Franklin Public Library Book Sale - July 21-22

Franklin Public Library Book Sale, Saturday, July 21, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The bag sale is scheduled for Sunday, July 22 from 9:00 AM to noon.

Franklin Public Library Book Sale - July 21-22

This was shared from the Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2018/07/franklin-public-library-book-sale.html

FAB funding not so 'fabulous' at this point in the budget cycle!

Did you know Franklin is served by a Regional Transportation Authority? The Franklin Area Bus (FAB) is operated by the Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA).

"Among the budget items being negotiated on Beacon Hill are increases in funding for the state's Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs). 

The RTAs have not received an increase in state assistance or an inflation adjustment in more than three years, though they have seen increases in operating costs for negotiated wages, health care, fuel, and insurance. Governor Baker has proposed level funding at $80 million, the House version of the budget calls for $82 million, and the Senate's version calls for $88 million. 

Regional transit administrators and their supporters say that if they don't receive the proposed $88 million, there will be further service cuts for the more than 32 million riders who use the 15 RTAs throughout the Commonwealth. Most riders are low-income or elderly people who have few, if any, alternative transportation options."

Continue reading the article online
https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2018/07/16/regional-transit-authorities-anxiously-await-budget-deal

Updated 7/19/18 noon: email confirmation that $88M was in the budget document sent to the Governor per Rep Jeff Roy

"I have confirmed that the Regional Transit Authorities were funded at $88 million in the budget we passed yesterday. Here is the line item:

1595-6370 For an operating transfer to the regional transit authorities organized under chapter 161B of the General Laws, or any prior laws, under clause (2) of subsection (d) of section 2ZZZ of chapter 29 of the General Laws; provided, that each regional transit authority receiving assistance under this item shall deliver not later than October 1, 2018, a copy of its most recent audited financial statement to the chief financial officer of the Massachusetts department of transportation, the secretary of administration and finance, the treasurer of the commonwealth, the comptroller of the commonwealth, the house and senate committees on ways and means, and the joint committee on transportation ........................... $88,000,00

Franklin Area Bus

What is the FAB schedule?

http://www.gatra.org/index.php/routes/bellingham-franklin/franklin-area-bus/

The archive has several articles on GATRA/FAB going back to 2009

http://www.franklinmatters.org/search?q=gatra

The GATRA home page can be found http://www.gatra.org/

THE BLACK BOX presents Steven Kirby’s “Illuminations” Project - Friday, July 20

THE BLACK BOX third annual Summer Concert Series presents “Jazz in July,” featuring Steven Kirby’s “Illuminations” Project on Friday, July 20. The show begins at 8 PM at the downtown Franklin theatre, music and event venue.

Steven Kirby is an award-winning guitarist/composer and an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music. He has appeared on more than 25 released recordings and toured in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., the Caribbean, Europe, China and Africa. Kirby’s music is most categorized as contemporary jazz, but it is influenced by a variety of genres. His compositions have won awards in the International Songwriting Competition, Billboard Song Contest and DownBeat, and his music has been played on over 100 radio stations in this country and internationally.

The “Illuminations” Project is Kirby’s newest compositional and performance endeavor. Described as “richly textured, multi-layered, ebullient and lyrical jazz,” it showcases original compositions and arrangements, as well as some creative arrangements of standard tunes, using a quintet of instrumentalists and a singer performing both wordless and lyrical vocals. “Illuminations” was an Editor’s Pick in the prestigious jazz publication, DownBeat.

Tickets for the event are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. THE BLACK BOX, home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), is located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. A cash bar is available. For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

THE BLACK BOX presents  Steven Kirby’s “Illuminations” Project - Friday, July 20
(night time photo of THE BLACK BOX marque taken by yours truly)

In the News: MA budget goes to Governor; Dean conducts forensic program for high school students

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

"The $41.88 billion budget deal that was filed Wednesday morning and quickly approved by the Legislature includes no new fees, according to the lead House negotiator, and relies on an unusual eleventh hour revenue projection upgrade to boost spending to levels higher than either the House or Senate approved this spring. 

The budget (H 4800), which is on track to reach Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk by the end of the day, was filed 17 days after the start of the new fiscal year, and 13 days before the end of formal legislative sessions, during which recorded votes can be taken. 

House Ways and Means Chairman Jeffrey Sanchez told reporters Wednesday that he did not think there was “any one thing” that kept negotiators from producing an on-time budget, saying he and his counterpart, Senate Ways and Means Chairwoman Karen Spilka “kept on going back and forth.” 

“They weren’t simple policy pieces,” Sanchez told reporters. “At times you have to dive in in these policy pieces, and you really get stuck in the woods sometimes. I’m just happy and proud we got out of the woods and we have a budget before you that does have significant policy pieces in it.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180718/lawmakers-ok-411b-state-budget

An email from Representative Jeff Roy on the just passed budget adds:

"Yesterday, the Budget Conference Committee released its FY19 report and it was enacted by the House and Senate. I am pleased to say that all of the local amendments for Franklin were funded fully and included in this report. 

These include:

• $50,000 for the Franklin Veterans' War Memorial Parkway
• $200,000 for King Street Park in Franklin
• $100,000 towards the New England Center for Children Partner Program at Parmenter Elementary in Franklin
• $25,000 for the Franklin Downtown Partnership 
• $50,000 for an Accessible Van for Tri-County"

The budget now is in the Governor's approval queue. He has ten days to approve or reject a specific line item. This also leaves some time for the House and Senate to take action on override items before their session closes for the Summer.

 - - - - -

"Now in its second year, Dean College’s Pre-College Summer Forensic Program is nearing its end, but will be back again next summer. The program lasts two weeks, costs running from $1,250 for commuters and $1,950 for students who choose to catch an early college dorm experience and remain on campus. 

With so many crime dramas saturating cable and streaming services, it’s hard not to take an interest in the investigative process, according to Dean Paul Resten. 

“In many cases these are students that have an interest in the science behind it,” he said. “It’s a very popular topic, and they get to understand what they see on TV, but also from a scientific level as well.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180718/dean-college-teaches-csi-to-teens

Dean conducts forensic program for high school students

You can help the Butterfly Garden for Ryan and any lost to substance abuse

"My name is Mikaela DeMaria and my boyfriend Ryan Trant lost his battle with addiction September 13, 2017.  

He left behind his mother, three siblings, our son and many other family members and friends. We, together with Fatima Shrine in Holliston, are creating a Butterfly Garden of Remembrance in Ryan’s memory along with all those who have been lost to substance abuse.  

We would like to get the word out to as many local families who have been affected as possible, especially Franklin as Ryan lived in town for about ten years and his twin brother still resides there.  

Below is the link to the article I had asked about sharing and also the link to the garden’s Facebook page. Thank you for all your help!"

Milford Patch article
https://patch.com/massachusetts/milford-ma/quiet-place-heal-reflect

The Facebook page for the Butterfly Garden
https://www.facebook.com/ryansbutterflygarden

There is an email set up for any questions (including how to donate to this cause)
ryansbutterflygarden@gmail.com

Butterfly Garden of Remembrance

Second Sunday Speaker Series: Maureen Taylor – The Photo Detective - Aug 12

Author, speaker, blogger, noted researcher and expert on solving photo mysteries, Maureen Taylor returns to the Franklin Historical Museum Sunday, August 12 at 1:15. The Wall Street Journal called her ‘the nation’s foremost historical photo detective’. 

Wedding Gown display

Join us for Maureen’s presentation ‘Telling the story of wedding photos’ as our speaker series once again relates to our summer Wedding Gown display. The 14 beautiful gowns will be on display until August 26th.

Immediately following the presentation, the public is invited to bring in their vintage family wedding photos (up to 3) to be scanned and become part of the museum’s permanent photo collection. 

All photos brought in for scanning must have a tie to Franklin through the Bride, the Groom or the location of the ceremony. Dig out those photos and let your family take their place in Franklin history.

The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, is ADA accessible and admission is always FREE.

Shhh, I Make More than My Husband

A puzzling thing can happen when wives earn more than their husbands do.

America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers Shhh... I Make More than My Husband When wives earn more than their husbands do, a puzzling thing can happen: Husbands say they earn more than they are and wives underreport their income. Read More New Census Bureau research shows that the incomes couples report on Census Bureau surveys do not always match their IRS filings. The Census Bureau is working to improve the quality of reported earnings by comparing an individual's survey response with their reported response from another source. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2018/07/wives-earning-more-than-husbands.html?eml=gd&utm_campaign=20180716msacos1ccstosc&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery The America Counts Team If you like this story, use the hashtag #AmericaCounts to share it on social media.  About America Counts America Counts tells the stories behind the numbers in a new inviting way. It features stories on various topics such as families, housing, employment, business, education, the economy, emergency preparedness, and population. Contact our Public Information Office for media inquiries or interviews.  Share this message or view it as a web page.