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Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Live reporting: Legislation for Action
10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
continued with this item after action I
a. Resolution 19-67: DPW - Public Way Improvements (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-67 - Majority Vote (5))
total now $1M in addition to the $1M Chapter 90 for roads etc. repairs
through MMA and other sources, looking to increase funding in infrastructure (i.e. roads), not sure what will come from it but with a little extra surplus, it would be good to see
the work done by the i495 intersection was all State funded
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0
b. Resolution 19-68: Open Space Acquisition Stabilization Fund (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-68 - Majority Vote (5))
amount of $900K to add to Open Space fund to prepare for some future purchase opportunity
where does the money come from? An increase of new growth (home improvements) likely one time, to be set aside
Hamblen - great idea, goes along with the fiscal policies to put money into Open Space
Kelly - with budget shortfall, this might not be the best space to do so
Earls - could this money be taken out if absolutely needed?
Hellen - no. does require 2/3 vote to use for open space; you can get a 2-fer win; get over the 2M account. Now part of the budget assumption for the operating budget, we could use less of this for other operating items
Jones - general stabilization fund, would it be feasible to put there and then move later?
Hellen - no, it is referred to the 'dust' bowl account for the reason that we would only use it in a dire emergency
Mercer - this is the right decision and the right place for it now
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0
c. Resolution 19-69: Request for FY20 Supplemental Appropriations (Motion to Approve
Resolution 19-69 - Majority Vote (5))
skipping this one in the hope Padula can arrive, finally getting to at approx 7:57 PM, could delay no further
sometimes the news is not good, and there have been adjustments downward in prior years, the municipal budget process goes until the tax rate is set later this year
the governor approved the budget without a single line item cut, unusual and appreciated
thanks to our legislative representation for their hard work getting us to this point
local receipts are slightly higher as well as the new growth (mentioned earlier)
hence recommendation for the open space fund (as a one time adjustment)
pause to check on revenue side questions
$231K for schools - portion already approved previously
asst director for facilities
more for the senior center
veterans services (per agreement as mentioned earlier)
training for paramedica in partnership with Milford Reg
more for assessors for a new appraiser per 5 year revals
legal expense budget increase, bargaining with all units
Hamblen - huge backlog of projects at facilities,
Hellen - 1.2M sq ft of space, for a town of our size, we need more folks
potential re-org also coming
the demand on the service is far more than one person can handle
Delloroco - I don't agree, I think we should hire more folks rather than a director
sympathetic to the marketing role
Hellen - you can't sell the public on an override, can't do that
Pellegri - looking to have them voted on separately
motion and seconded
will proceed with answering the questions around the four items, as the others not questioned
Supt Ahern and Bus Admin Goodman come to table to address school budget adjustment questions
$129K split into
$50K, for consultant on the Davis Thayer study, not just Thayer, sweeps across the district
demographics and facilities
population and enrollment projections
functional capacity of the schools themselves
we know the design capacity, but the educational requirements have changed
$54K to restore site based supplies, part of budget in Spring that was cut
$25K to support professional develop, had been in budget in Spring and also cut
Padula arrived approx 8:40 PM
Dr Bergen - The Davis Thayer issue needs to be addressed logically, carefully, and objectively
extended discussion around the additional funding for the School - ironically, the Town came to the School Dept and said we have some money to help you restore funds that were cut; now the Council is trying to justify the additions.
Mercer nailing it on the need for the professional study for Davis Thayer in what it is and what it would need for whatever its future use would be.
Need the position for Marketing/Communications; not liking how it was done but it is needed
Mercer it is our job to question but we need to respect what they are bringing forward, they are good and have great staffs.
Schools resolved
Board of Assessors
Town Administration
Facilities
motion to amend and remove the $110 for facilities, seconded
5-4 passes the
amend the motion to take the $110 to move to the road account
earmarked for roads
seconded, passed 9-0
motion to approve as amended, seconded, passed 9-0
d. Resolution 19-70: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with County of Norfolk for County of Norfolk to Provide Veterans Services to Franklin (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-70 -Majority Vote (5))
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0
e. Resolution 19-71: Further Amending the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Abatement
Program (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-71 - Majority Vote (5))
increase from 1100 to 1200, adding 5 slots
program is as popular as ever
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0
began with this item as Padula was running late to meeting and proceeded through item I
f. Resolution 19-72: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Veteran’s Services, $10,000.00 (Motion to
Approve Resolution 19-72 - Majority Vote (5))
formally accepting the check presented at the last meeting
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0
g. Resolution 19-73: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Veteran’s Services, $1,000.00 (Motion to
Approve Resolution 19-73 - Majority Vote (5))
thaks for the gift to the Town, also had made a gift to the Senior Center
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0
h. Resolution 19-74: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Fire Department, $100 (Motion to Approve
Resolution 19-74 - Majority Vote (5))
Chief to put into process a manner to share the letters with the staff, also to acknowledge
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0
i. Bylaw Amendment 19-845: Downtown Parking Map - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Bylaw Amendment 19-845: Downtown Parking Map - Majority Roll Call Vote (5))
confirming parking spaces for handicap parking at Town Common
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 via roll call
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