MassBudget's Statement on the Governor's Affordable Homes Act

The latest from MassBudget

Affordable housing is a top problem for Massachusetts. It requires a set of bold initiatives and investments that work together to increase the availability and affordability of housing. This bill (H.4138) takes the scale of our housing challenges seriously and can be made even stronger as it advances through the legislative process.  In keeping with the all-hands-on-deck effort needed to solve our housing ills, the bill recognizes that municipalities can play a major role by investing resources to address local housing needs. By empowering cities and towns to place real estate transfer fees on the most expensive homes, it provides a new tool that will generate resources for local affordable housing efforts. By placing fees on the sale of only the most expensive strata of housing, the policy would not require owners of affordable housing to contribute. Municipal leaders will ultimately be held politically accountable by their residents for the way they set transfer fee rates and thresholds. As this legislation moves forward, legislators should consider a more flexible sale price threshold that would allow municipalities with low median home sale prices to set a threshold below $1 million and allow the few municipalities with multimillion-dollar median sales prices to set a threshold closer to $1 million. Ultimately, a transfer fee option will both incentivize and provide resources for additional affordable housing. The bill would also take critical steps toward protecting tenant rights by sealing eviction records and creating an Office of Fair Housing. Eviction sealing protects tenants from misuse of eviction records and unfair exclusion from the housing market. Those most at risk of eviction are people of color. As this bill moves forward, lawmakers should ensure that tenants who are evicted can easily seal their evictions within reasonable time frames to avoid inadvertent harm. Likewise, the new Fair Housing office would advance inclusiveness in our communities through education, outreach, and collaboration with other state agencies against housing discrimination and patterns of segregation. It should be given sufficient resources to maximize its effectiveness. Lastly, the largest capital authorization in the bill would allocate $1.6 billion toward preserving and improving more than 27,000 existing public housing units. This represents approximately one-quarter of the state's public housing portfolio and is a critical piece of the larger housing puzzle that has too-long been neglected. Public housing fills an important space in the affordable housing ecosystem, and this is a positive step toward reinvesting in these critical units. We look forward to continuing to work with the administration and the legislature for housing solutions that will advance racial and economic justice in the Commonwealth. Additional resources:  The Governor's proposal includes real estate transfer fees, a critical tool that will allow municipalities to collect revenue to fund local affordable housing efforts. How Much Would a Transfer Fee on Expensive Real Estate Generate for Your City or Town? Use our downloadable, interactive Excel dashboard to see how much revenue your community could raise. Programs which help people afford their rent are a critical tool in addressing the housing affordability crisis. Learn more about Massachusetts' Universal Housing Vouchers here.  As a bond bill, the investments would occur through the capital budgeting process, not the annual state budget. You can read about the capital budget process in our Massachusetts Capital Budget 101 primer. #  #  # The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) is a leading think tank advancing policy solutions to create an inclusive, thriving Commonwealth for all. Support our work today!

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Press release on the Affordable Homes Act 

https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-unveils-4-billion-affordable-homes-act-to-increase-production-and-lower-costs

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Monday, Oct 23, 2023

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Monday

9 AM 12 PM and 6 PM Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong
2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews

11 AM 2 PM and 8 PM A More Perfect Union – Discussing American Politics and Current Events - Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, State Rep Jeff Roy, and Nick Remissong hold a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = MONDAY

9:00 am SAFE Coalition: Danny Lagarce

10:30 am Physician Focus: Winter is Coming

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Waffles

12:30 pm Senior Center Chef Showdown

1:00 pm Cooking Thyme: Sweet Corn Risotto

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 3

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 6

3:30 pm Franklin Observer: Candidates Night 2023

4:30 pm Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Advocates for Children

5:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Molly Driscoll & Nick Gangemi

5:30 pm Tri County Building Project

7:00 pm Frank Presents: KP Sompally

7:30 pm Frank Presents: Ruthan O'Sullivan

9:00 pm Circle of Friends: She Grooves

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = MONDAY

8:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Soccer: v North Attleboro 10-19-23

10:00 am FHS Varsity Volleyball: v 10-20-23

11:30 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Molly Driscoll & Nick Gangemi

12:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Soccer: v Mansfield 10-04-23

2:00 pm Public School Concert: Lifelong Music Pt. 2 05-14-19

3:30 pm Public School Concert: FHS Spring Jazz '22

8:00 pm SAFE Coalition: Danny Lagarce

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = MONDAY

8:00 am Planning Board: 10-16-23

11:00 am Joint Budget Subcommittee 10-11-23

2:00 pm Planning Board: 10-16-23

7:00 pm Planning Board: LIVE Chambers  959 9814 5933

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Tri-County Election information for the vote on the new school October 24, 2023

The vote for all 11 communities occurs at the same time on Tuesday, October 24, from noon to 8 PM. Franklin votes at Franklin High School.

The one question ballot simply asks yes or no to authorize building the new school.

Franklin will also vote on Nov 7 to authorize it's funding for the project with a debt exclusion. 

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The Tri-County Municipal Ballot Committee has a Facebook page with testimonials such as this one:

"Meet Maris! She's an Alumni of the Commercial Arts program, now known as Graphic Communications.   

Maris' long career in advertising and design has included everything from illustration, packaging, product design & branding for companies including Cool Gear and NutriHealth. 

She's also the talent behind for the Downtown North Attleborough Collaborative Logo design!   

A HUGE thanks to Maris for donating her time and talent to this important campaign. 

You can see her work on instagram: @honeysquirrel_artist and at local festivals.

Want to share your story? email us a photo and a note: why you support TCMBC's VOTE YES Campaign. TriCountyMBC@gmail.com"

https://www.facebook.com/TriCountyMBC/videos/306394432151427/

Meet Maris! She's an Alumni of the Commercial Arts program

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Important Info on the Vote

Tri-County Superintendent Karen MaGuire talks with Anne Bergen about the Tri-County School Building Special Election (video)    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/superintendent-karen-mcguire-talks-with.html

Franklin Town Clerk Nancy Danello walks us through voting process for the Oct 24 Tri-County Election, then for the Nov 7 Biennial Election (audio)   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/franklin-town-clerk-nancy-danello-walks.html

Informative video on Tri-County new building (5 mins, video)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/informative-video-on-tri-county-new.html

Watch to the Tri-County New Building Information Session - 10/03/23 (video)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/watch-to-tri-county-new-building.html

Listen to the Tri-County New Building Information Session - 10/03/23 (audio)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/listen-to-tri-county-new-building.html

Town Clerk releases important info on Tri-County Election Oct 24, 2023

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/franklin-town-clerk-releases-important.html

Tri-County Info session held at Franklin Library 10/03/23 (audio)   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/listen-to-tri-county-new-building.html

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Tri-County Municipal Ballot Committee page ->   https://www.facebook.com/TriCountyMBC

Tri-County new building page -> https://www.tri-countybuilding.com/ 

Tri County School Building Project - Karen Maguire, Tri County Superintendent (presentation to Town Council) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._tri_county_presentation.pdf

Building update meeting in June, 2023 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/06/tri-county-building-project-update.html 

Tri-County Election Announcement  -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/news/important-news-tri-county-district-wide-election-10242023

Memo from Town Administrator - Tri-County Election if approved: Estimated Cost Per Household   ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/imce/u353/8b._1_-_memo_-_tri_county_school_financing.jpg

Tri-County Election Warrant  ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/news/tri-county-warrant

Tri-County Sample Ballot  -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/news/tri-county_10-24_sample_ballot.pdf

Tri-County New Building Info Session - Oct 3 at Franklin Public Library

Master Plan Update Committee meets Wednesday, subcommittee meetings Mon, Tues

Monday, Oct 23, 2023 - 7 PM

Sustainability Subcommittee

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/sustainability_-agenda_2023-10-23.pdf

Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023 - 7 PM

OSRP and NCHR Subcommittee Agenda

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/osrp_and_nchr_subcommittee_agenda_-_october_24th_2023.pdf

Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023 - 6:30 PM

Master Plan Update Committee

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/master_plan_agenda_-_october_25_2023.pdf

Master Plan Update Committee meets Wednesday, subcommittee meetings Mon, Tues

Update of Missing Person – Jazlyn Rodrigues - "found safe" - October 21, 2023

Via Franklin Police:

"Jazlyn Rodrigues, a 15-year-old Franklin, MA resident who has been missing since October 10th was found safe this afternoon. She is being reunited with her family. 

No further information is available at this time. The investigation into Jazlyn’s whereabouts remains ongoing."

Update of Missing Person – Jazlyn Rodrigues - October 21, 2023

Franklin takes 5th straight Dalton Award, FHS girls soccer lose match with Bishop Feehan

Via Twitter and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Saturday, Oct 21, 2023. 

Girls Soccer = Franklin, 0 vs. Bishop Feehan, 1 – Final

For other results around the league (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-10-21-23/

Via the Boston Globe

The 10 divisional winners for the 2022-23 Globe Scholastic Awards, now in their 51st year, in which schools are ranked based on their regular-season win percentage. Scores are compiled and updated daily during the season through the Globe’s database at https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/high-schools/.

Dalton Division 1 — Franklin captured its fifth straight Dalton, winning 74.7 percent of its games for an aggregate 251-83-6 overall record. The Panthers surged ahead in the fall with an 84-15-3 mark, fueled by standout seasons in field hockey (18-2-1), football (7-3), boys’ soccer (16-4-1), and girls’ volleyball (16-4). In the winter, the basketball teams both won the Hockomock League and combined for a 37-7 record, before baseball (23-4), girls’ lacrosse (20-4), and boys’ lacrosse (20-4) ruled.

Shared from Boston Globe (subscription maybe required ->

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/21/sports/here-are-10-divisional-winners-2022-23-globe-scholastic-awards/

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Reminder that HockomockSports.com changed to a subscription model in July. I have a subscription to view and share the FHS results that they provide. If you want to view all the worth Hockomock League reporting they do, subscribing is a good thing. It is quite reasonable. The subscription link is provided below.

To subscribe to HockomockSports.com ->

https://hockomocksports.com/sign-up/#utm_source=HockomockSports&utm_medium=HomepageDesktop&utm_campaign=20232024

FHS Panther sports results shared via subscription to HockomockSports.com

Skip the line on opening night: Buy your Legally Blonde tickets now!

Get your tickets to "Legally Blonde The Musical" Presented By Franklin High School Theatre Company

• Nov 17, 2023, 7:30 PM
• Nov 18, 2023, 7:30 PM
• Nov 19, 2023, 2:00 PM

Franklin High School

218 Oak Street

Franklin, MA 02038

Visit our website and online box office!

https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/franklin-high-school-theatre-company/65159fad8d5da50e5ac80656

Visit here for more information about the cast and show

https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/franklin-high-school-theatre-company/65159fad8d5da50e5ac80656/about

Skip the line on opening night: Buy your Legally Blonde tickets now!

October Monthly Trail Walk - Saturday, October 28 at 10 AM

October Monthly Trail Walk - Sat 28th at 10am - meet at Grove St Trail Head

View this email in your browser October Monthly Trail Walk - Saturday, October 28 at 10 AM Warm regards, Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee   Copyright © 2023 Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee PO Box 68 Franklin, Ma 02038

Franklin TV: Endless Konnections

There Are Many Paths to Wellness

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 10/22/2023

There are indeed many paths to follow in cultivating personal wellness. For most of us the topic of wellness is expanse, yet for each of us wellness is personal. What constitutes wellness? We believe that wellness is good and important in our lives, but our limited understanding of wellness can make wellness, umm well – elusive. The sources and activities that we embrace to promote wellness can be variable. In a post-covid world, most of us have a general appreciation for wellness in our lives. How can we best achieve a clear understanding of wellness to guide us?

Legrand of CaribbeanApparel.net (left) and Farah Andre (right)

Farah Andre (right) is a registered wellness nurse. She serves as our able navigator on a journey through a vast ocean of wellness opportunity. Wellness – it’s physical mental, emotional, spiritual, financial, social, and more. Here she talks with Legrand of CaribbeanApparel.net about identity and fashion.

Farah’s Endless Konnections is coming to our All-Access cable channel soon.

Watch and learn about all the actions, sources and connections that can encourage greater overall wellness in our daily lives.

Franklin TV

And – as always –

Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 

And, thank you for watching

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV 

and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Birchwood Bakery announces it is now open on Mondays!

Say goodbye to Monday blues... If the week starts on Monday, we're starting with it: you no longer have to skip coffee, breakfast or lunch on the first day back to work.  Come get your favorite treats 7 days a week!

Have questions? Reply to this email and we'll respond as soon as possible.

Say goodbye to Monday blues... If the week starts on Monday, we're starting with it: you no longer have to skip coffee, breakfast or lunch on the first day back to work.  Come get your favorite treats 7 days a week! Birchwood Bakery 17 E Central St, Franklin, MA, 02038 Birchwood opens on Mondays! was sent to you on 2023-10-20 20:20:16 UTC by Birchwood Bakery

                                                           

Photos from Davis Thayer Open House - Saturday, Oct 21, 2023

I did get to spend sometime wandering in and amongst the rooms large and small in the former Davis Thayer Elementary School. Approaching its 100th anniversary, it opened in 1924 as Franklin High School, it is now a town facility looking for what its future will be.

Members of the Davis Thayer Reuse Committee were present to sign folks in and answer questions, or share reminiscences. 

A few highlights are shared here: 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XtaVunE3F7PGv5d6A

There are more photos in the album ->

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tXnMSzjQCuRwcUvu6

at the entrance

deep in the dark, wonder if anyone know when and who did this art work?

good reworking of JFK's quote

a lonely pencil sharpener

student art on the wall of one corridor

the scoreboard, reworked by Glenn Jones, will end up at the Historical Museum

the building plaque for the high school (also destined for the Historical Museum)

cafeteria kitchen

artifacts found in the office

inside the vault

Economic Development Cmte hears about home occupation and gets an overview of 40R (video)

The Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday, Oct 18 as scheduled at 5:30 before the Town Council meeting at 7 PM. 3 members were present in the Council Chambers, Frongillo joined via remote.

My notes captured during the meeting:

Economic development Cmte meeting about to begin, live reporting will commence with the meeting #edc1018

3 of the 4 members present in Chambers (Frongillo absent?)

Home occupation proposal up for discussion only, no legislation drafted yet, looking to help understand the issue, pros/cons, to eventually bring something forward. Frongillo tapped in via Zoom. Follow along with agenda (link below)

Bryan Taberner, Planning and Community Development, provides an overview on the home occupancy research, example of other communities; we don't have a specific bylaw for home occupancy but do have a section covering the items, and in comparison, we have what others do

Discussion around the nuances of the current regulation, most staff are happy with the current status; suggestion on limiting to some number with an area; not practical, nor encouraging the entrepreneur spirit of those interested. Need to get up to speed (revenue) ...

Before moving from home to a more formal business setting. Lowers the barrier to entry for business. Frongillo (1) making it easier to understand the current status, (2) parking, most streets have parking space unused most of the time (3) manufacturing, particularly food ...

Cathy Liberty, Health Director, speaks to the issues on both sides business and Health to enforce the regulations; different from a food establishment, the health dept can go in anytime because they are in business for that reason; home kitchen different as it is ...

Used some of the time and the access to the kitchen would need to be scheduled. DPW Director Cantoreggi talks to the need for grease traps for commercial kitchens,

 

maintenance is a requirement so it does add cost to the business, but ultimately it protects the community

One aspect of the regulations is to protect the assets (sewer pipes, water infrastructure,...) Moving to the second agenda item, discussion of 40R.

One of the goals from the Franklin For All project. "A smart growth overlay district" if done right, does well

40R does require State approval before going to Town Council, a housing build. Slides shared for the overview ->

40R draft is good but doesn't really do anything until a 40R district is created. This is the umbrella language that covers the future districts. A boat load of work, bring it back for the Nov 1 EDC mtg

Motion to adjourn, second, passes 4-0 via roll call 

Agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/edc_agenda_10.18.2023.pdf

My notes in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ee3BBIPK-k_iyEvoRavYSyKCqBlHIHF8/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin TV video ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/ZxSsKapfjqY?si=49MdVfK6SAwtc4Lj

Economic Development Cmte hears about home occupation and gets an overview of 40R (video)