Save the Date for FPAC’s 2019 Gala Hosted by Broadway’s Michael James Scott - Oct 12

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will present their annual Gala on Saturday, October 12 hosted by Michael James Scott who is currently starring as the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway. With live and silent auctions, great food, and crafted cocktails the Gala celebration begins at 6 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX, Franklin Performing Arts Company’s home venue in downtown Franklin. Proceeds benefit initiatives of FPAC and THE BLACK BOX.

From the beginning, FPAC has followed a mission dedicated to promoting the performing arts with an emphasis on youth development. Through FPAC, THE BLACK BOX stage is graced by Broadway stars, professional artists, local amateurs, and students of the arts. Their performances feature live orchestras and professional artists, and they often provide a first glimpse into the world of theater for local youth. This year’s FPAC Gala celebrates “Wishes” and the organization’s goal to continue to bring high quality entertainment to the Metro-West region.

Michael James Scott is a Broadway actor most well known for playing the Genie in Disney's Aladdin in the Original Australian Cast, as well as in the West End, U.S. National Tour, and Broadway productions. While still in college, Scott was the standby for Broadway legend Ben Vereen on the international tour of Fosse. His other Broadway credits include The Book of Mormon (original cast), Elf, Something Rotten!, All Shook Up, Hair, Tarzan, and The Pirate Queen.

FPAC’s 2019 Gala Hosted by Broadway’s Michael James Scott

The Franklin Performing Arts Company’s 29th Season includes Yasmina Reza’s ART, Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (featuring choreography by original Broadway cast member Clay Thomson), The Nutcracker, ‘Tis the Season!, the world premiere of Christopher Rice’s The Tappy Christmas Special: LIVE!, Moliere’s Tartuffe, Legally Blonde the Musical (featuring Jerry Mitchell’s original Broadway choreography), and Into the Woods.

For tickets and more information visit www.FPAConline.com or call 508-528-3370. Follow FPAC on Facebook, Instagram (@franklin.performing.arts.co), Twitter (@fpac_online), and YouTube.

MassBudget: How Do Mass. Business Taxes Compare to Other States?

The answer may surprise you.

Did you know that Massachusetts has relatively low business tax levels compared with other states? Or that two elements of our state's corporate tax code result in a significant loss of its revenue? That's what you can learn and more in our new series of reports that examine how specific corporate taxes impact the Commonwealth. The first fact sheet, How Do Business Taxes in MA Compare to Other States?, draws on an analysis of business taxes as a percent of the private economy which was conducted by a national business association, the Council on State Taxation (COST). The analysis shows that: At 3.9 percent, Massachusetts' total effective business tax rate is significantly below the national average of 4.5 percent. Only eight other states have lower total effective business tax levels than the Commonwealth. Massachusetts' business tax levels rank in the bottom fifth of all states by this measure.  Our other fact sheets analyze various elements of the corporate tax code. "Together, these reports help us understand that Massachusetts business taxes as a share our economy are relatively low compared to other states, and two business tax provisions that we highlight here appear outdated, ineffective, and unnecessarily costly to the Commonwealth," said Marie-Frances Rivera, MassBudget's President.   One special business tax break- The Single Sales Factor- changes the share of multi-state corporations' profits that are taxable in Massachusetts. This tax break, while showing no discernible benefit, reduces revenue that could be used to invest in our Commonwealth's economy. As discussed in MassBudget's fact sheet, the Mass. Department of Revenue estimates this tax break will cost the state $400 million in Fiscal Year 2020. Champions of this tax break originally promised that it would be worth the expense by increasing manufacturing employment. But in the years since enactment, Massachusetts has lost about 40 percent of its manufacturing jobs. Only four states lost a larger percentage of their manufacturing jobs than Massachusetts between 2000 and 2014. Our other new report in this series focuses on the corporate minimum tax in Massachusetts. Corporate Minimum Taxes in Massachusetts Could Be Better Targeted as in Other States, explains how states have long established minimum corporate excise taxes as a backstop to ensure all corporations pay some income tax, regardless of how much they report in profits. The report shows that Massachusetts' corporate minimum tax has not been changed in 30 years. Since 1989: $456 is the minimum amount corporations are required to pay in Massachusetts, regardless of their size. 70% percent of all businesses that filed corporate excise taxes in Massachusetts paid this in 2015 - including many, very large corporations. According to the Department of Revenue, in 2004, over 2,000 corporations with gross receipts over $50 million paid only the $456 minimum tax. More recent studies show that even many Fortune 500 companies pay no state income tax other than this minimum. Several states have targeted their minimum corporate taxes so that businesses with larger volumes of sales pay larger minimum amounts. In New York, for example, the minimum corporate tax tops out at $200,000 for companies with over $1 billion in New York receipts. Interested in reading the full tax series? Check out our three latest reports on our website here and look for our upcoming reports on corporate taxes in the Commonwealth. 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 1 STATE STREET, SUITE 1250 BOSTON, MA 02109

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 1 State Street, Suite 1250, Boston, MA 02109 Sent by rwilliams@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

“Almost everyone has a story or a close call like this"

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

"The first sexual experience for 1 in 16 U.S. women was forced or coerced intercourse in their early teens, encounters that for some may have had lasting health repercussions, a study suggests.

The experiences amount to rape, the authors say, although they relied on a national survey that didn’t use the word in asking women about forced sex.

Almost 7 percent of women surveyed said their first sexual intercourse experience was involuntary; it happened at age 15 on average and the man was often several years older.

Almost half of those women who said intercourse was involuntary said they were held down and slightly more than half of them said they were verbally pressured to have sex against their will."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20190916/many-us-women-say-1st-sexual-experience-was-forced-in-teens


JAMA Research  
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2751247

JAMA Commentary 
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2751244 

Forced and Coerced Sexual Initiation in Women New Insights, Even More Questions

Franklin Art Association: October 2 - Meeting and Art Demonstration

The Franklin Art Association will meet on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 from 6:30 to 9:00 PM at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street in Franklin. Refreshments and social time will begin at 6:30 PM, followed by a short business meeting and a watercolor demonstration by award-winning Needham artist, Naomi Wilsey. 

A working artist for over 30 years, Naomi selects her subject matter from nature which includes traditional landscape, still life and florals. An art teacher with a background in graphic design and marketing, Naomi also paints in the manner of Japanese brush painting called "summi-e" and paints plein air outdoors as much as possible.

FAA meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month, September through May, and are free and open to the public. For more information log on to www.franklinart.org

 

Franklin Art Association: October 2 - Meeting and Art Demonstration

October 2019 at the Franklin Historical Museum

Be creative and have Fun! 

The Franklin Historical Museum will host our second annual Scarecrow contest in conjunction with this year’s Harvest Festival, October 5th. The contest is open to all and entrees should be fun, creative, positive and non-violent. Scarecrows should be delivered, and set up on the museum between 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM to be on display throughout the day until 5:00 PM. No fee to enter the contest.

The museum will have special Saturday hours on October 5th, open 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM as we participate in the Harvest Festival. Join us for warm apple cider, donuts and Halloween treats.

The Second Sunday Speaker Series on October 13th features celebrated author and former Franklin resident Mike Tougias. One of our most popular speakers from last year, returns to discuss his 2018 book, Above & Beyond – John F. Kennedy and America’s Most Dangerous Cold War Spy Mission. Learn about the deeply human story of President Kennedy and two U-2 pilots who risked their lives to save America during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Doors open 1:00 PM, presentation starts at 1:10 PM. The Second Sunday Speaker Series is sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum.

Join us for our annual Halloween Cemetery Tour, conducted by Professor Rob Lawson from the Dean College History department, Wednesday night, October 31st. Interested residents should meet at the steps of the museum at 4:45. We’ll walk down to the Union Street Cemetery where the tour will start at 5:00 PM. Following the cemetery tour, all are invited to embark on a second tour to see the ‘haunted’ spaces on the Dean College Campus.

Visit the museum gift shop during regular museum hours and pick up our popular Gazebo ornament for yourself or a friend who loves Franklin. Cat’s Meow designs available while they last.

For more information visit our website, franklinmuseum1778.com, our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. The museum is ADA compliant, admission is always free, donations are always welcome.

 

October 2019 at the Franklin Historical Museum

School Committee - Recap - Sep 10, 2019

The recap of the School Committee meeting held Sep 10, 2019 is summarized as follows:

The three middle schools collaborated to present the highlights of their individual improvement plans. There is more consistency across the district as shown in the plans.

The high school followed to share their improvement plan updates. There is similarity with some programs continuing across the district to the high school. Some programs are also continuing to evolve as they develop with each of the schools.

The high school also presented plans to eventually recognize the students for biliteracy achievement. Student with another language as their primary and achieving levels of mastery in both their primary and English languages. Going the other way, students with mastery in English who also master another language would also be recognized. More work to develop the program is underway with possible first recognition for the graduates in the class of 2021. 

The proposal to study the implications of closing Davis Thayer was approved. The study will take time before coming back with some real numbers and scenarios for decision.

Additional details can be found in my notes reported live during the meeting. Links provided below.

Middle Schools Improvement Plan Presentation from Franklin Matters

FHS: Seal of Biliteracy Proposal from Franklin Matters

Superintendent's Report
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/superintendents_report_to_school_committee_september_10_2019.pdf


Live Reporting: Information Matters to closing
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/09/live-reporting-information-matters-to.html

Live reporting: Discussion Action Items - Improvem...
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/09/live-reporting-discussion-action-items.html
 
Live reporting: School Committee - Sep 10, 2019
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/09/live-reporting-school-committee-sep-10.html


Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Sep 10, ...
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/09/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-sep.html

Retirement of Facilities: Recommendation for Furth...
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/09/retirement-of-facilities-recommendation.html

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds: Register O'Donnell Sees Spike in Lending Activity

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Sees Spike in Lending Activity Continuing a recent trend seen in Norfolk County, Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell reported a significant 25% increase year over year in the number of mortgages recorded during the month of August. This activity stood in contrast to a small decline seen in the number of properties sold countywide during the month. "Regarding mortgage activity," noted O'Donnell, "a total of 3,014 mortgages were recorded compared to 2,418 during the previous year. Total mortgage dollar borrowing for August was $1.6 billion, an eye popping 72% increase year over year. The total borrowing figure was impacted by a $110 million mortgage taken out against a property in Crown Colony, Quincy." Register O'Donnell also mentioned that consumers and commercial property owners are acting favorably on low interest rates, and are willing to refinance existing mortgages and utilize home equity loans for home improvement and other capital and personal needs. On the other hand, August of 2019 saw a slowdown when it came to properties sold in the county. There were only 1,834 properties sold in Norfolk County, a 5% decrease year over year based in comparison to the August 2018 numbers. However, the average property sale, including both residential and commercial transactions during the past August, was $959,518. Total dollar volume for sales in Norfolk County for that period was $1.2 billion. These numbers reflect a substantial increase compared to August 2018. Register O'Donnell noted, "There's no question reductions in real estate inventory are driving up prices. With that said, the increases seen in average sales price and total sales volume were greatly impacted by a $270 million apartment complex transaction of The Commons at Windsor Gardens in Norwood." In addition to the lending numbers, another area that showed continued and significant improvement was Norfolk County foreclosure activity. There was a 59% decrease in the number of foreclosure deeds recorded at the Registry in August. In addition, Notice to Foreclose Mortgages, the first step in the foreclosure process, was down by 33%. "While the eastern Massachusetts economy continues to perform well, some of our neighbors, through no fault of their own, are experiencing economic hardship. I am proud of the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds partnership with Quincy Community Action Programs at (617) 479-8181 x-376 and NeighborWorks Housing Solutions at (617) 770-2227 x-346. These organizations have staff that can provide counsel to anyone who has received a Notice to Foreclose Mortgage from a lending institution. Additionally, another available option is to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at (617) 727-8400," noted O'Donnell. Homestead recordings experienced a small reduction in August of 4% from the prior year. "A Homestead," noted the Register, "is a consumer safeguard that provides limited protection against the forced sale of a homeowner's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000." Register O'Donnell concluded, "A lack of available real estate inventory continues to play a leading role in the reduced numbers of real estate transactions. We are seeing some prospective homeowners being priced out of the Norfolk County market and having to look elsewhere, such as Worcester County. I do not see any wavering of real estate prices in the foreseeable future. Conversely, low interest rates are continuing to fuel lending activity in the real estate market. These lending numbers also tell us that Norfolk County remains a vibrantly strong economy." To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and/or Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org. Register William P. O'Donnell Norfolk County Registry of Deeds email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org phone: 781-234-3336 web: http://www.norfolkdeeds.org

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831 Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds: Register O'Donnell Sees Spike in Lending Activity