Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Treasurer-Collector

Fiscal 2018 has been another very busy year in the Treasurer-Collector’s office. Jim Dacey retired after 18 years on the job and Kerri Bertone was appointed Treasurer-Collector in November 2017.

The fiscal year ended with higher investment interest rates (MMDT –1.75%). On the borrowing side, low rates had a positive effect. In April of 2018 we issued a 1 year Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) for $10,300,000 for Library planning and design. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC was the winning bidder on the BAN with a weighted average interest cost of .9852%. At the same time, we issued a General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 2018 Bonds (the “Bonds”) for $6,985,000 million for FHS construction and water infrastructure improvements. J.P. Morgan and Century Bank were the winning bidder with a weighted average interest cost of 1.8997%.

Prior to the sale, Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services, a municipal credit rating agency, affirmed the Town’s AA+ bond rating. They also assigned its 'SP-1+' short-term rating to Franklin’s series 2018 A and B general obligation (GO) bond anticipation notes (BANs), payable on May 17, 2019.

Standard and Poor’s stated “The stable outlook reflects what we view as the town's very strong liquidity position and strong budgetary flexibility. In addition, we believe Franklin's very strong economy and access to the Boston MSA lends stability to the town's tax base. Strong management, with “good” financial policies and practices under our Financial Management Assessment (FMA) mythology.

During FY 2018, $133,000.00 was collected in back property taxes, interest and fees. Ten property owners paid off all outstanding taxes and redeemed their properties out of tax title. We continue to pursue delinquent taxes through the foreclosure process and there are currently 17 properties in Land Court. Since 2001 we have foreclosed on 70 properties. Some properties will eventually be auctioned off and the rest will remain as town property.

There were 877 Municipal Lien Certificates issued by the Treasurer-Collector’s office generating revenue of $43,850.00. Also collected was $4,421.51 in fees for duplicate bills and files that we supplied to tax services and escrow agents. During FY18, the Treasurer-Collector’s office printed and mailed 40,947 Real Estate Tax bills, 2,094 Personal Property Tax bills, 33,535 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax bills, and 41,441 Utility bills. 

The following Demands were also printed and mailed, 483 Real Estate Tax, 95 Personal Property Tax, and 4,103 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. There were 2,480 Motor Vehicle warrants issued in FY18. There were 4 Betterment releases (water, sewer and road) generating revenue of $120. We also collected $104,500 for backflow testing and $65,700 for Sprinkler/Hydrant charges. The Treasurer also acts as the town’s parking clerk. Our deputy collector, Kelley & Ryan Associates of Hopedale, handles the billing and collection of parking tickets. During FY18 we collected $33,928 for parking violations.

I would like to thank all town departments for the timely and accurate turnover of fees to the Treasurer-Collector’s office. I also would like to acknowledge my team, I appreciate the efforts of each one of you in the past year. I am grateful for all of you. I would like to congratulate Jim Dacey on his richly deserved retirement. Thank you Jim, for your many years of great leadership. Everyone agrees, that you possess a rare combination of vision, fairness and understanding, crucial qualities for an effective Treasurer-Collector. Your career will be a model to follow. 

Finally, I like to thank the citizens of Franklin for their continued support.

Respectfully submitted,

Kerri A. Bertone
Treasurer-Collector


You can read the full Annual Report for 2018 online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_town_report.pdf

The archive of prior year annual reports
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Treasurer-Collector

The Last Tour of the old Franklin High School - 2014

photos from the last tour of the old Franklin High School on June 21, 2014



or go directly to Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157645999514842/

On this date: Mar 5, 2010: The Franklin Area Bus

Stepping back into the archives for March 5, 2010 we find that the Town of Franklin had just put out a survey to improve the Franklin Area Bus service provided by GATRA. 

Did you know Franklin had a bus service? GATRA or the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transportation Authority provides the service for $1.50.

"Franklin has issued a survey and is looking for your feedback on the Franklin Area Bus service, also know as GATRA. 

The bus has been running the same route for two years, and the town wants to improve that route if necessary."

(The survey links are not working today so no need to try them.)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/03/what-do-you-think-about-franklin-area.html

You can find a map of the current bus route, schedule and fares on the GATRA page (link below). It is also linked to from the Franklin web page under the "Meet Me in Franklin" section
http://www.gatra.org/index.php/routes/bellingham-franklin/franklin-area-bus/

On this date: Mar 5, 2010: The Franklin Area Bus

GATRA bus on the Franklin route

FPAC presents Seussical - March 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17

The Franklin Performing Arts Company, THE BLACK BOX’s resident theater company, continues their 2018-2019 season with Seussical, running March 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17. 

Seussical is perfect for the whole family! Tony winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Lucky Stiff, My Favorite Year, Once on This Island, Ragtime), have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination – Jojo. The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.

The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many "thinks." Horton faces a double challenge: not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.

Get your tickets online
https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1194

FPAC presents Seussical - March 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17

Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Veterans’ Service Officer (VSO)

The Veterans’ Service Officer (VSO) serves veterans and their dependents in recognition of their service to our nation. Responsibilities of the VSO include educating veterans and their dependents about the benefits available to them, dispensing state sponsored veterans’ benefits under M.G.L. Chapter 115 and assisting veterans and their dependents or survivors in obtaining state and federal benefits or entitlements which they have earned.

In addition to my responsibilities to the veterans of Franklin, I serve as the Veterans’ Service Advocate for Norfolk County and as the VSO for the Town of Avon. Norfolk County is the only county in the Commonwealth to have an individual dedicated to Veterans’ Services. Through an agreement between the Town and the County, I am able to continue to support the VSO’s in the 28 cities and towns of Norfolk County while primarily servicing the Franklin veterans’ community.

As our veterans and their dependents/survivors age, there are more demands for benefits provided by the Commonwealth’s Department of Veterans’ Services and the U. S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs. During the past year, there has been an increase in the number of Franklin veterans who have recently completed their military service.

It is very important that veterans and widows identify themselves on the town census. This information enables the VSO to identify services available to them. I sent a letter to every veteran and widow identified on the town census earlier this year. As you see in our contacts this year, the mailing generated a significant amount of interaction for the office.

Fiscal Year 2018 Office contacts for the VSO were:

• Walk-Ins 469
• Appointments 403
• Incoming Calls 1,406
• Outgoing Calls 701
• Actionable Email 184
• Total contacts: 3,163

A 26.4% increase over FY 2017!
Franklin veterans, dependents and surviving family members received over $4,503,000 in compensation and pension payments from the VA in FY 17.

I participated in many civic events during the year at schools and civic groups. The VSO is always willing to attend an event to speak about veterans, veterans’ benefits, the military experience or to support a patriotic event. I invite other veterans to attend such events. If you are interested in attending any event, please contact my office. I also work with Boy Scouts and other students who are interested in community service projects when they are available.

Franklin Veterans’ Council
The Franklin Veterans’ Council meets on the Third Thursday of the month, 7pm, at the Franklin Senior Center. Dates, times and meeting locations are posted on the Veterans’ Services web page. All veterans and any interested individual or organization are welcome to attend. This group serves as a communications outlet for veteran and military related events and activities in the community as well as an opportunity for veterans to obtain information about state and federal benefits and changes. The Council is chaired by the VSO.

Franklin Veterans Memorial Walkway
The Franklin Veterans’ Council formed a subcommittee, the Veterans Walkway Committee in 2016. On October 25, 2017 Dale Kurtz, representing the committee, made a presentation to the Town Council about constructing a Veterans Memorial Walkway on the Town Common. The Town Council unanimously approved the project on November 15,
2017. 

The Veterans Walkway Committee has sold bricks through the VFW Post 3402 to fund the project. Bricks will continue to be sold until the walkway is filled with veterans’ names. Funding was also provided by a grant from the State Department of Veterans Services through the efforts of our state legislators. This committee has done a tremendous amount of research and work to ensure that we properly recognize those veterans from the Town of Franklin who died during our nation’s wars from World War I through today. Construction is scheduled to start in September 2018. The goal is to have the new walkway dedicated on Veterans’ Day 2018. For information about the walkway, please contact the Veterans Services Office.

Veterans’ Day Luncheon
The Franklin Veterans’ Day Luncheon was held on Friday, November 10, 2017 at the Franklin Elks Lodge #2136. Franklin High School Select Chorus led us in the National Anthem and provided musical interludes during the program. American Legion Post 75 presented the colors and we were led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Lisa Plante, Post Chaplain Robert Markunis, American Legion Post 75, provided our invocation. State Representative Jeffrey Roy provided brief remarks for the audience. The VSO provided information about new and existing programs for veterans. Honorably discharged veterans may now shop on line at the Post Exchange, shopmyexchange.com. Veterans may also obtain a Veterans’ ID Card (VIC) at vets.gov. The announcement of the Franklin Veterans Memorial Walkway was the key topic of the program.

Memorial Day Breakfast
Our deceased veterans were remembered at The Franklin Memorial Day Breakfast on Friday, May 25, 2018 at the Franklin Senior Center. Franklin High School choral group led by Olivia Goliger, Franklin Music Teacher, led us in the National Anthem and provided musical interludes during the program. American Legion Post 75 presented the colors. John Hefele, American Legion, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Bob Gardner, Franklin veteran, provided our invocation. We remembered the 45 veterans listed on our War Memorials who died during our nation’s conflicts and the 65 Franklin veterans who passed since our last Memorial Day. “Taps” was played after our moment of silent remembrance.

State Representative Jeffrey Roy joined us and made a few brief remarks. Ed Geoffry, age 101 who served in Europe from 1941 to 1946, honored us by attending our breakfast. Natalie Webb and Anna Dixon each read a short article about one of our fallen heroes who will be memorialized on our Veterans Memorial walkway. Natalee wrote the articles which were published in the Franklin localtownpages newspaper. Plaques to be placed in the Memorial Walkway were on display for our guests.

Missing Man Table
The Missing Man Table was re-introduced to our Memorial Day ceremony after years of absence.I would like to explain the meaning of the items on this special table. 

The table is small symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his or her oppressors. The table is round to show that our concern for them is everlasting. The white tablecloth represents the purity of their response to our country’s call to arms. The Bible represents faith in a higher power and the pledge to our country, founded as one nation under God. 

The single rose in the vase signifies the blood they may have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. The rose also reminds us of the families and friends of our missing comrades who keep faith awaiting their return.The vase is tied with a yellow ribbon, a symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing. The black napkin stands for the emptiness these warriors have left in the hearts of their families and friends. 

The candle symbolizes the everlasting hope for a joyous reunion with those not accounted for. The American flag reminds us that many of them never return and have paid the supreme sacrifice to ensure our freedom. A slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate. 

The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait. The glass is inverted to remind us of their inability to share in this ceremony. The chair is empty. They are not here. Please remember those who have served and are currently serving our nation in harm’s way.

Vet Ruck New England
In August, a group of veterans from Warrior Thunder conducted a 200 mile ruck across Massachusetts to raise funds for the prevention of veteran suicide. That was 10 miles for each veteran suicide each day. I joined the group as they entered Franklin and walked with them to the Town Common where a brief ceremony was held to recognize their event and to provide some well appreciated refreshments. 

As I continued the walk through Franklin, the walkers commented on how nice Franklin looks and how warm the reception had been. They made comparisons with other towns and were very appreciative of the support they received here. Thank you to all of the town’s people who provided water, refreshments and donations to the walkers. They had started their walk in Pittsfield two day earlier and completed their journey the next day in Plymouth.

Veterans Call
I started a new program on Franklin Local TV, “Veterans Call”. The program is for and about veterans and airs on Franklin “All Access TV”. If you have suggestions for the show, please contact the Veterans Office.

Chair of Honor
The Chair of Honor resided at the Franklin Senior Center most of this year. It will rotate through other town buildings and schools through the next year.

Other Events and Activities
I co-hosted a Women Veteran’s Coffee Hour on February 24th at the Victorian Rhapsody Coffee Shop. I was joined by the Raynham and Norton VSO’s and representatives from other state and federal agencies. It was a good opportunity for women veterans to talk about their service and to obtain support for various benefits. For the past five years, I have worked with the Neponset Valley Rotary Club in hosting a veterans’ networking breakfast. We held this event on February 21st in Dedham and had over 20 veterans attend.

I coordinated a Vietnam War 50th Pinning Ceremony with Congressman Kennedy’s office in March. The event was held at the Foxboro VFW. The Congressman provided 62 lapel pins to Vietnam Veterans.

Community Support
Veterans’ Services thanks these faithful supporters:

• The Franklin Garden Club for the care and maintenance of the Veterans’ Memorial on the town common.
• Elks Lodge #2136, BPOE, for their continued support of Franklin’s veterans including the sponsorship of the Veterans’ Day Luncheon, and the veterans’ fuel assistance program. Elks Lodge #2136 conducts numerous events during the year in support of our veterans in local VA facilities.
• VFW Post 3402 for their assistance with the placement of flags on the graves of our deceased veterans for Memorial Day, their donation of poppies and their ongoing
• support and attention to Franklin’s veterans.
• American Legion, Edward L. Grant, Post 75 for their support of our veterans and their participation in our Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day events. Post 75 visits local
• private medical and VA facilities to support and recognize our veterans.
• The Friends of Franklin Elders for their support of the Memorial Day Breakfast at the Senior Center.
• The staff of the Franklin Senior Center for their daily support of the Veterans Service Office and for their valued support of the Memorial Day Breakfast.
• Franklin High School music department for the support of our events.
• The citizens of Franklin for your support of our veterans and active duty service members.

Although, federal and state definitions of veterans are very specific as to time and component served for qualification for benefits, I hold to this definition of a
veteran:

A veteran is someone – whether active duty, retired, National Guard or Reserve, served one day or twenty years – who at one point in their life wrote a blank check made payable to the Government of the United States of America for an amount of “up to and including my life.”

Thank you for your service.

I am honored to serve Franklin’s veterans and their families.

Respectfully submitted,
Dale L. Kurtz
Veterans’ Service Officer


You can read the full Annual Report for 2018 online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_town_report.pdf

The archive of prior year annual reports
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

The Veterans Walkway on the Town Common was opened on Veterans Day, November 11, 2018

HMEA incredABLE 5K - May 19

Save the Date - HMEA incredABLE 5K - May 19

For more information and to register, visit HMEA on the web at

https://www.hmea.org/incredable-5k/

MICCA Showcase Concerts - Mar 12 and Mar 14

Each year, the Franklin Public School performance ensembles participate in the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association music festival. 

 “It is the purpose of the Massachusetts Instrumental & Choral Conductor's Association (MICCA)to encourage and support high performance standards by high school, middle school, and elementary school musical organizations. MICCA Concert Festivals encourage the improvement of a group's musical standards by providing musical adjudication by highly qualified adjudicators. Attendance at a festival also affords organizations an opportunity to hear performances by other groups and experience the presentation of a wide variety of musical literature.”

The Franklin Music Department is pleased to invite you to come celebrate over 500 student musicians as they perform this years MICCA programs for the public. 

Two nights of performances will include Bands, Choruses and Orchestras from the Remington Middle School, Horace Mann Middle School, Annie Sullivan Middle School and Franklin High School.

Tuesday, March 12 will feature the orchestras and choruses and Thursday, March 14 will feature our Bands. Both concerts will begin at 6:00 PM and will be held at Franklin High School.

A $5 donation is requested at the door. Refreshments will be sold.

MICCA Showcase Concerts - Mar 12 and Mar 14