It's never just "another day"

#GivingTuesday Inspiration  from individuals supported by HMEA Now, that you know what #GivingTuesday is all about,  it's time to start thinking about what you would like to  give on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2014! We recently asked some folks from our Hopedale Employment Program what "giving" means to them.  Their feedback was so insightful; we decided to share their responses with you as inspiration for your #GivingTuesday considerations. To view the full slideshow of #GivingTuesday inspiration photos, please click here.  What does "giving" mean to you? Their answers:  Give Back Give Time Give Skills Give Talent Give a Smile  Give Support Give Guidance Give Friendship Give a Helpful Hand Give Community Service If you find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to come together to give something more, feel free to share your story with us!  Post your story on our  Facebook page or email us at: hmeainc@gmail.com. In case you missed last week's email introducing #GivingTuesday, here is a quick explanation about this special. Learn more by visiting: www.hmea.org/givingtuesday. There's Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and now #Giving Tuesday - a global day of giving on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give. If you spend on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, please consider kicking off your holiday giving season with an end-of-year charitable gift on #GivingTuesday. Thank you!

STAY CONNECTED

Forward this email HMEA | 8 Forge Park East | Franklin | MA | 02038

Turkey Time Hours For Team Fitness and CrossFit Franklin

November 2014 Happy Thanksgiving Club Hours for Thanksgiving Time Thanksgiving Hours  Team Fitness and CrossFit Franklin Monday and Tuesday, November 24 and 25:  Hours and classes are as normal: 5 am - 9 pm Wednesday, November 26: Club and Box Hours: 5 am - 3 pm  Morning classes ONLY. Thursday, November 27 -THANKSGIVING  Club and Box Hours: 7 am - 11 am Morning Spin @ 7:15 am ONLY.  (Please reserve your bike early.) Also: November 27- CrossFit Franklin Special Turkey Day WOD! 7 am - 8 am.   Click here to RSVP with HCMC prior to date.   Friday, November 28.-Regular Hours from 5 am - 7 pm.   NO 5:30 am circuit class at Team Fitness Franklin.  We are holding ALL other scheduled classes. All CFF classes held as scheduled. What are you thankful for? Let us know. Grab some window paint near the front door and write your gratitude.  Lets fill in the door for all to see and enjoy! We are grateful for all our dedicated members and staff. Thank You ALL!                                                        BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR BLACK FRIDAY SPECIALS!

Forward this email Team Fitness Franklin | 100 Franklin Village Drive | Franklin | MA | 02038

In the News: Senior Centers, Maria Circle fire

The new seniors coming to centers are often still working, or looking to make their golden years long and fun. Baby boomers don’t want to feel old, Festa said, and look to their senior centers to help them. 

Franklin Senior Center director Karen Alves said she fields a lot of requests from seniors relating to health. 

“One of the biggest things we do is wellness and fitness,” Alves said. “Tai chi and yoga are popular. Any of the fitness programs are popular.”

Continue reading the full article in the Milford Daily News (subscription may be required) http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141122/NEWS/141128529/1994/NEWS

A two-alarm fire gutted the garage of a Maria Circle home Saturday afternoon and caused some damage to the attic. 

Franklin firefighters responded to the two-story Colonial at 1:13 p.m., encountering heavy fire in the garage with flames already licking the side of the home and reaching up toward the attic. 

“The fire was going into the second floor and up into the attic,” Fire Chief Gary McCarraher said.

Continue reading the full article in the Milford Daily News (subscription may be required) 
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141122/NEWS/141128594/1994/NEWS

Holiday Craft Fair - Nov 22 - Franklin VFW

ATTENTION ALL MISSION FAMILY and FRIENDS

Please visit the Craft fair at the VFW Post - 1034 Pond Street, Franklin, MA. 

The Friars Floral's will have a booth with silk floral arrangements to sell as a fund raiser for our ministry thanks to the generosity of the VFW auxiliary and members, in addition there will be multiple vendor tables offering homemade items including honey, wooden toys, knit and crochet clothing and accessories, handmade quilts, holiday decorations, snowmen, and stained glass. 

A Farmers Market area will be available and a physical therapist will offer massages starting at noon time. 

Please visit us Saturday November 22, 2014 9 AM to 4 PM:

Franklin VFW Post1034 Pond Street in Franklin, MA 

The profits from the Friars Florals sales will benefit Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy

Franklin VFW Post - 1034 Pond Street

Pax et Bonum
Peace & All God's Goodness be with you
Rev. Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus
Divine Mercy Old Catholic Parish
Independent Catholic Church of the Americas
Link to Fr. Bob's Weekly TV show
http://www.youtube.com/user/RevBobJohn
Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FriarBobJohn
Mission Web Site www.missionstsergius.org
Franciscan Web Site www.franciscansdivinemercy.org
ICCA Seminary Link http://www.iccamericas.org/seminary/
Diocese Office: http://stjosephcupertino.com/index.html

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School and the Franklin School for the Performing Arts Collaborate to Offer Expanded Arts Curriculum

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School and the Franklin School for the Performing Arts have worked in collaboration to offer students in grades six through eight access to classes in Dance and Introduction to French Melodie, musical theater and opera. Both programs are offered to students on site at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts during the school’s Classical Arts Block period.

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School’s Arts Block offers students a choice of 33 programs throughout the year, each of which has been designed to provide students with opportunity to gain exposure and experience with a specialized topic. The French Melodie class at FSPA builds upon students existing knowledge of the French language, culture and history, gained through French instruction, which commences in Kindergarten at BFCCPS. Dance is a beginner/intermediate jazz class that introduces basic dance vocabulary, technique and combinations; no prior dance experience is required for students to participate in the program.

Students will have the opportunity showcase the techniques that they have learned this trimester in a short morning program to be held at 11am on November 24, 2014 at THE BLACK BOX, the newly opened home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company.

“We are incredibly fortunate to be able to offer these classes to our students thanks to the generous support of the staff at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts,” says Heather Zolnowski Head of School at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School. “The staff at FSPA share our vision and dedication to provide classical arts and character education. This is a remarkable opportunity for our students.”

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School has been in operation since 1995 and will celebrate its twentieth anniversary this spring. The school provides a well-rounded, rigorous academic program designed to educate the whole child. BFCCPS’s educational philosophy, which is centered around strong core academic subjects, as well as yearlong courses in art, music, languages, technology, and physical education, integrated character education and community service, and strong parent partnerships, has lead to local, state and national recognition.

If you'd like learn more about the educational mission of the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School, or if you have enrollment related questions please contact the school’s Marketing Coordinator, Joanne Basile at jbasile@bfccps.org or 508-541-3434 x140. For more details
about the Franklin School for the Performing Arts, please contact Jackie Evans, Marketing and Public Relations at 508-528-8668 or jevans@fspaonline.com.

About the Benjamin Franklin Charter School

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School’s mission is to assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children by providing students with a classical academic education coupled with sound character development and community service. Our mission is supported by four distinct, yet interconnected pillars that provide for a collaborative, rigorous education for all students. These pillars guide, direct and define the school in all it does.

About the Franklin School for the Performing Arts

Since 1985, the Franklin School for the Performing Arts has been dedicated to the enjoyment of music, dance and drama for all ages and to the artistic growth and development of young people. Founded by Director Raye Lynn Mercer and built upon the notion that arts experiences are an integral part of a wellrounded education, FSPA provides a nurturing environment where students grow skills for the stage – and for life. With a distinguished faculty of Boston-area artists, expansive roster of classes and extensive calendar of wide-ranging performance opportunities, FSPA serves students of all ages and levels of ability, whether for recreational enjoyment or serious study.

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.
.	.

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