Franklin Matters

Friday, January 12, 2018

Franklin Police: "no malicious intent behind the removal of the sculpture"

The Sculpture Park's missing art has been resolved:

"The Franklin Police Department has concluded its investigation into the missing Sculpture from the Town’s Sculpture Park, which was originally reported on December 1st, 2017. The missing sculpture was one of three graciously donated by a public art class from Wheaton College. Before the final installation was complete Wheaton Students noticed the majority of the sculpture that was previously installed had been removed.

The Franklin Police Department has determined that there was no malicious intent behind the removal of the sculpture. It was removed as a result of a miscommunication and misunderstanding. The town resident that removed it has contacted Wheaton College, explained their actions, and offered an apology.

There will be no charges filed as a result of the incident. “The Franklin Police believe this to be a teaching moment.” said Franklin Police Lieutenant Mark Manocchio, the principal investigator. “Art is looked at and interpreted in different ways, by different people.” Manocchio said.

If you see something and are not sure if it belongs in the park please contact the Town Administrator’s office or the police department for clarification."

This was shared from the Franklin Police Dept page
http://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/news/media-release-sculpture-park

In case you missed the prior notice, you can view it in the archives
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/12/missing-100-sculptures-at-sculpture-park.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/12/they-put-in-all-that-time-and-they.html

some of the 100 books hanging from the trees framed Ursus

This was one of several photos I had the opportunity to take on the Sunday before the books were found missing.

Additional photos of the Sculpture Park can be found here

https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157646895588736/

Where is the Sculpture Park?

FHS indoor track teams split with Oliver Ames

Via HockomockSports we share the results of the FHS sports action on Thursday, Jan 11, 2018

Boys Indoor Track (@ Reggie Lewis) = Franklin, 46 vs. Oliver Ames, 54 – Final
– Oliver Ames took all of the points in the long jump, and took first and second in the 55M hurdles and the high jump to edge the Panthers. Kalil Matier, who also won the 55M dash, took first in the long jump with John MacAdam (55M hurdles and high jump winner) second and Aaron MacDonald (300M winner) third. Jack Dore took second in the 55M hurdles and Cole Richardson was second in the high jump. For Franklin, sophomore Tyler Brogan won both the 1000M (league-best 2:44.36) and the 2 Mile (league-best 9:57.15). Junior Michael Hagen (4:36.67), freshman Nicholas Calitri and senior Paul Linehan swept the 1 Mile race of the Panthers.

Girls Indoor Track (@ Reggie Lewis) = Franklin, 66 vs. Oliver Ames, 34 – Final
Franklin, 66 vs. Oliver Ames, 34 – Final – The Panthers placed first in eight of the 12 events, sweeping both the shot put and the long jump. Seniors Sarah Goodermuth, Miranda Smith, and Allison Rizoli took first, second and third in the shot put while junior Lauren McGrath, senior Jess Kroushl, and senior Brianna Cummings swept the long jump. Kroushl also won both the 55M dash (7.43) and 300M (42.32) for the Panthers. Katherine Hartnett won the 600M, senior Nicole Clermont took first in the 1 Mile, junior Katrina Walbert won the 2 Mile, and junior Daniella Pierre won the 55M hurdles. Oliver Ames picked up wins from sophomore Abby Hodges (1000M) and junior Gabrielle McLaughlin (high jump).

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-11-18/

Detailed results event by event for the Indoor Track meet Thursday
https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/319403/results

FHS Panthers

MassBudget: Fiscally sound state budget is key this year

MassBudget		Information.
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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center		Democracy.

Fiscally sound state budget is key this year

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 budget year could be the most eventful in decades, with major changes in federal policy looming and ballot questions that could reshape state tax policy likely to appear on the November ballot. This year's budget will be written in a climate of uncertainty, and against a backdrop of ongoing fiscal challenges. Recent tax revenue trends, however, have been positive, potentially creating an opportunity to address the state's fiscal instability.

Our FY 2019 Budget Preview examines the state's fiscal condition heading into FY 2019 and examines projected revenue growth as well as the costs of maintaining current services.

While recent revenue trends suggest the state could end FY 2018 in a strong fiscal position, when enacted the FY 2018 budget was precariously balanced. It relied significantly on temporary revenue sources, including counting on 13 months of sales tax revenue rather than 12. And it has not yet fully-funded a number of accounts that everyone agrees will need to be funded (such as for removal of snow and ice from the roads). If strong revenue growth continues this year and into next year (December revenue data show monthly tax revenue $527 million above the benchmark and year to date $728 million over benchmark) then the state could be in a position to reduce or end the practice of relying on temporary revenue and savings to balance the budget.

Producing a more fiscally sound state budget for FY 2019 could be particularly important as the threat of federal budget cuts and cost-shifting to the state looms in the months and years ahead.

Read the full preview 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

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screen grab of MassBudget webpage

In the News: Session on how government works scheduled; NationalGrid changing rate request

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

"A small group of dedicated residents is holding a community meeting they’re calling “Franklin Town Government 101.”

The goal of the get-together is to field questions about how local government ticks, how residents can access more information, and how to have their voices heard.

The first of what is expected to be multiple meetings will occur on Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Franklin Public Library, with a snow date of Feb. 3.

Co-organizer and father of newly-elected town council member Eamon Earls, Alan Earls, said he’s not looking to kick up dust with town officials, but rather hopes to further unite them with their residents.

“We don’t want it to be an ‘us versus them’ thing at all,” he said. “I realize (town officials) also have a really big challenge in working with the town, because many of us don’t know a lot of what happens, and how it works.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180111/franklin-meeting-to-share-with-residents-how-local-government-works

"National Grid will seek a smaller rate hike in Massachusetts than it originally requested, the utility company said Thursday, citing the benefit of the recent federal tax reform bill.

The company announced that it will reduce its proposed rate hike for Bay Staters by $36 million -- from a total increase of $87 million to $51 million --due to unexpected savings the company is now expecting to see as a result of the federal corporate tax rate dropping from 35 percent to 21 percent.

“We are committed to ensuring that the tax savings of the legislation are fully realized and are used to help our customers in their energy bills,” Cordi O’Hara, president and COO of National Grid in Massachusetts, said in a statement. “We’ll continue to seek opportunities to provide this benefit to all of our customers.”

National Grid said it does not yet know exactly how the changed proposed rates will affect customers’ bills, but did say the change will “result in smaller impacts than originally proposed and will vary across rate classes and customer usage.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180111/citing-tax-law-national-grid-reduces-rate-hike-request

In the News: Town Council goal setting workshop

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

"The Town Council held its 2018-2019 goal-setting session on Wednesday night, discussing budget shortfalls, and new infrastructure.

Some important points made during the meeting:

Funds

Free cash is down about $1 million over last year’s numbers. Some of the funds will be used toward the snow/ice stabilization fund, while about $1.5 million have yet to be allocated. Financial committee meetings have yet to be scheduled.

Information is being gathered on the $3 million budget shortfall, and how to resolve it. The council is working with town departments on the issue, and how to have it planned out soon."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180111/franklin-council-goals-budget-shortfall-downtown

My notes reported live during the meeting can be found here

Part 1 -
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/01/live-reporting-town-council-workshop.html

Part 2 -
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/01/live-reporting-workshop-part-2.html

Part 3 -
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/01/live-reporting-workshop-part-3.html

The agenda document posted before the meeting

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/01/franklin-ma-town-council-goals-workshop.html

the downtown triangle, early in the morning one day this week

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Franklin School Committee Legislative Forum on Education Funding - Feb 13

Our goal as a School Committee is to make sure Franklin Public Schools remain a shining star among both private and public schools across the state. We have been able to maintain services while ranking 272 out of 323 Massachusetts districts in per pupil spending. In our region of more than 30 towns we ranked fifth from the bottom in per pupil expenditure (based on fiscal year 2016 data).

Rising health insurance, transportation and special education tuition costs have increasingly created pressures on the school budget. Additionally, the state has mandated a number of programs with which all public schools must comply, but has not provided additional funds to support them. In addition, the Franklin Fiscal Forecast published on April 11, 2017 indicates challenging budget cycles are ahead. We cannot and will not jeopardize our excellence as a school system.

We have confirmed attendance of our state legislators, Senators Richard Ross and Karen Spilka and Representative Jeffrey Roy to provide updates and insights on legislative initiatives directly impacting public schools in general and Franklin in particular. Their focus will be on funding and other school issues on which they will be working in the current legislative session.

Please join us on Tuesday evening, February 13, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. in the Franklin High School Lecture Hall. We strongly encourage and greatly appreciate citizen involvement in the budget process.

The Franklin School Committee intends to host another forum in the Spring with our federal elected official(s) to discuss federal level funding and policy impacts. We hope you can join us for these important community discussions.

For additional information, please contact Anne Bergen, Chair of the Franklin School Committee, at 508-520-1469 or Denise Schultz, Vice Chair of the Franklin School Committee at 508-612-5950.