Senator Spilka Honored for Juvenile Justice Leadership

Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland) received the 2015 Leadership Award from Citizens for Juvenile Justice at the organization’s annual Leadership Celebration last week, in recognition of her work to reform the juvenile justice system, invest in children and support communities in Massachusetts.

“If we want to truly reform the juvenile justice system, we need to invest in our children,” said Senator Spilka. “I am honored to work with such a caring, compassionate community of juvenile justice reform advocates in Massachusetts. I look forward to continuing the work to create a society where more children have opportunities to learn and succeed.”

Scott Harshbarger, former Massachusetts Attorney General and Senior Counsel at Proskauer Rose LLC; Senator Karen Spilka; Naoka Carey, Executive Director, Citizens for Juvenile Justice

“Senator Spilka is an exceptional leader on behalf of young people in the Commonwealth,” said Naoka Carey, Executive Director of Citizens for Juvenile Justice. “As a result of her work, thousands of children and families are benefiting from a more effective, more community-based system of services. Seventeen year olds who once faced time in adult jails are now receiving far more appropriate services in our juvenile justice system. She is as compassionate as she is tenacious.”

Scott Harshbarger, former Massachusetts Attorney General and Senior Counsel at Proskauer Rose LLC, and a group of young people from the Teens Leading The Way advocacy coalition presented the award to Senator Spilka. Senator Spilka is working closely with Teens Leading the Way on legislation related to the expungement of juvenile criminal records, to give young people a chance to learn from their mistakes and the clean slate they need to pursue jobs, higher education and stable, productive lives as adults.

Scott Harshbarger, former Massachusetts Attorney General and Senior Counsel at Proskauer Rose LLC; Senator Karen Spilka; Teens Leading the Way youth

Senator Spilka worked for seven years on a comprehensive overhaul of the Child in Need of Services (CHINS) system, which handles children who consistently get in trouble at home or at school, including runaways and students who are habitually truant. In 2012, the Legislature began the process of establishing a statewide network of community-based Family Resource Centers, which provide mental health, substance abuse and family counseling services to children and families outside of the court system.

In 2013, the Legislature passed legislation to raise the age of juvenile jurisdiction by one year, bringing 17-year-olds into the juvenile justice system. Raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction acknowledges that teenagers have unique developmental needs and gives young people the chance to receive the support services they need to get back on track and succeed in the future.

In the 2015-2016 legislative session, Senator Spilka is working with juvenile justice reform advocates on an omnibus bill to address a wide array of reforms, including expungement.

In the News: 'Tis the season, public records, OPEB liability explained

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"The Franklin Performing Arts Company will host a special performance of the original holiday musical “’Tis the Season!” for community youth, family and social services organizations at 3 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Franklin High School auditorium, 118 Oak St. 

FPAC will distribute complimentary tickets for the performance through community organizations including the Hockomock Area YMCA, local Best Buddies chapters and the Franklin Food Pantry."

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151118/NEWS/151115487/1994/NEWS

"Ahead of the unanimous passage of what they said was the first public records overhaul in more than four decades on Wednesday, a key House lawmaker said the measure would increase transparency without adding an unfunded mandate on cities and towns. 

"As a former local official and someone who pays a lot of attention to municipal government, I don't view anything in this bill as an unfunded mandate," House Ways and Means Committee Vice Chairman Stephen Kulik said. He said, "Any public agency, including cities and towns, have responsibilities inherent to provide public access to the documents of what they do."

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151118/NEWS/151115463/1994/NEWS

"The Town Council was told at its meeting Wednesday that Franklin is in relatively good shape in terms of other post-employment benefits (OPEB), but should continue to ramp up its contributions. 

Consultant Dan Sherman gave a presentation to the council on the concept."

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151118/NEWS/151115448/1994/NEWS

26th Annual Gourmet Guys - Attleboro Elks Lodge - Nov 20th

An evening of great food, family and friends! An Attleboro institution, Gourmet Guys features a buffet-style feast prepared by our hometown heroes. All proceeds benefit New Hope, a non-profit working to end domestic and sexual violence in our communities.

New Hope

Event Details:

• Tickets: $30 adults; $20 kids/seniors
• Doors open: 6:30 p.m.
• Dinner served: 7:00 p.m.
• Family-Friendly environment
• Raffles and Silent Auctions
• Cash Bar

26th Annual Gourmet Guys - Attleboro Elks Lodge - Nov 20th

In the News: Jamie Barrett performs, RMV adds online services

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The Black Box Children’s Series kicks off its second season this Saturday, Nov. 21, featuring Franklin singer-songwriter, guitarist and music teacher Jamie Barrett. 

Back by popular demand with an engaging mix of family-favorite songs, Barrett presents a fun and interactive program for audiences of all ages, beginning at 2 p.m.

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151118/NEWS/151116448/1994/NEWS

The Registry of Motor Vehicles announced Wednesday it will now allow many drivers to pay their road test and license fees online rather than in line. 

Registry officials said the prepay function has the potential to eliminated 50,000 trips a year to its offices. 

Customers who have a regular Class D permit or a motorcycle Class M permit will be eligible to visit massrmv.com before completing a road test and avoid the lines altogether.

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151118/NEWS/151115782/1994/NEWS

Franklin Fracked Gas Pipeline Petition link

Dear Fellow Franklinites, 

I urge you to sign this online petition to oppose a fracked gas pipeline proposed to run through Franklin. 

The petition explains the reasons for our opposition.

proposed route for fracked gas pipeline

https://www.change.org/p/jeffrey-roy-karen-spilka-richard-ross-stop-the-spectra-energy-pipeline-from-going-through-franklin-ma-we-don-t-need-or-want-it?recruiter=424738166&utm_source=share_for_starters&utm_medium=copyLink

Live reporting: Legislation for Action

J. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none


K. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

• Resolution 15-36R (Revised) Salary Schedule Full-Time Elected Officials

adjustment to salary to cover for the extension of Debbie Pellegri in her role until the recall completes

motion to approve, seconded, 7-0  via roll

• Resolution 15-71- Acceptance of Deed of Land Off Daniels Street (Parcels B and C in Tanglewood Estates Subdivision) for Conservation Purposes

the parcels had been acquired through negotiation with the developer

motion to approve, seconded, 7-0  via roll

• Resolution 15-73 -Acceptance of Easement on Property at O Greystone Road

motion to amend to write in 'Franklin' as this word was left out
motion to approve, seconded, 7-0  via roll on the amendment 

motion to approve, seconded, 7-0  via roll on the amended motion

• Resolution 15-74 -Adoption of Town Council Procedures Manual

procedures manual is comprised of three documents
pretty much the same doc as the last several years, only amended to include the remote participation

motion to approve, seconded, 7-0  via roll


L. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

hoping to get Oak St to be paved before the weather turns

Downtown wrapping up, a map being posted on the circulation downtown

winter is coming, be careful with the first snow fall

Tree lighting Sunday the 29th, 4:00 PM

proposed council schedule out for Councilors for review

Tax hearing TUesday, Dec 8th

Jan 6th meeting on the pipeline

Jan 12th council workshop

Jan 20th Pond St meeting with those interested


M. OLD BUSINESS
insurance audit? have you heard from him?

Wachusett St, parking lot getting widened
it will be completed before the next meeting

still exploring an environmental lawyer to help with the power plant


N. NEW BUSINESS
group called STOP, coming to speak to provide info on alchohol


O. COUNCIL COMMENTS
SAFE Coalition meeting Dec 8th

Condolences to the McDonald family for their recent loss

looking to Council for helping to get the drug dealers

request to bring the drug dog to a future meeting

Mercer - condolences to McDonalds, he was a three sport athlete

motion to adjourn, 7-0 via roll

Live reporting: OPEB

G. HEARINGS
none

H. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none


I. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
OPEB, Dan Sherman

also made presentation to FinCom this evening (meeting at 6:00PM)

had been 'pay as you go' costs for retirement
government accounting standards required changes in how this was handled
the amount of the outstanding promise was required to be specified, hence - "unfunded"

what is the time value of the money invested?

400,000 plus 10% of free cash is currently being planned for as part of the budget for the annual contribution. However, the requirement is about $2M so we are 'underfunded'

total unfunded liability = $92,5M
or 1.5% funded

the fact that we are setting money aside in the trust is good in the eyes of the rating agencies

the liability is 161% is low compared to peers, a 'wonderful place to be'

the annual cost of a home is all the ongoing costs, heating, electric, etc.
you also have a mortgage which is your liability

ARC = Annual Required Contribution, the amount that will be the line item eventually added to the budget

most communities are like us, setting something aside but not completely funding the liability

Like Needham, put some aside, gradually up the amount and eventually close the gap

Shrewsbury 2020 or bust, attempting to fully fund

some communities are not doing anything which the rating agencies won't like

Dan is currently a member of the FinCom for Wakefield, putting money aside to get fully funded eventually

pre-funding brings a bunch of advantages

OPEB is the one thing that for an employee is not paid up front, is paid after the employee retires

Q - to clarify on the unfunded and partial pre-funding

Q - can we change the plans we offer?
A - yes, we change the health plans frequently working with the unions

68/32 ratio

probably about 20 of the 350 communities are fully pre-funding

new employees don't get the same benefit as older employees
law change is being looked at for a change in the formula

Padula - recommend a motion to ask for legislative help
Kelly to be added to a future agenda

full copies to be posted to Town webpage in a couple of days