Franklin Matters

Friday, December 8, 2017

Franklin Public Library Book Sale, December 9-10

The monthly Franklin Public Library Book Sale is scheduled for Saturday, December 9 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

The Bag Sale will be on Sunday, December 10 from 9 to noon.

Franklin Public Library Book Sale, December 9-10

This was shared from the Franklin Library webpage
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2017/12/franklin-public-library-book-sale.html

In the News: State ballot questions signature deadline; ArtWeek coming to Franklin

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Campaigns backing seven ballot questions dealing with the minimum wage, sales tax, paid family and medical leave, nurse staffing and a campaign finance commission turned in their paperwork to Secretary of State William Galvin’s office by a Wednesday deadline.

The petitions have not yet been certified as having the 64,750 required to move on to the Legislature, the next step in the process.

Signatures were submitted on behalf of two versions of the nurse staffing question. Backers of a petition seeking a constitutional amendment that would allow the exclusion of abortion services from state-funded health care programs submitted signatures Wednesday but they did not submit a sufficient number of signatures, according to Massachusetts Citizens for Life."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171207/7-question-submitted-for-2018-state-election

"The Franklin Cultural Council announced that it has been named a collaborator for the upcoming ArtWeek festival, taking place from April 27 to May 6, 2018.

Applications for the festival are now available at http://artweekma.org. The early bird deadline to submit an ArtWeek event is January 8, 2018, and the final deadline is February 28, 2018.

ArtWeek is an award-winning festival featuring hundreds of unique and creative experiences that are hands-on, interactive or offer behind-the-scenes access to arts, culture and the creative process. Now an annual statewide festival, ArtWeek was born in Boston in 2013 and recently expanded its footprint across the Commonwealth."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171207/strongfranklin-cultural-council-announces-collaboration-with-artweekstrong

Franklin Cultural Council to Partner With Spring 2018 Artweek Festival

Additional info on ArtWeek can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/12/franklin-cultural-council-to-partner.html

Dress Code Boutique - "Sneak Peek" Party - Dec 16

"So thrilled to invite you all to our grand opening "sneak peek" party Saturday December 16, 2017 for Dress Code located at 58 East Central St Franklin, Ma

Come take a look at the beautiful one of kind 2018 prom and pageant collection for this upcoming year. Meet scouting agents for the Miss USA and Teen USA pageant system, hair and makeup stylists to help our prom girls this season, skincare experts and not to mention gift with purchase for any gowns you take home that night!

RSVP to stacey@staceyfrasca.com

See you all there!!! Drop in times for Saturday December 16 5:00-8:00 PM"

Dress Code Boutique

58 East Central St

Franklin, Ma 02038

508- 440-5591

Dress Code Boutique - "Sneak Peek" Party - Dec 16

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Please provide your feedback on the Franklin (MA) Election Survey - 2017

With the election still a recent event, let's conduct a survey for the voters and residents of Franklin, MA to seek feedback on the recent Biennial Election. The voter 17% turnout was less than average. The information gathered here will hopefully be useful in improving the turnout for future elections.

The survey is meant gather the information anonymously. However, if you would be willing to provide more in depth responses, there is an option to leave your contact information at the end of the survey.

This survey is being conducted by Steve Sherlock, Community Information Director (volunteer) for Franklin Matters. The information gathered by the survey will be shared and used as applicable to guide future informational sharing efforts.

This is one in a series to help foster discussion on what Franklin should be like in 2028 and what we can do now to prepare. #Franklin2028

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/what-will-franklin-be-like-in-2028.html

To share the survey with your family, friends, and neighbors you can send the link to this post or use this easy to remember link:
http://bit.ly/FranklinElectionSurvey2017

Franklin Election Survey - 2017

THE BLACK BOX presents Gifts of Song: Kate Grom and Ali Funkhouser - Dec 16

THE BLACK BOX Presents Gifts of Song with Kate Grom and Ali Funkhouser on December 16, 8 PM

Kate Grom will be singing songs from her debut album. Described by No Depression Magazine as ‘when Country meets smo-o-o-th’, Kate Grom's songs on her debut album Heroine are inspired by New Jersey horse country and romantic European journeys.

Ali Funkhouser is an actress and singer with a love for comedy. Her solo cabaret shows have been described as, "still happening." Combining musical theatre comedy and jazz standards, she's bringing holiday shenanigans to THE BLACK BOX.

"Proceeds Benefit Saddlebred Rescue and The Shadow Fund NE - Helping horses, and companion pets and their people during the holiday season."

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370

More about Kate Grom on her webpage http://www.kategrom.com/
More about Ali Funkhouser on her webpage https://www.alifunkhouser.com/

THE BLACK BOX presents Gifts of Song: Kate Grom and Ali Funkhouser - Dec 16

Reminder: Winter Parking Ban Effective until April 15, 2018

Winter Storm Overnight Parking Ban Effective from October 15 to April 15.

The purpose of the winter storm overnight parking ban shall be to provide for the safe movement of police, fire and emergency medical service vehicles during snow and ice storms and otherwise provide for public safety during winter weather conditions. The parking ban shall also serve to enhance the capability of the Public Works Department to remove snow and ice from the roadways effectively and efficiently.

A winter storm overnight parking ban shall automatically take effect upon occurrence of any of the following:

Snow, sleet, or freezing rain has fallen, or is imminent.
The National Weather Service and/or local television and/or radio stations or other media are reporting commencement of snow, sleet, or freezing rain within the local area or are predicting that snow, sleet, or freezing rain will begin in Franklin within 12 hours.

The parking of any motor vehicle within the layout or right-of-way of any public street or any roadway open to the public is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. while a winter storm parking ban is in effect.

The Franklin Police Department shall enforce the provisions of this article and shall be solely responsible for issuance of tickets and authorization of towing.

Read more: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/150083

Reminder: Winter Parking Ban

MassBudget: Explaining the State Budget for FY 2018 Including Veto Overrides

MassBudget	Information.
MassBudget	Participation.
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center	Democracy.

Explaining the State Budget for FY 2018 Including Veto Overrides

In the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center's latest Budget Monitor, "The State Budget for FY 2018 Including Veto Overrides," we see the Fiscal Year 2018 (FY 2018) budget season ending much the way it started: with our state facing difficult fiscal conditions and unable to make the kinds of long-term investments that could significantly improve the quality of life in Massachusetts and expand opportunity in all communities.

At this point in the process -- after the Legislature enacted the budget, the Governor made a number of line item vetoes, and the Legislature overrode virtually all those vetoes and approved some supplemental funding -- we have a state budget that makes some modest investments, particularly in education, child welfare, and in addressing substance use disorders.

The budget, however, continues to rely significantly on temporary fixes: counting 13 months of sales tax revenue in the 12 months of FY 2018; underfunding a number of accounts that will eventually need to be funded -- such as paying for snow and ice removal; and a number of similar strategies. Altogether the budget includes about $750 million in temporary revenue and underfunded accounts. This makes it highly likely that the state will continue to face serious fiscal challenges next year.

A bright spot, however, is tax revenue growth so far this year has been stronger than projected. If that trend continues, it would reduce the need to rely on temporary fixes this year and would put the state in better fiscal condition next year. In the long term, however, there is a significant danger that the federal government will -- to pay for the costs of federal tax cuts -- impose deep cuts in Medicaid, education, and other services currently funded together by the state and federal governments.

This Budget Monitor includes the final funding levels of FY 2017, the current FY 2018 budget, and significant policy changes in each area of the budget. Current 2018 budget levels are also compared to 2001 budget where relevant. For more comprehensive data on historic spending levels for each line item and category of the budget, see MassBudget's Budget Browser. For additional detail on programs in the state budget that affect children see our Children's Budget. Click here to read the full Budget Monitor, "The State Budget for FY 2018 Including Veto Overrides," or click below on individual sections:

Child Welfare	Disability Services	Early Education	Economic Development
Elder Services	Environment and Recreation	Higher Education	Housing
Juvenile Justice	K-12 Education	Law and Public Safety	Libraries
Local Aid	MassHealth and Health Reform	Mental Health	Other Human Services
Pensions	Public Health	Revenue (tax and non-tax)	State Employee Health Insurance
Transitional Assistance	Transportation	Additional Line Item Overrides	Summary Chart

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