Wednesday, April 15, 2015

MassBudget: The Minimum Wage in Massachusetts: Challenges & Opportunities



  MASSBudget     


The Minimum Wage in Massachusetts:
Challenges and Opportunities 

Over the last 40 years, as productivity has increased steadily and we have created more value per hour worked, that growth has not translated into greater economic security for working people and their families. Wages for most workers have barely grown while the only group to see substantial income growth has been those with the highest incomes.
 

If the minimum wage had kept pace with productivity growth since 1968 it would be over $18 an hour today - twice its current level in Massachusetts. Increasing the minimum wage towards that level, at least for some larger businesses, could help people who work hard to better support themselves and pay for basic necessities for their families.

The Minimum Wage in Massachusetts: Challenges and Opportunities examines long term wage trends and describes some of the ways employers could adjust to a significant increase in the minimum wage. Recent research indicates that when wages for low wage workers are increased, employers see reduced turnover and training costs, higher productivity and morale and they can implement modest price increases.

To read the full brief, please click HERE


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
TwitterFacebook


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

Reminder: Religious School Open House - May 3

Temple Etz Chaim, Franklin, is hosting a Religious School Open House event. Families interested in Religious School for their school-aged children from Pre-K through High School are welcome to join us Sunday, May 3, 2015 from 9:15 to 11:00 am at the Medway High School, 88 Summer Street, Medway. 
The open house will include a tour of the school and participation in the activities of the day, opportunities to meet with the Rabbi, the Education Director and representatives from the Membership Committee as well as time for coffee and schmoozing with temple families. 
There is no cost for attending. RSVP by email to Hana Berman at directorofeducation@temple-etzchaim.org or call the temple office (508) 528-5337 to RSVP or for additional information.

screen grab of Temple Etz Chaim webpage
screen grab of Temple Etz Chaim webpage

For additional information on the Temple Etz Chaim, please visit their webpage
http://www.temple-etzchaim.org/

Franklin Cultural Festival - applications due - Apr 17th

Hello, 
This is a gentle reminder that Friday, April 17, 2015 is the final day to submit applications for the Franklin Cultural Festival. 
If you wish to participate in this event, kindly submit your application by this Friday, April 17. 

Thank you, 

Pandora Carlucci 
Franklin Cultural District

Town Common bandstand, site of some of the Cutlural Festival events
Town Common bandstand, site of some of the Cultural Festival events


Related posts on the Franklin Cultural Festival being planned for this summer

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Saturday's Walk about Franklin (photo essay)

The 5th Grade Spring Cleanup was in full swing at Parmenter School. I made a loop around town coming back to Parmenter to check on the baseball field at the end of the walk.

car wash
car wash
DPW hydrant flushing
DPW hydrant flushing
DPW rolling the real turf at Fletcher Field
DPW rolling the real turf at Fletcher Field
feeder stream to Mine Brook
feeder stream to Mine Brook
the big tree at Dean College
the big tree at Dean College
The Library on a sunny breezy day
The Library on a sunny breezy day

how are the new sidewalks going to be ADA compliant?
how are the new sidewalks going to be ADA compliant?

how are the new sidewalks going to be ADA compliant?
how are the new sidewalks going to be ADA compliant?

home plate on Saturday at Parmenter still had ice (it was gone Sunday)
home plate on Saturday at Parmenter still had ice (it was gone Sunday)

Upcoming Distracted Driving Episode Features Folk Singer/Songwriter Ellis Paul


Distracted Driving, a locally-produced web series, is happy to announce a very special upcoming episode of the talk show-based program.  On Sunday April 12th, the hosts of Distracted Driving, Ray Auger, Tim Rice and Jay Pillarella, filmed an episode with local folk music legend Ellis Paul.  The show is scheduled to be released this Wednesday, April 15th at 7:00pm on the show's YouTube channel and will air in the near future on Milford TV and Amherst Media where the show is featured weekly.

Ellis Paul with Distracted Driving
Ellis Paul with Distracted Driving
"I've been such a big fan of Ellis' work since the early 90s" says Co-Host Tim Rice.  "To have him the back seat of our mobile studio was an honor, not to mention just a fun time all around."

On the show, which clocks in at just under an hour, Ray, Tim and Jay talk with Ellis about his roots, the current folk scene, the traveling life of working folk artist and more.  

Ellis even performs two songs from his latest album release.  Plus Distracted Driving got a special improvised theme song written for them on the spot.







Tune in on the Distracted Driving YouTube page starting Wednesday at 7:00pm for the fun!
Twitter – DDTheShow
Facebook – DistractedDrivingTheShow
YouTube – DistractedDrivingWS



About Distracted Driving
Distracting Driving is a web series hosted by Ray Auger, Jay Pillarella and Tim Rice.  It combines the late night talk show format and aimless driving.  Each week Ray, Jay and Tim chat about movies, TV, comics and life in general. The show features special guests, music, audience mail and fun surprises. Buckle up and take a ride with Distracted Driving, you never know where we'll be going!  Distracted Driving can be seen on YouTube, Milford TV and Amherst Media.

About Ellis Paul
Ellis Paul is an American singer-songwriter and folk musician. Born in Aroostook County, Maine, Paul is a key figure in what has become known as the Boston school of songwriting, a literate, provocative and urbanely romantic folk-pop style that helped ignite the folk revival of the 1990s. His pop music songs have appeared in movies and on television, bridging the gap between the modern folk sound and the populist traditions of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger.


Ellis Paul has frequently appeared at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse in Franklin


FHS spring sports results from Monday, Apr 13

Hockomock Sports provides the results around the Hockomock League for all the spring sports action on Monday, Apr 13. Franklin had a busy and successful day with only the baseball team dropping their game.
FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers


Baseball
Franklin, 6 @ Saint Peter Marian, 11 - Final - Senior Nick Burgos went 1-2 with three walks and three runs scored, sophomore Tyler Gomes was 2-4 with a pair of doubles, one run scored and one RBI and senior Ben Chaffee was 2-2 with two walks and an RBI.

Softball
Franklin, 15 @ Oliver Ames, 3 - Final (5 innings) - Franklin pitcher Sabrina LoMonaco struck out nine batters and was perfect at the plate herself, going 4-4 with six RBI including a home run, a double and a pair of singles. Alicia Donovan went 2-3 with an RBI and Olivia DiGiacomo had a two-run double. For Oliver Ames, freshman Caroline Mahoney knocked in a pair of runs early in the game while Mattea Sarnecki knocked in the third run for the Tigers.

Boys Lacrosse
Sharon, 5 @ Franklin, 13 - Final - For Sharon, Josh Rotman scored a hat trick and Mark Bloom, Spencer Aubin and Kevin Chen each registered a point. Sharon freshman Johnny Greenberg came into play goalie with three minutes left in the first quarter and finished with 12 saves.

Girls Lacrosse
Sharon, 1 @ Franklin, 17 - Final - Franklin had 11 different players find the back of the net, led by MacKenzie Pleshaw and Julia Jette, who both recorded hat tricks. Freshman Grace MacCallum scored her first varsity goal in the win for the Panthers.

Boys Tennis
Franklin, 4 @ Oliver Ames, 1 - Final


For all the results across the Hockomock League on Monday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-041315

Do you love cats? Calico Nook might be the place for you!


Do you love cats? 


Last month, co-partners Marissa Massucco and Kristi Mahoney opened up a not-for-profit for cat lovers called Calico Nook (58 E. Central Street in downtown Franklin). Calico Nook is a progressive, upscale, warm and relaxing community space where cats roam free and feline fanatics can get their fill. Calico Nook has a few resident rescue cats and are in the process of partnering with local animal shelters to foster some of their cats. Since Calico Nook is not-for-profit, funding comes from a $5 admission at the door. Some people come to hang out or play with cats. Some people come to read, relax, use the wi-fi, see local art or buy a variety of eclectic cat-centric retail items. So far the community has been very supportive!

Calico Nook is also planning on having many special events, from acoustic music nights to kids craft events to pet info sessions. They have two upcoming events in April:



Pet Info Session: Saturday, April 18th with Dr. Bart Massucco 10:30am and 1pm

Dr. Bart, the owner of Countryside Veterinary Clinic in Wrentham, will be giving a fun pet informational session at 10:30am and 1pm. Dr. Bart can answer any pet related questions you may have. Fun for all ages (5 and up.) Bring your pet-related questions and he will answer them and learn fun cat facts from a seasoned pro. Standard $5 admission applies.



Kids School Vacation Event: Tuesday, April 21st from 3-4pm

Kids 5 and up can come and do a variety of cat centric games from word searches and word scrambles to puzzles and cat bingo. We have a prize basket brimming with prizes waiting to be won. Children must be accompanied, supervised by an adult at all times, and adhere to all cat rules. Standard $5 admission applies to each child and adult.

screen grab of Calico Nook webpage
screen grab of Calico Nook webpage


For more information on Calico Nook, please visit their website at www.caliconook.com or like them on Facebook for up-to-date information.

Monday, April 13, 2015

RIP - Howard Crawford

Driving by the Akin-Bak Farm on Friday, it was closed and that was unual for this time of year. I heard later that Howard had passed that day which explained why they were closed. Driving by on Saturday, the flag was lowered.

Akin-Bak Farm closed in honor of Howard Crawford
Akin-Bak Farm closed in honor of Howard Crawford

Franklin has lost one of their treasured gentlemen!
Howard A. Crawford 91, of Franklin, died peacefully, surrounded by his family at home Friday April 10, 2015 following an illness. He was the beloved husband of Santina E. (Accorsi) Crawford. 
Born in Bristol, Connecticut on July 17, 1923 a son of the late James E. and Alice M. (McGuire) Crawford, he was a former resident of Sherman Mills, Maine before moving to Franklin in 1950.

... his funeral service Wednesday April 15th, at 10AM at the Franklin United Methodist Church 82 West Central St. Franklin. Interment with military honors will follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. 

Calling hours are Tuesday from 4-8PM at the Charles F. Oteri & Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. Franklin.

Howard's full obituary can be found on the Oteri page here
http://oterifuneralhome.tributes.com/obituary/show/Howard-A.-Crawford-102371517

FM #111 - Finance Committee meeting Apr 7, 2015 (audio)

This is the recording of the Finance Committee meeting of Tuesday, April 7, 2015. I was originally planning to attend the School Committee. That was scheduled for the Council Chambers and thereby to be broadcast and recorded by Franklin TV.

The FinCom meeting I thought was scheduled for Weds the 8th but walking into the municipal building I found out it was actually Tuesday night. Hence, my plans changed and I recorded the FinCom meeting.

There is a round of introductions as the meeting starts so you should be able to align the voices and names. You can follow along with my notes (see the links below.)

The hand out is copied and available for download. The one map mentioned is part of a the larger capital budget package that I also have linked to here (see below.)

If you want to skip around to particular sections you can use the follow as a guide

  • Intro and Recreation Dept building up to ~ 23 minutes
  • Capital budget then begins with an overview at ~ 23
  • Police Dept starts at ~28
  • DPW starts at ~53
  • Enterprise accounts - Water - begins ~ 1:07
  • Enterprise accounts - Sewer - begins ~ 1:19
  • The FY 2016 budget planning being about ~1:26 and runs to the close






First part meeting notes (through the vote to recommend purchase/renovation of 275 Beaver St)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/live-reporting-finance-commmittee-apr-7.html

Second part

Documents for the purchase and renovation of 275 Beaver St

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

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

view from sidewalk of 275 Beaver St
view from sidewalk of 275 Beaver St


---- ---- ----

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can use your help.

How can you help?
If you like this, please tell a neighbor.
If you don't like this, please tell me.
Through this feedback loop, I can continue to provide good information for you



For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and East of Shirley. The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their  permission.



You can also subscribe and listen to the audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Boston Rocks!




The Boston Marathon Update

Show your support for the 26.2 Foundation,
and take your part in building the International Marathon Museum!
This April 20th is Marathon Monday and Patriots' Day, which commemorates the battles of Lexington and Concord that were fought near Boston in 1775.

We're going to be at the Boston Marathon start at the common in Hopkinton MA on the 18th, 19th and on Marathon Monday with limited editions of the Boston Strong and 26.2 beads, runner tech tees and other neat stuff for our Marathon runners and their supporters!
Proceeds will go to the 26.2 Foundation as they work to raise funds for the International Marathon Center.

Click on any of the pics to order yours now!
Made to honor the memory of Boston Mayor Tom Menino, the MY WAY Boston bead raises funds for the many important charities that The Boston Foundation supports. Sponsored by Technology for Autism Now
Facebook
Facebook
Twitter
Twitter
Website
Website
Pinterest
Pinterest
Share
Tweet
Forward
+1
Copyright © 2015 Confidence Beads/Back to Business/ Beads for a Cause, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you subscribed to our newsletter list either through Back to Business or Confidence Beads. If you'd prefer to unsubscribe, no worries! Just click on the unsubscribe link, below. We don't like to bug people!

Our mailing address is:
Confidence Beads/Back to Business/ Beads for a Cause
43 Main St, Suite 246
Franklin, Ma 02038



Confidence Beads/Back to Business/ Beads for a Cause · 43 Main St, Suite 246 · Franklin, Ma 02038 · USA

Email Marketing Powered by MailChimp


In addition to the beads shown here, there is also a Franklin Pride bead. A portion of the sale price from the Franklin Pride bead goes to the Franklin Food Pantry. On behalf of the Food Pantry, I thank Linda for this wonderful collaboration!


Franklin Pride - view of a single bead, all angles
Franklin Pride - view of a single bead, all angles
You can view these and additional items and place your order via this link

#shopFranklin

Franklin Library: Doggie Tales returns Apr 15

Doggies Tales returns to the Franklin Public Library on Wednesday, Apr 15th. 

Please call the library to register in advance. 

Good for young readers in grade 2 and up. The reader spends 15 minutes reading aloud to a therapy dog.


Doggie Tales - Apr 15
Doggie Tales - Apr 15

This was shared from the Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/04/doggie-tales.html