Frankli, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda- Apr 22, 2015

The Finance Committee continues to work through the capital budget with the Fire Dept, Facilities, and the School Dept reviewing their proposals.

If you missed the prior meeting and would like to review the notes and listen to the meeting, you can do that here. (Note, this is the only recording of the meeting available).


The agenda for the meeting scheduled at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 22 can be viewed here:

The April 1 memo to the FinCom on the Capital Budget can be found here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczczI3aTRoUG1reFk/view?usp=sharing

The 'original' capital plan dated Feb 1, 2015.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczbE9STVk1SjZVMlVNR0FLUGJ2bmJ2S0tacGgw/view?usp=sharing

Franklin Municipal Building - 355 East Central St

Milford Daily News pubished their recap of the first meeting in part by writing:

A $2.33 million capital budget has been proposed for this fiscal year, including a $66,000 police department request for new Tasers. 

Police Chief Stephan Semerjian said the department currently has 12 Tasers, eight of which are shared among its patrol officers, according to a recording of the April 7 Finance Committee meeting posted on the resident-run news blog, Franklin Matters. 

Unlike most budget hearings, the meeting was not broadcast on Franklin TV.

Continue reading their article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150420/NEWS/150429506/1994/NEWS

AARP Livability Index - leaves out Franklin

Given Franklin's demographics (forecasted to be getting to an older population rapidly), the AARP article caught my eye.

To compile AARP’s new lists of the most livable places in the U.S., it wasn’t only our research that counted—it was also your opinions. The top-10 lists that follow are based on the AARP Livability Index, a new online tool designed to help communities better serve the nation’s aging population. 

To create the index, the AARP Public Policy Institute surveyed 4,500 Americans 50 and older to determine the aspects of community most important to them. We then developed seven categories around those results—housing, neighborhood, transportation, environment, health, engagement and opportunity, taking into account 60 different factors to rate communities in those categories. 

The Bulletin crunched the numbers some more to find which cities and neighborhoods come out on top. We weren’t looking for the trendy or glitzy. We wanted the most livable. You might be in for some surprises.

One surprise is that Franklin gets only a middling score on their rating system.

Check out their Most Livable Cities

Check out their Best Cities for Staying Healthy

And where does Franklin rate?

If you’re like most of us, you probably want to stay in the community where you live now. The AARP Livability Index identifies how well your community is doing. Go to aarp.org/livabilityindex to find out.

The interactive system should allow you to chose up to three communities to compare. Maybe there were too many comparing when I did it, it did not respond. Trying again should be worth it. 

BIG Y: Learn About Prescription Drug Safety and Drug Interactions

© Copyright 2015 Big Y Foods Inc., Springfield, MA This email was sent by: Big Y Foods Inc., 2145 Roosevelt Avenue, PO Box 7840, Springfield, MA, 01102

Dean Dash 5K - April 25

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Dean Dash 5k Race! This year, not only are we pleased to host Dean College students, alumni, staff, faculty, and family, but we also look forward to hosting our fellow community members in this family-friendly event in celebration of Dean College’s 150th anniversary.

Click here to learn more and to register!

Dean Dash 5K - April 25 - noon

About the Race

The course will start and end from Awpie Way, outside of Dean Hall. You will start promptly at 12:00 p.m. and take a 3.1-mile walk, jog, or run through the quiet residential streets of Franklin. 

Every turn along the course will be clearly noted by a directional sign pointing you down the right path and a hydration station with water and Gatorade will be waiting for you at the 2-mile mark. There will also be course marshals along the route should you need any sort of assistance. 

Upon your return, you will be greeted by Boomer the Bulldog at the finish line and ushered to the serving area where you will get to enjoy a delicious pasta lunch to reward yourself for finishing the Dean Dash.

Chip Timing

Your race bib will contain the MYLAPS B-Tag Timing System, used in the Olympics, Boston Marathon, and Chicago Marathon, to track your time from start to finish. Race results will be published on www.coolrunning.com.

Registration Price

• Dean College Students: $10
• Faculty/Staff/Alumni: $15
• Family/Community Members: $20

Click here to learn more and to register!



This is one of several races in Franklin over the next several weeks. The race information for each will be posted this week.

• May 2 - FBRTC 5 Mile Road Race
• May 9 - Elks Care Elks Share - 5K
• May 17 - HMEA Independence Day 5K Run, Walk and Stroll
• Jun 6 - New Hope 5K and Family Fun Walk
• Jun 20 - American Legion Scholarship Run 5 Miles

Franklin Senior Center: “Memory Café” on April 23

The Franklin Senior Center is hosting it’s first “Memory Café” on April 23 from 3-4;30 p.m. 

A memory café is a welcoming place for people with dementia and their care partners to enjoy time together and with others. The café is open to the community and is free of charge. 

There will be socialization, refreshments and often some form of entertainment at the cafés. 

At the April 23 café, Jamie Barrett, a local favorite singer and guitar player, will entertain with some “old fashioned” tunes the participants can sing along to. 

Call the Franklin Senior Center at 508-520-4945 and let them know you would like to attend!

Franklin Senior Center

For other programs at the Senior Center, visit their webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index

or check out their newsletter
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/franklin-senior-center-new-edition-of.html

Kindergarten Information Night Schedule

From the ECDC Principal's Page we find and share the upcoming Kindergarten Information Night schedule.

What is a Kindergarten Information Night?

"This an opportunity for a brief tour of the school and a presentation by the principal and kindergarten team to introduce you to the building, the routines, the curriculum and the expectations for your student."

• J.F. Kennedy Elementary - May 14th @6 pm
• Parmenter Elementary - May 14th @6pm
• Helen Keller Elementary - May 20th @6pm
• Davis Thayer Elementary - May 21st @6pm
• Oak Street Elementary - May 27th @6pm
• Jefferson Elementary - May 28th @6pm

For other ECDC information you can follow the Principal's Page here
http://ecdcprincipalpage.blogspot.com/

the Oak St - Horace Mann schools entrance on a sunny day

Should MA lead or follow?

From the Mass Climate Action Network we share this episode of The Climate Minute

New Governor Charley Baker’s Executive Order 562 would substitute weak federal environmental standards for the existing superior state regulations here in Massachusetts. Based on overheated rhetoric claiming that state regulations are “confusing, unnecessary, inconsistent and redundant” the governor orders “each secretariat, agency, department, board, commission, authority or other body”… “to promptly undertake a review of each and every regulation” and retain only those which do “not exceed federal requirements.” 

The rule means that any Massachusetts environmental regulations stronger than their Federal counterparts will be dropped, and the weaker Federal ones will be used. Our state is a national leader in many areas, including the fight against carbon pollution and global warming. The regulations that embody that leadership are now at risk. If we rely on the Federal regulations, Massachusetts’ environmental policy will be set by the likes of Senator Ted Cruz. Think that is a good idea? There is more. Listen in.

Mass Climate Action Network

"our program has grown along with our space needs”

From the Town Council meeting last Wednesday, we find that MDN reports the purchase of the property at 275  Beaver Street was approved.

A property on Beaver Street will serve as the new home for the Recreation Department now that the town has sold its current headquarters on the corner of Emmons Street. 

Earlier this year, local developer Roger Calarese purchased the town-owned parcel at 150 Emmons St., intending to raze the building there and replace it with a 5,300-square-foot commercial property. 

The Recreation Department still occupied the former municipal building, the only holdover from when it housed all of the town departments. Following the sale, a search began for a new location for the department. 

That search ended last week when the Town Council voted unanimously to purchase a property at 275 Beaver St., which contains an office building and a garage, at a cost of $1 million, including renovations.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150420/NEWS/150429776/1994/NEWS

275 Beaver St

The agenda for the Town Council meeting and associated documents can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-apr-15.html

Video fun day

Video fun day




and in case you missed the original star War trailer released this week:




And a follow up from the alert to the Distracted Driving post earlier this week. Here is the Ellis Paul episode

Ellis Paul.com

Three things from the Pantherbook

1 - Jazz Band

On Wednesday, April 15, several FHS jazz music groups performed in the FHS auditorium, including the Jazz Workshop, Jazz Combo, and Jazz Band.  

Here is one excerpt from the concert of the Jazz Band performing the famous Duke Ellington song “Cotton Club Stomp” as directed by Ms. Rudsit. 

2 - TV Production Club

Have you ever wanted to see yourself on the morning news or just want to hone your production skills? 

Either way, Franklin High School’s TV Production Club is the place for you. New this year to any student who has completed a semester of TV Production, Video Production or Digital Journalism, the TV Club offers you the chance to produce fun content for the morning news. 

According to Ms. Moreau, who runs the TV Club, they are working on funny commercials and PSAs ( Public Service Announcements) to make the morning news more interesting. When asked on how she would sell TV Club to an undecided student Moreau said: “It’s fun to work with other students and produce content that you care about.”

Continue reading the article here
http://pantherbook.org/ae/2015/04/16/ladies-and-gentlemen-the-tv-club/

3 - YMCA Leaders Club

What’s better than making an impact with your best friends? That’s what the YMCA Leaders club is all about. 

YMCA Leaders Club

The Leaders club is a great way to get community service hours because members are required to get at least six hours a month, but it is also a great place to make friends and build lifelong relationships. 

One of the advisors of this club, Nate Packert, said: “We give back to the community through volunteering our services where needed. We are a group of thoughtful committed people who are trying to make a change for the world around us.”

Continue reading the Pantherbook article here
http://pantherbook.org/student-life/2015/04/15/helping-the-community-one-leader-at-a-time/

Franklin Senior Center: A new edition of The Franklin Connection is available

A new edition of The Franklin Connection has been published on the Town of Franklin web site.

Click the link below to read the latest edition.

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/May15connection.pdf

Choosing Medicare and Medigap Plans - Apr 30

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"Stamp Out Hunger" - food drive on May 9th

The Franklin Food Pantry announced this week that the letter carriers will pick up food donations from residents’ mailboxes on Saturday, May 9. Later the mail trucks will line up at the West Central Street pantry to unload their haul. 

Residents can donate to the food drive by leaving a bag of non-perishable food where their letter carrier normally delivers their mail, or by visiting the pantry at 43 West Central St. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The pantry has a special need for cans of tuna, juice boxes and granola bars, as well as pudding, sugar-free Jell-O, coffee and baking mix for cakes, cookies or brownies. The non-food items include toilet paper, deodorant, and hand and dish soap. 

The national campaign occurs every second Saturday in May, involving letter carriers in more than 10,000 cities and towns across the country.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150418/NEWS/150416081/1994/NEWS

date checking the goods after weighing in

For other photos from 2014 check here
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/05/225-tons-of-food-collected-to-stamp-out.html

MassBudget: Analyzing the House Ways and Means Budget for FY 2016

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Analyzing the House Ways & Means Budget for FY 2016 This Wednesday, the House Ways and Means Committee released its budget blueprint for fiscal year 2016. It recommends targeted investments in some important areas including early education and care, affordable housing, and opiate abuse prevention and treatment. The HWM budget also rejects some cuts proposed by the Governor, including the elimination of Kindergarten Expansion Grants. For a full analysis of this HWM proposal, please read our Budget Monitor available HERE. The HWM budget also proposes new cuts to some important programs including workforce training for low income parents and youth jobs and violence prevention efforts. Like the Governor's proposal, the HWM budget relies heavily on temporary strategies. Both versions spend $300 million in capital gains tax revenue that would have gone into the Rainy Day Fund under current law. They also both count on $100 million from a tax amnesty and $116 million from putting off paying some of our FY2016 MassHealth bills into FY 2017. Ultimately, the shortcomings of this budget proposal mirror those of the Governor's and reflect ongoing challenges that our Commonwealth has faced for more than a decade: after cutting the income tax by over $3 billion dollars between 1998 and 2002 we have experienced deep cuts to things that strengthen our communities and our economy. Between 2001 and 2015, for instance, funding for higher education has been cut 21 percent, environmental protection and recreation (parks, swimming pools, rinks) has been cut 33 percent, local aid has been cut 44 percent, early education and care has been cut 24 percent and funding for public health has been cut 24 percent (all numbers adjusted for inflation). Please click HERE to read the full Budget Monitor.  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

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

2015 Boston Marathon - Spectator Guidelines

From the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA):

The 119th running of the Boston Marathon will be held on Patriot’s Day, Monday, April 20, 2015. This year, 30,000 registered participants will run the 26.2-mile course, which starts in Hopkinton and passes through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, and Brookline before culminating at the finish line on Boylston Street in Boston. An estimated 1 million spectators will line the streets to watch this year’s marathon. 

Local, regional, state, and federal public safety partners have collaborated to develop a comprehensive, layered safety and security plan that maintains the traditional family-oriented character and environment of this historic event. 

Public safety officials ask spectators to follow reasonable and commonsense guidelines when traveling to the area and cheering on the runners along the marathon course. These guidelines will help ensure a safe and secure day:

2015 Boston Marathon - Spectator Guidelines

Follow the link to read all the guidelines
http://blog.mass.gov/blog/safety/the-2015-boston-marathon-spectator-guidelines/

FHS softball lost, baseball won on Saturday

Hockomock Sports reports that the FHS softball team lost to Bishop Feehan and that the baseball team beat Taunton.

Softball
Franklin, 3 @ Bishop Feehan, 4 - Final (9 innings)

For the remainder of the results from Saturday's action
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-041815

Franklin's Anthony Chaiton was strong on the mound and picked up the win for the Panthers. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

The first inning isn’t always indicative of how the rest of the game is going to go. 

It was on Saturday afternoon though. 

Ant Chaiton sat down the side in order in the top of the inning and Franklin plated three in the bottom half and the Panthers never looked back in a 10-5 win over Taunton.

“The guys were really locked in and did a really nice job extending innings and making it really tough of them,” Franklin head coach Zach Brown said. “And then Ant did a great job having shut down innings after we scored so we could keep extending on the lead.”

Conitnue reading the full article here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/chaitons-pitching-hitting-push-franklin-past-taunton