MassBudget: Steep Decline in Employer Share of Tipped Workers' Wages

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. The Steep Decline in the Employer Share of Tipped Workers' Wages Tipped workers are among those who have a better opportunity to provide for themselves and their families when the minimum wage is increased. But the minimum wage works differently for these workers, as you can read in the new MassBudget Facts At A Glance "The Steep Decline in the Employer Share of Tipped Workers' Wages." Many of us may assume that tipped workers are paid at least the $8 an hour minimum wage by their employers, and that our tips are on top of that. That's not the case. In Massachusetts, tipped workers can be paid as little as $2.63 an hour by their employer, as long as tips get them to the minimum wage rate. That means that the employer can pay as little as 33% of the minimum wage. It hasn't always been that way. Until the early 1990s, employers in Massachusetts were required to pay tipped workers 60% of the minimum wage. In eight other states employers are required to pay the full minimum wage. In those states poverty among tipped workers is lower and job growth is just as good.   MassBudget's new fact sheet "The Steep Decline in the Employer Share of Tipped Workers' Wages" describes the history of the tipped minimum wage in Massachusetts and examines several proposals to reform it. Read THE PAPER 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 children and adults, 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

Privacy Policy. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Spruce Pond - Franklin Flatbread - Spruce Pond Creamery

Saturday's walk provided some good photos

Spruce Pond - lily pad reflections

Franklin Flatbread and Spruce Pond Creamery

This is the time of year that the line for ice cream gets long in the evenings.

Check out their website to preview the organic food menu they serve.  http://www.franklinpizza.com/

Welcome to AmazonSmile!

If you shop at Amazon, you can use Amazon Smile and donate to your favorite charity with each purchase. How easy is that?

I chose the Franklin Food Pantry. You can select from any 501(c)3 organization listed.

Your Account | Today's Deals | All Departments Dear Stephen Sherlock, Amazon will now donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases when you shop at AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com). We will reach out to Franklin Food Pantry Incorporated to ensure it is ready to accept donations from Amazon. Please see http://smile.amazon.com/about for program details. ©2014 Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Amazon, and the AmazonSmile logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Amazon.com, 410 Terry Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98109-5210.

Please consider shopping with amazon smile to support your favorite charity!

New school, new logos!

From the New FHS page on Facebook, we find the new logo for FHS and the sports teams.

Post by The New Franklin High School.

Well done David!

In case you don't have a Facebook account, you can view the new logos here:

Franklin High School - new logo

Franklin High School sports - new logo

Go Panthers!

FHS Girls Lacrosse take D1 East Sectional Championship

Hockomock Sports has the write up on the Franklin Girls Lacrosse win on Sunday:

new FHS sports logo

If you blinked, you might have missed it.

In the final minute of play, Franklin saw their one goal lead turn into a one goal deficit and then with just two seconds left, tied the game to send it to overtime, where they scored the lone goal to best top-seeded Concord-Carlisle, 12-11, to claim their first ever D1 East Sectional Championship.

"The girls never gave up," Franklin head coach Kristin Igoe said. "Our defense is resilient, they got the ball back and pushed it down. I just don't think they ever doubted themselves."

Read the full article at Hockomock Sports here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/panthers-capture-d1-east-sectional-title-in-wild-finish

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Jun 10, 2014

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to

find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

AGENDA

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the May 27, 2014 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget to Actual

Franklin Public Schools - "The key to learning"

2. Guests/Presentations
a. FPS Retirees
b. PARCC vs MCAS – Joyce Edwards, Maureen Sabolinski
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/parcc-or-mcas.html

c. District Improvement Plan (DIP) – Joyce Edwards, Maureen Sabolinski
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/fps-district-improvement-plan.html

3. Discussion Only Items

4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of declaring the attached list of English books as surplus for FHS.
b. I recommend approval of declaring the attached list of Math books as surplus for JF Kennedy Elementary School.
c. I recommend acceptance of the following checks totaling $2,900.00 for FHS Scholarships as detailed:

1. $400.00 from John T. Ombelets & Elizabeth A. John - Mock Trial Scholarship.
2. $1,000.00 from the Franklin Country Club – FCC Hall of Fame Award.
3. $1.500 from Whitson’s Food Service.

d. I recommend acceptance of the following checks totaling $785.97 for Supplies at Davis Thayer Elementary School as detailed:

1. $285.97 from O’Connor Studios
2. $500.00 from the Davis Thayer PCC

e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $493.00 from the Parmenter PCC for in-house enrichment.
f. I recommend acceptance of the following checks totaling $3,857.00 from the Oak St. PCC for supplies at Oak Street Elementary School as detailed:

1. $1,000.00 – Plastic tubs for storage above cubbies.
2. $933.52 – Four standing desks for Grade 2.
3. $1923.48 – 18 Pedestal fans.

g. I recommend acceptance of the donation of a Bose Music System valued at $600.00 from the Oak Street PCC for the Oak Street music room.
h. I recommend acceptance of a check for $282.66 from Wells Fargo Foundation for in-house enrichment at FHS.
i. I recommend approval of the District Improvement Plan (DIP) as presented.
j. I recommend acceptance of a check for $265.00 from BJ’s Wholesale Club for district-wide use.
k. I recommend acceptance of checks totaling $95.00 in memory of Joseph DeNapoli for Franklin High School as detailed:

1. $25.00 Sandra Scott & George Fitton
2. $20.00 Maureen and Richard Murphy
3. $50.00 The Edward Wissell Family

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business:
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

Franklin IS a giving community

Pastor Diane provides an update on the blood drive:

The blood drive in honor of Noah Smith was very successful... On June 7th, 2014: 151 volunteers came to the Franklin United Methodist Church to give blood on the 2 buses available from 9-3:00. We wish to thank the many volunteers who made it possible for people to register, receive refreshments and honor Noah in this event.

blood drive buses on Saturday

Thank you!

PARCC or MCAS?

The MA Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is requiring a decision on whether to use Franklin should use PARCC or MCAS for testing. This is the presentation document summarizing the Franklin position that will be up for discussion at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Jun 10.

PARCC logo

Related posts
The intro to PARCC
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/09/school-committee-mcas-and-parcc.html

MA DESE info on PARCC
http://www.doe.mass.edu/parcc/

The official PARCC website
http://www.parcconline.org/


The full School Committee agenda for Jun 10 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-jun.html

"love to see a Hock team get the title"

From Hockomock Sports we find that the Franklin softball team bowed out of their playoff run on Saturday.

The Rocketeers scored runs in the first inning for the third straight game, this time three runs against Franklin at Jack Tripp Field in Taunton, and used that lead to their advantage, besting the Panthers, 5-1, in the D1 South Sectional Semifinal. 

..... 

FHS softball

"The game plan was to be aggressive," said Franklin head coach Kate Fallon, who admitted it was a tough start. "We're the 18th seed and we 'don't belong here' and just get in there and swing and get your hacks in. We put the ball in play, it just stunk we spotted them three in the first inning." 

The Panthers made their second straight appearance in the D1 South Sectional Semifinals despite graduating four starters from last year and finish the season 14-10. 

"There was no quit," Fallon said of her team. 'Even Lilly ending her senior year with a double over the center fielder's head. I couldn't ask for anything more than that from them. I'm very proud of them."

You can read the full article here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/rocketeers-best-franklin-reach-1st-ever-sectional-final

Volunteers Needed for Mobile Pantry and Healthy Futures Market

The Franklin Food Pantry will introduce the Mobile Pantry beginning Monday June 9th!!  They will need volunteers to help out on Mondays for this new program.  To start, the Mobile Pantry will be held on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Monday of each month.   

Franklin Food Pantry truck becomes the "mobile pantry"

Volunteers are needed for the following shifts for each week:

12:00  -  Meet at Pantry to help load the truck  (3-4 volunteers-High School students okay)

1:00 - Driver needed to drive the truck to the location (Senior Center, Central Park Terrace or Winter Street depending on the week). Volunteer must have a valid license and current insurance.

1:30  -  Unload truck at location (3-4 volunteers-High School students okay)

2:30-3:30  -  Clients visit the Market.  Volunteers will be needed to help Clients, do intake forms for new clients, etc.  (3-4 volunteers - students NOT okay)

3:30 - Driver needed to drive the truck back to Pantry 

3:30-5:00  -  Reload truck and then help unload it back at the Pantry.  (3-4 volunteers - High School students okay)

*Please note that some of these tasks may require heavy lifting and the basement stairs.

Eventually the process will change a little bit as we are having the Clients fill out shopping lists for each month, so we will be filling individual boxes prior to each Monday visit and the Clients will then only have to shop for specialty items such as bread, produce, and any other items we bring each week. 

Healthy Futures

The Healthy Future Market is also beginning next week, Tuesday June 10th!   Every Tuesday through October we will have the Healthy Future Market at the Pantry. The schedule for this program is as follows:

12:00 - Bring Pantry truck to Akin Bak and Hoffmann Farms to pick up that week's CSA shares.  May involve some heavy lifting.  (2 volunteers - one will need to drive the truck and must have a valid drivers license and current insurance)

1:00  -  Setup the Market (carry tables and chairs from basement, unload product from the truck, weigh and setup the produce for the Market.  (4 volunteers - High School students okay)

3:00  -  Take inventory of stock, set limits for each item, place signage, etc.  (2 volunteers - High School students okay)

4:00-5:00  -  Market takes place.  Assist Clients with their shopping, weigh out the bags, help with demos, tastings, etc.  2nd week of each month there will be a chef from Cooking Matters running a workshop too.  (3-4 volunteers - students NOT okay)

5:00  -  Break down Market, bring produce inside and put in appropriate space (shelves, fridge).  Bring all tables, chairs, etc. back into basement.  (3-4 volunteers - High School Students okay).
 *Please note that some of these task involve some heavy lifting and the basement stairs.

We will have a calendar set up at the Pantry for each week and each shift so if you are interested in helping out on a specific day we can keep track of it that way and we will also send out reminders prior to your shift. Robin Cowper will be coordinating the Market schedule and will be in touch with you with further information.

As you can see we need quite a few people to make these both successes and we appreciate any help you can provide. 

Thank you very much!

Lisa Buccella and Maria Weiss

Volunteer Coordinators

Franklin Food Pantry

43 West Central Street

PO Box 116

Franklin, MA 02038

508-528-3115, press 5 for volunteer line voicemail

www.franklinfoodpantry.org

FPS - District Improvement Plan

The Franklin Public Schools District Improvement Plan is up for discussion at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Jun 10.





The full agenda for the School Committee meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-jun.html

PMC UPDATE: My Daughter's are riding also!

This year both my daughter's will be riding in the Franklin Kids PMC Ride on Father Day (June 15th).  This will be Catherine's 8th ride (she started 2 years before I did!) and Lizzie's 2nd. They are both riding in memory of their "Grandpa Rod".

Catherine and Lizzie

Catherine will be doing the "10 mile route" while Lizzie will be doing the "Tykes and Trikes" loop. 

In order to help with their fund raising I am making the following pledge:

For every $10 donated before before Friday, June 13th, I will personally match with $1 for my daughters' "Kids PMC Ride"!  (So if you donate $50 to my ride, I'll donate $5 to my kid's PMC ride.)

Please follow the links below to support my pledge: 

Click here to make $25 donation

Click here to make a $50 donation

Click here to make a $75 donation

Click here to make a $100 donation

Click here to make a $250 donation

Click here to make a $500 donation

Click here to make a donation of any other amount

Thank you in advance!

Marty, Catherine, and Lizzie

---------------------------------------------------------
Martin Middelmann
Pan-Mass Challenge Rider
Cure Cancer by donating here:
http://pmc.org/MM0373
---------------------------------------------------------

All Night Party - A labor of love

While the senior class and their families were participating in the graduation ceremony in the Franklin Field House, hundreds of volunteers were busy transforming the high school corridor to another world.

What can you do with a high school corridor? It is wide, concrete, has a tiled floor and not very exciting to look at. Well you'd be surprised by what can be done with a little creativity, lots of volunteers and have it all abide by the fire code for safety.

You see safety is one of the prime motivators behind the All Night Party anyway. What would high school seniors do on graduation night but go and party! With offsite parties, there would likely be alcoholic beverages. With such beverages, there would be an inevitable tragedy.

The All Night Party avoids all that. It magically transforms the high school corridor to a fun place for a party without alcoholic beverages and volunteer adult chaperones. The graduates can have a good time and their parents and families can rest assured for one night.

I was fortunate to be able to get behind the scenes and take these photos as the corridor was transformed. There was still work to be done after the graduation ceremony finished in the field house. There would be other exercise activities set up.

So let's walk along the corridor as it is being transformed...

From the field house, up the stairs to New York City at night with the stars out.

up the stairs to NYC

The stars are all the graduates!

FHS graduate photo as a youngster

Through the doorway, to Hollywood. Yes, more stars.

more stars in Hollywood

A hand painted mural.

hand painted mural of a theater

Hand crafted replicas of the Oscars! (Yes, Franklin has talent!)

one of the two Oscars with their creators

From Hollywood, we step into Mardi Gras!

Mardi Gras display

and yes, Franklin does love a party!

FHS loves Mardi Gras

Then we get into the high school Marathon

the memory wall

I'd like to have seen the memory wall at the end of the night

the Marathon Team poses

the marathon finish leads to Hogwarts

We catch our breathe by stepping into Hogwarts

did you bring your broom? it is quidditch time!

watch out for the death eaters

From the darkness of Hogwarts, we jump into the sunshine of Panther Beach

Panther Beach

pose with a local beach drifter

get some good advice

From the beach, we take a ride to the Derby

another hand painted mural

take a ride around Franklin Downs

Franklin Downs

The horse figure first made its appearance at the All Night Party in 2004. My oldest daughter graduated that year. I wonder if she'll remember. The word has it that is has been more of a chameleon over the year than a horse, also showing up as a mule and a dinosaur at different times as well as changing color.

pose with the roses

From the Derby, we join the casino cruise.

card game tables at the ready

card game tables at the ready on both sides

be careful how you play

To contribute to or get involved in the All Night Party for next year visit their website for contact information

http://www.fhsallnightparty.com/

The full set of photos from the preparation for the All Night Party can be found on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157645098126833

40th Anniversary Celebration - St Mary's - June 8th

On June 8, 2014, the Parish of Saint Mary in Franklin is privileged to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of ordination to the priesthood of two members of the Parish clergy. Pastor Brian T. Manning and Parochial Vicar John L. Sullivan will be jointly celebrating this significant event. 

A Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated at 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Church. Concelebrating the Mass will be Reverend Manning, principal celebrant, Reverend Sullivan, homilist, and Reverend Anthony V. Le, as well as numerous priests from throughout the Archdiocese of Boston and other friends of the celebrants. 

The liturgy will include music directed Mr. Terrance Kerr, Parish Music Director, with participation by the St. Mary Adult choir and the Children’s choir. A String Quartet and Trumpet will accompany the choirs. Music literature will include the Adult Choir singing “Laudate Dominum” by Mozart, and the Children’s Choir singing “Shall We Gather at the River” by Robert Lowry. 

Following the Mass of Thanksgiving, there will be a reception on the parish grounds. Parishioners, as well as the families and friends of the celebrants, will be in attendance.

St Mary's Church, Franklin

Additional information on St Mary's Parish can be found on their webpage

http://www.stmarysfranklin.org/

Tastebuds Fresh Marketplace: Now Open on Sundays

Hi Steve 

We wanted to let your readership know that Tastebuds Fresh Marketplace, your local neighborhood Butcher shop, is now open on Sundays from 11:00am -3:00am for all your grilling needs. We have marinated beef and turkey tips, steaks cut to order and a variety of marinated chicken breasts , homemade sausage and fresh ground burger. 

Customers can call us at 508 528 4100 during the week and we can have your order ready for pickup before you head north or to the Cape. 

For a full listing of our hours, check our website www.tastebudsfreshmarketplace.com 

Thanks
Dave and Donna Lanni

Tastebuds Fresh Marketplace

Related posts on Tastebuds

Mar 2014 - Now open for business
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/tastebuds-fresh-marketplace-now-open.html

Apr 2014 - Grand Opening
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/04/tastebuds-fresh-marketplace-grand.html

Dave Matthews Band helps the Franklin Food Pantry

The Dave Matthews Band is helping the Franklin Food Pantry via the BamaGreen Project. As the band tours, it is coordinating with local farms and local pantries (yes, us!) to raise awareness and funds for the local farmers.

Dave Matthews Seed Packets are for sale ($5) at each concert venue.

The BamaGreen Food Drive

Click here to view a video on the project http://www.reverb.org/DMB/DMB2.html

Additional info on how you can take action to help can be found here
http://www.reverb.org/DMB/action.html


If you are not going to the concert and would like to contribute, the Franklin Food Pantry accepts donations securely online here

Donate to the Food Pantry

Note the Dave Matthews Band appearance at the Xfinity Center on Saturday, Jun 7th is sold out
http://davematthewsband.com/tour/2014-06-07-xfinity-center

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 6/6/14 - THU 6/12/14

FRI 6/6   12pm-6pm Opening Day for Farmer's Market at Franklin Town Common. Every Friday until October 31!
FRI 6/6   6:30pm-8:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center

SAT 6/7   9am-3pm   Blood Drive in honor of Noah Smith at Franklin United Methodist Church. Please make an appointment at halfpints.childrenshospital.org
Sponsor code is FRMETHCH. Or call Susan Touhey at 508-404-6914. Positive ID required.

SAT 6/7   11:00am to 4:00pm  Norfolk Community Day at the Holmes Complex at 22 Myrtle St in Norfolk

SAT 6/7   9am-2pm   Kindercare Annual Yard Sale, Pond Street, Franklin.

SAT 6/7   4pm-7pm   2nd Annual Drink Pink For Cure at Pour Richard’s. Rose wine tastings, food, music - benefits American Cancer Society. Purchase your tickets HERE.

SUN 6/8  - 10:30 AM Mass - 40th Anniversary Celebration of Ordination - Pastor Brian T. Manning and Parochial Vicar John L. Sullivan -  St Mary's

TUE 6/10   7:30pm   Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Meeting at Franklin YMCA. Public is always welcome.

WEDS 6/11 1:00pm - Easy Walks in Franklin. Marjorie Turner Hollman presents at the Senior Center

THU 6/12   4pm-7pm   Annual Strawberry Stroll in Downtown Franklin.
THU 6/12  7:00pm -  Easy Walks in Franklin. Marjorie Turner Hollman presents at the Franklin Public Library

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For more details on the events above click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com