Franklin Cultural Festival 2016

Photos from the 2nd Annual Cultural Festival held in Franklin, MA in July 2016



or go directly to Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157676824880036/

On this date: Mar 7, 2012: 15th Trivia Bee to be held

Stepping into the archive for March 7, 2012 we find that the FEF 15th Annual Triva Bee was being announced to be held on March 15.

How cool is that! the 15th event coincidentally on the 15th!

The FEF has turned from the Trivia Bee to the Harlem Wizards and other fund raising activities


https://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/03/15th-annual-trivia-bee-march-15.html

So set the date for No 22 and the next visit of the Harlem Wizards

set the date for No 22 and the next visit of the Harlem Wizards

Franklin Education Foundation

Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Franklin School Committee

The Franklin School Committee utilizes a number of subcommittees to initially review, propose and consider policies and issues that come before the Committee. We are committed to two-way communication with the citizens of Franklin, listening to concerns and sharing information in the true spirit of democracy.

The subcommittees and their functions are outlined below:

• Budget: Reviews, proposes and considers matters pertaining to the school budget. Participates with the town-wide Joint Budget Subcommittee. Committed to educating the public about the budget process in an open and transparent way.
• Community Relations: Reviews, proposes and considers matters pertaining to communication with the community about school policies, issues and programs. Meets on a monthly basis throughout the community at various locations including the Harvest Festival, The Farmer’s Market, The Senior Center, The Public Library, Franklin Cable TV Station, etc. in order to share information and address citizens’ concerns.
• Policy: Reviews, proposes and considers matters pertaining to policies and procedures in the Franklin Public Schools. This subcommittee also maintains the Policy Manual.
• Public Schools Advocacy: Keeps the committee and the community informed on legislative matters at the federal, state and local levels. Promotes the importance of public schools in a democratic society. In February a Legislative Forum was held for the public. State Senators Ross and Spilka along with State Representative, Jeff Roy shared legislative updates relative to funding education and answered questions from interested citizens.
• Transportation: Recommends and reviews policies regarding transportation. The subcommittee also develops bids for transportation services.

In addition to the work of these subcommittees, members participate on advisory councils and as liaisons to the Joint Parent Communication Councils and Mass Association of School Committees (MASC).

The responsibilities of these members are outlined below:

• School Wellness Advisory Council: Establishes annual wellness goals for the district. Reviews data, conducts data collection and sponsors professional development programs for students, faculty, parents and the community. Meets monthly throughout the school year.
• Parent Communication Council Liaisons: Joining the Superintendent and other central office administrators, school committee liaisons share important information relative to policies and issues before the school committee. This is another opportunity to gain feedback, insights as to the issues/ concerns of the community. Meets every month during the school year.
• MASC Liaison: Advocates at the state level for issues relative to public schools.
• School Start Times Advisory Council: A committee comprised of representatives from the School Committee, teachers, administrative team, parents and interested community leaders with the purpose of objectively analyzing the data and issues relative to school start times. This committee is organized into subcommittees which are meeting throughout the entire year. Recommendations will made to the School Committee at the conclusion of this study.
• Summer Workshop: The School Committee also meets at a one-day summer workshop with the Superintendent to provide input relative to the District Improvement Plan and to plan pertinent School Committee presentations and workshops for the following school year. 

Throughout the year, the School Committee works with a facilitator from MASC to strengthen our skills and effectiveness as an elected body so that we may better serve the public.

Respectfully submitted,

Anne Bergen, 
Chair, Franklin School Committee




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

For more about the School Committee
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee

Franklin School Committee

Reporting by Walking Around - Feb 26, 2016

Photos from the walk around Franklin, MA on Saturday Feb 26, 2016



or go directly to Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157665058649341/

For the commentary from the "reporting by walking around"
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/photos-from-walk-around-franklin.html

On this date: Mar 6, 2011: The week in Review

Yes, I did a weekly review for a period of time. The time I put into it didn't seem to be worth it in generating more readers or engagement so it came to an end. 

As the Town gets more and more into timely publication of reports, presentations, agendas, and meeting minutes, then perhaps this is something to reconsider. Until then, the podcast will share key meetings or events.

FM #88 - Week ending 3/6/11

Lets take less than ten minutes to review what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends March 6, 2011. 

Time: 6 minutes, 20 seconds

For the full set of show notes
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/fm-88-week-ending-3611.html

On this date: Mar 6, 2011: The week in Review mentioned the Community Garden

All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast - Mar 10

All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast

2nd Sunday of the month

Mar 10, Apr 14

7:30 - 11:00 AM

Pancakes - Scrambled Eggs - Sausage - Home Fries

(drinks are included)

Adults - $8 Kids (4 -12) - $4

(3 and under eat free)

FRANKLIN ROD and GUN CLUB
53 Florence Street
Franklin, MA 02038

Please visit www.franklinrodandgun.org for more info

Download a copy of the flyer here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zah6YdFe-IFngqZknj5OSdT7yKsjcUAP/view?usp=sharing

All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast - Jan 13

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