In the News: possible school calendar changes, senior circuit breaker, class of 1966 reunion

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

While Franklin schools will have their regular February and April vacations in the 2016-2017 school year, the School Committee will consider if that will continue in the future.
The committee voted at its meeting Tuesday night on a 2016-2017 calendar that would have school begin before Labor Day and end on June 16. It also decided to convene a subcommittee that would examine the calendar situation for upcoming years.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160127/franklin-school-committee-mulls-vacation-changes

State Sen. Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, state Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, and state Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, will host an informational seminar on the senior circuit breaker tax credit at 10 a.m. Feb. 10 at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St. 

The senior circuit breaker is a tax credit for senior citizens whose property payments account for more than 10 percent of their annual income. Eligible seniors will receive a $1 credit on their Massachusetts tax return for every dollar that their total property tax, water and sewer bills exceed 10 percent of their income. A maximum of $1,070 credit is available. Additionally, if the taxpayer has not claimed the tax credit in the past, it may be claimed for the previous three years.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160127/franklin-seniors-to-learn-about-circuit-breaker-tax-credit

The Franklin High School Class of 1966 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its graduation June 3-5. 

Celebration activities will include attending the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2016 on Friday, June 3, and continue will additional gatherings after the graduation that evening through Sunday.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160128/franklin-high-school-class-of-1966-to-hold-reunion

In the News: law firms merge, Dean joins new conference

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Ryan & Faenza, Attorneys at Law, of Walpole, and Cataldo Law Offices LLC, of Franklin, announced the merger of their two firms. 

Ryan Faenza Cataldo LLC will represent not only the merger of two law firms but also the merger of a professional relationship that has existed for more than 40 years. 

The combination of experience, geographical expansion, diversification of practice — including divorce, criminal defense, civil litigation, business and banking law, real estate law and estate planning — and the long-standing reputation of both firms will provide clients with a full-service law firm that offers a wider range of legal service.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160127/ryan--faenza-cataldo-law-offices-announce-merger

The Eastern Collegiate Football Conference officially accepted Dean College as a member of its football-only conference, beginning with the fall 2017 season. 

This is another positive step for the college as it transitions from a National Junior College Athletic Association program to a National College Athletic Association Division III program. 

Current ECFC members include Anna Maria College, Becker College, Castleton State College, Galludet University, Husson University, SUNY Maritime College, Mount Ida College and Norwich University. Alfred State College was also accepted at the most recent conference meeting.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160127/eastern-collegiate-football-conference-accepts-dean-college

Both FHS basketball teams top Milford on Tuesday

Both the FHS boys and girls basketball teams won on Tuesday night against Milford. Results via Hockomock Sports.

FHS Panthers

Boys Basketball

• Milford, 58 @ Franklin, 74 – Final 

– Milford had a lead midway through the third quarter but the Panthers outscored the Scarlet Hawks 36-18 over the final 12 minutes of play. Franklin freshman Jay Dieterle tied a career-high with 24 points while sophomore Connor Peterson chipped in 14 points. Milford’s Dwight Anderson had 19 points and Anthony Arcudi added 11 points.

Girls Basketball

• Franklin, 68 @ Milford, 42 – Final 

– The Panthers broke the game open with a 24-6 second quarter. Lauren Rudolph was Franklin’s top scorer with 14. Aubrie Kutil added 12 points for the Panthers and Olivia Adiletto had 10. Milford’s Kate Irwin finished with 13 points.

For the remainder of the results around the Hockomock League on Tuesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-012616/

MassBudget: Incarceration Trends in Massachusetts

Long-Term Increases, Recent Progress

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Incarceration Trends in Massachusetts: Long-Term Increases, Recent Progress    An effective criminal justice system reduces crime and keeps our neighborhoods safe. It both makes sure that those who commit crimes are punished appropriately and that we are smart about rehabilitating them so that they can reenter society as productive contributors to our economy and community. Like in the rest of the nation, incarceration rates in Massachusetts increased dramatically during the 1980s and remained very high for decades. In recent years, several states have begun to implement criminal justice reforms that are reducing unnecessary incarceration. Massachusetts has reformed marijuana laws leading to a significant reduction in the number of people incarcerated for marijuana possession. Massachusetts has also adopted reforms of our criminal records laws that aim to make it easier for former prisoners to get jobs and participate in to our economy. We are beginning to see declines both in incarceration rates and in recidivism. Incarceration Trends in Massachusetts tracks and analyzes these trends over the past four decades. We see progress, but also that we have a long way to go: incarceration rates are still much higher than they were before the 1980s, and a large share of those leaving prison and jail are not receiving the education and treatment programs that make their reentry into society more successful. In the long-term, effective criminal justice reforms could protect public safety, reduce unnecessary spending, and help more of our people to participate effectively in our communities. For the full paper 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

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

Secure Shredding at Postalcenter

With National Data Privacy Day coming on Jan 28th, this is a good time to securely get rid of some important papers.

Secure Shredding at Postalcenter! View this email in your browser Secure Shredding The cold weather outside is the perfect opportunity to sort through nonessential documents or surplus paperwork! Bring it to one of our convenient locations for secure shredding. From now until February 15th, shred your personal documents for $0.75/lb. no minimum. This is real savings, don't miss out!  What to shred: Documents with your name or other personal information Financial statements, pay stubs, or cancelled checks Medical records Computer media such as CDs, DVDs, or hard drives Shredding Services 75¢ until February 15th! Franklin, MA Shaw's Plaza, 279 East Central St. (Rte. 140) 508-541-8100   Millis, MA Roche Bros. Plaza 14 Milliston Common (Rte. 109) 508-376-1200   Milford, MA Hannaford Plaza  9C Medway Rd 508-422-9600     Nashua, NH Somerset Plaza 379 Amherst St.  603-882-6245   Copyright © 2016 Postalcenter, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails?

In the News: house fire, trivia bee, communications degree

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

A three-alarm midday Tuesday house fire intensified to the point where firefighters had to pull out of the building before the blaze was extinguished. 

The fire, at 11-13 Church St., did not harm any residents, fire officials said, but the residence was rendered uninhabitable.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20160126/NEWS/160126815

The Franklin Education Foundation will hold its 19th annual Trivia Bee on April 13 in the Thomas Mercer Auditorium at Horace Mann Middle School, 224 Oak St. 

The Middle School Bee will be held from 6 to 7 p.m., and the theme will be general trivia. Teams for the Middle School Bee will be composed of students from each of the three Franklin middle schools.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160126/franklin-education-foundation-lists-trivia-bee-information

Dean College, a private, residential college in Franklin, was approved by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education to offer a Bachelor of Arts in communications degree. 

The new B.A. program, which will begin in the fall of 2016, will prepare students for the world of work or graduate school.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160126/dean-college-to-offer-communications-degree

Live reporting: Closing

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report

several students made All State orchestra
students will be coming to the next meeting for recognition

Kindergarten registration, Apr 11-12
flyers around, info on website
'Leaping into Kindergarten' will be held on Feb 29
orientation program for families with new potential K students who had not been in the schools before

state released educational data
Franklin were above all the strate numbers
first time released publicly


School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
budget subcommittee was busy
training session, joint meeting with Town Council held
will be an interesting year
meeting next Tuesday with principals

Transportation subcommittee met

Policy met last week
will meet again on the 17th of Feb

Teacher negotiations ongoing

School Committee Liaison Reports
none

6. New Business

To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
none

7. Executive Session

a. Personnel matter in litigation

motion to go into executive session, motion, roll call vote