City & Town - November 20th, 2014

The formatting of the newsletter gets 'funky' in places but the section on "Post-Great Recession General Fund Spending" is worth reviewing.

City &Town - November 20th, 2014

Local Officials Directory Municipal Calendar IGR's & Bulletins Workshops, Seminars & Events What's New DOR 360       City & Town is published by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue's Division of Local Services (DLS) and is designed to address matters of interest to local officials. Editor: Dan Bertrand Editorial Board: Joe McDermott, Robert Bliss, Zack Blake, Tony Rassias, Tom Dawley, Linda Bradley and Patricia Hunt	In this Issue: Welcome, Joe McDermott Local Aid Impacts of 9C Reductions By the Numbers Ask DLS A Look at Post-Great Recession General Fund Spending Welcome, Joe McDermott Division of Local Services The Division of Local Services would like to welcome Joe McDermott as its interim Deputy Commissioner of Local Services and Director of Municipal Affairs. Joe has been with the Department of Revenue for 29 years, holding a number of critical leadership positions in several divisions including Taxpayer Advocate, the Collections Bureau and the Problem Resolution Office. He most recently served as Deputy Commissioner of Audit. Joe also has a deep local government background and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Town of Walpole's Finance Committee. He also previously held positions on the town's zoning board and as an elected town meeting member. We welcome Joe aboard and wish him all the best going forward. Local Aid Impacts of 9C Reductions Using his authority under MGL c. 29, s. 9C, Governor Patrick has reduced various state appropriations to executive department agencies, including some minor reductions to cherry sheet appropriations. The Division of Local Services has reviewed these reductions and concluded that they will not impact previous cherry sheet estimates materially given the magnitude of the reductions and the normal variation in some of these accounts during the course of the year. Therefore, DLS will not be revising cherry sheet estimates as a result and does not anticipate that these reductions will impact the ongoing municipal tax rate setting process. The Governor has also filed legislation seeking permission to reduce Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) by $25.5 million. This reduction will not take effect until it is approved by the Legislature. For additional information regarding these reductions and related actions, click here. By the Numbers In order to provide an update on the progress of the ongoing tax rate and certification season, below please find an overview of the ongoing process. The following information is accurate as of close of business on Tuesday, November 18th, 2014: Preliminary Certifications: 82 Communities Approved (97 Submitted) Final Certification: 48 Communities La4/ New Growth: 214 Approved (271 Submitted) Tax Rates: 80 Approved Balance Sheets: 225 Approved Aggregate Free Cash Approved Total: $833,725,918 Ask DLS This month's Ask DLS is a follow-up question on excess levy capacity. Please let us know if you have other areas of interest or send a question to cityandtown@dor.state.ma.us. We would like to hear from you. I just read the City & Town publication titled "Will Fiscal Prudence Grow with Excess Levy Capacity?" It was very interesting. I have been researching excess levy and am trying to determine the pros/cons of excess levy and how much (if any) is too much. I understand that not having any levy capacity is not good because a town cannot handle sudden budget increases without an override but I was wondering the opposite. Does having too much excess levy negatively impact a town? Would a town get less state aid? Does it affect the awarding of grants? There are several issues that might influence decisions about building excess levy capacity as a fiscal strategy. Among the factors that should be considered are the community's particular financial needs, the array of revenue sources available to fund services and the existence of accumulated reserve balances such as free cash and stabilization funds. Excess levy capacity can be particularly useful when budgets increase since it represents a recurring revenue source that can be tapped in subsequent years as well. However, if an unexpected expense occurs after the annual tax rate is set, there is no way to access excess levy capacity and the community must rely on reserves on hand such as free cash and stabilization funds. Though excess levy capacity affords a community additional fiscal flexibility, it is best viewed within the context of a more comprehensive reserve policy. In situations where reserves are healthy and can be replenished each year, a strategy to lower property taxes and build excess levy may be more achievable. Despite general interest in reducing property taxes though, close to 60 percent of cities and towns have found this to be difficult to achieve given ongoing spending pressure and finite revenue. You also ask whether substantial amounts of excess levy capacity will have a negative effect on a town's state aid or grant funding. In general, excess levy capacity has no impact on the amount of local aid received by a community since distribution formulas rely on property wealth and resident incomes. For example, the Chapter 70 education aid formula, which constitutes about 76 percent of all municipal cherry sheet aid, uses total property values and resident income levels to calculate a municipality's ability to pay for education and determine the corresponding amount of state aid. The equalized property values adjust for differences in local assessing practices and are produced every even numbered year by the Division of Local Services. The other major local aid distribution is Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA). Together with Chapter 70 aid, these two programs account for about 95 percent of total municipal cherry sheet aid. Although funds have not been added to the UGGA account by formula since its creation in FY2010, previous reductions have been restored proportionately subject to the availability of funds. Much of the funding for the UGGA account was from the old lottery local aid account. The lottery formula used equalized property valuations and population to award new funds. So while there is no current distribution formula for UGGA, a formula that uses equalized value, population and perhaps income appear to be the most likely future formula options. Most of the remaining cherry sheet accounts reimburse municipalities for costs previously incurred such as property tax exemptions, veterans' benefits and foregone taxes on state-owned property. None of these payments are influenced by a community's excess levy capacity. We are also not aware of any grant funds that may be impacted negatively by excess levy capacity. A Look at Post-Great Recession General Fund Spending Tony Rassias - Deputy Director of Accounts Nationally, from 2009 to 2013, Moody's has had a negative outlook on the U.S. local government sector. Even as municipal finance officers reported that the fiscal condition of cities in 2013 was improving, Moody's continued its negative outlook "due to revenue constraints and expenditure demands." In early 2013, one Moody's senior analyst said, "Overall, the economic recovery remains sluggish despite some bright spots, and looming federal spending cuts may exacerbate weak growth rates." In recent years, a national concern has been the increased number of bankruptcy filings and debt payment defaults. During 2013, Detroit, Michigan became the largest city in the country's history to file for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 9. Introduction This article will report on General Fund municipal spending(1) by Massachusetts cities and towns from FY2009 to FY2013, the end of the post-Great Recession period to date. The General Fund is the largest of the municipal funds, accounts for the majority of municipal spending and represents outlays derived from the property tax levy, state aid and other locally generated revenue sources. The data is compiled from Schedule A(2), the annual report of revenues and expenditures submitted by municipal accounting officials to the Bureau of Accounts. Total General Fund Spending Chart 1 shows that total General Fund spending began this period at $17.6 billion, remained about steady in FY2010 and then began a climb through FY2013. . . Total General Fund Spending by Function Table 1 shows General Fund spending in millions of dollars by function from FY2009 to FY2013. The table further shows that spending for Education remained the greatest in dollars through this period, followed by spending for Fixed Costs. Spending for Police which was third greatest in spending from FY2009 to FY2011, fell fourth to Debt Service in FY2012, but returned to third place in FY2013. The greatest percentage increase from FY2009 to FY2013 was in Fixed Costs, followed by Intergovernmental then Education. The percentage for Other Expenditures was the only function category that decreased during this time period. A review of the data behind the statistics reveals that Public Works, although neither the greatest dollar nor percentage change during this time period, had the greatest percentage changes between each fiscal year shown (down 19% from FY2009 to FY2010, up 9% from FY2010 to FY2011, down 13% from FY2011 to FY2012, up 32% from FY2012 to FY2013). Fixed Costs include court judgments and employee benefits such as health insurance, retirement, unemployment comp and workers comp. Other Expenditures include expenditures which cannot be properly categorized into one of the specified functions. Intergovernmental costs include any federal, state or other governmental assessments and charges. The high percentage increase in this category was mostly due to cherry sheet assessments for school choice and charter school sending tuition. . . . Percentages of Spending by Function Table 2 shows that as a percentage of total spending per fiscal year, both Education and Fixed Costs spent the greatest for the fiscal years shown. It is interesting to note that most percentages for these function categories remained about steady despite increases in total spending shown in Table 1. The exceptions appear in Public Works, Debt Service and Fixed Costs. . . Spending Per Capita(3) and by Function Table 3 shows that total General Fund spending per capita increased from $2,729 in FY2009 to $2,961 in FY2013. The only reduction in spending per capita was between FY2009 and FY2010. By function, the Table shows that each category except Other Expenditures increased from FY2009 to FY2013. Eight function categories, however, had a decrease in per capita spending at least once during this time period. . . General Fund Spending Per Capita and by Population Table 4 shows that total General Fund spending per capita and by population increased from FY2009 to FY2013. Three population categories, however, had a decrease in spending per capita in at least one fiscal year during this time period. It shows that spending was consistently greatest in the 2,000 to less than 5,000 population category. Spending in the other categories during this time period only reached $3,000 per capita in FY2013 for the 10,000 to <20,000 population category. A review of the data behind these results reveals that several communities in the 2,000 to less than 5,000 population category have exceptionally high spending per capita amounts and are located on Cape Cod and the Islands. TABLE 4 . . . Additional Note In December of 2013, Moody's revised its outlook for the U.S. local government sector from negative to stable meaning that conditions are not getting worse and that credit risks are more "visible and predictable." 1.) General Fund spending does not include appropriations transferred out of the General Fund for expenditure by another fund. 2.) The report includes Schedule A data from 350 communities only between FY2010 and FY2013. 3.) Per capita spending applies the population data used in the particular fiscal years to distribute cherry sheet aid.
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November Municipal Calendar November 1 Taxpayer Semi-Annual Tax Bill - Deadline for First Payment According to MGL Ch. 59, Sec. 57, this is the deadline for receipt of the first half semi-annual tax bills or the optional preliminary tax bills without interest, unless bills were mailed after October 1, in which case they are due 30 days after mailing. November 1 Taxpayer Semi-Annual Tax Bills - Application Deadline for Property Tax Abatement According to M.G.L. Ch. 59, Sec. 59, applications for abatements are due on the same date as the first actual tax installment for the year. November 1 Taxpayer Quarterly Tax Bills Deadline for Paying 2nd Quarterly Tax Bill Without Interest   November 1 Treasurer Deadline for Payment of First Half of County Tax   November 15 DESE Notify Communities/Districts of Any Prior Year School Spending Deficiencies By this date, or within 30 days of a complete End of Year Report (see September 30), DESE notifies communities/districts in writing of any additional school spending requirements.   November 30 Selectmen/Mayor Review Budgets Submitted by Department Heads This date will vary depending on dates of town meeting.   Final Day of Each Month State Treasurer Notification of monthly local aid distribution. Click www.mass.gov/treasury/cash-management to view distribution breakdown. To unsubscribe to City & Town and all other DLS Alerts, please click here.

In the News: accountant charged

A Franklin accountant has been charged with defrauding three unwitting families out of thousands of dollars, depositing their tax returns into his own bank accounts, according to authorities. 

Charles Delfino, 59, electronically filed tax returns for three families earlier this year, stole their refunds and dodged their worried inquiries, court documents on file at Wrentham District Court show. 

Delfino, who ran for a Town Council seat last year and for constable in 2011, also faces larceny charges in connection with check fraud after allegedly bouncing several checks, totaling $1,567, to the Big Y supermarket on East Central Street.

Continue reading the full article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141122/NEWS/141128705/1994/NEWS

Senator Spilka Announces Framingham Office Hours

Senator Spilka Announces Framingham Office Hours

Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) or representatives from her staff will be available for district office hours in Framingham on Wednesday, December 3^rd. Constituents are invited to share their concerns, questions and policy priorities and hear updates on the latest news and events from the State House and in the district.

Framingham Office Hours

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Nevins Conference Room

Framingham Town Hall

150 Concord Street, Framingham

Residents who are unable to attend or are interested in scheduling an appointment should contact Senator Spilka's office at (617) 722-1640 at any time.

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 11/21/14 - THU 11/27/14

FRI 11/21   6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center
FRI 11/21   7:30pm   The Black Box: Diaries of Adam and Eve

SAT 11/22   9am-4pm   Fall Craft Fair at the Franklin VFW, raffle to benefit VFW
SAT 11/22   9am   Downtown Partnership Winter Beautification, meet at Hillside Nurseries
SAT 11/22   10am   Turkey Shoot at Franklin Rod and Gun Club
SAT 11/22   1:00 - 4:00pm Affordable Housing Trust Open House 136 Chestnut St
SAT 11/22   7:30pm   The Black Box: Diaries of Adam and Eve
SAT 11/22   8pm   Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: The Stray Bords with Jordie Lane

SUN 11/23   9am   Downtown Partnership Winter Beautification: meet at the center island downtown
SUN 11/23   3pm   The Black Box: Diaries of Adam and Eve

TUE 11/25   7pm   FPAC’s Open Auditions for “Arsenic and the Old Lace” at The Black Box

THU 11/27   7:30am   4th Annual Medway Turkey Trot at Medway HS
THU 11/27   8am   3rd Annual Turkey Trot to benefit Franklin Food Pantry at 91 Jordan Road.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

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

136 Chestnut St - Open House for Affordable Housing Lottery

Take a look at the house that is available for the Affordable Housing Lottery scheduled for December. There is an open house scheduled for Saturday,Nov 22 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM

Zillow image of 136 Chestnut st

Additional details on the open house can be found in this flyer:

What is the Affordable Housing Lottery?

We Buy Them, Fix Them Up and We Resell Them

Lottery: Saturday, December 13, 2014 10:00 AM

Applications due by Tuesday, 

December 9, 2014, 4:00 PM

Lottery Location: Franklin Municipal Building,

Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, Massachusetts

For Information, contact Maxine Kinhart at 508-520-4949

Additional details on the Affordable Trust Lottery can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/11/franklin-municipal-affordable-housing.html

MassBudget: The Governor's 9C Cuts and Context

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. The Governor's 9C Cuts and Context  Yesterday (Wednesday) Governor Patrick announced a series of actions to bring the current year budget into balance. The need for mid-year budget solutions highlights two realities that have shaped Massachusetts budget debates for years: our national economy is still recovering from the worst recession since the Great Depression and we continue to have substantially reduced revenues because the state adopted over $3 billion of income tax cuts during an economic bubble in the late 1990s (described HERE). Those tax cuts led to deep cuts in funding for local aid, education, public health, and other investments that can strengthen our economy, expand opportunity and improve the quality of life in our communities. In addition to forcing painful cuts, the loss of $3 billion in revenue has caused ongoing fiscal instability. These long-term challenges are now compounded by a few short-term ones: a coming automatic reduction in the personal income tax rate, non-tax revenue collections that are below projections, and additional economic development spending commitments that were made with the expectation that there would be more revenue available than is currently projected. The administration estimates that combined these have created a $329 million gap for the rest of FY 2015. To close this gap, the Governor yesterday announced $198 million in cuts to executive branch agencies as authorized by Chapter 9C of the General Laws (explained in What are 9C Cuts?). The Governor also proposed additional solutions in areas beyond executive branch agencies -- including to local aid -- that can only be implemented with legislative approval. The $198 million in 9C cuts to programs within the executive branch include: $45.4 million by delaying the implementation of rate increases for providers in MassHealth. Net savings to the state, however, will only be about half this amount, since these cuts will lead to reduced federal reimbursements (for more detail please click HERE). $18.7 million to Regional School Transportation, bringing funding down to FY 2014 levels. $10.0 million to Pathways to Self Sufficiency, bringing funding down to $1.0 million for FY 2015. This job training program was newly created as part of last year's welfare law. $7.1 million to the Municipal Regionalization and Efficiencies grant program. $5 million from mental health services for children and adolescents, likely resulting in the delayed implementation of the Caring Together initiative for children in residential care. $3.1 million to State Parks and Recreation. $2.4 million in cuts to elderly support programs, decreasing the number of people able to receive in-home care, which keeps them out of nursing homes. This cut may result in wait lists for these services. $1.0 million to Extended Learning Time Grants. Additional proposed cuts to non-executive branch agencies, which the Governor cannot implement on his own, include: $25.5 million in cuts to Unrestricted General Government Aid, which would bring general local aid down to FY 2014 levels. $21.8 million in cuts to most other non-executive agencies (e.g. the attorney general's office), mostly the result of across-the-board 1.5 percent cuts. $10.0 million in cuts and savings within the Department of Transportation. $73.6 million in other solutions, including commitments from some quasi-public agencies to return a portion of funding received from a recent economic development bill. This total also includes some additional federal and departmental revenues. 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

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

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: The Stray Birds

The next show

Saturday, November 22

8:00 PM (doors open at 7:30)

The Stray Birds

with Jordie Lane $20

Reverb Nation photo of The Stray Birds

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is located at the First Universalist Society of Franklin on 262 Chestnut St. The intimate setting (up to 300 capacity) is acoustically great.

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse calendar for 2014-2015 season

• Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary) is scheduled for Jan 24, 2015.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit their webpage here

http://circlefolk.org/

Find them on Facebook here

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Circle-of-Friends-Coffeehouse/157892691990

The Town Council reorganizes, sort of

Reorg - sort of

 
The first order of business at the Town Council was to re-organize or elect their officers for the new year. The process is for opening nominations, closing nominations, and then voting on the nomination for each position. The Council successfully did that for the Vice Chair and Clerk but only opened and closed the nominations for Chair. They never officially voted for their Chair to remain Bob Vallee. There was no change in Vice Chair as Matt Kelly retained that position. Judith Pond Pfeffer retains the Clerk position.

This action was not intentional. It happened when the nominations for Chair closed with a vote, Padula nominated Pfeffer for Clerk which was not in the pre-determined order of events. They put that aside, took the nominations for Vice Chair and voted properly but 'forgot' to actually vote on the nomination of Vallee for Chair. It is likely the Council will need to re-do this at their December meeting. I don't believe it made a material difference to any of the proceedings. 

FHS - grass to turf field

The School Building Committee represented by Chairman Tom Mercer provided some key updates at the meeting. Among them:

• the building has a punch listing of items being worked by the contractor in off school hours
• the new Panther Way connector should open on Monday (Nov 24)
• site and ball fields will be worked to a sub-grade condition before the deep frost hits

The Committee also sought a 'sense of the Council' on an item where they proposed changing one field from grass to turf. They can do so within the budget as previously outlined and still turn 'savings' back to the Town. The field which was targeted for a practice field as grass could be used year round as a competitive field if turf. 

New FHS layout, green section in front left position along Oak St is where the practice fields would be that are now going to be a turf field that will be regulation sized and available for games

The Committee has the authority to do so but due to the nature and discussion around the change wanted to bring it forward to gain some feedback before proceeding. 

Note: If they really wanted to gain some public input on this item, they could have brought it out more fully. Clearly they had enough time to do so as representatives from the High School sports, Recreation dept and many of the major youth leagues were present at the meeting.

Tax rate set

The tax classification hearing was the shortest and briefest in my time reporting on Town Council meetings. The Council respectfully has an opportunity for preparing for the hearing and apparently prepared very well as there were very few questions. The opportunity to walk through the process to share how the calculation is made was 'lost'.

Effectively, the rate increases 39 cents from $14.45 to $14.84. Of note, if the bond increases for the new high school had not been coming online, the tax rate would actually have decreased. One of the key bright spots among the wealth of data shared was that residential property values have increased. Commercial /Industrial valuations are still lagging behind.

My full set of notes from the meeting can be found here

• Live reporting: Closing
• Live reporting: Legislation for action
• Live reporting: Tax Classification Hearing
• Live reporting; Town Council - Nov 19, 2014

MassBudget: Understanding the Actual Cost of MassHealth to the State

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Understanding the Actual Cost of MassHealth to the State MassBudget, in partnership with the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute, is releasing a new budget brief, Understanding the Actual Cost of MassHealth to the State. This brief describes the "net" cost of MassHealth, providing a much clearer picture of the impact of MassHealth on the state budget rather than looking at gross state budget totals alone. The FY2015 budget includes approximately $14.7 billion allocated for MassHealth and health reform programs, amounting to 37 percent of the total budget. This total includes $13.7 billion for the MassHealth program (35 percent of the total budget), and an additional $1 billion for health care finance and other health spending (2 percent of the total budget). However, taking into account the very substantial amount of federal revenue that comes into the Commonwealth to offset a large share of these costs, projected to be $7.7 billion in FY2015, the net cost of MassHealth and health reform is only 23 percent of the state's net budget dollars. This is a supplement to a series of FY 2015 budget briefs produced by MassBudget  in partnership with the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute, a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation. Click here to read the budget brief. 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

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

Blackstone River Theatre - Veterans issues event 11-20/Chanterelle Saturday!

THANK YOU! This year's Solstice Fest was our biggest yet... stay tuned for more on the 2015 festival set for June 20!  COMING SOON TO BRT!                     Ongoing   Zumba with April Hilliker on Mondays, 6:30 PM     Thursday, November 20  7-9 PM, FREE  AJAX - Greek tragedy   by Sophocles presented by Providence College and Salve Regina University, followed by community discussion on veterans issues Saturday, November 22 CHANTERELLE featuring JOSEE VACHON Saturday, November 29  BRT HOMECOMING CONCERT & SILENT AUCTION FUNDRAISER Atwater-Donnelly, Eastern Medicine Singers, Phil Edmonds, Bertrand Laurence, Robbie O'Connell, Pendragon, Mary Ann Rossoni & Rick Bellaire Saturday, December 6 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. FREE!  7th annual BRT HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR & FESTIVAL Sunday, December 7 2 PM and 5 PM shows! 3rd annual IRISH DANCE CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR featuring TIR NA NOG IRISH DANCE Saturday, Dec. 13, 8 PM AND  Sunday, Dec. 14, 7 PM $18 adv / $20.00 day of show BLACKSTONE RIVER THEATRE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION!   Quick Links... BRT Website     BRT Classes       CHANTERELLE Directions to BRT Tickets often available at door but to ensure a seat CALL FOR RESERVATIONS 401-725-9272 Please understand that when a show is SOLD OUT, it truly is! We must adhere to fire codes and it truly is not possible to fit "just one more"... especially when we have had several people ask to do the same! If a show at BRT has an advance price & a day-of-show price it means: If you pre-pay OR call in your reservation any time before the show date, you get the advance price. If you show up at the door with no reservations OR call in your reservations on the same day as the show, you will pay the day-of show-price. NOTE for prepaid tickets or if reservations have been made but not pre-paid: If you reduce the number of tickets requested or paid for at the box office on the night of the performance, that ticket must still be paid for! BRT requires 24 hour notice for cancellations or you will be charged for all seats reserved. Dear Steve, VETERANS DAY IS OVER... But discussions about issues facing veterans and their families are important throughout the year... and one will take place in Cumberland at Blackstone River Theatre TOMORROW, Thursday, Nov. 20... please attend this FREE program which utilizes the short play by Sophocles, "Ajax," to lead into a community discussion... And on Saturday we bring CHANTERELLE back to BRT for a wonderful evening of French Canadian songs and fiddle music featuring Josee Vachon and Donna Hebert! Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook to get late-breaking news and really expensive gifts. Well, not that last one but definitely the first part... Please share what we do with your friends! www.facebook.com/pages/Blackstone-River-Theatre/165592431396    Hope to see you soon... Russell Gusetti, Executive Director   "Ajax" followed by a community discussion on veterans issues: presented by The Pell Center Blackstone River Theatre will host a presentation of the short Greek tragedy "Ajax," presented by the Pell Center at Salve Regina University, followed by a community discussion on veterans' issues. Admission is free. Tickets will be available at the door or can be reserved at AjaxInRI.eventbrite.com More than 2,500 years ago, the Greek playwright Sophocles explored the emotional cost of war in a short play, "Ajax," set during the Trojan War. Presented by the Pell Center at Salve Regina University in partnership with Providence College, the play will be followed by a community forum on veterans' issues which seeks to bring audiences face-to-face with the emotional scars faced by soldiers who must relive their experiences on the battlefield. The goal is to bring together recent veterans, future soldiers (e.g., ROTC cadets), faculty, students, and the larger community in the state for conversations about how best to assist soldiers returning from multiple tours of duty. "Ajax" in Rhode Island is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities, an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities as part of NEH's "Standing Together: The Humanities and the Experience of War" special initiative, which supports veterans-related programming within each state and encourages a national network of humanities programming for America's military, veterans, and their communities. This contemporary production of "Ajax," using a new translation by James Scully, is presented to honor the service of our soldiers, to raise awareness of the trials soldiers endure while deployed, and encourage communities to take action to help returning vets reintegrate into their communities. All performances feature a local touring company directed by Tom Gleadow, who's had recurring roles at Trinity Rep and other regional theaters in New England and New York. The goal is to assemble a diverse audience for each performance, reaching out to recent veterans, ROTC cadets and faculty, older veterans and their families, along with students and community members.   Event Info Thursday, November 20, 7-9 P.M., FREE! at Blackstone River Theatre 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, R.I.  Call 401-725-9272 for reservations www.riverfolk.org CHANTERELLE featuring JOSEE VACHON Josée Vachon and Donna Hébert have embodied traditional and original Franco-American fiddle and song all their lives. Twenty years ago they met and became musical partners, forming Chanterelle with former guitarist Liza Constable and bassist Alan Bradbury. Alan returns this evening with Josée, Donna, and her guitarist, Max Cohen, for another wonderful show celebrating French culture in America. Born in Lac Megantic and raised over the border in Brownville, Maine, singer-songwriter Josée Vachon is beloved of Franco audiences, who regularly sing along with her in French. Her unabashed 'joie de vivre' is infectious. Josée's long stint hosting "Bonjour" on cable in the Northeast brought her to many Franco-American homes. A recipient of awards from the keys to the city of Woonsocket, to a spot on NEA traditional touring rosters like "The Women's Singing Traditions," Josée is an icon within the Franco-American culture. Western Mass. fiddler Donna Hébert, named an Artist Fellow in Franco-American fiddling by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, was recognized by Governor Deval Patrick in 2009 for "outstanding artistic achievement." A fiddle instructor at Smith and Amherst Colleges, Donna performs in a fiddle/guitar duo with Max Cohen (who joins them on this tour), Celtic trio Mist Covered Mountains, and the new Panache Quartet. Alan Bradbury's Cajun group, Magnolia, are the mainstay of the region's Cajun music and dance scene. Alan's bass, accordion and vocals add to Chanterelle's distinctive sound while new member Max Cohen is one of the best kept secrets in the guitar world, the true musician's musician.   Event Info Saturday, November 22, 8 P.M., $15.00 at Blackstone River Theatre 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, R.I.  Call 401-725-9272 for reservations www.riverfolk.org

Forward email to a friend! Blackstone River Theatre | 549 Broad Street | Cumberland | RI | 02864

Franklin Library: LEGO Club - today at 4:00 PM

Lego Club today at the Franklin Library at 4:00 PM. This activity is good for children with ages from 3 - 12 years old.

LEGO Club

This was re-shared from the Franklin Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/11/lego-club.html

In the News; commuter rail performance, change from grass to turf field

For those riding the Franklin commuter rail line:

Fifty new double decker coaches are in service, and 25 coaches are in the testing and inspection phase, according to the MBTA.

By early next year, all 75 new coaches, which were built by Hyundai Rotem, will be in service. State transportation officials have previously criticized Hyundai Rotem, accusing the company of falling behind schedule in delivering trains, which also required fixing once they reached Massachusetts.

Year-to-date, on-time performance on the commuter rail is at 89 percent, according to the presentation. July's on-time performance rate stood at 87 percent, August 90 percent, and September 92 percent, which dropped to 85 percent in October.

"There's a lot of room for improvement but at the same time . . . we are four months into this," MBTA general manager Beverly Scott told reporters.

Continue reading the full article in the Milford Daily News (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141119/NEWS/141116006/1994/NEWS


From the Town Council meeting Wednesday, part of the discussion was with the School Building Committee getting a 'sense of the Council" in regards to a slight change in the FHS plans for fields. I say 'slight' and that is an interpretation of what I heard.

The chairman of the committee, Tom Mercer, informed the town council of the decision on Wednesday and sought their approval to move ahead with the multi-use field in the form of an informal vote.

During a straw poll, each councilor voiced support of a turf field.

Mercer, himself a councilor, noted that the building committee did not require the council’s OK to build the field, but agreed “that it’s an important enough decision” to bring before the governing body.

Installation of the turf is to begin in the spring.

Continue reading the full article in the Milford Daily News (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141120/NEWS/141129667/1994/NEWS


The field had be slated for use as a practice field and due to the angle of planned grading could not be used as a 'game' field. By changing the field from grass to artificial turf, the field can be used year round, and will be regulation sized for competition.

Live reporting: Closing

L. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
local aid proposed to be cut at State level

restoration company worked quickly, will be working off hours and weekend
to continue repairs
thanks to the Fire and Police for their response

happy thanksgiving

Bissanti - one particular name (Mike Ellsworth) was johnny on the spot, an unsung hero of the system; everybody works together in those situations and that is good to see

M. OLD BUSINESS
none

N. NEW BUSINESS
When Powderly was here, she was working on a booklet on the services available
might also be good to have on the website, where is it?

Bissanti - is there an update on the RFP's
one came in at 10:40 (after the deadline, 10:30) and is disqualified


O. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Padula - we working on a house over on Howard St, really appreciate the folks there, great people

Pfeffer - open house of affordable housing on Saturday, lottery in Dec, applications do soon


Q. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed 8-0

Live reporting: Legislation for action

K. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 14-77: Classification Tax Allocation – Residential Factor
set residential factor at 1
motion, seconded, approved 8-0

Resolution 14-78: Classification Tax Allocation – Open Space Exemption
set no open space exemption
motion, seconded, approved 8-0

Resolution 14-79: Classification Tax Allocation – Small Business Exemption
set no small business exemption
motion, seconded, approved 8-0

Resolution 14-80: Classification Tax Allocation – Residential Property Exemption
set no residential property exemption
motion, seconded, approved 8-0


Resolution 14-76: Acceptance of Private Road Covenant With Developer of Unnamed Street Off
Upper Union Street (Mount View Farms Subdivision)
motion to waive the reading, seconded, passed 8-0
standard agreement to keep way private
motion, seconded, approved 8-0


Resolution 14-81: Refunding Bond Order
as mentioned a review of the bonds found some to be refinanced and save some money
motion, seconded, approved 8-0


Resolution 14-82: Appropriation – Sewer Retained Earnings
Beaver St interceptor, carries 70% of our sewer to the old sewer beds
over 100 years old, built in 1914
identified a long time ago as a liability
$14M to be moved to 140, have been reducing the flow through it
there is a culvert underneath it, if it breaks, it would drop 2M gallons a day into Mine Brook

the trains will be re-routed on Dec 6th to work with us to bring equipment in to do so
approve emergency through the State
working with Conservation Commission

they basically laid pipe and put stone on it

pipe are cast iron and it has lasted this long
the flow of sewer keeps the iron clean because it is so acidic
starting to well from the inside out

motion, seconded, approved 8-0


Resolution 14-83: Acceptance of Gift – Council on Aging

motion, seconded, approved 8-0

Resolution 14-66: Authorization to Grant Utility (Sewer) Easement
Bissanti and Mercer recused themselves

motion to take Resolution 14-66 off the table
seconded, passed 6-0

motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 6-0

(copies were missing from the Council package, hence the skip over this and returning to it)

This allows the maintenance of the sewer
unanimous (required 6 votes) had only five previously, Padula available tonight (as opposed to last time)

Live reporting: Tax Classification Hearing

G. HEARINGS
Tax Classification Hearing – 7:10 PM
Neas, Feeley, Doyle, Norman

tax rate would increase $.39 with the single rate
values are beginning to trend upwards
if the bonding had not kicked in, the tax rate would actually have decreased

Nutting - the valuations are always a lag
we have traditionally had a single rate, I see no reason to change that

Bissanti - we have a delicate balancing act between assessments and values

motion to close the hearing, seconded, passed 8-0



The full set of documents as released for this meeting agenda can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/111914.pdf

(Note - be patient when opening this file, some of the pages at the end at both larger and landscape mode rather than portrait so you may need to scroll to the middle when opening the file to see the beginning pages. The tax classification hearing pages are pages 9-32)