Rep Roy: What's happening in the district - April 2015 newsletter

This is our regularly monthly newsletter. If you are not yet a subscriber, you can get on our email list by clicking here. View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website Email House passes FY16 budget I was honored to join my colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass the FY16 budget which emphasizes economic growth through investments in multiple areas including education and local aid, reform to the state's transportation system, and an acute focus on improving behavioral health services. The $38.05 billion spending bill highlights the House's ongoing commitment to fiscal prudence and targeted investments, a practice that has resulted in Massachusetts retaining its AA+ bond rating, the highest in the state's history. The budget includes no new taxes or fees and reduces its reliance on one time revenue sources. For the first time since 2007, it does not withdraw any funds from the Commonwealth's stabilization fund, leaving the balance in excess of $1 billion. This budget is a true reflection of our commitment to investments in education and economic development, while also proposing creative new solutions to the Commonwealth's challenges. I thank Speaker DeLeo and Chairman Dempsey for their work in helping us build a strong set of policy statements in a fiscally prudent manner that gained unanimous support among the House members. I am also delighted that we were able to secure $60,000 for the purchase of school safety zone lighting for both Franklin and Medway, along with $50,000 for the Horace Mann Park and statue. You can read a more detailed release about the budget by clicking here. You can view the actual budget with amendments and Chamber actions by clicking here. The budget now goes to the Senate. Horace Mann honored Franklin took time out to honor one of its most famous residents Horace Mann on the occasion of his 219th birthday.  The Franklin Historical Commission celebrated 'Horace Mann Day' on Sunday, May 3, 2015 with a special presentation, HORACE MANN AND HIS WORLD, featuring writer and commentator Peter Golden. The speech traced Mann's roots in Franklin and provided the historical context in which he pioneered public education for Massachusetts and the rest of the country. Mann was born in Franklin in 1796 and went on to become a lawyer, politician, abolitionist, the first Secretary of Education, and the President of Antioch College in Ohio. He is most often referred to as the 'Father of Education'.   In his introductory remarks at the event, Rep. Roy announced that the Massachusetts House of Representatives included $50,000 in its budget to assist with the construction of the Horace Mann Park and statue in Franklin. Rep. Roy is looking forward to working on the committee established by the Town Council to construct the monument to honor Mann and public education.  You can learn more about the event by clicking here. Wiper law softened The Massachusetts House has voted to soften the impact of a new state law that requires motorists to turn their headlights on whenever they are operating their windshield wipers. Under a state budget amendment approved last week, the headlights law would remain in effect and violators could still be ticketed with a moving violation. But they would no longer be subject to a potentially costly surcharge on their auto insurance premiums. The law requires drivers to turn on their headlights during daylight hours when it is raining or visibility is poor. It has not been widely enforced by police to date. The change backed by the House must also be approved in the Senate. Student Government Day For 67 years the Commonwealth's legislature has hosted Student Government Day at the State House. Every high school in MA is eligible to elect and send two students to represent their town, acting as a state official. Each student plays a role as a State Senator, State Representative or as a Chief Justice. The students who attend testify during a public hearing and then have the opportunity to debate, amend and then vote on a student related piece of legislation. It is a wonderful opportunity to educate an involved student and it is a lot of fun. This year all three high schools in Rep. Roy's district participated and had a great experience. DESE offers snow day relief to schools Massachusetts schools can make up some snow days by experimenting with out-of-school assignments or activities. The concept was presented as an option by the commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Mitchell D. Chester, to school departments statewide in March in one of his weekly memos. It allows districts to offer instructional projects and activities that students can complete outside the classroom, that may be counted toward the state's 180-day academic year requirement as long as local school committees determine the work meets the definition of structured learning time. This is a great option for districts who are running up against the calendar because of snow days. To view the text of Chester's memo, click here. Delegates chime in at Best Buddies dodgeball tourney Rep. Roy and Sen. Spilka took the court with the Delegates team at the the Third Annual Best Buddies Dodgeball Tournament. They were joined in the effort by Mike Mershimer, Mark Cole, Joel Loitherstein, and Robert Dellorco. All proceeds from the tournament, donations and silent auction went directly to the Best Buddies organization to aid with increasing opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As always the Dodgeball Tournament was a lot of fun and was successful at raising these important funds. For more pictures from the event, click here. Rock the House III at Black Box Join Rep. Roy and his band Ben Gardner's Boat on Thursday, May 7 from 6 to 9 pm at the Black Box in downtown Franklin for Rock the House III. Come chat with Jeff and others about what's happening on Beacon Hill, listen to some music, and dance the night away -- or just kick back, relax, and have some fun with friends and neighbors. Franklin solar challenge spring campaign Now that the snow has melted and the roofs are clear again, the Franklin Solar Challenge is kicking off its Spring campaign. Started last fall, over 20 Franklin residents have signed up to install solar panels on their houses and start taking control of their electric bills. As seen from this past winter, utility electric rates are unpredictable, and all signs point toward increasing rates in the coming years. The Franklin Solar Challenge is a community-sponsored initiative modeled off the state's Solarize Massachusetts campaign. A group of concerned citizens went through a Request for Proposal process to select a vendor, SolarFlair, who could offer the town the best combination of quality and price based on our aggregated buying power. This arrangement gives the residents and businesses in Franklin better pricing and quality control than if every individual tried to negotiate on their own. This program is open to all residents and businesses in Franklin, no matter how big or how small. The more that participate, the better price everyone gets, and if we hit a certain goal, SolarFlair will donate a solar array to the Franklin Affordable Housing Trust! For more information, click here  or call 508-293-4293. JFK statue open to visitors Visitors to the State House now have improved access to a statue of John F. Kennedy that has been largely blocked from the public for more than a decade. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, state officials restricted viewing of the monument, citing security concerns because of its proximity to the governor's office. This year, officials said they were finally able to address the issue by stationing officers near the door that leads from the State House. "This is an opportunity to see a great piece of Massachusetts history up close," noted Rep. Roy. "I am happy to be able to bring constituents out onto the courtyard to see this memorial to our 35th President." Atlantic Bridge Pipeline meeting on Thursday May 14 Over the past several months, Spectra Energy has held a series of Open House events to share information and gather feedback on the proposed Atlantic Bridge pipeline that will run through Franklin and Medway. It was the subject of a recent Local Town Pages article which you can view by clicking here. Those interested in learning more about Algonquin Gas's Atlantic Bridge Pipeline which is proposed to go through Franklin and Medway should attend the scoping meeting on Thursday, May 14 at the Hawthorne Suites Hotel. For more details on the meeting and project, click here. Copyright © 2015 State Rep Jeff Roy, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you either contacted our office or indicated you wanted to keep updated on the 10th Norfolk District and things going on at the State House. Our mailing address is: State Rep Jeff Roy State House Room 527A Boston, MA 02133 Add us to your address book

MassBudget: Analyzing the House Budget for FY 2016

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Analyzing the House Budget for FY 2016 In a quiet three days of debate, the House made few changes to the budget drafted by the House Ways and Means Committee (HWM). Many of the funding increases approved just restored funding that the HWM Committee had proposed cutting. The House voted to increase support beyond the level proposed by the Ways and Means Committee in several areas, including the following: Jobs and workforce training. The Ways and Means Committee had proposed significant cuts to summer jobs programs for young people, job training to help people receiving transitional assistance to enter the workforce, and adult basic education. The House adopted amendments restoring most of this funding, but left in place cuts to other jobs and workforce training programs such as the elimination of Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Development Grants. Economic development. The Ways and Means Committee had proposed significant cuts to the Office of Travel and Tourism (which the Governor also proposed cutting) and to the Mass. Cultural Council. The House adopted amendments restoring funding to both. Public health. The Ways and Means Committee had proposed cuts to early intervention programs and to a grant program that aims to reduce youth violence. The House approved amendments restoring the early intervention funding and most, but not all, of the violence prevention funding. For more detail, please read our full House Budget Monitor HERE.  The final House budget makes some targeted investments, including modest increases for early education and care, affordable housing, and opiate abuse prevention and treatment. Like the Governor's budget it does not address most of the long term cuts that have been made over the past 15 years, such as: the 20 percent cut to higher education that has led to increased tuition and fees; the 40 percent cut to local aid; and the 30 percent cut to environment and recreation programs that has led to reduced maintenance, staffing and hours at many state recreation facilities. The final House Budget also follows the Governor in relying on over $600 million in temporary revenue and savings. Both the long term budget cuts and the ongoing budget gaps our Commonwealth faces have their origins in the over $3 billion of income tax cuts enacted between 1998 and 2002. This House Budget Monitor describes the amendments adopted in each area of the budget and discusses how proposed funding levels compare to the Governor's proposals and to historic levels. For detail on those sections of the House Budget not amended, see our House Ways and Means 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

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

screen grab of MassBudget web page

FHS baseball, softball, and boys lacrosse win on Monday

Monday was a busy day for the FHS spring sports teams. Hockomock Sports provides the results we can share here:

Baseball

Franklin, 4 @ Nauset, 2 - Final

- In a game of firsts, Franklin took down Nauset in an exclusion game. Junior Mike Skaza picked up his first career win, going four innings with four strikeouts, giving up four hits and just one earned run. Senior Marc Elliot picked up his first career save, tossing the final three innings without giving up a hit and striking out one. At the plate, junior Nick Santucci was 2-3 witha double, two runs scored, a stolen base and an RBI. Junior Joe Corsi picked up his first career hit and went 2-2 on the day with a run scored and a stolen base.

FHS Panthers

Softball

Franklin, 7 @ Foxboro, 0 - Final 

- Franklin was finally able to break open a scoreless game in the firth inning. In the top of the fifth, Alyssa DaSilva led off with a walk, Alicia Donovan had a single, Olivia Haba had a walk and then Olivia DiGiacomo had a two run double to give the Panthers the lead. In the top of the sixth, Sabrina LoMonaco had a lead off home run and then Donovan had a two-run home run. DiGiacomo finished 2-3 with a pair of RBIs, LoMonaco was 2-4 and struck out 10 in the circle and Donovan finished 3-4 with three RBI.

Boys Lacrosse

Mansfield, 3 @ Franklin, 15 - Final 

- Jack Vail led the Panthers with three goals and three assists while Eric Civetti had four goals and one assist. Ben Burke netted a hat trick, Nick Yelle scored twice and DJ Shea made 12 saves in net.

Girls Lacrosse

Franklin, 4 @ Notre Dame Academy, 14 - Final 

- Julia Jette scored twice, Emily Spath had one goal and one assist and Kendall Reardon scored once for the Panthers.

Girls Tennis

Franklin, 2 @ Foxboro, 3 - Final


For all the results around the Hockomock League on Monday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-050415

TeamFitness: Summertime Student Special

Summertime, Summertime, Sum Sum Summertime! Student Summer Specials  After a challenging winter season, summertime is upon us. As students come home, needing a place to workout that will welcome them and embrace their workout needs is what they will find at Team Fitness and CrossFit Franklin. What a great way to get fit, get a healthy start to summer and catch up with friends. TEAM FITNESS FRANKLIN STUDENT  SUMMER SPECIAL Sign up now through May 31st for Team Fitness Franklin full club membership. You have access to the entire club, locker rooms, group fitness classes and equipment.   FULL ACCESS. $119.00 (paid in full) for 3 months that will begin when you finish school in the spring until you return to classes in the fall. **must provide student photo ID** Sign Up Today OR: STOP INTO THE CLUB OR: CALL THE CLUB AT 508-541-8330 CROSSFIT FRANKLIN STUDENT  SUMMER MEMBERSHIP Sign up now through May 31st for CrossFit Franklin membership. You have full access to all CrossFit classes, use of open box time when it is not being used for classes, and full use of ourTeam Fitness facility. $199 (paid in full) for the 3 months of summer break that will begin when you finish school in the spring until you return to classes in the fall. regular price $299 (save $100.00!)   **Must provide student photo ID** All students must take the 4 Elements classes if you are not already a CrossFitter and have not taken the elements classes. It is a $132 value that is included in this membership. Click link below for details. http://crossfit-franklin.com/elements.htm Team Fitness and CrossFit Franklin | 508-541-8330 tom@teamfitnessfranklin.com Team Fitness website Copyright © 2015 All Rights Reserved.

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

Live reporting: Finance Committee - Budget Hearing - May 4

Present: Dowd, Conley, Fleming, Smith, Bertone, Huempher, Dewsnap (approx 7:15)
Absent:  Dufour, Aparo

Nutting, Gagner, Dacey

Monday

(Dept #) (Dept name) (page number of budget book)

• 300 School Dept C-1

Sabolinski, Goodman, Rohrbach

highlights of the school budget can be viewed in the presentation doc from last week's School Committee meeting

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/fy-2016-school-budget-proposal.html

$113M spent in FY 2015

$56,950,000 = 2.4% increase over FY 2015

net increase of 4 teachers overall

• 5 teachers shifting from elementary due to declining enrollment
• 1 to go to the high school
• 2 each to go to Remington and Annie Sullivan to eliminate the split teams there
• adding 3 math specialists (part time) to elementary to assist with the new math program introduced
• adding one ELL specialist to assist with non-English language learners

no one losing a job, there are other opportunities and transfers within the district

Franklin's enrollment is an anomaly for most studies due to the movement in/out of the community. Looking at all sources available for the data, including births from the Town Clerk to indicate the school population several years down the road.

increase in high school some of which was students within Franklin returning from private schools but a good portion was simple move ins to the district

The substantial Federal grant we get is to support students with disbilities. If it ever went away, there would be a major outcry. It has not decreased, the goal is to cover 100% of the costs and it has not gotten to that. It was as high as 40% of the costs but it is not that now.

Cost for active employee health insurance is covered with the School budget, the costs for retired health insurance is covered by the Town's budget. All the same plan, same benefits.

if any questions, the FinCom can contact Maureen or Miriam.

• 390 Tri County C-2

an assessment based upon student enrollment

Tri-County will need capital, they are working to develop a capital plan

Franklin makes up about 8% of the students at Tri-County

two ways to manage their building needs, one absorb in the budget and passed to the communities equally; if major, then through the MSBA and a debt exclusion would be needed coordinated among the communities

overall the Tri-County population is down as well, North Attleboro is the other large sending community to Tri-County

• 395 Norfolk Aggie C-3

an estimate based upon some estimates on how many students will participate

• 630 Recreation F-9

Ryan Jette, Recreation Director

in process of obtaining and fitting out the new building

service based organization

rely heavily on the participation to support the program

self-supporting, personnel services and expenses

reach about 8,000 with the programs

clerical staff added to handle the registrations, etc. for the program

no firm date yet on when the move would occur

scheduled a 21e environmental review, tentative closing date in July

town hall sale might get pushed a little to Aug/Sep to help minimize impact

may suspend some of the programs being run out of the building

every one has been notified

will increase some fees to help offset the cost of the new building

new programs coming online along with participation each year

summer camp is increasing

joint coordination with Medway working well

Choate Park camp well received

has help increase our program participation

each year seems to be getting better and better

• 210 Police B-1

Chief Semerjian, Kevin Ryan who does all the finances for the department

some time this year we'll be looking at a deputy chief position, there are funds in the budget but the head count is not added

we came in at just below 2% increase over last year

the community is lucky and it makes my job easier we have so many good folks working for us

no budgets include salary or cost of living increases yet

anticipating any retirements?

not really, the senior would be looking at several years before that

folks would reach max step with 5-7 years of hire

would need to look at viable deputy candidates, from among the lieutenants

no net new hires, backfilling vacancies

grant money restrictions are coming more so now than before

I see that as a challenge coming up with some of those 'extra' funds

the department is pretty fluid

we have no diversity in the department, the last woman left

you heard of the changing demographics in Franklin but it will not happen over night; how do we do that with the minimal turn over we have?

we are 50% of the district by call volume, we haven't looked at the staffign numbers yet, what are we going to run at, we might save some money but we are planning on breaking even initially

• 293 Parking Meter B-31

looking to have the Council eliminate the meters sometime during the fiscal year, we'd still have the parking officer, etc.

Linda Darling, new assistant to Susan Gagner, Comptroller

Old business 

none

New business

Council will vote on capital plan Wednesday

might ask for $10K for an OPEB study, may ask for it at the Thursday meeting

the study would be turned around in 30 days or so

maybe have an informational session on OPEB in the fall when it is quieter

get the Trust here, maybe the actuary (although it is not cheap)

motion to adjourn, passed