Jeff shifts the topic to Finances
Fixed cost continue to rise above our ability to raise revenues
There is a three-year plan as part of this years budget, we get more negative each year going out.
All employees are getting modest raises, generally less than the cost of living.
"Don't beat up public employees just because the town is having financial problems"
"We talk about regionalization and every where else in the country that happens but doesn't happen here."
There is a ballot item this November to remove the State Income tax. This provides 40% of the state revenue. What would replace it? No one has answered that question.
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Steve Whalen"A town's budget is a reflection of it's values"
Steve explains how the tax rate analysis he did was done separately it is not an official town document. He did the analysis to answer the comments coming during the override discussion last year that "we can't afford it" He is a financial analyst in his work life.
The residential tax burden goes to affordability.
Being 24th out of 30, tells Steve that if we chose to, we can afford to pay more.
15th out of 17th amongst the towns with a single tax rate.
"One thing I would say to you as an analyst, the override is not about overspending and waste. It not about miss-management. It is about what kind of town you want to live in."
Based upon Steve's analysis, "it is a sensible thing to do."
After tax cost about 50 cents per day.
Newcomer - "There is a different approach this year, it is not being thrust down our throats."
Jeff Roy"If the layoffs go through, it is a step back of some magnitude."
You are getting factual information to make a choice.
Look at Randolph and what is happening there.
Steve WhalenOPEC and the oil countries don't care that MA has a Prop 2 1/2 in place.
If I were in Hopkinton, #4 on the listing, I would be digging into the numbers to find ways.
Jim RocheIf property values decrease, the overall taxes will not decrease, we will raise the tax rates.
Arlington plan outlined. Whether we go that way or not, we do need to go with a longer term plan.
Jeff NuttingQ - What happened to Chap 70? Isn't that the local aid designed for the schools? Where is it going, is it going into the general town fund?
A - Yes, it is but as long as we are above the net school spending per the State, we can apply it as we need to.
Wayne OgdenReviewing his handout that will be used in the Town Budget meetings next week.
First chart, the State average spending category by category showing where Franklin is less than the state average in 10 of the 11 categories.
Last year, we were 9 of 11. Next year, Wayne predicts that next year if the override were to fail we will be lower than the state in all 11 categories.
Wayne walks through the numbers to get from the level service number less the town funding to get to the override number of $2.8 Million.
Use gas instead of oil to heat schools and have locked in a good rate to save money.
Impact of failed override restated as
- 17 teachers and one administrator at the High School
- 12.5 teachers at the middle schools
- 15 teachers at the elementary schools
- district wide reductions in curriculum teams, professional development, text books, late bus, increase pay-to-ride, and loss one additional administrator at the Central Office
- increase in class sizes
Why send layoff notices so early?
If a teacher gets another position, we don't pay their unemployment.
Sample teacher salaries across several communities the highest and lowest salaries are very comparable.
Q - What is the cost of the late bus?
A - $39,600. There are so many bad choices.
Q - How does the school facilities budget affect the budget?
A - It is not a money savings measure. There are more likely to be increases in future years.
Jeff Roy did find the clip of Jeff Nutting predicting last year that this year we would need approx $3 million for another override, hence his "
Nostradamus" nick name.
Jim Roche
Q - I understand why we are here again this year. Mis-management is the perception.
A - The use of the surplus and the growth in Chapter 70 has allowed the town to avoid the problem. The base needs to grow substantially.
Steve Whalen
"Hard to argue that you can be a real high quality town with really low taxes."
