is valued, and we think a cash mob is one way of saying ‘thank you’ and giving back to the town,” said FEA President Chandler Creedon. 

Cash mobs have become popular vehicles for publicly supporting locally owned businesses. The “mob” selects a shop or business and then arrives en masse, with each member committed to spending at least a certain amount of money agreed upon by the group. 

FEA members plan to spend at least $20 each during their visit to Edwins, which is locally owned and specializes in gifts, jewelry and home décor.

DETAILS FOR THE CASH MOB
3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 6
Edwins, 341 West Central St., Franklin

National Teacher Day - May 6

For more about National Teacher Day, you can visit the National Education Association page
http://www.nea.org/grants/teacherday.html

YPO Offers Law Workshop

The United Regional YPO is hosting a Law Workshop on Wed., May 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Forming Your Business Entity And Protecting Its Intellectual Property will be held a Fisher College, 451 Elm Street, Room 5, North Attleborough. Attorneys from Pierce Atwood LLP will be presenting the workshop. The cost is $5 for preregistration and $10 at the door. See the event flyer here and register here.

Forward email  Privacy Policy. The United Regional Chamber of Commerce | 42 Union Street | Attleboro | MA | 02703

Net neutrality emergency

Hey, 

Evan here from Fight for the Future. We've got another web emergency on our hands. 

Corporate monopolies are trying to break the Internet. Will you stand up for net neutrality? 

Last Wednesday, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler announced a proposal for new rules that would allow for a " fast lane" of Internet traffic for content providers who are willing (and able) to pay a fee. [1] The proposal reverses the FCC's previous commitment to net neutrality and open internet and allows ISP's like Comcast or Verizon to slow down and censor services that don't pay the toll. 

We have to be totally honest, this situation is seriously grim. But there is still hope. The FCC already knows that the Internet community wants net neutrality, but they think they can put their spin on these new rules and sneak them through. If we can prove them wrong right now with a massive public outcry, we can literally save the Internet once again. 

We need you on this one. Click here to demand net neutrality! 

We need to stop the FCC now. Big business groups are already ramping up lobbying efforts with the FCC in swarms since Wednesday's announcement in support of censoring the open Internet and to ensure this dangerous proposal moves forward. [2] 

This is a critical moment. In the last few weeks more than 85,000 people have taken action with us. Can you help us get to 100,000 by the end of the day today? 

Click here to take action to keep the Internet free. 

More people than ever are fighting back to restore net neutrality. With your support, we have the power to stop the FCC from censoring the Internet. 

Sincerely,
Evan and Kevin
Fight For The Future 

P.S. We're going to fight tooth and nail on net neutrality, and we're going to win just like we did with SOPA. Want to support our work? Donate $15 today. 

--- 

[1] Gautham Nagesh. "FCC to Propose New 'Net Neutrality' Rules".
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304518704579519963416350296 

[2] Edward Wyatt. Edward Wyatt. "Lobbying Efforts Intensify After F.C.C. Tries 3rd Time on Net Neutrality" http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/25/business/lobbying-efforts-intensify-after-fcc-tries-3rd-time-on-net-neutrality.html?hpw&rref=politics&t=dXNlcmlkPTUzMDk1NzExLGVtYWlsaWQ9NzA0MQ==

Franklin Library: Coffee and Craft for Adults - Zentangle

Want to try zentangle? The library is offering a zentangle class for adults as part of their Coffee and Craft series. This Saturday, May 10 at 1:30 PM.

Coffee and Craft - zentangle

This was re-posted from the Franklin Public Library
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/05/coffee-craft-for-adults.html

Live reporting - Town Council - May 1, 2014

Present:  Feldman, Padula, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Williams, Mercer (remote)
Absent:  none

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
none

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS – This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none

E. APPOINTMENTS
none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
none

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none

started meeting, no items required after pledge so there is a five minute recess

Resume meeting -

F. HEARINGS
- 7:10 PM Budget: FY 2015 Budget Hearing – 2nd Reading
Dacey, Gagner, Nutting

reading of voting doc line by budget line, if any one holds an item that will be discussed before voting

Hold placed on

192 - Public Property and Buildings
Judy - discussion on report of expenses, detailed starting July 1st
want a worked order report, not scrubbed, open items
Matt - why is he not here tonight? I see others here. I am more concerned about our buildings and how they are cared. Brief presentation. Maybe a council walk through of the department
what were the give backs from all of the departments for the last five years? were the budgets reduced?
Bissanti - when the money comes back, what happens?
Nutting - That goes into free cash.

210 - Police
Vallee - how many men do you have excluding dispatchers?
Semerjian - 44 including me, no one is comparable to us, they have different issues
Nutting - an average of 45 across comparable communities, and with the budget tonight, an increase of one more to make it 45.
Semerjian - we usually have 6 and sometimes as low as 4. we don't go down to 2
Padula - Are we a model of other communities?
Semerjian - Milford did have more people and the population has dropped
Williams - with more officers, you'd be more pro-active
Semerjian - yes we are fortunate to have the specialty areas covered with 30-odd patrol guys out on the road to cover. things are going very well!
Padula - Medway has an officer over the the senior center, do we do that?
Semerjian - yes, we do - regularly. I go myself too

510 - Health
new number 176,358
motion to increase, seconded, passed 9-0 via roll call

710 - Retirement of Debt
question to clarify debt amount increase

440 - Sewer (Charles River Assessment)
motion to increase, seconded
motion to divide the remaining amounts among the COA and the Cultural Council
Nutting - does not recommend the change

original motion withdrawn
request to amend the motion - put the money into the Library account 610

Gagener - you'll have a better opportunity to spend this extra money later
vote failed 7-2 via roll call


J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-31: Adoption of FY 2015 Budget
motion to accept, seconded, passed 9-0 via roll call


K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
none

L. OLD BUSINESS
none

M. NEW BUSINESS
none

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
none

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
none

P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, via roll call passed 9-0

Join the Food Pantry team to race/walk on May 10

Join the Franklin Food Pantry team on Saturday, May 10 in the Elks Care Elks Share 5K Road Race and Walk!

Franklin Food Pantry

The Race benefits the Franklin Food Pantry and Wounded Warrior Project. Contact Jenn Parrella, Franklin Food Pantry team coordinator, at jennifer@parrella.us for details on joining the team.

Franklin Elks

Visit http://franklinelks5k.com/ for race and registration details. The event features a 5K loop of paved roads for runners and walkers, post-race refreshments, giveaways, raffles, DJ, music and free prizes.

Wounded Warrior Project

Strawberry Stroll Sponsorship Needed May 5th

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

It is because of your sponsorship support that the Partnership is able to continue to have our events each year. 

The Partnership is planning for our upcoming Beautification Day

and Strawberry Stroll.  Please e-mail us by May 5th if you would like to be a sponsor, so we can include you in the promotional materials.

Franklin Downtown Partnership

Attached are this year's sponsorship levels for all of the 2014 events. 

Strawberry Stroll Sponsorship Levels:

Friends:    $200

Bronze:     $300

Silver:        $500

Platinum:   $2,000

Please e-mail the FDP office if you are planning to sponsor so we can list you on all of the press materials.

Thank you again for your interest and continued support!

FSPA "All Access Pass" For Prospective Students To Feature Open House And Complimentary Spring Concert Tickets

Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) invites prospective students and families to learn more about programs in music, dance and drama via the school’s All Access Pass, which includes complimentary tickets to any of the FSPA Spring Concert performances on Saturday, May 17 at 4 and 7 p.m. and on Sunday, May 18 at 1 and 4 p.m. Featuring FSPA students in all levels and disciplines of dance and musical theater, as well as the FSPA Glee Club, musical theater troupes, dance companies and the international touring ensemble Electric Youth, Spring Concert is presented in an audience-friendly, 90-minute format. The shows provide a dynamic way to experience FSPA’s performance training and to learn about the curriculum across many dance disciplines, music and musical theater programming.

Pictured at FSPA Spring Concert 2013 are (L-R) Lauren Szczepanowski of Franklin, Brooke Collins of Franklin, and Mikaela Guidice of Norfolk, with Mia Fleischer of Franklin in foreground

FSPA will also hold a Spring Open House at 38 Main Street in downtown Franklin on Wednesday, May 21 from 4-8 p.m. The community is encouraged to tour the facilities, observe classes and rehearsals, speak with faculty and staff, and hear more about FSPA programs for all ages and ability levels, whether for recreational enjoyment or serious study. Since 1985, FSPA has been dedicated to the enjoyment of the arts for all ages and to the artistic growth and development of young people. Founded by Director Raye Lynn Mercer, the school is built upon the notion that arts experiences are an integral part of a well-rounded education. FSPA brings the performing arts disciplines together under one roof, with an extensive roster of classes and unparalleled calendar of performing opportunities.

FSPA’s Spring Concert will be presented at Franklin’s Thomas D. Mercer Auditorium, 224 Oak Street. Tickets are $18 and $20 for general admission. Prospective students and families should call FSPA at 508-528-8668 to reserve their complimentary tickets and schedule a trial class or tour of the facilities. Classes continue at FSPA through June 23 and registration for summer and fall sessions is ongoing. Visit www.fspaonline.com for more information.

Want to read your poetry at the festival this weekend?

Performance stage schedule, Cornelius Eady, The Nuyorican Slam Team, Line Break, emerging poets, and more View this email in your browser The performance stage boasts many great acts--including yours! Saturday, May 3 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Derby Square outside of Old Town Hall 12:00 - 12:45: As the Sparrow 12:45 - 1:00: Open mike 1:00 - 1:30: Poetry Out Loud 1:30 - 2:00: Slam Poetry Performance 2:00 - 2:45: Helen Creeley Student Poetry Prize 2:45 - 3:00: Open mike 3:00 - 3:40: Jade Sylvan 3:40 - 4:10: The Reservoir Writers 4:15 - 4:45: Jennifer Greer Trio 4:45 - 5:00: Open mike The festival is just days away! A reminder: Buttons that you have pre-purchased can be picked up, and buttons are also available for purchase, at Festival Headquarters (121 Museum Place Mall) and our Info Booths (located along the Pedestrian Mall). Please note that Headquarters closes prior to our Friday and Saturday night headline readings, but buttons can be picked up and/or purchased directly at those readings, as well as at the Friday and Saturday night slams. A look at Cornelius Eady by Jennifer Jean Many of my favorite contemporary writers happen to be former fellows of Cave Canem—a writers "affinity group" for African Americans, co-founded by Cornelius Eady and Toi Derricotte. Every year, several Cave Canem fellows trek in for a Mass Poetry Festival group reading—and their reading always rocks! This year's offering has another stellar line-up: Jamaal May, Nicole Terez Dutton, January O'Neil — and Eady, who's considered an "elder" in the community. Get to know Cornelius Eady in my essay, here. Sessions with Cornelius Eady: Poetry and Music | Saturday, May 3, 12:45 - 1:45 Cave Canem Group Reading | Saturday, May 3, 2:45 - 3:45 Saturday Night Headline Reading | Saturday, May 3, 7:30 - 9:15 In the spotlight... In each newsletter between now and the festival, we will be highlighting a different session.    Generation Write Saturday, May 3 • 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Charter School, Room 1 with Mahogany Browne and The Nuyorican 2013 Slam Team  This workshop will help generate new ideas. There will be a lively discussion on writing prompts and ways to combat writers block. Participants will walk away with suggestions and several writing prompts inspired by contemporary poetry. Handouts available. What do you get when you bring a hammock to the PEM during the Mass Poetry Festival?  Line Break: A Poetry Installation by Colleen Michaels and Lillian Harden Friday-Sunday, May 2-4 • 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Peabody Essex Museum, 1st Floor: Spiral Staircase; 3rd Floor: Taj Mahal Gallery Playing with the idea of a writing retreat, artist Lillian Harden and poet Colleen Michaels have created a reflective space within the festival. Participants are invited to spend time in the installation, reclining on soft seating under dim lights. There is a hammock above, reminiscent of smocked clothing; the sound of an old slide projector and its slow offering of words; a basket of handmade blank books within reach. This piece invites you to shift your posture, adjust your eyes, and bring your voice down to a whisper. This is your time out. Write or don't write (the books are yours to take), and enjoy the space created in Line Break. Read more about Line Break here. Buy your festival button online or at any of these stores:  Beverly The Book Shop of Beverly Farms Brookline Brookline Booksmith Cambridge Grolier Poetry Bookshop Porter Square Books Rodney's Books Harvard Bookstore Concord Concord Bookshop Newburyport Jabberwocky Bookshop Marblehead Spirit of '76 Bookstore Salem The Roost Salem Trolley Depot SSU English Dept. What else should you check out at the festival? We're glad you asked! Take a peek at: Emerging Poet Heather Treseler opening our Friday Night Headline Reading Emerging Poet Krysten Hill opening our Saturday Night Headline Reading Poetry Meet-Up at Howling Wolf--Let's get our mingle on! Friday Night College Slam Saturday Night Slam (Nuyorican Poets Café, Providence Slam, Boston Poetry Slam, Lizard Lounge) North of Boston: Four new Hampshire Poets Boston and Beyond: A Reading for Salamander Share Tweet Forward Facebook Twitter MassPoetry.org Copyright © 2014 Mass Poetry, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up on our website. Our mailing address is: Mass Poetry 15 Channel Center Street, Suite 103 Boston, MA 02210

Hockomock Area YMCA Healthy Kids Day - Stuff a Truck Challenge

The Franklin Food Pantry will be bringing their new Mobile Pantry Truck to Healthy Kids Day and we challenge you to help us fill it with healthier items!

The Stuff a Truck Challenge will close out the Hockomock Area YMCA 2014 Healthy Futures Food Drive.

When: Saturday, May 3rd
Where: Patriot Place NRG Plaza, Foxborough MA (lower level outside The Hall)
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Suggested donation items include: high fiber cereal, low sodium canned vegetables, toiletries, paper goods, whole grain pasta, pasta sauce, olive oil, spices, 100% fruit juice, multi-vitamins, white tuna, cans of beans, oatmeal, nuts or seeds

Franklin Food Pantry - mobile pantry truck

Very interesting article - "Serious reading takes a hit from online scanning and skimming, researchers say"

Points made in this article are worth sharing - it is so essential that we continue to maintain some of those "analog" ways and tools necessary for critical thinking, more focused, slower processing, less distraction, more patience to enjoy the fine details and not this immediate gratification mentality driven by technological gadgets.

"I wanted to enjoy this form of reading again," Wolf said. "When I found myself, it was like I recovered. I found my ability again to slow down, savor and think."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/serious-reading-takes-a-hit-from-online-scanning-and-skimming-researchers-say/2014/04/06/088028d2-b5d2-11e3-b899-20667de76985_story.html

Serious reading takes a hit from online scanning and skimming, researchers say

Recycling Drive - May 3

I would like to let you all know that Kennedy Elementary School and Cub Scout Pack 126 will be having our annual Recycling drive this weekend. We are accepting recyclable glass bottles, aluminum cans and plastic soda bottles. 

NEW! We are accepting all gently worn, paired mens, womens and kids sneakers and shoes and sports cleats that are still reusable and re-wearable! 

Please no big winter boots, UGG boots, rubber boots, big fuzzy slippers, ice & roller skates, slippers, flipflops or moldy shoes or with holes/rips. Shoes must be wearable and in pairs. Get those pairs of shoes going! 

You can just pull through the drop off lane and we can help unload your recyclables. 

Please help spread the word. Share this on Facebook, Twitter, e-mail etc. .

Date: May 3rd
Time: 9am - noon
Location: Kennedy Elementary - 550 Pond Street

Ladybug rug at Kennedy School

PANDA Update: Supreme Court Denies NDAA Lawsuit

Via email from Rich Aucoin:

And so it's official: Begging nine robed federal government employees to restore sacred Rights taken away by a bunch of other federal government employees is a losing game. Who can forget Dred Scott? 

So the reality is NDAA kidnapping has been a local issue from day one. Congrats to Dan Johnson for launching PANDA long before these "supreme" "justices" would officially stick it to us. 

Did anyone really doubt Hedges' case would end this way? 

Turns out human rights aren't granted, they're asserted. 

So now it is do-or-die time at the grassroots. Let's see if Hedges, et al will join us.
One thing's for sure: people giving up on their Right to due process in America (or anywhere) is not an option.

---

Subject: PANDA Update: Supreme Court Denies NDAA Lawsuit

Panda NDAA Resistance: If this does not provide evidence that the Federal government is corrupt beyond reform, and that is truly up to the states, cities, and counties to resist this atrocity, I do not know what will. Share this with everyone you can so they can see we are no longer a nation of laws, but of arbitrary decisions, no longer a nation of liberty, but nothing more than a militarized police state. -Dan  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Contact: presschief@pandaunite.org Supreme Court Denies NDAA Lawsuit BOWLING GREEN – On September 12th, 2012, Federal District Judge Katherine B. Forrest issued a permanent injunction against enforcement of Section 1021 of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. In July 2013, the 2nd Circuit ruled the plaintiffs did not have standing to challenge that law. Monday, the Supreme Court put the final nail in this suit by denying to hear the case, without comment. The lawsuit at issue, Hedges v. Obama, was brought in early 2012 by a group of journalists, scholars and activists. Containing such noted figures as Noam Chomsky, Daniel Ellsberg, journalist Chris Hedges, and others, this "Freedom 7" challenged Section 1021 of the 2012 NDAA as unconstitutionally overbroad. This section determines who is covered by the 2012 NDAA, and contains such vague terms as "substantial support" "direct support," and "belligerent act" and, if one falls under one of these terms, they could be subject to indefinite military detention without charge or trial. Dan Johnson, PANDA National Director, said: "In 1944 the Supreme Court approved the pre-emptive detention of over 110,000 Japanese-Americans. The Court's denial 70 years later proves that we cannot rely on 9 people in black robes to defend our freedom. It is now up to the states, cities, counties, and people of this nation to show the Supreme Court that it is not the final arbiter of our human rights. As 5 cities have already done so, I urge Americans across the country to begin action to ban these sections in their communities, raise awareness, and push back against this denial. If Washington D.C. thinks this is the last they will hear from us, they are very, very wrong." In a statement on the outcome of this denial, lead plaintiff Tangerine Bolen wrote: "We are no longer a nation ruled by laws. We are nation ruled by men who have so steeped themselves in a false narrative that at the same time they are exponentially increasing the ranks of terrorists, they are destroying the rule of law itself. It is madness upon madness - the classic tale of becoming the evil you purport to fight while believing you remain righteous. " If the outcome of this lawsuit does not cement the fact that the courts will not defend the Constitution, nor our rights with it, there is little more evidence to be presented. The Federal tier has failed us. The states, localities, and eventually the people, are where we will stand. As we resist, the work of the plaintiffs will not be forgotten. Grab the packet and start taking back your city: http://pandaunite.org/takeback/ ### Invite others to get breaking news from the NDAA Resistance: https://tinyletter.com/pandaunite PANDA "Take Back" Update by Dan Johnson P.O. Box 653 Bowling Green, Ohio 43402 USA Delivered by